Hello, Fort Apache!

July What Am I update (winner). Sarah Sahlstrom is the winner. She has 48 hours (from Tuesday night) to reply to my email and claim her prize. So far, she has not replied. After that, I will choose another winner. The mystery item is “(red) onion (slices).” I accepted any of the words, even just plain “onion.”

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October 1878

I made it. Me and Midnight both.

We rode in early this morning, with Pa leading a small column of soldiers. I couldn’t stop grinning, especially when the sun hit the fort just right — adobe walls glowing like they’d been dusted in gold. It’s not the biggest place, but it sure feels like it holds secrets. And adventure. The real kind.

The commandant came out to meet Pa, and I tried not to fidget, but it’s hard when you’re staring at a man with a sword on his belt and a voice like thunder. He looked me over — boots dusty, hat tilted, and Midnight nibbling at his gloves — then said something I’ll remember forever: “Riley Prescott, your pa says that you’re pretty good around horses. There aren’t a whole lot of boys around here that could do what I’ve heard tell you’ve done the past year up in Laramie. Do you think you’re up to being a horse boy?”

I watched Major Bennett and Pa exchange grins. I hope it means that it won’t be too hard convincing Mama that I can do the job. Just then, I got an itchy spot just under my chin. “Umm, Major Bennett, sir?”

“What is it?”

“If there aren’t a lot of boys, is there . . . well, is there school?”

When the major laughed, I knew pretty sure I was going to like him. When he told me that school had let out a week ago, I was SURE I was going to like him. “Our most recent schoolmaster, Hayes, headed to California. I reckon we won’t be able to lure another teacher to the fort for quite sometime. I’m hoping you’ll go all out with those horses, boy. We’ve got a mighty big string of them.”

I swear my heart jumped so high it nearly knocked my hat off. I nodded fast. That’s all I could manage without yelling “Yes, sir!” too loud. Back in Laramie, caring for the cavalry horses was the best part of every day. Now I get to do it again — here in Arizona Territory, where the rules feel looser and the West feels wilder.

And . . . no school! Hurrah!

It hasn’t taken me long to figure out there’s a lot different about this fort than Laramie. For one thing, Major Bennett is right. Not too many kids–boys or girls–at the fort. That’s fine by me. I’d rather spend my time with the horses. Pa says there are plenty of young Apaches, but he’s not too keen on letting me ride out to meet them. Seems the Apaches are “hot under the collar” about many things. I wonder if the scorching Arizona sun contributes to their bad tempers.

Anyways, here’s what’s different at Fort Apache. (I like the part where NO MORE freezing cold, windy winters. Sun and dry air. It feels so good right now, but Pa says wait until next July.)

🐴 The Stables: The horse pens are set beside a sloping stretch of pine. Dust kicks up every time a mount snorts or stomps. I spotted a roan with a scar down its flank and decided right then it’ll be my second favorite horse (after Midnight, of course).
🛡️ Why Pa Brought Soldiers to Accompany Us: I asked, and he said the territory’s restless. Apache warriors roam the hills — not hostile, at least not yet. But not overly friendly either. So no, it’s not safe to travel alone. I guess a boy and a horse aren’t much good against ambushes, even if the boy thinks he’s nearly grown.

Still, I made the trip all the way here without trouble, mostly rail and stage, until Pa met me for that final leg. Not many kids my age get to say they rode into Fort Apache with a captain at his side and a trusted black gelding under his saddle.

Pa gave me a whole week to rest (I’m thinking it took Mama that long to agree to let me work with the horses). Midnight is back to his best shape — he’s earned it. His coat’s dull from the miles, but I’ve got brushes and oats and a spot in the corner of the barn he already likes.

I’m not just visiting. I live here now. I belong.

I’ve been “chomping at the bit” (as Pa would say) to get to work and at last it’s here. Tomorrow, I get my chores from Sergeant Ellis (he looked grumpy, but Pa says he’s fair). And the day after that, I start proper duties with the horse detail. Maybe in a few months, Pa will let me ride out with the scouts. Maybe I’ll learn to track, or shoot, or even speak Apache.

But today? I just listen to the wind and let Midnight doze under the cottonwoods while I sit on the fence and wonder what stories this place will tell me.

If this is the Wild West, then I say: let it stay wild.