SEPTEMEBER 10, 1861

The "Devil" Texan
by Michael Quebec
Original characters created by Ella Davis and Michael Quebec
Alias Smith and Jones and related characters were created by Glen Larson
The Lone Ranger and related characters were created by Fran Striker and George
W. Trendle

The Lucky Strike Mines

Jedidiah was a quick study of a person's individual habits. As a result, he knew where each of the guards, assigned to watch the workers' quarters, would be located during their nightly patrols. It wasn't easy, but with the help of Sim and Link, who made certain that no one else in the quarters would report on them for personal favors, Jedidiah was able to sneak out of his confinement. He was able to make it to the iron box where his friend, Justin Calhoun, and, Joshua’s friend, Thaddeus Jones, was being held.

Jedidiah quickly hid behind the box when he saw the sergeant of the guards take his horse and ride out of the locked gates, the other guards locking it behind him. Jedidiah wondered to himself where that fat, sniveling little bastard was going at this time of night." When he felt all was clear, Jedidiah resumed what he was doing. He probed the box's lock, to see if it could be picked. Jedidiah came to the conclusion that nothing less than an explosive charge, or the actual key, could free his two friends. He then quietly taped on the door. Softly, Jedidiah called out, "Justin! Jones! Can ya hear me?” He paused waiting for an answer, but none came. “Well, hang in there! We’re going to get you out as soon as we can." 

Inside the box, both Justin Calhoun and Thaddeus Jones had long since lost consciousness. They were still and silent, like death itself. Outside, Jedidiah knew that time was growing short for them. He looked up at the gates, but knew he wouldn't make it past the armed guards. He left the iron box for his quarters, determined now to go ahead with Link's plan for a massive break out.

*****

Joshua Smith awoke to the sounds of war drums pounding in the night. Buffalo thongs bound his wrists, but his feet were free. He was lying down on a buffalo robe in the middle of a huge tipi. Inside was a stuffed bird hanging from the top, metal pots and pans on the side, most likely obtained from a trader's post, sewing awls made of buffalo bone, mittens, again made from buffalo hide, and a bird-boned chest plate hung near a war shield. The thing that grabbed Joshua Smith's attention, however, was the quiver full of arrows, hanging from the top of the tipi near the stuffed bird. He stared at the quiver for a bit, trying to recall why such a display should be important. It was ‘on the tip of his tongue’, but he still couldn't remember. He thought perhaps, it was the blow to his head he had suffered earlier that prevented him from remembering. He kept on staring when a voice said, "It's the sacred medicine arrows of the Arrow Keeper, one of the most important leaders of the Cheyenne Nation."

Smith turned around. It was Tonto, the warrior of the Kiowas, who had spoken as he entered the tipi. "That's how important this whole situation with the fort is, Mr. Smith.  The most powerful leaders of the Plains Tribes, including those of the Southern and the Northern Cheyennes, are here to confer with their allies, the seven bands of Lakota." 

"And the Arapahos, too, I think," responded Joshua. 

"That is right, Joshua Smith," said Tonto. 

"I been trailing where Sheriff Trevors was attacked," said Joshua, "and that's how I got onto the trail. That's when the Sioux jumped me." He then paused. "After they attacked a wood detail out of Laramie." Tonto took out his knife slowly. Joshua, unfamiliar with who the Kiowa was, looked on, suspicious of Tonto's intent. However, Tonto then went behind Joshua and cut his wrist binds, freeing Joshua's wrists. "Thanks." 

"The Nations blame the blue coats at the fort for the disappearance of their brothers," explained Tonto. "The peace chiefs are losing prestige among the young warriors and soon all the Red Nations of the Plains shall be upon the war-path!" 

Joshua rubbed his wrists while responding, "For a young warrior yourself, you don't sound too enthusiastic about it." 

Tonto paused, and then spoke. "Today, the white man is set against his brother. The Blues of the North fight the Grays of the South and the young warriors see only the small number of soldiers at the forts. But the war that divides the white man's house against itself cannot last long. When it ends, the white man will come upon our lands, in numbers greater than the stars. The warriors of the Red Nations do not see this. But like many of our peace chiefs, I have seen the cities of the white man in the East. Our people, all our peoples, must live with the white man's force if we are to survive." 

Joshua took in what Tonto said, then responded, "My partner and I are working with the sheriff to prevent a war between the Indians and the soldiers." 

Tonto said, "I know this. My own 'partner', and I are also doing the same, Joshua Smith.  Or perhaps, I should call you by your proper name, Hannibal Hayes." Joshua was stunned. Only a few people in the territory knew his and Thaddeus Jones' true identities.  Tonto then answered the questioning look that Joshua gave him. "My white brother has many 'eyes' and they see much for him." 

"Uh huh," was Joshua's reply. 

Tonto then handed him his gun-belt. Joshua put it on while Tonto cautioned, "Only as a last resort. The front is guarded, we'll have to go out this way." Tonto then used his knife to cut a slit out the back of the tipi. Since the camp was arranged in a huge circle, the middle being where the bon-fire and war dance ceremony was taking place, then the back, the outside of the camp's circle, was where Tonto and Joshua had the best chance of escaping unseen. Tonto made sure he didn't leave anything of importance behind in the tipi. Joshua left the tipi first, walking swiftly, but quietly, along the outer edge of the camp's circle. 

Ahead of Tonto, Joshua was confronted by Little Big Man and two other warriors, so he put his hands up as Little Big Man pointed his rifle at him, referring to the gun-belt he now wore. "That belongs to me." 

Joshua, still with his hands in the air, smiled and said, "Sorry friend, but it was mine to begin with." Little Big Man cocked his rifle. Joshua then said, "'Course, I could always get another one." 

Tonto, not yet seen, hurled his tomahawk at Little Big Man's rifle, making it misfire.  Joshua then grabbed the rifle with both hands. Putting his hip into Little Big Man, Joshua tossed him to the ground, took the rifle, hit Little Big Man in the face with the rifle butt, and then knocked out another warrior with the butt. 

The third warrior was almost on him, but then Tonto tackled the warrior, wrestling him on the ground for a bit, and then maneuvering himself so that he was on the ground, behind the warrior. While Tonto's legs wrapped around the warrior's waist, his forearm was put into the warrior's Adam's apple. Tonto choked the warrior into unconsciousness.  Getting up, Tonto said, "Come, the horses are there. These were their guards." Joshua nodded and followed Tonto to where Scout and his horse, Gambit, were tied up. Freeing their mounts, Tonto and Joshua got on their horses' backs and quickly rode out. 

However, Little Big Man awoke and called out in Lakota while firing his rifle at the fleeing horsemen, letting the warriors know that the white captive and the Kiowa were escaping. The ceremony stopped and the warriors and chiefs came to Little Big Man.  "The white man . . . escapes. They go to warn the blue coats!" 

Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull were among those at the war dance ceremony and it was he, Crazy Horse, who called to the warriors. "Brothers, we must go after them! Stop them before they reach soldiers!" 

Sitting Bull said, "They have too much of a head start! We must prepare for the soldiers, hide our women and children and ready our warriors for the fight!" 

Crazy Horse said, "We will stop them if we can. But if the soldiers come, then it will be A Good Day To Die!" The other warriors whooped their approval and Crazy Horse led some of them to their horses to pursue Joshua Smith and Tonto. The warriors who remained followed Sitting Bull's lead and made ready for the defense of the camp. 

Little Big Man looked on and said to himself, "The white man and the Kiowa are mine!"  Little Big Man then went to his horse and rode off, not in the direction of the fort, where Tonto, Joshua, and the pursuing warriors led by Crazy Horse were going. Little Big Man rode his horse in the direction of the Lucky Strike Mines and Horse Creek.