An Unexpected Welcome_Brides of the West Series by Rita Hestand

An Unexpected Welcome_Brides of the West Series by Rita Hestand

Author:Rita Hestand [Hestand, Rita]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: mail order brides, Fiction, western, wagon train, Romance, west, the lady train
ISBN: 9781539714682
Amazon: 1539714683
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Published: 2016-10-23T00:00:00+00:00


Chapter Twelve

As they traveled, Cully was aware that some of the trains in front of them had buried their dead along the way, probably from Cholera. It was rule of thumb that anyone dying on a train had to be buried on the trail itself so that wild animals and thieving outlaws didn't dig them up and rob them, but Cully saw the signs and it distressed him some. He never got over having to travel over graves. It left a bad taste in his mouth.

Most of the dead came from the train in front of them, the graves were too new and that worried Cully more because the disease could be catching up to them. The train ahead hadn't given the Cholera, it was the one ahead of them.

One man commented, "Those are graves, aren't they?" He asked Cully as he rode up beside him.

"They are."

"What the hell?" the man asked. "We are trampling them, why would they bury their dead on the actual trail?" The young man asked, shaking his head with disgust.

"Cholera took them, most likely. It might mean the train in front of them caused it, or they caused it themselves and the wagon master didn't know in time to save them." Cully told the man.

"But why are they burying them on the trail itself?" The man clearly didn't understand.

Cully looked down at the ground, as though it might provide the words he needed to explain. "Because burying them on the trail itself, the wagons will level the graves and so it will be harder for animals to dig them up, or buzzards to pick their bones, and for outlaws."

"Why would an outlaw dig a grave up?" The man frowned.

"To rob him. Gold watches, teeth, even money, some carry in disguise."

"My God, they've no respect for the dead?" The man asked astounded.

"No sir, respect isn't something outlaws understand very well." Cully smirked and rode off. "Hopefully, you won't be witness to it."

To take their mind off the water being rationed, a couple of men dug out some instruments and played, before long, some were dancing to it the fiddle and harmonica. A man with a guitar joined them. They made some nice music too, Cully mused. Music was something almost everyone on the train appreciated.

It livened the people up and took their minds off their troubles.

They were having a good time when suddenly three Indians rode up. They were not threatening but amused by the music obviously.

Hobby and Cully went to talk to them. The music stopped abruptly. Everyone stopped and stared.

The Indians wanted to make a trade. Cully was glad that's what they came for. They offered buffalo meat, pottery and beads, they wanted blankets and whiskey.

Cully refused the whiskey but offered them blankets and one milk cow. The Indians dickered with Hobby for a long while, then settled for the trade. Cully had instructed Hobby from the start not to ever give them whiskey. Hobby agreed.

Everyone from the trains stared at their new guests.

Dressed in buckskins, some wore leggings and feathers in their hair, others wore hardly anything.



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