Hard Justice

by Mike McNeff

  He looked at Samson. Red eyes glared through the shadows dancing across his face, creating a demon’s mask.

  “Hey, Lee, you’re just as stupid as these redskins. All you’re doing is keeping us nice and warm.”

  Jasper placed his wood on the fire without a reply. In time the fire would speak for him.

  Hours passed as the process continued. The three men began to yell for water and twisted and turned their bodies in vain to avoid the heat. The ropes rubbed their skin raw and eventually cut bleeding wounds. On Jasper’s fourth turn his stomach turned at the odor beginning to build. All three men were gasping and struggling for breath, their skin bright red.

  “Water! For God’s sake man, bring us water!” Gestas begged.

  The young one, Lawrence, was hanging limp and moaning.

  Samson’s head hung low, but he raised it to look at Jasper. Those red eyes glowed with hatred. “Go fuck yourself, you son of a bitch, you’re lettin’ them cook us to death!” Then Samson screamed as the skin on his stomach started to split, his intestines bulging through. Soon the intestines began to sizzle. Samson screamed until his screams became exhausted whimpers.

  Jasper turned and walked back to his seat still carrying his wood.

  The Chief nodded to Moon On The Water and she struggled to her feet. Claw Of The Eagle jumped up to help her. They looked into each other’s eyes for a moment, then she turned to Butterfly Wing but she slowly shook her head.

  Moon On The Water straightened her back and walked to the fire. Claw Of The Eagle followed her, carrying three lengths of blackberry branches with a cloth at one end to protect his hands from the thorns. She stopped in front of Gestas. The man’s eyes glared at her but he couldn’t speak. Moon On The Water took a blackberry branch from Claw Of The Eagle and grasped it on the end with the cloth. Then bending down in front of the man she put the branch against his anus and shoved as hard as she could.

  The sound the man made wasn’t a scream. It was the most primal testament to pain Jasper had ever heard come from a living creature. Then the man made another guttural sound as Moon On The Water sliced off his penis, held it up and then threw it into the fire.

  Jasper’s whole body tensed tightly as he forced the contents of this stomach to stay down. He thought Soft Rain may have made the same sounds.

  Moon On The Water walked over to Lawrence, grabbed his hair and pulled his face up so she could look at him. Jasper rose and started to them. He heard Lawrence speak to her.

  “I’m s-s-sorry for what I- I’ve done. D-d-do what you need to, b-b- but I just ask y-you to f-forgive me.”

  Moon On The Water cocked her head to the side and looked at the dying man. She leaned forward, putting her moving lips close to his ear as she slipped her blade under his ribs and drove it into his heart. He gurgled for a few moments and then was gone. Moon On The Water then inserted the blade in the bottom of Lawrence’s bulging stomach, slicing up, causing gas and bloody fluid to spurt and bubble out, filling the air with a putrid odor. Lawrence’s body seemed to shrink and collapse into itself, a sight that seared into Jasper’s mind. The thought of Lawrence’s parents made him lower and shake his head.

  Moon On The Water moved to Samson. His intestines were now bulging more and she couldn’t bend down in front of him.

  “Go to hell, bitch,” he growled hoarsely.

  He started to say something else, but as his mouth opened Moon On The Water shoved a blackberry branch into his throat. He struggled and gagged. She bent down, sliced off his penis and held it in front of him. His eyes were wide and turning glassy. She threw his penis in the flames and walked out of the Circle of Fire. Then she bolted into the night, leaving a stunned and confused Claw Of The Eagle standing at the edge of the village.

  Seconds later, Samson’s intestines exploded. Not long after, Gestas’s stomach also cracked and exploded. People gagged on the ghastly smell of burnt flesh, excrement and stomach acid permeating the air. The Chief gathered his wood and a line formed behind him. Everyone threw their last wood on the blaze. Warriors, using wide buckskin straps, pulled the posts and laid them and the men on the pyre. Spark and smoke carried their remains into the emptiness of the uneasy night.

  The people quietly made their way to their lodges. Jasper saw no joy or satisfaction in their faces, only empty bloodshot eyes and grim lines around their mouths. He crawled into his bed roll, his stomach roiling, his body and emotions drained, leaving only an empty, hollow feeling.

  CHAPTER TEN

  THOUGH EXHAUSTED, sleep did not find Jasper. He lay in his bedroll trying to sort his emotions until the glow of the new day began to filter through the flap of the lodge. He rose silently, walking out to face the rising sun. Dropping to one knee he offered his morning prayer to Father Sun but it did not bring the peace that usually came when he started a new day with his clan family.

  “My son has dark thoughts about last night?” The whisper he had hoped for came and he looked to see Rain Water standing beside him.

  He nodded and she sat down beside him.

  “I would think less of you if you didn’t. It is true the punishment was very harsh, but there is a reason.”

  “I can’t find a reason in my mind.”

  “Of course not. Although you are a member of the clan you are a white man and live the white man way. You really cannot feel the fear we have. Most white men do not care for the creator’s earth or the creatures of Father Sun and Sister Wind as we do. They are many and have stronger weapons than we do. We know we must put fear in them to keep the bad of the white man away.

  “Would you have punished a clan member the same way if he did the same thing?”

  Mother smiled, but her eyes were amber pools of sadness. “Before you knew us; before the white man came, we had no warriors. When I was a young girl we did not have to fight. We lived in peace, hunted and fished. We gathered roots, nuts, berries and fruits to live. We welcomed all who came to our village, shared what we could and traded our baskets, robes and other things we made. It was a happy life.

  “Then the white man came. The first ones seemed to like us. They only took what they needed from the land and the water. They treated us like brothers and sisters. But more came. They began to take our land and kill the animals we needed to survive so they could sell the fur to others. When we told them to stop they spoke to us with dirty tongues. But we are not stupid. We saw through them and decided to fight for what the spirits had given us.

  “We learned we must frighten those white men or they would make us disappear from this world. We fought hard enough to make the white chiefs want to make a treaty. The treaty took land from us but gave us land we no longer must fight for.

  “Because we are a peaceful people by nature, we do not have men who would harm clan members. We do not have to punish any clan member that way. But, because we are becoming more like the white man I fear this will change.”

  “Mother, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say the punishment wasn’t true. I’m a member of this clan. Your fears are my fears for I love you all. The white man word ‘justice’ even means different things to different white men. Many believe the natural law, which I learned from Pa...and from you, is too harsh.”

  “As a clan member it is your task to tell the white men what happened to those who wronged us. Make them understand we are not powerless. In our own way we understand your word ‘justice.’ Justice was done last night.”

  He looked into Rain Water’s eyes. “I feel the spirits are taking me on a journey. I don’t know why but my task is to learn what true justice means.”

  Rain Water put her hand on Jasper’s forehead as tears formed in her eyes. “My son, I have waited many winters for you to hear the spirits. You have a good heart with a strong and true spirit. You must find your spirit guide and ask him to help you find your way.”

  Jasper rose and helped Rain Water to her feet. “Thank you, Mother. You’ve always been the center of my circle. You’ve always kept me from wanderi
ng too far.”

  “You are always in my heart, Fire Hawk.” She put her hands on his cheeks. “Find the star and keep it close to your heart.”

  “What star? I don’t understand.”

  “With the help of kindred spirits, you will.”

  The rising sun speared new shafts of light through the trees when Jasper and Rain Water arrived at the meeting circle. Moon On The Water stood in the middle. She held her head high but her eyes were red as they looked out in the distance. Her hair was matted on one side and Jasper could tell she had slept out in the woods. Butterfly Wing sat with her head down, tears falling from her eyes.

  Black Feather came and stood next to Jasper on one side, Rain Water on the other.

  She touched his arm. “I know what you want to say. Ask Walks With Bears if you can speak.

  Jasper cleared his throat. “Walks With Bears, my Chief, I would like to speak to the clan.”

  The chief looked around. “We will all listen to Fire Hawk’s words.”

  Jasper stood next to the sisters. “My clan, my family. I know the way of the people is to banish women who have been ruined.”

  Butterfly Wing sobbed.

  “I have told Black Feather that I’ll take the sisters to work on my ranches until they’re ready to decide their future. But I’m not sure that’s the true answer here. I ask you all to think about another way. I want to ask this gathering if there are any men who would want to join with the sisters. I think it is a question that should be asked before banishment. I ask Chief Walks With Bears to consider asking this question.”

  The chief looked at Jasper with a steady gaze for a long moment. Then he looked around at the gathered clan.

  “Are there men in this clan who would join with either of the sisters?”

  For a few seconds no one moved. Then Claw Of The Eagle slowly rose to his feet.

  Moon On The Water still looked straight ahead, but she trembled.

  Claw Of The Eagle walked toward her with a slow but deliberate stride until he intercepted her stare. Then their eyes met and with a sob Moon On The Water rushed to Claw Of The Eagle, wrapping her arms around his neck. He held her close and whispered in her ear. Her body shook as she openly cried.

  All eyes were now on Butterfly Wing who hadn’t moved a muscle. A slight commotion arose from the rear of the gathering. The warrior, Wind Runner, pushed his way forward. Jasper’s breath caught. Wind Runner was the largest and fiercest warrior in the clan and never known to be gentle with anything or anybody. He had the demeanor of a fighter and a face that seemed perpetually set for battle. Jasper was about to stop Wind Runner, but Mother’s eyes told him not to interfere.

  Wind Runner knelt in front of Butterfly Wing who still sat with her legs tucked to her side. He put his hand under her chin bringing her face up to his.

  “Do you fear me, Butterfly Wing?”

  She moved her head side to side.

  “They say I am a great warrior but I am not good at talking to women.” He took a deep breath. “I have loved you since we were children but I did not know how to tell you and I was afraid you would reject me as I am now.” He took another deep breath. “I wish us to join. I will love you, protect you and help you heal. I offer you my lodge and my life, if you will have me.”

  Jasper thought Butterfly Wing might be in shock because she simply looked into Wind Runner’s eyes for a long time. Then she leaned forward, brushing her lips against his forehead, his cheeks and his lips. She rubbed his nose with hers before collapsing into his chest.

  Wind Runner gently picked her up and held her like she was a feather, for once battle gone from his face.

  A feeling of surprise and great relief flowed through the clan. Sounds of happy approval began to build. Walks With Bears raised his hands in a command for quiet. He stepped in front of the two couples with the smile befitting a happy father.

  “I expected this and asked the spirits for guidance. They approve of this joining. You have showed us a new and better way, Fire Hawk. When Father Sun rises again we will prepare a celebration.”

  The clan gathered around the couples with smiles, offering congratulations.

  Jasper turned and started for the corral to get Coal, but Rain Water pulled on his arm.

  “Thank you, my Son. You helped us accept a new and better way.”

  “I could see in everyone’s heart they didn’t want the sisters to leave. I just didn’t want the sisters to suffer more when they did nothing wrong. I guess it’s just another way of seeing justice is done.”

  Rain Water gazed steadily into Jasper’s eyes for a moment and then smiled. “You must stay for the celebration.”

  “I wish I could but I still have men to find.”

  “Take Black Feather with you and maybe Wind Runner.”

  “Black Feather will know if I need him...and Wind Runner needs to be with his woman now.”

  Rain Water brought his face down with her gentle hands and brushed her lips on his cheek. “Listen to the spirits and remember my words, Fire Hawk... and come back.”

  “I never forget your words, Mother, and I will come back. Please don’t worry.”

  But Jasper saw the worry in Rain Water’s eyes before he turned and headed for the corral.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  JUDGE RANCE IVERSON SIPPED his Kentucky bourbon while he listened to the governor.

  “As you know, Rance, my sister means the world to me. It’s not her fault her no account husband gave her a bad seed. She would just die if he swung.”

  “Murder and rape are serious crimes, Governor.”

  “Yes, yes, I know, but not so bad when it’s an old sodbuster and his ignorant sons. And the girl, well, probably just a country floozy.”

  “It would put me in a tough position.”

  “I understand, but you’re a tough man. That’s why I’m recommending you to replace me when I become a United States Senator after we become a state.”

  “I’ll give this matter some thought. I’m concerned about this cowboy, Rich Delton, though. According to the report I’ve seen, he’s an eyewitness to the crimes you’re nephew committed.”

  “Allegedly committed.” The governor shot back. “But I hear the good folks of Lowell Town are mighty upset at that Delton boy. There’s a lot of talk about a lynchin’.”

  “That’s not likely to happen as long as Stan Barstow is the town marshal. He’s a tough, honest lawman.”

  The governor leaned forward in his chair. “Rance, Delton won’t make it to court.”

  Iverson’s swallow of bourbon went down hard.

  “Now, this Jasper Lee fellow is a problem. I’m quite sure he’s the only person who cares one wit about what happened in Arlington. What I need you to do is issue an arrest warrant for Jasper Lee on thirteen counts of murder in the first degree. That should distract folks about Bart.”

  “I’ll need the prosecutor to send me the charges.”

  “He will.”

  Iverson gave the governor a quizzical look.

  “Who do think is going to replace you as judge?”

  Charlie Forbes eyed the rider trotting towards the ranch office and rested his hand on his pistol. Several cowboys had come by looking for work in the last couple of weeks, but he sent them on after giving them a meal. He’d have to do the same with this man.

  “You the foreman?”

  “I am...”

  “Name’s John Smith. The governor said you’d have a job for me,” the man said before Charlie could tell him the score.

  “The governor, eh. You done any cow punchin’?”

  “Oh yeah, plenty.”

  Charlie looked at the horse this John Smith rode in to the ranch. “I don’t see any chaps or rope on that horse.”

  “Look, the governor said you’d have a job for me. I don’t think you wanna piss him off.”

  Charlie gave Smith a hard look. “You’ll have a job...right up to the time you talk to me like that again. You understand?”

 
“Okay, okay, I understand.”

  “Put your horse away and get some vittles over at the bunkhouse. We start work at sun up. Be ready.”

  “I will.”

  Charlie went back into his office and continued going over the brand count. Thirty minutes later a commotion outside interrupted his count. He stepped out to find Smith sitting in the dirt in front of the bunkhouse door. Three other young cowboys surrounded him, one holding a pistol by the top of the cylinder.

  “What the hell’s going on here?”

  “He’s what’s going on,” Jerry Sanchez nodded to Smith.

  “You got a problem with Smith?”

  “Smith? This here’s Bart Moore, a lyin’, back-stabbin’ low life.”

  “Moore, eh.” Charlie rubbed his hand over his chin then across the back of his neck. You kin to the governor’s sister?”

  “I’m the governor’s nephew! You’d better watch out what you do.”

  “You bringin’ him on, Charlie? Because if you do, I’m quittin’.”

  “That’ll make three of us,” Walt Winters added and his brother nodded in agreement.

  Charlie walked over, picked up Moore’s hat and lifted him up by the arm. He plopped the hat on Moore’s head sending a cloud of dust flying around the outlaw. “Is that his pistol?”

  “Yeah, we took it from him after he pulled it on us.”

  Charlie took the pistol, emptied it and gave it to Moore. “Get your horse and get out. Tell the governor he can’t afford you workin’ here.”

  Moore glared. “You’re going to regret this.”