Devil Rising

by R. B. Conroy

“What are we gonna do?”

  “Dunno yet,” Jon said, “I’ll have to think about it. Has anybody heard anything about Camp? We’re gonna need all the help we can get.”

  “He’s doin’ better, heard him out shootin’ this morning,” Jack said.

  “Run down and ask him if he’s ready to ride with us, Jack,” Jon ordered.

  “Sure thing Boss.” Jack grabbed his hat off the peg and headed for the stables.

  “Judge is due in next week,” Jon said. “I’ll wire him to be sure he shows. It’s almost dark. First thing in the morning let’s take a ride out near Faraday’s and look things over. And no gunplay tomorrow, too many would be killed.”

  “Okay, Jon, but what if he’s gone?” Ed asked.

  “He’s got too much invested to run away now. He’ll try and get out of this mess first. If he can’t, then he might run,” Jon said decisively.

  * * *

  The ranch hands ran out to meet Faraday and the boys as they came charging in the compound. They pulled up and quickly dismounted.

  “Run these horses over to the stable,” Alex ordered. “Then I want Cliff and Bill to load their rifles and take up positions in the rocks in front of the mansion. If anybody tries to ride in here, shoot them!” Faraday shouted. The men nodded. Alex tilted his head toward the house, Cook and Norton followed him in to the den.

  Clive and Web took seats by the desk as Alex paced in front of the fireplace. He ran his fingers through his hair. “We better hole up here in the compound until we get this mess straightened out. Clive, I want you to send Cliff into town tomorrow and bring our attorney out here. We’ll use him as our liaison with the sheriff.”

  “Okay Boss,” Clive replied.

  “We’ve got big problems men. Stoudenmire’s probably got Slim singing like a bird. He--”

  Web interrupted. “You shoulda never put Slim on the balcony, that was a huge mistake! Up ’til then it was a fair fight, now we could be charged with attempted murder!” Web said forcefully.

  “What’s done is done, Web! It seemed like a good idea at the time. I wanted to be sure that Stoudenmire was dead,” Alex said defensively.

  “Well he ain’t dead and we’re all gonna hang!” Web shouted. “I didn’t bargain for all of this when I signed on with you Mr.--!”

  “Shut up, Norton! You knew damn well what you were getting into. Quit acting like a bloody coward and pull yourself together. We haven’t been hung yet!” Faraday screamed.

  “Okay Alex, then what are we going to do?” Clive interrupted.

  Alex and Web stared at each other for several seconds, and then Alex spoke up. “The District Judge is due in next week...”

  “Judge Walker or Judge Oliver?” Clive asked.

  “I’m not sure. Tom Baldwin told me the other day that Oliver was feeling better and might be coming in. But that won’t work; we have to get Walker here.” Faraday bit hard on his pipe stem.

  “How are you gonna arrange that?” Web asked.

  “I want you to ride to Mesa first thing in the morning. Tell Judge Walker we’re in a big mess over here and we need his help. Tell him, if he can get us out of this predicament, I will forgive his entire debt -the whole ten thousand. I know him pretty well. I think he’ll go for it.” Alex grinned.

  “I’ll ride out in the mornin’,” the loyal Web replied.

  Alex went on. “Meantime we have to keep Sheriff Stoudenmire at bay. I’ll use Attorney Brown for that.” He turned toward Norton, “You’re free to go now, Web.”

  Norton hurried out to prepare for his trip through the desert to Mesa.

  Faraday motioned for Cook to come closer.

  Cook stepped over. “Yea Boss?”

  “Slim’s a big problem. He knows too much. We can’t have him on the stand no matter who the judge is. Take care of it!” He looked menacingly at his big cohort.

  “You want me to kill him?” a surprised Cook asked.

  Alex struck a match, lit his pipe and shook the match out. The smoke drifted to the ceiling. “I’m afraid we have no other choice my friend!”

  Chapter 22

  The cock crowed as a shivering Ed Morgan rode down Pecos Street to meet Jon. It was a cold winter morning in the desert. A light flickered through the window at Auggie’s. As usual Jon was already there waiting. Ed tied up, his black duster drug over the post as he walked up the steps to the cafe.

  The yellow flames danced in the pot belly stove; it felt warm inside.

  “Mornin’ Ed,” Jon said enthusiastically. “Sit down; I’ll get you a cup a coffee. Lucy’s not in yet, Auggie told me to get the coffee.”

  Ed sat down and took a sip. “You’re disgustingly happy for this early in the morning, you know that, don’t ya?” Ed frowned.

  “I’m just so glad to see you, Ed.” Jon laughed. “Plus, I got good news!”

  “Oh yea! I’m ready for some good news. Let me have it, Partner!”

  “Well I got to thinking about today’s trip and--”

  “Uh oh,” Ed exclaimed.

  “Can I finish, please?”

  Ed frowned.

  “Like I said, I got to thinking about today’s trip and with all those guards and stuff out there at Faraday’s, there’s no way we can go down that main road. Why, we’d be sitting--”

  “Oh no! Oh no! Not this early in the mornin’, with all the dew and everything. Ain’t no way I’m going through that canyon this early in the morning!” Ed shouted. “Noooo way!”

  “Why that’s one of the most beautiful canyons in the world,” Jon said with a sly grin. “I thought you’d be excited about it!”

  “Breakfast served,” Auggie shouted as he hurried out of the kitchen. “Two eggs over with bacon!”

  “I took the liberty of ordering your breakfast, Ed; hope you don’t mind.”

  “You mean my last supper don’t ya?” Ed replied.

  Laughter filled the little cafe as the two men finished their breakfasts and prepared for their trip through the canyon.

  * * *

  Out at the mansion, Alex Faraday was busy putting his new plan into action.

  His loyal foreman, Cliff, had just returned from town with Faraday’s Attorney Pat Brown.

  “Welcome Pat, have a seat.” Faraday gestured toward the oak chairs.

  “Thank you Alex,” The stocky, well dressed attorney settled in the chair. “It’s awfully early; you must have something pretty important on your mind.”

  “Well, yes I do, Pat. It seems our fine sheriff, Mr. Stoudenmire, is becoming quite a problem,” Alex replied.

  “Oh, is that right?”

  “Yes, let me explain. It seems like ever since Clive and I arrived in town and opened my new saloon, Mr. Stoudenmire has been doing everything he can to run me out of business. And as you probably know, his love interest is none other than the lovely Elizabeth Thompson, owner of the Barbee Saloon. It’s no secret that we’ve taken a lot of business away from her. I do believe the man is on a mission to protect his lady friend’s interests at my expense!”

  “Has he accused you of any wrong doing?”

  “Not yet, but I believe he is preparing to charge us with the murder of Jed Orton. He may also try to implicate us in the disappearance of Little Bear.”

  “Hmmm... is that right?” Brown said thoughtfully. “I hear Slim Wilson’s in jail, what did he do?”

  “He was covering Canady’s backside during the shootout with Stoudenmire. He got nervous and his gun went off accidentally. Ed Morgan took a shot at him; he jumped off the porch of the General Store and ran. The sheriff ran after him and caught him. First thing I know, Slim’s in jail. It’s hard telling what they’ve forced him to say. I hear the Sheriff can play plenty rough if he wants to. Alex’s eyes narrowed as he awaited Brown’s response.

  Brown grimaced. “Hmmm... that’s interesting! I’ve never known Sheriff Stoudenmire to threaten prisoners, but I guess he could. Also, if Slim’s gun went off near a lawman, we’ve got problems. They could charge him
with attempted murder.”

  “Who’s bloody side are you on?” Faraday asked.

  “Why, yours of course, it’s just that--”

  Faraday interrupted. “Now listen to me, Pat, you’ve had a lot of big pay days with me, and some of things you done for me have not been completely honest. If I go down, my friend, you’ll go with me!”

  “Well now, no need to get upset, Alex. I guess I was just thinking out loud.” Brown laughed nervously.

  “That’s better,” Alex replied. “Here’s the plan. Web is on his way to Mesa today to speak with Judge Walker. I want to be sure he is the Judge of record next Tuesday at the hearing. In the meantime, I want you to act as our intermediary with the sheriff.”

  “I see.” The nervous attorney squirmed in his seat.

  “I don’t want Sheriff Stoudenmire to try and arrest any of us before the hearing. I need you to reassure him that we will come into to town for trial on Tuesday when the judge arrives. Meanwhile, for our own protection, we will stay here.”

  “Hmmm... don’t know if he’ll buy that,” Brown replied.

  “That’s your responsibility; he has to buy it!” Faraday was irritated. “Ride back out after you talk to him and let me know what happened.”

  “Okay Alex,” the attorney said quietly.

  “I’ll send for your buggy.” He nodded at Cook; his big partner hurried out to get Brown’s buggy.

  * * *

  Nearby, Jon and Ed were just finishing their trip through the canyon.

  “That wasn’t too bad, was it?” Jon asked as he climbed up the final, treacherous incline.

  Ed, close behind and white with fear, scowled. “Yea that was great, can’t wait to go back through!”

  Jon grinned as Ed pulled up along side him. “We’re on the back side of the compound, let’s climb these tall rocks. We can see the road from there,” Jon said quietly.

  They dismounted and tied down. Jon slid his hand into a crevice and he pulled himself up. Ed was close behind. They reached the top of the rock and Jon’s arm went up; Ed ducked down next to him.

  “This is the last big rock,” Jon whispered. “Take your hat off.”

  Ed’s hat slid off.

  They scooted on their bellies a little farther and stopped.

  “Great view,” Ed whispered. “You can see the whole compound from here.”

  “Isn’t that Pat Brown’s buggy sitting by the front door?” Jon asked.

  “Sure is; he’s got the only fancy buggy in town.”

  “Shhhh!” Jon’s finger went to his lips. “Someone’s coming out!”

  The two watched as Alex and Lawyer Brown stepped out the front door and shook hands. Brown jumped in his buggy; he cracked the whip as he rode off. Alex watched for a second and stepped back in the house.

  “Well, I’ll be damned!” Jon said. “Alex is lawyering up. Hard telling’ what he’s up to.”

  “Look Jon,” Ed whispered. “There’s two riflemen in those rocks there near the entrance.”

  “Good, now we know where they are.” Jon smiled. “Looks like Faraday’s going to be here for awhile. Let’s get back to town; I think we’re going to have a visitor.”

  “Yea, and we’re gonna have to hurry.” Ed frowned.

  “You’re right, Partner.” Jon laughed.

  Chapter 23

  It was a hard day’s ride to Mesa. Web Norton cantered and galloped, saving his borrowed horse’s strength. The hot sun was rising in the desert sky; beads of sweat were forming on Web’s forehead. Suddenly the path narrowed; he pulled up to take a look ahead. The path tapered dramatically between two huge rocks. Web had reached the infamous “Rattler’s Junction” - so named because of the large number of rattlers that sunned themselves on the warm rocks on either side of the path. It was scary and the only way through the rocks. Web’s horse whinnied, sensing the pending danger.

  “It’s okay, girl, its okay.” Web patted the foamy neck of the jittery horse. His spurs gently touched her backside, urging the reluctant steed slowly down the slim pathway. Web touched the rocks; they felt warm. It was a hot winter day. Oh no, there’s going to be a lot of them today, he thought. The horse and rider inched along the path. Web saw a couple of rattlers but they were higher up on the rocks. After several tense minutes, he saw a light at the end of the narrow trail. Suddenly, his horse jerked to a stop, her ears pricked and stood erect. She heard something, Web strained to hear.

  “Hiss!” The quiet sound came from a rock just above Web’s head. Ready to bolt, the steed’s ears began to flicker. Web sat still, his eyes looking over at the eerie snake. The rattler was only a few feet away, curled and ready to strike. Sweat poured off Web’s face, his denim shirt was soaked. Hand shaking, he carefully lifted his gun up for a shot at the scary critter. He turned slowly and blasted away. Sparks flew off of the rocks near the snake. A dead hit, the snake blew backward off the rock. The terrified steed, already in a fit of panic, reared up on her hind legs and bolted down the narrow stone trail.

  “Whoa!” Web screamed as his body flew backward off the frightened horse. The back of his head crashed on the stone pathway, his body rolled left and fell still. The gun, still spewing smoke, fell next to him.

  * * *

  “Let’s go Ed, we’ve got to keep moving’,” Jon prodded his good friend.

  “I know, I know!” Ed replied.

  “Gotta beat Brown back to town.”

  “Ut oh!” Ed shouted. His steed’s hoof slipped on the narrow trail. Several small rocks tumbled over the side of the canyon. It seemed like forever before they hit the bed rock at the bottom.

  “We’re out!” Jon shouted. Babe’s powerful hind legs pushed up the final grade. Jon cracked his whip; the horse and rider galloped toward town. Ed bounded from the harrowing canyon and ran close behind.

  “Whoa, girl!” Jon shouted as he and Ed pulled up at the jail a half hour later. Camp’s horse was out front. They quickly tied down and hurried in. Camp was sitting on the corner of Jon’s desk talking with Malone.

  “Howdy, Jon,” Camp said as Jon and Ed hurried in.

  “Howdy, Deputy.” Jon smiled, his hand shot forward for a shake.

  How are you feeling?”

  “Head’s a little sore, but I’m okay,” the gritty youngster replied after a quick shake.

  “Glad you could help out, Camp.”

  Camp nodded.

  “Pat Brown’s going to be in town any minute. I don’t want him to see our warm horses.” Jon glanced at Camp.

  “No problem, Clem’s down at the stables. I’ll run ’em right down.” Camp rushed out for the stables.

  “Hurry back!” Jon shouted as the door banged shut.

  “How’s Wilson doing?” Jon asked Ed.

  “Seems down, says he’s gonna die one way or another. If we don’t hang ’em, Faraday’s gonna kill ’em. Says he disgraced his family and won’t be able to face them again. I’m sleeping on the bunk in the back room and watching him day and night,” Jack replied.

  “That’s good Ed, and Slim’s right about one thing.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Faraday would love to have Slim out of the way.” Jon frowned.

  “I thought Brown would be here by now,” Ed said impatiently.

  “That Dapple Grey’s his pride and joy, he never pushes him,” Jon said as he pulled out his pocket watch and checked the time. “He should be here any time.”

  All of a sudden, the front door swung open. Attorney Brown removed his hat as he stepped in.

  Ed raised his eye brows at the smiling Jon.

  “Good mornin’, Pat. Didn’t expect to see you today,” Jon said as the two men shook hands

  “Well Jon, something has come up, we need to have a little talk.”

  “Okay Pat, have a seat.” Jon’s hand waved toward the chair. “Coffee?”

  “No thanks,” the dapper attorney replied. He pulled the oak chair out in front of Jon’s desk and sat down. He looked around at Ed and Jac
k. “My or my, we’ve got quite a crowd in here.” Brown laughed nervously. “I thought we might speak alone, Sheriff.”

  “These men are all my deputies, you can say anything you want if front of them,” Jon said firmly.

  “Hmmm... all deputies, huh? I see! Well, if you insist.” Brown dropped his hat on Jon’s desk.

  “Fire away Pat, I’m a busy man,” Jon pressed.

  “Oh sorry, Jon, I’ll get to the point. I have been put on retainer by Mr. Alex Faraday,” Brown said, as he nervously tapped his fingers on Jon’s desk. “As we all know, there has been a lot of violence around here lately. His man Slim Wilson is sitting here in your jail due to a shooting incident. Alex is very concerned for the safety of Mr. Wilson and for his own safety. He is so concerned that he is currently seeking sanctuary at his home just outside of town. He feels the incident with Mr. Wilson can be explained in a court of law, and Mr. Faraday will be happy to come into town for a court appearance on Tuesday with the District Judge arrives, but not before,” the wealthy lawyer said smugly.

  “You’re right about the violence, Pat. There have been two possible murders and two attempted murders in the past few weeks. And your client should be concerned; we just filed an attempted murder charge against his hired gun, Slim Wilson. We also have reason to believe that your client is involved in the murders of Jed Orton and the disappearance of Little Bear!” Jon scowled.

  “My client thinks otherwise. He advised me that any charges you bring against Mr. Wilson or himself have been trumped up. He feels that you have unfairly singled him out due to the success of his saloon,” Brown said, nose in the air.

  Ed, Camp, and Jack all winced at the accusation by Lawyer Brown. They quickly glanced over at Jon for his reaction.

  Jon felt his anger rise. He was trying desperately to control himself as he came up out of his chair. His fists dropped on the desk as he leaned toward Brown.

  The attorney, faced with the daunting specter of an angry Jon Stoudenmire, shook in his seat.

  “Is your client saying I’m after him because he’s taking business from the Barbee?” Jon said as he leaved over the desk top. “Is that what you’re saying?”