by Joe Corso
Charlie counted out the money then handed the judge a hundred dollars. “Your share, Judge. Buy yourself some nice dinners on me.”
The judge smiled and took the money. “I like your style, Kid.”
Charlie then handed Buntline four hundred dollars, which put a smile on his red, wrinkled face. “I’ll second the judge . I like your style too, Kid.”
They all laughed and the mood was festive as Judge Slater pulled a bottle from his desk. “Boys, this calls for a drink.”
Chapter 35
Charlie and Ned patrolled the streets of Los Angeles, maintaining the peace. They didn’t impose unfair sanctions on the rough men who frequented the bars and houses of ill repute, knowing they would be leaving town soon. Whatever changes they might have insisted on would have reverted back before they left town. So they just kept the crime down, so respectable people could venture out at night. It would all change back as soon as they left town. Still, the lull in violence and the respite from all the shootings and brawls, at least for a little while, was appreciated by the decent folks decent folks, at least for a little while, appreciated the lull in violence and the respite from all the shootings and brawls . It was nice to have law and order in their town, at least for a little while.
Law and order came to an end when Charlie, Ban-Chu and Ned left town and headed back to Yuma, much to the consternation of Judge Slater and the decent folks of Los Angeles. The criminal faction was delighted to see the Lone Jack Kid leave town, and with him leaving, law and order left with them. The hoodlums and gamblers could now continue their lawless ways, shooting up the town whenever they felt like it, cheating, robbing and harassing the citizenry without fear of repercussions or reprisals from the law.
They no sooner left town when Charlie stopped.
“What’s wrong, Kid?”
“Jim and Orson Fielder, the brothers of the man I killed, are what’s wrong.”
Ned looked around nervously. “I don’t see anyone.”
“No, neither do I and that’s what’s bothering me. It makes sense to me that if they wanted to kill me they wouldn’t wait any longer than today to do it. Why would they travel two or three days out of their way when they could do it here and now?”
“Yeah, I see your point. Where do you think they’ll try to kill us?”
Charlie looked around and pointed up ahead. “If I were lying in wait for someone, I’d take a position up by that pass that cuts through the San Gabriel Mountains. I’d pick a spot where I could see whoever rode through the pass, then and then I’d put him in my sights and shoot the bastard. Yeah, that’s where they’ll be waiting for us all right. Over yonder.”
“What are we gonna do, Kid? That’s the only road leading to Yuma.”
“We’ll wait here until dark, then we’ll make our way nearer to the pass. We’ll picket the horses out of sight somewhere. Then we’ll go in on foot and see if we can find those back-shooting bastards.”
Ned was relieved. What Charlie suggested made sense, so they made camp far enough away so their campfire wouldn’t be seen and settled back and waited for the sun to go down.
When sunset came, Charlie was pleased to see that the moon would be hidden behind the clouds. When they were ready to ride they couldn’t see a foot in front of them, which pleased Charlie.
After picketing the horses, they crept quietly toward the pass, with the big wolf padding quietly beside them. They hugged the wall of the canyon as they made their way onto the cold granite path leading through the mountains.
“There, do you see it?” Charlie pointed to the glow of a campfire. “Come on, let’s circle around them. They don’t know we’re here. Thanks to their stupidity we now know where they are.”
They climbed up, always keeping their eyes on the firelight, until they came to a flat ledge, where the outlaws’ horses were picketed.
“Four horses. Looks like they brought a couple of their friends with them for backup.”
Ned crawled up onto the ledge where Charlie had positioned himself, but accidentally kicked loose a rock, which ran down the side of the ledge and struck the back of one of the men, who was having coffee. Suddenly all hell broke loose as the man fell to his side and began shooting at the spot where he thought the rock may have fell from. The other three men joined him, and with the lead flying, the night lit up as though a thousand fireflies suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
Charlie and Ned just hunkered down and let the bullets fly harmlessly past them.
“Stop firing!” one of the men said. He turned to the man who opened the ball and started firing his gun. “What happened, Frank?”
“A rock hit my back. I think someone’s up there on that ledge.”
The men all looked up but in the darkness they couldn’t see anything. “Well, we better not take any chances. We’ll each take two hour watches, starting with you, Frank.”
Charlie decided to wait until daylight before starting anything he couldn’t finish. But just to be certain that these men wouldn’t escape, he and Ned backed down to where the men’s horses were hobbled. Being careful not to alert the man on watch, they led the horses quietly down to the road and walked them to where their own horses and burro were tied. They took all the animals off the road, making sure they were well hidden.
“Now that we took care of the horses, let’s get back to the ledge. I want to be in position when the men wake up.”
As the orange orb of the sun began to lighten the dark sky, the man on watch went to check on the horses in anticipation of riding back to town after they killed the Lone Jack Kid . . . only the horses weren’t there.
“Wake up. Everyone get up. The horses are gone.”
The sleeping men woke with a start.
“Are you sure?” Jim Fielder asked, as he adjusted his holster.
“Let’s go find them,” said Orson Fielder.
The four men were about to head toward where they had picketed the horses when a voice called out to them. “Stay where you are and reach for the sky. Make a false move and I’ll drill ya.”
Ned had slipped around behind them, and if any of them went for their guns, he’d be in position to cover Charlie’s back and if gunfire erupted Ned and Charlie would have the b ushwhackers in a crossfire . Charlie hoped he wouldn’t have another scene like the shootout in Los Angeles. But he was ready if there was. His hopes were dashed as one man went for his gun, but he managed to gun him down before he cleared leather. Just as the second man was going for his gun, Ban-Chu leaped at him. His jaw locked around the man’s gun hand, knocking him to the ground. The wolf hovered over him with his teeth bared and saliva dribbling from his jaws and onto the man’s chest. The third and fourth men had their guns out, and as the fourth man leveled his gun at Charlie, a shot rang out from Ned Buntline, dropping the man, while at the same time Charlie shot the third man.
Charlie made his way down to where Ban-Chu was still hovering over the man whose wrist he had crushed with his massive jaw.
“Good boy, Ban-Chu.” Charlie patted the wolf on his head. The wolf backed off and stood beside Charlie, with his ears down and his tail wagging, happy he had pleased his master. “Get on your feet, mister. Ned, check to see if any of the others are alive.”
“No, Charlie, they’re all dead.”
Charlie asked the injured man his name.
“Frank Logan. The Fielder brothers were cousins of mine.”
“You’re a lucky man, Frank. You’re the only one still alive, and that’s because my wolf took you down and not a bullet. Ned?”
“Yes, Charlie.”
“Go get the horses. Frank here is gonna put his cousins on their horses and then we’re gonna take a ride back to Los Angeles.”
Charlie, Ned and Frank Logan tied their horses in front of Judge Slater’s office. The door opened and the judge walked out.
“I saw you fellas pull up with a lot of dead bodies on horses.” The judge lifted the heads of each of the dead men. “I see you got the two
Fielder brothers, but who’s the third man?”
Charlie looked over at Frank Logan. “Who is that man, Frank?”
“He’s Len Morgan, A friend of Jim Fielder’s . He just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Judge Slater scratched his head. “Well, we know what we have to do with these three men, but what do you suggest we do with him?” He pointed at Frank Logan.
“Look at me, Frank.” Frank turned his gaze toward Charlie. “ Now that your cousins are dead, a re you going to be a problem if we let you go?”
Frank’s eyes widened at the thought that he might go free. “You won’t have any problems with me. I’m just thankful I’m still alive, so don’t worry about me.”
“Okay, you’re free to go. Just don’t give me a reason to come back here to look for you. I will if I have to.
“You have my word, Marshal. I won’t cause you any trouble.”
“All right, you convinced me. Get on your horse and get out of here.”
Frank Logan mounted his horse and rode out of town. Charlie guessed he was riding out to his cousin’s ranch, which as their next of kin the ranch might soon be his.
Chapter 36
For the second time in two days, Ned Buntline, Charles Longstreet and Ban- C hu were seen riding out of town. This time there was no hesitation riding through the San Gabriel mountain pass leading to Yuma. As they loped lazily down the rutted, dirt road Buntline leaned over and asked Charlie, “Are you going to marry that pretty little Lorraine Woods girl?”
Charlie took his hat off and wiped his neck and forehead with his bandanna. “I don’t rightly know, Ned. I sure enough love that girl, but then again I loved all the women I’ve had a chance to get close to, starting with Abby. I guess I haven’t had a lot of experience dealing with good women. Because of my lack of experience I guess I just fall in love with them. Maybe that’s why I never wrote Abby. I figured she’d wait for me. But seeing as I’ve been gone for almost two years now I guess I can’t blame her for finding another man to marry. As far as Lorraine goes, I love her too, but I don’t know if I’m ready for marriage yet.”
When they arrived in Yuma, Charlie rode down Main Street looking for a particular sign. He found it about three quarters down the street. The sign read “Percy Williams, M.D.” Charlie was happy for his friend. Percy had found what he had been looking for—adventure, romance and a profession. Charlie knew that he had been a major factor in helping Percy settle down.
He and Ned tied their horses to a rail and, with Ban-Ch u following, walked into the doctor’s waiting room.
A young lady dressed in a nurse’s uniform approached them. “Can I help you, gentlemen?”
“Yes. Tell Dr. Williams that his partner is here to see him.”
Her eyebrows rose, wondering who these men were. She turned and disappeared through a door, only to return following an excited Percy.
“Charlie, Ned, when did you two reprobates get back?”
Charlie smiled. “I don’t know what that word means, but it better mean something nice.”
Percy frowned. “I guess I’d better take that word back then.” He became serious for a moment. “Did you boys just arrive back here?”
Charlie nodded. “We just got back and headed straight here to see how you were doing.” He swept his hands horizontally. “I like your office and the way it’s decorated.”
“You can thank Janie for that. She took control of buying the accessories and decorating the office. I think she did a great job, wouldn’t you agree?”
Both men agreed.
“Have you set a wedding date yet?” asked Charlie.
“We were waiting for you to get back before setting a date. But now that you’re back we’ll set a date for a month or two from now. Come on, let’s go find Janie and let her know you fellas are back. I know Lorraine will be glad to see you. She asks me every day if I’ve heard from you. Oh, before we leave I have something for you. A package arrived from your brother Bob. It’s in my office. Wait here a minute.”
A minute later he handed Charlie the small package. Charlie opened it and a handful of diamonds fell into the palm of his hand. He carefully dropped them on the secretary’s desk and he counted fifteen diamonds. “Pretty aren’t they?” he said as he put them back in the envelope. Then he placed the envelope in his pocket.
They waited for a wagon train to pass and crossed the wide boulevard to enter Loraine and Janie’s clothing store. As soon as Loraine saw Charlie she ran to him and threw her arms around him, kissing him hard on his lips, which both surprised and pleased Charlie.
“Charlie, I was so worried about you. Did you get those two men?”
“Yes. I found them in Los Angeles. There was a shootout and they wound up dead.”
“You didn’t get in trouble did you?”
Buntline laughed. “Fat chance that he would get in any trouble.”
“What did you mean by that remark, Ned?”
“Show her, Charlie.” He laughed.
“I’ll show her mine if you show her yours.”
Ned slapped both thighs and laughed loudly. “Charlie, you make it sound like we’re in a bawdy house.”
“Go on, now,” Charlie said , laughing. “If you’ll show her yours I’ll show her mine.”
“All right, here’s mine.” Ned pulled out his badge while Charlie, still laughing, pulled his vest aside and showed Lorraine his badge.
“Now I’m confused. What in the dickens are those badges you’re wearing?”
“You tell her, Ned. You’re the one writing the story.”
So Ned explained to Lorraine and Janie how they became temporary law men .
Charlie nodded. “When we went after those men we were acting within the law. Listen, I just wanted to stop by and tell you I’m back. Now I’d like to go to the hotel, take a hot bath and get into some fresh clothing. So I’ll see you later.”
After they had their bath and put on some clean clothing Ned got serious.
“What are you planning on doing with your life, Charlie? You know that you can’t continue the way you are now. Sooner or later you’re gonna run into somebody faster than you, or someone will ambush you from behind. Have you given any thought to these questions?”
“Ned, I’m a simple man who’s living a difficult life, a life I never wanted.”
Ned hung his head, realizing he was the cause of all of Charlie’s woes. If he hadn’t written that first dime novel, Charlie would be living the simple life he always wanted. He looked up with tears in his eyes.
“I’m to blame, Kid, and I’m truly sorry.”
Charlie could see Ned’s pain and patted him gently on the shoulder. “Think of it this way, Ned. If you hadn’t written that book about me, you would never have become my friend. Besides my brother Bob and especially you, Ned, I wouldn’t have any friends. You’ve become my family, Ned, you and Bob. My family were all farmers, and so was I until I left to fight in the war. Yankee’s killed my mother and father and burned our farm down. They tried to do the same with Jesse’s family but they only managed to blow up his mother’s home, killing his little brother and almost killing his mother. So I’ve been thinking about what I’m going to do with the rest of my life a lot lately.”
“And?” Ned asked.
“And I believe I’m going to take some of my money and buy a ranch somewhere, and eventually marry a nice lady.”
“You mean like Lorraine?”
“Yeah, maybe someone like Lorraine.”
“Do you love her enough to marry her?”
“I already told you I fall in love with every good woman I get close too and Lorraine is a good woman, so yes, I guess I love her enough to marry her.”
“Have you forgotten about Judy Miller?” Ned chuckled.
“No I haven’t forgotten about Judy. I love her too, and if she was here I wouldn’t know which one to marry. I do love them both. I guess that’s my weakness. But I wouldn’t give up loving those gals fo
r all the money in the world.”
Ned shook his head. “What in hell am I going to do with you, Charlie?”
Charlie was about to answer when there was a knock on the door. “Who is it?”
“Lieutenant Reynolds, Mr. Longstreet. I need to speak to you. Can I come in please?”
Charlie motioned toward the door. “Let him in, Ned. Let’s see what an officer in the United States Army wants with an ex-confederate soldier.”
“So, Lieutenant. How can I help you?” Charlie asked, curious.
“I’m Lieutenant Reynolds and I’m under direct orders from the President of these United States of America to find you and bring you under escort to Washington. The President requests that you come as soon as possible. He has something important to discuss with you and it requires your presence at the White House as soon as you can get there . There’s a special train waiting for us. It will leave Yuma for Washington as soon as we board.”
Chapter 37
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Office of Ulysses S. Grant, President of the United States of America
“Ah, Mr. Longstreet. I’m so glad to finally meet you. I’ve read all of Mr. Buntline’s books and I must say I enjoyed them immensely. But before we get down to business, I’d like to ask you for a favor.”
“Anything I can do for you, Mr. President, I would be happy to oblige.”
“I’ve heard so much about your shooting skills and, being an old soldier, I was wondering if before we get down to the business you would be so kind as to give me a demonstration of your shooting prowess. You know I used to be a pretty good shot myself, so maybe I’ll fire a few shots at a target too.”
“Is this what you wanted to see me about, Mr. President?”
Grant chuckled. “Hell no, son. I have the business of the nation I’m going to talk to you about after we finish target practice. We’re just going to take a few minutes and have a little fun before we get down to our serious discussions. There’s an important reason why I asked you to come to Washington, and I’ll tell you about it later. But right now let’s head out to the gardens where my men have set up some targets for us to shoot at.”