by Tell Cotten
“Are you headed to the trading post?”
“We are.”
“Mind if we ride along?”
“That ain’t a bad idea,” Trent said. “But it’ll be dark soon. Probably be best if we stayed here tonight.”
“That’s what we had figured on,” Cliff agreed.
“While ya’ll are unsaddling, I’ll make some more coffee and cook some supper,” Trent offered.
“That’d be fine,” Cliff nodded.
Trent nodded back, and everyone got busy.
Chapter fifty-five
Cooper sat beside Kolorado on the bench in front of the livery stable. Josie was inside, taking a nap.
Kolorado chewed tobacco while Cooper smoked his pipe, and they both whittled on sticks.
It was almost dark when Cooper spotted Yancy, Tussle, and Jed riding in.
Yancy spotted his brother at the same time. He frowned thoughtfully as he rode up in front of the livery stable and pulled up.
He studied Cooper, and then he stared at Kolorado. Meanwhile, Jed and Tussle moaned and groaned as they dismounted.
“Well! You must be the brother,” Kolorado drawled. “You’re ugly enough.”
Yancy didn’t reply. Instead, he twitched his jaw as he stared at Kolorado.
“Who’s this?” Yancy asked.
“This is Kolorado,” Cooper introduced, and added, “with a ‘K’.”
“How’s that?”
“I’ll explain later.”
Yancy frowned as he removed his hat and knocked off the dust.
“Well, you wouldn’t be sitting there whittling on that stick if you didn’t know where they were,” he commented as he put his hat back on.
“I know where they’re headed.”
“Good,” Yancy nodded.
“Do you know anything about Jessica?” Tussle spoke up.
“A little. She hasn’t been harmed.”
Tussle looked relieved, and Cooper stood and looked at Yancy.
“We need to talk. Alone.”
“All right,” Yancy nodded, and he dismounted and looked at Tussle and Jed. “You two take care of the horses.”
They started to walk off, but Kolorado stopped them.
“I’m just guessing, but I’m figuring that all five of you are going to stay at my livery stable tonight,” he said.
“That is correct,” Cooper confirmed.
“The price is still the same.”
Cooper dug in his pocket and pulled out several dollar coins. Kolorado took the money, and he walked inside with Jed and Tussle.
“Five?” Yancy asked. “Last time I counted, there was only four of us.”
“You might want to sit down.”
“Just tell me.”
So, Cooper did.
Yancy listened soberly, and afterwards he frowned thoughtfully.
“It should only take us a day and a half to get to Valverde’s Pass,” he figured.
“Sounds about right.”
“Hopefully they’ll still be there.”
“With one of them being wounded, I figure they’ll stay there at least a couple of days,” Cooper said.
Yancy nodded in agreement. It was silent for a moment, and then he cleared his throat.
“About Josie,” he started to say.
“She comes with us,” Cooper said firmly.
“Listen Coop,” Yancy said sternly. “Right now there’s something running, and we’re chasing it. We ain’t got time for nothing else.”
“She won’t slow us down.”
Yancy frowned as he eyed Cooper, and then he sighed.
“You won’t change your mind,” he commented.
“I won’t.”
Yancy sighed again.
“You get me killed while trying to help this girl, I’m gonna resent it.”
Cooper smiled.
“Come on. I want you to meet her,” he said.
Yancy nodded, and they walked inside the livery stable.
Chapter fifty-six
As soon as Clay rode out, Stew woke up Tyler and Ned.
Both were hung over. Their eyes were blood shot, and they moaned and groaned as they rolled out of their bedrolls.
Stew had made a fresh pot of coffee, and they gulped down one cup after another.
“Are you boys ever going to sober up?” Stew asked roughly.
They assured him that they would, and Stew grunted.
“Let’s be going then,” he said.
They packed up camp and saddled their horses, and then they mounted up and took off.
They rode southwest in a slow trot, with Stew leading the way.
Stew figured on riding through the pass on the south side of the mountains. He knew that it would take a little longer, but that was fine with him.
Stew figured that Cliff’s bunch would probably stay at the trading post for at least a day while Rusty was getting tended too. That would give him more than enough time to ride in west of the trading post and set up an ambush in the mountains.
There was a cabin that Stew recalled being up in the mountains, and the plan was to ride there.
Stew’s thoughts returned to Jessica as they rode along. He imagined the surprised look on her face when she saw him alive, and he also thought about her carpetbag.
I want that carpetbag, Stew thought, and he grinned wolfishly as he wondered what was in it.
Chapter fifty-seven
“Has that mule ever been rode?” Yancy asked.
It was early morning, and they had just finished breakfast. Kolorado was nowhere to been seen.
Everybody but Cooper was mounted and ready to go.
Yancy sat on his horse with his hands in his pockets, shoulders hunched, and his reins looped over his horse’s neck as he watched Cooper.
Earlier, Cooper had saddled his own horse for Josie. He helped Josie get mounted, and then he went and caught the mule.
The mule stood perfectly still while Cooper grabbed his saddle, and then he started to swing it on. But, as soon as Cooper moved the mule jumped sideways and kicked at him.
Cooper dropped his saddle as he jumped backwards to avoid the kick, and then he glared at the mule.
“Kolorado told me he was kid gentle,” Cooper replied as he pulled his hobbles off his saddle.
Yancy frowned as he studied the mule.
“Kolorado must not like his kids very much.”
Cooper grunted in response as he hobbled the mule. After that, the mule had no choice but to stand there while Cooper saddled him.
Cooper removed the hobbles and led him in a big circle to loosen him up. However, the mule’s ears were pinned back, and he was humped up.
Josie watched with a concerned look, but Cooper smiled reassuringly.
“You ready yet?” Yancy asked impatiently.
“Almost,” Cooper replied, and then he stepped up onto the mule.
Soon as he did, the mule went to bucking hard. At first Cooper stayed with him, but then the mule sucked backwards. Cooper was surprised, and he flew over the mule’s head and hit the ground hard.
Cooper lay on the ground and gasped for air. He finally got his breath back, and he stood slowly and dusted himself off.
Yancy smiled a rare smile.
“Wet saddle blankets,” he reminded.
Cooper scowled as he walked back towards the mule.
Chapter fifty-eight
Jessica did not like how Oscar kept sneering at her. Because of this, she kept real close to Brian.
Cliff was worried about Rusty. His eyes had a glazed look, and the rasping in his breathing was loud and labored.
It was a quiet night. Neither side wanted to offer up too much information, and because of that there wasn’t much talking. They took turns keeping watch, and at daybreak Trent cooked some breakfast while everyone else packed up camp. They ate quickly, and then they mounted up and took out.
They rode in a tight formation, and they all kept a close look out for any Indians. But they didn’
t see anything, and after a couple of hours they arrived at the trading post.
The trading post was built like a fort. There was an outer wall made of tree timbers, and there were planks nailed sideways to walk on. The only entrance was a double front gate made of thick timbers.
There was an armed Mexican on the wall, and he studied them as they passed by.
Inside, there was the trading post on one end, and at the other end was a livery stable. There were a few cabins behind the livery stable, and in the middle was a big pen with horses.
There was a tall tree beside the livery stable, and there were about twenty Mexicans gathered underneath it. Most of them sat in chairs, but a few of the younger men stood behind. A young senorita in a wedding dress and a young man dressed in a suit stood in front, and in front of them stood a priest.
They stopped in front of the cantina. Cliff dismounted while everyone else eyed the folks under the tree.
“Looks like we just missed a wedding,” Trent commented.
“I just love weddings,” Oscar sneered.
Brian ignored the Oltmans as he studied the Mexicans.
“Every man I see is armed,” he commented softly.
“So?” Trent asked gruffly.
“So that means we need to be nice,” Cliff spoke firmly. “We came here for help, not to start trouble.”
“Of course,” Trent smiled.
“Brian, go talk to them, and see if you can find Pedro,” Cliff said.
Brian nodded. He helped Jessica down, and then he dismounted and walked over to the Mexicans. Meanwhile, all the Mexicans stood and looked at them curiously.
A few words were exchanged, and Brian and another man came back to the cantina.
“Are you Pedro?” Cliff asked.
The man was short, with black hair and a big belly. He nodded excitedly.
“Si senor, I am Pedro.”
“My brother’s been shot,” Cliff told him. “I want you to get the bullet out, understand?”
Pedro stepped forward and examined Rusty. He was unconscious and was slumped over the saddle horn.
Pedro frowned thoughtfully and looked at Cliff.
“I try, but he is in bad shape, I think.”
“But you’ll try.”
“Si, I try.”
“Where do you want him?” Brian asked.
Pedro beckoned at the livery stable.
“I stay there, behind the stable.”
While everyone watched, Cliff and Brian eased Rusty out of the saddle and carried him over. Meanwhile, Jessica grabbed her carpetbag and followed close behind.
They carried Rusty inside and laid him on a table, and Pedro hustled about as he gathered his medical supplies.
Brian and Jessica turned to go, but Cliff just stood beside Rusty and watched anxiously.
“Please Senor, go to the cantina with your friends,” Pedro urged. “I let you know.”
Cliff frowned uncertainly. He looked at Rusty once more, and then he turned and walked out.
They walked back to the cantina, and the Oltman brothers had gone inside. They tended to their horses and joined them.
Reed was sitting by the door, but the rest of the Oltman brothers were lined up at the bar.
“How’s your brother?” Trent asked.
“Doc’s with him now.”
“Care for a drink?”
“I could use one,” Cliff nodded.
Brian grabbed a bottle and two cups while Cliff and Jessica sat down at a table.
Brian joined them, and he poured a drink for himself and Cliff.
Meanwhile, Jessica just sat there with her carpetbag in her lap. Occasionally Oscar sneered at her, but she tried her best to ignore him.
A half hour passed, and it was mainly quiet as everybody sat there thinking their own thoughts.
Reed, who was still by the door, stood suddenly.
“Another rider is coming in,” he announced as he peered outside. “He’s been riding hard too. His horse is all covered in sweat.”
“Oh?” Brian said as he and Cliff stood.
Everyone but Jessica moved to the door and looked out.
“Recognize him?” Trent asked.
“I sure do,” Brian nodded. “That’s Clay!”
Chapter fifty-nine
It took a while, but Cooper finally got Jug-head under control. He had bucked again, but this time Cooper managed to stay on.
Just like Lee had done, they traveled north a ways before they turned west. Yancy and Cooper took the lead, with Josie in the middle and Jed and Tussle bringing up the rear. Tussle also led the pack mule.
Yancy and Cooper carefully scanned the landscape for any sign of an ambush. The country was flat and open, and they could see a long ways.
Around midday they could finally make out the mountains in the far distance. They studied them, and after talking it over they redirected their path towards Valverde’s Pass.
Jug-head fought Cooper nearly every step of the way, but by evening time the mule finally started to settle down. Cooper was glad, because he was about worn out.
Josie and Cooper sat beside each other during supper, and occasionally they glanced at each other and smiled.
Jed and Tussle didn’t notice the looks. But Yancy did, and he frowned thoughtfully.
After supper Josie stretched out, and soon she was sound asleep. Cooper, meanwhile, pulled out his pipe while Yancy made another pot of coffee.
“It didn’t take her long to fall asleep,” Jed commented.
“This is probably the first time she’s felt safe in a long while,” Cooper figured.
Jed nodded in agreement.
“Did she say anything about me today?” Cooper asked innocently as he took a puff on his pipe.
Jed frowned in thought while Yancy looked up curiously.
“Well, she did ask if you was married,” Jed recalled.
“She did? What’d you tell her?”
“Told her I didn’t know,” Jed shrugged.
“Why’d you tell her that for?” Cooper scowled.
“I don’t know if you’re married,” Jed replied defensively.
“Have you ever seen me with a wife?”
Jed thought for a moment.
“Can’t recall that I have,” he admitted, but then he added, “But that doesn’t mean that you ain’t got a wife back east.”
“Well of course I don’t have a wife back east!” Cooper said irritably.
Jed nodded and asked, “Want me to tell her?”
“Tell her what?” Cooper frowned suspiciously.
“Tell her you ain’t married.”
The question caught Cooper off guard, and he frowned uncertainly.
“Well, I reckon you can mention it if she brings it up again.”
“I already told her I didn’t know,” Jed frowned. “Why would she bring it up again?”
Cooper frowned, but didn’t answer.
Yancy narrowed his eyes as he studied Cooper. Finally, he sighed and took a swig of coffee.
Chapter sixty
Everyone stepped outside the cantina, and Clay’s face was hard and somber as he rode up.
Cliff started to say something, but then he spotted Pedro walking up from the livery stable.
“How’s Rusty?” Cliff demanded to know.
Pedro frowned. He glanced at Brian and then faced Cliff.
“I am sorry, senor. Your brother is dead.”
It was silent as the news sank in.
Brian and Jessica held their breath. They expected Cliff to explode, but instead his face turned white and pale.
“What happened?” Cliff asked in a subdued voice.
“The bullet come out,” Pedro explained. “But, it was in deep. He died while I stitched him up.”
Cliff looked down at the ground and nodded blankly.
“I thank you for trying,” he said softly.
“We bury him now if you wish, senor,” Pedro suggested.
“No,” Cliff said fir
mly. “I’ll bury him myself, up in the mountains. He’d like that.”
Pedro nodded. He glanced at Brian and looked back at Cliff.
“I am sorry. I tried,” he said.
Cliff nodded. Pedro nodded back, and he turned and left.
It was silent while Cliff gathered himself. Then, he turned and looked up at Clay.
“What are you doing here?”
“I got here as fast as I could,” Clay announced grimly. “My brother’s dead, and so is Stew.”
“What happened?”
“The Landons jumped us in Landry.”
Soon as he said that, all four Oltman brothers jumped in surprise.
“And you rode straight here,” Cliff said sarcastically. “That means they’ll be behind you.”
“What else was I supposed to do?”
“Did you say Landon?” Trent broke in.
“Yes,” Cliff muttered. “Yancy and Cooper Landon. They’ve been after us ever since we held up a stage a few days ago.”
Trent couldn’t help but smile. He glanced at his brothers and looked at Clay.
“Let me get this straight,” Trent said. “Yancy Landon is following you here.”
“Him and his brother,” Clay nodded.
It fell silent as Trent thought on this. Meanwhile, his brothers watched Trent and waited anxiously.
“You helped us with those Injuns, and now mebbe we can return the favor,” Trent looked at Cliff.
“How so?” Cliff asked.
Trent smiled wolfishly.
“Go bury your brother,” Trent said. “Meanwhile, we’ll stay here and take care of Yancy.”
Chapter sixty-one
“Hello the camp!”
It was early morning. Yancy’s bunch had just finished breakfast, and they were saddling their horses when they heard the shout.
Yancy drew his Colt while Cooper grabbed his Henry.
“Who’s out there?” Cooper yelled.
“Me!” A familiar voice chuckled.
Yancy glanced at Cooper.
“Is that who I think it is?”
“It is,” Cooper nodded as he lowered his Henry. “I’d bet two month’s pay on it.”
