Free Blood Feather by Don Bendell Page A

“Thanks.”
    They shook, and Strongheart went to find a place to stable Gabe and curl up for the night. He settled for curling up in a pile of bedding straw next to Gabe’s stall.
    Joshua awakened to the smell of bacon, eggs, potatoes, and coffee. He sat up and saw the steaming plate on a shelf near him, a closed barrel sitting there for him as a seat. He looked at the good-looking stranger who was about the same height and build as him. His horse was saddled just beyond and was a tall, beautiful line-backed buckskin with black mane, tail, and four black stockings. The horse had four black hooves. The stranger wore a pair of Colt Peacemakers. He had a rugged and handsome face, and intelligent eyes that seemed like he was on the verge of smiling.
    Strongheart sat up and started eating.
    â€œHow do you like that Peacemaker?” the man said.
    â€œIt’s a good gun,” Joshua answered. “My stepfather died and left it to me.”
    â€œI know,” the handsome stranger replied. “I had it and the holster made for Dan. He was a good friend. It was one of the first Peacemakers ever made by my uncle.”
    Joshua stared at him.
    Strongheart said, “Are you Chris Colt, nephew of Colonel Samuel Colt?”
    Chris smiled, saying, “Guilty, Your Honor.”
    Joshua stood up and stuck out his hand. The two shook.
    â€œI am so pleased to meet you,” Strongheart said. “Dad could not say enough good things about you. It meant a lot for him to respect a man, and he respected you more than any man. He told me that you would live and die by your word and could be the best friend a man ever had and the worst enemy. I try to live my life the way Dad told me you live yours.”
    Colt said, “Dan was a very fine man, and your ma was all lady. I am sorry you lost them both so close together. I am working for the army as a chief of scouts right now out of Fort Union. I heard from Dutch that you were headed for a rendezvous with Quanah Parker. I need to head that way to scout the Staked Plains and the Red River area, so I wondered if you would like some company.”
    â€œHeck yes,” Joshua answered enthusiastically. “I would be honored to ride any trail with you, Mr. Colt.”
    Chris laughed, saying, “Mister? I’m not that much older than you. Please call me Chris or Colt, either one.”
    They finished eating and both mounted up and headed toward the quartermaster depot. Dutch greeted them and gave Strongheart two oilskin bags full of food and goods to put in his saddlebags or roll up in his bedroll.
    He said, “I put some rounds in there for your .45, too.”
    Strongheart pulled out some money and asked what he owed.
    Dutch put his hand up, saying, “This one is a gift.”
    Joshua said, “Dutch, thank you, but I am on an expense account. The Pinkerton Agency can afford the bill.”
    â€œAye, they can,” Dutch laughed, adding, “but I’m old, and I can afford it, too. I don’t give many gifts. Speaking of that, you’ll find one there for Quanah Parker.”
    â€œThank you very much, Dutch,” Strongheart said as they shook hands.
    â€œColt, you’ll be keepin’ an eye on this young lad here,” Dutch said.
    Chris Colt said, “Who’s gonna keep an eye on me?”
    The two men set off from Fort Union headed east. It was going to be a long ride to the Texas Panhandle, and they would get plenty of chances to talk to and get to know each other.
    The men were very much alike but now were just beginning their friendship. In a couple more years, Chris Colt would end up as chief of scouts for George Armstrong Custer, but he would be fired by Custer prior to the Battle of the Little Big Horn. He would also develop a friendship with Crazy Horse because of early introductions by Joshua Strongheart.
    It was the third morning after they left Fort Union when they got the opportunity to cement their