going, I'd guess,' said the store manager (as Paul had expected him to), working away at the register. 'Why don't you?'
     'With all due respect, sir, I'd rather not talk about, it if that's alright,' smiled Paul.
     'Fine with me,' shrugged McStanley, taking Paul's money. 'But it'll be the best roundup in a long while, what with two herds of mustangs having settled just outside town, yes, siree!'
     Paul laughed and picked up the basket of payed groceries. 'I'll see you later, Mr McStanley.'
     'You too, Paul!'
     Bang!
     They both jumped, at what sounded like a rifle going off. Paul rushed to the shop door, closely followed by McStanley.
     Careering headlong down the street on a rose gray mare, a man in tattered clothing came shouting, holding a rifle aloft. He brought his sturdy, wide-eyed animal to a rough halt which raised dust, right in the middle of the road infront of the General Store.
     'Y'any able-bodied men get on and follow me!' he shouted to the twenty people who had hastily gathered at the cry of the gunshot. 'There be Indians on the Buckbone pastureland! They've passed the Fleewood!'
     For a heartbeat, Paul froze from head to toe. Then he began pushing wildly through the crowd, heading for his wagon. He snatched the Kentucky rifle from under the blanket lying on the driver's seat.
     Jenni and Ivy . . . !
    
 

End of Part One
23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men ~ Colossians 3:23

 

Characters Copyrights Note

• Jenni Adams, Mrs Adams, Paul Adams and additional characters belong to Pawface (of Animation Source) aka Little Blue (of Blogger).
• Ivy Adams belongs to Minti Panda, ex-member of Animation Source.
• Toast, Mr Stoker, Lonan (the ''Blood-red'') and additional characters belong to Windhowler (of Animation Source) aka W.H.Marbles (of Blogger).
• Pantha (the ''Tovero'') belongs to Gums (Animation Source) aka Speckle (Blogger).
• Lucius (the ''Dark One'') belongs to Bae (Animation Source).
• Sgt. Adams belongs to the company Dreamworks.

Artwork (c) Windhowler