Astounded: Day 14

Word Count: 84,010

Summary of Events:

Penrod struggled with his gelding as the posse rode out to find the invaders, being as his gelding wanted to run. Jemima was called on by Mr. Bateman and Mr. Magnan, and she refused to admit them. The posse approached a ranch and found the invaders inside, the shooting began. Jemima baked and worried about Penrod some more, although not as much as she had been. After two days of shooting Penrod was woken by approaching horsemen and found it was the Army come to intervene and stop the fighting; one of them willingly started to search the dead for the men Penrod suspected killed Mr. Vaughan, as Mr. Albers was numbered among the dead . . .

Excerpt of the Day:

"Two of them. Four left.

"Louis . . . There . . . Thir . . . ?" he looked like he was struggling.

"Threlfal," Penrod replied.

"Is that what it says?" he asked.

"What are you finding their names on?" Penrod asked.

"They have cards with their names typed on them saying they're employed by the GLA Ranch of Sheridan, Wyoming," he replied.

Penrod nodded. That was interesting, and not necessarily a bad idea. He had half of them. Maybe he should stop by that other body on the way home and see if he could find one of those cards.

"Arntzen you said it was?" he asked.

"Yes," Penrod replied.

"Here," he said.

Only two left. Penrod was impressed. There weren't many left among the dead, though.

The cavalryman straightened and shook his head. "No Whenam, no Simants."

Penrod sighed. He had two left to look for.

Alarmed conversation came from the barn and several soldiers hurried out, struggling to hold a convulsing man. One soldier sat on each limb while another soldier tried to attend to the struggling and agonised looking man.

Everyone watched quietly for a long time as the man struggled, until finally he started to weaken. The soldiers got off of his limbs once he'd settled down some. Soon he went completely still and the last soldier rose, shaking his head.

"He's dead," he said succinctly.

"What happened?" Penrod asked.

"Something poisoned, I guess," the cavalryman replied, not bothering to look back and see who'd asked him.

Penrod looked over at the soldier who'd been inspecting the dead for him. The soldier quickly hurried over and checked the pockets. "Simants."

Penrod nodded as the soldier who'd been trying to save Mr. Simants looked at his fellow soldier with puzzlement. Penrod had one left.

Looking toward the barn, Penrod scanned the faces of the men standing inside. The sun had now fully crested the horizon and was shining brightly on the scene — a bright and vibrant light that didn't look the least bit suitable for the scene of dead bodies, soldiers, armed men, and a bullet-riddled barn.

A dark haired man with equally as dark eyes met Penrod's gaze. His gaze was dark and severe. Penrod had a feeling he was looking on the face of the last one: Jules Whenam, and it looked like Mr. Whenam had revenge on his mind.

Penrod raised his chin and looked down at Mr. Whenam. Suddenly Mr. Whenam drew his gun, aimed, and fired.

A hot streak of pain like a hot knife slicing the surface skin stroked across Penrod's cheek, causing him to flinch slightly. Several cavalrymen quickly went into the barn and disarmed Mr. Whenam, who still looked at Penrod with a ferocious expression.

Once the Army was done with Mr. Whenam Penrod had a feeling he was going to have a caller, and he was going to have to be well prepared, lest his life be taken."