Beyond the Kansas River, there are bison stampedes. As inconvenient as some of them are for travel, they also offer some of the best shooting.
They come in herds. They're fast. They're juggernauts, with only each other's proximities to control them. They won't run where they can't sense one another.
They run right past the high grounds. It's amusing, how such big animals can be so humble...
From the high ground, thunder rumbles. Less than seconds later, a bison bull falls dead, and trips several cows and calves when he does.
Atop the high ground, Ms. Brown blows the end of her shotgun; her victorious bisonsbane. She reloads, aims, and takes out another bull.
Nearby, Neim hunts with a rifle. He loads it, aims, and shoots the cows and calves. In a way, this feels wrong. But then again, it's a good thing they're not humans.
"You're very good with a gun," Neim tells her.
"I'm an excellent shot," she says, killing another bull. "Do not think, for a moment, that my African heritage prevents me from learning marksmanship."
He chuckles. "You say African." He fires his rifle. "I hear London!"
"We're a rare breed, I dare admit." She shoots another bull, and reloads. "But we do exist."
"Let me guess," he shoots another calf, "Kenya?"
She shoots another bull, and reloads. "Britain has more than a few colonies in Africa, Mr. Onassis."
He chuckles, and kills another cow. "I didn't think you knew my name yet."
They shoot as much ammo as they dare. Once they have, they re-board the wagon, and rejoin the train. It doesn't move very fast, but it sure stays in motion. From here, it's still a long way to Ft. Kearny; with luck, the ammo there won't cost more than it does in Independence.
Most of these emigrants don't even know about Ft. Kearny. A year ago, it didn't even exist...
Decades from now, a Cabela's store will open there. Once that happens, Kearny will NEVER be short on ammo, ever again...at least not until Cabela's goes through hard times, and has to close a few stores, just to try to make it through. Not that I'm pessimistic, or anything...
I AM a pessimist. Just...not where Cabela's is concerned. Or rather, I don't THINK I am...