by Tell Cotten
“What if they surrender?” Cooper asked.
“I can’t send them to prison,” Judge Parker said. “Ike would find out.”
Cooper looked at me and frowned.
“Look, these are bad men,” Judge Parker explained patiently. “I don’t care how you do it. Just get rid of them.”
Cooper and I nodded soberly.
“Are you sure you want to put rifles in the hands of Injuns?” I asked.
“Course not,” Judge Parker said. “Disable them first.”
“They already fell for that once,” Cooper warned. “I doubt they’d fall for it again.”
“Don’t disable them all,” Judge Parker suggested. “And, make sure the ones they try aren’t disabled.”
Cooper and I smiled faintly.
“You make it sound so easy,” I said.
Judge Parker smiled and shrugged.
“There’s another problem,” I announced.
“What’s that?”
“It’ll probably be No Worries we’re dealing with. He would recognize me and Josie,” I explained.
“And I don’t speak Apache,” Cooper added.
“Do you know anybody else that does?” Judge Parker asked.
“Yes,” I said suddenly. “I do. He lives in Landry.”
“Who is it?” Cooper looked at me.
“Kolorado.”
“Him? He’d never agree to go with us,” Cooper objected.
“He might, under the right circumstances,” I said thoughtfully, and I glanced at Judge Parker. “Judge, I need you to write up a pardon.”
“For who?”
“Kolorado.”
“Who exactly is Kolorado?” Judge Parker asked.
“He’s an old-timer who owns a livery stable,” I said, and added, “But, Kolorado isn’t his real name. He had to change it.”
“Why?”
“I have no idea.”
“So why the pardon?”
“For leverage,” I explained.
Judge Parker frowned, and then he nodded.
“All right. I’ll have it for you in the morning.”
I nodded, and it fell silent as we thought on things.
“So, we have to go to Landry and kill Morgan and Boyle, recruit Kolorado, go to Bronc, meet Ike’s man and get the rifles, and then go up into the mountains and trade for the boy with disabled rifles,” Cooper surmised.
“Sounds about right,” I said.
“And you only have six days,” Judge Parker reminded.
“We like a good challenge,” I smiled.
Chapter sixteen
Judge Parker swore us in as Texas Rangers the next morning.
“Here’s your badges,” he said as he handed them over.
We were at the jail, and the only witnesses were Josie and Sheriff Wagons. Wagons sat behind his desk, and he still looked sullen.
“Remember,” Judge Parker warned, “Keep those badges hidden when you boys are doing your Pinkerton work.”
“Pinkerton work?” Wagons asked.
“Forget you heard that,” Judge Parker frowned at him.
“Yes, sir.”
Judge Parked turned back to me.
“Here’s the pardon,” he handed it over.
I put the pardon and my badge in my pocket, and then I shook Judge Parker’s hand.
“Good luck,” Judge Parker said.
I nodded and looked at Wagons.
“Wagons,” I said dryly.
Wagons nodded sullenly.
I looked around the jail once more, and then I walked out the door. Cooper and Josie followed.
***
It took us an hour to get everything gathered up. We grabbed enough provisions to last a couple of weeks, and we packed Jug-head down with the supplies. We also packed an extra pair of clothes for each of us.
Josie looked different this morning. She wore a man’s shirt and buckskin pants, and she also wore moccasins that came all the way up to her knees. To me, she seemed more comfortable dressed this way.
Josie also had a bow and some arrows that she packed on Jug-head, and I frowned curiously.
“Are you any good with that?” I asked.
“Yes.”
I looked at Cooper, and he nodded.
“She can hit what she aims at,” he confirmed.
“Might come in handy,” I said.
“Sure might,” Cooper agreed.
“Well, let’s go saddle the horses,” I suggested.
We were almost done when the stagecoach pulled into the street. Passengers that were waiting threw their luggage on top and climbed in.
We led our horses out into the street, and I spotted J.T. Tussle and Jessica walking towards the stage.
Jessica saw me, and she said something to Tussle and walked over. As she got closer, that tight feeling returned to my stomach.
“Good morning, Yancy,” she said.
“Jessica,” I nodded.
She nodded back, and then we looked at each other.
“I’m sorry you lost the election,” she finally said.
“It wasn’t meant to be,” I shrugged.
“Are you going somewhere?”
“Yes.”
She paused, waiting for me to explain, but I wasn’t sure if I should.
I spotted Tussle throwing luggage on top of the stage.
“How ’bout you?” I asked instead. “Where are you and Tussle headed?”
“Empty-lake,” Jessica said. “J.T. has some business there, and I wanted to go along.”
“Lee Mattingly is in Empty-lake,” I said thoughtfully.
“He sure is,” Jessica said, and she looked excited. “I need to see him too.”
I frowned at that.
“Have a good trip,” I said abruptly.
Jessica looked at me and smiled, but I didn’t acknowledge it.
“Well, goodbye, Yancy.”
“Bye.”
Jessica hesitated, but then she turned and walked over to the stage. I watched her climb in, and then I looked at Cooper. He was smiling, and I scowled.
“Like I said,” Cooper said. “Painful. Just painful.”
“She needs to see Lee? What does that mean?” I asked as I ignored Cooper’s comment.
“I don’t know, Yancy,” Cooper replied, and suggested, “Mebbe it came out wrong. Probably meant ‘hope’.”
I thought on that for a moment.
“‘I hope to see Lee’ ain’t any better,” I complained.
“I’m not sure what you want me to say, Yancy,” Cooper said.
“It’s not what you’re saying, it’s what she said,” I said in disgust.
Cooper didn’t reply.
“She ain’t never needed to see me,” I muttered.
Cooper nodded politely, and I sighed as I climbed on my horse.
“I’m tired of this town,” I said. “You ready?”
Cooper looked at Josie, and she nodded.
“We’re ready,” Cooper said.
“Then let’s go,” I said, and we kicked up our horses.
Chapter seventeen
We traveled in silence. Cooper led the way, and Josie followed him. I led Jug-head and brought up the rear.
Cooper and I developed a routine during the war whenever we traveled. Since he was the better tracker, he always led while I searched the landscape, looking for anything suspicious. And, even when we weren’t tracking something, we always stuck to the same routine.
It was a two-day ride to Landry. We had made the ride many times, and we knew the way. There was a mesa halfway between Midway and Landry, and the plan was to camp there.
It was midmorning when Cooper glanced back at me.
“I’m curious,” he said.
“About what?”
“What bothers you more,” Cooper explained. “Losing the election, or Jessica?”
“Do I have to pick?”
Cooper grinned and turned back around in the saddle while I scowled at him.
&nbs
p; The day passed smoothly. The country was open with rolling hills, and we made good time. As it was getting dark, we arrived at the base of the mesa.
“I’ll make some coffee,” I said as we dismounted.
“I’ll do it,” Josie offered.
“Don’t worry about it,” I replied abruptly.
Josie frowned, but she didn’t say anything.
Before she could change her mind, I gathered some wood and built a fire. Meanwhile, Cooper brought me the coffee pot while Josie tended to the horses.
I glanced at Cooper after the coffee was on.
“I’m about to starve, Coop,” I said in a quiet voice. “I haven’t had a decent meal in two days.”
“I know. Me too,” Cooper admitted.
“I could cook something,” I suggested.
“No. Josie wants to.”
I scowled.
“That was the worst stew I’ve ever attempted to eat,” I declared.
“It was bad,” Cooper agreed.
Suddenly, we heard an angry gasp behind us. We spun around, and Josie stood behind us.
“Boy, you’re quiet,” I said.
“Josie,” Cooper stood.
Anger flashed in Josie’s eyes. She shook her head and stormed off.
Cooper looked at me and frowned, and then he hurried after her.
“Josie. Wait!”
Josie kept walking, but Cooper finally caught her. He reached for her shoulder, but she shrugged him off and kept walking.
They disappeared into the darkness. I tried not to listen, but I couldn’t help but hear sharp, abrupt words from Josie. I wasn’t sure, but it sounded like she was talking in Apache.
A few minutes passed, and Cooper walked back up to the fire. He had a pained expression on his face. His shoulders were hunched, and he had the tips of his fingers in his pockets.
“Coffee?” I asked.
Cooper nodded. I jumped to my feet, poured him a cup, and handed it to him.
It was silent as we drank our coffee. Cooper just stared into the fire, and I frowned as I watched him.
“She mad?” I finally asked.
Cooper took a swig of coffee.
“Remember those rides you were offering to take?” He asked.
“Sure,” I nodded.
“There’s no need for ’em right now.”
I tried not to smile.
“I’m sorry, Coop,” I said as earnestly as I could.
“So am I,” Cooper said.
Chapter eighteen
I took advantage of the situation and cooked supper. I had brought some salt pork, and I placed thick slices in my frying pan. It wasn’t long until the pork was hissing, and my stomach growled.
When the salt pork was done, I warmed up some cold biscuits that I had. Next, I made a plate for Cooper and handed it to him, and then I fixed my own plate.
“What about Josie?” I asked.
“I’d leave her alone for now.”
“She’s your wife,” I replied, and it fell silent as we ate.
I tore into my salt pork with a vengeance. It tasted good, and I washed it down with several cups of coffee.
“Was Josie speaking Apache?” I asked.
“She does that when she’s upset.”
“Well, least you don’t understand what she’s saying,” I tried to be helpful.
“I may not understand the words, but I still get the gist.”
“Yeah,” I said thoughtfully. “I think I got the gist too.”
Cooper nodded solemnly.
“I’m sorry, Coop,” I said. “I should have kept quiet.”
“She’ll get over it.”
“You can blame me if you want,” I offered.
“Thanks,” Cooper said. “I will.”
I looked at Cooper and smiled, but he didn’t return the smile.
“I reckon she had to know, sooner or later,” Cooper said. “I just wish I could have broke it to her a bit more gentle-like.”
“I don’t think being a cook is her calling in life,” I suggested. “She seems more comfortable out here, away from town.”
“It’s what she’s used to.”
“It’s what I’m used to also,” I said as I reached for the coffee pot. “More coffee?”
Cooper nodded, and I poured us both another cup. It was silent for a bit, and Cooper glanced at me.
“Does this business with Morgan and Boyle bother you any?”
“What about it?”
“We’ve killed lots of men before,” Cooper said. “But, never quite like this.”
“What’s the difference?”
“Everybody else got a chance to surrender,” Cooper explained.
“I reckon they did,” I said.
“But Morgan and Boyle won’t have that option.”
“No, they won’t,” I agreed.
“And that doesn’t bother you?”
“It does some,” I admitted.
“I can’t stop thinking about it.”
“What’s the penalty for murder?” I asked.
“Death by hanging,” Cooper said.
“Well, you heard what Judge Parker said,” I reasoned. “These men are killers. How I see it is that Judge Parker sentenced them, and now we’re carrying that order out, just like any hangman would.”
Cooper scratched his jaw thoughtfully.
“I reckon that’s one way to look at it,” he finally said.
I nodded.
“Course, they could kill us first,” Cooper reckoned.
“Could happen.”
“So, they’ll either kill us, or we’ll kill them,” Cooper figured.
“That would be correct.”
“And the first ones that die,” Cooper declared, “loses.”
I smiled and nodded.
Chapter nineteen
Josie was so quiet, I didn’t even notice when she came back.
Cooper and I drank a few more cups of coffee, and I suddenly spotted Josie, sitting beside the fire. I was startled, and I dropped my cup of coffee.
“Boy, you’re quiet,” I said again.
Josie looked at me, and her face was emotionless. I smiled, but she didn’t acknowledge it.
The night air was cool. Cooper stood, grabbed a blanket, and offered it to her. She shook her head abruptly. Cooper frowned at her, and then he sat back down.
Meanwhile, I made her a plate and held it out to her.
“Hungry?” I asked.
She stared at it. She hesitated, but then she grabbed it. I smiled and poured her a cup of coffee.
It was silent while Josie ate. I looked at Cooper, but he just shrugged.
“Well, we should be at Landry tomorrow evening,” I said, just to be saying something.
Neither Josie nor Cooper replied.
“Things might get busy then,” I said.
Again, it was silent.
A few more awkward minutes passed. Josie finished her supper, and then we just sat there.
“Well, think I’ll turn in,” I finally said.
Cooper nodded. I grabbed my bedroll, walked away from the fire a ways, and bedded down.
***
Josie didn’t offer to cook breakfast the next morning, so I did.
Nobody talked while we ate. Josie looked sullen, and Cooper looked irritable.
We packed up camp after breakfast, and we saddled our horses and rode out.
It took us several hours to climb the mesa. It was a steep climb, and we had to ride back and forth instead of straight up.
Soon as we reached the top, Cooper took the lead. I followed with Jug-head, and Josie followed me.
It was an uneventful day. Josie never said a word, and Cooper didn’t say much either. Occasionally I would see them looking at each other, but that was all.
We arrived at Landry about an hour before dark.
Landry was one of those towns that existed mainly for folks passing through. There was only one main street, and it always seemed to be soggy and muddy. Th
ere was also a stink that sort of rose up from the ground, and everything had a greasy look about it.
This was the place where Cooper, Rondo, and I had killed Wade Davis and his sons. Cooper had been shot in the hip again, and I’d been hit in the shoulder. This was also the town where Cooper and Josie had met.
“Lotta memories here,” Cooper commented.
“Yeah. Painful ones,” I said, and I reached up and patted my shoulder.
“Not all of them,” Cooper said, and he looked at Josie.
They stared at each other, and Cooper smiled. Josie started to frown, but then she smiled back.
“Well, let’s go see Kolorado,” I suggested.
Cooper nodded, and we rode on down the street to Kolorado’s livery stable.
Kolorado was sitting on his bench out in front. He was chewing tobacco, and between spits he was whittling on a stick.
He wore the same sweat stained shirt. And, even though it was warm, he also wore white long johns underneath, and the sleeves and collar had a salty, brown look. He also had a stringy, white moustache that was stained by tobacco juice.
Kolorado looked up and spotted us. First, he stared at Josie, and then he looked at me and Cooper.
“Well, I see you ain’t been killed yet,” He grunted.
“It’s good to see you too,” I said.
“What are you doing here this time?”
“We rode all this way just to see you,” I forced a smile.
Kolorado grunted.
“Sure you did. I reckon you’ll be wanting to stay here tonight.”
“Thanks for the invite,” I said.
“It ain’t no invite,” he scowled. “You’ll pay, or you can go on down the street.”
I smiled and nodded.
“I don’t understand why you Landons always want to stay here anyway,” Kolorado muttered as he stood. “Hotel would be more comfortable.”
“We like it here,” I said, and added, “Besides, we’ve always paid.”
“You have,” Kolorado agreed, and then he sighed. “Well, come on. Let’s get you settled.”
We dismounted and followed Kolorado inside, and we unsaddled our horses and fed them hay. While we worked, Kolorado leaned against a stall and stared at Josie.
“I see you’re still with Cooper,” Kolorado said.
“Yes,” Josie nodded.