The Big Country

by Donald Hamilton

  Rufus said thoughtfully, “This McKay sounds like a fellow I’d like to meet.”

  Buck Hannesey spat on the ground at his feet. “He must have been eating raw meat since I saw him. He acted mild enough that time we roughed him up on the road.”

  “Precisely,” Rufus said. “Which is why I want to meet him. A gent who’ll take a beating from you without lifting a finger to help himself, and then turn around and lick the pants off Ben Rainier, that’s a gent who’ll bear watching.”

  Buck said irritably, “Ah, you’ve always got to have it complicated. I know what’s the matter with Mister McKay; I’ve met them like that before. He’s just gun-shy, that’s all.” He turned to Combs,

  “Why the hell didn’t you tell the boys in the hideout? They could have run those two down in no time.”

  Combs glanced at him, and said, ‘“I figured I’d let Mr. Hannesey do the thinking. If he wants them stopped, there’s still time to lay for them before they get to Ladder.”

  “If he wants them stopped!” Buck snorted, and turned to mount. “You think we got all those men planted up there just to have Major Terrill learn about them ahead of time?”

  His father’ voice checked him as he put his foot into the stirrup. “Take it easy, Young Rufus. Don’t wear yourself out rushing around. This will bear a little thinking about, son.”

  “You do the thinking. I’m riding! If we don’t catch them before they reach Ladder and spill the beans-”

  “If we don’t,” Rufus said gently, “what happens?”

  Buck looked around, annoyed. “Why, Major Terrill will ride up there and-"

  “And what?”

  “And wipe them out, naturally!”

  “But suppose there’s nobody there to wipe out, except Ben Rainier? What do you think the Major will do, Young Rufus, if he comes barreling up there and finds nobody to fight but Ben and maybe Tiny Johnson. You think he’ll tip his hat politely and say, sorry, my mistake, sir? No, I'm betting the Major will do just what he started out to do, regardless of how many men he does or doesn't find at Rainier's which is wipe the place off the map. And when he does that, so we’ve got him!”

  “What about Ben?”

  The older man looked up, and his eyes were hard and blue. “Ben made his choice, son. I put him there to do a job, and he thought a girl was more important. Never mind Ben. Stay away from the cabin. Leave him for Major Terrill, if he’s fool enough to stay. Just get those boys in the hideout warned so they can’t say we double-crossed them, I don’t want to have to watch my back for the next couple of years.”

  Buck put his spurs to the horse, and went up the bank of the arroyo in a couple of bounds. Two men caught up to him after he had ridden a way and followed along in silence. It was close to noon when they saw the Rainier cabin again. Buck swung wide of it and approached the hideout from the northeast. His message was not well received by men who had expected to be rich this time next week, but his gun and the two men at his back prevented any serious difficulties. He rode away, leaving the outlaws bickering, except for one old fellow who was already saddling his horse in the resigned and systematic way of a man who had turned his back on golden hopes before.

  As they approached the cabin, one of Buck Hannesey’s companions said, “Hell, Buck, I thought the old man said to stay clear of-”

  “Shut up,” Buck said. He stopped his horse in the yard and watched the door, presently Rainier’s big shape filled the opening. Buck laughed shortly at the sight of the giant’s swollen and discolored face. “So the dude cut you down to size, big boy,” he jeered.

  Rainier flushed. “What do you want, Hannesey?”

  “Where’s Johnson?”

  “I paid off Tiny a couple of hours ago, after Lou Combs lit out. No sense him hanging around to get in trouble. He’s a good hand.”

  “But you’re sticking it out? Are you figuring the Major’s going to give you a break because you turned your coat? Maybe let you stay on and keep what you’ve made here with Hannesey help and Hannesey money?”

  There was a distant and withdrawn look in Ben Rainier’s eyes. The big man said slowly, “I’m staying because I can’t think of any place I want to go. It’s been nice here. I’ve been happy here, when folks let me alone and I forgot what I was here for.” He drew a long breath. “Now pull that gun and start shooting, damn you! That’s what you came for, isn’t it?”

  He started forward deliberately, as Buck said slowly, "You made a mistake letting her go, Ben. I was counting on you to keep her here, for me."

  His hand went down, and his gun fired in almost the same instant. Ben Rainier seemed to hesitate, but only briefly. He kept coming, placing his feet in a deliberate fashion. Buck Hannesey fired again and a third time. Rainier only walked a little more slowly, like a wading man forcing his way against a heavy current. Buck let him have the fourth bullet in the face at point-blank range. Ben Rainier’s hand came to rest on the mounted man’s knee, but there was no strength in the big fingers. They slipped away, and Rainier pitched forward on his face in the dust.

  Buck Hannesey watched the fallen man carefully for several seconds, gun ready. He saw no sign of movement; but there was no sense in taking chances, So he took careful aim and put a final bullet into the back of Rainier’s head.

  He grinned wolfishly. “Major Terrill hadn’t ought to go around murdering people like that,” he said. He turned to look at one of the two men behind him. “You, Slim,” he said, “I want you to ride back to the hideout and tell a gent named Beemis I’ve got a job for him down at Blanco “Canyon, pronto. If you hurry you can catch him before he lights out with the rest of them. He’ll be wearing a black suit and there’ll be a Bible on him somewhere and a bottle in his fist if he’s sober enough to hold it. You, Clay, throw some coal oil around the place and touch it off, then come along with me...

  Chapter 21

  THE STOUT PROPRIETRESS OF THE HOTEL studied McKay with interest as he signed the register, received his key, and turned over Julie Maragon’s package and the envelope containing his bill of sale.

  “Looks like you ran into a tree limb while out riding, Mr. McKay,” she said.

  McKay gently probed the bruise on his temple where Ben Rainier’s fist had left its mark. “Well, it’ll teach me to watch where I’m going,” he said.

  “A fellow from Ladder brought your things around. Said you might be heading east pretty soon.”

  “It’s certainly a possibility,” McKay admitted.

  “Well, your gear’s over there in the corner. Ma Horst started to turn away, and looked back over her shoulder. “Oh, I almost forgot. There was a message, too Somebody’s waiting to see. you over to Judge Canning’s. In fact, she’s been sending over about once an hour all afternoon to find out why you haven’t got there yet.”

  McKay paused outside the hotel, setting the bowler hat squarely on his head. It surprised him to discover that the thought of Pat awaiting him awoke a feeling of pleasure. But it was a pleasure not unmixed with irritation, didn’t the girl know. her own mind? Trying to order his thoughts, which seemed more confused than the situation warranted, McKay was not aware of the man hurrying after him until a voice checked him,

  “Mr. McKay.”

  He turned quickly to face a thin man in a shabby dark suit. For a moment he could not recall where they had met before, then, even in the dark, he recognized the worn and grimy hat that Julie Maragon had ridiculed. This was Lawyer Brockhurst’s companion of the day before, the supposed cattleman from San Antonio through whom Major Terrill had tried to buy the Lazy M.

  “What is it, Mr. Purley?” McKay asked. “I’m in a hurry.”

  The man had his hat in his hands. “Well, I reckon it’s not much use my asking, Mr. McKay,” he said, “but I figured I'd give it a try, anyway. I used to be a pretty fair hand-”

  “You’re asking me for a job?”

  Purley nodded soberly. “I won’t lie to you, Mr. McKay; I knew there was something funny about that propositi
on, but when you’re broke you can’t afford to be particular, and I want you to believe I didn’t know there, was a young lady involved... Well, I recognized you when you came out of the hotel just now, and figured there was no harm in trying, but I reckon I understand how you feel. Sorry to take up your time.” He put his hat back on and started to turn away.

  McKay said, “Wait a minute. Did the Major give you enough money to get home on, Mr. Purley?”

  The other looked back, and spat reflectively into the dust between them. “Are you acquainted with Major Terrill, Mr. McKay? Well, does he strike you as a man who’d pay out money for a trick that didn’t work?”

  “I see. Well, what makes you think I have a job to offer?” Purley shrugged. “The lawyer said you was interested in that ranch, too, and the young lady seemed to think more of you than of us, so it seemed likely you made a deal after we left.” He hesitated, and went on quickly, “And if you don’t mind my saying so, Mr. McKay, you don’t look like you know a hell of a lot about cattle, so I figured you might be looking for men who do.”

  “Meaning you, Mr. Purley?”

  “I been around them all my life. The only thing I don’t know about cows, Mr. McKay, is how to get rich off them.”

  McKay laughed. “All right, Mr. Purley,” he said. He counted out some money and held it out. “Get yourself whatever clothes and equipment you need, and see what you can do about getting horses and saddles for both of us. We’ll ride out right after breakfast and have a long look around the place. What’s the matter, isn’t that enough money?”

  Purley looked up. “It’s plenty, but what’s to keep me from making off with it?”

  “Your conscience, man,” McKay said with a grin. “If you haven’t got one, it’s worth that much to me to find it out now.”

  “I reckon that makes my conscience worth more than all the rest of me put together,” the man said dryly.

  “Why, that’s the case with most men,” McKay said. “Good night, Mr. Purley. I’ll see you in the morning, early.”

  Walking on down the street, he was aware that he had come to a decision, although he was not quite sure what it was. Nevertheless, he found himself suddenly appreciating the coolness of the night and the brightness of the stars in the clear, dark sky. Suddenly he found himself, not exactly uncaring what Pat was waiting to say to him, but at least independent of it, whatever happened, he had a place to go and work to do.

  He knew the house, of course, having been there once before, but the man who opened the door was a stranger to him-a small, portly man with a bald head, a gray mustache, and a small, pointed little gray beard.

  “Ah, Captain McKay,” he said, holding out his hand. “I’m Douglas Canning. I recognize you by the description-or should I say, by the hat? More power to you, my boy. I admire a man who has the strength of his convictions, sartorial or otherwise. Come in.

  McKay shook. the proffered hand, and stepped inside. “Is Miss Terrill-"

  The Judge laughed. “She most certainly is, young man; and I’m most heartily glad you’ve finally arrived. Maybe now We’ll have some peace in the house. Go right in.”

  McKay preceded the older man into the room that he had seen before. Mrs. Canning was sitting in a big chair by the lamp, placidly working at an intricate piece of embroidery. Patricia stood by the windows, looking out at the darkness...

  Mrs. Canning folded her embroidery and put it into a bag by her chair. “Good evening, Jim,” she said to McKay, rising, and to her husband, “Douglas, I think I’ll go out on the patio and get some fresh air. Come along and keep me company.”

  It was very quiet in the room after they had left. Some horsemen passing in the street sounded far away, although the windows were open, a dog barking somewhere in town was a remote noise that disturbed the night only minutely. Patricia was wearing the graceful black riding habit in which she had met him here less than a week ago, McKay noted, and her heavy hair was coiled in a smooth, bright coronet about her head, in this much she was the same, but something about her had changed. When she turned abruptly to face him, here was a disturbing look of secret wisdom in her eyes.

  “I’ve been waiting all afternoon, Jim,” she said. “Where on earth have you been?”

  He said, “To Ladder, for one place. You could have saved yourself a ride if you’d stayed home.”

  “You-came back?” Her voice was gentle. “To see me, Jim.”

  He shook his head. “No, to warn your father about some devilment the Hanneseys are cooking up.”

  Patricia laughed again, a trifle sharply, “Why, that was sweet of you, and I’m some Dad was grateful.”

  “If he was,” McKay said dryly, “he didn’t knock himself out showing it. Neither did Leech. What do you want, Pat?”

  She shook her head sadly." “In that tone of voice, Jim? Anybody’d think-anybody’d think you weren’t glad to see me.”

  McKay said, “The last time we met in this room I was very glad to see you, I’ve never been so glad to see anybody in my life. But today-, Well, a man likes to know where he stands, Pat.”

  She said, “James McKay, if you think for a moment I chased into town to-to ask you to come back. I declare, I don’t know what could have given you such an idea!” She took a step toward the table, and belatedly he recognized the familiar mahogany pistol case lying there. She touched it lightly with the tips of her fingers. “I just came to give you back these. Dad says that under the circumstances of course he can’t keep them.”

  McKay looked at the polished case. “Why, it was a gift, I meant for him to keep them.”

  She shook her head, and went on rapidly, as if he had not spoken, “and you never did get around to giving me your mother’s brooch that you mentioned once, so I have nothing else to return but-but the ring.” She looked down and began to remove it from her finger.

  He said tonelessly, “You had a long ride to bring me these things Pat, and I certainly appreciate it.”

  She glanced at him “Darling,” she said, “I never did learn how to tell when you were being sarcastic. I-” Suddenly she made a sharp little gesture with the hand that still wore the ring, and swung around to face him fully. “Oh, I Can’t keep it up! I Can’t be proud and cool and remote, I don’t fool you at all, do I, Jim? I did come to ask you if-if it had to be like this, only you made me so mad with that dry and superior tone. Jim, is it all gone, everything we had? I’m not very good at apologies, but-”

  “The fault was mine,” he said.

  They looked at each other for a moment, then he stepped forward, and she came to meet him. He felt her arms go around his neck, she came to him more unreservedly than she had ever done, and her mouth was warm and urgent in a deliberate, almost calculated way that he found unfamiliar, and disquieting. Abruptly he pushed her away, holding her by the shoulders, and looked into her face. She tried to meet his glance, but the quick color that came beneath her skin betrayed her, and she turned her head so that he could not see her eyes.

  “Jim,” she said after a moment, “Jim, is it so plain?”

  “Steve Leech?” he said. It explained a great deal.

  She nodded without looking at him. “Yes.”

  His lips were dry. “Are you happy, Pat?”

  “Why,” she said, “yes, I think so. Does it matter? I love him, if that’s what you mean. I always have. That sounds as if I was a very deceitful sort of person, doesn’t it, loving one man and preparing to marry another? But I was afraid of Steve, that’s why I turned to you. I still am afraid of Steve. I-I can’t do anything with him, while he can do anything with me. And now he knows it. Anything. Even send me here to-to make love to you.”

  McKay said, “I see. He’s discovered that I own Big Muddy?”

  “Yes.”

  “How were you going to get it from me. No,” he said quickly. “I retract the question. We’ll just not inquire into that. Maybe-"

  “What?”

  “Maybe I should have obliged Mr. Leech when he wanted to fi
ght. The man needs a little decency pounded into him.” Patricia laughed quickly. “Don’t talk big Jim. Steve’s a better man than you are with fists or guns or-”

  “Or women,” McKay said dryly.

  She flushed, and freed herself, and put her hands to her hair. “You don’t have to be nasty, Jim McKay. I declare, the way you’re acting, anybody’d think I’d committed murder! Steve and I are going to be married. And you can either make yourself look small and jealous and mean by hanging onto a piece of property you don’t want simply because another man took your girl away, or you can do a fine and generous thing that’ll prove that your talk of love actually meant something-that you really want to see me happy.” She drew a long breath and faced him challengingly. “Well, Jim?”

  He hesitated, wanting to shape his answer carefully, although he had no doubt what it was to be. He picked up the mahogany pistol case and ran his hand over it thoughtfully and played with the catch, and he was grateful to the chance that had caused him to make this decision beforehand, otherwise he could never have been quite sure that he had not, as she charged, been motivated by spite. But everything was very simple now, and it only remained to say it in the way that would leave as little ill feeling as possible...

  The sound of gunshots swung him about to face the window. There were three reports close together, and although they came from some distance away, he knew at once what section of town the sounds had come from. He was on his Way through the door before the echoes had died away, snatching up his hat as he passed it. Outside, everything was quiet in the immediate neighborhood of the Cannings, but he heard a voice cry a question down by the hotel.

  When he turned into the side street, there was no one ahead of him. The cottonwoods made a dark tunnel. There was a light in the last house. It spilled out through the door that stood wide open, and illuminated the garden gate, also ajar. Just outside the gate, he kicked against something hard and metallic. Trying to avoid it, he stumbled over a man lying on the ground.