by S G Read
THE RELUCTANT BOUNTY HUNTER
CHAPTER 1
Duncan Lee was fighting in the civil war for the union army, until the war ended. After that he found he was out of the army and looking for work, on his own with fifty dollars to his name. He expected more from the side he had fought for, especially when his uncle was a general on the opposite side but did not get it. He left from the fort he spent the last three months in and rode away without a glance back. He headed west to try to find work, at a time when work was in short supply. He rode all day, then made camp for the night. He was a very careful man and had fought both Indians and confederates during the war. His carefulness was the only reason he was still alive so he did not sleep in the blanket by the fire, which was plumped up to indicate someone was under it. He slept some distance away on higher ground. For once nothing happened and the morning sun found him riding on. He bypassed town after town, when he did not like the look of them, not venturing into a town, until he came to a town named Martinsburg. He looked at it from a distance and decided to ride in. The town seemed deserted with the exception of two old men who were talking in front of the saloon.
‘Howdy; any work round here.’ Duncan asked amiably.
The older looking man chuckled. ‘Work, now that is funny.’ He declared. ‘Not been a lot of that round here since the war ended but if you are short of money, you could chase after the posse who are after the men who robbed the bank.’
‘Which way did they go?’
The old man pointed south.
‘Thanks old timer.’ Duncan said amiably, turned his horse and rode up to the town jail.
Inside the deputy sat behind the desk and Duncan walked inside.
‘Hi there, I hear you had a robbery in town.’
‘We sure did, it was the Baker gang. The posse lit out after them.’
‘So I hear. The old man by the saloon said I ought to go after the posse to help when I said I was here to look for work.’
‘No work round here feller but there is a reward for the safe return of the banks money, there is also a reward for the Baker Game dead or alive if you are lucky enough to get them into your sights. Some have tried to bring them in alive but they are some mean sons of bitches and the ones trying to bring them in all died trying. If I ever get close enough, I will just start a shooting!’
‘What do they look like?’ Duncan asked, trying to be practical.
‘I got some flyers here with their likeness on them but take my advice, shoot first and ask questions later!’
Duncan took the flyers and a few others the deputy offered, just in case he came across them. ‘I’ll remember that if I should run into them.’
Duncan rode out of town going north to keep well away from the posse. Even then he thought it was wise to know what the bank robbers looked like. After two hours he came to a flat piece of prairie with mostly scrub bush on it and with higher ground either side of it. The prairie might have been wide enough to be able to miss anyone riding through it but he chose to pick his way up a trail on to the higher ground to make sure no one was about. It took a while to get up there and when he made it, he chose a spot to rest his horse. He took the Buffalo rifle out of the saddle and used the telescopic sight to look about to see who was about on the prairie. He saw a tree right in the middle which looked like the only tree on the prairie and looked first left the way he was coming from before he chose to go to higher ground and then right the way he was traveling to. At the end he was traveling to he saw a group of Indians on their ponies going toward where he had just come up from. They did not look like a war party as two of them looked quite young but he was glad he had chosen to go up to where he was, out of the way. He chose to wait to see where they went before he moved on. He had fought Indians in the war and he had seen a lot of men, women and children killed on both sides. They rode out of sight and Duncan looked about for anyone else before he made a decision to ride down. Suddenly the two young Indians, a buck and a squaw rode back on one horse. The horse fell throwing off the two riders and rolled over. Duncan watched with interest trying to figure out what was going on and saw four riders come into view pistols drawn. They caught up the two young Indians easily as they were now on foot. The buck was clubbed to the ground by one of the men as another picked up the squaw. Unknown to Duncan and the men below a large party of Indians were watching from the opposite high ground but as much as they wanted to get down there and stop what was happening, they had no chance, as by the time they did get down there it would be over and the men would be gone. The chief watched with a heavy heart as it was his son and daughter.
The buck was dragged to the tree and tied to it and Duncan started to erect the stand for the buffalo rifle, all the time keeping an eye on what was going on below. He fished the flyers out of his coat pocket and looked at the faces, while the men below were busy with the young squaw. She fought like a tiger but one tore her dress off her then, while she still struggled, she was tied spread-eagled by the hands and feet. They hammered pegs into the ground with pistol butts to keep her from scratching them anymore. He recognised three of them as being part of the Baker gang and put the sight back on his buffalo rifle. As he lined up for the first shot the leader was dropping his trousers to ravish the pretty young squaw. He never made it to the ground but flew sideways as Duncan shot him. Duncan reloaded and shot a second while they were trying to find where the shot came from a third leapt on his horse to escape and flew back off it when Duncan shot him. The fourth rode away but Duncan just lined up on him and shot him anyway.
The chief watched it all unfold and issued instructions to his braves. Using an army telescope they spotted Duncan, as he was cooling down the buffalo gun with water, to enable him to put it away. They watched him start down a steep slope in front of him twisting this way and that to keep the horse from falling. At the bottom Duncan rode toward the tree, which he could still see in the distance. The chief waited before he sent his braves down to help as Duncan would be there first.
Duncan rode up to where the young squaw was tethered naked on the ground, dismounted from his horse and covered her with a blanket before cutting one hand free with his knife. When one hand was free he put the knife into her free hand so that she could free herself and then the young buck. He started making sure the men were dead and then caught one horse ready to take the dead men back with him. When the squaw cut the buck free Duncan pointed to the other horses and indicated by holding the rein of the one he had caught and pointing at the others for him to collect them. It seemed to work as the buck collected one horse, climbed on it and collected the other two bringing them back to where Duncan and the squaw stood. Duncan loaded the three members of the gang who had rewards on their heads and left the remaining one where he lay. He pointed to the spare horse and again tried to indicate that it was for them to ride away on. The buck took the saddle off the horse and they both climbed aboard, after the squaw had offered Duncan his blanket back. He let her keep it; after all he could afford a new one now! He watched them ride away then turned his horse to go back to town with his three corpses. Now he rode openly across the plain with the three horses in tow behind. He did not see the three Indians who started to follow him, they were making sure he did not see them.
Duncan rode on oblivious to the danger behind him, crossed the plain unmolested and started up the trail toward Martinsburg. As evening started to draw in and he was considering stopping somewhere for the night, when he smelled smoke. After a few minutes he saw a fire in front and went to ride by the campsite but a man stepped out in front of his horse.
‘Hi stranger, looking for somewhere to stop for the night with that valuable cargo.’ The man asked amiably but Duncan knew he had t
rouble. This man was likely to have friends and they were not in sight, any move on his part was likely to end badly. ‘The Baker gang is it? The man asked.
‘It is.’ Duncan answered carefully.
‘My friends and I are going to help you take them in to town.’
‘And what if I don’t need any help?’ Duncan asked easing his position in the saddle to try to find the man’s accomplices.
‘Not a good answer.’
‘Well as there is only one of you I cannot think of a reason to worry.’ Duncan answered.
‘I would argue with that.’ A second man said from behind him.
‘So would I.’ another man said from the side, he carried a rifle by his side.
‘Step down from the horse stranger.’ The man in the front ordered.
‘I don’t think that would be wise.’ Duncan answered. ‘I would like to point out that as you are in front you will be the one who I will shoot first.’
‘I very much doubt if you will get a shot off.’ The man behind him answered and Duncan heard him slam a bullet into the breech of his rifle.
Duncan knew the outcome would not be good but he went for his pistol. Before his pistol was clear of its holster Duncan saw the man in front draw his gun. As the man went to shoot an arrow slammed into his chest and he crumpled into a heap. Duncan turned to shoot the second man and saw he was dead. He turned to look behind and found the man behind him dead, both had arrows in their backs. Duncan looked round but could not see the Indians who had fired the arrows. He waited a few seconds but when no arrows came in his direction he rode on, giving up the idea of stopping to camp for the night, in favour of going straight into town with his cargo. No one stopped him riding away and he saw no one as he rode on.
Behind him the three Indians appeared, scalped their victiMs. and collect anything they wanted from the possessions of the dead men including their horses. One Indian took the three horses and rode away leaving the two remaining Indians to follow Duncan.
Duncan knew nothing and rode on in the failing light until the moon made travelling easier. The town lights shone out in front of him telling him he was close to safety. He rode into town and hitched his horse at the rail in front of the sheriff’s office. A light inside made him think the sheriff was at home and he tried the door. The door opened and Duncan strode inside.
‘Back again stranger?’ The deputy asked from the doorway to the room at the rear.
‘I have the Baker gang out there, well three of them anyway; where is the sheriff?
‘He’ll be down at the saloon by now.’ The deputy replied. ‘I’ll walk down and get him, you wait here.’ When he went out, the deputy lifted the face of each dead outlaw in turn before he hurried away to get the sheriff.
Duncan waited patiently until the sheriff arrived and did the same as the deputy, he checked each face to see who they were. The deputy came in and took a lantern out after nodding to Duncan before he did so. When he was satisfied the sheriff walked in and took out a sheet of paper. He sat at the desk and wrote on the sheet.
‘Sign here and I’ll get it off to Harpersville to get confirmation about the pay out.’ He said and slid the paper in front of Duncan.
Duncan signed it.
‘So how long does that take?’ He asked.
‘If I telegraph it out tonight we should hear tomorrow.’ The sheriff answered.
‘Is there any room in the hotel?’ Duncan asked.
‘If there isn’t there will be, if I ask them to find you a room.’ The sheriff answered.
‘Then I’ll be in the hotel when you hear.’ Duncan replied and walked outside. He unhitched his horse from the hitch rail and untied the other horses from his horse and hitched one to the hitch rail before he walked his horse up to the livery stable.
When the horse was stabled he walked to the hotel and booked a room. The hotel had a bar and he chose to have a drink before he went upstairs. While he was there with his one drink he was aware of the interest in him but no one spoke to him, apart from the bartender who served him. He finished his drink and walked up the wide staircase to his room. He slept well after making sure the door was locked and the window secure, even though he had just spent the last of his money, it meant that there was no reason to break into his room but he was careful.
He woke with the sun and ate the breakfast which came with the room then walked down to the sheriff’s office.
‘Good morning sheriff.’ He said when he found him.
‘Good morning Mr. Lee. I have heard from Harpersville and your money should be sent out but it will take a week to arrive.’
‘A week!’ Duncan exclaimed. ‘What am I supposed to do for a week?’
‘I can arrange credit at the hotel, livery and saloon while you wait.’ The sheriff offered.
‘No thank you I will go out on to the prairie and wait, I will come back in a week.’
‘As you wish, I will see you in a week then.’ The sheriff answered amiably and returned to what he had been doing before Duncan interrupted him.
Duncan collected his horse and rode out of town unaware that eyes watched him. He retraced the route which took him to the ledge overlooking the plain, the same ledge he had shot the outlaws from. One Indian rode off while the other Indian stayed to watch what Duncan did. Duncan unsaddled his horse and settled down to light a fire to brew coffee on. He had enough beef jerky, coffee and beans to keep him going for a week.
The Indian who had ridden off, rode on until he came to the tribe’s village and rode up to the Chief’s teepee. There was no pomp or reaction but the chief opened the teepee door and motioned the brave inside. A few minutes later the chief climbed on his horse and rode away. Six braves immediately did the same and followed him a horse’s length behind. He rode to the bottom of the trail which lead up to the ledge and jumped off his horse. The Indian who was watching Duncan greeted his chief but an argument started when the chief started to go up to where Duncan was camping, on his own but the chief was adamant and left the brave where he stood. Duncan heard nothing as the old chief approached and only knew he had company when the chief stood in front of him.
Duncan looked up in surprise. ‘Howdy.’
The chief answered in his language but neither really knew what the other was saying. In the end Duncan motioned the Indian chief to sit and he did. After that a conversation mostly in mime ensued, until Duncan understood that he was invited back somewhere, possibly their village to eat. It was either that or they were going to eat him!
Duncan followed the chief down leading his horse behind him and saw the braves waiting below. The chief mounted his horse and Duncan mounted his then they were on their way. Duncan followed where they led, without knowing just what was going on. When they rode into the Indian village he knew he had understood what they wanted but now he would find out what it was all about. He had not been this close to so many Indians before.
The chief jumped off his horse and held the door to his teepee open for Duncan to go in. Duncan ducked inside the teepee and waited.
‘You should sit here.’ A squaw standing on the far side of the teepee ordered, in passable English.
‘Thank you.’ Duncan answered feeling more at home with someone there he could understand. He settled down where she indicated and the chief sat opposite him.
From then on the chief spoke and the squaw translated as best she could. Duncan found out who the two young Indians he had saved were, chief Running Wolf’s children. They talked via the interpreter for some time then more squaws brought food in and Duncan had to admit that it was a lot better than beef jerky. He was asked why he took three bodies back and left the forth and Duncan explained about outlaws and bounties as best he could. When he was asked why he was on the ledge. He explained that he had no money until the reward was paid and the chief immediately invited him to stay in the village and with food like that Duncan did not argue. It also meant he could sleep well, as he no longer had to worry about Indians.
That night when he settled down to sleep, a pretty squaw came into the tent and lay down beside him. It had been a long time since he made love to a woman and the squaw made sure he knew that she was there for his pleasure. It was late when he finally went to sleep and he slept well.
In the morning he met the two young Indians he had saved from the outlaws and the girl started to teach him their language despite speaking little English. Duncan taught her English as she taught him Pawnee. Later he joined in games they played and even wrestled two braves, beating both of them after a struggle.
The week carried on the same with him learning Pawnee, as the girl who he knew now was little deer, learned more English. Little Buck the young brave he saved made sure Duncan spent time with him, as this was as close as he had ever been to a live white man.
The week passed quickly and Duncan found himself reluctantly climbing on his horse to go into town. When the squaw who had been sleeping with him was ready to go with him he found out that she was actually a present from the chief but one who volunteered to be Duncan’s squaw. Duncan explained to Morning Sun, the squaw, where he was going and why but told her to wait and he would be back as soon as possible.
When he finally left the village he was alone but as soon as he had banked the money he would be back to his ‘present’. He rode to the prairie and straight across it as far as the trail. He passed the camp where the men who had tried to rob him still lay and determined to bury them on the way back. He also determined to find a place to build a cabin for his new wife.
He rode into town and straight to the sheriff’s office.
‘Hello Mr. Lee.’ The sheriff greeted looking up from where he sat. ‘I have your money.’ He counted out the money and dropped it on to the desk. ‘The bank is grateful for the return of their money.’
‘Thank you, I intend to open an account there, so make sure it doesn’t get robbed again.’
The sheriff laughed. ‘Well if it does, you will be the first person I tell.’
Duncan walked down to the bank, leaving his horse tied to the rail outside the sheriff’s office; inside he joined the queue for a teller. When it was his turn, he opened an account but kept back thirty dollars for supplies. Afterwards he walked to the store to stock up. He was planning to have somewhere to take his newly acquired spouse, rather than share a tepee with the Pawnee chief. He filled his saddle bags and rode out of town, for once not worried about running into Indians but instead of riding straight back to the village he chose to follow the route that took him away from the trail up to the ledge which had been so useful. He passed the trail into the area where the killing had taken place, in favour of seeing where the trail he was on led. As he rode on he was aware that the trail was veering to the right forced that way by the high rock face it was following. He remembered that the cliff on the other side did not deviate from the straight line it took apart from the odd buttress or fissure. It meant a longer ride to get back to the Indian village but he kept riding. The wind picked up and fallen leaves flew about lifted by dust devils which swirled them up then let them fall again. One leaf did not fall but flew sideways to where creepers covered the rock face. It stayed against the creepers as if held by an invisible hand and was joined by another until the wind dropped and they fell to the ground. It caught Duncan’s attention and he stopped next to the creepers but nothing was visible and no wind was blowing. He was about to ride on when the wind picked up again and he was aware of a draught coming from the creepers. He climbed off his horse and walked up to the creepers to see where the draught came from and found a narrow opening in the rock. He stepped back to look at the creepers in greater detail but it was obvious that they had not been disturbed for some time. If that was the case, he considered it safe to venture inside but he took the precaution of taking both a candle and his pistol before he did so. He tied his horse to a tree and carefully pushed through the creepers, to see where the opening went. He had to shield the candle against the wind when it blew but he managed to keep it alight. The opening travelled straight forward then turned right a few paces, later it turned left again and there was light coming from in front of him, sunlight! He walked on until he stepped out into sunlight on the other side of the rock face but he was not on the plain but in a valley surrounded by rock faces. He blew out the candle and walked out into the valley just to see what was in there. There were tall trees, low bushes and grass growing in front of him. He had to walk past the obstructions to see what lie behind. He found a stream flowing across the little valley and followed it until it disappeared into the rocks. To him, it looked like it was further up the trail he had been following, before he took this detour. He stood looking across the valley, his valley and could think of no better place for his cabin. He had a choice to make go and get the squaw so that they could build the cabin together or build it now before he went back to the Indian village. The more he thought about it the more he knew the answer, with the squaw there, it would take a long time to build a cabin and it needed to be built before the winter snows. He walked back through the cave and made sure he did not disturb anything, then rode back to town for tools and whatever else he thought he might need. When he returned he stopped at the creepers, looked around then dismounted to lead his horse through into the valley. The horse was skittish at first but quite happy when they were through as the grass there was luscious and there was lots of it. He started looking for wood in his little valley cutting wood to give him room to build the cabin and leaving some to keep his privacy, should someone come through the opening. The cut logs were dragged up to the site of the cabin and his cabin slowly took shape. He had plans for a proper bed, like the beds in the hotel and a range to cook on but how he would get them there he did not know, as he did not want to share his little paradise with anyone but Morning Sun. He slept under the stars but here he slept well and the rising sun woke him when it cleared the top of the rocks, which had guarded this place so well. He cooked breakfast then continued with the cabin going further and further into the valley for logs but finding enough. The third day found him putting on the roof and preparing the cabin for its guest. There were no chairs, no table and no bed but it would still be home for them. When it was completed as far as he could, with the tools he had with him, he chose to ride to the Indian village. He rode the way he had been heading when he came out from the opening but it took a while to find a trail which led past the rocky barrier. He found the stream which ran through the valley where it appeared out of the rocks on the other side of the trail passing underneath before it cascaded into a pool and then on in a stream just as it was inside the valley. There was a rough trail which followed the stream and another trail on his left, which was the one he now followed. The Indian village was across the plain and he saw no one as he rode across, although eyes were watching his progress. He took the trail the other side and soon found he was not alone, as Little Buck rode up and took his place beside Duncan. They both rode on in silence until they rode into the Indian village. Morning Sun came running out to greet him and she led him into Running Wolf’s tepee.