Kinch Riley Indian Territory by Matt Braun

Author:Matt Braun
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Published: 2011-04-19T04:00:00+00:00

The survey party resembled a small caravan. Apart from George Walker, there were two assistant surveyors in the crew. Their gear and equipment required three packhorses, with the tripod-mounted surveyor’s level lashed tight onto the gentlest animal.

Four men and seven horses quickly attracted attention, and Ryan knew from the outset that secrecy would be impossible. There was simply no way to hide so many white men on a trek through the Cherokee Nation. Nor was it possible to disguise their purpose with the surveyors constantly plotting a north-south line.

Their first day out Ryan spotted a lone Indian observing their activities from a distance. The rider, who was mounted on a black-and-white pinto, trailed them until they pitched camp. There seemed little doubt that word of their presence would reach Tahlequah by morning. Ryan kept his suspicions to himself, for there was nothing to be gained in bothering the other men. But his vigil became more watchful, constantly alert.

Ryan found the surveyors better trail companions than Stevens. They were accustomed to sleeping on bedrolls, with no complaints about hard ground or chilly nights. Even better, one of Walker’s men was a master cook over an outdoor fire. With the abundance of game, Ryan easily supplied several tasty choices for the evening meal. Everyone pitched in with the camp chores, and by the end of the first day they’d fallen into an easygoing routine. They were comfortable with one another in the way of men who thrived on wilderness travel.

After supper Ryan took the first watch. To protect against horse thieves, a guard would be posted throughout the night. Before dawn each man would take his turn. The two assistants quickly crawled into their bedrolls. Walker, who had drawn the dawn watch, joined Ryan at the fire. Hands to the flames, he was silent for a time, as though lost in thought.

“You expect trouble, don’t you?” he asked.

Ryan sat cross-legged, the shotgun cradled over his knees. He studied the question a moment. “What makes you say that?”

“You’re a little on edge. Waiting for something to happen.”

“Never hurts to be careful.”

“I get the feeling there’s more to it than that. Is there something Stevens didn’t tell me?”

“Let’s just say we’re not welcome here. The Colonel and William Ross didn’t exactly see eye to eye on things.”

“Small wonder,” Walker said with a low chuff of mirth. “Stevens is used to getting his own way—especially with Indians.”

“What’s the story on the Atlantic and Pacific?” Ryan asked. “The Colonel seems to think they could still bollix his plans.”

“No doubt of that. The head of the A&P is a fellow named Andrew Peirce. He plays rough, very rough.”

“How so?”

“Well, for one thing, Peirce and his backers are trying to get control of the Missouri Pacific line. If they do, then we’ll have lost our connection to St. Louis. They’ll just close the door.”

“And that would block the Katy from the eastern markets.”

“Exactly,” Walker affirmed. “The Missouri Pacific would join with the A&P to create a direct route from the southwest.

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