The Two Sams

by F. M. Worden

  Sam with the Schofield in his right hand stepped thru the swinging doors and demanded in a loud voice for them to stop. The three swung around to meet their challenger. Seeing the big pistol and the man behind it, they backed off.

  “What in the hell is going on here?” he asked in his most demanding voice.

  A bystander gave him the word. “These men are cheaters, Ace sent for Marshal Henry, they knocked him down and jumped on him when he came in and started beat-n him.”

  Sam cocked the Schofield and told the three, “Hands on the bar. Now!”

  The two closest obeyed, the one in the rear started to back away. A short ugly little man, reached for the pistol in his belt.

  “It’s a good day to die, mister.” Sam meant business.

  The little man rushed to the bar and put both his hands down on the bar. “Don’t shoot, I ain’t fight-n,” he cried.

  Sheriff Bell and his deputy came busting thru the swinging doors. Someone had gone for him too. The Sheriff asked, “What’s going on here?”

  Sam told him. “These men are trying to kill the town Marshal.”

  Doc Fenn came rushing in, he started to administer to the Marshal right away.

  Sam motioned to Deputy Clint with his pistol, “Get their guns, boy.”

  Clint circled behind Sam and did as he was told. He was glaring at Sam all the time.

  Sam turned to the sheriff, “These men are yours.” He holstered his pistol, pushed out thru the crowd on the board sidewalk and calmly walked home.

  As he passed the kitchen Dolores called, “Supper’s ready, wash up Sam.”

  He did and came back to the eating room. Every one was there but Stein. He slid into a chair next to Louise.

  “What was that all about?”

  “Not much, a little commotion at one of the casinos.” He changed the subject and asked her how her day went.

  After supper as usual, Dolores announced coffee on the patio. They all went there and sat down in the tub chairs. Sam by now had a favorite spot. Rosa came in with a tray with cups and coffee. They talked well into the evening hours, darkness surrounded them and the evening coolness set in. Around ten o’clock Sam stood, stretched and told them, “I’m tired, gonna hit the hay, I’m really tired.” Everyone said good night and went to their rooms.

  He was up early, dressed and in the kitchen looking for coffee. Dolores had just put the pot on, she was still stoking the fire.

  Sam asked, “What smells so good?”

  “It’s a surprise for supper, it’s Louise’s birthday, we’ll have a party tonight, I want it to be a surprise. Sam she’s such a sweet woman, I want every thing to be good for her, she was so pleased with the dance Saturday night. Sam I think she’s falling for you, don’t hurt her,” Dolores said with compassion in her voice.

  “I don’t want to hurt her or anyone else, and where’s that Rosa this morning?”

  “She was up before sunrise and did her chores, and went to Manuel’s to ride that horse of yours. She’s so excited to ride the horse I couldn’t hardly get her to sleep last night.”

  In the days that followed Rosa and the black became fast friends as the two walked, trotted, loped and galloped the trails along the banks of the Santa Cruz. Most days they didn’t return to the barn until well in the afternoon. A tired girl and horse. Anyone who saw the two would see love in bloom by both parties.

  Sam ate a hearty breakfast, went to his room to sort the papers he had been given to serve.

  Louise knocked, “Can I come in?”

  “Door’s open.”

  “Are you gonna serve summons today?”

  “I’m gonna take the oldest ones first.”

  “Sam,” she said, “there’s an arrest warrant, did you see it?”

  “Yes, it’s for a Mexican cowboy for stealing army horses, it’s getting old.”

  “You better take some help when you go, I’ve heard there’s bad blood between the army and these people.” Louise had a tense sound in her voice.

  “There won’t be any trouble,” Sam assured her.

  “Please Sam, be careful.”

  “Have you had breakfast?” he asked.

  “I don’t want any, I must get to the office, I’m late.”

  “Hold on I’ll walk with you.” He took her by an arm.

  “Good, I have something for you at the office.”

  As the two of them went out the front door Sam said, “Look,” as he pointed to the south-west at a cloud of dust. “Must be Rosa and my horse.”

  “That’s the nicest thing you could have done for that girl. Why do you have to have that gun all the time?” She pointed to the Schofield. “You had it at the dance and on our picnic.”

  “Just think of it as a tool, some men have saws, some have hammers, I have old Schofield.” He patted his pistol. “It’s been my pardner and helper a long time, I’d be nak-...” he stopped short. “Know what I mean?” She shook her head yes.

  At the office Louise gave Sam a leather valise with a shoulder strap. Sam asked where she got it.

  “From the judge, he has several, I don’t think he’ll mind.”

  Sam put the papers in the case. “I have four to serve, I’ll make all of eight dollars if I can find them all.” He laughed. “I’ll see you later.”

  After a lot of walking, and asking directions, he found all the people and served all the papers. On the way back he passed the Steinfeld store and went in. Albert met him with a smile and a hand shake, saying, “Welcome to our store, can we help you, Marshal?”

  “You sure can, I need something for a lady for her birthday.”

  A lady clerk hearing, came over and said, “We have just the thing, a comb and brush set from Spain, all the ladies want them.”

  “Good, I’ll take a set.”

  “We can gift wrap it, if you wish?” the clerk said.

  “Please do.”

  Albert and Sam talked awhile. When he got his package he thanked him for his help said goodbye and walked home hoping to beat Louise.

  At home he was greeted by Rosa. She asked what the package was.

  “A gift for Louise, is she home yet?”

  “No, what did you get her. Rosa was feeling the package.

  “Not much, just a hair brush.”

  “That’s nice, we got her a silver comb for her hair,” Rosa offered. “Momma has invited Manuel and his family, the professor and his wife. We’re going to have a party on the patio. Come see, I’ve put candles and lanterns up.” She took his hand and half pulled him onto the patio.

  “What a nice job you’ve done.”

  “We’re going to eat out here, I’m setting the table now,” Rosa said proudly. “I hope she’ll like it.”

  “I’m sure she will.” Sam was impressed that a young girl like Rosa would be so handy and he told her so.

  “Some day I’ll be a good wife, maybe to you Sam.” He could not reply to that.

  Dolores came in carrying a lot of food. She told Rosa to go get the rest and bring it from the kitchen.

  “Louise and everyone else are here, we should eat, before the guests arrive.” What a meal they had, baked quail, a baked potato with butter, corn on the cob, brown gravy, white bread and sliced peaches. All had plenty and told Dolores how much they enjoyed it.

  As the shadows grew long on the patio, the guests began arriving. Manuel brought his guitar, played and sang Mexican love songs. Louise was overjoyed as she cut the cake Dolores had baked. The tears flowed. Christine and Hilda comforted her and asked her to open the gifts. She did and the tears flowed again. She was so happy. She had to kiss everyone. When she came to Sam, she pulled his head down, kissed him full on the lips. They all clapped except Rosa, she turned and ran into the house.

  The guests said goodnight. The boarders went to their rooms. Louise stayed and asked Sam if he was going to serve the warrant on the cowboy. “Yes in the morning. I’ll go early.”

  She put her head on his chest, hugged him and said, “Be
careful Sam I don’t want to lose you.” She turned and ran into the hall and to her room.

  Sam was a little choked up, he went to his room, undressed, washed up and went to bed.

  Chapter 14

  Apaches - Horse Race - Mexican Cowboy

  Wednesday morning Sam entered Manuel’s stable just as the sun peeked over the mountains to the east. He was carrying a saddle ring Winchester carbine, a canteen, saddle bags and the leather valise.

  He had finished saddling the Dunn and started to slip his rifle into the scabbard, when Hector came in the rear of the barn. “Marshal Sam,” he called. “You ride-n this morning? We haven’t fed the horses yet.”

  “That’s all right he won’t starve,” Sam answered. He mounted and rode up on Meyer Street then to Congress. He turned east thru town, out on the wagon road. In a mile he saw a sign that read, Fort Lowell six and one half miles.

  It was a pleasant May morning, the smell of grease wood was strong in the air, a slight breeze blew from the south, cooling the morning air, in all a good day for a ride he thought.

  He rode past a small adobe ranch house. A lady waved from the yard, he waved back. On farther another small house came in view, he rode into the yard. A young Mexican woman and two small children came out to greet him.

  “Good morning, Senora,” Sam said as he tipped his hat.

  The lady replied, “Buenos dias Senor.”

  “Can I water my horse?”

  She told him a horse trough was over at the barn, by the wind mill, he could help himself, he did and the Dunn drank some. They both listened to the cranky wind mill’s song. Afterwards he called to her, “Muchas gracias, Senora.” She and the children waved to him as he rode off.

  It was midmorning when he could see the Fort ahead. Riding thru the front gate, he rode straight to a building with a sign that read - Commanding Officer, Fort Lowell, Arizona Territory.

  He reined up at the porch. A Captain came out of the office door and stood on the porch, a man in his late fifties, sporting a full handle bar moustache on a suntanned face, he was short and stout in stature. He greeted Sam, “I see by the badge you must be the new U.S. Marshal from Tucson.” He continued, “Maybe the law has come at last to the Old Pueblo.”

  Sam smiled and asked, “Can you tell me where the Silva ranch is? I’m told it’s nearby this Fort.”

  “Just keep going north on this road up in the hills. You can’t miss it, are you after the Mexican horse thief?”

  “I have a summons for Jose Badilla at the Silva ranch, how far is it to the ranch?”

  “Several miles after you cross the wash, You’ll see it before you get there, watch yourself you might hit a beehive up there.” The Captain seemed concerned. Sam bid him goodbye and thanked him for the information. He rode out the gate and onto the road, he reined his mount north.

  As he rode past a hay field where soldiers were cutting hay, a Sergeant on horse back blocked his way. He asked, seeing the badge on Sam’s vest, “You the lawman after the Mexican horse thief?”

  “That’s right, I have a summons for a cowboy up this way.”

  “Wa’ll I’m a gonna tell ya,” he spit a long stream of tobacco juice at a lizard that ran across the road under his horse. He wiped his mouth with the back of his right hand. “I ken’t see that fella doin the deed, ya see some of our boys kinda sweet on his gal. They shore like to see him out-a the way, whole dam thing looks funny to me, you’s can take my words for what they’re worth.”

  “Thanks, I’ll keep your words in mind.”

  Sam rode on, soon he had to cross a small clear stream. He stopped to give the Dunn a drink. He had to spur him up a steep bank on the other side and on to the road. It took the most part of an hour, up one hill then up another, climbing higher in the hills. Javelina, white tail deer, quail and jack rabbits watched and scurried away as he rode past.

  On top of a rise he stopped to view a large white hacienda in the valley below. Mesquite in full leaf and paloverde trees in bloom surrounded the hacienda. Green grass was abundant. The road led right to the gate of the hacienda. Sam urged the Dunn on.

  Riding thru an arched gateway into a brick court yard, he saw a vaquero sitting on a horse to his right just inside the gate, a Winchester rifle lay across the pommel of his saddle. He gave Sam a hard, hard look but didn’t speak.

  What Sam saw and smelled stunned him, the patio had orange, lemon and grapefruit trees on both sides, all in bloom ,the aroma filled the patio. A veranda stretched the full length of the house, colorful flowering vines grew up the porch posts, six steps led to a big carved door. A tall older Mexican man with graying hair, smoking a long black cigar, came thru the door to greet him.

  “Mi Vaquero told me you were coming up our Camino.” He spoke very broken English. “What can I do for you Senor?”

  “I’m Sam Duncan, the Deputy U. S. Marshal of this district, I have a summons for a cowboy named Jose Badilla, I understand he works on this ranch.”

  Si he does, is this about his stealing army horses?”

  “Yes, I must see this boy.”

  “Are you going to take him to the cercal?” asked the Senor.

  “No, I am here to talk to him and give him a summons, not to take him in. Can I see him today?”

  “He’s working cattle up on the mountain with my vaqueros. I’ll send for him.” He called to the waiting rider in Spanish. “Andale, Andale, go bring Jose.”

  The rider reined his horse out thru the gate, dug his spurs into his mount and galloped north up the road from the Hacienda.

  Senor Silva asked if Sam was hungry and thirsty. Sam told him he was thirsty. Silva pointed to a holla with a dipper hanging from a porch beam and said, “Help yourself, Senor.”

  He got down, climbed the stairs and drank two dippers full of cool sweet water from the holla.

  “Come set with me and tell me about yourself.” The Senor seemed to be friendly.

  Sam sat in a leather tub chair, Silva did the same, a small table between them. Silva called to a young boy to come and take the Marshal’s horse and let him graze the green grass outside the walls. A boy came and took the horse, he led him out the big gate.

  Silva asked if Sam would like some thing to eat. Sam said, “I haven’t had a thing to eat all day.”

  Silva went to the door and called for food to be brought, soon a good looking Senorita appeared with plates of frijoles, meat, tortillas and coffee. As she set the food on the table, she looked Sam over closely. Silva swatted her on the butt and in Spanish told her to get back in the house, she gave Sam a big smile and winked as she departed.

  Silva said, “That one likes all good looking men.” Sam just smiled.

  The conversation turned to his vaquero. “This boy, Jose, is no thief, I say the soldiers no like him. He was having a drink with his sweetheart down at the Cantina near the Fort where she works, a soldier came in, he say he wanted her, Jose say no. The soldier hit Jose, Jose gave him a good beating. Next day soldiers say Jose take horses, we find them running in hills just below this hacienda, we take them back to Fort but soldiers never report them back, Jose, he is no thief.”

  When Sam and the Senor finished eating, the Senor offered Sam a cigar. Sam thanked him, “I’ll smoke this.” He took out his pipe, filled and lit it.

  They talked for most of an hour about horses, cattle and Indians. Silva said he hadn’t had trouble with Indians in years.

  Soon horses could be heard approaching the hacienda, two riders came thru the big gate, the young man dismounted and asked, “You send for me Senor Silva?”

  “Jose this is the United States Marshal from Tucson, he has a paper for you.”

  He spoke to the boy in Spanish. Silva told Sam, “He doesn’t speak too much Ingles.”

  Jose backed up and put his right hand on the butt of his pistol. Silva jumped to his feet. “No, no Jose!” All the time shaking his hands at him. “He’s not here to take you to cercel, just to give a paper.”

  Silva took
the paper from Sam and handed it to the boy.

  “Tell him he must come in, in the fall or I will come for him.”

  When Silva told the words to the boy, he again right handed his pistol, and shook his head no. Silva said to Sam, “I promise he will come when you ask.”

  Sam asked for his horse, Silva called to the boy to bring Sam’s horse. He mounted, said, “Adios,” and rode out the gate and on down to Fort Lowell.

  As Sam entered the gate at the fort a lot of excitement was going on. Reining up at the commander’s office, the Captain came out on the porch and told Sam two soldiers had been killed by Apaches who had left the reservation, he pointed to the end of the porch where four booted feet could be seen protruding from blankets covering the bodies.

  “Come look,” the Captain urged.

  Sam dismounted and went to look. He saw a Lieutenant that had been shot in the chest, a Corporal cut and badly hacked up.

  The Captain told Sam the story. “The Lieutenant was to be here for a Court Martial this morning, they were coming from Fort Bowie, the Lieutenant and Corporal Black were in a buckboard. They had an escort of eight troopers. Driving the buckboard they got far ahead of the escort, passing a canyon the Apaches attacked and killed Lieutenant Davidson outright, Corporal Black ran for the hills. They caught him, tied him to a tree, they shot over fifty arrows into his body, hacked and cut him to pieces. The escort came up and ran them off. Marshal, we need a scout bad. I know you were an army scout in the north, will you help us? Our scout is Mickey Free, he’s up on the reservation to see his woman. I’m sending a patrol to put these bucks back on the San Carlos reservation. One of the privates on the escort will be with the patrol, will you help us?”

  Sam asked, “Who’ll command the patrol?”

  The Captain called a Lieutenant Ellis to come out and meet Sam. A tall, blonde haired, blue eyed young man in his early twenties came out and stood on the porch. He just looked at Sam, not saying a word.

  The Captain asked, “Can I count on you to go?”

  “I’ll go, just one thing, when I give advice he has to take it, will he agree?”