Out West

he snow was coming and we had put away enough dry meat and jerky to last the winter but were going to need dry goods and supplies from the trading post. I saddled Smoke and Cloud, put the packs on Bob and Bobbie then ate lunch with Bear Claw before we both geared up. I had all four pistols on my belt and the Bowie and tomahawk on my calves. Bear Claw had her pistol and Bowie on her belt and both our rifles with us as we mounted up and rode to the trading post. I had put the valuables in a deer skin then put them in a stone lined hole just out side the cave, a wooden cover was placed over the hole and dirt spread over the cover to conceal it from view, and then a buffalo hide with wood piled on it was dragged over the top. I did not like leaving the stuff unguarded, but it was too much to bring to the trading post and would just make things difficult once we got there. Just as before we slept in a booth out back for a $1 and that included dinner and breakfast. Since I was turning into a regular customer, William offered a friendship and I accepted. This time I had half the number of skins but still managed to get $100 for what I had. Because of the increase in sales back east, the demand was greater than could be delivered, especially for certain animal skins that I had most. I was happy with what we got and again the tempo changed as I began to shop. This time I bought several soft blankets and more cloth for Bear Claw to make clothes and things out of. We bought the dry goods and extra food items we were going to need and then bought two more Bowie knives, 10 pounds of lead, 10 pounds of powder, 250 caps and can of gun oil.

We spent the night and left the next morning, both mules packed full and us riding our horses. Half way to my cabin we saw smoke coming from the next ridge over. We rode up the ridge and looked down into the valley to see the remains of a small wagon train. We carefully and slowly rode down into the valley. Eight wagons were burning, sixteen men were dead, four women were dead, most of the animals were dead also. There were signs that some animals were taken away and possibly survivors, if any.