Original Work The Stuarts of Texas

Don't you just hate it when someone gets the drop on you like that?! Doesn't matter if it's a broken stick, a shotgun being racked, or a bolt being dropped!

 

Yup! Been there done that, it was a shotgun wielding doper.

 

Raging Bull looked at the young braves and smiled in a deadly way and asked if any spoke English. They all just stood there staring at Raging Bull and casting hateful glances at the two white men. Raging Bull turned his head slightly, keeping an eye on the young braves and said. “They do not speak English, but may have Spanish. I will speak with them in our native tongue. Be ready to defend yourselves, as young hotheads are not known for their patience. If we fight, I will fight with you my friend.”, he said looking at Dave. Dave looked quizzically at Raging Bull and wondered if he meant he would fight Dave, or fight along side him. Never can be too careful. He thought.

Turning back to the young warriors, Raging Bull began addressing them, asking their business while taking a casual side step that shielded Dave from a direct line of fire. Dave silently side stepped, placing himself in a clear line of fire and shielding Al. Al felt a small relief and noted that none of the warriors could see him, eased a Colt .44 out of his holster and held it at a low ready position while turning his head about looking for anyone that might have maneuvered behind them.

The young braves noted this, and seeing that these men were unafraid of combat, respected them for it.

The leader of the small band dropped the broken stick in a disrespectful manner and demanded “Who are you and why do you ride with our enemies?!?! No real Comanche would ride with Whites! Are you a squaw?”

Raging Bull looked dead into his eyes letting him know that he was ready to kill in an instant, then looked into the souls of the rest of the men, then spoke. “I do not answer to growling disrespectful ill mannered cubs making demands. You are lucky I have not killed all of you for sport. I have known that you were trailing us for a day, and could have easily ambushed you children.” Turning slightly he whispered to Dave. “Be ready, these young fools are unseasoned and could attack on impulse.”

“What did you say to him?!?!”, demanded the leader. “Tell me you coward, are you planning on attacking us?’

“No, I only told him you were lost and asking directions home to the safety of your mother so she could wipe your behind and change your pants for you” Raging Bull said with a nasty smile.

This drew a chuckle from two of the braves, and gave the others a little bit of a scare. The leader glared at his small band, but before he could retort one of his supporters lowered his bow and said. “I have seen you before, when I was small. My father said you were a warrior to watch and that great things would be done by you. You had already taken scalps and counted coup many times. I am Two Mountains.”

Raging Bull looked him over and replied. “I am Raging Bull of the Quahada, and these are my newly found friends I met on my return from fishing the salty big water. What are you hunting for, meat or glory?”

“Both of course! It is an honor to meet such a warrior as yourself. My father will be pleased that I was so lucky.” Two of the other young braves nodded their assent and lowered their bows with a smile. “I have some pemmican and jerky of buffalo if you would care for some” offered one with extreme politeness.

“I would be honored to share your food. Who is your father?

“Red Knife, but his father calls him Iron Head most of the time, as does my mother quietly.” He said with a smile.

“I have heard of him under both names!”, exclaimed Raging Bull. “We have fish in abundance and some fresh venison, but my cheap friends here do not have any firewater to make it a really good time.”, said Raging Bull with a laugh. And thus a potentially dangerous situation was avoided and all but one, the leader, seemed satisfied. None of the tone was wasted on Dave, and the leader, Wild Horse, would be watched.

 

As everyone turned to go, Al was standing behind Dave with his Colt 1860 Army held in both hands and thumb on the hammer. His wild eyes darted about nervously as he looked from man to man to see what was going to happen. Raging Bull held up his right hand in a signal to stop with a smile, while Dave eased up and in a soothing voice said. “It’s alright Al. We’re all friends now except for their leader. He will bear some watching, but do it on the sly as he will use any excuse to take offense. Raging Bull and me will be watching him also.” Al looked at Raging Bull who nodded and smiled. Al lowered his pistol then reholstered it while still looking a bit shook up.

“I. I. I never thought I’d be guarded by an Indian from other Indians from the same tribe.” Stuttered Al

“Make that two Indians.” Said Two Mountains with a smile.

“Make it three.”, added Brown Eagle.

Raging Bull’s head snapped around at the replies spoken in English. “Hah! You young trouble makers had me fooled! I thought you could barely speak the tongue of The People!” He laughed. “You certainly played a good one on me!” Knowing this was a bonding moment, he slapped Two Mountains and Brown Eagle on their backs. “This will be a good story at the council fires, how two young pups snuck up and bit the old wolf in the behind!” This gesture instantly bonded the three men.

“So there will be no doubt, these two whites are my friends and will be my guests at my band’s camp on the river ahead. Any attack on them will be considered an attack me and my clan. The younger one with dead eyes is a grey rider and has killed many blue coats. Respect them.” Raging Bull said calmly as he stared into Wild Horse’s eyes. “To harm one of them would be a great shame on me, but not as big a shame as the scalp I would take to the great council to display for all to see. Do we understand each other Squatting Toad?” Asked Raging Bull.

“I am Wild Horse, call me by no other name!!!” Blurted out the Indian.

“Then you should state your name next time and not force someone to guess because of your actions.” Raging Bull said calmly.

Circumventing any future confusion, Raging Bull turned to the two white men and said. “I explained that the two of you are my friends and will be honored guests in my lodge at our camp on the river ahead. And, that I will not tolerate any attack on you.”

Dave nodded and inclined his head slightly. “And we are honored that the war chief Raging Bull is our friend. May it always be so.”

When Dave walked away, he crossed a spot with soft soil leaving clear boot prints. Two Mountains noticed this and examined the tracks. “I knew it! This is the Escopeta Man that killed the three blue coats we found earlier. I saw where you dropped the escopeta and shot the last one. Was it with a pistol?”

“Yes it was. I gave them a fair chance out in the open and they took it. They weren’t very good at it though. I am at war with them and always will be.”

The Indians nodded respecting this, and all went to the fire to brew more coffee.