Will Keen, Indian Scout by Art Isberg

Author:Art Isberg [Isberg, Art]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Robert Hale
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

In the run-down shack just outside Cedarville, Peet, Heck and Minx shivered under thin wool blankets each night, constantly having to go out each day to gather enough wood to keep their small stove fired up to keep them from freezing to death. Four days had passed since the wagons pulled out, when one morning Burl ordered Minx to go to town to buy more food to restock their dwindling supply.

‘Tell Heck to go, will ya,’ Zach moaned. ‘I don’t want to have to walk through all that snow. My feet will freeze wearing these worn-out boots of mine.’

‘Oren can go next time. You want to eat tonight, you get to it or starve to death. I’m paying to feed both of you. Don’t forget that, and stop crying about it.’

Minx pulled on his coat and hat exiting the shack slamming the door behind him, shoving both hands in his pocket still mumbling to himself. Thirty minutes later he stepped through the door of Dawson’s, stamping snow off his feet. The pot-belly stove in the middle of the room was already crackling, glowing cheery red radiating heat. He went to it warming numb hands, as Dawson came out of the back room eyeing his first customer of the day.

‘What can I do for you, Minx?’ He asked. ‘You’re up early today.’

‘Here’s a list of stuff Peet wrote down.’ He handed the paper over. ‘I think it’s got bacon, beans, some flour and a few other things. I’m staying right here by this stove while you go get it. I’m so cold I can’t even feel my feet any more.’

Dawson went about the store filling the order while talking over his shoulder. ‘I don’t imagine that old shack you’re staying in keeps out much cold, does it? It looks like you could throw a cat through the walls.’

‘Yeah, it’s pretty thin for sure, but it’s a whole lot better than a tent. Seems pretty quiet here in town.’

‘It is since those wagon people pulled out.’

‘You mean they ain’t up at the end of town? When did they leave?’

‘Let’s see. I guess it’s been about three or maybe four days ago. I was real sorry to see them go. Lost a lot of business when they rolled out.’

‘You better hurry up with those groceries. I’ve got to get back to the shack real quick.’

‘What’s your hurry? This is the warmest place you’ll be all day. Better enjoy it while you can.’

‘Nope, I can’t. Just finish that list so I can get out of here.’

Zach burst through the door of the shack, red-faced and trying to catch his breath. Heck and Peet turned from the small table next to the stove wondering why he was breathing so hard. Tossing the sack of vitals on the table, he leaned down putting both hands on it supporting himself.

‘I got news, and it ain’t good,’ he blurted out.

‘Like what?’ Burl asked, leaning back in the chair.

‘The whole wagon train already pulled out of town, Dawson said maybe three or four days ago.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.