Chapter 10 Aaron Stemple
Aaron had sat at the jail long enough. They had brought back RJ and Mitch; he had locked them in separate cells and took the key with him. He had gone directly to the mercantile to send a telegraph to the sheriff in Olympia. He waited for an answer, when he received it, he went to Jason to let him know what was happening.
"It looks like the sheriff will be here tomorrow on the next stage, he says he will have two deputies with him. They will be transporting the men to the State Penitentiary in Walla Walla." Aaron said as he recorded the message in the jail notes. Both Mitch and RJ were not happy, but they said nothing. They were already planning their escape. When Aaron and Jason left the jail, they left one of the sawyers there to watch the prisoners. Lottie came with some food and drink for them. The sawyer opened the cell doors at the same time and RJ rammed his door into the sawyer. Lottie was surprised and dropped one of the trays on the floor. Mitch grabbed her and they both left with Lottie as a hostage.
RJ took two guns, they were loaded, but he grabbed more ammunition. They got outside just as Aaron, Jason and Ben were walking to the Saloon. They all saw that Lottie was a hostage.
"Now, you men won't do anything to hurt Miss Lottie, will you?" said Mitch who sneered instead of smiled. Jason stood closest to the saloon door and ducked inside and went out the back way. Aaron stood there and said:
"Mr. Wilson, I would think that since you are headed to the Penitentiary, you would think twice about what you are doing!" Aaron said as he walked towards them. RJ pointed his gun at him, Mitch pointed his gun at Lottie.
"Now, Mr. Stemple if you take one more step, Miss Lottie will no longer be as pretty as she is now!" He cocked the gun; they all heard a click. Ben was steadily moving away from the group when RJ, shot the ground near his feet.
"I don't think you want to go any further!" RJ said, brandishing his gun and ready to use it if necessary.
"Now, all we ask is two horses, we will leave the lady here, but if you don't mind, two horses please!" Mitch said
"Well, if we are not allowed to move, how are we to get your horses?" Aaron asked.
"That is simple!" Mitch looked around and saw Christopher just heading out of the livery stable with two horses. Mitch smiled.
"Well, thank you son, I would pay you two bits but at this time I haven't got it, but if you ever want a job, you are welcome to join us!" Mitch said
"No sir, Mr. I don't want any part of your jobs!" Christopher said before Candy could say anything, she had been in the store at the time but had walked to the door and heard him say that, she smiled, she was proud of her brother. Mitch took the one horse, and passed Lottie to RJ, as soon as he was on the horse, he rode out of town. RJ, pushed Lottie toward Aaron and jumped on the horse and rode out of town himself.
"Thank you Christopher for getting the horses, what made you do that?"
"Mr. Stemple, it wasn't a what is was a who. Jason went to the livery stable, and I was working there, and he said that you needed two horses. When I came out I saw what was happening and just played along. I think they will be back soon though!" Christopher said. Aaron smiled he knew Jason had something up his sleeve.
Lottie smiled and went to the saloon; she wanted to drink a cup of tea and calm her nerves. Aaron escorted her into the saloon and sat with her for a while. They knew that Jason had everything well at hand. The sheriff would be there by the next day. Those men would be forgoing their meal until tomorrow and when they did get a meal, they would be watched, there would be two men in the jail house and there would be no possibility of escape!
Jason had snuck around the back way to let Swede and the others know to be ready for RJ and Mitch. They had set up a 'roadblock' and captured RJ and Mitch. While the loggers had that job, Jason had gone to the livery stable and had told Christopher to take two horses for RJ and Mitch. Everything had been set up. They were recaptured and of course a double guard was placed on them as an insurance of no more escapes!
The next day, the sheriff from Olympia arrived with two deputies. They took RJ and Mitch into custody; Lottie had made sandwiches for them and of course the sheriff carried a canteen of water for later. Daniel and Biddie had been sitting on the porch of the Dormitory and watched as the two got into the stagecoach with the deputies and the sheriff. They were handcuffed to each other as well as their legs were shackled. There was no possibility of their escape at this time nor anytime.
"Oh, I am so glad those men are gone!" Biddie said to Daniel
"So am I Biddie, So am I!" Daniel said
"Did Aaron ask if you wanted the job?" Biddie inquired.
"Yes, he said I can start next Monday. Then after I have worked for a while, I can start courting you my dearest!" Daniel said as he took her hand and kissed it. Biddie smiled. She was still at a loss for words.