Puma Son of Mountain Lion

by Dicksion, William Wayne

  Cathleen whispered to Carmen, and then Carmen whispered to the rest of the prisoners. They cast furtive glances into the dark spot where Puma and Kile were hiding. Puma saw Juanita and Bonnie caution them not to look, for fear of exposing the location to their captors. The women were not sure who was signaling, but Puma felt that Cathleen would figure it out, because he had shown the mirror to her the last time they were alone.

  The drunks were getting drunker. Puma and Kile knew they were going to have to do something pretty quick. It was only a matter of time until the band would get drunk enough and go after the women.

  Kile said, “We could just start shooting. I think we can get them all before they realize what hit them.”

  “What are we going to do about the sentries? They’ll come running as soon as they hear gunfire. They’ll be firing at us from cover. Then what will happen to the women?”

  “I don’t know, but we’ve got to do something. And we’ve got to do it pretty damn quick. If they start molesting the women, I won’t be able to restrain myself. I’ll kill the first bastard that touches any of them.”

  Chapter 30

  The Rescue

  Unknown to Puma and Kile, Sage and Joe decided to check on how things were going at the survey camp.

  Joe said, “Sage, I don’t know where those damn gunmen have gotten off to, but I think we’d better check on the girls. They’re all alone.”

  “Yeah, you’re right, let’s have a look.”

  Two Moons said, “We come with you; those gunmen killed two of our women.”

  When they got to the ranch, Carlos told them what had happened. They knew the first place Puma and Kile would look was at the settlers’ camp. Sage and Joe wanted to join Puma and Kile before they made contact with the kidnapers. There was nothing unusual going on at the settlers’ camp, so they rode in at a full gallop.

  The settlers told them that Puma and Kile had been there and left in pursuit of the gunmen, pointing to where the boys had crossed the river.

  Joe said, “Let’s go. We have to catch them before it gets dark. Let’s ride straight across the river. We can pick up their tracks on the other side.”

  “I know this country,” Sage said. “This is near where the rustlers were holding Juanita’s cattle when Pat and I rode in here to help her locate them. This is wild country; the walls of some of these canyons are hundreds of feet high and go almost straight up.”

  They followed the hoof prints of many horses; the trail was easy to follow so they continued at a gallop. Sage said over his shoulder, “They’ve gone in here, all right. It’s a blind canyon. I can see by the tracks that Puma is riding Lightening, and he and Kile are still following them.”

  “It looks like they’re about an hour ahead of us,” Joe replied.

  “I want to catch them before they try to rescue the women,” Sage said. “They’ll kill the gunmen if they harm the women, and I want to take the gunmen alive to stand trial. The settlers have to know that we’re operating within the law, and that they’re going to be dealt with fairly.”

  “Then we’d better get there quickly. It’s almost a certainty that trouble will start when the rabble get drunk, and they start after the women. If that happens, both Puma and Kile will start shooting.”

  Puma and Kile were waiting for an opportunity to overwhelm the gunmen and rescue the women, when out of the darkness, a hand touched Puma’s shoulder. Puma knew without looking who the hand belonged to. There was only one man who could move that silently, and that man was his father. Without looking to see who the hand belonged to, he said, “Glad you’re here, Dad.”

  Kile whispered, “What do you mean, ‘glad you’re here, Dad?’”

  Puma placed an index finger against his lips, and nodded his head to his right. Kile looked, and for the first time saw that Sage was standing in a deep shadow beside Puma. The way Sage was dressed and because his movements were so subtle, he was difficult to see, even though Kile knew he was there.

  Sage whispered, “Kile, your father is on the other side of the camp near the women.”

  “What about the sentries that the gunmen placed to guard the canyon?” Puma asked.

  “They’re in the custody of Two Moons and Little Fox,” Sage answered.

  “What are we going to do about these gunmen?” Kile asked.

  “I want them alive,” Sage answered. “They must stand trial for the murder of the Mexican families. This must be settled legally to bring this misunderstanding to a close. I want to settle it once and for all. Then everyone will know who has a right to settle on what land.”

  Puma said, “Kile, will you wait here and give us cover? Dad and I will take care of the men around the fire.”

  With Joe on one side of the canyon and Kile on the other, both expert marksmen with either six-shooters or rifles, Puma and Sage moved silently among the unsuspecting gunfighters. They were almost within arms’ reach of the bandits when one of them left the fire to relieve himself. While he was walking to a place of concealment, the butt of Sage’s silver-plated knife came down sharply on the back of the drunken outlaw’s head. Before he could recover, he was bound and gagged and left lying in the brush. Another of the gunmen went to get a bottle of whisky from his saddle bags, ran into Puma, and never returned. That left only three bandits at the fire. The leader, simple-minded though he was, realized that his men were taking too long.

  He stood and called out, “What in the hell are you guys doing? Get back here. You never know who may be dogging our trail!”

  The two men seated by the fire got to their feet and stood beside their leader. A shadowy figure moved into the light of the fire.

  Krugg said, “Who in the hell are you?”

  “I’m the man you’ve been saying you want to meet. You’ve been speaking disrespectfully of my wife. No man can do that and live. You wanted to meet me, well, you’ve met me. Now what are you going to do about it?” Joe asked.

  The gunman said, “Are you stupid? I’m faster than you, and I have two of my men standing beside me, and they are both good with their guns,. What chance do you think you have against these odds?”

  Joe replied, “I’m here to find out. Draw when you’re ready. You’re taking your last breath right now.”

  In the blink of an eye, Krugg drew. His guns were clearing his holsters when two bullets penetrated his heart. His guns dropped into the campfire. He died with a look of amazement on his face. The other two gunmen felt Sage’s and Puma’s guns pressed against their temples as they started to draw. They didn’t even know someone was near them until they felt the cold steel pressed against their heads. They dropped their guns at their feet.

  Kile came running to get in on the action, but it was all over before he arrived. He looked around and exclaimed, “You didn’t leave me even one!”

  The men rushed to the women and embraced them. Carmen complained, “Well, untie us so we can welcome you properly.” They untied the women. They were ecstatic. Their plight had gone from desperation to relief in only a moment. The children were confused and still a little frightened.

  Joe said, “We’ve got food in our saddlebags for the children. Let’s get you girls home to where you can get cleaned up and get some rest. Sage and I have to get this passel of vermin locked up. They’re going to stand trial. Maybe we can have some peace in the valley for a change.”

  The sentries being held by Two Moons and Little Fox were relieved to be taken out of the Indian’s custody. When they first looked at the Indian men, they remembered that they had been involved in the rape and murder of two Indian women. Two Moons had been sharpening his knife as he held onto their hair. That made the thugs a little nervous. Puma rode with Cathleen as they returned to the ranch.

  Cathleen said, “I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw a flicker of light coming from the dark beyond the fire. Each time I looked back, it was still there. When it persisted, I realized it was no accident. Then I remembered your mirror and knew it was a signal. I nodde
d, and then you gave me three more flashes. That’s when I knew for sure that you were there. We were trying to decide what we could do to resist the attention we knew would be coming from the men. We also wondered what we could do to make it easier for you to overcome them.”

  “The only thing that matters is that you’re safe,” Puma said. “I must go with my father to take these men to jail, where they’ll be held until they can be tried. Then we must do everything we can to help the people who came here, in good faith, to obtain land to live on and raise their families. Most of them will become good neighbors.”

  “When will you be back? We’ve had so little time together,” Cathleen asked with tears in her eyes.

  “I’ll be back as soon as I help Father place these men in jail and make my report to Colonel Hamilton. My men are still in the field with Lieutenant Allen. I have to check on them and let them know that the threat of gunplay from the gunfighters has been eliminated. I’ll relieve Mr. Adams, so he can return to the settlers’ camp to be with his wife and children. He’s been a big help and deserves to be recognized for his service.”

  “What will you do with Two Moons and Little Fox?” Cathleen asked. “I’ll take a patrol and accompany them to the Arapaho village where I’ll pay them what the army still owes them and present them with medals, to honor the service they have given to the army. I want to build a friendly relationship with the Indians and let them know that we recognize that they have a right to their land, and it will not be taken from them,” Puma answered.

  “That’s wonderful. They’ll be good neighbors, also,” Cathleen remarked.

  “I hope I might be able to bridge the gap between the Indians and the white men. I feel a part of both worlds, but I fear for the Indians. Most of them don’t want to give up the old ways, and there’ll be conflicts with the white men who are coming west in ever-increasing numbers. The white men have learned to fear the Indians, and the Indians have learned to mistrust the white men.”

  “Will they learn to live together?”

  “I’d like to believe that they will, but, in my heart, I know that the days of the Indians riding freely across the plains are limited. Their way of life will be gone, and most of them will be gone with it. I’ll do all I can, but I’m afraid it won’t be enough.”

  “I know you will, and I love you for it. Do what you have to do, then please hurry back to me.”

  Bonnie and Joe rode with Sage and Juanita. The gunmen rode with their hands and feet bound, guarded by Two Moons and Little Fox. When they rode into the settlers’ camp, Mrs. Adams decided to remain in the camp to wait for her husband to return from his duty of witnessing the survey. Sage apologized to her, explaining that he had suggested that the family stay at the hacienda to avoid this kind of occurrence.

  Mrs. Adams replied, “This was an experience I was glad to have been a part of.”

  Kile and Carmen held hands as they brought up the rear. Anyone would know by looking at them that they were in love.

  After Marshal McBain got the prisoners locked up, he went to the military headquarters with Puma. While Puma was preparing his report, Sage talked with the colonel.

  Colonel Hamilton said, “Mr. McBain, your son is a fine officer. He’ll go far if he decides to remain in the army. I fear there’s a civil war brewing. I know of the ties your family has in Georgia, and I know of your shipbuilding business in Virginia. The men in the South will fight bravely to defend their honor and their way of life. But, like the Indians in the West, they cannot win a long, drawn out war with the industrialized North. If civil strife breaks out between the North and the South, the South will be outnumbered two to one. They have no manufacturing and will not be able to get supplies. The North will blockade them with their superior navy and it’s only a matter of time. The end is inevitable.”

  “Yes, Colonel,” Sage replied. “It will be a difficult decision for Puma to make. I’ll talk with him about it, of course, but he’ll have to make up his own mind. He’s good, and he’s bright. He’ll make the right decision.”

  “Yes, I feel the same way,” the colonel said. “I’m pleased that we have had this chance to talk. He’s like a son to me, also, a son I was not lucky enough to have.”

  Puma walked in with his report.

  Sage said, “Well, son, I know you have other duties to perform. I’ll see you back at the ranch when you’ve gotten them done.”

  “Yes, Father, I hope to have the survey completed in a few days. The settlers are looking forward to homesteading on their own land. And I promised to spend some time with Cathleen. Then I’m hoping to sit down with you for a long talk.”

  “I’ll look forward to that talk,” Sage replied. “Juanita and Carmen want to spend some time with you, also.”

  Colonel Hamilton interjected, “Captain McBain, your furlough was cut short. As soon as you have the survey matter wrapped up, I want you to take a long period of leave.”

  “Thank you, Colonel. I’d like to present medals of merit to each of our Indian scouts. I want to present the medals at their village, when we pay them the remainder of what we promised them for their service. It will mean a lot to them, and it will help to promote friendship and understanding between the white men and the Indians.”

  “That’s a wonderful idea. I’d like to attend. Would you like for me to present the awards?”

  “Yes, I’d like that very much.”

  “Let me know when you want to make the presentations. You’ll have to speak to them on my behalf.”

  Puma added, “I’d also like to recommend commendations for Lieutenant Allen, my two non-commissioned officers, and one of the privates.”

  “Fine, we’ll make those presentations here at the fort. The governor and anyone else he would like to invite will also attend.”

  “Then I’m ready, sir. The Arapaho scouts are eager to return to their village.”

  The colonel called to the sergeant in the outer office and handed him a list. “Sergeant, put together these supplies and bring my horse around.”

  Chapter 31

  Wrapping It Up

  Colonel Hamilton listened with pride as his second-in-command spoke to the Arapaho Indians in their own language. He was pleased to present the awards of merit to two of their warriors. He couldn’t help but notice the blood-red clouds reflecting the dying rays of sunlight. He found himself wondering if it could be an omen. His heart went out to the fine, young cavalry officer trying desperately to broker peace and understanding between the two sides of his own bloodlines.

  In a matter of days, Puma put it all together—the gunmen were tried and convicted; the settlers were shown land on which they could build their homes. Sage turned the job of marshal over to another man whom he had recommended to the governor. Now there was time for Puma and Cathleen. They were seen dining in the finest restaurants in Santa Fe and riding together enjoying the magnificent sunsets. Their childhood friendship blossomed into love.

  One day, Puma called to his father and asked, “Father, could we ride together again into the mountains? I’ve missed our talks.”

  “Yes, I can see you are troubled. Tomorrow we’ll dress in our buckskins and ride into the mountains where we’ll live again as we did when we were children. There’s nothing like the solitude of the great outdoors to bring the mind into focus. It will help us to think and reason about the problems life can present. We’ll leave at first light.”

  At breakfast, Juanita and Carmen fussed over them. Sage was thinking, Juanita is as beautiful today as she was when I first saw her. Carmen is a daughter any man would be proud of. She is bright; she is beautiful, and so full of life. And Puma, the child of my first love, has become a man to be proud of. I’m a lucky man.

  Sage and Puma rode north, deep into the San Juan Mountains, savoring the beauty that nature provided. After only a few days, they were again at home in the mountains. Nature provided their every need. One evening, as they sat beside their campfire listening to the sounds of the night bir
ds, the chirping of the insects, the call of coyotes, and the unmistakable snarl of a mountain lion, Puma said, “Father, I think we lost something when we lost the feeling of oneness with the world around us.”

  “Yes, son, I began my life as a white boy living in the world of affluence. Then I grew up in a world more primitive than even the Indians. And now I live again in the world of white men. You began your life as an Indian boy, and now, you live in the world of white men. I know it’s difficult, to know where your loyalties lie.”

  With the look of worried complexity, Puma replied, “I do, at times, feel a disloyalty to my Indian ancestry. I can see that the ways of the Indians are coming to a close. I want to help them, but how can I help, when I know that their only hope is to adapt to the ways of the white man? The Indians don’t want to live as the white men live. They want to live as they have lived for thousands of years. It’s been a good way, and they don’t want to change.”

  Sage replied, “Both the white men and the Indians have made mistakes. Most of the mistakes were due to a lack of understanding. The Indians see the white man as someone who is encroaching upon his hunting grounds. Most white men are good, and just want a home and a place to raise their families. Those white men kill only the animals they need for food or to protect their homes. Other white men are greedy and want to own as much land as they can lay claim to. Many of these men kill animals because they derive a pleasure from the killing. The Indian see this as wrong because it deprives them of their source of food, shelter, and clothing.”