Sorry, for the delay, in uploading the next installment. Hope you enjoy!
A bright haze slowly climbed up over the horizon, and the sun made itself show, it's rays piercing the dark sky. The convoy's members soon awoke, the Sergeant and Benjamin traveling from the safety of the camp to scout out a new route. An hour passed and the duo, having sketched a rough drawing of a new route, returned to the base. After the necessary preparations were made, the coach, accompanied by the three soldiers, left.
The small path soon gave way to a large clearing, and Benjamin spotted two men, standing outside of their wagon. Benjamin pulled back on the reins, and the horses came to a swift stop.
"Whoa there!" he cried to the the pair of steeds.
"Good day to you!" Benjamin called, slightly bemused as to why this wagon had come to a complete stop in the middle of the path.
"Good day to you as well!" said one of the men.
"This better not be another delay again, Mr. Lewis!" said a muffled voice, coming from inside the coach.
"No, sir!" Benjamin called back to Thomas. The two men gave him a curious glance.
"Oh, that's Thomas Preston. He owns the National Bank. I shouldn't be telling anybody this, although he has thousands of dollars, destined for St. Louis. In fact, that's where we're headed right now."
"St. Louis?" said the other man. "You're hopelessly off track. This is the path to the town of Kansas."
"Oh dear! How far off is St. Louis, from this point?" queried Benjamin.
"About a fortnight. I wouldn't count on that cash arriving in St. Louis on time."
"No, I guess not." dejected, Benjamin hopped off the coach. The Sergeant, Stewart Mac, and Rory Galton came as well.
"So, what's your story?" the Sergeant asked.
"We were on route to the town of Kansas, although less than a day ago, we were attacked by bandits."
"Less than a day ago? Why have you stayed here, then?" Benjamin exclaimed.
"Alas, the bandits let free our horses. We had nothing else to do but stay put." one of the men said.
"Why were the bandits pursuing you in the first place?" Rory said.
"I have no clue. Perhaps they thought we'd be and easy catch. But we fought them off!" the other man said.
"What would you have in that wagon that would be so valuable to the bandits?" Benjamin asked, chuckling. He began moving towards the wagon.
Both men moved to block Benjamin from looking at the wagon. "We're...um...well...we transport...grain. Yes, grain! We collect grain from local farmers and transport it to big cities, such as Kansas or St. Louis." one of the men answered.
The Sergeant was suspicious. "Interesting profession..." he said.
The sun was beginning to sink over the horizon, becoming a blazing orange.
"Well, since evening is approaching, it would be foolish to continue on our way at this time. We'll stay with you for the night. By the way, I didn't catch your names? he said to the men.
"Ron Frank and George McCoy." replied on of the men.
"Ron, George, it's a pleasure to have met you." Benjamin said, before making his way back to the coach.
"Yes, indeed. You too." said Frank and George with a wicked grin.
To be continued...
