Howdy, the name is Shadow. Only referred to my partner over there, Rico. Yes, I'm the horse. I never considered myself close to him, but things will change. We're heading to the town of Chugwater, after catching an outlaw. If ya don't know what I look like, I'll tell ya. Black fur, strict expression, mane is darker than fur, greyish marking on my face. Yeah, that's me alright. How we met? It all started when I was on my farm.
I was a strict and serious kind of animal, like my partner in a way. I was never given a name. There was only one thing that I would do like any other horse. That was to be a form of transportation. My mother told me that it is important that I protect my owner. She was very proud of it and so was I. Even though I knew her for a short time. I rather not talk about that. Every evening, the farmer's sons would ride a horse like any cowboy would. Some of the horses were to pull carts. I wasn't one of any of them. But, I never had a dream of going on adventures or such. Just be a horse. My beliefs were that horses are just horses and that all horses are the same. They only do one thing and don't need anything else. Just be a form of trantransportation. Who would want more?
It was lonely growing up. I didn't talk to no one and no one didn't talk to me. Except a annoying sheep named Percilla. I was in my stall half asleep one evening, until she came along. "Rise and shine black beauty! It's 1:09 pm! Quit your sleeping and enjoy the day!" she said in her usual cheery mood. Percilla was a white fluffy sheep with a black face and legs with a faded purple bow on her head. I got up annoyed as usual. "Dang it Percilla! Don't ya have anything better to do than put me in a bad mood?!" I rudely told her. She gives me her cheesy smile. "I've heard that the farmer has something big planned for you!" she said in an odd, but happy tone. "He better kill me." I tell her. "Don't say that!" she said with a saddened expression on her face. I rolled my eyes. What in blue blazes does the farmer want with me? He never did anything for me, but feed me. "Doesn't he have time for everyone else except me?" I ask her. "Word goes around that a cattle rustler is in these here parts-" before she could finish, I cut her off. "Our farm has horses, ducks, pigs, sheeps and chickens. Why would a cattle rustler come here? And what does this have to do with me!?" I demanded to have an exploration. "Cool your jets there, as I was saying. A bounty hunter is looking for a new horse. That new horse might be you!" she said. I give her a look and go back to sleep. She pranced away.
If you are wondering how we met, I'll be short as I can. I was just a foal and she was just a lamb. After my moth- Let's not go there. As I was saying. I was lonely sometimes, but I never asked for anyone. She came along with her annoying self and talked to me out of nowhere! I always told her to go away. Did she? No! I was stuck with her for the rest of my life until now. Anyway, enough of that. Let's get back to the real story.
Bounty hunter? Cattle rustler? Me getting involved? At that time, little did I know I was in for a treat. I slept through the whole day and night. Then early in the morning, the farmer woke me up and led me out of the barn. Some of the other animals were already awake. They didn't come near me. They only gave me strange looks, as if they were frightened. I've seen it many times before. Percilla wasn't anywhere to be seen. Good. The farmer then tied a rope around my neck. Was he going to sell me? He dragged me out of the farm and into the unknown. I've never been out of the farm before, but I knew it was dangerous.
It was a long trip. We arrived at a town called Chugwater. What an odd name for a town. Humans were everywhere. I was then taken to what seemed like a Sheriff's office. Tell me this ain't ture. Outside, there was an old guy. Who I'm sure was the Sheriff and there was a mysterious man talking to him. It was none of my business. Then the two realized I was here. "Ain't he a nice horse?" said the sheriff. His friend looked at me. "What matters, is that he is fast." he said. "He's fast alright." said my owner. How does he know? Neither him and his sons took me out for a ride. He probably wanted me gone. "He'll do." said the sheriff's friend. He then put his sattle on my back harshly. I don't know who this guy is but he better watch it, or else! Oh god. I was now with someone I don't know and he is with the law. I never wanted this! "I'll come back soon." he said. Climbed on my back and we rode off.
I didn't know where we were going. Why did this person need me? What happened to his other horse? Do I belong to this stranger now? I hope we get along well. At least I won't be annoyed by Percilla.
About a 2 hour ride, we stopped by a stream of water. Good, maybe I can get a drink. My mysterious rider got off of me and inspected the place. "Wait here." he told me. I stayed where I was. I took a few sips of water. I looked around. I would now travel in a dryland of cacti. Then, something caught my eye. There was a poster of a wanted outlaw on a cactus. It said "WANTED. REWARD for the capture of Alameda Slim." The picture showed the bandit. Are we supposed to be looking for him? Then my rider climbed onto me. Another trip I wonder how long we'll be traveling.
The day had passed and we didn't stop. I was tired, but I kept going. It was dark now. I could smell smoke. Then we stopped. He got off of me again, he took his gun and left me. "Stay here and don't make a move or sound." he told very seriously. I stayed where I was. The moment he left, I fell asleep.
BANG! I woke up startled. I thought I heard a gunshot. I wasn't afraid. I knew I was told to stay where I was. But, curiosity got the best of me. I left my spot to check out the noise. After a while, I came across a campsite. There was my partner. He was tying up an outlaw. "Well, well, well. It's seems that the famous Rico has caught Gunsmoke, the roughest train robber in the west." the bandit said sarcastically. "Rico". Was that the name of my new partner? "You may have shot me, but you'll spend the rest of your days behind bars." Rico told him as he gagged him. Wait was he bleeding?! Rico looked up. He was startled for a moment. "What are you doing here?" he asked. I didn't say a word. I walked up to him to get a good look. His shoulder was bleeding! He put Gunsmoke on me, then he go on too. Then I ran as fast as I could, not stopping to catch my breath. "Hey! Slow down! Whoa!" Rico told me as he pulled on the reins. I kept going.
Ever since this morning I made everything about myself. My mother should be ashamed of me. Rico is more important than me. I promise to help capture every outlaw out there. Especially that Alameda Slim. Whoever he is. I hope I make it in time, so Rico doesn't bleed to death. We finally arrived in town. Rico go off me dizzy. "Don't ever do that again!" he yelled at me. The sheriff came out of his office, along with an old dog barking. "What's all this commotion about?" he asked. The dog kept barking. "Howdy Rico. I see you and your new horse caught Gunsmoke!" the sheriff said proudly. "This here horse is crazy! I need another one!" Rico told him. "Why?" the sheriff asked. Then he noticed Rico's wound. "You can tell me about it later, partner. Your bleeding!" he said. They walked in the office. "That's mighty kind of ya." said a voice. I looked down. It was the dog. "Howdy I'm Rusty, the sheriff's dog." said Rusty. "Howdy, I'm... I'd tell ya my name, but I was never given one." I told him. "Oh... that's alright. Maybe Rico will give ya a nickname. Anyway you saved his life!" he said. "He's probably gonna ride me no more." I said. "What makes ya say that?" Rusty asks. "Did ya hear what he said? He wants a new horse." I tell him. "You remind me of Buck in a way." he told me. "What? Who's Buck?" I asked. "He's a friend of mine, sheriff's horse." Rusty replied. "Where is he?" I asked. "Asleep. He looks up to Rico." he said.
Rico came out of the office. He grabbed Gunsmoke and threw him on the porch. I noticed his injury was taken care of. The sheriff payed him. "Who's next?" he asked. "Conner the Kid, The Wild One, The Rattlesnake Gang and Evil Eye Joe." said the sheriff. "What about Alameda Slim?" Rico asked. "Matt and Thomas are helping look for him." he replied. "They can stop. I'll find him myself." Rico strictly told him. "Suit yourself, partner." said the sheriff. "Oh wait. Do ya want a new horse?" he asked. Rico looked at me. "I think I'll keep this one." Rico told him. So he was gonna keep me after all?
It was the next day. Percilla isn't here to bug me and I'm still Rico's steed. I hope he wasn't still mad about last night. The adventure started when he saddled me up. I wish he wasn't so rough. Has he ever heard of animal abuse? I'm sure he hasn't. We left town. During the travel he started talking to me. "You're crazy." he said. I rolled my eyes. I wish I could have made a comeback. If ya know what I mean. Then he made me stop. He got off of me. Rico picked up a small item. From my view it looked like a bullet. Yep, we're in outlaw country alright. He continued, "That stunt you pulled was stupid. I was mad of course. I have never met a horse like you." I didn't know if I should worry or not. What was he talking about? "I have to admit you somehow care. Oh look at that. I'm talking to an animal! You don't know what I'm saying do you?" he asked me. What I'm about to tell what happened next, I don't know what came over me. I licked his face. I regret it to this day. "Quit that!" he snapped. I realised what I did and embarrassment rushed over me. Then he smiled a bit. "You're good too Shadow." he said as he put his hand on my head. I backed away. I didn't know what that action was. Rico rolled his eyes and got on me again. We continued.
That named stayed with me. It was on my mind all day. Oh no! I was going soft. Dang it Percilla! Between you and me. I am not soft! What goes on in that sheep's head anyway!?
Hello and thanks for reading! This story was inspired by the movie and book "Black Beauty". I've only seen the movie, trust me it's beautiful. The other inspiration was from in the beginning of Home on the Range. When Maggie narrates and tells her backstory. I like to write about the characters that are barely seen in books or movies and other stuff that I like. I had to publish this early, if you don't mind. Don't worry I'll work on my other stories too. Anyway, this isn't the best chapter. It will get better soon, I promise. This is supposed to be a heartwarming story that you can learn a lesson from. Hope you enjoyed!