THIRTEEN

ooooo

Julia Griswold was trembling. She did her best to hide it and, fortunately, the heavy cloak Dan Lobaugh had cast over her shoulders before they left the camp helped some with the cold.

But not with the fear.

Dan had returned as promised to bring her supper and stayed behind after barking at the other man who'd accompanied him and ordering him to leave. With the door open, she'd noted a lot of activity in the rustlers' camp. Men were coming and going constantly, almost as if they knew something was up. Several she recognized as neighbors. Sheriff Robert Truslow was among them. He was seated on his horse and paused just outside her prison door to look in like a fat cat satisfied with his kill. It took everything that was in her not to rush past Dan and fling herself at his horse. She had the knife. She could take him down. It was the least she could do for her pa whom he'd murdered.

Then, she thought of Joe.

She might take Truslow down, but these men would kill her and that would be the end of any justice for the man she loved. So she sucked it in and smiled as Dan took her by the elbow and moved her out of the line of sight. He told her to wait where she was; that he'd be back within the hour. When she questioned him as to how he was going to get her out of the camp unseen, he'd struck her and told her that was his business. Her cheek stung still, but her rage was held in check by the fact that she had every intention of killing him the first chance she got. She'd never killed a man, but she could do it. Besides, Dan wasn't a man.

He was a savage animal.

It wasn't quite a half hour later when Dan reappeared, cloak in hand. She watched his approach through the crack in the door, wondering what he intended to do. A moment later she knew. Someone else was in on the plan. When he opened the door a cry of 'fire' went up and the men outside the shack started running. Dan tossed the cloak over her shoulders, pulled the hood up to hide her face, and then flung her over his shoulder like a feed sack before stepping out of the shack. He had a horse waiting behind it. They were on the animal and away before anyone noticed. Dan held her in front of him and rode for a good half-an-hour before he drew the horse to a halt and dismounted. A second later he stepped into the trees. It surprised her that there wasn't any structure where they stopped, but then again, the villain didn't need one for what he intended. While she waited by the animals' side, Julia fought the urge to reach down and check that the knife had not jarred loose from her stocking during their hasty departure. It didn't really matter anyway.

If it was gone, she was dead.

When Dan reappeared, he took hold of the horses reins and led it over to a tree, where he tethered it to one of the lower branches. A moment later he returned to her side.

"I figured you'd run."

"Why would I do that?" she replied. "I asked you to bring me out here."

"Figured that was so you could run."

Julia moved closer to him. "I guess you just don't understand the effect you have on women," she said. God forgive her for the lie! "You're a man and – "

"You bet I am," he said as he caught her arm and drew her to him. "And that's what you need, a man between those skinny legs of yours, not some pampered and privileged boy like that Cartwright kid!"

Julia stifled a sigh. Dan disgusted her but, in order for her plan to work, she had to lead him on. She had to engage him to the point where he dropped his defenses, which – unfortunately – wasn't going to happen until after he'd dropped his drawers.

Steeling herself, she ran a finger along his jaw and then placed her hand on his chest. Like all cowboys he smelled of sweat, horse-flesh, and smoke. She was used to that, but Dan reeked of something else.

Evil.

The outlaw stared at her a moment before taking a step back.

"Get out of that blouse," he ordered.

She tried her best to hide the fact that her fingers were trembling as she worked the buttons free. Thank God, the blouse was old and the button-holes worn or she would never have managed it!

"Take it off."

His eyes watched her every movement. She had a corset underneath, of course, and started to work on it, but his hand caught hers and held it.

"Leave that for me."

Julia swallowed over her fear.

Dan eyed her up and down and then nodded toward a nearby tree. Underneath it lay a pool of shadows. She nodded and then screwed up the courage to take his hand and pull him after her, as though she was eager. Like most little girls, she'd dressed-up and pretended to be a dozen things. She'd ask her parents to sit in the parlor and watch while she pretended to be a princess, a waitress; even a warrior.

She had no experience at being a whore.

Dan had no such problem. He caught her arms and drove her back against the tree so hard her teeth rattled, and then he forced her down into the grass and pressed his lips against hers. She fought him a bit because she thought he expected it, but for the most part she complied. Nothing mattered. Nothing mattered but keeping her right hand free so she could reach down and pull the knife out of her stocking and –

"Well, well, what have we got here? Ain't you supposed to be in camp?"

Dan's fingers were on his belt. It was half-undone. He cursed and then turned to look over his shoulder. "What business is it of yours?" he snarled.

The man who had spoken stepped into the light. Julia stifled a gasp when she saw him. It was Amos Pettis. There were three men behind him. Two of them were holding another man.

"No business of mine unless it interferes with tonight's plans. Who you got there?"

Dan rose to his feet. He moved so his shadow masked her. "One of the women who does the cookin' and washin' in the camp."

"I see."

Dan was looking past Amos to the other men. "Who you got there?"

"While you've been holsterin' your pistol, I've been workin'. Truslow put us on patrol and a good thing too. We caught us a spy."

The outlaw stooped and tossed the cloak over her, partially obscuring her face. Then he crossed to the other man.

"What spy?" he asked.

Amos sneered before glancing at the other men who remained in darkness. "Show him."

It was dark. She couldn't see well, but the man who hit the dirt was dressed as a cowboy. The remnants of a coat clung to his slender frame. He had silver in his hair because the rising moonlight caught it and made it glint. The poor soul remained where he had landed and then began, slowly, to climb to his feet.

"Don't you ever learn?" Amos growled just before the toe of his boot contacted the fallen man's ribs. "You're askin' for it, you know, Cartwright."

Cartwright?

A small sound escaped her, which caused Dan to pivot and warn her to keep quiet with his eyes.

Hope rose in Julia as a thing with wings, but she beat it down. It could be Joe's father, or someone else with that name. She was desperate to shove the cloak aside and to look. If she could see his face, or even that familiar mass of curls, she would know it was him.

She would know Joe was alive!

"Cartwright?" Dan asked. "One of the Cartwrights?"

"Yeah, and where's there's one, the others won't be far behind," a new voice remarked. "That old man, he won't give up. We need to get to the camp and raise the alarm."

Julia was scowling. She was sure she knew the voice. Carefully – quietly – she shifted so the cloak fell away from one side of her face and she could see. The man on the ground was still in shadow, but the one who stood above him was clearly illuminated by the moonlight.

It was Ed Flanders.

ooooo

They'd halted about a quarter mile outside the canyon and were discussing the best way to reconnoiter it. Ben glanced at the men around him. They were all good men with decent heads on their shoulders, though Bill Collins had a tendency to act before he had thought things half-way through. Barney would hang back, happy to watch and wait and report what he had seen. The others with him – Sheriffs Clem Foster and Damien Strait, and the Federal Marshal, Saul Parker – were three of the most fearless men he had ever known.

They needed to be for what they faced.

From their vantage point on the top of a rise, and behind a thick line of gorse and trees, they had watched dozens of rustlers enter and leave the canyon, some alone and others driving hundreds of cattle before them. Barney had a pair of binoculars and he'd reported seeing a good half-dozen brands on the cattle's back quarters, all of which appeared to be fresh. Of course, by the time the steers made it to Mexico, they would heal and no one would be the wiser. So far there had been no sign of Julia Griswold. Not that they'd expected to find one. If the girl was being held by the rustlers, it would be somewhere secure and most likely at the heart of the camp. One of them was going to have to go in.

The marshal and the two sheriffs were arguing about which one of them it was going to be.

Ben thought it should be him. Not only did he have more at stake – after all, his son was in love with the girl – but he was less likely to arouse suspicion and more likely to inspire Julia's trust. On top of that all one had to do was take a look at the three men and they would know immediately that they were lawman. It was almost as if they had a tin star emblazoned on their brow.

"So when are you leaving, Ben?"

The smoke that accompanied the voice told him it was Barney Fuller.

Ben scowled. "You heard Damien. I'm not going anywhere."

"Now, come on. That's not the Ben Cartwright I know." Barney's eyes narrowed above his cheroot. "Or are you going soft on me again?"

"What is it you want, Barney?" he asked with a sigh.

The other man's lips curled. "Some fire to light my cigar?"

Ben ran a hand through his hair and then along the back of his neck. "If…if it was my child, there would be no stopping me. But Julia is not my child. I don't have the authority to place her life in jeopardy."

"What do you think her mother would want?"

"I know what Pat would want. She would want her child returned – alive."

"That boy of yours will be coming. What about his life?"

He feared it more than anything else. Joseph, injured and weak, bound and determined to enter the rustlers' camp and rescue the woman he loved. They hadn't seen his boys yet, but he sensed they were close – and in danger.

"As that Chinese cook of yours is so fond of saying, 'tiger father begets tiger son'," Barney went on. "You won't stop him, Ben. The only thing you can do is get in there and get that girl out first."

"I agree." They both pivoted to find Damien Strait standing behind them. He tipped his hat. "Ben. Barney."

"What is this? I thought the three of you…."

Damien's smile could be disarming. It was one of the weapons he employed. "We drew straws." He held up a thin stick about three inches long. "I won. I'm goin' in and I want you with me."

"Of course," Ben replied. "But, may I ask why?"

"You know the girl. She'll trust you." The lawman looked down and tapped the badge on his chest. "I can't exactly be wearin' this. There's no reason she'd believe I was anythin' other than another low-down good-for-nothin' lyin' rustler."

Ben looked behind him. "What about Clem and Damien?"

"They're going back to meet with the ranchers and whatever lawmen have gathered. " Damien frowned. "They're gonna give us until morning, Ben, and then they're gonna move in. Word has it the whole bunch will be pullin' out tomorrow."

"Word?" Ben asked. "Who does this 'word' come from?"

Damien let out a sigh. "Can't tell you that. At least not yet, Ben."

So there was a 'plant' or spy amidst the rustlers; someone who was working with the law. The man's life wouldn't be worth a plugged nickel if he was found out.

"I understand."

"So, Sheriff, what's your plan?" Barney inquired.

"Ben here, and me will take off shortly. We'll ride into camp like we belong. With nearly a hundred men, not everyone can be known."

He'd thought of that. Still, Ben had a fear that someone might recognize him. "Some of the men could know me. They could have seen me two years ago when I was at the Griswolds."

Damien's smile returned. "Same here. Still, I figure a little boot black and some cowhand's duds will take care of that for both of us. There's nothing says we can't wear kerchiefs over our faces. I've seen plenty of men going into the camp who did."

Ben reached out and took the sheriff's hand. "Thank you, Damien. I appreciate it."

The long, lean lawman had an odd look on his face. He glanced at Barney Fuller and back.

"I heard tell you Cartwrights were crazy."

ooooo

Dan stood between her and the trio of men. "Which Cartwright you got there?" he asked.

Ed Flanders was the closest. When he answered, her heart leapt.

"The youngest one."

"He still breathin'?" the outlaw asked, surprised.

Amos Pettis was rolling the man in the grass over. As he did the light struck a head of spiraling curls.

It was Joe!

Julia drew a breath and held it until Amos answered.

"Not for long," he said. "Looks like you did a real good job tainting his wound."

"Not good enough." Dan tossed her a look as if daring her to speak. "Should have been dead long before now."

"We caught him listening," Ed said. "Figured he'd run and tell his pappy if we didn't take him."

"Did you see Ben Cartwright?"

"No, but I know he's here." Her mother's suitor came a step closer. "I was travelin' with him up until the time I went to the telegraph office."

"The camp's breakin' up," Dan answered. "Orders are we make it a ghost town by sundown tomorrow." He paused. "Bob told us to put any 'evidence' in one of the sheds and torch it before we leave."

"I can't get him to respond," Amos said as he rose from Joe's side. "I say we bury him here."

Julia's heart was thudding in her chest. Joe, alive, but so sick. And these men, these brutal men, intended to kill him – maybe sooner than later.

She had to do something!

It was then she saw Joe move. It wasn't much, but he lifted his head an inch off the ground and looked at Amos. It was obvious he wasn't well, but she recognized the determined look in his eyes and knew he was going to take action. Soon. She swallowed hard over her fear. She was terrified, not for herself, but for him. There was no way Joe could overcome five healthy men in his current state.

Maybe she could reduce the odds.

Julia threw off the cloak and stood up. "Ed Flanders!" she declared. "You should be ashamed of yourself!"

Ed's eyes went wide. "J…Julia?" he stuttered.

Joe's eyes went wide too, first with joy and then with fear. He shook his head.

She could see it cost him.

"Yes, it's me. What are you doing with these horrid men?" As she spoke, she moved closer to her target. It would be awkward. The knife was in her stocking. She would have to raise her skirts to get to it and that would take a couple of seconds.

She needed a distraction.

Unexpectedly, Ed turned on Dan and backhanded him. "I should kill you," he growled as he reached for his gun.

Dan raised his hands and backed up toward her. "She…she wanted it. She asked me to come out here."

"She's a child!" Ed snapped. "How dare you take ad–?"

At that moment three things happened. Joe rose up and threw his full weight against Amos Pettis, driving the crooked rancher into the other two men. Ed turned in surprise when he heard Amos cry out, and Dan lunged, making an attempt for Ed's gun.

The fourth thing, she would take to her grave.

She took the knife and drove it into Dan's back, between the ribs. The force of the outlaw's fall tore the blade from her bloody hands. She looked at the dead man and then at Ed, and then burst into tears.

"All…right," a panting voice said. "Hands…up and…back away from…her. Slowly. Drop your weapons to the ground"

Julia blinked and looked as the men complied. It was Joe! She could hardly believe it, but there he was standing over Amos Pettis. He had the older man's gun in his hand.

It was smoking.

"J…Joe?"

He gave her a weak smile as he opened one arm and invited her into it. She didn't hesitate a second but ran to him and threw her arms around his quaking frame. Joe kissed the top of her head.

"Julia, you have to let me go. I have to take care of Ed."

"No, you don't, boy," the older man replied, his tone as calm as if he had stopped by to shoot the breeze. "It's me who needs to tie up these yahoos and then take care of you – and Julia."

"You betrayed me!" she shouted. "And Ma!"

"Quiet, girl. You'll bring them all down on us." Ed met Joe's unsteady gaze. "Son, if you'll just let me reach into my vest pocket, I can clear this all up."

"Do I look…like a fool?" Joe replied.

Ed grinned. "You look about done in, boy. I could take you with one arm tied behind my back. Now, don't the fact that I ain't tryin' to say somethin'?"

Joe thought a moment. Then he looked at her. "Julia, I need you to go and get whatever is in his pocket."

She nodded.

"Be careful."

It was hard for her to believe. She'd known Ed Flanders since she'd been a girl. But then she'd known the Pettis' family too and look what Orv had done to Joe.

"It's a piece of paper," she called over her shoulder as she pulled it free.

"You take that to Joe Cartwright, Julia. You tell him to read it," Ed said.

She did as he asked, crossing back to Joe and handing him the sheet of paper. Joe hesitated and then handed her the gun.

"Keep it on him," he said as he unfolded what appeared to be a telegraph message. Joe read it quickly, and then read it again more slowly. "Who's Damien Strait?" he asked.

"Sheriff in Bridgeport. I've been workin' with him about a year now, tryin' to find out who killed my boy."

"Rustlers," Joe said.

"Seems like." Ed paused. "Can I put my hands down now?"

He nodded. Joe folded the paper and held it out to the older man. "Seems kind of…dangerous, carrying such a thing in your pocket."

"I was gonna show it to your pa, but we split up afore I could."

"Pa…." Joe swallowed. "Is he okay?"

"Okay as you can be when you're starin' down a bunch of desperados," Ed replied. "I meant to be with them, but I ran into Amos at the telegraph office and decided I'd better stick with him instead." The homesteader snorted. "Seems like it's a good thing I did. He was hellbent on killin' you, son, 'cause of his boy."

Joe looked down at the dead man. "Did he put Dan up to torturing me?"

"Yep. Told him to make sure it was slow." At her gasp, Ed frowned. "Sorry, Julia. It ain't right a filly like you has to hear such things."

'Or do them', she thought.

Unexpectedly, someone spoke. "Well, well, what do we have here?"

She didn't know the voice, so fear shot through her – until Joe turned and let out a sigh. "I didn't break my promise," he said, his voice utterly weary.

A man emerged from the trees. He was tall and broadly built, with receding hair that had once been black, but was salt and pepper now. He was dressed all in black, in a suit with an Eastern cut, and the expression he wore on his face was the same tolerant but exasperated one her ma used when she'd done something stupid.

"Semantics, Joe, since the first thing you agreed to was not to wander off alone."

Joe shrugged. "I'm not alone."

The man rolled his eyes. Then he turned to her. "I don't believe I've had the pleasure, miss. I take it you are Julia Griswold?"

She nodded.

He smiled. "Then I think there is someone who is very much looking forward to seeing you."

Julia followed his gaze.

A woman had just stepped out of the trees. There was a long skinny man grinning like an idiot beside her.

It was Ern – and her ma.

She felt Joe's hand on her arm. "Go to her," he said.

All of her life she'd wanted to be grown up – to be a woman and to have a family and life of her own – but at that moment she wanted nothing more than to be a little girl. With a yelp of delight, Julia ran the last few feet and fell into her mother's embrace – and began to sob.

"There, there, child," her mother cooed. "It's all gonna be all right now."

She wanted to believe it. She really did. But there were still the rustlers and the danger they posed, to her, to her mother, to their ranch and home, and to the others who stood in their way. Julia pivoted in her mother's arms and found Joe and the stranger talking to Ed. One of them turned and pointed northwest toward the box canyon.

And to the good men who would insist on taking them down.

ooooo

To be continued…..

ooooo