by Tell Cotten
Speaking abruptly, Winchester told them about his scouting trip in the mountains. Next, he grabbed a stick and squatted on his heels.
Everybody gathered around him as he traced out a crude map.
“Here are the mountains,” he made a small x in the dirt. “And we’re here, about two days out. And here-,” he made another small x between them and the mountains, “-is a steep, brushy hill. There’s water there, but there’s also three Apaches dug in at the top, keeping watch.”
Yancy looked thoughtful as he studied the rough drawn map.
“What are they watching for?” He asked.
“You, I reckon.”
“Only three?”
“The rest of them rode towards a pass in the mountains,” Winchester explained. “My guess is as soon as you’re spotted, those Injuns will hightail it to No Worries. They’ll be waiting for you in that pass.”
“No Worries?” Yancy was startled.
“He was leading them.”
Yancy glanced at Cooper and looked back at Winchester.
“We’ve had dealings with him before,” he announced.
“He’s a mean Injun,” Winchester said, and Cooper nodded his agreement.
“Did you get a good look at them?” Yancy asked.
“I did. Almost too good.”
“How many Injuns?”
“Altogether, twenty-one,” Winchester replied, and added, “There were also two captive women.”
Rondo, Lee, and Jeremiah jumped in surprise.
“Did you say two?” Rondo demanded.
“Sure.”
“What did they look like?” Lee asked, his voice anxious.
Winchester thought a moment.
“Well, they were both young, and one had dark hair.”
“That sounds like Rachel!” Rondo said, rising excitement in his voice.
“And the other one?” Jeremiah spoke up.
“Her hair was sorta grayish. She might have been a bit older.”
Lee and Jeremiah glanced at each other.
“Has to be April,” Lee said softly, and Jeremiah nodded his agreement.
Just to know they were alive was a huge relief, and Rondo, Lee, and Jeremiah smiled for the first time in weeks.
Winchester rose to his feet.
“Now, if I could borrow a horse, I’ll head for the nearest army post and let them know what’s happened,” he said.
“You won’t help us?” Yancy scowled at him.
“Best way I can is to reach that army post,” Winchester replied. “The Army is planning a campaign late this summer.”
“We can’t wait that long,” Yancy replied.
“Why not?”
“The dark headed woman you saw,” Rondo spoke up. “She’s my wife.”
“And the other lady is April,” Cooper added. He glanced at Lee and Jeremiah, and said, “She’s special too.”
Winchester looked at Rondo, and several seconds passed as he thought on it.
“Your wife,” he finally said.
“That’s right.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“There’s no way you could have,” Rondo said.
Winchester took in a deep breath and let it out slowly.
“My Pa told me in times of trouble, us Landons have always stuck together,” Winchester declared, and added, “I’m already several weeks late. A few more days won’t matter.”
“So you’ll stay?” Rondo asked.
“I’ll stay.”
“I appreciate that,” Rondo said earnestly.
“Don’t mention it,” Winchester said, and asked, “So, what’s the plan?”
Rondo looked around at everyone and said, “We don’t have one.”
Winchester frowned at that.
“Well, we’d best come up with one,” he suggested.
Chapter thirty-six
“Only one thing to do,” Winchester declared a few minutes later.
“And what’s that?” Yancy looked skeptical.
“They know you’re coming,” Winchester pointed out. “But, they don’t know when.”
“That sounds about right.”
Winchester squatted on his heels and gestured at the map.
“That pass they’re headed for is here,” he made another small x in the dirt. “I just came down that way, and that pass goes all the way up into the mountains. Near the bottom it’s narrow, high walled, and mostly rock.”
“You think they plan to ambush us there,” Yancy said.
“It’s a likely spot,” Winchester agreed, and added, “That’s why we should ambush them there.”
Everybody was startled.
“How would we do that?” Yancy asked.
“There’s an underground spring that bubbles up about a mile up the pass,” Winchester explained. “I figure No Worries will wait there.”
“Sounds likely,” Yancy nodded.
“I say we circle the Injuns at the hill, and ride to the outside of the pass,” he traced a small line in the dirt, mapping the route. “It’s too steep for a horse, but we could climb those walls on foot. They won’t be expecting us, and we could jump ’em from the backside at nighttime. With a little luck, we might even be able to get the women out.”
Nobody said anything as they thought on that, and Yancy finally cleared his throat.
“Sounds doable,” he said.
“Glad you like it,” Winchester said with a hint of strategic pride.
“How about our escape?” Lee wanted to know. “After we ambush them, we’d have to climb that wall again to get back to our horses. Those Injuns would be all over us, even in the dark.”
“I didn’t say it was a perfect plan,” Winchester said defensively.
“Just how narrow is this pass?” Rondo spoke up.
“Narrow,” Winchester replied.
“Could two men with rifles hold it?”
Winchester grunted.
“One good man could hold off an army,” he declared.
Rondo nodded and suggested, “While two of us are holding them off, the rest could go up the pass a ways and climb the wall. Then, whoever’s on top could cover the two below while they’re catching up.”
Yancy nodded slowly.
“Yes, that might work,” he said.
“One other thing,” Winchester spoke back up. “Even if we manage to pull this off, they’ll still be coming after us. And hard.”
Everyone nodded their agreement.
“It’ll be impossible to outrun them,” Winchester pointed out. “Sooner or later they’ll catch us, and we’ll have us a big fight.”
Again, everybody nodded.
“Best place to make a stand would be at the brushy hill,” Winchester continued. “There’s water there, and plenty of cover. I think we could hold ’em off.”
“How long?” Cooper asked.
“Long as we have bullets.”
“We brought plenty,” Lee said.
“That’s a good thing,” Winchester smiled. “It’s a proven fact. Whoever’s best armed usually wins.”
“What about the Apaches at the hill?” Jeremiah changed the subject.
“Somebody will have to stay and take care of them,” Winchester said matter-of-factly. “Then, they can provide cover fire as we’re riding in, just in case we’re in trouble.”
Everybody glanced at each other, and it was silent while they thought the plan over.
“I say it’s worth a try,” Yancy finally said. “Anybody object to the idea?”
One by one, everybody shook their heads.
“All right,” Yancy declared, and added, “Now, who stays and who goes?”
“I know the way to the pass,” Winchester pointed out.
“Rachel’s there, so I’m going,” Rondo declared.
“I go where April is,” Lee said firmly.
“So do I,” Jeremiah spoke up.
“And I go with Lee,” Brian added.
Yancy studied them a moment, but their dete
rmined looks never wavered.
“That leaves me and Coop,” he finally said, and everyone nodded.
“That all right with you?” Yancy looked at his older brother.
“I’ll do whatever’s needed,” Cooper replied.
Yancy frowned. He didn’t like it, but he finally nodded his agreement.
“It’s settled then,” he said.
Winchester straightened up and took charge.
“If we leave now, we can reach that pass by tomorrow night,” he said. “But, we’ll have to ride through the night and all day tomorrow. We won’t have time to stop and eat, or get any sleep.”
“I haven’t slept since this started,” Lee grunted. “Let’s go.”
“I’ll need a horse,” Winchester said.
Everybody looked at each other, and Cooper spoke up.
“You can ride Jug-head,” he offered.
Winchester nodded and asked, “Which one is he?”
Cooper pointed to where Jug-head and No-see-ums were picketed.
“You call that fine looking horse Jug-head?” Winchester frowned his disapproval.
“No. Jug-head is the mule beside him,” Cooper corrected.
“What’s wrong with the horse?” Winchester scowled.
“He’s nearly blind,” Lee explained.
Winchester’s scowl deepened as he studied the mule.
“I’m not so sure about this,” he objected. “We’ve got to move fast. Perhaps Yancy and I should trade mounts.”
“Perhaps not,” Yancy declared, his voice firm.
They glared at each other, and Cooper cleared his throat.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “Jug-head is very, ah, agile.”
Winchester didn’t look convinced.
“Is he broke to ride?”
“Sometimes,” Cooper said with an emotionless face.
“What do you mean by that?” Winchester stared at him.
“Just that.”
Chapter thirty-seven
Cooper unpacked Jug-head’s pack, and they crammed everything that would fit into No-see-ums’ pack. What wouldn’t fit, they stuffed in their saddlebags.
Cooper covered Jug-head’s back with a blanket and handed the reins to Winchester.
“Can you ride bareback?” Cooper asked.
“Only when I have to,” Winchester replied.
“Well, good luck.”
“What for?” Winchester looked suspicious.
“Oh, nothing.”
Winchester didn’t look convinced as he led Jug-head in a circle to loosen him up. Everyone held their breath as he jumped up onto his back.
To everybody’s surprise, Jug-head handled perfectly. Winchester trotted him in a circle, spun him around, and made him back up a few feet.
“Say,” Winchester said, surprised. “This mule is all right. Travels good, and has a decent handle.”
“Glad you like him,” Cooper said as he frowned in confusion.
“What’s not to like? This mule is smoother than some horses I’ve ridden.”
“You might as well know,” Cooper said. “He gets a little cold backed sometimes.”
Winchester didn’t look convinced.
“Aw, this mule couldn’t buck a flea off.”
“I’ll remember you said that,” Yancy spoke up.
“Well, we’d best be going,” Winchester changed the subject.
“You fellows go ahead,” Cooper offered. “We’ll pack up camp.”
Rondo, Lee, Brian, and Jeremiah saddled their horses and mounted up.
“We’ll see you in a few days,” Rondo looked down at Yancy and Cooper.
“Be careful,” Yancy replied, his voice soft. “All of you.”
“Will do,” Rondo replied.
Yancy nodded and glanced at Winchester.
“Don’t take any chances,” he warned.
“Might not have a choice,” Winchester grinned, and he kicked up Jug-head before Yancy could reply.
Rondo, Jeremiah, and Brian fell in behind him, but Lee held back.
Yancy looked troubled.
“Watch him, Lee,” he warned.
“What for?” Lee looked interested.
“I don’t trust him.”
Lee smiled at that.
“When have I heard that before?” He asked, and he kicked up his horse. “Take care,” he called over his shoulder.
Yancy didn’t reply as he and Cooper watched them disappear into the darkness.
Part Five
“Split Forces”
Chapter thirty-eight
After discussing it, Yancy and Cooper decided to wait until morning to ride out. They had more time than the others, and it would be easier to spot the hill in the daylight.
Cooper made another pot of coffee, and they filled their cups and got comfortable around the fire.
Yancy was silent. He looked troubled, and Cooper glanced at him.
“You don’t like this, do you,” Cooper said.
“What’s that?”
“Staying behind.”
“I don’t,” Yancy admitted.
“Normally I’d agree, but I don’t mind so much this time.”
“How come?”
“I get shot every time I’m near those mountains,” Cooper reminded.
Yancy sighed and shook his head. A few moments passed, and Cooper chuckled.
“At least we don’t have to listen to Brian snore tonight,” he pointed out.
Yancy grunted at that. His face was scrunched up, and he looked to be deep in thought.
“What is it?” Cooper asked.
“August.”
“You mean Winchester?” Cooper smiled faintly.
“Whatever,” Yancy replied sourly. “I can’t believe August is Winchester. Our own cousin. You’ve heard the stories. He’s killed folks out of pure meanness.”
“I’ve heard that, yes.”
“August was always a bit wild, but not that bad.”
“It’s been years since we’ve been around him,” Cooper reminded. “Folks change.”
“Well, there goes the Landon name,” Yancy muttered. “It used to stand for something.”
“You know how stories get worse each time they’re told. Mebbe it’s not as bad as it sounds.”
Yancy snorted his response.
“Give Winchester a chance,” Cooper continued. “With a little help from us, he might change.”
Yancy scowled at that and changed the subject.
“I wonder what happened between him and Quincy.”
“Sounds like they had a disagreement.”
“Quincy was always calm, quiet, and collected,” Yancy recalled. “Sorta like me. Only bigger.”
“A lot bigger.”
“Without Quincy’s influence, that could be why August got so wild.”
“Rondo was a mite wild too,” Cooper reminded. “Look how he turned out.”
Yancy took in a deep breath and exhaled as he thought on that.
“Yes,” he said. “We did a good job with Rondo.”
“We sure did. We arrested him, threw him in jail, and bribed him into giving up his partner and best friend,” Cooper said, his face emotionless. “We taught him a thing or two.”
“That ain’t exactly how it happened,” Yancy shot his brother a dark look.
“Mebbe not, but it still worked.”
“And you think we should do the same thing for Winchester?”
“It’s a thought.”
“Well,” Yancy looked considerate. “I could mention it to Judge Parker. There’s plenty to arrest him on. We’d just need a warrant.”
“It’d be for his own good,” Cooper declared. “After all, we’re family, and us Landons have always helped each other.”
“He might not appreciate our method of help.”
“Neither did Rondo, but look at the results.”
Yancy nodded slowly.
“We’ll keep it in mind,” he said.
Cooper returned the
nod, and they sat there a while in silence.
Finally, Yancy sighed again.
“That mule of yours,” he complained.
“What about him?”
“The one time I wanted him to buck, and he acted like a kid horse.”
Cooper chuckled.
“Yes, Jug-head can be hard to figure.”
“I’ve never liked him.”
“The mule, or August?”
“I meant Jug-head, but take your pick.”
“Mebbe Jug-head just doesn’t like us,” Cooper suggested. “Even Kolorado swore he was kid gentle.”
Yancy grunted at that.
“Mebbe you should sell him,” he suggested.
“I have,” Cooper reminded. “But…”
“He keeps coming back,” Yancy finished the sentence, and Cooper nodded.
Chapter thirty-nine
Winchester led the way, and he set a hard, grueling pace.
The moon wasn’t as full as it had been. However, it still gave off decent light, and Winchester could see his surroundings just fine.
The terrain was flat and sandy. There wasn’t much grass, just some greasewood scattered about.
Winchester rode southwest to avoid the hill. They went several miles, and then he turned west towards the mountains.
The night passed quietly, and Winchester held the hard pace. Nobody said anything, and they followed each other in a long, single line.
Renewed vigor could be seen in Rondo, Lee, and Jeremiah. Their faces were stern with determination, and they rode with purpose.
As dawn arrived, they could tell that they were much closer to the mountains.
Winchester pulled up briefly. He looked thoughtful as he studied the countryside, and he turned to the north a bit.
They rode several more miles.
By midmorning, Winchester could feel Jug-head starting to labor. He pulled up, and everybody dismounted.
All the horses were breathing heavily, and they blew tiny flecks of foam from their nostrils. They were covered with sweat, and their flanks heaved.
“Reckon we’d best let them breathe a bit,” Winchester suggested, and everyone nodded their agreement.
Winchester tied Jug-head to a shrub. He patted the sweaty mule on the rump, and then he walked forward and studied the mountains.
Lee came up beside him, holding a canteen. He took a deep swig, and then offered it to Winchester.