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Chancellor Riggin # 7 Meet The Riddilins |
| Written by Cory | |
| Thursday, 06 March 2008 | |
Thursday came quick. It was the day the train was suppose to leave. Jerry sent his son, James, with me and only the two of us knew in the train knew what was going on. The train consisted of seven wagons, about 20 riders and several hundred head of cattle. The Riddlin Boys, my childhood enemies volunteered to be the ones to scout ahead. Most of the others didn’t notice, but I learned what they did. They rode ahead and slept, or shot for fun, stuff that would attract Indians, and then when we got ahead they would swing wide and get back in the front. We rode for a few weeks before I finally noticed we was edging into Indian country, so I decided to confront the three brothers. “ Hey fellers, I would like to talk to you”, I said not worrying about manners in front of these people, “ I picked up on your scheme and don’t play stupid, because I aint in the mood. So I aint gonna tell on you or nothing, but I will say this. You better stop this foolishness if you don’t want to end up dead. We are in Cherokee country now and they aren’t an easy people.” I said. I didn’t wait for a reply, which was probably rude, but luckily I saw a calf out of line and played off like I needed to round it up. This was a trail I had rode once before, and I knew we where soon going to see the graves of Herby and Janice Riggin. I prepared for that moment for a good deal, and soon I realized, we where only a days travel away. I had hardly left Dun’s side the whole trip, but the day before we where to arrive at the grave, I let him rest and headed out for a night patrol on foot. I walked a quarter of a mile away from the circle of wagons and made a loop. I heard coyotes, and saw all the cattle where together, ready to protect each other. I walked by a watering hole and saw a rattler. I shot him and he died instantly. I made the rest of the route. I headed straight back towards Dun, but he wasn’t there. I searched the camp for him, but didn’t see him. I called for him several times, before I heard faint whimpers away. It was definitely Dun. I took off at a dead run, and it didn’t surprise me one bit to find the Riddlin Boys with him, beating ol’ Dun with a leather whip. The oldest brother was holding Dun, and the middle child was whipping Dun. I tackled the youngest who was standing there watching, and laughing. I hit his face and the other brothers ran at me. I was just swinging once they all three where on me. Dun ran towards us and tried biting them, but he was scared he would get me, and wasn’t to affective. Soon a big force took out one of the brothers and I handled the other two fine. I glanced over and saw it was James. I didn’t really talk much with anyone, and didn’t speak to James any, so I really didn’t expect the help. The youngest brother finally quit, and I kept hurting the other as worse as I could. Once I was done, and was ready to talk I got angry again and yelled, “ You ever touch that horse again and I’ll kill all three of you, not matter which of you did it, or if you just brush him. Do you understand me you no good pieces of cattle mud?” I screamed. They didn’t ever reply, but I believe they got the message depending on the fact there was more blood on there face than anything else. I went over to Dun and rubbed his head. He was grateful for it and I was glad he was fine. He had a cut or two, but nothing a horse doesn’t get just being out and about. I looked over at James on my way back to camp and almost got ready to call him my partner, but I remember Garret Feind saying that to me, so I figured I would ask James. “ I appreciate that back there James.” I started off. “ Yeah we make a pretty good team, aye partner.” He said. “ Yeah we sure do.” I paused for a moment, then, “ Partner.” Copyright 2008 Cory |
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