“You don’t say ham and cauliflower, you don’t say
Laurel and Shulenheimer.
Some things just belong together; they got a
chemistry, a magic
that can’t be created or recreated, it just happens.
But bless ‘em Madison Avenue and Hollywood keep
trying.’
-
Albert Wise
Author’s Note: The
following is a re-working of the Third Season Episode ‘Bushwhacked’ written by
John Thomas James and David Moessinger.
It was written for Roger Davis’s Heyes and here I have re-written it
with Peter Duel as Heyes. This is not
done to criticize Mr. Davis, but to explore how the third season might have
played out if Peter had filmed these episodes.
1881
They were being watched.
Kid Curry finished tying down his bedroll and looked over at his partner next to him doing the same. The street was crowded outside the hotel and he wondered if he should mention it. He had nursed the feeling since they had left the saloon last night and had been relieved when Heyes had turned in right away wanting to get an early start.
Besides he might be wrong he told himself and then sighed, no he wasn’t. They had been on the run too long for him to doubt his instincts. But he also knew Heyes got annoyed every time he noticed before his partner did. Heyes seemed to feel that made him look like he wasn’t looking out and paying attention too. What he didn’t understand was that Kid paid attention so Heyes could be three steps ahead dreaming up tomorrow.
But
you couldn’t tell Heyes that. Sighing
Kid swung his saddlebags over his horse.
At least they were leaving, problem was, was anyone following? Deciding
his partner would be more annoyed when he realized and Kid hadn’t told him he
said softly:
“Heyes
I think were being watched.”
Heyes
turned and looked at him blankly, Kid had been right, he hadn’t noticed yet.
“What
makes you think that?”
Kid
rolled his eyes, “I don’t know Heyes, ten years on the run, the hairs standing
up on the back of my neck, I don’t know, I just know,” he answered lamely.
Heyes
sighed and turning to tighten his cinch used the opportunity to glance across
the street.
His
eyes paused for a moment on the lean, forty something cowboy rolling a
cigarette across the street from them and felt a knot form in his stomach. Kid was right and he had missed it.
“What
do you think?” Kid asked quietly.
“I
think he’s watching us or rolling a cigarette or both,” Heyes smiled
pleasantly.
Kid
stared at him exasperated, “I knew you’d come up with the right answer.”
“Well
its in there somewhere,” Heyes said frowning.
Through
the deception of checking their horses they both were able to maneuver another
glance and watched as the man finished lighting his cigarette and walked away.
Without
another word the two outlaws mounted their horses and turned them towards the
edge of town.
******************************
Tossing
down his cigarette the cowboy quickly began to run until he reached an alley
where his partner was waiting with two horses.
Jake
Horn knew he had a once in a lifetime opportunity and he wasn’t about to let it
just ride out of town. He and his
partner, Phil Westerly had recognized the two wanted men in the saloon the
night before and had spent half the night arguing over how to cash in on it.
Both
were afraid if they involved Sheriff Wiggins the reward would be lessened or
even taken from them and $20,000 was not an amount one gave up easily.
Finally
Phil had pointed out the reward was dead or alive. They would just wait until they could catch them unaware and
bushwhack them.
Pleased
the wait had not been long they spurred their horses into a gallop and hurried
out of town.
**********************************
Perhaps
half an hour had gone by and Kid’s nerves were on fire though he showed no sign
of his apprehension as they two of them rode along the hillside primed for an
ambush.
Heyes
glanced over noting his partner’s tenseness where others would not. If Kid was worried that was good enough for
him and he casually unhooked his gun and moved his horse so Kid would have a
clean shot if something alerted him. It
was not that he expected his partner to do all the work he was just realistic
that if anything suddenly happened he knew who would get to their gun first.
**********************************
“Which
one you want?” Horn asked checking his Colt 45 as he lay on his belly on the
ledge that overlooked the wagon road.
“Which
ever you say Jake,” Westerly added nervously and proceeded to check his 45
because his friend had.
“I’d
better take Curry. Don’t move till I
do. I’m gonna let them get at least 20
feet past us.”
His
partner nodded and gulped as the two riders came into view.
“Now
don’t rush it. Don’t move till we’re
looking at their backs. And don’t stop
with just one or two shots.”
So
involved in watching the two men inch closer neither man was aware of the
figure that had come up behind them.
Intrigued, the cowboy, frowned listening and then his eyes widened as he
realized their intent. Slowly a smile
creased across his handsome face.
On
the ledge the two bushwhackers had now drawn their gun as Heyes and Curry moved
past into prime position.
“Hey
Phil, Jake, whatcha doing?
Shocked
the two men turned just in time to take the two bullets fired at them and make them
fall back dead. Quickly the cowboy ran
over to the men and taking their gun hands fired a shot off from each of their
guns.
Meanwhile
Kid and Heyes had reacted at the first shot and diving for cover under the
protection of an embankment waited.
“Hello
down there!” the cowboy called.
The
two men looked at each other with puzzled glances.
“You’re
safe now. I got the men that was trying
to bushwhack you.”
Getting
no response the cowboy moved out into the open he raised his hands.
“Hey
its all clear now. Can you see me?”
Slowly
Kid and Heyes stood up, guns still drawn and advanced on the man who missed
none of the deadly expertise with which they closed on him.
“You
don’t have to be nervous. There is no
harm left in these two anymore,” the stranger joked now a little nervous
himself.
Recovering
their horses they spurred them up the hill to where the cowboy waited with the
two dead men.
“In
case they ain’t ex-friends, that one’s Phil Westerly and that one’s Jake
Horn. They’re Stock Grower
Detectives. Use to be anyway. The association fired them a few months
back.”
“What
happened up here?” Kid asked his eyes missing nothing.
“I
saw their horses and come up to check.
They were getting ready to tear you boys off from the rear. Told ‘em to freeze and they rolled over and
started shootin’.
Heyes
looked up from examining the bodies and nodded to his partner and they both
holstered their guns.
“My
names Marty Alcott,” the cowboy smiled offering a hand.
“I’m
Joshua Smith,” Heyes said taking it.
“This is Thaddeus Jones and I guess we owe you a load of thanks.”
Marty
smiled, “I’ll let you buy me a drink or three in Rock Springs, after we report
this to the sheriff.” He turned to get
his horse. “We better get started.”
The
two outlaws exchanged a conversation without a word and when they didn’t move
Marty looked back.
“Got
a problem?” he asked confused.
“Ah
yea I’m afraid we do,” Kid said.
“Not
sure how to tell you this, because we really do appreciate what you did, but we
can’t with you,” Heyes said.
“Why
not?” the man asked puzzled.
“Sheriff
will want to know why these two were trying to bushwhack us,” Kid said simply.
“And
we have to admit,” Heyes smiled. “We
haven’t got a real good answer for him.”
The
man studied them both for a moment and then shrugged not letting it bother him.
“I
guess I understand what you mean.
Should’ve figured as much, but we got so many nice people in Wyoming
named Smith and Jones, I just didn’t notice.”
Heyes
smiled faintly at the inference wanting to keep the man amiable at all costs,
“Look you just go back and tell the sheriff we refused to go back with you and
he’ll put it all together.”
“Sure
those two weren’t what you’d call popular around here. I don’t know anyone that will give me
trouble,” Marty suddenly stopped and smiled.
“You fellas looked like you were heading for Sweetwater. If you wait till I get my horse I’ll ride
with you, I gotta get a wagon to haul these fellas in.
Heyes
stole a glance at Kid and noted he was frowning, but turned and smiled at Marty
all the same, “Fair enough.”
“And
that includes a supper invitation at my place,” Marty added. “My wife is the best cook in the county!”
***********************************
The
ride was cordial and full of non-informational small talk mostly carried by
Heyes to Marty. Kid contributed when
spoken to, but for the most part had gone silent and Heyes frowned wandering
what was eating at him.
The
A-T ranch was soon in sight and the three men rode up weary and grateful to get
off their horses.
“Hi
Lonzo!” Marty smiled at the 15-year old boy waiting at the barn door for them.
“Hi! I brought you harness back, its in the
barn,” the boy said his eyes growing wider as he stared at Curry and Heyes.
“Tell
your dad I’ll be over to see him next week,” Marty said tying up his horse and
motioning for them to do the same.
“Will
do and tell Ellie I said thanks for the apple cider.
On
her name a dark haired beauty stepped out onto the porch and waited for them to
approach.
“Ellie
meet Joshua Smith and Thaddeus Jones,” Marty said.
“Ma’am,”
Kid said as Heyes and he tipped their hats.
“They’re
gonna have supper with us. I told them
you were the best darned cook in the county.”
The
woman smiled, “Well I hate to make a liar out of you…”
“And
you better not!” her husband said with false gruffness allowing everyone to
enter ahead of him and turning as he shut the door he drew his gun and cocked
it.
“Ellie
take their guns.”
The
three turned startled, only Kid did not look surprised.
“Come
on Ellie put them on the shelf there.”
Giving
them both an almost apologetic look the rancher’s wife delicately drew their
guns free and carrying them like dead rats by the tail did as she had been
ordered.
“You
do this for all your supper guests?” Kid asked quietly.
“Sorry,
but I’ve got a lot more to say to you fellas, which I couldn’t exactly do
standin there with two dead bodies at my feet,” Marty said.
Ellie
turned and stared at him frightened, “What bodies?”
“I
killed Jake Horn and Phil Westerly.”
“On
no….” she said going white and sinking into a chair.
“They
were going to shoot these two from ambush.”
“That’s
true ma’am,” Kid said.
“They
fired at me when I told them to freeze,” Marty went on and then turned to Heyes
and Kid. “You see boys, Horn and
Westerly weren’t what you would call good friends of mine. So we all got a problem now. You can’t afford to go back to Rock Springs
and answer questions and I can’t afford to take those bodies in without you to
back my story.
Heyes
exhaled and conjured up his best convincing smile, “Mr. Alcott we appreciate
your position, but your wife can back you up now. She’s heard us agree that’s how it happened.”
“And
the sheriff might decide my wife and I are lying. Nope, its too well known I didn’t like those two one bit. And I was at the Circle R Ranch today. A lot of people know I had to ride by that
hill to get home.” Suddenly angry. “I’m
in trouble because I saved your skins!
Now you are gonna ride into town with me and tell the sheriff exactly
how it happened.”
The
two cousins glanced at each other and finally Kid nodded.
“All
right,” Heyes said frustrated, but convinced of the man’s determination. “But it doesn’t have to be both of us, one
will do.”
“All
right, as long as I got a witness.”
“Could
we have a moment to decide who its gonna be?” Heyes asked dryly.
The
rancher nodded and swung the barrel of his gun over towards the bedroom
door. “Go right in there. Windows are a luxury we couldn’t afford so
don’t be thinking about escaping.”
Resigned
the two men entered the room and shut the door behind them.
“You
knew something was wrong,” Heyes said glancing around the room and then looking
at his partner.
“Yea,
but I wasn’t expecting that. Something
is bothering me though, but I just can’t put my finger on it. So how you wanna do this? I think I can get that gun away from him…”
Heyes
shook his head, “No we need him to explain to the Sheriff he shot those two
Kid, otherwise if they mentioned they were going after Heyes and Curry to
anyone…”
“They’ll
think we killed them,” Kid sighed sinking down on the edge of the bed
wearily. “Ya know Heyes this going
straight is not all its cracked up to be, just staying alive gets us into trouble.”
“All
right who goes?” Heyes said.
Kid
grinned at his stubborn stance. “Looks
like you all ready got that figured out.”
“Yea
well you had to turn yourself in last time for the Jordans,” Heyes said. “Only seems right I go this time.”
“Heyes
we tossed a coin for that and as amazing as the memory is, I won, it was my
choice, besides I got a better chance of getting away once he explains,” Kid
said simply.
Heyes
straightened indignant, “And I don’t?”
“Heyes
he’s more likely to talk you to death than you him.”
“No
I’ll go,” Heyes said digging his heels in.
“I’m more likely to convince a sheriff it was all a big mistake than you
are. You look like an outlaw.”
“I
what?” Kid said turning on him.
Heyes
sighed sadly, “I’m sorry Kid, I never wanted to tell you that, but the truth is
you just look wanted.”
Kid
stared at him, “How do you come up with this stuff?”
Heyes
grinned pleased, “Well I get my best stuff when I’m sleeping.”
Kid
shook his head. “Not buying it Heyes.”
Heyes
glared at him and fished in his pocket for a coin, “All right only fair way.”
“Then
lets make it really fair,” Kid said taking the coin. “Call it!”
********************************
“Now
who’s that?” Marty asked looking up at the sound a rider galloping up pulled
his attention from the bedroom door as the two outlaws emerged.
The
front door was suddenly flung open and a tall man in his mid thirties burst
into the room in a fit of agitation.
Striding across to Marty he trust a newspaper into his hands.
“Read
it, right there! I can’t believe it
says what I think it does!”
“Mr.
Smith, Mr. Jones …my partner Cress Truett.
He’s not usually this emotional.”
The rancher ignored him and
continued on, “Go ahead, read what that bunch of big time thieves has come up
with now,” and to emphasize his point he jammed his finger into the paper.
“What
is it Marty?” Ellie asked as her husband read down the page.
Marty
looked up shocked and then began to read aloud, “Cheyenne. The Livestock Commission has just announced
issuance of an order empowering inspectors at market points to seize all cattle
shipped by men…known to be rustlers…All money from the sale of such cattle will
be impounded until the shipper can prove rightful ownership.”
“That
can’t apply to us!” Ellie gasped as the two ranchers seethed angrily. “You and Cress aren’t rustlers!”
Marty
stared at her, “Ellie where you been the last five years? To the Wyoming Stock Grower’s Association
any man with a less than 300 head of cattle is a rustler.”
“It’s
illegal!” she tried again. “They can’t
just order an issue like that.”
Heyes
glanced over at Kid. The Stock Growers
were infamous and more than once in the last five years Kid had been offered
large sums of money to lure him away from Devil’s Hole and become a gunman for
one of the bigger ranchers. They worked
by intimidation and fear and it was a coup to have the finest and the fastest
gunman at your side protecting your interest.
The
last man to offer Kid the job still walked with a limp.
Marty
sighed, “Well they have. Three years
from now some court will say they can’t do that, but it won’t help us
now.” Angrily he slammed down the paper
and walked to the window.
Cress
looked down at the paper having given up, “How do you prove you own a steer
after its been shipped to Omaha?”
The
room went silent and Heyes sympathized with their dilemma. His family had been small farmers and he and
Kid had always leaned on the side of the underdog even when they were robbing.
“Ah
if it makes you feel any better,” Heyes said quietly. “I’m going into Rock Springs with you.”
Marty
suddenly turned from the window, “No you’re not. I’m gonna offer you a proposition. If you take it, you can forget you ever witnessed anything.”
“What
are you talking about?” Cress asked as Kid groaned just imagining what the man
wanted them to do.
“Jake
Horn and Phil Westerly were set to bushwhack these fellas. They started shootin’ and I killed them
both.”
“Marty
if you did that and you’ve got witnesses you better hold on to them,” Cress
stared horrified.
But
Marty merely turned to Heyes and Kid, “There’s a round up headed this way in
two or three days. They’ll be
collecting the cattle in this district.
If you’re willing to help Cress and me, you’re not only off the hook,
I’ll pay you each two hundred dollars.”
“Willing
to help you do what?” Heyes said not about to let his partner sell out his gun
even for their freedom.
“First
we join the round up like were expected to, you can help with that.”
“And
then?” Kid said cynically.
“We
take what belongs to us. Me and Cress
got nearly two hundred steers out on that range. We cut them out and drive them to Montana for shipment. When we get to Montana I hand you both two
hundred dollars for a week’s work.”
Heyes
shook his head and smiled, “Only one problem with that Marty in Wyoming the
roundups are run by the rules of the Stock Growers Association. Do their rules allow you to cut out any
cattle?”
“Their
rules don’t allow us to live! But I
don’t figure I’m bound by rules I didn’t have any say in making. I’m giving you a chance to pay me back for
what I done for you, now how about it?”
Kid
sighed, “Marty that’s like asking a man his preference in ways of getting
killed.”
“No
it ain’t. Ranch hands don’t back up the
big ranchers these days. The big
outfits took ways the grub line, cut wages to thirty-five dollars a month and
started laying the boys off during winter.
All we got to worry about is the foreman and maybe a couple of stock
inspectors,” Marty explained.
“Stock
inspectors are hired guns,” Heyes pointed out.
“Would
you prefer going into Rock Springs with me?” Marty yelled.
Heyes
sighed and closed his eyes giving himself a moment to think. To tell the truth he wasn’t sure. There was no way he could let the death of
those two men be linked to him and his partner. He was almost sure Horn and Westerly wouldn’t have mentioned what
they were planning to do to anyone, the reward tended to bring out the greed in
men, especially men like them. And if
Marty didn’t report it and took his cattle and ran he would more than likely be
blamed for the deaths when the bodies were found letting him and Kid off the
hook.
Still
Heyes knew life had a way of twisting on a man and he didn’t like leaving such
dangerous loose ends to chance.
“No,”
he said finally. “I would rather try
for Montana, but the decisions up to Thaddeus, he doesn’t have to go anywhere.”
Kid
turned and gave him a long-suffering look that spoke volumes about the idea
that Kid would just ride off and leave him.
“All
right, you got a deal,” Kid said glancing at Heyes with a promise they would
talk about this later.
“Wooohooo!” Marty said overjoyed. “Ellie put on the supper! And give the boys back their guns. That’s something they can’t afford to leave behind!”
*************************************
“You
mind telling me what were doing helping with this cattle drive now that we have
our guns?” Kid asked as he punched the hay beneath him into something
resembling a bed.
“Kid,
I wish I knew,” Heyes said staring out the upper barn window. “I just think we should keep an eye on him
until word gets out about those bodies and we find out who is being suspected
of shooting them.”
“Something
about all that is still bothering me,” Kid said staring up at the ceiling.
Heyes
turned and looked at him, “Like what?”
“I
don’t know, but something is wrong.”
Heyes
smiled, “Let it be and it might sneak up on you.”
“Yea
probably right,” Kid said moving to roll over.
“And Heyes? Please note I didn’t
flatten you for suggesting I would ride off and leave you.”
Heyes
leaned back with a grin; “Marty didn’t know that, good to keep them thinking
that our own survival comes first.”
“Heyes
my own survival does come first, that’s why I keep you around,” Kid said
sleepily.
Heyes
warmed by the compliment settled down sleepily, “Feel the same way Kid.”
******************************
The
next few days were back breaking and exhausting. The drive’s foreman was a seasoned professional named Mike
McCloskey whose loyalty to the Association was unwavering. Along
with two stock inspectors he kept a rein over the ranchers who quietly fell
into line.
“I
think it’s about time boys,” Marty said riding up to Heyes and Kid with Cress. “They’re eating now and won’t be expecting
anything.”
“Marty
lets take this slow,” Kid said worried about how cheerfully excited the man
was. It was almost like he was hoping
for a showdown.
“Just
want what’s mine,” Marty said and the four of them rode up to the fire where
the men were eating.
“Your
late,” one of the inspectors said not looking up from his beans.
“Were
not eating today Pete,” Marty said cheerfully.
“We don’t have time.”
McCloskey
turned reading something in his tone; “You ain’t got time to eat?”
“Nope,”
Marty smiled. “Got some work to
do. We’re cutting our cattle out.”
McCloskey
pushed back his hat genuinely surprised, “Why would you want to do a fool thing
like that?”
“Cause
we know how to read,” Cress said darkly.
“Huh?”
McCloskey snorted.
“We
read the latest news from Cheyenne,” Marty explained.
McCloskey
stared wide-eyed playing dumb, “What’s he talking about Pete?”
“Don’t
ask me I can’t read.”
“The
latest Commission order, Mike. About
seizing the cattle of all known ‘rustlers’.
I never stole a cow in my life and neither has Cress, but that ain’t the
point, is it? We’re here and them dudes
at the Cheyenne Club want us out,” Marty said in a loud voice so everyone could
hear.
“You
don’t like the Association that’s your business. But this round up is my business and the rules don’t allow nobody
to drive any cattle out of the herd.”
“They
happen to be my cattle! And nobody can
tell me I have to sell them this year or any other year!” Marty said truly angry
now.
A
second stock inspector moved in beside Pete and McCloskey. The other cowboys turned back to their food
trying to stay out of it.
Heyes
didn’t even to have to glance at his partner to know what was coming.
“So
you got yourself a couple of hired guns eh?” McCloskey said as if just noticing
Heyes and Curry.
Heyes
smiled, “No sir, like we told you before he just hired us to help with his
cattle.”
“They
are his cattle aren’t they Mr. McCloskey?” Kid added politely. “I didn’t hear you deny that.”
“The
rules don’t allow a man to cut out cattle, any cattle. It’s my job to see that nobody breaks those
rules! And its these fellas,” McCloskey
said indicating the two stock inspectors. “Job to back me up any way that’s
required. You get my meaning?”
“Yes
sir,” Heyes said still smiling but there was a dark edge to his eyes now that
hinted at the outlaw leader he kept hidden.
“It’s mighty clear, but you wouldn’t start shooting at a man just
because he doesn’t want to sell his own property, would you?” Heyes ended the
question without a smile. The threat
now returned back to the man.
“I’m
foreman of this roundup and I got a right to shoot anyone that tries to keep me
from doing my job.”
“And
that’s all we want to do Mr. McCloskey,” Kid sighed. “Our job.”
“You
try taking any cattle out of that herd and it will be your last job!” McCloskey
said angry. Angry that he was being
challenged and angry that these two strangers could frighten him so. “You fellas are through here, all four of
you! Just git on out!”
“Can’t
do that Mike,” Marty said quietly.
“Nobody talked to me when those rules were made and I only plan to take
cattle with my brand on them. So we
better settle this right now.”
“What
d’ya mean settle it?” McCloskey said.
“We
don’t want your stock inspectors here shootin us in the back when we start
after our steers. So let’s settle
it. If you’re gonna use those guns, use
them now. If not, we got work to do.”
“Boy
put them under arrest,” McCloskey said with a calmness he didn’t feel to the
two inspectors. “Interferin’ with a
legal roundup.”
The
two hired guns nodded and for a moment there was silence as no one moved, then
just as suddenly it was over. Kid’s gun
was in his hand and the two men were staring down at their holsters, the ones
they had never reached when they had tried for their guns.
Kid
sighed, “We’re going to turn around now and got to work. But first you’re gonna toss your gunbelts to
my friend here, let’s start with you.”
Quickly
the guns had been removed, the men eager to appease them.
“We’ll
leave them down the trail a bit,” Kid continued and turning his horse followed
the other four back to the herd.
McCloskey
stood there seething.
“Get
into Rock Springs as fast as you can.
Tell Techmacher what’s happening and bring back some help, lots of
help!”
****************************************
“How
fast you think McCloskey is gonna get reinforcements here?” Kid said a few
hours later, the cattle drive behind them, Montana laying ahead.
“We
got a good start, depends on how eager the Association is to…” Heyes stopped as
a lone rider pulling a back horse appeared into view.
“Just
Ellie,” Marty said riding up. “She’s
got supplies.”
Heyes
frowned and knew his partner was doing the same. This was no place for a woman if things were going to get ugly.
But
Cress felt no constraint to stay quiet, “Marty I don’t like Ellie being
here. It ain’t safe.”
“You’re
getting to be a bigger worrier than she is!” Marty laughed.
“He’s
got a right to be worried,” Heyes said firmly.
“How long do you think it will be before the Association sends some of
their inspectors after us.”
“Maybe
never. They’ve got only a couple dozen
of them hired guns and they’re scattered all over the territory. Besides after watching him, I think he could
take them all!”
“Yea
well he ain’t gonna take them all Marty,” Heyes said angry now. “We didn’t sign on as gunslingers and were
not gonna face two dozen men for a herd of cows, especially if its gonna put
the lady in danger.”
“Besides,”
Kid said quietly. “Hasn’t the Stock
Association got the power to deputize anyone they can find?”
“For
a pair of strangers you boys sure do know a lot about Wyoming,” Marty said with
an unreadable smile. “But who they
gonna get? Every year they have a
harder time finding people to do their dirty work for them.”
“Marty
they will send somebody and you know it!” Cress yelled.
“Maybe,
but Ellie is safer here than alone at the ranch. Cress I understand how you feel,” he added cryptically. “But this is a family decision and its
final.”
“Yea
well let’s hope that ain’t the only final family decision you make,” Kid said
darkly.
*********************************
Pete
opened the door of the sheriff’s office and pulled off his hat for the two men
talking just inside. Sheriff Wiggins
stood as he did, but the man he had been sent to find just gave him a lazy look
from the chair he occupied.
“What
are you doing here Pete?”
“McCloskey
sent me. Marty Alcott and Cress Truett
cut their steers out of the roundup.”
This
did cause the man to rise to his feet, “And nobody tried to stop them?”
“They
had a couple of hired guns with them and this one, well sir I ain’t never seen
nobody that fast, ever!”
“Four
men just came in and just took over a round up!”
“Mr.
Techmacher, nobody’s got to tell you how the cowhands feel. They’ll work for you, but they won’t fight
people like Alcott and Truett for you.”
The
Sheriff spit out a wad of tobacco, “Guess those boys heard about the new order,
Tesh."
“McCloskey
thinks they are headed for Montana,” Pete added.
“Then
we’ve got to see they don’t’ get there, I got my own reasons for wanting a few
words with Marty Alcott,” and turning he glanced back to the nearest cell and
Pete swallowed at the two bodies covered there.
************************************
“Ordinarily
I’d never ask a question like this, but we’re in business together,” Marty said
lightly as he stood beside the two outlaws saddling their horses. “Like to tell me why being witnesses was
such a scare to you?” Getting no answer
he continues. “I think I got it figured
out. Either of you Ben Thompson? Or Bill Longley? Or Hannibal Heyes? Wes Hardin?
Kid Curry? Clay Allison?”
“Marty
you can guess all you want, we’ll listen,” Heyes smiled, but it didn’t reach
his eyes.
Cress
sensing trouble hurried up, “Marty wouldn’t ask you boys that if he didn’t like
you. It’s just a little game he’s playing.”
Marty
grinned and swung into the saddle.
“He’s
right boy’s, I already know who you are!”
“Marty! It’s Lonzo Taylor!” Ellie’s voice suddenly rang out.
The
young boy from the barn suddenly galloped up to them and nearly fell off his
horse exhausted as Kid caught the reins.
“Hey
Lonzo what’s the matter?” Marty asked.
“Marty
you’re in trouble, real bad trouble!” Lonzo gasped. “Sheriff Wiggins thinks you killed Jake Horn and Phil
Westerly. It’s all over town. Everybody is talking about it. They got a posse, least 10 men…” the boy
gulped for more air. “Max Bash heard
some shots on the way out to his ranch.
He said he saw your horse tied in a draw.”
“It’s true Alonzo, I shot
them to keep them from bushwhacking my friends here.”
The
boy stared at him horrified, “Marty why didn’t you tell the sheriff? He thinks you killed them cause of the run
in s you had when they worked for the Stock Growers.”
“Better
get on home son,” Cress said nervously looking around.
The
boy paused for a moment and then nodded crushed by the revelation.
“Reckon
we best get movin’,” Marty said.
****************************
“Time
to go on watch boys,” Marty said a day later nudging the two sleeping men as he
and Cress moved to turn in.
Kid
and Heyes sat up sleepily and began pulling on their boots.
“Look
I don’t exactly know how to tell you this after the deal we made, but I think
you can see the situation has changed, can’t you?”
“For
us or for you?” Kid said not looking at him.
“For
me and you. When we left, there was
nothing to connect me with Horn and Westerly, now…”
“Now
you want to change our deal,” Heyes said wearily.
“I’m
gonna have to! When this is over one of
you has to come back with me.”
“That’s
not what we agreed on,” Kid said quietly.
“The
situation has changed! I’m linked on
two killings! I could end up on a
rope!”
“What’s
wrong Marty?” Ellie said sitting up sleepily.
“Nothing. Go back to sleep.” Marty said watching her
lay back down. “She’s the reason I’m
askin you to help me. Ellie’s gonna
have a baby in six or seven months…”
Kid
groaned and looked at Heyes whose face was unreadable.
“I
could have stood by and let them gun you down in cold blood!”
“Mind
if we talk about this in private?” Heyes said finally.
“Just
as long as you don’t stray too far,” Marty said firmly.
“Marty,”
Kid said standing and staring the man down.
“If we ever decide to leave, we’ll leave.”
And
swallowing Marty realized he was right as he watched them walk away.
“Guess
we’ll have to stick to the original plan,” Heyes said with a growl as he took
up his spot on a rock overlooking the herd.
“What?” Kid turned on him with an even fiercer
growl. “Why? You heard the boy they think he did it, our names aren’t even
being mentioned.”
“But
they will be when word gets out how fast your drew, someone’s gonna put it
together and…”
“All
right then Heyes let’s flip for who goes,” Kid said arms folded.
His
partner stared at him like he was crazy, “Kid that was decided a long time ago
by the legal flip of a coin.”
“Aw
no Heyes, like Marty said it’s a whole new situation.”
“Kid
the only difference I can see is we are about ninety miles from where we
started! I can’t believe you are
fighting over who gets to be arrested and spend 20 years in prison!”
“All
right,” Kid said calmly. “We’ll flip to
see who flips.”
“You
are completely crazy you know that?”
“I
gotta win one of these times.”
“Kid
I am going and that settles it, I won fair and square and that’s that.”
Kid
frowned stubbornly and suddenly Heyes’s broke into a grin.
“Come
on Kid, I feel a lot safer with you trying to break me out, than me breaking
you out.”
“You’re
doing this because of Ellie and the baby,” Kid said calmly.
“I’m
doing this to protect our amnesty,” Heyes said annoyed by the very
suggestion.
“Sure
Heyes.”
******************************
The
noonday sun was unrelenting as the small group moved along side a steep hill
with renewed energy.
“C’mon!”
Marty encouraged. “If we push today we
can make Montana!”
The
shot hit Marty mid chest and he tumbled from his horse almost in slow motion as
Ellie screamed even as Kid was pulling her from her horse and pushing her to
safety.
Together
Heyes and Cress pulled the wounded man over to the rocks beside them as the
hillside began to rain down fire on them.
“Marty!”
Ellie gasped trying to stem the tide of
blood as he tried to fire back with the others.
Kid and Heyes had picked up
the rhythm they always shared naturally with one firing and the other
reloading. Heyes had just finished
reloading his gun when the bullet caught him and he was slammed backward to the
ground.
Kid
instantly crawled over to him and stared in horror at the blood covering his
face.
He
looked dead and Kid felt a fierce and terrible panic well up inside him.
Then
just as suddenly it hardened into something cold and very very dangerous.
Looking
up at the hill he grabbed Heyes’s gun and jammed it into his belt.
Turning
he saw Marty’s 38 lying unused and checking the load jammed it too into his
belt.
“What
are you doing?” Cress said unaware of what had happened.
“When
I move start firing fast,” Kid said and the man blinked at the look in the blue
eyes commanding him.
“Now!”
Kid yelled.
He
jumped the rocks shielding them fanning his gun with blinding speed. There was only pure primordial rage in his
assault as he zigzagged up the hill in a blind charge that appeared to be a
suicidal assault.
But
Kid was no victim. He was angry and he
was deadly and his best friend and only family was dead because of these
bastards.
One
detective howled as a bullet struck his arm.
A second ducked as another ripped off his hat. Where ever the outlaw aimed he hit his target.
Two
guns empty he drew the third and continued.
Another
detective screamed as a bullet creased his arm, another crying out as his gun
flew off.
Gun
empty Kid dived behind a rock and quickly reloaded.
“Get
him! He’s right down there!” McCloskey
screamed.
But
Kid, guns reloaded, merely rolled out and began firing, rolling back he fired
again, sending an unending and deadly accurate barrage of bullets on the men
who were now just watching almost in awe.
“McCloskey
we got three wounded men over here!” Pete yelled not wanting to mention the
three who had taken off running.
“All
right!” McCloskey said suddenly not wanting to be at the top of the hill when
Kid reached it and he was going to reach it.
“Get them out of here.”
Kid
reached the top of the summit just as the group scrambled down the backside of
the hill. Panting he watched at the
demoralized and wounded group retreat as he fired a few shots over their heads.
Standing
he looked back down the hill. The men
hadn’t frightened him, but what was waiting for him down there did.
Trying
not to think he began to slide his way down growing numb with each step.
“They’re
gone,” Kid said quietly to Cress.
“That
was really something,” Marty gasped.
“You’d
of scared me out,” Cress grinned.
“You
should see him when he’s really gets mad,” came a voice.
Startled
Kid turned and poker faced stared at the man leaning against the rock grinning
at him.
“Last
time I saw you, you were playing dead,” Kid said swallowing.
“This?”
Heyes said nonchalantly pointing to the wound and making an attempt to stand
straight. “Just my way of motivating
you…”
He
almost pitched forward, but Kid caught him and eased him slowly down against
the rock.
“What
makes you think you dead would motivate me?” Kid said grabbing a canteen and
pulling off his bandanna. “I was just
getting out some frustration for always losing that damn coin toss. Will you sit still!” Kid ordered wincing himself as he cleaned
the wound.
“Kid
I never seen anything like that,” Heyes said with raw honesty. “And if you ever do that again I will shoot
you.”
Kid
grinned, “Aw only about one man in ten can hit a moving target.”
“Kid
there were ten of them,” Heyes said angrily.
“I
know that’s why I shot that one first.”
He
grinned his eyes filled with relief and affection and Heyes lowered his eyes
embarrassed and proud and certain his head was gonna come off.
“Never
seen shootin’ like that,” Marty whispered from where Cress was laying him down
and Ellie was trying to get his shirt off.
“You
know Thaddeus,” Heyes said innocently.
“You shouldn’t go around shooting like that. Marty’s gonna start thinking you’re one of those outlaws on that
list of his. Like Wes Hardin or
even…Hannibal Heyes.”
Kid
scowled at his cousin, “The day I can’t outshoot any and everyone on that
list….ESPECIALLY Hannibal Heyes I’ll go east and become a preacher!”
“Marty!”
Ellie said suddenly as the man’s body began to shake. “What’s happening to him?”
“The
bullet’s still in there it’s got to come out,” Cress said. “We’ll need alcohol and…”
“Why
does it hurt in my legs?” Marty gasped.
“We
gotta build a fire,” Cress said his voice desperate now.
“Ellie
give me your hand,” Marty said.
“Will
you get busy with that fire?” Cress yelled at Kid who had just gotten up from
Marty.
Kid
took his arm and pulled him away, “Cress the bullets down inside. There isn’t anything you can do.”
“I’m
so cold,” Marty said.
“They’re
making you a fire,” Ellie said face wet with tears.
But
he didn’t hear.
************************************
BILLINGS, MONTANA
“Well I did a lot better than we figured,” Cress said coming into the hotel room. Kid and Heyes looked up from the window, but Ellie sat motionless on the settee staring at her hands. “Twenty two dollars a head.” When no one responded he moved to Kid and Heyes. “Two hundred each. Never thought you’d be worth it when we started, but now there is no way in the world we could thank you enough.”
Heyes smiled softly taking the money, “If were ever in Wyoming again we’ll stop by for some of Ellie’s cooking.
Ellie looked up sharply; “You are going back there now.”
The three men stared at her surprised.
“I live in Wyoming. In seven months my baby will be born there and raised there with the name Alcott. Nobody’s ever gonna say my child’s father killed two men in cold blood.”
Heyes sighed, and moved in front of her and gently tried to explain. “Ma’am, I know how you feel, but if I go back…. Ellie there is a twenty-year sentence hanging over my head in Wyoming. When Marty was alive I was willing to risk it because I thought I owed it to him for saving our lives. But not anymore.”
“Yes he did save your life Mr. Smith. You can’t just walk away from that! You owe it to him and his child!”
Kid suddenly moved forward catching Heyes’s arm afraid he was going to capitulate. “Cress I think the three of us better have a little talk.”
In agreement the three men stepped into the adjoining room.
“I was hoping I wouldn’t have to say this and I still don’t want Ellie to know,” he paused. “But my friend Joshua was getting ready to say he’d go back and I don’t think he should cause Marty didn’t kill two men to save our lives, he just plain killed them.”
“What the devil you talkin’ about! Just cause Marty ain’t here to…” Cress said looking like he was ready to hit him.
“Cress will you listen to me? Right from the start I kept feeling something was wrong with Marty’s story, but I couldn’t figure it out. Something kept going around in my brain, but I couldn’t get it straight not till I used Marty’s gun yesterday. Then I knew for sure,” he turned to his partner. “You saw those bushwhacker’s guns, what were they?”
“Colt 45’s,” Heyes said still confused.
“And Marty carried a 38. I used it yesterday Cress. I heard it and now I know what’s been bothering me.”
“I don’t know what you are talking about do you?”
“Yea I do. We heard two shots the day Marty killed those fellas…then a couple more,” Kid paused unhappy he had to tell this as Heyes’s eyes lit up in understanding. “The first shots came fast, one-two. Then there was a pause, that was one of the things I couldn’t figure afterward – a pause, then a couple more shots not as fast. Those first shots were from Marty’s gun. And I’m not just guessing at it Cress, that’s how it was.”
Cress seemed to physically slump before them as he understood and worse believed him.
“Don’t tell her,” Kid said.
“I won’t,” Cress said and turned to Heyes. “But I’ll go have a talk with her. You won’t have to go back with us.”
Slowly he turned and walked away.
“Kid,” said Heyes slowly with respect in his eyes, “That could take some time and I would consider it a privilege and honor if you’d let me buy you a drink.”
Kid smiled sadly and slapping him on the back opened the door.
****************************
“Hey
boys!”
The
two cousins turned from saddling their horses.
“You
weren’t thinking of leaving without saying good bye were you?”
“No
we figured to stop a the hotel on our way out,” Heyes said.
“Well
everything is all right with Ellie and you going, but it might be better if you
didn’t stop by and see her.”
“You
didn’t tell her…” Kid said.
“Nope,
not even a hint. I hope that’s going to
be a long secret between just between the three of us.”
“I
will be,” Kid promised.
Heyes
grinned, “So how did you do it Cress?
What did you say to her?”
“Well
I said we could tell the story exactly the way Marty told it, after all a lot
of people seen you with Marty and me and I also convinced her she didn’t have
any problem with the baby’s name.”
“How’d
you do that?” Kid asked puzzled.
“Told
her it wasn’t going to be Alcott, it was going to be Truett.”
“And
what did she say to that?” Heyes said amazed.
“Nothing,”
Cress grinned. “Just looked at me like
I was crazy. But I’m hoping time will
change all that.”
“I
hope your right,” Heyes said dubious.
“So
do I Cress,” Kid said offering his hand.
“Good
luck,” Heyes added offering his.
“Thanks. You too, boys. I hope we’ll all see each other again one day.”
They
watched him walk away.
“He’s
got his work cut out for him,” Heyes said shaking his head as he mounted.
“Oh
she’s gonna marry him,” Kid said with complete certainty.
“Oh?”
Heyes said amused. “And how do you know
that?”
“If
she wasn’t, believe me Heyes she wouldn’t be letting you ride out of this
town.”
Heyes
stopped and stared at his partner, “Ya know Kid I think you’re right.”
“Yea
that’s been three or four times for me this time hasn’t it?” Kid grinned
pleasantly.
Heyes
looked at him, “Don’t go getting a big head about it. It’s bad enough you think you can shoot. You start thinking you’re clever as me,”
Heyes said looking hurt at the idea and perhaps a little worried.
“Ah
huh.”
“Though
I do seem to be rubbing off on you,” he said and it made him feel better.
“That’s
what I thought too Heyes,” Kid said with time formed patience.
“Good,”
Heyes said pleased everything was back in balance.
“Yup,”
Kid said with a lazy smile as he kicked his horse. “There’s only room for one Hannibal Heyes in this world,” And
added with a mock long suffering sigh.
“God help us!”