“Hold on Deputy Larry,” Bart, with all his experience tracking down fugitives, knew that by the time they got on the road they’d stand little chance of catching them, “Not to tell you business, but them fellas got a huge lead on us, and unless you want to track them for days…”

“Good point. Whaddaya think, Jack?”

“I think we need to get to Williams’ Station.”

Season VII, Chapter 1, Episode 11:

As the deputies and Bart were speaking Doc Shouse had seen to Doctor & Mrs. McLean’s accommodations at the hotel when she met a woman accompanied by couple of boys as she stepped outside, “Hello, I don’t believe we’ve met, I’m Doctor Shouse, veterinarian and headmistress of the Danger Bay Orphanage.”

“Pleased to meet you, I’ve been following your adventures for some time now. What I don’t know is how I got here and why these boys have latched on to me,” Susan was still a little disoriented, “Have you seen Alice?”

Chris was dumbfounded, “Alice the Labrador?”

“Yes, I want so badly to see her.”

“She’s off on an adventure with the other dog-people and Ringo…”

“Oh, I know, but I was hoping…it’s been so long…”

“How did you get here?”

“Oh my…THAT is so strange…I don’t know where to begin.”

“At the beginning?”

“I had just finished sending out a bunch of Apple Cakes and had decided to walk my dogs on the beach when I found myself, dressed like this, in front of a log cabin with a cup of coffee in my hand.”

As she explains her experience to Doc Shouse, perhaps we should take a look at how Williams’ Station appears in the 21^st Century…

Eagle Point Police Lieutenant Hy Silverthorn and Sergeant Douglas Cloud were driving through Williams’ Station on their way to Moosehead City—taking the longer “scenic route” as they had the time before meeting with Sheriff Todd McCoy there when for the first time they noticed “Mrs. Miller’s SEVEN TABLES Bakery & Restaurant” and decided to stop for coffee.

To be Continued…

“Easy, Clem, you should never underestimate a job,” turned out to be his last words and Clem never had a chance to respond as all four Ma Simpson’s men ambushed them from both sides.

Eight of Spenser/Schwarzkopf’s raiders fell wounded or dead from their horses, four escaped.

“Leave no one alive,” Sam Binkley didn’t want any chance of their descriptions to get out. The four who escaped did not get a good look and too, it was pretty unlikely they would complain to any lawman.

Their work done, they were ready to ride on, “Where to, boss?”

“Williams’ Station, Cairns, we need to pay a visit to Missus Simpson’s son.”

Season VII, Chapter 1, Episode 10:

Marshal Blackmon, with her deputy, Sarah Cooper, riding as outrider and escort for the stagecoach (and her safe arrival at Grand Marais not yet confirmed), needed help in looking after Danger Bay and the nearby farms and homesteads studied the face of this young Ojibwe, “Have you ever thought of a career in law enforcement?”

Brave Hawk’s eyes sparkled exactly as she had seen his great-grand-nephew Hiram Silverthorn’s eyes sparkle when asked an anticipated question, “I could be persuaded.”

Blackmon’s expression remained unchanged in spite of her relief—she really NEEDED the help. She reached into her saddlebag and handed Brave Hawk a deputies badge [don't ask me WHY the marshal just happened to have a spare badge in her saddlebags, GENTLE READER—I have NO idea], “You are now Deputy Town Marshal Brave Hawk Silverthorn. Let’s go visit your brother, we’ll need more help.”

Boomer, Larry and Bart Nathaniel after several hours of hard riding were taking a break from horseback and hunger about a hundred feet of the road. They’d just finished eating and were enjoying a mug of coffee when they heard horses galloping. They turned to see several riders pass, “Let’s mount up, they gotta be up t’something!”

“Hold on Deputy Larry,” Bart, with all his experience tracking down fugitives, knew that by the time they got on the road they’d stand little chance of catching them, “Not to tell you your business, but them fellas got a huge lead on us, and unless you want to track them for days…”

“Good point. Whaddaya think, Jack?”

“I think we need to get to Williams’ Station.”

To be Continued…

This day was a happy one in Williams’ Station, Adelbert Simpson, Jr. had just opened the first bank in Moosehead County and the grand opening celebration was underway. Adlebert had separated from the illegal, or at least, questionable, practices of his mother and father and wanted to begin the redemption of the Simpson name—and he was well on his way.

True to his word, Grey-Wolf Silverthorn personally saw to the burial of the fishermen and he sent runners to all the villages of Moosehead County. On foot, the runners could make better time through the forest than riders on the roads.

Season VII, Chapter 1, Episode 9:

Marshal Blackmon had been away from the village on rounds and she had not received the telegraph message from Gand Marais about the attack on the fishing camp. As she returned to her office an Obibwe man trotted towards her, “I am Enapay Chatan Silverthorn, or in your language, Brave Hawk Silverthorn, son of Grey Wolf Silverthorn and brother of Little Wolf James Silverthorn. There has been a raid on the small fishing camp just north of Grand Marais; all are dead.”

“How many attackers?”

“We counted horse tracks for twelve riders. We know they started for Grand Marais, but turned off the trail into the forest heading west.”

“That could bring them anywhere here in the county, what of the other towns?”

“Messengers have been sent to Williams’ Station and Moosehead City.”

“What about the stagecoach? My deputy was riding with the them.”

“It was Cooper who discovered the fishermen.”

“On no, how many?”

“There were twenty men, all friends of my father,” Brave-Hawk hesitated before adding, “All scalped.”

“Easy, Clem, you should never underestimate a job,” turned out to be his last words and Clem never had a chance to respond as all four Ma Simpson’s men ambushed them from both sides.

Eight of Spenser/Schwarzkopf’s raiders fell wounded or dead from their horses, four escaped.

“Leave no one alive,” Sam Binkley didn’t want any chance of their descriptions to get out. The four who escaped did not get a good look and too, it was pretty unlikely they would complain to any lawman.

Their work done, they were ready to ride on, “Where to, boss?”

“Williams’ Station, Cairns, we need to pay a visit to Missus Simpson’s son.”

To be Continued…

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.”

Season VII, Chapter 1, Episode 8:

Cooper, Farkleberry and the stagecoach began the run to Grand Marais, and watched for the expected attack; an attack that never materialized, they arrived safely a few hours after leaving the fishing camp.

Tired as they were from the stress of the past few hours, they didn’t notice the stranger standing next to Doc Shouse in front of the hotel, or the deputy marshal paying very close attention to their arrival.

The raiders responsible for the attack had turned up a side trail and rode along that for several hours before threading their way to the main road to Williams’ Station—they had “business” there, “This new bank in that jerkwater town should be easy to rob, buncha rubes in that town.”

“Easy, Clem, you should never underestimate a job.”

It’s too bad they knew nothing of Binkley, Abel, Cairns and Sledge also riding on that road—and looking for, and finding a good place for an ambush.

This day was a happy one in Williams’ Station, Adelbert Simpson, Jr. had just opened the first bank in Moosehead County and the grand opening celebration was underway.

Adlebert had separated from the illegal, or at least, questionable, practices of his mother and father and wanted to begin the redemption of the Simpson name—and he was well on his way.

True to his word, Grey-Wolf Silverthorn personally saw to the burial of the fishermen and he sent runners to all the villages of Moosehead County. On foot, the runners could make better time through the forest than riders on the roads.

To be Continued…

“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.

Season VI, Chapter 1, Episode 7 Dog Adventure 10:

“We begin our quest now,” Daisy figured the best way to instruct Renegade was “on the job” as they sought out sentient wolves & canines, “Flutters? You know what to do, I suspect?”

Flutters, for once—surprisingly—had no comment as he flew off to provide aerial recon by flying among the tree tops and watching and listening for sentient creatures.

“How, exactly, O’Mistress Daisy, do we ‘quest’ for sentience?”

“We listen and we can feel sentience,” Alice replied mildly, “You should already have this ability; all sentient creatures have it.”

Daisy for her part ignored Renegade’s sarcasm and led her pack deeper into the forest and like most of her kind, loved to explore.

As always when they were together, PepperCooper was at her side—it was like old times, “This is great!”

“It is, Pepper, of course there is the issue of…food.”

“I hadn’t thought of that.”

“It’s all a beagle thinks about; maybe not consciously, but always there—bubbling up at inappropriate times.”

Benjamin couldn’t let it go, “You should knock-off the sarcasm, Renegade; Daisy did not have to accept the assignment from Ringo.”

Renegade growled.

Buttons returned the growl, “You need to back off, buster!”

“Brave barking for such a little canine,” Renegade’s tone was ominous. He bared his fangs.

To be Continued…

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

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.

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…

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…

“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.

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.