The Stage Station is being watched from cover by hate filled eyes. The Great Lame Beaver hasn't got to be the Cheyenne's most famous Warchief, without learning a thing or two. The wave of easy pickings, his War Party, have enjoyed so far haven't made him overconfident. He knows the White Eyes retribution will be swift, and his people will suffer. He's worked out it's time for a few bargaining chips, in the way of captives. This raid's no killing raid, it's aim is to rush Sudro's Wells and take old man Sudro, and his wife and daughter hostage. He knows when his camp is discovered by the Long Knives, white captives will make them less likely to mount an all out attack.
A Whippoorwills calls, another answers, the signal to attack has been given.
Chicken Hawk Squawking is a hot-blooded senior Dog Soldier. His group decide a bit of burning and raping's the order of the day!
What the raiders don't know is, a Cavalry Patrol spent last night in the Station's bunkhouse. Leading it is non other than C Troop's Top Sergeant Quincannon. He shouldn't really be leading a mere Patrol, but rank has it's privileges. Quincannon's been carry on with Mrs. Sudro for a long time, that's why he's here this fine morning!
The Sergeant is strolling to breakfast as he hears a Whippoorwill, his Carbine's in his shoulder in a blink.
The rest of the Patrol make do with hardtack and jerky.
Yipping Braves racing toward the Station cancel vittles!
The fight's soon on.
Bugler Snook does excellent work with his Carbine.
But, there's too many Indians!
Troopers Clowne and Chaplin are put to the Tomahawk!
A screeching bronzed, and war painted Savage leaps up to the bunkhouse roof and fells Bugler Snook.
Snook rolls to his feet and smashes the Brave's skull with the heavy Cavalry Bugle.
Leaping down the ladder Snook then attacks another Brave. It's a bad idea, a gore spattered Tomahawk, fells the gallant Bugler.
The patrol's stand buys enough time for Sergeant Quincannon to enter the Station's main building. He barricades the door and windows, forted up the Sergeant and Sudro climb through the trapdoor onto the roof.
The Warchief orders his Warriors to torch the door! Giving the Sergeant an easy mark. His first shot wounds The Great Lame Beaver! His second kills a Brave with a well placed headshot...
Old man Sudro's fighting for his family, he spots Chickenhawk Squawking racing toward the burning door. Both barrels of the old man's roar. Squawking's squawked his last squawk!
With their two greatest warriors in the dust the Braves falter, the Sergeant has powerful Medicine! The Great Lame Beaver climbs to his feet, roaring hatred and defiance, the inspired Warriors launch a volley of arrows at the roof. The effect is devastating!
Quincannon's wounded, old man Sudro takes three shafts in the chest, and summersaults lifeless from the roof. The door burns down and the Redmen are in.
The two hapless women are dragged from the smoke filled building.
Martha Sudro screams at the sight of here late and unlamented husband.
The Great Lame Beaver young Becky Sudro for himself.
Whooping in victory the War Party and captives makes it's escape...
Hours later Top Sergeant Quincannon regains his senses. He staggers down from the roof and sits, exhausted on a crate. The thunder of hooves brings him to his feet, pistol drawn. He quickly holsters it as C Troop, Captain Brittles at it's head enter the wrecked and smoking Stagecoach Station.
Snapping to attention Sergeant Quincannon rattles of his report...
The grim news of the morning's event's does nothing to improve his Captain's sour mood. As the Troop dismounts and forms a burial detail. Corporal Maloney, one of Quincannon's drinking crony's, sidles up.
"Tough morning Sergeant, so I brung yer medicine."
"Shaun, it's a darling that you are, so it is!" 
04 November 2008, 10:53:54 PM
