The Last Patrol

[Elegant Ella]

"We've got a long ways to go, so let's move!" called Black beard, leading the party away from the fort at a brisk pace.  Black beard had worked with cavalry troops in the past, and he kept them at close to maximum cavalry speed all morning, alternating walking with galloping with leading the horses.  It was also obvious that he knew the territory, because they only encountered streams while they were walking or leading the horses. 

At midday, he called a halt in a stand of willows.  "This is the last chance for a fire.  We're in hostile territory now, so we won't move as fast this afternoon.  Tonight's camp will be cold."

Ella was glad to get out of the saddle.  Aaron got a few bites of oats and dried apples before being released to graze.  Ella gathered dry wood for a small fire to make a small pot of coffee, and a pan of biscuits to eat with the cold meat she had brought.  She also wanted to cook some oatmeal to eat cold for her breakfast the next morning.   

[Elegant Ella]

Ella decided she didn't have enough wood or enough time to get the fire down to good coals for baking, so she added extra water to her biscuit mix and cooked them as large pancakes.  As each pancake finished cooking, she wrapped it around some of the meat and handed it out.  Once the pancakes were done, she set her oatmeal to cooking and ate her fish sandwich. 

It was a relief to sit and relax a minute.  The others looked tired, too.  Scarlet seemed to be holding up better than Ella was. 

Once everyone had eaten and had a cup of coffee in hand, Ella spoke up, "Is it time to decide exactly what we are planning to do when we find her?  Are we going to collect Carrie?  If we take her back to the fort, Tensleep almost has to head south with her right away (maybe traveling with the supply train), because keeping her safe at the fort might be difficult.  I would rather talk to her, write down her deposition and send it to Bill and Patches with instructions for them to check out the evidence and deliver the deposition to the Judge Scarlet's family knows.  We would leave Carrie where she is, and come back for her after the army finishes its campaign, if the judge tells us Carrie has to come stand trial."

Tensleep thought a moment before responding, "Let's talk to her and see what she has to say.  We can go and get her again if we change our minds."

Ella relaxed from tension she hadn't recognized she was feeling.  "Moore must have been living in a pretty isolated corner of the county.  I thought I had met all of the women of child-bearing age since I started practicing as a midwife again."

[Tensleep]

"Carrie Moore lived over in eastern El Paso County, it was a cave type house carved into the side of a wash. The deputy sheriff over there said the place was kept neat but it was covered with blood end to end when he saw it." Tensleep paused. "Moore wasn't a real sociable type person. Closest neighbor was over four miles away."

[Elegant Ella]

Tensleep had known Ella too long to miss that release of tension.  "Deputy Coatsworth, are you having a problem with going after Carrie?"

Ella replied, "If my imagination showing me too many awful possibilities of what Carrie's life with Moore might have been like is a problem, then yes, I am having a problem with being objective enough to be a good deputy.  The killing of the kids bothers me, but I really doubt that Carrie killed them.  While I was living in Boston, I knew of one mother who killed her children: she killed herself at the same time.  There were several women who deserted their families, but they sent their kids over to a neighbor before they packed up what they needed and walked out.  I can imagine Carrie feeling trapped because she couldn't bear to leave her children in Moore's care, and she couldn't escape with them."

[Scarlet Angel]

Black beard listened to the conversation of the Marshal and his deputies. The killing of innocents always left a bad taste in his mouth.

He looked at Ella and Scarlet. Scarlet was mostly listening to the conversation between Ella and Tensleep.

Black beard leaned over and whispered. "You and Ella look much to young to have seen the things you have seen."

She glanced over at him. "The times we've lived in and the job we do." She replied.

"Oh?" Black beard said with a raised eyebrow.

Scarlet looked over at him. "I was twelve years old when I killed my first man. Ella was helping her grammy patch folks up before she was twelve." She said as a matter of fact.

Scarlet saw the surprised look cross his face. No doubt it would be a topic that came up again when he worked up the nerve to ask her about it.

"I figure from what you've told me we might start looking for signs from Carrie tomorrow afternoon?"  Scarlet said.

"Sounds about right." He replied wondering what was in her past.

[Scarlet Angel]

"We should get moving." Black beard said.

"Yep." Tensleep replied.

The group gathered their things, mounted up and headed out again.

Black beard rode next to Scarlet. He looked over at her; she was more comfortable in the saddle than most men he knew.

"Were you born there?" He said with half a grin.

She chuckled softly. "Close to it."

"Can I ask ya something?"

"You can always ask, doesn't mean I'll always answer."

"Fair nuff." He chuckled. "What reason does a twelve year old girl have to kill a man?"

"When a group of soldiers want more than food, water and horses." She replied.

"War is hard on everyone it comes in contact with.  Strange you had to do something like that, now you ride with them." He said referring to Union soldiers.

"Mom told me sometimes pretty isn't the best ride and dad always says don't ever make the mistake of judging a man by the clothes he wears or the color of his skin. People say things like that but when it looks you in the face you realize how right they are." Scarlet said glancing over at him then turning her eyes back to the trail.

"A lot of soldiers took what they needed. Sometimes the men wearing the uniform are not always so upstanding of citizens, especially in war time, and tried to take more." He replied.

"Perhaps we would have been more on guard had they been Yankee soldiers." Scarlet said looking over at him again. She didn't miss the look of shock that crossed his features. 

"I'm surprised your men folk didn't hunt them down."

"There was no one left to hunt down Black beard. My father, even to this day, makes sure everyone that lives on the Southern Starr is efficient in at least two ways of killing an enemy."

He raised an eyebrow "Two?"

"Well most folks can use a gun, but what happens if you don't have it for some reason. You best have a back up plan."

"True, never thought of it like that, but it's a true statement." He looked over at her "is it safe for me to sleep tonight? You seemed irritated when we rode out of the gate."

Scarlet chuckled. "I told you, I would fight you if you try to abduct me and take me to your pirate ship, since you haven't you are safe to close your eyes while I am on guard."

"I told you I wanted my pirate queen to be willing, no captor. You are too good with that long knife." He said pointing to the blade Scarlet had carried on her saddle since Fritz had given it to her. "I wouldn't want to have to defend myself from you one night after I thought you had forgotten about the husband I stole you away from." He winked at her with a grin.

"I still am surprised a man gives his wife gifts like that, although I like the idea, most women would prefer something more...suited for women then for fighting." He shook his head for what he thought was the poor way it sounded."

Scarlet laughed. "But then I am not like most women you know am I?"

"No."

"I think along with knowing what I like it was his way of trying to protect me. I told him along time ago he could fight beside me but I would not tolerate him standing in front of me to protect me."

"We are taught it is the man's place to protect damsels in distress. It's very hard to lean otherwise."

"Well what kind of pirate queen would I make if you had to protect me all the time?" She chuckled.

He grinned again. "This husband of yours is a lucky man to have such a woman as you." 

There had been questions around the campfire as to who really was Scarlet's husband. Many of them suspected Bo. The two were very close but the man slept with the other scouts. Maybe it was so the two ladies could share a room as Ella's husband was not with the group. Ladies liked time to themselves too, no matter how tough they were. Maybe he was foolish for listening to the questions of others and it really didn't matter any way. If the ladies were not interested in spending private time with the men they didn't have to say they were married to avoid it, although it probably made it easier so they were not asked daily.

"What is it you call this lucky man of yours?" He asked thinking she'd just reply with something like "You know his name is Bo."

Scarlet looked sideways at him. "That is a bit of a personal question don't you think? I will tell you if you swear to your God you will take it to the grave with you."

He was surprised, maybe the others had been right to question them and she was going to trust him with some information she'd not confirmed or denied.

"I swear, you can run me through yourself if I tell."

Scarlet moved Lucky so close their legs where sandwiched between each others horses. She leaned over and looked him in the eyes.

"I will to ya know. I will not stand for a man to betray his word." She whispered.

"Yes ma'am."

Scarlet thought about it a moment.  "You sure you wouldn't rather ask me something else that is personal?"

"I'll stick with this if you really don't mind answering it." He said thinking lord who could the man be?

He didn't miss the mischevious look on her face as she whispered.
"Mr. Frisky."

Black beard thought for a moment. "There was no Mr. Frisky among any body at the fort. He was not familiar with the name either, no Colonel Frisky he could think of. Then it dawned on him. She had just told him her pet name for her husband.  He slightly blushed then chuckled mostly at himself for the thoughts that had gone through his mind.

"Well you asked." She said moving Lucky so they weren't so close.

"That I did. Do you have a sister Scarlet?"

"Not by blood if that's what you mean. Why?"

"I was hoping you did and she would be half as passionate as you, and single, and you would introduce me."

"My husband gives me a passion for loving and living Black beard. They say that person shows up when you least expect it. I believe that. You will find your queen some day."

"Some day I will have to ask your man how to capture the heart of a wild spirit such as yourself."

Scarlet grinned. "Let me know if he tells you his secret."

The conversation had made the time go quickly before he knew it the sun was beginning to sink and they were coming into a good place to camp for the night.

"We can camp here" He said pulling his horse to a stop next to the small spring.

Black beard pulled the saddle off of his horse. He looked across his horse's back at Tensleep.

"I bet your life is never boring with these ladies around."

"Yer dern right there, add my wife to the mix an' it gets down right exciting at times." Tensleep grinned and dropped his saddle and bedroll to the ground.

[Elegant Ella]

Most of the time it took to set up a cold camp was spent tending to the horses. 

Ella passed out cold meat and biscuit for supper.  The watch rotation was settled while they ate.  Black beard had been prepared to stand watch half the night, but he wasn't really surprised that Scarlet and Ella were included in the rotation.  The men tried to make things easier for the women by putting Scarlet on first watch and Ella on last watch, so that they would get longer sleep periods.  Ella was accustomed to last watch, and preferred it. Whenever they camped with a fire, being up for the last watch let Ella get coffee and breakfast started while people were stretching and yawning.   

Ella was weary enough that she bedded down while the others were still talking. 

[Scarlet Angel]

Black beard enjoyed the conversation with the people around him. He observed how close they were to one another, even more so than the people he rode with. He listed as they talked about things outside of their duties. He noticed how Scarlet's eyes seemed to light up when they spoke of the foals on the ranch. Tensleep seemed be equally enthused about the conversation.

"How long the two of you been working together?" He asked.

"Round two years." Tensleep responded.

"Why do you ask?" Scarlet said.

"Observation." Black beard replied to the questioning looks of the other two.

"The whole lot of you seem to know one another pretty well. Inside and outside of the office, so to speak."

"We have our moments." Scarlet said with a wink at Tensleep who chuckled.

"I've ridden with some for twice as long as you have and I think you're beginning to know me better than some of them." Black beard said looking at Scarlet.

"I've long believed in order to truly know a person you must know their interests outside of the office. Spend some days playing with them, crying with them, you don't have to know a persons most intimate details to be able to be close enough that they can read your thoughts if you've spent the kind of time we have together. If I learn to read your thoughts, your actions I am more effective when we fight side by side." Scarlet replied.

Black beard smiled knowing that's what she'd been doing with him. She knew how he rode, she knew how he fought, and she knew how his mind worked because they had spent the time together working and playing.

[Elegant Ella]

joint effort of Ella and Scarlet

The slam of a door closing her into a padded cell woke Ella from her nightmare.  The recurring dream hadn't gotten to that point since they had left the Starr.  With her heart still pounding, she opened her eyes and looked at the night sky.  Without her glasses, the stars were a blur.  The moon had already set, so it was after midnight.

As her pulse slowed, she started hearing the night sounds more clearly.  Tensleep and Scarlet both seemed to be asleep, so Black beard must be the one on watch, which meant it was closer to dawn than midnight, and probably close to her turn for watch.  Maybe that was why the dream had gone further this time.  Bo and the others always woke her up.  Maybe being tired from the day of riding had let her get more sleep before the dream started. 

She wasn't going back to sleep, so she put her glasses on and sat up to look around for Black beard.  She got out and walked over to when he was perched on a rock at the edge of the camp.

"I can stand watch already, if you want to get a little extra sleep."

His smile was friendly as he gestured for her to sit on the rock across from him. "Two eyes are better than one for a piece." He seemed to be enjoying the starry night.

She settled onto the rock and looked out into the darkness around the camp.  Starlight was bright enough to make trees look darker gray than rocks.  The faint breeze carried scents of grasses and wildflowers.  Ella had recognized only a few of the plants around the camp, and suspected that some of the others were relatives of the wild plants found around Grammy's house.

"My granddad was a ship's captain, taught me how to read the stars when I was a lad. I love those tall ships. He used to take me out with him for long trips. We lost him to the sea. God rest his soul. I suppose that was about the time I deceided the land was a better option."

"I've learned to tell time by the stars.  What else do the stars tell you tonight?" asked Ella, gently.

"They've been getting brighter the last couple of nights. The clearer the night sky, the brighter the stars, the colder it's going to get. Look!" he said, pointing to a light that shot across the sky. "Make a wish, Ella."

Ella made the same wish she made at every opportunity: that Alan would agree to settle in El Paso.   

After several minutes of silent contemplation of the stars and looking around the camp, Ella asked, "What do you know of Richard Kane?"

"Cyrus's big brother?  Why do you ask?"

"I keep noticing him watching me and watching Scarlet.  He seems dangerous."

The comment about Richard watching Ella and Scarlet seemed to irritate Black beard.

"He can be a real horse's rump." He said. "Cyrus is good at his job and good with the people that ride with him. Not for him. That's one of the differences. Cyrus will tell folks we ride for him, which we do, but he never treats us any worse than we treat each other. Cyrus, on one hand, runs a tight ship, but not without freedoms if you follow the rules. Don't follow the rules, don't ride with us.   Richard is good at his job. Treats his men lesser than equal but has no rules. Half of 'em are drunk slobs and the others would shoot their own mothers to save themselves. Their first rule is watch your own back and it's up to everyone to pull his own rear out of the fire. They could be good men if someone wanted to whip them into shape. All capable, ya know, and when they can pull together, they are good."

Black beard paused for a moment then continued. "Don't underestimate him and don't turn your back on him, Ella. Richard is a jealous lad and I don't doubt some day it will get him killed. Cyrus tries to stay away from him, just bad luck they both ended up at Fetterman.  Do you want some one to talk to him about staying away from the two of ya?"

Ella thought a moment before replying, "He might be more likely to take such a talk as a challenge or a dare than to heed it. He ought to be hesitant about trying Scarlet after hearing of her fight with Chris.  Even the baldest, most accurate accounts should warn him that she is deadly with that big knife, and not reluctant to use it.   I should be okay as long as I continue being careful not to wander off alone."

"Our little family keeps pretty close eye on one another," Black beard smiled at her.

Ella could tell by the smile that the group considered her family and, if she didn't already know it, that they had been watching out for her.

"I was surprised Scarlet would take the chance to sleep in the stall with that stallion." Black beard gestured towards Lucky. "I asked Bo why he didn't worry 'bout some man trying something with her in the stables. He told me to go take a look for myself." Black beard shook his head. "I saw why she feels safe with 'im. We take turns going through the stables at night anyway. We also walk by your quarters. The guards are very aware we go by. Keeps 'em honest. Sides alla o' that, most men know Bo is protective over the both of you. I might be almost as big, but I don't ever want the man gunnin' for my hide. Then there's the Marshal there, who I think is protective of the two of you, too."

"It's nice to be protected by Bo and Tensleep, because they don't think the only way to protect a woman is to wrap her in cotton wool or set her on a pedestal.  I'm trying to be seen as a sister or an aunt by 'our little family', including the soldiers we'll be working with.  It could sure cause trouble if I were seen as 'available'!"

"You were inquired about but we were told you are married, as is Scarlet. Lucky men, if ya ask me. I'm sure if anybody inquired directly, you would set them straight."

"I worry sometimes that my new 'brothers' might take offense if anyone inquired, especially if the question were phrased rudely.  I don't want to be a cause of trouble between our scouts and others at the fort."

More time passed in contemplation of the night sky. 

Ella asked, "Do you fence?  That is exercise I enjoy, and am missing at the fort." 

"Black beard's the name, swords are the game." He chuckled. "Fencing, I've heard that's a gentleman's game. I am no gentleman but I know how to play."

"I thought you would be the most likely sparring partner.  I'm most accustomed to rapiers, but Dr. Bill likes sabers, so he and I spar both ways."

He winked, "I prefer a Cutlass. My granddad gave me the one I carry. I also carry a saber." He grinned. "I told Scarlet we were going to swing from ropes while we sparred. I will give you the option of ground or rope." He chuckled.

Ella grinned at him and said, "I'll choose ground, at least for the first match.  I would need to practice swinging from ropes before I would want to swordfight from that position."  She looked to the east, where the sky was beginning to brighten.  "It'll be dawn soon.  Thank you for keeping me company when it should have been my turn to stand watch."

"My pleasure, Ella," he replied.

Intermission while lucky people go to End of Trail

[Scarlet Angel]

Ella had prepared breakfast while the rest of the group broke camp and saddled the horses. She told them to eat up as the rest of the day would be hardtack and jerky to which Black beard responded he didn't think they were riding with the Army already causing the group to laugh.

The posse was mounted and moving as the sun bounced gold and pink light off of the fluffy clouds that drifted lazily across the morning sky.

They came to a stop at the river just as the sun reached directly above them, thankful the weather was cooler here than it would have been at home.

The Indian encampment could be seen from the river, mostly women, children and men to old to go on a war party. There was no sign of horses wearing shoes or any white women or children among them. The posse knew anybody able enough to fight had been watching them ride in for the last few minutes.

"Stay close, don't make any sudden moves." Tensleep instructed as they rode to the edge of camp.

The Indians seemed to relax as Tensleep explained they were looking for a white woman. Nobody in the tribe had heard of or seen a woman that fit Carrie's description.

The group traveled along the river guessing that most camps would be found scattered along the water.

After riding a few hours they came across a small Shoshone hunting party. Tensleep rode forward as did a representative from their group. The two were speaking when one of the hunters kicked his horse forward and rode towards Black beard, Ella and Scarlet.

to be continued

[Scarlet Angel]

It was an act of bravery in the eyes of the hunting party and the posse was wise enough to know it. The young brave rode around Scarlet, looked her up and down then did the same to Ella.

The warrior and the healer, the Comanche spoke highly of them and stories traveled far. These two fit the description and their had been word they were in the area.

The warrior, the blonde woman on the black horse wore no Christian cross, like many white women, instead she wore a turquoise and horn amulet and the silver two headed snake charm. She didn't dress like most white women he had seen and as he rode close he could see no fear in her eyes. He could tell she would have fought him if he challenged her.

The healer wore her brown hair up in a bun. The glasses gave her a look of intelligence but he could see kindness there. He could not see the medicine bag stories told she wore but guessed the leather thong around her neck held it close to her heart. He also guessed she carried the potions she was said to use somewhere hidden on her person in her skirt along with a weapon. It was said she would fight to defend herself but then would undo the damage she made.

The big man Black beard. He was known in these parts. A man not to anger, he was touched in the head, it was said he ate the brains of his enemies. The warrior would not make eye contact with him. Maybe the healer protected her friends from catching his disease.

He knew of the man that spoke with the leader of the hunting party. One of the neighboring tribes spoke highly of him. The warrior knew the leader was watching as was everybody else.

He stopped in front of Scarlet. If she was the woman the Comanche spoke of she was said to speak the language of her brothers and should be able to understand him well enough.

"I am Spotted Cat." He said hitting his chest with an open hand. "Son of the great Walks with Thunder brother to Many Bears. Comanche warriors are our enemies."

The man speaking with Tensleep seemed nervous now. Spotted Cat was young and could be reckless.

Scarlet kicked Lucky forward the two riders nearly touched at the toe. "I am called Wild Ponies, daughter of the man called Longknife and sister to the Comanche Grey Eagle." She replied in Comanche as she extended her arm for him to see the scar where blood with Grey Eagle was exchanged. "Walks with Thunder is a great warrior, like his son Many Bears they are respected among even their enemies. Today is a good day for hunting, not for battle. I have not come to make enemies with you. We seek another white woman for information."

Spotted Cat circled his pony around Lucky one more time, the woman was not intimidated but her tone and eyes were not challenging him either. Her father had taught her well.

"What stories will we hear of Spotted Cat? Is he wise like his father and all will speak of him with respect?" Scarlet spoke in English this time.

"Spotted Cat not foolish. Great stories will be told at fire." He replied in English. "What information do you seek from the woman?" He spoke in Shoshone again.

"Ella" Scarlet continued slowly in Comanche as she gestured towards Ella. "has dreamt about the woman we seek."

Spotted Cat nodded his head in understanding then rode to Ella. He addressed her in English.

"What you see dreaming on the white woman?" He asked.

[Elegant Ella]

"My dream showed that she killed the man who had murdered her children.  But she is accused of murdering the children and the man.  We want to talk to her so that we can find out the truth," replied Ella. 

[Scarlet Angel]

"You no believe your own visions?" Spoted cat asked.

[Elegant Ella]

"My visions are not enough to convince the judge who will decide whether she must stand trial," replied Ella. 

[Scarlet Angel]

Spotted Cat shook his head in understanding, without another word he turned his pony and went back to the other riders.

Scarlet backed Lucky back and took her place between Ella and Black beard.

The man talking with Tensleep pointed down the river. Tensleep turned and rode back to the group as did the other man.

"He says he has seen a white woman traveling with two warriors. They passed here a few days ago following the river." Tensleep told them.

[Elegant Ella]

Circling Falcon and his brother had finally found Carrie and escorted her home.  It was a tiring journey, because Carrie always felt she should be watching over her shoulder for the whites to take her back  and lock her up until they would hang her.  The three of them reached the tribe at the end of the argument.  The elders, women and children with some of the warriors went into the reservation lands while the rest of the warriors rode off to join the Sioux who were preparing to fight the whites.  Circling Falcon stayed, but his brother went, as did all of the unmarried men. 

She was working in their tipi when the four whites rode into the village.  She stayed back, but watched them.  The leader seemed to be a big man who was talking to the elders.  His companions were a giant with a black beard and two women.  One of the women dismounted and brought something to the leader, that was given to the elders. 

Circling Falcon had been in the circle around the strangers.  He came to tell her, "It's a lawman from El Paso, looking for you.  He says they just want to talk to you.  Go out the back of the tipi, and we can slip away while the elders keep them talking."

She protested, "We've only been here a week, and they have already caught up with me.  If we run, they will follow and catch me again."

"We can set an ambush, and kill them when they catch up."

"No," she decided, "I have caused enough death."  She walked out of the tipi toward the strangers.

The women saw her coming.  The one who had already dismounted walked to meet her.  With a gentle smile on her face, Ella asked, "Carrie?" 

Carrie nodded.

Ella said, speaking slowly and clearly, "The report of your capture said you understand English but do not speak it.  Is this true?  Do you understand me?"

Carrie nodded.  She winced and sighed in frustration as she struggled to answer in English, "Yes, I hear good, speak not good."   Moore used to tell people she couldn't speak English because she was feeble-minded, and he punished her when she tried to practice and improve her English.

Ella continued, "I am Ella Coatsworth.  She is Scarlet Corbin.  We are Deputy Marshals working for Marshal John Ross.  Our job was to find you and talk to you.  Marshal Ross speaks Cheyenne, and he will interpret for you, if you are willing to answer our questions." 

Carrie nodded again, feeling a trace of hope.  The fact these women Deputies had brought someone who could understand the language she spoke sounded like they were serious about talking to her, and that they hadn't already pronounced her guilty. And as women, they might understand her story. 

They settled down in a circle under a tree, Carrie, Circling Falcon, Tensleep, Scarlet and Ella with her desk on her lap to record the questions and the translated answers.  The elders of the tribe formed a bigger circle around the questioning.  Black beard guarded the horses, while the children dared each other to touch him. 

The first questions covered her identification - that she was the woman called Carrie Moore who had been taken from an Indian tribe four years before, and that she had been living in El Paso County until almost two months ago. 

Scarlet asked the important question, "What happened to your husband and children?"

Carrie's response was passionate, and Tensleep had to stop her and have her repeat parts before he translated.  The man sitting next to her had brushed his hair away from his temple and displayed a scar soon after she started talking.

"Moore clubbed my husband down with the butt of a rifle when my husband tried to rescue me from him.  I thought he was dead. Then Moore raped me in sight of my husband's body before taking me back to the camp with the other captives and white men. Moore claimed me as his wife and took me away from them, but I never agreed to marry him.  On the last day I lived with him, Moore came in from drinking with his friends.  He was angry, calling me a whore and a cheat, and calling my son a bastard.  Moore beat the boy until he coughed up blood and died.  Then Moore took my baby daughter and twisted her neck, saying, 'If you aren't feeding this one, you'll give me a true-born son sooner.'"

"What happened to Moore?"

"I cut him with a knife from the kitchen when Moore came towards me with his belt to beat me again." 

"How many times did you hit him with the knife?"

"Many times, mostly on his arms because he blocked my blows.  It was only a small knife.  It took a long time before he weakened enough for me to cut his throat."

"What did you do after he was dead?"

"I scalped him, then found the key to the chains on my ankles and freed myself.  I went out to take care of his horse, who was difficult to handle because of the blood on me.  It was night, and I looked at the stars to find out which way was North.  After I washed up, I laid my children in their beds, and cut off a lock of hair from each of them.  I slept in the stable until dawn.  Then I took food, water and blankets, and rode his horse towards home.  My husband and his brother found me on the second day. 

"Did you ever try to escape from Moore?"

"Many times until my son was born.  Then, he no longer gave me any chances.  He tied me up before he slept and hobbled me or locked me into his house before he went out."

"Had you resisted his beatings before?"

"Not for a long time.  I was afraid that he would beat my children if he couldn't beat me." 

"Did you try to stop him from beating your son?"

"Yes, but he knocked me down and I passed out.  I only woke up in time to hold my son in my arms while he died."  Carrie broke down in tears during the translation and hid her head in the shoulder of her husband.  He held her gently and murmured until her tears stopped.

Ella raised her hand, to signal Scarlet that Ella wanted to ask questions. 

"Did Moore beat you often?"

"Yes."  This answer Carrie could give in English. 

"Did the beatings leave wounds?"

"Yes."

"May I examine you, to report on your scars?"

Carrie hesitated before agreeing.  She had heard of Doctor Ella, from overhearing women talking when Moore let her come with him to the store.  Moore had delivered her babies without allowing any woman to help. 

"Yes, come," she said, rising and leading Ella to her tipi.  The door flap dropped behind them. 

[Scarlet Angel]

Tensleep could tell by the way Scarlet squared her shoulders what she was thinking, he didn't have to see her face. He lit his pipe and took a long draw on it. "You've already decided what you think we should do and if I don't agree we are going to stand here and debate it aren't we?"

Scarlet turned and faced him. There was nothing in her eyes to give away her thoughts.

"Scott used to accuse me of being judge, jury and executioner."

"I know. He told me you followed your own set of rules more than once."

"Can't say I agree with some men who think women are no more than objects to own with no rights of their own. Viewed below their horses which again are objects to be owned."

"You think we should leave her here." He replied.

"He was respected by his friends; they will have her strung up if she is tried in El Paso by the circuit judge."

"You sure?"

"No, but I'm not sure that it wouldn't happen like that. If a man beats his horse and gets kicked they shoot the horse and don't ask why the horse kicked him. She was nothing more than a brood mare that didn't produce what he wanted."

"You have a unique way of putting things Scarlet."

She half smiled. "That is why you asked...I know you are thinking something similar, you were just curious to see how I would put it."

"Is that the way you speak to that judge your father knows?"

"We've had some heated debates." She smirked.

"No doubt." Tensleep chuckled.

"You know I'm not one of those men who view women as objects." He said in a serious tone.

"Didn't say you were. I didn't say all men I said some. Just like I will tell you there are women out there who will take a man for everything she can. I'm not one of them. Takes all types. If either one of us were those types we wouldn't be here together."

"I  guess yer right. I think we are much of the same mind. Lets see what Ella finds out before we make a final decision."

Scarlet smiled in agreement.

[Elegant Ella]

Tensleep pulled his pipe out and pointed with it at Ella coming from Carrie's tipi.  "Scarlet, have you ever seen Ella that mad?" 

"Once," replied Scarlet.  "She had trouble hitting any targets until the mad wore off." 

Ella stalked over to them and handed Scarlet a sheet of paper, "Here's the results of my examination.  Read it for yourselves.  I'll just get madder again if I read it to you."  Ella walked over to the horses, glaring at Black beard when he started to say something, and started brushing Aaron's coat. 


Physical Examination of Carrie Moore

Her left arm is crippled, due to a broken ulna in the forearm that was allowed to heal without being set.  She claimed that Moore broke her arm the fifth time she tried to run away. 

Her back is covered with scars from her neck to her thighs.  The most recent marks are six lines about two months old, probably made by the prong side of a heavy buckle.  The older scars are consistent with having been made by the same weapon. 

Her ankles are scarred and callused, probably from the manacles of handcuffs.  Her wrists are similarly marked. 

At least 4 ribs had been broken and allowed to heal without medical attention. 

signed, E. W. Coatsworth. 

Note to Doctor W. McDowell on supporting evidence to look for:
Belt with heavy buckle, stained with old blood on the inside of the buckle end. 
Handcuffs with traces of blood

[1stSgt Fritz King]

Fritz watched as Scott ran men and horses through their paces.  1stSgt Crisp had convinced him that he knew what he was doing, so Fritz had given him a bit more rein.  He'd expected as much as Top Soldier; he just had to stop thinking like one for the moment.  There was a reason for the chain of command.  By accepting the straps again, he'd moved up in that chain. 

Fritz felt the men had benefited from the rather unorthodox training he'd provided, and the real life experiences of Scarlet, Ella and Tensleep.  There was more to learn, if only they had time.  He'd talk to his bride about teaching the men bareback techniques.  He was a bit rusty in that arena himself.  If your mount was killed, you took whatever you could catch.  And not everything on the battlefield wore a saddle. 

He hadn't read the note she'd given him.  Maybe he'd just let Scarlet tell him herself when she returned.  It was like insurance; if he didn't read it, he knew she'd come back safely.   

[Tensleep]

Scarlet read the report to Tensleep. When she finished she glanced over at Ella. "No wonder she is so mad." She commented before her eyes came back to the Marshal.

"You suppose Moore's friends and the circuit judge would let Carrie walk out of a court room a free person or do you think they would think like Moore. She was a piece of property and should have obeyed him. For disobeying she got what she deserved and should be executed for his murder." Scarlet said softly.

Tensleep nodded knowingly then dismounted and walked to where Ella was standing.

"Ella......."

"I've delivered four babies in that part of the county, and check in at the store Moore used to get his supplies every few months.  I never asked if there were any more women than the ones who sought me out."

Tensleep said, "There are almost 10,000 people spread out over almost 6000 square miles.  You can't treat everyone, nor can you know all that goes on no matter how much you try. Never blame yourself for what you don't know or can't do anything about."

Tensleep turned to Scarlet and Black Beard. "I say we head back to the fort, I think that we are needed there. We have found that Carrie Moore no longer exisits and my report will say so."