He didn’t move.
However, Gilson opened her eyes. Her weak voice was barely audible. “Retta? Oh, Retta.” She started to cry. “I knew you’d come look for me. I just knew it.”
“Gilson, we need to move this beast. Then we’ll help you up.” She turned to the animal. “This is really intolerable, Mr. Buffalo. I insist you move right this minute.”
As the others got closer and held up their candles, Retta shoved her shoulder against the sitting buffalo. She jammed her hand into his enormous head. The coup stick, strapped to her wrist, whipped around and bonked the buffalo on the nose.
Suddenly, like a tree felled in the forest, the huge animal toppled over with a thud, his legs sticking out in front of him.
“Did you see that?” Travis gasped. “Retta killed a buffalo with her coup stick.”
“No, I think the poor thing sat down and died before I got here. I merely shoved him over. Ben, help me get Gilson up.”
Gilson’s voice was weak and raspy. “Retta, I don’t want to die.”
“That’s good. We don’t want you to either. Let’s get you back to your mama.”
Ansley sprinted through the grass, shielding her candle with her hand. “What happened? What did I miss?”
“Retta done killed that buffalo with her coup stick and saved Gilson’s life,” Travis shouted.
~~The End~~
About the author:
Stephen Bly (1944-2011) published over 100 fiction and nonfiction books for adults and kids. He won the Christy Award for the Westerns category. His widow Janet and their three sons finished his last novel for him, Stuart Brannon’s Final Shot, Book 7 in the Stuart Brannon Series, a Selah Award Finalist. Find out more about this family project at the Bly Books website blog: http://www.blybooks.com/
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Other Books by Stephen Bly you might enjoy:
The Lewis & Clark Squad Series
Intrigue at the Rafter B Ranch
The Secret of the Old Rifle
Treachery at the River Canyon
Revenge at Eagle Island
Danger at Deception Pass
Hazards of a Half-Court Press
Daring Rescue at Sonora Pass
Dangerous Ride Across Humboldt Flats
Mysterious Robbery on the Utah Plains
The Nathan T. Riggins Western Adventure Series
The Dog Who Would Not Smile
Coyote True
You Can Always Trust a Spotted Horse
The Last Stubborn Buffalo in Nevada
Never Dance with a Bobcat
Hawks Don't Say Goodbye
Retta Barre’s Oregon Trail Series
The Lost Wagon Train
The Buffalo's Last Stand
The Stuart Brannon Western Series
Hard Winter at Broken Arrow Crossing
False Claims at the Little Stephen Mine
Last Hanging at Paradise Meadow
Standoff at Sunrise Creek
Final Justice at Adobe Wells
Son of an Arizona Legend
Stuart Brannon’s Final Shot