Fritz rode back to the house. He noticed two horses tied at the rail. Scarlet and Ella maybe. She did look a little tired of late. He was sure one of Ella’s tonics would fix her right up.
Fritz dismounted and tied Buddy to the same rail. Buddy nudged his pocket.
“Not this time pal. Why don’t you talk to your stable mates instead?”
Buddy grunted in disapproval.
There was a bucket of sudsy water on the porch. He didn’t know if it was laundry soap or not.
“Well, it’ll clean ‘em just as well," he said, and dumped his empty casings in. He chuckled as he entered the house.
“Scarlet...I’m home!” No one answered. “They must be out at the barn,” he thought. As Fritz headed towards the back bedroom, he noticed the yellow flimsy paper laying on the table. Usually, telegrams went to the marshal’s office. He set the Berdan on the table and opened the paper. It was addressed to him.
“To: 1stSgt Frederick King
From: C.O. I Co, 2nd U.S. Cavalry
1stSgt King,
You are hereby recalled to active service. You will report immediately to Fort Fetterman, where you will join the 2nd Regiment of Federal Cavalry, actively campaigning against hostile forces in the Dakota Territories. Your arrival is eagerly anticipated. Report with all possible dispatch.
Signed,
Your most obedient servant,
William Schurmann
Officer Commanding
I Company, 2nd U.S. Cavalry afield
P.S. Welcome home Fritz.”
Fritz set the paper down. He inhaled deeply, and set his back straight. Emotions were running fast and furious in his head. He was excited and terrified at the same time. He never expected to be recalled this late in his career. But this was different. Bill Schurmann needed him. He’d asked for him by name. The 2nd Cavalry was his home...his unit. But what about Scarlet? She was his home...she was his LIFE. She was all that mattered.
What could he do?
"Orders are orders," Fritz said flatly.
He headed for the bedroom.