by Tell Cotten
“They were just making sure we were awake,” Trent said, and added wryly, “Which we weren’t.”
“I can’t believe I dozed off,” Tyson shook his head. “One minute I was fine, and the next I was gone!”
“I know; happened to me too,” Trent reluctantly admitted. “We can’t do that again. Why don’t you and Reed get some sleep while me and Oscar keep watch. We’ll switch in a couple of hours.”
“I don’t think I could make myself go to sleep now!” Tyson objected.
“Well, do it anyway,” Trent said sourly.
Tyson frowned, but he and Reed still did as they were told. A couple of hours passed, and Trent woke them up and they traded places.
Along towards dark Trent cooked some supper, and they spread out and kept watch as they ate.
“Think they’ll try anything tonight?” Tyson asked.
“I doubt it.”
“Why not?”
“Ain’t you heard?” Trent scoffed. “Injuns don’t like fighting at night.”
Chapter thirty-eight
It was an interesting day for Lee. First, he talked to Jessica, and then he watched from the shadows as they left and Stew’s bunch arrived. Later on he talked to Stew in the saloon when he bought his cigars.
Lee and the young woman were sitting cross-legged on the ground in the stall, drinking coffee.
“There’s been some drastic change of plans, ma’am. We don’t have to go to Midway. Turns out, Midway is coming to us.”
Lee took a swig of coffee.
“I think you’ll like the Landons, ma’am. That is; if they’re still alive. Stew said he killed them, but I think he was bluffing. I know from experience that those Landons are hard to kill.”
Lee frowned as he scratched his jaw.
“The problem is; I don’t imagine they’ll be too eager to take you on. But, they’re going to have to. I’ve got some serious business to be tending to.”
The young woman glanced curiously at Lee.
“I forgot to mention that, didn’t I? Well, I got a job. Best paying job I’ve ever had too. I’m even having to put those Oltman brothers on hold for a while.”
Lee took another swig of coffee.
“The Landons will probably get here tonight or tomorrow,” he figured. “So, I reckon we’ll just sit tight.”
Lee smiled as he thought on it.
“If Stew’s still in town when they show up, it might get a little interesting.”
Suddenly, Lee heard a noise by the main door. He instinctively drew his six-shooter as he peeked through the stall boards.
Lee relaxed. It was Kolorado, coming to make his evening rounds. He was startled, and he held his hands up again.
“Sorry,” Lee said as he holstered his Colt.
Kolorado frowned as he lowered his hands.
“Before you leave you’re going to end up shooting me by mistake!” He complained.
“I’ve been trying real hard not to,” Lee smiled, and then he asked, “Are you busy tonight?”
“Why?” Kolorado asked suspiciously.
Lee dug into his pocket, pulled out a handful of dollar coins, and tossed them to him.
“I want you to stay with the young woman tonight. There’s a good chance I might be busy.”
“I’ve been staying with her more than you have,” Kolorado objected. “You’ve been gone nearly all day.”
“I know, but you have been well paid.”
“I have,” Kolorado agreed, and then he sighed. “Fine. Go do what you have to do.”
“’Preciate it,” Lee said, and then he looked at the young woman. “I’m going to see what’s stirring around town. I’ll be back.”
She didn’t reply as Lee left the stall, and he closed the gate and glanced back at her.
Her big, blue eyes stared straight at him. He smiled and winked, and then he walked outside.
Lee walked slowly down the street.
He was approaching the hotel when he spotted Stew and one of the younger fellers. He stopped in the shadows and watched them.
They stopped in front of the hotel, and then Stew went inside. Meanwhile, the young feller rushed over to the saloon.
Lee frowned thoughtfully, and then he moved on up the street.
He stopped beside the blacksmith shop, and he reached inside his pocket and pulled out a cigar.
He was just about to strike a match when he spotted a rider coming into town. There was something familiar about him, and he narrowed his eyes as he studied him.
Suddenly, Lee recognized him. He smiled, and chuckled softly.
Part 3
Landry, Texas
Day Three
Chapter thirty-nine
Cooper Landon’s eyes moved constantly as he rode into Landry.
He saw a few men loitering about in the street, but they paid him no mind.
He rode in a walk. He still held his rifle out in front of him, and his thumb rested on the hammer.
Cooper was approaching the blacksmith shop when suddenly, in the dark shadows, a match was struck. Cooper saw a silhouette of a face as somebody lit a cigar.
Cooper pulled the hammer back, and it made a loud click. Then, with as little movement as possible, he aimed his rifle at the man.
“Hold your fire, Coop,” a voice chuckled.
The man walked out of the shadows, and Cooper recognized him as soon as he got a good look.
Cooper was startled, but he managed to conceal his surprise.
It was silent as they studied each other, and then Cooper cleared his throat.
“Lee Mattingly.”
“Coop,” Lee nodded.
“Last time I saw you, you were leaving Midway with Rondo.”
“That’s been a while.”
Cooper nodded as he looked all around them. Satisfied that they were alone, he looked back at Lee.
“I’m after some fellers, Lee. Six of them to be exact. They robbed a stagecoach and murdered two men.”
“Yeah, I heard about that.”
“I think you know two of them. Fellers named Cliff and Brian.”
“Yep, I know ’em both.”
“In all, we know five of their names,” Cooper continued.
“That’s pretty good Pinkerton work,” Lee said, and his eyes twinkled.
“The sixth feller we’re after is a tall man, smokes a lot, and is also mighty handy with a rifle,” Cooper said, and added, “Sounds sort-a like you.”
“Not quite,” Lee disagreed as he held up his cigar. “I’m a cigar man, and I’m also better with my six-shooter. You know that.”
“Then you ain’t with them.”
“I am not.”
“And you ain’t the sort that would lie about such things.”
“That’s right,” Lee said. “So you can ease that hammer back down now.”
“Making you nervous?”
“Well, yes, it is.”
Cooper smiled, and then he accommodated Lee’s request.
Lee grinned and relaxed.
“I’m sort-a surprised to see you, Coop,” he commented as he returned his cigar to his mouth.
“Why’s that?”
Lee’s grin widened.
“I heard you was dead.”
“I’ve heard that a lot lately,” Cooper frowned.
Lee’s eyes twinkled as he took a puff on his cigar.
“Well, if it matters any, I’m glad you ain’t.”
“That makes two of us,” Cooper replied, and asked, “Who told you I was dead?”
“Utah ‘Stew’ Baine.”
“I’ve heard the name,” Cooper replied thoughtfully. “He wouldn’t happen to be a big fella that smokes a lot and is a good shot with a rifle?”
“That would be a good way of describing him.”
“Well now. That’s helpful information,” Cooper said, pleased.
“I’m plumb full of helpful information tonight,” Lee smiled.
“Well then, seeing how you’re being so
generous, would you mind telling me if they’re still in town?”
“They’ve all left but two. Stew’s in there,”-he pointed to the hotel- “and one of the younger fellers is in that saloon over there. I heard Stew call him Clyde.”
“There was also a young woman with them.”
“She left with the first bunch.”
“They left in bunches?” Cooper asked, startled.
“It’s sort-a complicated.”
“I’m listening.”
Lee shook his head.
“Not now. Tell you what; let’s get us a table, and then we can talk.”
“’Preciate the offer, but first I’ve got some business to attend to,” Cooper replied as he dismounted.
“Are you going to apprehend Stew and Clyde?”
“I am.”
“By yourself? Where’s that younger brother of yours?”
“He’ll be along.”
Lee looked concerned.
“I usually don’t offer to help, unless there’s a profit.”
“I ain’t asking.”
“But if’n I was to offer?”
“Why do you care?” Cooper asked suspiciously.
“I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”
Cooper frowned as he studied Lee, and then he nodded.
“All right, you can help,” he said. “Put my horse up in a livery stable.”
“That ain’t what I meant,” Lee frowned.
“I know,” Cooper smiled.
Lee eyed Cooper, and then he sighed.
“You Landons are sure a stubborn bunch,” he grumbled. “Gimme your horse.”
Cooper handed Lee his reins.
“What does Clyde look like?” Cooper asked.
Lee told him, and afterwards Cooper nodded.
“Sure ’preciate all the help.”
“Don’t mention it,” Lee replied. “If’n you’re still alive afterwards, then we can talk. I’ve got a proposition.”
“I could sure eat.”
Lee nodded, and he turned and led Cooper’s horse down the street towards Kolorado’s livery stable.
Cooper watched him go, and then he turned towards the saloon. He took a deep breath and walked through the swinging doors.
Chapter forty
“Rusty barely ate anything tonight,” Cliff complained.
That’s cause he’s dying, Brian Clark thought. Then, out loud he said, “Well, sleep is probably the best thing for him right now anyway.”
Cliff frowned, but didn’t reply. Instead, he rubbed his hands together and stomped his feet.
“It’s getting cooler,” he said thoughtfully.
“It is,” Brian agreed.
“We’ll need to keep this fire going all night to keep Rusty warm,” Cliff declared, and he looked at Jessica. “Girl, go gather some more firewood. Make a big pile right here.”
Jessica scrambled to her feet, and she grabbed her carpetbag and started to leave.
“Leave that here!” Cliff growled. “You can’t carry that and the firewood.”
Jessica stood there with a hesitant look.
“Go on!” Cliff snapped.
Jessica frowned irritably, but she still put down her carpetbag. She glanced at it hesitantly and left.
Cliff scowled as he watched her, and then he looked at Brian.
“What do you reckon is in that carpetbag?”
“I haven’t thought on it much,” Brian admitted.
“The way she clings to it all the time makes me wonder.”
“Wonder what?”
“What if she’s got a pistol in that carpetbag? She could be biding her time, being real peaceful, and then shoot us both dead when we ain’t expecting it.”
Brian was startled, and he stared wide-eyed at Cliff.
“Makes you think, don’t it?” Cliff said.
“It does,” Brian admitted.
They were quiet as Jessica returned with her arms full of firewood. She dropped the load by the fire, looked worriedly at her carpetbag, and then left to gather another load.
“Take a peek and see what’s in there,” Cliff said. “Be quick about it.”
Brian stood and started for the carpetbag. He was hesitant to break their agreement, but he also didn’t want to be shot.
He grabbed the leather strap and pulled it open, and then he pulled back the sides and looked down.
His breath left him. His mouth fell open, and he suddenly felt dizzy.
“She’s coming back,” Cliff warned.
Brian somehow snapped back into reality. He relatched the carpetbag, and he bounded over to where he had been and sat down. Meanwhile, Cliff stood by the fire and warmed his hands.
Jessica walked up with an armful of firewood. She dropped her load beside the fire and glanced at them. Cliff smiled smugly while Brian just sat there with a stunned look. She glanced at her carpetbag as she left to get another load.
“Well?” Cliff asked as soon as she was gone.
Brian was still trying to get a grasp on what he had just seen, and he glanced blankly at Cliff.
“What?”
“What’s in there?” Cliff hissed. “Is there a pistol?”
Brian just stared at him, and Cliff scowled.
“What’s wrong with you? Was there a pistol or not?”
Brian swallowed and licked his lips.
“No,” he said slowly. “No pistol.”
Chapter forty-one
Cooper stood by the doorway while his eyes adjusted to the dimness of the room.
This was the nicest saloon in town. There was a mahogany bar that lined down one side of the room, and there were eating tables strung out in the middle. Cooper also noticed a poker room in the back.
The saloon was only half full.
Only a few of the tables were occupied. Most of the men were lined up at the bar, laughing and carrying on.
Cooper studied the men sitting down. None of them matched Clyde’s description, so he looked over at the bar. His eyes went down the line, and he spotted Clyde at the end.
Clyde was by himself. He was leaning heavily against the bar as he nursed a nearly empty drink.
The images of Steve and Sam lying dead on the ground returned to Cooper, and he felt a wave of anger pass through him. He took a deep breath and walked towards Clyde.
Cooper made no sound. But his slow, deliberate movements caused everyone to look up, and everybody could tell that there was trouble coming.
One by one the men moved away from the bar. The room was quiet now, and everybody was watching.
Clyde became aware of the quietness, and he looked up and saw Cooper.
Cooper stopped a few feet away. He held his rifle ready with the barrel pointing down at the floor, and he stared at Clyde with an emotionless face.
Clyde had no idea who Cooper was. But, he was aware that everybody was watching, and he liked the attention.
Clyde was starting to feel his liquor. He stared at Cooper and grinned.
“That’s a fancy pair of moccasins,” he sneered. “What are you? A half breed?”
Cooper didn’t reply. Instead, he cocked the hammer back on his rifle, and it made a loud and crisp sound.
“Hey!” Clyde exclaimed. “What are you doing?”
“Getting ready for trouble.”
“I ain’t looking for trouble.”
Cooper tried to look surprised.
“Really? I thought you was.”
Clyde was confused, and he was also getting flustered.
“Who are you? What do you want?” He asked forcefully as he tried to gain some control.
“My name’s Cooper Landon. I reckon you know what I want.”
Clyde’s eyes grew wide.
“Landon!” He exclaimed. “That’s impossible!”
“I’m here. It’s possible,” Cooper said curtly, and then he continued, “I’m going to give you two choices. One; you surrender, and you’ll be taken back to Midway to stand trial and be hung in due tim
e. Or two; you can save me the trouble and go for your gun right now.”
A flicker of hope passed across Clyde’s face. He straightened up and stepped away from the bar.
“I’m real fast with a six-shooter, mister.”
“I’m calmer.”
“What’s that got to do with anything?”
“If you don’t know, then there’s no use telling you.”
“That don’t make sense,” Clyde scowled.
“It does to me.”
It fell silent, and every second seemed like an hour.
Suddenly, Clyde went for it.
He was actually faster than Cooper figured. He cleared leather, and he fired as he brought his six-shooter up. But he fired too fast, and the bullet went harmlessly into the floor.
Meanwhile, Cooper calmly swung his rifle up and fired.
The bullet hit Clyde in the chest. It made a loud thumping sound, and the impact propelled Clyde backwards. He went about five feet and landed in a heap. He made some gurgling sounds, and after a few jerky movements he died.
The room was silent. The gunshots had made a deafening boom, and everybody’s ears were ringing. The smell of gunpowder was strong, and everybody stared wide-eyed at Cooper.
Cooper pulled out another bullet from his belt and reloaded, and then he looked up.
He saw some disapproving looks.
“He had choices,” Cooper explained, and asked, “Who owns this place?”
“I do,” a short, stocky man from behind the bar spoke up.
“There an undertaker in this town?”
The man nodded.
“Go get him.”
The man left. Cooper glanced at Clyde again, and then he moved towards the doors.
Cooper walked outside, and the first person he saw was Lee.
“I heard the shots,” Lee said as he walked up. “What happened?”
“Clyde’s dead.”
“Figured as much,” Lee said wryly. “Now what are you gonna do?”
Cooper started across the street.
“One down; one to go.”
Chapter forty-two
Jessica dropped another load of firewood by the fire. She glanced at her carpetbag again as she left to gather one last load.
