Bushwacked

Chapter 1

Vin Tanner rode along the trail with his prisoner from Red Ridge in tow. They were a contrast in appearances. The prisoner was broad, actually fat, and of medium height. He had thinning dark hair and a full beard. He had dark eyes, bad teeth and a constant scowl. Vin was slim with long, light brown hair. He had an easy smile, blue eyes and shy mannerisms that women found disarming. Vin's clothes were well-worn and patched, but neat and clean, except for the normal trail dust.

Vin had been away from Four Corners for five days now and he finally felt like he could breathe again. Only problem, he was on his way to Eagle Bend; back to a town, too soon for his liking. It was cool in the hills with groves of mesquite and cottonwoods. He drank in the clean, fragrant air.

His prisoner, Jeb Williams, was a murderer and thief. Hanging was too good for him and Vin wouldn't mind putting a bullet into Jeb if he tried to escape. Funny thing was, Jeb seemed too smug. Men usually begged for mercy or tried to get killed in an escape attempt rather than face a noose. Jeb gave Vin an eerie feeling.

Vin was getting ready to make camp for the night when that odd feeling of someone watching made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. He covertly searched the length of the stream bank as he filled the canteens, taking in every movement – or lack of – within his field of vision. Convinced there was no immediate danger, he made his way back to the campsite. He checked his prisoner's shackles and decided against a fire. Jerky, hardtack and water for supper.

"You gotta give me proper fuckin' food. Ain't it a law or somethin'?" Jeb complained.

"Ya eat what I eat, or reckon ya don't get nothin'," Vin said as he gave the man a plate and cup. They both ate in silence. Vin was getting more uncomfortable by the minute.

They bedded down for the night; Vin was normally a light sleeper, this night he would barely close his eyes. They had a quick breakfast in the morning. Vin wanted to get on the trail as soon as possible, angry at the other man for ruining what could have been a pleasant ride.

Jeb and Vin rode in silence. Vin's eyes searched the surrounding areas for indications of an ambush. The two travelled on in an atmosphere charged with tension, as if they both expected something to happen.

Then it did! Without warning, a man dropped out of a tree knocking Vin from his horse with a pistol butt to the side of his head. Two others materialized from nearby cover.

"Heyya bastards, thought ya forgot me!" Jeb called out.

"Shoulda let your ass swing," mumbled Curly.

"It's this asshole I want. Remember me, Tanner? Ya'll never fuckin' forget me after I geld ya! But that's just the beginning. I'm gonna take yer hide off in strips. Make ya scream like one a'them opry ladies. And I'm gonna start right the hell now. Hold'im fer me!" yelled Riley.

Jeb, still on his horse, called out, "Wait just a goddamn minute! Get me the fuck outa these chains and cut me loose from this stinkin' horse!"

"Keys in my pants' pocket," Tanner mumbled, slowly and painfully rising to his feet while Riley cut the ropes around Jeb's ankles.

Kirby began to yank Vin to his feet, and Vin sprang up. He kicked Kirby on the inner thigh sending him writhing to the ground, then he hit Curly in the side of the jaw with a two-fisted punch putting him down. Vin spun around as Jeb, still on his horse, tried to wrap his chains around Vin's neck. Vin flipped Jeb over his head onto Riley as he attempted to stab Vin causing Riley to miss his target. The knife caught Vin in the groin as Riley fell. It wasn't deep, but it was a long gash. Bleeding profusely from his head and groin, Vin leaped onto his horse and pushed it to a gallop. He laid low on the mount's neck, holding the saddle horn with both hands trying to avoid low branches as the horse sensed his urgency and raced.

Vin rode until he could hold on no longer and fell from the saddle. He crawled into the brush and passed out. He woke cold, sore and bloody. By the time he oriented himself, he passed out again. When he awoke, his horse was gone. He realized he had no gun or hat – and no strength; he lost a great deal of blood. He knew what he had to do to keep alive and avoid Jeb Williams, but did he have the energy… Need water; thirsty. Can't hear riders. Only hear my heart poundin'. Least I'm alive. Go downhill; have to get water.

Vin didn't know if it was day or night. He could barely open his eyes to see. He was so cold and so thirsty, but he had to stay away from Jeb. Downhill. Have to get water.

He had no idea of the passage of days; he was unaware of the amount of time he was unconscious. He just kept moving. He was too sick to cover his tracks and he knew he was leaving a blood trail, but he was driven by the need for water. Suddenly Vin plunged into a stream. He drank his fill lying face down in the clear water, but it was cold; he was weak. He passed out several times trying to drag himself out of the chilly water. He knew he had to find cover. Jeb and the gang would be searching for him. The stream was carrying him; instinctively, he knew that was good. If only the water wasn't so cold.

Then they found him. Rough hands grabbed him and pulled at him. He tried to fight, but he was powerless to resist. They had him; he was as good as dead… and it would be a slow, painful death.

To be continued…