Here we meet the Regulators.
Six months prior to the Lincoln County War:
Mr. John Tunstall was visiting his store in town and picking up a few supplies. He was accompanied by a handsome young boy with blonde hair and cornflower blue eyes. As they walked out from the store and loaded up their horse-drawn wagon a sudden commotion drew their attention up the street. Out in front of the saloon a man was shouting angrily; whip in hand, at a fallen horse. The horse was struggling to right itself but continuously collapsed from sheer exhaustion. As they watched the man drew back his arm ready to deliver another blow to the suffering animal. Just as Mr. Tunstall was about to call out to stop him, a young girl threw herself in front of the man. The whip, already sent in motion, caught the girl by the forearm. Wincing slightly at the sting she shook off the whip and shoved at the drunken man who staggered back. By now Mr. Tunstall was hurrying toward them eager to lend his assistance. As he came upon them their words became clear.
"- can't you see she's tired? Just let her be!" The girl was shouting. The man raised the whip again just as the girl drew back her fist. Seeing this as the opportune moment Mr. Tunstall intervened.
"What seems to be the trouble?" He asked, ever polite. The man looked at Tunstall and slurred,
"Goddamn horse is my business Englishmen. You and this bitch can stay out of it." The young girl was still standing between the horse and the man with her fists raised ready to lash out if the man attempted to hurt the horse again. Reaching into his pocket Mr. Tunstall pulled out a wad of bills and held them up to the man.
"I would like to make it my business. I will buy this horse from you." Eyeing the money the man snatched it and laughed.
"Waste of money if you ask me" he said hooking the whip onto his belt and walking off to the saloon. No doubt to spend that money all in one place in drink and whores. Watching him go, Mr. Tunstall shook his head in disgust before turning to the poor horse that had ceased struggling. The girl was now kneeling down in the road beside the horse feeling the legs. Her dark hair was tamed into a thick plait at the back of her head, and upon turning she fixed her eyes on Mr. Tunstall. Smiling kindly he introduced himself, "Good afternoon Miss, my name is John Tunstall." Narrowing her eyes the girl brushed a stray lock of hair from her face and stood up dusting off her skirts. Offering her hand she simply said,
"Grace." Giving Mr. Tunstall a firm handshake she then gestured to the horse, "Poor horse is just exhausted and starving no doubt. Thank you Sir. What are you going to do with her, if you don't mind my asking?" Behind them the horse moved into a sitting position before carefully making its way to its feet. Catching hold of the reigns Grace smiled revealing a neat set of white teeth as she patted the horse's neck.
"She is yours if you want her. Do you live nearby?" Taken off guard by his kindness Grace took a moment to respond.
"No just passing through really." He took note of the knapsack on her back and ragged appearance. The hem of her skirt was torn and muddied.
"Alone?"
"Yes Sir."
"Do you have a place to stay?" The girl shifted on her feet and shook her head.
"No Sir." John Tunstall thought for a moment before speaking to the young lady again,
"I have a cattle ranch not too far from here; an easy journey for this horse. If you'd like you can ride back with us and stay while she gets her strength back." A young blonde boy had pulled up in a small horse-drawn cart and grinned down at her. Neither the Englishmen nor the boy seemed particularly dangerous so she accepted the invitation. Just as she was tying the horse's reigns to the cart a gunshot rang out. Across the street a young boy was running with two men in close pursuit.
"Oh no. Not another hanging." Mr. Tunstall exclaimed in dismay. Gesturing for her to jump on the cart they came round on the opposite side of the street and pulled up alongside a fence where the boy had ducked for cover in a cattle pen. Poking his head out from under the fencing he aimed his revolver at Mr. Tunstall. Casually leaning forward Mr. Tunstall revealed the blonde boy to be aiming his rifle right back at the boy on the ground.
"Howdy" he said charmingly.
"Come along lad, don't be afraid." After a moment the grubby looking kid seemed to sense the good intentions of Tunstall as Grace did. Hopping up onto the cart he curled up and Grace threw a tarp over him. He remained hidden until they were well away from the town.
As they rode the blonde boy introduced himself as Josiah Scurlock but had asked to be called Doc and the kid called himself William H. Bonney. Quite the talker, Doc rambled on for the duration of the ride certainly keeping up his end of the conversation and more while Billy's steely blue eyes darted about nervously. Coming upon the crest of a hill, a small ranch house and a few other buildings came into view. A few boys were scattered around doing their various chores.
"Who are them?" asked Billy causing Grace to wince and Mr. Tunstall to correct,
"'They' William, 'Who are they?'" They are the boys of the dregs. The flotsam and jetsam of frontier society. We've got room in the bunkhouse my young man. If you don't want to stay, the Sante Fe runs out of Albuquerque in the morning." Doc jumped down from his seat on the wagon and walked over to his friends. Grace caught something that was said about bringing another hardcase in. It seemed that Mr. Tunstall collected wayward youngsters. As she stepped off the back of the cart she heard the particularly dirty looking boy say "I hope it ain't another Mexican" to which the Mexican replied, "Mexican-Indian, you son-of-a-bitch."
Mr. Tunstall cleared his throat, "Master Jose, it isn't polite to curse in front of a lady."
Folding her arms in front of her Grace looked at the grimy boy. "I think the son-of-a-bitch deserved it" she commented.
"Well gentlemen this is Miss Grace. She will be staying with us while her horse recovers. Now Grace this is Richard Brewer, Charles Bowdre, Steven Stephens, and Jose Chavez y Chavez." They were all staring, a couple open-mouthed. Tattered clothing and a little dust couldn't hide her fair face and fine features. Smiling Grace waved to them.
"Nice to meet you all" she said. She adjusted the pack on her back and looked up to Mr. Tunstall.
"Come" said Mr. Tunstall, "I'll show you to the barn." As the two walked off leading the horse the boys stared after them. Dick looked over at Charley and slapped his slack jaw. As Grace settled the horse into the barn John stood quietly by. After she was finished he cleared his throat to speak.
"Are you in any kind of trouble? How is it that you are out here on your own?" His blue eyes showed only concern. Since Grace felt that she had nothing to hide she told him the truth.
"I ran away from home about a year ago. There won't be any trouble I don't think. No one knew where I went and I doubt anyone is looking."
"What have you been doing since you ran away?"
"I worked my way west from North Carolina. Found work in a dress shop, piano playing in a saloon, I did some teaching for a bit. Honest work." She said pointedly. Mr. Tunstall gave her a half smile and gestured for her to follow him. They left the barn and made their way to the adobe ranch house. Stepping inside the home she looked around. It was surprisingly well kept. He led her to a small room and told her that it was hers for as long as she liked. Grace smiled appreciatively and laid her pack on a chair. The room had a small bed, writing desk, chair, and wash basin. She ran her hand along the quilted surface of the blanket on the bed.
"Supper will be ready shortly. I'll leave you to get ready." He turned to leave but Grace stopped him.
"Mr. Tunstall? Thank you." He smiled and left closing the door behind him. When he had gone she went straight for the wash basin and scrubbed her face clean and attempted to put any stray bits of hair back into place. Opening her knapsack Grace pulled out her spare set of clothes. Shaking out the wrinkles she changed and smiled to herself. It had been a while seen she'd seen a kind face. It looked like things were finally turning around. Suddenly there was a soft knock on the door. Doing up the last buttons on her blouse she opened the door to see the boy who had been introduced as Richard.
"Excuse me Miss Grace, suppers ready." He walked her back to the dining table.
Grace held back from the table not wanting to take anyone's seat. Choosing an empty chair at the end of the table across from Mr. Tunstall she quietly sat as they bowed their heads to say grace. After a chorus of "amen's" the bowls and plates were passed around and conversations were struck up. Eyeing the small portions Grace had dealt herself Mr. Tunstall invited her to take more. Smiling politely Grace thanked him and took another biscuit.
"Small thing like you probably doesn't need much" laughed Billy. Grace looked at him quizzically. She didn't say it out loud but Billy couldn't have been too much taller than herself. His comment broke the ice and the other boys directed their attention toward her. Perhaps they weren't used to the company of a woman.
"Where are you from Miss Grace?" asked Dick from where he sat to Tunstalls right.
"North Carolina and just Grace please." Being called "Miss" put her in mind of the pampered lifestyle she had left behind.
"You must like horses. Is your arm okay?" Doc inquired. Grace had quite forgotten about her arm. Sliding up her sleeve to reveal her forearm she ran her fingers over the red welt that the whip lash had left behind. Pushing back down the sleeve she shrugged.
"It will be alright. I do like horses very much. I don't take kindly to their mistreatment." Steve and Charley looked at her and then at Doc.
"What happened?" asked Steve. Before she could answer, Doc did it for her.
"After we left the store one of Murphy's men was beating his horse in the street. Grace jumped in front of his whip and saved the horse." He laughed heartily. "You looked set to brawl with him right there."
"Mr. Tunstall saved the horse." She looked up from the table and noticed that to her right Chavez was giving her a small half smile. He was the only one who hadn't said a word to her or anyone. Next to him Charley was openly staring again.
"How old are you?" asked Charley. Before she could answer Mr Tunstall chastised him.
"Charles…" Mr. Tunstall warned gently. "It is not polite to ask a lady her age."
"It's alright Mr. Tunstall. As it is now I don't mind it. I'm 19 Charley. How old are you all?"
"Dick, Chavez, and Doc are 20. Steve and I are 19." Charley smiled shyly at her. "Do you plan on staying long?" He asked obviously hoping she would.
"I don't want to impose." Grace pushed her food around her plate a bit. Across from her Mr. Tunstall cleared his throat.
"Having given it some thought, we could use someone here to help out a bit with the housework and such. You could certainly stay here if you like." It seemed like all the boys held their breath as they stared at Grace waiting for her to answer. More and more Grace found that she couldn't help her lips curling into a smile here.
"I would very much appreciate that Mr. Tunstall. I'd love to stay." All the boys looked at one another happily.
"Where were you heading?" Dick queried.
"Nowhere in particular. When I left home I didn't have a destination in mind. It was sort of short notice." Mr. Tunstall just nodded, accepting her answer, but Steve looked perplexed.
"What's that mean?" he asked.
"Well my grandmother was planning on marrying me off and when she told me, I got so mad I just left."
"Was the guy really that bad?" Doc questioned. Grace looked at him and said quite frankly,
"He was a pompous ass...if you don't mind my saying so. Entitled, rude, unkind...plus I heard about his indiscretions with a few less than reputable ladies, if you know what I mean." Just as a few of the boys made to inquire about these "indiscretions" Mr. Tunstall interrupted.
"Alright then, Charles, Jose, if you don't mind cleaning up this evening I have some letters to write before we read." He excused himself from the table and the lucky two began clearing away the table. Grace picked up her glass, utensils, and plate and followed them. When Charley saw her he tried to take them from her. Knowing that he was only trying to be polite, she swatted his hand away nonetheless. Being on her own had given her a fierce sense of independence and she liked doing things for herself.
"I'd like to help". Placing the dirty crockery into a large wash tub she went back for more with Charley following along behind her fussing. Coming back in she saw Chavez lifting a large pot of hot water from over the fire to pour into the tub. Once the table was cleared the trio stood around the tub scrubbing. In the other room they could hear the others reading aloud. They, Charley and Grace, chatted amiably while Chavez listened quietly. Finishing in good time they joined the others and the boys all took a turn at reading from a pamphlet. For the most part they were fairly efficient, only stumbling over tricky words. After about an hour Mr. Tunstall excused himself and Grace went off to bed as well.
Drawing aside the curtain to her room she watched as the boys made their way to the bunkhouse. Billy snatched Dick's hat and ran off with it letting out a distinctive hyena-like laugh. That boy was a trouble-maker. Shaking her head she changed into her nightshirt and laid down to sleep.