by Edward Gates
“Goodbye? Where ya headin’?”
Charlie shook Dave’s hand. “I’m headin’ further west. See if I can get into the Rangers in Texas.”
“Well, come on and set a spell.” Dave motioned to two chairs on his porch. He then called to his wife to bring out some coffee. The rest of the afternoon they sat on the porch of the ranch house, drank coffee and talked, mostly reminiscing about the seven-month journey they had endured together.
“I must say,” Dave said, “you sure growed up some on that trip. You was eager to learn, and would try anything. That was impressive. Most sod-bustin’ Easterners woulda quit. You hung in there the whole trip. Got to where I could actually count on you.”
“I couldn’t have done any of it without you and Ed showing me how to do things.”
There was a long pause. Dave looked over at Charlie. “You like bein’ a deputy?”
Charlie nodded. “Yeah. I do. Kind of gives me a purpose, I guess. You got this ranch and your wife and her family. Ed’s got his fishin’ and huntin’ cabin. Walter’s got his daughter. Being a lawman makes me feel good.”
Dave smiled and nodded. “I’m proud of you, boy. I understand.” After a moment, “How’s your shootin’ been?”
Charlie chuckled. “Ain’t fired a shot since you taught me. Pulled my gun a few times, but never had to shoot anybody. I used it to club a couple of drunks, though.” They both laughed.
“Well, don’t go too long. You need to stay sharp with that pistol. One day you’re gonna need that hogleg and ya better be able to use it like it was second nature to ya. Every once in a while, you need to go out and shoot some rocks. Just for practice.”
Charlie nodded, finished his coffee and stood. “Sun’s goin’ down. I’d better be on my way.” They shook hands one more time.
“I’m glad you come by. You still chasin’ that Ranger?” Charlie nodded. “Well, you’ll make a fine Ranger, whether you find him or not.”
Charlie remounted Archie and headed back to town. As soon as he left Dave’s ranch, he felt a void begin to grow inside him. He knew he’d never see Dave or Ed or Walter again. That was hard for him to stomach. He tried, but he couldn’t push that empty feeling aside and concentrate on his future. He resigned himself to just accepting this lonely misery a little while longer.
63
Max’s Send-Off
The next morning Charlie walked through the town making his rounds. He made that trip twice trying to work up the nerve to pay a final visit to Max. When he wasn’t out making his rounds, he paced the floor of the sheriff’s office. It was close to noon when Charlie finally decided he couldn’t put off the visit any longer.
He locked the office and headed to Max’s warehouse a few blocks away. With each step his feet felt a little heavier and the warehouse seemed to be getting farther away. Most of the trip was downhill, yet when he finally arrived he was out of breath.
Charlie walked into the building and stopped from the shock of a dark and quiet warehouse. Usually during the middle of the day this place was a hub of activity. Most of the workers were gone. He could see that the cargo doors on the sides were closed and locked. He wondered what was going on.
When he got to Henry’s office, he looked in and saw that most of the papers, books and ledgers that cluttered his small office were cleared away and neatly stacked in crates outside his door. Henry was sitting at his desk sorting through some papers.
“Henry? What’s happening?”
Henry, startled by his voice, looked up. “Charlie. What are you doing here?”
“I just came to see Max. What are you doing? Why all the packing?”
Henry went back to sorting the papers into different stacks. “General Hinderman is pulling the troops out of the garrison. And Blunt is already marching the Union Army this way from Missouri. He’ll be taking over the fort within a month.” He shook his head. “Can you beat that? Yankees occupying Fort Smith.”
“Yeah, I heard.” Charlie paused. “But then what’s that got to do with you packing up?”
Henry stood and approached him. “We been runnin’ guns for the South for a couple of years now. I don’t think them blue-bellies will be too pleased with us when they learn about that. I don’t even think they’d waste time on a trial. They’d probably just hang us on the spot. We’re getting out. And we’re getting out now.”
“But…”
“Go talk to Max. I’m busy.”
Charlie left Henry and went to Max’s office. The door was ajar, so he went in without knocking. Max was on his knees cleaning out the contents of his safe. Charlie stood silently and watched. Max appeared to be very nervous, even fearful. Charlie smiled because the anxiety he felt about confronting the older man was gone. Max had bigger problems than worrying about him leaving. He walked to Max’s desk and sat on the corner.
“I hear you’re running out. Were you going to say goodbye to your deputy?”
Max turned and stared at him. His hair was mussed and his collar was open, his tie loosely draped around his neck. His eyes were bloodshot and he hadn’t shaved in a couple of days. “Goddammit, Turlock. Someone oughta tie a bell around your lousy neck so’s we can hear you comin’. You must like sneakin’ up on folk.”
“Sorry, Max. You were so engrossed in what you were doin’ I didn’t want to bother you.”
“What are you doin’ here, Charlie?”
“I was going to ask you the same question.”
“The Yankees are on their way here. We’re gettin’ outta here while we can.”
“Where you going? Is your family going with you?”
“They’re already gone.” Max stood and then plopped down in his desk chair with a sigh. “Henry’s wife has family in St. Louis. She took my family and they all left on a coach last week.”
“I didn’t know anything about this. I’m sorry.”
“As soon as they get to town, them Yankees will come bustin’ in here seizin’ everything they can. I want to be long gone by that time and I don’t want any records of anything here for them to find. They’d hang me for sure if they found out what I been doing… If they don’t already know.” He placed both hands across his face and yawned. “As soon as we get everything packed, we’re loadin’ up a wagon and drivin’ it to a friend’s warehouse in Kansas City. Then we’ll take a coach to St. Louis to join our families and try to stay out of trouble.” He looked up at the deputy. “So what are you doing here, Charlie? You need something?”
“Nope. I just came by to tell you that I’ll be leaving here myself. Probably within a few days.”
Max nodded. “I figured as much. I don’t blame you a bit. I always knew you was a smart fella. I knew it the first time I talked with you in Clarksville. So where you headin’?”
“Back to Texas for a while.”
Max rose. “Texas? You realize you’re a wanted man there? Desertion from the army.”
Charlie stood, nodded and smiled. “I think I can stay out of trouble for a while. Besides, I’m a lawman, right?”
Max looked away and then sat back down in his chair. “I wish it was different circumstances, son. I’d do my best to keep you from going.”
“I know you would. I was expecting that. But it’s better this way, I think.” Charlie moved to the leather chair and sat. “Under different circumstances, I might have trouble leaving. You’ve done an awful lot for me, Max, and I owe you a great deal. I don’t think I could ever repay you.”
Max smiled. “I took you in cuz I knew you was special. You’re smart and you’re eager to work and eager to learn. Don’t find that combination in men much. I had plans for you.” He lowered his head. “But now everything’s goin’ to hell. I don’t think Lee can bounce back from Gettysburg. It’s just a matter of time, now.” Max picked up a small leather bag from a box he was packing and tossed it on the desk to Charlie. “Take it. There’s a hundred dollars gold in that bag.”
“What’s this for?”
“Consider it yo
ur final pay… some travelin’ money. Call it a bonus.” Max paused. “We butted heads a bit, Charlie. But you was always someone I could count on. Take the money. It’ll help you get a new start… wherever you end up.”
Charlie picked up the bag of gold coins. “Thanks, Max. I appreciate this. You think you’ll ever be back to Fort Smith?”
“I’m not sure. It depends on a lot of things. This war, finding Edmund… I don’t know.”
Charlie stuck out his hand. “I couldn’t have done anything without you, Max. I really owe you a lot. I’m sorry to see you go.”
They shook hands and stood looking at each other for a long moment. It was awkward because Charlie wanted to tell Max how he much he appreciated what he had done for him and recite the speech he’d been practicing for two days, but nothing would come out. He could see that Max wanted to say some things to him, but they both stood silently staring at each other.
Finally, Max just said, “Good luck, Charlie.” He went back to packing the contents of his safe.
Charlie left the office without another word. He stopped for a moment outside Henry’s office and looked in. “It was a pleasure knowing you, Henry. Good luck to you.” Henry looked up at him, smiled briefly and nodded.
Charlie left the warehouse and headed back to the sheriff’s office. He wore a smile and, although most of the trip back was uphill, felt as if he was walking on air. His visit with Max had gone much better than he could have imagined. He had said his goodbyes to everyone he needed to. He was free. He could jump anytime he wanted.
Before this weekend, he’d been a little worried about his diminishing cash reserves. But now he had gotten a hundred-dollar bonus from Max and forty dollars for his horse. Now he felt confident that his cash would carry him for a while.
When he hit Walnut Street, he stopped. Instead of turning right and going back to the office, he turned left and headed for The Row. He had to say one last goodbye.
64
Last Jump to Austin
Charlie spent his last two days in Fort Smith visiting acquaintances around town and letting them know he would be leaving. In the late afternoon of the second day, before going to his room for the night, he stopped in at Ben Fricker’s store to let Ben and Maggie know he’d be gone first thing in the morning. He thanked them for their hospitality and kindness, and settled his outstanding debts.
He used the rest of the daylight to pack his valise with his necessities and as many clothes as it would hold. Whatever he couldn’t stuff into the valise would remain for Maggie to do with as she pleased. After a final check around the room to make sure he wasn’t forgetting anything, Charlie collapsed on the bed. He felt exhausted, more from emotional strain than physical activity. Although he was excited to jump to Austin in 1867 and begin a new life there, he felt a bit downhearted about leaving Fort Smith. He’d made some good friends there and had some remarkable experiences. Charlie stared at the ceiling with thoughts from the past year running though his head. It was a hard year, a learning year, but a rewarding one. Before long, he was sound asleep.
When he woke, the room was pitch black. He got up, lit the lantern and pulled back the window shade to look outside. It was dark and dead quiet. Time to go. Charlie strapped on the time belt, turned off the lantern and picked up his valise. He set the jump location to the same spot as his previous jumps outside the city of Austin, the date to three days after his last time there and the time to just before sunrise. He took a final look around through the blue-green light that engulfed him. He smiled and tightened his grip on the valise.
“Goodbye, Fort Smith.” He initiated the jump, closed his eyes and was gone.
Charlie woke in the now familiar pasture surrounded by wide-eyed cattle staring at him. He smiled as he got to his feet. “Don’t worry, cows. This’ll be the last time. I’m here to stay.” He brushed himself off, removed the time belt and stuffed it into the valise. Then he began his mile-long trek into Austin.
The sun was just above the horizon when Charlie reached the city. He stopped at a café on Congress Street for breakfast. Afterwards, he walked up a block and stopped in to see the barber. The barber smiled and greeted him as he entered.
“You think you can give me a shave and trim up this crop I got?”
“I sure can, mister. Have a seat.”
The barber put a hot towel on Charlie’s face and lathered up the soap cake with a brush and a little water.
“You’re the one that brought that one-armed fella in here a few days back, ain’t ya?”
“Yes, I did,” Charlie mumbled through the towel.
The barber removed the towel and spread a thick lather across Charlie’s beard. “That fella sure was a sight. I was afraid I’d skin that poor boy, what with those scars on his face.”
“Yeah, I thought about that myself. You did a fine job.”
“How’s he doin? He still around?”
“He’s doing fine. You wouldn’t recognize him, now. He’s all cleaned up and workin’ down at Kline’s Saloon.”
The barber finished Charlie’s shave and haircut, during which he continued a generic conversation about the weather, the goings-on and various gossip in Austin. He brushed the hair from Charlie’s shoulders and passed him a hand mirror. Charlie smiled and gave the barber two quarters.
“You know where I can get a clean room for a few days?”
The barber thought for a minute. “Well, there’s the hotel that’s across from Miss Kate’s. It’s a nice place, not too pricey. There’s a real fancy one down by City Hall and a few more up by the government buildings. There’s some others around town, but I wouldn’t put much faith in them being too clean.”
Charlie thanked the barber, picked up his hat and started for the door.
“By the way,” the barber said, “how’d that work out with that fella getting bathed at Miss Kate’s?’
Charlie stopped as he opened the door. He smiled at the barber. “The better part of valor is discretion.”
Apparently unfamiliar with Shakespeare’s Falstaff, the barber stood with a confused look about him. “What… ?”
“Never mind. Oh, by the way, Miss Kate said to say hello to you.” Quickly he exited the barbershop. But he could hear the barber say, “What? Wait a minute… I’m a married man.” Charlie laughed as he headed toward Houston Street.
Charlie checked into the Pyramid Hotel and took a room on the second floor directly across from Miss Kate’s Palace. He stashed his valise under the bed and looked out the window at the porch surrounding the front and sides of Miss Kate’s Victorian home. He toyed with the idea of paying the girls a visit, but thought better of it. There would always be time for that. First, he had to let Ben and Jack know he was in town. He left the room and headed for Kline’s Saloon.
When Charlie arrived, there were only a handful of people scattered around the saloon. Most were enjoying coffee with friends. Texas Jack was behind the bar setting up glasses on a shelf. He smiled when he saw Charlie enter.
“Well, you made it back. Get all your business done?” Jack said as Charlie approached him at the bar.
“Yeah, I did, as a matter of fact.” They shook hands. “You still doin’ all right?”
“Yep. Doin’ just fine. You plannin’ on stickin’ around for a little while this time?’
Charlie nodded. “Got me a room at the Pyramid.”
Jack smiled. “The Pyramid, huh? That’s convenient. Bonnie know you’re back?”
Charlie chuckled. “No. I came here first. Can I get a coffee?”
“Sure thing.”
Ben came around the corner from the back room and joined them. Eventually the conversation got around to Charlie’s plans.
“So, you still wantin’ to get into the Rangers?” Ben asked.
“Yeah. One thing I need to do here is find out which congressman sponsored that bill to form a Ranger militia.”
“Then what?”
“I’m not sure. I guess I’ll see if I can contact
him and find out more about his plans. Maybe I can convince him to think of me when the Rangers form up.” He saw Ben and Jack exchange glances. “Okay. What? What are you two knowing that I don’t?”
Jack sighed. “It don’t quite work like that, Charlie.” Charlie frowned. “They’re gonna form that new militia from the people already in the Rangers. Probably pull in the captains and squads from the frontier. After that they’ll start recruiting.”
Charlie didn’t answer. He knew it wouldn’t be easy getting into the Rangers, but he was counting on Jack to help things along. From the way Jack talked, it sounded like he was trying to discourage him.
“Why are you telling me this? How do you know this is what they’ll do?”
“You gotta believe me, Charlie. What’d ya think would happen? You thinkin’ you could just stroll in here and be a Ranger?”
“Listen to him, Charlie,” Ben added. “Jack’s been around. He knows how these things work.”
“Well, if you don’t mind, I think I’ll just find out who sponsored that bill and get the information straight from him,” Charlie said. He was a little hurt that he wasn’t getting the support and enthusiasm he wanted from Jack. He turned from the bar but Jack stopped him.
“I’ll save you some trouble,” Jack said. “The fella you want to see is Pennbroker.”
“Pennbroker?”
Jack nodded. “Yep. Senator Sylas Pennbroker. He’s the one who is trying to get the legislature to form a private state militia that only reports to the governor. He’s gonna name it the Texas Rifles.”
Charlie stepped back to the bar and stared a moment at Jack. “And just how do you know this, Jack? I thought you didn’t want anything to do with the government.”
Jack leaned on the bar toward him. “I don’t. But, if you want to know what’s going on around town, you talk to a barber. If you want to know what’s going on behind the scenes, you talk to a working girl.”