Shatto (Perry County, Pennsylvania Frontier Series)

by Roy F. Chandler

  A lesser man might have suffered a broken neck or jaw. Ruby staggered in his tracks for a moment before lunging forward with an enraged bellow that shook the souls of the massed audience.

  The kick was good; Rob felt his stiffened toes fold within his boot as they drove into Ruby's stunned features. Without pause he slipped from the far side of his horse and landed half-kneeling in the dust of the street.

  Bellowing his rage, Maddoc Ruby beat the startled horse aside and lunged at Rob Shatto's rising figure. From Rob's clenched hand a fistful of Main Street dust stung and blinded the charging Ruby causing him to claw desperately at his eyes and again squall in unbridled rage. An instant later, the two figures met in a grunting, slugging, smashing melee.

  Excited shouts urging the fighters on turned silent as the two men reeled across the square, sledging at each other with a ferocity horrifying in its intensity. The thud of murderous blows mingled with grunted effort above the shuffle of feet struggling for purchase and balance.

  If Rob gained any advantage from either kick or thrown dirt, he could not detect it. Ruby grunted and swore as he fought. His fists were iron-hard clubs that dazed and bruised where they landed.

  Ruby kept his head buried between his massive shoulders and his chin stayed tight on his muscle-packed chest. Rob was hard put to strike telling blows. Both men punched straight and hard, resorting only occasionally to looping swings. Rob avoided driving his fists into Ruby's bullet shaped head where he could easily break a hand.

  They fell apart, circling warily, chests heaving from exertion. Watchers could see blood mixed with sweat and dirt on both men, but could not tell who was bleeding. Staying away, Rob shot two rapid punches to Maddoc Ruby's face that brought snorts of exasperation. The man pawed at his features and Rob caught him again with a right hand that momentarily twisted Ruby sideward.

  Lowering his head, Ruby charged and Rob danced away, shooting his blows through Ruby's high held hands. He scored lightly, but moving away, he could not plant his feet to punch solidly.

  They again circled warily and Ruby's new charge came too quickly for Rob to avoid. He went over backwards, feeling Ruby's clawing fingers and kicked upward at the man's moving body. Helped along by Rob's foot, Ruby sailed over Rob's head and sprawled awkwardly in the dust, but he was up as fast as Rob and they grappled wildly, falling and rolling in the dirt.

  Ruby had trapped Rob's strong right arm in his left armpit. For the moment on top, Rob fought one handed, struggling to avoid Ruby's savage kneeing at his groin while slamming his left fist into Ruby's face.

  Ruby's skull smashed into Rob's face causing his vision to blur and Ruby's hard boots raked his shinbones raw. Desperately, Rob buried his face along Ruby's neck and bit savagely into the man's ear. He heard Ruby's breath hiss with pain and the man's thrashing efforts redoubled.

  Agony rushed through Rob's body as Ruby's knee drove repeatedly into his thighs and groin. He twisted, doing his best to keep away, and jerked his head attempting to tear Ruby's ear from his head.

  His groping right hand found Ruby's greasy hair at almost the same instant Ruby's fist closed around his own. They strained, each forcing the other's head backward. With Ruby's ear in his teeth, Rob was willing. He felt the man's ear tear and Ruby turned to sledging his fist against the side of Rob's head.

  Ruby's chin had risen an inch or so from his chest and Rob stabbed his left hand viciously into the man's corded throat. His fingers fumbled, searching for the windpipe. Ruby groped for Rob's eyes, and again Rob buried his face against Ruby's neck chewing steadily on the savaged ear.

  Fighting against Rob's pull on his scalp, Maddoc Ruby jammed his chin against Rob's strangling hand and grabbed with his own to jerk Rob's fingers from his throat. Ruby's right hand was stronger than Rob's left and little by little he freed his neck from Rob's desperate grip.

  With a shift of effort, Ruby got Rob's finger and attempted to break it off. Almost helpless to prevent it, Rob tried to ease the strain by following Ruby's movements, but he knew he was in trouble.

  Wildly, Rob slammed his own head into Ruby's unprotected face trying to divert the man's efforts, but Maddoc Ruby took the blows and broke Rob's finger with a snap heard through the stunned spectators.

  Rob almost screamed aloud as Ruby continued to jerk the broken finger. Ruby's straining features were tight against his own, so he fastened his teeth over Ruby's nose and tried to bite it off. Ruby's whole body winced with the pain. Ruby tried to stand it and continue to worry Rob's broken finger, but Rob's teeth ground into living bone and he dropped the finger and clawed for Rob's eyes.

  Instantly, Rob drove his battered hand into Ruby's throat. He connected solidly and above his own raging agony he felt Ruby's strength fade a little. He struck again, feeling the cords of Ruby's throat give under the impact.

  Ruby gurgled in his throat and strength left his flailing blows. Rob shifted his aim and his fist crunched against Ruby's jaw just as he released his hold on the man's nose. Ruby's eyes fogged and setting himself, Rob hammered again and again into Ruby's jaw until the big man sagged slackly, and the light of awareness left his eyes.

  For a long moment the crowd stood silent in shocked stillness. Then, as Rob struggled weakly to free his trapped arm some rushed forward to help.

  Rob pushed them away, gaining his knees and finally swaying to his feet. Cad Jones pushed through the crowd forcing well wishers away from his friend. A man appeared with a bucket of water. Before he could dump it on the prostrate Maddoc Ruby, Rob croaked and pointed toward himself. First hesitantly then with enthusiasm, the man doused Rob head to toe.

  The shock of the water helped, and although gasping like a beached carp, Rob could take stock of himself. His hand with the broken finger felt dipped in fire. Blood dripped from his nose, a few teeth felt loose, and one eye was rapidly swelling closed. His whole body was battered and bruised, and he was tired beyond belief. He could feel his legs tremble with fatigue and the water dripping on his raw shins sent new waves of pain through him.

  But it wasn't over yet! He was sure of that. Another water bucket appeared and was dumped over Maddoc Ruby's torn and ruined features. Someone in the crowd said, "Old Rob bites like an alligator!" and a few men laughed.

  Life came into Ruby's eyes, and after some spluttering he propped himself first on an elbow and then on his right hand. He found Rob with his simian eyes and through battered lips and chewed nose he said, 'This ain't all of it, Shatto. You ain't whipped Maddoc Ruby. There'll be another day real soon."

  Still sucking air, Rob stared at the man for a long moment. Then he said, "You've convinced me, Ruby!" and stomped his heel solidly on Ruby's extended fingers. They crushed and Ruby screamed in shock and agony. He clutched his shattered hand to his chest, and Rob kicked him solidly in the face.

  Ruby went over backwards, his head thudding into the ground and his cheek laid open to the bone. Men muttered and started to surge forward. Rob turned on them savagely. "Stay back!" His rage stopped them in their tracks.

  "You think this is some sort of game we're playing here? Stay out until I finish what I'm doing!"

  They stayed, and Rob crouched and lifted Maddoc Ruby's head by his lank hair. The man's eyes opened and Rob said, "You whipped yet, Ruby?"

  The man looked at the crowd and tried to focus his eyes on Rob's face. He started to say, "I'll get you. . ." but Rob broke his jaw with one crushing right hand. Ruby's eyes glazed but he stayed conscious. Rob held his big fist where Ruby could see it. Blood from his own wounds dripped on Ruby's shattered face.

  This time there was fear in Maddoc Ruby's eyes. Any expectation that Rob Shatto would not beat him to death departed. To Rob's question, he gurgled a surrender and lay limp and unresisting for all to see.

  Rob looked down on the wreckage he had perpetrated and felt no satisfaction. Maddoc Ruby meant nothing to him, He had seen more worthy men die, and as long as Ruby lived, Rob Shatto could not be sure he wouldn't return to try again.

&
nbsp; But Rob had done all he could. In Perry County, you did not deliberately kill a man. Rob feared that in some cases it was a mistake.

  +++++

  It took awhile to get Ruby's gear from the hotel and arrange for someone to drive him to Newport. Despite his own agony, Rob waited until Ruby was patched up and helped into a wagon. Maddoc Ruby left town staring dully at his muddied boots.

  Doc Ickes set Rob's broken finger with reservations about it ever being much good again. He sewed a long slit over Rob's eye and straightened Rob's bent-over nose until it looked about right. He wiggled Rob's loosened teeth and thought they would tighten themselves in time.

  Rob felt too bad to more than nod to people, although he tried to look strong as he rode his easy-paced horse out of town. At Rob's request, Cadwallader Jones had followed Ruby to Newport to make certain that he boarded the east-bound packet heading down river. Rob wanted no surprises.

  Abel rode home with Rob. Part way there Rob got dizzy and sick to his stomach. They rested a while. Troop fretted that Rob might have gotten hurt inside, but Rob felt it was just after effects of Ruby's pounding on him and maybe some of the blood he had swallowed.

  Amy didn't take his return too calmly. Her fear and anger over it all caused her to seek relief on Rob's already battered person. Knowing her anger was due to her worry and love for him, Rob stood it, answering with humility and patience. She put him to bed and then kept him awake by repeatedly checking on his condition and her gradually lessening scoldings.

  By the third day, Rob began to feel human again. His hand was too sore to think about, but his swellings were going down. Amy maliciously noted that his nose might need further straightening and volunteered to do the job. She said he looked like a raccoon with his two deeply purpled black eyes, or maybe a chipmunk, with both jowls swelled out by hickory nuts.

  Rob had to tell her that he wasn't sure that Maddoc Ruby would not return. Although he had done his best to break the man's spirit, Ruby might try again. Rob did not add that Maddoc Ruby was one that would not be above laying in wait with a rifle along some lonely road.

  Amy saw him lace his rifle scabbard onto his saddle. Even when he dug out his pistol and strapped it on she said nothing. Rob didn't need to tell the granddaughter of Blue Moccasin about such things. She had faith that he would handle it right. She worried of course, but was careful that Rob did not see it.

  +++++

  Chapter 17

  The Widow Oakes' horse had gone lame and Rob had helped bathe and wrap the leg staying long after sundown. A noted baker of fruit pies, the widow had further insisted that Rob sample her latest product.

  A strong, strapping-big woman of huge good nature and a heart filled with kindness, the Widow Oakes made her way alone, cleaning and cooking for anyone needing her services. She came often to the Little Buffalo to help at the Troop and Shatto places. Amy regularly spoke of her staying on as permanent help, but the widow deferred and clung to her tiny house in Bloomfield. With her time taken up by the horses, Amy could use regular help around the place, and Rob had again broached the subject. Still, the widow resisted, fearful that Rob's offer hinted of charity. A soul of independence, she had to believe herself needed. So far, Rob had not convinced her.

  In full dark, Rob saddled and mounted by Widow Oakes' lantern. He rode carefully south on Carlisle Street toward the square, letting his eyes adjust to the dark. The town lay quiet. A nip had come into the air and Rob considered donning a jacket he had tied behind his saddle.

  Movement within the alley across from the courthouse caught the corner of his eye. He heard the distinctive click of a gun hammer being cocked and the instincts of a frontier decade sent him dropping along the left side of his horse while reaching back for his pistol with his left hand.

  Rob had barely gripped the pistol butt when a tremendous numbing shock struck his exposed right foot, blending with the blast of a large bore shotgun. The horse grunted and sagged in the middle, slumping to the ground as though struck by lightning.

  Rob fell free, knowing he was hurt, but concentrating on the ambusher. He landed on his side, clawing his pistol free and switching it to his right hand. Cat quick, he slithered to the horse's rump, aimed into the alley where he could hear movement, and fired one barrel.

  Staying low behind the horse, Rob heard more scratching and movements in the darkness. There was a muffled whimper, half drowned by opening shutters and voices calling from nearby houses.

  A figure staggered into view. Doubled and holding its belly with one hand, the man trailed a ten-gauge shotgun by its short barrel. Rob took a quick look and with his second barrel shot Maddoc Ruby squarely in the top of the head. Ruby slumped, dead before he hit the ground. Doors opened and lanterns flared. Men shouted and ran about. Someone began clanging an alarm bell. The town burst awake as word of the shooting spread.

  Rob lay in the dust of Carlisle Street feeling numbness in his right leg being interspersed by warning jolts of sharp pain. He experienced a little weakness and feared he might be bleeding seriously.

  Someone arrived with a light and held it close so Rob could examine his wound. The man took his own look and whirled away to be violently sick along the road edge. Rob steadied the fallen lantern seeing his foot torn almost completely away and barely recognizable. He felt his senses reel and fought to remain alert and able to help himself.

  Others drew closer holding their lights high and exclaiming over Rob, the dead horse, and the body of Maddoc Ruby. Rob ignored them. He jerked a number of thongs from his fringed hunting shirt and knotted them into a stout cord. Fighting his dizziness, he attempted to tighten the cord around his ankle to throttle the steady bleeding. His hands were weak and fumbly with his vision fading in and out. Everybody seemed to be standing around talking, but no one did anything to help. He felt like screaming and shooting at them until they finally got awake and gave him a hand.

  A broad figure pushed through the milling group and Mrs. Oakes knelt close, clucking over the ruin of his foot while taking the thong from his shaking fingers.

  Outwardly undismayed by the torn flesh and splintered bone, she bared Rob's leg above the obvious damage and wrapped the leather cord tightly around. She cinched it tighter with a powerful heave and tugged Rob's weakened body around so that his ruined foot was elevated on the dead horse's rump. Gently, she forced Rob to lie back while demanding the whereabouts of Doctor Ickes.

  His weakness increasing, Rob felt somehow detached from it all. He was aware of Doctor Ickes' arrival and of men carefully lifting him onto a door hastily removed from a nearby shed. There were moments of jolting agony as initial numbing departed and his wound reacted to movements. He sought to protest as he found himself being moved into Widow Oakes' kitchen, but he was shushed to silence while he swallowed a bitter draught from the Doctor's mysterious black bag. Soon pain drew back and a strong sense of wellbeing enveloped him. He watched with patient benevolence as men hung lanterns and placed lamps about. He drifted into a doze and was mildly irritated when a kindly hand shook him awake. He smiled at Amy standing close by his side and allowed Doctor Ickes to again dose him with his bitter concoction.

  Amy Shatto had gotten most of the story from Johnny Clouser who came riding hard with the news. Amy climbed into the wagon, resisting her impulse to saddle her mare and race into town.

  Clouser said Rob had been shot from ambush by Maddoc Ruby. Rob had been hit in the leg and his horse had been killed. Somehow, Rob had gotten his pistol loose and killed Ruby while the man was reloading in the alley.

  Rob was being moved to Widow Oakes' home and Doctor Jonas Ickes was in attendance. Clouser thought Rob was all right although his foot looked mighty torn up.

  Mr. Clouser seemed unwilling to push his already wearied team past a trot, and although recognizing his need to favor the horses, Amy thought the drive took a full eternity.

  +++++

  Doctor Ickes made little small talk. He calmed Amy's first fears and got to the point.

/>   "While I have no fears for Rob's life, Amy, his foot absolutely must be removed. That ten gauge at thirty feet barely began to spread out. There isn't enough foot left to identify." He steadied her, then led her to a straight-backed chair.

  "Now it isn't all that bad. I've given Rob a heavy dose of laudanum in whiskey, and I have plenty more on hand. He will not suffer unduly, and truly, Amy, we should all be grateful that he escaped with only this injury."

  Amy could only nod mutely, knowing he was right, but stunned by the thought of Rob who ran laughing and leaping through the woods, never again able to bound, and jump, and sprint across their meadows and through his beloved forests. Tears ran unchecked down her cheeks and Doctor Ickes awkwardly patted her shoulders waiting out the first of the heartbreak.

  As she calmed he said, "Now Amy, this isn't going to cripple a man like Rob Shatto. We've an opportunity to do this thing right. He'll still have most of his leg. He'll walk, he'll hunt, and he will ride. A wooden foot is going to be annoying, but Amy, he is still alive! Rob is still whole! We've still got him with us for all the years ahead.

  "Now I'm going in and do my part of it. I want Rob to see you when I wake him now, and yours is the first face I want him to see when he wakes up tomorrow.

  "So get yourself together and give him all the encouragement you can."

  +++++

  The Widow Oakes had assisted Doctor Ickes on other occasions. When Rob had slipped deep into unconsciousness she undressed him as lovingly as she would a son, fitted his muscled body into an old flannel nightshirt, and used her clothesline to tie him firmly to the shed door.

  While Doctor Ickes secured his instruments from his place above the tavern and prepared them for use, Widow Oakes washed Rob's torn leg with warm water and placed an old sheet beneath it.

  Jonas Ickes favored hot irons to close off small bleeders. He tied off vessels with some reluctance, noting that the more he handled a wound the more infection seemed to appear.