The Last Patrol

[Elegant Ella]

General Crook kept the troops camped on the Tongue river, while the outposts frequently reported seeing Indians. A rumor floated around the camp that Crazy Horse had warned General Crook not to cross the Tongue, and some wondered why General Crook was heeding the warning.

On June 15th, Frank Grouard brought nearly 300 more Crow and Shoshones scouts. The Crows were led by Alligator-Stands-Up and the Shoshones by Washakie.

General Crook ordered that the wagon train remain with an infantry guard, and the rest of the foot soldiers ride on mules from the train. The medical team was staying with the wagons and ambulances.

Ella found Bo to ask his advice, "Should I stay with the medical team, or come where I can be useful?"

[Scarlet Angel]

Bo wondered if asking was Ella’s way of just letting him know she intended to go where she could be more useful.

“Before you gather yer stuff to come with us I’m going to tell you I think the Indians that will be fighting us will not be showing mercy, and will most likely think it unmerciful if you try to help them.  Mercy to them will be killing them in battle so they die with honor. You may have to shoot somebody against your better judgment.”  He said knowing how much she hated having to take a life, saving them is what she did after all.

[Elegant Ella]

"Scarlet can probably tell you that the whole time I've been a deputy, I've been afraid that I would get someone else killed. I worry that I might distract someone, not intentionally, but someone would protect me instead of watching out for himself. Or else, I might hesitate to shoot." Ella hesitated before continuing, "I can't imagine Scarlet or Patches ever needing to be protected, or allowing any man to think she does. But I was a city girl for too long. I'm content to send the scouts across the river without me, hoping that I taught them enough to help each other."

[Scarlet Angel]

Bo half smiled at Ella’s comment and replied. “Everyone needs protecting in one form or another Ella, admit it or let someone think we do, well yer right when you say we don’t admit that part, but you never have to ask or admit it to someone cares for ya.”

Bo turned and checked the rigging on his horse then turned back to Ella. “Thanks to you I believe I ride with the best medically trained group of scouts since I rode with Johnny and Travis.” He bowed at the waist and kissed the back of her hand. “I hope that medical team has had as good o training with weapons as the scouts have had from you.”

Bo turned and swung up on Dancer’s back. He hoped next time he saw Ella she wouldn’t be standing over him sewing him back together.

[Elegant Ella]

June 17, 1876

"Hurry up and wait, as usual, but you seem to be waiting more productively than I am." Doctor Martin's voice didn't startle Ella enough to make her blotch the sketch she was making of a plant growing near the river.

"The wait shouldn't be too long. General Crook will need supplies soon," replied Ella. "The troopers don't seem to mind waiting."

"They're glad to rest after marching for over two weeks. I'll put them to work improving the ford before they get restless. What is that plant?"

"The healers in a tribe down south use something that looks like this and grows along mountain streams for treating chills and fever," replied Ella. "I think this smells the same. It's similar to a wild flower that's also found in Connecticut."

Doctor Martin sat on the river bank next to her before asking, "What is it called? What's the next step for identifying it?"

"Horsemint has distinctive flowers and bracts. These plants are going to bloom in a few more days."

"If General Crook hasn't sent the mules back with orders to cross the river and rejoin the column by then."

"Now that I know it's in this area, I can keep my eyes open for it.  I tried to grow it in my garden in El Paso, but it didn't do well. I would try this variety if there were seed to collect, since carrying a little potted plant is impractical right now."

"You've got a good view here," said Doctor Martin, gazing off across the river.

"I watched the column departing yesterday as long as I could," admitted Ella. "Do you hear anything other than the river and camp noises?"

Doctor Martin listened, then shook his head.

Ella said, "I've been imagining I hear gunfire all day. I expect it is just my imagination, since the column ought to be twenty miles away as the crow flies."

[Scarlet Angel]

Scarlet had been quieter than usual ever since the announcement they were going to cross the river. Bo wondered what she was thinking as he watched her. Her jaw was clenched her eyes watching her surroundings, as a good scout would do, yet she was far away.

He was almost afraid to ask, but couldn’t help himself. “Where are you Scarlet?”

She glanced his way. “No place important.” She replied.

Bo snorted. “’member who it is you’re talkin’ to.” He said refereeing to the fact he knew her almost as well as he knew himself.

This time she tilted her head as she looked his way. “I am traveling across time Bo.”

“Some place more pleasant than this?” He asked.

“Not so much. Thinking of Devil’s mountain.”

“A lot of things good and bad happen there Scarlet. Take me with you, you always say it helps to share things that bother you.” He half smiled knowing she didn’t like when folks used her philosophy against her, especially when she didn’t particularly want to share; he also knew he could get away with more than just about anybody he knew when it came to getting information from her.

[Scarlet Angel]

“Some day we may learn that leaving each other to our own thoughts is the best thing.” Scarlet said.

“I hope we both grow that old Scarlet, because it won’t be anytime soon.”

“Bo, I keep seeing Colonel Troutman’s eyes lined up in the sights of my pistol. I would have killed him and died myself defending Black Wolf’s son. I would have killed every one of the soldiers that rode with him that day and if I died I would have died an honorable death as far as I am concerned.”

“Troutman would have killed that boy, though I suspect he knew the boy was innocent. He would like to see all Indians wiped from the face of the earth.”

Bo detected a bit of sadness in her voice as she replied “If we succeed here it will give him a good start won’t it.”

Bo didn’t know what to say.

“I pray that I will not someday have to make the choice of having to fight against ones that have become friends, that this war does not come home, but I fear that it will.”

“I pray we do not all die here.” Bo stated.

“Me too, for it would be a death without honor for me.” Scarlet said.

Bo put his hand on hers. “You will not die here without honor Angel.”

She no sooner finished saying “I hope you are right. Men fighting for their homes and families are the most dangerous.” when the gunfire erupted.
 

[Scarlet Angel]

Cyrus wondered which one of them would come home alive as he looked at his brother’s back. Keep your friends close and your enemy’s closer echoed through his mind. Bo had said it the night they brought Teddy in.

Dick was not his brother’s friend and Cyrus had come to view him as an enemy. “How could one take his own brother’s life?” He wondered. He’d heard of a few who had done it. Jimmy Bradbury, Scarlet’s adopted brother, had been rumored to do it during the war with the South. The investigations by the army stated the man had been attacked by enemy forces and brutally slaughtered. Neither Bo nor Scarlet would confirm something different. Cyrus started to wonder if Jimmy had just built a reputation on rumors, but he doubted it.

When Cyrus asked Scarlet about his own situation with Dick she had replied “Yer the one has to live with your actions Cyrus. If the fact he shares the same linage as you means something then it does.”  Teddy was more of a brother to him than Dick ever could be and he wished there had been more evidence to prove Dick had been behind the plot.

[Scarlet Angel]

Voices could be heard over the volley of gunfire that errupted. “Go go!” as one of the scouts rode out to warn the soldiers of the attack.

“There’s too many of them! Fall Back!” came Cyrus’ voice.

Those voices and orders seemed like they had been said days ago before the gunfire subsided and the men began to filter back to the main position but the sun had only reached high above them.

 Scarlet and Bo had been separated early in the day when she and Teddy had been asked to put the long range rifles they carried to good use.

“Where’s Lucky?” he whispered to his horse as they rode to where it looked like Cyrus’ scouts were congregating. He could feel Dancer’s pace pick up then the horse came to a stop. Bo focused his eyes on hers as he slid down. He felt her catch him. Bo put an arm around her and pulled her close. She could feel him smile as wrapped her arms around him. “I told you you would not die here without honor Scarlet.”

“Bo?” he heard her voice after he’d been quiet for a moment. He was still holding her as tight as he could; his head was on her shoulder. “If I die darlin’ I can’t think of a better place than in your arms.”

[Elegant Ella]

June 19, 1876

The sun lit up the rising dust plume long before anything could be seen at its base. For the next hour, it seemed that everyone in the camp was taking a turn out to the high spot along the river, straining to see whether the dust cloud was enemies approaching, or the army returning, or just from the mules coming with orders to move across the river. After Major Martin watched for several minutes through field glasses, he strode off.

Ella continued watching through her pocket telescope while noises from the camp indicated that the troopers were setting up the hospital tents. Her anxiety increased steadily. She had spotted Scarlet, and was pretty sure she had seen Fritz, but she couldn't find Bo. She saw Dancer being ridden by another of the scouts, but not Bo. It looked like most of the mules were carrying litters with wounded men, while other mules and horses had bodies draped over them.

Where was Bo?

[Elegant Ella]

Before the column got to the ford, Ella had pulled herself together and gone to see where Major Martin wanted to assign her. She found him giving instructions to the medical team.

"Samuels, you and Henderson will alternate between triage and surgery. Remember that your instructions to the litter bearers will be surgery for urgent cases, right tent for non-urgent cases, left tent for hopeless cases. Johnson, Cole, you will assist in the surgery until the urgent cases are handled, then go to work in the medical tent. Coatsworth, assist with triage, then work on making the cases in the left tent as comfortable as possible."

Ella knew Johnson from his time in her care while he was stationed at Fort Bliss. His broken legs had healed well, and he had returned to his duties as an orderly working for Dr. Griffin at Fort Bliss. He had come to Fort Fetterman as Captain Henderson's orderly. Cole walked carefully around Ella. He remembered too much of the tongue-lashing she had given him, and the heavy cleaning he had had to do the next day.

[Elegant Ella]

Ella with Major Samuels and Captain Henderson and a dozen troopers for litter bearers waited for the wounded far enough from the river to allow the entire column to cross and get sorted out.

Captain Henderson wanted to take the first wounded man up to surgery, but Ella stopped him. "Remember that our job is triage, or sorting. You don't want to fill the surgery with minor wounds and then have no place for someone with a serious wound. That trooper's wound is in a leg, the wound is already bandaged and the bandages are holding well, so he can wait a little while. Send him to the right-hand tent, and continue down the line."

Major Samuels was looked a little shocked at the number of wounded to check. There probably were 70 litters lined up for their attention, and he was having trouble focusing on the one in front of him. Ella advised him, "You just take them one at a time. It's always a surprise when you look for the next one, and find you're all done." The trooper in front of Samuels was wounded in the abdomen, and already fevered. Samuels sent him to the left-hand tent.

Captain Henderson had reached a trooper with a bandaged head, and looked to Ella for confirmation before taking him to surgery.

Samuels and Ella continued down the line. The time since the battle had already done a lot of sorting. Many of the troopers with critical wounds were already dead.

[Scarlet Angel]

Cyrus worked his way down the line of wounded talking to his scouts that could respond. The ones who didn’t need attention from the doctors were taking care of one another. Cyrus was thankful they had listened to Ella’s teachings.

He stopped at Dick’s litter. He didn’t know how he really felt looking down at his brother. Judging from the wound it would be some time before the man died, but die he would after he suffered. How could one really feel bad for a man who tried to kill him and had nearly killed his best friend.

Cyrus took a deep breath; he remembered hearing Black beard call his name near the end of the fighting. He looked in time to see Dick raising a rifle with what looked like the intention to shoot Cyrus in the back, the moment seemed to freeze time and his reactions seemed like they were running in slow motion, the sound of a large bore rifle echoed and Dick fell then time seemed to rush forward. Standing there looking at his brother now he still didn’t know who had made the shot but the list of who would calculate such a wound that was a good long shot was fairly short. He supposed he might be able to dig the bullet out to find out after Dick died, but did it matter? Someone had done for him what he had only thought about.

Cyrus looked down the line, his eyes falling on Teddy. His friend had ridden next to Scarlet the entire way back. Cyrus knew she was angry; one had to be blind not to see it. Bo had been one of the scouts ordered to ride through the canyon against their better judgment. The scouts had fought against it saying it was a perfect place for an ambush but their objections had fallen on deaf ears and it had happened. 

He didn’t know what to say as he approached her. “I’m sorry Scarlet.” Was all he was able to manage.

“You only be sorry if you are the one that gave the order Cyrus. Men who do jobs like ours know they may never see home again every time they ride out.” Scarlet said looking up the line, her eyes falling on the young soldier Major Samuels and Ella were sending to the left tent. The litter bearers stopped about four steps from Ella calling her and Major Samuels back. “I don’t think he’s breathing any more.” One of the litter bearers remarked.

[Elegant Ella]

"Carry out your orders, trooper," snapped Ella. It was hard enough dealing with a line of wounded when everything in her wanted to tend to the wounds in front of her. Debating with Major Samuels had made it worse. She hoped that feeling the same torment was the reason he wanted to take every case to surgery, although she suspected that he was more driven to escape from the sight of so many wounded in one place. The sooner she got to the end of the line, the sooner she could go help the patients assigned to her, even if all she was going to be able to do for some of them would be to close their eyes, like the trooper being carried away.

Ella reached Dick's litter. Gutshot, and already fevered. Samuels had stopped arguing about abdomen wounds, after she let him take one to surgery. She didn't know what Major Martin had said to him, but he hadn't stayed in the surgery very long that time. She signaled the litterbearers to take him to the left tent.

Major Samuels was sending the next scout to the left tent, but she didn't notice. Bo was unconscious in the next litter, with bandages around his waist. There was pink-tinted dampness in the bandages over the stomach. He was fevered, but not as much as Dick had been.

"Knife or bullet?" she asked Scarlet, looking at the wound that had penetrated the stomach.

"Knife." Scarlet's answer was curt.

"He'll be okay, thanks to the field medicine you did," responded Ella, trying to reassure herself as much as Scarlet. Major Samuels had sent the last few scouts to the left hand tent, so the line was gone. "I'll take Bo to surgery."

Two hours later, while Ella was tending the wounded, Major Martin brought Bo into her territory. "All stitched up, according to your orders, Ma'am," he said, bowing slightly. "I would have put him with the other surgical cases, but I thought you would want him to be under your care."

"Thank you," replied Ella. "I've got another half-dozen in here who are likely to survive."

"Have you got enough helpers to tend to everyone?"

"Yes. Once the scouts have rested, a few of them will be here to assist."

[Scarlet Angel]

Before they carried Bo off Scarlet reached down and kissed his cheek. “When you come back will go some place that will make you smile.” She whispered.

Bo looked over at her as they rode. Out of the corner of her eye she saw him watching. The way he looked at her caused her to blush and giggle.

Bo smiled. He’d only known her a short time but she was the most enchanting creature he knew. Her laugh had the power to lift his soul.

“Some one told me you have enchanted me.” He said.

She flashed a mischievous smile. “If I told you I cast a spell on you the day I saw you would believe me?”

“Yes.”

“Would you be mad?”

“No, how long will this spell of yours last.”

“Your heart is mine until I release it.” She smiled again her dark eyes twinkling.

Bo reached out and took the rein of her horse pulling them close he leaned over and kissed her. She returned his kiss passionately.

She loved him but they had been courting only a short time. She had been told her feelings were just a passing emotion; one could not fall so hard so fast but she didn’t believe it.

Bo saw the sad expression cross her face before she smiled at him again.

“Have I done something to upset you?”

“No, I just don’t look forward to the day you ride away and forget this moment in time.”

“If you are any good at enchanting men I will never forget this moment in time.” His lips spread into a wide smile.

“Don’t be a tease.”

“Scarlet says spells are serious, I shouldn’t take it lightly.”

She turned her head away and blushed again.

“I will release you and you will be free to go.”

“Maybe I like what you’ve done.”  He said stealing another kiss.

“You best be careful doing such things. What if we are caught?”
“What if we are caught?” Bo grinned.

“You are a hard man to resist Bo Corbin, a devil too, and I think my spell back fired and you have enchanted me.” She teased.

“You shouldn’t tell a man he has that sort of power over you.” He winked.

It was her who stole the kiss this time before laughing and kicking her horse into a gallop.

Bo chuckled, he could hear her laughter fill the air as her horse ran along the trail. He moved his horse in pursuit.

He was gaining on her when she pushed a low branch out of the way. The limb swung back and caught Bo in the chest and shoulders knocking him from his horse.

He lay there on his back thinking of getting up, dusting off and pursuing her again when he heard her call.

“Bo are you alright?”

He could hear her horse’s hoof beats approaching.

Bo laid still playing opossum.

He could hear her voice as she dismounted and came towards him. “Bo?”

She kneeled over him and put her hand on his chest. He could feel her face close to his.

“Bo, are you hurt bad?”

“Only one thing can help me.”  He whispered.

“Tell me.” She said placing her hand gently on his shoulder.

“Marry me.”

“Oh yes.” She said softly brushing her lips across his.

Bo put his arm around her and pulled her tight to him kissing her passionately.

[Elegant Ella]

When another chaotic dream of blood and death woke her, Ella got up, trying not to waken any of those around her. Scarlet's bedroll was gone, which probably meant she was sleeping with Lucky. Ella worried about Scarlet's icy anger towards the Army and especially towards officers. Ella doubted whether Scarlet had spoken to Fritz at all.

Chris lifted his head, and got up when he saw Ella tying on her pockets.

"I'm just going to check on my patients. I won't be gone long, you don't need to escort me," she protested when he pulled on his boots.

"I can give you a hand," he replied, following her away from the scout camp.

At the hospital tent, she set Chris to sponging Dick's face and chest, trying again to reduce the fever. It didn't really do Dick any good, but it kept him quieter so that he didn't disturb the others as much.

Using a little candle lantern for light, she moved from pallet to pallet.  The reassurance of her presence as much as the morphine she dispensed for pain let some of the sufferers go back to sleep. 

When she got to Bo, she knelt beside the pallet.  He didn't stir when she brushed his hair aside or checked the pulse in his neck.  The strong steady beat comforted her, and she was glad to observe that his temperature was close to normal. He seemed to be dreaming. 

Ella gave in to temptation and kissed him lightly.  She was surprised when he responded by putting his hand on the back of the neck and pulling her in for a deeper kiss.  Ella relaxed into the kiss, letting go of all of her concerns.

When the kiss ended and Bo slid his hand down along her arm, Ella whispered, "I'm sorry.  I shouldn't have done that."  She started to stand up.

Bo captured her hand to keep her beside him.  "Are you really?" he asked, "Sorry, I mean?" 

In the dim light, his eyes were enormous and magnetic.  They pulled the confession from her, "No.  Most of my pleasant dreams ever since we got to Fort Fetterman have involved kissing you."

"That explains the blushes every morning," he teased.

"Go back to sleep now so you can heal," said Ella, trying to free her hand so she could stand up.  "I'll see you in the morning." 

Bo let go reluctantly.  "You need to sleep, too." 

"I will," she promised.  Ella finished checking on the patients, then she and Chris went back to the scouts' camp. She returned to her bedroll, thinking.

Bo's kiss was a lot better than "nice". It was earthshaking for a woman who had never imagined feeling physically attracted to any man other than her husband. Becca especially, but also Scarlet and Rose, had taught Ella about male beauty, but appreciating a man's appearance was a far cry from wanting to kiss him. That first kiss made Ella want to kiss Bo again, and she didn't think it was just because she had gone unkissed for over three years. Bo's kiss hadn't been quite as thrilling as the best of Alan's kisses, but if Bo weren't wounded, that kiss could have exploded into passion.

Ella resolved not to kiss Bo again as long as she was married, and fell asleep remembering kisses.

[1stSgt Fritz King]

Fritz sat down hard on his cot, and took the sling off his left arm.  He unwrapped the bandage from his left hand and flexed his fingers.  They ached, and his hand would be swollen for a few days.  At least his fingers weren't broken.  His knee was another matter.  The doc told him that he'd probably torn some ligaments.  He'd heal, but his knee would never be right again.

"Good thing I don't like running," Fritz muttered.

The orderly stepped in and Saluted.  "Captain King?"

Fritz turned.  "Private Glass.  What can I do for you?"

The boy handed over parcel wrapped in his bandana.  "I was going to send this home, you know?  Keep it as a souvenir.  But seeing as you lost your pistol," Glass said, looking at Fritz's hand, "I thought you should have this."

Fritz took the parcel with his right hand, noticing that it was quite heavy.  He set the parcel on his bunk, and carefully unwrapped it.

"Well," Fritz remarked, "I haven't seen one of these in awhile."  

He handed the bandana back to Glass. Laying on his cot was a Walker Colt.  It had very little finish left, but was not rusted.  It had been well cared for, and was still loaded, with the hammer down on an empty chamber.  Friz hefted the big pistol, and turned the butt so he could see it in the candlelight.  It was martailly marked.  He didn't know the initials of the trooper who'd once carried this massive sidearm, but the "2" and the "I" were unmistakeable.

"Where did you get this?" Fritz asked.

"It was at the top of the ridge," Glass replied.  "I took it from the Sioux you shot with your Berdan.  That was a heck of a shot, sir."

"Glass, would you do me a favor?  Reach into my havenrsack, and pull that flask out for me."

The boy pulled the flask out and handed it to Fritz.  Fritz dumped the cold coffee from his cup and poured a measure.  He handed Glass the cup

"Do me another favor?" Fritz asked.  "Share a drink we me, in honor of absent friends."  

Two men raised a silent toast to those who could not.  
            

[1stSgt Fritz King]

The docs had issed Fritz a crutch.  He didn't like using it, but at the moment he had no choice.  It caused him too much pain to put weight down on the knee, but he had to get around.  He hadn't seen Scarlet since the scouts had refused the left flank charge of the Sioux into their lines.  The scouts had saved their asses while the soldiers rested in camp in the Rosebud Valley.  Their quick actions saved the lives of many soldiers, though few official reports would admit it.

Fritz limped out of his tent.  Private Glass moved to assist him, but Fritz waived him away.  He headed towards the field hospital to find his wife.

Johann moved with purpose, checking to see that all the men of I Company made it back to camp.  They were fortunate; only one trooper had been wounded, and he was expected to recover.  Johann knew that it was due to the extensive training they’d received prior to leaving the line of departure.  He quietly said a prayer of thanks to all the scouts.  That’s when he noticed Fritz walking down the street.  Perhaps walking was too kind a word.  Fritz was hobbling down the path between tents, supporting himself by a crutch.

“It’s good to see a familiar face,” Johann said with a smile.  “Did your horse survive?”

Fritz sighed.  “I hope so.  Just don’t let those butchers the Army calls ‘vets’ near him.  Perhaps Scarlet or Ella can take a look at him.”

“I think Miss Ella has her hands full,” Johann replied.  “I don’t know if Scarlet is in any kind of mood to be sociable.”

Fritz heartbeat sped up.  “Is she…”

Johann put out a hand.  “She’s fine.  But Bo is wounded.  I’m not sure how bad.”  Johann looked at the crutch and said “Wait here a minute.”  He reached inside his tent and pulled out a Sioux war club.  

“Don’t let her see you like that.  This is more dignified for a man of your…”

“Age?” Fritz said.

“No…stature,” Johann replied.

Fritz took the club and smiled.  “I hereby promote you to the rank of First Lieutenant, with all of the rights and responsibilities thereunto pertaining.”

Johann jerked back as if stung.  “But…”

“Report to my tent immediately.  There a set of shoulder straps with your name on them.  I have to find my wife. “

Fritz tossed the crutch aside, and put his weight on the club.  Satisfied, he hobbled towards the field hospital.

[Scarlet Angel]

Scarlet couldn’t relax, there were too many people around her, she picked up her bedroll and found a spot with Lucky where she could watch the movement in camp and recollect her thoughts before going anywhere else.

Teddy gave her a head start then followed her. When she sat he slowly approached. Hearing her hard sigh he said. “I have a bottle of the good stuff but if you want me to go I will just leave it.”

“Sit.” She said.

He knew by her tone she was not mad at him, she was tired and she was trying to regain control of her bad temper. He sat next to her and handed the bottle over. “Cyrus once told me he hoped I knew how lucky he felt to have someone ride with him who would back his decision regardless the cost. I always felt I backed his decisions because I agreed with him. He told me a man in charge needed a stronger man to follow.”

Scarlet to two long pulls off the bottle before she handed it back. “Did he say why the right hand needed to be stronger?” she asked.

Teddy smiled then replied “Divided we fall united we stand. Sometimes the one in charge takes a lot of hard hits and may be swayed if he doesn’t have somebody standing strong behind him. Negotiations are hard if they start tearing you apart and your right hand won’t stand toe to toe with somebody who thinks they are the toughest.” Teddy took a long swallow handed the bottle back to Scarlet and continued “I never realized what he truly meant Scarlet. I’ve always been the one to back Cyrus. Never thought I was the fast thinker or the fighter Cyrus says I am. I want to thank you for being my strong right hand back there. I hope it doesn’t take you as long to figure out what it truly means as it did me.”

There was no immediate reply from her. She just stared down at the tent where they had taken Bo after surgery. “I’ve been the leader and the right hand many times standing at the gates of hell.” Scarlet finally whispered.


Teddy’s eyes followed hers. “Then you already know.” He whispered. His smile grew again “Ya know I almost messed my pants when you stood hard by my decision to refuse the order to inta that canyon.”

“I get real tactful when someone wants me ta do something they aren’t willing to do themselves and it’s a sure fire bet I won’t come back alive, and for what Teddy? A damn hunch, glory for someone who doesn’t do the work? Good men are not dispensable. If one wants to kill ‘em self that’s his business, but don’t take a bunch of innocent lives with you because you think they will blindly follow orders.” She snorted.

Teddy giggled. “I was trying to be tactful refusing orders of an officer. But you…hell no. I’ve heard tales of your temper ma’am but never seen it in full blown action.”

“Ain’t purdy is it?”

“No, but he sure got the point.” Teddy could see the entire scene playing out again.

The officer had come up to him and told him to gather a group of  scouts and ride into the ravine. Teddy replied “That would be suicide Sir. It’s a perfect place for the enemy to sit and wait to pick us off.”

Some of the other scouts could be heard agreeing with him. The officer repeated the request sternly ending with I am ordering you.

Scarlet had been standing next to Teddy the entire time and had not said a word as the other scouts looked at each other as if it was a stale mate. Teddy had started to try and reason with the officer but it was getting out of control and turning into yelling when they heard Scarlet calmly ask the man where he would be when they rode up the canyon.

“I will be following.” He said.

“Why don’t you lead us Sir?”

The man took a step back. Nobody was sure if he was shocked or offended  “I am no scout it’s not my job and I won’t be in front.”

The calmness never left her voice as she said sweet as you please “is it you think we are dispensable or perhaps you are just yellow or something?”

Teddy had nearly choked on his on tongue and the officer’s eyes blazed as he pointed at the stripes on his arm and yelled  “Do you know what this means?”

Teddy was pretty sure that’s when Scarlet lost her calm demeanor and the check she had had on her temper went up in smoke.

“Means many things. To the enemy means you’re a good target. To me because you said you won’t lead us I’m thinkin’ it’s yer damn yellow stripes startin’ ta show.” She had hissed.

“Keep yer scouts in line.” He had barked at Teddy before storming off to find somebody with more stripes to come back and argue with them.

Scarlet took a deep breath, the sharp edge of her demeanor was finally smoothing. “I’m sure Cyrus will catch a ration for that if that officer came back alive.”

“Doubt it. I’m sure someone superior to him agreed with our view or they would have found Cyrus to order us to go. ….. You would say it again too wouldn’t you?” Teddy asked.

“Damn skippy. Cept I might not be as nice about it. There was no point at all going there.” She said.

Teddy nearly choked on the swallow from the bottle he had taken to keep from laughing and spitting it out.  

A few moments passed before she asked “You alright?” referring to the body blow he had taken earlier from the butt of a rifle.

“Long way from my heart and that rather personal wound you and Ella healed awhile back. Just black and blue nothing broken.” He said with a smile. “How about you?”

“No broken bones. No need for stitches.” She replied.

  

  
  

[1stSgt Fritz King]

Fritz hadn’t found her at the field hospital, which was a good sign.  She wasn’t injured, or at least not badly enough to require medical attention.  When he inquired about Bo, the surgeon told him that he was under Ella’s care.  If that were the case, Fritz knew he’d be all right.  Fritz looked about the tent.  These sights and smells were as familiar as those of the battlefield.  Disinfectant and death…old companions who tolerated each other’s company.  Satisfied that the wounded were in good hands, Fritz moved to the picket lines to find Scarlet.           

[Scarlet Angel]

Teddy wasn’t sure if it was Lucky or Scarlet that caught sight of the man moving toward the horses first. Scarlet had gone from a sitting position to kneeling with her hand on her pistol with no noise whatsoever to his ears and he was sitting right there. They watched as the stranger slowly approached and paused at the first horse on the line then moved slowly to the next.

Scarlet had chosen a spot not far behind the picket line next to a tree. One had to have seen her go there, like Teddy had, or be looking into the darkness for oddly shaped trees and bushes. If one was checking horses or stealing them she would go unnoticed.  It was hard from their position to see who it might be until he moved down the row of horses.

“If he was gonna run ‘em off or steal ‘em he’d be moving a lot faster ‘n that, what’s he lookin’ for?” Teddy whispered narrowing his eyes to see who the slow moving man might be.

Scarlet said nothing, the man had come from the direction of camp, he could simply be one of the soldiers checking on the horses, she doubted it was somebody trying to steal anything. He did not seem to have that kind of movement about him. In fact there seemed to be something very familiar about him. The man stopped about four horses down, it was then you could tell it was someone walking with a crutch of some kind.

She didn’t curse when she stood but by the way she sucked in her breath she might as well have. “It’s Fritz.” She said softly.

That explained the silent curse. They had found one of Fritz’s men after Bo had been taken into surgery and he had told them Captain King was fine and he was meeting with the other officers.

Scarlet quickly picked up her bed roll “Thank you for the company Teddy.” she said before she moved towards the picket line with Lucky following. Teddy followed behind her figuring he would pay his respects to the Captain and then go back to where the other scouts were.

“I was told you were fine. I am going to have to ask one of your men what the definition of fine is.” Scarlet said as she approached Fritz wondering just how hurt he really was and trying to tell herself this was not going to turn into the same thing as Bo sliding off his horse into her arms. She dropped her bedroll when she reached him wondering if she hugged him how many broken bones or bullet holes she’d find and almost afraid to do so.

[1stSgt Fritz King]

He wanted to run to her, to crush his body to hers, but he was afraid his leg would fail him.  Fritz simply raised his right arm and said, “come here, darlin!”

Scarlet approached cautiously, concerned that she’d break him if she held him too tightly.  She looked him over, top to bottom, with trepidation in her eyes.  “How bad are you?”

He took her into his embrace.  She carefully slid her arms around him, holding him tightly.

“I dislocated my shoulder in the fall.  I tore some ligaments in my knee.  My pistol was shot away in an ambush.  If it’d been hit from the other side, it would’ve torn my trigger finger off.  I was lucky.  Unfortunately,” Fritz said, staring down at his empty holster, “my short Colt wasn’t so lucky.  A fraction of an inch closer and the cylinder would’ve exploded like a grenade.”

“Should you be walking around?” she asked.

“I had to find you.  I had to know that you were okay.  I blacked out when I hit.  Ella popped my shoulder back in place.  Believe it or not, that was the worst part.”

They kissed tenderly.  There would be time for passion later.

“Where’s Strider?  He went down hard when the guidon bearer’s horse was hit.  He got tangled up.  It wasn’t his fault.  I don’t want the vets to look at him.  They’d likely write him off, shoot him and cut him up for stew meat.”  

[Scarlet Angel]

“It’s good to see you Sir. I’ll look for your horse.” Teddy said.

“Thank you Teddy, take Strider up to the scout’s camp if you think he can make it that far and I’ll met you there.”

“Beg yer pardon Scarlet, but if he can’t make it that far.” Teddy started to say only to be cut off by Scarlet.

 “If not let me know where I can find the two of you and if you think I should bring a medical kit or my pistol.” She said softly.

Teddy touched the brim of his hat and headed off to where he’d seen a group of horses standing lose. They were not doubt horses that had become separated from their riders and followed the others back to base camp. The fact that nobody had bothered to round them up yet told him he’d probably find Strider among them.

Scarlet moved to Lucky, part of her wanted to cry for the things that had happened to the ones she loved and part of her was angry for the same, she was thankful they had all made it back with their lives. Fritz watched the horse lay down at her request. Scarlet took a deep breath regaining composure she was afraid she was close to losing before turning back to Fritz “We should get you back to your tent. Lucky will give you a ride if you think you can sit him, unless you prefer to walk. Once we get you as comfortable as we can I’ll look after Strider.”

[1stSgt Fritz King]

Fritz was honored to be allowed to ride Scarlet's mount.  He and Lucky had always had a grudging respect for one another.  Fritz had intended to tough it out, and walk back to his tent under his own power.  But the old axiom floated through his head..."why walk when you can ride."  Fritz steadied himself on the makeshift cane and swung his right leg over.  Lucky stood and Fritz held to the reins.  Perhaps the horse knew that he was injured, and needed his help now.  Scarlet looked at her husband, and ensured he was balanced. 
   

[Scarlet Angel]

Lucky followed Scarlet quietly down the path between the tents, when they stopped at Fritz’s tent Scarlet cued Lucky to lie down again. It was strange to imagine the animal that had moved so easy with him and had been patient while he had mounted and dismounted would charge with ears pinned and teeth barred, but on the other hand Fritz couldn’t blame him, he was protective over the woman they both loved.

Scarlet helped Fritz to his cot; once he was sitting she cupped his cheek in her hand and kissed him tenderly.  “I love you.” She whispered with a smile then straightened up.

“Is there anything I can do for you before I go?”