Artemus pulled the steed to a stop and surveyed the surrounding area. They had stopped a short way from the Indian camp. He thought he heard the sound of raised voices and he waited while the Colonel slid from the saddle.
"You coming?" Richmond asked as he stood waiting.
"I guess not…my body doesn't want to move." Artie held his good arm out toward the Colonel. "Could you give me a hand, sir?" Richmond shook his head and sighed.
"It won't do me any good to argue will it?" When Artie shook his head Richmond rolled his eyes. "This is going to be fun." He grumbled as he helped Artie down from the horse.
They made their way toward the camp and tepee the loud voices were coming from. They listened outside the tepee having snuck up on the back side of it. They exchanged glances when they heard Rutledge's loud voice declare that he had no use for the government agents tied up out in the rain. Artie motioned to the Colonel and they moved a short distance away from the tepee.
"Sir, we gotta find where they are holding Jim and Jeremy." Artie began.
"And do what? You are in no condition to be out here in this weather. The President is going to have my hide for sure. No we need to get back to town." Artie shook his head vehemently.
"There isn't time for that, sir. Besides I have a few tricks up my sleeve. But I need some time."
"Artemus I see those wheels turning…you've got a plan that I'm not going to like don't you?"
"Of course not sir! You'll LOVE my plan…it's the only one we have." Richmond leaned closer as Artie told him his plans occasionally glancing at him as if his agent had lost his marbles.
"I don't like it. I don't think it will work." Richmond told him.
"Oh it'll work all right as long as my ace in the hole shows up." Artie looked out to the woods. Sassy you better be out there. Artie thought has he watched the Colonel make his way around the front of the tepee.
WWWWWWWWWW
Artie slowly and painfully made his way around the camp being sure to keep to the deep brush so he wouldn't be spotted. Making a staggering sprint across a small clearing Artie lost his footing and slid to a stop in the middle of a bramble bush. He lay in the mud for a moment getting his breath. His lungs strained to pull in enough air past his tortured ribs. Sighing heavily Artie slowly pushed himself up and brushed some of the mud off his clothes.
He only succeeded in making things worse and the rain only helped to glue the mud to him. Grumbling to himself he looked around as he ran a hand through his rumpled hair. Seconds after he pulled his hand away from his hair he realized he had just spread more of the muck to his head. Cursing, Artie gave up looking for his hat and pushed himself off the ground, wincing and groaning.
Artie made his way around the camp slipping and sliding through the mud. His cursing soon turned to grumbling that gave way to an animalistic growling. Soaked to the bone, Artie's frustration came to a head when he tumbled down a small knoll landing in a heap at the bottom.
"Son of a…." He exclaimed as he tried to rise.
Sitting up breathing heavily he tried to regain his composure. Pushing himself up Artie started to slide back down. Grumbling like thunder at his predicament, Artie grabbed the sling holding his left arm and pulled it off tossing it aside. His arm dropped like a stone weight and hung loosely at his side. Testing his limb he found he had a tiny measure of control over the injured arm. That's better than nothing, Artie decided as he again pushed himself up.
Coming to the crest of a small hill Artie thought he heard voices. Lying on his stomach he pulled himself up the hill and looked over. Two Indian braves were standing behind two poles. Tied to the poles Artie could make out the forms of two men…must be Jim and Jeremy, he thought as his eyes scanned the terrain. Not seeing any other braves Artie decided it was time to make his move.
WWWWWWWWWW
Colonel Richmond made his way back to where they had tethered the horse and he climbed on. Pulling on the reins he headed toward the camp. He halted the steed and slid out of the saddle as the braves blocked the door and readied their spears. Richmond showed them his Government Identification and the braves exchanged glances. Richmond pulled his pistol from the holster and pointed it at them. They stared at him for a long moment before moving aside.
Richmond stood listening to the conversation inside the tepee. Rutledge was a raving lunatic and he needed to be stopped and now. When the madman reached the point in his speech where he threatened the Yakima with killing their sacred Sasquatch he decided to make his presence known. Lifting the flap and entering the tepee he brandished his gun to keep the other braves at bay.
"Mr. Rutledge!" Richmond boomed in a loud voice. All eyes turned to look at the newcomer.
"Chief Running Bear I presume." Richmond stuck his hand out to the Chief. "I am Colonel James Richmond, United States Secret Service." Richmond shook hands with the Chief and tried to hide his amusement at Rutledge's shocked expression.
"You are from Washington? Why have you deceived the people of the valley?" The Chief asked.
"That was a necessary evil, Chief and for that I am sorry. We knew someone was trying to infiltrate the area and take advantage of the Yakima and we were not about to let that happen." Running Bear considered his words for a moment then gestured for Richmond to take a seat.
"This is an outrage!" Rutledge cried, "I was here first and do not forget that I have your sacred animal. I demand that I be heard." Rutledge was roughly pushed to the floor by a nearby brave.
"I wouldn't be so sure of that if I were you Mr. Rutledge." Richmond smirked.
"He has our Sasquatch locked in a cage my braves have seen this." Running Bear spoke.
"HAD, Chief, he HAD your Sasquatch. One of my agents set him free. LONG before Mr. Rutledge came here this evening." Richmond turned to the Chief, "He has been lying to you the entire time he's been here." Running Bear looked from Richmond to Rutledge and back to Richmond.
WWWWWWWWWW
Artie stood at the top of the hill behind the braves. The rain continued to pour and thunder rolled across the sky. An errant bolt of lightning struck the ground next to Artie making his skin crawl. He jumped and bellowed when he felt his chest pull. The two braves guarding the agents turned and stared open mouthed as a streak of lightning lit up the sky.
On top of the hill they saw what appeared to be a huge beast lumbering toward them. It was covered in mud and made growling sounds like they had never heard before. Jim and Jeremy tried to twist around on their poles craning their necks to get a glimpse of what was transpiring. One of the braves threw his spear toward the creature.
The projectile sped through the rain heading toward its target. Artie was weighed down with wet clothes and mud and he couldn't get out of the way. The spear skimmed his right leg on the outside just below his kneecap. Artie bellowed and his arms flailed as another flash of lightning illuminated him. The braves looked at each other then back to the monster and they turned away, running toward the camp.
Artie stepped down toward the agents and lost his footing. Falling on his backside Artie slid down the small hill and came to a stop when he slammed into the poles securing his friends. Jim and Jeremy twisted and turned trying to see who or what had just slammed into them. Jim thought he recognized the form.
"Artie!" Jim tried to wriggle free but the mud held him fast.
"Yeah, Jim, give me a second." Artie lay there moaning softly.
"Artemus…are you all right?" Jeremy asked.
"Yeah, fine, nice to see you Jeremy." Artie replied.
"Do you think you two could have the meet and greet later? I'd like to get off this pole." Jim spoke loudly over the rain.
"You mean to tell me you are not impressed with Mother Nature's self showering system, Jim? Tsk tsk tsk." Artie grinned as he pulled his pocket knife out and began to saw away at Jim's ropes, the mud sliding off of him in the continued downpour.
"Artie, wasn't your arm in a sling?" Jim asked gently teasing his partner.
"I believe it was, James." Artie grunted as he pulled back on the blade.
"Why isn't it still in the sling, Artie?" Jim asked harshly.
"Long story…remind me to tell you sometime. Right now we have to go and save the Colonel." Artie dropped back onto his backside as Jim's restraints broke away.
His partner was rising to his feet rubbing the circulation back into his wrists. Jim took the knife from Artie and quickly cut through Jeremy's ropes, helping him up before turning back to his partner. Artie was trying to wipe the remaining remnants of mud off his clothes, which Jim noted were tattered and torn. Jeremy stood and stretched his legs.
"Artemus what was that you were saying about helping the Colonel? Do you know where he is?" Jeremy asked as they started to head back to the camp.
When Artie failed to answer they looked back to see him still sitting in the mud. Jim moved back to his partner and reached for his arm. Pulling Artie to his feet, Jim draped his right arm across his shoulders and helped him along.
"Thanks, Jim." Artie wheezed.
"No problem, pal. If we're off to see the Chief, I want my partner beside me." Jim told him.
"You mean if the Colonel wasn't able to convince the Chief you want me right there next to you for whatever punishment and torture the Chief metes out." Artie smirked.
"Of course! We are partners aren't we?" Jim smiled at him and Artie rolled his eyes.
WWWWWWWWWW
"This man can not be trusted…" Rutledge was saying, his voice breaking, "He has lied to you…to everyone. What friend of the Yakima would commit such treachery?"
"I could ask you the same thing, Rutledge." Richmond fumed. "What kind of monster would take a sacred animal from these people and hold it hostage to further his own means?"
Rutledge saw his luck changing from bad to worse before his very eyes. He could see the Chief being won over to the government man's side. His eyes flashed around the room, his brain whirling like a top. He knew the stories of how the savages treated the white men they despised and he knew he wouldn't stand a chance if he didn't act quickly.
Pulling a derringer from his vest pocket, he pointed it at the Chief. Two braves instantly moved forward their spears ready. Rutledge waved the gun around like a maniac, braves and elders alike ducking. Colonel Richmond pulled the Chief down as he leveled his gun at Rutledge.
"Give it up man! Let me turn you over to the Sheriff until I can arrange for transportation to Seattle or Portland." Richmond tried to reason with him.
Outside the rain continued to pour down in torrents. A shadowy figure moved effortlessly through the trees creeping toward the cluster of tepees. Even through the heavy rain he could pick up the scent of the man he hated. Making his way closer to the humans, he stopped when he saw three figures making their way toward the tents.
Sassy pulled back into the trees and watched. One man was almost dragging something…the man that set him free! Sassy almost started forward but the commotion from the tepee nearest to him made him stop. The humans heard it too and they stopped to listen. The human that had set him free didn't seem to notice as his head still hung down.
"Rutledge don't do it!" Richmond's booming voice carried outside.
"You'll not stop me. I will not have my dreams ruined!" Rutledge shouted as he backed toward the tent opening.
Without taking his eyes off the group, Rutledge threw the flap open and backed out of the tepee into the rain. Jeremy moved away from Jim and Artie and began to circle around to the other side. Rutledge looked around frantically but his carriage was no where in sight. Looking down the road, he decided to make his escape on foot. He turned to run when Jeremy confronted him.
Rutledge pointed the derringer and fired, missing Jeremy. Jeremy ducked another shot and slipped in the mud, falling to one knee. Artie's head snapped up at the sound of the first shot and he pushed away from Jim's support. Waving him off Artie assured Jim he was fine and his partner released his hold.
"Artie are you sure?"
"Just go, Jim, you've needed this workout you're getting a little soft." Artie grinned at his partner.
Jim moved to intercept Rutledge and missed seeing his partner falter then fall to the ground. Just as Richmond came out of the tent followed by the braves and Chief Running Bear, they heard a thunderous roar. All eyes were riveted on the trees as Sassy stepped out of his hiding place. He waved his arms and roared again.
Rutledge stared in horror at the beast. Jim and Jeremy stayed where they were as well, not wanting to attract the animal's attention. Jim motioned to Richmond to stay put as he stared up at the creature. So this was the one they called Sasquatch, Jim mused, he really is big. Jim watched as the giant fur covered animal stared Rutledge down.
Looking around frantically Rutledge tossed the derringer at the Sasquatch and he turned to run the other direction. Sassy rumbled forward like a freight train grabbing Rutledge from behind. Lifting him up off the ground Sassy pulled the helpless man into a bear hug and began to tighten his grip. Jeremy looked at Jim wonderingly but Jim shook his head. There was nothing they could do without harming Rutledge.
Artie heard the commotion and tried to rise only managing to prop himself up on his right elbow. Wiping the rain and mud out of his eyes he stared not believing what he was seeing. Sassy was jerking Rutledge from side to side growling like a cornered grizzly bear. Rutledge struggled to free himself pounding on Sassy's arms with no effect. The pain intensified and Rutledge was struggling for breath his body being tossed to and fro. Sassy looked at the humans and bared his teeth growling then roaring, warning them to stay away.
Turning toward Artie the behemoth beast walked over toward him. Jim stepped into his path but Sassy pushed him aside as if he were a rag doll. Putting Rutledge in one arm Sassy reached down and gently pulled Artie to his feet. Tilting his head he made an intelligible noise.
"It's okay, Sassy, I'll be fine." Artie smiled at him. Sassy turned and headed into the forest Rutledge still firmly in his grasp.
Chief Running Bear motioned to his people and they moved back into the warmth of the tepee. Richmond ran to his agents. Helping Jim up they turned to see Jeremy dashing over to Artemus. His legs buckled just as Jeremy reached him.
"Artie!" Jim shouted as he and Richmond joined Jeremy and held Artie up.
"I'm…" Artie began
"Yeah I know, you're fine." Jim grumbled as they led Artie to the tepee.
WWWWWWWWWW
EPILOGUE
Voices in whispered conversation filled his ears. He was in a soft warm bed and best of all he was dry. Artie forced his eyes to open as he lifted his head and he waited while they focused on the room. Jim and Doctor Jones were standing in the corner of the room by a small table, talking quietly. Artie allowed his head to fall back on the pillows and he sighed. Jim turned and saw that his partner was finally conscious and he moved to sit in the chair beside the bed.
"Hi, Artie." Jim looked up as Jones moved to the other side of the bed.
"How'd I get here?" Artie asked his voice hoarse. Jim helped him sip water from a glass beside the bed.
"We brought you here two days ago." Jim informed him.
"Two days ago?" Artie looked at his partner.
"What's the last thing you remember, Mr. Gordon?" Jones asked as he began to examine him.
"I…remember it was pouring down rain NOT all this bright light that's for sure." Jim rose and pulled the drapes almost closed still allowing some of the light to filter into the room.
"What else can you remember?"
"I remember setting you and Jeremy free and then we got to the tent." Artie attempted to sit up but was held back by the doctor.
"Jim, Mr. Rutledge…Sassy has...uh had him!"
"That was two days ago, Artie. It's over." Jim reassured his partner.
"I think there are a few holes that need to be filled in James." Artie winced and hissed at Jones' ministrations. "And can you see what you can do about this guy?" Artie jerked his head toward Jones.
"the holes I can fill in for you no problem. Uh…the guy…well the Colonel left strict orders." Jim looked hesitantly at his partner.
"Good grief, do I even want to know?" Artie groaned.
"You are in no shape to travel that's for sure so the Colonel said you're pretty much stuck here anyway so he ordered you confined to Yakima until Dr. Jones says otherwise." Artie nodded and sighed, resigned to his fate.
"I thought as much. Say, where is he anyway? Not to mention Jeremy."
"Jeremy is with Chief Running Bear. They are laying the ground work for a new treaty…a better one. The Colonel had to return to Washington to let them know what happened here." Artie nodded as Jim told him about the events of the past two days.
"So Rutledge's empire has crumbled. What's going to happen to all the land?"
"The land will be returned to the settlers that want to come back the rest will be added to Indian Reservation."
"Oh good…good, they deserve to get their land back." Artie looked up at his partner his expression quizzical. "What happened to Rutledge?"
"We found him late yesterday." Jim sighed and bowed his head slightly.
"And?" Artie urged.
"We found him in a sort of cage made from tree limbs and boughs. Apparently your friend wanted him to get a taste of his own medicine."
"So then why so glum?" Artie again tried to rise only to be held back by the doctor.
"We had to wait for the rain to stop before we could even try to look for him. He was pretty banged up too." Jim looked at Artie, "he didn't make it."
"Don't beat yourself up over that, Jim. Mother Nature and Sassy gave him what he deserved." Jim smiled at his partner.
"Sassy?"
"I had to call him something and it sounded better than Hey You!" Artie tried to shrug his shoulders and realized his left arm was snugly wrapped against his chest. Dr. Jones had finished his examination and was putting his instruments back into his bag.
"What about Henrietta? She was in her cage." Artie's eyes frantically searched his partner's.
"Relax, she's fine. We found her near Rutledge. Seems your furry friend looked after her, she had food and water and she didn't seem any worse for wear." Jim smiled. Artie yawned and nodded a thank you.
"Mr. Gordon I'd like you to get some rest now. You put your body through quite a lot the past week." Artie and Jim exchanged glances and chuckled, Artie held his ribs.
"This? It's nothing but a few scratches." Artie protested.
"Just a few scratches? If that is what you call just a few scratches I'd hate to see what you called banged up!" Jones retorted.
"No, doctor, you really wouldn't." Jim snickered.
"When can I get out of here?" Artie asked.
"Not for at least two weeks that leg of yours got pretty infected by all that mud and dirt." Jones informed him.
"Two weeks? Is he serious, Jim? Tell me he's not serious." Artie looked to his partner pleadingly.
"He's serious, pal. AND he has the Colonel backing him up. Your orders are firm. The Colonel said if you set one foot outside this house without permission he'd send you to meet with President Grant then he'd see to it that you meet up with your Great Aunt Maude." Jim was all business.
"My Great Aunt Maude? He used HER against me? He must be serious."
"I do not know what threat your Aunt holds for you, but if it works to keep you in that bed so you can heal I'm all for it." Jones smiled.
"That's not fair, Jim. It's just not fair!" Artie moaned.
"Maybe not, pal but look on the bright side…you're finally getting that time off you requested." Jim quickly dodged the open hand his partner tried to slap him with.
"Funny, James, real funny. I'll remember this." Artie grinned as he shifted position to get more comfortable.
"I'm sure you will, Artie. An elephant never forgets." Jim mumbled as he rose and headed for the door.
"What was that last part, Jim?" Artie asked placing his right hand behind his head.
"Sleep well, Artie. I'm going to the saloon…I'll have a beer for you." Jim turned to leave when he was hit from behind by a large pillow.
"Leave me one pretty girl will you, James?" Artie smiled and Jim smiled back, touched the brim of his hat in salute and quickly closed the door behind him. Before Artie could blink Jones was by his side.
"Now, Mr. Gordon, I was warned about you. And I have told Mrs. Jones as well. Your sliver-tongued tricks won't work on us. Now you lay back and rest, Hannah will be in soon with a bowl of broth. If you keep that down I'll let you have solid food for supper."
Artie sighed as he placed his arm behind his head and contemplated the ceiling. Jones stayed to make sure his patient was going to obey orders and he watched as Artie's arm slowly slipped down onto the bed and he began to snore softly. Jones shook his head as he picked his bag up and headed out of the room.
"I do not envy the one in charge of trying to handle you, Mr. Gordon. Something tells me this will be a very long couple of weeks." Jones turned and exited the room quietly pulling the door closed.
THE END
