by R. B. Conroy
“Okay--”
Ed was interrupted by the sound of nearby rifle shots.
“It’s Jack!” Jon shouted. The two friends looked at each other.
“Let’s go!” Ed shouted.
The worried lawmen sprinted down Pecos Street to their horses. Fleet a foot, Jon arrived first, peeled the leather strap off the post and mounted up.
“Gitty up!” The big Palomino reared up; her powerful hind legs pushed forward. She was at full gallop within seconds. Ed was close behind.
Near the outskirts of town, Jon saw Jack riding frantically toward them. He pulled hard on the reins, and Babe jumped to a stop.
Jack pulled up; his horse pranced around nervously in the road, soon surrounded by Jon and Ed.
“You okay Jack?” Jon yelled, worried that his friend had been hurt again.
“Yea, I’m fine!” Jack shouted.
“What the hell happened out there?” Jon shouted.
Jack, out of breath, struggled to speak. “I was hidin’ and watching them and my horse got spooked and whinnied. Web heard us and before I could get away, he took two shots at me with his rifle. Just missed my head, blew my saddle horn off.”
Jon’s face flushed red with anger at yet another attempt at his good friend’s life. “Let’s go get that bastard!” Jon said. The three men reined around and charged rapidly down the narrow road to Faraday’s compound.
* * *
“You damn fool!” Faraday shouted at Norton as he galloped along the winding trail. “You don’t shoot at lawmen in broad daylight, unless you are sure you can kill them!”
“I thought I could get him!” Norton shouted back.
“At one hundred yards away?” Faraday was incredulous. Norton didn’t answer, his face red with embarrassment at the dressing down.
“Now we are going to have one fuming Sheriff Stoudenmire after us. The thought frightens me,” Alex replied as they pulled up in front of his mansion.
“Leave the Sheriff to me; I’ll take care of him!” Clive Cook replied, chest puffed out.
“Oh my, yes! It’s been absolutely breathtaking watching the way you’ve manhandled that poor sheriff!” Alex said sarcastically as he slid off his Stallion and tied up.
“Gather round boys,” Alex said.
Norton, Canady and Cook quickly dismounted and surrounded Faraday
“We have ourselves quite a problem here. My plan to take over all the gaming in this county is in jeopardy. The sheriff is on to us and he’s one bloody tough hombre, as you cowboys would say!”
“Ah, bull! He ain’t that tough!” Canady sneered.
Faraday’s eyes narrowed at his hired gun for a second. He continued, “As we all know, Web here just took a couple shots at Jack Malone, a deputy sheriff. Deadly assault against a lawman is a serious offense and we need to find a way out of this, so here’s our story boys, listen close!” Faraday quickly glanced at each man to be sure he was paying attention. He continued. “We were riding home from town. A man was hiding and following us, we felt threatened. We shouted at him several times, but he didn’t reply. So Web here fired two warning shots to get the sneaky varmint off our tail. The shots scared him and he turned tail and ran. Satisfied that the bloke was no longer a threat, we rode on to the compound.” Alex smiled smugly, seemingly impressed by his own ingenious plan.
“There’s only one problem with your plan, Alex,” Canady said as he spit on the ground.
“What’s that?” Alex said, very annoyed at the surly gunman.
“Malone’s got the only Red Dun within a hundred miles of here. We had to know it was him.”
“Hmmm good point,” Faraday replied. His eyes looked up as he thought for a minute. He smiled smugly and continued. “No problem Butch. If presented with that scenario, we’ll simply say that our view of the perpetrator was diminished by the huge cloud of dust that our four horses had created when we rode down the trail. By the time the smoke had completely cleared, the shots had been fired and the man had evacuated the area. We had no idea what kind of horse he was riding, the visibility was horrible.”
The men looked at each other and nodded their heads in approval.
“The sheriff is going to be here shortly,” Faraday said. “So just act normal, like nothing happened. Go on about your usual activities. After all, we just shot at a potential robber, right?”
“That’s right, Boss,” Norton replied. The others nodded.
Web and Cook walked the warm steeds to the stable for a rub down. Alex pushed the big red oak door open as he and Clive retired to his study.
* * *
The three lawmen raced toward Faraday’s compound. About five hundred yards away, Jon’s hand moved into the air and he pulled to a stop. “Hold on!” he shouted. “Might be a trap!”
Ed and Jack reined hard on their steeds.
“Easy girl,” Jon gently nudged Babe forward, eyes scanning the big rocks around the mansion for any sign of trouble. “Looks okay, let’s move on in.” Jon didn’t really think Faraday would want gunplay over this incident. It might disrupt his plans to take over the county. The men rode down to the front of the mansion.
Bam! Bam! Jon slammed the big gold knocker on the front door. Too impatient to wait for an answer, he pushed the door open and charged into the corridor, knocking a startled Cook backward. Ed and Jack were close behind.
“Where’s Faraday?” Jon asked.
“I will get--”
Jon interrupted the big Englishman. “I didn’t ask you to get him, I asked where he was!” Jon’s anger was palpable.
Cook looked away.
“Is he in the study?” Jon demanded.
A reluctant Cook nodded yes.
Jon and Ed charged toward the study. Jack stayed back to guard the front door. Jon’s forearm slammed into the door, it flew open.
The startled Faraday shook the match out quickly. He stuck his pipe, still smoking, in its holder. “Why Sheriff, how good to see you again,” Faraday said nervously.
“Cut the crap, Alex!” Jon shouted, as he moved over in front of Faraday’s desk. He bent over, his fists hit the middle of the desk. Faraday looked frightened, as an angry Jon leaned toward him. Their faces were only inches apart. Ed was in the corner of the room watching Cook.
Cook was back by the door, clearly not anxious for another run in with Jon.
“Norton tried to kill Malone out on the trail. Where is he?” Jon growled.
“Now just one minute there, my friend,” the frightened Brit protested meekly. “We didn’t know it was Malone trailing us. Web fired two warning shots, that’s all! We thought he was a robber or something! You’ve got no right...”
“I’ll decide what’s right or wrong around here,” Jon said calmly, controlling his anger. He grabbed Faraday by the gold necklace around his neck. He pulled him up from his fancy chair, the slender nobleman was gasping for breath. “I said, where is he?”
Faraday was a pathetic sight, face red, eyes wide with fear. The humiliated Clive Cook felt he had to protect his boss. He moved quickly across the room toward an unsuspecting Jon.
“Not so fast, Cook!” Ed yelled as he drew his gun and pointed it directly at the huge Englishman. Cook stopped dead in his tracks.
“B..b...bunk house.” Faraday struggled to speak.
Jon pushed the frightened Englishman down into the leather chair. Faraday rubbed his sore neck as Jon spun around.
“Let’s go Ed,” Jon said as he hurried toward the door and into the corridor. Ed dropped his bead on Cook and backed out the door. A red-faced Cook rushed over to aid his shaken boss.
Jack was holding the front door open. Jon and Ed hurried out. Jon yanked his guns out as the three men rushed toward the bunk house.
Jon saw Norton looking out of a small window, as he and the others approached. Norton’s face disappeared from the window as the men got closer. The front door popped open slightly and then moved shut again. Jon could hear the sound of spurs on the other side of the bunk
house. He tilted his head to the left, signaling Ed to go around back.
The front door swung open; Canady stepped out to face the sheriff, hands above his guns.
The sight of Canady inflamed Jon. He quickly dropped his Colts in their holsters and charged toward Canady. Caught off guard, Canady didn’t draw. The back of Jon’s left hand crashed into Canady’s face. The nasty gunman’s body flew back against the wooden bunk house. He fell to one knee; his fingers touched his lips, red blood appeared.
“Get up,” Jon said angrily as he leaned down and wrapped his fingers around the red handkerchief on Canady’s neck. He yanked the heartless killer to his feet. There was a look of pure hate on Canady’s face as Jon pulled him close.
“Our day is comin’ Canady, and I can’t wait. But right now I’ve got an arrest to make, so today you live!” Jon’s free hand slid down and unbuckled Butch’s gunbelt. Jon ripped it off and tossed it to Malone.
No match for Jon physically, the notorious gunslinger was smart enough not to provoke him. He wanted to kill him in the worst way, but now was not the time. He spoke quietly, “You’ll see me again Sheriff, I promise you that.” Jon’s eyes narrowed, he looked hard at the evil gunman.
“Look here what I found!” Ed announced as he walked briskly around the side of the bunk house, Web Norton in tow.
“Good work, Ed.” Jon grinned at his friend. “Go find a pack horse, Jack, and we’ll take this varmint into town.”
Jack emptied the chambers on Canady’s guns and threw them over the wire fence next to the bunk house; he hurried over to the stable to find a pack horse. He hurried back and helped Norton up on the pack.
Jon stared at Canady as he mounted up. “Your pack will be at Camp’s stable,” he said calmly as he reined around and started toward town. Ed and Jack were close behind.
Canady’s black eyes never left Jon. His square face looked dark and intimidating. “You’re a dead man,” the humiliated gunslinger said quietly.
As the lawmen rode by the mansion, Faraday and Cook stepped out on the front porch. “Don’t worry Web, the territorial judge is coming to town, we’ll have you out by Friday!” Faraday shouted, still rubbing his sore neck.
Ed looked over at Jon. “Is that so?”
“Might be, it’s Jack’s word against his. Depends on the judge.” Jon frowned.
Chapter 17
Jon plopped his foot up on the window sill as he leaned back in the chair. “How long do you have to--”
“Alright! Alright! I’m comin’! Just calm down!” Auggie shouted as he lifted the steaming metal pot off the stove and hurried over.
“Howdy Boys! How are you today?” Auggie poured the hot coffee into their waiting cups.
“Just fine Auggie, how ’bout yourself?” Ed replied, his fingers wrapped around the warm cup.
“Couldn’t be better.”
“Is that you Sheriff?” A shrill voice came out from the kitchen area.
“Sure is, and how’s Lucy today?” Jon grinned and winked at the Irishman’s chunky wife as she stuck her head out of the kitchen door.
“Just wonderful, Sheriff, just wonderful!” Lucy giggled. She batted her eyes at him and ducked back in the kitchen.
“Alright, alright, that’s enough of that.” Auggie laughed nervously. “What’ll it be boys?”
“Eggs over, ham, and biscuits, Aug,” Jon said.
“Couple of slapjacks and sausage for me Auggie,” Ed said.
The friendly restaurant owner scribbled down their orders. “Comin’ right up!” Auggie smiled as he ripped the order page off and hurried for the kitchen.
Ed looked over at Jon. “When’s Judge Oliver comin’ in?”
“Supposed to be hear tomorrow, but it isn’t Judge Oliver. He took ill awhile back.”
“You know who’s comin’?” Ed asked.
“Yea, got a wire yesterday. Judge Walker’s his name. Don’t know him.”
“When’s the hearing?”
“Thursday.” Jon’s eyes narrowed a little; he looked over at Ed. “After breakfast, let’s take a ride out through Dead Man’s Canyon.”
“Dead Man’s Canyon?”
“Yea, I got a hunch about something,” Jon replied.
“Well ain’t that just dandy!” Ed bellowed. “You got a little hunch about somethin’ so I gotta risk my hide ridin’ through the scariest canyon this side of the Colorado River! Is that what you’re tellin me?”
“Aw, don’t worry Ed. You don’t have to go!”
“Why not?” the incredulous deputy replied.
“I’ll just grab one of the girls over at the Barbee, they’re not afraid of a little canyon.” Jon smiled at his old friend.
“Why you no account sodbuster!” Ed shouted as he reached down for his six gun. He put the steel barrel next to his temple. “A coward like me don’t deserve to live!” Ed joked. “Boom!” he shouted. His head fell on the table.
Jon laughed hysterically at his old friend’s antics.
The men were interrupted as Auggie hurried over with their breakfasts; the steam rose off the eggs and flapjacks. “Breakfast is served fellas,” the businesslike Auggie announced. “And hurry up and eat before it gets cold,” he ordered.
“If you say so, Aug,” Ed laughed.
“All this fun reminds me of the old days, back in the camps,” Jon said sincerely. He lifted his hand and pointed his cup toward Ed. “You’re like a brother to me.”
Tears welled up in Ed’s eyes and he raised his cup, “I don’t...ah...know...!”
“Pull yourself together, Ed!” Jon’ grunted. He cupped his hand and slapped Ed gently on the side of the head. “We got us a canyon to ride through.”
Ed smiled warmly at his old friend.
Jon took a sip of coffee, as the two lawmen hurriedly finished breakfast and headed for the cash register.
Auggie punched awkwardly at the keys. He pulled down on the iron handle, the bell rang and the door popped open. “Two bucks,” he said.
Ed dropped a couple of silver dollars into Auggie’s waiting hand.
“Thank you, Ed,”
“My treat tomorrow,” Jon offered as the two men hurried out and mounted up for their trip to the canyon.
“Let’s ride!” Jon shouted. The dust flew as the riders galloped down Pecos Street toward their precarious destination.
* * *
The curtain moved back on the office window at Faraday’s saloon. Butch Canady watched the two lawmen hightail it out of town. Alex Faraday was doing some paper work nearby in his small, cramped office.
Canady looked over at Faraday. “Stoudenmire and his deputy just rode by,” he said. “They’re goin’ some place in one big hurry.”
“Hmmm.” Faraday dropped his pen and leaned back in his chair. “It’s hard telling what those two are up to. Tail them, Butch, and find out what they’re going,” Faraday ordered. “And for God’s sake man, don’t let them see you under any circumstances.”
“Don’t worry, Alex, I know what I’m doin’,” Butch said defensively. He quickly moved around the Brit and stepped out the side door to the alley. His six guns bounced as he ran to his waiting horse. With one motion, he planted both his hands on the horse’s rump and jumped aboard. He landed squarely in the saddle and rode out of town. The race to catch up with the sheriff was on.
Canady leaned to the side of the galloping Stallion; his eyes went to the ground. The canyon, he thought as he looked at the tracks, They’re taking the trail to the canyon.
* * *
Up ahead, the cool morning breeze felt good on Jon’s face as he and Ed rode on. The beautiful desert lilies that lined each side of the narrow trail were in full bloom. After about an hour the canyon was in sight.
“Pretty big hole!” Ed exclaimed as he looked into the deep canyon.
“Yea, it sure is,” Jon replied as he pulled up next to Ed.
The ancient canyon, formed over thousands of years by a tributary of the Gila River, was a sight to behold. The w
alls on each side were exceptionally steep. Over time, the frost, wind, and rain had molded the sedimentary rock in the center of the canyon into several large formations. These formations had taken on rather odd shapes; some of them looked a lot like large daggers or pitch forks. They cast long shadows on the canyon walls, making for an eerie sight to the occasional traveler who was brave enough to try and negotiate its narrow pathways. The dreamlike nature of these formations helped explain why some of the local Indians thought the canyon was haunted and filled with evil spirits.
Jon and Ed rode carefully down the steep trail that led into the canyon. Babe’s front hoofs edged along the narrow trail as they moved slowly along the edge of the canyon. Ed’s nervous Buckskin whinnied and hesitated, frightened by the steep drop. Suddenly Babe whinnied, her big hoofs pushed violently backwards.
“Easy girl, easy,” Jon said, trying to reassure his frightened steed. The edge of the trail had given way; several rocks went plummeting toward the bottom. Ed and Jon’s necks craned, their eyes wide as they watched the falling rocks bounce along the steep rock wall. It seemed like forever before the rocks hit bedrock at the bottom of the canyon.
“Sure wish I’d a notified next of kin,” Ed cracked.
“You mean, you didn’t?” Jon laughed. He rubbed Babe’s neck, calming the powerful charger. After a breathtaking few minutes of navigating along the treacherous ledge, the trail finally widened. They rode on for a few hundred yards, and then Jon pulled up and dismounted. Ed did the same.
“Let’s walk them awhile,” Jon said. As he looked ahead, his eyes focused on a cut out in the rocks ahead. A small desert ironwood stuck out from between some rocks next to him. He wrapped the leather straps around the protruding limb. “Leave your horse here,” Jon said as he looked down at the dusty trail.
Ed tied up and followed.
The loose sedimentation crunched under Jon’s feet as he walked along the canyon trail, eyes down.
“Look here,” he said.
Ed moved in close.
“There’s no hoof prints on the trail; rains washed ’em away.”
