Hard Justice

by Mike McNeff

  The crack of a bullet tightened Jasper’s gut. Then another…and another smacked a large boulder and ricocheted when Jasper passed. Coal galloped across the gap.

  Jasper sat up and reined in Coal. A deer trail wound up the side of the mountain. He jumped off, pulled his rifle and started up the mountain at a fast trot.

  Catching a glimpse of Black Feather, Jasper signaled with the cry of an eagle. Black Feather stopped and looked then pointed his rifle. Jasper followed the direction of Black Feather’s signal and saw Moore headed up a ravine. Jasper figured he could go another hundred yards before Moore would have a chance of spotting him.

  The trail was steep and the muscles in Jasper’s legs began to burn as he kept up his pace. Breathing came harder but he focused on his target and didn’t falter. He reached the base of an outcropping and stopped. Gulping air, he took off his hat and wiped the sweat from his head and face. When he regained control of his breathing, he crawled out onto the outcropping.

  The ravine was cut wide by a dry wash lined with yellow granite chunks and sun bleached boulders. The wash bed provided a rocky but passable trail shaded by scrub oak and knotty pine. Cliffs and granite walls the color of rust lined most of the ravine. He could see his Indian brothers climbing the other side of the ravine, slightly ahead. He looked for Moore but couldn’t see him.

  He pulled his telescope out from inside his shirt. He swept the glass in front of Black Feather and Wind Runner to make sure Moore wasn’t waiting in ambush. Swinging the glass up the wash he caught some movement but lost it in the dense cover of oak and pine. A few seconds later he clearly saw Moore moving at a fast pace, but soon lost him again in the trees. The outlaw was at least a hundred and fifty yards in front of the lawmen and still moving fast. Moore had good cover and concealment. A clear shot would be difficult now.

  Jasper looked further ahead and realized why Moore was headed that direction. At the end of the ravine a large granite wall dominated the area. A granite wall that provided high ground and the perfect defensible position. A twinge of fear wound through his gut. The way Moore headed up the wash made Jasper realize the outlaw had been here before.

  Jasper continued up the mountain at a quicker pace now that he knew Moore’s destination. He reached another outcropping and took another look in the ravine. Wind Runner was a couple hundred feet ahead of Black Feather and had reached the top corner of the granite wall on that side of the ravine. The warrior eased out and crouched at the edge of the cliff, scanning the ravine looking for Moore. He rose and turned. A shot echoed along the side of the mountain and Jasper saw a chunk fly off Wind Runner’s left leg. He fell on his side and the momentum pulled him over the edge of the cliff. He managed to get a hold on to something Jasper couldn’t see and hung there over the side of the cliff.

  More shots rang out and Jasper spotted Moore behind a pile of granite. Jasper raised his rifle and fired two rounds, but he heard his bullets ricochet. He turned back to where he’d last seen Black Feather but couldn’t find him. Jasper looked back to Moore’s last position. He’d disappeared behind the granite. Jasper turned back to Wind Runner and sucked in a sharp breath.

  Bright red blood poured down Wind Runner’s leg. The young warrior struggled to pull himself up, his left hand slipped. He reached back up with his left hand, but it was too far. He grabbed his right arm with his left hand and tried to pull himself up that way, still he couldn’t make it.

  Jasper watched wishing he could reach out and grab the hand and pull his brother to safety. He prayed to the spirits to give his brother strength to win this battle. But Wind Runner’s hand slowly, slipped off the cliff. His fall was silent until it ended with the thump of his body on the boulders sixty feet below.

  Jasper held back his pain like Pa had taught him, but inside a torrent of tears roiled together with his anger. When he finally regained control he noticed that he didn’t see Black Feather anywhere. He called out the eagle cry.

  No answer. That meant Black Feather was probably down as well.

  Rage and heartache pushed Jasper up the mountain. The colors of the mountain became intense hues of bright emerald trees, glowing gold granite, flaxen tinged sand and stark white boulders. But there was no beauty in it. His only interest now was justice for his fallen brothers.

  Jasper reached the corner of the granite wall. He hunkered down behind some boulders and took a minute to collect himself. He had lost his objectivity. Lesson learned…but it had been a costly one. Slow deep breaths soon calmed his rage. The criminal turned out to be a much better fighter than Jasper had believed.

  Jasper surveyed the layout. The boulders that gave him cover also blocked his view. He got up on his haunches and listened. His ears sorted through what little noise he heard…the breeze, rustling leaves, swaying trees. The birds were quiet and the animals were still...Moore was close. Then, a loose stone to the right.

  Jasper moved around the left side of the boulders, perilously close to the edge of the cliff. He sidestepped around the end of the boulders when Moore burst into view from the other end and fired his rifle from the hip. A bullet smacked the boulder next to Jasper’s head, spraying the right side of his face with rock and bullet fragments.

  Jasper pitched forward to avoid going over the cliff and rolled to a kneeling position as Moore fired again and missed. Jasper’s right Colt instantly came up in his hand spitting flame and lead. Moore staggered, dropped his rifle and ran behind the boulder.

  Blood blinded Jasper’s right eye and he pressed his body against the boulder, his heart pounding in his ears. He could hear Moore running away, then saw him cutting to the left through the live oak. He wiped his eye with his sleeve and started after his prey.

  Jasper took his time. Moore’s trail was easy to follow, but he was wounded and every hunter knows a wounded animal is the most dangerous animal. Maintaining the best cover and concealment he could, Jasper tracked the signs step after careful step. Every detail appeared in sharp focus and he caught every movement...heard every sound.

  The trail led to a cave about a hundred yards from the edge of the cliff. Pain, anger and even fear wove through him as he tried to clear his blurred vision. He picked a position with good cover and waited, fighting a woozy feeling, fighting to keep the world from spinning into a deep black hole.

  Bart Moore sat against the stone wall of the cave watching the outside He tried to bandage his arm with strips torn from the bottom of his shirt, but the blood continued to seep through the cloth. Each breath came out in grunts and whimpers. After tying the bandage he threw the bloody sleeve he tore off to the back of the cave. He put his pistol in his left hand and stared out the cave entrance.

  Pent up frustration and emotion erupted and surged through him. He screamed and began kicking the cave floor with the heels of his boots. Then he stopped, his chest heaving, tears running down his face… abandoned and alone again. Mother, why did you bring me into this lousy world when you knew you couldn’t love me? Why’d you give me up to father when you knew how evil he was, you bitch? Why?!

  Anger coursed through his veins. He wanted to kill everybody, but most of all he wanted to kill Jasper Lee. Bart pictured his bullet smashing into Lee’s head as he stared out of the cave...waiting. After a few minutes he heard a sound in the back of the cave. He peered into the darkness. Nothing there. He turned back to look out of the cave. A low growl caused cold fear to coil up his spine. He turned to see glowing eyes rushing toward him. He fired, the flash blinding him. Ripping pain engulfed his arm from razor sharp teeth closing around his hand and tearing it off. He screamed…and screamed…and screamed.

  The shot jolted Jasper. Then he heard Moore screaming and the growls of wolves. He listened trying to figure out what was going on, then it dawned on him. Moving cautiously to the side of the cave entrance he listened to the screams fade to gurgling whimpers, then nothing. Jasper moved just enough to peer inside the cave over the barrel of his rifle.

  Moore was still alive, his mouth mo
ving but saying nothing.

  The wolves fed on the contents of his ripped open stomach. His white face, colored only with streaks of scarlet turned toward Jasper. Moore gasped and a hissing whisper came from his throat. “Shoot me.”

  The two men’s eyes locked for a few long seconds. Then, without a word, Jasper turned and walked away.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  JASPER SLOWLY WORKED his way down the other side of the ravine. He passed the corner of the granite cliff where Wind Runner fell, resisting the urge to look at his brother’s broken body. He would see it soon enough.

  When he got the place where he last saw Black Feather, he called out, fearful he would get no response. “Black Feather! Where are you?”

  “I’m here, brother.”

  Relief flooded through Jasper as he raced toward the pain-laced voice.

  Black Feather was propped up against a boulder in a short gully. His left foot was twisted at an odd angle. Jasper knelt and examined the splintered bone that had broken through the skin. “What happened?”

  “I was running to Wind Runner when a boulder I jumped onto slipped. My leg jammed into a crevice. I could not stop my fall.”

  “You did well to stop the bleeding. I need to make a splint.”

  “Wind Runner?”

  “Gone.”

  “Moore?”

  Jasper looked at his brother. “Natural justice caught up with him.”

  Black Feather cocked is head.

  “Wolves got him.”

  Black Feather grunted his approval.

  Jasper cut some saplings with his Bowie knife and fashioned a splint with strips of the green wood. “How’s that feel?”

  Black Feather nodded.

  “I’ll make a litter.”

  “No, brother. I can make it down with your help.”

  “Your leg is in bad shape.”

  Black Feather eyed Jasper’s head. “You are not doing so well, either. We will make it together.”

  The trek was slow and treacherous. When they reached the horses, they drank deep from canteens. Jasper wrapped Black Feather in a blanket and built a fire. He made sure no fever had risen then set food and water in reach.

  “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  “I’ll be here,” Black Feather replied.

  Jasper led Coal up the ravine to the base of the cliff. He traveled up the wash and threaded his way through and over the granite chunks. The sun was being pulled to the western horizon when he reached Wind Runner’s body.

  Wind Runner lay face up. His eyes were open and even though the sun had begun its work, Jasper could see the peaceful set of Wind Runner’s face.

  No more battles, my brother. No more battles.

  Jasper worked quickly to wrap the body in his bedroll blanket. He struggled to get the dead weight of the big warrior over Coal’s back, but he was finally able to secure the body with rope and start down the mountain.

  Halfway down the ghostly shadows of two riders approached.

  “Jasper! It’s Stan Barstow and Claw Of The Eagle,” one of the rider’s shouted.

  “Hold fast. I’m comin’ down.”

  When Jasper reached the men, Claw Of The Eagle dismounted and walked over to Coal. He patted the stallion’s neck and ran his hand down along Coal’s back until it reached Wind Runner. Claw Of The Eagle took a deep breath, laid his hand on the body and put his forehead on the blanket. Looking up he chanted in the words of the ancient ones. Rise into the night sky Wind Runner and take your place at the campfire of all the great warriors, for you are truly one.

  He turned, put his hand on Jasper’s shoulder, and held out the reins of his horse. “You ride, Fire Hawk.”

  “Thank you, brother, but I’ll finish what I started. It’s my way.”

  Claw Of The Eagle nodded and climbed back on his horse.

  Stan leaned toward Jasper. “Black Feather says Moore’s dead.”

  Jasper nodded. “Wolves. Don’t worry, Marshal. There won’t be much left to bury.”

  “I’d take it kindly if you’d write a report.”

  “I believe it’s part of my job, now.”

  Stan smiled. “You know Sheriff Lee, I think you’re going to be a damn fine lawman.”

  “I suppose. We best get movin’.”

  The campfire at the bottom of the mountain soon came into view. Jasper could see a wagon in the flickering blaze. A figure came from around the other side.

  “Jasper?”

  The sadness in Jasper’s heart lightened. “I’m here, Gale.”

  In an instant her arms were around him, her head buried in his chest. He held her tight, like he would never let go. They stood quiet for a minute. Jasper savored her touch, her fragrance.

  Then she looked up at him and brushed gentle fingers over the right side of his head. “Black Feather said you were hurt.”

  Jasper laughed softly. “My brother talks too much.”

  The rising sun was just beginning to golden up the sky when Stan, Claw Of The Eagle and the soldiers started the trek to Fort Hurley with the prisoners. The clan followed to make sure justice was done.

  “We’re all ready to go,” Gale said to Jasper.

  Their friends and neighbors from Cassidy County milled around waiting to make the return trip home.

  Jasper shook his head. He couldn’t believe the whole of Arlington had turned out. He knew now how much of a responsibility it was to be sheriff. These were the people who were counting on him to maintain law and order. He promised himself he’d give them his best. “You all go ahead,” Jasper said. “I made a promise I have to keep.

  Gale squeezed his hand. “We’ll wait.”

  Doctor Scoville directed him to a little house at the north end of Kentville. Jasper dismounted and walked to the porch of the house Doctor Scoville had directed him to on the north end of town. He took off his hat and ran his hand around the brim. He couldn’t remember too many things harder than what he was about to do.

  His knock sounded hollow against the front door of the little house. After a few moments footsteps tapped across a wood floor. The door opened and a middle-aged woman peeked out.

  Jasper took a deep breath, but it didn’t break the tightness in his chest. “Mrs. Albright?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m Jasper Lee, Sheriff of Cassidy County. I’d like to come in and talk to you about Lawrence, if I might.”

  A man appeared behind her. He gently moved her aside and opened the door. “Come in, Sheriff.”

  Jasper stepped into a clean, orderly modest room. Mrs. Albright sat on a sofa, her hands gripped tightly in her lap like they could never be parted again.

  “Have a seat, Sheriff.” Mr. Albright waved to a chair then sat next to his wife and put his arm around her.

  Jasper took another breath. “There’s no easy way to say what I got to say. I know because I got the same kinda news awhile back. Your boy has passed on.”

  Mrs. Albright let out a low sob and put her face into her hands.

  “Did you shoot him, Sheriff?” Mr. Albright asked.

  “No, sir. I didn’t. He and four other men committed crimes in Indian country and the Indians caught them.”

  “What did they do to them?”

  “You don’t want to know that, sir. I have more important words from Lawrence himself.”

  Mrs. Albright raised her head. “Oh please, Sheriff, tell us what he said.”

  “He told me you were good folks. Good parents. He asked me to say he was sorry for all the trouble he brought upon you. He told me to tell you thank you for trying so hard and that he loved you.”

  Mrs. Albright put her head against her husband’s shoulder and sobbed softly.

  Albright looked over at Jasper, tears streaming from his eyes. “We tried to raise him right, Sheriff. It’s just he had somethin’ in him that he couldn’t control. He was always needin’ to be contrary.”

  Mrs. Albright looked up. “Did he suffer, Sheriff?”

  Jasp
er looked at her for moment trying to figure how to make the truth an acceptable answer. “Yes’m he did, but because he asked the Indians for forgiveness they spared him the worst of it.”

  “Then he died like a man?” Mr. Albright asked.

  “Yes, sir. He did. He faced up to his deeds, accepted his punishment and died like a man.”

  Mr. Albright nodded. “Is there a grave?”

  “No, sir…ashes to ashes.”

  Albright hugged his wife. “It looks like he had some decency in him after all, dear.”

  Jasper stood. “If you’ve no more questions, I’ll leave you folks be.”

  Albright stood and shook Jasper’s hand. “Thank you for coming and telling us these things, Sheriff. I know you didn’t have to.”

  “I told him I’d come, sir. I always keep my word.”

  Jasper, Gale, Sean and Claw Of The Eagle rode into the clan village with Wind Runner’s body. Everyone ran to greet them, but as the rest of the clan came forward Butterfly Wing stood back. Moon On The Water wrapped her arms around Claw Of The Eagle’s leg. He leaned down and whispered in her ear and Moon On The Water looked over at her sister. Butterfly Wing turned and ran to her lodge. Moon On The Water went after her.

  “Pa!” A chorus of voices greeted him. Rain Water followed behind the younger Lee children.

  Relief and joy flooded Jasper’s heart. He climbed down and gave each child a hug.

  When the children moved on to hear what tales Sean had to tell, Rain Water came up and gave Jasper a hug.

  “Mother.”

  “Where is my first son?”

  “He broke his leg. The white man’s doctor in Kentville is treating him.”

  Jasper’s breath eased out through his teeth. “He had a bad break, Mother. The bone stuck out of his leg. He needs the hand of a good surgeon and Dr. Scoville is one of the best.”

  “Dr. Scoville?”

  “Yes.”

  “I have heard of him from other healers. It is said he has the touch of a medicine man.” Rain Water turned toward the wagon but she called over her shoulder. “I will forgive you this time.”