by Tell Cotten
Lee ran over and knelt beside Stew. He checked for a pulse, and then he glared at Sergeant Wagons.
“You killed him,” Lee accused, and added, “Now we’ll never find that money.”
“What money?” Sergeant Wagons was confused. “I thought he was wanted for murder.”
“He was,” Brian spoke up. “But he also stole a lot of money. We were hoping to recover it for the family.”
“And now all hope is gone,” Lee glared at him.
“But I had to kill him!” Sergeant Wagons objected.
Lee scowled but didn’t reply.
Meanwhile, Brian sat on his horse and assessed the situation.
“What was Stew doing when you found him?” He asked.
“He was digging up that grave,” Sergeant Wagons pointed.
Lee and Brian looked, and they could tell that Stew had been digging in only one corner of the grave.
“You don’t suppose–,” Lee’s voice trailed off.
“It makes sense,” Brian said.
They looked at each other, and then Lee grabbed the shovel and started digging furiously.
Brian dismounted and walked over. Lee continued to dig, but then he stopped.
“I hit something!”
He bent over and raked through the dirt. He grabbed hold of something, and a big smile crossed his face as he pulled out a leather carpetbag.
“We found it,” Brian said, and it came out in a whisper.
Lee’s eyes twinkled as he set the carpetbag on the ground. He dusted it off, unlatched it, and pulled the sides apart.
“Is it there?” Brian asked anxiously.
“Sure is,” Lee said, and there was excitement in his voice. “All of it.”
A feeling of great satisfaction passed through Brian.
“Jessica will be pleased,” he said.
“She sure will,” Lee said, and he grinned at the thought.
“Jessica Tussle?” Sergeant Wagons looked confused. “How is she involved?”
“Never mind,” Lee said as he snapped the carpetbag shut. He walked over to his horse and tied the carpetbag on, and then he glanced at Brian. “Those shots might bring unwanted visitors, so we’d best be leaving.”
Brian nodded and headed towards his horse, but Sergeant Wagons stopped them.
“What about Stew?” He asked.
“What about him?” Lee asked.
“If I don’t take him back with us, nobody will believe that I killed him.”
“Take him back to where?” Lee frowned.
“Well, I reckon we’ll go to Landry.”
“That’s a two day ride,” Lee objected, and he asked, “Have you ever traveled with a dead body?”
Sergeant Wagons shook his head.
“It won’t be pleasant,” Lee warned. “Especially after the first day.”
“What do you suggest?” Sergeant Wagons asked.
“I say we bury Stew now,” Lee said. “When we get to Landry, Brian and I will vouch that you killed him.”
“You’d do that for me?”
A thought occurred to Lee, and he smiled smugly.
“Sure we would,” he said. “And in return, we’d like to ask a favor from you.”
“What is it?”
“Nobody needs to know that we were in Midway when Stew escaped. Especially Yancy,” Lee said. “Do this, and we’ll announce to everybody we see that you killed Stew Baine.”
“The man who killed Stew Baine,” Brian added.
“Catchy, ain’t it?” Lee said.
“It is,” Brian nodded.
“So, is it a deal?” Lee looked at him.
Sergeant Wagons didn’t think for long.
“It’s a deal!” He exclaimed.
“Good,” Lee smiled, and he grabbed the shovel and tossed it to Sergeant Wagons. “You’d better get that grave dug. We need to leave as soon as possible.”
“Yes, sir,” Sergeant Wagons beamed, and then he got busy.
Lee watched him for a moment, and then he walked over to Stew and removed his gun belt.
He made sure that Sergeant Wagons wasn’t watching, and then he removed the cartridges from Stew’s Colt and dropped them in his pocket. Next, he placed new bullets into Stew’s gun, and he wrapped the belt around the Colt and put it in his saddlebags.
“Why’d you take out the empties?” Brian asked in a quiet voice.
“Getting rid of the evidence,” Lee replied, and then he gestured at Sergeant Wagons, who was already out of breath. “Well, I reckon we’d best help, or we’ll never get outta here.”
Brian nodded thoughtfully and followed after Lee.
Part Five
“Conclusion, And New Beginnings”
Chapter sixty-two
We dragged into Landry a day later.
We never stopped. We rode through the night and pressed on during the day. Wade seemed worried about an Indian attack, so there was no trouble.
Our horses were tired, we were tired, even Jug-head was tired.
I was especially tired. The bouncing in the saddle had taken its toll, and I was hunched over in the saddle.
“Well, we’re here,” Yancy said.
Wade’s face was sweat streaked like the rest of us. He took his hat off and wiped his face, and then he glared at me.
My combative juices started to stir as I sat up straight in the saddle. I returned the glare, and several seconds passed.
“You caused us a lot of trouble,” Wade broke the silence. “I’ll kill you for that.”
“You can try,” I replied.
“Can’t we talk about this?” Jeremiah spoke up.
“No,” Wade said. “We can’t.”
It was silent as we all thought on that, and Yancy cleared his throat.
“We’ll be in the street in the morning,” he said, and Rondo nodded.
“We’ll be there,” Wade declared.
I glanced at Choc, and our eyes met.
His face filled with scorn, and he said, “I’ll finish the job this time.”
“This time,” I replied. “I’ll be facing you.”
“It won’t make any difference,” he sneered. “Results will be the same.”
“We’ll see,” I said softly.
Yancy turned and looked at Jeremiah. It was a long, stern look, and Jeremiah swallowed uneasily.
Wade had no more to say, so he nudged his horse forward. Choc and Floyd followed, but Jeremiah hung back.
“I wish there was another way,” he said wistfully.
“There is,” Yancy replied.
“Not for Wade,” Jeremiah said. “He won’t change his mind. Believe me, I’ve tried.”
“I was talking about you.”
“You want me to run?” Jeremiah frowned. “I’m not a coward.”
“Didn’t say you was,” Yancy replied. “But you’re better than this.”
Jeremiah frowned thoughtfully, and he kicked up his horse and followed after Wade.
Chapter sixty-three
We watched them leave, and then we rode down the street to Kolorado’s livery stable.
Kolorado was sitting in his favorite spot, and he was chewing tobacco and whittling on a stick.
He studied us as we pulled up, and he spat out a long, brown stream of tobacco.
“I see you found ’em,” he gestured at Josie and me.
“Did,” Yancy nodded.
“You look horrible,” Kolorado told me as I painfully dismounted.
“Thanks.”
“Josie looks good though.”
“She always does,” I said, and I glanced at Josie and smiled.
“Can we stay here again?” Yancy asked.
“I’m surprised you even ask anymore,” Kolorado grumbled. He placed his stick beside the bench and stood. “Come on. Let’s get you settled.”
“’Preciate it,” Yancy said, and we led our horses inside.
“Saw them fellers you rode in with,” Kolorado commented while we unsaddled. “Rough look
ing bunch.”
“They are,” Yancy agreed.
“Will they be staying here too?”
“They won’t.”
“Good,” Kolorado said, and asked, “Are they friends of yours?”
“They are not,” Yancy replied. “Matter of fact, in the morning we’ve got some unpleasant business to settle.”
“How unpleasant?”
“As unpleasant as it gets.”
“In that case, you’d best pay me now.”
Yancy frowned, but he still dug in his pocket and pulled out some coins.
Kolorado took the money and turned towards the door.
“I come check on the stock every night, so don’t shoot me by accident,” he reminded.
“We won’t,” Yancy said.
Kolorado nodded, and then he was gone.
Chapter sixty-four
After the horses were tended to, we went over to the bathhouse. We took turns washing, and afterwards we felt refreshed.
That is, everyone but me. I was still hurting, and Josie demanded that we find a doctor.
I said no. I was tired, hungry, and in no mood to be doctored on.
After our baths, we walked down to the café and ate supper.
“Do you think Wade might try something tonight?” Rondo asked while we ate.
“Jeremiah should keep him in line,” Yancy replied.
“What if Wade doesn’t listen to him?”
“Then we’ll settle our disagreement earlier than we’d planned on,” Yancy smiled, and then his face got serious. “Just to be safe, I reckon we’d best keep watch tonight.”
Rondo and I nodded, and it fell silent as we finished supper. Meanwhile, Josie sat beside me looking worried.
I finally noticed her look, and I smiled as I looked into her soft, blue eyes.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“These men,” she explained. “They are bad men.”
“They are.”
“If you die, what happens to me?”
I hadn’t thought of that. I glanced at Yancy and Rondo and looked back at her.
“Nobody’s killed us yet, Josie,” I said. “I don’t think they can either.”
“We go,” she encouraged. “We go now, and everybody lives. We stay, and people die.”
“We can’t do that, Josie,” Yancy spoke up.
“Why not?”
“If we ran, Wade would just come after us,” Yancy explained. “And, I’m not one for looking over my shoulder. Best get it over with now.”
Josie didn’t reply, and she frowned irritably as she studied us.
“You are all very stubborn,” she finally said.
“Yes, ma’am,” Yancy agreed.
Chapter sixty-five
After we ate, we went back to the livery.
Kolorado was checking on the stock, and after he left we rolled out our bedrolls and turned in.
I wasn’t sleepy, so I volunteered for the first watch. Josie offered to sit with me, but I could tell that she was exhausted. I told her to get some sleep, and she didn’t argue.
I limped outside, sat on Kolorado’s bench, and pulled out my pipe. I packed it carefully, and then I lit it and took a deep puff.
I heard movement at the door. I glanced sideways and spotted Yancy.
“Can’t sleep?” I asked.
Yancy nodded and sat beside me. It was silent for a bit, and I chuckled.
“What is it?” Yancy asked.
“Seems like we’ve done this before,” I explained.
Yancy smiled faintly and nodded.
“Lot’s happened since then,” I commented.
“Has,” Yancy agreed, and he glanced curiously at me. “How are things with Josie?”
“We’re getting married,” I announced.
“Just like that?” Yancy was startled.
“Just like that,” I grinned.
Yancy pinched his face in thought, and then he nodded.
“I’m happy for you, Coop, I really am. After all we’ve been through these past few years, you deserve this.”
“I appreciate you saying that.”
Yancy nodded, and it was silent for a bit. I took another puff on my pipe, and then Yancy glanced at me.
“Seeing Jeremiah has sure brought back a lot of memories,” he said.
“Has for me too,” I agreed.
“Bothers me, him being with Wade.”
“Me too,” I nodded.
Before Yancy could reply, I spotted some movement down the street. I sat up and grabbed my rifle.
“See him?” I asked softly.
Yancy nodded as he stood and backed in the shadows.
“I only see one,” he told me.
I could see him too. He was walking straight towards us, so I pulled the hammer back on my rifle.
“Hold your fire, Coop,” a familiar voice called out. “It’s me, Jeremiah.”
“Your ears must have been burning,” I said as he walked up. “We were just talking about you.”
Jeremiah looked tired. He smiled faintly, and he just stood there looking uncomfortable.
“What do you want, Jeremiah?” Yancy asked. “We aren’t supposed to meet until morning.”
“That’s what I came to talk to you about.”
“Oh?” Yancy asked.
“I won’t be there,” he said. “I’m riding out tonight.”
It was silent as we thought on that.
“I told Wade he should let it go, but he won’t,” Jeremiah continued, and he looked at me. “He really hates you, Coop.”
“I don’t like him much either,” I replied.
“Well, I don’t want any part of it,” Jeremiah declared. “Especially with the history we have. I wanted you to know that.”
Yancy and I glanced at each other, and Yancy cleared his throat.
“I appreciate you letting us know,” he said.
Jeremiah nodded, and it was silent as we searched for words.
“Look out for Floyd tomorrow,” Jeremiah finally said. “He’s faster than he looks.”
“Figured he was,” Yancy nodded.
Jeremiah nodded back, and he turned to leave.
“Jeremiah?” Yancy called out.
“Yes?” He stopped and turned back.
“You’re too good a man to be running with the likes of them.”
“I know that,” Jeremiah replied softly, and then he was gone.
Chapter sixty-six
It was a quiet night.
We were all up early, so Yancy built a fire in the back and made some coffee. We rolled up our bedrolls and joined him.
We drank our coffee in silence.
Josie looked worried, and her soft eyes kept looking at me. There was a pleading look in them that made my heart melt, as if she was begging me to saddle up and leave. But, I couldn’t.
“How do you feel?” Yancy asked me.
“I’ll make it.”
Yancy frowned and studied me thoughtfully as he took a swig of coffee.
“Sun’s almost up,” Rondo commented.
Yancy nodded, and he swished what was left in his cup on the ground.
I did the same and looked at Josie.
“We’ll be back,” I said.
“You say that a lot,” she replied.
“And I mean it every time,” I smiled.
Josie didn’t reply. Instead, she just frowned.
“I’ll be back,” I said again, and I walked with Yancy and Rondo to the door.
“I’ll take Wade,” Yancy said as we checked our weapons.
“Choc shot me once already,” I said. “Think I’ll return the favor.”
“That leaves Floyd for you, Rondo,” Yancy said.
“He’s the one that stinks,” I added.
Rondo nodded as he slid his ivory-handled Colt back in his holster.
I held my Henry rifle, and if need be my Colt was loaded and ready. Yancy also had an extra Colt stuck in his waistband.
Suddenly,
the feeling came flooding all over me. My breathing slowed, and I felt calm and steady.
I looked at Rondo.
“Feel it?” I asked.
“I do,” he nodded.
I smiled, and Yancy moved to the door and looked out.
“They’re waiting,” he announced.
I looked once more at Josie, and then we stepped outside.
Chapter sixty-seven
We walked side by side down the street.
Yancy was in the middle, and Rondo and I were on the outsides. I was limping, but I managed to keep up.
Word had got out, and the street was empty. The wind was blowing some, and a whirlwind swirled by and stirred the dust.
Wade and his boys were standing in the middle of the street. They were spread out in a line, with Wade in the middle. Choc stood in front of me, and Floyd was in front of Rondo.
My heart thumped wildly, and I could feel blood flowing through my veins. My mouth was dry and my breath short.
We stopped when we were about thirty feet away. We just stood there, and nobody said anything.
Suddenly, everyone made a grab for their gun, and shots erupted all around.
I swung my rifle up and fired into Choc. But he was firing too, and something slammed hard into my side. I staggered backwards and fell, but not before I saw Choc go down.
As I hit the ground I saw that Floyd was down, and then I saw Wade fall.
It was over.
I looked sideways and saw Rondo. He was just standing there with his Colt in hand, and he had a wild look in his eyes.
Yancy was stretched out on the ground, lying face down. I was worried, but then I could tell that he was breathing.
I looked back at Rondo.
The wild look had faded, and he holstered his Colt. He glanced at me, and then he rushed to Yancy and knelt beside him. He rolled him over, and Yancy groaned.
“You all right?” Rondo asked.
Yancy tried to nod.
“You hang on,” Rondo said as he stood. “I’ll go find some help.”
Rondo took off.
A few seconds passed, and I heard the sound of running feet. I looked and saw Josie hurrying down the street.