The Last Patrol

[Scarlet Angel]

Major Samuels found his way back to where Ella was teaching. He was curious how successful Ella would be teaching these men how to do much without really doing harm to one another. He could feel the hostile presence of the one called Kane.

Samuels looked over his shoulder. There stood Cyrus, arms crossed, eyes fixed on him.

“I am not the enemy here.” Major Samuels stated.

“If you are here to sabotage Ella’s efforts then you are. If you are here to insult these people then you are.” Cyrus said stepping up next to him.

“Have you ever seen war?” Cyrus asked looking the major up and down.

“Of course.” 

“Good, then you know how to defend yerself and we will not have to worry ‘bout you under fire.” Cyrus replied.

Major Samuels took a long look at Cyrus. The man obviously had done more than just seen war. Something told Samuels Cyrus had been in the middle of it.

“I am a man, of course I know how to defend myself.” Major Samuels said proudly.

Cyrus snorted and rolled his eyes. “I ain’t talkin’ ‘bout fightin’ with your older brother, or some drunk cowboy or soldier. I’m talkin’ ‘bout fightin’ for yer life. Do you know what it’s like to wonder if it is even safe to draw yer next breath?”

“I am good with my pistol.” Replied Samuels defensively.

Cyrus’s lips twisted into a rather mischievous grin. “You should also be observing later when Scarlet does some teaching.” He said, knowing Scarlet had only been helping in the hand to hand combat training, but also knowing Samuels would probably assume Scarlet was a nurse and neither of the women knew how to fight. 
 
Major Samuels was somewhat suspicious of Cyrus inviting him back, but he was curious how much the women he’d be working with really knew.

[Elegant Ella]

Ella braced herself as Major Samuels approached while her students were running a practical exercise.

"Mrs. Coatsworth, I wish to apologize for my remarks yesterday. Would you please accept my apology, and be my guest at dinner this evening?"

Ella looked at him a long moment before replying, " I accept the apology, but I prefer the food at the scout camp. Will you be my guest there?"

"I thought last night's ham dinner was excellent, and Mr. Cyrus Kane doesn't like me."

"I don't eat pork, so the excellence of the ham was lost on me, Major Samuels. Based on your remarks yesterday, you need more exposure to the scouts so that you know them better."

"Mr. Kane did invite me to watch Mrs. King's teaching this afternoon, so he must agree that I need more exposure."

[Scarlet Angel]

Major Samuels thought it strange Mrs. King hold class in the corral. He joined the men at the fence to see what she was going to be teaching. Samuels watched puzzled as one of the men charged her, knife drawn.

“Why is the nurse fighting that man?” Samuels asked the man standing next to him.

Frank looked over at him, not sure why he was referring to Scarlet as a nurse but deciding to play along. “Teddy don’t like nurses, don’tcha have to know how ta handle unhappy patients.” He asked in a serious tone.

Major Samuels eyebrows pulled together in confusion.

“You don’t think them Indians are gonna let you sew on ‘em willingly do you?” Frank asked, amused at Samuels expression. “You best have some nurses that know how to take down a wild man.”

Samuels watched as Scarlet disarmed Teddy and took him to the ground. They did it again while she explained to the group what she was doing, how she was doing it and how to fall so you wouldn’t hurt yourself.

“He shouldn’t let her win like that.” Samuels commented.

Frank chuckled then yelled out “Scarlet I think you have a volunteer.” Pointing his finger at Major Samuels.

Samuels started to protest until he heard someone say. “What’sa matter, afraid to fight a woman? Maybe she’ll let ya win.”

This brought laughter from the crowd.

Samuels snorted as he climbed through the fence, then took a defensive position and put up his fists. He was going to make her come to him.

Scarlet watched him for a minute. She guessed somewhere the man had had formal boxing lessons, unless he was just trying to sucker her in.

“You were late. Today’s lesson is how to bring someone down or if you are the one going down how to fall without getting hurt.” Scarlet said as she watched him shift uncomfortably.

“I don’t want to hurt you.” He stated.

Scarlet was quiet while she watched him move. He was more n likely a very good boxer against someone who followed the rules. She would have to be quick once she stepped near him.

She stepped close enough for him to start swinging. She had been right he was very good at what he did, but she didn’t play by the rules. After dodging a handful of good swings she caught him by the wrist, hit him in the chest with the palm of her hand and shoved him over her foot that she stuck neatly behind his.

Major Samuels felt the hard dirt square against his middle back and shoulders. He figured she knew what she was doing and making a point to him that he needed to learn to fall correctly if that was today’s lesson.

“Do you give?” Scarlet asked standing back watching him.

“What?”

“Sometimes the men don’t give up that easily they get back up and continue.”

“What if I tell you I need more lessons in falling correctly and would prefer not to get back up?” Samuels said.

“Then I know who to match you up with for more lessons and if I come over there and offer you a hand and you try to fight me I’m going to forget about today’s lesson and skip back to last weeks.” She said with a smile as she approached and put out her hand.

Major Samuels took the offered help. “I would say you planted me hard on purpose.”

“Major, I’ve seen boxers. They are tough. If a man can mix styles it makes him a very dangerous opponent. If you have to go hand to hand with an Indian warrior remember that.”

“You will make a very interesting nurse to work with.” He said trying to do his best to fit in rather than insult people.

Scarlet looked at him. “I’m pretty good doctoring in the field, but I’m not a nurse.”

“Maybe you should consider it. You looked like you knew what you were doing in Mrs. Coatsworth’s class.”

“I doubt I will have time to help Ella much. Scouting is a full time affair.” She replied.

Samuels looked shocked but Scarlet ignored it. “Here work with Chris, he is very good at taking falls and teaching others.” She said as she approached a small group that was hanging around Chris. “Ok break up into groups and try not to get hurt. I don’t give back rubs.” She yelled out.

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[Elegant Ella]

At midday, Ella dismissed her pupils to eat and return to their normal duties for the afternoon. She would cover the rest of the material in the morning. Ella ate lightly, and then changed clothes.

In newly tailored britches, with her hair tightly braided and wrapped around her head under a cap, Ella stood at the edge of the area where the scouts and soldiers were practicing hand-to-hand. Bo called her over to the group of soldiers he was teaching. "They need to see someone more their size fight effectively against someone my size."

Ella nodded, moved into the open space, and dropped into a ready position. Bo rushed her, giving her an opening to trip and throw him. She pounced on him, and pulled one arm up behind his back while leaning on him to keep the other arm trapped underneath his body.

He yielded, and she let him up, accusing, "You made that too easy."

"Your throw was very good, Ella. Now, let's go through it again a litle slower, and explain what is going on as you do it."

"You can't do that move too much slower, since it uses the speed and momentum of the big guy," commented Ella, getting back into her ready position.

Bo rushed her again, and she talked through the throw. She didn't follow up this time, but asked the soldiers if they had any questions.

"Please work with the soldiers. These boys aren't ready to work with the scouts yet," Bo told her.

Half an hour after Ella started sparring with the soldiers, Bo decided the lesson was not teaching the right things. Ella was back to her old habits, and letting soldiers win when she didn't need to yield.

"Stop," he declared. "Ella, stop worrying about bruising their feelings. Boys, stop worrying about breaking Ella. I think you all need an incentive to work harder." He made a show of thinking for a minute before declaring, "Anyone who gets Ella to yield can claim a kiss as a forfeit, if she will agree?"

Ella blushed, and amended Bo's proposal laughing, "Kisses on the check only!"

Ella did work harder in three more bouts, and forced her opponents to yield. The next bout went a long time, but Ella finally yielded, and paid her forfeit cheerfully. After several more bouts, with Ella winning more than half the time, she declined the next challenge, saying, "I need to rest!"

[Scarlet Angel]

Scarlet made her way back around to where Major Samuels was working with Chris.

“How are are you doing?” she asked.

“Well I know how to fall without getting to hurt now,” Major Samuels replied “but I never intend to have to use the information.”

“I hope none of us do, but tomorrow’s lesson will be applying what you learned when falling off a horse.”

“I don’t understand what value that is to soldiers and scouts.” Major Samuels said.

“Have you ever had to treat a broken bone because someone fell off of a horse?”

Major Samuels considered the question. “No, I haven’t.”

“That tells me that the soldiers you’ve ridden with were probably hurt when their horse fell and were either captured or killed.” Scarlet stated.

“What do you know about killing soldiers?” Major Samuels asked curiously.

Scarlet cocked her head, looked at him and sighed. “Entirely to much Major.” She responded simply.

“Do you have something against soldiers?” He asked.

It was Scarlet’s turn to look shocked. “Major, if I had something against soldiers I wouldn’t be here and I certainly wouldn’t have married one.”

Major Samuels started to ask something else but Scarlet cut him off saying “I will see you around the camp fire Major.” Then walked away.

[Elegant Ella]

Major Samuels looked after Scarlet a moment before wandering over to watch the other groups practicing. He didn't recognize Ella until she spoke to him, "You look confused."

He sat down beside her and said, "I don't understand the point of learning how to fall off a horse. I can see the value of what you are teaching, and I do hope some of the soldiers and scouts will be able to apply it if needed."

Ella asked, "Major Martin said that your wartime service was mostly in division field hospitals. Were you ever with the ambulances, waiting for a battle to end?"

"No. I had studied Napolean extensively as a boy, and would have liked to see a battle, to flesh out the impressions left by reading."

"The ambulance crews normally didn't have much view of the battle, since we waited in sheltered locations. A clear line of sight to the enemy's guns meant danger of getting shot. I did climb a tree once, to try to see, but the whole area was covered in gunpowder smoke. The sound of a battle was horrendous. When the firing stopped, you couldn't seem to hear properly for hours. It was actually a mercy, not being able to hear the moans of the wounded." Ella stopped, not wanting to remember in enough detail to explain what being there had been like.

She shook herself loose from the memories and asked, "Where were you stationed between the War and coming out here?"

"Armory Square Hospital, in Washington."

"The whole time? Did you volunteer for this duty?"

"I did volunteer. Frontier service was presented as a necessary step to becoming medical inspector or medical purveyor, which could lead to even more important posts."

[Scarlet Angel]

Scarlet had Dancer and Lucky out in the corral early the next morning. She went through drills with both horses ignoring if people were there are not, she said she’d be there for any one interested and she was. When she was done warming up she turned to the fence and was surprised as many people standing there watching her. She figured most were there to see if she could fall off safely and find out why would one want to launch yourself from a perfectly fine horse, some probably to learn and others just to occupy their time.

Scarlet rode in a circle in front of the gathered group explaining what she was doing and how she was doing it. Wondering who would be the one to ask “why” first.

It didn’t surprise her when she saw Major Samuels approach the fence, watch for a split second then pipe up.

“I don’t understand why we want to learn how to fall off a horse. A person wants to learn how to stay on not fall off.” He said

Scarlet brought Lucky to a stop in front of the crowd and faced them.

“How many bronc busters do I have here?”

A few of the men raised their hands.

“Do you know how to leave the back of your mount safely?”

“Yes ma’am.” They answered.

“Who else knows how to fall, land and get away from their mount safely or doing something like I’ve been explaining here this morning?”

A few raised their hands.

“Good. Now how many of you have been drug by a horse.” Scarlet asked raising her own hand.

A handful of the men raised their hands, some of which said they did know how to dismount.

“How many of you been pinned under one when he went down?”

This time a fair amount of the men raised their hands, Scarlet also.

“Out of those of us with our hands up, how many of you thought you’d never see the next sunrise?”

Only a couple of hands went down.

“What I am here to try and teach you, is if you find yourself coming off your horse how to do it without breaking something. If your horse is shot and is going down how to try and keep from trapped beneath him and remembering to free yourself from the rigging before you get caught up in it.”

“These are Calvary horses, they aren’t going to spook. You shouldn’t be trying to scare the men.” Major Samuels said.

Scarlet looked at him. “This is a non mandatory class Major. You don’t have to attend. Again it’s not just for spooked horses what if they go down with you? I also don’t believe there is no such thing as a horse that won’t spook.”

“What about that one?” Blackbeard said pointing at Lucky.

Scarlet laughed. “Just like you, there are things he spooks at. There have been times if I wasn’t holding on I would have been in the dirt and I have also been in the dirt off of both these horses.”

Scarlet began her circles again stressing the importance of making sure you got your feet free of the stirrups and tack. Then either rolling off or landing on your feet if you were going slow enough.

“Why not just land on your butt?” Someone asked.

“Major Samuels can you answer that?”

Samuels thought for a minute before responding. “I can’t think of a reason not to.”

“Anybody?” Scarlet asked.

Ella had been standing near the railing watching the demonstration and to be on hand in case someone did get hurt.

“To land on your butt is dangerous.” Ella replied.

The men turned to look her direction.

Ella continued “The impact on your vertebrae would be very high, likely resulting in compressing them or breaking another bone from the sudden stop. Rolling is best as it will get you away from the horse’s feet and avoids the sudden impact.”

“Thank you Ella.” Scarlet said.

Scarlet let some of the men try falling off of Dancer while some of the men went and got their own horses.

“It’s much easier to try to stay on.” One of the men told her to which Scarlet replied “It is unnatural to want to fall off a horse I think.”

“Last time I came off a horse I was face down in a pile of what he’d left behind for me.” One of the men laughed then continued “this is a better technique I think.”

After a few hours Scarlet ended the class telling the men if they wanted more practice with the horses or hand to hand they could come and see her. She cleared the corral and removed the saddle from Dancer. Billy stayed and helped her brush him down admiring the horse and impressed with how good he’d been with all of the people. Scarlet smiled, thanked him for his help and the compliment on Dancer then told Billy to stand back. She slid the halter off of Dancer’s head. Dancer spun took three long strides and bucked as high as he could, when his feet hit the dirt he bolted after Lucky. The two did laps around the corral until they began to sweat.

Billy stood their not saying anything as he watched. His eyes fixed on the bay horse.

Scarlet grinned. “You can’t believe that’s the horse men been working with all day can you?”

“No ma’am.” He chuckled. “It’s kind of scary to think I was ridding him around when he bucks like that and I can see why you didn’t let anyone on the black.” Billy said pointing at Lucky who had started bucking again and four feet had left the ground.

Scarlet laughed softly.

Billy picked up Dancer’s tack and carried it to the barn while Scarlet took Lucky’s gear then escorted her to the scouts camp for something to eat.
 

[Elegant Ella]

While they were eating lunch, Ella said, "I'm glad that none of your pupils gave my pupils any opportunity to practice splinting."

"I'm glad they are open minded. It's hard to think of things to teach people when you 'spect they already know alot. Major Samuels is always questioning, which I don't mind. It's the tone he uses, that 'better than you' one. I would have liked it if one of your pupils have to practice splinting on him today," Scarlet said.

Ella replied, "At least he is listening, and he did apologize for insulting Cyrus and the scouts last night at dinner."

Ella smiled mischieviously and added, "I suspect that he would start paying very close and very respectful attention to you if he found out that your mother is a close personal friend of President Grant's wife."

"Why?"

"He reminds me of some of Dr. Abramson's dinner guests in Boston. I think he wants to be Surgeon General of the United States. His ambitions would be greatly aided by a little presidential patronage, and President Grant is going to still be influential in the Republican party after he leaves office."

"Well, maybe I'll just keep that bit of information tucked away until he really makes me mad then tell him something to the effect even President Grant values the views of my family," Scarlet's lips curled into a grin as she said it.

[Elegant Ella]

Monday, May 15, 1876

It was mid-morning when three mounted men trailing six remounts approached the gate. The leader answered the sentry's challenge, "Deputy Marshal Ambrose Hayes and posse, here to collect prisoners from Deputy Coatsworth and Deputy King."

"You'll find Captain King's wife at the corral by the scouts camp that way. She'll know where to find Mrs. Coatsworth," answered the trooper currently on duty.

The scout camp had its own sentries as well. After Ambrose stated his business again, the scout who had stopped them called out,  "Jeff, Clark, Cole: come take these horses. Frank, take 'em in to see Scarlet."

Ambrose and his men dismounted. After Ambrose took two parcels off one of the led horses, he let the men take the horses with the instructions, "We'll be riding out again in a couple hours." Frank let them to the corral where Scarlet was helping supervise a melee.

When she looked their way, Ambrose doffed his hat and said, "Deputy King, I wish to present Deputy Oliver Mason and Deputy Harold Locke. I had another man, but I sent him to assist Marshal Ross after we saw him in Cheyenne. He'll meet us back there in a few days. It's good to see you again. I believe you have prisoners for us, and I have a delivery for you." He handed her the parcel packed by Becca.

"They are Ella's prisoners. I'll introduce you to her."

Frank and Scarlet led the posse over to the field medicine class.  Scarlet caught Ella's eye and signaled, so Ella finished the instruction she was on, and said, "Dr. Henderson, could you take over please?" before walking over to join Scarlet.

Captain Henderson had sought Ella out a few days ago to offer to help teach the field medicine class so that he could run a similar class at Fort Laramie, having had too much experience with returning patrols who would have benefitted from someone knowing what Ella was teaching. James Henderson was old enough to have been in private practice during the War, but he had only joined the Army afterwards. The fact that he had qualified only as an assistant surgeon suggested that he was only a fair physician, not an excellent one.

Scarlet said, "Ella, I would like you to meet Deputy Ambrose Hayes, Deputy Oliver Mason and Deputy Harold Locke. Gentlemen, this is Deputy Ella Coatsworth."

"I've seen your name on a lot of arrest reports, Deputy Hayes. You seem to have been a busy man."

"You've also been busy, based on the telegrams of inquiry that came into the Houston office lately." He handed her the other parcel.

"That was just the result of being in the right place at the right time," replied Ella. "Each prisoner has a horse. Their gear is all gathered up and ready. Before I take you to them, why don't we get a cup of coffee so you can tell us what we need to know about some absent friends?"

Chris joined the procession headed for the cook fire. After everyone had a cup, Frank and Chris settled to keep the young deputies company and to guard Ambrose, Ella and Scarlet's privacy.

"For the past five years, at least, a significant number of robberies in the west have been connected to a vast conspiracy that looks like the building of a private army. Money stolen from banks has been used to buy men and weapons. Guns and ammunition shipments have been stolen from trains. A couple undermanned forts have been raided for heavy weapons. The only reason we have had to suspect any connection between these incidents is a peculiar tattoo found on some of the dead robbers."

Ambrose stopped and sketched the ears and eyes of a cat in the dirt.

Ella startled, and Ambrose looked at her.

"I've seen that tattoo on several men, as well as a related one twice." She took the stick and added a snarling, fanged mouth to the cat.

"El Paso is well within the territory involved, and Fort Bliss is a lot like some of the forts that were raided, but Marshal Ross didn't mention tattoos in any of his reports."

"We didn't know that tattoo was significant, other than possibly for identification, so we didn't see any need to mention it once we had all the dead outlaws identified," answered Ella. "That tattoo isn't mentioned on very many wanted posters."

Scarlet asked, "Why haven't marshals been told to watch for that tattoo?"

"There were some leaks early in the investigation, that might have come from a local office. We think we can trust the marshals, but we don't know enough about their deputies. There is also a problem with secure communications. Anything written can fall into the wrong hands, anything telegraphed can be heard by the wrong ears."

"I also saw the tattoo in Tucson and in Mexico," added Ella.

"There is a lot of connection with Mexico. It looks like the private army may be aimed at overthrowing the government of Mexico, or carving a new kingdom out of that country, and maybe taking part of the southwest as well. We've never been able to get useful information from a tattooed man. If we captured one alive, and held him alive, then he just didn't know enough about whoever had put him up to the job to be of any use. Mostly, tattooed men have been helped to escape or assassinated."

Ella nodded, remembering that the tattoo had been on the "Captain" that Jimmy's friend had tried to protect.

"The men with the cat's mouth tattoo are lieutenants, like Perry. They report to someone else, but we haven't been able to find out who. That's why it is so important to keep Archie on Perry. Perry appears to have come up in the ranks. He started in the organization as a successful bank robber recruited six or seven years ago as an eye-man, who has gotten himself promoted to a man who plans robberies and recruits other men to execute them. The last report Archie was able to send in March said that Perry had gotten new orders and was headed north. We hoped Perry was heading for the boss, but it looks like he might just have been scouting out more forts. The remainder of Archie's life would be very short if Perry ever learned how much information Archie had been able to get out to us. The weak communications that protect Perry and the other lieutenants from being implicated in the robberies they plan also prevent Perry from finding out how many of his operations for the past two years have failed." Ambrose sighed, "It has been a very long, very frustrating investigation. I can't imagine the toll it must be taking on Archie, having to live a lie for years on end. No one ever thought the investigation was going to take so long."

[Scarlet Angel]

“Archie is doing alright. He said to tell anybody who asked he remembers his roots.” Scarlet said thinking of the conversation she’d had with him then continued “You’re right when you say it’s taking to long. When a person acts a roll to long it’s sometimes hard to split the real person from the one you’ve pretended to be. Perhaps it is a good thing we happened upon Archie.”

Ambrose looked at her questioningly then said. “You said he is doing alright.”

“He’s tough Ambrose. I think it was good for him to talk to someone who sort of knows who he really was. Reminds a soul folks haven’t forgot ya or given up on ya. Reminds ya of the job yer doin’ sometimes even why yer doin’ it.” Scarlet looked at Ambrose for a long moment.

“You’re not known for keeping opinions to yourself. Say what’s on your mind.” Ambrose said looking back at her.

“He carries that badge with the whole in it. I hope there are enough people know the truth about him in case something bad happens. Enough people that if this goes real bad can at least bury him with honor and put a badge back on him he’d be proud ta wear.”

Ambrose started to protest that something bad may happen.

Scarlet raised her hand to stop him. “All I’m sayin’ is it didn’t sound like many people know about the plan you are involved in. While it keeps some things safe would be awful easy to frame a person by gittin’ rid of the people that knew he was undercover. Would force him to join them or get him killed.”

Ambrose looked back at her for a long moment considering her statement before asking “Who would think of such a thing?”

“Someone who enjoyed ruining a man and getting even. Maybe someone above Perry.”

“You shouldn’t think like that.” Ambrose responded.

“It’s what keeps me a step ahead Ambrose.” Scarlet replied then looked at Ella “Know we know the plan, we best watch our backs for somebody wanting to shut us up.”

[Elegant Ella]

"Perry was real unhappy that I remembered enough of the old wanted poster to know his name is really White," said Ella, sighing, "I hate being a target, but not as much as I hated being a Boston housewife."

Ella thought about other people who had worn the cat's mouth. "I wonder how much control over his lieutenants the king actually has. His willingness to accept losses among the troops should be bad for morale in the long run. Maybe the raids on Tucson and Fort Lowell were part of the plan, but I don't think Jack McGreww would have taken orders for long. If the Tucson Petticoat Posse hadn't gone after McGreww, his army of bandits might have gotten big enough to challenge the king. El Blanco was following orders well enough, but had bad luck on his plan to raid Fort Bliss."

[Elegant Ella]

After lunch, Blackbeard helped the two younger deputies saddle Jimmy's and Reuben's horses while Ambrose, Ella, Scarlet and Bo collected the prisoners.

Several of Dick's men came to bid Reuben farewell. They admired the variety and flamboyance of his cursing, especially when the target was someone else.

Ella and Scarlet watched the party ride away. "Looks like we are done being deputies for a little while. No more prisoners to tend," said Ella. "Let's go see what clothes Becca and Patches sent us."

[Scarlet Angel]

“I am very curious to see what Becca sent.” Scarlet remarked as they walked to the officer’s quarters where the packages had been left.

Scarlet smiled as she opened the box, it was a dress she hadn’t worn in a long time. She picked up and unfolded the note that lay neatly on top.

“I don’t recall ever seeing you wear this for Fritz. Show them soldiers you can be a hell of a lady if they haven’t already figured it out!” Scarlet chuckled and lifted the three piece dress out of the box, then held it up in front of her and looked in the mirror.

Becca had sent a dinner dress, probably just as she was asked. As Scarlet expected she had picked something that would turn heads.

The dark burgundy silk bodice was tight fitted with a plunging V neckline that stopped just above a fabric bow and closed with black buttons. The entire top was edged with wide black lace.  The sleeves alternated from the silk to the taffeta with a strip of the black lace running down the length of the arm.

The long skirt was made out of the raspberry taffeta with alternating chevrons of wide burgundy silk bands, and lace giving way to a long train in the back.

“She sure picked a fancy one.” Scarlet said looking at her reflection. “What did they send for you?” She asked Ella.

[Elegant Ella]

"Just what I asked for, the blue dinner dress I made after I finished all the wedding dresses," answered Ella, shaking the creases out of the skirt after pulling it out of the box. "And she sent both bodices!"

The skirt was sapphire blue taffeta with an attached black underskirt. One bodice was suitable for a formal luncheon, high-necked and long-sleeved, with black braid and piping for accents. The other bodice was designed for evening events, with short sleeves and a lower neckline trimmed with narrow black lace. It would be rather demure for a ball, but was extremely suitable for a dinner party.

Patches had also included the corset and petticoat Ella usually wore with that dress, and a black silk chemise. A small bag fell out of the petticoat. It proved to contain a silver necklace chain and couple brooches.

[Scarlet Angel]

Scarlet chuckled as she lifted the short silk pantaloons out of the box and the small bottle of rose oil.  “I can always count on Becca to not miss anything she thinks would be appreciated by someone.”

Scarlet placed the items back in the box. “I guess we should make ourselves suitable for the finery they sent.” She said.

Scarlet swept her hair up leaving it loose around her face, tying it up with the gold cord Fritz had given her and let it fall into a pony tail.

She tied the horse cameo strung on a matching piece of ribbon Becca had included around her neck before looking at herself in the mirror, then at Ella.

“I wonder how long it will take some of them to recognize us.” She said with a smile.

[Elegant Ella]

Ella took her hair out of the usual bun and brushed it out thoroughly before tying the top section of hair into a small ponytail, and leaving the rest flowing down her back. She transferred her locket to the necklace chain and fastened it around her neck.

She looked at herself in the mirror. "I don't think anyone is going to need to look twice to recognize me. It's when I wear britches and my hair all hidden under a cap that people sometimes have trouble."

[Scarlet Angel]

"That's because you've never introduced them to Elegant Eddy." Scarlet grinned.

[Elegant Ella]

Ella giggled in response.

"The first time we went to dinner in the officers mess, everyone stood when we entered the room. Last time, only the men at the table I was going to sit at rose. When we go in dressed up, I think everyone will stand."

[Scarlet Angel]

Scarlet laced up the high heeled boots and placed the small dagger in her garter.

“I think we are missing one thing, be right back.” She said with mischievous grin quickly slipping out the door before Ella could ask what they were missing.

Scarlet was back as quick as she had disappeared.

Ella looked at her curiously.

“One minute.” Scarlet replied.

The ladies finished getting themselves ready while they waited what was more than one minute.

Finally a knock came at the door. “Scarlet, what did you want one of my clean shirts for?” Came Bo’s voice.

Scarlet stood next to the door but did not open it. “The message was to change into it before you came over here. Are you wearing it or holding it?” She asked.

The sigh she heard on the other side of the door answered her question.

“Just put it on Bo. Ella and I need an escort and I’d like it if you weren’t wearing that shirt I saw you in earlier today.” She gave Ella a smile.

“Alright, but I don’t know why you want me in a clean shirt. I hope you two are in clean shirts too.” He responded before stepping into the bath house to change.

Ella and Scarlet both laughed softly at his response.

Bo knocked on the door again. “Alrighty here I am, clean shirt ‘n all. Gonna tell me why you wanted an escort in a CLEAN shirt?” He said.

Scarlet opened the door. “Because I figured two ladies needed an escort in a clean shirt and I do not know where my husband has slipped off to.”

Bo stood there staring, first at Scarlet then at Ella, not believing what he was seeing.

“I think you’re right Ella, everyone will stand. Unless that is if they are just so shocked they turn to stone.” Scarlet teased. Then lowered her voice “Bo, stop starin’.” 

Scarlet didn’t miss Ella’s slight blush when Bo stared at her but didn’t say anything.

Bo half smiled as his cheeks turned a light shade of pink. “Pardon me ladies, it’s just nobody expects to see two such breath taking creatures in a place such as this.” He said his smile turning into a flirtatious grin.

He offered his arms “Where to?”
“Officer’s mess.” Scarlet replied taking one of the offered arms.

Ella took his other arm. Bo escorted them out of the officer’s quarters and towards the scout’s camp.

Bo looked from Ella to Scarlet “figure I’m gonna take the long way, it’s not often a man has two fine looking ladies on his arms. I have to take advantage.” He winked.

[Scarlet Angel]

Every man in the scout’s camp stopped what they were doing to look at the two ladies Bo had escorted when the first man realized it was Ella and Scarlet he removed his hat and smiled. The rest of the men followed suit.

One of the scouts hurried forward and used his shirt sleeve to wipe off two chairs then offered them to Ella and Scarlet.

“We are on our way.” Bo started to say when he was interrupted by Ella who he had seen share some look with Scarlet he didn’t understand.

“We have time to sit for a minute.” Ella said with a gracious smile taking the offered seat.

Frank stepped forward with the coffee pot and two clean cups. “We are honored two such beautiful ladies would grace us with their presence.” He said flashing a flirtatious smile as he poured.

Bo observed Ella and Scarlet share another look. It was if they were talking but no words came out. They were sharing the same thought or something. One would smile just before the other as if responding to what was said and the other would agree. He saw them flash a look his way too just before they both suppressed a soft laugh.

 He leaned down and whispered in Scarlet’s ear “I hope it is a good conversation you two are having.”

Scarlet’s smile widened. “I have the same conversations with you.” She whispered back.

“Yes but you and Ella have a code I don’t understand.”

“Mr. Corbin, ladies are allowed their secrets.” Scarlet said with a coy smile.

They stayed for awhile longer while the scouts displayed that they too could be gentlemen.

Finally the girls stood and Bo escorted them out of camp only to be stopped by Cyrus.

He stood taking in the vision of the two women who he’d watched prove themselves in his world and earn the trust of the unruly group of men he rode with. He smiled before steeping aside.

“Thank you for coming by and spending some time with us.” He said.

They were almost to the officer’s mess when Bo couldn’t help but ask. “What were you two talking about?”

“You heard every word, what are you questioning?” Ella replied.

“The unspoken conversation.” Said Bo.

Scarlet grinned. “I told you Bo, don’t ask ladies their secrets, it could embarrass someone.”

Bo shook his head then pulled back the flap on the mess tent to let the ladies go through.