No telegraphs were leading in or out of the remote town, so a rider had been dispensed by the sheriff to summon a judge to town by the end of the day. LaRue's trial was to be a swift one and his punishment surely swifter because the entire town knew the Mescaleros would be watching and waiting. Once it was all over, however, she doubted that Crow Woman would be returning as Lijuan had sensed the rekindling of the old spark that she had been surprised to learn had existed between the chief and the exile.
Lijuan looked straight ahead as they passed the cemetery and the gallows from which Blue River had launched his plan to take out Crazy Elk. She turned her head slightly in his direction. “You’re a good shot, Blue River, you could have taken his head clean off his shoulders …” her voice trailed off leaving unspoken the words that sounded in her head. I would have.
“Better that he has to live with whatever the tribe has in store for him. He will be lucky if he gets off with being exiled like Summer Sky’s brother. I suspect his punishment for the treachery will be far worse than that, and it couldn’t happen to a nicer person,” he finished with a smile as he gently cracked the reins.
“Summer Sky,” Lijuan began with a devilish smile. “I didn’t see her back there. How did you leave things?”
“She returned home before sunup. Things are going to be very unsettled in their tribe for the time being. But a few months from now, when things get back to normal, if you and the judge can spare me from the mill, I think I might like to spend a little time at The Settlement with her free and clear to forgo a fight to the death this time,” he laughed.
“You know,” she said bumping him with her elbow. “She’s a beautiful woman and now without Crazy Elk around to scare off potential suitors, she might not wait for you, Baby Brother.”
“If we are to be together again as we were in that tent, well I will simply have to rely on the will of- “
"The Great Spirit!" she finished for him with a laugh. "Don't you think the Great Spirit has better things to do than overseeing the courting between men and women, like maybe looking out for folks who have to cross the Badlands like we're going to have to travel to reach the Canebraro Valley?"
Blue River gave her a smile and a nod but remained silent as they continued, unaware that they would have no problem crossing the lawless territory. Getting back across the badlands, however, would prove to be a harrowing experience beyond anything they could ever imagine.
CHAPTER 35
HOTEL FRANCO
Palmarez, Mexico
Bright Feather had once more selected her short buckskin dress she preferred for traveling. As she folded up the long dress up and packed it away in a leather traveling pouch she glanced around the room wondering if she was forgetting anything. Her look fell on her pistol resting on the nightstand, reminding her that she needed to forget about worrying if she had packed everything, hurry up, and finish her task with the gun. The time was at hand for her to be on her way to the rendezvous point where they would take down Salazar.
A horrendous noise suddenly split the air as her door was kicked in, parts of the frame splintering as the slide bolt tore away. The outlaw's woman, Tess, rushed in hurtling a knife directly at her! With only seconds to react, Bright Feather lifted the bag she had just put the dress into as a shield. The knife sank into the leather, and the force of it caused Bright Feather to drop the pouch to the floor. She didn't move but instead let her eyes travel frantically towards her gun on the nightstand. Tess saw her staring at it, then they both looked at each other, and their eyes met. Bright Feather lunged for it as Tess launched herself at her.
Tess tackled her about where Bright Feather thought she would and they went to the floor amidst a plume of dust. Bright Feather managed to hit her in the face once and then received a counterpunch herself. Tess grabbed her hair, but Bright Feather dodged and rolled away from Tess who was scrambling to her feet. Bright Feather made it as far as her knees, but Tess’s foot kicked her square between her breasts, causing her to fall on her back. Then Tess was over her having snatched the gun, jamming it against her forehead. Bright Feather kept herself from smiling and stiffened in “fear.”
“Before I kills you, I want you to know we are onto your game. Hardcastle figured it out. He’s already on his way. He’s gonna catch up to Salazar and that bastard bluecoat you came with. Your man, if he really is your man, is gonna die one hell of a death,” Tess told her with a sneer and flushed face.
“Oh, he’s my man all right. As for your friends, they aren’t going to see another sunrise. That makes me happy,” she told the woman kneeling next to her with the gun to her head.
“One thing’s for sure. You aren’t going to be around to find out. Hasta la vista injun!” Tess said thumbing back the hammer. She pulled the trigger, and the gun clicked. It clicked again and again as she kept trying to shoot Bright Feather. Bright Feather grabbed the barrel and yanked it out of her hand and then bashed her with it. Tess rolled off her with a short cry and then Bright Feather was kneeling next to her. Tess looked up dazed with blood running down her cheek from the gash on the side of her head.
“I don’t understand,” Tess simpered.
“Simple, I knew if I drew your attention to the gun, you would eventually go for it. I also knew it was empty, look over there,” Bright Feather said nodding toward the table along the wall, a holster and ammo were sitting atop it. “After I was done packing my dress, I was going to reload my gun for my ride to catch up with my love, but then you showed up,” Bright Feather said with a chuckle.
“You think you’re so smart, huh. Nobody in Palmarez that has a gun would keep it unloaded,” the woman said as if that mattered at that moment.
“Nor would I. I just finished cleaning it. I need it in good working condition because if I must shoot Salazar, I wanted it to work properly. Lucky for me I got distracted by packing up a dress, so I put it down instead of reloading it. So perhaps I am not as dumb as you think,” she told Tess.
“Fuck you, savage!” Tess snarled bravely.
"Savage you say, white woman?" Bright Feather pulled Tess's knife from the bag on the floor and yanked Tess's head back. She held the knife to her throat.
“I guess if I am the savage you take me to be, I should have no problem slicing your throat,” she told the injured redhead.
“No, no—please!” Tess cried softly.
Bright Feather smiled at her and then slammed the knife into the floor next to her head. Then she pulled her up by the hair and slammed her noggin into the floor knocking her out.
“Consider yourself lucky, you bitch. I’ve got to get to Dutch,” she said as she stood and went to load her gun.
Bright Feather quickly fetched her horse from the stable behind the hotel. She double-checked her bow and arrows and then took off down the main street heading out of town. She was wondering how she was going to be able to catch up to Hardcastle. She would prefer to get ahead of him if she could. She saw down the way Snow Bird sweeping her front porch. She appeared to be the only person in the town who cared about her shop’s appearance. A sudden realization had Bright Feather slowing her horse and turning towards the mending shop. She had an idea and brought her mount to a stop in front of the older Indian.
“I see from the look on your face and the speed you are riding that trouble has come to your white eyes. Such is the way of things for those who dare to venture into Palmarez,” Snow Bird told her.
“What you say is true. My love is in trouble. It could cost him his life. I need your help,” Bright Feather said as Snow Bird kept sweeping.
“I do not help white eyes. For what they have done, how can I?” she asked rhetorically.
“Yet you take their money,” Bright Feather said sharply.
“All the money in the world will not make up for what they have taken from me. I am old now, but that is a pain that will never fade, young one,” Snow Bird told her. She stopped sweeping then, looking at her sternly. Bright Feather understood her feelings, but s
he had to get the older woman’s help.
“Unless you help me, you will imprison me within my own world of pain, is that what you wish for me Snow Bird?” she asked bluntly.
“What is it that you have of me?” she asked. Bright Feather felt the beginning of hope.
“You told me when you first escaped to Palmarez you supported yourself trapping the mountains. My heart will soar if you know a way over Los Valdez mountain, a shortcut to the foothills on the other side. Surely there must be a trail,” Bright Feather told her. The older woman was silent for a time, and Bright Feather held her breath.
“There are many trails, but only one that will take you where you want to be. I can take you to the proper one,” Snow Bird told her.
“Thank you, thank you so much!” Bright Feather told her with expanding joy in her heart.
“I only ask one thing before I get my horse and we ride,” Snow Bird said.
“Yes, anything old one,” she responded.
“Tell me your real name and tribe. None that come here now are who they say they are.Even I was not born Snow Bird. That was what they all called me when I came here to live…having come from the far north.” She said quietly before she told her visitor her real name which left Bright Feather smiling. It was a beautiful name and now it was her turn.
“I am of the Yavapai, Bright Feather. Daughter of White Hawk and Red Wing. Niece to Chief Thunder Cloud of the Hala tribe,” she told her.
Snow Bird smiled.
“Come with me then, Bright Feather of Hala. It is time for me to show you the way.”
It was not long, and they were approaching the base of the mountain she needed to get past. They started skirting the base of Los Valdez until Snow Bird led to a trailhead. The older woman simply nodded at the trail. Bright Feather was going to say thank you, but the woman held up her hand.
“This will take you where you need to go. The way is steep and treacherous, but many miles will be cut from your journey. Rescue your white eye and live the life of happiness you need,” Snow Bird said. Bright Feather smiled and nodded to the woman. She then put her heels to her mount and went charging up the hill. It was time to find her lover!” she thought as she went.
Snow Bird watched until Bright Feather disappeared. She started to ride off but paused, looking back to the trailhead.
CHAPTER 36
The savage blow that landed across Dutch’s jaw knocked him from his feet and left the coppery taste of blood in his mouth. He was sure he had been hit harder in his life, but he was dizzy and not sure when that might have been. He was on his knees looking up at the edge of the stream, staring into the angry faces of Salazar and Hardcastle. Both men had their pistols pointed at him. His own service revolver lay far away in the tall grass where Hardcastle had made him throw it. Dutch glared at the men.
“I just thought of something. Where’s Yellow Bird anyhow?” Salazar demanded, but Dutch said nothing as he shook his head to try and recover from the blow.
“You see her back in Palmarez? She had to be part of all this!” Salazar questioned Hardcastle who was at his side.
“Nah, I don’t know what became of her?” Dutch repeated.
"Too bad she ain't here. I bet you thought I forgot about our little wager. I was waiting until we got that gold and it was tucked safely away. Then I was gonna demand you pay up "Bill," or hell I was gonna have to kill you!" Hardcastle said.
Dutch gritted his teeth looking down. He didn't know how everything had gone to hell so quickly. He had been sitting along the stream in the clearing he and Bright Feather had chosen as the perfect spot to capture Salazar. As he awaited her arrival all he had been doing was pretending to laugh at Salazar's endless supply of dirty jokes. They weren't even good ones either. They all were directed at women irritating Dutch to no end. Dutch had never really known his mother, but he had step-mothers and four sisters. The way Salazar reduced women to vulgarity made him feel as if the man was directing them at Dutch’s own family. At that time, he wanted to drown him in the river, but his orders were to bring him back alive if he could, so he had let the jokes go by and stayed in character. Hardcastle had arrived stealthily while they were in the middle of a conversation.
***
“I hope you’re right about this here gold shipment being guarded by only three men,” Salazar had told him.
“Stop worrying. I told you I got the information from a reliable source,” Dutch said to reassure him. They both spun at the sound of a voice calling out.
“Don’t move a muscle, piss ant, or I will shoot you dead here and now, as sure as I’m standing here!” Across the clearing Hardcastle stood at its edge, his gun pointing at Dutch.
"What the hell are you doing way out here, Hardcastle? I would have thought you would be back in town trying to pick up Tess since I’m out here," Salazar said with mirth in his voice. Dutch, however, a felt coldness in his gut. This wasn't good.
"I am saving your skin, Salazar," Hardcastle said, and Dutch was sure the jig was up.
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“I’d like to introduce you to Captain Wilde, U.S. Army!” Hardcastle said dropping the bombshell on Salazar.
“What kind of bullshit are you peddling muchacho?” Salazar asked irritated.
“No bullshit, he’s been running a con on you. Wilde, throw away your weapon. I won’t ask twice,” Dutch did as he was told, his mind racing to figure a way out of the predicament but just couldn’t see one. He vowed to watch for any opening for escape, just as he had been taught almost from the moment he had been tossed into the hell on earth that had been the Confederate prisoner of war camp where he had sat out the end of the Civil War as a “guest.”
"So, you found out? All right, so what, my name is Wilde. I deserted and shot two men getting away. I spent a lot of years in the army, and this here is my way of getting even,” he tried, hoping they would buy it. Salazar turned to him with eyebrows raised.
“I owe you for saving my life, so I will give you a chance to prove what he’s saying ain’t true,” Salazar told him.
“Don’t listen to a word he says. He’s just gonna lie to you,” Hardcastle said.
“Convince me, Wilde!” Salazar growled.
“It’s like this …” Dutch had begun with a slight hope he could pull it off.
“Ignore him. I rode like a son of a bitch to catch up, hid my horse and walked a mile on foot. All so I could get close enough to warn you. No matter where things stand between us now, we were once partners. I’m not gonna let a partner of mine fall into the hands of the law. You tell me if I’m wrong, Salazar. He got you out here with some story about a lot of money,” Hardcastle said.
“We …” Salazar began, but Dutch interrupted.
“Don’t tell him. This is a two-man job. I don’t want to cut a third guy in. Especially a guy who likes back shooting!”
“What’s he dangling in front of you, what kind of riches?” Hardcastle asked.
"We’re heading across the border to hit a gold shipment the army is transporting with a light guard," Salazar said.
"There is no gold, Salazar. It's horseshit. It's all about the border. Once he gets you across that thing, you're done, at the end of a noose!" Hardcastle said urging Salazar. The Mexican fugitive looked down for a minute before he drew his gun and pointed it at Dutch.
“What he is saying makes a hell of a lot of sense. You are trying to get me across the border to pay for the men I killed over there. To think I almost fell for it. It was a great plan though, amigo, posing as an outlaw complete with a squaw,” Salazar said his face a hardened mask of fury.
"Send me to the gallows, will you?" Salazar snarled, and that was when a blow from the man's free hand sent his head to spinning.
***
Now Dutch looked back up at the two desperados who were threatening to kill him. His jaw hurt, and he spat out blood.
“We’ll find her yet, and when I do, your injun bird won’t be able to walk when I’m
done with her. As thanks for putting me on to you. I’m gonna let my amigo Hardcastle here share her!”.
“I’m gonna enjoy it too!” Hardcastle said with a whistle.
“For a minute I suppose. You are the Minute Man, right?” Dutch laughed.
The man did not take it well and began raging.
“I might have to take that from Tess, but not from the likes of you! I’ll wipe that smile right off your face for good. Say your prayers,” he said and cocked his gun as Dutch stiffened against the inevitable. Surprising them all, Salazar seized Hardcastle’s arm to stop him.
“Stop!” Salazar said.
“You crazy. He set you up. Why do you wanna spare him?” Hardcastle sneered.
"Think about it. Why waste a good opportunity? There is money to be made from him. We bring him back to Palmarez, and we can name our price to whoever wants to off him. There's a lot of hombres that would love to spill the blood of a cavalryman," Salazar said with a dark, growl. Hardcastle slapped him on the back.
“Always thinking ahead for the best payday. That’s one of the things I miss working with you,” Hardcastle told Salazar with glee.
“On your feet, boy, we are heading back to Palmarez. Your death is not gonna to be pleasant, I assure you. I know people who would love to slice you up piece by piece. We’ll find that squaw of yours, so she can watch while it happens before we have our way with her,” Salazar said, pointing his gun at Dutch, gesturing for him to move towards the horses.
"You need to look no further!" A voice called out, and Dutch felt himself smile slightly. An arrow sank into Salazar's right bicep causing his hand to go up in the air, and his gun spun away into the creek. He cried out in pain as he dropped to his knees. Dutch and Hardcastle spun around and saw Bright Feather standing on a hill overlooking the clearing and the stream notching another arrow. Before she could finish Hardcastle was in motion to shoot her, but Dutch lunged forward and knocked into him, sending the shot wild.
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