by Tell Cotten
Kinrich was in good spirits, and over the next few days he joked and kidded me like he used to.
I was feeling fine too. The job was over with, and it would be a while before we had to go out again. And during that time I wouldn’t have to worry about killing innocent folks or tangling with Ryan Palmer.
It was a peaceful three months. Almost every day I practiced with my six-shooter, and in the evenings me and Kinrich would play poker. Course, every few weeks Kinrich would fall back into one of his darker moods, but after a few days it would pass.
Like before, Kinrich left to set up the next job. He was in a bad mood when he left, so I didn’t mind him being gone. But when he returned he was laughing and smiling that boyish smile of his, and I was glad.
Before I knew it, we were leaving our little valley again.
This time, we were heading for the New Mexico Territory.
Chapter twenty-six
Like before, Kinrich’s mood changed for the worse.
He rarely spoke to me. At nighttime he would just sit beside the campfire smoking cigarettes and drinking coffee, and he would stare out into the darkness.
I was used to his behavior now, and I didn’t let it bother me.
It took us almost two weeks to get to the designated hideout. We arrived a day early, and the only other person that made it in that day was Lee.
Lee was jovial and in a good mood, and it was a welcome change after being around a moody Kinrich so long.
We set up camp and cooked some supper, and afterwards the three of us sat round the campfire.
There at first Lee and Kinrich made small talk, but finally Lee asked, “So, what’s the job this time?”
Kinrich refilled his cup with fresh coffee and leaned back.
“Well, there’s a no good Yankee feller that’s got himself a little trading post set up in town,” Kinrich explained. “He mainly deals with the trappers from the mountains. He buys their furs for next to nothing and then sells ’em back east for real big profits. But, I’m figuring them furs will sell just fine back in Texas.”
“They might bring more if’n we sold ’em back east too,” Lee speculated. “There ain’t much money in the South right now.”
“I know a feller in Texas that’ll buy ’em,” Kinrich replied, and added stubbornly, “and even if I could get more money, I still wouldn’t give them Yankees nothing.”
“It’ll be a bit odd, robbing a trading post,” Lee said with an amused grin.
Kinrich frowned as he took a sip of coffee.
“No different than robbing a bank.”
Lee shrugged, and then he turned to me.
“Rondo, have you been practicing anymore with that fancy Colt of yours?”
“Just about every day,” I replied.
“That’s good,” Lee said. “You need to keep yourself sharp. You never know when you’re going to have to defend yourself.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, confused.
“Nothing much; I’ve just heard some talk is all,” Lee replied.
“Oh? What kind of talk?” I asked curiously.
Lee took his time. He pulled out a cigar and bit off the end, and after he had lit up he looked back up at me.
“’Bout a month ago I was over in Santa Fe, and I ran into Ryan Palmer. It seems he’s still real sore over that clobbering you gave him, and he told me he’s dead set on killing you. Now, I told him he’d best be forgetting the idea, but he ain’t going to. He has a mighty strong disliking for you.”
Before I could say anything Kinrich looked up sharply, and his face was real thoughtful looking.
“So Ryan's still got a burr under his saddle, eh?” Kinrich asked.
“Seems like it,” Lee replied.
“Hmm,” Kinrich said. “I might have to do something ’bout that. I can’t have turmoil amongst my men, you know.”
“Are you going to give him another talking to?” I asked.
Kinrich shot me a dark look.
“You ain’t scared of him now, are you?” Kinrich asked sarcastically.
“No,” I replied truthfully. “I just thought you didn’t want any more trouble between us.”
“You leave it to me. I’ll think of something,” Kinrich replied smugly.
After that we rolled out our bedrolls and turned in.
I didn’t sleep very well. Kinrich was sure acting odd, and I was a bit worried as to what he was thinking.
The next morning Kinrich rode out to look the town over. While he was gone the rest of the boys drifted in.
Palmer rode in on his dun horse around mid-afternoon, and he looked cocky and arrogant.
I was uneasy. But Palmer acted like I wasn’t even there, and that suited me just fine.
Along towards dark Kinrich rode back in, and he was leading behind him two pack mules. Everybody wondered what they were for, but me and Lee figured they were for toting the furs.
That night after supper Kinrich got everybody together, and he carefully laid out the plan. He went over every detail and made sure that everybody clearly understood their part.
I reckon my job was the easiest, and I was sure glad to have it.
All I had to do was ride into town a couple of hours before the rest did and set out on the porch of the general store. That porch offered a good view of the trading post, and I was to cover everybody as they rode in and out.
When Palmer heard that he snickered and made a comment about me being sheltered from trouble.
I kept waiting for Kinrich to give him a good scolding. But Kinrich never did, and I was confused as to why he didn’t.
***
It was still dark when Kinrich woke me up the next morning.
“You’d best be getting on into town,” Kinrich said as he knelt beside me. “And remember: if anybody asks, you’re just passing through, looking for a ranch job.”
“I remember,” I replied groggily.
I got dressed. Then, after gulping down some coffee, I saddled Slim.
Kinrich stood by as I rode out.
“Remember, Button; things don’t always go as planned, so you be ready for anything.”
“I’ll remember,” I nodded.
As I trotted into town I thought my situation over.
I sure didn’t like the thought of having to shoot somebody, so I decided if I had to shoot that I would try to only nick them.
I also thought some more about Kinrich.
He was sure acting odd, and I couldn’t figure out why. By now I was used to his mood changes. But this was something different, and it made me uneasy.
Whatever it was, I just hoped that he would come out of it after the job was done.
When I reached the outskirts of town I pulled up Slim and looked the town over.
It was a small town. I located the general store and rode on in.
The town was still mostly asleep as I walked Slim down the main street. A dog sleeping by the hitching rail looked up momentarily as I dismounted, but that was all the attention I attracted.
I tied Slim good and tight, and then I awkwardly sat down on a bench by the front door of the general store. Already I was getting nervous, and I’m sure I looked guilty as I sat there trying to look normal.
The longer I sat there the more nervous I got. After a while the town folks started showing up on the street, and I could feel sweat starting to run down my face.
A few of the folks glanced curiously at me as they walked by. I tried to smile and look cordial. There were a few “hellos” and “howdys”, but to my relief that was all.
The morning passed slowly.
Finally, down the street, I saw Cliff and Valdez riding in. They were supposed to ride to the blacksmith shop, which was directly across from the trading post.
My heart beat wildly as I watched them ride up and dismount. Kinrich and the rest of the boys would be coming next, and it could happen at any moment now.
My mouth was dry as I sat there wringing my hands. I kept looking up a
nd down the street as I waited for them to come.
Suddenly, I saw a lone horseman on a light colored dun horse walking slowly into town. There was sure something familiar about the rider, and I blocked the sun with my hat as I squinted at him.
I suddenly recognized him. It was Ryan Palmer, and he was riding straight towards me.
Something had gone wrong. Palmer was supposed to be coming into town with Kinrich and the rest of the boys, but I didn’t see Kinrich anywhere.
I took a quick look at Cliff and Valdez. They were both sitting in the shade beside the blacksmith shop, looking unconcerned.
I looked back at Palmer. He had his eyes on me, and I sure didn’t like the cruel, hard look he was giving me.
He rode up in front of the general store. He pulled up, dismounted, and tied his horse next to mine.
He stepped up onto the front porch, and as he walked up I could only stare at him in confusion.
“What are you doing here?” I asked in a low, urgent voice. “Where’s Kinrich?”
Palmer’s face was cold and expressionless.
“Plans have changed,” Palmer said matter-of-factly. “I’m here to kill you.”
Chapter twenty-seven
I didn’t know what to do or say. Before I could think of something, Palmer reached down, unbuckled his gun belt, and tossed it aside.
“Stand up!” he said roughly. “Before I kill you I’m going to give you the whipping you deserve.”
“Are you crazy?” I asked in confusion. “You’re messing everything up! Kinrich’s going to kill you!”
I was expecting an answer, but Palmer was through talking.
He swung his fist and hit my jaw hard. The blast knocked me off the bench.
Before I could recover, he was on top of me. He swung both fists, and he peppered me in the face with short, powerful blows.
Within seconds my lips were busted, and blood flowed out my nose.
It was then that the feeling grabbed a-hold of me. I felt a rage deep down, and I forgot all about the trading post and Kinrich. Instead, my only thoughts were of survival.
From somewhere inside me an outraged yell erupted, and I shoved Palmer off me.
Palmer flew off the porch and landed in the street.
Before he could recover I was on my feet. I unbuckled my gun belt, and then I viciously attacked.
Palmer tried to raise his hands to fend me off, but I didn’t give him the chance as I hammered away with both fists.
I heard a sharp, cracking sound in my left hand, but that didn’t stop me. I kept slamming away, and Palmer was really taking a beating.
But Palmer wasn’t done yet.
Suddenly he lashed out with a hard right to my midsection, and the blast left me momentarily stunned. He followed it with a smashing blow to the side of my face, and as I staggered backwards I barely kept on my feet.
I tasted blood, and my head throbbed with pain. But the feeling just wouldn’t let me quit, and with a wild fury I dove back at Palmer.
We both swung our fists as we stood toe to toe and slugged it out. We both were taking a beating, but finally Palmer’s knees buckled. He hit the ground, and I was right on top of him, still swinging away.
But suddenly, I felt huge, rough hands grab a-hold of me from behind. I was yanked off Palmer, and I went flying through the air.
I hit the ground hard.
I looked up and saw a big man looking sourly at me. I also noticed that the big man wore a badge.
“Knock it off,” he said roughly.
I got to my feet slowly, and as I did I noticed that a huge crowd had gathered around us. It looked like the whole town had come a-running to see the fight.
The sheriff looked over at Palmer.
“Help that man up, mister,” he told me.
I went over and grabbed Palmer by the shoulder. I pulled him to his feet, and then Palmer shoved me away.
“Get your hands off me!” He muttered.
“I want to know what’s going on here,” the sheriff demanded.
Palmer just stood there looking sullen, so I turned to the sheriff.
“I don’t rightly know myself, Sheriff,” I said.
The sheriff studied us with cold, hard eyes.
“I ain’t never seen you two before. Why are you here?”
“I’m just passing through, looking for a ranch job,” I replied as I wiped blood off my lips.
The sheriff frowned, and then grunted.
“Well, you ain’t going to be getting a job around these parts, I can guarantee it! You’re both leaving town right now, and if I see either one of you in my town again I’ll arrest you on sight! This here’s a peaceful little town, and we don’t tolerate trouble makers.”
“Yes, sir,” I replied meekly.
“Now you two get outta my sight!”
It was embarrassing, being ordered out of town. While the whole town watched I grabbed my gun belt, and then I painfully climbed up onto Slim.
The sheriff made us ride out of town going in different directions, and I was glad for that. Now I could talk to Kinrich before Palmer did.
I rode to the designated hideout, and by the time I got there one eye had completely swelled shut.
Camp was busy. Everybody was packing up, and nobody even noticed me.
I dismounted and looked for Kinrich.
That’s when I saw the pack mules. They were both loaded down with furs, and I was suddenly confused.
“Button! You made it!” I heard Kinrich call out from behind me.
I turned around and saw Kinrich walking up with a big grin on his face. Lee was behind him.
“Where’s Palmer? Did you kill him?” Kinrich wanted to know.
“No, he should be riding in behind me,” I replied in a confused voice. “What’s going on here? Where did all them furs come from?”
Kinrich was still smiling big.
“Well, after you left this morning Palmer came to me and started griping about you, saying that you tried to kill him and all. That’s when I decided to change things up a bit. Best way to rob anything is with a diversion, and you two did a good job.”
I was shocked.
“You sent Palmer into town to fight me?”
Kinrich was real proud of himself.
“I sure did. And it worked too. Nobody saw us when we robbed that trading post.”
“You could have warned me!” I said irritably.
“I needed it to look real,” Kinrich replied. “And besides, I did warn you to be ready for anything, remember?”
“Palmer tried to kill me back there!” I replied angrily.
“Palmer did say that he wanted to kill you, so I told him to go ahead and try it,” Kinrich replied calmly.
“You what?” I asked in astonishment.
“I told you before that I can’t have turmoil amongst my men. But Palmer wasn’t going to let it go, so I told him I’d give him this one chance. He failed, so now it’s over. He knows I’ll kill him if he tries anything else.”
I was angry.
“You used me as bait!”
Kinrich shrugged.
“That’s one way to look at it, I reckon. ’Course, I figured you was tough enough to handle Palmer, and I was right. But you sure did take a beating though. You don’t look so good.”
I was so mad I couldn’t reply, but Kinrich didn’t seem to notice.
“We’ll be leaving in a bit. Until then, why don’t you sit in the shade and take it easy.”
Kinrich walked off and left me there. I was still mad, so I walked out of camp a ways to collect myself.
After a while Lee came out and joined me.
“You all right?” He wanted to know as he sat down beside me on a log.
I didn’t answer. Instead, I just shrugged.
Lee couldn’t help but smile.
“Ol’ Ben sure has a way of making a feller feel special, don’t he?”
“I reckon so,” I replied in a subdued voice.
�
�Palmer just rode back in. He looks worse than you do,” Lee said.
I tried to smile.
“Good.”
Lee looked me over.
“What’s wrong with your hand?” He asked.
I looked down at my swollen fist.
“I don’t know… I think I might have broke it.”
“And that ain’t the only thing,” Lee added as he looked at my face. “Your nose is broken for sure. Hold on, I’ll fix it.”
Lee grabbed my nose, and with a powerful twist he straightened it out. It stung really bad, and I couldn’t help the tears that ran down my face.
“There, that should do it,” Lee said as he leaned back. “And as for your hand, wrap it real tight with some cloth. It should heal pretty quick.”
“Thanks,” I replied gratefully. “I’ll do that.”
Lee was silent, and then he said softly, “Kinrich is sort-a hard to figure, ain’t he?”
I nodded soberly.
“Sure is.”
“Well, if you only learn one thing today; learn this,” Lee said seriously. “Don’t trust nobody, Rondo, not even me. We’re all a bunch of no good outlaws, and don’t you be thinking that we all will always stick together. Every man here is looking out for himself, and if there was anything to gain from it there ain’t a man here that wouldn’t kill you, ’cept for me.”
“I believe it,” I replied.
“Good,” Lee said as he stood. “And don’t you be forgetting it neither. It just might save your life one of these days.”
Lee started to leave, but on second thought he stopped and turned back.
“By the way; I saw most the fight. I ain’t never seen a feller fight with more guts than you did.”
“I was mad,” I explained dryly.
“Well you got my respect,” Lee said. “I’d ride with you any day.”
Lee left me alone, and as I sat there I thought some more about Kinrich.
It was then that I started to see Kinrich in a different light. Before I had always thought of him as a friend, but now I didn’t know what to think.
I did know one thing. From now on, I was going to be wary of Ben Kinrich.
Chapter twenty-eight
I stayed mad for a long time after the trading post robbery. But I finally got over it, and life went on.