5 Months Later – Days before Matt's Retirement
Deputy Newley O'Brian had been designated by the War Department to be Matt's replacement upon his retirement. Matt had spent the year allowing Newley to share more and more of his responsibilities, and in a few days he'd be turning over his badge.
They had just escorted a prisoner from Dodge to Hayes City, and were on their way back. It was noon and they were about 1 hour outside of town talking as they rode.
"Matt, I'm sure glad we're close to Dodge. From the looks of those clouds, a fierce rainstorm is approaching."
"Yep, that's why I had us start out before dawn."
Newley looked at Matt, "I'm amazed that you figured on the storm that early. You're sure a lot better than I am about predicting the weather."
Matt smiled, "Newley, I hope you never get as good as I am."
Newley looked puzzled, "Why is that?"
Matt gave a short laugh, "When a storm is coming my leg and back let me know in no uncertain terms. I've got some scars I wouldn't wish on anybody."
Newley shook his head and gave Matt an embarrassed smile. Matt smiled back, "Let's get down and let the horses get a drink over in that stream before we continue. We have time for a short stop."
They dismounted and walked their horses a few feet to the narrow stream. The horses were drinking and the two men filled their canteens.
As he put the cap on his canteen Newley said, "Matt, Hayes City has changed a whole lot in the six months or so since I've was there last. There are so many more businesses and families. They're building a bigger school house, and a second church."
Matt nodded, "Yep, just like Dodge, more stores and families, and fewer drunken cowboys and gunmen. Dodge has that new hotel being built near the railroad station, and it's going to be pretty fancy. It will attract more business minded people, and it looks like we might also be getting a second bank. I'll tell you even the cattle drives coming through have gotten tamer. Times are changing Newley and changing fast."
Newley noticed that Matt was staring at something in the distance and looked in the direction of his focus. There was a small group of Indians on horseback on a hill not far from where they were."
"Matt, you're friends with a lot of Indians in these parts. Who are they?"
Matt kept his eyes on the Indians, "Talk about times changing. Right there you see the last group of renegades. The cavalry has been after them for months, but they've been clever."
Matt watched the renegades and spoke quickly, "Newley, they are going to charge. When I give the word we'll mount quickly and ride west to the top of the hill. As we start down they will lose sight of us for a short time. You ride to Fort Dodge and alert Colonel Clark. I'll continue west. I believe they'll think they lost you and follow me."
"Matt let's both ride for Fort Dodge."
"Newley, on those war ponies they can outrun us. If they lose sight of us both they'll stop briefly and track, and before we know it catch up. We have to split up. Go!"
They mounted quickly and rode west. The renegades followed closing the gap between them quickly. Matt and Newley got to the top of the hill and started down. Halfway down the hill Newley looked back and saw that the Indians hadn't reached the top yet, he headed towards Fort Dodge, galloping as fast as his horse could go. Matt continued down the hill. It wasn't long before the renegades were after him. Newley was no longer in sight, so as Matt expected they rode after him, and caught up quickly. Before long, he was surrounded and pulled to a stop. Arrows were pointed at him from every direction.
The leader put down his bow and rode his horse to be along side of Matt's. He was a young man, taller then most Indians, with striking green eyes. Matt knew that his mother had been a white woman.
Matt looked at him and said, "Grey Fox, your father is the chief of your people. Is this how you honor him?"
The Indian's voice was filled with contempt, "My father does what the white man tells him to. He is no chief. Put your hands up Dillon."
Matt put his hands in the air, "Your father is a brave man who does everything he can to keep his people safe."
Gray Fox removed Matt's pistol from his holster, and his rifle from the scabbard saying, "Enough talk. Let's go."
Matt did as he was told thinking that if they had wanted to kill him, he'd be dead already. He looked around and counted 10 braves including Grey Fox. All were ridding small fast horses. They had bows and arrows, and knives, but as far as he could tell the only guns they had were the pistol and rifle taken from him.
After riding for a while they reached a narrow passageway where they had to go single file. Just then lightning flashed and the sky opened up. Rain starting pouring down in heavy sheets. The Indians just plodded on.
They reached a grove of trees and rode through to a clearing that was under an overhanging cliff. The overhang provided excellent but not complete protection from the rain. Matt saw that 2 teepees had been set up directly under the overhang. He had to admit that a better location wouldn't be possible. The grove of trees kept them out of sight and the overhang provided a lot of protection from the elements.
Two Indians pulled Matt down from his horse and walked him into the smaller of the two teepees. Grey Fox followed holding the rifle. Matt thought that with just three he might be able overpower them and take the rifle back. He punched Grey Fox hard in the jaw, sending him flying off to the side, he elbowed the man to his left and back handed the one to his right. The man on his left scrambled to his feet and jumped on to Matt's back. As Matt was struggling to throw him off, Grey Fox managed to stand, picked up the rifle and hit Matt on the side of the head with the butt. Blood was trickling down the side of Matt's face, as he fell unconscious.
Newley
Newley reached Fort Dodge as the torrential rains blasted down. The corporal on watch recognized him and ran to meet him, "Deputy O'Brian, are you here to get out of the rain?"
Newley got off his horse, "No Corporal, I need to see the Colonel Clark. It's important, Matt Dillon sent me."
"I'll take you right away." The Corporal signaled another soldier, "Private, take care of the Deputy's horse."
Standing dripping wet in Colonel Richard Clark's office Newley told the Colonel about the renegades and Matt's actions. The colonel, a stocky man with light brown hair and an unusually raspy voice, stood behind his desk listening carefully. When Newley finished, the Colonel pressed his hands on his desk and leaned forward speaking intently, "Deputy, I understand the situation. I want to get my hands on those renegades and I want to help Matt. He's a friend of mine, a good one, but we can't do anything until this weather clears. Certainly, you must understand that heading out now would be useless. Please go with the Corporal. He will find you some clothes to wear until yours are dry and then he'll take you to the mess hall to get some grub. We'll move out as soon as we can. Believe me, I want to get going as much as you do. We will go as soon as possible."
Dodge
Kitty's partner, Hannah was behind the bar of the Long Branch with Sam when the thunder and lightening started. The rain was soon pouring down in buckets, and the few customers who were in the saloon left quickly to get home. Hannah turned to Sam, "You should go home too. This storm is likely to get a lot worse before it gets better. I'll clean up."
Sam nodded gratefully and left as Hannah continued washing glasses. As she worked, Hannah mused about her past and her life in Dodge. She was a young girl, just 13 when her mother passed away. She was an only child, and took over the care of her father and the household. It was a lonely life, but she loved her father and didn't really mind. The only person who visited regularly was a friend of her father's, a man named Clarence Davis. He was a lonely widower who ran a dry goods store in the small town they lived in. His grown sons lived far away, and rarely visited. She was 18 when her father became very sick. Mr. Davis, had always been fond of her and asked for her hand in marriage. Her father knowing that he was dying consented, so at the age of 18 she married a 50 year old man who she would always call Mr. Davis. He was kind to her. He just wanted someone to take care of the household, cook his meals and keep him company. They had something of a physical relationship, but they never had children. After 20 years of marriage, Mr. Davis was feeling his years and asked her to help out in the dry goods store. She found that she really enjoyed interacting with the customers and had a good sense of business. Another 9 years went by and Mr. Davis' health went into a deep declined. The following year was the hardest for her. She was caring for her invalid husband and running the store on her own.
After 30 years of marriage, Mr. Davis passed away. Hannah at the age of 48, for the first time had a chance to plan her life. Mr. Davis had left her everything he owned. She sold the store and house and decided to travel west. She had no plans, just a taste for freedom.
After visiting St. Louis, she took a stagecoach to Dodge City on a whim. She soon learned that there was a saloon in town that was owned by a woman. That intrigued her. Next she learned that that woman was looking for a partner. Hannah never could figure out why, but when she heard this she marched herself right into the Long Branch, and sought the owner out. By the end of the conversation she was the half owner of a saloon in Dodge City, Kansas.
She and Kitty had hit it off from the start. They quickly became very close friends and Hannah was looking forward to the birth of Kitty and Matt's baby. She's be the best Auntie in the world.
Thinking of the baby made Hannah look up to the second floor of the Long Branch. Kitty hadn't been down in the saloon since Hannah had become a partner. The smell of alcohol made Kitty slightly nauseous, and she thought that an obviously pregnant woman didn't belong in a saloon. Kitty had stayed very involved in the business, discussing orders with Hannah and working on the ledger from her rooms upstairs.
With the bar cleaned up, and the glasses washed and stacked, Hannah decided to pay her beloved friend a visit. With this storm, there weren't going to be customers any time soon. Besides she knew that Kitty was very close to her due date and was getting anxious.
Kitty was standing the window watching the torrential rains come down when she heard a knock at the door. She answered without looking, "Come in."
Hannah entered and walked over to the window to stand next to Kitty. She knew what her friend was thinking, "You know Kitty, the storm probably took Matt by surprise. and he and Newley found shelter."
Kitty continued to stare out at the sheets of rain that were falling down, "There is no way on earth the Matt didn't know that this storm was coming. Something is wrong."
Hannah took Kitty by the arm and gently turned her so they could look at one another, "Maybe Matt's horse threw a shoe, or maybe Newley's horse went lame and that slowed them down. Or maybe Matt saw a pretty young cowgirl and decided to chase after her."
Kitty giggled at that last suggestion, and Hannah smiled at her before saying, "Honey, let's play checkers. It will pass the time. With this rain, business is lousy."
TBD
