ON THE TRAIL
They gathered at first light. Nathaniel and Ezra were seeing the others off. Chris was giving last-minute directions. Ezra would shoulder most of the duties. The botched bank robbery had carried a high toll. Nathaniel had two serious cases and the bank teller would almost certainly die. Isaiah looked over at Ezra's chestnut already saddled and waiting with a bedroll in place. A loaded pack horse chewed on its tether. An unreadable look on his face, Isaiah watched as the lean but no longer terribly thin Tanner walked in wolfing down the remnants of a biscuit.
"Mr. Tanner, I will be most concerned until you return," Ezra began.
"Won't steal yer horse, Ez," Vin answered sadly.
"Mr. Tanner, the thought never occurred to me. I am distressed that this trip is necessary at a time when you have not sufficiently recovered from your injuries," Ezra's tone was genuinely hurt.
"Was out of line," Vin replied softly gifting Ezra with one of his rare smiles.
"Completely understandable, Mr. Tanner," Ezra offered his hand. Vin brushed his fingers across the offered palm.
"Chris!" Isaiah snarled nodding at Vin.
"He's our best bet at picking up the trail. The sooner we get the woman and kids back," Chris answered coldly. Isaiah backed down with a rumble.
A low mumble rose from the preacher when Buck handed the tracker a gunbelt. The loops were filled with ammunition Vin hesitated then took the belt. His face was hidden under the brim of his hat as he fastened the belt around his narrow waist and tied the pigging string around his thigh to hold the holster in place. Larabee exchanged a silent look with Tanner as he handed over a cut off lever action rifle. Wordlessly Vin holstered the mare's leg.
"I can do without patching anymore holes in your ornery hide," Nathaniel said. "You come back in one piece. Bring the rest of 'em with you," Nathan growled.
Vin nodded and mounted 'Shakespeare' riding out.
"That boy still ain't healed, Chris," Nathaniel warned.
"If I left him he'd only follow," Chris sighed. "This way I can watch him," Chris reminded. Nathaniel nodded and stepped back.
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The two men stood watching the deputies ride out. "Would you join me for breakfast, Nathaniel?" Ezra asked calmly.
"Got patients to check on," Nathaniel took a bracing breath.
"May I provide you with a meal at your clinic then," Ezra offered.
"I'd appreciate that, Ezra," Nathaniel squeezed Ezra's shoulder as he passed.
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Most of the day Vin would ride ahead. Periodically dropping back from time to time. Several breathers to rest the horses were the only stops. JW watched in fascination as Vin rode. He seemed to always be in smooth controlled motion. Standing in the stirrups for miles as he scanned the trail. Leaning low out of the saddle to peer intently at something. This continued for hours. JW would try to see what Vin was studying so intently. JW blushed as he looked up into Vin's eyes at one point. A friendly smile and a nod and once more the tracker rode ahead.
Vin slowed the chestnut allowing the others to catch up. Without a word he slid from the saddle of the still moving horse and disappeared into the brush beside the trail.
"Where'd he go?" JW asked.
"He'll show," Chris answered as he continued riding now leading Ezra's horse. Almost an hour later Chris pulled up by a large rock shelf running beside the trail. Tanner lay stretched comfortably on the stone his hat pulled low over his face dozing in the sunshine.
"It's a big lizard," Buck commented.
"Took ya'll long 'nough," Vin acknowledged them pushing up his hat and sitting up.
"Well?" Chris asked.
"Left the trail 'bout a quarter of a klick on up. Figure ta cross tha river and make camp. Start out early," Vin suggested.
"We still have daylight," Isaiah protested.
"Hosses is tired. Mighty tricky trail up there. Still be on it after tha gloamin'. Ain't a place ta night down, no water," Vin gave his reasons for the early stop.
Chris lent forward resting his hands on the saddle horn as he stretched. "Picked a spot for camp?" He asked. Vin nodded.
Standing the tracker walked to the edge of the shelf and slid onto Shakespeare's saddle. Crooking a leg over the saddle horn Vin slouched down into the saddle. A knotted bandana appeared he opened it to reveal a dozen rocks.
"JW ya want ta help me out?" Vin asked.
"Sure," JW answered.
"Ride up ahead a bit close ta tha yella bush on yer left. Keep ya a good holt ta yer pony could be a wild ride," Vin directed. Riding ahead JW was in the middle of a sudden explosion of movement and sound. The air was full of beating wings. The little bay mare was dancing around at the sudden commotion. Keeping his seat JW calmed the wide-eyed horse. Looking up JW was amazed the feathered bodies laying in the trail. Vin dismounted and began gathering the birds. Tying their feet together he hung them from Buck's saddle horn.
"Since when do I pack your game?" Buck teased.
"Ain't gonna get near tha chestnut with no flapping wings. I'd have ta walk back ta Four Corners," Vin drawled.
"We'll eat good tonight. Trust in the Lord and he will provide, right preacher?" Buck chortled.
"Yea, verily I say trust in the Lord always," Isaiah replied.
"Best keep a rock handy," Vin said as he rode past. The gravely whisper carried back. Isaiah frowned as he watched the tracker's back.
"Wow, he took 'em on the wing," JW said awestruck.
"Learn anything today, JW?" Buck asked.
"Well, Vin won't go hungry very often," JW considered. "Can't think of anything else," JW cast a worried look around trying to see what he had missed.
"Don't make Junior mad enough to chuck rocks at ya," Buck laughed. Swiping JW's hat he headed out in a canter to catch up with the others JW on his heels.
"Did you see it, Buck?" Chris asked softly.
"You mean Junior tossing them rocks with either hand?" Buck looked over.
"Yeah," Chris exchanged a look with the rogue.
"Something worth remembering. Not many folks can use either hand that way," Chris noted.
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Taking a deep breath Isaiah tried to calm his nerves as they neared the river crossing. Lord I have tried to be a good and faithful servant. You have given me neither gills nor fins. Please keep me out of that water. Isaiah's big sorrel became nervous responding to the man's fear as they started to ford. The horse stepped into a deep hole and floundered. Isaiah lost his seat as the horse struggled to maintain his footing. The overbalanced animal went down taking the frightened preacher with him.
A lean figure reached from the left grabbing the struggling man's coat as the current started to sweep him by. Between the sudden weight of the huge man and the pull of the current Vin was jerked from the saddle. In a desperate straining pull Vin managed to get Isaiah next to the chestnut. Isaiah locked fingers around the saddle horn in a death grip.
"Git on with ya," Vin ordered and smacked the chestnut's rump sending it to shore. Avoiding flailing hooves Vin got the panicked sorrel calmed. Climbing into the saddle he made shore without any further difficulties.
"Got baptized there, Isaiah," Buck said with a shaky grin steadying the big man's steps. Coughing the river water up he ignored the tracker ride up the bank. "Not very Christian of ya, Isaiah," Buck chided sadly. "Ole Vin was watching you start in. Knew you didn't like the water. Was staying close in case you had trouble," Buck turned away and followed the others leaving Isaiah on the bank with a disgusted looking Shakespeare.
"Not you too," he glared at the horse. "That unnatural creature is an abomination before God," Isaiah whispered to himself as he mounted.
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They made camp in a peaceful glade next to the river. "Vin get out of those wet clothes," Chris ordered. Vin nodded as he finished settling Ezra's horse.
"Ah shit," Vin sighed. Chris looked up to see the dismayed tracker looking at the cantle of the saddle where his bedroll should be. "Musta come lose in tha river," he sighed.
"Here they'll be a little short," JW said offering a dry pair of pants.
"Cain't wear 'em, JW," Vin sighed "Thank ya though".
"I don't mind," JW seemed hurt.
"The soap hurts mah skin," Vin seemed embarrassed.
"You can't wear those wet things you're already shivering," JW said in concern. Buck and Chris had each removed a blanket from their bedrolls and laid them on the pack's tarpaulin. Providing Vin with a makeshift bedroll. A shirt was laid on the blankets for the tracker's use. JW had a pleased grin at Isaiah's offer.
"Mrs. Miller was quite embarrassed to tell me my shirts got washed in with some the ladies' underthings. She uses a different soap for them," Isaiah muttered.
"And here I was thinking you'd been visiting with Miss Lilly," Buck chuckled.
The preacher was now changed and spread clothing over a nearby bush to dry. Vin silently walked into the brush returning shortly. Isaiah's shirt hung to Vin's knee's the sleeves had been rolled up then tied at the wrists so Vin's hands were exposed.
"Not a word Bucklin er I'll shoot ya in the ass," Vin snarled as he shuffled by. Vin started spreading his clothing to dry.
"Hold still," Chris ordered and quickly dried Vin's dripping hair.
"Looks like he's about five and ready to be tucked in for the night," Buck shook his head.
"Vin, sit down and wrap up, your teeth are chattering," Chris ordered. He studied the strained features and the dark circles around Vin's eyes. Vin wrapped up and watched as the birds were spitted and roasted over the fire. After a satisfying meal Vin stood up and limped into the brush. JW was checking on the horses when Vin came back.