Quartz: Part 9 – Flash Fiction Friday Post

See Part 1 Here.

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The next morning he said goodbye to Mary and after stashing a napkin-wrapped bundle of biscuits with butter and ham in his saddle bag, he left for town. It was a good day, starting off cool with the sky a clear blue. Birds sang as he passed, and a coyote hurried across the road ahead of him. He mentally reviewed the contents of his saddle-bags. Mrs. Estrada had been generous, and he had beans and flour and bacon enough for the nine days he planned to be gone. He had some cornmeal as well to make cornbread if there was time. His canteens were full, and he had feed for Butters too. This was just supposed to be a quick trip. He hoped it would go according to plan and that Mr. Woolsey and Mr. Brokaw were experienced outdoorsmen. If they were tenderfeet, it was going to be a long trip.

Markum
was on the hotel porch in one of the rocking chairs, when Zeke arrived. He tied
Butters to a rail and went up the steps. “Mr. Markum. Mornin’.”

“Good
morning, Zeke. Woolsey and Brokaw were just finishing breakfast. They’ll be out
shortly.”

Zeke
nodded and took the chair next to Markum. “They have supplies for nine days?”

“I
believe so. I saw them in the general store yesterday, buying supplies. I put
in a good word with them at the livery, to get good horses.” The man eyed Zeke.
“You have everything you need?”

“I
do. It’s out and back, so I didn’t bring a lot.”

Markum
nodded. “The men who ambushed you are being sent down to Globe for trial.”

“Good.”
Zeke was relieved. “I wondered how that was going to be handled.”

“The
sheriff found some wanted posters. He telegraphed the sheriff down there. Turns
out they are wanted for several claim-jumping and assault charges. Colton told
me you have some reward money coming.”

Zeke
rubbed his face and nodded. It wasn’t that the money wasn’t welcome. Between
the three gunmen and however much these brush-poppers were going to bring in,
he had several years-worth of income in the bank. Nothing to scoff at. But the
stares and the speculation were more than he wanted to deal with. Even as he
thought that, men passing by were looking at him. He couldn’t wait to get out
on the trail. “Appreciate the news.” He turned to look at the front doors of
the hotel. They were open to the morning air. Where were those men?

“They’ll
be out soon.”

Zeke
looked at him with eyebrows raised.

Markum
laughed. “I can see you looking for them.”

Zeke
nodded. “Just want to get going before the day gets hot.”

“Of
course.”

So
they waited, talking about the assay business, mining in general, and some of
the town gossip. It was an hour and a half before Woolsey and Brokaw came out
the front doors. “Ready?” Woolsey said.

He
was more jovial than he had a right to be as far as Zeke was concerned. They at
least had their saddlebags in hand. “Ready.” He stood up and shook Markum’s
hand. “Appreciate you coming out, Mr. Markum.”

“Glad
to be here, Mr. Stanford.” He tipped his hat to the mining company men. “Safe
trip, gentlemen.”

“We
plan on it,” Brokaw said.

“I’ll
walk with you to the livery,” Zeke told them. He left the porch and untied
Butters as Markum shook their hands. Finally, they left the porch and headed to
the livery. Zeke, leading Butters, walked with them. “You have to do this
often? Travel out to some mine or other, I mean.”

“Often
enough,” Woolsey replied. “All over the west. Where ever the company sends us
to look.”

Zeke
thought that sounded uncomfortable at best. He was mining now, but when he was
married and settled down, he wanted to sleep at home in his own bed.

“How
about you, son. You been mining long?”

Zeke
shrugged. “A little over a year, now. Left my Pa’s ranch and came west.”

Brokaw
nodded. “Sowing a little wild oats?”

Zeke
didn’t like the way the man sneered. “Just looking for a strike. Then for a
good place to ranch.”

The conversation ended when they reached the livery. The man had the horses ready to go. Zeke was glad. He was ready to get on the trail. Once they had their saddlebags in place and were mounted, Zeke got on Butters and led the men out of town and across the chaparral. It was good to get back out on the trail.

Words: 758

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