Silent Abduction by Al Lacy

Author:Al Lacy [Lacy, Al]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-307-78061-4
Publisher: The Crown Publishing Group
Published: 2011-05-25T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER

TWELVE

While the anxious drivers completed the circle, terrified mothers flattened their children on the floors of the wagon beds. Cheyenne bullets tore through the canvas covers, chewed into the wooden sides and tailgates, and buzzed through the air like angry bees.

Quickly, the men and the teenage boys were on their bellies under the wagons, firing. Hot lead plowed into the ground, scattering dirt and tossing sandy particles into their eyes.

Ward Fleming was off his horse, bellied down under Dexter Armand’s wagon, firing his revolver at the Indians. He had no idea whether Gerald was lying out there alive or dead.

Armand, who lay beside him, lined a bronze body in the sights of his rifle, and squeezed the trigger. The Indian stiffened on his pony’s back, ejected a wild screech, and fell to the ground. At the same time, Fleming dropped his hammer. The revolver bucked in his hand, and another Indian peeled off his pinto.

It was bedlam all around the wagon train as guns boomed and barked. Horses in the harnesses were nickering and dancing fearfully, and the terror-edged screams of children could be heard above the din. Men in the wagon train were being hit, and their horrified wives were wailing their husbands’ names from inside the wagons.

The fierce charge lasted about five minutes, then the Cheyenne—as if on signal—wheeled about and disappeared around the edge of the rock formation.

The sudden silence seemed to fall over the wagon train like a blanket. The screaming of the children subsided, and women whose husbands had been shot were out of their wagons, kneeling over them. Some of the men were dead.

Ward Fleming scooted from under the Armand wagon, leaped to his feet, and shouted, “Everybody stay put! Those savages will be back right quick!”

At the Logan wagon, Jim called from underneath, “Everybody all right up there?”

“Yes!” responded Merilee. “We’re fine, so far!”

“Papa,” came Jeremy’s voice, “I want to come down there and help you. My gun’s loaded. Can I come down?”

“No, son. I want you up there with Mama and your brother and sisters.”

“But, I can shoot straight, Papa. You know I can.”

“I know, and if there weren’t so many Indians, I might let you. But it’s just too dangerous out here.”

“Jim,” Merilee called, “the children and I are praying for God’s protection, but don’t you take any chances.”

“I won’t, honey,” Jim answered. “I’m staying right here, trying to make myself as small a target as possible.”

“How about the others, Jim? Can you tell how bad it is?”

Jim twisted around and gave a quick sweep of the inside of the wagon circle. His heart sank to see five wives bending over their husbands. “Looks like we’ve got five down, honey. All we can do is—”

Jim’s words were cut off as the screeching, howling Cheyenne rounded the rock formation, coming for another charge. Squaring around, he saw that six had flaming, smoking arrows notched in bows. “Stay low, Merilee!” he shouted. “And watch for flaming arrows! Here they come!”

It was bedlam once

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