by Tell Cotten
“How ’bout a town council?”
“Nope, ain’t got one of them neither.”
“So who’s in charge?”
The old-timer grinned and lifted his rifle.
“Whoever’s the best with one of these.”
“And who would that be?”
“That ain’t too clear at the moment. As for me; I just tend to my business and keep to myself.”
“That’s a good way to be.”
“I think so,” the old-timer agreed.
It fell silent as Lee thought on what to do.
His first impulse was to ride on. The young woman could cause all sorts of trouble in a town like this, especially without any law.
Then again, Lee was running low on supplies, and he also had a hankering for a meal cooked by someone else other than himself. And, he also needed time to think, because he had no idea what to do next.
He decided to stay for at least one night.
“Is this the only livery stable in town?” Lee asked.
“There’s another one on the other side of town, but this one’s the best.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because I own this one.”
Lee smiled.
“That’s a good reason. Do you have two empty stalls?”
The old-timer looked confused.
“You only have one horse.”
“That’s right. The other stall’s for us,” Lee explained.
The old-timer frowned.
“In case you’re interested, there is a boarding house down the street, and there’s also a hotel. For a dollar more you can even get your own room.”
“I want to stay here,” Lee declared.
“You’re a peculiar sort,” the old-timer frowned.
Lee smiled. He helped the young woman dismount, and then Lee stepped out of the saddle.
“Fifty cents a stall,” the old-timer said quickly.
Lee nodded. He dug in his pocket and flipped a dollar coin over to him.
The old-timer caught it and pocketed it, and then he led them inside.
“Price includes hay for your horse,” he said as he pointed out two stalls. “But, you and your woman will have to fend for yourselves.”
Lee agreed, and then he started unsaddling his horse.
“Have you been in a fight recently?” The old-timer asked as he studied Lee’s face.
“Sort-a.”
“Looks like you lost.”
Lee didn’t reply. Instead, he looked over at the young woman and smiled. He wasn’t sure, but he thought that she almost smiled back.
“If you need anything, my name’s Colorado,” the old-timer said. He hesitated and added, “With a ‘K’.”
“How’s that?”
“Colorado with a ‘K’,” he said again.
“Kolorado?” Lee asked, and he emphasized the ‘K’.
“That’s right.”
“What’s the difference?”
“I like to be different,” Kolorado explained. “Few years back I needed a new name, and I’ve always liked how Kolorado sounded.”
“Unless you tell ’em, nobody’ll even know,” Lee objected.
“I know,” Kolorado declared.
Lee frowned as he stared at him, and then he smiled wryly.
“You’re a peculiar sort,” he said.
Kolorado nodded, and Lee put his horse in the stall and fed him. Meanwhile, Kolorado studied the young woman, and he narrowed his eyes.
“I thought your wife was an Injun, but this here’s a white girl!”
“That’s right,” Lee agreed. “And she ain’t my wife.”
“Oh?”
Kolorado waited for an explanation, but Lee didn’t offer one. Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out another dollar coin.
“Here,” he said as he flipped the coin over to him.
“What’s this for?” Kolorado asked as he caught it.
“I need to get some supplies. While I’m gone I want you to watch her. Can you handle that?”
“What if she runs off?”
“She won’t.”
Lee turned to the young woman. He sat her down in the corner of the stall, and he tied her to the corner post as gently as possible. He made sure and left plenty of slack, that way she could move around some.
Her face was hard and expressionless, and Lee could tell that she didn’t like being tied to the post.
“Sorry ’bout having to leave you like this, ma’am, but you can’t be wondering around by yourself.”
Lee looked at her. As usual, she showed no emotion.
Lee sighed. It bothered him to treat her like this, but there was no other way.
“I’ll be back soon as I can,” he told her.
Kolorado stood by as Lee shut the gate.
“I don’t think your woman speaks much English,” Kolorado commented.
“It’s coming back slowly,” Lee said, and added, “Nobody’s to mess with her, understand?”
“I’ll look out for her,” Kolorado promised.
Lee nodded. He glanced at her once more, and then he headed for the general store.
Chapter thirty-five
Trent eased up the bank of the buffalo wallow. He took a look around and slid back down.
“See anything?” Reed asked.
“Nope.”
“It’s been quiet all afternoon,” Reed said. “Think they pulled out?”
“No, I still think they’re waiting ’til dark to jump us. Sun’ll be down pretty quick. We’d best get ready.”
They took turns keeping watch while each one made sure that their horse and gear were ready to go.
“Let’s be going,” Trent said after they had finished. “Soon as we get a-horseback they’ll see us, so ya’ll stay close.”
Everybody nodded and moved to their horse.
Trent climbed on, and he rode up the bank in a lope. Tyson and Oscar were right behind him.
But Reed had trouble mounting his skittish horse, and he was behind by the time he finally got on.
His horse needed no encouragement. They climbed the buffalo wallow and chased after the others.
Reed saw an Indian racing towards him, and it was obvious that the Indian was attempting to cut him off.
Reed reached down and pulled out his rifle. At the same time, the Indian reached a slightly higher spot than Reed. He launched himself through the air, and Reed could see the gleam of a knife.
There was no time to shoot. Instead, Reed swung his rifle as a club, and he felt a solid jar as his rifle barrel connected. Reed heard a grunt, and his horse knocked the Indian away.
Another Indian appeared behind him.
Reed, now totally engulfed in battle, wheeled his horse around to meet the challenge. He charged straight at him, and he positioned his rifle like a lance and braced himself for the impact.
The Indian held a rifle, and he started to swing it up. But before he could Reed crashed into him, and the impact almost made Reed lose his rifle. He somehow hung on, and he raced his horse forward towards freedom. Behind him he could hear the Indian’s rasping breaths of pain.
Meanwhile, Trent and the others ran their horses wide open. Trent finally slowed their pace when he figured that they had gone far enough.
Trent swore vehemently when he looked back.
“Where’s Reed?”
Before anyone could reply they saw Reed loping up, and a look of relief passed over Trent’s face.
“You all right?”
Reed was still out of breath, so he just nodded. Trent nodded back and led out.
They arrived at the water hole right as it was getting dark. They quickly inspected the area, and to their relief there was nobody there.
There was a narrow, high walled mountain that rose up from the back of the ravine. It circled, making a sort of fort. The opening was clear, and could be easily defended. A bubbling mountain spring welled up from the rocks, and behind that was a natural corral where they co
uld keep the horses.
“We’ll be safe here,” Trent declared as he dismounted. “Tyson, you and Oscar keep watch while me and Reed set up camp.”
They got busy. Reed took care of the horses while Trent built a fire, and then Trent cooked supper and made some coffee. After that they all kept watch while they ate.
Trent was in a good mood.
“We must have caught those Injuns completely off guard!” He said.
“Do you think they’ll show up tonight?” Reed asked.
“I doubt it. They’ll have to hold a pow-wow on what to do next. They probably won’t show up ’til tomorrow.”
“Then why don’t we ride on out of here?” Tyson asked impatiently.
“And ride up on some more Injuns?” Trent replied gruffly. “No thanks. We’ll stay here.”
Tyson and Reed were silent as they thought on that, and then they agreed.
“I’m glad it’s a full moon tonight,” Reed commented. “Puts off a good light.”
“It does,” Trent agreed, and added, “I reckon we should all keep watch tonight, just in case I’m wrong.”
Oscar scowled, but Tyson and Reed agreed.
Everybody refilled their cups, and then Trent kicked out the fire. After that everyone settled in and got ready for a long night.
Chapter thirty-six
Lee and the young woman sat cross-legged on the ground in the stall as they ate an early supper.
It was during this time that Cliff’s bunch rode into town from the other direction.
Lee exhaled loudly as he put his empty plate down. He pulled out a cigar, bit off the end, struck a match, and lit it. He took a deep drag and looked at the young woman.
“Want to tell me your name yet? And I don’t mean your Injun name. I want to know your Christian name.”
The young woman remained silent, and Lee smiled and nodded.
“All right, no hurry. You tell me when you’re ready.”
Lee smoked his cigar and glanced at her.
“We’ll be leaving tomorrow. Closest town is Midway. I know the law there, and they’ll know what to do with you. They’re good folks, mostly. Yancy doesn’t like me much; he thinks I’m no good.”
Lee thought on that and chuckled.
“Mebbe he’s right.”
After that they sat there in silence. Lee finished his cigar and rubbed it out.
“I’ll have to leave as soon as I drop you off at Midway,” Lee announced.
The young woman looked up, and she had a curious look in her blue eyes.
“I’m going after the Oltman brothers,” he announced.
A look of concern crossed her face, and Lee shook his head.
“Don’t even think of trying to talk me out of it,” he said, and added, “And I’m not going after them just because of what they did to you. That’s partly the reason. The rest is personal.”
Lee frowned as he thought on it.
“I’ll be about a week behind them once we get to Midway, but what else can we do?”
The young woman offered no suggestions. Instead, she just looked at him through those big, blue eyes. Lee glanced at her and then looked away.
“I declare, ma’am, you’ve got the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen.”
The young woman continued to look at him, and that made Lee fidgety. He reached inside his pocket for another cigar just to be doing something, but then he realized that he was out of cigars.
Lee suddenly thought of something.
“I reckon I’d best take a look at your leg, ma’am, and make sure it ain’t getting infected.”
He moved towards her, and she instinctively drew back.
Lee sighed.
“Ma’am, surely you know by now that I ain’t going to hurt you.”
Lee smiled gently. She hesitated, and then she let him have a look at it.
Lee untied the knots and removed the stained leg of his long johns.
“Say! You’re a fast healer,” he told her as he examined the wound. “It’s not even bleeding anymore.”
He looked at it for a moment more and nodded, satisfied.
“We do need a new bandage though,” he told her. “And, I’m all out of long johns.”
He frowned as he thought on that.
“Well, ma’am, I hate to do it, but I guess I’ll have to tie you back to the corner post. I won’t be gone long, but I sure wish Kolorado was here. I don’t like leaving you here by yourself.”
The young woman crossed her arms and shook her head.
Lee was surprised, and he chuckled.
“You don’t want to be tied to the post again, is that it?”
She nodded curtly, and Lee frowned thoughtfully.
“All right,” he agreed. “You can come with me.”
She nodded and stood, ready.
Lee checked his Colt and made sure it was loaded, and then they walked outside.
His eyes moved constantly as he looked up and down the street.
It was during this time, unknown to them, that Jessica spotted them from the window of the hotel.
Lee spotted Cliff Curtis as they reached the general store. He was coming out of the hotel, and he untied some horses and led them down the street.
Lee grabbed the young woman’s arm and gently pulled her back in the shadows. They stayed still as Cliff passed by, and then Lee hurried inside the general store.
The young woman looked quizzically at Lee, but he didn’t explain. Instead, he found some bandages. Lee paid for them, and he stuck the package under his arm as they walked back outside.
Suddenly, Lee stopped short. He grabbed the young woman’s arm again and pulled her back in the shadows.
This time, it was Brian Clark that he saw. A young lady accompanied him, and they were walking towards the bathhouse.
As soon as they passed, Lee and the young woman hurried down the street to Kolorado’s livery stable.
They rushed inside, and Lee stayed by the door and looked out.
He didn’t see anything for a long time. But then, he saw Brian and the young lady coming out of the bathhouse. They walked across the street, joined Cliff in front of a café, and went inside.
Lee frowned curiously as he shut the door and turned to the young woman. She was just standing there with a confused look.
Lee smiled awkwardly.
“Sorry ’bout all the sneaky business. I saw some old running buddies, and I didn’t think that we should be running into each other. Brian is all right, but I never did trust Cliff.”
She continued to look at him, and it didn’t take long for those blue eyes to make Lee feel fidgety again.
“Well, I’d best get you bandaged back up,” he said.
He unwrapped the bandages and looked up at her.
“Shall we?”
She nodded, so he cleaned the wound and bandaged it.
Lee heard the main door open right as he was tying the knot in the bandage. In one motion, he drew his Colt and spun around.
It was Kolorado. He was startled, and he held his hands up.
“Don’t shoot!”
“Sorry,” Lee said as he holstered his Colt. “I thought you might be someone else.”
“Nope, just me. I come check on things every night before I turn in,” Kolorado explained, and asked, “Are you always this jumpy?”
“Just lately,” Lee replied with a sheepish grin.
“I’ll be here early to feed the stock, so don’t shoot me then neither.”
“I’ll try to remember that.”
“I would appreciate it.”
Kolorado took a look around and then turned to leave.
“Say, will you be busy in the morning?” Lee asked.
“Sure. I’ll be here, tending to things.”
“Could you watch the young woman again?”
“I could, under the right circumstances.”
“You mean if you’re paid,” Lee smiled.
“That would be the right circumstance,” Kolorado
nodded.
“I won’t be gone long. I just need to check on some things.”
“Long as you pay, I don’t care what you do.”
Lee smiled and nodded. Kolorado left, and then they turned in.
The young woman slept in Lee’s bedroll in the stall. As for Lee, he huddled underneath a blanket by the gate.
But Lee couldn’t sleep. He was curious to know what Cliff and Brian were up to, and he was very curious to know who the young lady was.
Mebbe I can find out tomorrow, Lee thought.
Chapter thirty-seven
“What do you think, Trent?” Tyson asked.
It was morning. They had just finished breakfast, and they were spread out as they kept watch.
“They’re out there,” Trent replied. “Just waiting.”
“Waiting for what?”
“Waiting for us to do something stupid. That’s why we’re staying put.”
“I sure don’t see anything,” Reed spoke up. “There ain’t even a bird stirring out there.”
“That means we’re surrounded for sure,” Trent replied.
“So what’s the plan?” Tyson asked.
“We’re gonna stay here ’til I decide they’ve moved on.”
“For how long?” Reed asked.
“Long as I feel like it.”
It fell silent as they kept watch. A few hours passed, and they all started getting groggy. It had been a stressful few days, and their lack of sleep was beginning to take its toll.
Trent felt the warm sun upon his back, and it slowly robbed him of his alertness. He rested his head on his arm, and he instantly went to sleep.
Trent awakened with a jolt. He wasn’t sure how long he had slept, and he stayed still as he looked about.
His brothers had also drifted off.
Trent was just about to wake them when suddenly the thunderous sound of many rifles boomed out.
Bullets whined over their heads. A few hit the rock surface behind them and ricocheted dangerously.
Tyson, Reed, and Oscar jolted awake, and they all started firing erratically.
“Hold your fire you idiots!” Trent growled. “Wait ’til you see something to shoot at.”
They stopped firing. The Indians had also stopped firing, and Reed glanced at Trent.
“What was that all about?”