Gabe said to the Covington riders, “Check the men on the ground. If they’re alive, and can ride, put them on their horses. We’ll take them into town and have the doctor treat their wounds, and we’ll try them along with the rest. Tie the dead ones over their saddles, and let one of the wounded killers take them back to Marcum and let him deal with them.”
“Gabe,” Ty said, “please tell Azalee that I’m all right and that I’ll see her after I get these would-be assassins taken care of. If one of your men will come with me, we’ll take these cattle thieves and put them in jail. I would feel a lot better if you were at the ranch to protect Kate and Azalee. This would be a good time for Marcum to hit the ranch, with none of our cowboys there to defend it.”
Sandy, the man raised by the Comanche, volunteered to go with Ty to take the prisoners to jail. They found the sheriff in the bar.
“We’ve got some men we want to put in your jail,” Ty said. “They’re cattle rustlers and attempted murderers. Some of them are wounded and need to see the doctor.”
“Are they Marcum’s men?” the sheriff asked.
“Yes, they are,” Ty replied.
“You know that I can’t hold them,” the sheriff complained. “Marcum will make me release them.”
“I know that the town’s people hired you. It’s your job to maintain law and order. You’re not supposed to work for just one man; you’re supposed to work for everyone. You do Marcum’s bidding because you choose to. The way you’re doing your job, you’re nothing but Marcum’s hired gunman. The last two men you released to Marcum are dead, and the other two were killed in the hotel shootout when you ran away. You might want to think about that, before you release these men.”
“Are you threatening me?” the sheriff snarled.
“No, I’m not threatening you. I’m telling you, that if you release these cattle thieves, we’ll get them back, and you’ll be tried, right along with them. Marcum won’t be able to help you. I’ll return with the rest of the ranchers, and if the prisoners are gone, you’ll have to explain why. Now, lock them up and call the doctor.” Ty and Sandy watched as the sheriff locked the prisoners in the jail.
“Let’s get back to the ranch,” Ty said to Sandy.
They rode to the ranch and Azalee ran to meet them. She had tears in her eyes when Ty took her in his arms. She clung to him not wanting to let go. “I was afraid I had lost you,” she sobbed.
“It looked bad there for a while,” Ty confessed. “Gabe and his riders sure saved my day. Thank you for sending them.”
* * *
At the supper table, they talked about the episode on the prairie.
“Before Ty and I arrived,” Gabe said, “Marcum’s goal of owning all the land in the valley of the Bitter Creek was within his grasp. He sees that slipping away now, and he knows that the Covington Ranch and those of us who are running it are the ones stopping him. He won’t stop until he has eliminated anyone standing in his way.”
“Marcum tried stealing the cattle, and that failed,” Ty said. “He tried to kill Azalee and me by having his men ambush us, and that failed. He sent his hired gunmen in force, to do what the snipers failed to do. They also failed.”
“He’ll try to get the stolen cattle to market,” Gabe stated.
“We know where he’s holding the herd,” Kate commented.
“If we hire an honest sheriff, we could catch him driving stolen cattle and prove that he’s a cattle rustler. The other ranchers could get their animals back, and the law would take care of Marcum.”
“That’s a good idea,” Ty agreed. “We could ride into Long Bow and get the merchants to back us. It would be to their advantage to have the ranchers successful again. Let’s call for a meeting of the ranchers and the merchants, and put notices on the bulletin boards that we’re looking for a new sheriff.”
“Marcum will be furious. He has more guns than we do, but we have more votes,” Azalee said smiling.
“The cowboys can guard the ranch while we’re gone,” Kate continued. ‘Let’s start early. We’ll have no peace until we bring law back to Long Bow.”
Chapter 30
The merchants heard about what had happened on the prairie and were pleased to see that Ty and Azalee were unharmed. They agreed with Kate’s plan and sent riders to bring in the ranchers. Marcum’s gunmen were still in jail, but one of the merchants said that the sheriff packed up and left in the night.
“Do you know of anyone who’ll take the job of sheriff?” Gabe asked.
“We had a good sheriff, but no one would help him stand up to Marcum, so he left. His name is Dunn. His brother is sheriff in the town west of here, so he moved his family there. He’d come back now that you and Ty are here to give him support.”
“Why don’t we send someone to get him,” Gabe suggested.
“It would be good if we could get this all settled while the ranchers and merchants are all in town.”
“I’ll send my boy,” a merchant replied. “If Mr. Dunn will consider being the sheriff again, they can be back in a couple of hours.”
While they were waiting for the ranchers and former Sheriff Dunn to arrive, Kate and Azalee did some shopping. Ty arranged for the merchants to provide the supplies Lew needed to refurbish the Terel Ranch.
* * *
By four in the afternoon, everyone had arrived. There was an air of excitement. The restaurant was the only place big enough to seat so many people; the owner brought in extra tables and help.
“The sheriff who did Marcum’s bidding left town last night, and we need a new sheriff,” Gabe said. “We need a man who’ll keep the peace and apprehend wrong doers. Law that isn’t fair is no law at all. We need a man who’ll do the job in a way that will be in the best interest of everyone. We don’t have the right to ask a sheriff to put his life on the line, if we’re not going to back him up.”
One of the merchants remarked, “We had a good sheriff until we let Marcum drive him off. I see he’s among us, and I say we should ask Sheriff Dunn to take his old job back.” A roar of approval arose from the group.
“Before we ask Mr. Dunn to commit himself, we should tell him what he’s letting himself in for,” Ty commented.
Kate stood up to explain to Dunn. “We can prove that Rolph Marcum has been rustling cattle. He had my first husband shot in the back, and he hired gunmen to ambush my daughter and Tyree Terel, the new owners of the Shay Ranch. We know where Marcum is holding the stolen cattle. We’re going to recover them, and each rancher can reclaim the animals that Marcum stole. We intend to arrest Marcum and try him for murder and cattle rustling.”
Gabe said to Dunn, “Ty and I will sign on as your deputies. We can bring thirty men to drive the herd. All you have to do is help us recover the stolen cattle. We’ll bring Marcum to you. You’ll have to arrest him and hold him for trial.”
Dunn, a square-built man in his early thirties with a look of no-nonsense about him, said to Gabe and Ty, “I’ve heard stories about both of you, and I’ve heard that you’ve killed a few men on your own, but I’ve never heard of you shooting a man who wasn’t shooting at you first. If I take the job, I’ll accept your offers to be my deputies.”
“Let us know when you decide,” Ty said. “Now, let’s get on with recovering the stolen cattle.”
“You’re taking on a big job,” the ex-sheriff remarked. “You’ve eliminated several of Marcum’s men, but he’s still got a lot of guns working for him. He’s not going to just stand by while you retrieve that stolen herd.”
“We’re expecting trouble, and we’ll deal with it when it comes,” Gabe replied.
Dunn continued, “I’ve also heard that Marcum has hired two more gunfighters. One of them is very fast. He’s killed many men, and leaves a trail of blood wherever he goes. Are you good enough to go up against that kind of gun?”
“There’s no way to know how a gunfight will turn out,” Ty replied. “One of those men has sworn to kill me. He was involved in killing my mother
and sister, and I will avenge their deaths, or die trying.”
“It’s strange that Marcum hasn’t already come for the men you have in jail,” a merchant said.
“I think he’s taking that stolen herd to market,” Gabe said.
“I’ll get my riders to drive the herd after we recover it,” Ty said. “Gabe, get your riders and meet me at the big bend in the river. That’s where the men said that Marcum is holding the stolen herd.”
“We’ll ride with you,” one of the ranchers said. “It’s our cattle he’s stolen.”
Looking at Dunn, Kate impatiently asked, “Are you going to accept the job, or aren’t you?”
“I’m accepting,” Dunn replied. Turning to the merchants and ranchers, he exclaimed, “Get your guns, men, and let’s go! We’re going to bring law and order back to Long Bow!”
Kate was going out the door with Gabe to get their riders.
Azalee said, “Ty, I’m coming with you. I have a bigger stake in this than most.”
“I know you can shoot a rifle,” Ty responded. “I’ve seen you do it. It’s your life, too, and the only way we can have a life together is to stop Marcum here and now. So get your rifle and come with me.”
Mr. Perkins, the owner of the General Store said, “We don’t know how long this will take, so I’ll bring supplies.”
First, Ty and Azalee stopped at the Terel Ranch, where Ty told Lew what they were doing.
Lew told the men, “We’re going to retrieve the cattle that Marcum has stolen from the ranchers. Get your gear and follow us.”
Ty and Sheriff Dunn were now leading a sizeable force. Ty knew that Gabe and Kate would not be far behind with their crew.
Night was coming, and the blaze of an early spring sunset was glowing off the high, thin clouds, producing an eerie light.
Sheriff Dunn knew the terrain and said, “The big bend in the river is only a few miles ahead. I suggest we camp here and wait for Gabe and his group to catch up. You and I can scout ahead and find the herd.”
“That’s a good idea,” Ty said as he looked back. “I can see Gabe’s group now. They’ll catch up in a few minutes. Let’s camp here. These trees will hide our campfires.”
When Gabe arrived, Ty explained their plan. Gabe agreed.
“I learned how to do this sort of thing from the Comanche,” Sandy said, “I’d like to go with you.”
“Let’s go,” the sheriff said. “It’s going to be a dark night, and I’d like to locate the herd while we can still see.”
Azalee grabbed Ty’s arm and said, “Please be careful.”
“I’ll be back in a few hours. Get some sleep if you can. Tomorrow is going to be a big day,” Ty replied.
Ty, Sandy, and the sheriff rode into the gathering darkness until they heard the cattle lowing. They dismounted and led their horses and soon spotted the herd. Marcum’s riders had bunched them, and they were ready to start the drive in the morning. Two cowboys were riding night herd. The rest were camped near the river. Ty couldn’t tell how many were in the camp, but they were a large group.
“The best time to hit them is early in the morning, right before they wake,” Sandy suggested. “The Comanche would kill as many as they could before they could get dressed. If we reduce their numbers, we’ll have the advantage. We’ll run the herd up the east side of Bitter Creek until we get them to The Terel Ranch. We can hold them there.”
“I’m glad you’re on my side,” Ty chuckled. “Let’s get back to camp and lay out the plans with the rest of our group.”
* * *
Everyone was surprised to see them back so soon. Ty drew a crude map indicating the lay of the land showing where Marcum’s men were sleeping.
Speaking primarily to the ranchers, Ty said, “We’re not here on a killing spree. We’re here to recover your stolen cattle and to take as many rustlers into custody as possible. We would be foolish to risk our lives to prevent taking theirs, but I cannot bring myself to shoot sleeping men. If we wait until Marcum’s midnight riders have been relieved by the late night riders, we can do what we came to do, with very little bloodshed. We can move in quietly using clubs, knock the sleeping rustlers unconscious, tie their hands and feet, and take them prisoners.”
“I agree,” Gabe said. He had experience in these things, so he took charge.
Gabe’s people would use the trees near the river as concealment, move quietly into position, then, on signal, rush in and capture the rustlers. Kate and Azalee would provide cover with their rifles.
The first thing they had to do was eliminate the nightriders, and they had to do it without awakening the sleeping rustlers. Sandy, Ty, Sheriff Dunn, and the two Covington cowboys would silence the two rustlers riding night-guard.
“We’ll start the attack at four in the morning,” Gabe said.
“All we can do for now is wait, so I suggest we get some sleep.”
Azalee said, “Ty, everything depends upon how this turns out. Our future hangs in the balance. How can I sleep?”
“Everyone has a lot to lose if we fail,” Ty replied. “The ranchers will lose their homes. The merchants’ businesses will not prosper. The town’s people will lose their way of life. The sheriff will have to take his family back and live with his brother. Lew, Tandy, and the wranglers we have hired will lose their jobs. Kate and Gabe will lose their ranch. We must not fail.” He helped Azalee wrap herself in her blanket, and said, “I won’t be here when you awaken, but I’ll see you when it’s all over.”
Ty found Gabe and Kate wrapped in their blankets and said, “I’ll give the call of a coyote after we’ve silenced the nightriders. We’ll tie and gag them, and then we’ll come to help you. With luck, we can do this without anyone being killed.”
“I’ll acknowledge your signal with the hoot of an owl, and then signal the beginning of our attack by again imitating the owl,” Gabe said.
“We’ll be in position to cover you if anything goes wrong,” Ty responded. “I’ll see you when this is all over.”
Kate and Gabe watched as Ty blended into the night.
“He never ceases to amaze me,” Kate said.
Gabe agreed, and added, “After we’ve completed this, he still has to face that insane killer.”
“Can Ty beat him?” Kate asked.
“Ty is the best I’ve ever seen, but as Ty himself said, you can never know the outcome of a gunfight until it’s over, and the man he faces has the reputation of being very fast. I’ll see to it that it’s a fair fight.”
“I guess that’s all you can do,” Kate said. “Azalee is worried.”
“First, we have to take care of the problem at hand. Now, try to get some sleep,” Gabe suggested.
* * *
When darkness came, Gabe and his group moved into position. Ty, Sandy, and the men had left camp more than an hour earlier, and found the first nightrider sitting on his horse smoking a cigarette.
Sandy stealthily moved to one side of the rider’s horse, Ty to the other. Sandy created a noise attracting the rider’s attention, and while he was distracted, Ty whacked him on the head with a club. They bound and gagged the night rider, and moved on. Using the same technique, they soon had the second rider securely under their control.
Ty left two Covington riders to guard their prisoners, and then he, Sandy, and the sheriff began moving toward the sleeping rustlers. They could see the campsite, but they couldn’t see Gabe and his people.
Sleeping cattle were lying all about. Not wanting to startle them by giving the coyote call, Ty rode over a little hill. Almost immediately, he heard the hoot of an owl. That was the signal for him to move into position to provide cover.
They worked their way through the sleeping herd, and when they were within pistol range of the sleeping rustlers, they stopped. Ty counted the sleeping bodies. There were only twenty. Reducing Marcum’s riders had paid off, but neither Marcum nor his two new gunfighters were with them. Ty figured they had planned to join the herd after it had gotten und
erway, giving them a chance to sleep in comfortable beds.
Morning was coming, but it was still dark. Ty couldn’t see Gabe or any of his men, so he and his companions waited. They heard the second hoot of an owl. Gabe’s group rushed into the sleeping camp, flailing clubs. The rustlers had rolled themselves in their blankets and struggled to get free. One rustler managed to draw his gun, but Gabe shot it out of his hand and knocked him unconscious. In an instant, Gabe’s people overwhelmed the rustlers.
Ty ran to Azalee. The hands that held her gun was steady, but she was crying. Ty was proud of her. It had taken a lot of courage to do what she had done.
Chapter 31
The night was finished, but the day was just beginning. Ty watched as the slowly increasing sunlight overwhelmed the fading light of the morning star. They had recovered the herd without bloodshed, but Ty knew that there was more fighting to come. Before this day was done, more men would die.
The sheriff took charge of the rustlers. The merchants rode with him and helped take the prisoners to jail. Sheriff Dunn was a proud man. He had redeemed his reputation and regained his self-respect. He would always feel indebted to Gabe and Ty. After securing the prisoners, he rejoined the men with the herd at the outskirts of town. They were identifying the brands and turning the cattle over to their proper owners. Kate recovered eight hundred of the one thousand cows she had lost.
Before they completed sorting the cattle, they saw three men riding into town. It was Marcum, Pothman, and Kruger.
A hush fell over the crowd. Marcum had paid a lot of money to hire Pothman and Kruger. According to Sheriff Dunn, Kruger had killed many men. Marcum hired him because he believed that Kruger could kill Ty. Kruger believed he could beat Ty—otherwise, he would not be willing to face him.
Marcum, Pothman, and Kruger were all determined to see Gabe and Ty dead. Marcum wanted them dead so that he could own all the land around the town of Long Bow. If he owned the land, he would own the town. He would have his own empire. Pothman wanted Ty dead to avenge his brother, and to satisfy his own hatred. Kruger wanted to kill Ty to satisfy his insane desire to kill, and he wanted to be paid for doing the job.
Man Called Ty Page 18
