Stagecoach to Serenity

by Steven Gray

But Frank was also right in that it was no use trying to rebuild the bridge just yet. Serenity would have to remain cut off from Talbot for a few days more at least.

  He was about to turn back when movement on the far side of the river caught his eye. He stopped and stared.

  Two riders were approaching the spot where the bridge should be. He recognized one as the foreman at the OP Ranch, although he didn’t know his name. The second was a stranger. As he watched, they came to a halt, clearly not knowing what to do.

  Raising himself in the stirrups, he yelled and waved his hat in the air. Finally he attracted their attention and pointed downriver. A mile or so lower down, the river widened out and there, hopefully, the water would be shallower and slower, making it possible for them to ride across.

  When he got there he saw he was right. The stagecoach would find it difficult to get across without the risk of being overturned, but the horse-riders should manage it. He could actually see the riverbed at the edges.

  Greeley and Williams reached the other side of the bank a couple of minutes later.

  ‘Looks OK,’ Williams said. ‘We ain’t had a wasted journey.’

  Greeley said nothing. After what had happened at the ford, he was reluctant to ride into the river. Worse, he was now feeling terrible from where Sal had slugged him, his head throbbing so abominably he could hardly see for the pain. He was shivering. He wasn’t sure whether he’d be able to handle the horse. Still, he couldn’t stay where he was.

  Letting Williams lead the way, he urged his animal down the bank and into the river. The horse strained against the force of the water and began to swim for the opposite shore with Greeley clinging to the saddle. At one point a sudden surge in the tide had him fearing they would both go under. Then the horse recovered and found its footing and soon it was struggling out the other side.

  He was on dry land again, feeling sick and swaying slightly in the saddle. He was glad when Williams rode up to him and reached across to steady him.

  ‘Who’s this?’ Rayner asked the foreman.

  ‘Gustavus Greeley.’

  ‘What, the bounty hunter?’ That was a surprise. Rayner had thought him another cowboy from the OP. ‘Well, you sure look as if you’ve been in the wars.’

  The bump on Greeley’s head was large and red. His eyes were blurred and there were purpling bruises on the side of his face. ‘I have.’

  ‘What the hell is going on? What’s been happening? Where’s Norton?’

  ‘It’s a long story,’ said Williams.

  ‘Then let’s go back to Serenity and you can tell me all about it when we get there.’

  It wasn’t long before Greeley found himself being treated by Doctor O’Connor, although he couldn’t remember much about getting to his surgery; his head was thumping fit to burst and he could hardly see through the pain. But after the doctor bathed the wound, rubbed some salve into it and put him to bed, he began to feel slightly better.

  Williams, having received the doctor’s agreement to go back with him to the OP in the morning, had taken himself off to one of the saloons.

  It was quiet in the room, the lamp turned down low and Greeley, feeling warm and comfortable for the first time in a long while, quickly told Marshal Rayner and his deputy everything that had taken place from the time he’d caught the stagecoach to now.

  When he finished, Rayner shook his head. ‘Well, while I am surprised at Sal the Gal committing cold blooded murder, I can’t say I’m surprised about the rest of it. You know, Frank, it might have crossed our minds she was on her way to help Norton when she escaped from Madam Queenie’s after stealing all her money.’

  That was why Sal was so anxious about her carpetbag; it contained the stolen money.

  ‘We knew she was a favourite of Norton’s and that she could twist him round her little finger. To be honest, Gus, she was as much trouble as him, although in a different way of course.’

  ‘Sal was a girl with big ideas,’ Evans added. ‘She always said she was going places and lately she wanted to go to them with Norton.’

  ‘I ain’t too sure he always felt the same way. He was the type to be after a good time, not a future. I pity him if Sal ever realizes that.’

  ‘But you never put two and two together?’ Greeley said.

  ‘No,’ Rayner admitted. ‘It wouldn’t’ve made much difference if we had. Shortly after Sal run off, the storm hit and there wasn’t time or chance to go after her. We thought she’d got caught out in the open and was probably lying dead or badly injured somewhere.’ He shook his head. ‘Instead she turned herself into Sarah Fuller and made for Talbot. She was certainly taking a risk but it was the sort of foolhardy thing Sal would do.’

  ‘She might have well gotten away with it were it not for the accident,’ Evans added. ‘Even Sal couldn’t prevent that.’

  Despite everything the girl had done, the two lawmen obviously held a grudging admiration for her.

  ‘Something’s puzzling me,’ Greeley said. ‘How did she know I’d caught Norton and was bringing him back here on the stage? Was it common knowledge?’

  ‘Not until after Sal had gone. Then the news spread like wildfire. What is it, Charley?’

  Rayner said, ‘I wouldn’t be surprised if Sal hadn’t got to Greg Morgan. He’s our telegraph operator,’ he added for Greeley’s benefit. ‘Be just like the old fool to be taken in by Sal’s promises so he’d do whatever she wanted.’

  ‘And, Charley, if you remember, the night Sal ran off, Morgan was at Queenie’s demanding entrance because he’d been promised a night of free loving. Naturally Queenie laughed in his face and he was promptly seen off the premises.’ Evans laughed.

  ‘When we heard we just thought he was drunk and acting stupid. Since then he’s gone round with a long face and a surly ashamed-of-himself manner. Reckon he’s in trouble at home too. More than usual that is. His wife don’t stand any nonsense.’ Rayner paused. ‘I’ll speak to him tomorrow and if we’re right I’ll have his job for him. Stupid idiot.’

  ‘He’s probably sorry now,’ Evans said.

  ‘Don’t matter. He has a responsible position. It was his actions helped get Clarence Lewis killed.’

  ‘Did you know Lewis?’ Greeley asked, taking a sip of water from the glass the doctor had left on the table by the bed.

  ‘Vaguely. The family live about three miles out of town. They come in now and then to stock up and sell their goods. Can’t say I took to him much. He was a bit of a know-it-all and liked the sound of his own voice.’

  ‘That was what got him into trouble.’

  ‘But Mrs Lewis seems like a lovely lady, real pleasant, and their son has grown up into a fine young man,’ Evans put in. ‘He was friends with Arthur.’

  ‘Well, Sal killed him for nothing. Mrs Lewis never let her husband go anywhere near the saloons and Lewis himself would never have gone into a brothel. You know, I reckon Queenie had a lucky escape.’

  So had Greeley.

  ‘Sal could easily have killed her too. I’ll have to tell her. Stop her squawking and complaining. Norton had better watch out as well.’ Rayner laughed. ‘Now, Gus, I suggest you get some rest. You look whacked out.’

  ‘I feel it.’ Greeley could hardly keep his eyes open any longer. ‘I’ll head out in the morning after them.’

  ‘Let’s see how you feel first.’

  Greeley was in no fit state to argue. Before his eyes closed he determined that, come what may, the next day he was riding out after Sal the Gal and Darren Norton.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  That night Norton and Sal lay in one another’s arms beside a small campfire.

  Sal had even managed to steal some food from the Peels so that they hadn’t gone hungry. There was water in the two canteens. She was someone who always thought ahead and who always thought of everything.

  ‘You really are a marvel,’ Norton said, admiration tinged with a growing disquiet.

  Now she sat up, gave Norton a quick kiss and sa
t with her knees drawn up and her arms around them, staring into the fire. ‘Before I set out to rescue you, I thought about the best way to get to San Francisco,’ she said.

  ‘Are we going to make a run for the nearest railroad halt?’

  ‘No.’ She shook her head. ‘That’s what that fool Rayner will expect us to do. He’ll either send men there after us or send a telegram to whoever is in charge. No, we’ll do what’s completely unexpected. We’ll ride for Tucson.’

  Norton frowned. ‘But that’s miles away.’

  ‘Exactly,’ Sal said. ‘No one will ever suspect we’d go there. From Tucson we can catch a stagecoach into California and there change to a train. I know it’ll be a much longer journey but that way we’ll fool everyone and we won’t get caught. They won’t know where we’ve gone or how!’

  ‘I suppose you’re right.’ It all sounded much too complicated to Norton. He just wanted to get as far away from Serenity and that damn bounty hunter and the prospect of hanging, as quickly as he could.

  ‘Of course I am.’ Sal allowed herself to bask in the glory of her own cleverness. ‘When we reach San Francisco I’ll start looking for some suitable premises to set up as a brothel.’ She patted her bag containing the stolen money. ‘A fancy one that’s even better than Queenie’s with swish red curtains, thick carpets and comfortable beds.’ Her eyes took on a faraway look; she could picture it exactly. ‘It doesn’t have to be too large, not at first, although I expect to be able to expand in a few years time because San Francisco is full of sailors and prospectors and those searching for the end of the rainbow, and willing to spend a fortune to find it! Perfect.’ They would all hurry to her place of business and she would take all their money; some gold too if she was lucky. ‘Why we might even be able to buy a saloon or perhaps a gambling hall as well. With your skill at cards. . . .’

  Norton sighed. In truth he really wasn’t that good.

  ‘. . . .We should make a success of that too. In the meantime you can help me run the brothel and kick out any troublemakers.’

  Norton’s heart was sinking further with each word. Usually he liked to hear Sal talk. She was always so full of ideas and dreams. They sounded like pie in the sky to someone like him, although he didn’t doubt that she would succeed in doing what she’d set her mind on. It sounded wonderful – for her. What was not so wonderful was the fact that her plans included him.

  He’d heard Sal’s ideas on numerous occasions before. She’d often spoken of them when they’d been in bed together at Queenie’s. But while he’d agreed to go along with her and become her business partner he’d done so simply because it was what she wanted to hear. In fact, he’d always meant to leave Serenity far behind before she could put those ideas into practice. He thought she’d understood that, understood he wasn’t one for settling down, but clearly, being so caught up with what she wanted, she never thought someone else might not want the same and she hadn’t understood at all. Never had he imagined that he’d be here in this position, beholden to her, on the run and heading for California and a life he most certainly didn’t want.

  Norton had never planned anything in his life. He was too busy doing whatever he liked to do at the time, enjoying himself, to ever think about his future. Except that that future most certainly didn’t include knowing what he was expected to do, day in and day out, in the same place, forever more. He preferred moving on when he was bored with a town and its people. Doing nothing if he felt like it, lazing around all day, drinking or gambling.

  This life with Sal meant going to a place of work and working!

  Sal turned her head to look at him and said sharply, ‘You’re quiet, Darren. What’s the matter?’

  ‘Nothing.’

  A note of steel came into her voice. ‘I hope you ain’t thinking of changing your mind about going into business with me.’

  ‘No, of course not. Nothing like that, Sal.’

  ‘Good. I wouldn’t like that, not after everything I’ve risked and done for you.’

  ‘You can count on me,’ Norton smiled, doing his best to hide his ill-ease.

  While Sal had always been determined to succeed, he knew now that she was also unpredictable and ruthless. He feared what she would do to him if she knew what was on his mind.

  Norton decided that, while he admired her courage and singlemindedness, he didn’t like her much. Actually he also decided he was afraid of her. He really didn’t want to be shackled to her much longer and he made up his mind that sometime on the journey, when there was no danger to himself, he would run out on her and run far away where she had no chance of finding him.

  He also considered taking her money with him – imagining all the drinks and girls he could enjoy with it – but he decided he couldn’t do that. After all, she had rescued him from facing the hangman. He knew a little bit about her past and thought she deserved the future she longed for. Even more important, she might well come after him to get it back.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  It was late the next morning before Greeley finally woke up. He was annoyed he’d slept so long but he had to admit he felt better for it. His headache had gone, he no longer felt sick and, when he got out of bed, there was no dizziness.

  As he was getting dressed, Marshal Rayner came in. He smiled. ‘Awake at last! Feeling better?’

  ‘Yeah, thanks. You should have woken me sooner.’

  ‘Doc said best to let you sleep. He also said you must have something to eat and drink before we set out. Don’t frown like that. It always does to obey the doctor! And don’t worry. There’s food ready for you and the horses are waiting at the livery saddled and bridled. Meanwhile Doc’s ridden back to the Peel ranch with Toby Williams. And I’ve put the fear of the devil into Greg Morgan.’

  ‘Are you going to get him the sack?’

  ‘No, I’ve decided not to, much as he deserves it, as I have no certain proof of his guilt, except in my own mind and from the way he behaved when I challenged him. Instead I’m going to give a hint to his wife about my suspicions. That’ll be an even worse punishment, believe me! She’ll give him hell.’ Rayner grinned. ‘Breakfast is waiting in Doc’s kitchen. Don’t worry, Gus, you must be a reasonably good tracker. So is Frank. Myself, I reckon they’ll ride for the nearest railroad station. We’ll find ’em soon enough.’

  It didn’t work out quite that easily.

  It was soon clear that Norton and Sal were not headed for the railroad.

  ‘Which other way are they likely to go?’ Greeley asked.

  ‘Not back into the hills where there’s still likely to be storm damage,’ Rayner said. ‘Only a fool would do that, and Sal knows what she’s about. Otherwise,’ he shrugged, ‘they could be heading almost anywhere. Whichever direction they ride in, they’ll come to somewhere eventually.’

  ‘It depends on whether they want to catch a train or the stagecoach,’ Evans pointed out. ‘Or if they intend to ride all the way to California.’

  ‘I doubt they’d do that,’ Greeley said. ‘It’d take far too long.’

  He was starting to feel anxious. Norton and Sal had a good start on them and he was afraid they could lose them altogether. After all it wasn’t even certain they still planned to go to San Francisco. Sal might have changed her mind and decided to head East to somewhere like Santa Fe or perhaps into Texas.

  ‘We’ll just have to scout around until we come across their trail,’ Rayner said.

  No one asked what they would do if they didn’t find it.

  ‘If we head back towards the hills, we might discover where they came out into the valley,’ he added. ‘We can track ’em from there.’

  It was late afternoon with shadows stretching across the valley and it was beginning to look as if they wouldn’t succeed, might even have to give up, when, at last, Evans, who was riding a little way distant from the other two, came across the tracks of two horses. He fired his gun as a signal for them to join him.

  ‘It must be them,’ Greeley said
, dismounting to look at the tracks. ‘Surely no one else has come down from the hills since the storm and these look fresh to me.’

  Evans nodded in agreement. ‘Day or two old is all.’

  After following the tracks for some way, Rayner came to a halt, removed his Stetson and ran a hand through his hair. ‘They’re heading for Tucson.’

  ‘You sure?’ Greeley said in surprise. ‘That’s miles from here.’

  ‘It’s the nearest place in the direction they’re going, Gus. Or rather the only place of any note. The hamlets along the way ain’t up to much and ain’t on the stage-line. Tucson is.’

  ‘They could be trying to fool us into thinking they’re going one way whereas they’re actually going another,’ Evans said.

  Rayner shook his head. ‘No reason for ’em to do that, Frank. They don’t know we’ve got after them so quickly.’

  Greeley agreed. ‘No. I could still be at the Peel ranch and no one in Serenity knows what happened.’

  ‘For once in her life, Sal’s been too clever for her own good,’ Rayner said with a smile. ‘If they’d gone for the railroad they’d be on a train by now. I doubt we’d’ve caught up with ’em in time. And while she had no way of knowing it, the telegraph is still down and I couldn’t’ve sent out any messages about them. Tucson is a long way off and now we have the chance to catch up.’

  Greeley nodded. He might have to ride all night to overtake them, but ride all night he would. And he knew Rayner and Evans would follow him.

  ‘There they are!’

  The cry went up from Greeley as the small posse crested the ridge of the rocky slope. They had, indeed, ridden for most of the night, only stopping now and then to rest the horses. Once for a long rest for themselves because, as Rayner said, it wouldn’t do to go without some sleep. They had to keep fresh and alert.

  During the night they’d found the remains of an old campfire.

  ‘Norton and Sal, it must be,’ Greeley said after a quick inspection. ‘They stopped for quite a while by the looks of things. They’ll probably have made camp tonight as well. They do, we should catch them up before too long.’