by Steve Shadow
I did not wait for an answer but ran outside and mounted Bella. Hitch followed and we took off at a trot out of town. We followed the trail for a few miles but the horses were spent. Hitch could trace Josephus mount by the deep tracks it made from carrying the extra weight. We had to stop as the light failed.
I slapped my thigh. “I will surely kill that son of a bitch. Damn him to hell.”
Hitch turned his horse. “We have to go back, Lou. We got to get these horses some food and rest. We can load up and be off before dawn. I’m thinking we can get some of the army to come with us and then it won’t matter what that bastard has set up on that mountain. That is if he is there.”
I hated to admit it but Hitch was right. We reluctantly headed back to Lost Path. As the moon began to rise and illuminate our way I felt lower than a man can get. I was angry, worried and scared.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
By the time Hitch and I got back to his stable we were both pretty low and feeling guilty and powerless. We walked to the Black Dog for some grub. It was like a morgue in the saloon. Instead of the usual noise and gambling everyone was seated in silence. Claude sat at his piano barely touching the keys. The whores were all in a corner whispering while the drinkers leaned on the bar sipping in silence. Al looked up as we entered.
“Darkness come too fast,” I said to everyone. “We will start out tomorrow. Al, can we get some food? We got to get the horses looked after.”
He nodded and told one of his regulars to go and have Bill Bird tend to our animals. Hitch and I sat down to a grim meal amidst the quiet stares of the gathered towns folk. We finished up and set off for the stables to tend to our gear. We were sorting our weapons and ammunition when we both stood up at the sound of footsteps.
“Hey, I thought you boys would be planning your next move against Josephus. Thank God, you waited until light. We got a lot to organize. I got a feeling he may be waiting at the compound.”
We both turned in surprise at hearing Breezy behind us. She stood there with a pair of saddle bags and her Sharps rifle. She was dressed, as usual, in men’s clothing and had a sidearm slung over her shoulder.
“Breezy,” said Hitch. “Just what are you doing? Did the troopers get in all right? Where is our wagon?”
“Jess and I took them down the trail to the new post. I put up the horses and the wagon is out back. I saw Bill Bird and he took care of our stuff. I knew you two would be back. It was a crazy idea to go after them at night. So I come back and started rounding up stuff for our chase after Josephus.”
We both started towards her barking out our objections at the same time. “Whoa boys! You two ain’t thinking straight. I know that bastard Josephus and he aint shit without a bunch of guns backing him up. He will stop up there and try to get help. We got to get up there and see if Dorcas is all right.”
“Hell, Breezy,” said Hitch. “You ain’t going anywhere. This ain’t no job for a gal. This is a job for the law. We do not know what may lie ahead or how long we will be gone. I know you think you are tough but this could be a long and dangerous ordeal. We was on our way to talk to Scribine and see if he would send some troops with us in case they have barricaded the compound.”
“Well, save your breath. When me and Jess got to the post we talked with him and Captain Lawton about following you two. They both said that it was none of their affair. They had orders to follow and that did not include handling local law enforcement. They was not at all kindly in their assessment of your abilities as marshal, Lou. I kind of blowed my stack and let off a few choice words before Jess dragged me out of there. So I say we are on our own. I do not believe that Jess or any other man in this place would prove to be of any worth anyway. I have decided it is up to us three to catch up with that devil and save Miss Violett. Now let’s get our gear in order and get some sleep.”
Hitch and I looked at each other and shook our heads. “Damn it, Breezy,” I said. “Why do you think we would take you along? You ain’t the law. I told you this is dangerous work. I am the marshal and I make the decisions.”
“Quit yammerin’ at me and let’s get busy. I am going no matter what you say. I know that compound and the whole mountain like the back of my hand. You need me and I am not leaving Hitch again. I am going with you or on my own, makes no never mind to me.”
She stood before us, hands on hips with a determined look in her eye. It was hard to argue with her when we both knew she was right.
“Shit, Breezy, I guess you are coming. OK, Hitch, lets get our stuff together. We got to get an early start. I better go and tell the Doc and Al what we got planned and we will meet here at first light.”
He nodded in agreement but it was still against my better judgment. I did not like the idea of a woman, especially my best pards girl, being in the line of fire. However, I was rapidly finding out that Breezy was no ordinary women plus she sure was a dead shot. I thought about what lay ahead on my way to the Doc’s. He said Busy would probably be fine. After a stop at the Black Dog and a palaver with Al, I finally got to my bed. I had all my gear set out and managed to fall into a troubled sleep. All I could think of is what that evil Josephus could be up to with Violett. I knew she was strong but I feared mightily for her life. It seemed I had just closed my eyes when I awoke with a start. A rock had hit my window. I jumped from the bed with my Colt in hand and peered out into the still dark night.
“Let’s go, Lou. Sun is almost up.” It was Hitch. I dressed quickly, grabbed my waiting gear and headed down the stairs. Hitch and I silently strode to the stables where Breezy stood waiting. We saddled and loaded our horses. I had my new Winchester and Colt side arm. They both used the same ammunition which helped lighten my load. Hitch had an old Navy colt and his shot gun. Breezy, looking like a young cowboy in her men’s duds, had her buffalo rifle, two pistols attached to her pommel and another strapped on her leg. Where she had gathered so many firearms from I did not want to know. We filled our canteens and rode out into the early morning light. We had not much to say and each of us was lost in our own thoughts as to what lay ahead.
PART TWO
THE CHASE
CHAPTER TWENTY We rode all day, stopping only to rest the horses and let them drink some water. As the sun began to set behind us we halted for the night. A dinner of hardtack and coffee was made to suffice. Before the light was totally gone Breezy drew pictures in the dirt which gave us a good idea of what the compound looked like from all angles. She advised that we circle to the back side of the mountain and approach from the high ground. She knew all the horses and would be able to see if Josephus was there. She told us that there were only four unmarried men living on the site. The rest were all married and had children and wives and would be unlikely to leave them and follow Josephus if he decided to run. She was precise and focused but I could hear the worry in her voice for Old Dorcus. I had to fight the urge to rush ahead into the dark for I feared mightily what might have befallen Violett. I was sick with anger and recrimination and began to doubt all my choices. If I had not taken the lawman job maybe none of this would have happened. Hitch saw the look on my face and the pain in my eyes. In the flickering shadows that the fire cast I sensed his motion as he crossed our little circle and sat beside me. He put his arm around me and held me tight.
“Be brave, Pard. I know you are worried but we will save Miss Violett and get her home safe. Ain’t that right, Breezy?”
In response that little cowgirl stood and drew her pistol and held it up. “Damn straight, Hitch. I will put a bullet between his evil eyes. That son-of-bitch pushed Haydn and Rafe to their death. They was bad but he made them worse. He was the eldest and he led them down the path to ruin and an early death.”
I said we had best bed down and get an early start. I lay there on the ground plumb wore out but sleep would not come. My mind could not stop imagining what might be transpiring up the mountain. I am in no ways religious. My Pappy taught me that it was all a myth, and while some good lay in the Bible, it was best taken in sma
ll doses and with an open eye. That said I still wished to whoever was listening that I hoped Violett would be safe and that I would not have to suffer the eternal torment of causing her death by my negligence. I must have finally dozed off because the next thing I knew Breezy was kicking at my feet and shouting at me to get a move on.
I crawled out of my bedroll feeling stiff and tired. Hitch had some coffee boiling. We knelt and had some jerky with our java and saddled up. We headed for the compound at as fast a clip as we could manage on the uneven terrain. Breezy led us past the main path to the place and up behind it to where we had a view through the thick trees. It seemed peaceful as far as we could tell. She could spot no horses and figured they must all be stabled. A few dogs and children played in the dust and she spotted two women heading for the main house.
We pulled back into the trees and had a sit down. I was for just going in but Breezy insisted it would be better for her to slip under the main house and up through a trap door they had installed in case of fire during an Injun’ attack. Hitch objected to this in a none to gentle manner. We finally arrived at a decision; Breezy and Hitch would go together while I kept watch.
We secured the horses and I set up at an overlook facing the main house while they crept around and down the hillside towards the houses rear. I gripped my Winchester hoping that Violett would appear. The waiting was making me mighty nervous as I could not see Breezy or Hitch. After what seemed like forever Hitch stepped out the front door of the house and waved to me. I got our horses and led them down the hill at a run with a hopeful prayer in my heart. I tied up the horses and burst through the door. I was met by a group of men and women gathered around the figure of Big Dorcas stretched out on a bed in the middle of the room. They all turned to me in surprise. Breezy rushed to my side with tears in her eyes.
“Oh, Lou, she is done for. Oh poor Dorcas, she is done for.”
Hitch came forward and was comforting Breezy. I turned to the men in the room and announced who I was and asked them to step outside. They followed me into the dusty yard facing the house. They were despondent and quiet.
“I am here to get Josephus and the lady Violett who he has kidnapped. You men better tell me what has transpired here. Now speak up; I have no time to waste.”
One of the men stepped forward. “My name is John, Marshal. We had no part in Josephus’ evil ways and tried to restrain him when he come riding in here with that lady. He wanted us to arm ourselves and head north to start a new life of plenty, as he called it. We convinced him to talk to Dorcas as we had no idea of what had happened in Lost Path. Two men had rode through here and told us about Haydn and Rafe but we were not sure if they was just tellin’ tales or what the truth was. Josephus was just a wild man and he went in the house and dragged that lady with him. He and Old Dorcas got to shouting and she tried to stop him from doing any more damage to our life here and to leave that woman and run. But he and her just kept fighting until he up and started beating on Dorcus. Me and these boys tried to stop him but it were of no use. Poor Dorcas lay bleeding and the womenfolk rushed in to help her. Meantime he convinced our boys to leave with him. He told us that the Army was coming to kill us all. We did not believe him but everything just got mighty crazy and we were not able to stop him nor our boys. They rode off yesterday. We begged him to leave the woman but he had her tied to a pony. He had her gagged so she could not speak but she looked half scared to death. I am mighty sorry we could not do more but we weren’t any match against that murdering madman.”
He held his hands in front of his face and began to sob. I left them there and rushed back into the house. Breezy was on her knees beside Dorcas. She was rubbing her hand and
whispering in her ear. The rest of the women stood wringing their hands, keening and sobbing.
“Breezy,” I said with my hand on her shoulder. “Has she told you anything, anything at all?”
Breezy turned to me with tears in her eyes. “Lou, that devil hurt her bad. I think she is bleeding all inside and I fear she has not much longer. She told me that you have to look after them that is left. She thinks Josephus will head north to where they used to go to trade with the Piegan’s. She says they had a camp on the south end of Flathead Lake. They have not been there for years but Josephus went there many times. She believes he will try and hide there and he might just cross the border to Canada. They took all the horses with them so as to have extra mounts to change onto. She told me that she tried to get Violett away from him but he got all riled up and began to hurt her bad.”
“Ask her if she has any idea of which way they headed out?”
Breezy bent her head once again to the poor woman’s ear. I could not hear the words that were whispered. Suddenly Dorcus rose up and turned away from Breezy and expelled a long stream of blood. She fell back and her chest rose with a long rattling sound coming out of her blood drenched mouth. She was suddenly still and we all knew that she had passed from this life. Hitch lifted Breezy to her feet and held her tight. The men rushed back into the room and held to their wives. I was sorry to see Old Dorcas die in such a manner but I wanted to leave. We could not let them get too far ahead of us or we would never catch them.
“No disrespect but we must be moving. Hitch, we have to go. John, you must look after everyone. If you have to you must set off for Lost Path or stay until someone comes through that you can alert and get some help. I hope you will be able to stay here but do what you must. I have to go after Josephus.”
Breezy turned from Hitch. “Lou, Dorcas said they would probably skirt south of the Pioneer Mountains and head for the Big Hole River and follow it north to Flathead Lake.”
She turned back to Dorcas. The room fell silent as we all felt the loss of such a grand woman who was now gone and with her the last link to the families past. “I hate to leave you Dorcas. You was a mother to me when my own ran away. I will do the proper thing when we return.” She called one of the women to her. “Glory, you see that she has a proper burial and a proper marker. I believe you all have enough here to survive until someone comes along. I must go with Lou and Hitch to get that evil bastard. He will pay for his sins and I will be the instrument of his death. She knelt once more beside Dorcas and took her hand and kissed it. She placed it on her heart and then returned it to Dorcas’ chest. She stood, wiped her eyes and strode out of the house.
We followed and went to where the horses were tethered by the water trough. I knew she was deep in pain over her loss. I tried to make her stay but she would have none of it. Hitch knew better than to even try and talk to her. We filled our canteens and mounted our horses. One of the ladies rushed out of the house and gave Breezy some bacon and flour. We had hoped to have a pack horse to take with us but now we would have to live off the land until we caught up with our quarry. John ran to my side and held my leg.
“Marshal, please try and not hurt our boys. They is foolish to have run off with Josephus but they ain’t bad. Bring them back to us, I beg you.”
I said I would do what I could. I turned from him as Breezy spun her mount and loped away from her childhood home and her now dead Granny. We headed back down the mountain both fearful and anxious at what we would find before us.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
We rode silently for days. It was the height of summer with cool nights and hot days. The sky remained blue and the meadows and hillsides were dotted with the last of the fragrant flowers. Game abounded and we had no trouble finding adequate food and water. We were only stopping to rest the horses and camp at night. Breezy lead the way at first but we were getting beyond the country she knew. On the afternoon of the third day we had to stop in order to rest the horses. We knelt at a stream and filled our canteens.
“Breezy,” I said. “I been thinking and I seem to have gotten a wrong impression of your people from my dealings with Zeke and Josephus. John and the rest of those folks up there seemed like good people and I am sad to think that they will be forced to leave what they spent so much tim
e building.”
She looked at me and nodded her head. “Yup, Zeke was a tyrant but he was fair. I am afraid he did Josephus and Haydn no favor by filling their heads with talk of men’s ways and how to be strong and let no woman ever boss them. But that is no never mind. Now there is no choice but to put him down like a rabid coyote. He will die and I promise you that, lawman or not, he will die at my hands and do not think of stopping me.”
She rose and stomped off into the trees. Hitch looked at me and grinned. “Sure would not want that gal after me. I do not think you have to worry about bringing that son-of-a-bitch Larue to justice. Breezy will cut him in half with that big ole’ Sharps of hers.”
“Hitch, we are sworn to uphold the law and that does not include murder. However in this case, if she don’t get him first then I will. But there will be no killing until Violett is safe. Are we agreed on that?” He nodded but with not much conviction.
Breezy had come from out of the trees. She was walking and adjusting her gun belt at the same time. “You men sure got it easier in the nature department. Being a girl can be a right mess. I just hope we catch up with that bastard before my monthlies set in.”
Hitch and I both began to laugh in embarrassment. I had never heard a girl talk of such things.
“You two fools just better shut up. Both of you are talkin’ of getting hitched and I bet you don’t know nothin’ about women at all. Well you will by the time this trek is over. Now let’s get going. We ain’t exactly seeing much sign of them and none of us is real trackers. Didn’t all them years with the Crow learn you anything about reading sign, Hitch?”
“I can track some but this tall grass and lack of a trail don’t make it easy. Besides we are only going on what Dorcus said and maybe they did not come this way. Look up ahead at that rise. What say we make for that and then we can pull out the spy glass and see if they are up ahead?”
Breezy and I looked in the direction that Hitch was pointing to. Far to our right was the Pioneer Range and I could not see them making for that as we knew of no pass to get through them. As is often the case on the open plains, distances are a lot farther away than they seem.
