The brothers unrolled their blankets after dinner, happy to let Sydney take first watch. “Small town in Kentucky,” Charlie answered. “Not far from Cincinnati. Headed west just a couple a years ago…”
He left it at that, stifling a yawn after the long day on the trail and soon both he and Bones were settling in for the night. “I like the midnight watch, Marshal. Wake me up when it’s time ta switch,” Dave said.
The first hour of the night passed by uneventfully and it was well into the second hour when Sydney’s eyes were starting to feel heavy, that a large, but nearly silent beast made its move, slinking toward the campsite, instinctively staying downwind of the horses to remain undetected as long as possible.
The large cat creeps along the edge of the dwindling light of the fire, crouching and preparing to boldly lunge in for its prey, the sleeping form of Charlie Goller in its sights...
He left it at that, stifling a yawn after the long day on the trail and soon both he and Bones were settling in for the night. “I like the midnight watch, Marshal. Wake me up when it’s time ta switch,” Dave said.
The first hour of the night passed by uneventfully and it was well into the second hour when Sydney’s eyes were starting to feel heavy, that a large, but nearly silent beast made its move, slinking toward the campsite, instinctively staying downwind of the horses to remain undetected as long as possible.
The large cat creeps along the edge of the dwindling light of the fire, crouching and preparing to boldly lunge in for its prey, the sleeping form of Charlie Goller in its sights...
rolled 1d6 and got a natural 6.
Note: 1-2 a horse; 3-4 Bones; 5-6 Charlie
In the middle of what could almost have been called ‘banter’, Jack had completely forgotten that Richard Big had no connections to Esme Black-Wilkerson, and that Connor likely wouldn’t know her either. The woman wasn’t an outlaw, so mentioning her wouldn’t implicate him or Dorothy in anything illegal, but Jack still had to be more careful with what he said.
Luckily, the changed subject was one, he could talk a little about. He’d been through most of Wyoming and the surrounding states - especially the larger cities where the important people lives, and the banks were bursting with cash.
“Been there a time or two,” Jack said, more focused on maintaining his cover now. A travelling ranch hand wouldn’t be a strange sight near Laramie’s slaughter houses. “Ain’t seen much but the cattle, I was wrangling, but I believe Mrs Hutton. It definitely has more to offer than the rest of these small mining or farmin’ towns.”
The fire seemed to be burning well enough, they wouldn’t have to worry much about it during the night. It didn’t matter to Jack, which shift he took, so giving Dotty the last shift was fine with him. That just left him and Connor to find out, who would take the first shift, and who would take the midnight shift.
“Ya got any preferences when it comes to shifts, Connor?” Jack asked, as he ate a spoonful of the surprisingly decent meal. “I’m fine with either, so if ya wanna sleep now, I’ll go first. If ya’d rather stay up, then Imma hit the hay.”
Luckily, the changed subject was one, he could talk a little about. He’d been through most of Wyoming and the surrounding states - especially the larger cities where the important people lives, and the banks were bursting with cash.
“Been there a time or two,” Jack said, more focused on maintaining his cover now. A travelling ranch hand wouldn’t be a strange sight near Laramie’s slaughter houses. “Ain’t seen much but the cattle, I was wrangling, but I believe Mrs Hutton. It definitely has more to offer than the rest of these small mining or farmin’ towns.”
The fire seemed to be burning well enough, they wouldn’t have to worry much about it during the night. It didn’t matter to Jack, which shift he took, so giving Dotty the last shift was fine with him. That just left him and Connor to find out, who would take the first shift, and who would take the midnight shift.
“Ya got any preferences when it comes to shifts, Connor?” Jack asked, as he ate a spoonful of the surprisingly decent meal. “I’m fine with either, so if ya wanna sleep now, I’ll go first. If ya’d rather stay up, then Imma hit the hay.”
Sydney had not been to Kentucky or that far east. The marshal had heard a few stories from the east. He mostly stuck towards the western states himself. He felt more at home in the wide open fields of the west. However, he could understand there was a certain appeal to being out east. It was easier to get supplies in the east and traveling came easier. It gave off a different feel than his home or even Tombstone. He could ask the others more about their life in the east after they woke.
The marshal's eyes felt heavy as the night moved on. His eyes were drooping when he dozed off for a brief moment. He woke to a feeling of unease. Something was off around their camp. Looking over he noticed the brothers were both sleeping rather soundly. That was not where the problem lie. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the darkness that was covering the area. A slight movement caught his eye as his breath hitched in his throat. Only one of the brothers was within reach of his arms.
Sydney would move very slowly keeping his eyes on the large feline that threatened their camp. With a shake he tried to rouse the brother not being targeting by the feline. He was hoping there would not be much a scene from either of the brothers. It would only spook the cat and create chaos within their camp. Sydney kept his rifle nearby but wanted to alert the others to the danger first. His one hand laid on the side of his rifle. This involved some risk but either option was risky. If he failed to kill the feline it would lash out and potentially kill one of them.
"Don't move fast," he said in a hushed voice after feeling the one brother starting to rouse from his slumber.
The marshal's eyes felt heavy as the night moved on. His eyes were drooping when he dozed off for a brief moment. He woke to a feeling of unease. Something was off around their camp. Looking over he noticed the brothers were both sleeping rather soundly. That was not where the problem lie. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the darkness that was covering the area. A slight movement caught his eye as his breath hitched in his throat. Only one of the brothers was within reach of his arms.
Sydney would move very slowly keeping his eyes on the large feline that threatened their camp. With a shake he tried to rouse the brother not being targeting by the feline. He was hoping there would not be much a scene from either of the brothers. It would only spook the cat and create chaos within their camp. Sydney kept his rifle nearby but wanted to alert the others to the danger first. His one hand laid on the side of his rifle. This involved some risk but either option was risky. If he failed to kill the feline it would lash out and potentially kill one of them.
"Don't move fast," he said in a hushed voice after feeling the one brother starting to rouse from his slumber.
Charlie snored lightly, blissfully unaware of the large cat approaching him.
Bones was having an exceptionally pleasant dream of a certain redhead awaiting him back in Texas. Mary. Sweet and lovely Mary. She had really been quite impressed with his bravery at taking on One-Eyed Bobby. And when they met again, surely she would rush into his arms as he regaled her with the tales of how he took down Bobby, Sparrow Hawk, and the rest of the Baker's Hounds. Kids all the way back in New York City would know the name of Detective David Stone...
"yes, darlin'?" Bones murmured in his half-dreaming state as Sydney's hand shook him.
"Don't move fast."
"Oh we can go sl..." his mumble cut off as he jerked awake. "Huh? Wha...?"
Maybe it heard the muted conversation. Maybe it caught the bit of motion from within the camp. Either way, the mountain lion seemed to realized its element of surprise was lost and it sprang into action, lunging on powerful haunches toward Charlie's sleeping form.
"CHAR! BY GRABS! CHAR!" Bones yelled, throwing off his blanket and scrambling to his knees as his hand went toward his pistol belt only to realize he'd taken it off to sleep. There... it was mere feet away, just where he'd left it and he dove toward it.
Charlie startled awake, but the cat was going to be on him in just a couple seconds...
Bones was having an exceptionally pleasant dream of a certain redhead awaiting him back in Texas. Mary. Sweet and lovely Mary. She had really been quite impressed with his bravery at taking on One-Eyed Bobby. And when they met again, surely she would rush into his arms as he regaled her with the tales of how he took down Bobby, Sparrow Hawk, and the rest of the Baker's Hounds. Kids all the way back in New York City would know the name of Detective David Stone...
"yes, darlin'?" Bones murmured in his half-dreaming state as Sydney's hand shook him.
"Don't move fast."
"Oh we can go sl..." his mumble cut off as he jerked awake. "Huh? Wha...?"
Maybe it heard the muted conversation. Maybe it caught the bit of motion from within the camp. Either way, the mountain lion seemed to realized its element of surprise was lost and it sprang into action, lunging on powerful haunches toward Charlie's sleeping form.
"CHAR! BY GRABS! CHAR!" Bones yelled, throwing off his blanket and scrambling to his knees as his hand went toward his pistol belt only to realize he'd taken it off to sleep. There... it was mere feet away, just where he'd left it and he dove toward it.
Charlie startled awake, but the cat was going to be on him in just a couple seconds...
(Lol @ Charlie)
“I’ll take first watch.” Connor said simply, only mildly disappointed that his brief confrontation with Jack didn’t come to blows.
He listened quietly to Jack’s tale, seemingly completely forgetting about his previous flash of anger, and finished his food.
The Kiowa brave ambled around the camp, tomahawk in hand, and crouched somewhere to stay hidden, both from their prisoner and any potential interlopers.
Oddly, he had a feeling that something was going out there in the prairie but he couldn’t see nor hear anything suspicious. Guess he’d have to see.
“I’ll take first watch.” Connor said simply, only mildly disappointed that his brief confrontation with Jack didn’t come to blows.
He listened quietly to Jack’s tale, seemingly completely forgetting about his previous flash of anger, and finished his food.
The Kiowa brave ambled around the camp, tomahawk in hand, and crouched somewhere to stay hidden, both from their prisoner and any potential interlopers.
Oddly, he had a feeling that something was going out there in the prairie but he couldn’t see nor hear anything suspicious. Guess he’d have to see.
Jack shrugged when Connor took first shift. As he’d said, he didn’t care which one he took, and he was more than convinced that Connor would take scout duty seriously, and not doze off as some others do, when they were running on no sleep and with no one to keep them company. In fact, his only concern was that Connor’s pride might keep him from waking Jack up for his shift. But then again, that would be his own problem to deal with.
For a minute or so, while gathering his bedroll from the horse, Jack considered laying down next to Dorothy and snuggling up to her until his shift approached. It wouldn’t be the first time, and if it had only been those two, he wouldn’t have hesitated. But tonight, both Hank and Connor were an audience he wouldn’t exactly want hawk-eyeing them.
“Good shift then, Connor,” Jack said as he got comfortable. A few hours of sleep would be just what he needed, even though he wasn’t exhausted yet. His eyes wandered over to their prisoner, and he nodded his head in his direction.
“We agree that knockin’ ‘im out cold is the best strategy for keepin’ him asleep?” He asked, not awaiting any answer before laying down and trying to let sleep and rest consume him.
For a minute or so, while gathering his bedroll from the horse, Jack considered laying down next to Dorothy and snuggling up to her until his shift approached. It wouldn’t be the first time, and if it had only been those two, he wouldn’t have hesitated. But tonight, both Hank and Connor were an audience he wouldn’t exactly want hawk-eyeing them.
“Good shift then, Connor,” Jack said as he got comfortable. A few hours of sleep would be just what he needed, even though he wasn’t exhausted yet. His eyes wandered over to their prisoner, and he nodded his head in his direction.
“We agree that knockin’ ‘im out cold is the best strategy for keepin’ him asleep?” He asked, not awaiting any answer before laying down and trying to let sleep and rest consume him.
At first, his plan might have had some measure of success. The other brother was rousing from his sleep. However, the words that fell out of his mouth made the Marshal want to roll his eyes. It seemed like his efforts to remain quiet were in vain. He wanted the men alerted to the danger but that only spurred the feline into action. The next few seconds were going to make all the difference for Charlie and his survival rate. Sydney did not have time to assess any other options. Grabbing his rifle he swung the gun forward and aimed towards the feline. They cat was already mid-pounce when the events registered in the other's mind.
"Damn," he muttered.
The gunfire would leave echo around the men and the surrounding area. Anyone within range would be able to discern the shot. If there was any hostiles in the area they would be able to descend on them in moments. All of that went to the back of his mind as he focused on the task at hand. Saving his partner from a certain grisly death. Sydney watched as the bullet left his rifle. The sound of the shot ringing in his ears. In his hurry there was a chance he would miss the feline entirely. Each second seemed to crawl by as the bullet went closer towards it's own destination. If Sydney missed there was a chance he could hit Charlie but the bullet had already left his rifle.
"Stay down and roll out of the way," he yelled towards Charlie.
The bullet would lodge itself into the chest of the feline. Sydney could see the bullet wound and the blood coming from the wound. It would not outright kill the cat before he landed but it would prove fatal in the end. His eyes watched as the rest of the events started to unfold around him and his partners.
"Damn," he muttered.
The gunfire would leave echo around the men and the surrounding area. Anyone within range would be able to discern the shot. If there was any hostiles in the area they would be able to descend on them in moments. All of that went to the back of his mind as he focused on the task at hand. Saving his partner from a certain grisly death. Sydney watched as the bullet left his rifle. The sound of the shot ringing in his ears. In his hurry there was a chance he would miss the feline entirely. Each second seemed to crawl by as the bullet went closer towards it's own destination. If Sydney missed there was a chance he could hit Charlie but the bullet had already left his rifle.
"Stay down and roll out of the way," he yelled towards Charlie.
The bullet would lodge itself into the chest of the feline. Sydney could see the bullet wound and the blood coming from the wound. It would not outright kill the cat before he landed but it would prove fatal in the end. His eyes watched as the rest of the events started to unfold around him and his partners.
rolled 1d4 and got a natural 3.
Note: 1 - miss the cat, 2 - chest (non-fatal), 3 - chest (fatal), 4 - head
rolled 1d4 and got a natural 1.
Note: 1 - hit Charlie, 2 - hit the ground, 3 - hit a tree, 4 - fire above the cat
One loud, pained scream escapes the large cat as Sydney's bullet finds its mark. Charlie starts to roll, but too slowly and the cat lands on top of him. Though, now, it isn't trying to tear into him, its animal instincts simply telling it to get away!
"CHAAAR!" David finally has a hold of his revolver and slams back the hammer of the single action gun with his left hand while bringing it up and firing over the lion, worried about hitting his brother.
The mountain lion pivots sharply, trying to run, but barely makes it a few feet before collapsing from Sydney's well placed shot.
A second cougar, larger than the first, can be briefly seen skirting the edge of the firelight and it takes off into the night.
"Gah! Dang near soiled my pants... yow... " Charlie said, sitting up and clutching his left collarbone where the cat's claw has torn 3 parallel bleeding gashes.
Conner, Jack, Dorothy, and Hank (assuming they don't sleep through the noise) can easily hear the crack of gun fire. And though harder to hear, can also make out the cat's scream and Dave's yelling.
Hank, who's been unsuccessfully working at the knots, does his best to stand up, twisting to and fro in order to shimmy the ropes up the trunk of the tree. Despite his earlier brags about how 'they' were coming to rescue him, he looked decidedly nervous now. "Hey, ah, what's that?" he said in a loud whisper.
Dorothy rolls over, blinking several times as she's obviously come out of a rather deep sleep and is trying to get her bearings.
((
In case anyone's interested in what they sound like:
))
"CHAAAR!" David finally has a hold of his revolver and slams back the hammer of the single action gun with his left hand while bringing it up and firing over the lion, worried about hitting his brother.
The mountain lion pivots sharply, trying to run, but barely makes it a few feet before collapsing from Sydney's well placed shot.
A second cougar, larger than the first, can be briefly seen skirting the edge of the firelight and it takes off into the night.
"Gah! Dang near soiled my pants... yow... " Charlie said, sitting up and clutching his left collarbone where the cat's claw has torn 3 parallel bleeding gashes.
Conner, Jack, Dorothy, and Hank (assuming they don't sleep through the noise) can easily hear the crack of gun fire. And though harder to hear, can also make out the cat's scream and Dave's yelling.
Hank, who's been unsuccessfully working at the knots, does his best to stand up, twisting to and fro in order to shimmy the ropes up the trunk of the tree. Despite his earlier brags about how 'they' were coming to rescue him, he looked decidedly nervous now. "Hey, ah, what's that?" he said in a loud whisper.
Dorothy rolls over, blinking several times as she's obviously come out of a rather deep sleep and is trying to get her bearings.
((
In case anyone's interested in what they sound like:
Mountain Lion Screaming
))
The sound of gunfire is unmistakable, as is the roar of a mountain lion in the distance.
"Everyone up!" The Brave whispers a yell and pull out his six shooter, holding with the right hand while he holds his tomahawk with the left.
Looking out into the dark, he tries to discern where the noise is coming from.
"Everyone up!" The Brave whispers a yell and pull out his six shooter, holding with the right hand while he holds his tomahawk with the left.
Looking out into the dark, he tries to discern where the noise is coming from.
rolled 1d20 and got a natural 2.
Note: Perception Roll
If the loud, echoing sound of a gun shot hadn’t been enough to wake Jack from what could barely be called slumber, Connor’s whisper-yell surely was enough. Despite their differences, Jack had gotten pretty sure that Connor wouldn’t involve Jack in any combat, if he could handle it himself.
Jack scrambled up into a deep, squatting pose, so he would be staying low still, but also had the power to move quickly in whatever direction he would have to move in. His hands, just like Connor’s, instinctively went to his six-shooter and the hunting dagger, he’d had by his side while he ‘slept’.
“What was that?” He whispered to Connor, while his eyes focused on the darkness outside of the light from the fire, ready for anything from a bunny to an ambush.
“Can ya see anything?”
Jack scrambled up into a deep, squatting pose, so he would be staying low still, but also had the power to move quickly in whatever direction he would have to move in. His hands, just like Connor’s, instinctively went to his six-shooter and the hunting dagger, he’d had by his side while he ‘slept’.
“What was that?” He whispered to Connor, while his eyes focused on the darkness outside of the light from the fire, ready for anything from a bunny to an ambush.
“Can ya see anything?”
Sydney moved slowly over towards the feline. The sound of footsteps were quiet in the dark. His eyes were focused on the form on the ground. Taking his foot he slowly nudged the feline with his boot. After a minute of silence he was satisfied the feline was dead. Letting out a sigh of relief he looked over towards the brothers. His adrenaline was still pumping as his mind raced over what they should do next.
"Are you hurt?"
Sydney could see the gashes after he asked the question. They did not appear to be deep but the light from the fire offered only a small glimpse of the injury. He would need better lighting to better see the full extent of the injuries. Sydney looked around their campsite for something he could use. In his pack he knew there was a small needle along with some alcohol. Grabbing the supplies he went back over towards the injured brother. There should be some string or something similar around the camp. His needle only had a small amount of string attached to it already. It may or may not be enough.
"Doesn't look too bad. You should pull through," he said taking a short pause. "You want to stitch it yourself or have someone else do it? We should move camp if possible. Not safe here anymore."
"Are you hurt?"
Sydney could see the gashes after he asked the question. They did not appear to be deep but the light from the fire offered only a small glimpse of the injury. He would need better lighting to better see the full extent of the injuries. Sydney looked around their campsite for something he could use. In his pack he knew there was a small needle along with some alcohol. Grabbing the supplies he went back over towards the injured brother. There should be some string or something similar around the camp. His needle only had a small amount of string attached to it already. It may or may not be enough.
"Doesn't look too bad. You should pull through," he said taking a short pause. "You want to stitch it yourself or have someone else do it? We should move camp if possible. Not safe here anymore."
The urgency in Conner's voice brought Dorothy around quickly and she rolled out of her blanket, leaving it on the ground as she reached for her pistol belt and drew one of the revolvers into her left hand. Then backed away from their small fire to hopefully avoid being back-lit.
As much as she liked to pretend she was some rough and tough cowgirl, she was not truly well versed in the great outdoors and the sound of the cougar was unfamiliar and disconcerting, perhaps more so than the gunfire.
"Sounded like that ol' Owl Monster after all ..." she said, trying for dry humor, except it did not cover the fact that she was nervous.
As much as she liked to pretend she was some rough and tough cowgirl, she was not truly well versed in the great outdoors and the sound of the cougar was unfamiliar and disconcerting, perhaps more so than the gunfire.
"Sounded like that ol' Owl Monster after all ..." she said, trying for dry humor, except it did not cover the fact that she was nervous.
As Conner is so focused on the direction where they heard the gun fire and the cougar’s dying scream, he nearly misses the sound coming from the opposite direction along the trail they'd been following earlier. Still, both he and Jack can make it out with several seconds to spare... leaving time to take action if they choose to do so:
Hoofbeats... moving a tad bit too quickly for how dark it was tonight, the solitary rider risking getting a low hanging branch to the face as he heads toward the gunfire.
The cat is a large female and appears healthy and well-fed.
"I think that other one was even bigger," Bones commented, glancing out into the darkness, revolver still in hand, as if worried it might return.
Charlie seemed a bit shaken by the attack. More so now than he had in the actual moment, as the realization of just how close he might have been to death took hold. "How bad is't?" he asked, trying to look down at the wounds, but it was a difficult place to see on ones own self. So he undid the buttons and pulled the ripped and bloodied shirt fabric back with a few winces and gritted teeth to let Sydney get a closer look, slightly reassured when he announced it didn't look that bad.
Bones didn't help matters when he grimaced at seeing the wound. "He got ya good, Char. We gotta get that cleaned up 'fore you get that cat scratch disease." Which only caused Charlie to knit his brow in further worry, unsure if that applied to mountain lions, but not ready to rule it out.
"Don't think I can see it good nuff, Marshal. Would ya mind?" he asked, apparently not trusting David's skill in the task. "Can I get a swallow a that?" he asked about the alcohol Sydney had retrieved, expecting the stitches to hurt worse than the actual lacerations.
Hoofbeats... moving a tad bit too quickly for how dark it was tonight, the solitary rider risking getting a low hanging branch to the face as he heads toward the gunfire.
The cat is a large female and appears healthy and well-fed.
"I think that other one was even bigger," Bones commented, glancing out into the darkness, revolver still in hand, as if worried it might return.
Charlie seemed a bit shaken by the attack. More so now than he had in the actual moment, as the realization of just how close he might have been to death took hold. "How bad is't?" he asked, trying to look down at the wounds, but it was a difficult place to see on ones own self. So he undid the buttons and pulled the ripped and bloodied shirt fabric back with a few winces and gritted teeth to let Sydney get a closer look, slightly reassured when he announced it didn't look that bad.
Bones didn't help matters when he grimaced at seeing the wound. "He got ya good, Char. We gotta get that cleaned up 'fore you get that cat scratch disease." Which only caused Charlie to knit his brow in further worry, unsure if that applied to mountain lions, but not ready to rule it out.
"Don't think I can see it good nuff, Marshal. Would ya mind?" he asked, apparently not trusting David's skill in the task. "Can I get a swallow a that?" he asked about the alcohol Sydney had retrieved, expecting the stitches to hurt worse than the actual lacerations.
"No." Connor was quick to admit to Jack that he couldn't quite tell where the gun shots and the roars of the mountain lion where coming from. Perhaps he was still somewhat asleep, or the adrenaline was messing with his senses. Either way, he needed to focus more before he could discern the location of the shots.
He stood there pensively trying to keep an ear out for trouble, Dorothy's suggestion that it might be an Owl Monster was amusing but he couldn't afford to make a sound of even acknowledgment now. Any noise and he could miss something crucial.
Such as; hoofbeats approaching their location.
"Rider! Spread out!" He whispered a yell as he tried to take cover behind a nearby log. It was impossible to be certain of people's intentions in the wilderness, they could be some traveler or a bandit looking for some easy prey. A rider in the dark was very suspicious and Connor was not going to take any chances. He trained his gun in the direction of where he thought he could hear the hoofbeats and waited to see if the rider really proved himself to be hostile.
He stood there pensively trying to keep an ear out for trouble, Dorothy's suggestion that it might be an Owl Monster was amusing but he couldn't afford to make a sound of even acknowledgment now. Any noise and he could miss something crucial.
Such as; hoofbeats approaching their location.
"Rider! Spread out!" He whispered a yell as he tried to take cover behind a nearby log. It was impossible to be certain of people's intentions in the wilderness, they could be some traveler or a bandit looking for some easy prey. A rider in the dark was very suspicious and Connor was not going to take any chances. He trained his gun in the direction of where he thought he could hear the hoofbeats and waited to see if the rider really proved himself to be hostile.
((Roll to determine the outcome of Jack attempting to knock Hank out, in order for them to hide better.
1: Completely ineffective, Hank starts screaming/swearing bloody murder and attempts to alert the rider.
2: Somewhat ineffective, one louder outburst followed by lower moaning/groaning
3: Somewhat effective, moaning and groaning but an additional punch knocks him out
4: Completely successful, one-punch knockout ))
1: Completely ineffective, Hank starts screaming/swearing bloody murder and attempts to alert the rider.
2: Somewhat ineffective, one louder outburst followed by lower moaning/groaning
3: Somewhat effective, moaning and groaning but an additional punch knocks him out
4: Completely successful, one-punch knockout ))
rolled 1d4 and got a natural 3.
Note: Outcome of Jack’s attempt to knock Hank out
In a less tense and adrenaline filled situation, Jack would have likely laughed, or at least chuckled, at Dorothy’s dry humour, and quipped back with just as dry of a comment, but now wasn’t the time. His eyes and ears needed all the focus they could get, which drew away any energy and effort from his silver-tongue.
He wasn’t sure if he’d heard the hoof beats and identified them as an approaching rider before or after Connor’s orders to spread out. However, he didn’t argue or protest the Brave’s instructions, and quickly got out of the way of the light from the fire. He was about to get back to a lower position, when his eyes fell on probably their biggest threat of being caught: Hank.
If their captive was to alert the rider, wither intentionally by yelling out or unintentionally by panicking, they’d be found. Jack considered his next move for less than a fraction of a second, before he quickly leapt in front of the tied-up man. If he was slumped unconscious against the tree, a passing rider might not spot him.
Jack delivered a hard blow aimed at the area between the man’s left temple and cheekbone, and then a second blow to the same place with the hilt of his dagger, when he realised that the man wasn’t completely out. He then quickly dove behind the tree, Hank was tied to, and tried to blend in with the shrubs and shadows, still with his dagger and revolver ready.
He wasn’t sure if he’d heard the hoof beats and identified them as an approaching rider before or after Connor’s orders to spread out. However, he didn’t argue or protest the Brave’s instructions, and quickly got out of the way of the light from the fire. He was about to get back to a lower position, when his eyes fell on probably their biggest threat of being caught: Hank.
If their captive was to alert the rider, wither intentionally by yelling out or unintentionally by panicking, they’d be found. Jack considered his next move for less than a fraction of a second, before he quickly leapt in front of the tied-up man. If he was slumped unconscious against the tree, a passing rider might not spot him.
Jack delivered a hard blow aimed at the area between the man’s left temple and cheekbone, and then a second blow to the same place with the hilt of his dagger, when he realised that the man wasn’t completely out. He then quickly dove behind the tree, Hank was tied to, and tried to blend in with the shrubs and shadows, still with his dagger and revolver ready.
Sydney glanced back around the camp to reassure himself they were still safe for the moment. It would be harder for them to fight while he was stitching up Charlie. Seeing no immediate threats he turned his attention back towards the wound. His eyes went towards the alcohol in his hand when Charlie asked for some. Sydney did not see any harm in letting him have a drink before he went about fixing him up.
"Go ahead."
The marshal would hand the bottle to Charlie after pouring a little over the needle in his hands. This should help fight off any infection from the needle. The rest of it would come down to how well Charlie fought off any potential infection. Sydney would hold the needle in his hands. It was hovering just over where Sydney would start to stitch him up.
"You ready?"
Sydney would wait until he got confirmation before sticking the needle into the flesh. He worked as quickly as he could while making sure the wound would be able to heal correctly. It took some time but after a short while he was tying off the string and adding a little more of the alcohol over the wound. As long as he kept the wound clean he should not have to worry about an infection.
"Should be good. Try to keep it clean. How do you feel?"
"Go ahead."
The marshal would hand the bottle to Charlie after pouring a little over the needle in his hands. This should help fight off any infection from the needle. The rest of it would come down to how well Charlie fought off any potential infection. Sydney would hold the needle in his hands. It was hovering just over where Sydney would start to stitch him up.
"You ready?"
Sydney would wait until he got confirmation before sticking the needle into the flesh. He worked as quickly as he could while making sure the wound would be able to heal correctly. It took some time but after a short while he was tying off the string and adding a little more of the alcohol over the wound. As long as he kept the wound clean he should not have to worry about an infection.
"Should be good. Try to keep it clean. How do you feel?"
Dotty was a second behind the two men in jumping into action, but Conner's harsh whisper spurred her into action and she kicked some dirt over the fire, then hunched low in the shadows with bated breath.
((With the precautions taken, anything but a 1 allows Conner, Jack, Hank & Dotty to remain hidden.
Edit: They are stealthy like ninjas!
))
In the dark, the rider is difficult to make out in detail. He's wearing some kind of animal skin for a hat, has a beard, is riding a brown horse and is carrying a rifle. Unless Conner or Jack hail him or take other action to purposefully stop him, the rider will pass them by, continuing on toward the gunshots from a few minutes earlier.
Charlie took the offered bottle and took way more than just a sip before he nodded to let Sydney stitch him up. He winced or grimaced once in awhile, but managed to do a decent job at keeping mostly still.
"Where'd ya learn ta do that, Syd?" Bones asked. "Was you in the war?"
((With the precautions taken, anything but a 1 allows Conner, Jack, Hank & Dotty to remain hidden.
Edit: They are stealthy like ninjas!
))
In the dark, the rider is difficult to make out in detail. He's wearing some kind of animal skin for a hat, has a beard, is riding a brown horse and is carrying a rifle. Unless Conner or Jack hail him or take other action to purposefully stop him, the rider will pass them by, continuing on toward the gunshots from a few minutes earlier.
Charlie took the offered bottle and took way more than just a sip before he nodded to let Sydney stitch him up. He winced or grimaced once in awhile, but managed to do a decent job at keeping mostly still.
"Where'd ya learn ta do that, Syd?" Bones asked. "Was you in the war?"
rolled 1d8 and got a natural 8.
Taking cover and laying completely still, even holding his breath to prevent even the smallest of noises, Connor let's the strange man in horseback pass. He sees no reason to ambush him, though it is curious that he seems to be heading in the direction of the gun shots. Too curious in fact.
Unless Jack or Dorothy decided to do something about the interloper, he waits until the man is out of sight and whispers to the others. "We should follow. One stays with the prisoner."
Unless Jack or Dorothy decided to do something about the interloper, he waits until the man is out of sight and whispers to the others. "We should follow. One stays with the prisoner."
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