The Last Patrol

[Scarlet Angel]

Combined effort of Ella and Scarlet

Ella escaped from her recurrent nightmare when she heard Scarlet growl, "DO IT."

Scarlet laid still for a moment. Ella closed her eyes again when the sound of Scarlet's voice chilled her, "I've come to send you ta hell where ya belong."

Ella touched her shoulder. "Scarlet."

Scarlet's eyes flew open. Even in the darkness Ella could see the anger that burned there.

"You were dreaming," Ella said.

"I'm sorry I woke you, Ella," Scarlet said.

"That's okay.  I didn't like the dream I was having.  Do you want to talk about it?"

"No, I'd prefer not to."

"It helps to talk about it."

Scarlet looked at her, maybe she was right, maybe not. Scarlet had come to know she could tell Ella just about anything. She also knew that sharing her secrets encouraged Ella to share some of her own at times and the talks helped both of them.

"You're a good healer, Ella, you probably saved our souls tonight," Scarlet said, swinging her legs over the bed.

"Whose?" Ella said, moving next to her.

"The doctor who tended me when I lost my first child."

"How did I save him?"

"I was about to shoot him in the head."

"Why?"

"He told me I never wanted her, the baby. That my negative thoughts killed her." Scarlet looked guilty. "Maybe he is right, Ella," Scarlet sighed. "It never felt right, nothing like the first pregnancy. You know yourself my thoughts were negative. I expected to miscarry.  Perhaps that is what I get for giving thought to the tonic to abort her, but I never expected something like that." Scarlet stood and walked to the stove.  Opening it she put another log on and stared into the flames. "What the hell kind of curse was that?"

"You are not cursed, Scarlet."

"How can you know, Ella?  How can you be so confident that the same thing wouldn't happen again?"

"I've attended a thousand childbeds, handled hundreds of miscarriages, and learned from women who had ten times as much experience.  When I was 11, one of our neighbors had a miscarriage very much like yours.  Grammy told me that some fetuses just don't develop right, but the next pregnancy will be fine. Alan's medical journals say the same thing - that most early miscarriages happen because something accidentally went wrong with the developing fetus, and that few women suffer more than one of that kind of accident.  Grammy had that neighbor wait three months before trying again.  During that time, and for the first three months of the next pregnancy, Grammy gave her a tonic and had her eat extra vegetables.  The next child was a perfect little boy.  I heard later that she had four more children, without any trouble."

Scrlet looked at her again. The look told Ella that her friend was not convinced.

"You did NOT kill her.  She didn't die because your womb failed or because of negative thoughts or because you were tempted to take a tonic.  Your womb ejected her AFTER she had died because of a defect. That particular defect occurs randomly in less than 1 percent of pregnancies.  I believe you somehow knew the fetus wasn't developing right and that is why you had those negative thoughts."

Scarlet was still skeptical.  "If there was a reason for the negative thoughts, and the negative thoughts couldn't hurt the child, why were you trying so hard to get me to think positive thoughts instead?"

"For the sake of your health.  Your sleep was being disturbed too much.  You can't keep going for very long on the amount of sleep you've been getting."

"Neither can you," retorted Scarlet.  "At least I'm eating."

"Coffee and whiskey are not food," Ella replied. "But I do see you slip in dinner when someone goes hunting. You know you need to eat better than that when you can."

Scarlet looked at her, grinned and raised an eyebrow. "Healer heal thyself, too. Bread and water is what they give prisoners. We fish all day and I saw how much you ate of that."

"I ate a whole fish, with wild onions and greens.  Samuel said he would smoke the fish that didn't get eaten.  Oatmeal mush and herbal tea for breakfast keeps me going just fine all day."

"I'll eat better if you do. I hear it helps you sleep better." Scarlet half smiled. "Together we will get through both our problems, Ella. That's what having a sister is about."

Ella smiled back. "Together we will get through."

[Scarlet Angel]

Scarlet's smile disappeared. "Usually I do not threaten to shoot the doctor in the head." Scarlet paused while she thought about the dream. She had indeed intended to take his life this time, normally she just tormented him in dreams.

Her voice held a different tone when she continued. "I figure living with what he's done to me and others is his hell. I cannot tell you how many times I've sat on the hill above his house and watched him through the sights of my rifle before I decided I have to think of my own soul. Devil missed his chance when I was ready to sell it. For now he just has to settle for riding next to me again."

Ella suspected the last part was no dream Scarlet was talking about, but thought that prying would just make Scarlet clam up again.

"I've been taking business away from that so-called doctor.  I doubt he has been called to a childbed or handled any female complaints since your wedding, when Mrs. Whirly started sending me patients.  The midwives I've trained can take care of everything that's likely to come up while we're gone.   If I can get Alan to settle in El Paso, that doctor will probably lose his male patients as well.  He ought to retire anyway, since he hasn't learned anything new for the last 20 years."  Ella sighed, "I am requiring Alan to choose between life with me and a career as a big city surgeon with possible fame and fortune.  During the War, when he was a brand-new medical school graduate, he said he had become a doctor in order to help people.  If that is still his goal, he should be willing to come out west.  If his goal has changed to fame and fortune, then I am better off without him."

"To thine own self be true, Ella. You are the only one who truly knows what makes you happy and sometimes you have to take chances for your own happiness. You're looking at somebody who truly knows that."

"My happiness has just been all tied up with Alan's happiness for so long that I don't know whether I can be happy without him, even if some men around the Starr might like to help me try."  Ella sighed again, "I think one of the reasons I haven't been eating much is that I've been clinging tighter to my religion and being stricter about keeping kosher.  Another reason is that nothing in the mess tent smells good enough to taste test."

Scarlet chuckled at Ella's comment. "I tried to give Lucky one of the biscuits from the mess. He pinned his ears at me."

Ella giggled. "You've always said he's not stupid."

"You've been without Alan for the last three years, Ella." Scarlet started gathering her gear to go after Carrie as she spoke.  "Ask yourself this. If Alan has changed and wants to live in the city and seek fame and fortune, would you be happy being second to him, keeping his house and entertaining his friends, who are probably much like him, or would you come to hate him and the person he makes you into?"

Scarlet looked over at Ella who was starting to cook a pot of oatmeal. "I'm not saying don't give it a try if that's what YOU want, but I've always been a different kind of thinker." Scarlet shrugged "Mom and Dad raised me to be independent. Someone once called me a high-toned woman and I don't believe it was meant as a compliment." She chuckled, "I can visit the city, put on the dress and act proper. I know the rules of how to be a socialite and I am good at them, occasionally enjoy it. I don't know if I could live like that day in and day out." Scarlet considered the situation for a moment "For Fritz I could do it for awhile but I don't think I could settle in the city knowing that would be my life. Again, that is me and I have chosen to be with a man I think is very similar."

Scarlet stopped and looked at Ella, "I knew these two girls a few years ago. One was quiet and kept most of her opinions to herself unless they were helpful in some medical sort of way. The other was quiet and broody and didn't want anybody in her business. The first one was happy to keep a big house. I think that was her area of comfort. Somehow, somewhere those two girls grew together. They learned from one another. The broody one tries real hard to let other folks into her life. The quiet one now - she has all kinds of opinions I would have never thought she'd just say to me. Most of the time I am thankful," Scarlet grinned then continued "It would be easy for me to slip back if it wasn't for the people around me. Would it be for you?"

"I was already feeling smothered before Alan left.  I can't go back to that city life, now that I know what it feels like to breathe freely.  If Alan wants to seek fame and fortune, he is turning into a copy of his partner, who is a man I could easily hate.  I'll run away again before being stuffed back into the expected mold.  After we get back to the Starr, I probably will go to Boston instead of waiting for him to let me know what he intends to do.  I'll set up code words for my letters, so that you will know if I need help getting free.  Locking me up to make me behave wouldn't occur to Alan, but his partner probably would suggest it."

"I've seen white slavery." Scarlet replied.

Ella interrupted, "Not slavery.  An asylum.  Women who don't meet the 'normal' standards of behavior sometimes are declared insane and committed until their spirit breaks.  Then they are declared 'cured' and released." 

"I've been on the wrong side of the law before breakin' folks out of jail. An asylum might be a different kind of a challenge." Scarlet chuckled then became serious again. "If you want someone to go to Boston with you Ella. I would visit the city, maybe mom and I could go with you if you like. You know it wouldn't be proper for you to travel alone. Then if you want us to leave you there I would expect those coded letters."

"You and Rose coming with me to Boston would be a good plan.  You both would enjoy meeting Deborah Erdbeer.  Bring a shopping list!"  Ella looked out the window.  "We seem to have talked the sun up, The oatmeal is ready to eat, and we'll be right on time to meet Black beard."

[1stSgt Fritz King]

Fritz walked back to camp after dismissing his men.  He made his way toward the C.O.'s tent, to find the fire that was surely there.  He wasn't disappointed.  Around the fire sat Bill, Scott, Dave and Johann.  It was almost like the old days.  Fritz started to render a salute.

"Knock that off Fritz...it's only us.  Want a cigar?"

He took the offered smoke and sat down by the fire.  "All we need are Robert and 'Trooer George.'  How is Robert these days?"  Fritz bit the end off his smoke, and pulled a lucifer from his match safe.

"He's the X.O. of G Company, 10th Cavalry, and doing quite well."

"The 10th...the Buffalo Soldiers?"

"Yep.  And they're damn fine cavalrymen, too."

Scott handed a jug over.  "As I recall, the 54th Massachusetts Infantry gave good service during the war.  I expect we'll be serving side-by-side with them one day."

Fritz took a sip.  It burned going down, but he welcomed it.  He looked at the stars.  "It's times like these I remember fondly.  All that we've seen...all the death...isn't it strange that I remeber things like this?"

Johann blew smoke.  "Your mind has a way of blocking out the bad, and making the good shine."

For a few moments no one spoke.  The enjoyed the camaraderie of soldiers.

"Fritz," Bill began, "we've noticed a change in you as of late."

"What the Captain means," Scott said, "is you're acting like a bigger asshole than you usually do."

Fritz smiled.  "Screw you Scott."  It sounded like a compliment.

"In all seriousness," Bill interjected, "you've been acting differently the last few days.  What gives?''

He knew this time would come, and these were his friends, his family.  They deserved the truth.  Fritz drew smoke and composed himself.

"I never expected to survive the war, never mind much after it."

Many of them had the same thoughts at one time or another.  They nodded.

"I never expected to marry or find love...to have a home...or a family."

Fritz pulled the note from his pocket.  He didn't open it.

"I received word while on the trail that my wife was pregnant...I didn't know."

Bill looked straight at him.

"She wrote and told me that she didn't want me to worry.  I guess I should've."

"What is it son?"

Fritz took a deep breath.  "My wife miscarried."

Dave had been silent until now.  "I'm sorry Fritz...I truly am.  JoAnne miscarried on our first.  We were crushed.  But our pastor explained that it was God telling us that this child wasn't right.  He's blessed us again as you know.  Be patient.  And be patient with your wife.  If it's right, and you're ready, God will bless you again."

"Someone once told me that children weren't in my path," Fritz repiled.  "That I have to ride this path to the end."

"And who, besides God, knows your true path?"  Dave drew on his pipe.  The bowl glowed.

Bill asked, "Are you going to be all right?"

"Of course.  I'm among friends."

The jug made the circle again.

"To friendship." 

 

   

[Tensleep]

Tensleep had Buck curried and saddled save the saddlebags and bedroll when Ella and Scarlet walked into the corral.

"Mornin' ladies, ready for an adventure?" He winked as he spoke. "I have some coffee, hardtack an' bacon in my poke, what else might we need?"

[Elegant Ella]

"I've got a portable desk and writing materials, if we do take a deposition," replied Ella.  "I've also got oatmeal, and cooked fish and roast venison from last night. If we see any edible plants along the way, I'll probably gather some.  I'm trying to make Scarlet eat more vegetables!" 

[Tensleep]

Tensleep laughed. "Probably wouldn't hurt any of us Ella. I don't like all vegetables but I do like some.
That desk is a good idea too."

The marshal lit his pipe. "What about you Scarlet?"

[Scarlet Angel]

"I think Ella would have a lot better luck getting me to eat fruit. That is why I have some dried to take along. It's easier to pack than canned." She half smiled. "I prefer fresh. I traded for some Buffalo jerky too." 

[Tensleep]

"Sounds like we are all set." Tensleep stroked Buck's neck.
"I expect Blackbeard will be waiting for us, he saw me ride in last night and told me that he was scouting for us. Get saddled and I'll load the pack mule."

[Elegant Ella]

"Why do we need a pack mule?" asked Ella.  "We're just going to be out for a few days.  My desk fits in a saddlebag, since I'm not carrying half a hospital in there." 

[Tensleep]

"Reckon you'd make our prisoner walk back...." Tensleep was stone faced. "I intend to be able to move and move fairly fast if we get her. Faster than ridin' double an' I shore ain't seen no livery stables out on them plains. Remember, she was an' probably is livin' with Indians."

[Elegant Ella]

"That's an argument for bringing some remounts.  But if we want to be able to move fast, we won't want to deal with a pack saddle.  I don't think we need to carry much stuff with us."

[Tensleep]

"I really wasn't plannin' on takin' no kitchen, just want the stuff on somethin' other than Buck. I figger that anything on the pack saddle can be dropped and not missed too bad and easily replaced. If we took a cavvy of remounts for us an' her we would be raisin' dust that could be seen for miles. One pack animal oughta do it." Tensleep finished tightening the girth of the pack saddle on a dun mare that had clean lines and a deep chest.

[Scarlet Angel]

Scarlet looked from Ella to Tensleep. Not saying a word she stepped over to Dancer's stall opened the gate, grabbed his saddle off the rail and put it on him and tied the lead line to the horn.

"Heel me." She said turning.

The horse walked behind her as she passed between the two stubborn looks of Tensleep and Ella who both looked at her like they couldn't believe what they were seeing.

"If I got to ride into some Indian camp and take someone against their will I am not going to fool around doing it and I'm gonna have a horse I know what will do and who will stick with me." She stated swinging onto Lucky.

[Elegant Ella]

"I'd rather have Dancer along than a pack mule who is likely to be as stubborn as I am," said Ella with a grin. 

[Tensleep]

"You sayin' I don't know what I'm doin' Deputy?"
Tensleep dropped the reins.

Scarlet raised and eyebrow. "I'm not questioning if you got a good eye for horse flesh. I am questioning what she is going to do when you get someone tied to that saddle that is going to fight us to begin with. Is that horse going to jump on me when someone takes a shot at her? Or if I have to lead her is she going to fight me because she is spooked? How's she gonna act when you got someone screamin and yellin up there?"

"Dunny! Follow!" The dun mare raised her head and took a step everytime Tensleep moved. She stopped when he stopped, her eyes always on him.

"You aren't the only one who teaches horses circus tricks Scarlet. This mare was bred by me for me. Ya think I just rode away from here for no reason? I went to get this mare for a purpose. I still have a band of horses that the Shoshone watch for me. I never put my people in more danger than I can help."

Scarlet swung her leg over Lucky's neck and slid out of the saddle. She walked back to Dancer's stall followed closely by the big bay. She unsaddled him and removed the halter then rubbed his forehead. "Yer a good boy." she said to him.

She closed the gate and walked between Tensleep and Ella again. "Then I trust her like mine she knows a hell of alot more than just circus tricks."

Scarlet swung back into the saddle. "You expect me to look for problems that are not there Tensleep. Keeps your people safe."

"Yep, that's why I keep you women around." Tensleep winked.

"Here we go, mount up and let's ride."

[Elegant Ella]

During the discussion about the pack mule, Ella was thinking about how men in authority tended to deal with subordinates, especially female subordinates, and realizing how lucky she was to be working for Marshal Ross. 

Of course, his willingness to debate was giving her bad habits for dealing with other male authority figures.  It didn't take any imagination at all to know how Alan's partner would have reacted to her questioning the need for a pack animal!  If she hadn't been so afraid of the asylum he sometimes threatened her with, she could have worked him into a fine rage many a time by politely but stubbornly disagreeing with him. 

The marshal back in Tucson had been unwillling to listen much to other sides of any question.  He was willing enough to hire female deputies, but he expected them to be obedient, not argumentative.  Slapping him for faking his own death had probably been an over-reaction on her part, but she thought he had been wrong to conceal his plan from most of the troop.  That incident had probably been when she started to think about leaving his employ. 

[Tensleep]

Tensleep never thought about the women that were his deputies without telling himself just how lucky he was... sure Scarlet was hard headed, stubborn was a better word for her. She was also tenacious as a bulldog and tough as most of the men he knew. Damn good shot, good with a knife and not bad with people although her temper did get short fairly quickly.

Patches was tops too before she went back east, great with the telegraph, good with weapons and she rode like she was born to it. She could work cattle almost like a mna.

Then there was Ella. Dear Ella, Doctor Ella, Ella the Healer, Ella the cook, Ella who knew so very much about everything. Shoot 'em then patch 'em up.... that's Ella, never gonna be another Ella.

"I could sure do lots worse." Tensleep looked over his shoulder. "Yep, sure glad I have Scarlet and Ella, they keep me straight, good thing too." The marshal chuckled to himself.

[Scarlet Angel]

Black beard was waiting near the gates when the posse rode up.

"You two take care of Scarlet and Ella." Bo said to Black beard and Tensleep "Make sure they don't do too much damage out there." He winked at the two girls.

"You will be bored with us gone." Scarlet said.

Bo laughed. "Go easy on those men."

Scarlet smiled and thought to herself how much she'd miss him as she looked past Bo to Fritz.

"I'll miss you." She said.

Bo took her hand and kissed it. "I'll miss you too." He said with a wink as her eyes met his.

Bo watched as the group rode out of the gate. He knew she wouldn't look  back even though she wanted to.

[Elegant Ella]

Ella wished that Bo was going with them, but he was needed at the fort.  She wondered if either Fritz or Cyrus realized how much Bo was doing to help the soldiers and the scouts understand and appreciate each other. 

[Scarlet Angel]

The way the man from Richard Kane's camp leered at Scarlet and Ella as they towards the gate made the hair on the back of Scarlet's neck stand up.

"Giddy up." He mouthed as they rode past.

Lucky pinned his ears towards the man making him back away.

Scarlet wondered how well Ella's out of sight out of mind theory was going to work.