Marshall Santos is kneeling down beside a grave marker in Boot Hill Cemetery just outside Dodge City. He mulls over a few things.
"Around Dodge City and in the western territories, there is just one way to handle all the killers and the spoilers, and that is with a US Marshall and the smell of gun smoke. This is Mannysmoke, the transcribed story of the violence that moved west with young America and the story of a man who moved with it. I am that man, Danny "Matt Dillion" Santos, United States Marshall. Out here, I remind myself of how violence always ends, buried in the rim of a nation on the edge of the wild frontier. Some were slaughtered aimlessly, the rest I killed. I'm a lawman and a US Marshall. Law comes hard to the frontier and men like these did not want it. And there are more men alive today who will come to Dodge City that do not want it. They are the drifters and the lawless and they have to be dealt with. I am the first man they look for and the last one they want to meet. It is a chancy job, and it makes a man watchfuland a little lonely."
"Marshall we've got ourselves a little problem here with your new deputy," said Jesse Blue, "he's got on spurs that will carve that horse up from its belly to its backbone. You know he cannot sit a horse with those things on; he will hurt the horsey. And look at the firepower, he's packing."
For once, no maybe twice in two days, Jesse was right. Jim LeMay was always a hothead and lacked common sense but he was a darn good gunsmith. If you could calm him down, he could make a good rifleman too. Calming him down was the hard part. Jim stood before the Marshall with a large array of artillery spread out on a blanket. There were two Sharps, a Patterson, two rolling block pistols, a rolling block carbine shotgun, two single action Dakotas and a six-shooter. This was enough firearm power to take on an Army company. It was also absurd.
"Jim, what do you have there and how are you fixing to carry all those weapons with you on our search?"
"Why Marshall, I'm wearing a gun belt and the rest I'll pack on the back of this horse and put the others down my pants. See the way I view this is, we have to find those hombres that stole our little woman and those ponies. Let's get going buddies, no worries here, I am ready and willing to fire when called upon." Jim then made a half jump, half pulling motion to get on his horse; it took him three tries before he successfully mounted the horse. The Marshall mounted his horse with one fluid motion.
Marshall Danny "Matt Dillion" Santos looked over at Jim again; he laughed in spite of himself. Jim was wearing the cheesiest pair of chaps the Marshall ever saw and Danny had no idea why LeMay would even think that wearing chaps was necessary. They were not planning to break broncos or even ride that hard today. As for Jim's plan to carry colt guns down his pants, it was downright foolhardy not to mention dangerous for Jesse and himself as well. There was no reasoning with this man. Jim spent most of his free time eyeing Mrs. India and Mrs. Vanessa while pretending to read dime store novels over at the new library. Jim had an idea of what the west stood for and he was going to make it come true if he had to make it happen the hard way.
Danny Santos said, "No, Jim bring along your holster, your gun belt, bullets and only the single action Dakota, the six-shooter and the rolling block shot gun."
Jim was saddened by the Marshall's order but luckily; he realized the futility of arguing today. The Marshall was in an ornery mood. A mood that only a little lady could be responsible for in Jim's book. He yelled out to his daughter, "Baby doll you watch the store for daddy okay? And do not set to cleaning any of those guns unless you unload them first, here catch." He threw the firearms he was not carrying to his daughter, a little thing of 13 or 14 years who went by the name of Susan.
Even Jesse winced at LeMay's careless handling of the firearms. That little girl would need to marry up in a year or two and no one would want a wife with a missing finger or other missing appendage. Jesse called out to the Marshall who also witnessed this slipshod disregard for human life by LeMay and said, "Marshall, if that don't put a clod in your shoe today, I don't know what will, you know that don't you?"
The Marshall shook his head yes and waved for them to start. He did not understand, he never understood most of what Jesse said. Nevertheless, the man was a damn good deputy. In addition, Blue was showing a real aptitude for criminal investigations now that he could read the Wanted notices posted at the jailhouse. They galloped out of town and headed due southeast.
Michelle Bauer accompanied Abigail Blume and her brother Doctor Bauer to the Santos Ranch or the SR as most called it. A mare was in foal and another was due in a few days. Michelle just knew that if she could maneuver Miss Abigail and her brother to work together then they might at least be able to overcome their differences long enough for Miss Abigail to earn her passage home by working as Rick's nurse. Lord only knew her brother could use some help and some time to brush up on some recent medical research.
First, she had to keep them from arguing nonstop. They rode out to the ranch in her brother's little surrey with the ever-faithful Popcorn leading the way. The horse was plumb tuckered out by the time they reached the ranch. Michelle did not know much about horses but she did understand that they like peace and quiet and harmony--not constant bickering.
They greeted Cassie and Ray and walked over to the barn. Michelle arranged things with Ray so that he and Cassie would leave the foaling barn. This would force Abby and Rick to work together with the mare in labor. Cassie and Abigail were in a deep discussion but finished by the time Ray and Michelle left the barn. Ray told Doc that he and Cassie would be back and they walked towards the house. Michelle turned her attentions to the mare and hoped that Abby and Rick would as well but within minutes, the two were fighting once again about the War Between the States.
Michelle noted that the mare was in deep labor and got down on her knees to help the animal. Every once in a while Doc Rick would bark an order; get her down, manipulate the belly, wrap her tail in gauze so that there is less chance of infection. Finally, the foal was breeching and Rick stepped in at the last minute to help pull the foal free.
Michelle drenched from head to toe from her exertions, thought these two were a bit rough and ready for trained medical professionals. Sure, they were only assisting a mare foal, something which occurred everyday in the wild without human help, still she had nagging doubts about the professionalism of these two. Michelle followed Rick's instructions for clearing away the afterbirth and started mucking out the stall. The mare was licking her new little foal clean and soon the foal would be standing up and getting its sustenance. Michelle leaned against the stall door. This was hard work but the birth had been a beautiful site to behold.
Meanwhile Cassie and Ray were talking in Ray's ranch house. The place was already taking on many feminine touches including curtains, braided rugs and assorted quilts and knickknacks. Cassie called it her home away from home. When Abigail arrived earlier, today they talked quietly and Abigail confirmed for her as best as she could without an examination that Cassie was expecting.
Now it was time to tell Ray, why was she so nervous all of a sudden? She spoke to him gently, "Ray, Abigail has just confirmed to me that I am with child. Abby thinks it will be a May baby maybe earlier. I am not sure how I feel about this. I need to be honest with you; I wanted this badly at first for motives that are not very sincere. Now that I am with child, your child, I need to make sure that you are all right with this."
Ray was beaming and grinning from ear to ear, "Oh Cass, yes, I am thrilled. This thing between us has happened so fast and powerful almost like a surging tornado. There is a very strong pull between us that I think we should leave unquestioned. The past is yesterday's memories and is no longer important to either of us. Let us concentrate on the present and the gift of this life. Cass, I'm so proud that you are carrying my child." He stepped back and bent down on one knee. He held her hand and softly kissed her belly. Ray placed his hand over her womb, the place she was carrying his progeny. He looked up at her sheepishly. "I love you Cassie Layne, I do, truly I do and what is more, I will forever more until the day I die."
Michelle, Abby, Rick and the expectant couple all heard the shots at the same time. They raced from the barn and ranch house to the yard. There they saw Jesse Blue riding up to them yelling loudly. "Somebody better come quick, there's been a terrible accident, and it is awful. Mr. Santos do you still have that travois? (Also called a travee, this was a sled or stretcher attached to a wagon or pulled by a horse. The wounded were roped or securely tucked into the travois and pulled by the horse or wagon.)
"Yep, I've got it, let me fetch it right now. I'll saddle up and meet you back here in a minute." Ray said this while running to accomplish this objective.
"Doc, we're gonna need you to come along too. We'll need to bring them both back here as soon as possible, no way he'll make it back to town alive," said Jesse.
Michelle looked up, "Jesse Blue, what are you talking about, what? Who got hurt and might not live?"
"It is the Marshall ma'am, and it looks powerful bad. Shot in the shoulder down low and real bad," replied the deputy.
"Oh my God, Abigail, he has been shot," cried Michelle.
Within the hour, the men were back. Daniel Santos was roped onto the travois and Jim LeMay who looked to have a serious gunshot wound to the foot was riding the Marshall's horse with his horse pulling the three broodmares behind them. Abigail and Rick set about administering what first aid they could to Danny and to Jim. Abigail instructed the men to take Danny into the house and Cassie went ahead to clear the space and start boiling water and collecting cloths.
"Deputy can you tell us what happened now," asked Ray Santos
"Well, we heard gunshots coming from the canyon off the ridge on the way down to Dukee. The Marshall told me to ride ahead and told LeMay to position himself behind those large rocks up near that clearing, you know it I'm sure. I was halfway up the canyon ridge before I think any of us realized that it was a trap to draw each of us out and kill us off one by one. I rode back very quick but not before I saw the Marshall shot in the shoulder. He got off three shots very quick and the two gunmen fell from the hiding perch they made for themselves about 300 feet up ahead of the Marshall. Then we both saw Jim LeMay reach for his pistols, it was like he was on delayed reaction or something, everything was over by the time he shot himself in the foot with that six shooter of his. I'd seen the mares tied behind the gunmen's hiding place when I rode up the ridge and that is the end of this sad tale."
Michelle looked over to Rick who was administering to Danny. He looked up and saw her concern. He called her over and shook his head sideways. "It doesn't look good sister. This is not good at all. I'm going to dig that bullet out as soon as he passes out from the morphine but only time will tell if he can fight off the fever and the infection that always sets in with a wound like this."
Jesse Blue wandered over and started talking to the Marshall, "What should I do now boss? What do you want me to do now," Michelle and Abigail exchanged glances after seeing the soulful sad tears the deputy had in his eyes for his superior.
Doc either didn't see or was still in a bad mood or just hated Jesse no matter what. "Get away from him you blamed fool, what do you want to do, dig his grave for him? Go on back to town and maintain your silence, except you'd best tell Percy Dietz to get a pine box ready just in case."
Jesse was now sobbing, "Doc is it that bad, is he a goner?"
"I don't know you blamed fool idiot, now get out of here and let me work," Doc grunted.
Abigail stepped in and yelled at both of them, "You two stop it, we have a dying man here, both of you hush up now and let us try our best to set this business right before rigor mortis sets in, shall we?"
Michelle had enough and was furious at all of them, "Stop it all of you, he is still semiconscious, he might hear you, stop it, can't all of you stop your worrying and fussing for a few minutes and try and save this man?"
Abigail looked up at Michelle and said sure honey, and started fussing at Doc again but this time in a lowered voice. She told Michelle that Daniel could indeed still hear some of their words but that he was probably in a state of shock from the great loss of blood.
"Michelle," Danny called out, "please, Michelle."
She reached for his unhurt arm and held his hand, "I am right here Danny, right here."
"He is hallucinating sister, he has no idea you are here." In another minute, Doc said "Okay, he's passed out, well let us get this started, hand me that trowel Miss Blume, if you please."
The operation to remove the bullet began, actually it was just a crude invasive procedure of Doc digging out the bullet and fishing around with his hands to see if their were any shot fragments elsewhere near the wound. All the while Michelle's brother continued to shake his head as if this was hopeless.
Michelle knew her brother was sometimes wrong but he sometimes he was right too. Michelle sank down in a chair to await the procedure's completion. She wondered aloud, why Danny Santos did I have to fall for you and why did you have to go and be shot, today of all days. She realized with great surprise then that she did not need to give him the keys to her heart; he already held it. She cried quietly now thinking back to the sad look on his face when she turned down his gift to her earlier this morning. Michelle already knew that she was rude to him this morning. Truth be told, she was scared to death and her words were full of fear. She felt anxiety that if she committed to him something bad would happen to him. She cried over the fact that what she feared most if she committed to him had indeed occurred anyway. This morning Michelle feared losing this man, this wonderful man forever if she said yes.
Now she still might lose him anyway and realized that perhaps losing someone that you don't love heart body and soul is much more melodramatic than if you give yourself to that person in trust. Was she wrong; would all these thoughts even matter? Would Danny Santos live?
Some basics about horses -- The pregnant mother or mare gestates eleven months before giving birth. Another horse often keeps her company. When the baby horse or foal is born, its mother licks it clean and dry. This helps the foal to learn its mother scent and feel warm and safe. Within an hour or two after birth, the foal gets on its feet to drink its mother's milk. Most wild horses are born in the springtime. When winter comes, the colts will be strong enough to withstand the cold weather. From its earliest days, the foal gambols after its mother. For five or six months, they stay together and usually are inseparable.
Thoroughbreds, quarter horses and those with appropriate shelter during winter will breed at different times of the year. Many breeders actually prefer the birth of foals in the fall or winter as it keeps the activity buzzing within the breeding barn throughout the winter. Mares have a tendency to depression during the winter months and nurturing their young colts makes them more productive and contented. Many modern day ranchers work with light during the winter to affect the moods of their mares. Just as light therapy is beneficial for humans so too is it beneficial for horses who will be stabled most of the winter.
A horse can sleep in several positions. It can sleep while standing up although it sleeps more soundly while lying down. However, horses never sleep for long. They are ready to run at the slightest signs of danger. Tame horses or those kept on ranches usually eat from sacks attached to their heads (yes this is where the term tying on the feedbag comes from)! The sack enables the animals to eat more efficiently. Horses eat alfalfa, oats, carrots, and grain. Sweet feed is usually a mixture of grains, barley, oats, corn and bran moistened with molasses to make it tasty. Horses, especially ponies that do little work, can thrive on hay alone. Hay is grass cut and dried during the summer, when it is moist and nutritious. It is stored in bales. Hay helps a horse's digestion by providing much needed roughage.
Horses move slowly when at a walk, and then move faster when trotting, increases its speed in a canter and moves fastest when galloping. Horses replace the salt they lose from exertion by licking salt blocks. A horse can drink up to ten gallons of water a day and a constant supply of clean water should be available.
You can tell a horse's age by the condition of its teeth. A horse's teeth never stop growing and must be filed down. Do not give horses sugar cubes or candy it is bad for their teeth. When feeding a treat to a horse, hold your hand out flat, put the treat on it and raise it to the horse's mouth. Do not hold it with your fingers, as horses like to nibble.
If any of this information is too rudimentary for the individual reader, your writer apologizes but quite a few people have asked for this information which I willingly provide with the help of two sources: 1) "Horses," a book by Scholastic Incorporated. And 2) Caring for A Horse or Pony by Lesley Ward.
