“Well you’ve got that cowboy in there. What does he do besides run the stockyards for your mother?” John said.
“That’s all I know, except he is supposed to be good with a pistol,” Lola replied.
“Oh, huh,” John said with his mouth full of ham and cheese sandwich.
With the flag taken down, they only had to wait for another letter.
As they waited, Clayton offered all of them a glass of bourbon and branch.
John answered, “Make mine a double.”
Pete replied, “No thanks, I don’t drink.”
John thought to himself, How admirable.
Lola joined Clayton and John in having a drink, as Pete went into the kitchen to console Bambi.
John asked Clayton, “Do you have any enemies that would do this to you?”
“Not that I know of,” Clayton replied.
It must have been while they were eating a great dinner of barbecued ribs, beans, and potato salad that another letter had been shoved under the door. After they finished eating, Lola found it and read it aloud.
OK rich man u got the gold. Ur boy is Ok but don’t be if u try anything cute have ur wife or daughter—no men—bring it and go down Nacogdoches Road or the boy dies. Do it by noon tomorrow.
Then Pete spoke up, “Maybe you could get some other woman to go. I don’t want Lola or Mrs. Bigelow risking their lives.”
John answered him, “It’s too damned bad what you want. Lola will go, and I will be there to protect her.”
“But how? They said no men,” Pete asked.
John ignored him and asked Clayton, “Do you have a closed coach?”
“No but my neighbor does, and four white horses to pull it,” Clayton answered.
“Well, when it gets a little darker go ask him if you can use it tomorrow. And see if he has a coachman’s uniform you can borrow,” John instructed.
In about an hour Clayton returned with a coachman’s uniform and permission to use the coach.
“Good. Now where is the gold?” John asked.
Clayton pointed to six bags in the corner, saying, “It is very heavy. I had to go to two banks to get that much.”
“Well, let’s divide it up into at least twelve sacks. Any sacks will do, even pillow cases if necessary. The more sacks the longer it will take them to load it,” John recommended.
“What do you plan to do?” Clayton asked.
“Well, if Lola is willing, I will dress up like a coachman and drive her and the gold down Nacogdoches Road and try to get your boy back. Now we’d better all try and get some sleep,” John explained.
Lola agreed to take the gold, and John told her, “You are a brave lady.”
Clayton and Bambi retired to their room.
Lola announced, “Pete, I have put some blankets and a pillow on the sofa; you can sleep there. John you come with me; I have made you a pallet.”
John followed her down the hall and asked, “Where is my pallet?”
“I am your pallet. You can sleep on me.”
And she took his hand and led him into her bedroom. They instantly started making love, then went to sleep holding each other, knowing they had a big day tomorrow.
Lola was still asleep when John dressed in the coachman’s uniform and went to the kitchen table. He joined Pete for coffee.
Pete asked, “What is my part in your plan for today?”
“Well, I notice you wear a tied-down holster. Are you any good with that pistol?” John inquired.
People tell me I am the fastest draw they have ever seen,” came the answer.
“Have you ever killed anyone?”
“No. And I hope I never have to,” Pete replied.
“Well Pete, let me give you a piece of advice. Don’t ever draw your gun unless you plan on using it. Don’t shoot unless you plan on killing someone. A wounded man can kill you just like a healthy one can. Make sure they are dead,” John advised him.
“Thanks. I’ll remember that,” Pete replied.
“Now about today, I would like you to stay here and guard the Bigelows,” John told him. “You married?” John asked.
“No, but I have a girl picked out I would like to marry. But there is a problem. You know I am an Aggie from Texas A & M, and she is a tea sipper from the University of Texas. And the two schools are arch rivals,” Pete said.
John thought to himself, Uh oh, he is talking about Lola. This guy isn’t happy just running the stockyards, he wants to own them.
Soon the whole household was gathered at the table for breakfast.
Clayton jokingly told John, “You look funny in that coachman’s suit.”
“The suit must belong to a very big man. The pants are so large I was able to put them on over my pistol belt. The coat is so large it will easily hide my shoulder holster holding the Remington,” John told him.
After everyone finished breakfast, they all went outside to load the gold into the carriage.
John advised, “They are probably watching us right now, so let’s take our time loading and make sure they see us loading all of the bags.”
John had previously stored his Winchester under the driver’s seat, so he opened the door for Lola to enter the coach. In doing so, he handed her his Derringer, telling her, “Keep that out of sight. Only use it if I am dead or wounded.”
She answered, “Don’t talk like that.”
John closed the carriage door, climbed onto the driver’s seat, and set out for Nacogdoches Road. He quietly asked God to look after the two of them and get Sully back alive.
They had been traveling for almost an hour when a masked rider, with pistol drawn, blocked their path.
“HALT. Hey driver, who the hell are you?”
“I’m Jonah, the coachman, and I’m driving Miss Bigelow,” he lied.
“Well, get down from there and open the door,” the masked man demanded.
John obeyed, and out of the corner of his eye he could see another man hiding in the bushes.
When the door was opened, the masked man looked inside the carriage and told Lola, “Open one of those bags.”
He dug his hand in the bag and pulled out a handful of $20 gold coins.
Lola then spoke up, “OK, there’s your money, now give me my brother and we’ll be on our way.”
“Not so fast. What is that driver doing here? I said no men,” the masked man asked.
“He is our coachman. I don’t know how to handle four horses. Now please give me my brother, take your gold and let us go.” The man examined three more bags then yelled, “OK, Donny, back that wagon down here and help me load this gold.”
As the wagon neared, John saw Sully bound and gagged in the rear of the wagon. He furtively removed the pistol and shot the driver twice. The other masked man drew his pistol and got off a shot in John’s direction before John killed him with three shots. As John started to relax a little, another man galloped toward them.
John was surprised, not counting on there being three of them. He calmly climbed into the driver’s seat, retrieved his Winchester, took careful aim and blew the rider out of the saddle. Then John, for insurance, put one more bullet into the heads of all three men.
Then he took out his pocket knife and cut the ropes from Sully’s hands and feet and removed the gag from his mouth. Lola rushed to help Sully out of the wagon. He was trembling, partly from fear, but also from the poor circulation from being bound for so long.
“Oh Sully, I’m so glad you are OK,” she said.
“I’m OK now, thanks to that man. But who is he?” Sully said.
Then Lola hugged John and said, “Thank you. You were wonderful.”
“Are you OK, Sully?” John asked.
“I’m fine, thanks to you,” he replied.
“Good,” John said, “Then help me l
oad these pieces of garbage into the wagon.”
The gold safely in the carriage, Sully driving the wagon, John driving the coach, and the third man’s horse tied to the wagon, the strange looking caravan made their way back into Dallas.
As they reached the Bigelow’s house, Clayton, Bambi, and Pete were all waiting for them.
Bambi and Clayton rushed to Sully, hugging and kissing him.
Sully said, “Mommy and Daddy, I was so afraid. That man saved my life.”
Bambi and Clayton rushed to the carriage, hugged and kissed Lola to determine if she too was safe. Then they all gathered around John. Clayton warmly shook his hand saying, “Thank you.”
Then Bambi hugged him and kissed him on the mouth. She said, “I will never be able to repay you.”
Lola laughingly said, “Careful mother, he is mine.” Everyone laughed except Pete.
Sully spoke up, “I am starved. Could I have something to eat? It has been days since they fed me.”
Pete approached John, “How did you do it?” he asked.
“Well, I just shot them. The third man was a surprise, but no match for my Winchester,” John calmly told him.
“Weren’t you afraid to go up against three of them?” Pete asked.
“Hell yes, I was afraid, but not so scared I was going to just stand there and be killed,” John answered.
Then Clayton volunteered, “Let’s all go in, and I’ll open a bottle of champagne to celebrate.”
John replied, “Make mine bourbon and a double, then I have to do something to get rid of those dead bodies.”
“Let’s have a drink first, then I’ll go with you to the sheriff’s office. Sheriff O’Leary is a friend of mine so there won’t be any questions about why they were killed,” Clayton explained.
“Sounds good, but let me get out of this monkey suit. I’m sure glad I don’t have to make a living as a coachman,” John told him.
Chapter 13
Visiting Sheriff O’Leary
When they arrived at the office of Sheriff Bob O’Leary, they found the office manned by a deputy. Clayton told him who he was, and the deputy left at once to get Sheriff O’Leary from his home. In short order, Sheriff O’Leary came in, shook hands with Clayton, and was introduced to John.
“Oh yes, that bounty hunter from Houston. I have been looking for you. We still owe you $2500 for bringing in Indian Bob.”
John look surprised, as he had forgotten all about it.
Then O’Leary continued, “Well, Clayton I recall 25 years ago, when you and Billy Smith brought me dead bodies. Who have you killed now?”
“I didn’t kill anyone, Bob. These three dead men kidnapped Sully, and John here was bold enough to get him back for me. He had to kill these three to get my son back.”
O’Leary ordered the deputy to get some help and bring the bodies into the office. After checking the faces of all three men and comparing them to wanted posters, O’Leary pronounced, “These are the three Skaggs brothers, Ronny, Donny and Pooge. We have been chasing them for some time. They have held up two banks here in town and robbed two stage coaches, but I didn’t know they graduated into kidnapping.”
Clayton responded, “Well, they have. They took Sully and wanted $10,000 for him.”
“How did you kill them, son?” O’Leary asked.
“Well sir, I dressed up like a coachman, drove Lola with twelve bags of gold coins, and shot two of them when they were moving the gold to their wagon. I killed the third one with my Winchester when he galloped up firing wildly at us,” John told him.
“That probably was Pooge. He was always a little short on brains, and he would do anything his brothers told him to,” O’Leary responded.
Then Clayton said, “Will you take care of the paperwork for us, Bob?”
“I can do that Clay; I’ll bring you a copy of the report this afternoon, and another county check for John here, later this afternoon.”
“Good, come by and have a drink with us,” Clayton offered.
“You can count on that. See you this afternoon.”
As promised, Sheriff O’Leary showed up at the Bigelow home. He did enjoy the bourbon and branch, and handed John two checks. He explained, “Here is one check for $2,500 for Indian Bob and $1500 for the Skaggs boys, $500 apiece.”
“Thank you, Sheriff,” John responded.
Pete had already left for Fort Worth, but the others celebrated late into the evening.
After a few drinks, Bambi told John, “I will never be able to thank you enough. Come see us anytime.”
“Thank you ma’am,” John responded.
Clayton quietly told John, “I won’t insult you by offering you money, but if there is anything I can do for you. Anything at all.”
John responded, “Thanks. I will ask something of you, but not right now. I’ll ask it in a year or two.”
“Just let me know,” Clayton said.
The next morning John and Lola left for Austin, Lola to resume school and John to wait for the stage to San Antonio, then the train to Houston.
Chapter 14
Back Home in Houston
Upon arrival in Houston, he hired a driver to take him to the Wedgewood. Before he went to his room, he went into the stable to check on his horse, Diablo. He found him well cared for.
The girls behind the desk greeted him warmly as he picked up his key.
John thought to himself, It is good to be here, but I miss Lola already.
His plan was to rest the next day then go to visit Sarah, and check in with his friend Chief Mike Ward.
John never considered his visits to Sarah a waste of time. He knew there was a little chance she could understand what he said to her, but he felt compelled to tell her about his activities. He related the kidnapping and recovery. And his new relationship with God. Then he kissed her forehead and left her room. These visits were hard for him, but he felt obligated to see her.
As he left the room, he met Sister Ruth, who took his hand and welcomed him warmly.
“Oh, John, I am so concerned about Sarah. She is not eating, and she resists us when we try to force feed her. I fear she is tired of living in her condition and wants to die,” she said her eyes welling with tears.
“Oh, no,” John responded.
“I’m afraid she is in God’s hands now, so we will pray for her,” Sister Ruth said.
“Sister Ruth, I am happy to tell you, I now have a relationship with God. He has protected me and I have thanked Him for it. So I will also pray to God for Sarah,” John reported.
She responded, “God bless you, John. I knew that would happen sooner or later, and I am glad it is sooner.”
Asking Sister Ruth to keep him advised, he left for the police station.
After shaking hands, John followed Mike Ward into his office.
John came directly to the point, “Mike, I am concerned about Sarah. She refuses to eat and acts as if she wants to die.”
Mike answered, “I’m so sorry John, but I think I might respond the same way if I was in the same situation. What can I do to help?”
“Well, I had planned on moving to the ranch, but now I hate to do that under the circumstances,” John explained.
“Well it has been my experience that people never die when we expect them to. I have an idea, though. If you want to go ahead and move down there I will check on her every day, and if it happens I’ll dispatch someone to fetch you right away.”
“That’s a great idea, Mike. Thank you. You are a real friend,” John told him.
With his mind more at ease, John rode to the Wedgewood, gathered up a few clothes and rode to the ranch. When he arrived he met with Lisa, Maria, and Juan. He explained the situation with Sarah to them, and his plans to spend most of his time at the ranch. Then he sent a letter to Lola informing her and telling her o
f Sarah’s latest prognosis. He planned to give the letter to the mail rider so it would get mailed earlier.
For the next few weeks John busied himself learning more about the day-by-day ranch routine.
Chapter 15
Sarah Dies
One day a rider arrived with the news John had been dreading. Sarah had died. John had tears in his eyes as he thanked the rider, a police officer, and invited him to stay for lunch.
After lunch, John saddled Diablo and rode back to Houston with the police officer.
His first stop was at St. Agnes. He met with Sister Ruth, who hugged him and told him, “Oh John, I know you are sad, but you should also be glad her ordeal is over and she now has a better life in heaven.”
“Thank you, Sister. I know she is in a far better place, and much happier,” John replied.
“John, I will be happy to assist you any way I can. If you are interested, we have a small chapel here and our chaplain, Father Declan Carroll, will be happy to say a requiem mass for her,” Sister Ruth offered.
“Thank you, Sister. Can we have the funeral a week from today? That will give me time to invite friends who live out of town,” John said.
“Of course we can do that. With your permission I will make the arrangements and let you know when it is all arranged,” Sister Ruth told him.
John then went to talk to Chief Ward and tell him the news.
Mike gave John his condolences and offered to help any way he could.
Then John headed for the telegraph officer and sent a wire to Lola, knowing she could inform her parents. He then spent the night at the Wedgewood before leaving the next morning for the ranch.
During his ride to the ranch he, of course, felt sorrow but also a great deal of relief. He knew he would miss the young girl he knew and loved. He would not miss the poor creature who was bed-bound.
Sarah’s funeral was crowded. The small chapel in the hospital was filled to overflowing. Lola; her parents, Clayton and Bambi; Professor Moriarity; Mike Ward and his wife, Carol; Juan, Lisa, and Maria from the ranch; and Sister Ruth, who sat by John for moral support, were all in attendance.
John had never attended a Catholic funeral before, and told Sister Ruth later how much he appreciated the serenity of the service.
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