Earthbound: Science Fiction in the Old West (Chronicles of the Maca Book 1) by Mari Collier Read Free Book Online Page B

sheriff's office or Blue Diamond? Someone there should be willing to sign as a witness.
    “It's legal the way it is. People know me here.” His face flushed.
    “Aye, but we are new.”
    “All right, we'll go over to the Justice of the Peace. Mallory's the Notary Public too.” His voice was sharp. “But first I'd like to see the color of your money.”
    MacDonald removed a gold coin from his money belt, but held onto it. “Payment twill be after the job tis completed.”
    Smeaton recognized the coin as a twenty dollar gold piece and realized the bulge around the man's waist was not extra flesh, but a money belt. Greed overcame dislike. He nodded, grabbed up his papers, and led the way out the door.
    It took less than one half hour to complete the signing, dating, and stamping. MacDonald relented and paid out two five-dollar gold coins for expenses before heading to the dry goods store.
    Stanley, the owner, nodded at them as they entered. He was busy totaling up an order for a matron. The two looked around and decided dried beans, salt, sugar, flour, hard tack, some cheese, chicory coffee, and canned peaches would sustain them while camping. Before leaving, Rolfe selected another plug of tobacco for his chewing habit.
    The salesman in Stanley came to the fore and he looked at Rolfe when handing him the tobacco. “We just had a shipment of ready made shirts and boots. They are in your size. They would be more comfortable than those Injun duds.”
    “Du crazy? Aint nothing more comfortable than these. Vhite men's boots don't fit any von.” He turned and left the store with MacDonald while Stanley scowled at their backs. It was the beginning of animosity between the townsmen of Arles and the Yankee interlopers that would worsen over the years.
    Outside the two men mounted and rode out of town towards their holdings. They had already arranged to meet Smeaton by the river where the high bluffs were on Rolfe's portion of the grant. They discussed their plans while sitting by the campfire that evening. Dinner had been a couple rabbits washed down with the peaches.
    “After we find out our boundaries, I think we should trail up to Indian Territory and see Chisholm on our way to St. Louis.”
    “Why tis that, Friend Rolfe?”
    “Because we've got to earn a living and he might want some cattle next year. We can trail cattle to New Orleans, maybe, but Chisholm knows me and he can always use beef on that reservation. Hides and tallow aren't going to bring in much. Not when California and Mexico keep shipping as much as they do.”
    “What about Mrs. Rolfe and your children?”
    “I'll build a home here. See those bluffs? A man could dig out a sizeable house and be nice and cozy.”
    MacDonald eyed the bluffs that had once stood at the river. He cleared his throat.
    “Herman, Mrs. Rolfe doesn't strike me as someone who wishes to live in a dirt house.”
    Rolfe considered. “Ja, but the funds we have won't keep us forever in St. Louis, and she wants all of us to be together. Martin is three now and he needs to be here and learn to be a rancher, not a townsman. He isn't going to be a Pastor.
    “If we can't sell cattle, I'll be hunting wolves. It pays well when they've been killing livestock.” That this scheme would leave Mrs. Rolfe and the children out on the prairie while he traveled did not upset him. This looked like a peaceful land. It was western Texas that was ruled by the Comanche.
    “I have been thinking of signing up as a scout with the Dragoons or the Army if ranching does nay provide an income. They dinna pay that much, but I have heard it tis a way to get one's citizenship. It twould also allow me to keep the funds until I am ready to build a house. The money twould be safe in the
Golden One
and we twould nay need to worry about a bank failure.”
    Rolfe's face cleared. “I hadn't thought of that, but what if I need the money and you aren't here. How would I get it?”
    “If ye went with me into the ship