Law Of the Desert Born (Ss) (1984)

by L'amour, Louis

  “Reb!” Laura’s hand went to her lips and her eyes widened. “If Father finds you here, you’ll be killed!”

  “Maybe. But I had to see you.” His eyes searched her face. “Where do you stand, Laura? Do you believe I was a rustler?”

  “No.” There was the merest flicker of hesitation. “No, I don’t. But your father-”

  “Then you do believe he was? A kind old man like him? Never took a dishonest dime in his life!”

  “But Reb, you … you shot and he … you killed him! He was riding with them!” she protested.

  “No,” he said quietly, “maybe nobody else will believe me but I know he was dead before he ever reached that herd! Dead or close to it!”

  Laura drew back a little. “I’m sorry, Reb, but you’d better go.”

  “Laura!” Reb protested. “Listen to me!” She made a move to close the door and he put his hand against it. “I tell you it’s the truth! When I left your father, I rode home and found Dad’s new Winchester was gone. Someone had stolen that gun! I know Dad hadn’t taken it himself because he never used it, still favoring his old Sharps. An’ somebody had strapped a gun on him-Dad hasn’t used a pistol in years. His right wrist is too weak!”

  “I’m sorry, Reb.” Laura’s face had grown stiff. “It just won’t do. It’s hard to believe that you were a cattle thief, but I don’t see what else I can believe. Now if you’ll take your foot out of that door, I’ll—”

  “Laura?” It was Nathan Embree’s voice. “Who’s there?

  Who you talldn’ to?”

  Reb withdrew his hand. “All right,” he said quietly, “but if it’s the last thing I do, l‘11-”

  The door closed in his face, and he stood staring at it, his world collapsing around him.

  Laura, too! Stunned, he turned away and walked back to the dun.

  One hand on the pommel, Reb Farrell hesitated, scowling. All right, he had to begin somewhere. He knew his father was not a rustler. He knew his father had not been out there willingly. So then, as long as he knew it, there was a chance to prove himself right.

  One other person, perhaps several others, knew the truth also. The rustlers knew he had been framed.

  But who was doing the rustling? The most likely person was Lon Melchor over on Tank Mesa. Melchor had rustled cattle before but had always been too slick to be caught at it. But somehow he could not believe that Lon would kill his father. They had been on opposite sides of the fence, but they had always been friendly. Anyway, it was a place to start.

  Hard riding put him on Lon’s place shortly after midnight. All was dark and still. Swinging down from the dun’s saddle, Reb moved swiftly along the sidehill toward the cabin. There was something about the feel of the night that he did not like. Hesitating, he tried to resolve the feeling into something concrete and definite.

  He moved up to the corner of the house. The door was standing open, which was unusual for the night was cool. Straining his ears he could hear hoarse breathing but no other sound.

  He spoke softly, “Lon!”

  All was still. He stepped into the door of the cabin and pushed the door shut, listening. Again he spoke the old rustler’s name, but again there was no sound. Then he took a chance and struck a match.

  Lon Melchor was sprawled on the floor, lying in a stupor, his shirt stained with blood!

  Reb dropped to his knees and made a quick examination of the old man, and then he began to work swiftly. He got a fire going and put water on the stove. Then he RIDING ON put a pillow under the old man’s head and stretched him out easier, rolling him onto a blanket which he placed on the floor. When the water was hot he bathed the wound, a nasty gunshot high on the left side, and only when he had the wound bandaged did he turn to look around.

  Lon’s gun lay on the floor, and picking it up, Reb saw it had been fired three times. His rifle was nowhere about and was probably on his horse. Slipping out of the door, Reb looked about until he found the horse. The saddle was wet with blood where the old man had bled. Lon stripped the saddle from the horse and turned him into the corral. There was water in the trough, and he forked some hay to the horses, then returned to the cabin.

  Lon’s eyes were open. “Reb!” he gasped. “You seen, ‘em? Them rustlers, I mean?”

  “Who were they, Lon? Did they shoot you?

  “Yep, he stared up at the younger man, his misery showing in his face. “It’s my fault, too. I knowed Joe Banta was a bad—

  “Joe who?” Reb Farrell leaned over the bunk. “Did you say Joe Banta?”

  “Yep. He come in here wantin’ a hideout, maybe three weeks ago. I knowed he was a plumb bad hombre, but I let him stay on. Fact is, I couldn’t have drove-him away. Then he did leave, but he came back with a bunch of hard cases. They started for the herd, and I raised hob. Joe, he turned right on me and shot, then he let me drop an’ left me.

  “I got into the saddle, how I’ll never know. The old man’s voice was weak. “I started for your place, but I never made it. Your old man found me. He got me back in the saddle, but when I told him what was up, he took off to tackle them rustlers by his ownself. “They got him, Lon. They killed him. Briefly, Reb explained all that had taken place. The old man was angry.

  “Nathan Embree always was a pigheaded fool!” he snorted. He grabbed Reb’s hand. “Get you some men, son. I know where he’ll go. He’ll head for the old hideout at Burro Springs. You got to follow Dark Canyon to get there. Right up the canyon through all them boulders. He’ll have the cattle there where he can get ‘em over the Border easy. He can sell that herd to the minin’ camps easy as pie.”

  Reb hesitated, but the old man waved him on. “Don’t mind me. I’ll get along.”

  Reb wheeled and ran to the door. There was no time to go for help, and there was a chance he might be shot if he did go back.

  Day was just breaking in the east when he first found the opening into Dark Canyon and rode down from the lip of the mesa into the deep, shadowy green recesses of this oasis in the desert. Long suspected as a possible hangout for rustlers, the canyon had been searched several times in the past year, but searchers had always been stopped by the seemingly impassable jumble of boulders, some of them so close together there seemed no way through. Moreover, the place was exceedingly dangerous. If caught in the canyon bottom during a heavy rain, a man would have small chance of escaping the roaring flood which came down the canyon.

  Now Reb knew there was a way through those boulders. He rode now with extreme caution, pausing often to study the canyon ahead of him, and then pushing on. Soon the huge boulders that had hitherto blocked all progress in the ancient river bed were before him. He searched for a way between them, but try as he might, he could find none that would allow the passage of a horse or cow. Yet, with Lon Melchor’s statement to urge him on, he persisted, and it was finally a mark on the canyon wall that tipped him off. It was such a mark that might have been made by the brushing of a stirrup. Riding close to the wall, ducking his head because of the overhang, Reb suddenly saw the opening, barely RIDING ON wide enough to allow for passage. He rode through, then paused in the deep shadow.

  The canyon appeared to be nothing but a jumble of boulders for some distance ahead. After a careful study of the rocks and walls, he rode on, then turned up a narrow path that showed at one side of the canyon. It was a little-used trail, probably made by wandering cattle or wild horses. It led him into the broken rock of the shattered canyon wall, and then onto a green-topped *mesa. Crossing this, he paused under some trees and looked down. Below him the canyon widened out into a long, green, and well-watered valley of some five hundred acres. Two huts and a long bunkhouse were against the wall of the canyon below him. There was a stable and some corrals, and scattered over the canyon, several hundred head of cattle were feeding. As he watched, two men came from the long building and strolled toward the corrals. They walked as men do who have enjoyed a good meal and are in no hurry to go to work. One of them was Joe Banta.

  Ba
nta had never been known to operate in this part of the country, and Nathan Embree would have been the first to scoff at such an idea. Yet here he was, and in plain sight. He was a stocky man of considerable breadth and little height, a swarthy fellow with a battered gray hat. Even from a distance, Reb could recognize him without trouble. When the two men turned around, Reb recognized the second as Ike Goodrich, a smalltime outlaw and occasional cowhand who had once worked for Embree.

  Two hours of waiting and watching while his horse cropped grass contentedly gave Reb Farrell the knowledge that at least four men were below. Aside from Banta and Ike, there was the cook, whom Reb had seen come to the door to throw out some water, and a thin, redheaded fellow who walked with a slight limp and appeared to favor that leg considerably as though it had been recently injured. This man went to the corral and saddled four horses.

  There was no time to go for help. It would take hours M get out and hours to get back. Even if he could convince somebody of the truth of his story, by the time they returned, the cattle would be gone, for obviously there was another way out of the canyon, probably the route that led over the Border.

  Leading his horse, Reb left the mesa top and made his way slowly down a back trail into a deep draw that opened on the valley. Leaving his horse in the brush, Reb walked down the canyon, rifle in hand. From the mouth he looked out over the valley:The nearest corral was not twenty yards away, the back of the nearest shack about the same distance. The stable and the other corrals formed an open corner with the corral near which he stood. He was facing north, the stable faced west, and the houses faced north as he did. The redhead was standing in front of the stable, tightening a saddle girth.

  Reb walked out of the canyon mouth and ,,strolled along the corral bars until he was facing the man in front of the stable. Nobody else was in sight.

  “All right, Recir His voice was low but strong enough. “Unloose your gun belts and turn around! One wrong move and you diet”

  Red turned slowly, his hands wide. His face was tight with surprise. “Where’d you come from?” he demanded. “Unloose your belt, Red! Quick!”

  Red’s hands went to the buckle, then he hurled himself to one side and grabbed his gun. Reb’s Winchester barked and the redhead kept falling, the gun slipping from his fingers and sliding along the earth a foot from the outstretched hand.

  A chair slammed over inside the house and Goodrich jumped into the doorway. Reb was waiting for him and fired. The shot burned Ike on the neck, cutting along RIDING ON that side nearest the cabin. Goodrich jerked away from the pain and fell out of the door.

  -From the window a bullet slammed near Reb, and he ducked and ran. Goodrich grabbed his gun and rolled over on his face. Reb chanced a running shot and saw the bullet kick dirt in Ike’s eyes. While the gunman swore and grabbed at his eyes, Reb dropped his rifle, grabbed a gun, and lunged through the door. He took a chance, gambling that Joe Banta would be expecting nothing of the kind. Banta wheeled as Reb came through the door and both men fired at once and both missed. It was close range, but both were moving. Reb grabbed the edge of the table to stop his forward movement and fired again. Banta jerked hard and his shot went wild. Then Reb jumped at him, clubbing with his six-gun barrel. Banta went down to his hands and knees. He was starting to get up when Reb hit him a second time. Wheeling, he sprang to the door. Goodrich was crawling for the rifle Reb had dropped, and Reb put a bullet in the ground before him. Goodrich stopped, and glared at the doorway. You’ll suffer for this. If I live a thousand years, I’ll never forget it!”

  A board creaked and Reb looked up. The cook was facing him across a double-barrelled shotgun.

  “Drop it!” he said, his eyes bright with satisfaction. “Drop it or I’ll cut you in two!”

  Reb Farrell’s gun was level and he did not hesitate. You fire,” he said, and I’ll kill you. You’ll get me, but I’ll take you with me. Now go ahead and shoot, because I’ll not miss at this ranger’

  The cook stared, gulped and his eyes shifted. He didn’t like the situation even a little. That Reb would not surrender in the face of the scattergun was something of which he had never dreamed. Now it was quite obvious that while he would kill Reb, the bullet from the pistol would unquestionably kill him. And he. was not ready to die.

  -Shoot,” Reb said, or drop it!”

  “Go ahead!” Ike shouted. “Shoot, you greasy fool!” The cook’s eyes wavered. “Yeah, he sneered, “a lot you care what happens to me.” His eyes swung back to Reb and the six-gun was unwavering. “Never was much of a poker player. I reckon you got me. I’d rather be alive an’ in jail then dead on this ground.” He bent over and placed the shotgun carefully on the ground and took a step back. “Hope you’ll recall that when the trial comes. Up the loose weapons, tied cook, and bandaged Banta’s ; dead. The .44 from Reb’s he center of his chest at an nd had drilled the redhead Quickly, Reb gathered the hands of Ike and the wounds. The redhead ‘Aq Winchester had cut into angle from right to left right through the heart.

  It was noon on the following day when Reb Farrell rode down the street of Palo Seco. Doors began to open and people stepped out to look at the procession. Joe Banta,. the cook, and Ike Goodrich, followed by the horse carrying the body of Red, and behind them all, his rifle across his saddle, was Reb Farrell.

  Nathan Embree stepped from the saloon and stopped. Laura was standing at the door of the Post office, her face suddenly white.

  “Embree,” Reb’s voice rang loud in the street, “here’s your rustlers. You’ll find your cattle in Dark Canyon, all fat an’ sassy. This here, in case you don’t know him, is Joe Banta. My Dad tried to stop ‘em, but they killed him. Then they figured I’d be more apt to get wise to ‘em than a fathead like you, so they carried my Dad’s body out there and when I shot, they dropped the body an’ ran, figurin’ I’d think I killed my own father, an’ you’d think I was a rustler. Isn’t that right, Banta?” The rustler shrugged. “You got me. Why should I-lie? Sure, it’s right, just like I told you. Embree was no trouble for us. I made inquiries around. Folks all allowed that without you, Embree couldn’t catch a frog in a rain barrel!”

  Embree’s face was red. “I guess I owe you an apology,” he said stiffly, “but you’ll admit that I had reason . .

  Reb Farrell looked at him. “Reason to doubt a man who had worked hard for you for years? Reason to doubt an old man who had harmed nobody? Embree, I’m ridin’ out of this country, but I hope this teaches you a lesson. Next time don’t be so quick to judge.”

  Reb moved on, then drew up. Dave Barbot was standing on the walk.

  “Dave, you were the only one who gave me a kind word. Understand you’re in the market for some cows? Well, between Dad an’ me we had maybe four hundred head.

  “I’d say a few more,” Dave said. “You aim to sell?” “To you the price is one thousand dollars and the care of my Dad’s grave so long as you live.”

  “A thousand?” Barbot was incredulous. “They are worth twice that!”

  “You heard my price. How about it?”

  “Sure,” Dave said. “I’d be a fool to pass it up.”

  “All right, then. Have the money when I come back from the jail.”

  Laura stood. before the post office, her face white, her teeth touching her lip. Suddenly Reb felt sorry for her, yet he knew now that she had never loved him. He glanced at her and gravely tipped his hat.

  “Reb!” She put out a hand as if to hold him back. He drew up. “I’m ridin’ on, Laura. I’m not blamin’ you, nor anybody. I figure you never knew me real well or you’d never have been so quick to doubt. There’s a lot of country west of here I’ve never seen. That’s the way I’ll ride.”

  Barbot was waiting in front of the bank when Reb drew up. Reb told him about the horses in the corral at the lone cabin. “Pick ‘em up, Dave. They are yours.” “Sure, I was goin’ to speak about that. You gave me a flat price an’ no time nor reason to argue. Well, I’m doin’ the same by you. Down in the livery ba
rn corral there’s a horse you’ll know. My Palouse stallion. You always fancied that horse. Well, he’s yours. Throw your saddle over him an’ take this one for a packhorse.” A door slammed up the street and Reb looked up. An old man stood on the edge of the porch, leaning against the awning post. It was Lon Melchor.

  “Me, all right. I ain’t so strong right now, son, but I aim to be. I’d have to ride a mite easy the first few days, because I lost a sight of blood, but if you’ll have me, son, I’ll trail along.”

  He waved a hand at the town. Folks here don’t cotton to me. I want to see a new country.”

  Reb Farrell’s heart warmed to the old rustler. Get up in your saddle, Lon. We’re headin’ west for the Blue River country, out Arizona way.”

  The old man crawled painfully into the saddle and faced around. His face was white and strained, but his lips smiled and there was *even humor in his eyes.. Let’s go, son! The Blues it is!”

  The sun was high and the mountains in the . West were far and purple. The air smelled fresh, and there was the tang of sagebrush in the air, and far off in his memory there was a smell of pines, which he soon would be smelling once more.

  The Palouse stallion stepped out, tugging the bit.

  *

  Author’s Note:

  DIAMOND CANYON

  Often when I would get the urge to wander, I would take a backpack and go to Peach Springs and hike some of the branch canyons that open into the Grand Canyon. Many years ago when people wished to see the Grand Canyon before any other places had been set up, the best view was from the old Diamond Creek Hotel in Diamond Canyon. By the time I got into that part of the country, the hotel was ancient history and there was nothing left but the site. There were trails nearby that lead down to the river, others that lead up Diamond Canyon, or some up to Meriwitica Canyon.

  Not being much of a camp cook, I usually carried nuts, raisins, and a couple of small cans that could be opened easily. I did carry a small coffeepot and coffee. Several times I ate with the Indians who knew friends of mine from Kingman, Oakland, or Williams. I never wanted to bother with cooking. It was an easy, lazy time. I never had a set schedule to follow; no one was waiting for me or expected me. When I got tired of sleeping on the ground I would head for the highway, often hitching a ride with an Indian in his pickup. Then I would take a bus or a train ride back to Los Angeles and hole up for another long stretch of writing. Several times I slept in Indian ruins, old cliff dwellings long abandoned by the Anasazi and their neighbors. There were ghosts around of course. Once a bear came along down the path past a ruin in which I was camped. He could not see me but he caught my scent and sniffed around, hesitated and then went about his business. It was the right decision for both of us.