Chapter 12: Four Honor

It had been less than a week since the Pawnee had kidnapped the three girls and attacked our hunting party. I was out watching my wives and other squaws gathering nuts, vegetables, and other items. There were at least a dozen women spread over 60 – 100 yards. There were trees and undergrowth all over making it hard to keep an eye on all of them at one time. There were always a few that were out of sight.

I heard the first shot and saw DM fire the second. Then I caught sight of the Pawnee brave about to split my head open and managed to duck and take the blow to my back across my right shoulder blade. I could feel the blood and of course the sharp stabbing pain from the tomahawk. I was able to draw and fire my .32 with my left hand by simply pulling it out of the holster and pulling the trigger using the double action to fire point-blank into the Pawnee’s chest as we both were falling from my horse. He had leaped from his horse while attacking me.

DM had killed the first Pawnee she shot, hitting his back right between his shoulder blades as he was grabbing another of our squaws. The second shot also killed the Pawnee that turned and looked at her when he heard the first gunshot. He was shot in the face.

Hawk fired right after I did, hitting a Pawnee that was about to pull another squaw onto his horse. He was hit in the side and it knocked him off his horse but there was no need to worry about the fall hurting him, he was already dead from the bullet blowing through his lungs and heart.

PW did not get to shoot because she happened to be one of the squaws that was grabbed. However, she did pull her bowie and cut the throat of the Pawnee that grabbed her as he was pulling her up onto his horse. He never stood a chance.

Two of the four young braves that had been guarding the squaws gathering today were killed with arrows. Each had been hit with two or three arrows. They never had a chance either. The other two young braves did start shooting right after we had. Between them they killed three Pawnee braves and made the others, we were not sure how many fled but guessing about five, I would say it was fair to say no less than three and no more that seven. With seven dead that would have made their party about fourteen the last party was seventeen so I am rethinking about how many fled.

When we returned to the camp White Eagle quickly said that no one was to leave the camp with less than 8 braves armed for war. He also said for everyone to carry weapons for defense at all times, never be more than two steps from a weapon. He also said for me and a group of at least 8 to go and tell COL McBride what had happened.

The next morning, I went to my gun safe to decide what to take. Hawk would have her .32 revolver and the Governor using .410 shotgun 4shot shells, as a healer she would use pistols primarily; DM would have her .32 revolver and one of the new .36 revolvers and the Greener as guard for Hawk and any wounded if we got into a fight. PW like DM would have her .32 and a new .36 and the .32 lever-action also having guard duty.

I was taking the new 45-100, along with my 7-shot revolvers in the cross-draw holsters and the PMR (left) and .45 double-action (right) in thigh holsters.

Grey Hawk, Big Sky, Swift Runner, Dark Raven, and Standing Silent were the five braves going with us. They were all armed with a .44 revolver, .44 Henry, Bow and Arrows, Tomahawk, and Bowie.

We rode out at a fast pace but not riding hard. We didn’t want to run into an ambush or push our horses too hard. Just before we got to the fort we heard and saw a patrol riding toward the fort.

CPT Olsen was leading this patrol, PSG Steamner along with SGT Orman and CPL Grand were the Non-commissioned soldiers on this patrol and the four PVTs were Straw, Green, Rose, and Anderson along with Bossko the Indian scout.

When we met, CPT Olsen and PSG Steamner were not happy to hear about our run in with Pawnee. Two Patrols had run ins with Pawnee as well, no soldiers were killed but several were seriously injured. I noticed they all had Henry rifles and when I commented CPT Olsen said they had the new double-action revolver in .44 as well. He added that is why there had been no deaths, just serious injuries. Being able to return fire repeatedly and effectively ran the Pawnee off both times.

I wanted to return to our camp but CPT Olsen asked us to give the report in person to COL McBride as he would be glad to see us and hear from us what was happening. Instead of what he would report we said happened.

Are arrival had been seen by the tower guards and COL McBride his wife Wendy, LTC Simon Templeton, CSM Gordon and his wife Sarah, MAJ(DR) Thomas Winters and his wife DR Emma Winters, and DOC House were all waiting when both the patrol and our group rode up to COL McBride.

LTC Templeton noticed how well armed we were and mentioned it out loud saying, ‘those braves are armed as well as our soldiers.’

COL McBride quickly said, ‘They’re fighting the same enemy we are and are a welcome ally. They have proven themselves several times. Thank you LTC Templeton.’

SGM Gordon aske if my wives still had the hidden holsters on as he could see the cross-draw holster each was wearing.

Wendy spoke saying, ‘something like this’ as she moved a panel on the front of her dress and showed a holster with a .32 S&W single-action 6-shot revolver right in the middle of her waist.’ The look on LTC Templeton’s face was priceless. My wives just flipped the edge of their vest back to show they had their .32 in their shoulder holsters.

COL McBride asked how we were armed if I didn’t mind telling him.

I laughed and said that LTC Templeton was very observant and exactly correct, each of the braves is carrying a revolver and Henry. Grey Hawk held up his Henry and pointed to his revolver. They also have their Bow, a tomahawk and bowie. Big Sky held up his bow and pointed to his tomahawk and bowie. My wives each have their .32, DM and PW have a .36, DM has a double-barrel shotgun and PW has a Henry as they are Hawk’s guards. Hawk has a .45 since she is the medic (I did not want him asking about the strange small shotgun shells) and each has a bowie. Hawk pulled hers and held it up.

I have two revolvers in cross-draw and two in thigh holsters and I also have a Sharp. I was not going to show him the PMR. CPT Olsen had already seen the CMR.

CPT Olsen and PSG Steamner dismounted, SGT Franklin took their horses reins, and the patrol moved toward the stables. My group dismounted and CPL Harden and the PVTs took our reins.

We all moved to the COLs sitting room and dining room as they were open to each other and provided enough room for all of us. Most of the men stood as the women were given the seats.

CPT Olsen gave his patrol report and ended it saying I had a report for him.

I explained what had occurred with our tribe and the Pawnee with the latest attack involving me and my wives.

COL McBride was concerned that the Pawnee were becoming more aggressive and bolder, attacking his troops and our tribe. Turning to LTC Templeton ordered him to send a wire reporting the increased attacks. LTC Templeton left and I said we were going to town before heading back to our camp.

Wendy in a bold move asked if the invitation to visit was still available. I looked at Hawk and she nodded YES. I said it was and she asked if they could visit today.

COL McBride grunted and stuttered, but Hawk saved him by saying they were welcome anytime and today would be acceptable, and asked who would be visiting.

Wendy, smiling, looked at her husband. He asked who would like to visit. COL and his wife, CSM and his wife, both Winters and DOC House, all four nurses, CPT Olsen, and PSG Steamner, with A Company which was commanded by CPT James Rockford and 1SG Milton Brown and would include the 13 troopers and both Indian scouts Chavo and Tentaho. That would be 30 guests.

Hawk asked if Wendy wanted to join us shopping in town before heading back to our camp.