Just Common

Part III

Folks, with only bout 3 hours, till our time was up.
Three of the most famous Rangers rode up, with a letter fer that General Fancy. I knows one those personal like. General Thaddeus Martin, Seminole Ranger. Folks befer ya get all balled up!

The Seminole they, names aren't all of they speech. Ya see, ifin the Seminoles take ta ya. Ya become part they Nation or what ever it may be called.

Why Ole One Eye Barris an General Norton was with him. Think ya remember them, when me an Tam reported ta the Post Commander. Folks I ain't one, ta butt in on thins. I normally a do, as told, but this ain't right. Ya askin what ain't right Common?

They wants me ta deliver, that letter folks, why not those three Generals, why they Famous not me, hell I am just Common a Ranger is all. I voice that, they just say, Common ya a Ranger do as told! General Martin takes me aside, folks I met him befer he was nothin more than a normal Ranger Pa knew him well. This is what he told me.

He say, Common, when we met, you voiced yar opinion on, how the Law should be enforced. How it should be thought out, the death penalty used sparinly. Ta hear all the evidence, an hear the accused. Weigh all the evidence and the accused statement. Then decide, only after a well thought out process.

Then he say, Common ya won't just drop this letter off, an try ta start a War! Ya are an outsider ta this, ya will wait fer a reply an not start trouble. That we don't need, passion is high, here between the Nations an the Land. This ifin it goes wrong, could become the norm. Oh an ya best, think bouts Tam!

We don't needs a fight, might just get my niece killed. Saw ya rode in with her, Tam don't take ta people well. So ya must mean somethin ta her. Folks, wonders never cease. Thaddeus is Tam's Uncle! He asked me ta call him Thad a long time ago. Thaddeus folks just sounds a might better.

Folks, I took that letter, only after sayin I have ta copy it, an the reply only ta keep a record, ifin it is needed. So I copied it folks. This is what it say.

To The Commanding
General, Land a Arizona.

This Struggle, is in ongoing talks. We ask you to simply hold, till said negotiations are at a loss. Although both sides, agreed to a stop. We are working hard, for a restart of talks.

If your orders, are to attack. Then negotiations were simply a false hope, the blood an death will be on your hands, an the Nobels hands. We ask you to withdraw, at least two miles. This gives less chance of unforeseen confrontation.

Respectfully, The Navajo Nation.

Folks, then it was signed, by all the Commanders.
Ranger Command, Navajo, Hopi, Apache, Sioux, Cherokee, Seminole, Arizona Rangers, Nevada Rangers, an Texas. Ta name a few. Ifin I been a commander, why I would a signed that letter.

They was no written reply, they say, ya have two hours, ta allow us entry, an surrender. Time of talk is over. Folks, this burnt me ta no end! Bein a outsider ta this, well let's say, I said a few thins!

First, I say, ya are all full a Piss an Vinegar! The Nobels an ya Generals! Ya can not just take what ya want! They tried ta interrupt me, folks! That didn't work, told thum to be quiet! I was a talkin!

By the Laws wrote long befer, our Confederation, an added ta our Constitution! These 13 Lands, gave the Nations, the right ta, the Land. Ya propose ta take! They was guaranteed the right ta Govern thumselves, yet be a voice with an fer the Land!

They haves, the right fer a Militia, Rangers, ta declare war, ta protect they Land! Generals why I could just arrest ya! Ya could be shot! Fer breakin the Law a The Lands! The Nobels should be put befer a Tribunal of Officers above the Rank a Captain, ta decide they fate! Rangers are the Peoples protection from the Army an the Nobels!

I would think this over, just a might befer ya do, what ya thinkin a doin. Folks Fancy just smiled at me, say lot a talk, but it means nothin. Ya got my reply.

Folks, I may not be, the brightest coal oil lamp. I sure ain't the dimmest one either. What I am tryin ta say, I ain't stupid! I looked through that heavy ass, Book a Law; all I told those fools is true! I needs two Rangers from the east side the Missisip River, ta come ta the same conclusion as mine. Then those Nobels could be arrested an put befer a tribunal back east. Problem is only Rangers from the east, far as I know are, Nation Rangers. They have a vested interest.

Folks, I informed Command of they reply. I looks at Barris an Norton, say ya two are from back east. Ya know we could just arrest those Nobels. This be over, take thum back east fer trial. Both just say, that would be the wrong way. The people all over would lose respect fer the Rangers.

Folks, now I thought bouts just, callin thum idiots! I didn't, I just shook my head. Blood be on they hands also. Bouts four hours later, folks they fired they cannon. Most fell short or just pass the line a defence. That went on fer a day, no real harm done, just it took its toll. Most us couldn't sleep, I was a might ready ta just, leave an arrest those Nobels by myself!

They stopped firin fer a spell, then started again. This went on fer two more days. Folks three days, a little ta no sleep. My thinkin is, they goin ta attack here soon. We gots no cannon, we are out numbered, why it a be a blood bath! Folks I check my three pistols over, then my Sharps. Lay my Sharps on that bolder I been sittin behind, stick my saber in the ground next ta me. I heard the bugles an drums, looked over at Tam an Smiley. Say they be on the way soon! Tam say, Common I love ya, don't go get yar self shot or killed. I say nor do ya now, it just hurt somethin terrible like.

Folks, they fired they cannon! This time, it was honed in on us! Air Burst the noise, was like thunder! Screams a pain, orders a bein shouted! Folks, the Battle a Snowshoe come ta mind! York an Penn Border War! I wanted no part what happened, then! Folks between tryin ta see, an coverin my head from that shrapnel. That Pretty Army started, they advance! I put two cartridges in my mouth, held one in my left hand, between my fingers. Put my Sharps ta my right shoulder.

Folks, I was ready, ifin ya can be ready ta be possibly killed. Folks, told myself not ta fire, till they made they way inta the wedge. Piss an Vinegar! Just Sam White Hell! Don't Fire Common! Wait! Wait! Oh Lan Sakes! Fire! Shoot Common! Fire don't stop!