And with that Ringo disappeared…

Previously:

At first the three wolves just sat there, looking around, sniffing the air—the scents similar yet different, a faint hint of wood-smoke, perhaps.

They padded about the immediate area, tentative as a puppy first exploring an unfamiliar place, and no one spoke.

After an hour or so, Snowstorm began to realize what may have happened, “Stay here and don’t speak,” she ordered and trotted off into the forest.

Twenty minutes later she returned with a wicked wolven smile, “Perfect!”

Season VI, Chapter 1, Episode 6 Dog Adventure 9:

“Why do you say this O’ my queen?”

“We may now find Ringo and eliminate him here and when we return to our time—he will never have existed!”

“And how do we return?”

“I have the ability to return us now, I gained the power when I fought with Cujo.”

“It was right after that we came here…”

“Because I willed it so!”

Renegade was still a bit disoriented and coming to grasp with his new reality, “Cujo told me this will be my home and I will never return to the old place.”

“It is true. You will live out your days here. You have been given what others merely wish for and seldom receive, a chance make amends for your mistakes.”

“What must I do?”

“You must learn. From Daisy, you will learn how to lead others, from PepperCooper, resourcefulness, from Buttons, courage, from Benjamin, loyalty, and from Alice, you will learn perception—she will know our ancestor.”

“And from you, brother?”

“That you shall be a provisional pack member of Daisy’s pack and no more until such time as all pack members agree you are worthy of this pack.”

And with that Ringo disappeared…never to return to 1873.

To be Continued…

NOTE: The “Dog Adventures” will NOW be published on Saturday and Sunday every week until completed.

You are in great danger

Previously:

As the riders reigned-in, Binkley called out, “You fellas named Cairns and Sledge?”

“We are, who’s askin’?” Cairns asked, smiling. Binkley noted with no small appreciation, that both Cairns and Sledge had also unlooped their sidearms.

“I’m Binkley and this here is Abel. Adelaide Simpson sent us out to meet you.”

Cooper leaned against the porch-post trying to regain her composure, Windy neighed quietly, “We have company Human-Sarah, prepare yourself.”

They were three, and by their dress, they were Ojibwe braves…

Season VII, Chapter 1, Episode 4:

Sarah whirled to face the Ojibwe braves bringing her Sharps Carbine to bear—the Indians remained passive and made no defensive moves, “I am Mingan-Silverthorn, in your tongue, Gray Wolf Silverthorn, chief of the Eagle Point Ojibwe. With me are Walks as Bear and Talks while Walking. You are Cooper, a friend of my son, Little Wolf-James Silverthorn?”

Cooper, considering what she had just witnessed inside the cabin, did not lower her weapon, “I know James Silverthorn, what do you know about what I’ve just found inside?”

“The Eagle Point Ojibwe have never made war on the white people—only the Dakotah—and they are gone from our forests. We have not been inside the cabin of Osirus Black and his fishermen, they are friends of long years.”

“They were your friends? I’m sorry, but they are dead and their scalps removed.”

“Let us view our friends.”

Sarah stepped aside and allowed the three inside. From inside she heard a cry of anguish of first one, then quickly joined by two more voices.

Moments later, Grey-Wolf Silverthorn came back outside, “We did not do this thing. There are boot-prints in the dust.”

“Mine?”

“No Cooper, much too large to be your footprints. There were at least five others in the cabin.”

It was then that Matthew Farkleberry walked up, wondering what was keeping Cooper so long at the cabin, “Hello Grey-Wolf, my friend. Why are you holding up the deputy?”

“You are in great danger, friend Farkleberry, I have more warriors here, they will spread the news of this atrocity. Be on your way.”

To be Continued…

“You fellas named Cairns and Sledge?”

Previously:

“Mr. Sam Sledge and Mr. Jack Cairns. They come highly recommended.”

“Very well, Missus Simpson, we’ll find ‘em, then what?” Wilson asked as he spit out a bit of chew.

They nodded as she told them, smiles flickering about their mouths.

Deputy Town Marshal Cooper entered the building and found…

Thus ends Chapter 8. We’ll leave a little hint of what Cooper found.

Season 7, Chapter 1, Episode 1:

Cooper paused in the doorway of the dimly lit cabin to allow her eyes to adjust and as they did she was horrified, there were what appeared to be human forms lying scattered everywhere. She lit the closest oil lamp and checked several of the forms—and all were dead. And mutilated—their scalps were missing. Sick at her stomach, she made for the door.

Binkley and Wilson were about two hours out of Moosehead City when they saw two riders approaching in the distance; they waved in greeting.

The riders, Sledge and Cairns, having learned a little “North Country Manners” from deputy marshals Boomer and Larry, waved in return and spurred their horses to a trot.

“Loosen yer six-gun, Abel, jus’ in case…” Binkley casually unlooped his .44 as he waved again at the riders. Wilson did the same, their waves distracting the riders from seeing them prepare.

As the riders reigned-in, Binkley called out, “You fellas named Cairns and Sledge?”

“We are, who’s askin’?” Cairns asked, smiling. Binkley noted with no small appreciation, that both Cairns and Sledge had also unlooped their sidearms.

“I’m Binkley and this here is Abel. Adelaide Simpson sent us out to meet you.”

Cooper leaned against the porch-post trying to regain her composure, Windy neighed quietly, “We have company Human-Sarah, prepare yourself.”

They were three, and by their dress, they were Ojibwe braves…

To be Continued…

“Perfect!”

Previously:

“Perhaps. I have a new challenge for you, one you may refuse without my thinking less of you. I wish you to teach Renegade how to be a true wolf.”

“Me?”

“Decide now, Renegade will be here in seconds.”

Daisy was full of doubt, but quickly bayed, “I will do this, but…”

She was interupted by the sudden appearance of

“Welcome to your new home, Renegade, and your new pack-leader.” Ringo’s tail wagged as he welcomed his brother to his new future.

Season VI, Chapter 8, Episode 51 Dog Adventure 8:

[Note: We will continue Renegade's introduction to his new 19^th Century home in the next “Dog Adventure” episode next Tuesday. We must deal now with Snowstorm and a couple of her wolven minions...]

Snowstorm and two of her soldier-wolves began to fade and felt an unaccustomed rush of fear begin to overwhelm them. They were suddenly nowhere and everywhere at once, their senses overwhelmed and confused.

After what seemed like hours, perhaps even days, they felt themselves begin to settle back where they had begun, yet subtly different. It took some minutes to realize the limited colors wolves perceive had changed into something, that if asked, none could quite describe.

Of course, Gentle Reader, you and I know that they have entered the sepia world of the 19^th Century when Technicolor® had not yet been invented.

At first the three wolves just sat there, looking around, sniffing the air—the scents similar yet different, a faint hint of wood-smoke, perhaps.

They padded about the immediate area, tentative as a puppy first exploring an unfamiliar place, and no one spoke.

After an hour or so, Snowstorm began to realize what may have happened, “Stay here and don’t speak,” she ordered and trotted off into the forest.

Twenty minutes later she returned with a wicked wolven smile, “Perfect!”

To be Continued…

NOTE: The “Dog Adventures” will NOW be published on Tuesday and Wednesday SATURDAY & SUNDAY every week until completed.

Daisy’s challenge

Previously:

She clamped down as hard as she could, expecting to rip open Cujo’s throat—and found only air—the canine was gone!

Stunned, she sat down and looked around. It took her a few minutes to digest what she was seeing…

“Hello Renegade, I am called Cujo.”

“Am I dead?”

“No, just displaced. I’m sending you away, to learn of your true heritage. It will be your new home—for the rest of your life.”

Season VI, Chapter 8, Episode 50 Dog Adventure 7:

“Where are you sending me?”

“I’m sending you to the past, where you will learn to be a true ‘WolvenKing’ from an old…er…acquaintence of yours, Akecheta-Apenimon.”

“Daisy?” Renegade was dumbfounded, he had tried to kill Daisy on more than one occasion, “She has agreed to do this?”

“Not yet, but she is learning of this as we speak from Sakima-Chaska-Heammawihio. She will agree to this task.”

“Ringo is there…and in great danger!”

“I know this, and now you must prepare to join him…”

Ringo and Daisy went off by themselves to a bluff overlooking Lake Superior. Daisy was still under the impression she was in trouble with Ringo.

“You were very brave, Akecheta-Apenimon, and your courage standing, unarmed, beside the loggers and fishermen gave them the resolve to stand and fight. You turned those humans into warriors.”

“They would have stood, Sakima-Chaska-Heammawihio. I’ve come to know these woodsmen & fishermen—they have spines of steel.”

“Perhaps they would have. I have a new challenge for you, one you may refuse without my thinking less of you. I wish you to teach Renegade how to be a true wolf.”

“Me?”

“Decide now, Renegade will be here in seconds.”

Daisy was full of doubt, but quickly bayed, “I will do this, but…”

She was interupted by the sudden appearance of

“Welcome to your new home, Renegade, and your new pack-leader.” Ringo’s tail wagged as he welcomed his brother to his new future.

To be Continued…

NOTE: The “Dog Adventures” will be published on Tuesday & Wednesday every week until completed.

“This journey is becoming pleasant…”

Previously:

Larry found himself only a little surprised, he was more concerned with, “While you all are settling the speech issue, I’d like to know if these riders are friendly or not.”

“Uncertain,” Sally brayed, “Anyone else?”

“Uncertain,” Rachel and Pal agreed in unison.

“Okay, let’s act like we don’t notice them, at least until the are in easy range—fifty-yards will do.”

“I’ll bray at fifty-yards, Human Deputy Boomer.”

She brayed moments later and the humans made ready, “Give a little buck, Pal, if you sense danger. Otherwise we’ll turn to face them when we actually hear their hoof beats.”

Moments later they heard the hoof-beats and turned…

Season VI, Chapter 8, Episode 49:

All three had their hands on their sidearms but their surprise turn around so surprised the riders they were caught completely off guard, “You fellas ought to announce yourselves when you ride up slowly from behind, especially now with highwaymen about.”

“Sorry…um…marshal, you’re right, we wasn’t thinkin’. You say there’s highwaymen about?”

Boomer didn’t buy into this at all, “You fellas are strangers hereabouts, what’s your business here?”

“Our business is our business,” the second man replied, stupidly.

“Don’t make me have to repeat the question.”

The second man had never in his life been considered smart—his hand went for his sidearm. Boomer didn’t move, he didn’t have to, Larry and Bart had their guns out in less than an eye-blink,

“You ready to answer the question?”

“We have a job offer in a place called Moosehead City,” the first rider desperately wanted to smack his dumbassed partner, “My friend here is a wick short of a candle.”

“Who with?”

“A Mrs. Simpson.”

Boomer had been wondering when Ma Simpson would finally make her move, “Ah, we know Mrs. Simpson. You fellas ought to watch your wallets you hire on with her.”

“We will,” the first rider laughed, “Okay if we move along now, Marshal?”

“Good luck.”

“This journey is becoming pleasant,” Sarah Cooper thought to herself as they traveled the road to Grand Marais The big lake was stunningly beautiful in the morning light.

It remained a nice ride until she noticed a schooner still moored on the lake, “This is odd, they should already be out on the lake.”

To be Continued…

I got two men comin’ from Missouri

Previously:

Boomer had been wondering when Ma Simpson would finally make her move, “Ah, we know Mrs. Simpson. You fellas ought to watch your wallets you hire on with her.”

“We will,” the first rider laughed, “Okay if we move along now, Marshal?”

“Good luck.”

“This journey is becoming pleasant,” Sarah Cooper thought to herself as they traveled the road to Grand Marais The big lake was stunningly beautiful in the morning light.

It remained a nice ride until she noticed a schooner still moored on the lake, “This is odd, they should already be out on the lake.”

Season VI, Chapter 8, Episode 50:

As she rode closer, she could see the camp—there was no activity. At the very least there should have been someone moving about.

She rode up to the main building and knocked.

And knocked.

And knocked again. There was no response. None.

In Moosehead City, Ma Simpson was angry, not just a little angry, but as angry as she’d ever been with her son, Adelbert Samuel Simpson, Jr.

It seems Ade refused to follow in his father’s footsteps and had recently opened a bank in Williams’Station. An HONEST bank!

“I got two men comin’ from Missouri, loyal men. I want you two to head on down towards Grand Marais and meet up with them.”

“You got names fer these fellers?” Sam Binkley still had some reservations of he and his partner, Abel Wilson, signing on to work for this woman—still, it was work—work they’d done for Adelbert, senior.

“Mr. Sam Sledge and Mr. Jack Cairns. They come highly recommended.”

“Very well, Missus Simpson, we’ll find ‘em, then what?” Wilson asked as he spit out a bit of chew.

They nodded as she told them, smiles flickering about their mouths.

At about the same time Deputy Town Marshal Cooper entered the building and found…

Thus ends Chapter 8. We’ll leave a little hint of what Cooper found.

To be Continued…

Strangers on the trail

Previously:

The coach pulled up in front of Silverthorn’s and the supplies were quickly loaded into the rear boot. Cy and Matt were occupying the driver and shotgun positions atop the coach and Sarah aboard Windy positioned in front, she would scout a head of the coach. As soon as Doc & Phil McLean boarded, the stagecoach adventure began…

Season VI, Chapter 8, Episode 48:

About the same time as the stage left Danger Bay, Larry, Bartholomew Nathaniel and Boomer left for Williams’ Station. They were riding at a leisurely pace for now, and each would occasionally look behind as all felt they hadn’t heard the last from Deputy Kidd.

The morning seemed to pass as slowly as they were riding and by eleven o’clock, “I don’t think Kidd is following.”

“I don’t either, Larry,” Boomer too, was anxious to put more miles behind them at a quicker rate, temporary as it was, Williams’ Station was home, “Let’s pick up the pace.”

They set a faster pace, which seemed to please the horses and mule. The horses were a bit upset that the mule seemed not sentient, and they were unsure how this strange human, Nathaniel, would respond if they spoke—so they remained uncomfortably silent.

“Riders approaching from behind us,” the mule announced—to everyone’s surprise—but for different reasons.

“Dammit, Sally, you were told not to speak!”

“Oh, it’s all right Human-Bart,” Pal whinnied, “Everyone here can speak, apparently.”

“Well, I’ll be hornswaggled, HORSES can speak? I thought only a mule could speak!”

Larry found himself only a little surprised, he was more concerned with, “While you all are settling the speech issue, I’d like to know if these riders are friendly or not.”

“Uncertain,” Sally brayed, “Anyone else?”

“Uncertain,” Rachel and Pal agreed in unison.

“Okay, let’s act like we don’t notice them, at least until the are in easy range—fifty-yards will do.”

“I’ll bray at fifty-yards, Human Deputy Boomer.”

She brayed moments later and the humans made ready, “Give a little buck, Pal, if you sense danger. Othewise we’ll turn to face them when we actually hear their hoof beats.”

Moments later they heard the hoof-beats and turned…

To be Continued…

This CANNOT be

Previously:

Suddenly the battle was over and Renegade lay dead at the feet of Snowstorm. Hector involutarily let out a long death-howl for his uncle—several of Snowstorm’s wolves hear him and began to run towards the three.

Cujo, part beagle, began to bay as she ordered LeChat & Hector to flee. LeChat knew better than to argue and she and Hector made their escape…

The fearless Cujo prepared for battle, “AR-ROOO!!! AR-ROOO!!! AR-ROOO!!!”

A battle she could not win…

Season VI, Chapter 8, Episode 47 Dog Adventure 6:

A few minutes before the battle we are about to detail, Cujo was at her “other” reality, the Keeper of the Gate to the Great Beyond, as Renegade arrived after being defeated by Snowstorm—causing him a fair amount of confusion—but we’ll have to come back to that…

Cujo quickly defeated two of Snowstorm’s followers causing the other two wolves threatening Cujo to stop in their tracks, intimidated by the speed that this rather small canine killed their compatriots. Snowstorm too, hesitated a moment, digesting what she’d just observed.

“This CANNOT be,” she thought as she launched herself at the snarling and baying Cujo. She missed—completely and felt a sharp pain in her hindquarters—which, though not a serious wound, served to fuel her anger.

She redoubled her attack, but again missed Cujo, who dodged to the right. Three times more she lunged and three times more Cujo dodged to the right.

She’d found the hated canine’s weakness! She began to lunge and sure enough, Cujo started her maneuver to the right—and Snowstorm, prepared this time, pivoted towards the dog, and snapped her mighty jaws around Cujo’s neck.

She clamped down as hard as she could, expecting to rip open Cujo’s throat—and found only air—the canine was gone!

Stunned, she sat down and looked around. It took her a few minutes to digest what she was seeing…

Cujo was at her “other” reality, as we said at the beginning...

“Hello Renegade, I am called Cujo.”

“Am I dead?”

“No, just displaced. I’m sending you away, to learn of your true heritage. It will be your new home—for the rest of your life.”

To be Continued…

NOTE: The “Dog Adventures” will be published on Tuesday & Wednesday every week until completed.

A battle she could not win…

Previously:

“I’ve ‘felt’ the threat deep inside me for months and that feeling grows ever stronger. Think about times when you just knew something was about to happen.”

They all had, to some degree, that feeling and each told of it in turn. But most often they realized the feeling too late to be proactive and act on it.

“This is your first and most important lesson: How you must open your mind to such feelings and to understand their meaning.”

Ringo had no sooner finished speaking when all experienced such a feeling, a premonition, if you will, of something…

Season VI, Chapter 8, Episode 46 Dog Adventure 5:

The premonition experienced by Ringo may have been initiated from the 21^st Century—and the epic battle between Snowstorm and Ringo’s brother, Renegade.

The battle went on for hours with neither wolf gaining a significant advantage over the other—back and forth—slashing and dodging with neither seeming to tire.

His name was LoneWolf and he was the elder son of WolvenKing Sakima-Chaska-Heammawihio [Ringo], and aptly-named; He made it clear when barely older than a mere cub that he was not interested in suceeding his father to the throne.

And so the next in line for the throne, Buegonguig (Hole-in-the-Sky) in the common tongue, Hector, was completing his training at the paws of Kuckunniwi-Ogimaa [Cujo-Little Wolf-Leader] and Sauvage LeChat.

Curious at hearing the noise of Snowstorm & Renegade’s battle, Hector, Cujo & Sauvage quietly moved towards the sound and saw… “It’s my uncle, Renegade, and one who I don’t know.”

“That is Snowstorm, my young Hector, watch and learn; but be silent,” LeChat thought this would be instructional for her young student. This would prove to be a very rare mistake.

Suddenly the battle was over and Renegade lay dead at the feet of Snowstorm. Hector involutarily let out a long death-howl for his uncle—several of Snowstorm’s wolves hear him and began to run towards the three.

Cujo, part beagle, began to bay as she ordered LeChat & Hector to flee. LeChat knew better than to argue and she and Hector made their escape…

The fearless Cujo prepared for battle, “AR-ROOO!!! AR-ROOO!!! AR-ROOO!!!”

A battle she could not win…

To be Continued…

NOTE: The “Dog Adventures” will be published on Tuesday & Wednesday every week until completed.