CHAPTER TEN
By dawn, the word had spread quickly throughout Hope Valley, and beyond.
As the sun rose, the little town began springing back to life. Everyone was abuzz about what had just happened, and their pride and gratitude for what Nathan and Bill had accomplished were boundless.
Nathan and Bill had been up all night at the office, along with Aaron, Gabe, and a few other Mounties. They were busy managing the prisoners, conferring with each other, documenting all that had happened, and overseeing the Transport Team and their prisoners' final details.
Nathan didn't want the Transport to take place till daylight, because too much could happen in the night's darkness. He wanted this done in broad daylight to ensure a secure Transit, and Headquarters agreed with him.
After the arrests had been made, Nathan had even requested that most of the Mounties grab some sleep in the rooms above the Saloon, so they would be well-rested and sharp for their delivery of the gang to Buxton and beyond. He then had assigned them to shifts for a hearty breakfast before they took on their duty of Prisoner Transport.
Bill was amazed, "Is there no detail you don't think of?"
Nathan was still immersed in deep thought and hadn't heard the hidden compliment.
They had both been going on adrenaline.
"Oh, Bill, I haven't even gotten to tell Elizabeth everything's okay…"
"Well…" Bill chuckled, "you might want to turn around. She's standing right out there!"
Nathan ran the few steps through the door, out to where Elizabeth stood on the Boardwalk. He lifted her up and twirled her around while holding his hands around her tiny waist.
"You have no idea how good it is to see you!"
"Nathan!" she laughed, but that was all she could say as they gazed into each others' eyes.
He finally set her down and gave her the biggest smile Elizabeth had ever seen. The crooked smile, the one she already cherished. She watched as the stress of the night eased from his face.
But with the hubbub around her, she could see Nathan was still needed to oversee all that was going on.
"Allie and I are headed to school, but I just had to see you first. Dinner tonight at seven?"
"I wouldn't miss it."
He took her hand and kissed it tenderly in front of all the prying eyes.
"Elizabeth, thank you for coming." He didn't even appear to mind the teasing shouts coming from the Mounties in the street, giving them a wave and grin instead.
"We'll plan for seven, but come whenever you can tear yourself away from all this." She gave him an understanding smile, filled with love and thankfulness that he was safe.
He nodded and smiled, then watched her as she turned to go get Allie and head to school.
Nathan looked out over the town and noticed that the Hope Valley citizens who were up and about, were awed and excited to see the significant number of Mounties who were here, helping him.
The mass of Red Serge was quite a sight! The people were not at all shy in going up to the Mounties, shaking their hands and thanking them for their help. For that, Nathan was grateful, and he was proud to be part of a community that could openly and warmly show their gratitude.
Turning back into his office, he gave Bill a grateful look for having noticed Elizabeth.
The day stretched out long before them, but both Nathan and Bill were determined to plow through. Aaron and Gabe were being tremendously helpful. It was going to be rough, though, even for the four of them to get it all done.
"Nathan, sit." Gabe insisted. "You've got to be exhausted."
"No, no time for that, Gabe. Looks like we're about ready to send off the Transport Team. Let's get the prisoners ready, and then, I think we should all go out and give them a proper Regiment Sendoff."
Bill looked up and nodded in agreement. Aaron and Gabe nodded, too, standing up to help with getting the prisoners prepared,
The long process was starting.
Nathan noticed a large crowd was gathering, "Bill, is this normal?"
"As normal as rain after a storm. "I say, let's give the Hope Valley citizens a show they won't forget!"
As the crowd in town, grew larger and larger, Elizabeth was having a tough time getting the children to come inside for school. Her interest was piqued too. She finally gave up and agreed to take them into town so they could better see all the activity. She knew they would be safe, and she also knew they would get nothing accomplished inside the schoolhouse, as long as all this was going on outside.
Allie was especially thrilled to get to see her Uncle Nathan in action, but truthfully, the other children seemed just as excited!
Headquarters had sent four Transport Wagons so that no more than two prisoners would ride in each Wagon. The fourth Wagon was reserved for Packer Johnston, himself, as he was to be kept separate from the others. All the prisoners were to be handcuffed, legs bound and bodies chained to the wagons, as an extra precaution.
Nathan had the Mounties to line up the four wagons in the street, one directly behind the other, with enough space between to manage the prisoners.
He then had the Transport Mounties to line up on their mounts, in Formation around the Transport Wagons.
Two other Mounties were guarding Packer Johnston's entombed cellar, which was now as fortified as any prison.
Nathan had already assigned two additional Mounties to assist Aaron and Gabe so that together, they would make up the team of four Mounties who would actually move each of the prisoners one by one into their assigned Wagons.
Aaron and Gabe would be walking arm in arm on each side of the prisoner, the other two Mounties would split with one walking in front of the prisoner, and one walking behind the prisoner. The Mountie walking in front of the prisoner would have his hand on his gun, while the Mountie walking behind the prisoner would have his gun drawn on the prisoner. When Aaron and Gabe stopped with the prisoner in front of the Transport Wagon door, the other two Mounties would turn and face the prisoner, with both their weapons drawn. At that point, Aaron and Gabe would further bind the prisoners' torsos, place them in the Wagon, bind their legs, and chain them to the iron bar running the length of each Transport Wagon.
Nathan, as the Officer in Charge, would make the final inspection to confirm that each of the prisoners was firmly secured, exactly as Headquarters had instructed. Bill, as the Judge, would serve as their Witness.
This process was going to have to be repeated a total of seven times.
"Ready Gentlemen?" Nathan inquired.
"Ready, Sir!"
Constable Grant stepped out first, walking directly in front of the Formation. "Attent…ion!" he shouted, as the Mounties on their mounts responded in unison, "Yes, Sir!" followed by their traditional Open Palm Salute.
Constable Grant returned the Salute and strode to the back of the first Wagon on the right-hand side, where he joined Judge Avery. Both stood at Attention.
Constable Grant then announced in a loud authoritative voice: "Prepare 1st Prisoner for Transport." And so the lengthy process began.
Constables Kinslow and Latham fully bound the first prisoner's arms and torso, placed him in the Wagon, bound his legs, and chained him to the iron bar.
They then retreated to the Wagon's far left, facing Constable Grant and Judge Avery with a loud "Mission Complete, Sir!"
They stood at Attention as Constable Grant entered the Wagon, and Judge Avery observed from the wagon door. When Constable Grant was satisfied, everything was secure, he exited the Wagon, and Constable Grant and Judge Avery returned to their former positions at the Wagon's right.
"Mission Verified, Constables. Prepare 2nd Prisoner for Transport."
And on and on it went till all six members of Johnston's gang were brought forward and secured for Transport.
"Mission Complete, Sir!" Constables Kinslow and Latham spoke out loudly in unison.
They again stood at Attention as Constable Grant entered the third Wagon for the sixth prisoner, and Judge Avery observed from the wagon door. Upon exit Constable Grant and Judge Avery again returned to their former positions.
"Mission Verified, Constables. Prepare Final Prisoner for Transport."
The crowd had been quietly mesmerized at the formality of the process, but a ripple of gasps and exclamations escaped as they saw the famous murderer for the first time.
For Packer Johnston, the two additional Mounties assigned to guard him were also to join the Formation, so he was closely surrounded by six Mounties. They marched him to the last Transport Wagon that had explicitly been set aside for him.
It was apparent to all that, if possible, the entire team assigned to Johnston was even being more thorough.
The process took a bit longer, Johnston was grinning a smarmy grin throughout, trying to play to the crowds of people who had gathered.
Because, one could honestly say, by now, the entire town was watching with bated breath.
But that smarmy grin dissipated when he saw the other wagons and surmised accurately who was in them.
There would be no getting him out of this arrest, and he now knew that for sure, having hoped through the night his gang would come for him. Come, they had, but to no avail.
"Mission Complete, Sir!" Constables Kinslow and Lambert finally spoke out in unison.
They again stood at Attention as Constable Grant entered the fourth and final Wagon, where he spent more time than he had in the others, as he had been instructed to ensure extra precautions with this prisoner. Silently, and with an expression of steel, Judge Avery observed from the wagon door. Upon exit Constable Grant and Judge Avery returned to their former positions.
"Mission Verified, Constables."
Constable Grant Saluted Constables Kinslow and Latham, who both Saluted back. The two Constables then fell in line behind Constable Grant and Judge Avery.
The other four Mounties who had assisted in transporting Johnston to his Transport Wagon had quietly mounted their horses and joined the Formation.
Constable Grant, Judge Avery, along with Constables Kinslow and Latham proceeded to the front of the Formation.
Constable Grant stepped out in the middle, in front of the Formation, "Transport Team, At Ease! Proceed. May God be with You!"
Constable Grant then gave the final Formal Salute, which they returned, giving him time for his men to cross in front of them to the left side, where they stood tall with the Deputized Townsmen.
With their Flags flying high, the Regiment of twelve prepared to proceed on their journey, with their prisoners firmly secured.
Constable Grant and his remaining Officers standing to the side held their Salute for each and every Mountie until the last of them had exited Hope Valley.
Suddenly the crowd of townspeople that had gathered on the Boardwalk started singing the national anthem that belonged to this country they loved so much. Their hearts were overflowing with pride as they watched every single member of this rapidly put together Regiment exit their small town in Victory.
Somehow, they all felt they were part of something much bigger than Hope Valley. And because of Nathan, Bill, Lee, his Deputized Townsmen, and the visiting Mounties, they were.