Preacher by William W. Johnstone Page B

himself.
    * * *
    There were nearly three dozen other wagons parked where they made camp that night. Although few of the wagons were traveling together, and some in fact were even going in opposite directions, it was quite common for wagons traveling alone on the frontier to join with other travelers at night in a temporary wagon park. And not only wagons, but travelers on horseback as well, for at least a dozen single men had staked out their horses and thrown their bedrolls down within the confines of the wagon camp.
    Such an arrangement not only granted company and the opportunity for some trade, it also provided the safety of numbers against attack from hostile Indians or marauding highwaymen. Younger asked Art if he would mind doing a few chores.
    â€œI’ll be more than glad to. It’s little enough to pay you back for your kindness.”
    â€œI was just doin’ my Christian duty,” Lucas replied. “But if you’re up to workin’ for your keep, first thing I want you to do is help me get this tarp up.” Younger began untying the canvas on one side of the wagon, and indicated that Art should do the same thing on the other.
    Art untied his side, then he and Younger unrolled the canvas, stretching it across the wagon bows so that the wagon was covered. After that, Lucas did something that Art thought was rather strange. He tied a red streamer to the back of the wagon.
    â€œThere, that’ll do just fine,” Tryeen said.
    â€œWhat’s the red flag for?” Art asked.
    â€œNever you mind about that,” Lucas replied. “You just take the team down to water. Then, when you come back, check with the Missus. I ’spect she’ll have some chores she’ll be a’wantin’ you to do for her.”
    â€œYes, sir, I’ll be glad to do anything she wants,” Art said.
    Art took the team down to water. When he returned, Bess gave him a bucket and had him get some water for cooking. Then she had him gather wood for the fire.
    Looking around the camp, Art saw Younger going over to the area occupied by the men who were traveling alone, mostly those who had ridden in on horseback. He had no idea what he was saying to them, but some of them were visibly animated by the conversation, for they began moving around in a rather lively fashion, while looking back toward the Younger wagon. After visiting with them for a few minutes, Younger returned to the wagon. “Jennie,” he called. “You’ve got some business to take care of, girl. Get on up here.”
    It wasn’t until then that Art realized he hadn’t seen Jennie since they made camp.
    â€œJennie, get up here now,” Younger called, a little more forcefully than before. “You know what you have to do.”
    Jennie crawled out from under the little tent that had been made by dropping canvas down around the edge of the wagon. Art gasped in surprise when he saw her. Jennie no longer looked like a little girl. She looked much more like a woman, and not just any woman, but like a painted woman, the way Lily had looked at the tavern back in New Madrid.
    Younger spoke directly to Art. “Boy, I’ll thank you to stay out of the wagon now until after Jennie is finished with her business.”
    â€œFinished with her business? What business?” Art asked.
    â€œBusiness that ain’t none of your business,” Lucas replied with a hoarse laugh. “Now, just you mind what I say. Stay out of the back of the wagon. The missus will keep you busy enough.”
    â€œYes, sir,” Art replied.
    â€œJennie, you ready in there?”
    â€œI’m ready,” Jennie’s muffled voice replied.
    Suddenly, and unexpectedly, Younger let out a yell.
    â€œYee haw! Yee haw! Yee haw! Sporting gentlemen! ” he shouted at the top of his voice. “Now is your time! If you are after a little fun, you can get it here! Yee haw! Yee haw! Yee haw! ”
    Nearly a dozen men