by Tell Cotten
Soon as I did he put his head down and went to bucking. And, despite my best efforts, I couldn’t get him to stop. So, I started spurring him, and he went to bucking even harder.
After a while he finally quit, and then I made him lope. We went round and round for a good fifteen minutes, and when I finally pulled him up he was breathing hard.
I didn’t know it, but the cow-puncher had come down to the barn during my bronc ride. He was leaning on the corrals smoking a cigar, and soon as I smelled that smoke I turned around sharply.
That smoke smelled mighty familiar, and there was only one feller I knew that smoked those types of cigars.
The cowboy grinned as I walked up.
“Well, hello there, Button. Imagine finding you here.”
I was too surprised to answer. Instead, my mouth fell open in shock, because the man standing in front of me was Lee Mattingly.
Chapter sixty
Lee studied me as I led the buckskin out of the round pen.
“Well now, it looks like you’re doing just fine!” Lee flashed me a grin. “And you’ve grown up too. You’ve filled out plenty since I saw you last.”
“I’m doing real good,” I replied.
“Looks like it,” Lee agreed, and he looked curiously at me. “Does Mr. Tomlin know who you really are?”
“He does now,” I replied, and then I explained our situation.
There was a small smile that tugged at the corners of Lee’s mouth, but that was all.
“Joe Lenders, it’s good to make your acquaintance,” he said solemnly and with a straight face.
But then Lee laughed.
“Couldn’t you come up with something better than ‘Lenders’?” Lee asked.
“I needed it in a hurry,” I explained.
“Well, it ain’t very original, but it’ll do,” Lee said, still grinning. “I reckon it’s just as good as mine. I’ve been calling myself Lee Wilson.”
I led the buckskin over to the barn, and Lee followed.
As I unsaddled I thought the situation over. Why was Lee here? Was he really wanting an honest job, or was he after something else? I was going to have to find out, because if he was up to no good it would be up to me to stop him.
“So, what have you been up to?” I asked as I turned the buckskin loose.
Lee shrugged as he took a puff on his cigar.
“Drifting, mainly. In fact, that’s why I’m here.”
“How’s that?” I asked, confused.
Lee grinned.
“I was asked to deliver a message.”
“From who?” I asked.
“Ryan Palmer.”
I was startled.
“Palmer! Where’d you see him?”
“Five days ago, due east of here,” Lee explained. “It was nighttime, and I was traveling late. I saw a campfire burning, so I thought I’d ride over and have a cup of coffee. Turns out, it was Palmer’s camp. He told me what happened.”
“How was he?” I asked.
“Mad,” Lee grinned. “He was still bleeding some, but he’ll live.”
“Too bad,” I said. “So, what’s the message?”
Lee’s grin widened.
“He said when he heals up that he’s going to be coming for you.”
I shook my head in disgust.
“If he ain’t careful, he’ll find me,” I replied.
“’Spect he will,” Lee said. “He seemed determined.”
“He ain’t the sort that gives up,” I said.
“No, he ain’t,” Lee agreed. “But, he won’t be showing up anytime soon. He’s going to be laid up with that shoulder for a long time.”
“Good,” I said. “One less thing to worry about.”
Lee grinned as he dropped his cigar and rubbed it out with his boot.
“For a while,” Lee said.
I changed the subject.
“So, now that you’ve delivered the message, what do you plan on doing next?” I asked.
“This drive up to Abilene sounds interesting. I reckon I’ll come along,” Lee replied.
“Lee, I’m riding for Mr. Tomlin,” I told him seriously. “I’d hate to see you go against him, ’cause you’d be going against me too.”
Lee looked at me strangely.
“Rondo, you know how I am. If I take a man's money I’ll stick with him ’til the job’s done. Now, that don’t mean that later on somebody else might pay me to come back and rob him, but not while I’m on the payroll.”
I breathed easier.
“I’m glad to hear you say that, Lee.”
It was silent, and then I asked him, “Say, how did you make out in that range war up at Midway?”
“Don’t remind me,” Lee grimaced as he gently patted his side. “My side lost. Matter of fact, I even took some lead in the ordeal. I’ll tell you something, Rondo, all of you Landons are downright dangerous to tangle with. Them cousins of yours, along with J.T. Tussle’s hands, whipped us right good.”
Lee paused as he pulled out another cigar from his shirt pocket.
“By the way, have you seen or heard from Yancy?” Lee asked as he bit off the end of his cigar and lit up.
I shook my head.
“No, I haven’t. Why do you ask?”
“’Cause he’s still looking for you,” Lee replied.
“I ain’t heard much since I’ve been down here,” I told him. “And to tell you the truth, I sort-a like it that a-way.”
“Well, Yancy has really made a name for himself,” Lee said. “Him and his brother Cooper joined up with that new Texas police force, and Yancy was promoted to Lieutenant. They were assigned to Midway, and they’ve really cleaned up things over there. Midway is plumb respectable now.”
“That’s good,” I said.
Lee smiled.
“I also heard that he’s been using the police force to look for you. Lately he’s been going on patrols, making big circles and looking for any sign of you.”
Lee paused, and then added, “He’s also still looking for Kinrich.”
I looked up sharply.
“Kinrich’s alive?” I asked.
Lee nodded.
“He’s alive, all right. I’ve heard plenty, and none of it’s good.”
“Oh?” I asked.
“A few months ago he got himself a new outfit, and this bunch he’s got now is nothing more than a bunch of cutthroats,” Lee explained. “On their first job out Kinrich killed a man, and it happened again on the next job.”
“That doesn’t sound like Kinrich,” I said as I mulled it over. “Kinrich always planned extra careful so there wouldn’t be any killing.”
“Well, he ain’t that way now,” Lee said.
“What changed him?” I asked.
“Too much killing; that’s what happened,” Lee declared. “You keep killing one man after another, and before long you lose all sense of balance. You don’t kill because of necessity; instead you kill just to kill. You sort-a get addicted to it, and that’s what’s happened to Kinrich.”
“Can’t say that it really surprises me,” I said as I shook my head. “I was with Kinrich nearly every day for three years, and I never did see a man that could change moods so fast.”
“Well, I reckon the sooner Yancy gets him the better,” Lee said. “Being an outlaw is one thing, but killing innocent folks just for the thrill of it is something else.”
“Think Yancy will find him?”
“I do,” Lee nodded. “And when he does, it’ll be some show. But you know something? If’n I was to lay down a bet, I would say that you could take either one of ’em.”
“I hope I never have to find out,” I said soberly.
Lee smiled.
“Well, you’re probably going to be meeting up with the both of ’em real soon.”
“What do you mean?” I asked with a startled look.
“Herd cutting has become Kinrich’s new scheme now that there’s all of these cattle drives going up north,” Lee explaine
d. “Now, herd as big as we’re taking, he’ll be bound to try and hit it. Yancy will know that, and he’ll be lurking about trying to catch him.”
Lee was saying a lot, and I was silent as I thought it over.
Lee chuckled.
“Now you know why I want to go along. Could turn out to be real interesting.”
“If what you’re saying is true, it just might be,” I said. “But know this, Lee. My only purpose on this trip is to get these cattle to Abilene. There’s a lot riding on this cattle drive, and I ain’t going to let Kinrich, or even Yancy for that matter, stop me.”
“Sure,” Lee said as he reached over and gripped my shoulder. “But it’s still going to be interesting.”
We turned in after that, but I didn’t sleep too well. Lee had me worried, and I had a feeling that trouble was coming.
Chapter sixty-one
The next morning I got Lee. And, even though he objected, we had us a little meeting with Mr. Tomlin and Ross. I explained to them who Lee really was, and then I told them all that Lee had told me.
Mr. Tomlin listened closely, and he frowned thoughtfully.
“Well now, I’ve heard of Lee Mattingly,” Mr. Tomlin said. “But, I don’t care about that right now. Rondo says you’re a man that’ll stick, and Rondo’s word is good enough for me. Ross?”
Ross shrugged.
“If what I’ve heard about you is true, then I’m glad you’re with us,” Ross said. “From what Rondo just said, I reckon we’ll be needing all the help we can get.”
Lee seemed to be humbled by their approval.
“Thanks,” he said. “I’ll do my best.”
Mr. Tomlin and Ross nodded, and then we got to work.
***
A few days later the last herd of yearlings arrived. We had enough hands, and we were all ready to go. So, Mr. Tomlin decided that we had better leave the next day.
We had a some time off that afternoon, so Rachel and I walked out a little ways from the house to say our good-byes.
“We’ll be leaving early, so I won’t get to see you in the morning,” I told her.
Rachel smiled back sweetly.
“I’ll still be here when you get back.”
I smiled. I didn’t know what to say, and there was an awkward moment of silence.
Rachel looked up suddenly.
“You know I think very highly of you,” she said.
I nodded.
“I think a lotta you, too.”
“I’d marry you in a heartbeat if you asked,” she said quickly.
I was startled, and it took me a second or two to reply.
“Listen, Rachel; if’n I was in shape to get married, then you’d be the first person I’d ask. But, I ain’t.”
“Why not?”
“For starters, I ain’t got nothing to offer,” I said.
“Those things have a way of working themselves out,” Rachel replied hopefully.
“But that ain’t all,” I said. “You know my past. I’ve done some things that I ain’t very proud of.”
“Nobody’s perfect,” Rachel said.
“True, but I’m a long ways from being perfect,” I replied. “I can’t be thinking of making a home until I get some things figured out.”
Rachel lifted her chin proudly. I wasn’t sure, but it looked like she was fighting back tears.
“I think you’re wrong,” Rachel said. “But, I’ll wait for you. When you get things figured out, you know where I’ll be.”
Rachel turned and hurried off to the house, and I just stood there and watched her.
I felt bad. To hurt her feelings was the last thing I had wanted. Then again, she had to know how I felt.
I was still standing there, mulling it over, when I saw some movement from a-far. I looked again and spotted some riders heading towards us.
They were riding in columns of two, and it didn’t take me long to figure out who it was.
I wasted no more time. I hurried back to the house and found Mr. Tomlin.
“Yankee soldiers are coming!” I told him.
Mr. Tomlin’s face turned sober.
“Well, whatever they want, it can’t be good. We’d best get ready for ’em,” Mr. Tomlin declared.
Mr. Tomlin had hired over twenty cow-punchers, but they were all staying out with the herd. The only folks at headquarters was just me, Ross, Lee, Buster, and the Tomlins.
We grabbed our rifles and met back on the front porch.
“Is there always this much excitement around here?” Lee wanted to know.
“Just about,” I replied.
Mr. Tomlin was watching the on-coming soldiers with a thoughtful frown.
“Ross, I want you and Buster on the front porch behind me. Lee, you take cover in the bunkhouse.”
“Yes, sir!” Lee said, and as he rushed off he flashed me a grin. “You know, I ain’t killed me a Yankee since the war!”
Mr. Tomlin shot Lee a dark look, and then he glanced at me.
“Rondo, get inside the door. If there’s any shooting, I want you to take care of Lieutenant Porter.”
“I would consider it a pleasure,” I replied.
I moved inside the doorway and made sure that my rifle and six-shooter were loaded. I returned my six-shooter to my holster, and as I did Lieutenant Porter and his troops trotted up in front of Mr. Tomlin.
I took aim with my rifle.
One wrong move, and Lieutenant Porter was dead.
Chapter sixty-two
Lieutenant Porter had a triumphant look on his face.
“Mr. Tomlin, I’m here on official business, so I’ll get right to the point. I’m here to arrest you.”
Mr. Tomlin narrowed his eyes.
“I don’t think I’d like that.”
Lieutenant Porter’s face stiffened.
“I don’t care what you think. I’m the law.”
“Carpetbag law!” Mr. Tomlin fired back. “What, may I ask, am I being arrested for?”
“Three of my men have come up missing,” Lieutenant Porter said. “I’ve reason to believe you are responsible.”
“We took care of some horse thieves a few days back. That is all,” Mr. Tomlin said.
“That’s not what I heard,” Lieutenant Porter replied.
“How did you hear about it?” Mr. Tomlin asked suddenly. “None of us have told anybody.”
Lieutenant Porter looked uncomfortable.
“How I found out is not your concern.”
It was then that Lieutenant Porter noticed my rifle barrel poking out through the doorway. He jumped in the saddle with surprise.
“Say! You there in the door! Come out where I can see you!” He demanded.
I walked out onto the front porch, and my rifle was still pointed straight at Lieutenant Porter.
“Watch that rifle!” Lieutenant Porter exclaimed. “That thing could go off and kill somebody!”
“Sure could,” I agreed with a tight smile.
Lieutenant Porter eyed me irritably.
“I ain’t got nothing against you or any of you other fellers. I’m only after Mr. Tomlin.”
My voice was barely audible, but everybody heard me clear.
“No,” I said as I went down the steps and stood by Mr. Tomlin.
Lieutenant Porter’s face turned red with anger.
“You interfere and you’ll be sorry.”
“Can’t have him,” I shook my head.
The feeling was coming over me, and I felt alert and ready.
“We’ll take all of you boys if we have too,” Lieutenant Porter threatened.
“First person that dies is you,” I replied. “So, you boys had best clear out.”
Lieutenant Porter made no move to leave as he glared at me.
“You think you’re good, but you can’t get all eight of us,” he said. “We’ll kill you and everybody else.”
“You’ll try,” I replied.
“You’re willing to die to keep us from taking Mr. Tomlin?” Lieut
enant Porter raised his voice so that everybody could hear.
“Yes,” I replied. “And you’d better be ready to die too, ’cause you’re the first person I’ll kill.”
“Me too,” Ross added.
“And me,” Lee hollered from the bunkhouse.
“So you see, the only thing we know for certain is that you die,” I said.
Overall, it was eight to five. But, as far as Lieutenant Porter was concerned, it was now one against three, and Lieutenant Porter didn’t like his odds.
Lieutenant Porter swallowed hard.
“Now’s not the time,” he said. “But we’ll be back.”
“I thought you’d see things my way,” I said wryly.
Lieutenant Porter studied me for a moment.
“I still think I can beat you,” he said.
I smiled.
“Like I said, we won’t know ’til we’ve tried.”
Lieutenant Porter studied me for a second more, and then he wheeled his horse around and rode out. His men followed close behind him.
We watched them leave, and then Mr. Tomlin turned to me.
“Well done, son, well done,” Mr. Tomlin declared as he reached up and patted me on the back.
Mrs. Tomlin and Rachel came out of the house. And, despite our earlier discussion, Rachel was impressed.
“That was the bravest thing I have ever seen!” Rachel exclaimed. “You were wonderful!”
I was uncomfortable, and I felt my face getting red.
“Just did what I had to do,” I said stiffly.
Rachel carried on some more about it, but finally they went back into the house.
Lee stood by with a big grin on his face.
“What would you have done if Lieutenant Porter had gone for his gun?” He asked me later when we were alone.
“I would have killed him,” I replied.
Chapter sixty-three
I was quiet during supper.
Afterwards, I didn’t stay long on the front porch. I said goodnight to Rachel, and then I walked down to the bunkhouse.
I didn’t go inside. Instead, I set out on the front steps.
After a while, Lee and Ross joined me.