40 - Dead Eye Sam

     Once, Samantha got a bit of a shock. She saw a really large woman on the streets, a couple of blocks down. Before she could get a better look, the woman was lost in the crowds. But she had looked a lot like Mama Dolly! Samantha watched that area closely the next week, but it never happened again. It didn’t make much sense, Mama Dolly up here alone and all. Maybe Samantha was just overthinking this again.

     After weeks of watching the Homestead claims, she found a good prospect. Two sections of land, up in the hills near Atkins, filed one week ago.

     She talked to Jeff.

     “Samantha, I think you’re spending too much time worrying about this. And you know I can’t be sending troops off on what probably would be a wild goose chase. That court decision could come at any time, and I don’t have a single man to spare, anyway.”

     “I know you’re in a tight, Jeff. But this claim is set up just like the Clan did it in Alabama. Everything fits. And two whole section of land? Now who else would want two whole sections of land, in those rough hills? That land is not totally free, you know. Somebody put a lot of money into this. And it will be under a fake name. Slim wouldn’t risk filing under his own name. I understand your situation, Jeff. I’ll telegraph LaFayette. He mentioned he knows the Governor, who might send in the Militia. I know he was probably talking about Governor Hadley, who’s now out of office. But maybe he can check it out.”

      Samantha heard back from LaFayette in three days.

POSSIBLE STOP 8 CABINS STOP NO ID YET STOP

     “I’m going up there, Jeff. Most likely, I’m the only one who could identify the Dudley’s. I’ll be back soon.”

     Jeff was a bit put out, but the next day she was on the stage to Atkins. Jeff had learned long ago that Samantha had a strong will of her own. That was part of the reason he loved her so. She carried her pistol, and her new long gun. She didn’t have a plan, but she had to know.

     Lafayette would like to help more, but his connection to the Governor’s office went out the door when Hadley left office.

     “I’ve just got to go up there, and try to make an ID, LaFayette.”

     “I would not advise that. But if you just have to go, I’ll send my deputy along. They might recognize me. You don’t need to get close. They might recognize you, even with your black hair. Your dimples are hard to hide. Even if we do get an ID, the new Governor is keeping the Militia close to Little Rock, in case things erupt here with the political situation. We can’t expect help there.”

     “LaFayette, you know how bad those people are. And you know this has to be nipped in the bud. Slim is the one to stop. Without him, those other folks would soon disappear. They totally depend on Slim to tell them every decision they should make. How many kids, like me, have they taken, while destroying their families? How many lives have been lost? I only have one reservation. I won’t shoot a man. No matter what. I’ll never use my skill that way. But I will help in any other way possible.”

     LaFayette introduced her to Deputy Ross Williams. “Ross, maybe you could get someone to come out to talk to you. Ask about getting’ a job, or somethin’. Get im close enough for Sam to recognize. Whatever you do, keep Sam hidden.”