Читать книгу Trego - J. D. Oliver - Страница 5

Chapter One

The snow had been falling for the last couple of hours and the shadows were getting long. My horse was lazing along like we had all the time in the world, which I guess we did, since I had no particular destination in mind.

There was about six inches on the ground. It didn’t bother my horse ‘Jim’. But Jake my dog wasn’t too happy with it. He had a heavy coat though, since he was part Newfoundland and Wolf, so I knew he wasn’t cold. He was just in a bad mood.

“Alright Jake, we’ll find a place to camp for the night.” He looked up at me and grinned. He liked his creature comforts. Jim shook the snow off of both of us. I had a couple of pansies on my hands.

They weren’t really, they had been through all of my travails with me. We had been drifting all summer and now it was late October. So I wasn’t too upset with this snow, it was sort of overdue. Especially since we were in the foothills of the Rockies.

I had been noticing some smoke up ahead for the last two hours. Which was unusual; since I had seen very few other humans since I had nailed the doors and windows shut on our home place. And one of those was Dad’s face as I closed the homemade casket.

After I had buried him; I turned all of the livestock loose to fend for themselves. They would be alright; there was plenty of forage and I had fastened the barn doors open so they could get in out of weather in the winter time.

Dad and I had built this place from scratch. I was only ten years old when we had left the so-called civilization. That had been twenty years ago. We had seen very few people come by our place since then. So being alone didn’t bother me none. But heck, it seems like the ones I did see on my few outings to civilization weren’t all that friendly.

We topped out on a tree covered slope above a little village down below. I made sure we stayed out of sight under a big Douglas Fir. That was a pretty neat sight. I had seen something like it on an old Christmas card that my Dad kept in the family Bible. In fact I took that Bible out of my saddle bags and looked at that card; it was almost a dead ringer for that village.

I turned the card over, it was from some woman from my Dad’s past. I didn’t know who she was, Dad didn’t talk too much about the past. I put the Bible back in my saddle bags. Then I checked the loads on both of my pistols. Then on my .50 caliber Sharps that was in the scabbard under my left leg. One just never knew, did one?

Jake looked up at me and then down at the village. “Just hold your horses old son, we don’t want to go barging in where we’re not wanted, do we?”

He whined and then looked back down at the small town. It was a pretty sight, which surprised me a little bit. I never liked civilization; it brought back bad memories, like I said, at times people just weren’t all that friendly.

There was a road that wound through the valley, it went right beside the village. Now this little burg lay at the foot of a small hill about a half of a mile long, most of the town was on the flat, with a lot of houses on the hill behind it. The buildings were in sort of a horseshoe shape with a square in the middle.

There were all kinds of animals; wild as well as domestic in that square. As well as a multitude of kids. Also close to the road; but still in the square was a Conestoga wagon, with a woman cooking over an open fire. Also another kind of a wagon, looked to be some kind of drummer. They had an outside fire going also.

There were the usual establishments, General Store, Hardware Store, Blacksmith Shop, even a Butcher Shop. I was pleasantly surprised, cause there was also a Saloon. Why I was surprised I didn’t know. Most towns had them, maybe because I was hankering after a beer. Another building said Library….

That’s one thing Dad was big about; learning. He had brought just about every kind of book ever printed with us when we left civilization. I guess I had read every one of them. Heck, I even brought a couple with me. Jake whined again.

I looked down at him, well if he thought it was okay, it must be. “What do you think Jim; should we mosey on down there?” Jim turned his head and looked back at me, he gave a soft nicker. “Alright boys, we’ll go on down.”

So I turned and went down the back side of the slope; so as to reach that road where no one could see us. I didn’t want them to know from which direction we came.

It was still snowing, coming just a bit harder.

It weren’t much of a road, rutted up a might. Didn’t surprise me none. Even if I was surprised, Dad taught me to never show it. People probably couldn’t tell it if I was, with all of this fur on my face.

I pulled my hat down a little bit more and started to whistle an Irish ditty that Dad had taught me. They seen and heard me coming, those ones who were cooking outside, that is. They stood there with a stupefied look on their faces. I guess they didn’t see many strangers come a whistling down the road.

I came up within about twenty feet of the first wagon, I pulled rein and said “Howdy”. The woman stood there with her mouth open staring at me. I said, “You thirsty? You must be, you had better shut your mouth or you’re going to drown, all of that snow you’re swallowing.”

She snapped her mouth shut. The man that was setting on a stump, stood up. “Who the hell are you?” He said, not mean like, but just shocked, you might say.

“Well Sir, I don’t rightly know what this here ‘hell’ has to do with who I am, but I guess you might say that I am just a drifter.” I had just finished pontificating on that point when the flap to the wagon was pushed aside and two kids stood there, “Dad, is everything alright?” The young girl said. The boy that was beside her, just stared at me.

“Yes, Honey, everything is alright, if you’re coming outside put your wrap on.” Then he turned back to me, “I’m sorry, that was rude. It’s just that we haven’t seen any stranger’s for a spell.”

“If I may ask a rude question,” I said, “what are you all doing living in your wagon with winter coming on?”

The woman found her voice, “Henry is too proud to ask for help.” She said, with just a hint of chagrin, not too much, just a little.

“Well now, I can understand how that could be. But I don’t quite understand what the point is of that statement?” I said.

“We don’t have that much money, just enough for food, plus the keep of our horses over at the livery.” She said.

“Money? Shucks, I’ve heard of money. Never thought it was all that important. Would you like some?” I asked, then I said, “paper, silver or gold, which would you like?” I unbuttoned my coat and reached into my vest pocket and pulled out two double eagles and tossed them to the man. “Is that enough, or do you need more?”

He caught them in midair. He said, “You don’t have to give me money, we can get along.” He started to toss them back at me, when his wife caught his arm and took them away from him. She said, “Thank you, this will be more than enough, don’t worry we’ll pay you back.”

“No need, money isn’t that all important to me, do you know where I can rent a room? Rent is the proper word isn’t it?”

She said, “Yes, what other word would fit?”

“Oh, I don’t know, I just wasn’t sure if that was the word, I haven’t been around people too much.”

“They say there is a room for rent over at the saloon, if you don’t mind the noise.” The man said. “With this money you gave us, we can board with a widow women over on the hill.”

“Fine, I’m glad. This here Livery you mentioned, where might it be?” I asked.

“Just this side of the Blacksmith shop.” Henry said. “I’ll show you, I need to get our horses to pull our wagon over by the widow’s house.” He buttoned his coat all the way up and took a step toward me. Jake growled at him. He stepped back. “That is one fierce looking dog you have there.” He said.

“Jake simmer down, the man’s alright.” Jake stopped growling and grinned at him. Jim followed along behind Henry. As we went by the other wagon, the men there nodded at us. I nodded back. I got a close look at their wagon, it was covered with sheet metal, with gun loops on all sides. The men looked like hard cases. Jake growled low in his throat. He really didn’t like them.

Henry stopped at the Blacksmith to pay, he said, “They don’t have a livery hand, he died, the Blacksmith owns it.” I stepped down and dropped the reins, then followed Henry in. Henry introduced me, “This here man is the Drifter, anyway that’s what he call’s himself.” Then he looked at me and said, “This is Harry, that’s his nick name, not his condition, even though he is sort of hairy.” We shook hands. I gave as good as I got.

We went over to the livery, Jim followed along, as did Jake. Henry got his team, saying, “I’ll have them back within the hour, if that’s okay?” He led them out as I unsaddled Jim. There were a lot of empty stalls, I took my pick. I hung my tack in the stall, no one would bother them, with Jim guarding them, he would kick their heads off.

I looked around, there was living quarters in one end of the livery. Looked like they were empty. Harry was standing there.

“Say Harry, is anyone living in that end?” I asked him.

“No, are you interested?”

“Sure I need a place to stay. I would lot rather sleep with the horses than above a noisy saloon.”

“Tell you what, if you will run this livery, you can not only stay here, I’ll split the profit with you.”

“You got a deal Harry. I’m more used to animals than humans anyway. And I need a place to winter. Say what’s the name of this town and your real name?”

“Coolidge, the town, Klaas Bleecker, my name. ”

“What does everyone do to make a living?” I asked.

“Well, there is the Wise River mine, it’s just starting to pay off, some Gold, mostly Silver. But otherwise, there are some ranches and a few homesteaders are moving in, Henry was a homesteader. We’re pretty much off the beaten track. You’re one of first drifter’s we’ve had this way.”

“You say Henry was a homesteader, what happened?”

“He had some water and mineral rights on his place, they wanted it.”

“They? Who are they?”

“The Combine that runs the mine, I don’t know for sure who they all are, but what they want they just take. You mind your own business you’ll be alright. There’s supply’s in the living quarters, it’s fully stocked, when the old man died, I just left everything like it was.”

“This saloon, do they serve food? I don’t feel like cooking tonight.”

“Sure, somewhat. There is a small café, the widow woman run’s it, in a side room of her house. That’s the same place Henry is going to board his family.”

“Yeah, I might check it out on the morrow, but tonight I sort of feel like something different.” He looked at me, “Well be careful, some hard cases hang out there.”

I fed all the stock, forking hay from the overhead mow. I found the oat bin and gave Jim a bait. I took what clothes I had and put them in my room. I found a hand pump beside the sink in the small kitchen. I primed it from a pitcher of water that was setting there. I washed my face and combed by hair and beard. I rubbed a clean rag over my buckskins. I guess I should of brought more clothes with me. I took out my twin .44’s and shucked the shells and then cleaned both guns. I reloaded them with fresh shells. I spun them and stuffed them back in my holsters. The last thing I did, was build a fire in the Pot Belly Stove and then banked it, so the place would be warm when I got back.

Jake was setting there watching me, I said, “Hey old buddy, how would you like some store bought food?” He nodded. It was still snowing, I made sure my pistols were under my coat, hidden safely away.

We walked slowly toward the saloon. Taking our time and checking things out. We were in what was called the Beaverhead. I knew that Wise River was to the north. This town was starting into it’s boom phase, I knew when the ore played out, so would most of this town. Might be a few hangers on, due to the ranch’s around about. But it would be quite a ride while it lasted.

A few of the town’s dogs came running, barking. But as soon as they got close to Jake, they turned tail and ran. “Well Jake old boy, you must have bad breath, they sure didn’t like you.” He shook his head and ignored me.

This was the first storm of the season, they hadn’t closed the main doors that were behind the swinging doors. I bet they would pretty soon, as cold as it was getting. I pushed through the swinging doors letting them swing back, Jake ducked a little bit and came under them.

There was a piano playing over at one side, a woman was singing a rowdy ballad. A few of the locals were trying to sing it with her. I don’t know who sounded better, them or her. No one noticed us till we were about to the bar.

The bartender was looking at Jake, he started to say something, I held my hand up, he shut his mouth as soon as he looked into my eyes. He was an older man, perhaps at least fifty. His eyes belied the stern expression on his face, they were smiling.

“What will it be stranger?”

“Well, Jake and me are hungry, so we’ll have two plates of what ever you have.” I said with a smile.

“Pot Roast and Navy Beans, like we have every night, what’ll you have to drink?”

“I’ll take a pint and so will Jake.” I said.

“Your dog drinks beer?”

“Sure, doesn’t’ yours?”

“I suppose if I did have one, he would. I suppose he wants his in a bowl?”

“Yep, he sure does.” He turned around and drew me a beer from the spicket. Then did the same using a bowl for Jake. He sled both across the bar. I put Jake’s on the floor. He took one lap and then looked up, wanting his food. Jake was a sensible drinker, he always ate when he drank.

The bartender came back with two plates. I put Jakes on the floor. I hadn’t noticed but the piano had stopped, every one was staring at us. I looked around, then turned my back and went to eating.

I heard steps coming toward us, “Hey, you Bum, no animals are allowed in here.”

I didn’t turn around. “Hey, you old son-of-bitch, I’m talking to you.” I felt his hand on my arm as he swung me around, I simply followed through and came around and punched him in the throat. He staggered back choking for air. I stepped toward him and kicked him in the crotch. As he bent over I kneed him in the face. He was out cold when he hit the floor.

I looked up, every one was staring at me. “He called me old, I don’t like being called old.” Then I turned back to the bar and went to eating my beans and beef. Jake hadn’t even looked up.

The piano started back up, along with the clamor. The bartender said, “Do you know who that is?” Indicating the prone figure on the barroom floor.

“Nope, how could I, I’m a stranger, remember.” I said, as I looked around the room. Two big miners got up from their table and came and picked the fellow up, they looked at me, “If we were you, we’d head for the hills, his Dad ain’t going to like this.”

“How about you two, do you like it?” I said, as I swept my coat tails back to expose my .44’s.

“To tell you the truth, yep, we sort of do. It’s long overdue, it’s time he got what was coming to him. But like we said, his old man ain’t going to.” The oldest one said, then the youngest said, “We just work for the mine, we don’t like some of the things they do, but they pay us.” They each took an end and went out the back door.

No one bothered us anymore. But they weren’t friendly either. After we finished our meal. Jake sat down in front of the bar with his back to it, watching the goings on. I leaned back against the bar with a second beer in my hand doing the same.

There was a poker game going on, six players, with six chairs. Looked like they didn’t need a seventh, besides I had all of the money I needed. There were the regular saloon girls, hustling the drinks. One of them spotted me, all by my lonesome, she came over, “Buy me drink, please?” She whispered to me. I looked at her, she couldn’t of been over sixteen years old. “Please, this is my first night, I’m afraid they will fire me. And I need the money.”

I gave the bartender the high sign, he poured her the usual bar girl drink, cold tea. I smiled a lopsided smile at him and flipped him two bits. As she took the drink her hand was shaking. She had red hair and freckles. A little turned up nose, she was cute, but scared to death. “What’s your name?” I asked.

“Caitie Lafferty, my father got killed in the mine last week, he was all that I had.”

“You’re Irish then, I take it?” She nodded. “You say this is your first night, where are you sleeping?”

“Upstairs with Brona, she’s the one over by the piano. She’s sort of taken me under her wing. She’s Irish too.”

Brona seen me talking to Caitie, she worked her way over to us. She looked me up and down, “Don’t think you’re going to get anything from her, she’s just eye candy.” She said.

“Well now, what makes you think I want anything from her?”

“Don’t be coy, you’re all the same, the only brain you got is swinging between your legs.”

“That might be true, for most of the guys in here, but you don’t know me, Brona. But I know you.” I said, locking eyes with her. She dropped hers first.

A man dressed like a river boat gambler came up, “What’s the trouble here?” he said, with a superior attitude. I didn’t like him.

Brona glanced up at him, “No trouble, we were just talking.”

“Well get back to work, or you know what will happen to you!”

Brona started to turn away, “Wait,” I said, “she is talking to me, butt out!”

His hand dropped to the pistol he was wearing on his thigh, it was tied down like a gunslinger. He got it clear of the holster, before I put my fist down his throat. He was out. After he stopped bouncing off of the floor, I reached down and picked up his pearl handled .45. Then I took his gun belt off and putting his gun back in the holster, I draped it over my shoulder. I looked at the bartender, “Pour me a shot of whiskey, will you.”

I took it and poured it over my knuckles. His teeth had cut me up some, I didn’t want to get some sort of infection from him.

“Well girls, it looks like I’ve done all of the damage I want to do, this night. Will you both be alright?”

“No, I don’t think so.” Brona said.

“Well then, let’s get your belongings, I’ll take you over to the boarding house for the night, we’ll figure out what to do next, in the morning.”

I went upstairs with them, they got what belonged to them. When we came back down, the dandy was still laying where he had fallen. Everyone was just walking around him. He must not of had many friends. That was comforting…..

I kept his gun and belt, I was sort of taking a shine to them. Jake was walking ahead of us in the snow storm, I guess you could almost call it a blizzard. I knocked on the back door of the boarding house, the door opened and an Angel said,

“Come in, you must be freezing.” Jake took her at her word and bounded in. He shook himself in the kitchen, sending snow every which way. She just laughed, a beautiful laugh like the first breath of spring.

I stood there dripping water on the floor. She looked around me at the girls, “I know you,” she said to Brona, “you work at the saloon, don’t you?”

“Not anymore, this here yokel got us fired. He keeps beating everybody up.”

She looked at me, “Is that right?”

“Uh, yes and no Mam. I didn’t do it on purpose, they started it.”

She nodded her head, “I know they probably did. Brona, it is Brona isn’t it? I thought so, what is this young lady’s name?”

Caitie did a small curtsy, “My name is Caitie Lafferty Mam.”

“Well, Caitie and Brona, would you like a job? You see the two girls I did have working for me left to get married.”

“Yes,” they both spoke in unison.

“Good, you can put your things in the bedroom right off of the kitchen, there are two beds in there, I’m sure you will be most comfortable.”

Both girls picked up their bags and headed for that room. The Widow lady said, turning to me. “Now, to you. Do you have a name?”

“Why, I reckon I do, that is if you do?”

“Yes, that was rude of me, my name is Brie, it’s short for Breeze. I’m afraid my Mother was a bit of a romantic. Brie Stevens,” she said, while holding out her hand. I didn’t know whether to kiss it, or shake it. So I just took it in mine and held it. While saying, “I’m very glad to meet you Brie. My name is Trego.”

We stood there with our eyes locked. She had brown eyes, well sort of, with flecks of gold in them. Neither one of us made an effort to pull our hands away. Her hair was a deep dark brown, with just a hint of red.

“Trego? Do you have a surname, with that? Or is that your surname?”

“Nope, just Trego. That’s all my Dad every called me.” I said, while I brought my left hand up to take her hand in both of mine. She had soft warm hands, with just a hint of calluses.

Her cheeks started to get a red flush. Her eyes shifted to the gun and belt hanging from my shoulder. “I know that gun, it belongs to Randy Fuller, he owns the saloon, did you beat him up?”

“Well, not really all that much, but he was out cold on the floor when we left. I didn’t know he owned the saloon, but he acted like he owned those girls. He tried to pull this here iron and plug me. I just beat him to the punch, you could say.”

“Well, you don’t want to be accused of stealing, you can leave it here. He comes in often to eat. He thinks he’s a lady’s man. I have to keep reminding him to keep his hands to himself. What are you doing in Coolidge, Mr. Trego?”

“Please call me Trego, no Mr. I was just drifting through. But the Blacksmith offered to let me run the livery. Plus now, I have another reason to stay.” Her cheeks flamed a deeper red. But she made no effort to remove her hand from mine. In fact we were sort of drifting closer, her face was only inches away from mine.

She swallowed a couple of times, then said, “Are you the one who helped Henry and his family?”

“Helped? Well I did give them a little money. It was getting too cold for those children to live in that wagon. Are they settled in?” I asked.

“Yes, they have two rooms.” She said, as her body melted into mine. Her hair smelled like lilac’s. Her lips tasted like honey laced with fire. We pulled back a inch or so, looking into each other’s soul.

We were still that way, when Brona said, “Are you two going to stand that way all night? Making calf eyes at each other.”

We pulled away, Brie turned, “No of course not, he had something in his eye, I was trying to get it out.”

“Yeah, what he had in his eye was you. We were just wondering if it was alright if we could go to bed, or do you need anything done?”

“No, no you can go to bed. We get up at five in the morning. To get the breakfast going.” She glanced hurriedly at me. “Will you be coming for breakfast?”

“Of course, can Jake come too?”

“Yes, but he has to stay in the kitchen, he can’t go in the dining room. Some of the other borders might object.” Brie said, as she accompanied us to the door. Jake went out and stood in the storm, while Brie leaned into me for a kiss. I didn’t even feel the blizzard as Jake led me back to the livery.

I was still in a fog when I stirred up the fire and added coal. Jake was setting on his haunches and staring at me.

“Don’t worry Jake, I haven’t went crazy. Well maybe just a mite. I wouldn’t have believed it, if I hadn’t of just experienced it, love at first sight. I’ve read about it, but didn’t believe it was possible.” He just shook himself, steam arose from the snow hitting the hot stove. Then he laid down close behind the heater.

I went out in the barn and checked the stock, Jim nickered at me. I went over and currycombed him. “Well Old Boy, I guess we’re going to be here awhile.” He bobbed his head up and down. Jim could use the rest.

I went back in and shucked my overcoat. I looked down at my buckskins. I seen a mercantile store, I guess I would have to buy some new clothes. It never entered my mind before. But after Brie, I felt the need to update, you might say.

I skinned out of my buckskins and stood there in my long johns. I built a fire in the cook stove. The boiler on the side was full of water. It didn’t take long to get hot. I took a spit bath. Then washed my long johns. They would dry overnight, since I hung them on the back of a chair and put the chair close to the oven door, that I left open.

I went in the bedroom and checked the bed. Just as I thought, bedbugs. I had seen a Buffalo robe hanging in the barn. I ran out there naked and retrieved it. Then I wrapped up in it and laid down by the pot bellied stove. Jake opened one eye and looked at me. I only had to get up once during the night to feed both stoves.

It was still snowing when we woke the next morning at six. I fed the stock and then Jake and I headed for the boarding house. We knocked at the back kitchen door. Brie opened it. She had a wide smile on her face, but not as big as mine.

I was the first one there. I sat in the kitchen sipping a cup of coffee, while the women bustled around. Brona and Caitie were taking the food into the dining room as fast as the cook could serve it up.

Brie said, “Trego, would you like to join the rest in the dinning room?”

“Could I just eat here, with Jake?”

“Yes, I guess. I usually eat with the borders and guests, you don’t mind eating alone?”

“I wouldn’t be alone, Brona and Caitie would be here, plus Jake.”

“Alright, Randy Fuller is here, his face is a little swelled, plus some cuts. At least he is keeping his hands to himself. I suppose I should give him his gun, what do you think?”

“Yeah, sure. But first let me take the cartridges out. He might still be a little mad at me. I wouldn’t want to get his blood all over your floors.”

“Are you sure it would be his and not yours?”

“Are you anxious to find out?” I said. She stopped in her tracks and turned pale.

“I didn’t mean that.” She said, as her hands flew up to her face, “goodness no, I don’t want you to get hurt.”

I stood up and took her in my arms and kissed her. It was the same thing as last night. As we came up for air, Brona, Caitie and the cook was staring at us. Brona said, “It’s too early in the morning for that.”

I looked at her, “It’s never too early.” I said, I shucked the shells. Brie took the gun and belt and went into the dinning room. I heard loud voices, then we heard “Where is that son of a bitch, I’ll kill him.” I stepped behind the door to the dinning room. The door flew open, Randy came through holding his .45. “Where are you at, you Bastard.” He yelled.

“Right behind you Randy.” I said, as I stood there with one hand on the door and the other hanging loose at my side. He whirled around, raising his gun he fanned the hammer, of course it went click.

He stared down at it, dumbfounded. I could of killed him right there, but I didn’t. Which of course was a bad decision. Instead, I stepped forward with my left hand gun and bent it over his skull. He hit the kitchen floor like the sack of manure he was.

Brie came in, I looked at her distressed face and said, “I’m sorry Brie, but now you seen why I took the shells out of his gun. Otherwise I would have had to kill him.”

“I’m not mad at you Sweetheart, I was afraid for you.” Again she was in my arms.

Brona said, “I’ll get some of the men to pack him back to the saloon.”

When they packed him out, I noticed the snow had stopped. It wasn’t all that cold out, maybe in the twenty’s. The real cold weather really didn’t hit till January. I looked out of the kitchen window. Children were starting to come out to play in the new snow.

Henry’s kids were with them. Looked like they were playing Fox and Geese. I remembered that game from when I was a child and still living among people.

Jake whined, he wanted to go out and play. I opened the door, he bounded out. At first the children were scared of him. But they came around. It wasn’t long till they were all best buddies.

I turned and sat down at the kitchen table, Brie poured me a new cup of coffee, then sat a plate of flapjacks covered in butter before me. Then she sat a pitcher of Choke Cherry Syrup in front of me. I poured as much as my plate would hold.

She sat down with me, only she had a smaller plate and ate daintily. I got a chance to study her face. She was beautiful, she was in perfect proportion. Everything fit like the creator meant it to. She glanced at me, “What?” She said, laying down her fork, “do I have butter on my face or something.”

“No, it’s just that I have never seen a woman as pretty as you. What happened to your husband?”

“How do you go from complimenting my looks, to asking about my dead husband?”

“I don’t know, it just jumped into my mind. So how did he die?”

“You don’t give up do you? What are you part bull dog?”

“I guess you might say that, I’m sorry, forget about it. How is Henry and his family doing?”

“I am a little concerned, I don’t know where he can find work. The same people who stole his homestead run the mine. They have the territory around here under their thumb.”

“So, how come they haven’t moved in on you?” I asked.

“You remember that I said Randy Fuller was trying to get me to marry him. That is their way of getting me on their side. They’re really terrible people.”

“Hey, I have an idea, why don’t I get Henry to run the livery stable, I’m sure the Blacksmith wouldn’t mind. What’s his nationality anyway?”

“Klaas Bleecker? He’s Dutch. They’ve been hassling him, but you know how the Dutch are, stubborn. Also he’s the only Blacksmith around. Do you really think he will let Henry run the livery?”

“Yes, I do. The living quarters aren’t all that big over there, but they could expand some. They would only lose a couple of stalls. I think it would be a good business for him. Why don’t you ask Henry if he would like the job. I’ll go over and talk to Klaas.”

And that’s just what I did. Klaas was a little leery at first, but when I told him I would hang around and make sure no one bothered them, he acquiesced.

I had noticed that Brie had a small barn where she kept her horses and buggy. Plus a chicken house and a milk cow. I figured I’d ask her if Jim could stay there. I walked back over. I didn’t bother knocking at the kitchen door this time.

Brie and Henry’s family were setting at the kitchen table. Brie said, as I walked in. “Henry is willing to do that. But Mary and the children would have to stay here till the remodeling was done.”

“Good, Klaas is all for it. So Henry, as soon as I move my plunder over here. You can start. Brie, I was wondering if there was room in your barn for my horse?”

Sure, Daisy would like the company. Do you know how to milk?”

“I reckon, doesn’t everybody?”

“No, not really. But Caitie said she does, so if you wouldn’t mind trading off with her, it would be nice.”

“Sure no problem, come Henry, I’ll walk with you. I have to get my stuff, and of course my horse.” As we went out the door, Jake was setting there, I guess he got tired of playing with the children.

“Come on Jake, we’re moving over here, how do you like that?” I couldn’t read his mind, but by his action’s, he did.

As we were walking by the building that held not only the town Marshall’s office but also the Wise River Mine office, the door opened to the mine office. Two men came out just as we stepped up on the boardwalk. They weren’t dressed like miners. They looked like hired guns to me.

Henry whispered to me, “They are two of the men who run us off our homestead.”

“Walk a step behind me.” I said, as I unbuttoned my overcoat to free up my guns.

There were a few other people on the boardwalk, they seen the four of us and ran for cover.

“Ho, Ho, what do we have here?” One of the men said, “You’re the one who beat up the Boss’s kid.” They both planted their feet, setting themselves for an easy kill, or so they thought. I didn’t slow my pace, like they thought I would. I kept walking, I was almost on top of them before they reached for their guns.

Too late for them. With my left hand gun, I rammed it into the first one’s throat, as he was falling, I turned my attention to the second one, he got off one shot, but I had brushed his gun to the side and down, his bullet went into the boardwalk. I bent my right hand gun over his head. The other one was still trying to catch his breath, I didn’t give him time, I kicked him in the head.

That should have been the end of it, but the Marshall’s door was flung open, I turned, but was a little slow, the man with the tarnished star over his heart, got off a shot at me. It went through my heavy coat, just a little below my armpit. I could feel the burn. He started to fire again, my instinct took over. I put one shot right between his eyes.

Damn, I should of just shot his gun arm, was my first thought. But when someone is trying to kill you, self preservation takes over. I stood there with my gun smoking. Nobody moved. Then someone peaked out the window of the Marshall’s office. I slammed the door open, it was an older man and woman.

“Do you want part of this?” I said.

“No, no. We were just here trying to get the Marshall to find out who has been killing our livestock.” The woman said, her husband didn’t say anything. He just stood there with a questioning look in his eyes.

“Well, I don’t think the Marshall will be able to help you, that is unless some of those rustlers are already in hell.”

The man said, “Just who are you stranger?”

“My name is Trego. I just hit town yesterday. It sure is an unfriendly place.”

“It didn’t used to be, that is before the mine started up. You know how greed is, the more you have the more you want. By the way our name is Specter, my wife is Molly, I’m Harold.” He said, as he held his hand out to shake. I shook it and then picked the cell door keys off the nail beside the door to the cells. I handed it to Harold, “How about you open the doors to those cells, I’ll bring the carrion in.”

Henry helped me drag them in. I locked them in separate cells. We came back out. Harold and Molly were still there. “Was he the only peace officer this burg had?”

“Yes, he wasn’t elected, the Manager of the Wise River Mine, just appointed him.” Molly said. I looked at them, they were probably both in their fifty’s. He was tall and straight and dignified, with a white mustache. Molly was also trim and neat, with honey blonde hair. I asked them, “do you have any children?”

“Yes, of course, our son is a lawyer in Chicago. Our daughter married a Doctor, she is also in Chicago. We moved here ten years ago. It was nice, but like we said, till they hit silver.” Molly said.

“How many hands do you have on your ranch?”

“Well we did have seven, till some left to go prospecting. And then some left on account they were run off, by those two you just locked up. We have two older hands, that came here with us.” Harold said.

“Uh, do they have an undertaker here in Coolidge?”

“Sort of, old Dr, Hoeffer does double duty.” Molly said, “here he comes now.”

I went out to meet him. He looked at me, “You couldn’t of shot him in the heart, you had to blow his brains out?”

“Well, I’m sorry Doc. but when someone’s shooting at you, instinct just takes over.”

He was still grumbling as he enlisted the help of a couple of bystanders to pack the body away. As they picked him up, the mine office door opened. A man in an expensive black suit with matching vest, with a gold watch chain stretched over his abundant belly, said. “That was murder, as mayor of Coolidge I’m placing you under arrest.”

“Well now, first off that was self-defense, he shot at me first. And second off,” I said as I looked at Harold, “is he the elected mayor?”

“No, he just assumed it on his own, no one has the gumption to challenge him, that is so far.”

“Well now, that puts a different slant on things. Now you could try and make a citizen’s arrest, if you have the gumption, but I doubt you do. You’re the kind who would hire his dirty work done, perhaps even at night and in the back.” I squared around flipped my coattails back.

His bluster left him, he stood there quite naked without it. He shrank back, like a viper hunting his hole. I knew it wasn’t over, I’d have to watch my back. I heard steps on the board walk. It was Brie, “Are you alright, I heard the shot’s.” She said, as she came into my arms. We kissed, when we came up, it seemed like the whole town was looking at us. Seems we were the kiss’nst people they had ever seen.

Molly said with an amusing smile, “well now, you’ve only been in town for a day and you’ve already got the prettiest women in Coolidge in love with you?”

“It’s mutual Molly, the first time we laid eyes on each other, we knew. I guess we’re going to have to hunt up a preacher or something and make it legal. I guess you have one in town?”

Harold said, “Yeah, sure, he’s a self-righteous hypocrite, if you don’t mind that, he can do the job.”

“Aren’t they all?” I said. “Say, what was that Hi-Binder’s name?” I added, indicating the mine office.

“Evan Blythe, he’s the manager of the Wise River Mine. He came in last year, from New York, or so they say.” Harold said.

I looked around, “Where did Henry go?” I asked.

Molly said, “When they packed the Marshall’s body away, he went toward the livery.”

“Thanks Molly, are you and Harold going to be alright, or do you need me to ride back to the ranch with you?”

“No, we’ll be alright, especially since you locked those two up. But what about you? Who’s going to make sure those two stay locked up?” Harold said.

I looked at Brie, then I said, “I locked them up, so I guess it’s up to me. But we need to get the rest of the town together and get a mayor and city council and then have them appoint a new marshal.”

Molly said, “We’ll go talk to the shop owners and tell them to get the ball rolling.”

“Brie honey, I’m sorry, but it looks like I’ll have to bunk here in the Marshal’s office till we get a new one. But first I’ll get my horse and take him to your place. Jake will stay with me.” I kissed her again, then I went over to the livery to get my stuff, Jake of course was right at my heels.

I got my plunder and stowed it in the marshal’s office, I used an empty cell. Those two were just waking up. It was getting a little cold, no one had fed the stove, I did so.

“Well boys, how do you feel, are you getting hungry?” They replied with a string of cuss words and what they were going to do to me.

“Now, now, that’s no way to treat the guy that feeds you, or let’s you starve. The fact is, I might just get tired of taking care of you little boys and just shoot you. What do you think?”

The one that I bent my gun barrel over his head spoke up, I don’t think the one with the sore throat could talk all that good. “You know of course you’re a dead man?”

“Well, aren’t we all? When we’re born, we’re already on the road to dieing. It’s just a question of when. Now when it comes to you two, you have a choice. I see that you both fancy yourselves as gun hands. As such you should be aware of others who have a gun rep. Do you want to know who I am?”

“Just who the hell are you?”

“My name is Trego.” I said, they turned a little more pale.

“Yeah, I’m that Trego. I sort of feel sorry for you two, you’re caught between a rock and hard place. You hired out to do the dirty work for the combine. If you don’t do it, they’ll be gunning for you, that’s the hard place. Me? I’m the rock. Now when it comes to the hard place, sometimes you can find a way through it, but when it comes to a rock, it’s pretty solid. But I’m going to let you two think about that for a couple of days. We’ll talk more later, right now I’m going over to the saloon and see if they won’t send over some food for you fools.” I looked down at Jake,

“You stay here, I’ll have them bring enough food for all of us.”

I walked in the saloon, everyone stared at me, then self-consciously went back to what they were doing. I made arrangement’s with the bartender for four servings of food to be brought over to the jail. He was affable, Randy Fuller was still abed, he wasn’t feeling all that good. Before I left, I asked the bartender, “Say what is your name anyway?”

“Bayard Benoit,” He saw that I had a quizzical look on my face, “It’s French. I used to be a fur trader. Now I stay warm and dry.” I thanked him and turned to leave, “Watch your back friend.” He said……