Guns of Wrath

by Colin Bainbridge

  Any chance of getting away unobserved was now gone. All he could do was to steer the wagon and try to get away from the town as quickly as possible. Above the rattling and swaying of the wagon he became conscious of shouts coming from the direction of the Crystal Arcade. The wagon was thundering down the street, bumping and bouncing and almost throwing the reverend from his seat.

  He was approaching the quay and he could see light glinting on the water ahead of him. He attempted to turn the wagon as the jetty loomed up but there was no way he could do it. He hauled hard at the reins in a last desperate effort to avoid disaster but it was no good. The spooked horses were not responding and the next moment the wagon had crashed over the quayside into the black waters of the Big Muddy. Bent was flung from his seat as the wagon loomed over him, seeming to float for a time before slowly leaning sideways and sinking into the waters. The horses were struggling in the traces and the reverend swam to them, trying desperately to set them free.

  Lights were moving in the town and people were approaching the riverbank. Without waiting to see what might happen next, the reverend began to swim. His clothes were dragging him down and the water felt cold. The current was carrying him downstream and although it was not too far across to the opposite bank, he was finding it hard to make progress towards it. On the quayside people were running about waving flaming brands and shouting. A shot rang out, followed by another. He had no idea how close they were or whether anybody had even seen him. All his efforts were aimed at reaching the opposite bank but his strength was beginning to fade.

  He felt himself sinking and with a burst of desperate energy began to beat the water with fierce strokes. He heard more shots and spray spattered into his face. He dipped his head below the surface and continued swimming until his bursting lungs forced him back to the surface. He was disoriented and wasn’t sure in which direction he needed to continue. He looked back and saw that the lights on the shore had become more distant. He had travelled a considerable way downstream and he reckoned he was out of reach of any pursuers. Now he needed to gain the shore before his strength finally faded.

  Suddenly he became aware of something else in the water beside him. He was confused and couldn’t make out what it was. Then he realized that it was a horse. He thought that it must be one of his own horses, which had somehow got free, but as his strength dwindled and he was about to be sucked under by the weight of his garments, he felt an arm reaching down to him. He grasped it. The water was churning with dim shapes that looked like snakes to his confused eyes, then another pair of arms seized him and he felt himself being pulled from the water.

  He was on the back of a horse and there was another horse alongside it. He clung on to the rider as the horse swam towards the riverbank, which now was much closer at hand. Both horses were swimming gallantly, their heads raised above the water, then he sensed that their feet had touched bottom. They began to rise out of the water and then they were struggling up the river bank till at last they were clear. The horses came to a halt and he was helped down and laid on the grass. He began to splutter but after a few moments he stopped.

  ‘Guess that just weren’t the right sort of sermon,’ a voice said.

  He opened his eyes and looked up. ‘Bannock!’ he gasped.

  He looked across at the second man. It was Briggs.

  ‘Take it easy. Get your breath back. Here, take this.’ Bannock handed him a flask and he took a swallow.

  ‘I don’t know as how you approve of whiskey,’ the oldster said.

  ‘I approve of it,’ the reverend replied.

  The whiskey bit but he felt restored. He sat up.

  ‘What in tarnation are you two doin’ here?’ he said.

  Bannock looked back down the river. Flickering lights and an occasional shout indicated the town.

  ‘We’re still too close to those varmints for my likin’,’ he said. ‘If you’re up to it, Reverend, I figure to put some more distance between us and Cayuse Landing. Then we can build a fire and you can dry off.’

  ‘I’ll be OK,’ the reverend replied. With an effort he rose to his feet.

  ‘Get up alongside me,’ Briggs said.

  They mounted up again and set off, moving away from the river. It was late when they eventually stopped. When Bannock and Briggs had a fire going the reverend was able at last to dry out.

  ‘I got a feelin’ somethin’ like this happened before, only then it was the other way round,’ he said. ‘I got to thank you boys. I don’t reckon I’d have got out of that river without your help.’

  When they had eaten the reverend was in a fit state to tell his story. After he had finished Bannock and Briggs explained what had happened to them since leaving him to ride for the Lazy Acre.

  ‘It was just pure luck that we were in town. We’d not long left Jenny in the care of the doc when we heard all the noise and commotion. We didn’t expect to find you at the centre of it all. It sure was the dangdest thing to see your wagon in the water!’

  The reverend looked pensively at his companions.

  ‘Whichever way we turn,’ he said, ‘it seems like we come up against Wilder.’

  ‘Yeah, it sure seems that way,’ Bannock replied. ‘But what do you think he was after with you?’

  ‘I don’t know. I just got a feelin’ when I saw Sabin that it didn’t look good. I guess I was proved right. Like I say, they left some galoot in the back of the wagon to wait for me. I don’t know if things were meant to turn out like they did, but I just couldn’t afford to take no chances.’

  Bannock thought for a moment. ‘Wilder’s quarrel is with me and Comfort. I figure you just got mixed up in it.’

  ‘If Wilder’s lookin’ for you,’ Briggs said to Bannock, ‘he might have figured that the reverend might be able to tell him where to find you.’

  ‘After what happened tonight, Wilder’s quarrel with Bannock and Comfort is mine now,’ Bent said. ‘Especially after what you just told me about Jenny.’

  ‘I figured you didn’t aim to get mixed up in no violence,’ Briggs said. ‘It don’t seem to square with your preachin’.’

  ‘Yeah. That’s what I figured too. Looks like a man sometimes ain’t got no choice.’

  Bannock did not reply. He was thinking that it was mighty convenient that the reverend had had a gun on him when he got back to the wagon. He certainly seemed to know how to use it.

  ‘Guess I ain’t likely to see no more of my wagon,’ the reverend mused. ‘Or my horses. Even if they got ’em both out of the river.’

  ‘I’m sorry,’ Briggs said. ‘I suppose all your stuff was in that wagon?’

  ‘It don’t matter,’ Bent replied. He lapsed into silence.

  ‘It’s too late to do anythin’ more tonight,’ Bannock said. ‘I figure we might as well try and catch up on some shut-eye.’

  The reverend turned to face him. ‘What are you boys plannin’ on doin’ next?’ he said.

  ‘We agreed to meet Comfort at the Black Stirrup. It was kind of a loose arrangement, but I reckon that’s what we do.’

  ‘Any objections if I come along?’ the reverend asked.

  ‘None at all,’ Bannock replied.

  ‘You’re forgettin’ he ain’t got no horse,’ Briggs interposed.

  ‘That isn’t a problem,’ Bannock replied. ‘Nobody knows you in Cayuse Landing. You can stop by at the livery stables and pick one up, or even borrow Miss Jenny’s.’

  ‘Better get me a rifle,’ the reverend said. ‘The way things are shapin’, I reckon I might be needin’ one.’

  Spending time at the Lazy Acre had done something to restore Corrina’s shattered nerves. Her brother was not badly injured but he needed time and rest for the wound to heal. There was no question of either of them leaving the Lazy Acre in a hurry, so Corrina resolved to make best use of the time. Both Uncle Winslow and Aunt Lucinda were happy to have them stay on, and Aunt Lucinda’s ministrations were just what Corrina needed.

  As the immediate rawness o
f the whole episode faded, she began to feel restored. Life took on again its patina of ordinariness and routine. While she felt unwilling to leave the farm, the days passed in a pleasant round of mundane activities; gardening, feeding the hens, helping her aunt with household chores, knitting, reading. She bumped across Harlin occasionally, but it wasn’t often and after an initial awkwardness they resumed their familiar roles.

  She sometimes thought of the stranger on the boat with the blue eyes, but the recollection faded. She could not now dissociate that encounter from its aftermath, which was reason enough for her to put it away from her.

  Just now she was sitting on the veranda, having just come back from a walk with her aunt. It was a fine day. Chickens scuffled in the dust of the yard and the quiet was punctuated by the snuffling of pigs. As she looked out across the fields, she saw a cloud of dust on the track which led up to the farmhouse and after a time a group of riders appeared, among whom she recognized the upright figure of her uncle.

  ‘Aunt Lucinda!’ she called.

  Her aunt appeared on the doorstep and looked at the approaching group.

  ‘Looks like we’ve got visitors,’ Corrina said.

  ‘Your uncle mentioned something about meeting some folks in town,’ Aunt Lucinda replied. ‘Looks like he’s decided to bring ’em on out to the farm.’

  The riders were still some distance away but Aunt Lucinda was able to pick out individuals.

  ‘Well,’ she said, ‘that’s Sam and Joe. No surprise there. I guess they must have finished their work for the day. But ain’t that Mr Richards and old Lem Ruddock?’

  Noticing Corrina’s lack of comprehension, she added: ‘Neighbours. They run a couple of farms near by.’

  As they got closer, Corrina recognized the two men Aunt Lucinda had referred to as Sam and Joe. They were the same Lazy Acre employees who had been involved in the killing of her molester.

  ‘What are they doing here?’ Corrina asked.

  Aunt Lucinda shook her head. ‘Lords-a-mercy, I don’t know nothin’ more than I already told you. Winslow don’t always let me know just what he’s doin’. I ain’t sure he always knows himself.’

  The riders pulled up in the yard and raised their hats to the two ladies on the veranda before dismounting.

  ‘Good to see you,’ Lem Ruddock said. ‘You’re looking well.’

  Aunt Lucinda made a sort of curtsy.

  ‘You’re welcome,’ she said. ‘Although I might have wished my husband had given me some warning.’

  Uncle Winslow came up close to his wife and, putting his arm around her, kissed her on the forehead.

  ‘Sorry, Lucinda,’ he said. ‘We didn’t plan on this. Business is takin’ a little longer than we reckoned.’

  Lucinda turned to the others.

  ‘Well, you’ll just have to take us as you find us.’

  ‘These folks will be stayin’ overnight. They can use the barn. There should be a few more joinin’ us first thing in the morning.’

  For the first time Lucinda’s face registered concern.

  ‘What’s this all about?’ she asked.

  Winslow hugged her. ‘Nothin’ you need worry your head about.’

  Uncle Winslow introduced Corrina to the two farmers, whom she had not met before. Harlin appeared to deal with the horses. As they went inside, Corrina couldn’t help but notice that, for a meeting of farmers, they all appeared to be well armed. She had a curious intimation that their presence was somehow due to her and felt a flickering suggestion of the feeling she thought she’d got over: that unsettling sensation of suddenly peering into an abyss. Just at that moment the door to the bedroom where Daniel had been recuperating flew open and Daniel appeared.

  ‘What are you doing out of bed?’ Aunt Lucinda said.

  Daniel advanced into the room. ‘I’m all right, Aunty,’ he said. ‘I shoulda been up and about days ago.’

  He moved across the floor to where his uncle was standing. ‘I saw you comin’ and I reckon I can guess what’s goin’ on,’ he said. ‘Well, I’m comin’ right along with you.’

  His uncle looked at him closely. For a moment he seemed to consider the boy’s words then he nodded.

  ‘You got as big a stake in this as any of the rest of us,’ he said. ‘That varmint who dry-gulched you was one of Wilder’s boys. We all got reason to want him dealt with. If you feel you’re fit to ride with us, I ain’t gonna say no.’

  It was very late when Comfort and Annie turned in for the night and daylight had spread across the sky before they began to stir. Neither of them seemed keen to get moving, and they took their time over breakfast.

  ‘I sure am glad that you found Jenny safe and well,’ Annie said. ‘If I’d taken the main trail out of Cayuse Landing I might have caught up with her myself.’

  ‘You assumed she’d been taken by Wilder?’

  ‘What else was I to think after what happened last time?’

  ‘Sure. I guess it made sense to take the trail towards the Black Stirrup.’

  ‘I would have rode right on in but it got late and I wanted time to think. I guess it was just as well.’

  They finished breakfast. Annie poured coffee for them both.

  ‘You say you were headin’ for the Lazy Acre?’ Annie said.

  ‘Yeah.’

  ‘That time, you know, when you were sick and I helped to look after you . . .’

  ‘You didn’t just help. If it hadn’t have been for you, I would never have pulled through.’

  ‘That’s as maybe. I was goin’ to say that you told me then about Laidler. Seems kinda strange, don’t it, that after all this time, you should be led right here. I know Winslow Clayburne. It seems even stranger that he should be the very person you’ve been lookin’ for. I know him. Not well, but a little. Are you sure he’s the same man?’

  ‘Pretty sure. And so is Briggs. He reckons that Clayburne knows about him too.’

  They fell silent until Annie spoke again.

  ‘So what are you gonna do now?’ she said. ‘Are you gonna ride on to the Lazy Acre?’

  Comfort looked at her and it seemed to him there was more to that question than her words implied. He felt a strange inertia. It was good to be sitting beside her. Suddenly he felt he didn’t want to leave her. It seemed to him almost not to matter what he did next as long as she was with him. He was casting about in his mind for an answer when all thoughts were driven away by a sound which came to his ears and which he identified at once, faint though it was. It was the sound of galloping horses. Annie heard it too and a look of alarm spread across her features.

  ‘Could it be your friends Bannock and Briggs?’ she asked.

  He shook his head. ‘Too many of ’em,’ he said. ‘Maybe Wilder realizes we’re here. Whoever it is, we’d best find shelter.’

  Without wasting a moment’s time he jumped up and kicked out the fire, pouring the rest of the coffee on to the embers. Then they gathered up their things and mounted their horses. Comfort looked about him. Away to their right the land rose towards some low hills.

  ‘We’ll head that way,’ he said. ‘There’s a better chance of finding cover.’

  Applying their spurs, they rode hard in the direction Comfort had indicated. The breeze blew the sound of horses to their ears but, looking back, Comfort could see no sign of riders yet. One thing struck him. The riders were coming from the direction in which he had been riding with Bannock and Briggs when they found Jenny. It might not mean anything, but it was not the direction of the Black Stirrup.

  They continued riding till they were among the low-lying hills. Away off the trail some rocky outcrops stood up out of the surrounding terrain.

  ‘Over that way!’ Comfort shouted.

  They turned off the trail they had been following and continued to ride hard till they found themselves approaching the rocks, when they drew rein.

  ‘We’ll get down here and hide the horses behind those boulders,’ Comfort said.

  Quickly, they le
d the horses into the shelter of the rocks and then, taking their rifles, took position themselves behind a screen of rocks and scrub. Comfort regarded Annie’s rifle.

  ‘You know how to fire that thing?’ he said.

  She smiled. ‘Yes, of course I do.’ She drew aside her coat enough for him to see the handle of the Smith & Wesson in her belt. ‘I know how to fire this too,’ she said.

  Comfort nodded. ‘There shouldn’t be any need to use them,’ he said, ‘but it don’t pay to take no chances.’

  She closed her jacket and as she moved to adjust her position she slipped and bumped against Comfort. He put out a hand to steady her and looked down at the same moment that she looked up at him. Without realizing what he was doing, he put his hand behind her head and, drawing his face to hers, kissed her on the lips.

  ‘I was hopin’ you’d do that,’ she said.

  He kissed her again, then glanced over her head along the trail they had ridden.

  ‘Do you see anything?’ she said.

  A cloud of dust was moving across the landscape, coming in their direction. They both sat up and observed its passage. Comfort put his field glasses to his eyes. He could discern about a dozen riders.

  ‘Which way is the Black Stirrup?’ Comfort said.

  Annie pointed along the trail they had turned off.

  ‘It could be a bunch of Wilder’s boys headed back from town,’ Annie said.

  ‘If it is, there’s an awful lot of ’em and they seem to be comin’ from the wrong direction, unless they took the long way round.’

  They continued to watch. The riders were making rapid progress and soon they were approaching the spot where Comfort and Annie had made camp. Comfort was expecting them to ride on but instead they drew to a halt. He looked closely though the field glasses.