Chapter 6 - Open Roads to Anywhere

[Thumper]

DT hobbles his horses so they can (slowly) wander to forage or drink at their will. He will eat the last of his food, wash himself, rinse his yesterday clothes (going full Monte in doing so), cleans his mess kit (the latter with sand then water) before packing them all up. He’ll saddle Ajax and prep his lead horse. Lastly, he’ll grab Yeller, and, with outstretched arms, toss Yeller pup into the deep creek to wash him off.

He’ll Mount and ride a half-circle around the camp until the others are ready to move.

Strategic movement to Austin

[Rex]

Charlie

Charlie takes care of his morning routine and then is ready to go with the others.

[jemmus]

The group sets out headed east to Austin, each rider leading a horse, the dog pack trotting beside. A light summer rain begins to fall. Gideon comments, It's a good thang there weren't no Comanches around, with this dumb dog a mine growling and barkin all night. Ah don't know if ah'll bring along on a next ride if thar might be Comanches around.They ride a couple of hours along the highway through the hilly savannah land.

A quarter mile ahead, they see a horse and rider come around a curve in the road loping.

The man stops his horse, eyeing the riders ahead. He looks behind him, and raises an arm with a gesture to someone to stop. He trots forward to a hundred yards and stops. A red patch can be seen on the left breast of his slicker, but from this distance the details can't be made out. Mornin! he calls. Y'all headed to Austin? Been on the road west of here? We watches for the men's response with a degree of caution.

Big Chief had a bad roll for her discipline/good sense skill.

[Rex]

Charlie

Charlie stops and waits for one of the others to converse with the rider.

[Thumper]

DT slows his horse as he waves hello. Alert for any threat:Observation 15: [1d20]=1
As he stops a couple strides from the man, he raises his right hand to touch his hat brow.

"Howdy, sir. DT Crockett.

Yes, heading into Austin. Started from Fredricksburg yesterday morning. There's been trouble out West on the road. Comanche have raided Wells Fargo's Johnson Station. Grizzly scene. Tortured and mutilated what we think was Wells Fargo's man. We buried what was left of him, but we figure they took a woman or young lady captive as well, based on the tracks and some lady items found..and where. We came upon the burnt out station about mid-day yesterday. Figured the raid happened about midnight based on the corps and embers.

We actually tracked the Indians all yesterday afternoon. 6 Indian ponies leading 4 Wells Fargo horses. We followed 'em South then Southwest about 10 miles from the station. Lost their tracks about dusk. Even the dogs lost scent. Damn shame for that woman! Wish we coulda done something more for her."

[ateno]

Doos stops and looks around.

Observation vs 13 [1d20]=13

Doos

[redwarrior]

William stops with the others, sidesteps hermes a few steps to the left, and looks to see if any of the dogs are alerting to anything.



Observation target 15 [1d20]=14

[cybersavant]

Andreas Larson looks past the rider trying to identity who and how many are behind him.

[jemmus]

The light rain falls, reducing visibility and somewhat cooling the August air. William, Doos, Charlie, Andreas and Gideon scan the area, as do the dogs in their own way. They see or hear nothing posing risk in the visible area around the road through the hilly savannah. They watch DT, Yeller following beside. They see DT and the rider civilly greet each other as fellow travelers on the road. The man looks honest enough from the hundred yards distance. But justifiable cautious. They see him look past DT to themselves, their lead horses, and the dogs. And then to two mounted men discussing at a couple paces distance.

As he drew close to the rider, DT made out the emblem on the patch sewn onto the man's slicker.

The man says, Good to meet you, Mr. Crockett. Hugh Cornwell. He likewise touches finger to brim. After hearing DT’s story about the station, he studies DT's face for a little. He looks at the five mounted men standing leading six horses, some of them saddled. And with dogs with them. He looks DT straight in the steady in the eye for a long second. It seems to DT that he's and honest man with a clear conscience. Mr. Crockett, it ain’t any of my business to ask ya this. But the duties of my job require that I have to. Could I ask where you’re comin from? And who are the fellas you’re ridin with? And-- what might y’all might be doin with those horses you're leadin? And... I don't mean to doubt your word, sir... but do you have anything from the stage station to show that it was burned by Comanches? It would save me havin to ride there and witness it myself. DT notes that Cornwell has a long barreled Colt revolver under the belt that hold his pants up. If he has a rifle scabard, it would be on the horse's other side, which he has not seen.

Need a Stature/(composure/presentation) roll from DT. And any actions by any PCs who want to intervene or otherwise act.

[Rex]

Charlie

Charlie will remain silent, calm and above all alert.

[Thumper]

The light rain falls, reducing visibility and somewhat cooling the August air. William, Doos, Charlie, Andreas and Gideon scan the area, as do the dogs in their own way. They see or hear nothing posing risk in the visible area around the road through the hilly savannah. They watch DT, Yeller following beside. They see DT and the rider civilly greet each other as fellow travelers on the road. The man looks honest enough from the hundred yards distance. But justifiable cautious. They see him look past DT to themselves, their lead horses, and the dogs. And then to two mounted men discussing at a couple paces distance.

As he drew close to the rider, DT made out the emblem on the patch sewn onto the man's slicker.

The man says, Good to meet you, Mr. Crockett. Hugh Cornwell. He likewise touches finger to brim. After hearing DT’s story about the station, he studies DT's face for a little. He looks at the five mounted men standing leading six horses, some of them saddled. And with dogs with them. He looks DT straight in the steady in the eye for a long second. It seems to DT that he's and honest man with a clear conscience. Mr. Crockett, it ain’t any of my business to ask ya this. But the duties of my job require that I have to. Could I ask where you’re comin from? And who are the fellas you’re ridin with? And-- what might y’all might be doin with those horses you're leadin? And... I don't mean to doubt your word, sir... but do you have anything from the stage station to show that it was burned by Comanches? It would save me havin to ride there and witness it myself. DT notes that Cornwell has a long barreled Colt revolver under the belt that hold his pants up. If he has a rifle scabard, it would be on the horse's other side, which he has not seen.

Need a Stature/(composure/presentation) roll from DT. And any actions by any PCs who want to intervene or otherwise act.

DT-
"Mr Cornwell, you can call me DT. I see you're a Wells Fargo man by that patch on your chest. I presume Mr Holtzclaw had you brought down here on account of all the trouble. We're the group Mr Holtzclaw contracted with about 6 weeks ago. He still owes us the remainder of our contracted terms.

As far as evidence of the station burning, we do have a Comanche lance found on site. Also, a woman's hairpiece was found on the tracks indicating she was dragged away by the barbarians. Judge Doos back there has them both. Was planning on taking it to Holtzclaw on arrival. As I said before, coming from Fredricksburg. We've been there for a while recuperating from the completion of our contracted duties to Mr Holtzclaw. Besides Judge Jonathan Doos, we have Mr Andreas Larson (a rancher from Gillespie County), a Waco gambler by the name of Gidean McLaury, Mr William Moore (esquire). The other gentleman is Charlie: a friend of our group who only a few weeks ago managed to save a settler wagon train from a large band of marauding Comanche and saw them on to Fort Mason. All good men back there.

I know what you're thinking, but these led horses are legally our property. That's been determined by the Gillespie County magistrates. In fact, Mr Nimitz, the Wells Fargo station manager in Fredricksburg has been stabling them for us while we recovered from our wounds. If you need to, a simple telegraph to him will verify the truth of it.

If you'll pardon me a couple questions, sir: He raises his left hand and waves it over his shoulder back and forth perpendicular to the road...an indication for his friends to spread out left and right of the road. DT is ready to spur Ajax and plow straight into the stranger should he try to draw his pistol or ride away. You wear the Wells Fargo badge, and yet you don't much look prepared to act as agent of that company. I'll have to ask you to name Mr Holtzclaw's able assistant in Austin. Also, you set out in a hurry...without a holster? There's more to this story, and I'd like to hear it, please."

[redwarrior]

William sidesteps Hermes to the right while looking for signs of a trap.



Observation target 15 [1d20]=4

[cybersavant]

Andreas Larson nudges his horse off the road to the left.

[Rex]

Charlie

Charlie nudges his horse off the road to the right.

[ateno]

Doos comes up front after looking around.

"Hello, Judge Doos." Doos tips his hat.

We all good here DJ?"

Stature [1d20]=2

Doos

[jemmus]

At DT’s signal, the riders fan out across the road and to its sides, ready for action.

The man touches his brim and says, Good to meet you, Judge Doos. Hugh Cornwell. His expression changes from wary to a look of grim realization at the mention of Holtzclaw’s name and the lance and the hair ornament. He lowers his head, rubs his chin, and takes off his hat. After a while of thinking he puts it back on and says, Herb Holzclaw is the Assistant Manager in Austin. Larry Fox is the Manager. That would be Albrecht Weber that ya buried. We called him Bert. A good man. A real good man. And that would be his wife Mrs. Sarah Weber that the Comanches took off with. Lord help her.

I’m outridin for a Well Fargo stage to Fredericksburg. Since there ain’t a change of horses at the station, we’ll have to turn it back to Austin. It wouldn’t make it to Fredericksburg until way past midnight, and that’s not what the passengers paid their fares for. Not to mention travelin for hours at night is dangerous, if because of accidents or breakdowns-- if nothin else. Y’all are welcome to travel with us. We’d appreciate the company and the extra guns.

He turns his horse and rides around the bend in the road around the hill. A coach sits in the road waiting. It has four four horses, a driver, a guard with a double-barreled shotgun, and luggage, boxes, and a wire cage with chicks lashed down on its roof.

Cornwell explains the situation to the driver and the guard. The driver climbs down from the bench and says to the passengers (a family of husband, wife and three children), I’m sorry, ladies and gentlemen, but we have to turn back to Austin. Comanches have done an atrocity up the road. It's not safe, and we don't have a change of horses waitin. The father of the family says, Vhat has happened? The driver replies, I’d rather not say too much in front of the lady and the children. But a man has been killed.

The coach sets out, Cornwell riding around a quarter mile ahead. The light rain stops and the Sun comes out, making the day a muggy one.Similar to the Austin to Burnet road, as they riders near Austin, the open range land changes to ranches with wire or rail fences. The coach and the riders enter the western end of the city of Austin. Gideon says, What do y’all say, stay at the Drover Hotel again? And I’m buyin a slicker first thing. Ah’ve had enough of getting wetter’n a crawdad on the road.

It’s around 3:30 PM, Thursday, August 9, assuming the party traveled with the stage coach. If they used strategic movement, it’s around 1:30 PM.
I skipped forward again because no encounters were indicated. Feel free to retcon any actions.
You can buy a slicker raincoat for $4. It would provide 20 XP (one-time award).

[ateno]

"So Mr. Hern and Mr. Larry are who we need to talk to to fulfill our contract, I'd appreciate a introduction. We don't mind riding back with you, if you don't mind."

-4$

As a reminder:
a) The company will contract with Messrs. DT Crockett, Gideon McLaury, William Moore, and Paladin for up to 14 days, at a rate of $5/day per man. Each contractor is guaranteed the full 14 days' pay ($70/contractor). The contractors may retain two additional men under the same terms for compensation by the company.
b) The purpose of the contractual undertaking is to rid the highways from Austin to Burnet and Fredericksburg of robbers operating on them and make the roads for stagecoach travel.
c) The contractors will provide their own horses, firearms, and any other items required. The contractors will be responsible for paying their own expenses (meals, ammunition, medical treatment, etc.)
d) The contractors forsake any claim to any reward offered by the company. Should they incidentally become eligible to collect a reward offered by a third party, they may claim it.
e) The contractors will diligently exert their good faith best efforts to eliminate the threat of robbers operating on the two highways, at risk to their own life and limb.
f) The contractors will in good faith make their best effort to successfully complete the task within the 14 days of employment.
g) Should the contractors complete the task before the end of 14 days, they will be paid the full $70 wage and be considered for other tasks that may be available.
h) The contractors will not be considered employees of the company or held liable for their actions.
i) The contractors will make their best efforts to provide material proof of successful completion of the task.
j) The contractors will exercise prudence and will refrain from actions that may recklessly endanger innocent citizens.
k) The contractors not present themselves as representatives or employees of the company.
l) For the company’s information and its future operational planning, the contractors will frankly and forthrightly relate to the company the details of their actions in pursuing accomplishment of the task.
m) The company reserves the right to publicly announce the successful completion of the assigned task, including the details of how it was accomplished. Any contractor may chose to have his name withheld.


Doos

[redwarrior]

William agrees with Gideon, It seems a necessity out here when the rains come. $4 deducted. He is also going to purchase a pocket watch, field glasses, deck of cards, a small journal and pen with ink, and more trail rations. I deducted the costs as the page 90 costs, let me know if that's off. I couldn't find a price for the pocket watch, deck of cards, and small journal & pen. So, just let me know what that should run.

[Rex]

Charlie

"Agreed."

Charlie bought a slicker, sheet updated. He is almost out of money.

[Thumper]

Upon Cornwell's proper reply, he raises his left hand and waves the rest of the team in.

"Please pardon my caution, Hugh. It's just, if it isn't Comanche's it's bandits running around here. Central Texas seems full of 'em. About that holster question, never mind. Let's see if we can get you one of our used gun belts and holsters for your use. We have a few we planned to sell, along with these horses. Left to us by our capturing of the Shepherd gang. Darn nasty shootout that was. Then to find your friend Bert and discover the fate of Sarah. Wells Fargo and the local ranchers have their hands full. I think we can continue to help by ridin' in with you.

It breaks my heart that we failed to track Sarah down.'

He'll suggest to the others to give a used gun belt and holster to Hugh from the Shepherd stash.

Upon arriving in town, he would seek to make contact with Fox and Holtzclaw to inquire whether they can stable their horses in their corral...even offer Wells Fargo first pick of the sell horses if they wish to replenish the stock. He'll also inquire about the fulfillment of their contract and possible follow-on Wells Fargo contract work.

To Gidean:
"The Drover is a great idea. And I do want to go find a slicker, too. Then the book stores. I want a good book about trade and business negotiations, another about veterinarian science, particularly equestrian."

-$4. Will subtract the price of the books when known. Also, reminder, the group owes Charlie a couple days of gunslinger wages ($10) once the horses are sold.