PukelandsChapter Archive

The Pump at Tallow Creek

That same morning

At Tallow Creek, the Man With No Phlegm stopped the plague-sick Hobb from reaching the public pump and helped free the station keeper’s daughter from a toppled water cart, cutting his hand in the process. Hobb revealed that armed men from his camp were pursuing him, and three riders appeared on the road while the townspeople waited to see what the Man would do.

The Wages in the Ditch

That same morning

The Man refused to surrender Hobb when three riders reached Tallow Creek, learning that Hobb had taken payroll he says was owed to three men and struck Foreman Rusk while escaping after being left chained in a ditch. With Mrs. Noll and the townspeople, he drove the riders off and captured one, though Rusk escaped; Hobb admitted he intends to kill Rusk, while the Man’s injured hand worsened.

A Share of the Trouble

The afternoon and evening after the riders fled

Pell confirmed that Rusk left Hobb chained in the ditch and admitted he was one of the men owed wages. Hobb gave Pell his six dollars rather than punish him, then agreed to wait until first light before pursuing Rusk; the Man committed to riding with him, while Pell warned that Rusk could gather more men at camp.