by Al Lacy
Tharyn didn’t know what to say.
“Come on,” said Kathryn. “If we stay up here too long, Tag will be banging on that door.”
“Thank you, again, for being so kind to me.”
The rest of the day was spent with Tharyn in the presence of both young women, and at times, the gang too. Periodically, Tag made it a point to speak roughly to her, venting out on her the wrath he felt toward Dr. Dane Logan.
That night at bedtime when Kathryn and Tharyn entered their room, Kathryn sat down on the bed and motioned for Tharyn to sit beside her. Taking both of Tharyn’s hands in her own, she said, “Honey, I’m sorry for the way Tag treats you, and for what he did in abducting you at your wedding. I’ve observed you all day, and I have to say that I see unusual strength in you. Most women would have fallen apart.”
“Kathryn, it is the Lord who is giving me this strength. I know the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour, and when a person belongs to Him, He has a way of giving peace and strength beyond human understanding.”
Kathryn stared at her for a brief moment. “I’ve heard other people talk like that. This knowing Jesus as your personal Saviour is the same thing as being born again, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
Kathryn shook her head in wonderment. “There really must be something to it.”
“There sure is. I’d like to tell you about it.”
“Okay. Maybe tomorrow night. Right now you look very tired, and I think I feel just as tired as you look.” She paused, then said, “I want to tell you something.”
“Yes?”
“You know that Tag left word with those people in the wedding that he was going to kill you.”
Tharyn nodded.
“Well, Tharyn, Tag just wanted to make that young doctor of yours suffer. He isn’t planning to kill you.”
Tharyn felt a wave of relief wash over her and thanked the Lord in her heart. “I appreciate your telling me this, Kathryn. Because I’m a born-again child of God, I’m not afraid to die, but it’s only natural to want to live, and of course, to marry the most wonderful man in the world.”
“Well, honey, if it’s at all within my power, you will wear your wedding dress again when you marry your young doctor. It’ll have to be washed and pressed, but I’m trying to come up with a way to see that you can make a successful escape.”
Tharyn looked a bit puzzled by Kathryn’s words, but somehow felt she could trust her.
At midmorning on Friday, May 27, a solemn-faced Dane Logan walked into his office and was greeted by Robert Fraser and Nadine Wahl. There were no patients in the office at the time, so they sat down and listened intently as Dr. Dane told them the story in full.
Dane gave them the details on Tharyn’s abduction, then told them of how Chief U.S. Marshal John Brockman led the posse in a search of the mountains for six days without ever picking up the gang’s trail.
Dane sighed. “I couldn’t ask the chief to spend any more time searching. It would be fruitless. There’s just too much territory to cover. And for that matter, they could be clear out of the area by now.”
Dr. Fraser set compassionate eyes on the distraught young physician. “Son, Esther and I have been praying, as has Nadine. The Lord knows where Tharyn is, and I believe she is still alive. By prayer, we can see her escape and be back in your arms.”
Dane nodded. “We have a God who can do that, Doctor. And though my mind will be occupied with Tharyn and I will be praying continually, I must resume my medical work.”
Early in the afternoon on that same day, the stagecoach driven by Buck Cummons arrived in Fort Collins. Doke Veatch was on the seat beside him.
After they had unloaded the baggage for the passengers, they entered the Wells Fargo office. There was no one waiting, for the stage would not depart until the following morning.
The Fargo agent looked across the counter. “Welcome back, boys. Did you hear about the Moran gang escaping again?”
Doke frowned, putting on an act. “What’s that? They escaped after I was up there to see Tag for the last time?”
“We haven’t heard anything about it,” said Buck.
The agent picked up a copy of the Fort Collins Gazette off the counter. “Not only that, but they went to Denver and abducted Dr. Dane Logan’s bride right at the wedding, before she walked the aisle. Tag told a couple of her female attendants to tell Logan he was gonna kill her. Here, read it for yourself.”
Doke’s blood was heating up as he and Buck stood at the counter and read the article. If he killed Tharyn Tabor, her death would be on Doke’s hands.
Doke turned to Buck. “Listen, I’ve got to go to Denver immediately. I can’t explain it now, but it’s a matter of life and death.”
The sun was setting over the Rocky Mountains west of Denver as John Brockman was getting ready to leave his office and head for home.
The deputy on the front desk tapped on the door. “Chief, there’s a young man here who says he’s shotgunner on the Wells Fargo stage that runs between Fort Collins and Casper. He says it is very important that he see you.”
“Sure. Send him in.”
Doke Veatch entered the office, told the chief his name, and as they shook hands, he said, “Chief Brockman, I know you have been deeply involved with the Tag Moran gang.”
“That I have.”
“Well, sir, I am a childhood friend of Tag Moran. He saved my life when we were in our teens, at the risk of his own life. But, well, having read in the Fort Collins Gazette about the bride’s abduction at the wedding, and of Tag’s intention to kill her, I must do what I can to keep it from happening, if it hasn’t happened already. I know where the gang’s hideout is, and I’ll lead you there.”
Thanking God in his heart for answered prayer, John Brockman said, “Great! I’ll dash over to the Western Union office and wire Dr. Logan in Central City and tell him about you, that you are going to lead us to the gang’s hideout. By the way—where is it?”
“In the mountains about thirty miles west of Fort Collins.”
“Okay. You wait here, and I’ll be back shortly. You can stay as a guest in our house tonight if you wish. I’ll take four of my deputies with us, and we’ll head out in the morning.”
Doke smiled. “That will be fine, sir.”
Half an hour later, Brockman returned and informed Doke that Dr. Logan wired him back only minutes after receiving his telegram, saying he would ride for Denver immediately. He wanted to go with them to the hideout and would arrive at the Brockman place by bedtime. “You can go home with me now and have supper with us.”
“Sounds good to me, sir.”
During supper at the Brockman home, Doke Veatch was witnessed to by John and Breanna while Paul and Ginny looked on. He was shaken by the Scriptures the Brockmans quoted and did his best to cover it, yet be polite. The wedding and the abduction were also discussed, and Doke learned that those in the wedding party from out of town, along with Dr. Dane Logan’s parents, had gone back to their homes.
Dr. Dane arrived almost three hours after supper was over, and since there were two beds in the room Dane always stayed in, both he and Doke would stay in that room.
When the two men were in the room at bedtime, they talked about meeting each other at separate times when Darryl Moran and Gib Tully were shot and died.
Then they discussed the abduction of Tharyn by Tag Moran and his gang, and Tag’s intention to kill her. Dr. Dane expressed his appreciation to Doke for being willing to lead the lawmen and himself to the hideout.
When both men were ready to retire for the night, Doke climbed in his bed and noticed Dane take a Bible out of his overnight bag. Dane saw immediately that the presence of the Bible made Doke uneasy. “I always read from this Book before going to sleep at night. It make you nervous, Doke?”
The shotgunner licked his lips. “Well, Doctor, I’ve heard preachers preach from it a few times in my life, and it always puts me on edge.”
“Oh? How come?”
“Well … uh … because it scares me about dying and going to hell.”
Dane grinned. “You don’t have to be scared about dying. And you certainly don’t have to go to hell. God’s only begotten Son died on the cross to provide a way for all sinners to be saved, forgiven of their sins, and go to heaven when they die.”
Doke frowned. “You make it sound so simple.”
“God’s plan of salvation for sinners is indeed simple, Doke. It’s the religious crowd that makes it seem complicated.”
“Oh.”
“May I show you what I’m talking about?”
“All right.”
The doctor moved to Doke’s bed and sat down on the edge. Doke slipped out from under the covers and sat beside him.
Dane opened his Bible to Romans 3. Holding it so Doke could see it clearly, he said, “Read me verse 23, will you?”
Doke nodded. “ ‘For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.’ ”
“Who is all, Doke?”
“Well, ah … everybody.”
“So all humans are guilty sinners before a holy God.”
“Yes.”
“That includes me, and that includes you.”
Doke nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“But there is a difference between you and me, Doke. I am a sinner who has had all of his sins washed away and forgiven. Therefore, when I die, I will go to heaven. You already indicated to me that when you die, you will go to hell.”
Doke’s features crimsoned. “Well, yes, sir.”
“Do you want to go to hell?”
“No. Who would want to burn forever?”
“All right,” said Dane, turning a couple of pages. “Now read me this verse.” He was pointing to Romans 6:23.
Doke took a deep breath. “ ‘For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.’ ”
“Now think about it. If you get what you earn by sinning against God, it’s death, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“That’s more than physical death, Doke. In the book of Revelation, we learn that hell in its final state is called the lake of fire. Repeatedly in that book, the lake of fire is called the second death. So if you die without being saved, the wages you receive for a lifetime of sin is to burn forever in the lake of fire. Understand?”
“I’m beginning to.”
“Good. Now, look at this verse again. There is not only death mentioned, but life—eternal life. That means forever with God in heaven, doesn’t it?”
“It has to.”
“All right, now notice the word gift. Eternal life—spending forever with God in heaven—can’t be earned by good works and religious deeds. It is a gift. If you earn something, it is a wage, right?”
“Uh-huh.”
“But if you receive it as a gift, is it earned?”
“No.”
“Correct. It is by grace. In Ephesians 2:8 and 9, God says, ‘For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.’ Salvation, forgiveness of your sins, and a place in heaven forever does not come from human works, but by God’s grace, which is a gift. It can’t be earned by good works, which would include religious deeds. Understand?”
“Yes, sir. Like never before.”
“Good. Now, look here at Romans 6:23 again. Look real close. ‘But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.’ See that? Salvation—eternal life—does not come through anything we can accomplish, like being baptized, taking communion, or saying prayers. It only comes through the Lord Jesus Christ. He came into this world by the miraculous virgin birth, lived a perfectly sinless life, and purposely died on the cross of Calvary, shedding His sinless blood for our sins. Do you understand that?”
“It’s making sense to me, Doctor, like it never has before.”
“Now, let me ask you—did Jesus stay dead after He was crucified and buried?”
“Oh no. He came back to life.”
“Right. Now that’s the gospel, Doke. In Mark 1:15, Jesus said, ‘Repent ye, and believe the gospel.’ Repentance is a change of mind that results in a change of direction. When we repent of our sin, we turn from it unto the living Christ, acknowledging that we are indeed sorry for sinning against Him, and call on Him to forgive us and save us because we believe the gospel.
“Now let’s go back to Romans 3. Look what it says in the verse after the one we read a few minutes ago. ‘Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.’ To be justified is to stand before God just as if you had never sinned. Redemption is the same thing as salvation. Please notice that we are justified freely. We cannot earn it. It’s by His grace.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And our redemption—our salvation—is where, Doke?”
“In Christ Jesus.”
“Right. Not in our good works. Not in baptismal water, not in communion elements, or some mortal religious leader. Just in Jesus Christ. Scripture tells us that after we’re saved, we are to be baptized and to take communion, but in neither of these is redemption found.”
“That is so clear, Doctor. I’ve never seen this before.”
“Do you want to be saved?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Good! Now let me show you what the Bible says you have to do.”
Dane flipped to Romans 10. “Read me verses 9 through 13, Doke.”
Doke’s heart was throbbing. “ ‘That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ ”
Dane looked him in the eye. “Notice the use of the word heart. In verse 9 it says you must believe in your heart. In verse 10 it says it is with the heart that a person believes unto righteousness. A person can believe about Jesus in their mind, Doke, but that doesn’t save them. The heart is the very center of your soul. You must receive Jesus into your heart as your own personal Saviour. You do that by repenting of your sin and doing what it says here in Romans 10:13: call upon Him. Understand?”
Tears were misting Doke’s eyes. “Yes, Doctor. I want to call on Him and ask Him to come into my heart, forgive me of my sins, and save me right now!”
Dane closed his Bible and put his arm around Doke’s shoulders. “Let’s bow our heads, and you do exactly as you just said.”
When Kathryn Tully and Tharyn Tabor were in their room alone, Kathryn referred to the Scriptures on the subject of salvation that Tharyn had shared with her the past several nights. She told Tharyn she had not slept well since the first night. She wanted to be saved.
Tharyn had the joy of leading her to the Lord.
The next night, in their room—after Tag Moran had spoken roughly to Tharyn several times through the day—Kathryn took hold of Tharyn’s hand, a worried look in her eyes. “Tharyn, I can’t stand the way Tag is treating you. Of course it’s because you represent Dr. Logan to him. I’m afraid one of these times he’s going to harm you physically. He does have a vile temper, and he hates your young doctor with a passion. If you will agree to it, we’ll escape out of the bedroom window later tonight, when all of them are asleep.”
Tharyn’s eyes widened. “Escape? The two of us? You will go with me?”
“Yes! I want to get away from here too. We’ll go to the closest neighboring cabin in the forest. It’s about five miles to the southeast. I’ve never met the people who live there, but their names are Will and Nora Darby. We’ll explain the situation to the Darbys and ask if they will take us to the sheriff’s office in Fort Collins.”
“But—
but—”
Kathryn frowned. “But what?”
“I’m afraid for you. If these outlaws would catch us, Tag would take it out on you!”
“They won’t catch us, honey. We can make it. Okay?”
“Okay.”
“Good. We’ll wait till after midnight, to make sure they’re all asleep. Then we’ll climb out the window onto the roof of the back porch. It’ll be easy to get down to the ground from there. We’ll take your wedding dress with us.”
Tears welled up in Tharyn’s eyes. She hugged Kathryn, thanked her, then breathed softly, “Thank You, Lord! I know You are going to take care of us.”
The next morning at dawn, John Brockman and his four deputies left their horses in the dense forest near the hideout, and approached the cabin on foot, guns drawn.
For safety’s sake, Dr. Dane and Doke were ordered by Brockman to stay with the horses. While the two of them watched the lawmen close in on the cabin, Doke said, “Dr. Logan, it’s just so good to be saved, to know that I’m going to heaven instead of hell. Thank you for leading me to the Lord.”
Dr. Dane smiled. “It was my pleasure, Doke.”
Inside the cabin, Lucinda had just discovered that Kathryn and Tharyn had gone out their bedroom window and run away. She ran down the stairs, announcing it to Tag and the others.
Filled with fury, Tag growled, “Breakfast will have to wait. Let’s go after ’em!”
With Tag in the lead, the gang dashed out the front door onto the porch. “Kathryn and Tharyn will leave tracks, and we’ll find ’em.”
Suddenly he skidded to a halt on the porch floor, his face an instant gray mask of surprise as he looked down the barrels of the five guns that were trained on him and his gang. If fear had bounds, then Tag Moran considered he had reached the outer limits. Bart, Jason, and Tony were in the same condition.
“Take those guns out of their holsters and drop them!” said the chief U.S. marshal. “Now!”
Tag’s legs went weak and his stomach felt like it was full of floating feathers. His arms were devoid of strength. Noting the determination on the faces of the five lawmen, he mumbled weakly, “Do as he says, boys. They mean business.”