Meleah's Western Part 19

Good Morning Friday Fiction Fans,
I doubt that many of you will be reading this post this morning. Not with the wedding this evening. :) But, welcome whenever you do read it.:)

I thought I was done with politics for a while, but I had two political meetings this week. They both went well, and now maybe I can be done with that until American Government Camp at the end of October. (Or at least for a few weeks.:)) I also got two writing classes scheduled to start next week. I have one for some older boys I have taught before, and now a new class for girls which should be a lot of fun.:) I can't say I've done much in regard to writing this week except correcting a few things I wrote last week, but that is okay. I do promise I'll get back into it.:)

You may have noticed that I now have few pages on my blog with the first 10 parts of the Western on one and the next 9 parts on the other. Now if you want to go back and read it all, it is in order and just a click away.:) Or if you are new and have never read any of the Western, it is all there for you. At least all that has been posted.:)
But I don't want to keep rambling. And I'm sure you don't either. So here is the next part of Meleah's Western!

Part 19

Day followed day, each one warmer than the last as the trio rode steadily on. After all that riding, Sally was growing almost as used to the saddle as Ty and Carson and no longer dreaded mounting each morning as they once again set off.

The nights, still chilly with cool breezes, were spent for the most part in the open with only the trees for shelter, for now they were far from habited areas save here and there where a lonely cabin of a trapper or hermit appeared. To the men, who had spent the last two years out in the wilderness, the nights were common and ordinary. For Sally, to whom all such experiences were new, they were intriguing. Everything was different when the sun sank out of sight in the west with the sounds of the night animals as they began to stir, the biting wind and the warmth of the campfire competing for mastery, the thousands of glittering stars which came out in the darkening sky and the hard ground on which to sleep. All combined to give Sally a feeling she had never felt before. As she lay each night in this, to her, new environment, she often thought of her mother, touching her locket with its picture and wondered what it must have been like for her to leave the city to come out into an untamed land far from those she knew and loved. Her unknown sister also claimed a large portion of her thoughts. What was she like? Would they find her and what had she had to live through? These and various other questions, Sally never could answer, for she always fell fast asleep only moments after lying down.

“I tell ya, Ty,” Carson remarked in admiration as Sally’s quick and accurate shot brought down a rabbit for their breakfast. “We’ll make her inta a trapper yet.” The sun was shining brightly and the fire was just right to roast this choice piece of meat.
Ty chuckled and slid his pistol back into its holster. “She might be a good shot, Carson, but I reckon she ain’t goin’ ta be doin’ any skinnin’ of it.”
“What, ya mean we’re eatin’ rabbit fur stew this mornin’?”
Sally’s cheeks grew pink with blushes from their teasing, yet she smiled. It wasn’t very often she could beat Ty on a draw. And she knew Carson would skin the rabbit for her even if he did tease.
“I think yer aim’s improved since I was home, Sis. I reckon if’n ya were ta try ta beat me in a contest, I’d walk away in defeat.”
A merry laugh rang from Sally’s glowing face as she reloaded her gun. Praise was sweet to her ears even if it was far from the truth.
Breakfast was partaken with great relish that morning for fresh meat was rare to these travelers. “It was well worth a delay,” Carson grunted stretching out once more as though to catch another forty winks.
Ty gave him a kick. “Well it sure ‘nough don’t call for more sleep. This here ought ta’ve been jest right ta keep ya movin’.”
Carson snorted and sat up. “Ya mind yer manners, Ty Elliot. An’ don’t ferget I’m old enough ta be yer pa.”
Ty grinned. “Ain’t forgettin’.”
Still grumbling good-naturedly under his breath, Carson joined in the packing up of camp. Saddling the horses and loading the pack horse with most of their supplies took some time, though now that they were more accustomed to the task, it was shorter than at first. When all was ready, Carson set off with the pack horse following while Ty and Sally brought up the rear.

The trio had ridden for several hours and the sun, in a cloudless sky, was nearing midday. Carson, up ahead with the extra pack horse, called back that they’d have to cross the ravine just up ahead. Ty waved in answer and turned to answer Sally’s question. The two of them rode slowly onward. The sun was pleasant, and they didn’t want to push their horses up the rather steep slope. Carson soon had disappeared before them.

On reaching the summit of the hill, they paused to look at the ravine before them. A faint trail led down one side. The farther side was covered with trees and rocks. The ravine was wide, and Sally thought she caught a glimpse of Carson’s horse near the bottom.
Suddenly, Ty’s quick ears caught the sound of a low roar. His head turned and rapidly his eyes darted over the landscape. What was that sound? Where was it coming from?
Not noticing her brother’s rapt attention, Sally had started her horse down the trail, carefully watching for loose rocks. She had lost sight of Carson but believed him to be down at the bottom, therefore she kept going.

The roar was noticeably louder, and Sally’s mount gave a whinny of alarm and began to prance and toss its head against the restraining reins which Sally held.
“Easy, girl,” Sally tried to calm the horse. “Its all right. Ain’t nothin’ to be afraid of. Easy now!” for the horse was beginning to plunge in a fearful manner.
Just then, Ty, still sitting his horse and listening, knew exactly what it was. When he turned to Sally, he found her already part way down the ravine right in the way of danger! His face paled and his heart seemed to stop. For an instant, only an instant, but to him it felt like years, he couldn’t move. He couldn’t even cry out! And just as suddenly strength came rushing back.
“Sally!” he shouted. “Get back here!” Flinging himself off his own frightened horse Ty half slid, half scrambled down the steep side of the ravine, not noticing the rocks that cut his hands nor the brambles which tore at his clothes, to where Sally was trying desperately to keep her seat on the plunging, rearing animal.

Should I post the next part next week?