Chapter 3: Austin & Sheriff Kenny Jones & Dusty's Confrontation
Indy rode all the way to the back to Arkansas, just barely crossing the border & stopped to set up camp. "Who goes there?" A whiny male voice asked.
"A wanderer just passin' through." Indy answered.
"You look like you're in bit of trouble, son." The voice stated then screamed as the man belonging to the voice fell out of the tree.
"Who are ya?" Indy interrogated.
"Austin Jones." He answered as he stood back up on his feet & began brushing himself off. Sheriff Kenny then came riding up, "Kenny! Howdy brother. How's things in the good ol' state Kentucky?" Austin asked.
"Just fine. Who's you're friend, Austin?" Kenny asked climbing off the horse.
"I don't know he wouldn't tell me." Austin answered.
"What's your name, son?" Kenny asked Indy.
"Dustin." Indy lied.
"Howdy Dustin. Where ya headed?" Kenny asked as he shook Indy's hand.
"Indian Territory. That's where I'm from." Indy answered.
"Where bouts were ya coming back from?" Kenny interrogated.
"North Carolina, my grandmother lives there & I went to visit her." Indy lied again.
"I see. So, you rode right on through Tennessee, didn't you?" Kenny interrogated again.
"No sir, I rode through South Carolina, Alabama & Mississippi, & finally here, Sheriff." Indy replied.
"Wouldn't have been faster if you rode through Tennessee though?" Kenny asked trying to break him.
"That's true Mister, but I have a sister who lives in Alabama & I knew she'd be very cross if I didn't visit her there before heading home." Indy answered.
"Alrighty, then. Why are ya carryin' that gun when you're just gonna visit family?" Kenny asked.
"Self-defense." Indy answered.
"Really now?" Kenny asked.
"Yes, sir." Indy answered.
"Well, Dusty. It's alright if I call ya Dusty, right?" Kenny asked.
"Sure, I don't care." Indy said.
"Alrighty, Dusty. I'll see you later, maybe." Kenny said as he climbed on to his horse.
"You keep a close eye on him, Austin." Kenny whispered to Austin.
"Ya can count on me, Ken Ken!" Austin said saluting Kenny.
"Stop callin' me that Austin." Kenny snapped as he rode off.
"Take care. So, Dusty. You hungry?" Austin asked as he turned around to look at Indy.
"I'm fine." Indy replied.
"Ya sure?" Austin asked.
Indy then nodded, "Absolutely." He answered.
"Alrighty, then." Austin replied, "Well we might as well get some rest it's stating to get dark out." He suggested.
"Good idea. I'll be headed out in the mornin' back home to my family." Indy stated.
"Well, you're pretty close to home now. You should get to Indian Territory by sun up if ya leave at dawn." Austin said.
"Yeah. I know." Indy replied laying down & covering his eyes with his stetson.