by Joe Corso
“Take your money out of that poke and hand me the rest of it.” Charlie turned back to Jeb. “Go for your gun, Jeb.”
“No, you’ll kill me.”
Charlie walked up to Jeb and punched him square on the nose, splitting it down to the bone. Blood flowed freely. “Go for your gun, Jeb.”
“No, no I won’t. I heard about you, Kid. We didn’t know it was you we robbed back there. If we would have known who you were we would never have attempted it.”
“You all heard what he just said.”
Everyone shouted “Yes.”
“Do you have any law in this town?”
“Yes, Sam Hunter is the town marshal.”
“Where can I find him?”
“I’m right here, Kid. I heard what this snake said and, believe it or not, we have a jail in this town—such as it is.”
“Marshal, I came here to kill this man but he’s a lily-livered coward and won’t face me in a fair fight. I’d like to walk him to your jail with you, if it’s all right with you. There’s some things I want to do to him, to get him to talk, and I don’t want to do it here with all these people gawking at us. If you’re squeamish, I suggest you wait outside the jail until I’m finished with him.”
“You’re welcome to walk with me back to the jail, Kid, and don’t worry about me being squeamish. I hate bushwhackers, so do what you have to do. When you have your information we’ll lock this skunk up. Then you and me, why we’ll have ourselves a drink of some good whiskey that I’ve been saving for a special occasion.”
“Sheriff, when I’m done with Jeb here up I’d like you to check your wanted pictures to see if this coyote is wanted for any crimes. And while you’re at it, check to see if there are any wanted posters for his partners, Clem and Luke.”
“Be my pleasure, Kid. Now let’s get him over to the jail and have a little talk with him, so we can get to that drink.”
“Look at what I found, Kid. Jeb Sorter here is wanted for murder and robbery and there’s a $250 reward for his capture, dead or alive. And you were right. His two partners are worth $250 and $350 respectively. Take a look at these wanted posters while I light up a cigar. I’ll go outside and smoke it while you convince Jeb here to tell you where his pals are heading.”
Jeb listened to every word between the sheriff and Charlie. He didn’t like the thought of what Charlie would do to him if he didn’t tell him what he wanted to know.
“Give a holler when you’re finished.” The sheriff left holding his cigar.
Charlie turned to Jeb and spoke through the bars of his cell. “I’m going to say this once. I’ll ask you a question and if you don’t answer I’m going to shoot you in your shoulder. Then I’ll ask the question again, and if you still won’t answer I’ll shoot you in your other shoulder. Then it’ll be one knee cap and then the other, until I make you a cripple for life.”
“You wouldn’t do that to a guy, would you?” Jeb asked pleadingly.
“Why not? I killed better men than you in the war and I didn’t even know them. You I know and don’t like, so what makes you think that I won’t enjoy shooting you to little pieces?” Charlie pulled a Colt from his side holster. “Now, I’m going to ask you a question, so remember what I told you. You will answer my question or I will shoot you in your shoulder. Where are your two friends heading?”
Jeb squinted, hoping Charlie was bluffing and wouldn’t shoot an unarmed man. “They didn’t tell me where they were going. All I know is they’re heading through Texas. That’s all I know.”
Charlie shook his head as he squeezed the trigger. BANG. Jeb’s right elbow shattered as the bullet crashed through bone and flesh.
“Ow! ” The pain Jeb was experiencing was excruciating. “ You said you were going to shoot me in my shoulder, not my elbow.” Relieved that he wou ldn ’ t have to shoot him again.
“I lied,” Charlie said, grinning , but inwardly he hoped Jeb wouldn ’ t force him to shoot him again by not talking . “One more time. Where are your friends going? Where do they intend to stay for the winter? Careful how you answer the question now.” Charlie pulled back the hammer on the Colt. “I’m waiting.”
Jeb was trying to think fast. Normally he would never betray his friends but he was in a lot of pain and the Lone Jack Kid was as serious as a heart attack. He knew he ’ d shoot him again. So rather than get all shot up and still have to answer the question, Jeb decided to answer hi s question right away before he pulled the trigger again . Just as Charlie was about to maim his other elbow, Jeb put up his hand in supplication. “Okay, okay, don’t shoot, I’ll tell you what you want to know.”
Charlie released the hammer on his gun and holstered it relieved that he wouldn ’ t have to shoot him again . “Go ahead. I’m listening.”
“They’re thinking of spending the winter in El Paso.”
“Are they going into Mexico in the spring or summer?”
“No, they were heading to Tucson. Then they planned on heading to California to see if they could swindle some miners out of their gold. They even considered staking out a gold shipment and hitting the stagecoach at a good spot along the stage route.” Now that Jeb was talking everything came flowing out of his mouth. “If you get to El Paso and they’re not there, that means they got a good start and figured they could make it to Tucson before the winter sets in.”
“You told me enough. I’ll send someone for the doctor.”
While the sheriff poured the drinks Charlie counted the $250 and, satisfied it was all there, handed the marshal $50. “Your share, Marshal.”
“Thanks, Kid, I can always spot a sport when I see one. A lot of bounty hunters wouldn’t do that. Now, let’s drink to the Lone Jack Kid.”
Chapter 15
“How are the pups doing, Percy?”
“Look at the way they’re lapping up that milk. And look how they’ve grown since they’ve been eating.”
“Well, Percy, we have a decision to make. We could spend the winter here in Horse Head Crossing or we could ride on to El Paso. What do you feel like doing?”
“This is a very small town. I think it would be a lot of fun to hole up in El Paso for the winter. More action and more excitement.”
“Yeah,” Charlie agreed. “And a lot more pretty girls.”
Percy grinned. “Yes, and that too.”
When they left Horse Head Crossing almost a month had elapsed and they were anxious to get to El Paso. The two wolves were beginning to fill out, and Charlie noticed how large their paws were. “These two little guys are going to be big wolves when they’re full grown and we’re going to have to keep our eyes on them. Wolves are very unpredictable. I’d hate to have to put them down just for doing what wolves are born to do.”
“What would that be, Charlie?”
“Wolves are natural predators. If you don’t keep them well fed, they could feed on anything, cats, chickens, goats, pigs. You name it and they’ll kill it. Remember this, a wolf will respect only the leader of the pack. We’re giving these pups a lot of tender love and kindness and that has to count for something. I believe when they grow to adulthood they will love us and be loyal to us, but I just don’t know for how long.
“Listen up, Percy. From here to El Paso we’re in Apache territory, so we have to pick where we make camp for the night very carefully, even if it means taking a little longer to get to El Paso.”
That night Charlie found a good spot for a camp, in a clearing not far from the road, among the dense, straggly, needle-shaped leaves of the pines. Charlie tied a leather covering to trees to sleep under and to keep them from the elements. After hobbling the horses, and because they were in a sheltered location, they chanced a small fire to cook their evening meal and make coffee.
“Let’s take turn s watching for two hours. I’ll take the first watch and wake you up in two hours. We’re not gonna get much sleep, but at least we’ll have our horses in the morning.”
Charlie woke Percy in two hours and handed him a r
ope. “While you’re on watch put this rope around your waist. It’s tied to both horses. If an Indian manages to sneak in here and take s a horse you’ll feel it. If that happens, wake me right away, understand?”
Percy yawned and said he understood.
During the night a twig snapped, waking Charlie. He rolled off his blanket and inched his way toward the horses. He watched as two Indians ever so slowly led the horses away, while extending the rope past an unsuspecting Percy. Charlie pulled his side-holstered Colt and fired two quick shots, killing both Indians.
Percy jumped up when he heard the shots and looked in surprise at the dead Indians. Because the rope was still tied to him the horses dragged him a few feet, but remained where they were picketed.
“Get down, you fool. Do you want to get shot?”
Percy realized he was still standing and quickly dropped to the ground, crawling over to where Charlie was hiding behind thick brush.
“Stay here. I’m going to see if there are any more Indians hiding near here.”
A short time later Charlie came back to the camp, leading the two Indian ponies. He hobbled them and walked over to the fire, which was burning low. He picked up some dried limbs and put them on the fire. Then he poured himself a cup of the thick, black coffee. “It’s all clear,” he said as he took a sip of coffee. “If there were other Indians they’re long gone. I don’t guess they’ll be back tonight, but we better keep watch just to be sure.”
Charlie took the last watch and before dawn he put more wood on the fire. Then he placed a pot of coffee over the fire. With the coffee on, he walked over to where Percy was sleeping and nudged him gently with his foot. “Time to get up, partner. I have coffee on and as soon as we have breakfast we best be on our way.”
They saddled their horses. “What are we going to do with the Indian ponies, Charlie?”
“Well, we can’t let them go because they’ll head back to the Apache’s camp, and the last thing we want is the Apache Nation dogging us for killing two of their braves. No, we’ll have to take them with us for a while. Once we get out of Apache territory and deeper into Texas we’ll let them go. Tie one to the pommel of your saddle and I’ll do the same. Give the horse plenty of slack and he’ll be all right.”
Charlie was quiet riding the trail. He hadn’t said a word in quite a while.
“Something on your mind, Charlie? You’ve been awful quiet since we left this morning. Is everything all right?”
“I don’t know. I’ve been thinking about the two Apaches. This road isn’t used much since the stage stopped using it. So what were the two Indians doing so far from their camp? I don’t think they were following us. I look for signs when I’m traveling alone. I haven’t seen any sign of Indians. What’s more important is I haven’t had that feeling when something isn’t right. So I ask myself, what were they doing at our camp trying to steal our horses? Something brought them there, and I can’t figure out what it could be. Maybe it’s nothing.”
Suddenly gunshots could be heard.
“Quick, follow me. We have to get off the road. The gunshots came from up ahead on that ridge over to our left. Let’s head into the pine trees and go the rest of the way on foot.”
They tied their horses to trees, took their Winchesters and ran towards the rapid gunfire being exchanged between the unknown parties.
“Quiet now. Don’t make a sound, because whoever is doing the shooting is right in front of us.”
Charlie took off his Stetson and raised his head to see what was happening. Directly in front of him was a band of Apache warriors, shooting at a wagon. He couldn’t make out who was shooting back, but the way they were wasting lead they’d soon run out of bullets.
He leaned over and whispered to Percy. “As far as I can tell there are eight Indians in front of us. When I give the signal, get behind that tree, pick a target and start shooting. Try to make every shot count.”
Percy waited for Charlie to give the signal. “Now!”
They stood and began blazing away. Percy hit his first target but missed two others. Charlie knocked a man down with every shot he fired. Five Indians were down and the other three took off. Charlie ran out of the trees, lifted his Winchester and fired, hitting one of the fleeing Indians, who slumped over on his horse but remained in the saddle. Charlie pulled out his pistol and killed all the wounded Indians. He didn’t want to have any more Indians than necessary coming after him.
Percy watched him doing it and shook his head. He was a doctor and believed in saving lives, not taking them. Not unless it was necessary.
Charlie called out, “Hello the wagon.”
He heard a man call back. “Come on over, strangers.”
The coast was clear, so he and Percy hustled over to the wagon.
“Boy, are we glad to see you.”
The man who greeted Charlie appeared to be in his late thirties or early forties. A woman stood beside him holding a rifle, who he assumed was his wife. A young girl of about seventeen or eighteen, with large, frightened eyes, stood behind her.
“Is everyone all right?” asked Charlie.
The man hung his head and pointed to his little boy, whose arm was bleeding badly. “My son has been shot and I’m afraid it’s serious.”
“Percy, get over here now.”
Percy came running over. “What’s wrong, Charlie?”
“Tend to that boy over there. He’s been shot.” Then he turned to the boy’s father. “This is your lucky day, mister. Percy is a doctor.”
“Thank God.” The man put out his hand. “My name is Jonathan Miller. This is my wife Doris, my daughter Judy, and my boy’s name is Samuel, but we call him Sam.”
“Listen, Jonathan, as soon as Percy patches up your son we have to get out of here before the Apache’s return.”
“We can’t leave. The Indians killed our horses.”
“As soon as Percy is finished tending to your son, you’ll go with him to get our horses while I watch your women. We have two Indian ponies that you can hitch to your wagon.”
“Where did you find the horses?”
“Two Indians tried to steal our horses last night but they wound up dead instead. We didn’t want to let the horses loose for fear they would run back to their camp and alert the Apaches that their braves weren’t coming back. So we took them with us, figuring to let them go when we got far enough out of Apache territory.”
Jonathan smiled. “The Lord works in strange ways. He brought you to us and in turn you brought two horses. By the way, you never told us your names.”
Charlie shrugged. “Sorry, I guess I had so much on my mind that I forgot. That man tending to your son is Dr. Percy Williams and my name is Charles Longstreet.”
Judy recognized his name and put her hand to her mouth. Charlie couldn’t help noticing. “Does my name scare you, little lady?”
Jonathan Miller looked at his daughter and then at Charlie, then back again at Judy. “Am I missing something here?”
Judy pointed to Charlie. “Daddy, he’s Charles Longstreet, the Lone Jack Kid, and he’s a famous gunfighter.”
“Is that true, Mr. Longstreet? You really are a famous gunfighter?”
“In a way that’s true. Ned Buntline wrote a book about me and it just about gets me killed in every town I go to. But, to answer your question. Yes, I’m the Lone Jack Kid. And by the way, my friends call me Charlie.”
Chapter 16
Percy carried little Sam Miller to the wagon and placed him on some soft blankets to make him comfortable for the journey west. Jonathan finally had an opportunity to ask how his son was doing.
“He’s young and strong. If his wound stays clean and doesn’t get infected he should recover.”
“I don’t know how to thank you, Doctor.”
Percy liked the way “doctor” sounded. “It was nothing. I’m glad I was here to help your boy. Come on, let’s get the horses.”
The small group wasted no time getting back on the road to El Pa
so. They still had a long way to go and their first order of business was to get as far away from Apache land as possible.
Charlie looked up at the threatening sky. “We’ll have to find shelter ’cause it looks like we’re in for some bad weather.”
“Looks that way,” Percy agreed. “I didn’t think they got much rain in this part of Texas.”
“They usually don’t but when it comes it comes in a deluge. Those dry river beds you see over there will kill an unsuspecting greenhorn like you if he doesn’t know better. Let’s head over to the base of that mountain and see if we can find a place to wait the storm out.”
The little group got lucky. They followed the trail about a half mile and found a cave large enough to house the wagon and horses.
Charlie and Percy gathered loose stones and made a comfortable campfire. When the fire was roaring, Doris removed a haunch of buffalo meat from the wagon and placed it over the flames. When the meat was cooked she cut it into portions and served it.
When Charlie walked out to the mouth of the cave to clean the dishes, three men who had been caught in the rainstorm were standing at the entrance of the cave smiling at him.
“We couldn’t help noticing your fire. We thought we could get somewhere safe before the weather changed but, as you can see, we didn’t make it.”
It was common courtesy in the west to welcome strangers into your home for a meal and for protection against bad weather. But these three men had the hard look of men who didn’t abide by any law other than the law of the six gun.
Harvey, the leader of the group, a tall well-built, bearded man who looked to be in his mid-twenties, spotted Doris and Judy nestled close to Jonathan for protection. “Well look what we have back there. Two pretty ladies.” Harvey turned to one of the others. “Looks like you won’t have a woman tonight, Swede.”
Swede was a tall, blonde, bearded man about the same age as Harvey but much more muscular. “That’s what you think, Harvey. You’re the one who won’t have a woman to keep him warm tonight, because that young one is mine.”