Red River Revenge (Remington Book 1)

by Robert Vaughan

  They ate the rest of the sandwiches, which Lina insisted wouldn’t last another day, and shared a tin of peaches. They snacked on smoked fish and raw carrots from Killbuck’s garden. When they were through, Lina brought out the sweets. This time, they each took, a rich pastry, and two of the cookies that were beginning to crumble in their tin.

  It was dark by the time they finished eating. The stars seemed closer than they had the night before and Ned could see the glow of the low, rising moon, through the trees.

  “You’re a good cook, Lina,” Ned said as he stood up. “Thanks for bringing this food along.”

  “Yes,” said Tom Beck. “We were getting a little tired of hardtack and beans.”

  “Goodness, is that all you men have been eating?” Lina said as she took her hat off and let her long hair tumble free. She started to clear away the mess from the meal.

  “It seems like it,” Frank Shaw laughed. “But your food was delicious, Lina.”

  “Lina is a good girl, except for her stubborn streak,” Killbuck said proudly. “And she is a good cook, but I ate too much.” He patted his stomach. “It is a good thing we will not ride tonight.”

  “I’m glad you all liked it, and there’s plenty more for tomorrow,” Lina said.

  “You’ll spoil us,” Ned said.

  “You deserve it,” Lina said. “It must be hard being a marshal when you have to be out on the trail so much and you have to carry all your food and your whole kitchen with you.”

  “Our whole kitchen?” Shaw asked.

  “I mean your utensils and pots and pans.”

  “It isn’t so bad,” Beck said. “We can pick up supplies when we pass through the towns.”

  “Just wait till you sleep on the hard ground tonight,” Shaw said. “Then you’ll know how much fun being a marshal is.”

  “I’m looking forward to sleeping out under the stars,” she said. “Ned, would you mind walking down to the stream with me so I can fill my canteen?”

  “You aren’t afraid of the dark, are you?” he teased.

  “It’s a little scary out there,” she said as she peered out at the dark, shadowy trees.

  The girl was being honest and Ned resisted the urge to say something sarcastic. “Sure, I want to fill my canteen, too. Anybody else?”

  “As long as you’re going that way,” Tom Beck said as he handed Ned his canteen.

  “Mine, too,” said Shaw. “I don’t think I can move another muscle.”

  “I’ll take yours, Uncle Charlie,” Lina said. Canteens in hand, Ned and Lina walked toward the stream, ducking around low branches.

  “It’s brighter out here than I thought it would be,” Lina said as they neared the water.

  “We’re out away from the dense trees,” Ned said. “It’s a bright, starlit night out and the water reflects the starlight.”

  Lina looked up at the stars, then down at the water. “I see that now.”

  “The moon’s coming up over there and when it’s a little higher, it’ll be even brighter.”

  “Good, it isn’t so scary.”

  Just as they reached the stream bank, an owl hooted from a nearby tree. Lina gasped and reached for Ned’s arm.

  “It was only an owl, Lina.”

  “I guess I’m not as brave as I thought I was,” she said with a self-conscious giggle. She quickly let go of his arm.

  “I reckon I wasn’t either the first time I spent the night outside,” Ned said as he began to fill the first of the canteens. “You’ll get used to the night noises, and if you’re smart, you’ll learn to recognize them.”

  “Is that what you do?” Lina dipped her canteen into the edge of the water.

  “Yes. I listen very carefully to all of the sounds. That way, I can tell when I hear a noise that shouldn’t be there.”

  “That’s a good idea,” Lina said.

  “It’s a necessity in my line of work. But, it’s really no different from sleeping in a house. You get used to the house creaking and settling. You hear the clock chime. You hear the cat or dog roaming around the house. You expect the tree branches to brush across your windows when it’s windy. These things don’t scare you because you’re accustomed to them. But let a strange noise creep in and I’ll bet you hide your head under the covers.”

  “You’re right,” Lina said. “From now on I’ll pay more attention to what’s around me.”

  “It could save your life.”

  “I guess you and your men are plenty smart about such things.”

  “We’ve learned from experience. As lawmen, we have to stay one jump ahead of the criminals we’re tracking, or we’re dead meat.”

  Lina looked over at him as she withdrew the canteen from the water. “That’s a terrible way to put it.”

  “But it’s true,” Ned said. “And since you insisted on coming along on this trip, I want you to learn as much as possible. The time may come when you won’t get a chance to use your expertise with a pistol unless you’re smarter than the other fellow.”

  “What else should I know?”

  “Being aware of your surroundings is probably the most important thing,” Ned said as he filled the third canteen. “Look over your shoulder, and watch your backtrail. Scan the countryside and watch for places where you can take cover if you need to. Watch for distant spools of dust that would indicate a wagon or a rider. Smell the air and learn to recognize the different odors. Watch the weather so you don’t get caught out in a bad storm.”

  “That’s a lot to learn in a short time.”

  “You can train yourself to be observant. It’ll become second nature to you.” Ned pulled the canteen from the water and stuffed the cork in it. “Another thing. Always keep your horse at an even pace except for the times when you need a short burst of speed. And stop to rest him once in a while. If you push your pony too hard and get him lathered, he’s likely to drop dead on you. And without your horse, you’re...”

  “Dead meat,” Lina laughed.

  “You’re learning. Are you ready to head back to camp?”

  “Yes.” When Lina stood up, the owl screeched again. Lina let out a little cry. “I guess it’ll take time,” she laughed.

  “And that’s something we don’t have much of, so you’d better sleep on it. I’m counting on finding Paco Gaton and the others tomorrow.”

  “It’s going to be dangerous, isn’t it?” she said.

  Lina looked up at him and he saw the fear reflected in her bright blue eyes.

  “I’m afraid so, Lina,” he said, ‘it’ll probably be the most dangerous thing you’ll ever have to face in your life.”

  Chapter 10

  “I thought you were just trying to scare me back at the house so I wouldn’t tag along,” Lina said as they started back toward the camp.

  “I told it straight, Lina,” Ned said.

  “I realize that now. I guess I figured that since you and your men were deputy marshals, you could just march up to the outlaws and arrest them, by virtue of your authority. But I know now that even if you find them, those brutal criminals aren’t going to give up without a fight.”

  “It’s not too late for Tom Beck to take you back to Galena,” Ned said. “You can start back tomorrow morning.”

  “No, that would make you a man short, and I think you’re going to need all the help you can get. I’ve come this far and I’ll see it through.”

  “Just promise me that you won’t let your hatred of these men cause you to do something stupid,” Ned said. “I don’t want you rushing in and trying to kill them if you see them, no matter how you feel about them. You wouldn’t stand a chance.”

  “I’d be dead meat,” Lina laughed.

  But there was a nervousness to her laughter this time that had not been there before, and Ned noticed her shudder with a chill that coursed through her body. Maybe that was a good sign. Maybe she really was beginning to realize how dangerous this case was. And if she had a healthy respect for her own safety, that would be a big as
set to all of them.

  “Just be careful, Lina,” he said. “We’ll protect you all we can, but if it comes to a showdown, you may have to fend for yourself.”

  “I don’t want you to be worrying about me when you’ve got more important things to do,” she said. “I can handle a gun if I have to, and I promise I’ll be careful.”

  “Good girl.” Ned patted her on the head as if she were a puppy who’d just mastered her first trick.

  “Are you married, Ned?” Lina asked as they neared the camp.

  “I was. Does it matter?”

  “No. I just thought that if you were married, your wife must be terribly worried about you when you’re gone like this. Is that why you’re not together anymore?”

  Ned didn’t want to talk about it and he knew it would serve no purpose to explain his situation. “She died about three years ago.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” Lina said. “Do you have any children?”

  “One daughter. A little older than you.”

  “Where is she?”

  “Back in Galena.”

  “Does she worry about you when you’re gone?” Lina looked over at Ned. “I would if you were my father.”

  “Katy’s learned to live with it.”

  “Katy. That’s a pretty name. I'll bet she’s proud of you.”

  “I wouldn’t know about that,” Ned said, relieved that they were back at the camp. “We’re back with full canteens,” he announced.

  Frank Shaw was already asleep and snoring gently. Charlie Killbuck and Tom Beck were sitting on their blankets, talking.

  “Good,” said Charlie. “We’re ready to turn in for the night.”

  “So early?” Lina said as she handed one of the canteens to her uncle.

  “Lina, these men are tired,” Charlie said. “They got very little sleep last night and they face a busy day tomorrow.”

  “I know,” Lina said.

  “Rule number two, Lina,” Ned said. “We go to bed with the chickens and get up before dawn.”

  Lina crinkled up her nose and gave him a funny look. “I’ll go to bed, but I can’t promise you I’ll go right to sleep. I’m just not sleepy yet.”

  “Then stay awake and think about the things I told you,” Ned said. “Goodnight, everybody.”

  Ned was surprised that it was already getting light out when he awoke the following morning. Usually he was up long before dawn. He must have been more tired than he’d realized because he’d fallen asleep almost as soon as his head hit the coat pillow. It was the best night’s sleep he’d had since they left home and it would probably be the only decent sleep he would get until they returned to Galena.

  He sat up and yawned, wiped the sleep from his eyes; He flexed muscles that were stiff from sleeping on the hard ground, then rolled his head around and rubbed the back of his neck.

  He looked over at Lina’s bedroll, and saw that she was still asleep. When he glanced at the other bedrolls, he got a start. All of the men were gone. Frank, Tom and Charlie Killbuck. He cocked his head and heard their muffled voices way off in the trees. He heard the crunching of leaves and knew they were returning from their morning rituals.

  Fully awake, he slipped into his boots, then jumped up and wandered off into the woods to relieve himself. When he got back, Lina was gone and the men were busy saddling the horses and stowing the gear.

  “Good morning, Ned,” Frank Shaw said. “You sawed the logs last night.”

  “Good morning, gentlemen,” Ned said. “I feel rested this morning. How about you?”

  “We feel good, Ned,” Shaw said.

  “Yes,” said Beck. “It was very quiet here last night.”

  “I told you we would not see anyone,” Killbuck said with a satisfied smile. He tossed Lina’s saddlebags up behind her saddle and fastened the leather strap that held the leather pouches in place. His own horse was already saddled and ready to ride.

  “You’re a good guide, Charlie.” Ned glanced at the eastern sky and saw the flare of pink through the foliage. The sun would be up before they could get away. Even though it would be warm that day, Ned slipped his buckskin jacket on and checked the big inside pocket to make sure the three warrants were still there. He did it out of habit.

  “Thank you, Ned,” Killbuck said. “I hope our luck is as good today.”

  “It will be. I can feel it in my bones.” Ned carried his saddle over to his Missouri trotter and slung it up over the saddle blanket that was already draped over the horse’s back. “That a boy, Neal,” he said, and stroked the sleek, black hide of the big trotter’s neck. He cinched the saddle down, checked it, then went back for his saddlebags.

  “I think it’s going to be a little cooler today,” Beck said. He climbed up in his saddle, patted his restless horse’s neck.

  “Yes,” said Killbuck. He stood between his pony and Lina’s, clutching the ropes of both reins in his hand. Lina’s wide-brimmed hat sat on top of her saddle. “There are a few clouds in the sky, but not enough to bring the rain we need.”

  “You and Lina can turn back if you want to,” Ned said as he secured his saddlebags behind his saddle. “I’m sure we can find the ferry from here if you point us in the right direction.”

  “We will go with you,” Killbuck said.

  “I don’t want either one of you to risk your life,” Ned said. “My boys and I are getting paid to put our lives on the line. You’re not.”

  Killbuck’s face got as dark as a cloud. “It was my brother and Lina’s father who were murdered,” he said with tight lips that reminded Ned of Lina’s stubborn pout. “I will be happy to give up my life if it will help bring those bastards to court. I know they will hang for their crimes.”

  “I know they will, too,” Ned said somberly. He felt the weight of responsibility suddenly, heavy on his shoulders. So many people were counting on him to bring those three outlaws to justice. Judge Barnstall, Lina, Charlie Killbuck, the people of the Cherokee village, the people who had been victims of Van Hook’s cattle rustling ring. And just as important, the people who would become victims if the ring of violent rustlers wasn’t stopped.

  He shook out his bedroll out. Harder than he had planned to, but it helped to vent some of his frustration. He was rolling the blankets up when Lina walked back into the camp. She came from the direction of the stream. Her long, dark hair was damp and Ned saw that she had scrubbed her face. She wore a clean, light brown shirt, creased from being in her saddlebags. The dark brown trousers and scarf were the same ones she’d worn the day before.

  “We are all ready to go, Lina,” Killbuck said.

  Ned carried his bedroll over to his horse and strapped it on top of his saddlebags.

  “But I was planning to fix breakfast for you before we leave,” Lina said.

  “No, Lina,” Killbuck said. “The sun is already coming up and we still have an hour’s ride to the ferry.”

  “But you could eat some fruit and pastries,” the girl said. “That wouldn’t take long.”

  “No,” said Charlie. “It will be safer for us to cross the river early in the morning, when many people are still asleep.” He reached up and got her hat off her saddle, held it out for her.

  “You’re right, Uncle Charlie.” Lina piled her hair on top of her head, then took the hat from her uncle and stuffed it on her head, trapping the damp, dark locks beneath it. She took the reins from Killbuck, slid her boot into the stirrup, and pulled herself up on the saddle.

  The five riders left the camp site as clean as they found it. Lina carried the crumpled wrappings from the sandwiches in her saddlebags. They rode toward the southwest and although the rising sun wasn’t directly behind them, they didn’t have to ride into the low sun and be blinded by its light.

  Ned saw the massive expanse of the Red River in the far distance long before he saw any signs of civilization. They were on a hilltop when he first spotted it and the way the sun’s light reflected off of the water, the river looked like a long golden ribbon
that had been casually dropped on a carpet of green velvet. He supposed that sometimes the river actually took on a red hue, at sunset or dawn, if the skies billowed with clouds that were tinged with the right shades of red.

  As they got closer to the river, small adobe huts and wooden shacks began to dot the land. Most of them looked abandoned.

  Just as Charlie Killbuck had said, an hour after they left their camp, Ned and his group arrived at the quiet river town where they would ferry across to the Red River Station. A large wooden sign at the entrance to the small, tree-lined village displayed the name of the town in neatly carved letters. Appropriately enough, the town was called Riverside.

  When Killbuck reined up and paused for a moment, Remington fished his gold watch out of his pocket and checked the time. It was almost seven in the morning and he could see, when he glanced at the main part of town to his left, that there weren’t many people stirring this early. The few men he saw on the boardwalks looked like businessmen who were getting ready to start another day.

  The town seemed quieter, more peaceful than the other river front town near Tishomingo. Maybe it was the early hour that made it seem that way. Perhaps the town would be a bustle of activity by noon. The odor of decaying fish was just as strong as it had been in Tishomingo, but this town seemed cleaner, more respectable, than the other one.

  Killbuck didn’t take them to the business part of the town. Instead he turned right and led them to a pretty stretch of land on the high river bank which was obviously a place where people came to sit in the shade for a while and gaze out at the river and see Texas on the other side, or watch the passing boats, or just sit and relax.

  There were more than a dozen wooden benches in the tranquil setting. Most of them were located near trees that would offer shade from the hot, mid-day sun. A couple of the benches sat out in the open where a person could sit and sun himself on a chilly afternoon.

  No one was there this time of morning, but Ned could picture small groups of little old men sitting on the benches, their small hats shading their failing eyes from the sun as they whittled chunks of wood with withered, vein-lined hands, just like the old men back in Galene did in the town square. He could imagine a young, long-skirted mother sitting on a bench, rocking the baby in the carriage as she stared out at the river, and thought about faraway places. He could see elderly couples talking about old times as they tossed scraps of food to the birds.