Light Feather

Sam takes on a companion

Part Five

Light Feather

In late September 1870, Sam rode down the main street of Salida. It wasn't much to speak of. On the northeastern side of town was the blacksmith's shop and stable. Further down on the right was the general store and feed supply. This was where most people did their, buying, selling, and trading. On the south side of town was the local Bar Saloon. Like most saloons of the time, it had double doors that swung both ways.

In a dark corner sat a small group of men in a heated discussion.

Jermiah Coleburn and Thomas Goode were two of the five men in that group.

Thomas Goode knew Jermiah from past encounters. He was a sly, cheating, gambling man from Kansas. He was looking for a game to increase his modest wealth, and The Bar Saloon seemed like just that place.

Thomas suspected something on the downside when Jermiah kept coming up big.

He couldn't prove it, though.

He questioned Jermiah's integrity.  Jermiah didn't take lightly to Thomas' accusations and confronted him face to face. This only  agitated Thomas in all the wrong ways. A heated debate broke out. Nothing good would, or could, come of this exchange of insults.

As expected, both men went for their guns.

Sam walked through the double doors just in time to see Thomas Goode place a bullet into the forehead of Jermiah.

Jermiah had pulled his last card from the bottom of the deck.

Thomas wasn't too keen on having his money taken by crook and a swindler.

Standing beside Jermiah at the time of his demise, was a Cheyenne squaw named Light Feather. She had been taken captive in a raid a few years back and sold to a prospector from Denver. It was in Denver where Jermiah won her in a poker game. She had been with him just over nine months.

Jermiah was a harsh master. He beat her often.

Sometimes, when he got good and drunk, he would give her lashings across her backside with his leather belt just for fun.

Needless to say, she was not so sad to see him die. She did wonder, however, what was to become of her.

Thomas stood and grabbed her by the forearm and said,

“Come you stinking savage, you belong to me now.”

When she resisted Thomas threw a horrendous punch to her jaw, knocking her to the ground.

When she refused to stand he kicked her in her abdomen.

Sam stepped between the girl and Thomas. He'd seen enough. The girl's life was in danger.

“How much for the girl?” he asked.

Thomas laughed,

“She ain't for sale.”

Sam stepped up close to Thomas, their bodies nearly touching.

“Everything's for sale, if the price is right. What's your price?”

“Like I said mister,” Thomas replied, “she ain't for sale.”

Sam stepped away.

“Now that's just the wrong answer,” he said.

Thomas's hand moved toward his gun.

“I wouldn't do that if I were you,” warned Sam.

Thomas ignored Sam's warning and went for his gun anyway.

A moment later he lay dead on the floor, not far from where Jermiah lay.

Sam looked at the squaw. She was shivering out of fear as to what might come next.

He held out his hand and quietly urged her to stand.

She was young, probably 19, but harsh living made her look older.

Sam offered her his coat as they turned and walked out of the saloon.

“What the hell am I going to do with you?” Sam thought out loud.

“I cook,” said Light Feather. “You beat Light Feather?”

Sam looked down at the ground and shook his head,

“I don't beat women,” he said.

His thoughts turned to Fleora. 

“I only shoot them.”

The next day he and Light Feather rode out of town heading east toward Pueblo. 

What changed his mind?

 Why had he decided to turn back east instead of going on to Gunnison?

Sam couldn't explain it, it was only a feeling he had somewhere deep in his gut.

Pueblo, he figured, could be made in a week to ten days. Maybe they would miss the harsh winter storms that were brewing up.

For now the Redheaded Demon was safe, but at least now Sam was headed in the right direction, whether he knew it or not.

Author's Note

More coming soon.