Indian Raid Aftermath
December 26, 1873
 

The Ellis Farm A homestead consisting of 160 acres of prime farmland broken by the occasional rolling hill and encircled by a split rail fence. A wide dirt path leads down from the road to a farmhouse and barn. A large oak tree is situated about halfway between the two buildings. In the dead of winter the fields lie barren, awaiting the quickening of spring to bring them back to life. A chill winter dawn lightens while clouds dance overhead. To the north is a gate leading out to the road back to town. On one side of the gate is a cherry orchard and on the other side is a barn with associated barnyard. To the south is a small farmhouse. Contents: Wulf Tudor Obvious exits: Orchard Farmhouse Barn Road Today the farmyard is a scene of bloody carnage. Ty lies face down in the snow, wounded, possibly dead. A shotgun with a broken stock is nearby. His dog, Wulf, lies next to him, his head on his paws, making an occasional whining noise. Close by is an Indian, bloody knife still in hand, with his throat torn out. Further away is another Indian in similar condition, a Colt's revolver lying next to him, having apparently failed. A third Indian won't cause anyone anymore trouble. He lies in the center of the farmyard, where his chest stopped a double load of buckshot. The door to the barn is open, some of the animals are running around loose, and, should anyone think to check, all of the horses and some of the chickens are missing. On Tudor's back, Benjamin rides up, halting the horse and sitting gape-jawed at the scene before him. Swinging down from the saddle, he grabs his rifle. Benjamin swings a leg over the saddle and slides off Tudor's back. Swallowing hard, Benji approaches the carnage. Trying to remember army techniques learned as hardly more than a boy he checks to see if the Indians are dead before going to see if Ty lives. Wulf stands, watching the man's movements. He bares his teeth and growls as the man approaches Ty. Ty stirs slightly, perhaps roused by the dog's movement or growling. Wulf responds by turning to his master and sniffing him, licking his face. Natalie strolls over from the dirt road to the north. Ty lies in the snow, Wulf standing over him, licking his face. Benji is checking on three Indians lying on the ground, all quite dead. Tudor stands beyond the edge of the carnage, a dead deer draped over the back of the saddle. Benji is carrying a rifle. Joe Seagraves, the blacksmith from Arizona, jogs over, carrying a shotgun of his own. He is dirty, smudged with smoke and soot, not to mention plain ol' Montana dirt, and sweat. He is, however, expressionless, for the most part. He waves an arm as he comes into sight, but doesn't call out. Just in case those Indians aren't really dead. He is followed by equally dirty wife and children, clustered around Natalie like chicks around a mother hen. Three of them walk, sniffling as they go. The fourth is carried against Natalie's chest. Benjamin hears the arrivals, and has the rifle almost lifted to a "ready to shoot" position when he recognizes the people. "The injuns are dead." he says as he lowers the rifle. Ty stirs briefly, then subsides. Wulf whines anxiously, pawing Ty slightly. Wake up. Seagraves stops right where he is, until that rifle is lowered. He has a look around, then, and nods, cursorily. "Can't be too careful," he tells Benjamin. "They weren't alone. Four of them out by our place. I got two of them, other two raced off like a bat out of hell. Don't know that they might not bring more with them, and come back." Benjamin is suddenly very worried. "Which direction is your place at?" The oldest of the children, twelve or thirteen by the looks of him, eyes Ty and Wulf as if he might go over to them. Might. He doesn't actually move from where he stands, close to Natalie's skirts, but given the right incentive.. Natalie herself says nothing, clutching the child in her arms as if her life depended on it. Seagraves turns around to look back the way he came. "North. North and west of here. I think, if I remember it right. North and west," he repeats. Turning back then, he asks, "Horses gone from here?" There are no horses to be seen, besides those people rode up on. Odd considering that the barn door is wide open and some of the other animals are running around loose. Benjamin looks relieved. "Our spread is south and west." He tries to get closer to Ty, by taling to the dog. "Easy there, fella. We need to help Ty. He's hurt." Wulf looks at Benjamin, cocking his head to one side curiously but at least he doesn't put on his earlier show of growling and baring of teeth. Benjamin approaches, keeping an eye on Wulf. When he reaches Ty's side, he checks for a pulse, then tries to estimate the severity of the wound(s). "Someone get a doctor? You c'n take Tudor, he's fast." Seagraves nods once, dully. "I'll go and fetch him," he answers, as he starts toward Tudor. He gets no farther than two steps before Natalie's stopped him with a "No. You have to stay with us, Joe." Her voice is anything but steady, and four pairs of eyes train on Seagraves, fearfully. Seagraves shakes his head, after a moment's consideration. "Joseph," the eldest child takes a step forward, and again Natalie objects. Seagraves scowls and answers Natalie, "Blast it, woman, what if that man dies?" To which Natalie pales, and steps over toward Seagraves himself, trailing children after her. "You don't take _anyone_ to any doctor, before Phillip." The boy in her arms, apparently. The boy himself makes no protest, no sound at all. He moves only as jostled. Seagraves looks back over at Benjamin, the downed man, and the dog. Not at the boy. "We'll have to take him with us. Into town." Benjamin stands abruptly, heading for his horse. "I'll go get the doc, if you're all just going to stand around." Natalie cuts off Benjamin, then, stepping around Seagraves with sudden anger flashing in her eyes. "Take me with you," she demands. Closer up, the front of Natalie's dress is darkened with blood. "Take _us_ with you," she amends, gesturing with the boy she carries. Three children still cling to her skirts. Seagraves watches Wulf, and Ty. Silent. Wulf growls, picking up on the raised voices and angry tones. Benjamin stops, as his path is blocked. "Tudor can't carry everyone. If I take you to the doc, the doc can't come back and see Ty. You're standing and talking, Ty's gonna bleed to death. I'm going." Disbelief fills Natalie's expression. "It's not for me," she begins quietly. "It's not for me," she repeats. "Phillip.." Reflex curls the boy in her arms tighter to her. "It's not for _me_," she insists. "Don't you understand?" She would keep up the mantra, were it not for the gravel-filled voice of her husband cutting in, "That's enough, Natalie." She and the children turned stunned gazes toward Seagraves, even as he looks over at Benjamin. "G'wan and get the doc for Ty. G'wan, before it's too late." Benjamin nods to the man, and in a more patient tone he explains to the woman "I'm bringing the doc back here. He can look at your boy when he gets here." Benjamin unties the carcass of the deer and drops it off the saddle, then climbs up. Cole and Louise ride up, moving fast. Cole reins Rocinante in to a skidding halt, dismounting smoothly almost before his horse has come to a stop. In one hand he carries a doctor's bag. Louise brings Charleston to a halt, not quite as abruptly as Cole does, and slides down out of her sidesaddle. Taking the bag from Cole she bustles towards to knot of people. Seagraves animates again, to some degree, waving Louise closer to Ty, and doing his best to shoo Wulf off, without getting bitten. Natalie continues to stare at Seagraves as if she's never seen the man before in her life, Phillip held no less tightly. Joe Jr. drapes one arm over Robert and Mary, both, and whispers something to them, to which they both nod solemnly, and sit down on the ground. Cole slips his Yellowboy from its saddle sheath before moving to join the others, surveying the surrounding terrain with a grave expression on his face. Louise takes in the patients at a glance. Her face pales as she sees Phillip and she immediately heads for Natalie. She says in a gentle voice, "You'll need to set him down so I can examine him." Wulf barks at Seagraves, though not in a menacing manner. Finally, some help? Natalie nods, only to willing to comply, and she makes her way down to her knees, then to her backside, cradling Phillip in her lap and against her, still. She strokes his hair, smoothing it back. The boy was shot, twice, with arrows, at close range. The broken ends of the shafts are still in his chest. Natalie, reasonably, explains, "He was trying to get the horses back.." The boy is quite dead, already. Seagraves fills Cole in as well. Three here, four at his place, maybe more coming back. The town needs to be warned. Louise kneels beside Natalie and Phillip, checking the boy for vital signs and finding none. After a moment she says, "I'm sorry. There's nothing I can do." She stands and heads for Ty. Cole listens, nodding. He looks at the people. "Let's check the barn, see if they left the buckboard. Even if they took all the horses we can still hitch Rocinante up to it. He won't like that but it'll have to be done." Werner rumbles along toward the farm, driving a small wagon. Natalie kneels, in a cluster of children, with yet another cradled in her lap. Seagraves nods, and heads off to help look to see if the buckboard was left behind. That is, of course, unless Werner comes to investigate before the men are gone. Ty lies on the ground, wounded, unconcious, being examined by Louise. Cole walks with Seagraves, rifle cradled in his arms, looking around warily. Wulf runs around doing excited dog things. The barn doors stand open, a number of animals are running loose, and there are three quite dead Indians scattered about the farmyard. Werner snaps the reins on the horses, rushing them (and the wagon, of course), toward the farm, anxiously. Rumble rumble rumble. "Hellooooo!" Cole's head snaps around at the yell. He jerks his head towards the approaching wagon. "Looks like we won't have to bother with the buckboard. We'll just draft Mr. Werner's wagon." Hope he doesn't have a problem with that. Werner and the wagon come to a noisy halt near the women, the wounded, and the children, assuming they're somewhere close to each other. "Mein Gott in.... Vhat happened?" He bounces his roundish frame down from the seat, wrapping the reins around a the brake handle. "Mr. Werner?" questions Seagraves, before recognition strikes him. The man from the beer hall. Sure. He nods, and heads back toward Werner and the wagon along with Cole. Again he waves a burly arm, but he doesn't call out. If the Indians are watching, he doesn't want to make -too- much of a target for them. Natalie is silent, and the other children are too scared to speak. With Louise tending to Ty, Joseph Jr. speaks up first, no matter whether he's interrupted. "Injuns, sir. They came this morning." Werner looks around. Injuns. "Ve should..... ve should get everyone back into town, no?" That question basically pointed at the walking men, after a quick glance at Ty. Oh no... Cole heads over to Ty and Louise where he does his best to keep Wulf out of Louise's way. Not easy considering how big Wulf is but he does his best. Louise quietly and professionally does what she can for Ty, bandaging his wounds to stop the bleeding but she leaves the broken arrow in his shoulder for now. "We need to get him to the clinic." Wulf struggles for a moment in Cole's grasp and then sits. And begins barking excitedly. Right in Cole's ear. Seagraves nods his agreement, though he goes to Natalie and the children. Natalie, who refuses to give up the lifeless child she holds, is helped to her feet. Seagraves allows, "We were headed into town ourselves, to warn everyone. There might be more coming in." Werner nods quickly and heads back to the wagon, to try and arrange the few things in it so they're out of the way. "Yes, everyone should know." Indians. I had to go west.... Bustle bustle bustle in the wagon, moving things around, then back out. A quick motion for Seagraves -- "Please, get her in the vagon" -- and he heads over to Cole, Louise, and Ty. Rushing rushing rushing, as if the Indians are right on his tail. Cole nods in agreement. "Most likely. If they lost four attacking your place and three more here it can't be a small band. Let's get y'all into town and then we'll see about getting the word out. Here, someone give me a hand getting Ty into the wagon." Werner goes over to help with moving Ty, leaving Seagraves to help his family into the wagon. They can walk. He waits for a moment, figuring Cole and Louise know best how to use him. Cole squats down on one side of Ty, setting down his rifle. He looks askance at Louise and, when she nods, he looks to Werner. "Ready?" Werner squats on the other side, following along. He nods quickly. "Ja." Cole nods. "On three. One...two...three." Together he and Werner lift Ty and do their best to gently slide the man into the wagon. Cole turns and gives Louise a hand up so that she can tend Ty during the ride. Wulf jumps up, planting his forepaws on the back of the wagon. For a moment he looks like he's considering jumping in but the back of the wagon is getting pretty full and Ty never lets him ride in the buckboard so finally he drops back down. Werner dusts off his hands and checks the Seagraves bunch. "Is everyone all right?" As far as being in the wagon goes? Seagraves answers for the lot. "Yes, sir. We're fine, thank you." Cole retrieves his rifle and then ties Louise's horse up to the back of the wagon so it will have to follow along on the trip back into town. Louise concentrates on helping Ty, not looking at Natalie and Phillip. Werner walks over and climbs onto the front of the wagon. A quick look to Cole, to make sure everyone's accounted for... Cole scoops up Rocinante's reins from where he dropped them to the ground and swings easily into the horse's saddle. Cradling his rifle in his arms, ready to use if necessary, he nods to Werner. Time to go. Werner nods and snaps the reins, trying to get everything turned around with all deliberate speed without jostling the passengers. The balance is tilted a bit toward speed, though, unless someone complains. Cole wheels Rocinante, guiding the horse mainly by knee pressure, and nudges him into a trot until he's a little ways ahead of the wagon where he slows down to match speed, riding point. Seagraves, with his shotgun, watches out the back of the wagon, where they've already been. None of the Clan makes a peep. South Outskirts of Maddock As Maddock has grown through the years, the dirt carriage roads lead outwards from her center to the areas of growth. You've wandered down a narrow road that opens into the expanse of cleared land nestled between the mountains to the northwest and the drier plains to the southeast. A chill winter afternoon lingers beneath high clouds of white and grey. The town proper lies to the north, the churchyard just to the northeast. Contents: Obvious exits: The Ellis Farm Churchyard North Towards Town Cole rides on in silence, too far from the others to talk, even if he was inclined to do so. Werner keeps driving the wagon. We've got to get to town before the Indians strike again. Werner looks unusually determined. As would -- should -- any man with a family to protect. No doubt there will be a great many grim visages in Maddock before the night's out. South Entrance to Maddock The buildings of Maddock stop abruptly here, the gently rolling plains beyond resuming their blanket upon the land. Far to the west, you can make out the shimmer of moutain peaks upon the horizon. Quiet winter afternoon drifts with a blanket of high clouds dancing overhead. A climb to the west will bring you to a small hill, upon which looms a large oak tree. A gate to the east leads to the reformed church, the Feed Lot laying just south of it. A stroll further south will take you to the outerlying ranches. You can reenter town to the north. Contents: Obvious exits: South Feed Store Lot Churchyard West North into Town Maddock South The road narrows slightly in this section of town, the people milling through the streets out and about their daily chores. Buildings line each side of the roadway, all the essentials of daily life in the small town of Maddock. Quiet winter afternoon slips away neath a blanket of clouds. Off to the south, the construction of buildings end suddenly, the vast plains beyond quickly consuming the eye of the looker. Back to the north, the busy activity of the square can be seen. Contents: Obvious exits: Millinery Galleries Maddock Guardian Doctor's Office Bank Entrance The Grey Horse Saloon Gunsmith Shop Evila Law Office South Out of Town North Side of Town Cole rides up to the medical clinic and jumps off of Rocinante, dropping his reins loosely over a hitching post. He waits for the wagon anxiously, going back to meet it as it gets close. Cole sheaths his rifle before doing so, of course. On the porch of the Grey Horse Saloon, Garrett strides off towards the street to the south. Garrett hurries over from the saloon porch. Werner drives the wagon determinedly toward the clinic, trying not to shake his passengers to pieces as he slows down. A quick pull on the brake lever, and he starts down from the driver's seat. Garrett furrows his brow as the wagon arrives. This looks not good. In the distance, the bells of the reformed church ring loudly to designate the hour. Cole gives Louise a hand down from the wagon and then moves to lift Ty down, waiting for Werner to come help, Seagraves obviously having his hands full with his family. Wulf runs around, getting in the way, barking excitedly. Werner heads over to Cole and Ty, ready to move the wounded man again. Garrett cocks a brow as the churchbells chime. This looks really not good. He approaches the wagon, trying to stay out of the way as much as possible. The back of the wagon sports a motley crew. Louise, tending to Ty Ellis, who is wounded, and unconscious, perhaps thankfully for the man. Joseph Seagraves, the transplanted blacksmith from Arizona, and his clan, made up of wife and children. On Natalie's lap is another wounded one, a boy, though this one is beyond a doctor's care. Still, Natalie holds onto him for dear life. Seagraves lifts the other children down, then urges Natalie along, trying to keep them all out of the way of Ty and his bearers, not to mention Louise. Evan saunters over from the gunsmith shop to the southeast. Garrett doesn't think anyone is going to volunteer information at this point, so he looks at Natalie, then the boy, then back at Natalie. "Bandits?" Cole and Werner lift Ty down and carry him towards the clinic, Louise getting the door for them. Evan comes out, pulling his coat on as he comes through the door. "What in the world?" Oh, no. "Indians?" Garrett looks at Evan. He nods to the gunsmith briefly. Seagraves himself, Joe the Elder, answers. "Indians," he echoes Evan. Cole walks off towards the doctor's office along the east side of the road. Werner saunters off towards the doctor's office along the east side of the road. Ty strides towards the doctor's office along the east side of the road. Wulf tries to follow the group into the clinic but Louise manages to shut him outside. He paws the door, whining. Evan frowns deeply. "I'll spread the word." There are some people who need to know. Away he goes, toward the square, rushing. Evan strolls off towards the northern part of town. Garrett frowns. Really, really, frowns. "Indians..." he repeats. He looks up at Natalie. "Ma'am..." Without getting too gruesomly graphic, the boy Natalie holds is very pale, very limp, and has the broken ends of two arrows protruding from his chest. Natalie's dress, itself, is stiffening with spilled blood. And she returns Garrett's look, blankly. The children who peek out from behind her skirts have more character to their expression, fear the main emotion. Cole hurries over from the Doctor's office. Werner hurries over from the Doctor's office. Garrett holds up his hands to Natalie, either for her to come to him, or to receive the child she holds, he doesn't suppose it matters either way. Wulf tries to slip into the office but Cole manages to keep him out. Werner looks around and feels pretty much completely useless. Now what? In the road to the north, Trudi heads for Werner. And the others, of course, but it's Werner she's aiming for. "Papa?" Trudi strides over from the northern part of town. Cole comes out of the clinic looking worried. His face pales as he looks at Natalie and Phillip. "Someone needs to ride out and warn the other farmers and ranchers. They're the ones in the most danger." Werner looks up at Trudi's call, and ohs. "Ah, hello...." Not exactly a happy hello... Wulf continues pawing at the clinic door, snuffling around the bottom edge, still making those whining noises. Trudi blinks at the dog. That's...what's he doing here? Werner speaks quietly to Trudi. "There vere Indian attacks this morning." Garrett backs away, this is obviously not the place for strangers. He looks at Cole. "I'll go. My horse isn't far." Trudi blinks. Indians are supposed to be something you read about in cheap magazines. Whispering, "Who?" Natalie is not about to hand over Phillip. Dear sweet Phillip. She clutches him almost possessively to her chest, and shies back against Seagraves, behind her. But the offer to go prompts a rise out of her. "No. No one can go. It's not safe." Now she steps forward, intent on making this clear. "It's not safe, you hear me? They're _savages!_" Cole nods to Garrett. "Find someone to go with you. Don't take any chances. I'd go myself but Louise is going to need me when she's done." Garrett looks at Werner. "Which way did they go?" Garrett nods back to Cole. "Yes, I've done this before." Werner shrugs. "I just vent down to Mr. Ellis's farm..... I didn't see them." Who? Well, um... Garrett's eyes look very much like he's done this before and isn't enjoying doing it again. Trudi finally sees the child and looks away, quickly, trying to grab Werner's arm. Garrett nods to Werner. "All right. Just try to keep people calm." Cole nods. "I don't think anyone knows what direction they went from Ty's place." He looks to Seagraves for confirmation. Sandar hurries over from the northern part of town. Hearing some commotion Sandar makes his way south, his gaze curious. Garrett looks around for Evan... Sandar nods to those few he knows, he quirks a curious eyebrow but doesn't speak out, trying to gauge the situation. Werner lets Trudi grab him for all she's worth. That's what fathers are for. Still quiet, "It was Mr. Ellis's farm.... and the Seagraves place." Garrett raises his brows. "Two?" Trudi stands by Werner, holding onto his arm, listening to him and nodding. Swallowing, "Mr. Ellis? What happened to him?" Cole says "It looks to be a fairly sizable band. Three of 'em dead at Ty's place." He looks to Seagraves again. "Four dead at yours you say? Still enough to make off with horses and probably livestock." Werner ums. "He's in the doctor's office now. He vas hurt pretty badly." Garrett looks at the child in Natalie's arms. "Two...and a child." He shakes his head. "Well, this should turn some heads." He mumbles to himself. Trudi says "How...badly?" Sandar glances around and makes his way over to Trudi, a familiar, if very distressed face. he mummurs a question. Seagraves nods confirmation. "Four. I didn't see any more, but they might come. I.. don't remember what direction. I'm sorry." Cole frowns. "Looks like West Point is finally going to get some of that action he's been craving." Garrett starts to move off. "I'm heading for the farms to the north and west..." Let old Karl Quintan find out for himself. Werner shrugs. "I don't know, exactly. I think it vas pretty bad." Garrett moves off towards the northern part of town. Wulf backs off from the door and starts barking at it. This always gets Ty's attention. Sandar nods at Trudi's words and glances around, he mummurs again. Sandar nods and walks a distance apart, surveying the scene, his face slightly worried, but little else evident. Sandar glances at Cole and Natalie trying to see how they are taking it. Cole untethers Charleston from Werner's wagon and ties him up to the hitching post, securing Rocinante's reins while he's at it. Now the hard part. Seagraves turns his attention to quiet conversation with Natalie. She shakes her head, several times, and murmurs, intently, though she manages to keep her voice low enough as not to upset anyone else. Still, the conversation goes on, and the topic becomes clear. Seagraves takes Phillip's body from Natalie's arms, and carries him, instead, toward the doctor's office. No, it's not the mortician's, but temporarily, it will have to do. Wulf sees his chance and tries to follow Seagraves inside. Trudi watches Seagraves, and straightens slightly. Make yourself useful, Trudi. It's what women are for. Another swallow, and, "Papa? What should we do?" Sandar glances and says quietly to Trudi "Did you know any of them." Cole manages to latch onto Wulf, almost being pulled over by the big dog, and holds him back. "No, boy. Stay here." Trudi mutters softly to Sandar. Werner looks over at Seagraves, Natalie, and Phillip, then furrows his brow. The little boy... He swallows, then turns to Trudi. "I don't know..." Copenhagen comes over from the northern part of town. From Copenhagen, Evan gives the collected people a wave as he stops momentarily. "We're headed off to warn people. I've been to the sheriff's office, and the mayor's, and the army barracks. We're off. And we'll be careful." And we're armed. Regardless of the horse's desc, Copenhagen bears at least a carbine and a spare pistol. Garrett's here, too, really. Trudi shrugs to Sandar, unsure, in tears, and then looks up to Mr. Randolph. "Good luck? Good luck and watch for them?" Cole nods, studying Evan and his horse with a critical eye. He nods. It'll do. "Watch your backside, Yankee." Sandar reaches out and gives Trudi's arm a light squeeze before just shaking his head mutely at a loss for words, somehow silence just seems approprite, respect for those who have passed. From Copenhagen, Evan snaps off a quick-yet-rusty salute and charges off. Garrett follows, I'm sure. Copenhagen heads towards the road to the south. Werner pats Trudi on the shoulder. "I think... I think maybe ve should go..." Trudi nods to Werner, not sure. "Where? Could I..would it be in the way, if I tried to see Mr. Ellis?" Out Loud Sandar wonders "Is there anyway I might help.....?" Seagraves reappears in time to see the men leave. Without the boy he carried inside in his arms, Natalie flies at him, anger burning behind tears that suddenly fill her eyes. Two blows against his chest, and she sobs, children regrouping around both parents again, like ducklings. "We'll find a place to stay the night," Seagraves reassures them all, "and tomorrow.. we'll see what we see." With the riders gone Cole begins a cursory examination of Wulf, careful not to poke or prod anywhere that might result in him getting bitten. Not too hard figuring out what killed two of those Indians. "How're you doing, boy? Bet you could use some fixing up. Oh, that doesn't look too bad..." He looks to Trudi upon hearing her. "They've got him in the surgery right now. Louise'll be out when its over." Trudi shakes her head to Sandar. "I don't know." No idea how to help, herself. She nods to Cole. Surgery. Surgery sounds bad. "Thank you." Werner nods to Trudi, agreeing with Cole. Sounds likely. "He vasn't avake. Ve should come check on him later." See how it goes. Wulf behaves for the most part, though he struggles a bit when Seagraves comes out. Trudi nods. She forces herself to let go of Werner's arm. "Can I stay? You tell Mama everything's..." Well, not all right. "You tell Mama?" Werner nods and pats Trudi again. Trying to be encouraging, all that stuff. "Yes, yes.... I'll go. You'll let me know, if you learn anything?" Trudi nods. "Yes. You'll tell Uschi it's all right?" Whether it is or not. In the road to the north, Jim blinks, looks down to the south. Trying to see what's going on. In the road to the north, Jill walks close to Jim with a hand hovering at his arm, as if he might fall. She frowns at the crowd, and glances at Jim. Sandar listens quietly. Werner nods. "Yes, I vill." And he goes on his way, headed back to the beer hall. Werner moves off towards the northern part of town. In the road to the north, Werner saunters over from the southern part of town. In the road to the north, Werner walks along, looking terribly serious and worried. In the road to the north, Werner saunters off towards the northside of town. In the road to the north, Jim was being led by Jill, holding her hand. His other arm bandaged at the wrist. He looks on curiously, and starts to pick up his step. Stumbles, grimacing, and slows again. Trudi looks around at the others, keeping quiet. Sandar glances at Trudi 'So that is your father, a pity we could not have met under better circumstances." Cole holds Wulf, speaking to the dog in calm tones, trying to sooth his excitement away. In the road to the north, Jill keeps a close eye on Jim and lets him set the pace. In the road to the north, Jim moves off towards the southern part of town. Jim moves over from the northern part of town. Trudi nods. "That was Papa." Softly. And, softer, "You know anything about Indians?" Jill moves over from the northern part of town. Jim nearly pulls Jill into the area from the square. He starts to ask someone what is going on. then he quiets at the sound of Trudi's voice. Sandar says "A very little, they keep to themselves mostly, a strange people, savage and harsh but dangerous as well." Seagraves leads the entire clan away from the fracas near the doctor's office, with little to say. "They need anything. Anyone, needs anything? You tell them to look for me." That, directed to Cole. Trudi tries to keep her voice from disturbing the woman, the woman who's lost a child, and her husband. Even quieter, "Would they come to town?" Cole nods to Seagraves. "I'll do that, sir. Thank you." Sandar says "I don't think so, not without reason, they likey raided do to lack of food, it is the dead of winter and times are hard and they blame the White Man." Sandar says "But it is doubtful they will attack the town itself." Cole looks to Trudi. "They probably won't come into town. Unless there are an awful lot of them, which I doubt." Natalie strolls off towards the northern part of town. Jim nods at Jill grimly, then looks to Cole, then to Sandar,"Do you gentlemen need some help?" Sandar says "I would wager that this was a rebel faction, the young braves out to make names for themselves." Trudi nods to Sandar and to Cole, and glances at the stranger. Then back to Sandar. "So not so many of them?" Hopeful. Sandar says "But that is little consolation to the bereaved." Sandar nods at Trudi in a reassuring way "Not many" might as well bluff for her peace of mind, he has not idea. Cole looks at Sandar and shakes his head. The nonsense some people come up with. "I didn't see that many tracks. I'd say they're forming small bands to raid the more isolated farms. Places like the town and Twin Hills are probably quite safe." Wulf decides to lick Cole's face since he can't do anything else. Trudi nods. "Will they be safe, those two?" Cole shakes his head at Jim. "Thanks for the offer but right now everyone that can do something is doing it." Jill gets a hand under Jim's elbow. She doesn't believe he's in any condition to help anyone. Cole gets confused. "Which two?" The town and Twin Hills? He just said. Trudi shakes her head. "Mr Randolph and the other man." Cole ohs. "Evan and Mr. Garrett? Hard to say. If they run across any Indians it could be trouble but they've got good horses and they both know what they're doing." Evan isn't an Indian fighter but Garrett sounded like he is. Trudi nods. "Yes, sir. Thank you." Jim listens quietly, he nods. She's probably right."I've had some dealings with them and I've a fair hand at tracking...If there is anything I can do please let me know." He looks at Trudi with some concern then back to Cole. Sandar nods at Coles' words in silent agreement. Jill frowns silently and disapprovingly at Jim. Ride out and get killed. I don't think so. Cole nods to Jim. "We'll probably have to get up a posse to go after them though most of the hunting will probably go to that cavalry detachment that's supposed to guard the stage." Not much for them to do right now with the stage shut down. Sandar nods "A pity the sherriff is out of town at this time." Trudi frowns. "Those?" She's never seen them good for much but keeping their uniforms clean, when they're not tearing up the beerhall. Cole nods. "Those." His tone indicates he doesn't think much of the Federals but then he's never made any secret of that. Sandar nods "Time they earned their pay." Trudi looks at the doctor's door before she asks, "There's nothing of use that I can do? They have a place to stay and something to eat, the ones driven into town?" Jim started to speak about how he thought the town would be best defended... but Jill's quiet words to him slows him and he looks at her quietly. Not really answering. Sandar shrugs "I am sure they would appreciate a kind word and someone stopping by, but later. They are likely in shock right now." Cole looks at the door behind him. "I reckon Louise and Doc Kelso are doing everything that can be done for Ty. The others? I don't know but I'm sure the little ones at least could do with some food." Give the woman something to do to take her mind off things. Trudi nods. "Baskets. Sandwiches. Sweets for the little ones." Something. "We have nowhere for them to stay, but we can feed them." Jill looks back at Jim, silent and frowning, but finally dropping her eyes. Cole nods, "That'd be right kind of you, Miss Wessel." Jim looks over at the Saloon, "You could clear the saloon out..move the table aside..gather some blankets from the general store..how many are there?" Trudi says, "Not so many?" Please? "It sounded like not so many?" Cole rises, giving Wulf one last pat on the head. "Stay....Stay...There's a good boy." He looks at the others. "Well I'm going to go inside. They might need a hand with something. Maybe need some supplies from the drug store." Anything to make him useful. He shakes his head to the others. "Just one family so far. We'll find rooms for them somewhere. I think they're related to the Quintan's. They shouldn't want for a place to stay." Jim nods,"Good." Sandar nods quietly. Trudi nods. Trying for some of Mama's manner, "It's no good standing here in the cold. If anyone wants some coffee, I can get you all some."