by J. T. Edson
Holstering his smoking gun Waco dragged Allenvale to his feet and half pushing, half carrying the dandified young man brought him to the jail. Thorne came to his feet as the door of his office burst open and a figure was thrown in, crashing to his knees by the desk.
‘What the hell, Ranger?’
‘I’m arresting him for murdering a girl out in the street there,’ Waco answered. ‘Open the cell door.’
‘But that’s Dinty Allenvale.’
‘So?’
‘He’s Allenvale’s boy.’
‘Mister, I don’t care if he’s Robert E. Lee. He killed a girl out there and I’m holding him for murder.’
‘Which girl?’ Thorne asked, his face working.
‘Dark haired girl,’ Waco replied. ‘Are you opening the cells or do I?’
‘You stop him, Thorne, do you hear me, stop him!’ Dinty Allenvale yelled. ‘Tell him to let me loose.’
‘I can’t let you lock him up, Ranger,’ Thorne said. The keys are in the door,’ Waco replied. ‘The only way you can stop me is to kill me.’
Thorne stood back, watching the young Texan drag Dinty Allenvale to his feet and shove him into a cell, then lock the door and pocket the key. Then when Waco came back into the office said:
‘If I was you I’d be long gone from this town by the time Allenvale hears about this. He won’t set back and leave his son in jail.’
‘He will. Who was the girl?’
‘You say she was dark haired?’
‘Sure, looked like she might have some Indian blood in her.’
‘Sarah Shortbow, she’s half Apache. Is she dead?’
‘Got her a broken neck,’ Waco answered. ‘I killed the man who was with Allenvale. Then I brought him in.’
‘You think you’ll get him to trial?’
‘Why sure,’ Waco answered. ‘It was murder. I never thought to hear Dan Thorne talking like this.’
‘Didn’t huh?’ Thorne looked at Waco. ‘Hondo Fog told you about me: how I cleaned up the bad towns. Sure I did, then one night I heard Clay Allison was coming to town looking for me. I got to thinking about it and I got scared. I sweated it out all night. Next day I lit out of town and didn’t come back for a week. Then I learned it was all a joke, Allison was nowhere near. It finished me as a lawman. Other towns heard of me and I drifted on, then Allenvale took me on here. I knew that I was working for him and I took on just the same. Son, I was scared then, I’ve been scared ever since. That’s why I want no part of this now.’
‘You’ve got no part of it. I’ve taken the prisoner and I’m holding him here. You can’t do a thing about it.’
‘Do you think you can keep him for trial, or even get witnesses to come out and talk against Allenvale, in this town?’
‘Mebbe.’
‘Go out there in the street and try.’
Waco went into the street. The crowd who had gathered round the body of the girl, parted and let him through. He looked at them; people who had been looking through windows or from their doors and had seen what happened. ‘Who saw what happened?’ he asked.
There was silence now, faces turning from his eyes, then slowly the crowd broke up. Waco’s cold voice halted them. They turned, not meeting his contemptuous gaze. ‘Some of you saw what happened and know what happened. I’m holding Allenvale for trial. If he gets off through lack of witnesses, don’t any one of you ever leave this town again. If you do I’ll see to it that every lawman in the territory knows what happened and if you as much as spit on the sidewalk you’ll wind up in jail.’
‘You can’t talk to us like that,’ a man growled.
‘I’m doing it. I’m talking to you like a pack of cur dogs. You’re all hawgscared that Allenvale won’t let you live here anymore if his son comes up for trial. I’m going to see he gets tried, even if I have to stand alone.’
The crowd scattered, only Hawken and a grizzled old-timer staying with the body. Neither of them looked at the Ranger or spoke as he turned and walked back to the jail.
‘I told you,’ Thorne said as Waco came in. ‘Nobody in this whole town’s going against Allenvale. The Judge won’t even let it come to trial. He’ll say the girl was just a half-breed chippy—’
‘Sure, she’s an Indian,’ Waco agreed, then he remembered something Allenvale had said the previous night. ‘Is this town built on an Indian reservation?’
‘Two miles inside the boundary line. I remember there was some trouble over it at first—’
‘I’ve got to send a message,’ Waco turned on his heel. ‘I’m holding you responsible for keeping my prisoner. If he’s gone when I get back I’ll hold you for trial.’
There were sullen glares for Waco as he walked through the streets, making for the post office. He ignored them, for a small matter like personal popularity never gave him the slightest worry. He entered the post office and taking a telegraph message form wrote on it.
‘I can’t send this, Ranger,’ the owner of the office gasped as he read what was on the form. ‘Mr. Allenvale would have my job.’
‘And I’ll have it if you don’t,’ Waco answered. ‘There was a postmaster in another town refused to send a message for a territorial Ranger, and he was within a fortnight of retiring on pension. Mister, they fired him out without a dime. You’ve got your choice, do you send it, or do I?’
‘Do you understand Morse code?’ the man asked and Waco nodded. ‘I may as well send it then. But I want protection.’
‘Mister, you’ll get it,’ Waco agreed, but he stayed to make sure the message was sent correctly.
On his way back to the jail Waco called in at Hawken’s store. The fat man was behind the counter, his face showing worry as Waco came up.
‘Doc and I took the girl to the undertaker’s,’ Hawken said.
‘You see what happened?’
‘I see it, me and half the town. I thought this might happen, or something like it. You see, Sarah was going to have a baby. It didn’t show yet. Young Allenvale was the father.’
Waco stood silent for a moment, then asked, ‘I need witnesses, how about it?’
‘You won’t get any in this town.’
‘I figgered on one and I don’t want to have to call young Johnny.’
Hawken was silent for a time, then he looked at Waco. ‘This place is my home. I can’t go against Allenvale and stop on here, you know that.’
‘I didn’t think that would stop you.’
Waco turned and walked out of the store. Hawken watched the young Ranger go and thought of the emphasis placed on the last word. Either that shrewd young man knew something or he was a remarkable guesser.
~*~
Allenvale and eight of his men came into town shortly after noon, thundered along the main street and halted in front of the jail. ‘Thorne!’ Allenvale roared. ‘Thorne, come on out here.’
Dan Thorne stepped out of the office. Waco picked up a shotgun from the rack, broke it, and thrust in two shells, then snapped the breech closed and followed. He halted on the porch and waited for Allenvale to say something.
‘You’ve got my boy in jail, Thorne, I want him out and fast.’
‘He’s my prisoner, the marshal hasn’t a thing to do with it,’ Waco replied. ‘I’m holding your son on a charge of murder.’
‘Murder?’ Allenvale snarled. ‘Why she was nothing but a half-breed chippy and it was an accident what happened out there. My boy wasn’t doing anything wrong. She’s only a damned Indian. I’ll send Judge Holland along to see you.’
‘That won’t get your boy loose. Like you said, the girl is an Indian and this is an Injun reservation we’re standing on.’
Allenvale scowled, not understanding the significance of the statement just made. ‘Do you think you can pull this?’
‘I already have.’
‘One man against the town. Who’ll help you?’
‘My partner and every other Ranger.’ Waco watched the men.
‘How’re you going to send for them?’
/>
‘I already have. I sent off a telegraph message and if any of your men lay a hand on the man who sent it I’ll kill them.’
‘We’re eight to one,’ Allenvale answered.
‘Sure, if that’s the way you want it, cut loose your dawgs, and let’s hear them howl.’
The gunmen tensed. They saw the shotgun on the young man’s arm and knew that he would empty both barrels before they got him. Some of their number were going to be killed, and killed in a messy manner, if they started. Allenvale knew the same thing but where some of his men might not know they would be hit he knew that he was the Ranger’s first mark. He would get the first barrel of that shotgun into him.
‘No shooting, boys,’ he warned. ‘Let’s go down to the saloon and talk with the Judge. He’ll soon straighten this out.’
Waco pulled the money Allenvale had given him from his pocket, screwing it up and throwing it up at the man. ‘I was fixing to give this to the widow of one of our boys. I don’t think she’d want it.’
There was red rage in Allenvale’s eyes as he watched the money fall to the street. Without a word he turned his horse and rode down the street followed by his men. Waco turned to walk back into the office when he heard a yell from Thorne and was pushed aside. At the same instant a shot sounded and he came whirling round.
One of the men at the rear of Allenvale’s party had drawn a gun, brought his horse round and shot. Only the push given him by Thorne saved Waco’s life. The marshal was down holding his leg and the gunman tried to line his gun afresh.
Waco dived forward, off the sidewalk, landing on the ground and firing the shotgun. At the first roar the man rocked backwards, clean out of his saddle. The other men turned in their saddles to look but none of them made a move; they just rode on towards the saloon.
Coming to his feet Waco vaulted back on to the sidewalk and helped Thorne into the office again. The man was hit in the leg and Waco started to do what he could.
‘I couldn’t let them gun you like that, boy,’ Thorne said. ‘Reckon I’ve worn a law badge too long.’
‘I’m real pleased you have,’ Waco answered. He spun round with his gun coming out of leather as the door opened.
‘Easy there, boy.’ It was the grizzled old man who’d helped Hawken with the girl’s body. ‘You’re too fast with your gun to suit me. I ain’t had so much work since the mine caved in. Let’s have a look at that leg.’
Thorne lay back in the chair and looked at the door which led to the cells. ‘That lousy spoiled rat. He’ll never forget that punch you gave him, even if that’s all he gets for killing the girl.’
‘He’ll get more than that,’ Waco promised. ‘There’s been a big shake-up at the capital. The Governor cleaned house, got rid of all the crooked bunch and brought in good, straight men. He won’t stand for any play like this. Did you see what happened to the girl, Doc?’
‘No, I ain’t even sure I’d talk if I had seen it. The other folks aren’t going to talk either. Allenvale has them all buffaloed.’
Waco looked down at Thorne’s wounded leg and smiled. ‘Not everybody. Who’s this coming along now?’
The door of the jail opened and Judge Holland came in, followed by three other influential men of the town.
‘I have come to order the release of the prisoner,’ Holland said pompously. ‘Let him out, young man.’
‘Nope.’
‘As judge of—’ Holland began.
‘This town doesn’t come into it at all, Judge. I’m holding Allenvale for the murder of an Injun on the reservation.’
Holland knew what Waco meant right straight off. His face went even more red and he snapped. ‘You mean you are holding him on a—’
‘On a Federal charge, Judge. You can’t do a thing about it. Just like I told your boss.’
‘I don’t like your tones, Ranger,’ Holland yelped like a scalded cat. ‘I am not without friends at the capital and I will get in touch with them.’
Waco grinned bleakly. ‘If you all meaning Senator Flinworthy, he’s gone. The good Senator is in Europe taking a long vacation for the good of his health. I don’t reckon he’ll be back for quite a spell.’
The Judge’s face showed how well Waco’s random shot hit home. ‘Meaning?’
‘Was some talk of investigating certain mining leases that the Senator got all involved in,’ Waco explained. ‘What were you saying, Judge?’
Holland turned on his heel and stamped out of the office, followed by the other men. Thorne and the doctor looked with renewed respect at the young Texan, seeing that here was more than just a brave, foolhardy young man with a brace of fast guns to back his play. Here was as smart a man as Allenvale was likely to run across, a man who was unafraid and willing to back any play he made to the limit.
‘What was all that about?’ Thorne asked.
‘Killing an Injun in the reservation is a Federal offence, not local. I’ve sent and asked Judge Carmody to come for the trial. He’s a good man, be likely to strap on a gun himself and help me if I need it.’
Before the doctor was finished bandaging up Thorne’s leg, a fresh sign of Allenvale’s plans showed. Several men from around the town came in and formed a sullen looking group, then one of them spoke.
‘We want you to turn Dinty Allenvale loose. You’ve no witnesses.’
‘There’s one,’ Waco corrected. ‘I saw it all and I’m not scared to say so.’
‘You bunch turn my guts,’ Thorne growled. There was a change in the man, his face looked stronger, more determined now. ‘Look at you, a girl is murdered and not one of you dare stand up for the law. Allenvale’s men have you scared that bad. It’s not loyalty to Allenvale that makes you act like this. Every one of you hates his guts, him and his men. You Sloane,’ he pointed to a man. ‘Allenvale’s men owe you for leatherwork, they owe Sands there for clothing. You just let them walk all over you and never say a word against them. You’re yellow, all of you.’
‘Never saw you stand up to Allenvale much, neither?’ a man answered, sullen anger showing on his face.
‘That’s right, you never did. Things might have been different if I had stood up and done my duty.’
The doctor snorted angrily. He eyed the men with cold, hard and contemptuous eyes. ‘Dan here couldn’t do anything when he knew you bunch wouldn’t stand by him. He saved the Ranger’s life. He’s right about you too. Any man who is a man come down to my place in a couple of hours. Now get out of here, fast.’
~*~
Hawken and Johnny Bren were pitching horseshoes at the back of the store when Magee and Talbot came up. The two gunmen looked around. There was no one in sight so they came in close and Magee said:
‘Hawken, you saw Kenny kill that gal, didn’t you?’
‘It wasn’t Kenny, it was Dinty Allenvale,’ Johnny yelled. Magee turned and slapped his hand hard across the youngster’s face, spinning him round and knocking him to the ground.
‘You stinking, no good rat.’
The concentrated fury and hate in the voice brought Magee round, for he could hardly recognize the tones of the storekeeper. Nor could he reconcile the hard, cold-eyed look on the face of the small, fattish man. With a snarl of anger Magee swung his fist at Hawken’s head.
For one so slow-looking Hawken acted fast. His head moved, the fist hissing over his shoulder. Then his own fist smashed like a mule-kick right into Magee’s stomach, doubling the big gunman over. Hawken’s other fist came up, timed just right to catch Magee’s jaw as it swung forwards and down. The gunman reared erect and went straight over, landing with legs waving.
Too late Talbot realized what was happening and started to go for his gun. Hawken came in, kicking him scientifically in the stomach and bringing him doubled up, retching violently, to his knees. Hawken closed in, his knee driving up to catch Talbot in the face, smashing him erect and over on to his back.
Magee was on his knees now, fumbling to get his gun out. Hawken went for the big man, catching the gun hand a
nd forcing it up his back. Magee howled as the numbing pain bit into him, then he was spun round and Hawken swung a right with the full weight of his body behind it. The fist caught Magee at the side of the head, knocking the gunman flat again.
‘Uncle Henry!’ There was open admiration in Johnny’s face now as he looked at Hawken’s two victims. ‘Where did you learn to fight like that? ’
Hawken turned his attention to the boy, shaking his head slowly as if to clear it. His face looked suddenly old as he patted the boy on the shoulder, ‘You go on home now, Johnny. Go along, boy.’
For a moment Johnny stood there, then turned and hurried off home. Hawken turned and walked back into his store, looking round. This small town had been his home, but he knew it never could be again unless he was willing to rake up his past and do something he did not want to do.
Going into the back room, his small, neat and tidy home, he reached under the bed and pulled out a trunk, opening it.
~*~
In the saloon Allenvale looked at his men. The Judge was there, looking pale and worried. Allenvale was in a rage and most of it fell on Holland’s head for his inability to release Dinty Allenvale. More than that, Holland refused to take any further interest or part in the matter.
‘Two of you boys get out there and warn this bunch that we’ll fire every house in town if my boy isn’t turned loose,’ Allenvale ordered.
‘I think that is hasty and ill-advised, Mr. Allenvale,’ Holland put in. ‘You should wait and see the judge from Tucson.’
‘A Federal judge?’ Allenvale snorted. ‘I’ll get a long way with him.’
Magee and Talbot limped in, the others all looked at them. ‘What happened?’ one asked, for they knew the two had been sent to handle Henry Hawken.
‘That Ranger was there, Hawken held a gun on us while he worked us over,’ Magee answered. ‘They’re working together.’
‘We’ll handle Hawken after we’ve got my boy out,’ Allenvale answered. ‘Get going two of you, make sure the folks know what I’m fixing to do.’
When the word went out, another deputation gathered in the marshal’s office. The men were all scared-looking although none of them was willing to try open violence to get young Allenvale free. They told Waco the threat Allenvale gave them and waited for his reaction.
