By Mr. Green
Chapter 1 Chapter One
Levi Sawyer was questioning the wisdom of taking the Sheriff's job as he heard the dull thud of another bullet lodge into an old fence post, about six feet from the rotting tree stump, where he was taking cover. He was pinned down, if he stayed where he was at, he would soon be lying dead at the old homesteader's farm of Candles McCoy.
It had long been abandoned but for the refuge the old rotting buildings now provided for Milo and Buck Stanton. Two brothers wanted for robbing the Stage six weeks ago and for the senseless killing of a 43-year-old man named Sandy Potter, in a drunken brawl at the Charlie Rose Saloon.
"Milo!... Buck!" Sawyer called out as loud as he could; "I'm here to arrest you boys for the Stage hold-up and the murder of Sandy Potter." He paused for a response, when there was none, Levi called out again; "I'm asking you to turn your selves in, so no one else gets hurt.
He waited, still there was no response. Once again, he tried to get their attention; "I'll see to it my report reflects your co-operation. It might even spare you boys one of those California Neckties." He waited for a moment longer, then from behind the rotting timber he looked around the edge toward the farm house.
Without warning, there was the bark of a rifle, and a bullet struck the ground just a few feet from the tree stump, blasting fine dirt into the air. "Sheriff," one of the brothers cried out. "The only thing waiting for us now is at the end of a rope. You know that, so the only way you're gonna take us in, is draped over a saddle."
Levi saw someone darting quickly from the back of the farm house. The lone figure took cover behind a large Cottonwood. The Sheriff was trying to buy some time, but that was a commodity Levi Sawyer was quickly running out of. If he could just find a way to keep those two contained, for a little longer, he knew the men he was riding with, had to have heard the recent gun fire.
Casper Hays was one of those men. He was a man who preferred to keep his past close to his vest, rarely speaking of it to any stranger. Levi could not even be sure if "Casper Hays" was his real name. All he knew was that his old friend Badger, had introduced them, and if Badger thought highly of anyone, well, that was good enough for Levi. That old mountain man had saved his life on more than one occasion, and if Badger said Casper Hayes was good people, then his word carried all the weight Levi needed. to put his trust in the man.
About an hour earlier, while the men in the posse prepared to leave camp, Levi told Casper he was going to scout the old homestead after a local cowboy who was hunting in the area a few days earlier, told them he saw riders coming and going from the old farm house.
Now, it was up to Casper Hays and the rest of the posse. Finding him soon, was about the only card Levi had left to play. It wouldn't be very long and he would be low on ammunition, and whoever it was that ran from the back of the old farmhouse, well, that man was working his way closer every chance he got. With time, he might even get close enough to put a bullet through his head.
Levi got to one knee, he looked toward the house and fired twice. Standing, he moved quickly to a nearby tree. Pressing his back against the thick trunk of a Ponderosa Pine, he paused to check, and reload his colt revolver. Forced to abandon his horse or risk getting it shot out from under him, he cursed himself for not taking the time to remove his rifle from the leather boot, before taking cover.
The lone wolf fired his rifle from the dark shadows, deep in the piney flesh that covered the mountain. This time the bullet struck the thick bark of the tree Levi was pressed against. Splintering the skin into shards of small needles, as it sliced a deep groove into the wood fibers. Sawyer tried to locate the man hiding among the trees when another bullet tore a branch off the tree about eight inches above his head.
Damn it! Sawyer whispered as he took cover once again, but this time he was sure he knew where the round came from. He saw the signature from the rifle, and now he knew where the outlaw was hiding.
By reputation, Buck Stanton was considered to be the better shot. He was also known for having the worst temper of the two brothers. Sawyer figured the man who took off running from the back of the old farmhouse had to be Buck Stanton. He was the oldest, and he was the meanest of the two, and for the moment, he was hiding in a small cluster of trees about ten yards from the house.
The lone figure took off running again, Sawyer fired and the man dove behind some fallen timber. Sawyer had to get closer to the house. He took off running. He had to make it to a nearby wagon, about fifteen feet in front, and to the right of his location.
Two shots came from the window of the farmhouse, one of the bullets cut through the flesh of his thigh like the slash of a hot blade. Sawyer dove for the cover of the wagon.
"Sheriff," the voice came from the farmhouse. "Leave us be Sheriff and ride on out-a-here. Once you're gone, we'll do the same. We'll leave the area for good, and no one gets hurt. What do you say?"
Levi checked his leg. It was bleeding, and it hurt like hell, but he would be ok. "Milo," Levi called out. "It is Milo I'm talking to, right!" He waited. "It's Milo.. What do you say Sheriff?"
Sawyer started to respond, when he saw Buck Stanton darting from tree to tree. They were quick dashes, and he was working his way closer.
"Sheriff" The younger brother called out quickly from the farmhouse. Sawyer noticed Buck running towards another tree, just a few feet closer. Now Levi thought he was beginning to understand. He waited quietly pausing for a moment. Watching the location of Buck Stanton, he suddenly heard his younger brother call out once again, this time his voice was more insistent.
"Sheriff, are you listening to me?"
Sawyer wanted to test his theory. Watching the trees, he answered, "I'm listening," Suddenly Buck took off again for a nearby tree, and Sawyer fired. The bullet struck the man's boot, and the outlaw cried out in pain, as the heal of his boot was ripped from the soul, and he dove for cover behind some brush and timber.
Levi could hear the outlaw cussing.
"Sure enough", Sawyer whispered to himself as he realized that Milo Stanton was working with his older brother. He was the distraction. They were working together trying to pin him down so Buck could take the kill shot.
"Sheriff," the voice came from the old farmhouse. "Sheriff, what if I was willing to turn myself in?"
Sawyer was watching the trees where he had seen Buck Stanton dive for cover. He was getting way to close, and Sawyer didn't want to lose him in the trees. When there was no answer, the younger brother knew that Sawyer's attention was focused on stopping his older brother from getting any closer.
This was the opportunity Milo Stanton was waiting for. He took off running from the farmhouse, into the trees, as quickly as he could. He was running in the opposite direction his older brother had gone. The young outlaw knew it was just a matter of minutes now, and they would have Sheriff Sawyer pinned down from both sides.
Levi looked through the trees, patiently planning his next move when he saw Buck Stanton running to another tree. Sawyer took aim, Milo Stanton quickly did the same, and then Milo fired his rifle. The bullet struck the steel rim of the wagon wheel and ricocheted off into the trees. Sawyer flinched just as he pulled the trigger, and his own round went high.
Realizing the outlaws were approaching from both sides now, Sawyer crouched as low as he could behind the wagon and paused once again, to make sure that his revolver was fully loaded.
Buck Stanton smiled, he was proud of his younger brother. With a new-found confidence he waited. Soon Levi Sawyer would be dead.
| Author Notes | This book has been professionally edited. Writing chapters on FanStory allowed me to get valuable feedback in order to work out the details. So what is read here may not be exactly the same as what ended up in the book. This book was published on Oct. 4th, 2020. |
By Mr. Green
Milo was the farthest away, and Buck, he was closing in fast, but it was in the outlaw's best interest to use more caution now, as they tried to close that gap. The outlaws had the advantage of their rifles when the distance was greater, but now the odds were even. In fact, they might even be in Sawyer's favor. There was only one problem, there were still two of them coming against him, and they were closing in on him from both sides.
Levi crawled under the wagon. Forcing them to shoot low with their rifles. It was something that he hoped might just offer him a slight advantage. It was also something, Levi Sawyer could not depend on for very long. Sawyer saw Buck's rifle, as the outlaw took aim from behind the tree, but the terrain prevented a clear line of fire, and he pulled the rifle back
.
"Sheriff, you should have taken us up on the offer to ride out of here." Buck Stanton called out.
"You know I can't do that, Buck. The smart thing would be to turn yourselves in."
Milo fired his rifle and the bullet imbedded deep into the wagon. Sawyer flinched and rolled to his side, his reflexes pulled his knees up slightly. When he relaxed again, he turned his attention to the last place he saw Milo's brother.
It suddenly occurred to him, and he couldn't help but smile. It was just a moment in time. Not because it was funny, but because of the oddity he found in the comparison. He and Elizabeth had attended a baseball game a few weeks before where a player had tried stealing a base and was caught between bases, two members of the opposite team were trying to stop him from surviving the play, and Sawyer, for some odd reason, at that particular moment, felt that he was the player caught in the middle. His options were running out.
He laid there and took careful aim at the location where Buck was hiding. He might get one clear shot when the outlaw took off again, so he waited. There was a bond between these two brothers that Sawyer began to recognize. It was a bond that allowed them to think alike and to respond in unison to protect the other. Sawyer knew this when they both began to fire their rifles at the same time.
First one, then the other, the timing became predictable and Sawyer waited, knowing that if he was going to die that day, he was going to take at least one of them with him. Still focused on the older brother's location - he waited. Two more rounds in succession, they came from Milo's rifle. In less than a couple of seconds, Buck Stanton fired one round, then Milo fired two, and then Buck fired one more. There was movement Sawyer thought..., there it was, another.
Buck took off running and Sawyer fired. The outlaw fell to the ground, only this time he didn't move after that. Milo Stanton called out his brother's name and there was no answer.
Milo cried out again, still no response. Now he was cursing Sawyer, vowing to send Levi Sawyer straight to hell.
Round after round began to hit the wagon. Dust sprayed from the ground as bullets hit dangerously close. Two more bullets suddenly hit the box of the wagon, one went through the wooden sides and lodged into the floor of the wagon. Another bullet hit the rim of the wheel and there was the ping, as it ricocheted off into the air. Milo took off, running for a new place to take cover. Closing the distance between them, finding a suitable place, just a few yards from the wagon.
Sawyer spun around under the wagon, trying desperately to locate the young outlaw's position. They were playing chicken now, only they were playing it with bullets and neither one of them wanted to waste what few they had left. Neither one had a clear shot, so they waited.
Sawyer didn't notice the slight movement in the brush where Buck Stanton had fallen, he was at deaths door but he was not dead, not yet, and he was crawling towards the wagon. A moment later Milo Stanton did something strange, he began talking.
"Sheriff Sawyer, all I want is to ride out of here, and to take my brother's body with me." He slowed his words down as he continued;
"I... I won't go to prison Sheriff, but... I'll ride out of here and never come back."
Sawyer was puzzled, then he heard the hammer pull back on a rifle. It was just a few feet away from the wagon and it was behind him. Without another thought, he instinctively rolled and arched his back, looking behind him now, he saw Buck Stanton lying prone, resting on his elbows, his rifle was pressed against his shoulder. He pulled the trigger and the round passed through where Sawyer had been laying just moments before. Levi fired twice and Buck Stanton was dead.
Sawyer quickly heard two more rounds, fired from the tree line, then he turned and saw Milo Stanton standing on shaky legs, His rifle had been pointed toward him, then it fell from his grip, and the young outlaw had joined his older brother.
Slowly turning he saw the man he was depending on. Levi stood up and began brushing the dirt from his clothes when the leg that took the bullet in the thigh buckled with pain.
Reaching for the side of the wagon to catch himself he gained his balance and smiled as Casper Hays began walking in his direction.
The old lean cowboy had already started to chastise him. For what, Levi wasn't sure, but whatever he had to say, it was apparently important enough to begin far enough away that Sawyer couldn't hear the words clearly until he got much closer. Then he just wondered why he, a grown man, had to put up with such verbal abuse, but there it was, just as if Badger himself was standing there. Levi knew there was no stopping the heckling as Casper raised his voice for all to hear.
"Now I done seen it for myself. Didn't take long, nope, not long a-tall." Casper spit a chaw of tobacco to the ground...
"Badger, he done told me you didn't have a lick of sense when it come to staying out a trouble. Now you could-a-come a fetchin us, and we would-a kept you from getting shot. Did-ya think of that? Nope! Not even close."
Casper took his hat off, exposing a head covered with light brown hair that hung to his collar, streaked with just a touch of grey highlights, and glued to his head with sweat.
He rubbed his scalp vigorously a couple of times before putting his hat back where he got it.
"Casper, can we just go back to town." Levi said, hoping to quiet the old jasper.
"Feeling a little guilty, are you? Casper said with a confident smile.
Dismissing Levi's request for the moment, he looked at a couple of men who were part of the posse. "Joe, you and Bobby, would you make sure these bodies get looked after?"
The two of them nodded their heads, as smiles crossed their faces. "What are you gonna do Casper?" Joe asked, knowing full well what was coming.
"This here Sheriff and I have some talking to do, and you boys just ain't old enough to hear what's gonna come outa my mouth." Casper said, as he looked around at the men who were standing near-by. The whole posse burst out with quiet laughter as they began tending to their duties.
Casper was a lean slender man of about five feet ten inches tall and no more than 160 pounds. He was younger than Badger, by how much, Levi wasn't sure, but he was a sure shot and he was just as dangerous with a knife as he was with a rifle or a revolver. Of that, Levi was sure. But he rode the river with Badger for many years, and Sawyer knew that meant one thing was sure. This ornery cus-of-a-man was going to speak his mind no matter what Levi Sawyer had to say about it.
The posse had found Sawyer's horse grazing in the shade of the trees, along a small stream. After a few moments, Levi and his posse began the long ride back to Walla Walla. After they were on the trail for a while, the men watched with quiet humor, as Casper Hays rode along-side of Levi;
"A young man like you with a pretty wife and a baby boy at home." Casper shook his head quietly from side to side, then he glanced over at Levi. "Well I recon it's just like Badger done told me. You still think you can catch the bad guys all by your lonesome." Casper shook his head again, only this time, Sawyer could have sworn he saw a smile somewhere behind those green eyes.
"Badger, he asked me to keep an eye on you, and now I know why." Casper said in an ornery, playful tone.
"Now Casper!" Sawyer started to defend himself. "Don't you - Now Casper, me." Casper Hayes cut him short. "And don't you think for a moment, that I ain't telling Badger that you done got yourself shot neither."
Sawyer just looked over at Casper from time to time after that. Once in a while Levi would catch him looking back in his direction. Then he would see a familiar sparkle light up in the old cowboy's eyes, followed by wrinkles in his face as he would grin ever so slight. Then Casper said; "By God, I might even tell Elizabeth."
Levi turned and looked at Casper in disbelief. Then Casper had second thoughts.
"Ok! I ain't telling Elizabeth."
Sawyer smiled...feeling somewhat relieved
Seeing Levi relaxed in his saddle once again, Casper smiled..., "Nope, that's gonna be your job." Casper said, as a wide grin crossed his face. Things were pretty quiet after that, except for a suppressed giggle once in a while, from the old cowboy, Levi knew as Casper Hayes.
| Author Notes | This book has been professionally edited. Writing chapters on FanStory allowed me to get valuable feedback in order to work out the details. So what is read here may not be exactly the same as what ended up in the book. This book was published on Oct. 4th, 2020. |
By Mr. Green
When they rode into town, Joe Bartlett and Billy Niles, along with the rest of the posse took the bodies they had strapped across saddles to the coroner's office. Levi and Casper rode on to the Sheriff's office, where Thomas Cardell was waiting for their return, along with Deputy Marcus Cain.
Cardell stood to greet them when he noticed the wrappings tied around Sawyer's leg.
"Are you alright Levi?" Cardell enquired.
"I'm fine," Sawyer said with a grimace, as he stepped across the floor to his desk.
Casper took off his hat and pulled back his hair. After scratching his scalp, he snugged his hat back on his head, and glanced over at Thomas Cardell. "Those two owl-hoots would have put him under for sure, if me and the boys hadn't gotten there when we did."
Cardell put his hands on his hips as he paused to glance at both of them, then he walked over to the window. Cardell turned his attention to the men in the room, "Now, would one of you mind telling me what happened out there?"
Levi started to speak up when they heard someone running on the boardwalk outside the office. "Sheriff!" a voice called out as the telegrapher got closer to the door. "sheriff Sawyer!" The door came open, and Jimmy Montane came inside holding a telegram. This came while you were gone. It's marked "Urgent." He paused to catch his breath after scrambling down the boardwalk the way he did. " I was told to deliver this to you personally."
Levi took the telegram, and after reading it, he handed it to Casper.
"Are you going?" Casper asked.
"I'm not sure, Casper. I'm going to have to give it some thought."
"Cardell and I can help your deputy watch things here, if you decide to go." Casper said as he handed the telegram to Thomas Cardell. Levi pondered for a moment, then he said, "Thomas has too much work out on the Marley Ranch right now Casper."
Cardell looked up from reading the telegram, "I'll talk to Mr. Marley. You ain't needing to decide right away. According to tis telegram, Warden Justice and Superintendent Paine won't be back in town for a couple of days."
Levi held out his empty hand, and Cardell handed the telegram to him.
"No matter your decision Levi, you best be seeing the saw-bones about that leg." Casper said, noticing the blood-stained wrappings.
"I recon so." Levi said, as he glanced over at Cardell.
"I know what your thinking Levi." Cardell said, "The toughest part is gonna be telling Elizabeth."
"Yep! That's gonna be tough alright. Especially after getting all shot up like this."
Casper Hays smiled and gave a quick glance over at Cardell, then he looked at Levi who did not like the crows feet forming around Casper's eyes.
"Alright Casper, what are you thinking?" Levi asked.
"Well, I just seen you face down two tough outlaws. You even took a bullet in the leg, and there weren't no fear in you." Casper walked over and placed the palm of his hand on Levi's shoulder. "But now. Well, I was just wondering if you would prefer that I have the "Big-Talk", with Elizabeth. Casper raised his other hand and rested his palm on Levi's other shoulder. He gave another glance at Cardell, smiling, he looked back at Levi, and said...
"To spare you such a frightful experience, and all."
Cardell's hand came up to cover a quiet laugh, while Levi looked around the office. Then Levi smiled, and quietly dropped the telegram onto a pile of papers that were sitting on top
of his desk. Turning, he took his hat off his head and slapped Casper Hayes on the shoulder as he walked by. When he reached the door, he looked at Casper, who was obviously enjoying the moment.
"I can talk to Elizabeth just fine, thank you." Levi said as he opened the door and looked back into the office. "I'm gonna see the doc now..., and Casper Hayes, you just mind your own business."
Both Casper and Cardell had big smiles watching Levi snug his hat to the crown of his head as he left the office. Then the tone of their conversation began to change. Cardell picked up the telegram and read it quietly out loud, as if he wanted to remember it word for word.
"To: Sheriff Levi Sawyer
From: Warden John G. Justice
Superintendent Frank W. Paine, myself and the guards from the prison will be traveling to the Seatco Penitentiary soon.
We have been given directives to transport 98 convicts from there, to the new prison outside of Walla Walla.
Requesting your assistance in this matter.
I will tell you more in a couple of days.
Warden, John G. Justice.
"Casper, you better get word to Badger, if Levi takes this assignment, Badger's gonna want to ride with him." Cardell said.
"The odds are going be stacked against them from the start..." Casper commented, "...Ninety-eight cons..., an I've been told, there are only eight guards."
Casper paused for a moment as he looked at Cardell, "What dunderhead approved these odds."
Casper looked at the telegram Cardell was holding in his hand. "I'll take care of my horse, then I'll ride out to French Town to see Badger. He should be back from his hunting trip by now."
Casper looked at Deputy Cain, and said; "Badger thinks an awful lot of Levi." He turned toward the door, then he paused for a moment, saying quietly; "That old mountain man would have my hide if I didn't tell him about this.
Thomas Cardel spoke up as Casper opened the door; "I'll send word out to Mr. Marley, letting him know that I'm going to be delayed another day or two."
"I'll be seeing you both real soon." Casper said as he stepped out onto the boardwalk. The sun had crossed two-thirds of the sky by then, and Casper knew the night would pass quickly.
He also knew Badger would insist on coming to town early the next morning.
When Levi left Doctor Blalock's office he was feeling much better about the wound on his leg. Dr. Blalock told him that it was superficial and to keep it clean. He said it should heal just fine if it didn't get infected. He wasn't feeling quit so confident however, when it came to telling Elizabeth about that telegram. At the moment, he was wishing he still had the long ride back to the Marley Ranch that he used to have. It would have given him more time to think about what to say.
After they had gotten married, Sheriff Justice was offered the position as the first warden of the new Penitentiary, that's when he offered Levi the job of Sheriff. Levi had already established himself in this valley, and with the community as well, so when elections took place, and with the backing of Mr. Justice, Levi was easily voted in as the new sheriff.
He thought the job would provide an opportunity for him and Elizabeth to find a place closer to Walla Walla, and when a large house outside the city became vacant, everything just seemed to fall into place.
Elizabeth Sawyer though she kept it quiet on the surface, she had always been fearful about him taking the job. She knew it was something he would be good at. She also knew, it was something that could get him killed. There was a constant battle in her, between supporting her husband, and dealing with the every-day fear that one day he would not come home to her.
Levi not only had to explain how he got shot in the leg, he would have to tell Elizabeth about the telegram, and his sense of obligation to accept an assignment that could possibly leave her a widow, and their son Jacob without a father.
Elizabeth Marley-Sawyer was watching out the window when Levi approached the house. As he got closer, she anxiously stepped out onto the porch, she smiled, thankful that he once again returned safely to her side. When he stepped down from the saddle and away from his horse her smile disappeared.
She knew he had been shot.
| Author Notes | This book has been professionally edited. Writing chapters on FanStory allowed me to get valuable feedback in order to work out the details. So what is read here may not be exactly the same as what ended up in the book. This book was published on Oct. 4th, 2020. |
By Mr. Green
After Levi wrapped the reins around the small hitching post in front of the house, he turned to walk up the stairs to the porch where Elizabeth was waiting. He noticed the amber glow of the lantern coming from the kitchen window. The daylight hours were almost gone, leaving the moon to cast a soft light on the front of the house. Standing in those moon-beams was the one person in Levi's life who could take his breath away.
She was dressed in a white long sleeve blouse with small dark buttons and a high collar. Levi noticed her long raven hair, as it draped over her shoulder. The blouse was tucked neatly into a light grey skirt that hung to her ankles. He saw her hand come up to touch her hair, and the warm smile inviting him home. Then he saw her smile disappear when he got down from the saddle and turned to look at her. There was a short gasp of surprise and concern when she noticed his leg, and the way Levi was favoring that leg as he walked to the house.
She quickly left the porch and ran to his side. She knew it was a bullet wound, she also knew that one of her greatest fears had almost come true. Elizabeth stopped in front of Levi and her hand touched his chest as she looked into his eyes, "Are you alright?" she said in a nervous broken voice. She moved to his side and put her arm around Levi's waist. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder, "I'm fine Ellie. It's not as bad as you think."
"What do you mean by that?" Elizabeth said with mixed emotion "You've been shot."
"The bullet just cut through the skin. It's going to leave a scar, but the doc looked at it and it will heal just fine." He looked into Elizabeth's worried eyes and tried to comfort her fears.
"I'm more sorer and tender from the ride than anything else." He smiled;
"So can you help me into the house?"
Ellie tried to smile, then she wrapped her arm tightly around his waist and took his hand that was resting on her shoulder. They got to the porch and as they entered the house Levi stopped, Elizabeth looked up at him, and Levi said softly with a grin, "I'm hungry."
Elizabeth smiled, and there was a soft laughter that came from her. Levi was home and that was all that mattered. She helped him to a chair in the kitchen while she prepared something for him to eat and put on a pot of coffee. As Elizabeth busied herself in the kitchen, Levi looked through the open doorway and deeper into the house. Then he turned and watched as Elizabeth prepared some freshly made bread, heated some ham, and took cups from the cupboard. She stoked the stove with some wood, and then she turned to look at Levi.
She smiled and whispered, "Go ahead..." Elizabeth glanced through the kitchen doorway, "...Go see your son. Just don't wake him."
Walking into Jacob's room Levi stood at the crib and looked down at the tiny baby boy lying quietly. He watched patiently as his son's chest moved ever so lightly with small breaths of air. Levi thought to himself, the world had not yet touched his son, and he couldn't help but believe there was the innocence of heaven in those tiny, tiny breaths. He looked around the room and saw the window was opened slightly, he walked over and checked to see that the wooden dowels had been put into place.
A lot of things had taken place in Levi's life to bring him into this valley, and when he and Elizabeth found out that Ellie was pregnant, Levi found himself remembering how Albert Danley had been killed. He remembered that Willard Pile had quietly crawled through an open window and when Albert Danley discovered him in the house, Willard Pile violently took his life,
When they moved into the house, Levi had a Wood-smith come to their new home and drill small holes into the sliding window frames about four of them, on each side of the window. They were in line about four inches apart. He then had the wood-smith fashion two small dowels that would fit into the holes. The dowels would then be placed into the small holes in the window frames, one on each side, leaving about an inch of the dowel exposed, preventing the window from opening any farther than the Dowels. They could then leave the window open without fear of someone climbing through the window from the outside.
Levi walked back over to the crib and stood proudly watching his son. One of Jacobs arms was exposed, and Levi reached down and with one finger he touched the tiny finger tips. Without waking, Jacobs small hand wrapped around Levi's finger and held it tightly. A moment passed in silence, and then Levi felt his heart beating with both pride, and joy. He released Jacobs grip. Whispering softly Levi said, "Goodnight Son,"
He reached into his pocket and took out a coin that Mr. Marley had commissioned as a gift. It had been about a year and a half since his brother's had come to the Marley Ranch to attend his and Elizabeth's wedding. After meeting his brothers, Mr. Marley had a coin made for each of them. Each coin had the word "Brothers" stamped on one side, and on the other, were the names of the two brothers, other then the owner of the coin.
Levi looked at the coin, rolling it in his fingers, from one side to the other. Then he held it so he could clearly see the names of his two brothers, Kyle Sawyer, the youngest, and John B., the oldest. His thumb rubbed across the names before putting it back into his pocket. He looked into the crib and whispered; "Jacob, one day you will meet your uncles. They are both good men." He turned and left the room, returning to the kitchen where his meal was waiting for him.
Entering the kitchen, Levi sat down and slowly began to explain how he had gotten shot, while finding it necessary to leave out a few details. He thought he had done a pretty good job of reassuring her that his wound was not nearly as serious as the two outlaws he brought back with him, but he quickly learned that Elizabeth found no humor in such comparisons.
They finished their meal and drank several cups of coffee, as the night hours wore on, and with time, Elizabeth began to calm down. She was thankful that it was a flesh wound and not something much more serious. She picked things up in the kitchen and they headed for bed. With the rising of the morning sun, Levi had yet to bring up the telegram. By late morning he had talked Ellie into wrapping young Jacob in his blanket and going into town for breakfast at Sara and Tyler's Caf�©.
Levi was hoping that Elizabeth would not miss an opportunity to show off little Jacob, while giving him some time to think about that telegram. He knew Elizabeth would want to set conditions if she agreed to let him bring back the convicts from Seatco. What he didn't know, not yet at least - was he prepared to accept those conditions. This was his job after all, and he had an obligation, a commitment to this city and to everyone who lived here.
"Conditions?" He thought to himself.
Levi held Jacob as Elizabeth climbed into the wagon. When she was seated, she put her arms out to take Jacob, then Levi walked around to the other side of the wagon. As he stepped up and sat beside Ellie, he thought to himself, "that's it, if Ellie objects, he would just have to put his foot down. That's all there was to it." Elizabeth slid closer to Levi and he looked into her eyes. He smiled, then his attention turned to the horses, slapping the reins quickly, they began to pull the wagon towards town.
Levi could feel Elizabeth's warm body next to his, sliding her arm under his, she tipped her head to his shoulder and squeezed his arm. Levi could smell her perfume, as he tried to focus on controling the horses. Then Elizabeth sat up and checked on Jacob.
"She's placed a spell on me, I know she has" ... Levi thought to himself.... "How am I going to explain that telegram?"
Chasing the thought from his mind, he turned his attention on the short ride into town. Levi moved the wagon down main street towards the cafe', as he did, he saw Sallie May was tied to the hitchin post out in front of the sheriff's office, and he noticed Casper's horse was standing next to Sallie May. He didn't say anything to Elizabeth, besides, it was a bright sunny morning and her attention was farther on down the street, where Sara Smith was standing outside her cafe'.
Elizabeth raised her hand, she waved and smiled, Sara did the same, her smile brightened even more when she noticed Ellie had little Jacob in her arms. When they got to the cafe 'Levi smiled and said, "Good morning Sara,"
"Good morning Levi," Sara said, she glanced up at the wagon. "Good morning Ellie, and how is little Jacob this morning?"
"He's not quite awake yet." Elizabeth said in a soft, quiet whisper.
Levi climbed down, and walked over to Elizabeth's side of the wagon. He reached up for Jacob, and Sara quickly walked over to where Levi was standing, "Here now, you let me hold Jacob." Levi handed his son to Sara and turned to help Elizabeth down from the wagon, who then then turned and took Jacob back into her arms.
They stepped across the boardwalk and Levi held the door open. Sara was walking next to Elizabeth, when she reached out and lightly touched her arm, "Ellie, you will never guess who's in town this morning." Levi was looking forward to seeing Badger, but he was hoping to resolve the telegram issue first. He closed the door without saying a word. Sara took them to an empty table, excusing herself, she walked into the kitchen. Levi glanced around the cafe. The last thing he wanted right now was to see Badger walk through that door.
Soon after Sara left their table, Tyler Smith came out from the kitchen and started pouring coffee and taking breakfast orders from guests. As he passed Levi and Elizabeth he smiled and told them he would be right back to take their orders, pausing just long enough to whisper good morning to Jacob as he lay sleeping in Ellie's arms.
Levi looked over at Elizabeth and was pondering on the best time to bring up the telegram. Should he do it before breakfast, or should he wait until just before they leave, as they finish their last cup of coffee. Elizabeth glanced over at Levi, as if sensing his discomfort, she started to ask what was on his mind when her attention went past her husband and her eyes widened. Levi noticed the change of expression as she smiled. Someone had walked passed the window in front of the Cafe. There was no forewarning of boots on the boardwalk, or the jingle of spurs, but when Sara came out of the kitchen and walked toward the door, Levi knew who it was.
Then Levi saw Elizabeth bring her hand up and touch her lips with a single finger. She glanced down at Jacob, and then she touched her finger to her lips once again. The old mountain man noticed Ellie's request, letting him know that Jacob was asleep. Badger smiled, and tip-toed a few steps to indicate that he understood. Then he gave Sara a big hug as she walked up to him.
Levi sat still in his chair. He started to slide his chair back from the table so he could stand when he felt a strong hand grasp his shoulder. Levi had never known anyone who could move so quietly as Badger. In one instant, he was at the door and in another he was standing right behind him, and the grip on his shoulder was a silent message letting him know that Casper Hayes had told Badger everything.
He could smell the soft rawhide shirt, and he knew that the lack of any sound as he entered the cafe was because of the moccasins Badger preferred to wear. The old man smiled as he walked to the side of the table. Standing behind an empty chair he said; "It's sure good to see you folks..., been a long while in the mountains this time, I recon." He rubbed his long whiskers with the palm of his hand as he glanced over at Levi...
"Casper tells me you have something scratchin at the back of yer head, tryin to get out."
Badger paused for a moment, letting his words sink in as he watched the expression on Levi's face. Elizabeth looked at the old mountain man, curiously wondering what Badger was referring to. When Levi didn't say anything, trying to collect his thoughts on the matter, Badger pulled the chair out from the table and sat down. Taking the telegram out of his pocket, he set it on the table in front of him.
"Deputy Cain gave this to me this morning. He said you and I should parley on the situation.
"Badger!" Elizabeth said as she secured Jacob in one arm and reached out with the other hand. "Let me see that," her eyes locked on Levi, and then she glanced back at Badger.
Badger saw the look on her face, and that was all he needed to know. He turned to look at Levi.
"Son, does this mean you haven't even told Ellie?"
"I can explain all of this..." Levi began to say, as he reached toward the paper sitting on the table, but Badger took it first, and turned to hand it to Elizabeth. Levi withdrew his hand, and sat quietly as Ellie read the telegram. As she did, Badger leaned toward Levi and whispered;
"Son, you done stepped into a bear trap now."
Sara was standing not eight feet away when she heard Elizabeth slide her chair from the table. She watched as Ellie stood and began to walk toward the door, pausing just long enough to drop the telegram on the table in front of Levi. Stepping out on the board walk, Elizabeth closed the door behind her. Levi began to stand, he wanted to talk to Ellie, when he heard Sara's voice.
"You sit right back down where you were, Levi." Sara said as she walked up to stand behind Badger. She stopped to place a hand on Badger's shoulder. Sara looked at them both and then she looked at the door Ellie just walked out of.
"MEN! Sometimes you just get plum lost, when it comes to understanding women." Sara could see that both of them were completely puzzled by her words.
"You two stay where you are. This ain't nothing you can handle." Sara said, then she turned and walked out the door.
| Author Notes | This book has been professionally edited. Writing chapters on FanStory allowed me to get valuable feedback in order to work out the details. So what is read here may not be exactly the same as what ended up in the book. This book was published on Oct. 4th, 2020. |
By Mr. Green
A few minutes had passed before Elizabeth walked back into the Cafe, Badger excused himself and told Levi they needed to talk later.
Levi and Elizabeth sat in silence as they finished their breakfast. They remained quiet in their thoughts, as they headed home from the cafe. Both of them wondering how to get beyond this point.
There were few words exchanged between them when Levi helped her down from the wagon. Elizabeth took Jacob into the house while Levi tended to the wagon, and took care of the horses. When he was done, he saddled the Buckskin Lady, and rode into town, stopping at the Shariff's office.
The next morning Elizabeth woke to find Levi was not lying next to her. She looked around the room, discovering he was gone, she slipped on a warm bath robe and slippers. Leaving the bed-room she walked through the house. There was an uncomfortable feeling deep inside her. Something she could not yet put into words. She walked across the hall and checked Jacob's room, Levi was not there.
Elizabeth continued into the kitchen. She was worried, this idea of escorting so many convicts on a train, over so many miles. That feeling inside, tore at her. There was a sense of loss, and it frightened her. But after talking to Sara, she did not want her fears to add to the stress Levi would already be under if he took this trip, and Elizabeth knew that was exactly what Levi was going to do.
She looked out the kitchen window and saw the sun's rays were beginning to escape the horizon, turning what was left of the night sky into a canopy of blue grey tones sitting on a blanket of red and yellow hues.
Feeling a light breeze, and realizing the front door must be open, she turned and walked into the main living area. It was then, that she saw Levi. He was fully dressed, standing on the porch, leaning against the wooden pillar. He appeared to be holding something in his hands. Whatever it was, it had his full attention.
As she approached his side, Elizabeth noticed, in his hand was the coin that her father had made for him and his brothers. Levi looked at her as she stood beside him. She put one arm under his, stepping close, letting their bodies touch. "What are you thinking about Levi?" Elizabeth asked.
Levi turned the coin in his hand and looked at the names of his brothers. Turning, he looked into her eyes, he knew that everything that was important to him, everything that gave him purpose, was right here. In this house, standing beside him, and laying peacefully in a crib, under his roof. He had a son he adored, and a wife who was far stronger than he ever imagined. Elizabeth waited patently as Levi began to tell her what was on his mind.
"I know the idea of my helping Warden Justice, and Mr. Paine bring those convicts to Walla Walla really bothers you." Levi paused for a moment, wondering how to put his thoughts into words, then he began once again...
"Ellie, I took this job knowing the risks. Mr. Justice put his faith in me by supporting my running for the Shariff's position and I feel a deep obligation to this city, and to Mr. Justice, but I am also torn at the idea of hurting you. You have always supported me in this job, but this request is not something I have to do. It is something I have been asked to do." Levi took Elizabeth's hand in his.
"Ellie, I see this request as another example of the trust and the faith Mr. Justice has in me." In his other hand was the coin, as he looked at it, he said, "I've been standing here wondering what J. B. would do."
"And what do you think your older brother would do, Levi?" Elizabeth quietly asked, feeling her heart pounding in her chest, holding back her own personal fears."
"I think John would tell me that it wasn't worth it and that I should let someone else go in my place."
"Is that what you're going to do? Elizabeth asked.
There was no answer, so she waited. Levi looked once again at the coin, pausing for a moment, then he looked out across the rolling hills, stretched out in front of them, and at the rays of the sun as it rose higher on the horizon. At that point, she heard Levi say under his breath, more to himself than to her...
"I don't know, Ellie..., I just don't know."
Levi's personal thoughts, he kept to himself, for he knew that even though he was sure it was what his brother would TELL him. He was just as sure, deep down, it was NOT what his older brother would actually do himself.
"Are you wishing they were here? " Elizabeth asked.
"Yes," Levi said, "but they have their own lives to live, and we have ours. I was just hoping not so many years would have to pass, before we could get together again.
We worked hard growing up, and we depended on each other. Those years created a bond that has only gotten stronger over the years. With J.B. helping me learn to track game, and Kyle helping me rebuild my ranch after those outlaws destroyed it."
Elizabeth looked up at Levi, "I sent Kyle a letter soon after Jacob was born."
"You did?" Levi looked into her eyes and waited. Elizabeth continued, "I told Kyle, that he, and John Barnabus were uncles now, and they should plan on meeting their nephew as soon as possible."
"Maybe we will hear from them soon then. " Levi said, as his arm wrapped around Elizabeth's waist.
"Ellie, about this trip"...," Elizabeth was silent. ..."I told Badger yesterday when I rode back to town that I would at least meet with Warden Justice and Mr. Paine before deciding one way or the other."
Her arms wrapped around Levi and she hugged him tight, as her head rested on his chest. There were no words, they just stood there in silence watching the sunrise, until they saw a rider approaching their home. Deputy Cain stepped down from his horse and wrapped the reins around the fence post. "Good morning." he said as he walked through the gate.
"Good morning Marcus, what gets you out so early in the morning?" Levi asked.
"I just got word that Warden Justice and Mr. Paine will be back in town this afternoon. They wanted to know if you could meet with them around 4pm today, at the prison."
"Well!" Levi looked at Elizabeth. Suddenly she knew this wasn't a conversation she would have any say in. She stepped back from Levi, and smiled. "I'll go check on Jacob," then she turned and walked into the house.
Levi stepped off of the porch and stood by Deputy Cain, "4pm today?"
"That's what the telegram said."
"Can you get word to Badger, ask him to meet me at the sheriff's office by 3:30pm?"
"I can do that Levi."
Levi glanced up at the house, he could see Elizabeth looking through the window. When their eyes met, she turned and walked into the kitchen to fix breakfast. Levi turned back to Marcus Cain, "Ok! Do that then, and I will see you and Badger in town." Deputy Cain turned and walked to the gate.
Levi watched as his deputy stepped up and into the saddle. Levi was still holding the coin in his hand. He paused to roll the coin over in his fingers. Then he held it in place, as he looked at the names of his brothers inscribed on the coin. Putting it back into his pocket, he walked out to the barn where he saw the buckskin lady standing at the back of her stall. As soon as she saw Levi, she walked up to the gate and waited as he approached.
"Good Morning!" Levi said.
The buckskin stood at the gate and lowered her head touching her muzzle to his chest as if to return the greeting. Levi rubbed her neck, and looked into the dark brown eyes.
Over time Levi had come to recognize the bond between them. He stopped trying to figure it out, but he was convinced that he could somehow sense the buckskin's needs and emotions. And from her behavore he was just as convinced that she felt the same bond between them.
He reached out and gently rubbed the ear with the scar left behind by a bullet. It had long been healed, but Levi would never forget that day. "Some things were just beyond understanding." he thought.
"Are you hungry?" Levi said as he prepared to set out some food and to check the water. Once this was done, he walked into the house where Elizabeth was waiting with his breakfast on the table. She poured him some coffee, then she prepared herself some breakfast and sat next to him. They sat quietly for a long time.
_____________________________________________________________
John Barnabus Sawyer rose early that morning. He was preparing to ride to the telegraph office, where he was expecting a telegram from Mr. William Pinkerton himself, when his brother Kyle approached.
"Are you gonna tell him, J.B.? " Kyle asked.
"Kyle, we already talked about this on the ride over here." John Barnabus, said as he continued to saddle his horse.
"He's our brother J.B., He has a right to know, just in case... "
J.B. Sawyer, stopped and looked at Kyle. "In case of what, Kyle..., In case we don't come back."
He paused for a moment to consider his words, "Tell him what, that a year ago I left the military and was recruited by the Pinkerton Dectective Agency. That I finally received my first assignment and it happens to be with the Railroad. An assignment that could get us both killed.
You know the only reason I told you about this in the first place, was because when I was recruited, I wasn't none too sure about taking the job and I needed someone to talk to. When the time came to tell you about this assignment, you told me, you would help me, and when I told you no-way, you had to go and get all bull-headed about it." Grinning, he watched the eyes of his youngest brother as he continued.
"Telling me that we either rode together or we rode separate, but live or die, you wouldn't let me take this on by myself."
They both smiled expressing a proud bond between them. "Kyle, you said you would keep those conversations between us, and that means, not telling Levi."
Kyle thought about that promise as he remembered the ranch where Levi was staying when they attended his wedding. He was questioning the wisdom of not saying anything. For as long as he could remember, they always had each other's back during tough times. J. B. surely had his reasons, but Kyle didn't have to like them.
John Barnabus began talking again to fill the silence that was growing between them. "Kyle, you know what Levi's life was like, before he met Elizabeth. With Josephine getting murdered, his horses getting stolen, and then tracking those outlaws all the way into that valley.
A lot of bad things have happened to Levi, and now after he and Elizabeth get married, and that letter you received about them having a new born baby son." He paused to study Kyles expression.
"You want me to tell him something that would likely take him away from the new life he has finally found."
John Barnabus paused again as he turned to check the cinch on his saddle. Giving a quick glance toward Kyle, he said; "Little brother, that, I will not do." He climbed into the saddle and looked down at Kyle he said, "I'll be back tomorrow, before noon."
John B. Sawyer began to turn his horse, then he looked at his younger brother. "Kyle, we leave in two days, make the best of it brother."
As John Barnabus rode through the gate, Kyle shook his head slowly from side to side. He knew without question that bull-headed stubburn streak, surely did run in the family. He also knew that not telling Levi where they were heading, or what they were about to do, was wrong.
If the information J. B. had shared with him so far about an ex-con named Bo Meadows, was correct, then there was plenty of reason to be concerned, and deep down Kyle struggled with a promise he was no longer sure he could keep.
| Author Notes | This book has been professionally edited. Writing chapters on FanStory allowed me to get valuable feedback in order to work out the details. So what is read here may not be exactly the same as what ended up in the book. This book was published on Oct. 4th, 2020. |
By Mr. Green
"Good morning Marcus," Levi said as he walked through the door of the Sheriff's office.
"Good morning Levi." Deputy Cain said, "Are you still planning to meet with Warden Justice today?"
"I am. Were you able to get word out to Badger?
"Casper Hays rode out to French Town after I told him about my visit to your place this morning. He should be back any time." said Marcus. "I was about to make my rounds, then I'm going to meet with Thomas Cardell.; He took a room at the Continental until he knows what your plans are." Marcus opened the door and started to tell Levi he would meet him back at the Sheriff's office later when he saw Casper Hays.
"Looks like Casper's back, he's commin down the street now. Want me to stick around?"
"No Marcus! Go ahead and finish your rounds. After you see Thomas, both of you meet us here in about an hour." Marcus Cain nodded and closed the door behind him. Levi walked out onto the board-walk and waited.
"Casper." Levi said as he watched his friend ride up to the hitching post. Casper Hays greeted Levi with a nod, then he stepped down from the saddle. "I talked to Badger this morning Levi. He wanted me to ask you to ride on out his way,
"That might make things a little difficult getting back in time to meet with Warden Justice." Levi said.
"I told him that, but he seems to think you will be able to make it back in time. He says there is something he wants to show you."
"Do you know what it is?"
Casper hesitated for a moment before responding. "I do, but he said I should keep it to myself." Levi looked puzzled, "What the blazes is Badger up to now?" Casper just smiled, "Levi, I think you ought ride out there. If you're not back by 3:30pm I'll get word to the prison that you and Badger wont be arriving until at least 4:30 or 5;00."
"Ok, I recon I best get started then." Levi said. After he got to his saddle Levi looked at Casper; "Are you sure you don't want to tell me what this is all about?"
"Nope!" Casper said as he shook his head from side to side..., "Badger ain't one to break your word with."
"Yea! I suppose your right on that account." He said as he wheeled his horse and started out of town.
Levi listened to the ripples of the walla walla river that ran close to the trail, as he pondered on what Badger might be wanting to show him.. He slowed the buckskin as the trail came around the base of a large hillside to his right, Then he turned the buckskin and stopped at the river's edge. Stepping from his saddle he dropped the reins and allowed his horse to drink as he turned to look at the hill along the other side of the trail.
He was looking at the high ridge where he sat that day watching Albert Danley's ranch, it was from that location that he saw Badger for the first time. Levi smiled as he recalled his first impressions of a crazy old mountain man who was riding along the trail talking to his horse Sally May, and tethered to his horse on a long rope was Badgers mule, Dusty.
Looking at the hillside brought back many other memories of Badger and the events that took place during that time. The abduction of Sara Smith, and the murder of Danny Cartwright, shot and killed in the Blue Mountains. He was such a young man who joined the posse to help find Sara Smith and bring her back to her husband.
He remembered more than once, when Badger saved his life or the life of someone else, with complete disregard for his own safety. Levi thought about the events that followed those days, and the close bond he now felt towards that crazy old mountain man. For the last several months Badger would invite him to go deep into the mountains every chance he got.
It was like Badger had some paternal need to pass on his knowledge of the forest, the land and the animals who lived there. That old mountain man would never stop teaching him, different ways of hunting and surviving in those wooded mountains.
Levi looked down the trail towards the ranch where he knew Badger would be, and he began to question whether it would be fair to ask Badger to put his life on the line once again. After all a train full of convicts could spell trouble in so many ways.
As he questioned his motives, there was still one concern that stood stronger and more powerful then all others. If he was right about where this journey might take him, there was no man Levi trusted more than that crazy old mountain man.
Casper had told Lev, that when Badger was a young man, the Native Americans in this valley called him a ghost in the trees. But Badger was getting older and his way of life was all but gone. Levi knew that was one of the reasons that Albert Danley, left his ranch and everything he had to him. It was a new world now and he wanted to provide Badger with a new way of life.
Levi turned and picked up the reins he left hanging from his horse and he climbed back into the saddle. When he got to the trail he paused and took one last look at the top of the ridge, then he turned the buckskin lady and continued toward the ranch. He would leave his decision resting in the back of his mind, for the moment he just wanted to think about visiting a very close friend.
Levi headed through the gates and onto the ranch. The old Ranch house where Willard Pile had killed Albert Danley still sat on the property. Levi sat in the saddle for several moments looking at the old house, remembering that day...., the day that he and Badger had gotten to the ranch too late to save Badger's closest friend. That was the day that Willard Pile took a knife and brutally slashed Albert's throat and left him to die on the floor of his own house. Now it stood there haunting the property, with its doors and windows all boarded up.
"Levi?"
Sawyer had too many memories flashing through his head, he didn't hear the man calling his name.
"Levi." there was a short pause as the man walked closer. "Son, now you quit starring into the past and get yer young hide out of that saddle, cause I ain't seen you ride onto this property in so long, I was beginning to think you plumb forgot where ole Badger lived."
Levi turned to look at his old friend.
"Are you gonna get outa them stir-ups or am I gonna have to pull you down." Badger smiled and pointed his finger at Levi;
"And don't you for a moment think that I ain't capable of doin just that."
Levi stepped down from his saddle and before he could say anything Badger grabbed his shoulders and gave him a bear hug, then he put his arm across Levi's shoulders .
"How you been Levi? You and Elizabeth have a chance to talk things out since I saw you last, at the cafe. Badger didn't wait for a reply, Placing his hand on Levi's shoulder, he said;"Come on, I wanna show you something." They walked together to the back of the old ranch house.
"What do you think of that?" Badger said as he smiled and pointed to the wooden structure. Standing in front of them was a new home, complete with a porch and everything.
"Now I can't take credit for any of this." Badger turned his attention towards the new ranch house and raised his voice. "Hey Kirby, we got company."
Levi looked at Badger, "Kirby Watson?"
"Yep! Albert's most trusted hand. One day we was talkin and he told me that he could build a new ranch house. That he and Albert had built the first one standing over there, and since neither of us wanted to go back into that house , we decided that between us and the working hands here at the ranch we would build a new house."
Kirby walked out of the house and approached Levi. "How are ya, Levi?"
Levi put out his hand, "I'm doing alright Kirby. It looks like you and Badger have been busy."
"Yeah! ... Got everything pretty much done on the house, just needs some finishing touches and a fence around it. Then we can start tearing down the old ranch house. We only kept it, so's we had a place to keep what's inside. "
Badger tapped Levi on the shoulder, "Come on, take a look inside." He glanced up at the sky, then back at Levi. "We got enough time for you to tell me how things have been for the last couple of weeks."
Levi shared stories and brought Badger and Kirby up to date on the most recent things in their lives, and then Badger got up and walked across the room, when he came back he poured glasses with some red-eye. Setting the bottle down on a table in front of them Badger sat back in his chair and looked at Levi. He began to tell stories about his hunting trip and the men he took with him. It wasn't the same as in the old days, mostly Badger just contracted with wealthy men who needed a guide to hunt game in the Blue Mountains. When he was done Badger looked at Levi; "Now son, what's the story about these convicts?" Levi looked through the open door. "It's getting late, I will tell you all about it on the ride into town. Right now, we should hit the trail.
Kirby watched as they rode through the gate and onto the trail heading back to Walla Walla, and in time, Levi began discussing the telegram he received from Warden Justice and the meeting that was scheduled for that evening. At one point in their conversation Badger reined in his horse and thought for a moment.
"They want to bring them back on a train?" Badger said, " Does that mean were riding a train there?..., and back?"
"Thats what they have planned." Levi responded. "Why does that seem to bother you Badger?
"Son, I ain't never been on one of them things." Badger said. "You mean to tell me that Sally May and I can't just meet you there, or something."
Levi laughed, "No, I need you on the train. The indians call them the "iron horse." Just think of the train as an iron horse."
Badger glanced over at Levi, "More like an iron snake, and your asking me to ride in the belly of that snake."
Levi laughed again, then he tried to change the subject. "Badger do you remember the day Elizabeth and I got marred?
Badger smiled, "Sure do! Your brothers showed up and it was some wing-ding of a wedding." Badger laughed, "When those two boys come a running up to the house telling you someone had a bone to pick with you, You done went and vaulted over that fence like you wasn't havin none of it on your weddin day."
Levi smiled too, as the memory came back to him. The idea of riding that train was lost, as they reflected on the good times.
"I know it's been a while," Badger said, "... but do your brother's know about little Jacob?"
Levi began telling Badger about the letter Elizabeth had sent to his brother Kyle.
| Author Notes | This book has been professionally edited. Writing chapters on FanStory allowed me to get valuable feedback in order to work out the details. So what is read here may not be exactly the same as what ended up in the book. This book was published on Oct. 4th, 2020. |
By Mr. Green
John Barnabus Sawyer put his back against a large pine and watched as his kid brother Kyle dove for cover behind some fallen timber.
"You alright Kyle" John Barnabus called out.
"I'm alright J. B.," Kyle said. "The bullet just grazed my arm, but I'm okay."
John suddenly felt a bullet hit the back of the tree he was braced against. Kyle brought his rifle up and took aim. Another bullet hit the tree and splintered the bark from its side. Kyle saw the rifle's signature and fired, then there was silence. They waited patiently for another volley of shots to come their way, but there was nothing.
"He's dead" a man called out from the train. "The others have gone..." The brakeman stepped out into the open.
Then John heard the conductor "He's talkin true, he's dead alright, looks like the rest of those outlaws done slipped away on the other side of the train. You might say, that man lying on the ground was a sacrificial lamb so as they could high tail it outta here.
The trains conductor and brakeman were looking at the corpse when John Barnabus and Kyle walked up to the train
"What do you think John?" Kyle asked, as he looked down the narrow rails..
"Kyle, I don't think anyone just disappears in thin air. There has to be tracks, and if there's tracks, they can be followed."
J. B. looked down the rails again,. "Before we do anything else, we better check the people in that passenger car. When they un-coupled those cars from the engine and the express car, the jarring may have hurt someone. The conductor can back up and hook onto those cars again, but we better make sure everything is ok before he does."
John looked at the trains conductor, "Are you guys okay?"
"Yea, were ok, a little shook up, but mighty thankful none of us got killed." The conductor called out to the guards in the express car. "Hey! You guys alright."
"Were fine Carl, but if those two hadn't showed up when they did, things would have turned out a whole lot different."
"Did they get away with anything?"
The large door to the express car had been blown open open. "Yea! but not all of it." The man standing in the doorway turned and looked at J. B. and Kyle Sawyer. "I don't know who you men are, but we owe you a debt of gratitude..., Sure do thank you both."
"How much did they get away with?" The conductor inquired.
"About ten-thousand in gold and silver." the guard said. "Then the shooting started and they couldn't get out of here fast enough."
The conductor looked at Kyle, and then glancing over at John Barnabus, he said,. "How'd you two come to be ridin this train?"
"We were ridin this train to Olympia when the passenger car started slowing down. then the engine took off on its own. All we could do then was wait for the cars to stop, so we could get our horses off of the stock car. We made it over here as soon as we could." Kyle said as they began to assess the damage to the train.
"Well, if you hadn't been on this train, no one else would have come along to help us." The guard in the doorway paused to look over his shoulder inside the car. "Mister, we got $30,000 in silver and gold on this car, and those men would have killed us all to get it all."
"Well, I'm glad things didn't turn out that way.." Kyle said, then he turned and looked at John Barnabus.
"John, you think these are the outlaws were looking for?"
"I'm not sure Kyle. The last information I received from operatives working on this case, tells me the men were trailing are not suppose to be in this area. Word is Bo Meadows and the men riding with him are heading somewhere south of Olympia.
We'll throw the corpse on the train and take it with us, maybe someone there can help us identify who this man is."
"What about those who got away?" Kyle asked.
"They didn't kill anyone, so I figure someone else can run those men down. We will do our part when we get to Olympia." J. B. looked at the conductor, "We're looking for an ex-con named Bo Meadows. We have to stay focused on that mission. Someone else can track those outlaws down once we file a report in Olympia.
The conductor took his hat off and wiped his brow, then he looked at the man standing at the tender box. "Well, what are we waiting for, let's get this train moving."
| Author Notes | This book has been professionally edited. Writing chapters on FanStory allowed me to get valuable feedback in order to work out the details. So what is read here may not be exactly the same as what ended up in the book. This book was published on Oct. 4th, 2020. |
By Mr. Green
Mr. George E. Gutherford was waiting patiently at the gates of the prison when Levi and Badger rode up to the new Territorial Penitentiary. He introduced himself as one of the Stewards for the prison, and told them that he was there at the request of Superintendent Paine.
"I'm to escort you to the Superintendent's office." Gutherford said. "If you will follow me." He continued as he wheeled his horse toward the prison.. " I have also been asked to take you on a tour of the prison if you would like, after your meeting." Levi and Badger sat in their saddles and took in the rock stockade, and surrounding towers.
"This place is huge." Levi said as he looked upon the prison and the surrounding property. Badger was still taking it all in, as he glanced from one area to another. Out in front of them was an administration building with a large arch-way going through the center of it with gates on each end, allowing for entrance into the prison itself. "It's like one of those castles I heard about, in the old fables told to children." Badger said.
"This prison has been reported as one of the finest Penitentiary's this side of the Mississippi River." Gutherford commented, as they approached the outside of the administration building where a prison guard was waiting to tend to their horses.
"Now if you will come with me, I will take you to meet with Mr. Justice, and Superintendent Paine." Gutherford said as he indicated a door to the left of the arch-way. The office was on the second floor of the administration building overlooking the granite walls of the prison.
As they walked inside, Mr. Paine was looking out the window into the prison complex. Hearing the door, he turned.
"Sheriff Sawyer, welcome to prison." Mr. Paine said with a smile, as he walked over to a beautifully finished cabinet of pine. Warden Justice approached from the front of a large desk and extended his hand to each of them. "Welcome Levi..." He turned, "Badger, it's good to see you, how have you been. I haven't had an opportunity to talk to you for some time."
Badger shook hands with Warden Justice. "I'm doing just fine John." Badger said. "It's good to see you too, from what Levi tells me, you have been a busy man lately."
Mr. Paine had taken down some glasses. "Would you like something to drink?" he asked.
They all nodded in agreement as John G. Justice took the first two glasses from the Superintendent he handed them to Levi and Badger, then he indicated with a hand, an invitation to sit at the chairs arranged in the office. Mr. Paine walked to his desk and sat there for a moment, wetting his lips with the whiskey. "Let's get down to business, shall we." he said, as he set the small glass on the desk.
"It's been a long hard fight to establish this new prison, so let me give you some history," he said, looking at Badger, and then back at levi.
"Many years ago, the Federal Penitentiary on McNeal Island was offered to this territory, but it was offered at a time when the Federal Government had decided the prison had deteriorated to the point that it would be cost prohibitive for them to continue running the prison as it was.
After some discussion this offer was turned down. Then many more offers were made to provide this territory with a prison but those too were turned down. With the passing of time, a bid was made to build the Seatco Prison, deep in the woods on the west side of the territory. The man who made the offer said he could build the prison with his own money, if the territory would agree to sign a contract that would allow him over time, to recover the cost.
This offer was soon accepted and a contract was signed, with little understanding of what the future would hold regarding this prison and the events that would follow. The prison was built with little regard to anything but the profits it would provide to those who ran that prison, and with time, the living conditions inside this prison began to reveal themselves through many complaints that were filed at the legislature's level.
A commission was formed that launched an investigation whose final report was so offensive to the territorial government, they decided to close that prison as soon as possible. That closure is what eventually brought about this new prison.
Mr. Paine studied the expression on Levi's face as he took another sip of whiskey. "You see Levi, even as this prison was being built, many arguments and insults were exchanged between those who were supporting the management of the Seatco Prison and those who were offended by the report, and supported the building of this new prison. Every detail was argued about as the conditions inside Seatco Prison continued to deteriorate.
Mr. Paine leaned forward, placing his forearms on the desk. "The cons were going to bring to this new territorial prison have no idea what this prison looks like or what type of management will run it. They only know what they have experienced at the Seatco Penitentiary. A prison some have called; Hell on Earth." He glanced over at Warden Justice for a moment and paused.
"Levi, what Frank wants you both to understand, is that the cons we are going to bring to this prison are angry, Many of them are suffering from wounds incurred during their incarceration. Both physical, and mental scars brought about by the management practices of that prison."
Warden Justice paused as he let his words hang in the air. Then he continued, "We will have to be very careful, once the cons are on the train. Anything can happen, many of these cons are tough hardened men who will stop at nothing if they see an opportunity to escape. That includes killing someone, if that accomplishes their goal."
Superintendent Paine sat back in his chair. He was watching for any sign of hesitation. "When John suggested that we contact you, Levi, and ask you to join us on this trip, I was real apprehensive at first. I know you have a difficult job as it is. I also know you've got sand, and plenty of it."
He glanced over at Badger, "The same go'es for you Badger. I only have eight guards that I can take with me on this trip, and John here, has agreed to make the trip as well."
"We taking our horses?" Badger asked. "I'm kinda partial to horses. Be awful nice if I could take Sallie May with me."
There was a quiet laugh followed by a smile from Warden Justice. "Badger, were all taking horses, they will all be cared for on one of the other train cars."
Badger smiled and looked over at Levi. "Makes me right comfortable knowing that."
Superintendent Paine stood and walked around to the front of the desk. "What I need to know is that, even with the history I have just shared with you. Are you both willing to help us out. Will you help us bring these cons to Walla Walla..., to this prison?"
They all stood up, "When do we leave?" Levi asked. Superintendent Paine nodded slightly, understanding Levi's answer. Then he looked over at Badger.
Badger scratched his grey whiskers, thinking for a moment. Then he extended his hand to Paine. "We will be there." Badger said. Levi noticed the expression on Badger's face. "You have a question?" Levi asked, as Superintendent Paine shook Badger's hand.
"What's your question Badger." the warden inquired.
Badger looked over at Levi, he quickly glanced over at Paine and Justice, then back at Levi. "Would it be alright if we took someone else with us on this trip?" Badger asked. Levi looked suprised. This wasn't something he was expecting.
"Who do you have in mind Badger?" Levi asked.
"I would like to see if Casper Hayes would be willing to join us." Badger said.
"Do you know this Casper Hayes, Levi." The warden asked.
"I do, he rode with Badger for some time in the past. He's a good man to ride with." Levi said
There was a few moments of silence in the room as they shared glances, then Superintendent Paine said, "If the two of you say he's a good man to ride with, then we could sure use him." Badger smiled, "'I will talk to him today." Badger replied, with a curious smile.
"When do we leave?" Levi asked.
"The train comes in tomorrow morning around 6 a.m. that train will take us to Olympia, and from there we will take another train to Seatco." Warden Justice said as they walked to the door. "We will meet you all at the depot around 5:30 a. m. to make sure everything is properly loaded by the time the train is ready to leave."
The guard brought their horses to them as they stood outside the administration building. Noticing Gutherford was waiting to take them on their tour, Levi walked over and shook his hand.
"Mr. Gutherford, I think we will pass on that tour. As much as we would like to see the prison, Badger and I have a lot to do before sunset." He then walked back to where Badger was waiting. After telling Superintendent Paine and the Warden they would meet them at the train depot in the morning, they wheeled their horses and headed for the front gate of the prison.
As they rode back to town Levi asked, "What made you think about Casper?"
Badger smiled one of those big smiles of his. "He ain't never been on a train neither." Then Levi saw a sparkle in ole Badger's eyes. "... and if I gotta ride in the belly of that damn snake." Badger didn't have time to finish his sentence, before Levi broke out laughing."
The old mountain man tossed back his head and hooted. "Come on son, I can't wait to talk to that old compadre of mine."
| Author Notes | This book has been professionally edited. Writing chapters on FanStory allowed me to get valuable feedback in order to work out the details. So what is read here may not be exactly the same as what ended up in the book. This book was published on Oct. 4th, 2020. |
By Mr. Green
John Barnabus and Kyle stepped off the train and walked over to the conductor while they waited for their horses to be taken off the stock car. "Carl," J.B. called out to a tall lean man of about fifty years, dressed in grey pants held up with black suspenders, and a light grey shirt. Resting on his head, and tilted towards his right ear, was a soft grey-and-white striped cap. "Carl," we never got your last name back there.
"Carl McDuggle, that's me whole name." The conductor said as he turned and wiped his large rough hands on his shirt. He smiled and put out his hand. "I would like to thank the two of you again for your helping us back on the tracks."
John Barnabus reached out and shook the conductor's hand," You're welcome Carl. I'm just glad we were able to do something before any innocent people were killed."
The conductor looked at Kyle Sawyer and reached out to shake his hand. "Thank you, young man. The both of you saved many lives today, and I will make sure, the sheriff hears what happened."
Kyle looked over at J. B. "Speaking of the sheriff, what are we gonna do about that outlaw's body?"
"Well, being's how we've never been here before, I reckon we better find the sheriff's office and then notify the coroner's office, so he can take charge of the body."
"This is a regular stop for the train." McDuggle said, "I've been here many times, and this train ain't goin nowhere until my train and my crew are cleared."
The conductor stepped past Kyle and J. B. Sawyer, "Come on fellas, I'll walk with you over to the sheriff's office me own self. I'm gonna have to give me statement anyway. I'll have one of me crew tend to your horses until we get back."
During the short walk it took to get to the sheriff's office Carl became curious about the two men he was walking with. He was remembering a comment that Kyle had made back on the tracks, when he was talking to John Barnabus, and there were other small but what now seemed even more odd points in their conversation that sparked his interest.
"Kyle," the conductor said, "You asked John back on the tracks when you walked up to that road agent lying dead on the ground, if he was one of the outlaws you were looking for." Carl stopped and looked over at J. B. Sawyer, "Are you two lawmen?"
Kyle hadn't realized how close the conductor was standing to them, when he asked his brother that question. He looked at John as if to apologize for speaking out of turn, but John Barnabus also knew that he too, had spoken without being aware of others standing close by. It would be one of the first lessons he would learn while working as a Pinkerton Detective.
John paused for a moment, "No Carl, we're not lawmen, we were hired by the law as part of a posse, to track down a group of outlaws and report back to them." Kyle's expression relaxed, and the Conductor seemed to accept every word .
"Have you had much luck John?"
"No, not yet Carl. But we haven't given up!"
"Well, if there is anything I can do to help you guys out, you just let me know. I've been riding my train across this country a long time now. Seen a lot of things and met a lot of people along the way...." Carl stopped on the boardwalk as he finished his statement. He raised his hand and pointed, "The sheriff's office is just across the street."
When John Barnabus opened the door a man of about thirty years, was sitting behind the desk looking through a small bundle of newly arrived wanted posters. J. B. saw the tin star pinned to his boiled white shirt, and partially covered by his leather vest. His hair was a light brown and combed straight back over his head. It seemed to be held down by some kind of sweet perfumy stuff, that John Barnabus took an emeadiate dislike to.
"Howdy friends" the Sheriff said with a smile as he watched the three men walk through the door.
John Barnabus looked over at Kyle. He didn't have to say anything, because they were both thinking the same thing; "HOWDY FRIENDS..."
J. B. let a small grin expose the wrinkles at the edge of his lips. Trying to hide his sense of humor, he turned and faced the man wearing the tin star. "Hi Sheriff, my name is John Barnabus Sawyer. This is my kid brother Kyle, and this is Carl McDuggle, the Conductor for the train that just pulled into your city."
The Sheriff sat back in his chair as he looked at each of the strangers, then he stood and politly extended his hand to each of them. "I'm Sheriff Cooley, my first name is Chas. What can I do for you gentlemen?"
"Sheriff, these two fine men stopped a robbery that was taking place on my train." Carl said as he glanced first at Kyle, and then at John Barnabus.
The sheriff turned his attention squarely on the conductor. "You don't say."
"Yes sir! If it weren't for them, many inocent people would have been killed. "
Sheriff Cooley stood quiet for a moment as he looked at the other two men standing near-by. "Okay! you have my attention."
After a moment of silence, John Barnabus spoke up. " Look Sheriff, the long and short of it is this, Kyle and I were on this train heading here to meet with a Mr. Luke Emmerson Miles, When several men tried to hold up the train and take its shipment of gold and silver. They un-coupled the cars and pulled the express car on down the tracks where they broke into the car and proceeded to take whatever they could carry."
Carl was standing there moving his head in an affirmative motion as J. B. told the story. Then he enterupted the flow of conversation.
"That's right sheriff. Those vermin got away with around 10,000 in gold, when these two come out of nowhere and challenged them, they did.. That group of no goods, told one of their own to stay concealed and to kill these two if they got any closer to the train. All the while knowing that he would be their cover so's they could escape."
"Anyway sheriff!" John Barnabus said as he looked at the conductor, "The outlaw that was left behind held us off for a few minutes, until ..., "
Carl spoke up again as he began to point at the young man standing in the room. "Yes sir! That's when Kyle here, took aim and killed that short trigger man. Sending him off to chew on the south end of daisies."
The sheriff looked over at Kyle, "Is that the way of it?"
"Yes sir," Kyle said, " That's why we're here now. We brought his body with us. We were hoping that maybe you or someone here, could help identify the man."
Sheriff Cooley looked at each of them, then he walked over to the coat rack where his holster was hanging. When it was secured around his waist he pulled the colt from its leather and opened the cartridge lever. Slowly spinning the wheel, checking to see that it had five rounds, he closed the lever and spun the revolver in his hand, landing it squarely in the holster, then he turned and walked over and opened the door.
"Well, let's go see this body."
Both Kyle and J. B. looked surprised at the way he handled the colt revolver, but they said nothing as they left the office.
A few minutes later they were standing inside the express car. The conductor told the guards to unwrap the body from the tarp. As the Sheriff looked at the man, he stepped closer to John Barnabus. "Yeah, I know him alright!" Sheriff Cooley said as he glanced down at the motionless form.
"That's Felix Rutter. He's been in and out of my jail over the last year, for drunk and disorderly, and some petty theft. He's a wanna-be gold miner, had these big dreams of striking it rich. He even convinced some people to loan him some money, promising to pay them back as soon as he struck pay-dirt."
The sheriff paused for a moment, "Of course he never did, and all he was ever good at, was collecting more and more debt."
J. B. looked at the sheriff, "Well, it looks like someone convinced him he could strike it rich quicker by robbing trains."
"Yeah! Well, it doesn't look like he was much good at that either." The sheriff said as he stepped to the door of the express car. "There's too many people standing around."
Sheriff Cooley continued, as he turned to look at McDuggle. "Carl you know the guards can't leave this car un-attended. I'm going to get the coroner. I will be back as soon as I can. Unfortunately, you and your train are here until the coroner arrives to take charge of this body." McDuggle sighed deeply, but expected no less.
Looking at the guards standing nearby, the sheriff said, "Until then keep this door secured."
"How long do you think we'll be delayed shereff?" The conductor asked.
"I know you're trying to meet a time line Carl, but I can't take this body off of the train until the coroner gets here. I don't want that body just lying out in the open with all these people around. It shouldn't be more than an hour or so. The coroner's office is just down the street a few blocks and around the corner from my office."
Carl McDuggle put his hands on his hips and lowered his chin, as he thought about the delay. Then he looked at Sheriff Cooley, "All right Sheriff, not much I can do about it at this point. I'll go tell my crew."
John Barnabus, Kyle, and Sheriff Cooley all stepped down from the express car. "Sheriff, " J. B. said as they stepped away from the train, "Is it all right if Kyle and I get our horses and meet you back here?"
"What are your plans now, John?"
"We plan on staying in town for a couple of days until I can make arrangements to meet this, Luke Miles."
"You've never met this man before?"
"No! I just received a telegram asking me to meet him here in Olympia. I was told he would be in touch, once he knew we were in town."
"So you're staying in town for a while?"
"It looks that way."
"I'll get the coroner here to take care of this, so Carl can get his train and the new passengers moving again. When I'm done I'll be going back to my office, Why don't you and Kyle find a place to stay and get something to eat. Meet me back at my office in about an hour."
"Don't worry sheriff, we won't be leaving town." J. B. looked at the express car, "What's going to happen to this Felix Rutter?"
"The coroner will find a place for him out on Boot Hill."
"Did he have any family, Sheriff?"
"Felix, no. Most of the people in town knew Felix, but family, no. He was just a drifter who stayed a little too long and got drunk, a little too often."
"All right sheriff, we'll drop by your office after we find a place to stay, and get some grub."
Sheriff Cooley was crossing Main Street on his way to the Coroner's office, when he made a detour to his own office. Stepping inside he closed the door and walked over to the window. Raising a hand, Cooley motioned for his deputy to walk over to where he was standing.
"Jason, those two cowboys," he pointed at J. B. and Kyle standing on the board-walk, "They haven't met you yet." He made sure that Jason Henry could clearly see the two men across the street.
"They're suposed to meet me back here in my office later, until that happens, I want you to keep an eye on them. I want to know where they go, who they talk to, and where they are staying."
Jason Henry took the deputy badge from his shirt and put it into his pocket. "I'm guessing you don't want them to know I'm your deputy." Sheriff Cooley nodded his approval, then he turned and walked over to the door.
"I'm headed to the Coroner's office. I'll be back in about an hour."
"All right Chas." The deputy said, "I'll keep an eye on those two." His eyes glanced over to the window.
A well dressed man had stepped out of the saloon and was striking the business end of a match to a cigar when he first noticed Sheriff Chas Cooley standing with two new strangers in town. After a few moments he saw Cooley cross the street and walk into the Sheriff's office. He stood there watching the strangers, patiently waiting for J. B. and Kyle to begin walking down the board-walk.
A short time later, he saw the sheriff leaving his office. The stranger watched with great interest, then he dropped the cigar into the dirt and proceeded down the board-walk to the telegraph office. He would send one more telegram.
| Author Notes | This book has been professionally edited. Writing chapters on FanStory allowed me to get valuable feedback in order to work out the details. So what is read here may not be exactly the same as what ended up in the book. This book was published on Oct. 4th, 2020. |
By Mr. Green
Setting deep in the forest, just a few miles from the Pacific Ocean, Olympia, got cold as the evening hours approached. It was beautiful country with tall pines, green meadows, and rugged snow capped mountains silhouetting against the horizon. There was a dampness in the air, and a chill that hung in the gentle breeze.
Kyle glanced up at the early stars challenging the daylight hours, as he and John walked down the board walk. In the distance, against the evening sky he could see the tips of tall pine trees swaying in one direction, and then the other. Shivering, he pulled his jacket tighter around his neck. They were approaching the Sheriff's Office, when somewhere, in the shadows of the forest, Kyle heard the distinct sound of an owl.
Sheriff Cooley greeted them as they walked through the door, "John, Kyle, did you find a place for the night?"
"We did!" J. B. answered "...Did you have any trouble finding the coroner to take care of Rutters body?"
"That's all taken care of. Carl and his train left town about an hour ago."
"Good! I'm glad to hear that" Kyle said, as he looked around the office. The Sheriff's gun belt was hanging back on the coat rack, and a pot of coffee was boiling away on the small wood stove.
"Sheriff, we got a room over at the Montgomery Hotel for the night. The clerk suggested the cafe next door to the hotel if we were hungry. He said it had good food and great coffee." Kyle commented as he glanced at the papers laid out on the desk. "I hope the clerk was right. We haven't tried it yet..., thought we would come here first."
"He was right, Kyle." The sheriff said, as he walked over and poured a cup of coffee. Getting two more cups, he offered one to Kyle, then he handed the other to John Barnabus. "We have our moments Kyle, just like any small town in this territory, but most people around here are a friendly bunch."
The sheriff walked back to his desk, and sat down. "John, you mentioned earlier that you were looking for a man named Luke Miles?"
"That's right sheriff, do you know where we can find him?"
"No! but I am curious about your reasons for finding a man you have never met." the sheriff replied.
John Barnabus paused to think for a moment. The events of the day had allowed him to get what he thought was a pretty good assessment of Sheriff Coolly. He walked over to the wood stove and topped off his cup of coffee, then he turned around. He needed to build some rapport with this man, and to do that, he needed to trust him.
"Sheriff, the truth of the matter is, I'm working for the Pinkerton Detective Agency."
Sheriff Coolly slowly brought his cup away from his lips and sat it down on the desk. He glanced over at Kyle and started to say something when John Barnabus einterrupted him.
"When I told Kyle about my assignment he insisted on helping me." The sheriff's attention was drawn back to J. B. Sawyer. Sitting forward in his chair Sheriff Coolly waited for John to finish his story.
"I'm looking for an ex-con named Bo Meadows. My contact with the agency, is a man who has been working in this area for the past two years now. His name happens to be this Mr. Miles. He may have information that I need to help me find and apprehend Bo Meadows."
"What's this Meadows done that brings your agency into the mix?" Sheriff Coolly asked.
"About a year and a half ago, Bo Meadows was working for the railroads in this Territory. During his employment he listed several dead men on his payroll. Then he would take their pay and pocket it for himself. Pretty soon it became so lucrative when no one caught him, that he began adding more names of dead men to his payroll. That is until one day another man working for the same railroad company recognized two of the names as men he had worked with in the past. He knew they were dead, and when that was reported, it launched an investigation."
Coolly moved his coffee cup to the other side of the desk. His attention was focused on a stack of papers. He began going through them until he found the new wanted posters that had just arrived. One after another he thumbed through them in search of something.
"Sheriff?" Kyle began to ask. Coolly held up his hand and Kyle waited as the sheriff continued searching.
"Here... Here it is!" The sheriff handed John Barnabus a wanted poster.
"Samuel Blackburn?" J. B. said in puzzlement as he looked at Coolly. "Finish reading it." Coolly said.
"Wanted for murder." J. B. paused as he looked closer. "Three counts." He glanced over at Kyle and continued. "All three committed during the act of robbing trains." Kyle reached out and John handed him the poster.
"Look at the bottom line Kyle!" Coolly commented.
Kyle stood up and stepped over to where John was standing. They both read the last line on the wanted poster. Kyle handed the poster to John. He read the line several times before handing the poster back to Sheriff Coolly.
"Sheriff do you know anything about this Samuel Blackburn?" John asked.
"Not much!" the sheriff replied. "I do know that his family owns a large ranch south east of here. The family has been part of this area for a couple of generations now. They have helped to build the communities by providing funds to build, or labor to assist in that effort. I suppose that is why his family disowned Samuel after he started down the owl hoot trail. He has been on the dodge ever sense. If I'm getting a wanted poster now, it means that someone has seen him in this area."
Kyle looked at John Barnabus; "John, if that last line on the poster is accurate, then we got more trouble then we counted on."
J. B. looked over at Sheriff Coolly, "Sheriff, that means you've got trouble as well. Do you have an extra one of these wanted posters that we can carry with us? I'd like to show this to Miles when we find him."
"Here, keep this one John, I have others in that stack."
"Thanks!" John said. "We might ride out to this ranch tomorrow, and just spot it for a few hours,. See if we can learn anything new. Who knows! maybe he will try to stop by, since he is in the area."
"If this Mr. Miles comes here asking for you, I'll let him know to stay in town. Check in with me when you get back."
"We will Sheriff." John said, as he folded the wanted poster and put it into his pocket.
As they walked out the door John Barnabus looked over at his kid brother. "Kyle, I had no intentions of getting you in this deep."
"John, you're not responsible for any of this. I'm your brother, and besides, I'm kind of a lone star, if you know what I mean." Kyle smiled at his older brother. J. B. put the palm of his hand on Kyle's shoulder.
"If that means you're an independent cuss, then you're damn sure right about that. Kyle laughed quietly, looking at the expression on his brother's face. "I told you I was coming along one way or the other, so I ain't goin nowhere, and besides, I'm curious to meet this Miles fellow. If that's even his real name."
The man across the street watched them walk down the board-walk. Keeping in the shadows he followed at a safe distance. When they entered the Montgomery Hotel, he dropped his cigar into the dirt, pressing it with his boot, he turned and walked away. The telegraph office was just two blocks behind him.
"That telegram come in yet? Simon." He asked the telegrapher as he entered the small office.
Simon Wimberly, a small, slender man, with about four days of stubble stood wide eyed and fully attentive when the man walked into his office.
Simon saw a well-dressed man, in a dark mid-length jacket that covered a black leather holster. Under the jacket, was a white shirt, and a dark-striped, grey vest.
The stranger stood there with his well-groomed black hair, and a mustache that fit his features well. It all gave him a rather distinguished look, Simon thought. It also gave him an err of importance.
He was dressed, the telegrapher thought, like a professional gambler, but there was something else about this man. The way he carried himself, it was different. This man dressed the part, but he didn't have the swagger of most gamblers he had known.
Sure, he carried himself with confidence, but still, there was something else, something he could not yet pin-down. And besides, why would a gambler be sending a telegram to Washington.
"No sir Mr. Paterson, nothing yet." Wimberly said.
"Simon, that telegram is very important. As soon as it arrives, I want you to find me."
"Yes sir, I will do that Mr. Patterson."
"I don't care what time it is, you find me."
Simon Wimberly nodded his head acknowledging that he understood. "Yes sir!"
"I have been staying at the Montgomery Hotel. If that telegram shows up before I get here in the morning, you bring it to me."'
Again the telegrapher offered a friendly smile, and nodded his head quietly, as he watched the stranger close the door behind him. Paterson thought the two men he had been watching, should be in their rooms by now.
Three days earlier he had made sure that his room overlooked the street. If one of these men were the man he was waiting for, then he would be able to watch them leave in the morning, and when they did, he would not be far away. He needed that telegram, and he needed it soon..., no! he needed it now.
Three o-clock that morning came quickly for Badger, he still had the long ride into Walla Walla. Kirby Watson was already awake, he had assured Badger earlier that night, he would mind things on the ranch while he was gone. Now they shared one last pot of coffee before Badger took the reins and turned Sallie May towards the trail. There was one last thing on Badger's mind before leaving the ranch.
"Kirby, I can't take Dusty with me on this trip. You be sure to..."
"Badger," Kirby interrupted, " I'll take good care of Dusty while yer gone. You just keep yer own self safe, and don't you forget you have a promise to keep too." The old mountain man began to let Kirby know that it was a promise he had made before and he had not forgotten, when Kirby spoke up once again.
"You be sure to bring Levi back home. Elizabeth will be worried sick until his return."
Badger smiled and said, "Kirby do you remember what that outlaw said? The one who kidnapped Ellie."
Kirby thought for a moment, then he chuckled. "You mean, when he told you that he would sooner take on a mountain lion with his bare hands, then to ever tangle with Ellie again."
They both laughed and then Badger sat still in the saddle. "Kirby," Badger said, "Levi has been like a son to me, and I would sooner push up daisies then to let anything happen to him."
"Ellie knows that, hell, we all know that Badger." Kirby replied. "We just don't know why." Kirby watched Badger as a quiet moment passed between them. Then the old man said, "Take care of the place, Kirby." Without another word, he wheeled Sallie May and headed down the trail towards Walla Walla.
Once they started down main street Badger began to take in all the details. It was different this time, like it was his first time. In a sense it was his first time. Well, it was like his first time. Deep down, he knew he was becoming more and more sensitive to the changes that were springing up all around him.
He had been able to ignore them for a long time, but as he looked around, this time, they seemed to make Badger feel his mortality.
More and more of the buildings were made of brick and stone. They were taking over the city, and the coal oil lamps were showing up all over, providing light after the sun went down, and there were crews that were beginning to grade the streets.
Badger was well acquainted with the telegraph, but he had recently read about something called a telephone back east. And then there was that liberty lady, people were talking about in some harbor, in a place called New York City. In the newspapers, he had recently read about a building in Chicago. They were calling it a skyscraper. "Now what kind of building can do that?" Badger thought, it was all a bunch of balderdash, whimsical fantasy that's all it was.
"Sallie May," Badger said, "I don't know if there is even a place for us in this new world anymore."
Badger turned Sallie May down second street toward the train station. "Things ain't nothin like they use to be. It's all disappearing old girl." Badger said.
He reached down and stroked Sallie May on the side of her neck. As he approached the train station, he got down from the saddle and began walking Sallie May along-side the train cars, until he spotted Levi and Casper Hayes standing with the Warden and Superintendent of the new Prison.
"Hey there Badger." Levi said, " ...Good morning!" "Good-mornin son, and good mornin to you Casper." Badger said as he turned toward his old friend. Then he looked at Warden Justice who was standing closest to him. "Good mornin John," he said, extending his hand, after which, he reached out and did the same with Superintendent Paine.
"They've about got the train loaded now, so it shouldn't be much longer." Levi said.
Warden Justice spoke up then, "We'll ride this train to Olympia, then the Governor has arranged for another train to be waiting for us. That train will have no civilian passengers, it will take us from Olympia to Seatco, where we will pick up the men who are still incarcerated there.
"We'll stay the night in Seatco and leave early the next morning for our return trip to Walla Walla. Securing the con's in our new Penitentiary." Superintendent Paine added.
Casper Hayes smiled wryly, "Are you ready for this Badger?" he said, studying the expression on the old trapper's face.
"Well Casper Hayes, my long time compadre, you and I been down the river more times than I can count. Back when we was young-uns and full of it." Badger said, looking nervously down the long line of train cars. "Have I ever, not been ready. Why, I'll bet you that I'm gonna be the one holdin the winder open so's you can barf yer guts out."
Casper smiled, he wanted to tell Badger he was still full of it, when a voice called out.. "I'll put her on the train for you, Badger" One of the prison guards said abruptly. Badger turned to see who was standing behind him.
"Your horse, I'll put your horse on the train for you."
"You hear that Sallie May. I guess we gots-ta-ride in the belly of this beast after all." Badger commented rather sarcastically, then he looked at the guard who was waiting.
Sallie May twitched her ears and shook her head trying to get rid of a bothersome fly. Badger laughed and looked at Levi. "Now you see, even Sallie May doesn't like the idea of riding in the belly of this snake." Levi and Casper laughed, while Badger turned back to look at the prison guard.
"Young feller, Sallie May here, she has taken good care of me over the years, so if you don't mind, I'll take care of this old girl myself. You just take me to the stock car."
Several minutes had passed, and Badger was heading back to find Levi and Casper, when he heard the bellow of smoke escape the train, and a man near-by calling out.
"All - Aboard!"
| Author Notes | This book has been professionally edited. Writing chapters on FanStory allowed me to get valuable feedback in order to work out the details. So what is read here may not be exactly the same as what ended up in the book. This book was published on Oct. 4th, 2020. |
By Mr. Green
Kyle Sawyer woke up early that morning. He got dressed and headed down stairs. The brisk morning air felt good. The sun had already risen high enough to turn the sky a bright clear blue, with just a light whisper of clouds. There was something he had to do before John Barnabus woke up, or at least before his brother missed him.
Most of the city was already awake, with citizens beginning to conduct their business in one shop or another, while a few were just beginning to open their doors. He was hoping the telegraph office wouldn't be very far from the hotel.
He stopped to say good morning to a middle aged man who was setting up a sign outside of his Cigar Shop. The owner was round in stature, and rather short. He unfolded the sign and began to set it in place when Kyle approached.
"Good mornin ' sir."
The shop owner stood up straight and smiled, "Why, good morning to you, young man." He had an easy welcoming smile. "Would-ya be interested in some cigars?" "No sir! I'm new in town, and I happen to be looking for the telegraph office. I was hoping you could help me."
The shop owner checked to see that his sign was sitting right where he wanted it, then he turned. Pointing here and there, as his gestures were accompanied with directions. Kyle listened, then he thanked the man and crossed the street.
As he approached the corner, he saw a man and his son sitting in a wagon along the board walk outside of a Mercantile Store. The boy's thick curly red hair was all goof-balled around his head, like there was no rhyme or reason to which way it wanted to grow.
He was holding a small dog in his lap and when Kyle walked by, the dog began to bark. The boy told the small fur-ball to hush, then he smiled and said, "Sorry mister!" Kyle smiled and greeted them, as the boy's father secured the reins and turned to climb out of the wagon.
Farther down the street, Kyle was just passing the bat-wing doors of the saloon when the image -of that freckle-faced red-headed boy and his dog came to mind. Smiling to himself and caught in the moment, he didn't notice the large man walking several feet behind him.
He was already boozie blind and heading for the saloon. Kyle turned the corner, he could see the telegraph office at the end of the street. As he got closer, a slender man opened the door and called to someone inside the office. His voice was stressed.
"Daniel, I have an important telegram to deliver. You handle the office while I'm gone." Simon Wimberly said.
A whiney voice could be heard as Kyle got closer to the office. "Yes Mr. Wimberly."
Wimberly turned to leave and hesitated, "Daniel, Do Not mess things up." The whiney voice returned, "Yes Mr. Wimberly."
Simon Wimberly stepped outside the office and closed the door. Looking up at the sky, he closed his eyes as if he were praying. He slowly shook his head, then he quickly headed down the board walk. Kyle noticed the man was clutching a piece of paper in his hand as he passed him and crossed the street.
Kyle stopped for a brief moment, curiosity setting in. He watched the man pause to read what was on the paper, then he quickened his pace as he went around the corner. Curious though he was, Kyle turned again to close the few feet that was left between him and the door to the telegraph office.
When he entered, he saw a short homely man in an old tan colored shirt, and jeans. He was wearing an old tattered hat that must have been around the world at least two or three times, considering the condition it was in.
"Good morning sir." the whiney voice filled the room. "What is it I can do for you this morning?"
The man smiled. It was one of those friendly smiles that brought out this little man's personality. "I'm Daniel Hellicant..., Mr. Wimberly had to step out for a moment."
"Well Daniel," Kyle said as his mind tried to balance the friendly smile with the whiney voice that went with it. "I would like to send a telegram to my brother. He lives in Walla Walla, Washington."
"Yes sir, ah.., Mister?"
"Kyle Sawyer, is my name. I want to send a telegram to my brother Levi."
Daniel Hellicant looked around for some paper and something to write with. Setting everything out on the counter he asked, "Ok, Mr. Sawyer, what would you like to send?"
Kyle began to tell him when Hellicant walked away distracted. Kyle waited. The telegrapher checked his pockets, patting them lightly, then he looked around the office in wonderment. "Now I know I brought them with me." Hellicant mumbled to himself. He stepped over to the desk and began searching through the drawers. Turning with a confused look on his face he apologized to Kyle, as he continued to look for any possible hiding place.
"What is it that you are looking for?" Kyle asked.
"My glasses." Hellicant replied, " I know I had them earlier." Again, Hellicant apologized.
Kyle looked at Daniel Hellicant and in spite of embarrassing the man, he couldn't help but break out laughing. Hellicant turned red with embarrassment, but confused. When Kyle could bring himself to speak again, he pointed to Hellicant's hat.
"They're on the brim of your hat." Kyle said.
Hellicant reached up and felt his glasses resting right where Kyle told him they were. Removing them from the brim of his hat, he held them in his hand, and then he smiled nervously from ear to ear, which was followed by a quiet laugh. Picking up his pen, Hellicant said, "Now what is it you would like to send Mr. Sawyer?"
Kyle stepped out onto the board walk feeling guilty about breaking his promise to J. B., but he had tried to keep that promise and he had twice now, chased the thought away from his mind.
Breaking his word to his own brother was not something that set well with him. Levi had a right to know, but damn it, breaking his word to J. B. made him feel ashamed. He tried telling himself that his actions would be justified in the end, and that J. B. would forgive him. When he stepped outside, he looked at the rising sun and realized it was much later than he had expected. If he was going to meet John for breakfast he would have to hurry back to the hotel.
Crossing the street and turning the corner quickly, he wanting nothing more than to get back to the hotel in time to meet J. B. at the cafe next door, if not in the lobby of the hotel. When the bat-wing doors to the saloon swung open suddenly, and a large man holding a bottle up in his callused hand, raised his voice, and began cussing the men inside.
The tangle-footed man didn't see Kyle before bumping into him. He staggered sideways a couple of steps and dropped the bottle of whiskey. The stranger stood there staring at the broken bottle and the wooden planks along the boardwalk that were soaking up his weeks savings. That's when Kyle saw the anger rising in the pickled giant standing in front of him.
"Sorry mister." Kyle said holding both hands up, not wanting any confrontation. The man shook his head, trying to clear the fuzz between his ears. His feet spread a little wider as he tried to maintain his balance.
The large man stood there, with his black suspenders stretched over a dirty torn t-shirt that was wrapped around a large pot-bellied man with several days of stubble on his face. When he attempted to step forward, lunging towards Kyle with a right cross, his hands were like clubs but his feet had too much of that stupid juice running through them and Kyle barely had to move to avoid getting hit.
Than the big man stumbled again and caught his balance, Kyle heard someone in the crowd that was forming in the street laugh, telling the person next to him; "Looks like someone done stole his rudder, don't it."
Kyle apologized, he wasn't sure what for, he just knew he didn't want anything to do with this man. "Mister, I told you, I'm sorry."
The man looked at the broken bottle, as if he were in a trance, then he glared at Kyle, "Yurrrr gonna beeee a whole lot sorry-errr, when I getttss my hands on you." He swung again with that right cross, and this time it barely tapped Kyle on the chin. He stumbled back a step. His hand came up and touched his jaw. Kyle thought; If that was just a tap - My god, I do not want to get hit by this guy. Ducking quickly, he dodged another punch, and countered it with a hard blow to the man's stomach.
The drunk wheezed, and stopped, then his hands rested on his knees as he leaned forward. projecting barf onto the board walk. Thinking the conflict was over, Kyle stepped closer to help the man when he was grabbed and thrown into the street.
"You sawwwed-offff-sonnn-a-bitch." said the booze blind man.
By now the crowd had grown larger as they watched the entertainment with smiles and laughter. Kyle had tried to keep his distance but when he was thrown into the street, he lost his balance and fell into the dirt. By the time he could stand up, the drunk had managed to close the distance, and before Kyle could react, a huge right cross caught him squarely on the jaw, knocking him back to the ground. It was like his brain had just bounced off the inside of his skull, he was dazed, and slow to get up.
When he did, the large man was standing just a few feet away. The crowd was silent now as they watched the larger man take a knife from the scabbard tucked behind his belt.
Kyle instinctively reached for his side arm, realizing in that instance that he had left it hanging on the foot-board of his bed. The drunk held the blade of the knife in his hand raising it high above his head.
"I'll kill you, tinhorn." The man cried out as he took a step forward and widened his stance. The man's grip tightened on the blade as his arm began to move forward. In that moment, the drunk stood frozen in place, staring at the young man in front of him. He was trying to understand what had just happened.
The bullet had come from the crowd, tearing through the large man's side, high up, close to the arm pit, passing through the lung ripping open the bottom of the man's heart.
The knife fell, and the large man slumped to his knees staring up at Kyle. He couldn't see a gun, his eyes blinked. His body weakened as he fought to stay up on his knees. He looked through fading eyes, but still he could see no gun. This tin-horn had no gun, then his eyes closed, and his body fell into the dust.
Kyle turned to look into the crowd, searching for the man who saved his life. The crowd had been taken in, absorbed by the events that had just taken place. Many of them not even realizing that someone else had killed the assailant.
Then Kyle saw a well-dressed man pull his long jacket over his holster. Turning, the stranger walked away without saying anything to anyone. Kyle's mind was still trying to understand. There was hesitation as he looked around. Should he stay with the man lying dead in the street, or should he follow the man who was walking away.
Before Kyle could make sense of it, Sheriff Cooley was pushing his way through the crowd of citizens that had gathered around.
"Are you alright, Kyle?" Sheriff Cooley asked as he approached the scene.
"Sheriff, I'm a bit dazed, but I'll be alright." Kyle said.
The Sheriff looked around and then he stood over the dead man's body. Looking at Kyle he said, "Tell me what happened Kyle."
A couple of by-standards walked up along-side Cooley. "Sheriff, that young man is the quickest draw I ever did see." The other bystander spoke up, "It was self-defense sheriff, sure-as- shootin." The two bystandards looked at each other and quietly laughed at their choice of words.
"Sheriff," Kyle said, "It was self-defense."
"I believe you, Kyle." Cooley said, "There were others telling me the same thing, as I walked through the crowed. I would like to hear your story though." The sheriff caught a man's attention and told him to notify the coroner's office, and then he told another man to stay with the body until the coroner showed up.
"Kyle," Cooley started to say, when John Barnabus pushed his way through the crowd
"Kyle, you okay"" J. B. called out.
"I'm going to be ok, John." The younger brother responded.
"Why don't we walk over to my office where we can discuss this without all the distractions." Cooley said.
"I would like that Sheriff." Kyle replied as he let his eyes search for the well-dressed man he saw walk away from the crowd, the man who had saved his life. But there was no sign of the stranger anywhere.
As they walked over to the sheriff's office Kyle was trying to figure out how he was going to explain the telegram he had just sent to Levi. If he was lucky, he would be able to talk his way around that part of the story, but he didn't feel all that lucky right then.
They turned to cross the street, ahead of them was the Sheriff's office and standing outside the office door was the stranger wearing those expensive clothes. He was casually lighting a cigar as he waited.
Kyle stopped suddenly, startled for a moment. Then he could only whisper the words that came to his mind.
"That's him."
| Author Notes | This book has been professionally edited. Writing chapters on FanStory allowed me to get valuable feedback in order to work out the details. So what is read here may not be exactly the same as what ended up in the book. This book was published on Oct. 4th, 2020. |
By Mr. Green
When Joseph Paterson noticed Sheriff Cooley and the two men in his company walking across the street, he took a drag off his cigar, then he stepped off the board walk and pressed the business end of the cigar against the hitching post. When it was extinguished, he placed it into his vest pocket
"Sheriff." Paterson said, as he held out his hand. The sheriff shook the man's hand, and noticed his eyes had shifted to Kyle, who was about as curious as a man could get. The expression on his face clearly exposed that fact. He was full of questions, but before anyone could say another word Paterson turned to face John Barnabus. Not knowing how much information John had already shared with the other two men, Paterson decided to keep the conversation to a minimum for now, and simply said.
"You must be John B. Sawyer. otherwise known as J. B.?"
"I am." John Barnabus said, "...and you, I am going to guess, must be Mr. Luke Miles"
"In a rather round-a-bout way, yes I am." Paterson said.
"Okay," the Sheriff commented, raising the palms of his hands and stopping all other conversation.
"Why don't we step inside where we can carry this on with a little more privacy. I have a feeling this is going to get mighty interesting."
"I would like that, Sheriff," Paterson said, "...but first I would like to talk to John alone, for a moment." They all stood there looking at one another, then Cooley said, "Alright, there's my office, Kyle and I can wait here till you're done."
Paterson looked over at J. B. who was anxious to hear what Paterson had to say in private, that he couldn't say in the company of his brother, and Sheriff Cooley. So he stepped to the door and walked inside. Paterson followed, closing the door behind him.
When it opened again, Paterson looked a lot more comfortable with the idea of sharing what information he had on Bo Meadows. He invited Sheriff Cooley and Kyle into the office and began to introduce himself all over again.
Looking from Kyle to the Sheriff, Paterson brought out what was left of his cigar and struck a match. Pausing to consider where to start the conversation, he took a drag from the cigar attempting to gather his thoughts, then he began.
"About three weeks ago I received a telegram from Mr. William Pinkerton, of the Pinkerton Detective Agency. This telegram informed me that another agent would soon be arriving in Olympia, to assist in an on-going investigation of an outlaw named Bo Meadows.
Mr. Pinkerton's telegram went on to tell me that I was to share whatever information I had with this agent once I confirmed his identity. The last part of his telegram said more information would follow once this new agent was informed of his assignment."
Paterson stopped to knock some ashes from his cigar into the spittoon sitting on the floor. "The first telegram failed to give me a name or a description of the new agent, except to say this information would be forthcoming."
Sheriff Cooley walked over to stoke up the wood stove and put on a pot of coffee, as Paterson continued.
"Yesterday, when I saw the two of you standing on the street talking to the Sheriff, I recognized you both as being new in town, but I was expecting only one man. Not two of you."
Paterson looked at John Barnabus, and then he glanced over at Kyle. "So not knowing any more than I did, I followed you until I found out where you were staying, then I went to the telegraph office and sent another telegram to Mr. Pinkerton asking for more details regarding the new agent I was expecting to meet."
"Wait a minute." Kyle began, "What about this, Luke Miles?"
"I'll get to that in a moment Kyle."
"This morning Mr. Wimberly, the town's telegrapher came to my room with a telegram. It seems that Mr. Pinkerton sent a second telegram, and not knowing that it did not reach me, he did not send a third, until he got my request for more information."
Sheriff Cooley checked the water on the stove and tossed in some coffee grounds as Paterson paused once again, to tap his cigar over the spittoon.
"The telegram I received this morning, gave me a name, and a description of John Barnabus. Thinking that I had missed you leaving the hotel, I went looking for you both, and that's when I saw the crowd forming outside the saloon, and heard the loud voices. I walked through the people who were standing around, and I saw Kyle engaged in a conversation with a large man who obviously had way too much to drink. Believing Kyle had control of the situation I waited and watched with everyone else.
That is until that tangle-footed cowboy brought out a large knife. When I saw that Kyle was not packing a side arm, Well, no matter how drunk that man was, it's not likely he would have missed from that distance." Paterson turned and looked at Cooley.
"Sheriff, I didn't see much of a choice, not at that point, not if Kyle was going to continue living."
The sheriff nodded his head in agreement, then he said, "That pretty much fills in the gaps, everything else falls into place with what I've been told so far."
"Mister, when I saw that knife," Kyle said, "I knew I couldn't charge that man quick enough, or dodge the thrown blade fast enough."
Kyle took a step closer, "If it weren't for you, I'd surely be shaking hands with ole St. Peter right now." He extended his hand, "Thank you Mr. Paterson, or Miles, or whatever your real name happens to be."
Paterson shook Kyle's hand and smiled. "Oh yeh, that!"
"...When I first began my investigation into Bo Meadows, it was farther south, along the Colombia River. I was working with a partner at that time. He got in with some of the men working for Meadows. That is, after he and I staged a situation where I began harassing one of Meadows men in a bar.
My partner came to his rescue, and I backed down, and walked away. The gang member appreciated my partners interference and began buying him drinks. Next thing you know, he was in with Bo Meadows gang. After that, he began to forward me whatever information he could, about their activity."
Sheriff Cooley walked across the room and set down three cups, filling them with coffee. Paterson dropped what was left of his cigar into the spittoon and took the cup of coffee when it was offered. After wetting his throat he continued.
"I was using the name Luke Emerson Miles at that time. Then about, two weeks ago I stopped receiving information from my partner, and word got back to me that Meadows had discovered someone named Miles was asking questions about him, and the men he was riding with.
Shortly after that, Meadows took his gang and they began moving farther up the Columbia River. That's when I stopped using my alias of Luke Miles, and started using my real name, Joseph Zachariah Paterson."
Taking a drink of his coffee, Paterson looked around the room. "I've never taken to the name, Joseph, and I rather liked the name, Luke Miles." He took a sip of his coffee, " It's a shame I had to give that up."
"...Anyway." Paterson stated.
" One of the last bits of information I received from my partner, was that Meadows had taken in some new kid whose family has a ranch in the area with several out buildings on the property. Word is, they are using one of those out-buildings as a hide-out.
Just before they began moving up the Columbia River, Meadows told my partner, someone would be joining their gang real soon."
Paterson paused, to reflect, then he said, "That's the last I heard from him. I've been trying to get close enough to observe the gangs hide-out. To see if I can spot my partner."
He looked at John Barnabus. "John, I don't know if he is still alive or if they have killed him. I recently discovered the kids name, but I still don't know the location of this farm. I believe I'm getting closer. I know the kid is in this area."
"What's his name?" Sheriff Cooley asked.
"A few days ago, I saw one of Meadows men riding with a new kid I'd never seen before. I began asking around, offering a description of this kid, and sending a description to the Pinkerton Office. I believe the kids name is, Samuel Blackburn."
There was a long moment of silence in the office as Paterson tried to interpret the look on Sheriff Cooley's face.
"John, show him the poster." Kyle said as he glanced over at Sheriff Cooley. John took the wanted poster from his pocket. "It looks like your inquiry sparked a background check on this Samuel Blackburn."
Paterson unfolded the paper and began to read. As he did, Kyle said, "It seems, this Samuel Blackburn has attempted to rob trains before, and he has killed men in the process. It's little wonder he's hooked up with the Meadows gang."
"What do you know about the family? Sheriff." Paterson asked.
"Well, I know where the Blackburn Ranch is, but it's on a piece of isolated property not much around it but Blackburn land. The nearest neighbor is maybe three or so miles in any direction." Cooley paused for a moment, "I've already told John and Kyle about the ranch, soon after the wanted poster showed up."
"Kyle and I were going to ride out there today." John said, "We were hoping to find the kid. From there we were going to follow him for a while, see who he rides with. But now, with the information you've given us, we know he's part of the Meadows gang."
"But we don't have any idea what they're up to." Kyle said.
"If you're going to stake out the Blackburn Ranch, Would you mind if I rode along?" Paterson asked. "Three of us would be able to cover more territory."
"That's true." Kyle said, looking at John. "And besides, we have never seen Bo Meadows, except for an old picture provided by the Seatco Prison where he did time."
"He won't be hard to spot." Paterson said, "He carries an ugly scar on the left side of this jaw. Runs from his ear to about mid-way down his jawline."
"How'd that happen?" J. B. asked.
"From what I hear, that scar took off most of his earlobe too." Paterson reflected.
"I've heard several stories telling of how that scar come to be. One being that he got it while doing time in prison. Another is that he got that scar during a fight with some Indian, years ago. Another story tells of him getting that scar fighting over some woman. No one knows for sure which story is true, if any of them."
Kyle looked over at John Barnabus, "I think he should come along with us, J. B."
"I got no objections Kyle." John said.
"Why don't we meet back here in about an hour. That should give us time to put some grub together." Turning, John looked at Cooley, "Sheriff do you think you could sketch out some kind of map regarding the Blackburn property?"
"I've only been in the area a few times, but my deputy has been through there many times. As a young man he knew the Blackburn daughter for a while, until she moved back east. I'll get with him and we will see what we can come up with."
"Thanks Sheriff."
| Author Notes | This book has been professionally edited. Writing chapters on FanStory allowed me to get valuable feedback in order to work out the details. So what is read here may not be exactly the same as what ended up in the book. This book was published on Oct. 4th, 2020. |
By Mr. Green
A long line of smoke billowed into the air, rolling and spinning along the spine of the train as it rumbled down the iron rails, making its way through the Cascade mountains. The gray of the early morning hours had long disappeared, and Levi was looking through a small window. He was taking in as much of the Cascade rainforest as he could, before the train moved on to something new.
It began rounding a wide curve, and Levi moved closer to the window. It was puzzling how the eastern part of the territory had so much desert landscape, and yet, as if a magical line had been drawn across the land, he was now looking at the spikes of tall fir trees, lush green shrubs, and a rainbow of flowers in a far off meadow. He glanced upward at the caps of rugged mountains, covered in a blanket of snow. At the highest peaks there were places where the snow clung to the mountain cliffs like veins of pure white gold.
Badger made his way down the small isle between the seats and sat down behind Levi. "Beautiful country ain't it son." Levi smiled. He slid away from the window and looked at his old friend, "It's easy to understand why you love the mountains so much. "
"Look..., there!" The old trapper pointed out the window at the rocky cliffs in the distance. "Mountain goats." Badger said. Levi stared in amazement, as three of them effortlessly moved across the sheer cliff. The old man laughed quietly, "Them critters can stand on the end of a needle and not one of them would fall off."
Levi's attention left the window as he asked, "Have you spent much time in these mountains, Badger?"
Casper Hayes was sitting near-by when he heard the question. He looked at Badger, their eyes met in silence as Casper waited. He wanted to hear how Badger would answer the question. What had brought Badger into these mountains so long ago were events the old trapper had buried deep inside. Casper Hayes rode with Badger during those violent days and he was the only other man on the train who understood that dark time in Badger's life.
"Well son, I come into these mountains many years back to hunt, I did just that, and when I thought my hunting days were done, it was time for me to move on."
Badger glanced out the window again. "If you stay long enough you'll find all kinds of predators trying to live out their lives, in this forest. I've seen wolfs, bobcats, cougars, and grizzlies."
Then he looked out the window and pointed to the clear blue sky. " Have you ever seen two Eagles battle it out up there? Fighting over a newly caught salmon." Badger smiled a reflective smile, "What a sight that is. You'll never see a more beautiful dance. But you'll also find a lot of beauty in the mountains, the meadows, the lakes, rivers, and streams. Once you enter this forest, you become part of the food chain, don't ever forget that son, but it's a beautiful land.
Casper caught Badger's glance, there was an understanding between them. It was a respect born out of surviving tough times. Badger had been hunting alright, but only Casper knew, it was a two legged predator he was hunting, all those years ago.
Those days were done now, they were to be left in the past. Casper Hayes would ride into hell for Badger, and he would keep those days buried deep in the shadows. It would do no good to speak of them now.
"Levi!" Warden Justice called from the back of the train car. "Another hour and we will be coming into Olympia."
The conductor pulled the line twice, and the train whistled loudly as it approached the depot. It was mid-afternoon and there was a lot of work to get done for the guards from the prison. They would transfer the horses, and equipment to the other train. Then the guards would have to walk the entire length of that train, checking each train car. Making sure that all was secure before it left Olympia for the small town of Seatco.
Badger had been through the area before, he knew the name Seatco was an Indian name meaning Ghost Place, or Devil. It was an odd name, it gave a person pause to wonder why it was chosen to build the first Territorial Prison, but the prison sat just outside the town, and the citizens of this community made their living from the forest in which it set.
Governor Semple was waiting inside the train depot when it arrived. He sent word to Superintendent Paine that he would like to see him and the Warden, to discuss the next leg in their journey. Superintendent Paine thanked the messenger and then he asked Levi, Badger, and Casper Hayes, to join them in the conversation.
"The guards will handle the transferring of our stock, and equipment. I would like to introduce you to the Governor while we have the time."
"Do you have everything you need Mr. Paine?" Governor Semple asked.
"I believe we do Governor." Paine replied.
"Good! I understand you will be staying in Seatco tonight."
"Yes sir! We won't get there until sometime this evening. The prisoners will be loaded onto the train tomorrow morning, and we will be heading back to Walla Walla as soon as we can."
"Send me word, when you get back to the prison. Within twenty four hours of your return I would like a report sent to me, informing me of how many prisoners were transferred and your assessment of their condition."
Badger was restless. He had met the governor, but he had no interest in the conversation taking place with all those important men. He had a pressing matter that needed his attention.
"Governor, I'm glad to have met you, but would you mind if I go check on Sallie May?"
The look of curiosity on Governor Semple's face brought out a quiet laugh between Levi, and Casper Hayes. Getting the governor's attention, Levi said, "Governor, he wants to check on his horse. Her name is Sallie May. The governor looked at Levi and a smile crossed his face.
"Of course Badger, you go check on your horse. I won't keep your friends much longer."
Badger thought he had been patient with these important business men long enough. Keeping his manners in-tact, proved to be a challenge when it came to what was really important to him, at that particular moment. With a smile of satisfaction, he looked at Levi and rubbed his hands together, as if he were standing over a warm fire.
"By Gum, the ole girl is probably scared to death." Badger said, as the old trapper spun on his heels.
Sheriff Cooley walked into the depot about then. "Governor!" Cooley spoke up as he approached the small group of men standing near-by. "My deputy told me you were here at the depot. Is this the train you were telling me about in your letter?"
"Sheriff Cooley, Yes it is. This is the train that will be transferring the convicts from Seatco Prison to Walla Walla." Cooley looked at the other men. "Well, you certainly have your work cut out for you. I'll say that much."
Semple took a step back and began to introduce the other men. "Chas, this is Superintendent Frank Paine, and Warden Justice. I just met these other men."
Casper took a step forward, extending his hand, "Casper Hayes." he said. Levi waited his turn, then he stepped forward. "Levi Sawyer. I'm the sheriff over in Walla Walla. were here at the request of the Superintendent and Warden Justice."
Cooley held Levi's hand a moment longer. "You say your last name is Sawyer?"
"Yes! Why?"
Cooley stepped back and looked at Levi, "I recently met your brothers."
Levi looked curiously at the Sheriff. "What do you mean ?"
"John Barnabus and Kyle, right?"
"Are you telling me they're here, in Olympia?"
"Well no. Not now. They left this morning. They're looking for an outlaw who has been seen in this area recently."
"Are they coming back?"
"Yes, but I couldn't tell you when. They rode out to the Blackburn Ranch, a few miles southeast of here. They're looking for a kid named Samuel Blackburn. He grew up on that ranch, until he started down the owl-hoot trail. He began robbing trains, then he disappeared.
The family disowned him a long time ago, but I've been told he's back, and word is, he's riding with some dangerous men."
Levi was hopeful knowing that his brothers were close by.
"Sheriff when they return, would you tell them that I will be going back to Walla Walla in a couple of days and they better find their way over to visit us. "
Sheriff Cooley acknowledged Levi's request. then he looked at Superintendent Paine. "You be careful out there. Knowing there are train robbers riding through this area makes me real uncomfortable.
"We'll have nothing on this train except for the convicts, sheriff. There's nothing for them to steal."
"All the same, You be careful." Cooley said, then he bid his fair-wells and left the depot.
Casper walked over to the window to check on the train, when he saw Badger walking in his direction. Upon seeing each other, Badger raised his arm, indicating it was time to leave. " looks like Badger is calling us back" Casper said as he stepped over to the door and waited for Levi.
"Why would your brothers be looking for this Samuel Blackburn, Levi ?" Levi stopped for a moment to ponder the question.
"I don't know, Casper."
| Author Notes | This book has been professionally edited. Writing chapters on FanStory allowed me to get valuable feedback in order to work out the details. So what is read here may not be exactly the same as what ended up in the book. This book was published on Oct. 4th, 2020. |
By Mr. Green
They had ridden most of the morning and into the mid-afternoon with a couple of stops along the way to tend to their horses, and to their own needs should the situation call for it. It was during one of these stops that John Barnabus once again looked at the map Sheriff Cooley and his deputy provided, before they left Olympia.
The small stream where the horses were watering was cold, clear and inviting. Kyle stooped at the water's edge and cupping his hands, he washed his face and sipped on the next handful. Then, stopping all movement, his head raised, and his eyes peered into the trees, allowing his senses to take in the sights and sounds of the forest.
The sun was casting dark shadows upon the ground, which began to get shorter with the rising of this heavenly orb. Sharp beams of sunlight breaking between each gap of the tall pines that stood at least sixty feet or more. Kyle looked at the flat rocks along the bank of the stream, and listened to the bubbling brook as it washed over and around any obstacle in its path.
His eyes took in the thick brush, the wet moss and deep green foliage covering hidden pockets in the earth that provided homes to critters he could not see. His ears could hear the small birds high in the trees, and in the warm beams of sunlight, he saw butterfly's dancing around brightly colored flowers.
For a moment he forgot that the forest was also a very dangerous place. Mother nature demanded respect, and if you ignored that fact, then you may not make it out alive. Standing up he turned to walk over to where John was still perusing the map.
"What do you think, John?" Kyle asked. " We have found four of the out-buildings so far, and not one of them show any signs of recent activity.
"No! But there are signs of riders in the area." John commented. "Though most of them are old."
Paterson walked up holding the reins to his horse. "How many more buildings show up on the map, John?"
"According to this map, there are only three more. Just up ahead of us is a large grassy meadow, somewhere along the tree-line, there should be a winter bunk-house. At least that's what deputy Henry calls it."
"We must be getting into some grazing land then." Paterson said.
"Well, let's go check this place out." Kyle commented, as he gathered up the reins to his horse.
When they reached the crest of a hill, they all stopped to look at the landscape below. Just beyond the tree-line was a large meadow with lazy cows grazing at the edge of the trees. To the far left of them, another group of bovine were doing the same.
At the end of the meadow was a thick growth of tall pine trees. From where they were at, the three of them could see reflections of the sun glistening off the surface of a small lake. Paterson pointed to the horizon.
"That snow-capped peak you see out there is Mt. Rainier. There should be two other mountain peaks jutting up from this forest. They would be Mt. Baker, and Mt. Adams."
The three of them began working their way down from the crest, stopping just short of the tree-line, and the tall grass, where the meadow began. Staying in the shadow of the trees, they took care to look for any movement out in front of them.
John Barnabus pointed, "There!" Kyle looked in that direction, then john said again, "There, in that clump of trees."
"I see it." Paterson said.
"John, how do you propose we get close enough to observe, without being seen ourselves?" Kyle asked.
"Well, these trees are thick enough to provide pretty good coverage if we can just stay quiet."
Several feet behind them a man's voice was heard. "I would agree, but you boys just weren't quite enough."
Instincts kicked in and there was movement.
"Eeeasy boys! If you make one move towards your guns you won't live long enough to turn around."
Holding only his reins, John Barnabus brought his hands up high, feeling very uneasy. Kyle and Joseph Paterson did the same.
"If you boys are planning to rustle some cattle, you best ride clear of here. Take a look around, just inside the tree-line there are six other men waiting for any of you to make one wrong move, just one. I can guarantee you'll be fitted for a pine box before the day is out."
"Mr. we ain't looking to rustle any of your cattle." Kyle said.
"What are you doing on Blackburn property?"
"We're looking for a man, we're not looking to rustle any cattle. We're just looking for someone we were told might be out here on this property." John said. "Can we lower our hands now, and not get shot?"
"Who is it you're looking for?"
"Samuel Blackburn, we were told he was staying out here."
There was a long pause in their conversation before the rider spoke again. Then, irritation in his voice, he said, "If you're part of that bunch, you just turn your horses and ride on out of here. You won't find Sam, or the rest of that bunch around here. This family disowned that boy a long time ago. We want nothing to do with him or anyone who rides with him."
"Mister, I don't know who you are, but I'm working with the law, and if you will just let us relax for a moment I would like to show you something." John Barnabus requested.
There was another long pause before the rider said anything. Then he rode out to the side of the three men, stopping just to the front of them, where he could look at John Barnabus.
"If you're with the law, what is it that you want to show me?" John brought his hands down, and so did Kyle and Joseph, but they kept their hands on the pummel of their saddles. John reached into his pocket.
"This is a wanted poster, it has the name of your son, Samuel Blackburn on it."
"Sam ain't my son, he's the bosses son."
"Mister, we have reason to believe Samuel Blackburn is riding with another man, by the name of Bo Meadows. He's the one we're really looking for. Is there anything you can tell us about these men that might help us?"
The rider sat quiet for a moment, looking into the eyes of the three men in front of him. He glanced at the tree-line where he knew his men were waiting for some sign, showing them there was no eminent threat.
Looking back at John Barnabus, the rider began talking.
"They were here for a few days. Mr. Blackburn, Sam's Pa, he's been at the lumber yard preparing an order for the lumber mill in Tenino. We haven't said anything to him, because Sam has brought enough grief to Mr. Blackburn.
Once we realized, objecting to their stay would only mean someone would end up dying. Sam told us they would only be around for a short time. So we've ridden out here every day to check on the cattle and to see if they had left."
"So they're not around. Do you have any idea where they were heading?" John asked.
"I can't say for certain, because what Sam told us, just didn't make any sense."
"What do you mean?" Kyle spoke up.
The rider looked at Kyle, "Sam told us that Matt Corey was going to join their gang and they would be riding out soon to meet him."
"Who is Matt Corey?" John inquired.
"Matt Corey is the last partner that Sam rode with. Sam told us, they were going to hook up again."
"You said something didn't make any sense?"
"Well, that's because Matt Corey has been doing time at the Seatco Prison for the last year and a half." The rider paused, and glanced at all three of them;
"He ain't getting out, none too soon."
At that point, the conversation stopped, each man looked at the other. "How far from here is the Seatco Prison?" John asked the rider.
The man thought for a moment, "Well, Tenino is just a small community south of here about five miles, and Seatco can't be more than five or six miles farther south of there."
"Would you let us rest over-night, at that building." John pointed, "Over there in the trees. We've been riding all day and we could use the rest. We'll be gone before the sun breaks the top of the trees in the morning."
The rider looked across the meadow, "You'll be gone by early morning?"
"We'll be gone before the sun wakes up." John said.
"All right, I'll let the men know." The rider began to turn his horse but then he was given to another thought.
"Barnabus! If you're looking to apprehend these men, do me a favor and take Sam away as well. I got no liking for the men he rides with, and Sam? Well he just ain't the same. He turned bad, and one day I'm afraid he will come back to kill Mr. Blackburn for cutting him out of the family inheritance."
There were no words exchanged, the rider just turned his horse and rode away. As the three of them sat still in their saddles, they all noticed the quiet movement in the shadows behind the trees. The men hiding in the forest, protecting their foreman, were leaving.
"Are you thinking about a possible prison break, John?" Kyle asked.
"I think it's possible Kyle. We should get to the Seatco Prison as soon as we can, to warn the Superintendent."
"So we head for Seatco, in the morning."
"Early morning Kyle. I've got a feelin' there's fire and brimstone in front of us, and the devil's own tornado pushing us forward."
| Author Notes | This book has been professionally edited. Writing chapters on FanStory allowed me to get valuable feedback in order to work out the details. So what is read here may not be exactly the same as what ended up in the book. This book was published on Oct. 4th, 2020. |
By Mr. Green
The morning dew was thick in the air, and clung to the douglas-fir pillars that surrounded the prison. The cons were being fitted with the Oregon-Boot, a device that was attached to a boot, with metal rods moving up the leg. Attached to these rods were half-moon weights that could run between five to thirty-five pounds. These weights were locked together around the ankle, after the boot was put on the prisoner, and every prisoner was fitted with one Oregon-Boot before leaving the prison.
Standing in line to leave the prison was Matt Corey, # 057, and Ty Morgan, his number was 048. There were thirty-two convicts waiting in line for the wagons that would take them to the various business in the area. The warden would put them to work in the lumber mills, cutting fire-wood, clearing roads, or at the Sash and Door Factory, while some would be put to work in the brick-yard. All the profits from this labor went to the Warden and his associates.
Matt Corey was dressed in the usual prison clothing of pink and white striped shirt and pants, and a pair of boots, one of which carried a twenty-five pound weight attached to his ankle. "Did you talk to the guard?" Corey asked Morgan. "I talked to him a week ago during the evening meal."
The prisoners could hear the wagons pulling up to the gate. "What did he say?" Morgan looked around for anyone who might be prying into their conversation. He saw one of the guards un-locking the front gate. There were other guards on horse-back waiting just outside the prison walls. "I offered him a hundred dollars, and he said he would take care of it."
"Straighten that line up!" one of the guards called out, as he brought his rifle up to port-arms. He looked at the front gates. They were opened now and it was time to get as much work out of these convicts as they could before loading them onto the train that had arrived late the previous evening.
"Let's go! Onto the wagons." The guard called out. This time, there were three other guards standing near-by. Matt Corey leaned closer to Morgan as the other cons standing in line started to move towards the gate. "Good!" he told Morgan, "That guard has to make this happen before we get back to the prison."
"Don't worry Matt, his family lives near-by and he knows we have someone watching them until he carries out his part of the deal."
"Corey..., Morgan! How many times you gotta be told, now shut-it, and get on the wagon. You're heading for the Sash and Door Factory today. Morgan, you're going with him." The guard was staring at Morgan, there was a slight nod from the guard as they walked by. The two cons raised their palms up and looked at the guard who's heart was pounding in his chest. He had taken a hundred dollars from them, and now they had threatened his family.
"Yes sir boss! You won't get any argument out of us, not today." This was exactly what was supposed to happen Corey thought, and if the guard cared about his family at all, and if he wanted to keep himself from doing time for aiding an escape, he had better carry out the rest of the plan.
When the wagons were loaded, and the cons were seated, they turned the wagons towards town. There were three wagons, and on each side of them were two armed guards on horseback.
The citizens of Seatco had gotten used to seeing the convict work crews rolling through town. Every day they would arrive and every evening they would head back to the prison. There were few worries about escapes due to the Oregon Boot. None of them would get very far even if they tried, not with one of those things attached to their ankles.
The sun was providing just enough light to see, and Warden Billings of the Seatco prison was going to make sure the cons were out to work before Superintendent Paine and Warden Justice had their first cup of coffee.
He was aware of the governor's orders and he would see to it they were returned to the prison with sufficient time to get them all on the train, and when he considered the time of their late arrival the previous evening, Warden Billings did not expect the Superintendent from Walla Walla to arrive at the front gates of his prison for a few more hours.
Leroy Cotton walked into the Sash and Door Factory closely following Matt Corey and Ty Morgan. The place was cold and everything outside was covered with the wet moisture that comes with the rising sun. They were deep in the Cascade Forest and it would be mid, to late morning before things would begin to dry out.
"I know what you're planning." Cotton whispered as he stood behind Corey. There was no response, but Corey's expression turned cold. Morgan wanted to turn around but two of the guards were standing near-by.
Cotton was a no-body, he was doing time for assaulting and killing a young sixteen year old woman, after leaving an opium den in Seattle. Her body was found half dressed in a wet, dark alley. The other cons had no respect for Cotton, and Matt Corey was not about to entertain any manner of conversation with such a man.
"I saw your friend here pass off some money to that guard." Cotton whispered.
"What do you want?" Morgan whispered in return.
"Cotton! Get over here." A guard called out sternly, as he pointed a finger at the convict. "You're working outside today. Now get your ass over here." The guard said as he began to take a couple of steps in his direction. Cotton smiled at Morgan and quickly whispered, "You're taking me with you." Then he turned and walked away.
Matt Corey and Morgan watched Cotton, as he walked over to the prison guard.
"Matt." Morgan began to say.
"I know," Corey whispered, as he paused to look over his shoulder. Through the small windows he could see Cotton looking back at him.
"Matt, we have a problem.."
Matt Corey saw a narrow piece of rusting door hinge lying near-by, kicking it with his toe so Morgan would notice, Corey called out to one of the guards, "Can I tie my boot, Boss?"
He pointed to the floor. "Before I get hurt," he added. The guard glanced over at him. "Go ahead." The guard responded.
Morgan waited for Corey to drop to one knee, then stepping between him and the guard, he watched his partner take the broken piece of metal and slide it into the boot that did not carry the extra weight. When Corey stood up he looked at the guard and said, "Thanks Boss."
They glanced out the windows again, then Matt whispered, "If Cotton becomes a problem, I'll take care of it."
Morgan nodded quietly, before walking away.
The hours passed and Matt Corey spent most of them wondering what to do about this irritant situation. There were only two scenarios he could think of. One, Cotton might take some money to keep his mouth shut, and two, he might be serious about taking leave of his prison term and disappear into some dark corner of the territory. The first scenario was risky, and the second would make him a liability which would leave one other option.
He could kill Cotton, if time permitted, but he knew there was a train waiting for them, and he knew there had been other plans already put into motion. He could not jeopardize those plans for anything. Then, Corey's mind began to ponder on a couple of other possibilities.
A whistle sounded loudly and with the shrill of that whistle, the cons began to stop their work, a moment later, another whistle sounded, this time there were two short bursts, and the cons began to line up in front of the guards.
Morgan stepped closer to Corey, "What are you going to do, Matt?"
"Tell the guard, the plan has changed a little."
"Matt, we can't take Cotton with us."
Matt Corey looked at Morgan and smiled, then he glanced at Cotton who was watching them from several feet away. "The way I see it Morgan, that guard can find some way of shooting Cotton for attempting to escape, or we can take Cotton with us."
"Matt, are you crazy? We can-not take that snitch with us."
"Think about it Morgan."
"Think about what? We are not taking him with us."
The guards stepped closer, "All right, on the wagons, your day is done."
Morgan sat in the wagon, next to Corey, wanting a clear answer to his concern. Cotton had gotten into one of the other wagons, so Matt Corey leaned a little closer, "How long have we been partners, Ty?"
"Since we celled-up together in that hell-hole."
"Knowing Cotton's jacket, how do you think he would get on with my uncle?
Ty Morgan sat back against the side rails of the wagon. "He wouldn't." Morgan said, glancing over at the other wagon where Cotton was sitting, then back at Corey. "If he was lucky, he might last twenty-four hours. As soon as your uncle found out Cotton was a snitch, he'd put a bullet in him.
The wagons pulled up outside the prison and the cons started to fall in-line. One of the guards began walking the line and checking the restraints, as he did a key was dropped into Ty Morgan's hand, then the guard moved on to the next man in line.
Morgan had sown a pocket to the inside of his pants along the waist-line. After slipping the key into the pocket, Morgan's attention was drawn to three riders approaching the prison.
"Who do you think they are, Matt?"
The gates opened, and the cons were marched inside the prison stockade.
| Author Notes | This book has been professionally edited. Writing chapters on FanStory allowed me to get valuable feedback in order to work out the details. So what is read here may not be exactly the same as what ended up in the book. This book was published on Oct. 4th, 2020. |
By Mr. Green
Two guards were standing at the prison gates when the riders approached, and two more were inside a small bastion overlooking the corner of the prison. One of the guards at the gates looked up at the bastion and saw another guard pointing down the trail that led from the town out to the prison. , The guard rested the barrel of his rifle on the framed opening, "We got company Tom." he called out.
Thomas Buchanan was a homely man, slender but strong and lean, with a long beard that was trimmed narrow, and rested on the top half of his chest. His hair was long and ragged, tucked under a sweat-stained derby, that fit snugly to his head. He was wearing a white shirt, long thread-bare jacket and pants that hadn't been washed in a while. His voice was heavy and deep as he took up his rifle and walked forward.
"I see 'em Fred." he called up to the guard.
The three men stopped their horses, just short of the prison walls, "My name is John Barnabus Sawyer, and we have important information to discuss with the warden of this prison."
Thomas Buchanan responded, "If you got business with Warden Billings then you can tell me and I'll get word to him." John Barnabus looked up at the guards observing their conversation, then his attention went back to the guard standing a few feet in front of him.
"I'm working with law enforcement in this area, and we would like to talk to the warden personally."
The guard in the bastion told his partner to get the warden, then he called down to Buchanan, "I sent for Warden Billings, Tom." Buchanan looked at the three men, "Get down off your horse Mr. Sawyer, and your men can do the same. There's a hitching post over yonder.
When the gates came open Warden Billings walked out and approached Buchanan, "What's going on Tom?"
"Mr. Billings, these men claim to have important information, and insist on discussing it with you personally." Warden Billings looked at the three men who were walking in his direction. "Mr. Billings, the man out in front with the wide shoulders, and lean features, he seems to be the one in charge."
"Who is he, Tom?"
"Say's his name is John Barnabus Sawyer." Warden Billings glanced at Buchanan, then, as his gaze went back to John Barnabus, he spoke softly.
"Interesting!"
"Warden Billings!" J. B. said as he extended his hand.
"Buchanan tells me you're John B. Sawyer." Warden Billings said, glancing at the other two men standing near-by.
"Yes sir, and this is my kid brother, Kyle, and Joseph Paterson who has been working with us since we left Olympia."
"What is it that concerns you gentlemen?"
"We come across some information that leads us to believe there may be a prison break planned in the near future." John said.
"That would seem highly unlikely given the present situation." Warden Billings commented.
Kyle looked around and saw the curious attention their conversation was getting from the prison guards. "Mr. Billings, is there some place we can discuss this in more detail.
Recognizing the look on Kyles face as one of concern, Warden Billings said, "You mean more privately!"
"Yes sir!"
"Why don't you men follow me inside, to my office. I would like to hear more about this concern of yours."
The building in-side the stockade was a two story wooden framed structure. There were steps that went to the upper level, but there was no entry to the first level from the outside.
It was soon discovered that the prisoners were kept on the first level, and the only way in or out of that area was by narrow stairs on the inside of the building. There were long narrow windows about three feet in length and each window was about eight inches high, with bars along each window frame. It would seem to be impossible to escape this dungeon like environment, because the officers housing quarters, were on the upper floor.
Warden Billings held the door to his office open as he entered. Joseph Paterson was the last man to enter the office, closing the door behind him. The warden sat behind his desk and gestured an invitation for the others to sit in leather bound chairs. After a quick inspection, Kyle wondered if the chairs had been made by convicts hands.
"Now what is it that brought the three of you to my prison?"
"Mr. Billings, do you know a man by the name of Matt Corey?"
"Yes. He happens to be doing time in this prison. Why do you ask?"
"Do you also happen to know someone named Samuel Blackburn?"
The warden sat back in his chair and looked at all three men before responding. "Yes, I do! Matter of fact Blackburn happened to be Matt Corey's partner at the time of Corey's arrest. From what I've been told, Blackburn narrowly escaped being arrested himself."
"Warden," John Barnabus began, "Kyle and I have been tracking another man by the name of Bo Meadows, and in doing so, we have found ourselves in this place at this time." Billings stood up and paced a few steps. Walking to the front of his desk, he leaned against it and crossed his arms over his chest, his thoughts coming out in just one word.
"Son-of-a-bitch!"
That word captured the attention of everyone in the room, but at that moment, the door came open, and one of the guards walked inside, "Warden Billings, Superintendent Paine and Warden Justice from Walla Walla are here. Billings stepped away from the desk, "Robert," Billings spoke to the prison guard, "Step inside, and close the door, will you?" The guard did as he was requested.
Looking at the other men in the office, Billings said, "You might be interested to know that a Sheriff is traveling with other men on this train at the request of Superintendent Paine. His name is Levi Sawyer." John Barnabus and Kyle looked at each other with a mixture of surprise and concern.
"Robert, would you walk with these men to the front gates, and properly introduce them to Superintendent Paine, and the men he is traveling with?"
"Yes sir, Mr. Billings."
"Gentlemen, if you will go with this man, I will meet you out in front of the prison shortly, There is something I want to check on, in light of our conversation. Something that troubles me." He considered whether to voice his concern at that moment or not, then he decided against the idea, he wanted to be sure he was remembering the facts correctly." I want to check our records for something that might be of considerable importance. I will meet with all of you in a few moments."
The men in the office began to walk out when Warden Billings said, "John, would you tell Mr. Paine I apologize for this delay, but I won't keep him very long." John Barnabus nodded his head quietly, then he walked out of the office, closing the door behind him.
Levi Sawyer walked quickly towards the prison gates after he noticed John Barnabus and Kyle stepping out, behind their escort. They shook hands and John introduced Joseph Paterson, and Levi began to introduce them to Superintendent Paine and Warden Justice, then Badger walked up and John and Kyle both smiled.
"Badger, it's good to see you here." Kyle said.
"Well, at least we know Levi is in good hands." J. B. commented. Badger laughed as he turned to grasp John by the wrist.
"Well, if this ain't just splendiferous." Badger said with a smile that brought out the crows-feet at the corner of his eyes. "I done brought an old pard' with me this time." Badger said, "This here's Casper Hayes, we been keepin' Levi from wakin' snakes the best we can."
Levi frowned at the conversation, as he watched Casper shake hands, then Casper noticed the awkward expression on Levi's face, "Yeh! ole Badger and I, we done been in many-a-scrap together, but keepin' your brother outa trouble..."
"Okay! Now I can keep myself outa' trouble just fine..., don't need no baby-sitters watchin' out for me neither." Both Badger and Casper laughed out loud, as they looked at Levi and said.
"That's not what Elizabeth says."
Everyone laughed and Levi was thankful when he noticed the prison gates open, and he saw Warden Billings walk out.
"Superintendent Paine, I have the guards preparing the cons to ride the wagons to the train depot." Billings said. "Thank you." Paine replied as Billings walked closer.
"John Barnabus said you wanted to check on something."
"Yes, I wanted to make sure I was remembering correctly before I said anything."
"What concerns you." Paine inquired.
The other conversations quieted, as Billings looked over at John Barnabus. "John, you mentioned three names in our previous conversation. At first, I wasn't too concerned about what brought you and Kyle here because the cons were leaving this prison today. but then my concern changed."
"What did you find in your records?" J. B. asked
"It's true that Matt Corey is doing time here at Seatco, and he will be one of the cons on the train today. It's also true that Samuel Blackburn was the last man to ride with Matt Corey before he got arrested. As we were talking earlier, my concern changed when you mentioned the third name, that of Bo Meadows."
"What about Meadows?" John asked.
Badger stepped closer, and Casper saw his old friends hand curl up into a tight fist, but the old mountain man said nothing. Casper knew that name too, and he also knew the fury that was beating inside his old friend.
"John," Billings continued, "Our records show that Matt Corey and Meadows are related. It appears that Bo Meadows is Matt Corey's uncle. That is probably why Blackburn was accepted into the gang so easily. He probably has something that Meadows needs."
Billings saw Superintendent Paine glancing at the other men, then Billings said, "Mr. Paine, I would be very careful from now on, and keep a watchful eye out."
They could see wagons beginning to line up outside the prison gates, and one of the guards working in the bastion called out. "Warden Billings, the cons are about ready to load up on the wagon, but I'm told there is a problem."
"Waht's that?" Billings asked
"They found one of the cons dead. They found him hanging in his cell."
"Who was it?"
"His name's Cotton, Mr Billings. Just a moment sir." The guard turned his attention to someone standing behind him. Then he called out again, "I'm told his name is Leroy Cotton, don't know much more than that sir." Prison guards on horseback were beginning to take their places around the wagons as the cons began to walk through the open gates.
"Mr. Paine, " Billings said, "The guards will see to it that the cons get to the depot and onto the train. Once all of them are accounted for, I will meet you at the depot with the paper work to sign them over to you. In the meantime if you will excuse me, I need to check on this hanging."
"Of course, we will see you at the depot before we leave."
They started to walk to their horses when Levi noticed Badger was missing. He turned and looked in all directions, then he noticed that Sallie-May was also missing. Casper Hayes was in his saddle when he saw the concerned look on Levi's face. "Badger's gone back to the train, Levi."
"Without saying anything, to anyone."
"He said all he needed to say, Levi."
"What's that suppose to mean, Casper?"
"It means we should talk."
| Author Notes | This book has been professionally edited. Writing chapters on FanStory allowed me to get valuable feedback in order to work out the details. So what is read here may not be exactly the same as what ended up in the book. This book was published on Oct. 4th, 2020. |
By Mr. Green
Casper was walking his horse up to the stock car after returning from the prison. Reaching the top of the wooden plank and entering the train car, he noticed Badger was brushing his horse. Standing quietly, Casper listened while Badger vented to Sallie-May.
It was something cowboys, soldiers, and old mountain men took solace from time to time, when their world suddenly changed, or through tough times. Times when they come to understand the decisions they were forced to make could change their life forever.
"It was a long time ago, Badger. You should just let it go." Casper said from the open door of the train car.
Badger turned to face his old friend, "I made a promise, Casper. A promise I couldn't keep because the trail went cold." Casper closed the distance between them, "Let it go my friend." Then Casper's eyes noticed an old skinning knife at Badger's belt.
"I haven't seen that sense the day--,"
"Sense the day we rode into that village." Badger said, "You were there with me Casper, "It's been in my possables bag ever since. I have never taken it out, until today." Casper Hayes was quiet for a moment as the memory of that terrible day returned to him.
"Casper, I gave this knife to Sparrow-Hawk, and his mother made the sheath for it to rest in."
"I remember." Casper said.
"Casper, you know that James Hawkinburough was the man who took me in. He was the man who made sure that I understood everything that my Pa had taught me. He took me in and showed me how to use the knowledge that would make me the man that I am today."
"I know that Badger, Hawk was a good man. I know that he did for you, what you did for me."
Badger stepped to the door of the train car and stopped.
"Casper, we now know, the trail went cold because at some point, Bo Meadows was arrested and went to prison. Now he is out of prison and he has not changed his ways. He's going to bring trouble to everyone on this train."
Casper looked at his old friend, as he prepared to leave his horse. "Badger, wait a moment."
Badger waited until Casper had finished taking care of his horse, then he said, "Sparrow-Hawk was James son, and when James died, it was up to me to look after Sparrow-Hawk like he was my own son."
Badger put his hand on Casper's shoulder, "He was the only son I ever knew, and there is a debt that I owe to James, and the promise I made to Sparrow-Hawk's mother, I can't, let it go.." They both turned to leave the train-car, "Badger, we both know that is only part of the truth."
"What are you talking about, Casper?"
"In your eyes, you have adopted someone new, another son, and you have been teaching him everything you can about the old ways of living in the mountains, ever since you arrived in the Walla Walla Valley.
You have been teaching him, with the hope that when you're gone, your knowledge will not be lost forever." Casper waited for a response, but the old mountain man said nothing. "What about your promise to Elizabeth, to make sure that Levi makes it home safe."
There was a slow, pondering smile under his whiskers as Badger realized his friend, Casper, was speaking true. He was caught between two promises, that was sure enough, and he had to face the fact that he couldn't let go of either one.
"I don't think I can do this without your help, Casper."
Casper Hayes gave an understanding nod, and with that, they walked side by side looking for Levi who was watching the prison guards take the convicts from the wagons to the passenger car where they would remain in shackles until they reached Walla Walla.
Superintendent Paine, Warden Justice from Walla Walla, and Warden Billings from Seatco were taking care of the paperwork, while the other prison guards were making sure everything else was in order.
Steam bellowed as the man in the tender-box threw wood into the fire to heat up the engine. A whistle blew and word was spread from man to man. Ten-minutes, was the call. Ten minutes until departure.
Word passed from train car to train car, as everyone boarded. Another whistle blew as the man in the tender-box continued to work. The sound of metal on metal began as the wheels started to turn, and the train slowly moved forward. A burst of steam suddenly erupted from the sides of the engine, and another whistle was heard as the long metal snake began to slither down the tracks, slowly gaining speed as it left the town of Seatco.
Levi waited for Badger to begin making rounds on the train, checking on the prison guards who were positioned at different locations. Some were in different train cars, some on top of the train cars, and some were watching the convicts. When Levi saw that John Barnabus and Kyle were helping Badger, he approached Casper who was standing by himself at the back of the same train car he was in.
"You said we needed to talk."
Casper looked around, there was no-one near-by, "Have you noticed the knife that Badger now carries on his belt?"
"No, Why? What's on your mind, Casper."
"There is a story that goes with that knife." Casper said.
Levi said nothing more, he just waited. The look on Casper's face was one of concern. It told him whatever Casper had to say was important, and now he understood that it had something to do with Badger, a man who had become like a father to him. So he waited.
"Levi," Casper began, "Many years ago, a man by the name of James Hawkinburough roamed these mountains and when Badger was a young man, Hawkinburough took him under his care when he found out who his father was, and began to show him how to apply what Badger's father had already taught him. He showed Badger how to live in the mountains, and when I first met Badger, he did the same for me.
In time, I met James who had by then taken a Nez Perce wife and was raising a young boy in a small village. The half-breed son was named Sparrow-Hawk by his mother. Badger and I began to visit the village every winter.
Sparrow-Hawk was about ten years old when his father died, so Badger started teaching him everything he thought his father would have wanted him to learn."
Casper paused for a moment, it was difficult bringing those days back from his memory.
"Badger and young Sparrow-Hawk became very close, and if he were not so young, Badger would have taken him along on the hunt that day. But instead he told the boy to stay and to protect his mother. Not having any idea, the impact those words would have on him when we returned.
.
His mother was, Spring Rain, she was a strong beautiful woman, who chose to raise her son in the way of the Nez Perce, knowing that Badger would teach him what he needed to know to live in both worlds.
Badger would take the young boy with us to hunt, and to trap beaver whenever we could, and on those days, we would never be gone for more than a few hours. But when Sparrow-Hawk was about fourteen years old, Badger, and the rest of us, along with some of the young warriors in the tribe, left the village for one of the last hunts before the heavy winter snow came.
That's when Badger left the boy behind, that's when he told him to stay and protect his mother. When we returned, we found the village burned to the ground. Small children, young women, and old men had been murdered. There were few survivors, but Young Sparrow-Hawk, had been killed, and his mother was dying. By that evening, we had put together the events of the day, best we could.
When Badger found the boy's mother, she was suffering a bullet wound. She had run to hide in the trees during the attack, clutching the hand of her son, but the attackers were destroying everything in sight and when Spring Rain approached the tree-line someone spotted their movement.
His mother fell in the chase, when her foot landed sideways in a small hole, forcing her to the ground. Sparrow-Hawk realized she could no longer run, so he told her to lay quietly in the tall grass, Since he could not move her to safety by himself he broke from his mother and got the attackers attention, then he ran, trying to draw the attackers away from his mother.
They turned, intending to run the boy down. That is, all but one man, who saw Spring Rain hiding low, in the grass.
He left his horse and began attacking her, she fought back, gripping a skinning knife she slashed him across the side of the face along the jaw line, taking most of his earlobe. The attacker stood, covering the side of his face with his hand, he screamed with pain, as blood ran between his fingers. The other men called him, by name, telling him they had the boy.
Bo Meadows skinned his revolver and fired one round. Then, while he stood over her dying body she told Meadows that Badger would find him. She said, the look on his face told her that he didn't understand.
Then he got on his horse and rode to where the other men were. Before Spring Rain died she told Badger about the attack and she told him about the scar she had left on the side of Bo Meadows face.
Levi, that knife was Sparrow-Hawks, he had given the only weapon he had to his mother so she could defend herself. Than he ran off trying to draw them away from her.
Badger promised Spring Rain that he would find the men who were responsible. He has carried that knife with him ever since. We spent two years looking for the men who made this attack. Some were killed in gunfights, some by misfortune, and then there were the three that we did find.
That left only one man, the man who murdered the wife of his close friend, and the only son he ever knew."
Casper paused again, to form his thoughts, then he said, "But when the trail got cold, Levi, we had no choice but to give it up for a time. Until something new would put us back on Meadow's trail, but nothing did. That's when we parted company."
Levi was taken in by the story and didn't know how to respond, but Casper wasn't finished.
"So I made plans to start up the Snake River and Badger told me while we sat around our last campfire together, that he needed to rest his soul for a while. He said he wanted to find an old friend who lived in the Walla Walla Valley. He said he was going to find someone named, Albert Danley.
The door to the back of the train car suddenly opened. "Are you boys gonna jack your jaws the whole trip,"
Levi smiled, "No Badger, as a matter of fact, were not."
"Well, that's good." Badger replied, "Because the conductor just told me, we will be going along the Columbia River, about the time the sun sets." He looked at Levi, "...and a sunset on the Columbia River is something you just don't want to miss." His gaze moved, as a big smile crossed his face, "....ain't that right, Casper."
"That's a fact," Casper said, as he looked at Levi, "Mother Nature can be a beautiful lady when she wants to be."
Badger huffed, "Yep, just don't piss her off. If you don't respect her, she'll lift you right up off the ground and spit you out a hundred miles away."
Levi laughed, and Badger wrinkled his brow.
"Son, I heard a story once many years back, of a man who set out to tame that woman. Why, she just scooped him, his horse, and his dog, right up off the ground and not a soul has heard from him, or his horse. Now his dog was found roaming around the Texas Pan-handle," Badger winked at Casper, "...But that poor dog, he ain't talkin'."
They all laughed, as Casper wiped the tears from his eyes, then he put his palm on Badger's shoulder.
"Come-on Badger it's time to make another round, and check on the men. I'll help with this one. Levi you should check-in with Warden Justice."
| Author Notes | This book has been professionally edited. Writing chapters on FanStory allowed me to get valuable feedback in order to work out the details. So what is read here may not be exactly the same as what ended up in the book. This book was published on Oct. 4th, 2020. |
By Mr. Green
Matt Corey sat next to the window, his fingers touching the restraints around his wrists. The train was nearing a bend that would take them eastbound along the Columbia River. He could feel the slightest vibration reverberating from the iron rails upward and eventually through his body.
He could smell the change in the air as they got closer to the water. To him, there was a growing sense of freedom, a freedom that he had not known for some time now.
He saw the sky was beginning to change colors, as the sun crossed overhead, and the deep dark shadows of the thick forest were becoming sparse. As the shadows thinned out, his memories of this land started to return. He knew the thick forest would be replaced with a more desert like landscape, and he knew that somewhere along these tracks, Bo Meadows would be waiting to free him from his captivity.
Ty Morgan leaned forward slightly allowing his hands to rub the lower calf of his left leg. It wasn't really his leg he was touching, but the Oregon Boot that had been anchored to that leg, and the twenty pound weight that was secured to it.
"These damn boots have almost crippled me." Morgan thought. Then he sat up in his seat and his fingers found the pocket he had sewn to the inside of this waistband. "Not for much longer." Morgan felt the key the guard had given him when they returned to the prison.
Corey was sitting next to Morgan, feeling his movement he turned. Morgan smiled, but they said nothing. Corey looked around the train car, to the front were two prison guards and to the back of the car, there was one prison guard. He was older, and as he watched him for several minutes, he decided the older guard could be easily distracted. There were ten rows of seats in front of them and three rows behind them.
Corey looked at Morgan again, who was looking at his waist, his eyes followed Morgan's and he saw in Morgan's right hand he was holding a prison key. That key would get them out of their restraints when the time came. Morgan slid the key back into the pocket, and Corey went back to looking out the window, anticipating their freedom would not be long coming.
The door at the back of the car came open and Levi Sawyer walked in, followed by Badger and Casper Hayes. "Everything quiet?" Levi asked the older guard. "Yes sir." he said. Levi walked between the seats followed by Badger, while Casper stayed with the prison guard.
Levi visually checked all the restraints on one side, while Badger checked the restraints on the other side. When they got to the front of the car, Levi asked the guards if they needed a break. After they both declined, Levi and Badger returned to where Casper was waiting.
"Looks good, Casper." Levi said.
"All right!" Casper replied, "Then we should check the con's in the next car."
__________________________________________________________________________
"What is it, Pete" Bo Meadows said to the man who had just rode up to the small homestead house. Meadows was standing on the porch when the cowboy stepped from his saddle.
"Boss, we saw smoke coming from Ceader Bluffs."
Meadows took a drag from his freshly rolled quirley. "I been waiting for that. It looks like the train will be reaching the river soon." Meadows said.
There were twelve hard men standing in front of the house. After several moments of thought, Meadows spoke again, "Pete, take two men and ride up on the bluffs about five miles from the Blalock Station. Stage yourselves high enough to look down on the train when it passes."
Pete waited to see if there were any more instructions. Seeing his hesitation, Meadows said, "You know what to do when the train passes." He stared at Pete, "Or do I have to spell it out for you."
"No sir," Pete said, quickly turning to gather his men.
Meadows looked around at the others, "Byron, you take two more, and find a place, a little closer to the station."
Byron Smith, was a lean man, standing six feet tall, with a square jaw, and a face full of deep lines and thick stubble. He nodded his head, "Yes sir, boss." Turning he pointed at two other men, and motioned for them to follow him.
"Byron," Meadows called out. "We need to cut their numbers by as many as possible, before they reach Blalock Station."
"Understood, Boss." The outlaw turned and walked away.
Meadows looked at the other six men, "Carter, you're going to be point man. You ride out about a mile from the station. As soon as you hear any gunfire, you get back here. We need to be at the station and ready when the train arrives."
Carter turned and walked away to saddle his horse.
"The rest of you, make sure you have everything ready, when Carter reports in, we ride out... No Excuses. That train will need to take on water for its boiler. If it misses this station it won't make it to Walla Walla."
Alvin Marks was just twenty-two years old, and up to now he had always held his own. He stood silent and watched the others as they left the front of the small house, and headed for the barn.
Marks had met Meadows three years earlier, when he was down on his luck, and needed to steal, just to survive. He was taken in by the images he had in his head of all the adventures he could have on the outlaw trail.
Over time, he had reached a point where he didn't like the things he had witnessed, and yes, he had to admit, some of those things, he had participated in. So now he was riding with this man just to stay out of prison.
There were two things he learned along the way. One was that Meadows was an evil man, he was born void of any humanity. The other thing Marks had learned, was that Bo Meadows scared him. Deep down, he scared him to the core.
But Alvin Marks had never been faced with the concerns that consumed him at that moment. The owners of this small farm were an elderly couple who had done nothing wrong. They had spent their whole lives caring for a tiny piece of land that could barely provide for them, and now they were tied-up in a small bedroom at the back of the house.
Meadows struck a match to what was left of the quirley. He looked up at the changing sky and thought it was going to be a beautiful night. Soon their plan would be put into play, and Matt Corey would be riding at his side once again.
Nothing could stop him now.
____________________________________________________________________________
"Hey, Levi. Look at this." Casper said as he held his coffee in one hand, and pointed out the window of the train car with the other. Levi had just gotten a cup and was pouring his own coffee when he heard Casper. Looking in his direction, he could feel the pull of the train as it rounded the curve.
Badger glanced over and smiled, "You don't want to miss this, son." Badger said as he walked over to join Casper.
As Levi bent to glance out the window, a bald eagle was dropping, gliding across the smooth ripples in the water, its reflection moving over the surface. Levi was in awe of the majesty in such a bird. The wings were pulled back, high. His body arched slightly as the predators talons stretched toward the water.
Levi couldn't help but think there was an intelligense in this bird of prey, and then suddenly the talons reached through the surface of the water, and came out with a large fish. The wings flapped with a beautiful grace, another powerful movement of the wings and it soared high into the air. As it did, Levi took in the colors of the setting sun.
Badger smiled at the expression on Levi's face, for he was deeply proud of this young man, and honored to have been a part of his life. "What do you think, Levi." Casper said. Levi was still looking out the window.
The sky was dotted with clouds that were dark gray on one edge, but the sun's reflection gave a deep golden-yellow color to the edge closest to the horizon.
Running through these clouds were streaks of soft blue sky, and purple hues, inner-laced with orange and gold bands that stretched across the far horizon. In the reflections on the river you could see a narrow line, deep golden in color, that pointed directly at the setting sun.
"Sure is a sight to behold, ain't it." Levi said.
"Sure is," Badger replied.
Warden Justice entered the train car about that time.
"Levi,"
"Yes, John." Levi said, as the three of them turned.
"We got one more stop to make on up the tracks a ways. We'll be stopping at the Blalock Train Station to take on more water."
"How much farther?" Levi asked.
"It'll be another hour, maybe a little longer."
"Thanks, John, we'll make another round and notify the others."
Warden Justice turned to leave the car when Levi said, "We've been real lucky so far, but we have not needed to stop the train until now." They looked at each other, then the old mountain man said, "We better make those rounds, Levi."
"I'll go with Badger." Casper said.
"Okay, I'll find J. B. and Kyle. You and Badger take the back of the train, and We'll take the front of the train."
"Levi," Badger spoke up as they started to part company.
"Yes, Badger."
"Once that sun sets, it's going to get real dark out here."
Nothing more was said, but they all understood what Badger meant. The old man paused before turning around. He watched Levi walk to the front of the train car and into the next.
"Badger!" Casper Hayes called over his shoulder.
"I'm right behind you, Casper."
| Author Notes | This book has been professionally edited. Writing chapters on FanStory allowed me to get valuable feedback in order to work out the details. So what is read here may not be exactly the same as what ended up in the book. This book was published on Oct. 4th, 2020. |
By Mr. Green
The crest of the sun was resting on the horizon and the shyness of the stars was slowly overcome with the darkening of the night sky. The sounds of the train echoed off the bluffs running along- side the Columbia River.
John Barnabus was stepping from one train-car to another looking for Kyle, when he thought he heard a high pitched ping off the heavy metal frame. Putting it off to be just another abstract noise from the movement of the train, he stepped into the next car.
Kyle Sawyer had offered one of the prison guards a break and was standing his post while the guard stepped to the dinning-car for a cup of coffee. "Any problems Kyle?" J. B. asked.
"No, nothing so far." Kyle responded. "The prison guard should be returning soon. I'll join you in the dinning-car when he does."
John Barnubus looked around, he could feel the rumble of the tracks underneath him, and the subtle sway of the train-car. "Alright Kyle, I'm going to check on Levi. I'll see you back in the dinning-car."
Badger was returning from the back of the train. He had paused just long enough to strike a match to his pipe when he too, heard a high pitched ping. Stopping the lucifer from touching the tobacco in his pipe he blew the fire out and stood silent for a moment, listening intently to his environment, he stood motionless.
He sensed it at first, it was an uneasy feeling that told him, something was wrong. The prison guard was making his way back to where Kyle was waiting. He too heard the same noise, and then another ricochet glanced off the metal frame. He turned toward the window. As he did a bullet suddenly shattered the window, then second window, closer, much closer.
The guard gripped his rifle and dropped as low as he could, trying to make his way to the next car. He had to get back to his post. He saw the door open at the back of the car, and he put his hand up, trying to stop Badger. But the old mountain man heard the shattering of glass as he was in-between the cars at the time.
"You alright?" Badger called to the prison guard. "Yes, but I can't see anything through these windows. It's too damn dark out there."
The wind was blowing through the broken windows, the vibration of the train began knocking more shards of broken glass from their frames, they broke into even smaller pieces, and slid across the floor.
The guard lost his balance, as the train swayed from side to side. Putting his hand out to catch himself, the palm of his hand landed on sharp edges causing a deep cut across the length of his hand. The man cried out as he saw the broken glass embedded in his flesh.
Badger had to yell above the noise from the train, "Stay down, I'll see if I can spot anything from the top of the car."
Another prison guard opened the door to the dinning-car where he saw Levi and J. B, standing with Warden Justice.
He stepped just inside the doorway and called out, "Get down." The men in the car turned to face the guard. He called out again, "Get down, were being fired upo...." Another window shattered, then the guard felt the impact of the bullet slam into his chest. His body slumped to the floor.
Casper Hayes had gone to check on the cons, when he noticed the old prison guard who stood at the back of the car was watching the bluffs along the tracks. When he noticed Casper, the guard motioned for him to come to his location. Casper walked down the narrow isle between the seats where the cons were sitting, He had their attention, including that of Ty Morgan, and Matt Corey.
"What do you see out there?" Casper asked
The guard whispered, "Flashes, just flashes."
Casper looked out the window and saw nothing, then he noticed a shadow crossing between train-cars. When the door came open Levi entered.
"Casper, someone is shooting at us,. Someone up on those bluffs." Casper looked at the old prison guard, who told Levi, he had seen flashes of light coming off the bluffs, but with the movement of the train he could not be sure just what they were.
Levi whispered, "One of the guards was shot in the chest. He's not dead, but he is out of commission. We're doing the best we can to save him."
"Levi, where is Badger and the others?" Casper asked.
"I haven't seen Badger for a-while, but John Barnabus and Kyle are ok. They wanted to check on the other guards and make sure Superintendent Paine and Warden Justice are still safe."
Matt Corey was watching the back of the car intently curious about the conversations that were taking place. "Ty, something is going on, something these guards don't want us to know about." Morgan glanced at the group of men standing at the back of the train car. "Do you think it has something to do with Meadows?"
"I'm almost certain of it." Corey said.
"Then it won't be long now."
"We have to be ready, Ty." Corey whispered as he watched the back of the train-car. "When the time comes, we have to be ready."
Ty Morgan felt the key resting in his pocket, then he heard a man cry out from the top of the train-car..., there was a clatter, and a rifle fell past the windows..., then a body.
Levi called out, " Get down, everyone, get down." The cons dropped between the seats as low as they could.
Corey heard a window shatter. He watched, as glass fell into a near-by seat. "Ty, can you get to the key from here, if we need it?" Corey raised his head and looked around, then he looked at Ty Morgan, "We're going to have to be fast, when we do this."
"I know that Corey."
J. B. and Kyle Sawyer entered the train car and approached Levi. "We got bigger problems, Levi." Kyle said.
"What now?"
"Don't you feel a change." John Barnabus began to say.
Levi looked at his brothers in silence.
One of the guards opened the door at the back of the train car, seeing all of the cons hunched between the seats and the other men hunched low and watching out the windows, he wasn't sure if it was safe to enter. He hesitated, but the look on his face was enough to tell Levi even more trouble was on the way. He moved to the door where the guard was standing.
"What is it?" Levi asked.
"We saw three riders from the back of the train. They are riding like the wind, off those bluffs. It looks like they're trying to catch the train."
Levi looked back at his brothers, then he turned to the guard. "Go back and protect the Warden and the Superintendent." The guard nodded and turned to leave.
"What'd the guard say, Levi." Casper asked.
Levi repeated the message.
"We have to check on the conductor, and the man in the tender-box." Kyle said.
They all just waited, consumed with the same thought but fear-full of putting them into words, until Kyle spoke up, as quietly as he could.
"The train is beginning to slow down, Levi. That means the man in the tender-box may have been shot, possibly the conductor as well."
Levi was trying to stay focused, but with all the chaos taking place he had to gather his thoughts. Then he said, "John, you and Kyle check the front of the train, find out why we're slowing down. Casper and I will find Badger. We have to stop those riders."
| Author Notes | This book has been professionally edited. Writing chapters on FanStory allowed me to get valuable feedback in order to work out the details. So what is read here may not be exactly the same as what ended up in the book. This book was published on Oct. 4th, 2020. |
By Mr. Green
Carter pulled back hard on the reins, stopping his horse just outside of the small farm house. When he caught his breath, he saw the silhouette of a man through the open door on the porch.
"Meadows, get out here." He stepped from his saddle and held onto the reins, "Boss !" He called out again."
"What is it." Bo Meadows replied as he stepped outside onto the porch. Realizing it was Carter, who was calling his name, he brought the quirley from his lips and waited.
"The shooting's started." Carter said. "Their attacking the train from the bluffs."
Meadows smiled and dropped the quirley, at his feet, then he pressed his boot onto it. "Carter, tell the men to get their horses..."
Carter began to turn away,
"...and tell Marks I want to see him."
"Will do boss." Carter said as he turned his horse and walked away.
Bo Meadows looked into the small house and wondered about Alvin Marks, he was beginning to show a little too much compassion and Meadows was questioning his loyalty.
He walked inside and poured a shot of whiskey, then another, as he waited. One by one, his men gathered outside, then he saw Marks walking up to the house. Meadows looked at the door to the back room where the elderly couple had been tied to chairs, whenever they weren't needed. He knew they were waiting, wondering what their fate would be.
"You wanted to see me, boss." Alvin Marks said. He had looked into Meadows eyes many times, but what he saw at that moment was different. His expression was cold and distant, "Are you ready to ride?" Meadows asked.
"Yes sir."
Meadows caught Marks glance over his shoulder. He was looking at the door to the back room. Then their eyes met again, "What about them?" Marks asked. Meadows walked past Alvin Marks and stopped just short of the front door, before turning around.
"I want you to kill them."
The young outlaw stared at Meadows for a brief moment, "Is there a problem?" Meadows inquired. The young man turned on an impulse, glancing at the closed door behind him. Then he faced Meadows again.
"Boss!"
"What is it, Marks?"
"Boss, I never questioned things before, but ..."
"You tellin' me you ain't got the sand to kill a couple of witnesses."
"I ain't never killed no woman before. That just don't seem like the right thing to do."
Marks voice was shaking, and Bo Meadows could sense the weakness. He stepped forward and stood very close, so close that Alvin Marks could smell the whiskey on his breath. He leaned forward, his face, just inches away from the young outlaw.
"You come with me." Meadows said, then he walked past Marks and beyond the closed door.
Alvin Marks stood just inside the room, when Meadows walked up to the old man and pulled his revolver from the holster. Holding the revolver in place for several seconds, wanting to study the fear on the old farmers face, then he pulled the trigger one time. The bullet blasted into the old man's chest and tore open his heart. Then his body went limp in the chair.
The old woman stared in horror as Meadows turned and took two steps, placing himself in front of her. Tears left the corner of her eyes and began running down her cheeks, as she looked at her husband.
Meadows waited, but she refused to look at him, She could only see the man she had spent the last forty years with. Disappointed, Meadows fired once again, her head jerked backwards and Meadows listened as her last breath left her body, before he put the colt revolver back into the holster.
His eyes shifted to the doorway where Marks was standing. "They said they wanted to be together for eternity."
He walked up to the young outlaw and stopped. "I reckon they got their wish."
Alvin Marks couldn't say anything, there were no words in him to describe what he had witnessed. Meadows had crossed one of the moral lines that Marks had drawn for himself when he started down the owl-hoot trail. Now he stood in silence looking into those cold eyes of Bo Meadows.
"Saddle-up." Meadows said, "We have a job to do, and make sure there are two horses with empty saddles, ready to ride."
"Yes sir, Boss." with that said, Marks turned away. His hatred for this man was growing, he knew this would be his last ride with Bo Meadows.
Meadows gathered his gear, and started to leave when he noticed there was one last cookie left on a plate from the night before. He picked it up and tipped it towards the door at the back of the house, then he smiled and said, "Thank you ma'am, right friendly of you," Turning, he walked out of the house and closed the door.
The train was moving about thirty miles an hour, there were bluffs that appeared naked except for a few trees and high brushes with a few draws that wound their way upward, to thicker trees and small lakes and streams.
The forested landscape was turning into dry sand and sagebrush, as the train moved east-bound towards the Blalock train station. On the other side of the train, was the Columbia River, with the night sky above, and moon-beams bouncing off of the ripples in the water.
Levi and Casper heard the Sharps rifle as they moved between cars. Another blast from the Sharps and Levi motioned for Casper to climb the steal ladder to the top of the train-car.
The air was brisk as it moved through the gorge, along the river, and Casper found the metal ladder was damp with moister. When he peered over the top, the cold air made his eyes begin to water, but he could see Badger lying prone on top of the car. Holding onto the metal frame, with one hand, and his rifle with the other, he offered the cuff of his pants to Casper. It was something dry to hold onto, helping him to the top.
Badger called out, "Where's Levi?"
The train rocked to one side, then the other as it moved down the tracks, and Casper grabbed the rail of the ladder with one hand and held onto the cuff of Badger's pants with the other. Just when Casper began to answer Badger's question a bullet hit the top of the train-car and one of the prison guards aimed his rifle and fired in return.
"Levi's right behind me, Badger." Casper said over the noise of the train, as he secured his position on top of the car.
He turned and saw Levi's hand grasp the top ring of the ladder. Casper gripped Levi's other hand and helped him to the top of the train-car. As they watched the trail along the tracks from the back of the train, it was hard to make out the riders as they moved in and out of the dark shadows.
Levi watched for several moments, when he noticed that even though the train was slowing down, the riders were keeping pace with the train, but they did not seem interested in trying to close the distance.
Suddenly one of the riders healed his horse as the train began a strait stretch along some high bluffs on the opposite side. In the darkness of the night, in the passing moonlight and shadows, and the swaying of the moving train, Levi couldn't be sure how many riders were closing the gap.
Casper heard the ping of a bullet ricocheting off the opposite side where the bluffs were. Then another, and this time Badger heard it as well. He was looking at Casper when the rider fired several times from his horse.
Levi knew the men on horse-back could not get a clear shot with all the movement, but that caused some curiosity and a great deal of concern. The riders appeared to be shooting at random. Trying to draw their attention away from the bluffs.
"Badger !" Levi called out. "Pass the word, and get everyone inside the train now." In that instant Badger replied, " The riders are a decoy."
"That's the only thing that makes sense." Levi said, when two more bullets ricocheted off the metal frame sending sparks into the night. Badger began to move down the ladder, between the train-cars. Casper told one of the prison guards to pass the word on to anyone left on top of the cars, to get inside.
Ty Morgan and Matt Corey could feel the train slowing down, they began to pick the broken glass from the frame next to where they were sitting. Piece by piece they pulled the glass shards from the frame and tossed them outside as the train moved down the tracks.
It didn't take long for them to remove all of the sharp edges, and then they stopped to check on the prison guards, who were still more interested in what was going on outside the train, then what was going on inside.
"It's time to prepare for our exit, Ty." Corey whispered. Ty Morgan reached into the pocket and took out the key.
"Don't take them off Ty, Just loosen them so we can slip them off quickly when the time is right. If they make rounds to check on us, it has to look like we are still secured in our restraints."
Morgan agreed, and began to do as he was told.
"Casper," Levi called out, then he stopped mid-sentence, and they looked at each other, just for a second.
Levi smiled, the train was starting to pick up speed. "Casper, make sure all of the lights inside the train are put out. They can't kill what they can't see, and their bullets alone will not stop this train."
When Casper climbed down from the top of the train-car, Levi turned to check on the three riders at the back of the train.
He could make out two of them, their horses were winded, and they had begun to slow down. But the third man, where was he? That rider had disappeared. Then in a beam of moonlight, Levi saw the third horse standing along the tracks. He also noticed the saddle was empty, and the rider was nowhere in sight.
If there was even a slight chance that outlaw made it onto the train, he had to warn the others before someone else got killed.
| Author Notes | This book has been professionally edited. Writing chapters on FanStory allowed me to get valuable feedback in order to work out the details. So what is read here may not be exactly the same as what ended up in the book. This book was published on Oct. 4th, 2020. |
By Mr. Green
Levi worked his way back to the dinning-car. As he did, he noticed many broken windows, and in one train-car there had been a small fire started when one of the oil lamps had been shattered by a bullet.
The rich maroon colored drapes had caught fire, and there was some fire damage to two seats, and a large wooden desk. Some of the train-cars were riddled with bullet holes but the damage to the train had been minimal. As he passed each of the prison guards he inquired about their well-being, before moving on.
The Convicts were slowly finding their way back into their seats. Matt Corey and Ty Morgan sat quietly watching. Their eyes followed Sawyer as he passed their seat. Each of them tugged on the sleaves of their striped prison shirts to cover as much of the restraints as possible.
When Levi entered the dinning-car, he saw the prison guard who had been shot. The bullet had been dug out of his flesh, and it appeared the angle of trajectory along with the strength of the window pane and the movement of the train, had desepated the energy of the bullet considerably, preventing it from entering deep into the guards chest. By all indications he would recover.
Scanning the area, Levi saw Casper Hayes and Badger checking on Superintendent Paine and Warden Justice.
"Is everything ok, Badger?" Levi asked as he approached.
"Appears to be, Levi." Badger said.
"Things seem to have quieted down some-what," Badger continued as he looked around the dinning-car, "...But my hacales are still up. I just ain't feelin' too good about this. Trouble ain't passed us by yet, son. I know that much."
"How about you, Casper?" Levi asked.
"I'm with Badger, Levi. Somethin' just don't feel right. All the effort it took to set up two ambushes like that, and then for all of it to just stop. Nah, just too much effort for it to end like this."
Casper looked over at Badger, then back at Levi. "We better be ready for whatever's comin'." He looked out the windows facing the river. "You look out there Levi. You get more than ten or twenty yards from this train, and it's gonna get darker'n a bear's cave at midnight."
Levi let a moment of silence pass, before he gave a quiet nod, indicating he wanted them to walk away so they could talk.
"You feelin' the same way, son." Badger asked.
"One of the riders back there..." Levi started to say, when the door at the end of the train-car came open, it was Kyle Sawyer. Levi waited.
"Kyle, you seen J. B.?"
"No, I was on my way to check on him. The last I saw of John Barnabus, he was going to check on the Conductor, and the prison guard who was assigned to the tender-box.
"Before you do that, I was about to tell Badger, and Casper something." His tone became a whisper, "Something you need to hear too.
"What is it, Levi?"
"When the shooting stopped, I noticed the riders at the back of the train began to fall back. I spotted two of them easily enough, but I lost the third rider somewhere in the shadows and the chaos of the shooting.
Then I saw his horse standing alone, along the train tracks. I don't know if he was shot, or fell from his horse." Levi paused and looked around the train-car. The trip had made it possible to know every prison guard traveling on the train, and for the moment he recognized everyone who was standing near-by.
"My concern is that neither of those situations may have taken place. The man on that third horse may have gotten onto the train."
They all took a moment to look around. "If that's what happened, than we have a huge problem." Casper said.
"Kyle, do you know how far we are from the Blalock Train Station?" Levi asked.
"No, but I can find out from the Conductor when I check on John."
"You don't have to do that, Kyle." Joseph Paterson said as he approached. Paterson had just walked away from the windows, as he did he glanced out the opposite side of the train-car, where the Columbia River was flowing by. In the distance there was nothing but the dark of night, the stars, and the softness of the moon, reflecting off the ripples.
"I've made this trip before." Paterson said. "Judging from the bluffs we just passed, the station shouldn't be more than fifteen or twenty minutes from here."
Levi was wondering how much of their conversation Paterson heard, but judging from his casual approach, Levi didn't think it was much.
"In that case." Levi said, "We better walk through the train one more time to check on the convicts. and to let the guards know we're approaching the station."
Concerned about John Barnabus, Kyle was the first to leave the group. Kyle knew, as did the others, that John had no idea there might be an outlaw on the train, and the lack of that knowledge might just get him killed.
"Joseph, why don't you come with me to check on the convict cars." Levi said.
"Alright, Levi. Can you fill me in on what's got the three of you all huddled up like this."
Levi leaned in closer to Paterson. "We're looking for a stow-away." Paterson looked puzzled. "Come-on, I'll tell you on the way to the next car."
Kyle Sawyer quickly passed through the convict cars on his way to the front of the train. Moving as quickly as he did from one train-car to the next drew the attention of the outlaw, who was just ahead of him and slowly making his way in the same direction.
The large man stopped for a moment to listen, then he hid in the dark shadows of an empty car as the train swayed back and forth on the tracks. When he figured the young man had passed him unnoticed, he quietly drew his knife from the scabbard and began to follow.
| Author Notes | This book has been professionally edited. Writing chapters on FanStory allowed me to get valuable feedback in order to work out the details. So what is read here may not be exactly the same as what ended up in the book. This book was published on Oct. 4th, 2020. |
By Mr. Green
Kyle turned the latch at the end of the train-car and opened the door. As he stood between the cars, he began to feel the train slowing down. To keep his balance, he reached for the ladder at the back of the timber-box. There were two loud but short whistles by the trains conductor. He reached out to grasp both sides of the ladder when he heard the latch to the door behind him. Holding onto the ladder with one hand he turned and called out;
"John, is that you?"
He waited, but the latch went silent, and the door remained closed. Kyle paused for a moment doubting himself, but when no one opened the door he turned and proceeded up the ladder to the top of the tender-box. From there he could see John Barnabus talking to the conductor, the prison guard began to throw another chunk of wood into the furnace but the conductor stopped him.
"John, I need to talk to you, Kyle raised his voice, as the trains whistle cried out once again into the dark early morning. The train began to slow even more. It was crawling towards the water tower now, so Kyle climbed over the back of the tender-box and was making his way to the engine-car where J. B. was standing.
The latch turned again and the door opened this time. Caleb Hoag had placed the knife back into its scabbard and he was checking out the land as the train began its approach to the water tower. He looked both ways, paused to listen for anyone who might be near-by.
Then he jumped from the train. As his feet fought to keep his balance, the dark shadows of the night did their job of hiding him. and the steam bellowing from the sides of the train as its mass slowed to a stop, muffled any noise the outlaw might have made.
His feet stumbled and he rolled into a patch of tall wild grass. When Hoag stood up he began making his way to where he thought Bo Meadows would be waiting. Then he heard another whistle. This time it wasn't the trains whistle, this was different. Only seconds had passed when he realized what it was.
The guards on the train carried whistles around their necks to alert anyone of trouble. Caleb Hoag heard the shrill of the guards whistle again and he stood frozen in the darkness, not knowing if the guard had seen him. He dropped to his knee and waited silently among the trees and tall grass along the railroad tracks.
"Stop!" the guard called out.
Two figures were running toward the river. The guard put his rifle to his shoulder and took aim. When neither of the two men stopped as they were ordered to do, the guard fired, and one of the men dropped to the ground, the other one continued to run. The guard took aim again, and fired..., the second man dropped to the ground.
The outlaw waited, there were no more shots. He looked toward the train and saw a handful of men gathering along side one of the train cars. Then he saw the reflection of a tin star as Levi Sawyer interacted with the other men.
While Hoag was on the train he overheard many conversations taking place, and Hoag had done his best, to remember any information, he could take back to Bo Meadows.
So it was true then, there is a sheriff on this train, Hoag thought. But what about the two men who came with him?
Unfortunatly those conversations only revealed their names, but he knew nothing of them. He did know the Pinkerton Agency had sent someone to look for Meadows, so he began to wonder if one of the men riding with the Sheriff might be the Pinkerton man. He waited in the darkness, knowing the sun would be rising soon.
The men who had gathered at the train began moving in an organized manner. Some began moving in the direction of the two convicts who had run from the train, others began walking along the side of the train.
Caleb Lucius Hoag was focusing on Levi Sawyer every time the light from the train-cars reflected off of that tin badge.
He took his revolver from the holster and braced the back of his right hand against the trunk of a tree, his left hand gripped the handle of the revolver to help steady his aim.
"You won't be looking for us much longer Sheriff." Hoag whispered to himself as he waited, and watched for the reflection of that tin star to identify his target.
Levi turned and the outlaw fired, then he dropped to one knee, hiding in the brush, beside the tree. The bullet had missed it's intended target, it missed the sheriff's heart. Hoag's aim was off, but Levi felt the sudden pain as it tore a hole in his flesh just above his right hip.
Levi's legs buckled and he fell to the ground. One of the men called out his name. Levi was too fearful to look at the damage, he was in shock and he could feel the warmth of his blood as it soaked into his shirt.
"Levi's been shot!" one of the men cried out.
John Barnabus was one of the men who had started down the path toward the convicts, Kyle Sawyer was just a few yards from Levi at the time. Casper Hayes and Badger along with two prison guards were moving toward the stock-car intending to get their horses. They were all returning to check on Levi.
"Did you see where the shot came from?" J. B. asked, looking at Kyle.
"No, we were all focused on returning the convicts to the train,"
Casper interrupted the conversation, "We need to get Levi on the train, so we can check the wound."
Badger stared into the darkness as if he could see right through it. Casper had seen that look before, and he knew what was building inside his old friend. He also knew that Badger would see to it there would be no more trouble tonight.
Warden Justice ordered four of his prison guards to gather up the two convicts and return them to the train, then he and another prison guard who had treated bullet wounds before looked at Levi's side. The bullet had gone clear through.
They cleaned the wound and dressed it the best they could. After Casper had the opportunity to check on Levi, he left the train to find Badger.
"How's Levi?" Badger asked.
Casper was startled at first, because he only heard Badger's voice. But then again, he should have expected such a thing. He knew Badger wouldn't be seen in the mountains unless he wanted it that way.
Casper smiled as his old friend approached, "The bullet went clean through, and the wound has been taken care of, best we could, but he will have to be checked out by a saw-bones when we get back. Levi's in better spirits now. For a moment there, he thought he was going to die."
Badger was quiet for a long time, after Casper spoke those words, then he said, "That would have meant I had broken my promise to Elizabeth." Casper had wished he had kept his mouth shut. "You have never broken your promises. Not to me, not to Levi, not to Elizabeth..., not to anyone, and you won't break this one, my friend."
"He's still out there, Casper. Meadows is still out there."
"Yes, but his days are getting shorter, and we'll.....," Casper, was interrupted, when they heard several men standing outside, calling for Superintendent Paine. As the two of them walked closer they could see that only one of the convicts had been returned.
"Mr. Paine," one of the prison guards said, "This one was cowering in the dirt. He must have gotten real scared after bullets started flying."
"What about the other one?" Paine asked.
"He's nowhere to be found sir. We looked, but in this low light, we ain't gonna find any sign of that one."
Mr. Paine looked over their shoulders from the top steps of the train. The river was right there, not more than a hundred yards from the train, and across the river was Oregon Territory. He whispered something under his breath, then he said;
"Alright, get this one back on the train, put him in shackles and one of you stay with him until we get back to Walla Walla.
"Casper," Badger said quietly, "I need to ask something of you."
By the time Casper headed back to check on Levi several minutes had passed and Badger began walking along the train-cars. Casper wasn't happy about the message he had to give to Levi, and his brothers, but he would do what the old mountain man had asked of him.
"Casper! I'm glad I found you." John Barnabus said as he approached him from the side of the train. "John, what's on your mind?"
"Now that we know that Levi is going to make it back, We talked it over, and with him laid up, and a train full of convicts to get back to Walla Walla, I figure, as a federal agent, I'm the only person here with the authority to arrest Bo Meadows and his men."
Casper looked puzzled, "By your self?"
"No! Kyle is going to ride back with Levi, and stay with him until he can recover from his wound. I was hoping you and Badger would join me in my search for Meadows."
"John!" A man called out from the train. Their conversation interrupted, they turned to find Joseph Paterson standing behind them.
"John, Kyle told me what you're planning. You're not the only Pinkerton man on this train."
:Sorry Joseph, you're right, I'm not."
"I'm riding with you." Paterson said.
J. B. started to comment, but before he could say anything, Paterson continued, "I've been on Meadow's trail for a long time now, and it was me who Mr. Pinkerton sent you to for information. So don't think that I'm just going to sit this out..."
"Joseph," J. B. said. "...I'm glad you want to finish this. You know this country much better than I do."
There was a pause in their conversation when John looked around, surprised that Badger wasn't at Casper's side. "Where is Badger anyway?"
He's saddling his horse." Casper said.
"Good, then it's settled. We'll see him at the stock-car."
"I won't be going." Casper replied.
John Barnabus looked straight into Casper's eyes, wanting an explanation, but not wanting to ask for one, so he stood patiently.
"Badger has a debt of honor to pay, and I have a promise to keep for him, so he can pay that debt." Before anyone could say more, Casper said, "Don't ask, and if you want to ride with Badger, you better get going, cause he ain't waitin'."
John Barnabus and Paterson turned to walk away when Casper called out one last time.
"John!"
J. B. turned around.
"Let Badger be. Don't tell him what to do or how to do it."
Casper raised his arm and with an open palm he pointed to the horrizon. As he passed his out-stretched arm toward the river and the mountains, that silhouetted the rise of the morning sun, he said;
"This is where Badger feels most at home, this is his element. Out here, there is no better man to have at your side. Now that he knows Meadows is still alive there is nothing that will stop him."
Casper paused just for a moment, deciding on the wisdom of voicing his thoughts any further, then he said, almost in a whisper;
"Not even you."
"Thanks, Casper." John said, trying not to read more into those words than was needed.
"Before you go."
"What is it, Casper?" John Barnabus said, before turning away.
"Like I said, John. Out here there is no better man to have at your side, but understand me when I say this. If you give him reason, nothing would frighten me more than to have that man hunting me in these mountains. Not with the fire that's burning inside of him right now, and when you find Meadows. "
Casper took a few steps closer; "...I would be very careful about what you do next."
| Author Notes | This book has been professionally edited. Writing chapters on FanStory allowed me to get valuable feedback in order to work out the details. So what is read here may not be exactly the same as what ended up in the book. This book was published on Oct. 4th, 2020. |
By Mr. Green
After a careful search was made to find the stowaway, it was determined that the outlaw was probably never on the train in the first place.
So after two ambushes an escape attempt by two inmates, and Levi getting shot, the convict train began its journey once again to the Washington Territorial Prison, outside of Walla Walla.
Badger watched for several moments, before he took the reins of Sallie May and began walking her down the tracks watching for any sign that would lead them to where Bo Meadows and his men would have been waiting.
At first the sign was pretty clear to both John Barnabus and Badger, they started at the location where the guards stood outside and called for Superintendent Paine.
They took several moments to study the boot prints left along the tracks. Careful in the way they studied the area, trying to remember the location of each guard.
Then John Barnabus and Badger looked at each other, there was agreement in their eyes, as they turned their attention back toward the brush and the trees leading to the river. "That's Morgan's boot," Badger said, pointing to the ground.
"We got him," J. B. said, "...Now all we have to do is follow his track back to where they split up."
"Sure enough, and that's where we'll find Matt Cory's trail." Badger said, as they booth stood and looked into the tall grass.
Joseph Paterson followed closely, as he watched in wonderment at the patience, his partners took, to remember every detail before moving forward.
He noticed Badger would not only look for sign on the ground, but his eyes would gaze upward into the brush and he would study the foliage, and the fallen timber and branches, and the fallen leaves that lay damp upon the ground. He seemed to take it all in, and then somehow put it all back together again.
It wasn't long before they came to the area where Matt Cory had left on his own. This was evident by the multiple boot prints surrounding the area, indicating the guards had taken Morgan into custody and proceeded back to the train.
The sun was rising and Badger kneeled, taking a small twig lying near his feet, he gently moved some leaves on the ground, revealing the under-brush. He got J. B.'s attention and pointed at the sharp edges printed on one of the leaves.
"It's Cory's boot print." Badger said, without disturbing the leaf, His eyes took in the natural curve of the impression that was left by the weight of the inmate's boot, and determined the logical direction he would have gone.
"It looks like he took off through these trees. Badger said. He pointed to a slight change in the way the tall grass was laying. "He took a bit of a turn up yonder." Badger commented.
John agreed, then he noticed small fragments of cloth hanging from a branch on a fallen tree several feet away. It wasn't from Matt Cory's prison uniform, they were pink and white stripes. No! This was something else, someone else.
"He can't hide from us now." Paterson said with a false sense of confidence.
Then John Barnabus was back to looking for more sign. After a few yards, there was nothing. The trail had ended with one last boot print. In frustration he stood from his crouched position and looked around.
Glancing at Badger he said; "it's like he just disapeared."
Badger said nothing, he just took a long pause, cogitating every detail his old grey eyes could take in. Tracking was about patience, and it was about reading the environment. Something was missing, that was plain enough alright.
Badger took another look at the last boot print, trying to figure out which way Matt Cory' would have gone. There was nothing but a fallen tree and more brush and tall grass. Badger took a few steps forward. When he got closer to the fallen tree, he saw something that was out of place.
He backed away from the tree and returned to where the last boot print was found. He glanced at John Barnabus and then he carefully back-tracked.
When he had wondered several feet away, Badger kneeled at one point, something had caught his eye. Then he stood up and motioned for John to join him.
"There." Badger said, pointing. "What do you see?"
"looks like animal droppings." John said
"What else?"
John took a closer look. Then his eyes glanced in the direction of the boot prints they had already found. Standing, he looked at Badger.
"Why you old codger, you figured it out."
"Ain't figured the whole picture, yet," Badger said. "There's one more thing we need to look at."
As they walked, Badger explained.
"I gotta thinkin', the trail ended with one boot print. To my way of thinkin', his other boot had to have landed somewheres."
They both stopped at the last boot print. "Then I noticed that the ground had been disturbed at the place where the toe pushed the soil forward, and not in a normal way neither."
They began walking to the fallen tree, just a few feet in front of them.
"The trail disappeared because the convict jumped onto this tree and began to make his way down the trunk, staying off the ground as much as possible."
"What makes you think that, Badger?" Paterson asked.
The old mountain man pointed at the tree trunk and looked at John Barnabus.
"Step closer Joseph, I'll show you." John said, looking at Badger with a new found respect.
"When Badger took me back along Cory's trail he showed me where the convict had stepped onto a pile of animal droppings as he ran through the trees."
Badger pointed to the boot print on the ground, and said, "When he done reached that point there, the hooligan jumped onto this fallen tree and some of the dung from his boot was left in the bark of this tree. Badger paused to see if Paterson understood. Then he continued.
" We can follow his direction by following the dung left on the trunk of this tree.."
Joseph Paterson shook his head slowly, amazed at how the puzzle was put back together. Looking at Badger he asked, "Now what do we do?"
We continue to follow the trail young feller, that's what we do. We know when he reached this point, he was desperate to find Meadows. We're not far from the river now, so his tracks won't be hard to follow from here."
Shortly after Matt Cory's trail left the fallen tree, John Barnabus found another trail that met-up with Matt Cory's. "What do you think, Badger?" John asked.
Badger scratched his whiskers as he studied the back trail of the stranger for several moments. As he did, the attack on the train played out in his mind.
"This is the owner of the torn cloth we saw hanging on that branch back yonder."
John Barnabus turned, he too looked at the back trail the stranger left behind, and before he could voice his thoughts on the matter, Badger spoke up again.
"John, I think we just found the outlaw who shot Levi."
They were following two men now and they were both heading for the banks of the Columbia River.
When Badger, J. B. and Paterson emerged from the trees they found an area where several horses had stood idle. It was still mid-morning, the air was clear, the sky was deep blue with patches of clouds gliding on a cool velvet wind.
The river was wild, and yet gentle at the same time, with ripples exposing small white caps as the great river made its way. Twisting and turning through the mountains and valleys, pushing its mass to the Pacific Ocean..
"It looks like they headed down river." John said.
Badger sat quietly in his saddle, glancing over the terrain/ He reached down and rubbed Sallie May on the side of her neck. "How you doin" ole girl."
He could feel her lungs expand and contract as she took in the clean mountain air. Her ears would twitch now and then, but she held her head high, she knew where she was. Her breathing was calm, being in these mountains was nothing new to her.
Badger sat up in his saddle. Turning, he reached for his parfleche and took out some pemmican. After securing the war bag, he said;
"There's only one reason to move in that direction."
John waited for Badger to gather his thought, but Paterson didn't have that kind of patience, so he asked.
"What reason is that, Badger?"
"Bo Meadows. He knows his name is going to be all over Washington Territory." Badger said, turning his attention to the far side of the river.
"There ain't but one place for him to go from here. Across this river is Oregon Territory and from here, it is the only place Meadows has left to go. The closest place to cross this river is about two miles in that direction." He pointed at the trail in front of them.
They began to move their horses down river when Paterson rode up along-side Badger, "We better stop at the nearest town and send a report to Mr. Pinkerton."
Paterson glanced over at John. "... He's gonna want to know where we are, and how this is going" John watched the expression on the old mountain man's face, and said nothing. He knew the reality of the situation was right in front of him.
Badger had no intentions of leaving this trail. Bo Meadows had left deep scars in his life too many times. This time he would personally send him to hell.
His only response to Paterson's request was to bite off a piece of that pemmican, then he gave a quiet glance at John Barnabus Sawyer, followed by a long silence as he continued to follow the trail.
When J. B. looked into Badger's eyes, that's when it struck him. For it was in that moment, he understood the words of Casper Hayes.
| Author Notes | This book has been professionally edited. Writing chapters on FanStory allowed me to get valuable feedback in order to work out the details. So what is read here may not be exactly the same as what ended up in the book. This book was published on Oct. 4th, 2020. |
By Mr. Green
The convict train pulled into the walla walla depot, about mid-morning. Casper Hayes and Kyle helped Levi get off the train first, followed by Superintendent Paine and Warden John Justice. Waiting for them at the depot was Charley Company from Fort Walla Walla.
The fort was located along a small creek just south west of town. Most of the soldiers were young men, not yet seasoned to the ways of the army, some even appeared too young to shave, but they had gotten their orders the night before, to be at the depot, and in their best uniforms. They were to escort the convicts to the new prison upon their arrival.
Two old con's sitting near the window, smiled. One of them quietly commented, "Why, they ain't nothin" but boys, Bart."
Bart Cannon leaned forward and whispered, "It sure looks that way, Orville?"
Orville Mason was a large man standing six feet three inches and close to two hundred and twenty pounds. He had deep lines in his face and leather-tough skin from living most of his life on the owl-hoot trail. He looked out the window once again, and watched the young soldiers in their neat clean uniforms.
"I think it's time to have some fun, Bart?" Cannon's face wrinkled into another smile as he leaned forward, "What-cha thinking'-a-doin'?"
Superintendent Paine stood beside the train and watched as the warden, and Kyle helped Levi into a wagon, then Kyle sat down beside him and took the reins. Casper had brought Kyle's horse and tied the reins to the back of the wagon. He did the same with Levi's horse.
Then he shook hands with Warden Justice, and climbed into the saddle. Turning, he saw the superintendent over-seeing the guards, as they put the convicts into the wagons. Casper called out;
"See you soon, Mr. Paine."
The superintendent waved, "Take care of Levi, Casper. I will try to make it by to see him tomorrow."
Wheeling his horse towards the depot building, Casper reined up not far from an older, broad-shouldered Sergeant, with dark hair and an equally dark beard. He was just about as dapper as an old soldier could get.
"Thank you Sargent, for your help, we'll return the horse and wagon to Fort Walla Walla as soon as we get Levi settled."
"You're quite welcome Mr. Hayes.. You take care of the Sheriff, we have plenty of wagons to transport these convicts."
Casper gave a slight nod of apprreciation then he proceeded to catch up to Kyle and the wagon he was already directing to the local saw-bones office.
Superintendent Paine walked up to the nearest solder he could find, "Corporal, where's your commanding officer."
The soldier stood at attention, "Sir, that would be Sargent Maccabee."
"His first name?"
"That would be John, Sir."
"Where can I find Sergeant John Maccabee?"
"He's standing over there next to the depot building, sir"
The Superintendent smiled, "Thank you, Corporal."
When Maccabee noticed the Superintendent approaching he turned and extended his hand.
"Mr. Paine."
"Sergeant,"
"Mr. Paine, I have orders to help escort these convicts to the prison. I am also under orders for myself and my men to staff the prison for twenty-four hours. Replacing you, and your men, so all of you can get some rest after your long journey."
"Thank you, but we have a great deal of work to get done, before this day comes to an end."
"Very well, Mr. Paine. Once the con's are secured, my men will watch the prison, and your men can begin their twenty-four hour leave."
"Thank you, Sergeant, it will be a well-earned rest. I will see to it, word is passed on to my guards."
The first convict stood at the top of the steps before leaving the train. He smiled at the young soldier who was waiting for him. His carbine in hand the soldier stood silent as the large convict secured in chains, took the first step and smiled at the young man.
He playfully glared at the soldier and waited until he could see the young man was uncomfortable. Then both of his feet left the last step at the same time.
When the convict touched the ground, he saw the soldier was at least four inches shorter than he was. The large man in shackles smiled again, and said.
"Are you afraid of me, boy? I think you're afraid of me."
One of the guards saw what was happening and called out, "Mason, step over here... Now!"
When it was Bart Cannon's turn to leave the train, he looked out at all of the young faces in uniform, and called out, "Hullo Kids, been waitin' long?"
He spotted a young soldier he wanted to intimidate but the old Sargent had stepped closer, to back the young man up, if he needed it. Cannon could see right away when their eyes met, this old Sarg was no-one to mess with.
Once again, a guard called out, "Cannon, get on this wagon, there's a lot more men to get off of that train."
As the wagons got closer to the new prison, the convicts starred at the massive stone structure sitting in what used to be a wheat field. It was considered to be the largest stone structure of its kind west of the Mississippi River.
In front of them stood granite walls, 15 feet tall with towers located at each corner, with an administration building attached to the front wall.
In the middle of the administration building was a huge archway for wagons, staff and supplies to enter, before being allowed into the perimeter of the stockade.. Sitting on top of a hill, made the prison seem even more massive.
"Damn thing looks like a castle. Don't it?" one of the younger convicts said. "It sure does," two other convicts in the same wagon said as they got closer to the main gate.
The first convict responded, "Yep. look at that thing. It's like it jumped right out-a one of those fairy tales, parents read to their kids."
Both of the old con's looked at the young outlaw, "Only, this ain't no fairy tale, kid."
When they got to the administration building the guards were told to line the convicts up in pairs and to have them stand along the road leading up to the main prison complex.
As this was happening, the soldiers stationed themselves on both sides of the con's, to make sure none of them attempted to run away. About that time, a reporter from one of the local newspapers arrived at the front gate.
The Convicts entered the penitentiary eight at a time. Their first stop was to see the prison photographer where photographs were taken. One from the front, and one from the side. Then they were taken to an area of the prison where two large tubs were located. The guards told the reporter, these were called plunge-baths.
They were large enough for ten men to bath at one time. Once the first group of con's were bathed, they received clean prison uniforms, and were then marched to the barber-shop where all of the hair on their head and face was shaved. They were then taken back to the photographer's shop where more photos were taken, one from the front and one from the side.
The reporter followed the groups inside the prison as they were taken from one station to the next. After each of these steps were completed, they were then marched to one of the living units where they were assigned to their cells, two convicts per cell.
As the guards took the Convicts to the living units,, four other guards began escorting the next group and the process began all over again.
The reporter continued to take many notes as he observed the interactions between the guards and the prisoners.
Once all of the con's had been assigned to their cells, Some of the con's were escorted to the kitchen where they would help prepare a meal. When it was completed, the first meal was brought to the living units and served at the cell fronts.
Superintendent Paine left the area once the convicts were secured and left the supervision of the meal to Warden Justice. One of the Con's called out to the warden and told him, the food was the best meal he had, had in a year. According to the reporter, this meal consisted of rolled oats, hot cakes, syrup, white bread, and hot coffee.
When the meal was completed Warden Justice left to give his report to Superintendent Paine. Upon entering his office Mr. Paine was standing at a window overlooking the prison grounds. It was about 2 p.m. but the warden saw the stress this transport had put on Mr. Paine.
"Are you ok? Frank."
Turning his head, Frank Paine looked at Warden Justice, "Yes, I suppose, John."
"What's on your mind?" The warden asked.
"John, I have twenty-four hours before I have to write my report to the Governor, regarding this transport. Somehow I will have to find the words to tell the governor how guards got shot, and one convict escaped, while they were under my watch."
The warden was quiet for several moments, then he turned and closed the door to the office, leaving just him and Ssuperintendent Paine in the room. "Frank, we haven't heard from the posse yet regarding the status of prisoner Matt Cory."
The Superintendent stepped away from the window and walked over to his desk. Letting the palms of his hands rest on the back of his leather bound chair, he looked at the Warden.
"John, it's been a long trip. I've been given some time off to rest along with you and the rest of the guards." He stepped to the coat rack and took his hat.
"I think it's time to take advantage of this moment. I'm going home. Tomorrow I will ride into town and check on Levi, then I will come back to this prison and begin my report."
On his way to the door, Superintendent Paine stopped at the warden's side. "Matt Cory is in the wind, John. That is what I will have to tell the governor, and it happened on my watch."
Warden Justice stood silent as he watched the door to the office close.
| Author Notes | This book has been professionally edited. Writing chapters on FanStory allowed me to get valuable feedback in order to work out the details. So what is read here may not be exactly the same as what ended up in the book. This book was published on Oct. 4th, 2020. |
By Mr. Green
Bo Meadows had stopped twice to look at his back-trail. He studied the landscape and watched the shadows in the scattered cluster of trees and brush, for long periods of time. Taking in every detail as if a sixth sense was telling him something was different, what it was, he could not guess.
He had dodged the law before, and if there was someone out there..., No, he told himself, it was just misplaced paranoia, Just one of the fortunes of war, that came with the life he was forced to live. A life that was forced upon him by a violent past. At least that was the rational he used to justify his actions.
He reached up and took the leather string that was tied around his neck and pulling it from behind his shirt, his hand grasped the arrow-head that was tied to it. Something he had worn since he was a child. He dug it from the neck of his dead Pa, leaving six others still in his body when he buried him.
Meadows was only ten years old, but he remembered that nightmare, and all the horror that came with it. They were memories that were so deeply imbedded in him that his fear of IIndians, had grown into a deeply rooted hatred. Maybe they were out there, he thought, Maybe they were watching him right now.
Matt Cory rode up alongside of Meadows, "You alright?"
Meadows attention was distracted, "I'm fine, Matt." he said, slipping the arrow-head back behind his shirt. "We'll stop and rest the horses, for a time. We got us several more miles to go, and we could all use a few minutes out of these saddles."
How many men did you take across this river. Say, in the last hour or so.? Badger asked.
Like I told you, this little steam-boat, she don't take on a lot of weight. So I took four men and their horses over the first time, and five men and their horses the second time.
"This is the same spot you dropped them off?" John Barnabus asked.
"Yes sir, pretty close." The boatman said, after spitting a chaw of tobacco onto the bank of the river.
"What do you mean, pretty close?" Patterson asked
"Mister, this is a wild river, and I can't control her any more than I can control my own wife"
He wiped his rough calloused hands on his bib-coveralls that was damp with spray from the rivers current, and pushed aside strands of gray hair covering a round plump face, and a set of very bushy eyebrows. "Where I come from, pretty close means ... pretty close."
Badger smiled, the man had character, and Badger liked him. "Did you hear any conversations about where they might be heading?"
"No, but by the looks of them, my guess would be somewheres around Arlington country."
Badger was about to ask the obvious question when the boatman said, "I don't reckon none of you been through this country recently. Arlington is a small community. Citizens began settling in the area as recently as a couple of years ago, maybe a little longer. Back in 85 as I recall."
At this point he paused, "Are the two of you really Pinkerton men? Never mind, it's just that I ain't never met no Pinkerton man before. Don't mean to question ya."
"What is it about Arlington?" J. B. asked.
"Well, for one thing, the town is still new enough that it ain't even on some of the maps, and it's the closest place to get supplies if you're a-lookin' to move on."
"I have one more question." Badger said..
"What is it?"
"Did you happen to see a man with a scar riding with them?"
"Yes sir. He was with them alright."
"You're sure?"
"Mister, he's the one who paid me to bring them across the river. He tried to cover that scar with a necker-chief, but I saw it alright. An ugly scar, took off some of his earlobe."
"Thank you" Badger said. "Can you point us in the direction they were heading, last you saw them?" Badger asked
The boatman brought his hand up and he pointed to a draw that headed deeper into the hills along the river. He told them what he knew about the land and how to get to Arlington. Then he looked at John Barnabus.
"Mister, a man don't get a scar like that for being a model citizen. I would prefer when you see him, you don't say nuthin" about our conversation."
"We won't." J. B. said, then he reached into his pocket and handed him four-bits, and when the boatman looked at him questionably, John took another two-bits from his pocket. The boatman smiled, "Thank you kindly, mister."
When John turned his horse away from the river, he saw Paterson was waiting for him, and Badger, well, he was already headed for the draw. John was no longer sure if the old mountain man was an asset.
He understood that Badger knew his way across this land, and John needed him for that reason, but, at this point, it would be anybody's guess, how this journey was going to end.
They followed the trail towards Arlington for a while, when Badger noticed something was half buried in the dry dirt, several feet from the trail they were on.
Tracks headed up a coulee where a stream of cold water could be heard on its way to the Columbia River. Turning Sallie-May in that direction, Badger soon discovered that his attention had been drawn to a prison uniform.
"Looks like Cory has shed himself of his prison clothes." Badger said, looking at John Barnabus.
J. B. sat tall in his saddle, stretching the muscles along his spine. "Looks that way, Badger." Paterson studied the terrain for any sign, "Looks like they may have cut from this main trail and headed up that coulee to the top of the ridge."
"That would be my guess." Badger said, after he got back into the saddle. "The only way he could-a shed his prison clothes is if he had regulars on underneath em. Joseph Paterson took his hat from his head and was wiping his brow when he heard Badger.
" That coulee is going to be our best bet."
Meadows stood silently watching the trail they had just ridden when Caleb Hoag brought him a cup of coffee. Hoag turned and looked in the same direction as Meadows.
"Boss, we been ridin' together for some time now, and I ain't seen you look so spooked."
"Caleb, my gut keeps telling me that somethin' just ain't right, and I can't figure it out."
"If you're thinkin' about that Pinkerton man that's supposed to be trailing you? Well, if you are, I can tell you, my guess is that he's probably one of the men who was ridin' with that sheriff on the train, and from the conversations I heard while I was on that train, my guess would be his name is Casper Hayes."
Caleb paused for a moment to sip his coffee, then he said, "I can't figure one man would risk ridin' against all of us. He probably rode back on the train to get more men."
"You're probably right Caleb. You said there were two men riding with the sheriff?"
"Yea, but that other one, he was too old to be a Pinkerton man."
"Too old?"
"Yea, I'm sure of that. He was probably just an old friend. Come along to help out where he could. He sure had the respect of the other men though. I haven't figured that out yet."
Caleb paused again to drink the last of his coffee. "... and besides being old, what Pinkerton man would go by the name of Badger."
Bo Meadows felt a chill run along his spine, as he recalled that day, long ago. Turning, he looked at Hoag.
"What did you say his name was?"
"Everyone called him Badger."
Meadows thoughts flashed quickly through the events of several years past, when he and the men he was riding with raided a small Indian camp. Killing those they could find, and burning their tee-pees.
Then a question came to his mind, that Indian woman, who was she? He had never been afraid of any living man, but how do you fight the words of a dead woman. A woman he had killed with so little regard. Her last words came back to haunt him.
Badger will find you.
"Caleb, tell Matt Cory, Jackson, and Ned, to get their horses. I need to talk to them now." Caleb Hoag had never seen Meadows this way before. "Sure boss, I'll send them to you rightly." As Caleb was walking away Meadows called out, "And put that damn fire out..., Now!"
When Matt Cory and the other two outlaws approached, Meadows tossed Cory a rifle, then he looked at Jackson, "Do you know your way to the hide-out?"
Jackson, somewhat surprised, said, "Yes sir, boss. I know my way."
"Good." Meadows replied, Then he glanced at Cory. "Matt, I want you and these men to ride our back-trail. Find out if anyone is following us. If you don't find anyone after a couple of miles or so, Jackson here, will take you to the hide-out."
Matt Cory was curious, "And if we do find someone?" Without any hesitation, Meadows said, "Kill them."
Not wanting to risk testing Meadows emotions, there was a silent pause in their conversation before Cory said, "Sure Bo, we'll take care of it." They were turning their horses when Meadows stopped them.
"Matt! This is your chance to show me, the effort I put into breaking you out of prison was worth it." His expression changed and Matt Cory suddenly felt uneasy when he heard Meadows say, "Don't let me down."
When they stopped to let their horses drink from the cold stream that ran through the coulee Badger smiled as he took in the sights and sounds that surrounded him. Two squirrels chased each other up a nearby tree. He heard some frogs along the stream bed, and he could smell the freshness of the green foliage that grew all around him..
When he had washed his face and Sallie-May had drank her fill of the cool water, Badger took her reins and walked her to a nearby cluster of trees, then he found a comfortable place to sit on his heals and lean up against one of the trees to wait for J. B. and Paterson. Near-by two butterflies danced around a cluster of flowers.
Badger smiled, he hadn't felt this way for a long time. His eyes caught sight of a bald eagle perched high in the trees and Badger took a deep breath. Glancing up at Sallie-May he whispered to her, "This sure feels like home."
As he turned his attention back to the running stream, everything changed, natures alarm system was going off, and everything was quiet. Badger's senses sharpened as he listened. In nature, this normally meant a predator was near-by.
This wasn't the right country for bear, could it be a pack of wolfs, or maybe a cougar. Badger stood and took the rifle from the boot along Sallie-May's saddle, then he found some shadows created by tall brush and squatted on his heals again, watching for any sign of danger.
J. B. and Paterson were still at the bank of the stream. Then the explosive bark of a rifle was heard, and Paterson fell to the ground, next to where his horse was standing.
| Author Notes | This book has been professionally edited. Writing chapters on FanStory allowed me to get valuable feedback in order to work out the details. So what is read here may not be exactly the same as what ended up in the book. This book was published on Oct. 4th, 2020. |
By Mr. Green
John Barnabus had just filled his canteen and was standing next to his horse when the shot was fired. Grabbing his rifle he darted across the stream and into the tall brush and foliage, disappearing into the trees.
From there he turned and saw Paterson on the ground, then he scanned the opposite bank, there was no sign of Badger, only his horse Sallie-May, standing in amoung some trees. He began moving up-stream looking for the assassin who dry-gulched Paterson.
Badger noticed that J. B. was moving too quickly through the trees, he whispered silently to himself, - damn fool, slow down. The foliage and limbs were springing back into their original place, giving his position away as he moved up-stream,
Badger could follow him too easily. The old mountain man had already started up-stream right after that first shot was fired. His soft moccasins gave his feet padding, not un-like that of a bear or couger, making his movements almost silent, then he stopped. Something had moved in the trees, and it was out of place, un-natural, and just for an instant. So he stopped and waited, watching for it to happen again.
He glanced across the stream looking for J. B.. It didn't take long before he saw movement, then he saw him stop and stand in the shadows. Out of the corner of his vision Badger saw it again. That un-natural movement. It was the barrel of a rifle extending from behind a tree. The way it was moving told Badger whoever was behind that tree had seen John Barnabus.
That dry-gultcher was just waiting for an opportunity to send John Barnabus to the bone orchard. Badger set his rifle up against some fallen timber. The foliage was too thick from his position to make a clean shot, so he began to move slow and deliberate. Making his way to a position just above the assassin's location.
Ned Harding tucked the rifle snug against his shoulder, he had already missed one opportunity, he would not miss another.
John Barnabus had stopped to look at the terrain out in front of him. There was a large boulder and a wet mossy ridge right next to the stream. He knew he would be too exposed and vulnerable if he tried to work his way around that side, but he thought the other way might take him too deep into the woods before he could climb above the boulder.
J. B. had paused too long, Ned Harding had him in his sights. With his rifle resting in the fork of a limb and pressed against the side of the tree, his finger carressed the triger. He took a breath, and began to exhail slowly. Patiently waiting for the right moment before taking his shot. One bullet, and John Barnabus would be dead.
At that moment, the outlaw felt someone grab his hair and pull his head back violently. The blade intered deep between his ribs, ripping through his lung. Badger twisted the blade and pulled. Then the sharp blade of the bowie-knife intered lower into the outlaws kidney. The blade was twisted again and pulled from his body.
Badger eased the dead man to the ground, There was no room for remorse, this man was a threat, and this threat had been removed.
Paterson was trying to crawl to a small berm where he thought he could take cover and hide. Matt Cory's bullet had shattered his left shoulder and his arm was useless. The pain brought tears to his eyes but if he wanted to live he had to find some form of cover, so he reached out with his right hand and pulled himself as quickly as he could, fearful of standing.
Badger heard someone moving carelessly through the trees on the same side of the stream he was on. He retrieved his rifle and followed what appeared to be the panic movements of someone running.
When the movements stopped, Badger stopped. Slipping into the shadows he waited for an ambush. There was nothing, then, suddenly there were sounds of a horse in the distance. Someone was high-tailing it out of there.
The old mountain man waited in silence wanting to be sure of his assessment. When things were quiet, he began to make his way back to where Sallie-May was left. He needed to check on her and he needed to check on Joseph Paterson.
Matt Cory lay prone on the top side of a large boulder. He was proped on his elbows waiting for Paterson to move again. At first he thought he was dead, then he saw movement, but Paterson had stopped moving again, so he waited, believing his partners were still there, still hiding.
He hadn't seen the old man in buck-skins, so he was sure he was dead, and John Barnabus had also disapeared. As far as he could tell, the only one left alive was Paterson. So Matt Cory waited, and watched.
Un-comfortable with the silence, Cory brought his rifle to his shoulder. He would find out if Paterson was alive or not, by putting another bullet in him.
Paterson was trying to manage the pain, he was almost at the berm but his shirt was soaked in blood and his head was dizzy, trying to manage so much pain.
The bullet hit the top of the berm and Paterson knew there were only seconds left before the next bullet would find its mark if he did not get to that raised berm.
Cory adjusted his elbows to steady himself before he brought Paterson into his sights again. As his finger slipped from the indexed position, to the trigger, he felt the cold end of a revolver pressed against the back of his head.
"Eeeasy now. Put the rifle down, It's over." John Barnabus said as he stood over him.
Otis Jackson had chased off one of the horses and hid in the tall foliage waiting for whoever it was chasing him. He was hopeful of killing the man pursuing him, but no one came, so he began to work his way back to the stream, looking for Ned or Matt.
Soon he spotted three horses through the trees and watched as John Barnabus escorted Matt Cory across the stream. Badger was moving through the trees close to where Sallie-May had been left, when he heard a disturbance in the water drawing his attention to J. B. and the outlaw..
Paterson had proped his back against the berm and laying his head back he closed his eyes for a moment, hoping to ease the strain on his body, when he heard a strangers voice calling out to John Barnabus.
Jackson was standing near a tree. He had spotted Paterson, the blood stained shirt and the long drag marks left by his boots as he tried to get to the berm. Seeing him now, Jackson believed Paterson was dead. There was only one man keeping Matt Cory from walking away,
"Let him go!" Jackson said.
John Barnabus instinctively reached out to grab Cory by the arm. Jackson's revolver was already in his hand, his thumb pulled the hammer back. This was followed by a sudden look of surprise as his body jerked.
The second bullet hit him and he fell to the ground. John stood still for a moment not sure of what had just happened. Turning his attention to the small berm a few feet away Paterson wasn't moving. Resting in his right hand was his revolver.
Badger went to Paterson to check on him while J. B. told Matt Cory to sit against a fallen timber near-by. Turning away from the outlaw John asked Badger, "How is he?"
Badger's palm was resting on Paterson's right shoulder when he looked at John. "He's as tough as they come J. B.. Looks like he's passed out, but his heart's still beating."
John Barnabus sighed with relief. "He saved my life Badger, he better make it."
While they waited for Paterson to gain some of his strength back, Badger had gone after the outlaw's horses and brought two of them back. "What now?" Paterson asked. His left arm was resting in a sling, and wrapped tightly against his body.
John turned and looked at Badger. Paterson waited for someone to break the silence. Then Badger spoke up.
"Joseph, you need a sawbones as soon as possible." He turned and looked back at J. B., "...and you need to make sure Matt Cory gets back to the hoosgow, real pronto like. Mr. Paine will be wanting to know what happened."
"What about Meadows?" John inquired.
"Meadows is no longer your concern, John. Joseph's care, and getting this convict back to the big-house, is."
"What are you suggesting Badger?"
"I'm suggesting you take this convict back to prison now, and you make sure that Joseph gets proper doctorin'."
There was a short pause as the three men glanced at each other. John turned and looked at Matt Cory, then he walked up to Badger. "It's going to take a while to get back here."
"John, you get back to the river and take that steam boat up stream to a little community called Wallula Junction, from there you can follow the stage line to Walla Walla. If you leave soon, you should make it back by mid-day tomorrow."
"What about you?"
"I'm going to ride into Arlington. I'll take care of Sallie-May, and then I'll get me some grub."
"Then you'll wait for me?"
"No! John, don't come back here. You take care of what you need to take care of, and then you check on Levi and Kyle. I ain't waitin'.."
"Badger..."
"John you best be makin' hay."
Badger turned to walk over to Sallie-May,. The last time John Barnabus heard from Badger, was just before he was ready to ride out.
"John, you and Joseph, you take care"
Then the old mountain man smiled a wry smile and said, "Someone once told me, when the fiddler starts playing, it's time to dance. There are even those who say, the devil himself plays a fiddle. John, the way I see it, the fiddler's a playin'."
He turned and stepped into the saddle, after taking the reins, his voice lowered to a more personal tone.
"It's time for me and Bo Meadows, to settle what's between us."
Without another word, Badger turned Sallie-May towards Arlington.
| Author Notes |
This book has been professionally edited. Writing chapters on FanStory allowed me to get valuable feedback in order to work out the details. So what is read here may not be exactly the same as what ended up in the book. This book was published on Oct. 4th, 2020.
The story continues... |
By Mr. Green
It was early afternoon when the tower guard called down from his cat-walk. "Two men on horses, Comin' up the road."
The three guards who were standing outside the administration building turned to look. One of them approached the tower, "Do you recognize them, Jed?"
Jed Carney took another look, "No, don't think I do, Tom." Thomas Riley turned and began to walk back to the other two guards when Jed called out again. "Tom!" Jed walked inside the tower and got his rifle.
"Tom, I take it back. One of you better get the Superintendent right away."
The two riders had just entered the gate along the fence-line. They were now on prison property and approaching the administration building. Tom Riley told one of the guards who were standing with him to get Superintendent Paine, then Riley heard the other guard standing to his left.
"Well, son-of-a-gun, He did it, Tom."
"He sure did."
Superintendent Paine was in his office preparing to write his report to the governor, He had spent most of the morning in town visiting with Levi and Elizabeth. He had only seen their son Jacob once and he looked forward to the visit.
Levi's brother Kyle was still with them although he had taken a room at the Continental Hotel in town, not wanting to feel like he was intruding on their space, given how the house was so small.
Now Superintendent Paine, he was left with little time to finish his report, and he did not want any interruptions so when the door came open unexpectedly the expression on his face was not a welcoming one.
"Before you start, Warden Justice is on the grounds and he is to handle all situations that come up."
The guard was about to back out quietly, when another guard came up to the door. "Mr. Paine, you're going to want to hear this."
Paine sat back in his chair. Their reactions were not what he had expected.
"Ok, come on in."
Three minutes later Superintendent Paine was walking out of the Administration building, looking for John Barnabus and more surprisingly, Matt Cory.
"John!" The superintendent extended his hand as soon as he approached. "... you made it back. I'm sure glad to see you..." He took a moment to look around.
"Badger, Paterson, what of them?"
"Badger is still out there, he didn't want to lose Meadows trail."
"...and Joseph?"
"We almost lost him, he got shot up pretty good. I left him in town, at the Doc's place." John glanced over at Matt Cory who was standing between two guards, a few feet away.
"It was Cory who shot Joseph. He might lose his left arm."
"John, I'm sorry." Paine said.
"I brought him back to you Mr. Paine, but I will be filling charges of attempted murder of a federal agent, as soon as I can."
"Let me know if I can help you in any way, while you're here."
"Thank you, Mr. Paine, I will do that. Mostly, I just want to get back into town and hear what the Doc has to say about Joseph's condition, and then I'm going to find Levi's house and check on him."
"You've never been there?"
"No!"
"I saw them this morning." Paine said, then he glanced over at the guards, who were standing quietly watching.
"Tom, would you see to it, that convict is properly processed and assigned to a cell inside these prison walls?"
"Yes sir, Mr. Paine." Replied Tom
The Superintendent and John Barnabus watched as the guards escorted Matt Cory into the administration building and through the heavy steel gate.
"John. You bringing Matt Cory back to this prison as soon as you did has allowed me to write in my report that all of the convicts from Seatco Prison arrived safely. I can't thank you enough."
"We were fortunate in many ways Mr. Paine." John said as he took up the reins to his horse. "I should be getting back to town."
"Before you leave, John. Let me give you directions to Levi and Elizabeth's home.".
It was a quiet ride into Walla Walla. It gave John Barnabus time to clear his head of the gunfight and all that had happened.
He couldn't shake the questions he had in the back of his mind. Questions he knew he would never have the answers to. The most puzzling to him was the relationship between Bo Meadows and Badger. He had gained a great deal of respect for that old man, and finally he thought it best to leave well enough alone.
He checked on Joseph Paterson and found out he was going to have to stay in town for a while to let his body heal, and to see the doctor every other day until he was told differently.
The doc told John that Paterson's arm was probably not going to heal completely, explaining that he would never have full use of his left arm again. But he would not lose the arm itself, if he took care of it now. When Paterson left, he told doctor Nye that he would find a place in town.
By the time John had checked into the hotel and found Paterson, evening was coming on and it was time to visit Levi, and Elizabeth.
He left Paterson in his room and as he left the hotel, he felt some of the day's tensions leaving him. Now he could only think about how lucky this day had turned out. After all he had a new nephew in this world and John Barnabus was looking forward to meeting the little guy.
Elizabeth Sawyer was sitting in a rocking chair on the porch with little Jacob all wrapped in a warm blanket. She didn't notice the visitor until he was right in front of the house.
As he was getting off his horse, her expression was at first curious, and then her smile grew bigger and bigger as the man turned up his hat and walked through the gate.
Seeing the baby in her arms John indicated she did not have to get up from the chair. When he got to the porch, he saw a tiny hand stretching from the blanket reaching for his mother, and then, tiny fingers wrapped around the edge of the blanket as Jacob yawned. He pulled the edge of the blanket to his mouth and his eyes shut once again.
John quietly kissed Elizabeth on the cheek and then Jacob had his full attention. Elizabeth offered to let John Barnabus carry his nephew to the crib but John was afraid his big hands would hurt such a tiny baby, and he shook his head, indicating he was not comfortable with the idea.
Elizabeth stood up and smiled, she looked towards the door and john held it open for her. They walked to Jacob's room and placed him in his crib, then they both walked back out onto the porch.
"John, we were all talking about you today. We were worried about you and Badger, Levi told me that another man was with you, I think they said his name was Paterson."
Elizabeth had sat back in her rocking chair, while John took one of the chairs next to a small stand. He looked around and then he glanced up at the rolling hills that surrounded the property. Finally looking back at Elizabeth, he said,
"We found the escaped convict. I brought him back today and left him at the prison with Superintendent Paine."
"I'm glad to hear that, John. Mostly I'm glad to see you and to know that you got back ok." She felt something wasn't right, and it occurred to her that John had not mentioned Badger or Paterson's wellbeing, so she asked about them.
"Badger wanted to stay on the trail of Bo Meadows. I don't know where he is right now. and Paterson, he was shot up pretty good but he's going to make it ok."
John saw the look on her face, it puzzled him at first, then he asked, "You worry a lot about Levi, don't you?"
"I worry about him all the time. It frightens me that one day he might not come home to me and Jacob"
:"Where is Levi?" John asked "... and where is Kyle?"
"They went out to my father's ranch today. Kyle wanted to visit for a while, and Thomas Cardell. he's my father's foreman."
"I remember Thomas."
"Thomas told Levi, the next time he was out that way, there was something my father wanted to discuss with him."
"Do you know what it is?"
"No! but he just got some new cattle on his ranch and he might be needing Levi's help. If that's not it, then I have no idea."
John wanted to say something re-assuring but he did not know what, finally he said.
"Ellie, the only thing I can tell you is this. Life is like a book. One that is very personal to each of us, and it's not like any other because it's all about adapting to change. Now that change comes with success, it comes with failure, it comes with happy times, and sad times, and it comes with beginning a family."
Elizabeth pondered on that for a moment and before she could say anything he continued.
"Now, no-one who knows you and Levi would ever question your love for each other. It's unmistakable whenever the two of you are together. So, if you ask me, the only question you and Levi need to answer, is how do you want to raise your son, Jacob."
John leaned forward in his chair and rested his elbows on his knees. "What you have to remember about this book is that it's not like any normal book, you can only turn the pages forward, you can never turn them back."
Elizabeth was lost in John's story; she was sitting quietly looking at her uncle. For some very odd reason it was beginning to make sense to her. What could she say, finally she just asked,
"Would you like me to put on some coffee?"
"I would like that very much."
The next morning Elizabeth told Levi that John had come by that previous evening and when she told him they had gone out to the Marley ranch he said he would be back in the morning.
When John Barnabus and Kyle left the hotel that morning, they happened to see Casper Hayes standing outside of the Telegraph office.
They stopped and exchanged greetings and John told Casper about the gunfight. Kyle said they were heading to Levi's place and invited Casper to join them, but he declined, saying that he had business out at French Town and would not be back until that afternoon.
"Give my regards to Levi and Elizabeth." Casper said as he folded some papers and put them into his pocket.
Later that day, when Casper rode out to see Levi, John and Kyle were out feeding the horses and cleaning up the barn. Elizabeth came to the door as Casper walked through the gate. She called to the back of the house for Levi, and they both stepped out onto the porch.
"Casper, it's good to see you. Kyle told us he and John saw you this morning."
"Sorry I couldn't make it out earlier. Had some business to take care of in French Town."
Elizabeth smiled, "Well we're glad you stopped by this afternoon. Come on in."
Casper hesitated "Ellie, I can't stay. I just came out to give you something."
He turned around when he realized what he needed to give them was still in his saddle-bag. He stopped and turned to look at Elizabeth again,
"I'll be right back."
When he returned, he was holding a small piece of leather that was folded around something. "Levi, I received a telegram this morning from Badger. He asked me to go out to his ranch in French Town and to find this. He asked me to give it to you and Elizabeth.
They both looked at the piece of leather as Casper handed it to Levi.
"Go ahead and open it." Casper said.
Levi began to un-fold the piece of soft leather and Elizabeth saw three wooden circles, one inside the other woven together with strips of soft buffalo hide, and colorful beads. Hanging off the outer circle were several feathers at different length. The center circle was left open.
"What is it?" Elizabeth asked
Levi was surprised that Badger would give them something so beautiful and well made. He looked at Casper when Elizabeth asked the question.
"It's a dream-catcher." Casper said.
"I've only seen this one other time, years ago when Badger and I were in the mountains. He told me that his grandfather had given it to his father, and his father had in turn, given it to him. It's important to Badger that you and Elizabeth have this, Levi."
Elizabeth was holding the dream-catcher up to look at it more closely, when Casper explained.
"Many Indians say that if you hang this where you sleep, it will only let good dreams in and it will keep the bad dreams out. It will stop all the bad dreams from touching your lives.
They both smiled, as they looked at Casper somewhat astonished that such a gift was coming to them at this time.
"Casper, Elizabeth and I, we have spent a lot of time talking since I've been back and We're going to be making some changes in our lives. Mr. Marley has offered us a piece of land on his ranch. He will help us build our own place and start our own ranch, or farm, if that is what we want. As long as I agree to give up being sheriff."
Elizabeth took Levi's arm and stood close to him. "I talked to John Barnabus last night and when Levi told me what my father was offering, we decided it would be best for Jacob."
"I'm glad to hear that." Casper said.
"Did Badger tell you where he was at?" Levi asked
"No, He probably knew that if you had any idea where he was you would want to help him, and by the look on your face, he was probably right."
"What are you going to do now, Casper?"
"That's the reason I can't stay. I'm going to find Badger. He's one to ride the river with, you know that Levi. I'm going to find him and I'm going to do what I can to keep that old man alive."
Levi struggled with his emotions. He saw the look on Elizabeth's face. She knew he wanted to go with Casper. She also knew what they had agreed to."
Casper saw that Levi wanted this one exception, and he wasn't going to give it to him.
"Levi, I have no idea where Badger is. I just know the country he is in and I'm going to have to look for him. Badger didn't give me a location for a reason. He doesn't want you to leave Elizabeth and Jacob again."
Elizabeth's eyes were full of expression and Casper understood she was thanking him. Casper turned to walk back to his horse when Levi stopped him.
"Casper." Levi had spoken too quickly, too impulsively, and he didn't know how to finish."
Casper got into the saddle and tipped his hat to Elizabeth. Then Levi spoke up again.
"Casper, tell Badger...." Levi stopped again and just looked at Casper Hayes. Casper took a long pause to study the expression on Levi's face.
"I'll till him, Levi." Casper said, then he turned his horse away.
Riding through town Casper saw Sara Smith standing outside of her restaurant He tipped his hat and smiled. She no longer needed that cane.
Casper thought about all the lives Badger had touched, including his own. For Casper had known no better friend. He got to the edge of town and just for an instant, he wondered about things that could have been.
About a mile out of town Casper Hayes stopped again and took out the second telegram Badger had sent. The one he didn't tell anyone about. He un-folded the paper and looked at the words.
I Could use your help -- STOP
Meet me in Arlington -- STOP
Casper let the telegram slip from his fingers. He would be with his old friend soon enough, and together they would find Bo Meadows.
| Author Notes | This ends the story about the convict train. I hope you have enjoyed it. There is a new adventure out there. |
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