So many tall tales have sprung up about the legendary figures of the Old West that it's hard to separate truth from fiction.
That's especially true for larger-than-life frontier scout Buffalo Rhome. His real-life adventures would fill volumes without any embellishment.
One tale was definitely false--that Buff had a secret cache of ill-gotten gains from the days he rode the outlaw trail. Whatever Buffalo owned, he had acquired honestly and he had never been an outlaw.
He was secretly contemptuous of his present employer, Buckeye Bill--the proprietor of Buckeye Bill's Wild West Show, who had a particularly inflated reputation.
"If I was huntin' buckeyes he's the person I'd want with me," Buffalo grumbled when that esteemed gentleman was not around to hear.
The money was good, though, and he really did need it to keep their ranch going. He had offered to take his girls. Swift Antelope and Running Deer did like to play but they were leery of big cities due to their Native American blood. They decided to stay behind and take care of the home spread.
That didn't stop some people from believing that rural legend. One of these was Tom Lynn Tumbleweeds (we'll call him T.L.).
That's why T.L. was currently abusing the hospitality of the Rhome ranch (it was a rather tiny spread by western standards) by binding Running Deer to a sturdy dining room chair.
"Are you going to tell me where your daddy's hoard is or do I have to torture it out of you or your sister?" growled T.L.
"She'll tell you the same thing. That hidden treasure story is just an old wive's tale." said Running Deer.
"Next I suppose you're going to tell me that the story of your father fighting off an entire Crow band of 100 warriors with his Henry rifle and rescuing a captured Indian princess is a fable."
"No, that's true except for the part about our mother being a princess. Grandfather was a respected medicine man. That's how Dad became a hero to our tribe. The Crow are our mortal enemies."
Just as T.L. was trying to decide how to torture the "truth" out of her sister, Swift Antelope rode up to the ranch on her handsome and exceptionally smart palomino, Mr. Ted (he was named after one of the girls' favorite teachers). T.L. heard the hoofbeats, inserted a knotted scarf between Running Deer's lips and cinched it tightly behind her neck.
Running Deer was fastened so securely to the chair that she could only move her head--and it had the sharp point of an Arkansas Toothpick nudging her throat.
That was the sight which greeted Swift Antelope when she entered the dining room.
"Put all the hardware right here," T.L. ordered.
Swift Antelope had no choice but to comply with the blade at her helpless sibling's throat. She placed her sheath knife, varmint pistol (which she carried more for the four-legged rather than the two-legged kind) and her Winchester on the dining room table.
"Now take off your boots and empty them."
Swift Antelope shook her boots out over the table; out came a folding Barlow knife.
"Maybe I should make both you girls undress," said T.L., licking his chops at the prospect.
T.L. pulled back the chair with his left hand while continuing to hold the knifepoint at Running Deer's throat with his right.
"Take those moccasins off her and put 'em on the table," he ordered.
Swift Antelope didn't like the idea of putting used footwear on her late mother's clean table but she had no choice. There was nothing hidden in the moccasins but T.L. neglected to check Running Deer's boots.
Before T.L. could start to bind Swift Antelope, hoofbeats again sounded in the front of the ranch house.
Chapter 2
Calliope Jane (the original, great-grandmother of the 20th Century Calliope Jane) wished she could have returned home under happier circumstances. Her mother had insisted she get out of the house.
"Go visit the Rhome ranch," she ordered. "The girls will be tickled to see you."
It did feel good to back in Bullseye's saddle and that noble steed was happy to be back on the trail, carrying his long-absent mistress.
"See who it is and don't try anything funny," said T.L., piercing Running Deer slightly with the knife.
"It's Calliope Jane," said Swift Antelope.
"You've got to be kidding," said T.L. "I thought she was touring with your dad."
"Her grandmother is sick so she came home to help her mom."
"Open the door, then come back here and stand by your sister."
Swift Antelope did so. Just to be on the safe side T.L. took her sweaty bandanna and stuffed it in her mouth.
Calliope Jane knocked on the door, pushed it open tentatively and saw the same basic thing Swift Antelope had except that now both siblings were gagged and Swift Antelope had a revolver pointed at her throat.
"What are you doing?" Calliope Jane exclaimed.
"I'm asking the questions here," growled T.L. "You see the way this-un's bandanna is knotted. Do that with yours and put it in your mouth. Just fasten it behind your head, I'll tighten it."
"Yuck."
"Don't try my patience," said T.L. I don't need you; I don't care if you are a celebrity."
Calliope did as she was told.
"Now take your boots off and shake them out on the table."
Calliope again complied. Nothing fell out; she owned a Barlow knife but she didn't keep it in her boots.
"Now take some of that rope, sit down at that chair next to you, and tie your legs at the ankle and knees. Do a good job."
T.L. removed the pistol from underneath Swift Antelope's chin. He indicated the pile of rope and a chair.
T.L. enjoyed the sight of the two girls lifting their skirts and binding their legs. T.L. tapped Running Deer's gag with his knife and pointed it at Swift Antelope. She knotted and fastened her bandanna the same way Calliope Jane had.
T.L. sheathed his Arkansas Toothpick and completed the job of binding the two girls and tightly cinching their gags.
"Chances are no one will hear you when you scream but you never know who might ride by."
Chapter 3
T.L. left the girls alone and began to go over every inch of the ranch house. He tested every stone to see if there was a loose one. All he found was the grocery and emergency money which he pocketed.
"Western hospitality being what it is, maybe I should torture the guest," said T.L. That would really be damaging to the Rhome family reputation."
Running Deer started mmmphing emphatically. T.L. pulled out her gag.
"Okay, I'll take you to it. It isn't worth anyone getting hurt. I'm sure Dad would agree. Just don't hurt the others."
"All right, but I'm going to keep a leash on you. If you try to ride off I'll jerk you out of the saddle, come back here, and cut all three of you into little pieces slowly."
T.L. gathered up the hardware on the table and took it into the back bedroom where the two bound girls would never be able to get at it. They wouldn't need it anyway since he had no intention of letting them live. He could have sold it but he wouldn't need that extra money when he got his hands on Buffalo Rhome's hidden stash.
T.L. re-gagged Running Deer and went out to saddle her pinto, Tracker. He also grabbed a burlap feed sack from the barn and threw it over the chimney of the ranch house.
He went back in to the house and undid the ropes holding Running Deer to the chair. The outlaw shouldered the still bound-and-gagged young lady, replaced her moccasins on her feet, carried her to her horse, untied her legs, and placed her in the saddle. She indicated her wrists.
"I'll untie them when we're ready to leave. I forgot something from the house."
He went back to the dining room, built a cozy fire, and set the two girls' chairs in front of it.
"Might get chilly," he said.
"Since when did he start getting considerate," thought Swift Antelope.
T.L. returned to the barn and mummified Running Deer's upper body with rope. He also attached a rope to her harness which would allow him to pull her back if she tried to ride off. A fall off a moving horse could kill or paralyze a person. He left her hands free so she could guide her horse.
"If we see anybody coming we'll hide. Lead the way."
Swift Antelope and Calliope Jane sat puzzled by T.L.'s sudden act of thoughtfulness. Then they smelled the smoke backing up in to the dining room. He meant for them to die of smoke asphyxiation.
Chapter 4
Calliope Jane started to struggle wildly; Swift Antelope merely tipped her chair back and grabbed her sister's boots which had been left to dry by the fireplace. She shook each one and dropped the one that didn't rattle. Calliope Jane's look changed from one of distress to puzzlement to joy (if you can look joyful with a gag in your mouth).
Swift Antelope carefully inserted her bound hands in the boot and emerged with a Barlow knife.
Westerners believe in keeping their cutting tools sharp. They believed in keeping all their tools (and weapons were tools) in good working order. Their lives and livelihoods depended on it. The Barlow made quick work of the girls' bonds and they rushed outside, leaving the door open.
Swift Antelope grabbed a ladder and removed the obstruction from the chimney. Placing their already-wet bandannas over their faces the girls opened all the windows and doors in the house.
Swift Antelope gathered up the hardware on her bed and spare ammunition. Calliope Jane hadn't time to unsaddle Bullseye before being captured by the outlaw so he was ready to go with her Winchester in its scabbard.
Mr. Ted wasn't too happy about having to leave his comfortable stall after he had settled in for the night but he could sense his mistress was upset.
Chapter 5
The outlaw didn't bother trying to hide his trail since he didn't expect the girls he left behind to be in any shape to follow it.
Swift Antelope was the daughter of one of the West's most famous scouts and her mother's family had also worked as trackers for the U.S. Cavalry.
Calliope Jane had become at home in the company of aristocrats and royalty but she was still a Westerner.
T.L. was no tenderfoot himself. He had not survived on the outlaw trail so long by not being cautious and he kept an eye on his back trail although he didn't expect to see Swift Antelope and Calliope Jane there (he didn't; they weren't tenderfeet either).
It was getting dark and he didn't think the bodies of the two girls would be found this quickly so he felt they had better set up camp for the night.
"This way," he said, indicating a promontory. It would make a great place for an ambush if he was being followed.
The two girls had anticipated that. They knew about the possible ambush spot up ahead.
T.L. had made Running Deer comfortable for the night. His idea of making her comfortable was hog-tying her. He was keeping watch and his Winchester was at the ready when Calliope Jane rode into view.
Ironic, he thought; here he was drawing a bead on one of the West's best and loveliest sharpshooters. Before she got within rifle range of the promontory she knew was ahead, Calliope Jane cut off the main trail and got out of sight.
Just as it occurred to him that Swift Antelope was not in the picture a shot rang out. The daughter of a once-proud tribe and the great Buffalo Rhome proved that she was no slouch in the marksmanship department. The rifle went flying from the badman's arms and clattered to the ground far below. He was out of pistol range but he drew it anyway and it was also shot from his fist.
Not to be left out, Calliope Jane crept within rifle range, shot the pistol several times while it was in the air, and blew the villain's hat off his head for good measure. It was uphill shooting, but after all she was Calliope Jane.
When Swift Antelope got within range she threw her knife and buried it in the ground next to her sister's bound wrists. Running Deer sawed her wrists free, caught the Winchester lever-action shotgun her sibling threw her and snatched the bandolier of shotgun shells out of the air (not a good idea to throw a loaded firearm). She thumbed shells into the shotgun, levered one into the chamber and pointed the business end at the now-chastened miscreant.
"How did you get here so quickly?" Running Deer asked.
"I smelled your stinky boots by the fireplace," teased Swift Antelope. "Here they are, by the way."
"Thanks. She rattled them to make sure the Barlow was still there although she was sure it would be. That's why I didn't make a big deal of it when he gave me the moccasins instead of the boots to wear."
"It's a good thing he did overlook your boots," said Swift Antelope. "He meant to asphyxiate us by lighting a fire and stopping up the chimney."
"Really," said Running Deer, her trembling hands brandishing the shotgun at the outlaw.
"I kkkknew they'd get loose," he stammered (Note: A 12-gauge shotgun in the hands of an angry young woman does have a tendency to make the person it's pointed at nervous). "I just gave 'em some added motivation."
Chapter 6
"I hate to interrupt this happy reunion but we've got more company riding up the trail," said Calliope Jane.
"Not another masked owlhoot?" Running Deer exclaimed.
It was a masked female dressed in blue on a white horse with a brace of pearl-handled Remingtons and a fancy, tooled Winchester in an equally fancy scabbard on the saddle.
"Wait a minute, that can only be one person," said Swift Antelope. "Although I don't see her so-called faithful Indian companion."
"THE LONELY STRANGER!" they shouted in unison.
"It just gets better and better," moaned T.L. "Next you're going to tell me that we were on a wild goose chase and there was no hidden cache of loot."
"We told you that from the get-go, you idiot," said Running Deer.
"Did somebody call me?" shouted the Lonely Stranger. "Is that Calliope Jane and the daughters of Buffalo Rhome?"
"You have us at a disadvantage," said Running Deer (as the oldest, she was the spokesperson for the siblings when she wasn't gagged) "Have we ever met?"
"I've watched Buckeye Bill's Wild West Show," said the Stranger. "I can dress up really pretty when I want to."
"I have no doubt," said Swift Antelope.
"What happened to your faithful Indian companion?" asked Calliope Jane (the term "Indian" applied to Native Americans was still not considered politically incorrect in the 1890s).
"She fell in love with a scout at the fort--I think he was from your tribe (actually he was a cousin). Either of you girls interested in the job. It looks as if you've done a capable job of corraling the owlhoot I was looking for."
"Actually I'm part Cherokee," said Calliope Jane, although she wasn't really interested in a FIC job.
"That must be why we hit it off so well," said Running Deer. "In answer to your question, Miss Stranger, there's plenty to keep us busy on the ranch. I can't stop my sister, though, if she wants a little more excitement."
"No, I'm not going to leave you with all the work, although it might be fun riding with the Lonely Stranger," said Swift Antelope. "Besides, as long as ignorant yahoos keep coming around looking for Dad's hidden stash, there's going to be plenty of excitement on the Rhome homestead.
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