Chapter 14

A few weeks later I received word my 4-barrel shotgun had arrived along with the revolver/carbines.

This time White Eagle, Golden Hawk, Standing Badger, would be going with me and the wives this time. Of course, that also included Running Deer, Sitting Buck, Big Sky, and Fast Runner as guards. White Eagle also invited Black Bear and Butterfly along with Strong Elk and Little Deer so he could introduce them to COL McBride and his wife.

We went straight to the fort and once everyone was introduced, my wives and I departed for town to pick up my stuff.

I had brought two pack horses as I was not sure how much weight would be involved, I could always use a travois if it were more than the two horses could carry.

Colt Buntline Special Revolvers - YouTube

Snake Charmer Saddle Scabbard - (thesaddleguy.com)

The .45 revolver had too much kick for my wives to shoot as a pistol but with the stock was a perfect carbine for them, only 6-shots but they were not supposed to be in shoot outs anyway. Elvira also made a wood and leather forestock and scabbards for their saddle. This carbine was lighter and easier to handle than a Henry.

The only thing that saved my life on this matter was Elvira having told Larry to double the order, however, he just ordered 30 instead of forty.

I had counted the 17 squaws old enough to gift one and my three wives. I had not counted any of the Pawnee or COL McBride’s wife and daughter. Hawk pointed this out when only 20 were set out. Elvira just started laughing and punched Larry saying, ‘I told you SO!’

I took all 30 and gave him another gold eagle and handed Elvira one for all the leatherworks. She kissed my cheek and stuck her tongue out at my wives. Hawk drew her bowie and said if she stuck that out again, she would cut it off and take it home to hang on the wall. Putting her bowie back all of my wives and Elvira were laughing.

Then I put two more gold eagles on the counter and asked how much .45 Long Colt ammo that would get me. Larry said 10 boxes with 50 rounds in a box.

When we got back to the fort Hawk made a big deal of calling Wendy and Karen along with her mother and Butterfly out. Of course, all the men came out as well. She was proud to show off her new carbine and when Wendy asked where she got it. Hawk ratted me out in a flash by pointing at me.

When she started to turn on her husband, Hawk stopped her and said she only needed her husband to get her and her daughter scabbards. PW and DM presented them with their own carbine. COL McBride looked at me and said, ‘Next time if there is a next time, OH Hell Next time talk with me so I can have my part done on time too! PLEASE!’

White Eagle looked at me and asked if he needed to get anything. I shook my head and said I messed up my count but Hawk corrected it for me. White Eagle and the COL both just laughed.

Since the fort had been enlarged there was now a small shooting range inside the fort. COL McBride said that since I had provided the next manner of entertainment he could assist and provide a safe place to conduct the entertainment.

Of course, as soon as the women demonstrated deadly accuracy with the carbine, the men asked to try them.

COL McBride commented that it fired faster than the Henry, but only had six shots. White Eagle said that if the women were shooting at all things were very bad. Hawk ratted me out again when she asked if I was going to show the COL my latest rifle. The four-barrel was brought out and every man fired all four barrels at least three times before I could put it away. The only good thing was COL McBride called for army ammo to be brought to shoot since it used 12ga and 45-70 and they had that on hand. The COL asked CPT Olsen, Jones, and Santana what they thought. CPT Olsen said that asking the scouts what they thought since most of the time they were the first to run into trouble, which would be better, this or a Henry.

After saying goodbyes. We mounted up and Daniel and Tennessee the two army scouts both said that they would prefer one of each, as the four-barrel would be great when the initial run-ins happened and they were most of the time out number, two shotgun barrels, made a great equalizer, and having two rifle shots as well might mean the difference between living or dying. But when the fighting started you needed a Henry.

All the CPTs and even COL McBride agreed with what they said and the COL told LTC Templeton to look into ordering some for the fort.

When the goodbyes were done, we mounted up and rode home.

I heard LTC Templeton speaking under his breath as he walked away say, “them Indians are better armed than us.”