The Reluctant Bounty Hunter

by S G Read

  ‘I’m gonna kill you, you drunk!’ Bo shouted and went for his pistol with his other hand but it was still hurting from the blow with the bottle.

  Duncan had only one course of action he dropped the rest of the broken bottle and grabbed Bo’s other hand to stop him from firing. To help, he bit Bo’s hand hard causing Bo to retreat and squeal in pain again. As he did so Duncan picked up a full whisky bottle and smashed his other hand with it. The pistol fell to the floor and Bo lost interest in the fight.

  ‘Kill this son of a bitch!’ He yelled to Will and another of his cronies who were in there.

  They were watching with interest, as no one had bested Bo yet and this was the town drunk but when Bo shouted they went for their pistols. Duncan reacted by grabbing the first of Bo’s pistols which had landed on the bar and pointed it in their direction. This had to be good, two good shots and his cover was blown but two better shots could look like luck. His first shot was wild or looked so as it hit the lantern but sprayed one with burning kerosene; the second shot splintered the table in front of the second man then hit his foot. The impact caused him to miss and he lost interest in the fight but Duncan acted like a drunk and kept firing making sure the last bullet hit the man who he sprayed with kerosene in the hand, specifically the hand he shot with. When the pistol did not fire anymore he dropped it onto the counter.

  ‘You shouldn’t have taken my money.’ Duncan explained to the injured Bo and scooped up the money he had found under the cattleman’s association. ‘I’ll have a bottle to go Lofty.’

  ‘At least I know where your money comes from Mike.’ He said happily and sold him a bottle.

  Duncan walked out with his bottle and walked round the saloon into the bushes behind but he did not stop, he continued until he was out of sight of the street. He walked on still until he was sure he was not being watched by anyone. Only then did he turn and head for the camp. In camp he left the bottle and changed his clothes. He rode into town and sent another telegram and waited for his reply watching what was going on in town with interest. The reply came and the telegraph operator smiled.

  ‘She is on the mend.’ He declared.

  Duncan took the paper and slipped the operator five dollars before he read it. A few minutes later he rode out of town heading for a rendezvous. This was the big sting to catch them in the act and by putting Bo and his two friends out of action Duncan hoped Morgan would do it himself. He followed the trail until he came to the rendezvous site then he slipped into the trees to wait. Two hours later a group of men rode by, led by none other than Morgan himself.

  Duncan smiled his idea had worked but at the moment it was him against them, there was nothing he could do but wait for reinforcements. It took half hour for the reinforcements to arrive and as soon as they arrived they moved out, urged on by Duncan. They followed the trail listening for gun fire but it was very quiet, obviously Morgan was being careful and did not want to walk into a trap. As they neared the ranch they slowed down ready for action. The ranch entrance loomed up with no sign of the men they were there to arrest and movement slowed right down.

  ‘What now marshal?’ Duncan asked quietly.

  ‘We move forward but spread out ready to fight.’ He answered.

  They passed through the entrance and moved toward the ranch, which was still some distance away. When they were half way there Morgan called to them from in front.

  ‘Hello Marshal Taylor.’ He called from their concealed position. ‘First we wipe out your little force and then we kill Carter and anyone who gets in the way.’ He avowed.

  ‘I think you have bitten off more than you can chew Morgan.’ Taylor replied.

  ‘You might think so but look behind you.’

  They looked behind them and there was a large war party of Sioux behind them on horseback ready to swoop down and massacre them.

  ‘Looks bad for you Taylor.’ Morgan called.

  ‘You hooked up with the Sioux now Morgan?’ Taylor asked. ‘Just how low can a man stoop?’

  ‘My friend Victor warned me that you had gone out with a large party and when it coincided with my night to wipe out Carter’s ranch, I thought it was too much of a coincidence, so I asked Yellow Hawk to help me out.’

  ‘Victor Gray thanks for that information.’ Taylor replied.

  ‘I figure that after this one of us will be dead and if I have my way it will be you so the information will not do you any good. If it is me who dies and I very much doubt that I will worry about it if I’m dead, will I?’

  ‘Now there are more of them Marshal.’ Another man warned and Duncan looked at the new group who had appeared behind the Sioux.

  ‘No they are on our side Marshal Taylor, they are Pawnee.’ He declared. ‘It’s my father in law.’

  ‘What Running Wolf. The crafty old fox; so when he said he would look after your wife as though she was his daughter, she really was his daughter!’

  ‘Yep and we are expecting our first.’

  ‘Congratulations.’

  The leader of the Sioux looked round. That was Running Wolf’s cue to attack and his braves came hurtling down the slope and into the Sioux, led by Running Wolf. Morgan open fired on the posse of marshals from his forward position not expecting trouble from the ranch house as they had stopped out of range but as soon as the firing started men poured out of the ranch house, far more men than Morgan was expecting and they ran to get into range and then sought cover before opening fire on Morgan and his men. Morgan had his back to the ranch house and when they started firing and men died he knew they were in trouble. Now they had to find cover from both directions or face being shot in the back but the marshal’s men were not having it their own way, as the Sioux were attacking them to break through and escape from the oncoming Pawnee. It was hard fighting but the marshal’s fighters stood firm. The Sioux fled in disarray with some of Running Wolf’s braves in pursuit. The men who were now in the only crossfire, were Morgan’s men. They were facing a possible Indian attack now as well as men in front and behind them. They raised their hands and Morgan fled on his horse to escape and get more men. Duncan walked to his horse, a horse which had not roamed far despite all the noise. He pulled his rifle out of the saddle pouch he kept it in and took aim.

  ‘I need the use of your shoulder Marshal Taylor.’ He said when the weight of the rifle proved too much.

  The marshal walked over and stood ready. Duncan laid the barrel on his shoulder and line up the sights on the fleeing Morgan, the urge to shoot him dead was great but he aimed to one side and shot him in the right shoulder, enough to knock him off the horse but so that he should survive long enough to be tried.

  ‘He should live to stand trial.’ Duncan said with satisfaction.

  Two marshals were chasing Morgan and arrived where he had fallen.

  ‘I think I need my lawyer now.’ Morgan said as the two marshals arrived. ‘He will soon have this little mess ironed out.’

  ‘I am sure he would as you are rich but the two men you shot were good friends of mine.’ One of them declared. He knelt on Morgan’s back and broke his neck with a twisting motion. ‘Shame you broke your neck when you fell of your horse.’

  Duncan saw that Morgan was thrown across his horse when they brought him back but said nothing; the man deserved all he got as far as he was concerned.

  ‘We will need you to testify against the other men who you have gained evidence on Duncan.’ Marshal Taylor declared.

  ‘I’ll be there marshal just send word.’

  Two men from the ranch house walked up and Duncan recognised McBride from the saloon.

  ’I am surprised to see you here Mr McBride.’

  ‘Do I know you?’ McBride answered.

  Duncan remembered his false beard which was still in place and removed it.

  ‘You’re the drunk.’

  ‘I was but I’ve sobered up now.’

  ‘Was it you who warned me at the dry gulch?’

  ‘It was. I also owe you a k
erosene lamp to replace the one I smashed on your stoop.’

  ‘I think I can afford a new lamp but I will shake your hand.’ He did just that and Carter did the same even though it was the first time Duncan had met him.

  ‘That is for letting me come out of the Ranch house.’ He explained. ‘To come out before was to risk being bushwhacked and so long in a ranch house is not good for you!’

  ‘I can understand that Mr Carter.’

  ‘Call me Jim and if ever you want anything, just come a calling.’

  ‘I’ll do that Jim.’

  Running Wolf rode up to the group on his own.

  ‘Greetings to you Running Wolf.’ Marshal Taylor said grateful of his arriving on the scene. ‘I owe you a great debt.’

  ‘I am getting old Marshal Taylor and I want to have more grandchildren to teach the ways of Running Wolf. I need to keep my son in law alive for that!’

  ‘I can understand that Running Wolf.’

  ‘Is my son in law finished with his work for you?’

  ‘For now Running Wolf, you will see that he gets home safely?’

  ‘I will.’

  ‘Looks like I’m out of here.’ Duncan declared. ‘Tell me marshal, were the two men who collected Morgan’s body friends of the marshals who were killed?’

  ‘They were.’

  Duncan smiled and put the rifle back in its pouch before climbing onto his horse. ‘It’s a shame he broke his neck when he fell or they could have done it for him.’ He added as he rode off with Running Wolf.

  Morning Sun was waiting at the village for him and she wrapped her arms round Duncan as though to never let him go again. It was two days before they went back to the valley, as there were dead to bury and a banquet in their honour.

  Life returned to how it had been before and Morgansville returned to a law abiding town. The trials never happened as the men who were left behind, Bo and his injured cronies fled the state as fast as they could. Victor Gray died mysteriously one dark night without ever knowing his role in the affair was known. The men who were caught red handed were either sent to prison or decided to work for Marshal Taylor with the idea they would become marshals in time. So Duncan did not have to go back there.

  The seasons changed and with the onslaught of a vicious winter Duncan thought his father in law could do with some meat.

  ‘I will go and buy meat for the tribe to help them out Morning Sun.’

  ‘I will have to show you where they are they will not be in the village now.’ Morning Sun answered.

  ‘What is best?’

  ‘I will come with you and we go straight there from the farm Duncan Lee.’

  ‘Is that wise?’

  ‘I have four moons to go yet so I do not think it matters as long as we do not freeze to death.’

  ‘I will make sure that does not happy Morning Sun.’

  They started out after loading a travois to carry extra blankets and the redbone decided that it was a good place to ride until they were out of the cave then the weather was far different. Inside it was cold with a little snow but outside the snow was deep and drifting in places. They battled on with the redbone doing what he was told for once and Duncan stopped long enough to smooth out the tracks they had made to keep the valley a secret still. The redbone decided home was better than travelling on a day like this and disappeared into the cave. Duncan let him into the valley then Morning Sun and Duncan fought their way through the snow. They found it hard going but made it to Carter’s ranch, Duncan was calling in a favour. They were well received and soon in the warm ranch house.

  ‘I want to take some cattle up to Running Wolf as the weather is so bad. I have money to pay for them.’

  ‘How many head do you want?’ Carter asked.

  ‘Five head should tide them over until spring.’

  ‘We will make it six head and you will pay for three, I owe Running Wolf a debt.’ Carter replied.

  ‘We can manage six head between us, so thank you.’ Duncan answered.

  ‘I will lend you Chuck to help up to the draw, as you’ll be going to their winter village.’ Carter explained. ‘From there you can make it to the village without too much trouble.’

  They left with chuck cutting the six head from the herd and following. Duncan helped haze the cattle while Morning Sun led the way until they reached the draw then Chuck was glad to leave them to it. With two of them driving the six head and Morning Sun pointing the way they soon had company and had no further need to haze the cattle. Running Wolf came out to greet them.

  ‘Hello Duncan Lee.’ He greeted in fair English.

  ‘Hello Running Wolf.’ Duncan answered in fair Pawnee.

  ‘Come in out of the cold and we will eat it is only dog but quite tasty.’ Running Wolf declared opening the flap for Morning Sun, as she went in first.

  ‘The redbone was wise to stay behind.’ Duncan said as he ate dog meat. To refuse would be an insult and it was not that bad. ‘Now would be a good time for Little Buck to search for my lodge.’

  ‘He is young and headstrong but not mad.’ Running Wolf declared. ‘And he has a squaw now.’

  ‘My little brother has a squaw?’ Morning Sun asked in surprise.

  ‘He has daughter, I had my first squaw at his age.’

  ‘And Little Deer?’ She asked.

  ‘Little Deer will not be hurried Daughter, you could speak to her next time you are braiding her hair.’

  ‘I think she would have gone with Duncan Lee had you suggested it.’ Morning Sun replied openly.

  ‘Would you have let her, had she offered?’ Running Wolf asked.

  ‘At the time I was doing your bidding and he is a man so I was not unhappy but it is possible then if she had asked I might have risked your wrath to let her but now she would have to fight me for him.’ Morning Sun answered.

  ‘I will never understand squaws.’ Running Wolf complained.

  They stayed the night then returned to the valley where the redbone was waiting to greet them.

  ‘I prefer the valley to their winter lodges.’ Morning Sun decided, as she lit the range to warm the cabin and cook some food; she was getting used to things this way now.

  They had enough supplies for winter and chose not to go outside the valley while the snow was there. Inside the winters was cold but pleasant and they even walked round the valley through the light snow showers.

  The snow melted in the valley before the other snow and spring seemed to come earlier as well. With the snow melting outside four squaws arrived in the valley led there by Little Deer. From then on Duncan was relegated to the now almost empty vegetable stores while Morning Sun prepared for her first baby. Duncan chose to go into town to see how it had wintered but very little had changed. He stopped in to see the sheriff but it was as though the bank robbers were steering clear of the area. He had only a few wanted posters and none had been seen in the area. When the sheriff offered copies of the wanted men Duncan took them but displayed his marshal’s badge.

  ‘A marshal, now don’t that beat all. Hey you do know you can’t claim any rewards now?’ He asked.

  ‘I do sheriff. I did think about refusing but it is a monthly wage and I only have to take action when they need me.’

  ‘Call me Charlie Mr Lee, now that we are working on the same side.’

  ‘Charlie it is and you will call me Duncan then as it is my name.’

  Duncan stopped in the saloon for a drink before stocking up at the mercantile and riding back to the valley. He unloaded most of the supplies then rode on to the Indian village still at their winter location. Running Wolf expected him and a meal was ready when he arrived.

  ‘I am thrown out of my lodge every time one of my squaw’s has a papoose.’ He said knowingly and they sat and talked then ate before talking some more.

  Duncan spent three nights there before riding back to the valley with Little Buck following him. Duncan slipped into some trees to await his passing but Little Buck came up behind him.
r />   ‘I did not think you had seen me following you Duncan Lee.’ He declared.

  ‘Seen you and smelled you, as you were up wind, might be worth having a bath now and then.’

  ‘When the sun warms the river maybe but not before.’ Little Buck replied.

  ‘Do you want me to show you my lodge Little Buck?’

  ‘Thank you for the offer Duncan Lee but no, I will find it myself.’

  ‘As you wish Little Buck.’

  They parted company, Little Buck to go back to the village and Duncan on to the valley but there was no change in there. He chose to walk the valley with the redbone to see what there was there and if there was another way in or out but he did not find anything. Apart from a steep climb which led to a crevice which in turn led to another climb before you were on the rocks surrounding the valley. On the other side there was no way down so it would not be used by his enemies.

  The squaws stayed for two weeks before he heard the wail of his first son. They had talked about names for the baby but they could not decide until the baby was born, now they needed to choose. It was another week before the squaws left and Duncan could sleep in with Morning Sun but they did not sleep for very long their new son made sure of that.

  Duncan thought Crying Wolf Lee was a good name when he was woken in the night but they settled on Duncan Wolf Lee junior as his name.

  A week after that Crazy Dog was hunting game in the area near the valley entrance when he saw an older man riding along the trail carrying a white flag. He did not see a star but the flag intrigued him and he rode out of cover without killing the man. He had picked up some English by listening to Little Deer and Duncan when they talked or when Little Deer asked the squaw who had first translated about a word.