Ina Claire issued her shopping list quietly, resolutely, and without expression.
“Heavens, child, why would you need all of that?” Biff asked.
“Because I’m going with Mr. MacCallister when he goes after the men who murdered my mama and papa. And I expect I’ll be needing such things.”
“Ina Claire, I—” Duff started to say, but Ina Claire interrupted him.
“And if you are about to tell me that you aren’t going after them, then I expect I’ll be going after them myself,” the girl said.
Duff shook his head slowly. “I wasn’t about to say I wasn’t going after them. I fully intend to do that. I was about to say I wouldn’t want you to be going with me.”
“Mr. MacCallister, I’ll either be going with you . . . or I’ll be trailing along behind you. And disabuse yourself of any idea that I won’t be able to keep up with you. Thunder is a very good horse, I am a very good rider, and I’m at least eighty pounds lighter than you are. There is absolutely no way you could lose me.”
Biff laughed out loud. “Are you disabused of that idea, Duff?”
“Please, Mr. MacCallister, let me go with you.” Much of the defiance was gone both from Ina Claire’s words and facial expression. “I won’t get in your way, I promise. And I might be able to help you.”
“How are you going to be able to help him, honey?” Meagan asked.
“Well to begin with, I know the names of all the men who did it.” She stopped, then counted out the names on her fingers as she recalled the names she had heard spoken by the men: “Callahan, Manning, Dooley Cooper, and Pogue Morris.”
“What? How could you possibly know that?” Biff asked.
“About a week ago, Dooley Cooper and Pogue Morris were traveling through, and when they stopped for water, Papa invited them to have dinner with us. That’s how I know their names. I heard the other two names spoken while I was hiding from them, but I don’t know their whole names. Please, Mr. MacCallister, let me go with you. Those evil men set at our table with us, ate food that Mama had cooked, and then broke into our house in the middle of the night, killed Mama and Papa, and set the house on fire.”
“That would be Clay Callahan and Zeke Manning,” Duff said.
“How do you . . .” Meagan started, then she stopped in mid-sentence. “Those are the two men who tried to rob the bank in Archer, aren’t they?”
“Yes, I didn’t know they weren’t in jail. Last I heard they had been tried, convicted, and sentenced to hang.”
“They musta broke out of jail,” Elmer suggested.
“Which means there’s nothing holding them back,” Biff said.
“Oh, Duff. And if you’re the one who put them in jail, they’ll be coming after you.”
“Unless I go after them first,” Duff said.
“Good!” Ina Claire said. “I knew you would be going with me.”
“Let me ask you this, Ina Claire. How did you get your mother and father out of the house?” Duff asked.
“I was able to drag Mama out, but Papa was too heavy. So I brought Thunder into the house, tied a rope around Papa’s ankles, and had Thunder pull him out.”
“You took your horse into the house while it was on fire?” Meagan asked.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“How in the world did you do that?”
“I have to admit that Thunder wasn’t any too happy about it, but I covered his eyes and he went along with it.”
“That’s amazing,” Meagan said.
“Come to the bank with me,” Duff said.
“I beg your pardon?”
“Come to the bank with me. I’ll help you get the money to buy the things you need. You won’t have to worry about the food, I’ll take care of that.”
Ina Claire’s eyes grew wide. “You mean I can go with you?”
“Aye, lass, you can go with me.”
“Duff, you aren’t serious?” Meagan said.
“Sure ’n anyone who can take a horse into a burning house has earned the right. You did say that two of the men had taken sup at your house, didn’t you?” Duff asked Ina Claire. “Do you think you’ll be able to recognize them if you see them again?”
“Yes, sir, I know I will recognize them. Remember, they sat at the table with us and ate our food. One of them has an ugly scar on his cheek. I would recognize one of the others, too. He’s a big man, as big as you are, Mr. MacCallister. He’s an ugly man, too, his nose,” she paused and put her hand to her own nose. “His nose is real flat right here.”
“Aye, ye’ve just described Callahan, all right. His features are just as ugly as his soul.”
Ina Claire was quiet for a moment, then her eyes welled with tears. “They ate with us, then repaid us by killing Mama and Papa.”
“Anybody who would repay a kindness like that by doin’ what these men did are nothin’ but low-down sons of bitches,” Elmer said. Then, realizing what he said, he apologized. “Sorry ’bout usin’ words like that in front of you two ladies.”
“That’s quite all right, Elmer,” Meagan said. “There are times when ‘son of a bitch’ is the only appropriate sobriquet.”
“Do you want me ’n Wang to go with you?” Elmer asked.
“No, I don’t think so. Somebody needs to watch over Sky Meadow, and I’d feel better if it were you.”
“All right,” Elmer agreed. “I reckon we’ll just go on out there now. If you need us for any reason, send us a telegram ’n we’ll be there quicker ’n . . .”
Duff held up his finger and shook his head. “Nae, Elmer, I’ll not be for hearing another one of your quaint aphorisms. Remember, there be ladies present.”
Elmer smiled. “Why, Duff, I was only goin’ to say ‘quicker ’n you can stop me from cussin’.’”
The others around the table laughed.
“Come, lass, I’ll go to the bank with you and see that you get your pa’s money,” Duff said to Ina Claire.
Chapter Thirteen
“Oh, my, it appears that Captain Culpepper died intestate,” the president of the Bank of Chugwater said as he examined the late rancher’s account.
“What does that mean?” Ina Claire asked.
“It means your father left no will, so I have no authority to grant you access to his account until the estate is adjudicated.”
“But, Mr. Montgomery, Papa wasn’t an old man. He didn’t have a will yet because he wasn’t expecting to die so young. You knew him, and you know he intended to leave the money to Mama, or if Mama wasn’t around, to me.”
“Oh, I have no doubt but that you will be the beneficiary of your father’s account,” Montgomery agreed. “But legally, before I can release any of his money to you, Judge Thorndike will have to sign off on it, and more than likely, that will take a week or two.”
“No, I don’t have a week or two.”
“I was afraid that you might run into something like this,” Duff said. “Dinnae you be worrying about it. I’ll make a loan to you of all the money you’ll need until ye have access to your own money.”
“Oh, would you? How wonderful of you to do such a thing,” Ina Claire said. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
Fifteen minutes later Duff and Ina Claire were at Sikes Gun Shop, with Ina Claire holding the pistol Duff had picked out for her. “This is an Army Colt,. 45 caliber, single action. ’Tis a good, dependable weapon,” he explained. “And because it is a .45 caliber, it has a lot of stopping power. You’ll be needin’ a holster as well.” “What about a rifle?” Ina Claire asked.
Duff shook his head. “Nae, ’tis better off you would be with a shotgun.” He handed her a double-barrel gun from the display rack.
“Oh, this is pretty heavy,” Ina Claire observed.
Duff smiled. “It won’t be all that heavy after we saw off the barrel.”
“You’re going to saw off the barrel?”
“Not all of it,” Duff said. “I’m going to leave you about six inches. That way it’ll be lighter and eas
ier for you to carry. It will also be for giving you a wider spread o’ the shot, ’n woe betide anyone who would try ’n come after you when such a weapon is in your hand.”
Ina Claire smiled. “I hope it’s one of the men who came to the house.”
“Steve, m’ lad, have ye any ammunition for my pistol?”
“An Enfield Mark 1 Revolver,” Sikes replied. “Forty-seven caliber. You’re the only one in town with such a weapon and probably the only one in the county. Why do you carry such a gun?”
“I carry it because ’twas the side-arm of all the officers in Her Majesty’s army. It served me well then, ’n it has served me well since.”
“Yeah, as long as you can get ammunition for it,” Sikes replied. Then he smiled. “But as it so happens, I just got in a new order for you.” He opened a cabinet drawer and took out five boxes. “Here are two hundred and fifty rounds. That ought to hold you for a while, unless you’re plannin’ on startin’ your own private war.”
“I may not be too far removed from that very thing,” Duff replied with a little chuckle. “Ina Claire, lass, suppose you go down to the mercantile and take care of the rest of the things? You’ll not be needing me for that.” Duff hefted the double-barrel shotgun they had just purchased. “I’ll be for taking care of this for you.”
“All right, Mr. MacCallister, and thank you,” Ina Claire said.
Duff turned back toward the storeowner to pay for all the purchases.
“Tell me, Duff,” Sikes said as he counted out the change. “Why such things for a little girl? And when I said you may be startin’ your own private war, why is it you said that you weren’t that far removed from it?”
“Here now, Steve, ’n you’re nae for tellin’ me that you’re unaware of what happened to the girl’s family, are you?”
“No, no, of course not. I know about it, ever’one in town knows about it. I couldn’t make it to the funeral but I did close the store down. Oh, wait, I see now. That’s in case the men decide to come back, so she’ll have some protection.”
“Nae,” Duff replied with a broad smile. “This is because the young lass is goin’ after the brigands. She intends to see that justice is served.”
“Lord no! Here now, she’s just a young slip of a girl, not even a woman yet. Surely you can stop her from doing such a foolish thing.”
“Stop her? Steve, m’ boy, I expect to be right there by her side the whole while.”
“Well, if she is bound ’n determined to do such a thing, I’m glad you’ll be with her.”
With his purchases securely packaged, Duff stepped outside and saw his friend Bob Guthrie just opening the door to his lumber and building supply store, which was next door to Sikes Gun Shop.
“Duff,” Guthrie greeted with a large smile. “It’s good to see you this morning. Is that old coot with you?”
“If it’s Elmer ye be inquiring after, he and Wang left for Sky Meadow a short while ago. I expect they may be there by now.”
The smile left Guthrie’s face to be replaced by an expression of extreme sadness.
“I want to say that was a good thing you did, playing the bagpipes for the funeral of Captain Culpepper ’n his wife. And the old first sergeant, playing ‘Taps’? It brought back memories, I’m tellin’ you. By the way, who was the young lady who played the drum with you?”
“Sure ’n you’re not for tellin’ me that ye didn’t recognize the captain’s own daughter, Ina Claire?”
“Lord, how grown up she has become. Why, I can remember when she was barely walkin’. Her pa would come in here for things he needed out at the ranch.”
“Did ye not see her at the Scottish Heritage Day?”
“That was the same young lady, wasn’t it? Yes, I do remember seeing her there, but I didn’t realize who she was at the time.” Guthrie unlocked the door and then glanced back at Duff. “Will you be seeing her again?”
“Aye, I’ll be seeing her,” Duff said without being too specific.
“Then, please give her my personal condolences.”
“I’ll do that,” Duff replied.
* * *
After she left the gun store, Ina Claire walked three buildings down the street to Falkoff’s Men’s Clothing Store. She was surprised to see Meagan coming toward the store.
“Miss Meagan, what are you doing here?”
“Same thing you are doing, I expect,” Meagan replied. “I’ll be buying the things I’ll need for traveling.”
“Oh? Where are you going?”
“I don’t know, that depends,” Meagan replied mysteriously.
“Depends on what?”
“It depends on where Duff takes us.”
“Where he takes us?” Ina Claire asked, still not sure she was following Meagan’s explanation.
“Yes, where he takes us, you and me, during our quest to find the men who killed your parents.”
“Oh! Does Mr. MacCallister know you’re going?”
“He doesn’t know yet.”
“What if he says no?”
“He said no to you,” Meagan replied.
“Yes, but—”
“But what?” Meagan asked, interrupting Ina Claire in mid-sentence. “When he said no to you, that didn’t stop you, did it?”
“No,” Ina Claire said with a little laugh. “No, it didn’t stop me.”
“Besides, I know Duff, quite well actually. And I know what a pigheaded man he can be. If we are ever going to have anything to say about what’s going on, we two girls are going to have to stick together.” Meagan stuck her hand out. “Is it a deal?”
A broad smile spread across Ina Claire’s face, and she reached out to take Meagan’s hand. “It’s a deal,” she said with a little laugh.
* * *
“You understand, I’ve no trousers for young ladies,” David Friedman said, coming back from another part of the store. “These are men’s trousers, boys actually, as there are no men’s trousers small enough to fit you.”
“That will be fine,” Ina Claire said.
“Miss Parker,” Friedman said, having just noticed her and surprised to see her in his store. He got a guilty expression on his face and gestured toward Ina Claire. “I’m not trying to steal any of your customers,” he said quickly. “I don’t sell ladies clothes as you know. This young lady—”
“I know why she is here,” Meagan said, interrupting him in mid-sentence. I’m here for the same reason.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I want to buy some trousers.”
“Yes, ma’am, I’ll be happy to take care of you,” Friedman said with a relieved smile.
On the road between Fort Laramie and Bordeaux, Wyoming Territory
The peddler’s wagon was making a great deal of noise as the pots and pans banged, clanged, and rattled. The peddler was singing aloud, his off-key rendition of “Buffalo Gals” adding to the cacophony.
“Tell me again why we’re robbin’ a peddler?” Pogue Morris asked. The two men rode a good distance behind the oblivious peddler. “It ain’t like we’re a-needin’ any pots ’n pans. Or any of his notions.”
“How much money do you have?” Callahan asked.
“Countin’ the money I got left over from when me ’n Cooper robbed the boat, I got near seventy dollars.”
“What about you, Cooper?”
“I got seventy-two dollars.”
“And on account of Manning ’n me was in jail, we got five dollars apiece from the ten dollars we took from the rancher’s house. And unlessen you two is willin’ to divide up what you got, that means that me ’n Manning don’t have any more than to say, nothin’ a-tall. But now, that peddler has been out sellin’ to farmers ’n ranchers ’n such. It ain’t more’n likely he’ll have over fifty or sixty dollars on ’im. But it ain’t more’n likely he’ll have less than twenty dollars, neither, ’n right now to me ’n Manning, twenty dollars is a lot.”
“Yeah, I see what you mean,” Cooper replied.
; By now the peddler was close enough that his singing could be heard even over the clanging of the pots and pans, and the squeak and rattle of the wagon on the move.
“. . . come out tonight, come out tonight,
Buffalo gals, won’t you come out tonight,
’N dance by the light of the moon.”
“Here ’e comes,” Callahan said. “Get ready.”
Cooper and Morris moved to one side of the road and got behind a high growing mesquite tree . . . Callahan and Manning waited on the opposite side of the road behind an outcropping of rocks.
“As I was walking down the street,
Down the street, down the street,
A pretty little gal I chanced to meet,
Chanced to meet, chanced to meet.”
“Hold it up there, peddler!” Callahan shouted as the four of them moved quickly around in front of the road.
Startled by their sudden appearance, the peddler’s team of horses whinnied and reared up. That caused the horses the outlaws were riding to twist around, and the peddler, seeing that, tried to take advantage of the situation by picking his pistol up from the seat beside him and firing at the men who had accosted him.
His shot was hurried and inaccurate. Callahan fired back, and the peddler fell from his seat.
“I’ll search the wagon,” Cooper said.
“Yeah, do that, but more’n likely, any money he has is on him,” Callahan said, dismounting.
As Cooper and Morris banged the pots and pans around, looking through the wagon, Callahan searched the peddler. He saw a small pouch hanging from the peddler’s belt. Opening it, he saw a roll of bills. He removed the bills and counted the money.
“Whooee, boys, we done hit the jackpot,” Callahan called to the others. “There’s two hundred and thirteen dollars here!”
“How we goin’ to divide it up?” Manning asked.
Callahan did some figuring. “The way I figure it, we’ll all have ninety dollars apiece.”
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