Hell for Leather

by Joshua Yancey

  “Black Hawk bridge?” Morris couldn’t believe it, “Clayton, You’re crazy. That bridge ain’t fit for a man let alone a man on a horse.”

  “Then don’t go.” replied Clayton dismissively, “Don’t go and don’t get paid. That’s your choice.” He turned and rode away with Jeremiah and Alaine right behind him. The others followed without much hesitation.

  As they rode, Clayton leading the way, he would often stop to check their back trail. Whenever he did so, Alaine would watch his face. After the fourth or fifth time, Clayton returned her gaze.

  “What?” he snapped. Alaine only smiled.

  “You’re scared.” she observed dryly, “You should be.”

  “Not as scared as you should be. Do you know what would happen to you if I turned these jackals loose on you?” For an instance, Alaine’s stare faltered, but then she thought of Zeke.

  “Do you know what would happen to you if you did?” She retorted. This clearly unsettled Clayton and he rode on without exchanging another glance with her.

  After a long time they came to a halt near the edge of a deep ravine. In both directions as far as Alaine could see, this crack in the earth reached to the horizon. The only way forward appeared to be the most rickety bridge she had ever seen. Its span was about sixty feet and it was made of rope and wood, possibly dating back to the days of Moses. The handhold was a single rope that fell away here and there, leaving nothing between the pedestrian and the bottom of the ravine some fifty feet below. The footpath was very narrow, only about three feet wide. Enough for a man to lead a horse, but that was all.

  The posse of miscreants stood silently and stared across the gap to the other side. Morris was the first to speak.

  “Who’s going first?” he asked no one in particular.

  “You are.” Clayton drew his pistol.

  “Horse shit, Clayton.” said Morris without looking at the pistol in Clayton’s hand. Clayton took a step back putting Morris between himself and the bridge. He raised his gun and pointed it at Morris’ back, cocking the hammer as he did so. Morris heard the click.

  “You going to shoot a man in the back?” he asked hoping someone would take his side.

  “Do you honestly think I won’t?” replied Clayton. Morris knew Clayton well enough not to doubt his cold-bloodedness.

  “If I ever get the chance,” he said, “I’m going to kill you, you yellow bastard.”

  “If you ever do get the chance,” replied Clayton, “you best make it count. Now get moving.” Morris realized he had no choice. Slowly he moved forward, leading his horse.

  When he reached the foot of the bridge, his horse refused to go further, no matter how hard Morris tried to coax him.

  “Cover his eyes, you idiot.” chided Clayton. Morris removed his coat and threw it across his horse’s head, covering its eyes. The horse protested at first but quickly became docile. Taking the reins, Morris stepped gingerly onto the first ancient plank. It complained with a loud creak and he could see through the gaps clear down to the bottom. Vertigo threatened to spin him right off the bridge. He swallowed hard and moved slowly forward all the while counting the money he would make and swearing to shoot Clayton as soon as it was in his hands.

  The rest of the misfits watched from the safety of terra firma as Morris inched himself and his horse across the crumbling bridge. When he finally reached the other side, they let out a collective sigh, not because he was safe, but because it meant they were. No one asked who was next, having learned their lesson. They were all a bit surprised when Clayton volunteered himself.

  “I’ll go next.” he announced to no one’s objection, “Alaine, you’re coming with me.”

  “Wait just a cotton pickin’ minute.” said Theodore, “You think we’re dumb enough to let you go on ahead with our payday. As soon as you set foot on the other side, you’ll either shoot Morris or he’ll shoot you and ride away with our bounty.” Clayton stopped and turned to face his accuser.

  “I’m hurt, Teddy.” he said, “Not because you think I would betray you. I’m actually a bit proud that I taught you enough to be suspicious. No, I’m hurt that you think I would possibly let an ape like Morris get the drop on me.” They didn’t know how to respond when Clayton said things like that. He scared them, even Jeremiah. They simply gawked at him. “Well what would you propose we do?” He finally asked. Everyone looked at Theodore.

  “Well,” he said, “you go. Then Thad. Then me. Then her and Jeremiah can cross together.”

  “Fine with me.” said Clayton, throwing a blanket over his horse’s eyes, “As long as I go before Jeremiah. He’s so big, he’s liable to bring this entire antique down.” Clayton turned without another word and struck out across the bridge as jauntily as one would across a meadow. It was this kind of attitude in the face of death that made others frightened of him.

  “All right, Teddy.” he called from the other side, “Your call.”

  “Okay.” replied Teddy, clearly scared, “I’m coming over.”

  “I thought you said Thad was next.” Clayton took great pleasure in ribbing Teddy.

  “I changed my mind.” replied Teddy.

  “Yeah, I’ll bet you did.” said Clayton to himself.

  Slowly Teddy inched towards the bridge. Gingerly, he stepped out over the chasm, afraid to look down. With each step, terror threatened to clamp his legs in its maw and stop him dead in his tracks. Only the fear of Zeke’s wrath drove him on. When he reached the midpoint, he paused to look up and allowed himself a smile. He was going to make it.

  From out of nowhere, a single shot rang out and Teddy’s chest exploded as the smile fled from his face. He pitched forward and felt through the rotted planks, plunging to the ground below. His horse, startled as it was by the jerk on its bit, moved forward, lost its footing over the edge of the newly formed gap and followed its master into oblivion.

  “Hey Clayton!” hollered Zeke from some concealed position, “Did Teddy look surprised?” Every bandit still breathing dove for cover.

  “Zeke!” Clayton was half laughing, half scared to death, “You are, without question, the meanest shot I’ve ever seen in my life.”

  Jeremiah and Thad were cowering behind rocks as Alaine stood still.

  “Zeke!” she cried, “I’m here!” Jeremiah quickly snatched her down next to him behind the rocks. It pleased her to see them so afraid.

  “Stay down.” Jeremiah growled at her.

  “Why?” she grinned, “He’s not shooting at me.” The confidence in her eyes made the big Jeremiah well and truly scared.

  “Hey Zeke!” hollered Jeremiah, “You stop shooting, you hear? You fire one more shot, and so help me I’ll kill your little lady friend.”

  “Jeremiah,” answered Zeke, “you’re the biggest damn target I’ve ever seen. You think I can’t hit you from here?” For a few seconds, there was silence as Jeremiah considered his options. “If you hurt that girl,” continued Zeke, “I’ll kill everything you ever loved in this world.”

  Alaine could see how scared Jeremiah was. For a second, she thought he might just turn tail and run away. His love of money however, proved stronger than his lust for life. He drew his pistol and grabbed Alaine by her hair.

  “Keep your mouth shut.” he told her, then yelled out, “Zeke! I’m coming out and I got my gun in this girl’s back! If you shoot me, I’ll kill her.” There was no answer. “Do you hear me, Zeke?” Again, no response.

  Jeremiah moved out of cover keeping Alaine between himself and the direction he guessed Zeke was. Slowly he backed towards the bridge keeping one hand on his gun and the other gripping Alaine’s hair. Thad was still too scared to move but the sight of his payday being dragged away lit a fire under his ass and he moved quickly to Jeremiah side.

  “Get the hell away from me.” snapped Jeremiah. Thad did as he was told and waited for them to enter the bridge before following, all the while keeping his gun out and trained backwards. It was a comical sight, the three of them inching backw
ards cross the bridge led by Jeremiah with Alaine between them, everyone looking back and still unable to spot Zeke.

  “Think about what you’re doing, Jeremiah you dumb son of a bitch!” called Zeke, still invisible, “Once you get her to the other side you are no longer needed.”

  “Shut your mouth!” cried Jeremiah, his voice betraying the fear in his throat. Clayton and Morris lay behind cover watching the entire scene unfold and hoping they were safe from Zeke’s guns. The trio was inching ever closer to the gap in the bridge and below them, they could clearly see the results of failure.

  The hole was about five feet across and only the rope on either side offered a chance.

  “Don’t move.” said Jeremiah before letting go of Alaine so he could grab the rope. She was terrified of heights and latched onto the rope with both hands, squeezing her eyes shut. Jeremiah stretched out one leg and easily spanned the hole, but in order to place his other foot across he would have to put a great deal of strain on the weak looking rope. He took a deep breath and did it quickly. The rope let out a loud groan, but it held. He smiled in triumph.

  “All right.” he said, “Now you.” Alaine did not move. “Let’s go!” He yelled but Alaine made no attempt to obey. Thad eased up beside her and put his mouth next to her ear.

  “Move your ass,” he hissed, “or I’ll cut your throat and throw you over this bridge.” Alaine could hear the panic in his voice and did not doubt that they would kill her to escape from Zeke. She opened her eyes and inched towards the gaping hole. With her hands wrapped tightly around the rope, she stretched out her foot but she was too short to reach.

  “Give me your hands.” ordered Jeremiah, but she refused, due in equal parts to the fact that she found him repulsive and the fact that she was physically unable to let go of the rope. Carefully she brought her foot back. The only other way across was the support rope upon which all the planks rested. With trepidation, she placed her weight on it. It seemed to hold. She slid her foot forward and step out with the other. Now she was entirely dependent on the ropes. Slowly, she shuffled her feet another few inches.

  Just as she neared the other side, her foot slipped from the rope. Suddenly her balance pitch backwards and her hands came off the rope, flailing above her head. In that instance, she knew she would die. She would fall to the bottom of the ravine and be dashed upon the rocks. Her last thoughts would be of Zeke. That kiss. Their only kiss. Images of it filled her mind.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a gloved hand reaching out ever so slowly towards her, the blue sky in the background. She felt the hand clamp down around her wrist. It was Jeremiah, easily yanking her safety. For a fleeting moment, she was grateful, then she remembered who he was.

  “Hot damn!” sighed Thad, “That was close.” Jeremiah made no reply and did not relinquish Alaine’s wrist but led her quickly across the rest of the bridge. Thad crossed the gap quickly and followed close behind them.

  When they reached the other side, the two outlaws joined their compatriots in cover behind the rocks, dragging Alaine with them. For a minute, no one said anything.

  “Now what?” Thad finally asked of no one in particular. They were pinned down and there were only two horses. If they moved from cover, Zeke could easily pick them off.

  A single shot rang out and suddenly only one horse was left standing.

  “Goddammit!” hollered Clayton, “Stop shooting my horses, Zeke!” Terror swept through the gaggle of miscreants.

  “He’s going to kill us.” wailed Morris.

  “Shut up.” snapped Jeremiah.

  “All right,” said Clayton, “we need to buy ourselves some time.”

  “How do you propose we do that?” Thad wanted to know.

  “We’ll set the bridge on fire.” answered Clayton removing his flint from one of his pouches. Quickly he fashioned a makeshift torch and lit it. The dried timber blazed furiously. Clayton handed it to Morris. “Here. Take it. Throw it on the bridge.” Morris refused to take the torch.

  “Hell no.” he said, “I ain’t going out there.” Calmly, Clayton drew his pistol and put it to Morris’s head.

  “Take this.” he repeated slowly, “Throw it on the bridge.” Morris glanced at Thad and Jeremiah. They would be no help. They were just glad it wasn’t them. Reluctantly, he accepted the flame.

  “Run zigzag.” advised Clayton. Morris was dubious but had little choice. The ground between their cover and the bridge was about fifteen feet and there was little to hide behind. “Go on.” snapped Clayton, “We ain’t got all day.”

  Morris cursed under his breath and gathered what little courage he had. Quickly he darted from behind the rocks and ran in a zigzag pattern. As he neared the bridge, he brought his arm up to throw the torch. As he did, another shot rang out and hit him in the shoulder. The momentum of his throw carried his hand forward and the torch sailed forth and landed in the middle of the planks about twenty feet away from the foot of the bridge. The wood welcomed the flames like an old friend and soon the bridge was burning in earnest. The smoke offered some cover and as they moved out, they could see Zeke on the other side.

  “Sorry Zeke!” hollered Clayton, “You lose this one, but don’t worry, we’ll take good care of your lady.”

  “If any of you sons of bitches touches her,” roared Zeke, “I will personally drag you into Hell and nail your soul to the gates!”

  The outlaw band quickly moved away and Zeke could only watch. They were getting away. He had to move and move fast. If he waited, the bridge would be gone. It was probably already too burned to support him. The only other way was almost a day’s ride to the north. Zeke grit his teeth and set out across the burning bridge.

  Zeke was also no fan of heights, but Alaine was in trouble and he pushed away all thoughts but her. The flames ahead were growing and threatening to devour the only path he had to her. He quickly reached the gap and with one hand on his rifle and the other on the guide rope, he stepped easily over it. Now the only thing left to negotiate was the growing flames. The only way through, he reasoned, was to move quickly. He shielded his face from the heat with his arm and moved as fast as he dared.

  The added pressure of a grown man nearly running across it was too much for the bridge to bear and the burning ropes snapped. As the planks fell away from him, Zeke instinctively relinquished his rifle as both hands reached out for any purchase they could find. His grasp found the rope just in time and he watched his rifle shatter as it hit the ground below. His muscles ached from the strain, but any hesitation was too long as the flames continued to eat through the ropes. Zeke began clambering up the guide rope on the left, which had not yet caught fire. As he neared the flames, the heat threatened to overcome his resolve and send him to the bottom, but Zeke fought onward, climbing slowly as the fire burned to his right.

  When Zeke reached the middle of the fire and the heat was at its worst, he began to have difficulty breathing. The smoke was all around him and was singeing the entire right side of his body. He stopped, focusing on simply not letting go. As he hung there, several of the planks fell away, showering him with sparks and burning his ears and head. Suddenly, a jolt went through the rope and he swung to the left with the fire swinging out further to his right. Without the planks to hold it together, the bridge was separating.

  He could breathe again. Renewed, he began his struggle up the rope and though it took every bit of strength he had, he eventually clawed his way to the edge and over it. Exhausted, he hauled his body over the rim and lay on his back, gulping air. A laugh escaped his chest quite involuntarily. How was he still alive, he wondered.

  Quickly he gathered his thoughts and got to his feet, drawing his pistols. They couldn’t have gone far, he told himself and God himself would not stand between him and Alaine. With pure focus, he marched forward ready to kill anything that got his way.

  There were tracks on the ground but he was not following them, not literally anyways. His senses reached out, found signs in everythi
ng. It was as though the wind itself was whispering to him, telling him where to find her. With a single purpose, he went forward, eyes open and hammers back.

  The footprints led into a shallow ravine that was no more than ten feet deep. The sandy floor left no doubt which way they had gone. Zeke quickened his steps, which was a mistake. If he had been moving cautiously, he would have had more time to react when Morris sprung from cover and opened fire. Zeke brought his guns to bear and fired with his left, hitting Morris in the stomach and sending him to the ground. As he did so, Thad came out on his right, opening fire. Zeke dodged to the left and fired with his strong hand. His first shot was enough to scare Thad who retreated to cover just as Jeremiah stepped out from behind a rock about fifteen yards away. The sight of him brought fury to Zeke’s heart and before Jeremiah could get a shot off, Zeke fired, hitting him near the hip. Jeremiah spun around and darted away, holding his wounds. Thad’s head popped up for just a second, which was more than enough time for Zeke to zero in and blow it off. Zeke moved quickly ahead.

  Morris was trying to crawl to cover holding the wound in his belly. As Zeke walked past, without breaking his stride, he fired a single shot into his back, killing Morris instantly.

  Ahead in the dry riverbed, Clayton sat safely behind cover with his knee on Alaine’s chest. Jeremiah came limping into view.

  “What happened?” demanded Clayton.

  “Thad and Morris are dead.” replied Jeremiah, stumbling behind the log where Clayton was hiding, “I’m hit pretty bad.”

  “What about Zeke?” asked Clayton, “He hit?”

  “I think so.” groaned Jeremiah.

  Zeke felt a pinching his side. He looked down as a patch of blood ballooned to the right of his belly button. He wasn’t sure who had hit him. In all the excitement, he felt nothing. Now, a wave of nausea swept through him and darkened his vision. The ground began to wobble beneath his feet. He needed to move fast.

  “Clayton!” he hollered, “Come out here and get what’s coming to you!” Zeke kept moving, willing his legs to carry him forward. Soon, his blurry vision detected a horse tied to a fallen log. Without thinking, he moved behind a nearby rock. Clayton could see where he had stepped but he had no shot. “Clayton!” cried Zeke a second time, “I’m coming for you.”