BONANZA:
'Black Jack' Cherry
Virginia City, Nevada Territory
Silver Dollar Saloon
Over the sound of a jangly honky-tonk piano, pretty bar girls dressed in bright-coloured shoulder-baring dresses served cold beers to thirsty cowhands, miners and travelers who were just passing through or perhaps staying at the hotel down the street on business. Virginia City was rapidly growing thanks to its' two major industries: the silver mining operations in the mountains and the ever-expanding cattle ranches in the lush, green valleys.
All the tables in the Silver Dollar were occupied. A few cowboys stood over at the bar jawing with the barkeeper and spending their weeks' pay. It was Friday night and that meant that they had just received their wages. Most of these men came from one ranch in particular: the Ponderosa Ranch owned by Ben Cartwright. The Ponderosa was the largest spread in Nevada Territory and everyone in Nevada knew of it, and its reputation spread as far as California and even further south to Mexico. Ben's three sons, Adam, Eric and Joseph helped him run the large ranch.
Outside of the saloon the sounds of a brawl could be heard out on the street and some of the Silver Dollar's patrons when out to get a gander at the proceedings. Stray gunshots could also be heard firing off into the night sky by drunken men. But back inside the saloon, none of this noise or commotion mattered to a group of men in a corner table covered with a green cloth. These men, five in all, were playing a high-stakes game of Black Jack. The big winner thus far was a stranger to the other four: a small slender man wearing a big black wide brim hat which had the effect of covering his face and his hair except for a few tufts of red peeking out under the sides of the big hat. The other four at the table were strong muscular ranch hands, responsible for riding fences and going on trail rides with herds of cattle to be bought or sold that could last from days to weeks at a time. All the stranger had told them is that he'd come from the Mexican border and was headed east, possibly to Kansas City and it was he who had struck up the game with these men.
The man to the stranger's left, Carl, dealt the cards – two to each player, face up. The men studied their cards intently.
"Anyone want another card?" Carl asked. The stranger stood pat. The man to his right, Dick, took one. Dick's friend Tom, seated on the other side of him stood pat. The last man, Charlie, took one card.
"Anyone want another?" Carl asked. Tom looked at the stranger and back to his cards. He decided he would take one after all.
"Shoot!" Tom cried. "I'm over." He flung his card on the table. Seven of spades, five of diamonds, two of hearts and a King of diamonds.
"Every one else place your bets." At the end of the betting the pot stood at fifty dollars.
"All right," Carl said, "reveal your cards."
At that moment, Eric "Hoss" Cartwright and his young brother Joseph swung open the doors of the saloon and wandered in.
"Hey Hoss, Little Joe," said the barkeeper, "What'll it be?"
"Two beers, my friend," said Hoss as he walked over to the bar.
Hoss was an all-around big man - big in height and in girth, but kind-hearted and loyal to his friends and family and to the land on which they lived. Any man who insulted those things was asking for trouble. One punch from him could knock a man out. He had blonde hair and blue eyes.
Little Joe on the other hand was smaller and leaner. He was fast to join in on a fight and even faster on the draw with a gun. Little Joe was quick to let his emotions rule him over calm thinking. Little Joe also had an eye for the ladies, and the ladies liked him. He had dark hair and brown eyes. Little Joe stopped and grinned at one of the bar girls.
"Hiya, Polly!" he said
"Hello, Little Joe," she replied.
Then the card game in the corner of the room caught his eye.
"Hey Carl," he said, clapping the man on the back, "are you winning yet?"
"Naw. The little fella in the black hat keeps winning, but I think I got him this time."
Joe studied the 'fella's' face as much as he could see of it. There was something peculiar about it – his facial lines, his chin seemed almost feminine. The stranger's skin was smooth, amazingly so. Even from Joe's vantage point he could see no signs of stubble or old nicks where he might have been cut by his razor. Carl's voice calling for everyone to show there cards broke Joe from his train of thought.
Carl counted up his cards. They totaled eighteen. Dick had seventeen, Charles had fifteen. Now the stranger turned over his cards – an ace and a Jack of hearts. Twenty-one. The stranger pulled the pot towards him.
"Sorry fellas, but this is where I bow out."
Tom stood up. "You cheated! Little Joe, this guy's cleaned us out."
"Yeah," chimed in Dick, "he's gotta be cheatin'. Nobody wins that much." He pulled his gun out of its' holster.
Little Joe whipped out his gun in a flash just as Hoss ambled over, a beer in each hand.
"Better put that away, Dick," Hoss said.
Tom clenched his left fist and reached over the table for the stranger with his right. The stranger backed nimbly away from him. As he did, Carl lunged for, and grabbed him. The stranger turned and threw a left hook that landed on Carl's jaw and he lost his grip. Soon the other three men joined in the fight. Little Joe put his gun away and lunged after Tom. Hoss put the beers down and socked Charlie. Charlie flew backwards knocking over another table where three men were sitting drinking beer. Now they got into the fight.
The stranger attempted to sneak way on his hands and knees during the added confusion. He almost made it until Carl spotted him out of the corner of his eye. Carl grabbed him and threw him where he slammed into Hoss knocking off his hat.
To Hoss' surprise, and everyone else's long red hair fell down the stranger's back. Hoss Cartwright looked into the face of a young woman.
"I'll be dadburned," he exclaimed.
The fight stopped and the saloon went quiet. Little Joe stopped and looked. He grinned.
II
The four men, Carl, Tom, Dick, and Charlie, along with the female stranger and the Cartwrights stood in front of Sheriff Roy Coffey's desk in his office. To the right of them through double doors were the jails. The men's shirts had rips and tears, some had black eyes and Dick sported a bloody cut above his right eye. The stranger and the Cartwrights barely had a scratch on them.
"Now you want me to believe that this young woman cheated you fellas at cards?" Roy asked.
"That's right," exclaimed Carl. "She oughta be in jail!"
The other three men agreed.
"What do you have to say to this Miss -uh?"
"Cherise Flanigan. I usually go by Billy when I'm travelling around and playin' cards. You know women ain't allowed in saloons unless they're bar girls. I just tuck my hair up under my hat and pull it down low so's no one can see my face properly. I had an uncle who used to call me 'Black Jack' Cherry on account I was so good at card games. And I don't cheat. It ain't my fault they're lousy at cards."
"Lousy! Why you –" Carl started, grabbing for her.
"Enough!" bellowed Roy as he pulled Carl away. "Now Miss Flanigan, how long have you been in town?"
"Few days. Just stayin' long enough to earn some money then I'll be on my way again."
Cherry revealed that she had a room at the hotel down the street for two more nights.
"Lotsa cowboys with money to burn on a Saturday night," she said with a smile.
Carl made another grab for her.
"You telling me this isn't the only game you won at in Virginia City?"
"Cleaned up on two games last night at the Bucket O' Blood down the street.. They was sore at me too. Buncha losers."
The fronts doors of the office slammed open. A big menacing looking man strode in with three cronies behind him.
"It true you arrested the card cheater? Where is he?" The man looked over the assembled in the room. "Well, where is he?"
"Right here you oaf!" said Cherry.
"You ain't no 'he'," the man exclaimed.
Roy Coffey held up his hands and stared down the big man. "Now, Dave, I want you to settle down. The lady here is the accused card shark. And I haven't arrested her - yet." He turned to Cherry. "Frankly, I don't know what to do with you."
"You can put me in the poke if you wanna. Don't matter to me. I'll pay the bail and be on my way."
Until now, Hoss and Little Joe had just been observers. Now Hoss spoke.
"You ain't gonna put her in jail are you, Roy? She ain't done nothin' wrong. Not that anybody can prove anyway."
Roy considered a moment.
"The young lady has made a lot of enemies in this town. Might be safer for her. Spend the night at least. Then she can pack her things and get out of town in the morning." Roy looked again at the angry faces. "Yeah, I think I will." He unhooked the jail keys from his belt.
"Now wait, Roy. Suppose Little Joe and I took her back to the Ponderosa?" Hoss interjected.
"Well, I don't know. What would your Pa think?"
Little Joe grinned. "It's all right, Roy. Pa is used to Hoss brining home strays!"
Roy agreed to the proposal on the condition that Cherry would agree to it. She also had to agree not to leave the Ponderosa.
Cherry looked over the two Cartwrights. "All right – it's a deal!"
"Hoss, Little Joe, I'm putting her into your custody," said Roy. "Be on your way."
Hoss and Little Joe pushed through the mob with Cherry following behind. The group followed as the trio stepped back onto the street.
"You got a horse someplace?" Little Joe asked.
"In the livery, over yonder," said Cherry, pointing down the street.
"Ours are there too. Let's go."
Hoss and Little Joe paid the livery owner what they owed for board and saddled up their horses. Since Cherry's winnings were at Roy's office, they paid Cherry's bill too.
Hoss' horse was a black Quarter Horse – Thoroughbred mix gelding named Chub. He was the only horse around sturdy enough and strong enough to carry Hoss' weight. Little Joe's was a smaller black and white Paint Horse was called Cochise after the Apache Indian Chief. Cherry's was a brown Appaloosa whom she named Spades.
"Say," said Hoss admiring the horse, "that's a nice piece of horseflesh you got there."
"Thanks. Won her in a card game a few years back. Owner couldn't pay his debts so I got the horse instead."
"Gee, there's a surprise," muttered Little Joe. He called out to Cochise and snapped the reins to get him moving.
After they'd ridden a piece in silence Cherry asked, "So how far out is the Ponderosa?"
"We're on it now," Hoss answered. "We crossed the border about five minutes ago. It's another thirty minutes or so to the house."
"You own all this land?"
"Everything you see now is the Ponderosa."
Cherry asked if they had their fingers in any of the mining operations in the area. Little Joe replied that they were cattle farmers mainly, though they did supply some lumber to the mine owners. She asked if they had a big herd.
"Biggest heard in Nevada Territory. Our older brother Adam was in San Francisco trying to buy two hundred head more. He's on a stagecoach now on his way home. He oughta be here day after tomorrow."
III
Ben Cartwright sat as his big desk in the corner of the main living area of the house crunching numbers. In the middle of this large open space was the sitting area where there was a couch and two tall-backed armchairs – one pink, one blue – and a coffee table in front of a large brick wall fireplace and hearth. To the left of the room was the dining area where Ben and the boys ate their meals.
As Ben was finishing up accounting for the payroll he heard the sound of hoofbeats outside approaching the house. He recognized Cochise and Chub but did not recognize the third horse. He ran his hand through his grey and white hair. What had those two gotten up to now? He went to the front door. When he opened it and stepped outside he saw the third rider was dressed all in black behind Hoss and Little Joe. Ben also saw that she was a woman. He shook his head in dismay.
"Hey Pa!" Hoss called out.
"Hey Pa!" echoed Little Joe.
"I expected you two back earlier," Ben said sternly. "And who's that with you?"
"It's a long story, Pa," said Little Joe. "Hoss will tell you while I bed down the horses.
Hoss introduced Cherry as they went into the house.
Ben sat down in his blue armchair while Hoss took a seat in the other one and Cherry on the couch. He listened while Hoss and Cherry spoke. Part way through the story Little Joe joined them, sitting next to Cherry.
"So that's it, Pa. Like I said, just for one night and she'll be on her way."
Ben frowned and uncrossed his arms. "Well, you've given Roy your word, so there's nothing I can do about it. That doesn't mean I like it. I don't like the idea of a person who makes their living by cheating and lying staying in this house. Just remember Hoss, she's your responsibility."
Cherry grumbled and folded her arms. "I do not cheat! I win honestly. And I ain't gonna do nothin' stupid. I'll still be here in the mornin'."
"That's good, 'cause you don't want to miss one of Hop Sing's breakfasts. They're mighty good," said Hoss.
Hoss and Little Joe took Cherry upstairs to a guest room. And what a room! Cherry marvelled at the spaciousness of it. All of the furniture was made of pine wood and decorated with fine and fancy carvings and etchings. There were two dressers – one with a porcelain wash bowl – a writing table, closet, and king-size bed. The linens were of highest quality.
These Cartwrights sure had a lot of money.
"If I could get these fellas into a game, I'd be set for life!" Cherry thought. She quickly dismissed that thought though, because they were already wise to her. There was nothing to do but wait to see what tomorrow would bring.
The first thing Cherry sensed when she awoke was the smell of coffee. She slipped out of the bed and washed up before heading downstairs. She realized that she had none of her belongings with her. It hadn't occurred to her to get them from the hotel last night. Hopefully the Sheriff would allow her to collect them on her way out of town. She followed the smell of the coffee down the stairs.
Cherry stopped at the bottom of the staircase and saw Ben at the head of the dining table with Hoss and Little Joe on either side of him. One seat was empty but set up with plate, utensils, and coffee cup and saucer. Hoss beckoned her over.
"C'mon over here and eat the best breakfast you ever ate! Hop Sing outdid himself again – steak and scrambled eggs. Oh, and bacon!"
Cherry sat down at the empty spot.
"Good morning, young lady," said Ben.
The Cartwright's Chinese cook appeared as if on cue with a fresh pot of coffee.
"Pleased to meet you Missy Lady! Hop Sing not happy with Mr. Hoss. Bring home people at all hours and expect me to make more food!" He muttered something in Chinese as he walked away.
Cherry sipped her coffee. "I suppose you fellas are going to be my escorts out of town?"
"Hoss and I will be doing that, yes. Little Joe has chores to do out on the north pasture."
Cherry filled her plate with the good food and dug right in to the scrambled eggs.
"Say," she said, "this is right tasty."
As Cherry started in on the steak, there came a knock at the front door. Hop Sing appeared again from the kitchen to answer it.
Hop Sing opened the door to see Sheriff Roy Coffey with a folded piece of paper in his right hand. He was not a happy man.
IV
"Mornin' Hop Sing. Is Ben here?"
Hop Sing didn't have to answer because Ben and the boys were standing right behind him.
Ben ushered Roy into the house. "Cup of coffee, Roy?" he asked.
"No thanks, Ben. I'm here on official business. It concerns your guest."
Roy handed the folded paper to Ben. Roy went on as he and the boys read. "I couldn't sleep last night thinkin' about Miss Flanigan so I decided to talk to the boys from the card games some more and Carl told me that Miss Flanigan had mentioned being in San Armeda, Arizona. Turns out San Armeda is just down the road apiece from Yuma and only ten miles from the Mexican border."
"We know the place," said Little Joe. "We been through there. Nice little town. Pretty ladies, too." Little Joe grinned and Hoss elbowed him in the chest.
"Go on, Roy," Hoss said.
"Well, I sent a telegram to the San Armeda Sheriff last night to see if he'd heard of a 'Billy' Flanigan and this morning I got a reply. That one right there in your hand. He knew 'Billy' all right. Pulled the same stunt with the cards there too. The only difference is Miss Flanigan here was accompanied by an older gentleman. White hair, bushy moustache, blue eyes, maybe around sixty-five years old."
Ben looked up from the telegram. "Says here that Billy and the gentleman left together, but Billy returned a few hours later, alone." He glanced at Cherry. She showed no outward emotion, except perhaps defiance.
"Sheriff Pedro Guiverra wants to talk to Billy – uh – Miss Flanigan about it. He's on his way here. You see the last line there? Billy ran off before Guiverra could question him."
Cherry stomped her foot. "Look, we met in San Francisco, and rode together a piece. Shared the winnings. Then he decided to go to Mexico, and I didn't so we parted comp'ny. That's all."
Roy continued. "I sent another telegram asking why he'd want to come all this way for a missing person. Sheriff Guiverra was already gone, but I got a response from his Deputy." Roy pulled another telegram from his pocket. "Now read that one."
Ben did and the boys read over his shoulder.
"Murder?" Hoss asked, his eyes wide.
"Yep. Seems some passers-by found the old man's body about five miles from the border just off the road. They brought the body to San Armeda where Sheriff Guiverra identified him. He had a single bullet wound to the chest. The doctor that examined the body figures he was shot at close range. The old man had a billfold on him and there was a business card with a name: Martin Carthy. You know that name?"
"Yeah, I think it was his. But I can't be sure," Cherry replied.
"You can't be sure? You travelled with the man from San Francisco, and you don't know his name?" asked Roy incredulously.
"All right, so I – I got confused for a moment! Yeah, Martin Carthy was his name," Cherry shouted.
Roy pulled out a pair of handcuffs from his belt loop. "Since we're talking murder I have to take you to jail until the Sheriff gets here and questions you. And you'll probably be going to back to San Armeda to get put on trial for the killing of Martin Carthy."
Roy made a grab for Cherry's arm but she pulled away and backed up.
"I ain't goin' with you! I didn't do nothin'. You got no right to arrest me."
"Oh come on, Roy, why can't she stay here? We'll vouch for her," Little Joe said.
"There's one very good reason why not – I promised that Deputy Sheriff that Miss Flanigan – Billy rather – would be in my jail when he got here. I didn't say anything about their man being a lady yet. Sheriff Guiverra can see for himself when he arrives. Boy is that man in for a shock!" Roy chuckled in spite of himself.
"I have to admit., I'd like to see that too," said Ben with a grin.
Roy shrugged. "Well, why don't you be there then. It's a three day ride. He left this morning, so Sheriff Guiverra should be here early Tuesday morning."
Ben promised that he would be there.
Roy made another grab for Cherry's arm and once again she backed away.
"I told you, you ain't takin' me in!"
"Aw, it'll be all right, Miss Cherry, I'll ride in with you," Hoss offered. "And if what you say is true, then you got nothin' to worry about."
"I'd appreciate that, Hoss," said Roy.
Cherry finally agreed as long as Hoss stayed with her. Roy sighed in relief. Now he asked for Cherry's gun which was in its' holster around her waist. Cherry refused.
'Roy is a good man, he ain't gonna hurt ya, and I give you my word I won't let no one else either," said Hoss.
Cherry huffed but handed over her weapon.
Hoss hitched up his and Cherry's horses. Cherry mounted hers and Roy decided to take the precaution of putting handcuffs on her.
"That necessary, Roy?" Hoss asked.
"I'm not taking any chances with this one. I get the feeling that she's one slippery customer."
Ben spoke quietly to Hoss. "Keep your eye on her. She makes her living by lying about who she is and swindling at card games. We don't know anything about her. What she said about this Carthy fellow could be another lie."
"Yes Pa."
"I'll come to town this afternoon."
Roy snapped his horse's reins and the trio started off down the road.
V
Arizona Desert, 15 miles north of San Armeda
Sheriff Pedro Guiverra pulled on the reins of his horse by a small water hole. Guiverra dismounted his horse and stretched. He had dark drown eyes and tanned and weather worn skin. He had a thick black moustache and his hair had a few streaks of gray running throughout. He looked behind him to the younger man following him. Guiverra smiled. He hadn't told the Virginia City sheriff that he was bringing a witness. He wanted to surprise Billy. With this man's testimony, Billy would hang for sure.
The younger man slid down from his horse. He had blue eyes and dirty blonde hair, and his face and skin were also weather worn. He brought his horse to the water's edge. The horses drank while the men spoke.
"I appreciate you coming with me on this journey, Signor. Your testimony is crucial as you well know."
"And I appreciate the reward money you're givin' me," the man replied. "I only wish you were givin' it to me now."
"I told you Signor Whitfield, you get your money after we get the guilty verdict."
Cleve Whitfield put his hands on his hips. "Why?"
"Because I will be paying you out of Billy Flannigan's winnings. We will give back our townspeople what they lost, and the rest will be divided up between us. A fine fee signor, for bringing a criminal to justice."
Whitfield lit a cigar. "A fine fee indeed, but what if the people of this Virginia City find him not guilty?"
"The trial will not be in Virginia City. We will bring him back to San Armeda first. He has made many enemies in San Armeda, including the judge, with his card tricks. I have traced Billy back as far as San Francisco and he has left behind enemies in many towns along the way. No one will be sorry to see Billy Flanigan swing from the end of a rope."
"We will ride another five miles, I think. I want to get there a little sooner than expected. Fill the canteens."
Back in Virginia City, Hoss sat on a chair in front of Cherry's cell. Cherry paced on the other side of the iron bars.
"This is ridiculous, Hoss. I didn't do nothin'," she said.
"Where did you meet this Martin Carthy?" Hoss asked.
"I – I met him in San Francisco, like I told ya."
"Is there anyone that can verify that?"
"How should I know? There's lotsa people in San Francisco."
"Was there anybody with him when you met him?"
"Naw, he alone. We was – we was playin' cards. He saw how I kept winning and decided we should pool our resources together. He got the games started, then I'd wander over and ask if I could join in."
Roy came into the holding area with a tray of food. Ben was with him.
"Dinner time."
Cherry pointed to it. "That any good?"
"Sure is," Hoss answered. Jail meals get made by the cooks at the hotel so its good food."
Roy opened the jail door and handed the tray to Cherry.
"And speaking of hotel food, Hoss, you and I have a reservation over there in five minutes. We'd best get going."
Hoss' eyes opened wide. "Yes Sir! I'm gonna get me one of them thick steaks. Maybe two of 'em!"
Ben and Hoss said their goodbyes to Roy and Cherry with promises to return in the morning.
Over dinner, Ben and Hoss talked at length about Cherry Flanigan. Hoss told Ben about wanting to find someone in San Francisco that could verify Cherry's version of how she and Martin met.
"That would be a good idea, but in a city that size it would be impossible." Ben thought a moment. "We could ask your brother Adam when he gets back tomorrow. He may have heard or seen something of those two. It's a long shot, but you never know. Adam will be home on Monday and this Sheriff won't arrive until the next morning so that gives us a little time, but not much."
"You think Cherry's a murderer, Pa?"
"I don't know. How can you trust anything she says? And I'd like to know how she wins all these card games. If it's not illegal as she claims, how does she do it? Well, let's finish up and head home before it gets too dark."
VI
Ben and Hoss stood in the front entryway of the Ponderosa strapping on their gun belts when they heard the knock on the door. Ben answered it.
Standing in the doorway was a boy of about thirteen with messy brown hair and freckles on his face. He had a paper in his hand.
"How can I help you, son?" Ben asked.
"I got this telegram for you. Mr. Harriston at the telegraph office sent me. He said it was urgent and to get out here right away."
The boy handed Ben the paper and in exchange Ben gave him a fifty cent piece.
"Thank you, Mr. Cartwright!" the boy exclaimed and ran off to his pony, which was tied up to a hitching post.
Ben read the telegram. "Hmm," he said, frowning.
"What is it, Pa?"
"Adam has been delayed. There was an accident with the stage. Wheel bearings broke off. Have to wait for the next stage through which isn't until tomorrow morning."
"Was anybody hurt?" Hoss asked.
"No, thank God," Ben said, "but that does mean that Adam and Sheriff Guiverra are going to arrive about the same time."
"So what now?" Hoss asked.
Ben said that he'd like to go into town and talk to Cherry again. He wanted to know howshe won those games.
"I think it's important we know that before the Sheriff gets here."
A couple of hours later, Ben and Hoss tied up their horses to the hitching post outside Roy's office. They walked up the steps.
"Afternoon, Roy. How are things with Miss Flanigan?"
"She's been a model prisoner. Just sits there on her bunk with her arms crossed. I thought she'd make more of a fuss, but nope, nothing."
Roy let Ben and Hoss go back to the cells after they surrendered their firearms. And there was Cherry, just as Roy had said, arms crossed, sitting on her bunk. She was no longer wearing her black garb. Roy's Deputy had gone over to the hotel to fetch some of Cherry's belongings, including the clothes she now wore – beige pants and red checkered shirt.
"Don't you ever wear dresses?" Hoss asked her.
"Not 'less I have to. Good for wearin' if I have to make a quick getaway, I will say that. Come in as a man, leave as a lady."
"Now that's what I want to talk to you about, young lady," said Ben, "I want you to tell me about these card games."
Cherry shrugged. "Ain't nothin' to tell. And why should I tell you?"
"Because that Sheriff is coming. We need to determine whether or not what you do is against the law. If it isn't then that's one thing we can get the Sheriff off your back about right away."
"Well, all right. Not sure as I know how."
"Just start at the beginning," suggested Hoss.
Cherise Flanigan came from Kansas City originally, and was raised by her Ma and Pa until she was eleven. That was when her parents were killed as bystanders in a bank robbery that had gone wrong. Her closest living relative was her Pa's older brother. He was a widower; his wife having died of influenza two years earlier. He took her in, even though he wasn't quite sure what to do with her. When she wasn't in school, Cherry looked after the house and did the cooking while her uncle was at work. He often spent his evenings playing cards with some friends, sometimes at the local saloon and sometimes at home.
Cherry, who had little else to do, would often watch the games. She was especially interested in Black Jack. She had a natural ability when it came to numbers and counting, adding or subtracting, multiplying or dividing. She'd heard talk one night of a card counter. Her uncle and the men he played with couldn't make heads or tales of it, just that it had something to do with hi/lo cards and a system of assigning numbers to the cards to increase your odds of what card you might get expect to get - a high card or a low numbered one.
While watching the games, Cherry thought about the system and after a few hands she understood perfectly. For cards two to six she assigned a plus one count. Seven, eight and nine were zero count and the ten through ace were a minus one count. A high count meant that more low cards had been dealt and that the probability of getting a high numbered card was better. The opposite was also true.
The men at the table ignored her while Cherry silently practiced. One night she whispered in her uncle's ear not to take another card. It would be a high number, she'd said, and he would be over. Her uncle looked at her for a moment, confused, but did as she said. She was right and her uncle won the hand.
"Hot damn, girl! You mean to tell me you been sitting here all this time counting cards?" he said after his friends had gone.
"Yes, Sir," she replied.
"Niece o' mine, we're gonna get rich!"
From then on, they visited the neighbouring towns where her uncle would strike up a game. Minors weren't allowed in saloons as a rule, but he always had a sad story to tell and the owners would let her in. Cherry would sit away from the game table, but close enough to be able to see the cards. They devised a series of signals. The plan worked, and they raked in a pile of money. Her uncle bought a bigger house and better clothes.
Cherry stopped her story.
"But what happened to your Uncle? Did anyone ever get wise? Where is he now?" Ben asked.
"Oh he – he died. A while back. So I struck out on my own. And yeah, sometimes folks would suspect somethin', so we'd just move on."
Ben smiled. "Counting cards isn't illegal. It's frowned upon, sure, but it's not against the law. The Sheriff can't arrest you for that. That's a start. Now this Martin Carthy – you say you met him in San Francisco?"
"That's right."
"And you never laid eyes on him before that?"
"No, I didn't. I told you that. We went our separate ways. He wanted to go to Mexico, and I didn't."
Ben asked how much she'd won. Cherry reckoned $6000. She and Martin split the winnings 70 -30. Cherry got the most since she was the one playing the games and taking the risks.
"So Martin must have had around $1800 on him when he was killed," Ben mused.
"There you are then! He was prob'ly robbed, then killed," said Hoss, grinning.
"Yeah – yeah that could be!" Cherry exclaimed. "I bet it wasn't on him when they found him."
"You ain't got nothing to worry about, Cherry!" Hoss proclaimed.
Ben frowned.
VII
The Southern Border of Nevada
Sheriff Guiverra reckoned by the position of the sun that it was about three in the afternoon and that was good. He and Signor Whitfield were making excellent time. A rest here and another hard ride should have them in Virginia City late that night. Whitfield hadn't said much that day, and that worried the Sheriff. What was he thinking about all this time?
"Tell me Signor Whitfield, what is it you are thinking of?"
"Me Sheriff? Why nothin' in particular." Whitfield shrugged casually. "'Cept if we hanged Billy Flannigan ourselves, we could keep all the money. Split it fifty-fifty like. Think about it – there could be hundreds, maybe thousands of dollars."
The Sheriff was startled by this. "What about the money the townspeople lost? They shouldn't get it back?"
"Why should they? They got taken by a card shark, and I say, more fool them. So I figure maybe they don't deserve to get it back."
Sheriff Guiverra shook his head. "I don't know. We are already keeping the bulk of the winnings. Is that not enough?"
Whitfield stared into the Sheriff's eyes. "Not for me it ain't."
"Well let me think about it. Come, enough rest. Let's ride," said Sheriff Guiverra.
Back in Virginia City that city's Sheriff had just finished listening to Ben's telling of Cherry's story.
"I've heard of such things, Ben. But I've never actually met anyone who could do it. You sure she's telling the truth?" Roy asked.
"Yes I do. I believe her."
"Now what about this murder business?"
"That I don't know. I get the feeling there's more to her story. This might sound crazy to you, but what if this Martin Carthy was her uncle?"
"Now wait a minute! Her uncle died long ago – you said so. And you said you believed her!" Roy exclaimed.
"About her card counting, yes. Not so much about her uncle. She wouldn't say how he died. Just that they'd run out of luck and got caught. He got shot and she escaped. Then she created this 'Billy' character. Suppose, just for a minute, that he did get shot, but didn't die. Maybe he just laid low for awhile."
"Then re-joined her?" Roy said, finishing the thought. "Could be, but that's for the San Armeda Sheriff to figure out when they put her on trial down there."
Ben put his hat on his head and called out to Hoss who was still in the cells with Cherry. It was time for them to head back to the Ponderosa where Hop Sing would be waiting with dinner. They bid farewells to Roy and Cherry and were on their way.
Meanwhile, Sheriff Guiverra and Cleve Whitfield halted their horses in front of a sign which read: "Virginia City 10 Miles".
"We're gonna be there in a few hours, Amigo," said Whitfield, "what's your answer to my proposition?"
Sheriff Guiverra acknowledged that perhaps the townspeople had indeed been foolish. And he could perhaps see his way to keeping all the money, but to kill Billy Flanigan? He wasn't sure about that part. He argued that they could still put Billy on trial and just say that the money had been hidden by Billy or that he had gotten a new sidekick who ran off with the money and could not be found.
"Too risky. Billy could talk before he was hanged," Whitfield said.
Sheriff Guiverra didn't answer. Instead he gave his horse a little nudge and continued down the road.
Joe Cartwright tied down the last fence post for the night just as it was coming up to dusk. Time to head back to the little cabin his father had built there, start a fire and get some supper going. He looked up when he saw two figures on horses coming down the road. He walked over to meet them.
"Hey there! This is the Ponderosa – private property. You'll have to turn around and go back to the main road."
"Many pardons, Senior. I am Sheriff Gueverrra and my friend and I are headed to Virginia – Signor Cartright! I remember you – you caused a little trouble last time you were down my way."
Joe shook the Sheriff's hand. "That wasn't my fault," he laughed, "Her father chased me off!" Joe turned serious. "I guess you're here for Cherry."
"Cherry? I don't know any Cherry. I am after a man named Billy Flannigan, a suspected murderer. Your Sheriff Coffey assured me that Billy would be locked up in his cells."
Joe stifled a laugh. "I'll – I'll take you to him. I know the way."
"Gracias, my friend."
Joe saddled up Cochise and led the two men down the road. While riding, Gueverra introduced Whitfield.
"You mind if I ask what you're a witness to?" inquired Joe.
Whitfield smiled. "The murder of Martin Carthy. Seen the whole thing from a hilltop."
Joe turned and looked into Whitfield's face. He was still grinning. Something about the man made Joe feel uneasy. Joe rode ahead in silence.
It was full dark by the time Sheriff Guiverra, Whitfield, and Joe rode down Viginia City's main street. There weren't too many people walking about the streets, but they could hear piano music and shouts coming from the saloons.
Joe stopped in front of Roy's office and dismounted. The other two did the same. Joe led the men into the office.
"Evenin' Little Joe," greeted Roy.
"Evening, Roy. Roy, this is Sheriff Guiverra and Cleve Whitfield. Whitfield here says he witnessed the murder."
"Did he now?" said Roy. "Sheriff, pleased to meet you." Roy extended his hand.
Sheriff Guiverra happily accepted the friendly gesture and shook Roy's hand. "A pleasure to meet a fellow law man. You have Billy here?"
"Ah, well, yes. And no."
Guiverra was puzzled. "You either have him or you don't."
"You'd best see for yourself."
Roy lead the way back to the cells. Cherry immediately jumped up from her bunk on sight of the Sheriff. Guiverra barely noticed her as he looked into the other unoccupied cells. His cheeks turned red.
"I do not understand! Where is he? You were supposed to hold him until my arrival!"
"You're looking at him," said Roy.
Guiverra became even more flustered. "You are making jokes with me! Where is Billy Flannigan!"
Joe covered his mouth with his hand to hide his laughter.
"Your 'man' is a woman.", Roy explained. "This is the person you know as Billy. Her real name is Cherise Flannigan."
"Impossible! I don't believe it."
Joe grabbed Cherry's black hat from the outer office. "Here. Put this on." Roy unlocked the cell and opened the door and Joe handed her the hat. Cherry pulled up her red hair and put the hat on, pulling it low over her face.
She spoke in a low voice, "Alright boys, the game is Black Jack. Who wants in?"
Sheriff Guiverra's jaw dropped. He recognized 'Billy' instantly. He could also hear Whitfield's laughter from behind him.
"But how? How did we not see this?"
"Because I'm good at what I do!" Cherry exclaimed. "You plannin' on takin' me back to San Armeda?"
"Yes. Man or woman, it does not matter. You are wanted for murder. I will take you in the morning!"
Sheriff Giiverra stomped away from the cells. For now, he and Whitfield would go down the street to the hotel, get a meal and get some sleep. Joe meanwhile, raced back home to the Ponderosa as fast as Cochise would go.
VII
"I don't understand," said Ben, pacing the living room floor, "how did he get here so fast?"
"Musta rode real hard, Pa," said Hoss. He fiddled with the belt of his robe which he wore over his night shirt. Ben wore the same. "Sure woulda liked to have seen that Sheriff's face though when he seen Cherry."
"Me too. But what about this Whitfield? Did he really witness the murder? How credible is he?" Ben pondered.
"I don't know, Pa. I just know that I don't like him," said Joe.
"Remember," Ben cautioned, "there's a lot of money at stake - $6000. What's to stop those two from keeping all Cherry's money to themselves if she's found guilty and hanged?"
"I couldn't believe that of Sheriff Guiverra. Adam and I met him last year when we were down there on that buying trip. He seemed like a decent guy. He didn't strike me a thief."
"Money can change people. Circumstances can change," Ben reminded him. "Now let's get back to bed. I want to get to town early tomorrow. "
Ben and the boys were up before sunup. They had a quick breakfast before saddling up their horses and galloping off down the road towards Virginia City. The sun was not quite up high in the sky yet when they pulled up in front of Sheriff Roy Coffey's office.
Guiverra and Whitfield were already inside demanding that Coffey release the prisoner over to them so that they could get going back to San Armeda.
"Oh, mornin' Ben, boys," said Roy when the Cartrights came in. "This here is Sheriff Pedro Guiverra and Cleve Whitfield. Cleve here says he witnessed the murder."
Ben shook hands with both men. "Roy, may I go in and see Cherry?"
"Sure thing," Roy replied and waved them through.
Ben and Joe went through while Hoss stayed behind to talk to Roy and the two men.
They found Cherry the same as before, arms crossed, sitting on her bunk.
"Good morning, Cherry," said Ben.
"Not sure what's so good about it. They mean to hang me. That fella out there says he saw me do it!"
"Did you do it, Cherry? Did you murder Martin Carthy?"
"No!"
Joe asked her if she'd ever seen Whitfield before. She couldn't remember, but he didn't look familiar, either. Could Martin have known him? Cherry said no, and she was quite certain about that.
"He could have been in one of the saloons we were in, watching the game. I don't look too much at people's faces on account of I'm concentrating on the cards."
"Maybe he bankrolled someone. If he was one of the people that lost money to you, that might give him a motive to lie," thought Ben aloud.
"You explain to these two about Cherry's card countin' and how it ain't illegal?" Hoss asked Roy.
"I was just about to, Hoss, but maybe I'll let you do it. You understand it better than I do."
Whitfield shot Guiverra a glance.
"What do you mean not illegal? Did she not cheat?" asked Guiverra, swallowing hard.
Hoss proceeded to tell them Cherry's story about how she learned to count cards and how the system worked.
"So you see fellas, she won that money fair and square, just by usin' her smarts," Hoss concluded.
"That is all very well, but we still have the murder," Guiverra pointed out.
"She'll hang for it too," put in Whitfield.
Just then one of the townspeople stuck their head into the office to announce the arrival of the stagecoach. Ben and Joe rushed out of the cells area and out the door to meet Adam.
Adam Cartwright was the last to step out. He looked around and smiled when he saw his Pa and brother. Adam was dressed in black shirt and pants, and his hat was black too. His blue eyes twinkled.
"Welcome back, son! Good trip?"
"Very good, thank you," Adam replied. "Vern Hanson sends his regards. His cattle are fine specimens. I told hm we'd be there in two weeks to round them up. The vacation time was good too."
"Good! Good! Come on over to Roy's office."
As they walked, Ben asked if while in San Francisco, Adam had come across a young man in black who was very good at cards and had an older man with him.
"He would have been very, very, good. Exceptionally good."
"As a matter of fact, I did. A couple days into my vacation time. What's this about?"
"You'll see. I want you to meet someone," Ben told him.
Ben, Adam and Hoss re-entered Roy's office. They stopped briefly to introduce Adam to Guiverra and Whitfield before entering the cell.
Adam looked at Cherry. She tried to avert her eyes. He smiled.
"Adam, this is -" Ben began.
"Hello again. 'Billy' isn't it?" Adam crossed his arms.
"You know her, Signor?" Sheriff Guiverra asked.
"We crossed paths in San Francisco," Adam explained. "Didn't we, Cherise."
"I – I don't know what you're talkin' about," she replied.
"And where's that Uncle of yours?" Adam looked around. "I don't see him around."
"Don't got one. He died." After a pause, Cherry added quickly, "A long time ago."
Adam raised an eyebrow. "Oh?" He turned to the group behind him, crowding around. "I think we need to go into the other room and talk."
The group – Adam, Ben, Hoss, Joe, Sheriff Coffey, Sheriff Guiverra and Whitfield filed out into the main office. Roy sat behind his desk, The others grabbed any chair they could find and sat down.
"What is all this, Adam?" asked Roy Coffey.
VIII
"Well, I had just finished doing business with Mr. Vern Hanson and was starting my vacation part of the trip. One night I went into a saloon called the 'Port O' Call' for a beer and to soak in the atmosphere. A Black Jack game in the far corner caught my eye because there was a lot of money on the table. So, I went over to have a look. A small, skinny man in black was doing most of the winning. There was an old man beside him, who bet very little, and folded almost every hand. It seemed very odd, unless the two were working together. And the man in black was winning more than normal – almost every hand. I think he lost every once in a while, just to avert suspicion. I knew he was up to something, and it reminded me of someone I once knew.
"Back when I was in college in the East, I knew a fellow student who had a natural ability at winning card games, especially Black Jack. So the next morning, I sent him a telegram. Later that day, I received an answer from him. He explained a system of counting cards. With that in mind, I returned early to the 'Port 'O Call' hoping the man in black would be there. And he did, but the old man came in first and got the game started. After a few minutes, the man in black came in and asked if he could join in. Now I understood the trick. I watched a few hands and put my friend's system to use. Now in order to make it work you need to be able to do the math quickly in your head, and not look like you're doing it. I couldn't do that, but I could follow. After a few hands I went over and introduced myself:
'My name is Adam. Mind if I join in?'
'Not at all,' said Billy.
Billy's voice was low, but it had an odd quality to it. It reminded me of a play I saw once in which a woman impersonated a man for a joke. I also noticed Billy's chin was unnaturally smooth for a man. The only hair I could see was a bit of red tucked up under his hat. I would also like to think I know a woman's mouth when I see it, and I was positive that was what I was seeing. I couldn't make out his eyes because he had his hat purposefully low for just that reason. I could have called him out, but I chose not to. It might have gotten him, or her, killed.
"I played a few hands just for my own verification of the system and walked away. I might not have thought any more about it until I bumped into the old man and the young woman he was with. She was wearing a blue dress and matching hat, and her red hair which I noticed was the same shade as Billy's, ran down her to her back. When she looked down to look for something in her bag obscuring the top half of her face with her hat, I recognized the chin and lips immediately.
'Hello again,' I said to the old man, 'we met last night at the card game. And may I congratulate you, Miss, on your wins. You must be very, very lucky.'
It was the woman who answered. 'I don't know what you're talkin' about. I don't play card games. Particularly in saloons.'
'Oh, but you did 'Billy'. Nice try, but you didn't fool me. May I have the pleasure of your real name?"
'Come on, Cherise,' the old man said, 'this man's plum crazy, thinkin' you're playin' games in a saloon. And dressed as a man to boot.'
'I didn't say she was dressed like a man. But thank you for confirming. Now if I may offer you a free piece of advice: quit while you're ahead. If I can figure you out, then someone else can, too. And they might not be as forgiving as I am. I also know how you win so many games – counting cards. It could get you both killed.'
'Well a' course she'd have to be dressed as a man. Women ain't allowed in a saloon. And I don't know about no card countin'. Who d'you think you are talkin' to my niece like that? Come on Cherry, we got places to be." He grabbed Cherry by the arm and tried to pull her away, but she stood her ground.
'Wait now, Uncle Charllie - Mr. Cartwright, the chances of our meetin' again are slim. If by chance I was doin' somethin' – and I ain't sayin' I am – but if I was, I know how to take care of myself. So, I appreciate your concern, but there is no need. Goodbye, Mr. Cartwright.'
"And that was that. I didn't see them again for the rest of the trip."
The men were silent while they digested Adam's incredible story.
Shriff Guiverra broke that silence by giving Adam a description of the man he knew as Martin Carthy. Adam confirmed that Uncle Charlie and Martin Carthy were the same man.
"I think it's time we had another talk with Miss Flanigan," said Roy.
They returned to the cells, and unlike other the other times, Cherry was not sitting on her bunk with her arms crossed. She was standing with her hands clutching the bars, and her eyes were wide.
"I take it you heard Adam's story?" Roy asked.
Cherry nodded.
"And is it true?" Sheriff Guiverra asked.
Cherry nodded again. "Yeah."
"And Martin Carthy – Uncle Charlie – is he really your Uncle? The one you told us about that took you in?" Ben inquired.
"He is, uh, was. Yes, Sir."
"I think," said Guiverra, "that you'd better tell us what happened to your Uncle."
Cherry backed away from the bars and sat down on the edge of the bed, her head lowered.
"It' was self defense." She looked up again at the group of men. There were tears forming in her eyes. She continued:
"Truth is, Adam spooked him. Uncle Charlie wanted out. He said he knew a place in Mexico, he didn't say where, but he knew some people in this place. He said it was a dangerous place – no place for a young woman. He was going on alone, and he demanded more of the money we'd won – I'd won. I said no. Then he told me I'd served his purpose and he didn't need me no more. He pulled out his gun and said 'Darling Niece, I want the money, and I'll kill you for it if I must. If you give it to me, I'll let you go on your way, and you'll never hear from ol' Uncle Charlie ever again. What's it to be?'
"I said no. I saw him cock his gun and his finger start to squeeze the trigger, so I grabbed mine in a flash and shot him first. His gun did go off and at first, I thought the bullet went wild. Then I felt a hot pain in my side."
Cherry lifted her shirt to reveal a red mark on her side, just above her hip. "The bullet nicked me. Wasn't serious. Later on, I found a little pond and washed away the blood."
"What about the money? The old man's money? Did you take it?" Whitfield demanded to know.
"Yeah, I took it. I earned it, it was mine."
Ben turned to Whitfield. "Perhaps you'd better tell us what you saw."
Cleve Whitfield's face flushed with anger. "I'll tell you what I saw! I seen her shoot the old man down in cold blood. He didn't fire no shot. Didn't even have his gun out. It was murder!"
"That's not true! He's lyin'. How do you think I got this?" Cherry pointed to her wound.
"You could have done that to yourself later, in case you got caught - which you did," returned Whitfield.
"All right! That's enough!" Roy called out waving his hands. "Everybody out."
Hoss said he'd join them in a minute. He had something on his mind he had to say to Cherry first.
"Cherry, listen a minute. You ever think about the future? I mean, how long you figure to keep on doin' this? If you get out of this – when you get out of this, what're you goin' to do? Go back to bein' Billy and playing card games?"
"I dunno, Hoss. Never thought about it."
"What about ten years from now? Twenty? Maybe it's time you thought about settlin' down someplace. Put down some roots. With your smarts, I bet you'd make a great schoolteacher."
"A schoolteacher, Hoss? Me? You really think so?'
"Sure I do! And I know some fella'd be lucky if he fell in love with you."
"Ah, who'd want to love me?"
"I bet a lot of fellas would if you'd just put 'Billy' away and started just bein' Cherry. Be yourself."
"All right, Hoss. I'll think about it."
Hos excused himself to rejoin the men.
IX
"I don't know what we're waiting for. I say we take her right now and head back to San Armeda!" Cleve Whitfield growled.
"Not so fast, Mr. Whitfield," said Roy. "Why are you in such an all-fire hurry to take her back? Why not take a day and discuss this? I know it's not my jurisdiction, but I don't see any reason for her to go back with you, if what she says is true, and I for one believe her."
Whitfield leaned forward. "Are you callin' me a liar? She's the one who makes her living out of cheating and lying. Doon't you forget that!"
Sheriff Guivera sighed. "Perhaps my fellow Sheriff is right. Perhaps we should go home and forget the whole thing."
"She's got you all fooled on account of she's a woman! She's got you all feelin' sorry for her. She don't fool me none!" Whitfield stormed out of the office.
"I think we all need to settle down here," cautioned Ben. "Arguing isn't going to get us anywhere. Now Sheriff Guiverra – do you believe what Cherry told us? Or do you believe Whitfield?"
"I don't know, Signor Cartwright. Whitfield came to me and told me what he saw. And yes, I believed him."
"Could we have Cherry's trial right here in Virginia City, Roy?" asked Ben. "The townsfolk here would certainly be impartial."
"That's true, but the alleged crime happened outside of this jurisdiction."
"I must agree with Sheriff Coffey, Signor Cartwright. If there is to be a trial, it must be in San Armeda."
Joe had a thought. "What if we went before the judge and explained to him that there was no way to get a fair trial in San Armeda with all those folks upset at her about the card playing?"
"Won't work, Little Joe," said Adam. "Another city or town nearby in the same State, sure, you could argue that, and you might get it. But we're not in the same State. Sheriff Guiverra is right: Cherry's trial must be in San Armeda."
"Say, what about if one of us tagged along? We could speak on Cherry's behalf," Hoss suggested.
"That's not a bad idea, son. But I'd need you back in time to get ready for the round up at Vern Hanson's. What do you think Sheriff Guiverra?"
"Well, I – I suppose that would be all right. I think it is too late to leave today. It is already noon. By the time we were ready to travel, it would not leave much riding time before dark. I will talk with Signor Whitfield now. If you will excuse me." Sheriff Guiverra stood, tipped his hat, and went off in search of Cleve Whitfield.
Guiverra found Whitfield pacing the floor of their hotel room with a scowl on his face. Their money was slipping away from them, and Whitfield could feel it. The money could no longer be confiscated as illegal gains. All they had left was to hope the jury would find her guilty of murder and hang her. If they didn't, she would walk away with all the money. And Cleve Whitfield wasn't about to let that happen.
"She has to have an accident before we get back to San Armeda. It's the only we can keep the money now. I don't want to risk leaving it up to a jury. 'Billy' they'd have no trouble finding guilty. But a woman? I ain't so sure. They might feel sorry for her."
"I will not be a party to murder! Keeping money from ill-gotten gains is one thing – but murdering to get it? No! Besides, Ben Cartwright is sending along one of his sons with us."
"That meddling Ben Catrwight! Which one?"
"Hoss. The big one."
"That makes things more difficult. One of the other two I could've taken, but not the big one. Okay, let me think – one night when Hoss is asleep we wake Billy – Cherry – and take her out aways like we want to talk to her. Then one of us puts a bullet in her back. The big guy hears it, and we tell him that she tried to run."
Guiverra shook his head. "Absolutely not. No murder!"
"My brother was one of the guys she played cards with. Took all his money. He couldn't bear to tell his wife and kid what he done, so he went out and shot hisself dead. I aim to get even!"
Whitfield stormed out of the room. Sheriff Guiverra slumped down into the nearest chair and sighed. Things were getting out of control.
X
The Cartwrights rode into town early the following day. Hoss had his bedroll, his rifle and a few supplies slung over his saddle. Sheriff Guiverra And Whitfield were already inside the Sheriff Coffey's office waiting. Their horses and Cherry's were tied up outside the office. The Cartwrights tied their own horses up to the hitching post and went inside.
Roy Coffey had the jail keys in his hand and was on his way back to the cells. "Morning Ben. Boys," he said.
"Morning Roy," returned Ben.
"I'm just getting Miss Flanigan. Be right back."
"Mornin' gentlemen," said Hoss, with a tip of his hat.
Guiverra returned the greeting while Whitfield just grunted. Roy returned with Cherry, handcuffed.
"Mornin' Cherry. Ready to go?" Hoss asked.
"Ready as I'm gonna be, I guess. I'm sure glad your comin' Hoss. Makes my chances of gettin' to San Armeda a whole lot better."
Roy relinquished Cherry over to Sheriff Guiverra's custody. "She's all yours now."
"The money. Hand over the money. We're takin' that too," said Whitfield in a gruff voice. Everyone stared at him. "I mean, the Sheriff here's gotta take it. Evidence or something," he said quietly. Sheriff Guiverra continued to stare at him.
"Of course," said Roy. "Right here in my desk." He picked out another key from the key ring. He unlocked one of his desk drawers and took out a bag that had all of Cherry's winnings. "Count it if you like – it's all there."
Whitfield reached for the bag, but Guiverra quickly intercepted.
"The money will remain in MY custody, Signoor, until I say otherwise. Let's go."
Ben pulled Hoss over. "Keep your eye on that Whitfield character. He's up to something."
"Don't worry, Pa. I will. I won't let nothin' happen to Cherry or her money."
Since she was still handcuffed, Hoss had to help Cherry mount her horse, while Guiverra and Whitfield mounted theirs. Hoss mounted Chubb and after final goodbyes and wishes of good luck to Cherry, the riders were on their way down the road.
Guiverra took the precaution of putting Whitfield in the lead, with Cherry directly behind. He was taking no chances. Hoss rode beside Cherry and he took the rear where he could keep an eye on everyone. The first days' ride and night passed without incident. Hoss stuck close to Cherry at all times. Guiverra was pleased at the progress they made that day. Not as good as when he and Whitfield were riding to Virginia City, just the two of them; a prisoner and an extra rider slowed things down a bit, but he was pleased, nevertheless.
Whitfield had barely spoken a word the whole day, and said even less after they stopped to bed down for the night.
The next days' ride was likewise uneventful. Whitfield again had said very little, occasionally looking back with a frown at Cherry. Whitfield knew that time was running short if he was going to do anything. Tonight, he thought. It had to be tonight. By tomorrow night they would be too close to San Armeda.
The group stopped for the night near a small pond where they could refill their canteens and water their horses. Whitfield pretended to go to sleep early. Through squinted eyes he could see Hoss unrolling his bedroll near to Cherry's. He watched them talk for a while, then closed his eyes and pretended to sleep. He must have dozed off though, because awoke with a start to the sound of Hoss snoring. Whitfield quietly looked around. Sheriff Guiverra was sound asleep as was Cherry.
Whitfield carefully and quietly stood up. He unholstered his gun and pulled it out. Moving his thumb very slowly he cocked his gun. He tip-toed over to Cherry. He kicked her awake. She jumped, her eyes wide with fright as she stared at the end of Whitfield's gun. He quickly knelt down and put his hand over Cherry's open mouth.
"Get up very slowly and very quietly or I'll put a bullet in Hoss's back," he said in a hoarse whisper.
Cherry got to her knees and Whitfield grabbed her arm and pulled her up to her feet with a jerk.
"Now move!"
"It ain't gonna do you any good to kill me, you know. The Sheriff's the one with the money," Cherry said in a hushed voice.
"He and I partnered to split the money after you're dead, but I think I've changed my mind – I'll have to deal with him later. But first, you're going to get shot while trying to escape."
Whitfield kept his gun pointed at the small of her back while they walked out to a clearing about ten minutes away from the campsite.
"That's enough." Whitfield started to pull back the trigger.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you!" a voice shouted out of the darkness. A shot rang out in Whitfield's direction. Cherry turned around. She couldn't see him but knew the voice to be Hoss's. She saw a boulder a few feet away on her left and ran for it. She ducked down behind it.
Whitfield fired a shot in Hoss's direction.
Hoss was safely protected behind a group of three giant boulders nestled together. He peeked out from behind and fired another shot.
Whitfield made a run for Cherry's rock. He ducked down and grabbed her around the waist.
"I got the girl! Fire one more shot and I'll kill her right now! Come out and drop the gun!"
Hoss came out from behind the boulders.
"I would advise against that, Signor Whitfield!" It was Sheriff Guiverra, who had been watching from behind a bush. He aimed his gun toward the boulder. Hoss did the same. "You have two guns pointed at you. Do not be a fool. Give yourself up."
A shot rang out and Guiverra's body flew back into the bush. Hoss grimaced and ran back to his boulders. Hoss and Whitfield fired more shots at each other.
Whitfield stood up still holding on tight to Cherry. He pointed his gun at her head.
"Come out and drop the gun, Cartwright!"
Hoss did as he was told. He dropped his gun and kicked it away.
"Now here's what I want: I want the bag with the money in it and I want my horse. You bring those to me, and Miss Flanigan and I are going to go for a ride. Say about ten miles. I'll let her go then I'll ride off and you can come and find her."
"How do I know you'll keep your word?" Hoss asked.
"You don't."
Hoss stomped off towards the campsite. "Dadburnit!" he muttered.
"Hoss!" someone called out in a strained whisper. The voice had come from the bushes where Guiverra had fallen. Hoss looked over and saw that Guiverra was still alive. He right arm was bloodied, and he was in pain, but he was alive. Guiverra picked up his gun with his left hand and cocked it. He nodded to Hoss and Hoss nodded back. Hoss picked up the money bag from Guiverra's satchel and Whitfield's horse. He glanced at his rifle slung to the side of Chub's saddle but thought the better of it.
Hoss brought Whitfield's horse out to where Whitfield was standing with Cherry. He was careful to stand over to the side. Suddenly, a shot rang out from the bushes and Whitfield stumbled and fell. Cherry backed away quickly and ran to Hoss. Whitfield struggled up to his knees. Guiverra stumbled out from behind the bushes and shot again at closer range. Whitfield fell over dead, and Guiverra sank to his knees.
Hoss and Cherry ran over to Sheriff Guiverra. His face was covered in sweat.
"C'mon on now. Let's get you back to camp and look at that arm," Hoss said. He and Cherry helped Guiverra back to his bedroll and laid him down. Hoss ripped off Guiverra's shirt sleeve and examined the wound.
"Shucks, it ain't nothin' but a big scratch. Bullet musta just nicked you is all." Hoss ripped off a piece of Whitfield's bedroll to make a bandage which he wrapped around the Sheriff's arm and tied off. "That should do the trick until we can get you to a doctor."
"Thank you, my friend," said Guiverra, before falling asleep.
XI
Early the next morning, Hoss checked on Sheriff Guiverra's wound. The bleeding had stopped and there were no signs of infection yet.
"I think you're gonna be just fine. Still think we oughta take you to a doctor though. Just to get properly cleaned and it might need a couple of stitches." Hoss wrapped up Guiverrra's arm in a fresh bandage.
"Thank you, Signor Hoss. I am grateful to you. I should never have brought that Whitfield."
Cherry flipped over the bacon cooking in the pan over the fire. She took the coffee pot from beside it and poured a cup for the Sheriff and brought it to him. She still had the cuffs on.
"Is it true? What that skunk said? That you and him was going to run off with my money?"
Guiverra sipped his coffee.
"Regretfully, it is true. I had a moment of weakness thinking about all that money when I thought about it being illegal and would have to be confiscated. And if you were hanged? What should become of it? I thought to myself, why should I not take some? But I was wrong, and I offer my humblest apologies."
For the first time Hoss could remember since meeting her, Cherry smiled. "Ah well. Apology accepted. She shook Guiverra's hand.
"If you don't mind my sayin', you're awful pretty when you smile. You should do it more often," said Hoss.
That made Cherry's smile even bigger. "Thank you, Hoss. You're sweet. Reckon you're right.. I don't do it enough – smilin' I mean." She kissed Hoss on the cheek.
Sheriff Guiverra sat up. "Signor Hoss, I think Miss Flanagan and I can go the rest of the way on our own. There will not be any more troubles."
Hoss asked if he wouldn't be needed at the trial. Guiverra assured him that without a witness to the crime, the most likely outcome would be a 'not guilty' verdict.
"You sure about that? What about all those folks bein' angry about the cards?"
"Si, Senior Hoss. Do not worry yourself. And as it happens, I am owed a few favours. I shall call them in."
Cherry pulled Hoss aside.
"It's okay. I'll accept whatever they decide. If they still find me guilty they can hang me and I won't kick up a fuss. I've been thinkin' a lot about what you said about settlin' down and givin' up the cards, and if I get out of this, that's what I'll do. I promise."
Hoss helped Sheriff Guiverra and Cherry pack up their supplies and extinguish the campfire. They made sure everything was stowed securely in their saddle bags before mounting their horses. They bid each other goodbye and good luck before parting in separate directions – Guiverra and Cherry, the road south, and Hoss to the northeast.
Epilogue
Two months later
Adam Cartwright fit the wagon wheel onto the axle.
"Okay, Hoss! Set it down."
Hoss slowly lowered the wagon to the ground. Adam secured the wheel by tightening it with a nut. They were working in front of the barn. Ben was standing on the front porch of the house watching them. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a dust trail headed in their direction. He laughed when he heard Little Joe's holler. He stepped down of the porch.
"Hey, Hey!" cried Little Joe. He was holding something up in his hand. "It's a letter from Cherry!" He pulled on the reins in front of the house bringing Cochise to a stop.
"What does it say?" asked Hoss jogging over.
Ben took the letter and opened it up He read aloud:
"Dear Ben, Adam, Hoss and Joe,
Since you are reading this, you know already that I am fine. I had my trial and as Sheriff Guiverra guessed, the jury came back 'not guilty'. Hoss, I have kept my promise to you and put 'Billy' and the cards away for good and bought myself a big piece of land near Kansas City, where I'm from. I'm hoping to buy some cattle and go into the beef business someday. Maybe we'll even wind up doing business together! Until then, I have a job as a schoolteacher in a one room schoolhouse. I told them about my past, and while the Town Council wasn't happy about it, they could see how smart I was and they were in desperate need so they let me have the job on a trial basis. So far, they are pleased with me. By the time you get this I will know whether or not I have the job permanently. I will write to you again and let you know.
Until then, with love,
Cherry."
Ben beamed while the boys whooped and hollered.
"All right," said Ben, "Everybody saddle up! Let's go to town and celebrate. First round is on me!"
The boys whooped and hollered again as they ran into the barn to get their horses. In no time, Ben, Adam, Hoss and Little Joe were galloping down the dusty road, side by side, with smiles on their faces.