Chapter 9

I thought much about when we would make the trip, so I didn’t get much sleep. We were having breakfast in the morning when I broached a decision to Rocky. “Rocky, we have decided to move to the town in the Southern part of Wyoming Territory. I’m anxious to get there and begin. I’m thinking of how this is to happen.”

“I can understand that, Kid. What have you decided?”

“Okay, how about you go to town and hire the freight outfit to estimate moving what we want to take from here on the ranch? Have them give you an estimate on moving along with what Mable decides to take. I can leave here with the Tepee coverings and whatever else in one wagon. Atea and I will ride my two horses and go along with the freight wagon while Karen and Jack ride on the wagon. I’ll need Karen to help rebuild the tepee when we arrive there.

“Rocky, you stay here, sell the ranch, which should happen within a couple of weeks, and we can load Mable’s household goods, and it will only take less than a little time after I get there. By that time, I’ll have tepee up and maybe have the foundation in for our house. Our hands said they wanted to go with us. Let me have one or two men with me to do all of this organizing and getting started.”

“Kid, that’s good thinking with me following when I sell the ranch. Mable can live in the hotel and become acquainted with the town until we get her new home built. You will have enough money to do most of what it takes to settle.

“When are you and Atea planning on marrying? You may have a little trouble with that because she is only sixteen. I don’t know if they will take Karen’s word that she has no history of when Atea was born or what the name of her real biological parents was.”

“I may have to wait until you and Mable arrive. Atea will be with her mother until then, anyway.”

Mable spoke up. “Rocky, if you are going into town to see about hiring the freight company, I might as well go with you. I can begin packing.”

“Okay, Mable, there is not going to be much here to pack. I’ll get everything arranged with the freight outfit. Atea and Karen can do what needs doing here. We might as well start as soon as we get ready. There aren’t supposed to be buyers here for a day or two. I’ll be back by then.”

Karen took down the tepee, marking the hides, as they were unlaced from the poles. We began immediately. I asked Rocky to bring trunks back with him on the freight wagon so I could gather and load my tools. All the extra guns we had acquired we will pack in one of the trunks. Mable wanted to take her buggy and team with her. Rocky would have to dismantle this when he and Mable loaded the freight from her house. The team would end up tied to the back of a freight wagon with a rope.

Rocky was gone for most of the next day. He rode into the ranch late and found we had everything ready to load. It was more than three hours before the freight wagon arrived.

“Kid, I talked with Mable about you and Atea being married. She thinks you should be married before leaving town. Mable will stand up with you if you can find the Marshal. He can fill in for you as a witness.”

“I want you to be my witness.”

“I’d like to be, but that will hold you up while I sell the ranch. Mable said she and I would wait to marry until we get to our new home. Atea and you will be our witnesses at that time.”

“Why do you want to do it that way?”

“Because you might have trouble convincing people in our new location that Atea is old enough to marry, for one thing, and also, she has no record of her real parents or her name birth. Marshal Brooks has met Atea, and he knows she is old enough and mature enough to marry. Karen will be with you, and Brooks knows she has mothered Atea. Mable can help by just being there with Atea and lending her approval. She and Karen can say that they wholeheartedly approve of this match.”

“I’ll talk to Karen.” Karen was all for this plan. “Atea will be a married woman to a white man. That is important. From the day she was put in my hands, my hope and plan was to have her live with the white people.”

“Atea, is this agreeable to you?” It was, and she showed she was by coming into my arms and kissing me in front of everyone, including the freight wagon driver. Everyone was laughing, and she wouldn’t let go.

Bob Ducet, the driver, asked, “Let’s see how much freight you have to transport. I can load the wagon as heavy as you like as far as weight is concerned. However, if you have too much bulk, you’ll have to hire another wagon.”

Rocky showed him what we had. Bob feared I couldn’t take the plow and the harrow I had built. “That’s okay, I can build new ones. Rocky might get a few dollars by selling to the next owner. I’m no farmer, but I swear they did the job.”

“Made them, yourself, you say? I might buy them. I can pay you, and I’ll get them when I can. That should be before you get the ranch sold. Those hides for the tepee are going to take a lot of room. Why are you taking them with you?”

“Look inside and see the scenes of woodlands and animals painted on them. Karen is quite the artist. Karen’s first Brave showed her how to draw animals and pictures with some paint. She told me it had been her home for fourteen years just a few days ago.”

Bob walked around and looked at everything. He had four trunks for small items. The tools I had brought and the ones I had Rocky buy would fill one large trunk. Rocky said he didn’t have much, but when all inventoried, he filled another trunk with bedding and clothes. Most long guns and the extra ones we acquired from Marshal Brooks were in one more trunk, but we would wear our handguns while traveling.

We had most of the wagon loaded by nine the following day. Bob had made an offer on the plow and harrow and said he would pay when we went through town, either tonight or in the morning before leaving for the south. That was fine. Then Rocky and I decided that Roland would be the one person who would be traveling along with Atea, Karen, Jack, and me. He could also be the spare team driver if Bob needed him. That would relieve me from handling the team pulling the freight wagon.

The plan was to leave for town by four this afternoon and be at Mable’s before dark. The freight would go there early the following day, and Atea and I would see if we couldn’t get married and leave the following day.

As always, plans need re-adjustment. When something comes up to change the plan, it happens. A bunch of riders rode in at noon. Two were the buyers who showed interest in buying the ranch. One, the English remittance man with a crew of four was one and second, the man with a crew of three that Dugan hadn’t cared for.

These two crews didn’t mix and looked ready for a fight. I was glad I hadn’t left yet, so we and our men stood prepared to back up Rocky. Bob, the freight wagon driver, stood with us. Atea and Karen got onto the packed wagon, and I saw Atea open the trunk with the long guns and ammo.

The Remittance Man, Sir George Hamilton, asked, “I’m looking for Rocky Sedgewich. I’m buying this ranch. What are you asking? I’ve looked over the range and cattle and am making an offer. I’ll follow you into town and meet you at the Wells Fargo office to close the deal. The money will be in gold.” Hamilton made an offer.

I knew that Rocky would not accept this amount. Rocky turned to the other buyer. “Do you want to get in on this? I won’t leave if that is all I can get for the ranch.”

The other buyer, saying his name was Henry, pushed up the amount by $1200. Rocky thought this was getting close to the figure he felt the ranch should bring.

“It still isn’t enough. Hamilton?”

I was watching Hamilton. He tried to act that this was too high and was reluctant to bid. “$2,000 more on top of Henry’s bid. We both know what cattle you have are worth. That extra is on the buildings. Are you taking the tepee poles, still standing where the tepee was?”

“Nope, and you hit the amount I am looking for. We’ll settle it in town tomorrow.”

Hamilton asked, “I saw four graves over in back of where the tepee was. Did somebody die of sickness or something?”

“Yeah, lead poison. The Marshal was here later and told us to bury them. You can ask him if you care to, but I wouldn’t make a big deal about it. We are out of the mainstream in the hills and must take care of troubles ourselves. I was wounded, and two of my punchers had wounds.” Rocky paused and asked, “Why do you want this place so bad?”

“You aren’t going to turn down my offer if I tell you why, are you?”

“No, I won’t do that.”

“I told one of your men I was buying up small ranches, and I am. Your government is soon putting more of the Indian tribes on reservations. This ranch will be feeding some of them. I hope to buy enough ranches to feed them all.”

Rocky and I laughed and spoke, “Karen and Jack, did you hear that? The government will be feeding your people.”

“Kid, I trust you and Rocky. Government men always cheat Indians.”

Hamilton and his riders mounted and went out to look at the cattle. I went to where Henry and his men were getting ready to mount. “Sorry, you men didn’t get the ranch.”

“Yeah, we didn’t figure we had much chance when we learned a foreigner was buying. We might have got here before he did. I can’t blame you at all. He paid at least a thousand more than the place is worth.”

“Yeah, it was more than we figured. Keep looking, and you’ll find what you want at your price. Talk to the ranch to your right when you come out onto the main road at the foot of the hill. He might be able to help you out?”

“Thanks, we will.” They mounted and went down the trail.

I said something to Rocky. “I don’t think we had that outfit correct. They looked rough, but I don’t think they were too bad. They didn’t have enough money, that’s all. What do you think of the English outfit that bought the ranch?”

“It is up to his managers whether he makes a living at ranching. He certainly has enough money. I’m glad we are getting a little extra. I could have milked it a little longer, but what the, hey?”

Hamilton came back, leaving his crew out with the cattle. “Are you leaving now? I’ll ride with you into town.”

“In a half hour. You are leaving your men here with the cattle, right?”

“Yes. I’ll pay you tomorrow morning, get a load of vittles and blankets for the men, and I should be back by two tomorrow. I thought you might have a buckboard that went with the ranch?”

“We packed everything. My woman in town has one. Tell you what; I’ll throw the buckboard in with the ranch. In addition, if your men get hungry, part of the beef haunch is suspended in the well. Use it up before it spoils. Tell the truth, this sale went through faster than I ever thought it would.”

“I’m a fast-doing man who gets things done.”

“You certainly are.”

Karen rode on the freight wagon seat. Jack begged to ride with me on my horse, and I let him. Hamilton asked about living and working with these Indians, and I assured him they were friendly. Atea was riding beside us and embarrassingly told about me helping Karen give birth to Jack.

She went on to tell about her background as an Indian until she was ten years old. It was at that time we on the ranch realized she was white, and I set about teaching her to speak our language and live as a white person. I give much credit to Rocky’s woman friend for promoting this endeavor. Atea lived in town with Rocky’s friend for two years. It was only within the last few months that we decided we loved each other and would marry later today or tomorrow.

Hamilton congratulated us on finding each other through the odd happenings in our lives. “Kid and Atea, I’m sure you will have a happy life together. I’m so pleased to meet people who find happiness in such backward surroundings.”

Our little caravan of one freight wagon, us riding in the front, with Rocky’s crew bringing up the rear with the extra horses that didn’t go with the ranch. Traveling the four hours into town showed Hamilton that although primitive, we were capable. Rocky and Hamilton were going past Mable’s house and onto the bank.

Jack was to sit out front of the house with the hitched horses so Karen would know that she was to get off the wagon there. I suspected Dugan and the other two punchers would go on into town to a saloon. We would round them up and tell them when our marriage ceremony would happen so they could observe.

Mable was surprised to hear from that Rocky had sold the ranch so soon. “Where is he?”

“He is in town with the buyer. I would imagine he’ll be back within the hour. I believe the man who purchased the ranch will be with him. We are all hungry if you have time to put together a meal.”

“Kid, you mean we will soon go with you when you head for your new home?”

“That’s right. Oh, Karen and Jack are with us. Jack sat behind me on the way down. Karen is on the freight wagon with the hides that cover her new tepee. She’ll be along in a half hour or so. Jack is out front to make sure she gets off the wagon. Bob, the wagon driver, will go along the road before leaving town here. After we eat, if you would get dressed, we would go into town to see if we can find someone to marry both of us.”

“Oh, dear, I’m not ready to get married today. Neither is Atea, I want our hair done just right and make sure our dresses fit correctly. I do have the picture-taking man in line to capture our images for posterity. Tomorrow, we may be ready.”

“Okay, we’ll put you in charge of getting on the road as soon as possible. There will be one or two freight wagons for your furniture and things. That won’t arrive until three or four days after we do.”

“I can take my buggy, can’t we?”

“I will tear it down and load it onto one of your freight wagons. I’ll put it together as soon as the wagons arrive here.”

“What about my driving team?”

“They will be on leads. All three of our crew will be with us. If that doesn’t look like it will work, we can tie them behind a freight wagon. Anyway, they won’t have to pull anything.”

“Kid, what is the person like who bought the ranch from Rocky?”

“He is an Englishman, and I like him. Rocky likes his money. He is very personable as well. So, what do you think of what is happening in the next couple of days?”

“Okay, I guess. It seems rushed, but that is what moving is like. I’ve lived in many places, and this isn’t that different.”

Just at that minute, Jack came bolting through the door. “Mom’s here and Bob wishes to see how much stuff you have for the other wagons.”

“Mable, you show him the household items, and I’ll show him the buggy and what things in the barn that need to go,”

“Is Rocky leaving his buckboard?”

“Yes. Hamilton ended up with it.”

Mable had a roast that she cooked yesterday and baked bread this morning. Atea wanted a bath and said I needed one, too. We were dressed when Rocky and Hamilton came from Wells Fargo. Atea had dressed in a floor-length dress of maroon taffeta, the top form fitting. The gown had a wide white lace collar. Karen was braiding her hair, and Mable would arrange it with combs adorning the top. Her neck was bare. She was wearing moccasins, but they didn’t show. She stood and twirled in front of us.

Rocky was as startled at her looks, “My God, Atea, you look to be in your twenties.”

Hamilton observed, “I agree, much different than the young maid who rode with us this morning.” Hamilton didn’t linger; he looked at the buckboard and saw it was serviceable. Rocky and I went out to say so long. Hamilton shook hands and wished us success in our move south, waved, and headed up the road.

Mable finished her bath, and Rocky took his. Mable’s dress was of the same material as Atea’s but of a dark green.

Karen had been heating water, and she took one. “No smell like a horse.” She put on a dress that came halfway to her ankles. It was of deerskin and adorned with beads. There were colors here and there, where she had dyed it with blue and red shades. She was wearing a belt with a circle of red above it and a circle of blue below it. Two bands of the same colors went around the bottom with moccasins of the same colors.