Chapter Fourteen…The Mexican Blackbird
Hell Bent for Leather
By EmiliosLoofah
Author's Notes: Okay folks…we need to get back to Aubrey, Chavez and Cole. Don't worry…the 1880's will quickly return!!!
Chapter Summary: Chavez and Doc are saved from the Lincoln pit jail! You've missed them, haven't you?!?! As for the 1940's…America had just joined WWII, and Cole
Special thanks to Tom…thanks for helping me once again. And of course Sue! My friend, my beta!
This chapter took me a long time to complete…this is dedicated to Sue and my dear friend, Janice Gunther, who is no longer with us. Janice…you will be missed!!!
December 20, 1941
The hospital lounge was a buzz with conversation; several different groups of bandaged and other wise broken military personal where engaged in a plethora of activities. Some where playing cards, others were reading, but the majority where occupied with hearing each others war stories. Although no one wore their uniform, most every man in the room sported a remnant to identify his branch of service.
In the far corner, three Royal Marines sat wide eyed as a Captain William Benjamin of the Royal Air Force told his tail of heroism and bravery. "I tell you blokes, I have never seen any one fly like that cowboy in my life. We got our orders; we were to baby-sit some B-17's. They were making their way to drop a load of firecrackers on Gerry's front porch. We connected with the bombers about 200 miles from their target. I thought it was going to be all tea and crumpets. We were flying at 10,000 ft with plenty of cloud cover for over an hour without a care."
Captain Benjamin took a deep breath and continued. "We were about 50 miles from the drop zone when the first wave of Faulkers dropped on us; they pretty much ignored us and concentrated fire on the B-17's, the Cowboy instructed us to break away into two man teams and…how did he say?...Oh yeah...pick them bastards off like tics on a hound's ass…and that's just what we did."
"We lost two of our brothers that day, but not after 12 of the bastards crashed and burned. At last count the Cowboy was responsible for 7 of them kills."
One Marine with a head bandage waved his hand, as if shooing away some pesky insects.
"You fly boys always tend to stretch the truth."
The other young Marine beside him chuckled. "I heard the Cowboy is a direct descendant of Billy the Kid!"
"Billy the who?"
"You know…Billy the bloody Kid…from New Mexico! The Prince of Pistoleers himself!"
The Marine with the head bandage snorted, and turned his attentions back to William. "Willy, are you telling tall tales? You know them Faulkers where Mitchershimts."
The group erupted with laughter, as William turned to see Lieutenant Cole…also known as the Cowboy sitting in a wheelchair, with his left leg in a cast and his right eye sporting a patch, and his head bandaged up.
"God damn Cowboy…you look like bloody hell!"
"Well I have to admit…I have felt better…can't wait to get home!" He smiled. Cole had just received his orders that he was going home, due to the extent of his injuries.
The same Marine behind William spoke up again. "So…the Gerry's shot your boys down then."
Cole just looked the man in the eye, and said nothing for a long time.
William broke the silence. "You need to learn some manners, you horse's arse!"
Cole grabbed William's arm. "No…it's alright…we diverted ground fire so the big boys could drop their load. Intelligence missed the target by 50 kilometers. The B-17's have a larger fuel cell."
Will interrupted. "Any other pilot would have left those birds to fend for themselves."
Cole continued. "We flew wing support for as far as we could. I knew we didn't have enough fuel to make base, so we might as well take a few more buzzards down before we had to ditch. The package was delivered, and we cleared the way home for the big boys. We ditched about 50 kilometers before home."
"That's a knee-slapper." Will said as he looked at the young Marine.
"As you can see we got a little banged up," Cole said. "But you'll be slapping leather with those Gerry's soon enough!"
"Mail!" A large uniformed man shouted, as he came into the room, with a bundle of envelopes in his hand. "Here's a telegram from America, Cowboy…it looks rather important!"
Cole accepted the envelope, opened it and read the contents in silence. He closed his eyes for a moment…then slowly opened them with a heavy sigh. "Oh, God!"
The sounds of Beethoven's Symphony #7 in A filled my room. The Larghetto, second movement was playing. How fitting at this somber time. Cole would soon arrive home from England, just in time for Aunt Jessica's funeral. It was rumored that even the President of the United States would make an appearance.
"Miha?"
The sound of Chavez speaking made me look up from Aunt Jessica's journals.
"I was just reading about how Billy rescued you and Doc from the Lincoln pit jail." I told him.
Chavez gave me a smile. "Actually…it was all Jessie's idea…not Billy's."
"I know." I give him a small smile.
"Cole should be home any day…he'll be here in time for the funeral. I sent him a telegram." He turned to walk out of the room.
"How are you feeling?" I asked him.
Chavez stopped, turned back around and sighed. I could see the corners of his mouth contort into what could be confused as a smile. In the first time in weeks, I saw a slight glint in his eye. Chavez looked like a man that was just relieved of a heavy burden. He paused, and spoke clear and softly. "My child, my life's ambitions have been fulfilled. My very reason for existence complete…whatever life I have left to live, I consider a boon. And assuredly I shall rejoice every minute until the Spirit Horse delivers me to my peaceful rest."
On that note, Chavez turned on his heel, and left my room with a certain spry in his step.
April 1880
Still mounted on Pal, I watch with great interest as Doc kneels in the dirt, behind a large rock. The iron chain that was placed on his wrists back in New York was pulled taut; so that it can be broken by a bullet.
I glace over at Billy, as he stands, aiming his Colt towards Doc's kneeling form. I just had to get a closer look, so I dismount and stand beside Billy.
"Hold still now." Billy says to Doc. "I got this buckshot infection in my elbow that makes my right arm… WOOOOOOOOO!" Billy's right hand starts to shake, and I find myself holding back a laugh at his joke.
With that, Doc looked up at Billy over the rock he was behind.
Billy's right hand started to shake, causing Doc to glare at Billy.
"I am still." He sighed. "Just shoot the chain, Billy."
Billy smiled, as he un-cocked his six-shooter. "Damn, I've missed you Doc. I knew you would be back!" He says with glee. "We made a pact, remember? You, me, Charlie, Chavez and Jessie…pals!!!"
"Just shoot the chain, Billy." Doc says calmly, as if talking to a spoiled child.
Dave spits some of his tobacco on the ground next to me. "I don't care if ya spittle and pissed on each other's boots…I don't take to tenderfoots in my gang-or Mexicans."
"Dave-shut the bloody hell up!" I shout with frustration.
Dave blows a kiss in my direction. I spat a curse, and tried to ignore him.
"Just ignore him, Jessie." Charlie tells me, putting an arm around my shoulders. I continue to pout, and glare at Dave.
"It ain't your gang, Dave." Billy points out.
"Mexican-Indian, you sonuvabitch." Chavez informs him.
Dave just laughs. "Sorry!" He tells him, with an evil smile. "Say…was it the savages puttin' it to a Mexican whore, or was it an Indian whore puttin' it to the whole Mexican army?"
"Damn you, Dave!" I shout, as I watch Chavez start to charge over to him, anger written all over his proud face. Before Chavez can reach him, I suddenly sprint over to Dave, and punch him in the jaw. Dave falls to the ground on his back, and I jump on him, ready to murder him.
"Jessica!" Garrett shouts, and I am suddenly pulled off of Dave by Garrett. I try to break free, but Garrett is right behind me, holding my arms behind me back.
"You damn bitch! You hit me!" Dave yells, standing up and brushing the dirt of his trousers.
I look over at Billy, who is laughing at this whole matter.
"Billy…the chains…" Doc reminds Billy, as Garrett calms Chavez down.
Billy laughs. "Remember somethin' Dave…these boys are the Lincoln County Regulators."
"Was." Dave points out.
"Was…were." Doc corrects Dave.
Garrett releases me. I look up at him, and he looks down at me, with a smile on his face. I roll my eyes with frustration.
I look over at Billy, who re-holsters his pistol and sits on the ground. "Were…that's right. Things are different and you're gonna have to understand that, Doc. They're pushing me out, and if Jessie and I wanna live…and we do…" Billy glances over at me with a smile. "We gotta go below. I don't want to do it…but we have no choice now. We're takin' it."
"Huh?" I ask Billy with interest. Take what…good God, where were we going now?
"The Mexican Blackbird."
I look over at Billy with surprise. "The…bloody…what?" I notice the others looking at him with curiosity as well.
"It's the broken trail to Old Mexico. Only me and a few other boys know about it. You follow the trail below, and down there they got some men…if you pay them, they'll come up and get your belongings…family…whatever you need, and bring 'em back to you! You have to change your name…but that's small price to pay. You don't want to die…do you?" Billy looks at every one of us.
I stand between Chavez and Garrett deep in thought. The Mexican Blackbird…I've never heard of it…it could actually work.
Doc sighs. "All I want is for you to get rid of the damn chains, Billy!"
Billy stands up over Doc and then suddenly drops to the ground, his arm holding his pistol between his legs as he fires…and breaks Doc's chain in two.
I stand there, with my mouth open in shock. One has to admit that Billy is the best at shooting with a six-shooter! "Bloody hell!" I exclaim, laughing.
Doc smiled and shook his head. "They caught you and me," He said to Chavez. "Why can't they catch him?"
I watched Chavez smile at Doc. "They say that he has cuinhero medicine…Billy can change into a coyote and slip away. Me…I just think he's the luckiest white eye in New Mexico. If anyone, Billy can do it…he'll get us to Old Mexico alive."
"Chavez…it's over," Doc tells him, mounting the horse he rode out of Lincoln on. "I'm going east. My family is there-"
"You can't leave!" I insist, rushing towards Doc, my hand holding his horses' reins. "We just got you out of there…I just got you out of there alive…and this is how you repay me?" I could feel the tears swelling up in my eyes. Damn me for being so sensitive! But I missed Doc…I've really missed him so much, and didn't want him to leave. "Please, Doc!" I pleaded with him.
"Why are you upsetting Jessie, Doc?" Billy walked up, looking up at him. "Aren't you happy to see her?"
Doc gave Billy a harsh look. He takes a pocket watch and throws it towards Billy, who catches it. "It's for the horse." He stated, not answering his question.
"This horse ain't for sale, Doc." Billy tells him with a wide grin. "But my boots are! How's that-"
Billy couldn't finish his sentence. Doc attacks Billy, by kicking him in the face. It would seem that all of Doc's anger building inside of him got too much and he finally exploded. I watched with panic as they both tumbled around the ground, beating the hell out of each other.
"DO something!" I shout, as Chavez and Garrett finally jump in, with Charlie right at their side. Chavez grabs Doc, as Garrett gets a hold of Billy.
Doc yells in frustration. "I couldn't get far enough away from you, Billy-damn you! You follow me everywhere…you're in my nightmares…I can't walk down the street without children in the street playing you…wanting to be you!"
"Yeah?" Billy yells back at Doc. "Have you ever stopped and told them that you killed half the men I got credit for? I know you, Doc…I've seen you kill!"
I feel Charlie's arm around my shoulders. I look up, and see him looking down at me with a half attempted smile.
Billy continues. "I saw you…with blood all over yourself…I saw you kill…and you think you can just walk out? Teach kids how to spell and count? You came back for a reason, Doc!"
Chavez and Garrett let go of both Billy and Doc at the same time. "Remember John Tunstall?" Billy questions Doc.
My Father's name being spoken out loud makes me stand perfectly still. I look over at Billy, but his eyes are on Doc. "You remember the stories John use to tell us about the three chinamen playing Fan-tan? This guy runs up to them and says, 'Hey, the world's coming to an end!' and the first one says, 'Well, I best go to the mission and pray,' and the second one says, 'Well, hell, I'm gonna go and buy me a case of Mescal and six whores,' and the third one says 'Well, I'm gonna finish the game.'" Billy pauses, smiling over at me, and then turns his attention back over to Doc. "I shall finish the game, Doc."
Doc brushes the dirt off of him. "No…the game's over, Billy."
"When the Spirit Horse comes…" Chavez states. "Then it will be over."
Billy mounts up, and the rest of us follow. "Doc…please…" I tell him.
He just stares at me with a sigh. I sigh as well, and slowly turn Pal toward the direction Billy, Dave and Charlie are riding to.
"Doc…you'll never get out of New Mexico," I hear Garrett explain as I slowly ride away. "Everything's changed since you've been out here. Law's here now…Fort Stanton, Governors special militia…"
"I'll get home all right, Patsy," Doc said loudly. "And I just may take Jessica with me."
I quietly swore, arranging my kerchief over my face to keep the dust and dirt out of my mouth, and kick Pal with all my might to catch up with Billy. Hopefully Garrett's statement would change Doc's mind.
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