The Last Buffalo Soldier by Michael S. Nuckols

Author:Michael S. Nuckols
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: United States, Historical, Romance, Literary, Literary Fiction, African American, Literature & Fiction
Published: 2015-04-15T04:00:00+00:00

* * *

Willis stood with a pitchfork in his hand, looking into Gray Lightning’s stall. She stood quietly, not understanding. Pete leaned against the wall, wondering if there was anything that he could say.

“You mind doing his funeral?” Willis asked.

“I can. Are you okay?”

“I guess,” Willis said, “I didn’t think I liked that man.”

“I still don’t like him. Don’t matter that he’s dead.”

Willis rubbed the side of Gray’s neck like a mother with a child. “Poor girl didn’t know what she was doing.”

“Don’t go worrying about her,” Pete said, “Her days were numbered anyway.”

“She did nothing wrong.”

Pete was frank. “I know you’re upset. But you can’t go worrying about that horse. She’s just an animal – a commodity.”

“Just do the funeral. Don’t bother me.”

Pete left Willis alone. Both knew what might happen. It was very likely that Gray was going to be shot.

Two Privates helped Pete put everything in order for the funeral. Out of respect, Pete made sure that everything shined. Hammond arrived later to check things over. Pete drove the carriage down the trail to the chapel, leaving Willis alone in the stables.

Willis brought Gray Lightning a carrot that evening - a final treat. “Old Gray …You had to go and get spooked. Had to go and get spooked, didn’t you? Just fouled everything up. Everything is all fouled up.”

The horse ate greedily as she always did. “Don’t you worry old girl. I won’t let them take you,” he said, “I’ll figure something out.”

Willis could hear the sound of taps echoing through the post. There was a gun salute. The sound bounced off the brick Cuartels, through the stables, and to the river. The bells tolled from the chapel; Willis knew for whom they rang.

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