3' Chapter
"...Yes,I'm sure, it's Palomo and Jack Pollard!"
" You mean the two guys who killed the woman at the Breeders' Club?"
" What they did exactly I don't know but I'm certainly sure about their identity!"
" Come on let's see where they go!"
" Be careful Zeb, don't get caught! In fact I have an idea... Wait... I'll call Johnny my sheriff's deputy, have them followed, obviously without a star, and see what they do!"
" Yeah that sounds like a great idea Martin!"
" Mah!!..."
" Don't worry Luke, everything in its own time... If we rush this we risk compromising the whole situation. Trust me, I've flushed out plenty of scoundrels...if we follow them we can catch the whole gang!"
" Yeah..I didn't think of that!"
" Hey Johnny, come here!"
" Yes sir!"
" You see these two here? the fat guy and the skinny guy?"
"Yeah, sure what should I do?"
" Give me the star, and stick to them, find out what they say and do--without getting caught! See if they are looking for lodging for the night and then report back.
As for you two, you'd better stay here with me. In case, come to my place tonight!"
" All right Martin."
--
At the saloon (outside)
"Come on Jack let's go inside and have a beer. Maybe In the meantime we ask about a certain stagecoach."
" Hey look Palomo, the poster with Britten and Tomaz!"
" Damn! They asked us to find safe lodging here for the night; we should have them come late at night."
" Well come on let's go inside, then while you ask about the stagecoach I'll look for a safe house."
" Okay!"
After drinking, Pollard went to the post office; stagecoaches headed east departed from there.
Johnny decided to follow Palomo who, after asking the bartender for some information, was on his way to a house in a secluded alley.
He waited surreptitiously for a few minutes and saw that, after a brief negotiation, he had dropped some money to a lady and then entered the house, following her.
He saw a window open on the ground floor and caught a glimpse of Palomo's silhouette and retreated so as not to be seen. He leaned against the wall of the house on the opposite corner and lit his cigarette to be inconspicuous.
Shortly after, Palomo reached the street entrance and walked past him; taken a few steps, he stopped and, rejoining Pollard, they walked back toward the house.
The windows remained closed with them inside.
At that 'instant Benny, a young boy of the apparent age of about 12, from the village, walked by.
" Hey Benny hi. would you do me a favor!"
" It depends...tell me!"
" Listen, it's very important and I can't leave the post; you have to go to the sheriff and you have to bring him here to me right away ..he'll understand." she handed him some coins.
" Sure Johnny I'll just be a minute."
" Good boy!"
Meanwhile in the house all was quiet.
--
" Sheriff, sheriff!"
"Calm down Benny, what's going on?"
" Johnny sent me, he said you must reach him at once. He is at the intersection of Doroty's 'emporium and the alley that leads to Judge O'Brian's house. He said it's important."
" Well, bravo Benny, here, these are for you!
" Sir, Johnny has already given me some coins!"
" Well let's say then that these are for your honesty! Always remember that, even when you grow up, always be on the side of the law!"
" That's what I'd like, sir...the teachers tell me I'm very gifted and I want to be a judge!"
" Well, bravo! your father will be proud of you!"
" Thank you, sheriff, goodbye gentlemen!" he left.
" Ah though, smart boy!"
" Yes, he is the son of our bank manager. Come on let's go. Hey Luke stay in the back and stay out of sight!"
" Yes, sir!"
They reached Johnny who pointed them to the house and the window.
They saw a silhouette look out and exit the house; it was Palomo and behind him Pollard. they drew back practically entering the emporium.
Johnny sat on the bench outside and peeked over the 'corner.
Luke, Zeb, and the sheriff to his right.
" Hey get back in the emporium, they're coming!"
" Hey Jack, I need to get to the 'emporium..these boots hurt like hell!" said Palomo in a sustained voice.
Johnny got up and walked into the emporium..
" Quick out the back they are coming here."
" Thank you, quick follow me...ah Doroty, you didn't see us. ok?"
" Always at your service Sheriff."
" Come on this way..good thing Johnny heard that!"
They entered the store
"Hello gentlemen, what can I do for you?"
" I would like a pair of boots, these hurt like hell!"
" Do you have a preference for color, model? and. if you tell me the size!
"Color is always good..bring me what you have .the size is 9.5"
" I'll go see what we have."
"Well, Jack, now..let's go have something to eat then you go, quiet good at home I'll go call the others, as soon as it gets night!"
" Alright!"
Doroty returned.
" Here sir, try these on!"
She slipped them on, took a few steps and.
"Oh yes, these are perfect...here you go!"
"To you, the rest. goodbye and thank you!"
They went out.
Palomo found himself still facing Johnny.
" Hey you...what are you doing? Are you following us by any chance?"
" Who? I..I..no, sir...I work for the lady..I charge her heavy expenses...I have to be on call all the time..that's why I'm out here!"
" Ah ok... well don't be in my way!!!"
" Yes sir..come back soon to see us!"
" Alright, sorry...I've had a rough day!" She trimmed a pat on his arm.
" You're welcome, sir!"
They walked away, leaving Johnny on the porch.
Johnny pretended to cross the street and, out of the corner of his eye, he saw them walk back into the house.
A few hours later... in the sheriff's office.
"Luke you guard this window, Uncle and I hide in the loft of Martinez's barn, we have a good view of the house. They went out.
An hour later.
"Geez Johnny, it's already 11:45 p.m. and still no one can be seen. who knows if they've seen anything yet! I can't stand here doing nothing!"
" Be patient Luke someone will show up!".
The minutes meanwhile passed...
" I need a coffee, Johnny!"
" Here, come on I'll take your place ..relax!"
" Ok let me know if you see anything!"
They stood there in the dark; Luke was pacing back and forth around the room sipping his coffee, occasionally, his free hand would go to rest on his head, moving the strands that fell back on his face.
" Hey , Luke, come, look!"
" Give me the binoculars! ..oh yes ...there they are ... Britten, Gruner and Palomo...gosh there must be a dozen of them, at least! And there's Tomaz too... you rotten bastard..I'd gouge his eyes out!!!"
" Do you know him personally?"
" Yes, and we never got along well, in fact!
" What do they do?"
" They turn into the street...come on let's go!"
" Hey, Luke..be careful ok?"
" After all I've been through...certainly!"
They reached the 'corner and peeked over.
" Hei Luke, look..up there ..stopped Luke..Zeb is signaling for us to stay hidden!"
Meanwhile, Gruner and the gang reached the house and, tying up the horses, lined up and entered the house.
The shutters were closed but the light inside was on...talking was heard.
Zeb and the sheriff arrived downstairs.
" Damn with the windows closed we won't hear anything."
" No, uncle..the shutters are closed but the windows are not...you can hear talking!"
They waited five minutes then, the sheriff, lurked under the window.
The sheriff, leaning down, in absolute silence, listened to their talking, for over an hour, until the voices ceased and the light was also turned off. He waited a couple of minutes then returned to the others.
" So! Were you able to hear anything?"
" Anything? well I would say everything and very clearly.!" He darkened his face.
"From your face you look worried!"
" So, the situation is this; Tomorrow morning at 5 o'clock they will go out which will be divided into three groups.
The first one headed by Britten will follow and try to hitch the stagecoach to Chicago; there will be three of them; Britten, Palomo and Pollard!!!
The second group, and I hate to tell you this Luke, but they are headed to Jimson's Break."
" From Hillary! Damn you! But how did he know about Hillary?"
" Tomaz said he had read from Judge Zachary Knight's file that an interview with your brother had come up with Orville's name as your probable future father-in-law!"
" Damn!" How many men will he bring?"
" There will be four..Tomaz, Gruner and two others. Tomaz said he wants to kill the girl to avenge Florrie!"
" Damn, I have to leave right away, I have to go ahead of them!"
" Yes Luke I think it is the wisest thing. Are you up for it? You'll be alone!"
" If you want I'll go with you, Luke!"
" No, Johnny, this is something I have to take care of myself! Besides if I leave now I'll have the sheriff's support and maybe we'll find other men... But the most important thing ., I have to get Hillary safe until this is over!"
" Wait Luke I haven't told you yet about the third group...you won't like them! They have hired three gringos, such Manolo Fernando and Eusebio... Unknown names here but who, in Mexico have been up to all kinds of mischief. They have the task of reaching Teton and killing your family members."
"What! You're kidding!"
" Unfortunately, no...that's what I heard!"
" Uncle what do we do? there are two of us and we already have our hands full!"
"Yeah...I think we've devised it to the point...with the two of us out of the picture...back home they'd have their way!"
" Hey, Uncle I have an idea! Grayson!
He left me his Huston address and if I warn him it won't take him long to get to our house!"
" Well good idea..but you have to see if he is there now... if these leave at 'dawn ..."
"Yes but if he knew about Laura in danger ..he would drop everything for her!"
" But ... weren't you against..."
" We buried the 'hatchet ... as you would say!"
"Ha ha! I wonder when they'll know!"
"Let's think of something else now, Uncle..but the men from the fort, they can't give us a hand...if we get them here all together...let's avoid splitting up ...with them we'll "No...don't trust... in small doses…They would be more vulnerable. Trust me, Luke, Will be Better!"
" Listen my...now, I have the keys to the 'post office and I am also capable of sending telegrams...let's go now...
time tomorrow morning Teton station will already have it in hand and can secure your family members."
" I'd say that's a 'very good idea!"
" May I also send one to Sheriff Gant to notify him of our arrival?"
" Of course, young man! Then you can prepare a nice welcome! You Johnny, stay here, and see that they don't move from that house until the 'appointed time...then I'll come and keep you company."
Zeb took Luke by the arm and drew him to himself.
"My boy, be careful...you'd better leave right away. I'll take care of the telegram; the more advantage you get, the better it will be for you.
Be careful on the road...you will run into Kiowa and Navajo territory...they are friends of mine...but ..you, do you remember any phrases? Tell them you're my nephew and you'll get a clear path."
"You've made friends everywhere huh!"
" Yes, more or less ...although some rebellious little group can't stand me ...Watch out for Red Crow ...but he shouldn't be around there! Now go! and..eyes open."
"Goodbye uncle...you be careful too.
Bye sheriff, bye Johnny!"
" Goodbye Luke, be careful."
" Yes...I know both Tomaz and Gruner quite well and I must say that of the two I fear the latter more...he's very skilled with a rifle...I had a chance to see him in action as, in order to save a load of 'gold at Serena's bank, he didn't hesitate to carry out a real premeditated massacre! Well now I'm going!"
He mounted his horse and rode off alone into the dark night.
" God help you boy!"
Zeb put an arm on his sheriff friend''s shoulder...
" He's a Macahan... He'll be able to handle himself just fine! He's had to learn quickly the 'art of making do over the years...he's been through a lot and he's still here!"
" And you, when do you leave?"
" Time to send the telegrams then I leave."
" Yes, right...and, in the meantime, I'll also leave you the map of the stagecoach route..it will be easier for you to find it. with the shortcuts I tell you."
" Great... let's go."
--
Luke had just passed the town of San Saba and crossed the Colorado River in the direction of Brandy City when, with the first light of dawn, an unexpected thunderstorm had also arrived from the northwest.
The sky was gloomy and black clouds did not bode well;
the sky was already torn by flashes of lightning in the distance, and by calculating the time between lightning and thunder he realized that he was now only a few miles from the storm.
He dismounted from his horse and slipped on his overcoat to shelter himself, as much as possible from the rain, which was already beginning to fall.
" Gee, I'm afraid I'm going to have to stop soon."
He had reached the top of a pass from which he overlooked the valleys below...on one side
he could make out Brandy City and on the 'other a small suburb just outside San Saba.
He turned sharply... Behind him..at the bottom of the valley, about two to three hours behind him, four men on horseback.
" No, not now, damn it!!! They lied..they must have left shortly after me... I'll have to hurry..I'm still a long way off ..I can't let them get there before me and nor, much less, can I challenge four men alone!"
He spurred the horse and set off as fast as he could, given the slippery ground.
He reached Brandy City; The rain had now become a real storm.
He stopped.
" It is not possible to continue...I hope it passes quickly!"
He secured his horse to the post and, after shaking off, as much as possible, the 'water, he decided to enter the saloon.
He was about to cross the threshold when he felt the 'unmistakable contact with a gun straight in his back.
" I don't know who you are ... but know that you're wasting your time ... I'm no longer a wanted man!" he said, spreading his arms wide.
" You may be a free man..but we still need to have a talk!"
Upon hearing those voices, he lowered his arms, relieved.
"Hutch, Thorne...ever been happier to see you!"
"Then I can call you my friend!"
" Now don't overdo it .Come on let's go inside and have a drink, while I explain!"
They took a seat at a secluded table and he quickly explained the story to them.
" So are they following you?"
" More than following I'd say I'm getting ahead of them...they don't know I'm ahead of them!"
"But, will they have found footprints?"
" Sure but they can't imagine it's me! If you come with me to Jimson's Break we'll bag them!"
" It's still a long way off-what if they catch us first?"
"That's why it's important to leave now...the rain is stopping!"
" What if you go ahead and we take care of them?"
" How many months have you been following them and you still haven't gotten a spider out of the hole!"
" Watch your mouth, my friend!"
" I have already told you many times not to call me 'my friend' Thorne!"
" Calm down Luke...weren't you glad to see us?"
" Yes, of course...but from there to consider him friend...!"
"Ok let's not get heated, after all we are on the same side...now more than ever! I'm glad you've been cleared and this cooperation is proof that you're on the right side!"
"In what sense? I'm a free man now."
" Luke, Luke...don't you understand? in the sense that you are showing interest in the righteous path and not that of the bandit you were!"
" I was never a bandit! Get that through your head! I found myself unjustly framed!"
" All right, come on let's go, before they catch up with us!"
With the bill paid, they left the saloon.
The rain was still falling thickly, though with less intensity, and they set off north/west, avoiding spots that were too exposed.
They were scheduled to arrive at Jimson's Break in the early afternoon of the next day,
after stopping for the night.
Gruner's men had also been slowed by the storm and, had had to stop. When they reached Brandy City, they stopped a few hours at the saloon while Luke and the feds had now passed the next ridge.
" Damn this storm, all a waste of time!"
" Don't worry Tomaz, there's no one running after us!"
" Are you forgetting that our faces are in sight in every state now!
But I swear to you, if it's the last thing I do, as soon as I get my hands on that girl, Well! After I've had my fun with her, I'll slit her throat from side to side, so I'll get even with Macahan!"
"Don't you think he'll come after you next? That didn't seem to go so well for you last time!"
" There will be four of us to greet him. It will be the 'showdown' I've been waiting for this moment
since he shot me in the shoulder, and even if he does not die by my hand, I will be glad to bury him, along with his woman!"
" I would like to remind you, if you had forgotten, that that woman is Sheriff Gant's daughter!"
" I don't care, whoever gets in the way will pay with his life!"
" Come on now calm down Tomaz. The storm has passed, let's move!"
--
For several hours, Zeb, Lieutenant Mitchell and his men had been riding in the blazing sun.
They had reached high ground after taking a shortcut as advised by Sheriff Bentley. Ahead of them was a vast deserted expanse; that was the land of the Osage, an ancient native tribe with a glorious past, but who in recent years, weary of war, had befriended the 'white man.
For years there had been no conflicts except those caused by small groups of Osage, detached from the tribe because they disagreed with the chiefs, who, because of the drought and thus the difficulty of getting enough to live on, attacked the stagecoaches to rob the poor travelers, also stole goods from them and took horses and sometimes white women.
" Oh! Stop ... look there!"
Far away, a cloud of dust; because of the severe burning, the dust raised by the stagecoach could be noticed many miles away.
" Hey Zeb to your right..look!"
" Damn, it must be the Osage raiders!"
"Should we be worried about our scalps?"
" Ours aren't, but I'm afraid they want to assault the stagecoach! Come on let's go!"
" Zeb, there are eight of them, what shall we do?"
"I'd say let's move, and fast too, or that stagecoach will have an unhappy time!
They brought the horses galloping.
" Zeb do you know who they are?"
From the war colors I would dare to think it is Black Hawk."
" the colonel told me you know the Indians very well...do you think they will deal with you?"
" I don't know... with the chief maybe yes, but they are a rebel group...let me do the talking...let's see if we can reason!"
They arrived almost simultaneously in the vicinity of the stagecoach. Zeb had ordered the soldiers to fire a few shots into the air to intimidate them.
Black Hawk, hearing the rifle shots turned toward them and, catching sight of Zeb, intimated to his men to stop.
Reaching him, Black Hawk raised his right arm.
"I salute you White Eagle! What brings you to our territory?"
" I send my greetings to you, too, Black Hawk!
We have been trying to reach that stagecoach since yesterday. On it is a woman who is under my protection and is in mortal danger!"
" Not at my hands! I do not harm women!"
" No, indeed. You must know that she testified at a trial and now, the 'man, who was to be hanged has managed to escape and is hunting her down to kill her.
What were your intentions? The white man in the blue jackets tells strange things about you!"
"White man's tongue speaks without thinking, he makes all the grass into a lump! True, some of the exiles do barbaric things, but we only attack to take food and money, to survive...we are not murderers!"
" That does you credit, although, stealing is not right either! Why didn't you stay with 'White Wolf'?"
" Among my people they say that the 'white man will take our lands to build cities and iron ways and that we should leave to another territory with their money, to some reservation
created by the white man. We are born free...tu can understand me, White Eagle!"
"Yes, I understand that and I have even told important men among the bluecoats about it, but I was told in reply that it is the price to pay for progress and that you too can enjoy it if you make treaties with them!"
" No, better to die as free men than to submit to their will!"
" I understand that too. now tell me, what do you plan to do with the stagecoach?"
" Given what you have told me...the woman will not be robbed, she is under your protection and our people have always respected White Eagle... You have saved many lives of my people...but the others will have to give us their money."
" Can't be avoided at all?"
" No, this is my best offer, just to honor you!"