The Last Patrol

[Elegant Ella]

"I hope they will, because it is sure not fit for humans to eat," replied Ella.  "The fish might also like the grubs and slugs I expect to find under this log."  She turned it over with her toe to expose a good crop of bugs.  "Will you cut a couple poles while I collect this bait?"  She took a large cupped leaf, and squatted down to pick slugs off the rotting wood and drop them onto the leaf. 

[Scarlet Angel]

Bo put the cheese on a rock that looked to be a good place to start fishing then started looking at the trees and the ground to find a couple of  limbs that wouldn't be to big or dry, if they were on the ground. He didn't want them so small they would break or so big they were to heavy.

By the time Ella put the leaf next to the cheese he had found a couple of good poles.

"I hope we catch something I'm not fond of eating bugs." Bo said eyeing the leaf. "the medic at the fort might think those are good for medical purposes too." He teased.

[Tensleep]

As Scarlet and Tensleep rode north up the Platte the Marshal asked, "What ya wanna hunt? Buff, deer, elk or bear? I see that yer loaded for anything."

He chuckled softly. It was sure nice to have good friends.

[Scarlet Angel]

"Always prepared." Scarlet grinned. "Buff would be good but I don't know how'd we get it all packed and back. I would hate to leave half of it there so perhaps something smaller? What are you up for?"

[Tensleep]

"I figger deer if we can find a place in the breaks where thay come for water, there should be several come at once if we can wait 'em out. Fresh venison would taste mghty good." Tensleep drew his Winchester and laid it across his saddle bows.

[Elegant Ella]

"Nah, thinking of medical uses for these things would take imagination, which he probably lacks," replied Ella, tying a line onto one of the poles.  She dropped the hook end into the water, then pulled it back up and tied a twig to serve as a float at the boundary between wet and dry line.  She handed that one to Bo, then prepared the other pole the same way. 

She baited the hook with a slug and dropped it into the water.  The twig dipped a couple times, then went under while the top of the pole bent.  In another minute, she had a good-sized fish out of the water and on the shore. 

"What kind of fish is it, Bo?" she asked. 

[Elegant Ella]

Boston
His first step would be to finish writing lecture #5 and start lecture #6.  Tomorrow, he would talk to the school about rescheduling his lecture series, so that he could give two or three lectures per week instead of one.  That would allow him to complete this obligation in 10 or 7 weeks instead of 20. 

Alan stopped and looked around.  He had been walking without paying attention to where he was going.  He recognized one of the houses across the street.  Ella had summoned him there for an emergency Caesarian delivery.  Widow Erdbeer was the primary midwife for the congregation, and Ella one of her assistants. 

He had known Ella worked as a midwife and as a nurse.  Urgent summonses at midnight had made that hard to miss.  Why didn't he think of midwifery as practicing medicine?  What was the difference between what Ella did and what a doctor did?  He had to admit that Ella's herbal preparations were as effective as anything he knew of.  He had given Ella a set of scalpels during the War, and showed her how to use them.  He wondered whether Ella still had that set and whether she ever used it.

While Alan stood there, a woman came out of the house he had been to, followed by three children.  The youngest child, a boy, looked the right age to be the baby he had delivered that day.  The woman looked like she could be the same one.  Ella had told him she had recovered from the surgery. 

Only twice had he lost the mother in the dozen or so times Ella had summoned him.  Both times, the woman was close to death when he got there.  Talking about those cases with Ella later, he learned that she had taken one look when she got there, and summoned him.  Most of the surgeons he knew hated Caesarian deliveries because they lost so many of the patients.  Dr. Abramson's attitude was typical - "Waste of time to cut open a dying woman to pull out a kid that is probably already dead." 

He headed home.  Samuel was in the dining room.  Not feeling like talking to him, Alan went straight upstairs and back to work.  He got #5 done, and had the outline for #6 finished before Samuel came upstairs.

"What advice did you get from the rabbi, Alan?" asked Samuel, settling into the other chair. 

"Good advice," replied Alan curtly, taking a fresh sheet of paper to begin fleshing out his outline. 

"Are you writing to tell her to get herself back here or else?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because I'm not going to."  Alan was feeling irritated, and starting to be willing to show it.

"There is one mistake you didn't make with Ella," persisted Samuel.  "You didn't let her go to one of those new-fangled women's medical colleges.  What good is that kind of education to any woman?  Their brains just aren't big enough to absorb too much knowledge.  And she was already too full of her grandmother's idea about 'healing', which were just superstition as far as I could tell."

"Whenever Ella applies her grandmother's ideas, her treatment is at least as effective as anything a trained doctor can do," replied Alan. 

"Stuff and nonsense!" exclaimed Samuel.  "Didn't you ever learn that a woman's only purposes in life are to keep her husband satisfied and to produce babies?  Of course, Ella seems to have failed so far at producing babies.  And she's not keeping you satisfied if she's off in the wild west somewhere instead of in your kitchen cooking your dinner or on her back in your bed."

"Enough!" barked Alan, gathering up his papers.  "You obviously know nothing about women other than your own prejudices.  I'll go see a lawyer in the morning to draw up the necessary papers to dissolve our partnership."  Alan stormed out of the room, and up to his bedroom on the third floor to start packing.  He needed to find new lodgings.  Maybe the Widow Erdbeer had a room available. 

As his anger cooled, he almost regretted the decision to break the partnership.  Samuel had been a friend of Alan's father, and taken Alan under his wing when Alan was only 10.  His recommendation had helped get Alan into Harvard Medical School.  Alan had left for the War as soon as he graduated, with a promise of a partnership when he returned.  Having a position in an established practice had enabled him to marry Ella as soon as she turned 16. 

But now that Alan was conscious of Samuel's attitude towards women, he had to choose between Samuel and Ella. 

[Scarlet Angel]

Bo looked over at the spotted fish with the red streaks on the lower jaw Ella had landed.

"That's a cutthroat; it's common in this part of the country and very tasty. Ya got to be careful not to get your fingers in their mouth; they have another set of teeth inside." He said carefully picking it up so it wouldn't slip away.

Ella looked at him wondering why on earth somebody would put their fingers in the mouth of a fish that obviously had a healthy first row of teeth.

"I've done some dumb things on bets. Travis bet me once they had two rows of teeth, said something about being like little sharks like we'd seen drawings of at the docks. Guess I shoulda listened." Bo chuckled then asked "Did your Grammy teach you to fish?"

[Elegant Ella]

Actually, I learned from my parents when I was little, before I went to live with Grammy," replied Ella.  "They enjoyed fishing as a break from working on the ranch.  I mostly was along to keep an eye on my sisters, but my father would teach me about fishing while my mother was feeding my sisters.  My sisters didn't like fishing, because they were afraid to touch the worms." 

[Scarlet Angel]

Scarlet and Tensleep rode until they found a well traveled deer trail. Scarlet dismounted and drew the sharps from it's scabbard. She settled herself on a long and laid the gun across her lap. She looked up at Tensleep and smiled then patted the log next to her.

[1stSgt Fritz King]

Fritz stepped out of the tent into the sunlight, with the wrapped parcel in his hand.  Captain Schurmann called out to the orderly, "See to the Lieutenant's horses."  The man looked at Fritz.  As far as he could tell, there were still First Sergeant chevrons sewn to his coat.

"Don't worry son," Fritz replied.  "I'll unload them first, if you'll just hold them for a minute."

The kid smiled, not sure whether he should salute or not.

Across the dusty street, a familiar figure emerged from his tent.  First Sergeant Scott Crisp was the epitome of a Civil War era Soldier.  He was still drawn and gaunt, just as he'd been in those lean years.  His uniform was worn, but his brass shined, as did his boots.  He looked at Fritz, and the look wasn't a happy one.

Fritz crossed the thoroughfare and extended his hand.

"Scott."

Crisp shook the offered hand.

"Fritz."  There were no pleasantries exchanged.  "Let's talk."

Scott reentered his tent, and Fritz followed.

"So," Scott said, "what are you doing here?"

"So this is how it is," Fritz thought.  "The Captain recalled me."

"You're not needed here.  You don't belong."

"The Captain begs to differ."

Scott sat at his field desk.  The same one Fritz had used on countless occasions.  He wondered if the bottle was still where he'd left it.

"You left this unit a long time ago.  No reason, no excuse...just up and gone.  I had to fill the gap.  And now you come waltzing back?  This is my unit now.  These are my men.  You don't know them a tenth as well as I do."

Fritz sighed.  "I left on assignment, and couldn't tell anyone where I was going.  I didn't abandon my men.  I followed my orders, just as you followed yours."

"Well," Scott said, crossing his arms, "why don't you crawl back under that rock you were hiding behind, and leave the work to the real soldiers."

His temper was rising, and this wasn't the place or time for it.  "You're right," Fritz replied.  "These are your men now, and there's no way I'd take your place.  This unit has room for only one First Sergeant, and you're it."

Scott hadn't expected it to go that easily.  He figured on more of a fight.  Maybe Fritz had gotten soft in his old age.  He rose, and extended his hand.  "Nice to talk to you."

Fritz shook the offered hand.  "We'll talk again later."

Fritz left the tent, and walked across to the orderly.  He pulled his rifle and carbine from their scabbards, and walked to the empty tent.  He laid his weapons on the cot inside, and began to offload his mounts.   
     

   

[Tensleep]

Tensleep sat down next to Scarlet still cradling his Winchester.
"When do you expect Fritz to arrive? Anyone at the fort heard from him?"

[Scarlet Angel]

"He left a day or so ahead of us, we would have beat him by more than a week if we hadn't spent so much time at Ft Laramie, but I ain't going to complain about being there vs here. Depending on how fast he rode, should be here anytime I expect." Scarlet glanced over at Tensleep then her eyes went back to the spot they were watching. "I have not asked about him. I've been doing the job I came here to do and I intend to continue to do so." Her tone was matter of fact.

"He's a grown man 'Sleep, didn't come to baby sit 'im." She looked over at him again and softly smiled. "If I wanted to give someone that impression I wouldn't continue to let Cyrus call me Corbin."

[Scarlet Angel]

Cyrus walked towards the General's quarters. He expected he and his group were going to be assigned to ride under somebody.

"Cyrus." Richard called.

Cyrus's back went stiff when he heard the voice. He looked at the other man. "Dick." He replied in a barely civil tone.

Richard narrowed his eyes. He hated being called Dick and Cyrus always said it in an insulting tone. The two brothers had always just tolerated one another at best. Richard had been jealous since his little brother had been born; it only had grown worse with age.

Cyrus never liked being the baby brother and he didn't like the favoritism his father had shown him which made his brother hate him more. He had run away from home and joined the army as soon as they'd take him. He'd hoped to leave his family life behind, hoped they would be so mad they would not acknowledge him any more. It had only back fired. His parents had been so proud, so proud his brother soon joined to try and gain the same recognition.

"I saw some of your people deserting earlier." Richard said smugly.

"Unlike yours, my people will not desert me. Unlike you I know how to pick people for the task presented to me." Cyrus replied as he kept walking.

Richard laughed causing Cyrus to look sideways at him.

Cyrus hated the very sound of Dick's smug voice as he listened to his words.

"I heard how you pick your people. Heard how one of them tried to carve up the other one. Heard a couple of them were women too. I know you try to keep your men happy but never figured you to be draggin' whores along for them. How much you have to pay the women for going into a battle zone."

"Shut up Dick." Cyrus growled stopping short and looking his brother in the eyes. "I will be sure to tell Ella and Scarlet you send your regards. Maybe if I am lucky Scarlet will cut you to and then Ella will leave you for the medic that is here." Cyrus turned to continue then stopped again. "There are six men that have been sewn back up for one reason or another, only one rides with me. You should rethink the kind of people you have in your group."

"Tell the General I am here as requested." Cyrus said.

"Richard Kane reporting as requested."

The men were shown into the General's office.

"Cyrus." He said as he gestured for the men to have a seat.

"Sir." Cyrus replied.

"Do you share your brother's skills Mr. Kane?" He asked Richard.

"Yes, and then some." Richard replied.

Cyrus stood. "The only thing we share Sir is the same last name. Here is a list of the people that are riding with me. Notes on each one, should you have any questions about us you know where to find me. Good afternoon." He said before turning and walking out.

The General watched him go. Cyrus was a strange man, but he had one of the best reputations a man could have. He always seemed to know what people expected of him and took pride in the people he rode with. A man that had been known to question orders of men who didn't know as much as he did. He'd been known to save a few missions because of his... stubbornness maybe, and insubordination at times. He stuck to his guns; men like him were becoming fewer and farther between.

"Do you have the list of people that ride with you?" The General asked Richard.

"No Sir, I can tell you."

"I want a list." He said wondering how Cyrus knew to bring one, not everybody asked for one but he liked to have it to know exactly who was where.

He looked at Richard a moment thinking although he had a good reputation too he was not as good as his brother.   

"Dismissed."

[Elegant Ella]

Ella took the fish from Bo, carefully removed the hook from its mouth and dropped it into a canvas bucket half-filled with water. 

"Shall we see how many more fish are willing to go with us?" she asked with a smile, baiting her hook with another slug. 

[Scarlet Angel]

Scarlet and Tensleep sat quietly waiting. It was a comfortable silence shared by friends. Finally their patients paid off and three deer broke cover.

Tensleep targeted the first deer and Scarlet took the last one to come to the river. It was a team effort to try and shoot close to the same time so the noise would not spook the deer.

It was executed near perfect the guns firing within less than a second of one another.

Scarlet smiled, the bullet entered behind the front leg and went through it's lungs. The deer wouldn't go far.

[1stSgt Fritz King]

Fritz didn't feel like removing the chevrons from his coats again, so he walked up the dusty street to the sutler's tent.  There was a line out the door that swiftly parted as he approached.  Although it had been framed and had a wood floor, the roof was still canvas.  The boards creaked under his feet.  It was like many such tents as he'd seen during his service.  Shelves filled with overpriced junk that Soldiers didn't need.  Prices were inflated and quality was low.  But men were still buying the wares.  Fritz imaged that tobacco and liquor were the two top sellers, and boot black and metal polish were somewhere near the bottom.

"Sumthin' I can help you wit?"  The voice belonged to a surly man behind the counter, who hadn't been properly introduced to a razor or a bath in quite some time.

"I need a new blouse," Fritz replied.  "Something regulation, or close to it."

The man eyed him carefully.  "What ya got to trade?"

Fritz dropped a gold coin on the counter.  The man's demeanor changed rapidly.

"Well, why didn't ya say so?  I have some wonderful items back here." 

He led Fritz to a rack near the counter.  There were no regulation blouses...no surprise there.  But there were several shirts which were close to the right color.  Close enough for campaign work.

"Now, here's a nice little number.  The guys in Custer's Seventh swear by 'em."  The shirt was a bib front with yellow trim on the edges. 

"Too much...simpler," was Fritz's reply.

"Here ya go then.  It's the same, but without the piping."  The shirt was a dark blue, made of heavy material.  It wasn't wool, but it seemed sturdy enough. 

"How much?"

"For a man like you, I'd take ten dollars."

Fritz laughed.  "I can get three of them for that price."

"Not around here ya won't.  I guarantee it."

"Five."

The proprietor was looking at a lost sale.  It'd been slow today.  He couldn't afford it.

"I'll take eight."

"You'll take seven," Fritz said, "and you'll throw in a needle and thread."

"Gimmie your money," the man said glumly.  Fritz handed over a coin, and kept his left hand near the butt of his short Colt.

"You want it wrapped?"

Fritz nodded.  "I'd have to wash it by the time I got back to my tent."

   

         

[Scarlet Angel]

By the time Scarlet and Tensleep met back up with Ella and Bo their bucket was nearly full of fish and they were sitting on a rock laughing, feet dangling in the water.

"Looks like you two had a good day." Scarlet said with a smile.

Bo looked at the deer slung over the horses "Looks like you two were lucky today too."

[Elegant Ella]

"We've been speculating what Rose could be teaching Solomon while I'm gone," laughed Ella.  "Owning a horse who can escape from any confinement that doesn't include locks would be very annoying, although the results would probably be very entertaining for everyone else.  But if she teaches him too many bad habits, I could retaliate by teaching him to enjoy eating rose blossoms."   

[Scarlet Angel]

"Mom won't have to teach him that Ella, he comes by that knowledge naturally." Scarlet said patting Lucky's neck. "Lucky will nip off the occasional rose bud but it's his mother who will find her way into the garden for them. So Solomon may have a taste for them too." Scarlet laughed.