“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…