by Tell Cotten
Brian was still sitting there with a stunned look. He had just seen more money than he had ever seen before, and he needed time to think.
There was one thing he did know. There was no reason for Cliff to know about it.
Jessica returned with her last load. She dropped the firewood, and then she hurried over and sat beside her carpetbag. It looked untouched, and a look of relief crossed her face.
A few minutes passed, and Cliff walked over and checked on Rusty. Meanwhile, Brian looked at Jessica and lowered his voice.
“I looked,” he said softly.
“Excuse me?” Jessica looked up, confused.
“I looked,” he repeated, and he gestured at the carpetbag.
Jessica’s eyes grew wide. She stared at Brian, and he returned the stare with one of his own.
She started to say something, but Cliff walked back over before she could. He looked unconcerned as he sat next to Brian, and Jessica frowned thoughtfully.
Time passed slowly, and nobody said anything. Cliff just gazed into the fire while Jessica and Brian continued to stare at each other.
“Well, we’d best turn in,” Cliff finally said. “I’ll take the first watch.”
Cliff stood, grabbed his rifle, and sat on a nearby tree stump.
Brian took his eyes off Jessica. He stood, rolled out his bedroll, pulled his boots off, and crawled in.
“Goodnight, ma’am,” he said.
“Goodnight, Mr. Clark,” Jessica said politely.
She watched him for a moment, and then she curled up in her blankets.
After that it was silent, but the only person that slept was Rusty.
Chapter forty-three
Stew’s room was upstairs and at the end of the hallway.
There was only one window in Stew’s room, and it overlooked the livery stable that was beside the cemetery.
Stew was a light sleeper. And, even though the sounds of the shots were faint, he awakened with a jolt.
He threw off the covers and jumped out of bed. He pulled on his pants and boots and threw his shirt on. He didn’t take the time to button his pants or shirt.
Stew buckled his gun belt, drew his Colt, and stepped out into the hallway.
There was a window at the end of the hallway that overlooked the main street. Stew looked down the stairs, and then he rushed to the window.
He looked out and saw the tall scout coming out of the saloon. He figured then that Clyde was dead.
Lee Mattingly walked up from the other direction, and the two talked briefly.
Stew thought about trying to shoot him from here, but after examining the window he decided against it. The window was solid and couldn’t be opened. He would have to break the glass to get off a shot, and that would alert the scout.
Stew hurried back to his room. He grabbed his belongings and turned to the window.
He was relieved to discover that his bedroom window could be opened. He slid it open and dropped his belongings into the dark alley.
He lowered himself out the window, and he hung there suspended in air. Then, he dropped to the ground as gently as possible.
He grabbed his rifle and looked around. Satisfied that nobody had seen him, he grabbed his belongings and hurried down the alley.
He entered the livery stable from the back, and in a matter of minutes he was saddled and ready to go. He couldn’t take Clyde’s horse, so he stuffed most of the supplies into his saddlebags.
Being as quiet as possible, he led his horse to the back door. He climbed on and took off in a lope.
He had just passed the cemetery when he heard a shout from behind. He turned in the saddle and saw the tall scout half running and half hobbling towards him.
The scout took aim and fired, and a bullet whistled by Stew’s head.
His horse was startled, and he ran even harder.
The scout fired again, but by now Stew had disappeared into the darkness.
Chapter forty-four
“Missed him,” Lee observed.
Cooper reloaded his rifle, and he turned towards Lee and scowled.
“I know I missed him,” he said irritably.
“Moon must have been in your eyes,” Lee joked.
Cooper frowned as he walked up.
“Still hungry?” Lee asked.
“I am.”
“Good,” Lee replied. “Let’s eat, and then we can talk.”
“Sure, long as it doesn’t take too long.”
“Busy day tomorrow?” Lee asked innocently.
“Yep.”
“You’ll have to figure out where they’ve gone,” Lee assumed.
“Ain’t you the smart one,” Cooper replied with a wry smile.
“I have my moments,” Lee said, and then he announced casually, “I know where they’re going.”
Cooper was startled, and he stared at Lee.
“Well now. You are plumb full of helpful information.”
“Told you I was.”
“And you’ll tell me?”
“I told you I’ve got a proposition,” Lee reminded.
“That’s right. You did,” Cooper nodded.
Lee nodded back, and he turned and went inside the saloon. Cooper followed, and they walked over to a corner table.
Cooper leaned his rifle against the wall and sat down. He positioned himself so that he could see the entire room.
The undertaker had just arrived. He had two helpers with him, and they rolled Clyde up into a tarp and dragged him out.
The bartender meanwhile, came out with a mop and started cleaning up the blood.
It wasn’t long until things had returned to normal. Clyde Taylor, whose main goal in life was to be a famous gunman, was now just a fading memory.
“What happened with Clyde?” Lee asked.
“I shot him.”
“I know that,” Lee frowned. “Why didn’t you take him alive?”
“He had choices.”
“And he chose the wrong choice.”
“Depends on how you look at it.”
“You surprise me, Coop. You’ve always been the cautious one.”
“These men kidnapped a young lady and killed two men,” Cooper declared. “One of them had a wife and two kids. Clyde got what he deserved.”
Lee nodded thoughtfully, and it fell silent.
After a while the bartender came over. They ordered steak and beans, and soon they were eating hungrily.
“So, what are you doing here, Lee?” Cooper asked.
“Well, as a matter of fact, I was on my way to see you.”
Cooper was surprised. He took a swig of coffee as he studied Lee.
“What for?”
“You know how fond I am of Yancy.”
Cooper grunted.
“Sure. As I recall, last time you two spoke Yancy gave you a stern warning about staying away from Midway.”
“Yancy has never liked me.”
“I wouldn’t say that. I’d just say there’s some things that Yancy doesn’t like about you. Remember; Yancy did help you escape during the war.”
Lee shot Cooper a dark look.
“We both know the only reason I got to go along was because Rondo’s pappy was shot, and Tussle was in bad shape too.”
Cooper tried to suppress a grin, but couldn’t.
“I can’t deny that,” he admitted.
“That’s right,” Lee said emphatically.
“Speaking of Tussle; do you know who the girl is?”
Lee shook his head.
“She’s Tussle’s niece.”
“You don’t say,” Lee said, surprised. “Does Tussle know?”
“He should be with Yancy.”
Lee thought on that and chuckled.
“Well, I reckon that shouldn’t surprise me. She did seem pretty stubborn.”
“You talked to her?” Cooper asked, surprised.
“A little.”
“And you didn’t help her?”
“It wasn’t any of
my business.”
Cooper shook his head in disbelief.
“That right there is why Yancy doesn’t like you,” he declared. “All you care about is yourself.”
“That ain’t completely true,” Lee said defensively. “Just wait ’til you hear what I’ve gone through these last couple of days. I’m lucky I’m still sane after all I’ve been through.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Cooper replied sharply. “She needed help, but you didn’t do anything. Me and Yancy, or even Rondo would have tried to help her.”
“Rondo used to rob folks right along with the rest of us,” Lee snorted.
“He changed.”
Lee frowned as he thought on that.
“Yes, I reckon he did.”
“You could change too,” Cooper suggested. “One of these days you’re going to rob the wrong folks, and then it’ll be you that me and Yancy are chasing.”
“That would be a remembered fight,” Lee smiled.
“Me and Yancy would be the only ones remembering,” Cooper said wryly.
Lee chuckled, and it fell silent as they ate. Soon as they finished, the bartender came over and cleared the table.
Cooper waited until the bartender was gone, and then he glanced at Lee.
“So, what’s this proposition?”
Lee took a swig of coffee and wiped his mouth with his sleeve.
“I’ll tell you where they’re headed. But first, you’ve got to do something for me.”
“What’s that?”
Lee explained about the young captive woman. But, he left out the part about how he got her.
Cooper listened closely, and afterwards he was silent as he thought on it.
“Where is she?”
“She’s in a livery stable.”
“Alone?” Cooper asked disapprovingly.
“Course not,” Lee replied. “Kolorado’s watching her.”
“Who’s that?”
“He owns the livery stable.”
Cooper scratched his jaw thoughtfully.
“I don’t know, Lee. We’ve got our hands full as it is.”
“You do,” Lee agreed. “And, I hate to drop her in your lap like this. But, I’ve got some important business to be attending to elsewhere.”
“Such as?”
“That’s my business.”
“And if we don’t take her?”
“Then I reckon I’ll have to leave her with Kolorado,” Lee replied. “He’s a bit odd, but he’s a nice enough feller. Course, he might not agree to take her.”
“How odd?”
Lee grinned and explained about Kolorado’s name.
“You trust him?” Cooper asked.
“Sure, long as you don’t run outta dollar coins.”
Cooper took a swig of coffee as he thought on it.
“Let’s go have a talk with him,” he finally said. “If he agrees then she can stay here until we get back. If not, then we’ll take her with us.”
“It’s a deal then?” Lee asked.
“It’s a deal.”
Lee smiled.
“You’ll be wanting to know where they’re headed.”
“I would, yes.”
Lee explained all that he knew. He also told Cooper about Stew’s plans to double-cross Cliff.
Cooper listened closely, and afterwards he frowned thoughtfully.
“Valverde’s Pass,” he commented.
“Yep.”
“And, instead of having one less gun hand to worry about, we now have two more.”
“Yancy should be pleased with your progress.”
Cooper sighed as he stood and grabbed his rifle.
“Well, let’s go see what Kolorado has to say,” he said.
They left the saloon and walked down the street towards Kolorado’s livery. As they walked up, they could hear the murmur of voices from inside.
Lee shot Cooper a concerned look.
“Something’s wrong!” He hissed. “Kolorado’s not supposed to let anybody in there while I’m gone!”
Cooper nodded, and he worked the lever of his Henry rifle. Lee drew his Colt, and they burst through the doors.
Chapter forty-five
Stew was furious.
He took pride in the fact that he was a careful and cunning man. He liked to be in control of the events going on around him.
But he had underestimated the tall scout. Because of this, he had been taken completely by surprise. It was a difficult thing to swallow.
This will not happen again, Stew vowed.
Stew circled Landry and headed west.
He rode in a brisk trot until he reached the top of a steep, little hill. He pulled up, and after looking around some he spotted the glow of a campfire.
Stew kicked up his horse, and he spotted Clay as he rode closer.
Clay was sitting beside the fire, drinking coffee. But, soon as he heard Stew coming he grabbed his rifle and backed into the darkness.
“It’s me, Stew!”
Clay returned to the light of the fire, and Stew rode on in.
“What’s going on?” Clay asked with a confused look.
Stew didn’t reply. Instead, he looked at the still forms of Tyler and Ned. Both were snoring loudly.
“Sound sleepers, ain’t they,” Stew said as he dismounted.
“They passed out soon as we got here,” Clay complained. “They didn’t even help set up camp.”
“Soon as they’re sober, they’ll do their part of the work,” Stew declared.
Stew unsaddled his horse while Clay stood by and watched curiously.
“I thought you weren’t coming out until tomorrow,” Clay said. “Where’s Clyde?”
Stew didn’t answer.
“Is he still in town?”
Again, Stew was silent. He picketed his horse, and then he walked over and sat next to the fire. He poured a cup of coffee and looked up at Clay.
“Clyde is dead,” Stew announced.
Clay was startled.
“What?” He stammered. “How?”
Stew told him, and afterwards Clay looked confused.
“How could this happen?” Clay exclaimed. “I thought-.”
“It doesn’t matter what we thought,” Stew snapped. “It happened, and there ain’t a thing we can do about it.”
Suddenly, Clay was mad.
“I know something I can do!” He declared.
Clay grabbed his saddle and turned towards his horse.
“Where are you going?” Stew demanded to know.
“I’m going to kill him!”
“Don’t be an idiot!”
Clay ignored him as he moved towards his horse.
Stew frowned irritably. He needed Clay, and if he rode back to Landry he’d be killed.
Stew sprang to his feet and rushed over to him.
Before Clay could react, Stew knocked the saddle from his hands. Then, he slapped Clay a hard blow with the back of his hand.
Clay was knocked over backwards, and he landed hard on his back.
Tyler and Ned meanwhile, still slept soundly.
“You go back there and he’ll kill you,” Stew hissed.
“But he killed my brother!”
“Clyde is dead because he didn’t do as I said. Don’t make the same mistake.”
Clay wiped blood from his busted lip as he glared up at Stew.
“You expect me to do nothing?”
“’Course not!” Stew replied. “Just not now. You stick with me, and I promise that we’ll get him. But, we’ve got to be smart on how we go about it.”
“You gotta plan?”
“Not yet,” Stew said as he reached down and helped Clay up. “But I’ll have one by morning.”
“I’ll stay ’til morning then,” Clay said solemnly. “But if I don’t like this plan, I’m going to go back there and kill him.”
Stew felt anger building up, but he managed to stay calm.
“Why don’t you turn in,” he suggested. “I’m going t
o stay up a while and think.”
“Ain’t sleepy,” Clay grumbled.
“Fine,” Stew said through gritted teeth. “Do what you like, long as you stay here.”
Clay grumbled something back, and he turned and stumbled off into the darkness.
Stew watched him go, and then he walked over to the fire and sat down. He rolled a cigarette and started working out a plan.
Chapter forty-six
Kolorado rested his forearms on the top railing of the stall that the young woman was in. He leaned heavily against it.
He was startled when Lee and Cooper burst in. His rifle was leaning against the stall, and he made a hasty attempt to grab it.
In his confusion he tripped and fell. He hit the ground hard, and then he started coughing violently.
Lee and Cooper took a quick look around, and to their surprise there was no one else there.
“Blast you, Lee!” Kolorado exclaimed between coughs. “You made me swaller my tobacco!”
“We heard voices,” Lee replied roughly.
“I was talking to the young lady,” Kolorado replied as he stood.
“What for?”
“Ain’t no law against it, is there?” Kolorado glared at Lee.
Lee frowned thoughtfully. He holstered his Colt while Cooper lowered his rifle.
“No, I reckon not.”
“I’m going to be mighty glad when you drift on,” Kolorado complained.
“I’ll be leaving in the morning,” Lee replied, and he nodded at Cooper. “This is Cooper. He’ll be taking the young woman.”
“Good!” Kolorado exclaimed.
Lee turned to Cooper.
“Come on, I want you to meet her.”
Cooper nodded as he eyed Kolorado, and they walked over to the stall. Kolorado stood by with a scowl and watched.
The young woman had retreated to the corner, and she looked up at Lee with a quizzical look.
“Ma’am, I want you to meet Lieutenant Cooper Landon,” Lee announced. “He’s going to help you.”
Cooper walked forward and knelt in front of her. Their eyes met, and they locked onto each other.
Cooper wasn’t prepared for those piercing blue eyes, and his breath left him as he looked at her.
He couldn’t help but marvel at her firmness. This was not only a beautiful woman, but also a strong one. She was a mess, but underneath her appearance was an underlying strength.
