Stagecoach to Serenity

by Steven Gray

‘Not any time soon I’m afraid.’

  ‘Mr Brown’s right. We won’t be missed in Serenity for a day or perhaps two and if there’s any problems along the trail it might not be possible for anyone to come searching even then. It could mean a very long wait. And we need to get the ladies in the warm and dry. They’ve had a shock. The rest of us have too.’

  ‘Yeah, I suppose you’re right,’ Daniels said. ‘How far to the next way station?’

  ‘No,’ Brown said, ‘that’s way over yonder on the far side of the hills on the final run down into Serenity. It’s too far for any of you to walk to, especially in this rain. ’Sides it’s manned by just two young lads. They wouldn’t know what to do.’

  ‘What about back to the Digbys?’ Then answering his own question, Daniels said, ‘No, that’s miles back.’

  ‘Do you have somewhere in mind?’ Greeley asked, suspecting and hoping the driver did.

  ‘You should make for the OP Ranch. The headquarters are only two or three miles off. In fact, iffen I have time I make a short stop there for coffee, although Wells Fargo don’t need to know that, Mr Daniels, and I thank you not to tell ’em. Mr Peel is a good man, him and his wife will see you right. And he’ll have men who’ll come help me and my horses when they can.’

  ‘How do we reach it?’

  ‘That’s the problem.’ Brown scratched his chin. This was going to be bad. ‘You follow the road for a mile or so and there’s a ford across the river.’

  Greeley and the other two men turned to look at the raging torrent. ‘Hell!’

  ‘It ain’t usually a problem.’

  ‘Well it will be now,’ Greeley said. ‘How will we get across? We won’t.’

  ‘Son, you ain’t got a choice.’

  Greeley considered all the possibilities and then nodded. It was either that or wait in the wet and the cold, without food or drink, maybe without the means to make a fire, for help to arrive and that could be days away. ‘OK, we’ll have to try it. Our bags can be left behind, although Miss Fuller wants hers. That’ll make it a bit easier. C’mon, Mr Daniels, let’s tell the others. Get going while there’s still a bit of light. We want to reach the ranch before nightfall if possible.’

  Which, just like being able to cross the ford, was doubtful.

  Greeley wasn’t in the least bit pleased. He’d caught the stagecoach to be safer in this storm and now look what had happened. ‘Hell!’

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  ‘Well, there’s the ford,’ Daniels said.

  Greeley’s heart sank. It was worse than he’d feared.

  The road ran down a steep slope to the river and, through the gloom, he could just about make out where it emerged on the other side and started up through a thick stand of pine trees. Normally the ford would be easy enough to cross, which was why the road was here. Not now. Rain continued to splash down on the torrent of water that spilled and churned and frothed between the two banks, almost overflowing. Even here, where the water level was at its lowest, it would still be at least knee high, made worse by the strong current.

  They all stood in silence, surveying it fearfully.

  ‘We can’t cross it,’ Ruth said in dismay, echoing all their thoughts. ‘We’ll drown. We’ll have to go back.’

  ‘We can’t do that,’ Daniels said. ‘We’ll just be stranded with the stage iffen we do. We have to go on.’

  ‘I don’t want to do this either,’ Sarah said. ‘Mr Greeley, can’t you and Mr Daniels go on to the ranch for help and leave us here?’

  Greeley considered that, then said, ‘The thing is, if we go together and help one another, and take it slowly, it looks like we can just about cross safely at the moment. But if the rain doesn’t let up, and there’s no sign of it doing so yet, and the water rises even higher that might not be possible. We could be stuck on the other side of the river and you could be stuck here for God knows how long, with no food or shelter.’

  ‘How likely is that?’

  ‘I don’t know. It’s a possibility is all. The other thing is you’ll be alone with Norton. You don’t want that, do you?’

  ‘Oh no, not at all. I didn’t think of that.’ Sarah looked horrified. ‘I’m sorry, Mr Greeley, you’re right of course. I’ll do my best. Don’t worry about me.’

  ‘What about the folks at the ranch?’ Lewis said. ‘Won’t they send someone out looking for us?’

  Greeley shook his head. ‘Not yet. If at all.’ When Lewis looked set to argue, he added, ‘We can’t depend on them. With the weather as it is, they might think the stage has been cancelled and likely they’ve got enough problems of their own without worrying about Wells Fargo. No, Mr Daniels is right. We must cross the river.’

  There was no alternative. They had to reach the ranch.

  Daniels pulled him to one side. ‘It’ll be best if I go first, see how deep it is in the middle and whether it is, actually, safe. If we all go together we risk everyone drowning. If it’s OK, I’ll come back and help you shepherd the others across. If it ain’t, I’ll go onto the ranch and seek their help.’

  ‘You could be killed going on your own. Let me go with you.’

  ‘As the stagecoach guard, it’s my job to take the risks and I’ll watch my step. And, Gus, iffen anything should happen to me, you’ll be needed to look after the others and to make the decisions.’

  ‘OK.’ The plan was about the best in the circumstances.

  ‘Hey, how about undoing these handcuffs?’ Norton said when the rest were told. ‘If I fall into that with them on I’ll likely drown.’

  ‘Nope, you can manage well enough. You’re wanted dead or alive so it doesn’t matter to me.’ Right then Greeley didn’t much care what happened to his prisoner. If it weren’t for him, he wouldn’t be out in this weather, wet through and in danger of drowning.

  ‘Good luck, Mr Daniels,’ Sarah said. She bit her lip. ‘Be careful. Please.’

  Daniels eased himself down the slope and stepped into the river. Arms out to each side he began to wade across, testing each step before he took it. Before long the water was up to his knees and in the middle it was even higher. There he was almost knocked over by a particularly strong wave. Sarah screamed and Greeley got ready to jump into the river to go to his aid. Somehow the guard righted himself. He paused for a moment to steady himself and then went on. Eventually he reached the far bank, where he stood, resting, head bent, hands on his knees.

  Greeley said, ‘You see. We can make it all right.’

  ‘No,’ Ruth said. ‘I’m too frightened. I won’t do it.’

  ‘Yes you will.’ Her husband patted her hand. ‘I’ll help you.’

  ‘Let’s go, folks,’ Greeley said. ‘We’re all frightened but it’ll be OK, Mrs Lewis. Just take it one step at a time. I’ll go first and, Harry, you come last. We can keep an eye on everyone else and help anyone who needs it.’

  ‘OK,’ Anderson said a bit doubtfully.

  Greeley repeated his earlier words of warning. ‘And take it slow and carefully. Shall I take your bag, Miss Fuller?’

  So far Sarah had insisted on carrying it herself and now she said, ‘No, thank you. I can cope better than some of the others and you might need both hands free if anyone gets into difficulties.’

  While Lewis took care of his wife with Anderson close behind, Greeley started down the mud-slick slope, Sarah close behind him. Norton looked after himself; no one was going to bother about him.

  At the bottom Greeley waded into the water. He gasped. It was a tremendous, unexpected shock. Not only was the water freezing cold, it was furious. Endless waves bashed into his legs so hard he feared he would immediately lose his footing.

  It was as if the river was alive. It wanted to knock him over, trap him and swallow him up. Underfoot the stones were treacherous, shifting about beneath his boots, trying to trip him up. He couldn’t see through the spray and the rain. It was hard to catch his breath. Behind him he heard Sarah cry out.

  He wasn’t exactly sure what happen
ed. They were more than halfway across and he was starting to think they would make it to safety without mishap when suddenly someone, and he didn’t know who, fell against him.

  Of course later on he realized exactly who was responsible and why, but at the time he thought it was just an unlucky and dangerous accident.

  He lost his footing. Someone screamed. There were cries of horror. To his own horror, he found himself under the river, being dragged down. His body slammed into the riverbed. He couldn’t stand up. Someone was pushing against him. The water pressed down on him, holding him fast. Trying not to panic, his feet scrabbled about until he found a purchase and he came up with a rush, gasping and choking, arms flailing, as he almost fell again. He seemed to have swallowed a lot of cold, dirty water and his eyes were stinging.

  Close by Anderson, fear in his eyes, mouth open in shock and pain, tumbled against him. He went under, nearly pulling Greeley after him. Greeley grabbed for the young man’s coat, jerking him upright. Anderson cried out and almost lost consciousness, becoming a dead weight in Greeley’s arms. There were more cries.

  ‘Hold on,’ Greeley managed to say.

  Seeing his difficulty, Daniels made an effort to get closer. After what seemed like a very long while he came near enough to catch hold of the drummer and steady him. Greeley now saw Sarah dragging Ruth along, the two of them having almost reached the other side.

  ‘I’m OK,’ Greeley gasped. ‘Help the ladies out,’ he said to Daniels. ‘I’ll see to Anderson. C’mon, Harry, it’s not far to go now.’

  At long, long last he reached the safety of the far bank. Pulling Anderson after him, he emerged from the river onto dry land, where he collapsed, gasping for breath, hardly able to believe he was out of the furious torrent and still alive. For several moments there he had believed he wouldn’t make it.

  ‘What the hell happened?’ the guard asked, standing over him. ‘One minute you were doing fine. The next you were in the water.’

  Greeley shook his head wearily. ‘Someone bashed into me and I went under.’

  ‘You all did. I thought you were all going to drown.’

  ‘So did I.’ Greeley sat up and glanced round.

  The others were out, collapsed on the bank, just like him. But something was wrong. .. . .

  And at the same moment Ruth started to scream. ‘Where’s Clarence? Where’s my husband? He’s not here!’

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  ‘Oh my God!’ Quickly Greeley looked round. Ruth was right. There was no sign of the farmer. Had he made it out of the river?

  ‘Can you see him?’ Daniels said.

  ‘Who was with him?’ Greeley asked at the same time.

  ‘I think he was behind me,’ Sarah said. ‘But I lost sight of him when we all fell in the water. Afterwards I was occupied helping Mrs Lewis and I don’t remember seeing him again.’

  ‘Hell,’ Daniels said. ‘Perhaps he’s come out further down.’

  He hurried back to the river, looking this way and that, while Greeley waded back into the water by the ford, trying to spot the farmer. Anderson ran up and down the riverbank. They called out the man’s name.

  As for Norton, he leant against a tree, smirk on his face. Greeley longed to hit him or throw him into the river. Be done with him. $100 was hardly worth having to put up with the cocksure bastard.

  Together Greeley and Daniels searched the river as best they could. Then Daniels shook his head. It was hopeless.

  ‘Any luck?’ Greeley called to Anderson, who was some way away.

  ‘No, no sign.’

  Daniels said, ‘It’s no use, Gus, he’s gone.’

  And as much as he didn’t like giving up the search Greeley had to admit the guard was right. The man must have been caught up in the river’s swirl and his body could be miles away already. Together they struggled up the bank to where the others waited.

  ‘You have anything to do with this?’ Greeley snarled at Norton.

  The young man shrugged insolently. ‘No. How could I? In handcuffs?’

  ‘Clarence? Have you found him?’ Ruth cried as they joined her and Sarah, who was holding the woman close. ‘Oh, where is he?’

  Greeley put out a hand towards her. ‘I’m real sorry, Mrs Lewis.’

  The woman began to wail and Sarah held her even more tightly, one hand stroking her back.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ Greeley repeated. ‘But we have to get on.’

  ‘No, no, we can’t leave him here all alone. He might be hurt and unable to call out for help. You must look for him again. Find him. Oh, please.’

  ‘Can’t you do anything more?’ Sarah said.

  ‘There’s nothing more to be done,’ Greeley told her. ‘We daren’t stay here any longer. It’ll be dark soon and then our way will become even more treacherous than it is now.’

  ‘Gus is right,’ Daniels said. ‘We can’t do nothing for the poor guy.’

  Sarah gave a quick nod to show she understood. ‘Come along, Mrs Lewis. Let’s find this ranch and get in the dry. Have something to eat and drink.’

  ‘Oh, but I . . . oh, Clarence. Please. No, I’m not leaving him.’

  ‘You must,’ Greeley said. ‘We’ll come back later. Search for him then.’ He knew it was an empty promise. Clarence Lewis had disappeared and was surely dead, his body lost forever. ‘Let me take that for you.’ He picked up Sarah’s bag. For a moment it seemed she would object and he added, ‘You stay with Mrs Lewis.’

  Sarah nodded wordlessly.

  Everyone was too exhausted for further talk. The only thing they wanted now was to reach the safety of the OP ranch.

  Greeley feared they’d never get there.

  He had no idea how far they trudged or what time it was. Time, along with everything else, ceased to matter. All that mattered was the ability to put one foot in front of another. For a long while there was no sign of the ranch. Perhaps it was much further away than Brown had thought. Perhaps they were heading in the wrong direction. Earlier Clarence Lewis had said he remembered the ranch from past journeys he and Ruth had taken to Talbot, but Greeley hadn’t liked to ask Ruth which way to go; she was too distressed for that.

  They’d have to come to a halt soon because before long it would be pitch-black and there could be any number of pitfalls on the road in front of them.

  About the only good thing was that somewhere, some when, it stopped raining. At least if they were stranded in the open they might, with luck, find enough dry twigs to start a fire.

  Then suddenly Anderson gave a cry. ‘There! Look!’

  And at the end of the valley, shining through the blackness, was the dim flickering light of several lamps.

  ‘It must be the ranch,’ Daniels said.

  ‘I’ll go on ahead and let the folks there know we’re coming,’ Greeley said. He already felt so much better at the thought of safety and warmth just a short way ahead of him that it was suddenly much easier to walk.

  He reached a crossroads. The stagecoach road veered away from the ranch but another led in a straight line towards it. As he trudged closer, Greeley could make out a corral next to a bunkhouse and behind that several work buildings, while the ranch-house itself stood on a slight slope. One storey high, originally it must have been a simple two-room shack but it had been added to over the years so that there were now two wings and a veranda all the way along the front.

  The lamps they’d seen had been lit by the bunkhouse and the barn and another shone by the door of the house. The ranch wasn’t big enough to employ all that many men and those it did were probably out inspecting the damage caused by the storm. But someone must be home, for with blessed relief he also spotted the light of oil-lamps behind chinks in the shuttered windows of the house.

  Weary and stumbling, he climbed up the porch steps and knocked on the door several times, desperate to be inside.

  A few minutes later it was opened by a tall man with bushy brown hair and a drooping moustache. He held a rifle. Close behind him were two wome
n.

  ‘Who is it?’ the elder asked.

  ‘What d’you want, mister? What are you doing out on a night like this?’ The man eyed him suspiciously.

  Greeley gulped and in a croaky voice, said, ‘Name’s Gustavus Greeley. There’s been an accident with the stagecoach.’ He pointed back along the way he’d come. ‘The passengers are on their way. Can you help us?’

  ‘Oh my,’ the woman cried. ‘Orson, let him in. Quickly. You can see he poses no threat. The poor man is soaked through and he must be perished.’

  Greeley stepped into light and dry and almost fell. He found himself in a large room that was used for both living and dining. There were wooden walls and floors and a lot of comfortable-looking furniture. Rag rugs were placed here and there. And best of all was a blazing fire. Heaven!

  ‘How many passengers?’ the man asked.

  ‘Three other men. Two women. One lost her husband in the river.’

  ‘Oh no!’ That was the younger woman. ‘How dreadful.’

  ‘And I’m a bounty hunter and one of the men is my prisoner.’

  Peel looked at his wife, unsure how she would react. He didn’t look pleased himself. ‘Betsy?’

  ‘Don’t worry, ma’am, I’ll make certain he don’t cause any problems.’

  ‘He most certainly will not!’ Mrs Peel was firm about that. ‘I am not allowing someone who’s done wrong having free rein in my house!’

  For a dreadful moment, Greeley feared he and Norton would be turned away. He could hear the desperation in his voice as he said, ‘Where can he go then?’

  Peel thought for a moment. ‘We can shut him in the root cellar. He’ll be secure enough there. It can’t be locked but we can put a table over the trapdoor leading to it. That way he won’t be able to lift up the trap from below and get out.’

  Betsy Peel nodded. ‘That should be all right. It’s dry down there and he can have a blanket to keep him warm. Now, Amelia, dear, don’t just stand there. Put more wood on the fire. And start to boil up water so these people can have baths. And, Orson, you just go and help the other folks get here safely and quickly.’