Chapter 186 – The Mounties Put on a Show (short)
Little did Wynn and Jacobs realize the buzz that was going on in Hope Valley. When the cadets and Mounties had been alerted to be in formation in full uniform, Dee hurried to the house to change. Lee wasn't sure what was going on, so he offered to give him a ride to the house. When Jack learned what was going on, he insisted that he go as well. So Elizabeth helped him get into uniform and Lee said he would drive the two back. Dee sent the two guards into town to make sure they were ready.
Lee wasn't that far behind with Dee, Jack and Elizabeth. Even the school children had heard the buzz in town. Not knowing what was going on, Patty went to check it out. She came back and said something to Elizabeth Rose. Elizabeth then spoke to Charlotte and together they agreed that the children would benefit from seeing what was going on.
"Children." Charlotte said. "I want you to leave your work where it is and line up."
"We are going to walk into town." Elizabeth Rose said. "Anyone who doesn't listen will have extra work. I want the older boys to help Becky down the stairs."
Hearing the students moving around, Frank came around to see what was going on. He also helped Becky down. Once they were outside, Elizabeth Rose and Charlotte got the children lined up with the little ones in front. Frank said that he would push Becky and they went into town. They stopped by the newspaper office. Charlotte motioned for them to continue across the street and to stand on the boardwalk in front of the dentist office. They would have a good spot to see what was going on from there. Charlotte and Elizabeth Rose quickly got the children lined up, so they could all see. They were talking about what was going on.
"Children." Charlotte said. "If we are going to be here, you are going to stand quietly or we will go back to the classroom."
The children immediately quieted down and stood watching as the Mounties started lining up. Most of the town had come out to see what was going on. The two transport wagons were parked next to the Mountie office on the road ready to pull out toward Buxton when ready. The Mounties that had rode in were lined up on their horses near the transport wagons. The Mounties that were already in Hope Valley were lining up in front of the Mountie office and infirmary. Everyone was surprised to see Lee pull up and help Jack out. Faith grabbed a chair for Jack and insisted that he sit for a bit. Dee joined the formation. Elizabeth headed across the road to stand with her students.
"What is going on?" Elizabeth Rose asked.
"Moving two high value prisoners." Elizabeth whispered. "Apparently Wynn ordered all the Mounties to be in formation when he returned. He is coming in with Jacobs and Inspector Williams. Jack insisted on coming."
"Of course he did." Charlotte said.
Even the men that had come into work had stopped and come into town to see what was going on. As they were standing there, several of the families from the row houses came into town to see what was all going on. Abigail and Ann had stepped out of the cafe. Even the stagecoach had stayed to see what was going on. The men who had unloaded the supply wagons, stayed where they were to see what was going on. It appeared that most of Hope Valley had turned out to see what was going on.
When Wynn, Jacobs and Williams came around the corner they were surprised to see all the townspeople out.
"Shall we give them a show." Jacobs said.
"Why not." Wynn said. "Jacobs you will be Officer in Charge. Bill can serve as witness."
"Alright." Jacobs said.
Williams broke from Wynn and Jacobs. He rode over to the rest of the transport team and took his spot at the front. Wynn and Jacobs stopped in front of the mining office.
"Mounties, Cadets atten … tion!" Jacobs called out.
All the Mounties and Cadets stood at attention. Jacobs and Wynn rode over to the jail and dismounted. Wynn stood on the top of the steps at the Mountie office.
"Captain Cook. Corporal Carlson. Constables Bennett and Gill." Jacobs called out. "Others At Ease."
The four called stepped forward and in union turned to face Jacobs. They realized that it wasn't a drill and were going to make those watching proud. They were all a little nervous as they had never done with a Deputy Commissioner watching, much less an entire town.
"Go prepare prisoners for transport." Jacobs said. "Wait for me to call you out. Cook and Carlson will walk them out one at a time. They are to be handcuffed and in leg irons when you bring them out."
The four men went into the jail knowing that they were doing a full show of prisoner transport. Bill came out and took his position next to Jacobs near the first transport wagon. Bill and Jacobs were facing the jail. Wynn had moved off to the side toward the infirmary.
"Mounties, Cadets left face." Jacobs called out.
The Mounties and Cadets standing in the street turned to face the jail.
"Prepare the first prisoner for transport." Jacobs called out.
Cook and Carlson walked out with Amto handcuffed and in leg irons. There were also chains around his waist and connected to both the handcuffs and leg irons. Bennett walked in front with his hand on his gun. Gill was walking behind with his gun drawn pointed at the prisoner. When they stopped near the transport wagon, Bennett turned and drew his gun as well. Cook and Carlson then added additional ropes to the prisoner. They then got him into the wagon. They secured him to the floor of the wagon. They then exited the wagon and stood by the other two.
"Mission complete, Sir." Cook announced.
Jacobs went over to the wagon and stepped in. Bill stood at the door. Jacobs checked that the prisoner was secure. When he was happy with the job, he stepped out of the wagon. Him and Bill went back to the other side.
"Mission verified." Jacobs said.
The group exchanged salutes. The four then went back into the jail.
"Prepare the prisoner for transport." Jacobs called out.
Once again the four men brought out the other prisoner. They repeated the process that they had done the first time. Jacobs again verified that the prisoner was bound. After he had verified the mission, Jacobs nodded to the other four men. They quickly went back to formation with the other Mounties and Cadets.
"Mounties, Cadets." Jacobs called out.
They all snapped to attention again.
"Move formation across." Jacobs called out.
The Mounties and Cadets quickly moved the formation across the road to face the transport wagons in two lines across the road. Bill and Wynn had joined them in that formation. Jacobs then moved to stand in front of the Mounties that were in formation around the transport wagons.
"Transport team, at ease. Proceed." Jacobs called out. "May God be with you."
Jacobs then saluted Inspector Williams. Once it was returned, Jacobs moved to the side.
"Mounties, Cadets on the ground." Jacobs called out. "Atten … tion!"
They all snapped to attention and a salute as the transport team pulled out. Williams raised his arm, then dropped it to indicate they were moving. The Mounties all knew their job and moved in unison. Once the transport team had pulled out and they were past the buildings, Jacobs turned to face the other Mounties and Cadets.
"Mounties, Cadets dismissed!" Jacobs called out.
As the Mounties and Cadets went back to the jail, the townspeople clapped for them. Most of them didn't know what was going on, but had enjoyed watching the Mounties. Elizabeth said goodbye to her students and they headed back to the schoolhouse. Elizabeth headed across the road to Jack.
"We need to get you home." Elizabeth said.
"Dee went to get Lee." Jack rasped.
Seeing Jack, Wynn and Bill came over.
"What are you doing here?" Bill said with a stern tone.
"When Dee came back to change." Jack said.
"I said you were exempt." Wynn said.
Jack just gave them a dimpled grin.
"You go home and rest." Jacobs said coming over. "I will see you later tonight."
"We have a lot of work to do." Wynn said. "I don't know about the ladies, but us guys won't be back for supper. We will come out to help Jack sometime after supper. If you need us before, please send a guard."
"I already talked to Aunt Elizabeth." Elizabeth said. "She thought a quiet night in for Jack and I was needed. They were going to be at the cafe. I will do that."
"Very well." Wynn said.
"I will try to be out at about eight thirty." Jacobs said.
"I will have the water ready." Elizabeth said.
"Let's get you back." Lee said.
Jacobs helped Jack to the car.
"Lee please stay until the two guards get there." Jacobs said.
"Of course." Lee said.
Lee took off and Bill went to send the cadets out to the house.
**** Special thank you to Cinda Justice as I borrowed the Mountie prisoner transport idea from her. I changed it a little, but this idea was taken from one of her stories. ****
