Chapter 11: Avalanche of Despair
Lloyd led the outlaws through the twisted canyon with its several off shooting branches traveling in the shallow streambeds and sticking mostly to hard rocky patches whenever they could. But Lloyd knew that the ground, made soft by the rain last night, would make it a lot harder to hide their trail now. Eventually he guided them along one of the east facing tributaries, into what looked like a small, granite lined boxed-in canyon, but at its end was a switch back trail that snaked up to the top.
Though Briggs wondered why Lloyd had chosen this route when one of the passes to the west would have led them closer to the ridgeline route necessary to get over the mountains heading towards Taos, he'd ridden long enough not to question Lloyd's decisions.
Once they reached the switchback trail, Mark, still riding double behind Lloyd, could only grip the outlaw's waist and squeeze his legs tight as the horses ascended. At times the trail was wide enough to allow for two horses to ride almost side by side, at others it jutted inward between columns of rock, only to emerge onto an open ledge with a steep forty-five degree loose rock and gravel incline next to it. As the canyon bottom sank lower, Mark was acutely aware at times just how close the horses' hooves came to the edge of the narrowest parts of the trail. By the time they reached the top Mark's arms and legs ached while the horses' heads were dipped low, winded from the steep climb.
Lloyd brought the group to a halted and dismounted.
"Why are we stopping?" Roark asked. Now that they had the money he was eager to put as much distance between himself and any more lawmen as he could possible get.
"We need to rest the horses here for a bit before we can continue." As Will and Mark led the horses a short distance away to rest, Lloyd walked back over to the edge and looked around. From his vantage point he had a clear view of the canyon below. Briggs and Roark soon joined him. "Besides, I just want to make sure we weren't followed."
"You think McCain, the marshal and that bounty hunter are still trailing us?" Briggs asked.
"A pack of bloodhounds don't give up a scent easy," Lloyd replied. "And I still can't figure out how the hell Broudy suddenly entered the picture. I knew I should have finished him off when I had the chance last time instead of leaving him in the desert. Man's got more lives than a damn cat!"
"Think he's working for the marshal then?" Briggs asked.
Lloyd scoffed. "Broudy works for nobody but himself unless the Marshal and McCain are as dirty as he is. But the fact that he's riding with them now doesn't make our situation an easier either."
Lloyd scratched his chin then looked at the string of rocks lining the top of the canyon. Taking his foot he shoved a medium sized boulder over the edged and watched as it bounced down on the trail below bringing with it a small avalanche of loose gravel.
Will and Mark had joined the group.
"So then what are we going to do now?" Roark demanded.
"For the moment, nothing." And that's just what they did as Lloyd made himself comfortable and kept his eyes focused on the canyon bottom below.
But after more than an hour and all remained quiet and undisturbed, Roark's impatience again began to show. "Are we going to hang around here all day? Let's get moving! The horses have had plenty of time to rest!"
"Not just yet." As Roark started to argue back, Lloyd suddenly pointed grimly down to the floor of the canyon. "Over there."
In the distance three riders became visible as they rounded the bend following the creek bed. Mark's heart leapt at the sight of them. "Pa," he muttered excitedly. Lloyd shot him a sideways glance.
"How'd you know?" Roark asked.
Lloyd smiled coyly. "Because I know Broudy and I'm beginning to understand McCain. After the rain I knew it wouldn't be hard to follow our tracks especially if they found that old man tied to the tree."
"You set them up?" Roark replied, looking suspiciously at Lloyd. "But why? I thought we were trying to loose them, not invite them to find us!"
"Careful Roark, your paranoia is starting to show through again," Lloyd replied sarcastically. Roark just look at him oddly. He didn't know what the word paranoia meant but the way Lloyd said it sounded like an insult. Lloyd chuckled. "Let's just say I had a hunched. Besides, the game has changed now. All McCain may have wanted back was his son, but if Broudy's in the picture it's for a different reason entirely. The snakes got it in for me for sure and he'll follow me from here to kingdom come unless I stop him."
"So what do you have in mind then?"
"A little surprise." He stood up. "But this time we're going to do things my way," Lloyd said sternly looking directly at Roark. From his shirt, he extracted the sticks of dynamite he had confiscated from the crazy old man. Holding them up he replied, "I say is about time we left our guests a little welcome present."
While Brigg's mouth turned down into a frown, Roark's split into an amused grin. "Now you're finally talking my language!"
As Mark suddenly realized Lloyd's intent, his eyes widened. "No…no….you can't!" Without thought for himself, Mark made a lunge for the dynamite. When that didn't work, he started punching and kicking Lloyd in the chest and shins. "No! I won't let you! You can't!" Lloyd grappled momentarily with the boy but Mark's attempts were a feeble match at best as the outlaw leader's strength soon prevailed. Mark's arm was twisted painfully behind him until he was forced to stand still. Breathing down on the side of Mark's face, Lloyd said coldly, "I can and I will boy!"
Next he knew, Mark was shoved towards Briggs who quickly restrained him. Swinging his head about, he saw the fury in Lloyd's face and gulped fearing he had finally crossed the line with the outlaw leader. Lloyd glared ominously at him. "You're a gutsy kid, I'll give you that, but pull that stunt on me again and you'll be joining your daddy soon enough!" To Will and Briggs he ordered. "Take the horses further down the trail and keep the kid out of sight!
As Briggs started dragging Mark away, he started to struggle. "No, no! Let me go!"
Briggs jerked him roughly back. "Settle down kid before I have to hog tie you! You'll only make things worse for yourself in the end."
Mark desperately looked over at Will, pleading. "Please, don't let him do it, Will! Pa! He's going to kill my Pa!"
Briggs watched Will hesitate, but threw him a fierce glance. "Do like he says if you want the boy to live!"
Concealed behind the rocks at the top of the canyon cliff, Lloyd retrieved a cigar from his pocket and took his time lighting it as he watched the trio's progress. Staying low, he position the sticks of dynamite beneath a couple of larger boulders near the edge.
Below, the three riders followed the streambed until Broudy pointed to hoof prints where the outlines had clearly exited. It wasn't long before they reached the switchback trail at the end of the canyon.
They approached it cautiously looking up the sides and along the rim but all remained quiet. They paused for several minutes scanning the terrain but seeing they had little choice proceeding forth. Lucas nudged Razor into lead with Broudy following and Micah taking up the rear, towing Mark's sorrel pony Blue Boy.
Lloyd carefully watched their progress as they ascended.
"Light the fuses already," Roark hissed as the riders drew closer.
"Not just yet," Lloyd patiently replied.
Meanwhile, Briggs was having difficultly holding the boy down and suddenly let out a resounding yelp when Mark sank his teeth in the outlaw's hand. His grip loosened for a second and it was just enough for Mark to break free. Brigg's mouth turned into an angry thin line. "I can't believe it! The kid just bit me!"
As Mark started to run back towards the cliffs, Will took off after him. "Mark, come back!"
When the trio were about two thirds of the way to the top, Lloyd reach down and lit the first fuse while Roark took cover.
Mark had reached the top of the cliff as Lloyd lit the second fuse, then jumped out of sight. Eyes fixated on the smoking fuse, Mark started desperately shouted, "Pa, look out! It's a trap!" A second later he was tackled from behind. "No! Let me go! I've got to warn him!"
"It's too late!" Will shouted and giving Mark no choice, lifted him bodily off the ground and headed for cover. The explosion that went off a few seconds later was deafening. Will and Mark were thrust forward by the blast.
Down in the pass Lucas had heard Mark's shrill cry. Instinctively he shouted to Micah and Broudy as he turned Razor about, driving the Black off the trail and down the forty-five degree incline as the blast erupted a second later. The avalanche of rocks headed straight for him. Razor's hind legs dug into the loose earth to keep from flipping over and Lucas thought the horse would surely stumble and break a leg before they made it to the bottom. Urging the Black forward at a dangerous pace, he grunted sharply as a rock hit him sharply in the side.
Micah and Broudy had also turned about, trying to race back down the trail towards the switch back as the rocks rained down from above. The sorrel pony broke free and veered off sharply. Both men urged their horses off the main trail towards a column of boulders. But they weren't quick enough as the avalanche caught up with them. One of the rocks caught Micah's horse in the leg knocking it out from under him. Suddenly Micah felt himself sailing through the air as more rocks tumbled his way.
The loud rumbling seemed to go on forever. Will pinned Mark's quivering body down on the ground and covered his head as small rocks and dirt rained down on top of them. When it finally ended and the silence returned, Mark struggled, anxious to be released. He at last he broke free and ran over to the edge of the canyon wall. At first he couldn't see anything, the cloud of dust thick, but as it started to settle, to his horror he saw the trail directly below was completely covered. And his father and Micah were no where to be seen.
He dropped his knees, hands at his side. "Pa!" he said in a soft shocked voice barely above a whisper.
So great the shock, he was not aware of Lloyd and Roark approaching the edge, leaning forward and examining the results until he heard Roark's satisfied laugh. "Let McCain and the rest try and dig their way out of that."
Mark's eyes brimming with burning tears could only stare at the rubble below. "Pa…Micah…You killed them!"
Lloyd took a few steps over until he was towering over Mark, his voice cold and devoid of emotion. "I did what I needed to boy! When people mess with me too far, they get hurt. I'd advise you to remember that from here on out!" Turning with an air a authority he sternly commanded to his men. "Mount up and let's get moving!"
In shock, Mark felt Will helping him to his feet, but he jerked his arm quickly away. Will dropped his arms. "I'm sorry Mark," he said softly. "There was nothing I could do."
"Liar!" Mark reeled, throwing him a look of pure hatred. "You could have stopped him!" His voice was thick and choked with the effort to speak.
"Mark, you don't understand."
"I understand plenty! You're nothing but a coward and I hate ya."
Will knew Mark was lashing out at him from grief, but the words still stung hitting so close to the truth.
Lloyd looked back. "I said let's get going," he repeated coldly to his nephew.
Will saw Roark's mouth curve into an amused smile. Clenching his teeth, he put his arms firmly on Mark's shoulders. "Come on Mark, we need to go," he said quietly as Briggs handed him the reins of his own mount. Once in the saddle he reached down to help Mark up. Refusing to even look at him, Mark climbed silently up, his grimy face streaked with tears. A pang of guilt gnawed in his gut as Will followed the rest of the men. For the second time in his life he'd watched his uncle murder in cold blood with nothing more than a blink of an eye.