Chapter 14: Race to Jasper Pass

Lucas choked on the thick layer of dust as he slowly emerged from the rubble wincing painfully as he held his bruised side. Mark's split second warning before the blast went off had given Lucas just enough time to turn Razor about and drive him down the steep incline to a small outcropping of rocks that had shielded him from the worst of the avalanche.

Clutching his rifle, amazed he'd been able to hang onto it, he cautiously made his way over the debris back towards the bottom of the pass. Looking up he could see most of the switchback trail had been obliterated.

Movement off to the side caught his attention and a second later he noticed Broudy slowly making his way over several large rocks into the clearing below.

Lucas hurried over to him. "Where's Micah?" he demanded.

"I didn't stop to look back." Broudy replied sarcastically.

"We need to find him!"

"Find him yourself!" Broudy snapped as he limped painfully over to a large rock and leaned up against it rubbing his knee. Cursing, he tried to beat some of the dust off with his hat knowing Corbain had definitely won this round. As far as the Marshal was concerned, Broudy hoped Torrance was buried under a ton of rocks. It would be one less problem he'd have to deal with later.

Lucas angrily turned away from the bounty hunter and headed back up the slide, anxious to find Micah. A little while later he heard his name being called and found the old marshal stumbling to a standing position; he was clutching his right forearm.

"Micah!" Lucas rushed to his friend's aid.

"I'm all right, 'cept for my wrist," Micah grunted. "Think it's broke." Lucas examined it and nodded. "I'm afraid my horse faired a lot worse though." Micah nodded over to the fallen animal. It was dead, buried under several large rocks. "What about you?" he asked noticing how Lucas was clutching his side.

"I'm alright, just a couple of bruised ribs I think. Come on; let's get you down from here." Soon they joined Broudy and Lucas set about making a splint for Micah's wrist.

"Smart move McCain! They were waiting for us like sitting ducks!" the bountry hunter hissed.

"Can it Broudy!" Micah snapped back. "Lucas couldn't have possibly known they'd blast half the mountain top off."

"Well were in a hell of a fine mess right now though aren't we?" the bounty hunter replied sarcastically. "Banged up and stuck in the middle of nowhere."

Taking a spare shirt from his saddle bag, Lucas did his best to ignore Broudy as he made a sling for Micah's wrist. He then picked up his rifle. "What's done is done. And we're going to get nowhere sitting here complaining about our circumstances. I'm going to see if I can at least find out what happened to the rest of the horses."

While Lucas was gone, Micah sat down on a boulder nursing his wrist. He eyed the bounty hunter sharply. "That was a pretty brazen move even for Corbain to make, don't you think?" he commented.

Broudy looked up. "Yeah, well that's the kind of man he is."

"No. I think it's a little more than that."

"Oh? Well why don't you just enlighten me seeing we have nothing better to do at the moment?"

"Well I thought you could do some of that."

"And why would I know anything about what Corbain's thinking nowadays?"

"Well you claim to be an expert about Corbain and you've been tailing him a long time. His was desperate enough to suddenly want to get rid of us rather than just to evade us and I'm wondering if that had anything to do with what that crazy old prospector said about them finding something in that cave?"

"And how would I know anything about that?"

"Because, I think you know more about Corbain than you've been letting on."

Broudy spat a wad of silivia in the dirt. "Well, you can think whatever you like Marshal. I have no idea why Corbain went up there or what he was supposedly after. I'm just out for the bounty on Corbain head and a piece of his hide when I catch up to him. My guess is he's just tired of unwelcomed company knocking on his back door step." With that Broudy hobbled off.

An hour or so later, Lucas returned. He was riding Razor and had the sorrel pony and Broudy's horse in tow. Miraculously, except for some minor cuts and bruises, the horses seemed to have faired better than the rest of them. While he was out he also managed to examine the rest of the trail. "The pass is completely blocked. We've got no choice. We'll have to backtrack and cut around," Lucas said gloomily.

"That's going to take us hours!" Broudy complained. "By then Corbain will probably be long gone."

Lucas glared down at the bounty hunter. "Then I suggest we get moving."

Indeed, by the time they had backtracked around and found another pass out of the little canyon the afternoon was fading into dusk. The trio continued on as long as they could but were eventually forced to make camp.

Over a low fire Micah and Lucas talked quietly. Broudy for the most part kept to himself and brooded bitterly, absently rubbing the scar on his cheek. He been hot on Corbain's trail for weeks now but time was running out. If Broudy's inner suspicions were right and Corbain made it up into those mountains he knew it would be near impossible to trail him and more than just the bounty would once again be out of his reach. He also had one other problem: Torrance. The marshal was proving to be more a nuisance each day and Broudy had no intention of letting the old lawman interfere with collecting his long overdue reward.

The next day, by midmorning, they had managed to pick up Corbain's trail again and eventually discovered where the outlaws had made their last camp. Though their progress was slow, they noticed Corbain wasn't being as careful to hide his tracks as he done previously perhaps confident they were no longer being tailed.

A few hours later they spotted a farmhouse in the distance and decided to veer off and see if they could water the horses. But Micah had another reason for the detour. He wanted to see if he could get a message wired over to Sheriff Bridges and some of the other local marshal's in the area. At this point in the game, Micah preferred to have as many eyes searching for Corbain as he could muster before the outlaw had a chance to disappear completely. Broudy tried to argue the point, but Micah refused to listen.

As they crested the rise and looked down at the farmhouse below though, something about the scene just didn't seem right. The front door of the farmhouse was left open wide, while an axe lay haphazardly in the dirt next to an unfinished pile of wood. No one seemed to be about. But it was a shattered out pane of glass in the front window which drew their suspicion.

Deciding it best to approach the compound with caution, the trio split up. Lucas headed towards the house while Micah and Broudy made their way towards the barn.

Once across the clearing, Lucas eased up along the side of the house, his rifle cocked and close to his side. Carefully he peered through one of the lace curtained windows. Inside he noticed several items scattered on the floor as well as what looked like the remains of a hurried meal on the table. Lucas listened intently for several seconds but no sound came from inside. Slowly he made his way around back keeping low and surveying the grove of trees around the perimeter of the farmhouse for any flicker of movement. He would be an easy target for someone hiding in the brush.

At the back door he positioned himself low and to the side as he cautiously tested the door knob. It was unlocked. Slowly he pushed it open letting it swing wide as he swung he rifle into position. But everything remained peaceful. Lucas stealthy entered staying low. On the floor in the living room he noticed a few smears of dried blood and he could smell the odor of kerosene from the shattered remains of a glass lamp on the other side of the room. Making as little noise as possibly, he quickly searched the rest of the house, but found it to be unoccupied.

Meanwhile Micah and Broudy made a search of the barn. The interior was silhouetted in dark shadows with cracks of dusty sunlight filtering through spaces in the wooden planks and it took a moment for their eyes to adjust. From their vantage they saw four stalls. Three were empty; the fourth had a large Bay inside. Broudy made his way over to the horse and noted that it was favoring one leg. He also knew that Corbain rode a Bay. Cautiously they made a thorough search of the barn but found it empty.

Exiting the barn, Micah headed around back while Broudy crossed over towards a small wooden shack not far away. It was then he heard a splintering noise and saw the wooden door shake.

Broudy released the peg and kicked the axe aside. The smoke house door burst open and Ed Bailey tumbled out onto the ground. The first thing the rancher saw was the scarred face stranger looming over him with pistol drawn. The rancher scrambled back against the smoke house eyes darting anxiously about for some sort of weapon before settling on the axe a few feet away.

"I wouldn't try it mister," Broudy warned.

From inside he heard another voice anxiously calling, "Pa!"

"Sarah stay inside!"

Just then a piece of cured meat came flying out the door hitting Broudy in the arm and knocking the gun out of his hand. It was just enough of a distraction for Ed Bailey to make a desperate dive for the axe, but the bounty hunter recovered quickly and rammed the toe of his boot into the rancher's stomach. Ed Bailey contorted in pain as Broudy kicked the axe away and retrieved his gun.

Suddenly Micah appeared between them and pushed Broudy's gun hand aside. "Put that dang thing away Broudy before someone gets hurt!" Whether by intent or accident, Broudy brought his elbow around jabbing it into Micah's injured wrist. The marshal grunted in pain.

Suddenly a single shot rang out and a bullet landed in the soft dirt a few feet from Broudy's foot. He turned around to see Lucas hurrying across the compound.

"Micah, you all right?" Lucas demanded.

Micah glared at Broudy. "I'm fine!" he said through gritted teeth.

"Fool tried to jump me, McCain," Broudy said jerking his head to the rancher.

"If anyone's a fool Broudy it's you for jumping in half-cocked and trigger happy! Now back off before I arrest you for assault and chain you to the nearest tree!" Micah turned to the rancher who managed to rise to his knees and was now looking as confused as all get out. "I apologize mister. If you can believe it, we're actually the good guys. I'm Marshal Torrance and this here is Lucas McCain," Micah explained pointing to Lucas.

Ed Bailey saw the Silver Star on Micah's chest but continued to eye the scarred man wearily. "What about him?"

"This is Jud Broudy, a slightly over-reactive bounty hunter riding with us."

Holding his sore stomach, Ed Bailey rose to his feet. "You can say that again."

"We're tailing a group of outlaws I believe you might have had the misfortune to meet."

Ed Bailey nodded. "Appears this has been my lucky day for strangers," the rancher replied dryly. "Sorry I thought you were with that last bunch."

"No need to apologize," Micah replied.

"Pa?" a tentative voice came from behind as a young woman emerged from the smoke house.

"It's okay Sarah." Ed Bailey made a quick introduction of himself and his daughter.

"Mighty fine throwing arm you got there young lady," Micah commented. "Never saw a man disarmed with a hunk of meat before." Broudy gave Micah a sour look. Sarah blushed slightly.

"These men have also taken my son," Lucas explained further.

"A young boy named Mark?" Sarah asked soberly.

"Yes. He was still with them?"

Sarah nodded.

"How long ago were they here?" Lucas asked urgently.

"A few hours ago maybe."

"Mind filling us in?" Micah asked.

"Sure, but do you mind if we go inside first? I got a knot the size of a robin's egg on my head and could use a stiff drink!" Once settled inside, Ed Bailey quickly relayed the events of earlier that day.

"You have any idea of where they were headed?"

"I'm sorry, but one of them knocked me out pretty good. I didn't come to until after they left."

"Marshal, I think I can help," Sarah replied. She went on to explain after being locked in the smoke house, she had overheard two of the outlaws talking. Though she couldn't make out most of the conversation, she did hear something about Jasper Pass.

"Are you sure that's what they said?" Micah asked.

Sarah nodded.

"Jasper Pass is about a five hour ride from here. It's the only pass for the next fifty miles that will take you up into the ridgeline routes and into the north canyons." Ed Bailey explained.

"We'll be hard pressed to find Corbain if he makes it through that pass and up into those mountains," Broudy replied. "He knows this area like the back of his hand. It will probably take weeks to track him down again."

"Then we'll just need to try and stop them before they have the chance." Lucas said.

"With fresh horses and couple hours lead, I don't see how Lucas," Micah surmised.

"I've got to at least try Micah," Lucas replied solemnly. The more time the outlaws had his son, the greater Lucas feared for the boy's safety.

It was then Ed Bailey interrupted. "Mr. McCain. I think I might have a solution." All eyes turned to the rancher. "The pass is a good four to five hour ride even with fresh horses and by then it'll be dark. I doubt they'll want to risk going through the pass after sunset, it would be too dangerous. They'll probably have to wait till morning."

Lucas thought hard. "Go on."

"Mr. McCain, there is another way into the pass that might save you some time." Ed Bailey went on to explain. He'd found it last winter on a hunting trip after the valley route had been blocked by heavy snows. Not far from his place there was a steep ridge trail that cut up the side of the mountain and let out on top of a mesa overlooking the canyon pass. It was a risky climb and rough on the horses, but passable. It could conceivably cut a couple hours off the ride. With luck it just might allow them to get ahead of the outlaws and wait until dawn for them to make their move.

The group of men listened with interest.

Bailey took out some paper drew a crude map. He showed how the outlaws would have to wind through the valley and around Jasper Point to get to the snake like canyon. He then showed them where they could cut over the mountain and where the route would intersect. In order to get up the pass, the outlaws would have to ride right by past them. If they left shortly, they just might make it to the mesa before dark.

It was the only feasible option they had left. Ed Bailey was able to supply the group with an additional fresh horse and a few supplies, so Lucas left Mark's sorrel pony behind. As they prepared to leave, Micah asked Ed Bailey if he were up to riding into town and sending a wire over to Sheriff Bridges in Willow Springs requesting additional men.

"That wasn't our deal," Broudy interjected.

But the Marshal was adamant knowing they were going to need help if Corbain's gang made it into the mountain wilderness. Ed Bailey agreed to ride out as soon as they left.

Micah struggled to mount his horse, encumbered by the sling and a broken wrist. When Lucas suggested Micah ride into town with Bailey, the old marshal vehemently spat back, "Nothing doing!" The last thing he was going to do was to leave Lucas to rely on Broudy for backup!

The bounty hunter gave Micah a twisted smile. "I would listen to him Marshal." Broudy replied. "Look at you. You're practically useless with that bum arm and will probably just slow us down anyway."

Micah threw the bounty hunter a sour look before grabbing the reins and turning his horse about.

Lucas eased up along side Micah. Looking at his friend with concern, he leaned over and said quietly. "I can handle Broudy, Micah."

Micah's head whipped up as fast as his Irish born temper. He already had enough of Broudy. He wasn't about to let Lucas talk him out of this as well. "Nothing doing, Lucas," he snapped. "I'm coming with you."

"Be reasonable."

But Micah just glared at him. "I am. You're not about to go after them without me. I may be old, but I'm not stupid. You need help Lucas and your damn well going take me with you, if nothing else but to keep an eye on this one," he said thumbing his finger at Broudy.

"Why Marshal, I'm flattered."

Micah snorted. "Save it!" Then turning to Lucas, "And I don't want to hear another word out of you either!"

Seeing Micah determination Lucas only nodded. "All right Micah."

Broudy sat in his saddle amused. "Suite yourselves, but if he lags behind don't expect me to wait for him!" Broudy said and to prove his point whipped his horse about and took off. Lucas and Micah quickly followed suite.

Ed Bailey had not been kidding about the trek over the ridge. It was an arduous climb. Several times, the men had to dismount and lead the horses up the steep incline on foot. At one point, Broudy's horse dislodged a stone as it tried to make it up the steep grade. It tumbled over the side, triggering a small avalanche of loose rocks, barely missing Micah just below. They cascaded and bounced over the edge into to the deep chasm below.

Broudy just smiled down at the marshal. If it had just been a few feet to the left, he wouldn't have to worry about Torrance anymore.

Micah was soon lagging behind the other two men. He had to stop several times just to catch his breath, the thinner mountain air not helping matters either. "I'm getting' too old for this," he muttered as he felt the sweat pouring down his back. But he forced himself to push on. He wasn't about to let Broudy too far out of his sight.

The sun was nearly down by the time they made it onto the top of the mesa. All three were winded and the horses were heavily lathered in sweat and near exhaustion. Leaving the horses, they set out on foot hiking along the edge of the crescent shaped mesa then followed a dirt incline down a ways until they had a clear view of the canyon below.

A slow moving creek bed wound through scrub brush and sycamores trees dotting the canyon bottom below. It emerged onto a wide clearing filled with sand and river rocks. Just beyond a terraced rock faced bend the sloping v-shaped, zig-zag trail known as Jasper Pass began.

The men stood vigil for quite some but all remained quiet. Soon the canyon bottom faded away into darkness as the last lingering rays of light dipped beyond the mountain peaks. Somewhere in the darkness below, Lucas' son was still out of reach.

With the sun down, the temperature began to drop as well, and the men retreated and made camp near the edge of the mesa to wait for dawn. They ate a cold supper of jerky and dried biscuits and kept the fire low while they talked about what they should do.

Their one advantage of course was the element of surprise, assuming of course the outlaws still thought they were all dead. Without the threat of anyone tailing them, Lucas hoped they would continue to keep their guard down a bit.

It was still a few hours before dawn when Micah relieved Lucas who'd been standing vigil on the edge of the mesa. The marshal was cradling his arm as crouched down next to Lucas.

"How's the wrist?"

"'To be honest, it's a might sore, but I'll survive. When this is all over, I think I'll be needing a long vacation."

"I'm worried about you, Micah." Lucas said flatly.

Micah shot him an irritable glance. "We've been through this before. I not going back. You need my help, what little I can provide at the moment."

"I can handle Broudy."

"And Corbain's men at the same time? Lucas you may be damn good with that rifle but you haven't got eyes in the back of your head. Put your pride aside and start thinking of the odds or you just might find yourself caught between Corbain's desperation and Broudy's greed. Just how good is that going to be to Mark?"

Lucas sighed. He knew Micah was right.

"Look, I'm not as prideful as you may think. I know perfectly well with this bum arm I'm probably of little help but I'm all you've got at the moment until Sheriff Bridges gets here with extra men. I'll back down then Lucas. But until then I'm coverin' your back."

"All right, Micah." He sighed. "Thanks."

"We'll get him back Lucas," Micah promised, squeezing his friend's shoulder.

Lucas nodded, rubbing his tired eyes. It had been days since he'd slept more than a few hours.

"Go get a few winks, I'll stay and keep watch."

"I'm all right Micah. I'll be dawn soon."

"I wasn't asking, Lucas boy. You'll be no good to Mark without your wits about you. You need sleep!"

Lucas knew Micah was right. "All right, maybe just for an hour."

Lucas returned to camp to find Broudy asleep in his bedroll. Tiredly he laid down near the low fire, resting his head against his saddle. His eyes felt like sandpaper and he closed them only intending to rest for a short while.

Sometime later he was jerked awake. Instinctively he grabbed his rifle as he sat up. But all was quiet. He looked around and discovered Broudy's bedroll was empty. The bounty hunter had disappeared!

The sky was now much lighter and streaked in gold as Lucas made his way over to where Micah was still standing guard. He knew something was up by the look of irritation on Lucas' face.

"Broudy's gone!" Lucas said without preamble.

Micah spat. "Dang fool idiot! What does he think he's gonna accomplish on his own?" He should have known Broudy would try and pull a stupid stunt like this from the moment Micah had decided to call up a posse. Broudy wasn't one who liked to share the spoils with anyone.

Unfortunately they couldn't worry about that now, for just then in the early morning light a group of riders emerged from the forest of scrub trees below following the winding creek bed. They were riding single file and from his vantage point Lucas could just make out the outline of Mark's small frame.

"Come on, we don't have time to waste. If Broudy intends to take Corbain alone Mark's likely to end up in the middle of a crossfire," Lucas was furious. If anything happened to his son from Broudy's stupidity he'd see the bounty hunter in fire and brimstone personally!