The Floating Outfit 11

by J. T. Edson

  Before Terry could reply the Kid appeared between two of the wagons, coming in like a ghost. ‘I come in here, should be safer. One of your boys near on blew my head off.’

  The attackers made good their retreat for there was no way Dusty and his party could follow. Dusty knew how dangerous it would be to roam around in the dark and so forbade the others to try it. He watched the lights approaching and called to ask if there were casualties.

  ‘Duke’s hit bad!’ Mark yelled back. ‘We need a doctor here pronto!’

  ‘Tombstone got his fool head nicked,’ called one of Terry’s hands. ‘Came up a mite sharp and cracked it on the wagon bed.’

  ‘They were greasers,’ the Kid remarked. ‘Least those I found all were.’

  ‘Come ahead, gents!’ Dusty called to the men who lit their way forward with lanterns and bar lamps.

  The first to arrive was no gent but an irate and indignant lady. ‘Just what did you—’ Sue began, then saw Red holding his arm. ‘Red, you’re hurt!’

  ‘I’m a dying cowboy and need loving care to keep me going,’ Red replied.

  ‘I’ll give you hell!’

  ‘They got Wade and hit Duke bad,’ Dusty put in. ‘I’m sorry, Sue.’

  Sue felt the loss of Wade, a long-standing friend but she was a western girl and practical at a time such as this. ‘The doctor can tend to Duke. I’ll wind something round this scratch.’

  ‘Scratch!’ Red wailed, knowing he could help Sue from brooding over the loss of her men.

  ‘Scratch,’ Sue agreed, for the wound was little more than a long and deep scratch, more messy and painful than serious. She hauled up her skirt, tore off a length of her petticoat and bound the wound in a workman-like manner.

  The other men gathered around and Dusty snapped orders to them to make sure none of the gang remained close by. Then he rose and left the circle with Mark and the Kid to check their victims.

  ‘Greasers every one,’ growled the Kid. ‘Pity we couldn’t take any of them alive. They’d’ve talked plenty.’

  More men came up, Dusty saw the big shape of the Land Agent among them. His eyes went to the man’s trousers as they showed in the light of a lantern. On the left leg Dusty saw a stain or wet looking patch. However, before he could speak to Considine Dusty heard Mark call.

  ‘Found this, Dusty!’

  Mark carried something forward, it was a large metal drum with a handle on top and one side burst by a bullet. Dusty did not need to ask what the drum contained for he knew a kerosene can when he saw it.

  ‘Now we know what they aimed to do,’ he remarked. ‘Any of you folks know the Mexicans?’

  ‘Two of them stood by Fernandez last night,’ Mark replied. ‘Could be their way of getting back at us.’

  ‘Get back to the train,’ Dusty drawled. ‘There’s nothing we can do here.’

  In the circle Dusty’s first action was to go where the doctor, with the light of lanterns, fought to save Duke’s life. Sue looked towards Dusty and nodded reassuringly.

  ‘He’s got a fighting chance,’ she said. ‘Which same’s all Duke ever asked for.’

  ‘I shouldn’t have brought your crew—’

  ‘Dusty Fog,’ Sue snapped. ‘I’m maybe not a smart gal, but I’m no fool and Red’s kin better know that. You took our boys because you needed men you could rely on. They took their chances. I’ll mourn for Wade and maybe Duke, but I’d hate to think they left you to stand here alone.’

  Red slipped his good arm around the girl’s shoulders. ‘Will you marry me, Sue?’ he whispered.

  It was no time to ask such a question and the polite conventions of the time demanded a much longer acquaintance before asking it. Yet Sue nodded her head without a second thought.

  ‘As soon as your arm’s better.’

  Dusty heard the proposal and its acceptance as he walked away. Sue could not have found a better man and Red would have a girl to be proud of, although hell only knew what Uncle Devil would say when he heard.

  Colonel Raines waited for Dusty, standing clear of the others. The small Texan came straight to the point. ‘Who was missing from the dance, Colonel?’

  ‘It’s hard to say. Considine was there listening to his sister a short time before the shooting. I assume he was, as I got tangled in a discussion and couldn’t watch him. The only other one who was missing, or who I noticed missing was Mrs. Simons.’

  ‘You sure about it, Colonel?’ snapped Dusty.

  ‘Near enough,’ Raines answered. ‘I remembered what you told me and looked especially for her. I asked Biscuits where she was, him having been pretty close to her all night. Allowed she’d left for the ladies’ room just when the shooting started and hadn’t come back.’

  Randle came up at that moment. His face was blank as he looked at Dusty.

  ‘I thought I rated some trust, Cap’n.’

  ‘You did, but happen I told you I’d’ve had to persuade you to stay behind and you’re a man who’d take some persuading. It looked more natural with you not knowing about the shooting,’ Dusty replied. ‘Let’s get back to town and I’ll tell you what I know.’

  Mark and the Kid stayed behind with Lourde’s men to clear up around the circle. The dance was called off when word got around and soon people were all in their beds. Dusty did not sleep that night, nor did Biscuits Randle, who learned all the small Texan knew but could shed no light on the possible trouble-causer.

  Dawn came and Biscuits cooked up a meal for the Texans. They sat around the stove in the jail while outside the people of the town woke to another day. The office door burst open and a man entered.

  ‘Cap’n Fog,’ he said. ‘I’ve just found Bull Gantry laid out behind the civic pound.’

  ‘Reckon Gantry can tend to his drinking without me,’ Dusty replied.

  ‘He’s not drunk. He’s dead. Shot in the head!’

  Dusty and the others hurried out and among the bushes behind the corral looked at Bull Gantry’s body. Dusty bent to examine the hole in his temple and came up to his feet his face cold and hard.

  ‘The thirty-six again,’ he said gently but there was no gentleness in his tone. ‘Where at’s Sue and Louise?’

  ‘With young Duke, been sat up with him,’ Mark replied.

  ‘Let’s get them. I’ll need their help.’

  ‘What’re you going to do, Dusty?’ asked Randle.

  ‘What I should have done a long time back. See Mrs. Simons and get some answers to a few puzzling questions.’

  Twelve – Maisie Simons’ Explanation

  ‘Better go and get some rest, dear.’

  Louise spoke gently to Sue. The western girl sat on a chair by the bed in which Duke lay, face pallid and chest hardly moving so shallow was his breathing.

  ‘Not yet,’ Sue replied quietly.

  Louise laid her hand on Sue’s shoulder and squeezed it gently. The ranch girl remained as she’d sat all night since Duke had been brought to the room in her house. Louise did not know how she might help and stayed by Sue, earning the other girl’s undying friendship by so doing.

  Duke’s eyes opened, they were pain-wracked and yet when they rested on the two girls a bit of his old grin fought its way to his lips. ‘Man, two angels already to hand,’ he gasped weakly. ‘Won’t that rile Tombstone ’n’ Andy, they allowed I’d never get to it.’

  Sue bit down a sob of relief, her voice was hoarse as she replied. ‘Pie stealers don’t go to heaven. Not any time. So you can just get up and quit your loafing.’

  ‘I ended where they said I would,’ Duke groaned. ‘I knowed I should have listened to Tombstone.’

  ‘Are you all right, Duke?’ Louise asked.

  ‘Had I a lil red haired gal about so high,’ Duke answered, feebly trying to move his hands. ‘I’d be all set.’

  The door opened and Dusty entered, followed by Mark, the train’s preacher and the little red haired gal about so high. She came forward, face pale but feet moving determinedly. The previous night after the fight
Mark told the preacher of Duke’s interest in the red haired girl and she came willing to act as his nurse.

  ‘Now I’ll never get him well,’ sighed Sue but she gripped the girl’s hand in her own and whispered, ‘Thanks, honey. Take care of him.’

  ‘I want you and Sue with me, Louise,’ Dusty snapped as the girls came to the side of the room.

  ‘Why sure,’ Sue agreed. ‘Come on, Louise gal. This’s no time to ask fool questions.’

  The two girls followed Dusty and Mark from the house. The Kid leaned by the picket fence, his rifle in his hand. ‘Quiet as the Staked Plain at noon,’ he said. ‘Nothing stirred no place.’

  ‘Let’s go then,’ replied Dusty. ‘Keep behind us, girls, and be ready to hit the ground if I give the word.’

  ‘What’s wrong, Dusty?’ Louise gasped.

  ‘Just do what he says, don’t jaw,’ Sue answered for Dusty did not speak.

  Louise suddenly realized where they were heading. On the previous day, with the eagerly given aid of Biscuits and Eddy Last, Maisie Simons had erected a large tent. She declared her intention to open for business the following day and brought her gear to town. Dusty headed straight for the rear end of the tent where already the Chinese helpers prepared food.

  Maisie sat at a small table at the end of the building and nodded a greeting as Dusty came towards her followed by Mark and the girls, the Kid having stayed at the door watching the street outside.

  ‘Good morning, Captain,’ Maisie greeted. ‘Can I get your party anything?’

  ‘Why sure. I want that long barreled Navy Colt, then for you to go with Louise and Sue and strip.’

  ‘Dusty!’ Louise gasped, sounding shocked and angry.

  ‘Very well,’ Maisie said, coming to her feet. ‘Come on, girls. We’ll use my wagon for it.’

  ‘Just what in hell are we supposed to be looking for?’ Sue inquired.

  ‘A recent scar, likely to be small and any place but most likely on the left side of her body.’

  ‘I could explain it all, Captain,’ Maisie remarked. ‘But I’d better clear this for you first, then talk after.’

  Maisie and Louise started towards the door but Dusty drew his left hand Colt, passing it to Sue. ‘Keep it hidden but if she tries to pull a gun, or get her hands out of sight, use it.’

  Time passed and Sue returned. ‘Nary a scar, not new. She’s got one that looks like it came from a knife and a couple which could have been made by teeth in a brawl but no new scars at all. What’s it all about, Dusty. She allows to have something to tell you if you’ll come into the wagon.’

  Dusty and Mark followed Sue to the wagon, the girl returning his Colt before they entered. Maisie finished buttoning her dress and waved her hand to the twelve inch barreled Navy Colt which lay on her trunk, holding down a wallet of a type Dusty recognized.

  ‘I demand an explanation, Dusty!’ Louise snapped. ‘You’ve made accusations or insinuations about Maisie ever since you met her. Now I want to know what this’s all about.’

  ‘First off, Mrs. Simons, if that’s your name,’ Dusty drawled, ignoring the girl. ‘I want some answers.’

  ‘I’m not sure I should answer them, or that you have the authority to ask,’ Maisie said coolly.

  ‘Biscuits made Mark and I special deputies and we’re still working for him ma’am,’ Dusty drawled. ‘Do we do it the easy way or use your Pinkerton’s methods?’

  Maisie smiled, her eyes going to the wallet. The other two girls stood back looking on. Sue caught Louise by the arm and held her, growling a warning not to interfere.

  ‘All right, I work for the Pinkerton Agency. That’s my identity wallet and inside it is a letter of instruction.’

  Dusty took up the Navy Colt, checked the cylinder and found it fully loaded though not capped. He drove the barrel retainer out and lifted the barrel out of place, looking through.

  ‘All right, it’s not been fired recent,’ he said and assembled the gun once more. ‘Why did you leave the train and go into Hammerlock, that night we arrived.’

  ‘Two reasons. To check up with one of our operatives who lives in Hammerlock, the other to follow a suspect.’

  ‘Now listen, Mrs. Simons,’ Dusty spoke quietly and grimly. ‘I know the way you Pinkertons work and I’m not having it here. I want to know everything and I mean everything, no holding back until you can contact your boss and have him come here with a flock of newspapermen to get stories of how he arrested the Considines when the local law was helpless.’

  ‘All right, Captain. I should have laid my cards on the table a long time ago. Lord, I’m sick of this life. Tired of doing the dirty work and letting Allen Pinkerton get the glory. Tired of being a saloon girl with men pawing over me and a jealous girl trying to knife me or scratch my eyes out. I’ve never been treated so decently as I was with the train. I’ve all the evidence and should be getting it up to Allen, even if there is a chance that the Considines slip through our fingers and spend all the money they’ve made before we take them. But I’m throwing it all in your lap, every bit of it. Then I’ll send my resignation in—but I’ve got to have something in return.’

  ‘Name it,’ Dusty replied.

  ‘I’ve got to stay Mrs. Simons. It’s my real name. I want to stay on here as Maisie Simons who runs the cafe.’

  ‘None of us will say anything, Maisie,’ Louise put in.

  ‘Won’t likely be more than Louise who knows about it in town in a month or so,’ Sue agreed, then blushed, for she and Red intended to keep their wedding a secret until his arm was better.

  ‘You’ve got a deal,’ Dusty said, putting the official seal of approval on the matter. ‘Talk ahead.’

  ‘Well you may or may not know that three other trains put up their money for this section of land,’ Maisie explained, sitting at the box and shoving her wallet towards Dusty. ‘Not one of the three arrived and all lost their deposit.’

  ‘The Governor never mentioned that to father,’ Louise put in.

  ‘He didn’t know of it. From all the official records at Prescott this section has never been offered for sale once.’

  Mark whistled. ‘That means somebody made a tolerable pile of money.’

  ‘Yes. The first party was contacted by a woman answering Miss Considine’s description. They left Saint Jo, Missouri and became so discouraged that they broke up and sold out in Kansas. The second were a religious group, one of the kind who hold everything other than breathing is sin. They hardly made the Kansas line before they’d been scared off by night-riders. The last bunch were German immigrants who put every cent they owned into coming out here.’ Maisie went on and a smile flickered to her lips. ‘You might not believe this but Allen Pinkerton’s made all this investigation just because of those people. He’s using every facility of the Agency to break this ring and doesn’t stand to make a cent out of it.’

  ‘I wouldn’t give him credit for hauling his mother from under a runaway wagon unless there was money in it for him,’ Mark growled.

  Maisie’s smile held. Allen Pinkerton and his Agency were not liked by any southerner. Mark’s view of Pinkerton was much the same as held by practically every man south of the Mason-Dixie line. She did not try to excuse her employer but carried on with her story.

  ‘The other two groups were split up, they could produce no papers to show their deal, neither could the Germans. On questioning, the Germans admitted the woman who made the deal kept all the papers, receipts, everything. We had nothing to go on until we heard of Colonel Raines coming west. Now this train was different, they’d the Governor’s backing. We thought it would break up the Considine game but had a man watching Raines. Then word reached us that Miss Considine was in Nashville and Allen decided to put me on the train. I saved the three Chinese from some bad trouble with their tong and they came along as my bodyguards and to make my story about going west more likely.’

  ‘Did you know they aimed to kill Tom Blade?’ Mark growled.

  ‘If I had I’d’v
e tried to stop it,’ Maisie replied, her voice a little angry. ‘Don’t let your ideas of Pinkertons fool you. We’re working for law and order, just the same as any law enforcement body that’s run by the State, Territory or Federal Government. I didn’t know Tom was marked for murder and I could have taken Considine apart with my bare hands when I heard but that wouldn’t prove anything. I went into Hammerlock hoping to find her but I didn’t see her at all. I saw Collins and recognized him from his description. He and Hooks Hammer led the gang who scared off two of the other trains. By the way, Hammer’s in town.’

  ‘I haven’t seen him,’ Dusty answered.

  ‘You have, Captain, twice at least. He’s shaved his beard off—’

  ‘Got him now, the man who came into the saloon yesterday and got out when Considine wig-wagged to him.’

  ‘The idea of killing Tom’s easy enough, god damn her coldblooded heart,’ Maisie went on. ‘And believe me, Captain, she’s the brains behind this business, not her brother. Tom died and if Collins forced the Colonel to take him on as scout, then they headed for the gap in the hills and the train would be stuck. Sure the deposit would be lost, but the Land Agent gets a percentage on sales and that would stop a complete loss on the trip. Governor Mansfield couldn’t make an exception in his friend Colonel Raines’ favor, not without raising a political storm. So, unless a fresh deposit could be gathered, payment and improvements as per contract made, the Colonel would have to give up his idea of building up Backsight and the Considine family be left to ruin other folks. If the Colonel had the money there would be another percentage slice which could start them up in some other small town.’

  ‘We threw that game out, I reckon,’ Dusty drawled.

  ‘You and Collins. His play was to sit back until news spread that Tom was dead, then cut in and offer to take on as scout. But he was a drunken fool and went bullheaded at it.’

  ‘It was her Collins saw in town, must have told her what happened,’ Dusty put in. ‘She saw how scared he was and stuck around. Then when he was set to talk with us she shot him.’