by Tell Cotten
She was startled when she spotted five limp bodies laid out on the ground across the camp. All five were Indians, and they were dead.
Acting nonchalant, she counted the Indians in camp. Her final count came to twenty-one.
Camp was busy, and to Rachel it looked like they were preparing to leave. Her suspicions were confirmed when they picked up the dead Indians and draped them over their ponies.
“Why are they taking them with us?” April whispered.
“I remember Pa say that Indians rarely leave their dead,” Rachel whispered back. “They’ll probably bury them in a day or two, when they’re sure no one will find them.”
“I wonder how they died?”
“They probably attacked the ranch headquarters.”
“June!” April’s eyes grew wide with concern. “Do you suppose-.”
“Pa’s fought Indians before,” Rachel interrupted. “I’m sure they’re fine. Besides, if the raid had been a success, we would see scalps.”
“Look!” April pointed.
There, hanging from a horse, was a fresh scalp. From what they could tell, the hair was light and sandy.
“That’s Bob,” Lucy spoke up, her voice low and sullen.
“Who’s Bob?” Rachel asked.
“He was with me when they attacked,” Lucy explained. “We had just become engaged.”
“I’m sorry,” Rachel said.
Lucy snorted, but didn’t reply.
“I wonder how that Indian knew your last name?” April changed the subject.
“I have no idea,” Rachel replied.
“Seems odd.”
“Very,” Rachel agreed.
“What do we do now?”
“We stay alive,” Rachel declared.
“How do we do that?”
“By not being a problem,” Rachel said, and added, “Whatever happens, don’t show fear. Pa said Indians hate cowards.”
April nodded.
“Anything else?”
Rachel paused while she recalled her father’s words.
“Don’t complain about anything,” she finally said, and added, “Sooner or later they’ll be coming for us, and we just have to hang on until they find us.”
“Who’s that?” Lucy looked up.
“My husband,” Rachel said matter-of-factly.
“And who is your husband?”
“Rondo Landon.”
Lucy snorted again and shook her head.
“You can wait for miracles if you want. First chance I get, I’m getting out of here,” she declared.
“How do you plan on doing that?” Rachel scowled at her.
“By staying watchful and alert,” Lucy said. “You wait and see. An opportunity will present itself. It always does.”
“Even if you managed to escape, then what?” Rachel argued. “We’re a long ways from any town, and it would be impossible to outrun them.”
Lucy didn’t reply, and several seconds passed.
Rachel frowned and started to say something. However, she stopped herself when she saw No Worries walking towards them.
“We go,” he said roughly.
They got to their feet. He motioned for them to follow, and they headed towards the horses.
Chapter twelve
Rachel was relieved when they were allowed to ride their horses the normal way. However, the Apaches still tied their hands to the saddle horn, and they led their horses.
No Worries was in front, and he rode in a brisk trot, heading northwest.
Rachel was extremely sore, and the bouncing in the saddle didn’t help any. With her hands tied, it was difficult to find any rhythm, and her body took a beating.
Rachel recalled that her Pa had said Indians were cruel to their horses, and she found this to be true. They kept up a grueling pace, and hour after hour passed.
Rachel figured they would stop when darkness hit, but she was wrong. They never broke stride, and they rode under a full moon.
Along towards morning, they finally stopped at a creek.
All the horses were lathered in sweat, and they wanted to drink deeply. However, the Apaches wisely only allowed them to drink for short moments at a time.
To Rachel’s dismay, they weren’t allowed to dismount. Instead, an Apache brought them a gourd filled with water. They opened their mouths, and he poured some water in.
The water was cool and pleasant. Rachel yearned for more, but the Apache walked away after only a few swallows.
Rachel was grateful they had stopped. She ached all over, and she couldn’t help but wince as she stretched in the saddle.
“There they go, taking the dead Indians,” April said, and she gestured with her head.
Some color had returned to April’s face, and Rachel was glad that her friend’s voice no longer trembled.
Rachel looked, and several Indians were riding off, leading behind them the horses carrying their dead companions.
“Do you think they’ll bury them now?” April asked.
“Probably so,” Rachel figured.
The Apaches returned an hour or so later, without their dead. They led the extra Indian ponies behind them.
No Worries gestured for everybody to mount up, and they took off again in a brisk trot, traveling northwest.
Chapter thirteen
They traveled almost nonstop for two days, all the while keeping up the grueling pace.
Three horses collapsed from exhaustion, but that didn’t bother the Apaches. They now had five extra horses, so they just cut the horses’ throats and climbed on the next one.
A deep hunger gnawed in the pit of Rachel’s stomach, and April and Lucy looked exhausted. But, all three managed to carry themselves with poise and bravery.
By now, Rachel could see the mountains of the New Mexico Territory in the far distance. However, the country around them was mainly flat, with a few rolling hills.
The terrain had turned dry and bare, without much grass or cover. It was also hot, and Rachel’s battered clothes were drenched with sweat.
Another horse collapsed at the end of the second day.
They were close to a small tank filled with rainwater, so No Worries signaled for them to stop. He grunted a few commands, and everyone hustled about as they prepared camp.
The women were escorted off to the side, and the Apache watching them gestured for them to sit. They did, and then they stretched their cramped muscles.
Meanwhile, another Indian slit the downed horse’s throat, finishing the job. Other Indians came up beside the horse, and their knives flashed as they skillfully cut out some meat.
By the time they were through, a fire had been built.
As soon as the meat was cooked, No Worries cut out a chunk and brought it over to them. He dropped it at Rachel’s feet, made a motion to eat, and returned to the main fire.
Rachel picked up the meat and split it between them as best as she could.
Hungry as she was, Rachel still almost gagged when she tasted the tough and stringy horsemeat. But, she resisted the urge, chewed, and swallowed.
April was watching her.
“How is it?” She asked.
“Better than Precious,” Rachel replied.
Chapter fourteen
“Just look at them,” Lucy said, and her voice filled with scorn. “They’re gorging themselves.”
Rachel nodded in agreement. The Indians had gathered around the main campfire, and she had never seen anyone eat so much, so fast.
“It might be days before we eat again,” Rachel explained.
“As much as they’re eating, they’ll probably sleep hard tonight,” Lucy figured.
“So will I,” April admitted. “I’m exhausted.”
“Do you think they’ll tie us up tonight?” Lucy asked.
“I doubt it,” Rachel reasoned. “They’re probably not worried about us escaping, this far out.”
Lucy looked thoughtful. It was silent a moment, and she stood abruptly.
�
��What are you doing?” Rachel hissed.
“Trying something.”
Before Rachel could reply, Lucy walked boldly toward the dirt tank.
The Indian guarding them watched curiously, but he remained still.
Lucy walked to the edge of the dirt tank. She knelt down, cupped her hands, and dipped up several mouthfuls of water.
When she’d had her fill, she straightened up and walked back to Rachel and April.
“Did you see that?” Lucy boasted as she sat back down. “They didn’t stop me.”
“You weren’t trying to escape,” Rachel retorted.
“I will be next time.”
Rachel frowned, but didn’t reply. Instead, she looked at April.
“Thirsty?”
“Yes, very much.”
“Let’s get a drink then,” Rachel suggested, and they stood and walked towards the dirt tank.
***
After their meal, the Apaches relaxed around the campfire.
They didn’t talk. Instead, they just sat there and stared out into the darkness.
Lucy looked anxious, but she still stretched out on the ground. After a moment Rachel could hear her breathing steadily, but she wasn’t convinced that she was asleep.
Tired as she was, Rachel didn’t think on it long. She and April stretched out, and it didn’t take them long to fall asleep.
***
Hours later, a startling cry stirred Rachel and April. They were frightened, and they sat up abruptly.
The Apache keeping watch stood over them, and an astonished look was on his face.
Rachel glanced sideways, and her good eye grew wide.
Lucy was gone, and she could hear a horse running in the distance.
Camp was in chaos, and No Worries appeared with a tomahawk in hand. His eyes were harsh as he looked at Rachel and April, and then he turned to the Apache warrior.
Heated words were exchanged, and No Worries turned away abruptly. He grunted a few commands, and he and three other warriors ran over to the horses and mounted up. They kicked their horses unmercifully as they disappeared into the darkness.
Camp quieted down, and April glanced at Rachel.
“Lucy escaped!” She hissed.
“Looks like it,” Rachel said.
“I can’t believe she got away!”
“She hasn’t yet,” Rachel replied softly.
Chapter fifteen
No Worries returned a few hours later. He and his warriors dismounted in the darkness and walked up to the fire.
They talked in loud voices, and then No Worries approached April and Rachel.
He walked deliberately, and his face was emotionless.
April suddenly gasped, and her stomach heaved. She clamped a hand over her mouth and smothered a scream.
Hanging from No Worries’ waist was a fresh, bloody scalp. There was no doubt that the long, curly blond hair was Lucy’s.
Rachel sucked in her breath as No Worries stopped in front of them. A look of anger crossed his face as he glared at them.
He lifted the scalp from his waist and shook it at them.
April looked away as fresh blood dripped to the ground, but Rachel looked him boldly in the eyes.
“You run, you die,” he said harshly.
“We understand,” Rachel said, her voice low and solemn.
He grunted at that, scowled, and walked away.
“I can’t do this anymore,” April wailed, and her voice trembled.
“We don’t have a choice,” Rachel replied matter-of-factly.
“Why does it matter?” April argued. “Didn’t you see the look in his eyes? He’s going to kill us. It’s just a matter of time.”
“No, Lucy is dead because she was foolish,” Rachel said. “We won’t make the same mistake.”
“Do you really think Rondo will come for us?”
“I do,” Rachel replied, and added, “Lee Mattingly will be with him.”
A few seconds passed as April thought on that, and she nodded slightly.
“All right,” she said softly. “For June’s sake, I’ll hang on until they get here.”
Rachel tried to smile encouragingly, and after that it was silent as they thought their own thoughts.
Where are you, Rondo? Rachel thought wistfully. Do you even know what’s happened to us?
Rachel felt a cramp in her stomach, and the thought of her baby came to mind. She drew her knees to her stomach, wrapped her arms around her legs, and rested her chin on top of her knees.
Hang on, little one, she thought. We’ll survive. We have to. Rondo’s coming for us, and I know it with all my heart.
Part Two
“Bad News”
Chapter sixteen
They had been traveling for weeks. They were saddle worn, covered in dust, and in need of a bath and shave.
They made camp that night only a few miles from Empty-lake. They tended to their horses, gathered some wood, built a fire, and cooked supper.
There were five men in the group, plus a packhorse named No-see-ums and a pack mule named Jug-head.
Their names were Rondo, Yancy and Cooper Landon, Lee Mattingly, and Brian Clark.
Brian was the oldest. An ex-outlaw, he was a grizzled veteran in his mid-fifties. He was always careful; he never took any chances unless he had to.
Lee was also an ex-outlaw in his mid-thirties. He had a gentleman-like way about him, and he had a different set of ethics than most. He was soft spoken, and was loyal to those he considered friends.
Rondo Landon was perhaps the most famous ex-outlaw of the group, known as the man who killed Ben Kinrich. He wasn’t proud of that, but it had to be done.
He was small and hard bodied, and he always displayed his ivory-handled Colt on his right hip.
Yancy and Cooper Landon were brothers, and both were newly appointed Texas Rangers.
Like his cousin Rondo, Yancy had a smaller build.
He was a very somber man. He never talked unless he had to, and when he did he was usually clear, certain, and to the point. He was also painfully honest, no matter the cost.
He was well respected for his skills with his Colt six-shooter. However, Cooper was just as dangerous.
Tall and wide shouldered, Cooper wasn’t nearly as good with a Colt. Instead, his specialty was with his Henry rifle. He was real accurate with it, and mighty quick too. He had a special way of swinging it up, and he was almost as fast as Yancy’s draw.
Cooper was also a very good tracker, as was Rondo.
Yancy and Cooper’s first assignment as Texas Rangers was to crush the corrupt empire that Ike Nash had created. Ike was now dead, thanks to Lee Mattingly, and all but one had been brought to justice.
That last person was Lucy Nash, and they were traveling to Empty-lake to arrest her and send her back to Huntsville prison.
As for Rondo, he had a ranch job waiting in Midway. He was headed for Mr. Tomlin’s headquarters to pick up Rachel.
Lee and Brian were on their way to Empty-lake to take ownership of their hotel.
Lee also planned on seeing a lady.
Named April.
Chapter seventeen
They turned in early that evening. Everyone was anxious to reach Empty-lake, and they planned on riding out at first light.
A few minutes passed. As usual, Brian was the first to fall asleep, and everyone could hear his loud snoring.
Yancy and Cooper had spread out their bedrolls across the camp from the others. Cooper sat up, glanced at Yancy, and sighed.
“This should be the last night we have to listen to that,” Cooper said softly.
“Silence is my friend,” Yancy agreed, and added wistfully, “I miss him.”
“Me too,” Cooper declared.
Yancy didn’t reply. He was on his back, his hands clasped behind his head, as he looked up at the clear, dark sky.
“Beautiful, ain’t they,” he commented.
“What is?”
“The stars,” Yanc
y explained. “They sure are bright tonight.”
Cooper frowned. He studied his younger brother a moment and cleared his throat.
“You feeling all right?”
“Sure,” Yancy nodded and looked at Cooper. “Why do you ask?”
“You’ve never talked about the stars before.”
“So?”
“In fact, last time I mentioned the stars, you thought I was crazy.”
“You think I’m crazy?”
“No, but ever since we left Tussle’s headquarters, you sure been acting odd.”
“How’s that?”
“Tonight you didn’t even pour sugar in your coffee,” Cooper pointed out, and added, “And we have a full sack.”
Yancy looked startled.
“I didn’t?”
“Nope.”
“Well, I must have forgotten. I’ve had a lot on my mind lately. That’s all.”
“And I know what’s been on your mind,” Cooper said, and declared, “Jessica Tussle.”
Yancy scowled at that. He opened his mouth, but then closed it. A few seconds passed, and he smiled.
“I thought so,” Cooper chuckled and leaned back.
It was silent for a moment. Yancy sat up while he tried to think, and Cooper just waited.
“Jessica is an interesting woman,” Yancy finally said.
“Seems like,” Cooper agreed.
“Soon as we take care of Lucy, think I’ll ride back to Midway and marry her,” Yancy declared.
Cooper was startled, and he shot Yancy a surprised look.
“What if she says no?”
“She won’t.”
“You seem confident.”
“I am.”
“What about your problems?”
“What problems?”
“You know. She’s rich, and you ain’t.”
Yancy waved a hand at his brother.
“We worked that all out before we left. She’s not as wealthy as you think.”
“She seemed well off to me.”