Unseen Enemies

This is the third volume of 'Jacob Series.'In the second volume, Riding for the Brand, Charles (Cookie) was known for his refusal to bathe. The women at the ranch dump him in the water trough and wash him thoroughly. A 'gentleman's class' is being taught at the Windslow ranch. Cookie excels and not only becomes a gentleman, but a culinary chef and is well known throughout the territory. There is a transformation, and Cookie is now known as Charles. ***** Unseen Enemies "Are you ready to leave?" asked Jacob, "Yes sir, I'm ready and I am looking forward to finding me a good wife." "Well," replied Zac, "Make sure you get a good one like Elizabeth and not one like Mary." Jacob cut in, "No, you want a young woman, like Mary, and not an old one like Elizabeth." Charles laughed and was grateful for the light banter between these two good men. He hoped he could find friends as true as they were to each other. ***** Next to the road, Charles saw a man who had been stripped of everything but his under clothing. He had been beaten and had been struggling to crawl into the underbrush. Charles looked around to see if they were alone, then took his canteen, dismounted and knelt next to the man. He was just a young man and his hair was matted with dried blood. Both of his eyes were swollen from his beating, and he had cuts on his face and head. His eyes opened a slit and he weakly said, "Please help me." ***** Charles asked, "Then can you explain the Lazy S brand on your horse's hip. That's his father's ranch brand. That's a hanging offense where I come from." The man on the left looked at the other two and Charles knew exactly what they were going to do. They went for their guns and Charles scatter gun barked and caught the first two men dead center, and the third man dropped to the ground, firing his revolver ***** As Buck crossed the stream he stepped into some quicksand, and his front feet went down to his chest. Jacob leaped off and urged Buck to try and get out. Buck reared backwards and finally pulled his front feet out. As Jacob was checking Buck's legs, he heard a thrashing sound coming through the heavy underbrush. As he reached for his gun, out charged a big longhorn bull. Jacob fired point blank and the bull went down, and then got up and charged again. Jacob fired again, and his bullet hit the bull in the center of its forehead, and it fell, just three feet in front of him. ***** Before she could do anything, her large Indian captor grabbed her wrists and started dragging her to his tepee. This time Mary fought like a female cougar defending her cubs... except she was the cub. She kicked and tried to bite her captive, but all he did was laugh. Mary's heart raced and suddenly she got a sickening feeling of what was about to happen. The bile raced up her throat and she gagged. She pleaded in her mind, "God, I know You heard my prayers, and I felt peace that all would be well. Why are You letting him do this to me?"