UNCLE MAC
"That
blond fella, Jones? My nephew, fine
lad."
-
Patrick
J. McCreedy
The
McCreedy Bust
RED ROCK,
It had been a journey of too many miles. Mac’s telegram had blared the word urgent and
despite both their better judgments Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry had gotten on
their horses to make the arduous journey down to Texas and the ranch of Patrick
J. McCreedy, a man neither of the two ex-outlaws could still quite bring
themselves to call friend.
And despite the relief of leaving
their horses in the stable Heyes could not help himself from looking back to
the point he was falling behind in keeping up with his partner who was eager
for a bath and a drink and not particular which came first.
It was a warm spring day and all around
them farmers and townspeople were going about their errands making the most of
market day.
"Kid something's wrong here," Hannibal Heyes
said softly nudging his partner as they traveled along the wooden sidewalk from
the stable.
Jedediah Curry looked at his partner
with something close to incredulous amazement.
They had just come 500 miles; most of the way spent with Curry
'explaining' to his partner how crazy they were to be doing it. And now, here, suddenly his partner decides
to agree with him.
"Heyes didn't I say that when we
got to
"That guy at the stable, did you
see the way he looked at you? Acted like
he knew you," Heyes said puzzled.
"Heyes when people act like they
know me they are either shooting or running.
That fella was bending over backwards to look after us," Kid said
rolling his eyes at the things that would spook his cousin.
"No it wasn't normal; he didn't
even ask us to pay up front."
"Well we've been here twice
before," Kid reasoned. "Both
times I would like to forget."
They
stopped at the Mercantile and paused to hold the door for a woman and her
teenage daughter to exit. Both men
tipped their hats expecting to be ignored at best considering how worn and
trail dusty they were, but to their surprise both women paused and flashed
bright welcoming smiles at Kid.
"Ma'am," Kid said a little
taken back. He had never had a problem
attracting women, but they were rarely the proper, respectable sort.
"What is it with you today?"
Heyes said as the he watched the two women glance back several times as they
crossed the street and the two men entered the store.
"Heyes its nothing now can we get
on with this, the suspense of what Mac is up to is killing me."
"Gentlemen!" A loud voice boomed and they looked behind
them and realized they were the only ones in the store.
"Ah we need a few supplies,"
Heyes said softly.
"Of course! Of course!
Anything you need, just put it on the house eh?" the man winked at
Kid.
Kid brightened. He had no idea what was going on, but
considering they had two dollars between them he wasn't going to argue with the
man.
"Yes, that would be great,"
Heyes smiled weakly. The man had not
taken his eyes off of Kid. He might have
been invisible.
"What is going on?" Kid said worried now too as he tested the
shopkeeper's goodwill and began piling items they needed on the counter.
"I don't know, but I hope we
don't wake up," Heyes said with a wicked grin as he added a new shirt to
their pile. The shop owner's smile only
grew bigger as their purchases accumulated and finally unable to think of
anything else they wanted or needed they let the shopkeeper wrap up their items
and hurried out of the store.
"Hotel?" Kid asked. Having arrived a day early they had all ready
decided to spend the night in town before riding out to McCreedy's ranch hoping
to get an inkling as to why the rich land owner had summoned them.
"No I need a drink," Heyes
said firmly as they entered the saloon, which though not busy did pause a beat
longer than normal to study them.
"Whiskey," Kid said moving
to dig out a coin.
"Oh no need of that sir!"
the barkeeper smiled and to their amazement reached under the bar and brought
up a bottle of the 'good' stuff.
"Much obliged," Kid said
saluting him. "Why don't you pour
yourself one?"
"Why thank you sir!" the man
said beaming.
Cautiously Kid then picked up the
bottle and when no one stopped him took it over to the table Heyes had staked
out in the back.
"Did you see that?" Kid
asked astounded.
"I saw it, but I don't believe
it," Heyes said downing the shot of whiskey his friend offered him.
"I bet I can get us a suite at
the hotel," Kid grinned.
"Kid something is wrong."
"No Heyes something is right for
once and I am going to enjoy it!"
*************************************
A hot bath, professional shave and two
cigars later the two men emerged from the hotel in their new clothes feeling
ready to take on anything.
"Think you can get us steak
dinners?" Heyes grinned remembering how the hotel clerk had been horrified
at the notion of them paying for their room.
"Heyes the way this is going I
can probably get us a whole cow!" Kid laughed as they crossed the street.
"Boys!"
"Aw I knew it was going too
good," Kid sighed stopping.
Turning they waited as the expensive
carriage pulled up and the robust figure of Patrick J. McCreedy stepped down.
"There you are! Heard you had got into town," he said
pleased.
"Ah we thought we would clean up
first," Kid tried.
"Fair enough, fair enough. Have you had dinner?"
"Uh no we were about to get
some," Heyes said giving Kid a side glance.
"Fine, I'm buying, this place
serves an excellent steak supper!"
Too hungry to look a gift horse in the
mouth they entered with the rancher and were quickly seated at the best table
in the house.
"All right Mac why are we
here?" Kid said finally as the meal wound down and they sat nursing the
end of a bottle of wine.
"Not during dinner, ruins the
digestion," Mac said.
"It's bad," Kid groaned
leaning back.
"Mac we are not going after that
bust. Armanderez bought it fair and
square in
"No, no nothing like that, it’s a
bit more complicated, but simple for you two, or well you Thaddeus."
Kid looked up a feeling of dread
coming over him. Whenever someone wanted
him apart from Heyes it only meant one thing, his gun.
"He don't hire out as a
gun," Heyes said coldly.
"How about as a nephew?"
The two men looked at each other.
"Nephew?" Kid said.
"You boys remember I told you I
had let the sheriff think you were my nephew when he found those wanted
posters," Mac said softly.
"Well he asked on you the other day and it got me thinking, you
could be the answer to a big problem of mine."
Heyes grinned, more at Kid's
discomfort than anything the rancher had said.
"Doing what?" Kid said
suspicious.
'Just let everyone think you’re my
nephew for a few days. Go to the horse
auction with me, be seen around town, sign a few
papers…"
Heyes sat up alert, "What kind of
papers?"
"Just buying some land. I'll provide all the money. Once those are signed you deed them over to
me and you are on your way with two hundred dollars in your pocket." Mac
smiled happily.
"Why don't you just buy the
land?" Heyes asked lighting a cigar.
"Well my name tends to drive the
prices up. If Thaddeus here buys it then
deeds it to me as my nephew no one will think twice."
"Mac you are so not telling us
something," Heyes sighed. "Why
us? You could get anyone in town to do
it for you."
Mac lowered his voice, "Because I
don't trust anyone in this town."
"And you trust us?" Kid said
incredulously.
"I know who you boys are
remember?" Mac said smugly.
"You let me down I'll tell the sheriff who you really are."
"How much is this land really
worth Mac?"
Mac looked uncomfortable.
"Just scrub and plain boys."
"Railroad?" Heyes asked
shrewdly.
Mac frowned, "Own the
railroad."
They waited.
"Oil. Seems to be a future in it and I wanna be in
at the ground floor. Now I'm telling
folks you are looking to buy some land to start a place of your own. Told them I was leaving all my possessions to
you and wanted you nearby to learn the ropes.
That will explain why you want it."
"Look Uncle Mac," Heyes said
sarcastically.
"I'll do it," Kid said poker
faced.
Heyes looked up sharply.
"Good boy, knew you would. Got a few things to do, meet me in front of
the hotel in an hour and we'll ride back to the ranch together," Mac said
getting up.
"Will do Uncle Mac," Kid
said with his best smile.
Mac gave him a look, "Don't enjoy
this too much Curry."
Kid watched him leave and then
innocently turned back to his cousin.
"Seems I have an uncle," he
grinned with a twinkle in his eye and leaning back took a sip of his wine like
a man without a care in the world.
"What are you up to?" Heyes
said. "We hadn't even negotiated
the price! This could have hidden
drawbacks we haven't spotted yet. You
could…"
"Heyes I was thinking you could
use a new pair of boots."
"What?"
"So could I, saddles too, we
should stop by that leather maker before meeting up with my uncle."
Heyes stared at him and suddenly
started to grin, "You sneaky son of…"
Kid smiled wickedly; "Uncle Mac
is going to find out that having family can be very expensive!"
****************************************
A week later Kid Curry stretched out lazily on his bed
watching his partner finish up packing.
It was going to be a shame to leave the comfort of the ranch and his
dear uncle.
"I don't know Heyes I think we should have
stretched this out a bit," Kid said looking over at his friend.
"I think you're enjoying this a
little too much," Heyes said dryly, but then stopped gazing into
space. "I just can't help thinking
there is a downside to this. There
always is with Mac."
"Well at least we were rich and
connected for a while," Kid said resigned, as there came a knock at the
door.
Heyes walked over to find McCreedy's
small Mexican housekeeper, Maricela, waiting.
"Senor Mac sent a note from
town. He said he needs his nephew to
come, very important."
Kid sighed and got up, "We really
should have charged him more for this."
"You want me to come?" Heyes
asked clearly not relishing the idea.
"No, no point in both of us going," Kid said
amiably buckling on his gun. "As
soon as I get back we leave before he thinks up something else for family to
do!"
*****************************************
It was drifting into late afternoon before Heyes caught
sight of McCreedy's carriage coming up the drive. They had been gone hours and annoyed Heyes
stood up on the porch wanting an explanation.
But slowly his anger changed to concern when he realized Mac was alone.
"You still here?" Mac said getting down and
handing the reins of the buggy to a waiting
Ranch
hand. "I thought you were taking
off after breakfast?"
"We were, but then Kid got your
note," Heyes said frowning.
"Note? What note?"
"The one where you asked him to
come into town," Heyes said worried now.
"Never sent any such thing. Didn't pass him either. How long ago was this?"
"Just after breakfast,"
Heyes said turning and heading for the stable.
"Where are you going?"
"To find your nephew."
**********************************
Six hours later worried and
frustrated, Heyes returned to the ranch knowing something was wrong even before
he tracked McCreedy to his study.
"Looks like he ran into trouble
as soon as he left the ranch," Heyes said bursting into the room. "Ten men from what I can figure, I lost
their trail at the border…" He stopped when he realized Mac was not
alone. The sheriff and the local banker,
Peterson, were seated around McCreedy's desk.
"We know," Mac said.
"You know? Know what?" Heyes said sharply.
"Mr. McCreedy's nephew has been
kidnapped," the sheriff said his voice concerned.
"Ransom note arrived at the bank,
I brought it right here," Peterson said with sympathy. "They want $100,000 for his
return."
Heyes sunk into a chair stunned.
"Mr. McCreedy I'll be in touch,
let you know what I learn," the sheriff said rising.
"Learn? What about a posse!" Heyes said sharply.
"You said it yourself young man,
went over the border, not much I can do."
"Oh yes there is!" Heyes
roared.
"Let me know if you change your
mind Pat," Peterson said quickly making his exit with the sheriff.
"What did he mean change your
mind?" Heyes said dangerously getting up and leaning over the desk as the
door shut.
"I'm not paying the ransom."
"You aren't what!?"
"He isn't my nephew!" Mac
said slightly sheepish.
"So that's it, you just let them
kill him? Where's the note?" Heyes
growled and snatched it when McCreedy produced it.
It was written on surprisingly quality
paper and the handwriting was intelligent and legible. Direct and to the point it demanded the money
be delivered to a small church on the border and left on the altar. If all was in order Kid would be waiting
there the following night, if anyone tried to follow the pick up of the money
or in any way disrupted the drop Kid would be killed instantly.
Heyes sunk back into his seat. It was clean and well thought out.
"I'm sorry son, but I can't find that kind of
money that fast and even if I could…well, Thaddeus is a big boy he can take
care of himself. Why I bet he's gotten
away all ready!"
"Mac I swear if anything happens to him your
gonna need a lot more than $100,000 to put your world back together."
"Don't you threaten me…" Mac said standing
indignant, but Heyes had all ready slammed out the door.
****************************************
"What are you planning on doing son? You aren't going to help him any just riding
in after him and getting yourself shot up," Mac said as Heyes finished
saddling a fresh horse.
"Mac how is it gonna look you let your nephew get
kidnapped and don't do anything?"
Heyes said trying one more time for help.
"Folks around here can think what they like, most
ain't got the courage to say to my face what they are thinking anyway."
"Mac they will kill him, at least give me the
money to try something! I'll come up
with a plan and…"
"How do I know you boys didn't cook this up
yourselves to get than ransom," Mac said liking this idea immensely. It was a lot easier on his conscience and his
pocketbook.
For a moment Heyes looked like he would flatten him
and then slowly he controlled his rage and pulled himself up on his horse.
"Mac I thought you knew us better than that. We don't do that anymore and we never did it
to friends."
And turning the horse he galloped out of the gate.
*********************************
Kid Curry leaned his head back against the wall and
cursed his luck. His Spanish wasn't good
enough that he was completely sure what was going on, but he knew enough about
bounty hunters in any language to presume the men who had taken him were
preparing to turn him in for the reward.
He was just grateful they had opted for the alive part of the
warrant. What he didn't understand was
why he alone had been tricked into an ambush.
It was possible the men had just presumed Heyes would come with him to
town, but still for an operation this well run it was a costly mistake.
He had counted at least twenty men when they reached
the small village just over the border and he didn't like the odds. They were, except for the odd youth, seasoned
banditos, late of the war with nothing more to live for than the spoils of
their crimes.
Kid looked up as the door to his room opened. The room he had been given possessed a chair,
a cot, and a small rug over its dirt floor.
Oddly a pitcher of water had been left and there had been a promise of
food if he behaved. It was better care
than he was use to receiving in the hands of captors and it had given him some
hope they meant to keep him alive for the exchange.
"Senor Jones."
Kid glanced up at the Mexican youth standing with a
tray of hot food. He couldn't have been
more than 16, but was all ready a tall and handsome young man with intelligent,
sharp eyes.
"That's what I keep telling them," Kid
sighed not expecting a reply.
"Your uncle has been notified of our
demands."
Kid blinked as much at the perfect English as the
reference to his Uncle. "My Uncle?'
"Do not attempt to lie. We know you are the nephew of Senor
McCreedy."
"Oh I would never try that," Kid said
brightly. "How is my uncle?"
"Most concerned I am certain for your safe
return. You will kept here until the
ransom is paid."
"He's paying my ransom?" Kid said surprised. "How much?"
"100,000 American dollars."
Kid let out a whistle and then looked worried. "He told you this?"
"He is your uncle, he knows we will kill you if
he does not. You are his only living
relative," the boy went on setting down the food. Clearly in his world family was above all
else.
Kid watched him leave his hunger vanishing as he
considered Mac's reaction to such an offer.
Not liking the odds he went over to the tray and
considered the spoon he had been left. It
wasn't much, but the clay bowl had possibilities. And added to that the men holding him
presumed they had a rich eastern dandy, not a hard seasoned outlaw. No wonder he hadn't been tied or more
efficiently guarded.
Eating his meal quickly he broke the bowl and saved
the sharpest piece. Then taking the
spoon he began to dig.
*******************************
"Mr. Peterson I need your help," Heyes said
urgently barging into the bank president's office.
Pete Peterson looked up from his desk not without
sympathy.
"Pat change his mind?"
"No sir, but I need you to give me enough money
to convince the kidnappers that he has."
"Son I would love to help you, but Pat would kill
me if I just up and gave away bank money."
"Then give me his money," Heyes said
impatient.
"Unfortunately they are one and the same,"
Peterson said ruefully.
"You trusted us once before with a large some of
money."
"And Pat never let me hear the end of. Look why
don't you go talk to Pat, explain to him…"
"I've tried that, well if you won't help me that
only leaves me one choice."
********************************
"Senor Smith, my this is a surprise," Don
Armanderez looked up from his rifle cabinet clearly not pleased with the
unexpected visitor. "I am very busy
now, but my man said you threatened to sit on my steps until I saw you. Considering you came unarmed I found this
brazen threat rather intriguing."
"Sir I need your help," Heyes said.
"I am even more intrigued. I can give you until I finish loading this
gun."
"My partner has been kidnapped by a group of
bandits led by a man named Ybarra. I
hear he once worked for you."
"Yes, a foreman, but I caught him stealing. I would not have much hope for your friend if
Ybarra's band has him. He is a ruthless
and cunning man."
"I was hoping you could tell me where his hideout
is," Heyes said simply.
Armanderez looked at him. "How many men do you have?"
"Just myself."
"You are a fool."
"Sir they are going to kill him," Heyes said
simply.
Armanderez stared at him, but Heyes's gaze didn't
waver. Frowning he remembered his
previous encounters with the two men.
They were closer than brothers.
"A man will do much for family no Senor?"
Heyes looked at him.
Armanderez was too sharp to try and lie too, but telling him the truth
could be even more dangerous.
"He's my cousin sir and my partner. I owe him my
life a dozen times over. He would do the
same for me."
Armanderez considered this and finally nodded. Family was something he understood.
"Tell me everything."
Twenty minutes later Armanderez had heard the entire
tale including Mac's using Curry as a relative.
"I have family problems of my own Senor Smith,
but I can however give you some information.
Rodriguez!"
A small Mexican man hurried into the room and several
words of Spanish were exchanged.
"Rodriguez says Ybarra and his men often camp
near the town of
"Thank you sir," Heyes said getting up and
turning to go. "I hope you find what you are looking for, must be
valuable."
Armanderez looked up sharply, "How did you know I
was searching for something?"
Heyes turned back with a pleasant
smile, "You have every man who works for you in the courtyard saddling up
armed and packing supplies. There are at
least six maps on your desk of the area all parceled out and when I passed the
dining room I saw three women crying while consoling a fourth. I don't speak much Spanish, but I know the
word hallazgo means find."
Armanderez stared at him for a moment, his level of
respect for the man going even higher than it was all ready.
"Senor Smith?" Armanderez said suddenly
picking up a pen and writing quickly.
"This letter is to Father Bernard.
It is to his church you are headed.
I have told him you are an honorable man and to offer all help
possible."
Heyes took the letter touched, "Mucho gracias
Senor."
"Vaya con el dios Senor Smith."
****************************
"Why did you break the bowl?' the same young man
asked back an hour later.
Kid looked up from where he was laying on the
bed. "I didn't like the food."
"You are just as your uncle!" the boy spat.
"Don't like him very much do you?" Kid said
interested.
"He cheated my father! He is an unscrupulous gringo."
"What's your name?"
"Juaquin."
"Juaquin aren't you just a little young to be
caught up in all of this?"
"Ybarra is a great leader! He treats me as a man! My father will see when I avenge him that I
am no longer a boy."
Kid nodded, "Maybe, if your alive."
"You are the one who should worry Senor, not
I."
******************************
"I tell you Pat he had a letter from you!"
Peterson said in shock. "He said
you had changed your mind about paying the ransom and I should give him the
money to deliver it. I had no reason to
think he was lying…"
"So you just handed him $100,000!" McCreedy
bellowed. "Saddle my horse and
round up the men!"
***************************
The Mexican village was larger than
most, this obviously due to the presence of the old crumbling church dominating
its center. Around it local Indians
worked along side Mexicans attempting to coax a crop of corn into growing while
children and chickens ran in an out in a hectic game of tag.
Father Bernard smiled warmly at the
children as he crossed the compound unhindered by his long black clerical
robes. An older man he made not attempt
to hide his concern for the crops the men were toiling to encourage. Walking over to the well he paused to cross
himself and pray his love for the village and its inhabitants obvious. Pulling the bucket up he stared sadly at the
small amount of water that had been caught.
With no money to dig a new one it would take a miracle to keep the
church and the village going. Slowly,
burden by worry he returned to the dark sanctuary of the church and knelt in
prayer. He needed a miracle and he knew
of only one way to get it.
"If you have come to rob us sir I must presume
all the things I have read about you are incorrect."
Heyes stepped out of the shadows where
he had thought he was hidden and pushed his hat back impressed as Father
Bernard rose to greet him.
"I'm not here to rob you
Father," Heyes assured him with a smile.
"Good I had expected better of
Hannibal Heyes," the man said.
"Can I offer you a drink of water my son?"
Heyes blinked, "Father I think
you have me mistaken with…"
"No I don't. I saw you once in
Heyes stared at the man unsure whether
to trust him. Finally realizing he had
no choice he gave up and took the seat offered along with the cup of water.
"Father my partner has been
kidnapped."
"Ah Mr. McCreedy's nephew, yes
news travels even to this little remote corner of the world. Though I confess I had help, his banker was
here arranging things. And they picked
you to bring the money?"
"Petersen was here?" Heyes
said surprised and frowning.
"Yes that was his name. He seemed most concerned."
"Father I need your help."
"I told Mr. Petersen I would do
everything I could as long as the people of this village are not
endangered." The Priest suddenly
looked up brightly. "Is this a Devil's
Hole Gang plan?" When Heyes
laughed, he smiled sheepishly. "I have been known to read the children the
odd dime novel from time to time. They
rather enjoy them!"
Heyes grinned, "Then Father I
think you are just the man I need!"
*******************************
Four hours later Ybarra's men warily
stepped into the quiet sanctuary of the old church. The candles lit at the front gave off
distorted shadows along the mud and stone walls and cautiously they crossed
themselves out of childhood habit.
"Padre?" one of the men
called out to the lone figure in a black robe kneeling at the altar.
Hannibal Heyes rose and faced him
calmly.
"Yes my son?"
*******************************
Ybarra’s camp was in reality no more than a ramshackle collection of
buildings bunched around a large dilapidated barn whose corral was filled with
horses, most stolen. The main center of
attention currently was at the cantina which was alive with light and music.
A campfire supplied the only other
source of light and men on guard duty gravitated towards it looking enviously
at the sounds coming from the cantina.
Inside Ybarra sat at the room’s only
table, on his lap a camp woman who had seen more miles than years, but still
gamely tried to entice him.
Several of his right hand men sat with
him working their way through a second bottle of tequila. The group as a whole was unshaven, dirty and
very dangerous especially to the frightened mariachis dodging knives tossed at
them as they struggled through a classic Mexican ballad.
"Juaquin, more tequila!" Ybarra called out
more because he wanted to know where the boy was than an actual need of the
liquid.
"Ybarra do you think that is
wise…" Juaquin said holding the bottle back as he reached the table. "The others will be back soon with the
money and…"
"Insolent pup!" Ybarra roared snatching the bottle and then
in a single motion back handing the boy so he fell to the floor stunned. "Never forget your place or question
me!"
The boy lays their stunned and is
quickly forgotten as two of the bandit leader's men appear at the door with
Petersen.
"So Petersen you have good news
for me?"
"I delivered the letter to
Armanderez, I want you to know Ybarra I still think this is a terrible
idea. Taking on those two at the same
time…"
"What letter!" Juaquin said
pushing himself up to the two men.
"I agreed to give you half the
money and in exchange McCreedy never finds out about our bank's shortage. But holding the boy for ransom as well…"
Juaquin stared at Ybarra the truth
sinking in, "But you said you needed me…"
"Si, boy, I needed you and when I
collect the ransom for that gringo and for you…"
"What!" Juaquin said standing shaking with
anger. "I am not your
prisoner! I am one of your men!"
"You are a rich man's little boy
Juaquin!" Ybarra said grabbing his
chin. "And if you are lucky I will
not kill you much eh?" Shoving the boy away he waved two of his men
over. "Put him with the
gringo."
******************************
"I do not like this Pedro,"
one of the bandit's men said warily glancing back at Heyes riding along
serenely with the bandits. "God
will not think well of men who kill a priest."
"We only kill him if he is
lying," Pedro said bluffing away any doubts. "He says McCreedy will not pay until the
Father assures him that his nephew is alive.
The boy was right, it is good we did not kill him."
"That is another thing, following
the plan of a child," the older man spat.
"And the child of the devil at that!"
Pedro grinned, "He is wily like
his father and I for one am not above using him until he out lives his
uselessness. Ybarra has it all under
control you see. Now quit worrying, what
threat is a priest?"
***************************************
Kid looked up as the door of his
prison opened. He had been hoping for
more time, but to his surprise his young jailer was tossed in and the door
quickly slammed and locked.
Instantly the boy was on his feet
cursing in Spanish and banging on the door in anger and frustration.
"I don't know a lot of Spanish,
but I take it things aren't going too well?" Kid asked pleasantly from the
bunk.
The boy turned and glared at him,
"Shut up! This is all your
fault!"
Kid nodded, not disagreeing. The boy was clearly not thinking straight and
the only wise thing to do was let him vent and then maybe he could get a
straight answer out of him.
"Ybarra betrayed me! This was my plan! Kidnapping you was my idea!"
"And it was a good one," Kid
agreed.
The boy gave him another glare,
"Do not patronize me Senor! I am
not a child."
"No you're not," Kid said
his voice suddenly hard, "So stop acting like one and tell me what
happened."
"Ybarra, he is going to hold me
for ransom as well as you. He never
meant to let me give the money to my father and show him I could avenge
him. That I was no longer a child."
"Your father, he got money to pay
for you?" Kid asked worried.
"Si, he has money, but now he
will think I am just a foolish child."
The boy moved to sink into the chair
and Kid quickly stopped him. "More
comfortable over here," he said giving up his seat on the cot.
"My father will never trust me
again."
Kid considered this, "Not if you
escape and warn him."
"How can I escape all
alone?"
"Good point, but it seems to me you and I are on
the same side now."
The boy looked at him with almost a scowl; "You
are a gringo easterner how are you going to…"
Kid smiled and got up and pulled the rug away from the
serious hole he had made in the floor off to the side of the door.
"The guard will not step there."
"He will if he thinks we want him to step
somewhere else," Kid said simply.
"But two men always come in."
"True and there are two of us. When the first guard trips I want you to hit
him over the head with this," Kid said holding up the chair's missing leg.
"And you?" the boy said impressed.
Kid smiled, "Oh I might just be able to manage
the other one!"
*********************************
Juaquin's scream ten minutes later
brought both guards into the darkened room.
The chair set in front of them was
kicked aside by the first one with a curse questioning how stupid they thought
he was and kicking it aside he confidently moved forward and instantly fell
into the waiting hole.
With a cry of pain he pitched forward
where Kid was waiting and catching his arm caught his gun and yanked it free
just as Juaquin whacked him along side the head.
The second guard let out a cry and
turned to fire, but the gun was all ready in Curry's hand and with one quick
shot he sent the man down and was pulling a startled Juaquin out the door.
"How…no one is that fast!"
the boy said staring up at Kid.
"Lucky shot," Kid smiled
grimly. "Come on we've probably woken the whole camp."
*********************************
Hannibal Heyes knew better than to
draw suspicion to him and therefore got off his horse slowly like a man
unaccustomed to long rides.
He was acutely aware of the eyes of
every man in the camp on him and with his best smile waited meekly while the
leader of his group hurried into the cantina.
A moment later a tall, swarthy looking
man came out tucking his shirt in and looking like he had been awoken from a
deep sleep or a drunken one.
"You bring me a Priest!" he
roared seeing Heyes. "I will give
you need for a priest he snarled turning on the man and pulling out his gun.
"Senor, please," Heyes said
calmly. "It was not your man's
fault. Mr. McCreedy required proof that
his nephew was alive."
Ybarra turned and tried to stare Heyes
down, but he was simply met with two innocent brown eyes.
"I do not have time for these
game!" Ybarra said finally blinking first.
"Give me the money or I will kill the Yankee now!"
Heyes's quick study of the man had
surprised him. He was afraid of
something and Heyes was certain it wasn't McCreedy.
"Let me see his nephew and I will
go back and assure Mr. McCreedy that he is well and bring the money as you
requested," Heyes said soothingly.
"And lead the army back to
us!" Ybarra said shaking his
head. "No Padre I cannot take that
chance."
"Then at least allow me to give
him last rites?" Heyes said solemnly.
"Whatever, whatever!" the bandit said waving Heyes away.
Heyes quickly allowed two of the men
with him to escort him across the compound.
The shot caught everyone by surprise but Heyes. Kid never had been the type to just stay put
and wait to be rescued.
With a whimper of fake fear he dived
behind the nearest cover, a wagon. leaving his guard to draw their guns and try
and decide where the shot had come from.
Heyes quickly reached under the robe
and pulled out his gun. Despite the
itching they really were a useful place to store things; especially when no one
had the courage to search a priest.
Four more shots followed. Two of which were Heyes' who quickly disarmed
the two men with him and tossing off his clerical robe began to run.
********************************
Kid and Juaquin reached the corral and
ordering the boy to grab two of the saddled animals Kid crouched low behind the
water trough covering him.
He had heard shooting from the center
of camp and grateful for the distraction it had caused had gotten the boy over
to the horses without mishap.
Curry was experienced enough to know
the odds of making good their escape, but it beat being trapped waiting to die.
"Senor!" Juaquin called from behind him.
Turning Kid ran over to the gate and
swung it open determined to scatter as many horses as possible, but well aware
how vulnerable he was.
A shot suddenly rang out behind him
and turning sharply with his gun he saw a bandit fall from the barn and
whirling back grinned as a familiar figure ran across to join him.
"Heyes how did you…"
"Later, you've outstayed your
welcome…" Heyes stopped and trained his gun on Juaquin.
"He's with me," Kid said as
boy stepped back startled by the dangerous man who had come from out of
nowhere.
Nodding Heyes caught a horse and
swinging up he led the charge out of the paddock firing as he did.
Pushing Juaquin into the middle Kid
brought up the rear firing behind him as he chased the remaining horses free.
Ybarra reached the corral in time to
fire off a shot and then turned on the men around him furious. "After them! Andale!"
***********************************
The three riders barreled across the
flat lifeless landscape taking a route Heyes had devised in his head on his
trip there.
Finally their animals exhausted they
pulled into the town of
"My church!" Heyes yelled as
Kid and Juaquin dismounted.
"Your church?" Kid yelled
back and then to his surprise three Indian youths came out of the shadows of it
and taking the horses easily leapt aboard and were gone.
"Don't worry they won't catch
them, he promised them they could keep the horses," Father Bernard said
from the door of the church.
"Hurry, inside!"
Seeing no reason to argue Kid and
Juaquin quickly followed Heyes inside.
"Juaquin! What are you doing here? Your father is worried out of his
mind!" the priest said surprised
recognizing the boy.
"You know him?" Kid asked
interested at Juaquin's bow of his head.
"Senor Armenderez's youngest son? Who does not!"
Both Heyes and Kid turned to look at Juaquin.
"Armanderez is your father?"
Kid groaned. "Well that explains
why you were so excited to get back at McCreedy."
"I thought if I avenged what
McCreedy did to my father he would finally realize I was a man."
"Padre the men come!" a child's voice called from the bell tower
above them.
"Quickly behind the altar, I will
send them on," Father Bernard said going for the door.
"Father we really appreciate
this," Kid said.
"Most fun I've had in years! Wait till the Arch Diocese learns I rode with
the Devil's Hole Gang!"
Kid shot Heyes a look as they hurried
to a spot behind the altar.
"I guess you could say I got
religion and he got to be in a dime novel," Heyes shrugged.
"I just hope he doesn't get
himself killed," Kid said checking his gun.
Waiting they listened as the Father
spun the story Heyes had told him.
A moment later the horses took off
again and all three of fugitives exhaled.
"Padre more riders!" the
little voice called down again.
"Wonderful, I sure hope that's
the cavalry," Kid said wearily.
"Where are they Padre and don't
try and lie for them!" Mac's voice
echoed around the church a moment later.
"So you decided to help after
all," Heyes grinned, standing and replacing his gun only to find all of
Mac's men train their guns on him.
"Where is it?" Mac said furiously.
"Where is what?" Heyes asked
just as indignant. "And put those
down were in a church, MY church!"
"Boy has a point let's take this
outside," Mac said firmly, but waited for the three to be escorted
outside. "Now where is my
money?"
"What money!" Heyes said completely exasperated.
"The money you got from Peterson
to pay the ransom!"
"I didn't get any money from
him! The man is scared to death of
you!" Heyes yelled hands on his hips.
"Yea we need to talk about that
Mac," Kid said dangerously. "Heyes here tells me you didn't want to
pay my ransom."
"I don't believe either of
you! I think you set this up to get my
money!"
"Mac I almost got killed over
your stupid little scheme," Kid said yelling now as well. So involved in arguing the group almost
missed the announcement of more riders approaching. Drawing their guns the two ex-outlaws pushed
Juaquin behind them only to relax as the recognized the lead rider.
"Papa!" Juaquin said
surprised, relieved and frightened all at the same time.
"Juaquin," Armanderez said
leaping from his horse and reaching his son grabbed his shoulders and worriedly
checked him out and then hugged him.
"I am fine father," the boy
said not meeting his eyes.
"What do you think you were
doing?" Armanderez said now assured his son was safe allowing his anger to
surface. "Running away from
school! And when your mother received
the ransom note…"
Angrily he glanced at McCreedy, then
Kid and Heyes, "Did these men kidnap you?"
"Why don't we all get in out of
the sun and discuss this calmly," Father Bernard said firmly stepping into
the middle of the group.
:"Father this is not your…"
"I beg to differ Senor
Armanderez, you are all God's children so it is my concern, now lets all sit
down and sort this out."
Glaring at one another the unhappy
group entered the Pastor's office.
"Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones saved me
papa. Ybarra lied to me, he was going to
hold me for ransom too," Juaquin said quietly.
"What were you doing with
Ybarra?" Armanderez said sharply.
"I wanted to prove you wrong,
that I was old enough to leave school, so I thought if I avenged you
then…"
Armanderez stared at the boy realizing
the truth. "You were a part of
this? You would dishonor our name
by…"
"Sir your son helped me
escape," Kid tried and the boy looked up at him grateful.
"While running with
banditos!" the nobleman said
disgusted.
"Well I have learned that even
outlaws can see the error of their ways," Father Bernard said innocently. "The boy meant well and when he realized
he was wrong he did attempt to rectify it."
"You are too easy on him
Padre," Armanderez growled and then turned to McCreedy. "My apologies for any distress my family
has caused you. I assure he will be punished."
"That's all fine and good, but
I'm out $100,000!" Mac growled back glaring at Heyes.
"Mr. Smith did not take your
money, Mr. Peterson did," Juaquin said standing to face the rancher. "He said he needed to make you think the
money was lost in the ransom because in truth he had lost it in an
investment."
"He what!" Mac roared.
"We'll take that apology any time
Mac," Heyes said quietly.
"Truly I owe you both my thanks
gentlemen," Armanderez said offering his hand. "If I can ever do anything for you do
not hesitate to ask."
Armanderez indicated his son should
shake each man's hand and apologize and then let him hastily escape the room.
"Sir, he really was trying to
impress you," Kid said softly.
Armanderez managed a small smile;
"It is not me he should be worried about, it is his mother waiting at
home!"
Following the nobleman out they
watched his group ride off and then McCreedy angrily turned on Kid and Heyes.
"Wait till I get my hands on Peterson!" Mac
said going for his horse.
"Ah Mac isn't there anything you
want to say to us?" Heyes said arms folded.
"Yea mount up we have a crook to
catch!"
Kid shook his head, "Uncle Mac
you are all heart."
********************************
Three days later Patrick J. McCreedy
returned to his study after seeing off his 'nephew' and his friend on the
Fine boys those two, just needed a firm hand was all.
Pulling open a picture on the wall he
went through the combination on his safe and clicked it open. Reaching in he frowned. The packet of papers he had expected weren't
there.
Instead he shakily removed a single
sheet of paper.
"Dear "Uncle Mac',
Your darling nephew has decided he
would rather sign his land over to a worthy recipient, Father Bernard and his
church. But knowing how much you want
the land this recipient has kindly agreed to allow you to lease it from them
for $20,000 a year. They will of course
expect 50% of all profits procured from the land, but their executor will
contact you with all the details. Try to
get along with Armanderez this time.
Your faithful friend.
J. Smith
Mac grabbed the arm of his chair and
shaking with fury crumpled the paper.
"Armanderez!"
******************************************
In the small town of