Free Mountain Woman Snake River Blizzard by Johnny Fowler

to a chair.
    “Take her bedding and clothes to the wagon,” Bob said.  “We have room, take everything she has.   Be sure to get her coat and all the blankets and quilts.  I t’ll be cold in Canada. ”
    He turned to her. “Stand still and you won’t be hurt.”  He quickly bound Cliff ’s hands, helped Al load her things, and then pushed her out the door.  He and Al lifted her into the back of the wagon and he tied her to the side so she couldn’t escape.
    “What about the buggy and horse?” Al asked.  “Somebody may see it.”
    “So what,” Bob said.  “By the time somebody comes by, we’ll be a long way from Coeur d’Alene headed south.  I hope that comment causes the law to look to the north and they ’ll notify the Canadian Mounted Police to look for us.”
    It was well after dark when Bob found a place for the night.  A moon helped them stay on the road and they made good time until the light began to fade as the moon neared the western horizon.  Bob climbed inside the wagon , untied Lucille’s hands , and took the gag from her mouth.
    “There’s nobody within mile s of us,” he said.   “So there’ s no need to scream and call for help.  Do what you’re told and I won’t hurt you.  If you don’t, I’ll go back a nd put a bullet in your two son s ’ head s.  And, just for fun, I’ll blow your man friend ’ s private parts away as well as a couple of rounds through his knees and elbows.”
    Lucille’s face was pale in fright.  Sh e knew Bob ’s mean nature .  She had endured his abuse before.  He pulled her to the rear of the wagon and she stepped down to the ground.  Al came to the rear of the wagon and Bob said, “Get the sack with our food.  I’m hungry.  It’s so late, we can make do with some jerky and corn and Lucille can make a big breakfast when it’s daylight. ”
    He pulled his bedding from the wagon and placed it under a tree.  Al was watching him.  Bob pointed to another tree.  “She’s mine tonight.”
    Lucille cringed at his words, but said nothing.  While she was getting them supper, she looked around.  She had no idea which way she would run if she tried to flee.  For now, her only option was to endure until she had a better plan of escape.
    When they finished eating, Bob stood and began to undress.  He looked at Lucille.  “You know what I want.  G et naked and in the bed. ”   Al licked his lips as he watched.
    ***
    Man led the way with a dozen police officers behind him , including Captain Dunlap and Chief Kincaid.  He pointed out the location of the camp, Dunlap took four police officers to the right, and Kincaid took four with him to the left. The two remaining police officers waited for Man to give the order.
    When he was sure the other s had enough time to be in position, he and Kate walked toward the campsit e with both Walker Colts drawn.
    When he rounded a bo u lder where he could see, he swore to himself.  “They’re not here,” he shouted.  Policemen came forward from all directions and met where Man stood.  “Here’s where their wagon was parked,” he said.
    He began to circle the area and quickly picked up the tracks.  “Bring my horse,” he said.  “Mount up and I’ll try to track them.”
    It wasn’t long before the wagon tracks merged with others on the road.  He pul led up and waited for the policemen to circle around him.  “They must have spotted us tailing them from our home , or somehow they suspected what we were doing.  Regardless, they’ re gone now.   Chief Kincaid, they’ re on the run now.  Please notify everybody to be on the lookout for a covered wagon with two men.”
    “I’ll get that out on the wire as soon as we get back,” Kincaid said.  “I was hoping to end it here,” he added.
    “Thanks for your help,” Kate said.  “We appreciate it.”
    “I’m still way behind in offering assistance,” Chief Kincaid said.  “You did the right thing in asking us to back