28. by Stage

Breakfast had come and gone and the seven men were now gathered at the stage stop awaiting its arrival. Many of the townspeople had turned out to see them off, and the men soon found themselves in possession of a large hamper of food along with a paper wrapped bundle that joined the rest of their gear.

"Have you got your soap and such?" Nathaniel asked. Vin nodded as he attempted to fade into the shadows created by the early morning sun.

"You got your court clothes JW?" Buck looked over.

"Yes, Buck," JW rolled his eyes.

The stage soon pulled to a stop in front of the milling crowd of well-wishers, the baggage was loaded into the boot and the men prepared to board.

Chris nodded in reply to the words of encouragement as he approached Vin and placed a supportive hand on his shoulder. "It's time, Cowboy"

"Bye" "See you soon" "Give 'em hell" "Take care of our boy" "Don't forget to eat" A chorus of voices called as the stage pulled out.

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The seven men settled in for a long trip. The stage company claimed the stage would carry ten passengers,

It was much closer to a very friendly eight.

Soon six of them were sharing stories and playing euchre. Vin sat quietly looking out a window. Head shakes and worried frowns were exchanged over Vin.

Two hours later the driver called down. "We're coming into a relay for fresh horses. Best stretch your legs and such. If you're hungry I'd suggest you getting into that hamper," he commented cryptically. "Nobody'll willingly eat here more than once."

Vin sighed deeply as the stage pulled to a stop. Everyone clamored out to stretch. When Vin exited the stage Ezra offered the cloak apologetically. "Unfortunately, Mr. Tanner, we are no longer in Travis County. Sheriff Larabee no longer has the authority to override directives." Standish's drawl was thick.

Vin nodded and slid off his leather coat before donning the gray cloak. A visible shudder shook the slender frame as Vin pulled the hood up fully so he could hide from the view of the strangers.

"It's a . . . hound," a hostler snarled.

"You leave that filthy thing out here. I won't have it in my station." A belligerent woman in a filthy apron blocked the station doorway. Chris froze in shock. Nathaniel glanced over the woman's shoulder into the station and physically cringed.

The tables were covered in filth. Plates with leftover scraps of food were covered in flies. The stench of the rotting food and unwashed bodies was overwhelming.

"I'll be staying out here with Vin," Jackson backed away holding his nose as the noxious odor coming from the building made his eyes burn.

"I would consider it an honor if you would allow me to join you, Mr. Tanner. I much prefer civilized company," Ezra sniffed in disdain, turning his back on the station.

"If we step in there we'll be dead by tomorrow, JW," Buck exclaimed.

"Those ladies gave that hamper to all of us and I intend to get my share," JW sprinted back toward the stage.

"We got ten minutes, folks, before we pull out," the guard riding shotgun reminded.

"Hamper on the stage. Refill the canteens if the water here is any good," Chris ordered. After a quick walk around to stretch their legs all the men were back on the stage.

"Damn, I'm awful sorry to have to do this fellas," Happy, the driver looked decidedly unhappy. "Well now that we are out of Travis County . . . company rules say you gotta ride up top, Vin," he shrugged and muttered in embarrassment.

Wordlessly Vin climbed out a window and up on top of the stage.

"Hell," Buck huffed.

"I'm riding with Vin. There'll be more room to stretch out anyway," Chris snarled exiting the coach.

"Mr. Larabee," Ezra handed Chris a napkin covered plate and a canteen.

"Where's Vin's?" Chris demanded.

"Mr. Larabee, I am neither your servant nor a waiter. Get your own," Ezra snorted.

A soft chuckle came from above. "Thank yah, Ez," an arm appeared removing the plate from Chris' grasp. "Yah best hurry, Cowboy. They's about to pull out," Vin warned.

Chris quickly climbed up onto the roof. Larabee shook his head as he took note of Vin's position.

Tanner was propped up against Ezra's trunk, carefully padded by assorted bundles and bags, the tracker had made himself a comfortable nest.

"You got room for me?" Chris chuckled.

"Rekin so," Vin scooted over a little.

"Here, Mr. Larabee," Ezra's arm and hand appeared holding up a plate for Chris.

"Thought you weren't a servant?" Chris reminded.

"I am pleased with the extra room provided by your absence. I would prefer that hunger does not drive you back into my vicinity," Standish sniffed.

They were soon underway. Vin and Chris ate their meals in silence atop the swaying stage.

Vin gave a sated groan as he finished the last of his pie.

"That was really good," Chris agreed laying back and rubbing his full belly.

"Hey, up there," Buck called. "You all take this or JW is gonna pop," Buck lifted the hamper up. Vin snagged the handles bringing the hamper into the nest.

"Hey, Frank. Yah want some of this food?" Vin asked as he investigated the hamper's contents.

"I have to keep guard," Frank grunted.

"Iffen yer willing I'll ride shotgun whilst yah git a bite ta eat," Vin offered. "Then I'll spell Happy so he can."

"Rules don' say nothin' about him riding shotgun or driving," Happy stated.

Vin gave the reins back after Happy finished eating. "Where'd you learn to handle an eight horse hitch kid?" Happy asked.

"Never drove eight 'fore. I'se drove six whilst I'se wit' the Comanche," Vin answered peacefully.

"Comanche? Good folks with horses," Happy said thoughtfully.

Vin moved back to the nest and was soon napping. Chris thoughtfully studied the curled body. You tried to warn us didn't you, Cowboy? This trip is going to be a nightmare for you, but I've got your back.

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Arriving at the next relay station, Vin stayed on the roof while the others stretched their legs. He watched silently as a woman with a bundled baby and a small child boarded.

"It's gonna be crowded down there," Chris smirked as he rejoined Vin.

"Children two and under do not require tickets," Ezra groaned looking up.

"Load up. We're pulling out," Happy yelled as he took his seat.

Most of an hour had passed before things began to get interesting.

"Stop this thing. I'll walk to Cascade," JW yelled. Happy laughed and pulled up.

"JW?" Buck asked in confusion.

"The kid bit me," JW growled. "Have you got room up there, guys?" JW asked.

"Come on," Chris laughed.

Thirty minutes later the debonair gambler was clamoring up the side to the still moving stage aided by Vin and JW.

"Traitor," Isaiah barked to the disappearing boots.

Ezra's garments explained his change in seating. His clothing was slathered and streaked with small hand prints.

"Insufferably rude woman," Ezra huffed trying to remove the worst of the stains with a damp handkerchief as he made himself comfortable amidst the rapidly growing group of men.

So the journey continued. Vin appeared to nap while the others held a lazy conversation.

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At the next stop Buck begged "Yah got room up there?"

"No," came the chorus of voices.

"Aww! Come on!" Buck wheedled as he stood on a wheel before climbing on up.

Chris and JW pushed him off. He landed on his butt in the dust and looked up from his rather undignified position. "Come on guys".

"Yah smell like . . . " Vin growled, his nose wrinkled in disgust.

"I know what I smell like," Buck grimaced. "Maybe Isaiah can cast out demons 'cause that kid is possessed."

"Ma'am, I don't anger easily, but if you allow that little devil to bite, hit, kick or otherwise damage my person again. I will take things in hand myself," Isaiah warned in a deep rumble.

"How dare you!" the woman huffed.

"He can ride for free, lady, but he can ride in a trunk if he keeps this up," Happy growled. "I'm out of room up top. If these gentlemen insist, I'll have to shift the luggage and the hound down here," Happy grumbled.

Malcolm, the station chief hurried over to see what the hold up was. The stage was already fifteen minutes behind schedule.

"A hound on a public conveyance," the woman screeched.

"Fare was paid, ma'am," Happy noted calmly.

"You're allowing a dangerous, violent animal around citizens," she stormed.

"Well, madam, the driver has refrained from abandoning your child alongside the road," Ezra snapped.

"I meant the hound!" she screeched once more.

"Has been quite civilized unlike that little heathen," Nathaniel finally spoke up.

"Jason is just high spirited," she protested the attacks upon her little darling.

"No, ma'am, he's ill-mannered and that is your fault," Chris growled as he clamored down.

"Bucklin, what time is it?" Vin's eyes danced.

"Why don't you ask one of them vultures perched up there with you?" Buck growled.

"'Cause they's still got they's watches. Ez, how much pin money was in yer coat pocket?" Vin asked calmly

Startled exclamations filled the air. "Where in . . . ?" "I've been robbed" "Hey, where's my book?"

"Vin?" Chris looked up.

"Stuff is in tha baby's bag. Little Jason is a might light fingered. Isaiah, yer cross is in tha boy's pocket," Vin announced.

"I never," the mother huffed.

"Does your son take things often?" Chris asked sharply.

"He'd never do anything like this. How dare you accuse my baby of stealing," she cried daintily into her kerchief.

"Of course he has,"Ezra growled. "It takes quite a bit of training to pick a pocket so well."

"Mr. Tanner, would you please demonstrate your talents and scan the . . . lady," Ezra requested.

"Heartbeat jumped twenty beats a minute when she answered Larabee. Respiration is rapid, smells real nervous," Vin responded. "most likely lyin'."

The woman's mouth fell open.

"Ma'am, would you empty the baby's bag for Deputy Standish?" Malcolm's lips twitched.

"Yes, ma'am, I don't guess you've been introduced. This is Sheriff Chris Larabee and his deputies," Happy grinned.

"Oh, my," she whispered in dismay.

Emptying the bag revealed Buck's watch, Ezra's day money, JW's book, and a set of Nathaniel's forceps. A growing pile of small valuable trinkets was sorted out.

Wordlessly Isaiah held out his hand for the cross.

"I can't swear to it but that watch with the horseshoe fob sure looks like Lamont Tedroe's," Malcolm scowled.

"He's only two," the woman tried to minimize the situation.

"Mom, I'm three," the boy reminded proudly holding up three fingers.

"You owe me fare, lady," Happy scowled. The flustered woman jumped when the baby in her arm's hacked.

"That's some cough. You best let me check him out," Nathaniel frowned in concern.

"Weren't no cough. That were a bark," Vin looked over the edge of the roof.

"What?" Nathaniel looked up trying to figure out what the difference was.

"It's a dawg," Vin rasped in amusement.

"We crowded up like that for a dog?" JW fumed.

Company says critters can't ride in the passenger area. It's written right there on the door," Happy snapped angrily. "Cheating the stage line. Hiding a dog as a baby and she has the gall to fuss about Vin Tanner," Frank roared.

"Will you all watch her until we can get to Blake's Spring so we can turn her over to the sheriff there?" Malcolm asked

"Damn," Chris huffed softly. "We'll just have to leave the boy here," he decided.

"You can't leave that kid here. I don't have time to watch him," the station chief yelped.

"We have to take the boy into protective custody," Isaiah groaned.

"A minor can't ride with a prisoner. That's the law, Chris," Nathaniel reminded.

"Let the woman ride up top," Frank suggested.

"Vin's a minor," Chris began to get tickled over the whole mess.

"Does a hound count?" Frank looked embarrassed.

"Court hasn't ruled on Vin's situation," Ezra began to smirk.

"Vin can't ride in the coach. That damn company rule," Happy huffed.

"Is there anything that says the boy can't ride with . . . Vin you called him?" the station master asked calmly.

Looks were exchanged. "Ezra?" several voices asked.

"There is no regulation that I am aware of. Does the coach line have a ruling on children up top?" Ezra asked.

"Nope, not that I know of," Happy answered.

"Put the dog in his basket and put it up top," Happy growled.

"Snookums is high strung," the woman wailed.

"He's mean," the little boy warned.

"Is it a dog?" Buck exclaimed as the perfumed and beribboned creature was removed from its blanket. A wicked little snarl and it snapped at Buck.

"They's perty good eatin'," Vin remarked looking down at the ill natured animal.

"Please don't let him hurt my Snookums," the woman blubbered.

"I've got a chicken crate you can put that fuzzy rat in and fasten it on back," the thoroughly irritated station master snarled. "Stage is already twenty minutes behind."

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Soon they were on the last leg of their stage ride. Ezra, Nathaniel, Isaiah and Buck rode in the stage with the prisoner. Chris, JW and the boy rode up top with Vin now. A constant high pitched yipping could be heard from the back of the stage.

"You start acting up and I'll paddle your butt," Chris warned the boy of the biting, and thieving from earlier.

"Yes, sir!" the boy gulped.

"Yah got a name?" Vin asked softly.

"Jason. My name is Jason," the boy studied Tanner nervously.

"That's a good strong name," Vin nodded.

"JW," Vin nudged Dunne.

"Huh?" JW looked up from his book. Vin indicated the dejected little boy.

"Jason's hungry. How's 'bout yah gettin' in tha' basket and fetchin' him out a sandwich," Vin suggested.

"Oh, sure. I'm sorry, Jason. If you need something ask," JW smiled as he fished around in the bottomless hamper.

A wary look came to the boy's dark eyes when JW offered a sandwich. The youngster's eyes darted between Chris and the enticing food.

"We have to feed prisoners. It's the law," Chris spoke from his sprawled position.

The boy grabbed the offered sandwich and scooted back, proceeding to fill his mouth to overflowing.

"Little bits, Jason er it'll be comin' back on yah," Vin warned softly. Jason slowed down his starved gulping.

Chris frowned and sat up. /Vin/

/Boy's been missing meals . . . a lot, Chris/

"There's plenty, son. If you want more you can have it," Chris said kindly.

The three men watched as Jason savored the simple meal. The companionable silence was only disturbed by the shrill barking from the caged dog.

A peevish Standish called up. "Can anyone get a clear shot and silence that cur?" His demand was met by a high pitched shriek and a non-stop flow of unladylike language.

"Vin, get some cookies out of that basket and pass them around. Maybe we can sweeten Ez's disposition at least," Chris laughed. Before long Jason had found his way onto Chris' lap where he dozed peacefully.

"What's going to happen to him?" JW asked uncomfortably.

"That's gonna be up to the judge. Have to report the boy's been neglected," Chris sighed sadly.

"What's wrong wit' tha' woman. Boy's hungry but tha damn dawg's been eatin' regular," Vin hissed furiously.

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As the town came into view Vin sat up and pulled the cloak on without a word. A frustrated growl came from Chris at Tanner's voluntary action.

"Vin, you may have to wear the damn thing, but you sure as hell don't have to use the hood unless you want to," Chris' voice was gentle as he spoke.

Amos Bearhunter, the Town Marshal, had one of his deputies take custody of Elizabeth Emilia Martin when they got into town.

"What about the boy?" Chris asked.

"Looks like Momma and me will have another chick for a spell," Amos, a huge, rough looking man chuckled.

"Hey there, Chick. I'm Bear and you're going to be staying with me and Momma," the man soon had the boy cradled in the crook of his huge arm.

"What do you suggest?" Isaiah indicated the now dusty, ribbonless little dog looking up adoringly at the big sheriff.

"Snookums ain't no kind of name for a real dog. Come on Pete lets take Jason home to Alisa." Amos sauntered down the boardwalk with the little dog trotting at his heels and wagging it's tail.

"Well, I feel better about this now," Chris relaxed watching the strange threesome.

Noting the worried look on Tanner's face, Happy spoke up. "You don't worry on that boy. Poppa Bear always has a house full of little'ns. Him and his misses never had none of their own. They've got children they kept twenty years ago that stop in to visit. Never heard a complaint on the two of them either."