Chapter Two
Crisis at Warthington Ranch
Summary: This is the short sequel to "Son Of A Legend." Hopefully it will be better than the first chapter so please read it and let me know if it's good or not before I decide to continue with the short stories. Many thanks guys.
Hennigan's Stead was a beautiful place. The lush green grass of the meadows made every rider feel happy to even be there. It was In the middle of the summer which meant that it was that time of year where all the ranches would be making their yearly profits. Unfortunately it also meant that the cattle rustlers would be out as well. One ranch that was always under threat in the summer period, was the quaint, friendly settlement of MacFarlane's Ranch. Now under the ownership of Bonnie MacFarlane, the ranch had become a well known place for supplies and cattle. Bonnie had made a good business ever since her father died and it had been always her goal to make him proud. She loved what she had done with the ranch and knew that she could never part with it for love nor money.
She had just finished delivering a wagon full of supplies when she returned to her house at the far end of the ranch. Stepping up onto the decking, she squinted her eyes as the sight of a rider who was approaching the other side of the ranch. She couldn't make any features of the rider as it the Moon casted a shadow upon the rider.
The rider reduced his speed as they slowly approached the house. Bonnie prepared the greet the stranger as she believed that she was about to get involved in some late night delivery business. Stepping down into the main street, she could see that the rider began display some features. She tried to recognise the man, but she couldn't. infact, she had no idea that Jack Marston had appeared before her.
"How can I help you Mister?" she asked. "It is late and I don't usually deal with business at this hour unless it's important?"
"Miss MacFarlane?" Jack replied with a smile. "I don't know if you remember me, but you were a friend of my Father's."
"Oh really?" Bonnie replied, raising a brow. "Well I knew a lot of dead men. I'm afraid you're going to have to refresh my memory a little?"
"John Marston." Jack answered bluntly.
"John Marston?" Bonnie replied as her eyes flew open. "I haven't heard that name in nine years? Yes I use to know him, but sir, may I ask how you knew him?"
"I told you. He was my Father." Jack replied as he dismounted his horse. "I'm Jack."
Suddenly, Bonnie began to remember everything. She had suffered from depression and memory loss ever since her father died. She couldn't remember everything until now. Now, the past came flooding back to her. She began to remember everything.
"Jack Marston?" she gasped. "Is that you? I haven't seen you since you were fifteen? I mean look at the state of you?"
Jack laughed as he yawned ad rubbed his beard. He had been travelling in from Armadillo where he had been involved in the killing of three street thugs. Luckily, he hadn't been chased so far and he didn't intend to stay for long.
"Well when you've been hiding in the desert for five years, you're bound to get a little dirty." He chuckled. "Besides I'm heading home to Beecher's Hope and I was wondering if you could help me out with a few supplies?"
"What ever you need, Mister Marston." Bonnie replied as she invited Jack into the house "But please come in for a drink. You look exhausted?"
Accepting the offer, Jack stepped into the house and took a seat in the living room. He felt good for once but he needed to get going and hoped to avoid any trouble. Bonnie entered the room, carrying a bottle brandy which she kept in a glass cabinet. She wanted to know what Jack had been doing with himself, but as she gazed into his eyes, she could tell that he wasn't up for a friendly conversation. She poured him a glass of brandy and sat down in the armchair opposite him.
"Okay Mister Marston." She said as she sipped from her glass. "What can I do you for?"
"I'm want to manage and run the family ranch again, Miss MacFarlane." Jack explained as he held his class in his hands. "Beecher's Hope hasn't any livestock ever since I had to shut it down, when pa died. I could just use the money to get my life back on track."
"Well you've come to the right place." Bonnie smiled. "You're so much like your Father, Jack. You just want to make him proud and I want help."
"I appreciate it." Jack nodded as he swilled his drink. "I was wondering if you had any cattle left or anything? Obviously I can't take it with me right now, as I don't have the wagon with me. I could use your help Miss MacFarlane. I feel alone and lost right now."
"Well let's see what I got for you to get you started?" Bonnie replied as she stood up to open the door.
Gesturing Jack to follow her, Bonnie headed out of the house and walked down the main street towards the stables. Jack followed closely behind her as he was curious to what she had in mind. As they approached the stables, Bonnie told Jack to wait while she spoke to the one of the farmers. Jack looked around. He still felt a bit apprehensive because he was still in New Austin. He also knew that he had to venture into the dangerous, lawless town of Thieves Landing before he could make it into West Elizabeth. That was why he couldn't carry the cattle. Bonnie returned to him, holding a clipboard with a tatty sheet of paper attached to it.
"This is the order form, Mister Marston." She said. "I can give you Fifty Pigs, A hundred Chickens and Eleven Cows. They'll can come to you by two wagon carts in three days."
"That's fine." Jack agreed. "I got to get going in a minute anyway and get the place cleaned up?"
Just then another person began to enter the ranch. It was the towns Deputy Marshal and he was in a state of despair. Blood trickled down his face and clothes, staining the seat below, His forehead was swamped in sweat. He was about to collapse from exhaustion. He wasn't very old as he appeared to be the same age as Jack. Bonnie rushed over to the injured man and sat him down amongst the hey stacks.
"What happened out there, Jerry?" Bonnie asked him.
"Warthington." The Deputy spluttered. "It's Warthington Ranch. Those god damb Bollard boys have taken it over again. I was on my way back from the Old Bacchus Place when they ambushed me."
"And then what happened?" Jack added.
"They took my horse and told me to tell you that they were going to run the ranch real soon." The Deputy winced as he leant up against his injuries. "Miss MacFarlane, they really do mean it this time!"
"It's Okay Jerry." Bonnie assured. "Calm down now, we'll get you inside and fix you up."
Two workers came over and helped the Deputy towards the Sheriff's Office, Leaving Bonnie and Jack at the pen. Bonnie paced up and down in front of Jack, rubbing her hands in a nervous manner.
"God damb son of bitches!" She growled. "They always take Warthington Ranch!"
"I don't understand?" Jack replied. "What's this all about?"
Bonnie stopped her pacing and looked Jack in the eyes. She tried to get to the message across that the Ranch was in danger. She didn't like to admit that she was frightened for her life.
"For the last year, those Bollard boys have been terrorising the ranch." she explained, taking a deep breath. "They've threatened to kill me, string me up, shoot me, rape me, You name, just so that they can take over ad wreck the place. they've been using the old ranch house at Warthington as their hideout. We've tried evicting them in the past, but they just keep coming back. I don't know what to do anymore, Jack?"
"Don't despair, Miss MacFarlane." Jack replied as he placed his hands on her shoulders. "I'll help you save your ranch."
"How?" Bonnie replied as she tried to hide her tears. "None of us can stop them? It gets worse each month?"
"Then I'll just have to go and teach those bastards a lesson?" Jack said as he whistled for his horse.
"But I thought you were going to Beecher's Hope?" Bonnie cried. "Don't do this Jack. They'll kill you?"
"Look Miss MacFarlane, Pa' may have taught me how to be rancher, but he also taught me a thing or two about defence." Jack stated. "You just go home now and wait for me. Okay. I'll be back real soon."
Then with a kick tug, Jack was off out of the ranch, towards the vicinity of Warthington Ranch. Bonnie watched as he disappeared over the top of the hill. Her nerves began envelop her body. She didn't want lose another Marston.
"Just like your Father." She muttered to herself.
Warthington Ranch was believed the be the most creepiest place in Hennigan's Stead. The house itself had been boarded up because it had been deemed unsafe to those who lived inside it. Across from the house was the abandoned barn which looked even more creepy. It's outer structure was charred and it creaked every time the wind blew threw it. The Moon light glistened through it's small, windows casting a black shadow on the dead ground below. Wolves howled and barked in the distance, adding the atmosphere of the place.
Jack dismounted his horse and quickly made note of all objects that he could use for cover. Unlike the lucky shootout at Armadillo, he plan to plan one just right if he was going to survive it. a small wooden perimeter fence surrounded the barn and huge rock formations were scattered around the ranch. Jack knew that he could use them to his advantage. Crouching towards one of the rocks, he drew his Father's revolver and called out to the gang.
"Hey assholes! Come out here right now! I want to talk to you!"
He then watched was the gang emerged from the barn, with their weapons drawn. They were nothing more than a mere bunch of poor cattle rustlers that were probably just wanted to make some extra money. Never the less, Jack knew that they were vermin and kept his position as he continued to call out to them.
"So you're the boy's who have been terrorising MacFarlane's ranch? Well I see a bunch of pussy's who hide in a barn!"
"Who said that!" replied one of the men. "Show yourself you yellow bastard! No one mock us and thinks he can get away with it!"
"If I want to mock a bunch of Five year old cattle rustlers then I will!" Jack retorted as aimed his revolver at one of the men.
Jack counted five men and quickly assumed who the leader was. His plan was to separate them so he could pick them off one at a time. Now it was his time to shine. Squeezing the trigger, he knocked one of the men down, catching the others of balance.
"Boy's fan out!" the leader screamed. "Find that Son of a bitch!"
As the gang members split up to cover all sides of the barn, Jack moved. This time, he had positioned himself behind the house and had found himself the perfect vantage point. He crouched down onto his stomach and watched as another man came into view. He fired, sending another bullet into the mans left ear, killing him instantly. He now had to move quickly before the other men could spot him.
Two other men approached the back of the barn where their second man had been shot. They were still unaware that Jack was behind the rocks above them. Jack peered from behind the rocks and fired at the two men. He hit one man in chest but missed the other one.
"I see you, you son of a bitch!" the man growled as he climbed the hill towards the rocks.
Luckily Jack was one step ahead of the man. He crept up behind the attacker and stabbed him in the back with his melee knife. He then kicked the man down the hill and wiped the blood off his knife with a cloth which he had on him. It was now the leaders turn. The Gang leader had become frightened that he hid himself in the barn. He trembled when he heard the sound of footsteps approach the barn.
"Stay away from me!" he cried as drew his cattleman revolver. "I'll kill ya' I swear it you'll live to regret this!"
Suddenly, Jack appeared in the barn entrance and stood there in the moonlight. With his smoking revolver aimed at the leader, Jack slowly stepped forward. The leader had no where to go.
"I suggest you drop it, Mister." He said as pulled cocked back the release trigger. "You won't be hurting anyone anymore."
He shot the leaders gun out of his hand before he could he could get fired on. He was taking no chances. Cocking back the release trigger again, Jack aimed raised his gun at the leaders head.
"Wh – Who are you?" the leader cried as his body shook with fear.
"I'm a Marston." Jack growled. "And you're dead."
A bullet echoed from within the barn, sending many frightened birds flying into the air. Jack emerged from the barn a few moments later, with blood down his face. His revolver was in one hand and he was dragging a body in the other. He looked down at his bloody hands and widened his eyes in horror. He had to stop killing people before he could do something stupid. Washing the blood the off he his hands and face from a troff, Jack returned to his horse, but before he decided to ride back to Bonnie, he an idea.
Bonnie couldn't believe her eyes when she saw Jack reappear at the ranch gates. He was alive and she couldn't understand how. Rushing over to the young Marston, she went to greet him. She also noticed that Jack had dragged something back with him. She observed his horse as it was dragging five ropes. Each rope had a blood stained body attached to it. She then realised that Jack had brought the gang into town. She looked up at Jack so a mortified look on his face. His skin was pale, his eyes were blood shot red. It was then when realised something. Jack had taken on his Father's dark side.
"Are you alright?" she asked him, but Jack didn't give a response for a few seconds.
"These bodies are for you." he then said breaking the silence between them. "Loot them for what ever they have. You deserve this and not me. They won't trouble you anymore."
Bonnie looked down at the corpses as Jack unhitched them from his horse. With out a reply, Bonnie nodded and watched as Jack rode off out of the ranch. she hoped that he would get to Beecher's Hope safely as there was now telling of what he could do next.
Jack had become an unstable wreck. He was confused and frightened. Who was he? What was he going to do next? He was now heading for the dangerous town of Thieves Landing and because of his mental state, trouble was just around the corner.
To Be Continued in "Son Of A Legend" Part 3
