“A door at the end of the hall. Maybe he’s in the back.”
He was, weeding his garden. He saw them and climbed to his feet. “Ahoy, Sheriff!”
“Ahoy, Captain! We came to invite you to ride out to Snake Canyon and do a little shooting.”
“Shooting?” He immediately looked at Conrad. “With him? A landlubber?”
“Yes, I’ve just made him my deputy.”
“Temporarily,” Conrad tacked on.
“I see.” The captain ran a hand over his beard. “Well, I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to tag along. Let me get my second mate.”
“We have to fetch our horses too. We’ll be back for you.” Cassie motioned Conrad back to the saloon.
“I’ll be ready!” the captain called after them.
She waved and was off.
“Second mate?” Conrad said with a smile.
“Billy’s his first mate. Scampy, his dog, alternates between second mate and cabin boy, depending on the captain’s mood.” She gave him a coy glance as they reached the saloon’s back door. “Scampy is usually in the brig for stealing the captain’s dinner.”
Conrad watched the captain as he busied himself putting away his garden tools. “I think I’ve got that all straight.” He cocked his head. “What’s his horse’s name?”
“McSweeny.”
Conrad covered his mouth to keep from laughing and snorted anyway. “Got it.”Snort.
She opened the door. “And, in case you haven’t already figured it out, the rest of the children in town are his crew.”
Conrad smiled as they entered the building. “I have noticed they gravitate toward him. I saw them circling him at church before their parents shooed them to their seats.”
“Happens every Sunday,” she said. “He’s done a lot for this town since he’s been here. He’s a generous, kind soul.”
“Who thinks he still at sea,” Conrad stated.
“There is that, but that’s part of his charm.” She smiled and walked on.
At the livery stable, Etta had their horses ready as promised. They thanked her, led their mounts back to the saloon and tied them to the hitching post. By the time they went to the rear of the building again, Captain Stanley had McSweeny saddled and ready to go. “That was fast,” Conrad commented.
“Sweeny’s a good old boy,” the captain said. “He’s served me well as both mount and driving horse.” He patted the dapple-gray gelding on the neck. “Shall we go?”
“Our horses are in front,” Cassie said. “We’ll meet you there.” They retrieved their mounts and the three headed out of town. She noticed Captain Stanley had a rifle with him. “You didn’t bring your revolver?”
“I’ve got that too, in my saddlebag. Don’t like wearing it.” He looked Conrad over. “I see you like wearing a gun, though.”
“I was told to wear it.” Conrad smiled at Cassie.
“He should get used to wearing a gun belt if he’s going to work for me,” she said. “Captain, what duties shall I have him perform?”
Captain Stanley laughed. “I’m the wrong person to ask, lass. I’d have him swabbing the decks, taking a watch or five, all sorts of other things. But mainly, I’d teach him how to handle a harpoon. That sea beast is drawing closer, I just know it.”
Conrad looked at Cassie with alarm and mouthed, “Sea beast?”
She smiled but said nothing. Let him figure it out on his own. If he was lucky, the captain would take him hunting with him. And, if he was real lucky, it would be for rabbits and not the captain’s elusive sea monster.
They rode past the cemetery and kept going. Snake Canyon was a good five miles from Apple Blossom and the further away from town they got, the more apprehensive she felt. She should make it a point to ride out to the canyon more often. She also shouldn’t go alone. Better safe than sorry.
