Range War Along the Pecos, by John Theron Crow

Range War Along the Pecos

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

 
As Duane, Ballard and Lancer turned their attention to other matters, Jesse Logan rode south, out of town. He wanted to find Lance Nighthawk. The giant half-breed had helped Logan, now Logan would return the favor.
Charlene Lancer meanwhile, was sitting in a rocking chair at the home of Maggie Baldridge. She had arrived earlier and found no one home. However, there were clothes hanging upon a clothesline, so she assumed that Maggie had planned on returning home that day. She decided to wait for her. Becoming bored with sitting, she noticed some dishes that hadn't been washed so she busied herself washing them to help pass the time.
Back at the Boar's Head, Lancer had won the coin toss, and was currently entertaining Conchita Mireles (or the other way around), and Ballard was playing cards with Duane. "Hell, they shore been in there a long time." Ballard complained.
"Don't worry, he ain't gonna wear her out." Duane said.
"Yeah, I know, but I feel I'm about ta bust my jeans. I may have ta go over ta the Silver Palace an check out them new fillies that Tanner brought in from back east. I hear they're awful purty." Ballard said dreamily.
Duane shook his head then chuckled. "Hell, if its that bad, maybe you ought ta just go out behind a bush, and take the matter into your own hands. Might free your mind up. Maybe then you can think of something worthwhile for a change."
"Aw shut yer hole, Duane. Maybe that's how you get yer satisfaction pardner, but not this hombre!" Ballard said indignantly.
"Well, whatever blows your dress up. I'm going out an walk around. Clear my head a bit. I'll see you around, Colt." Duane said as he rose and left the saloon. He wanted to go over to Ross's Hardware and see if they had any of the prefabricated paper cartridges he had heard about for his Remington 44s. If they shot halfway decent, they could come in handy. It would be nice to be able to simply insert a cartridge into the cylinder which would speed up the tedious process of loading his cap and ball pistols.
Duane pulled out the makings and began rolling a smoke as he walked along the boardwalk. Just as he glanced down to light it, he ran right into a woman who was coming out of Hanley's Grocery Store causing her to drop the sack of goods she was carrying. "Excuse me ma'am!" Duane apologized as he immediately bent over to help her retrieve the contents of her sack.
As he stooped down to help they both looked up at each other at the same time, and both gaped at one another in astonishment. "Why Maggie, Maggie McCoy!" Duane exclaimed happily.
She hugged him and said, "It's been a long time, hasn't it, Jack?"
"It sure has, Maggie. I thought you had been taken hostage by the Comanche or were dead!"
"No, I heard of the raid, but I had already left Texas before they got to our farm. By the way, my name isn't McCoy anymore, its Baldridge." Duane's mouth once again dropped open, this time, in shame, since he rode for Tanner, but also wonder.
By now, the whole town had heard of her escapade regarding the gunman Peaceful Jones. Doctor Anders, who had overheard most of their conversation, had related it to the local gossip and the news had spread like wildfire. Most of the townsfolk felt for her although many of the women were scandalized, or at least, pretended to be. Jack Duane had felt proud of her although he had no idea whatsoever at the time that Maggie Baldridge used to be Maggie McCoy, his old sweetheart.
Some years back, during the Civil War, Jack Duane had been going steady with Maggie McCoy. Her farm was only a few miles away from the Duane Ranch, both being less that a hundred miles south of San Antonio. They had gone steady for nearly a year, and had even made plans to get married. However, he had decided to go with his father who was still serving as a Texas Ranger, in order to learn the trade. They were pursing a gang of border ruffians who had been accused of selling guns to the Indians.
Ironically, while they were gone, the Comanche made a huge raid on the area, burning all the farms and ranches to the ground, stealing horses, and massacring or taking prisoner, every one in sight. Nearly a hundred ranchers, farmers and settlers were killed or captured on that raid, including Duane's mother, brother and sister, all of whom were killed defending their ranch. The McCoys, along with Maggie, who three years before, had emigrated there from Kentucky, had been massacred as well, or so Duane had thought.
Anyhow, Jack and Maggie had broken up after a fight shortly before Jack had ridden off with his father chasing after Comancheros. Maggie had not wanted Jack to become a ranger. She had sternly informed him that she would not be able to handle having him gone so often, chasing desperadoes and Indians, never certain whether he would ever return. He had protested to no avail, that it was the only life he knew. She argued that he knew ranching and that she would marry him if he would do that instead. However, he had been stubborn and had refused. He had been sure that she would later come around.
Upon returning and finding her gone, and probably dead, Jack Duane, filled with remorse, gave up forever the idea of becoming a Texas Ranger, much to his father's chagrin. That marked the beginning of a life filled with violence and gunplay.
Duane had decided to become a bounty hunter, and he gambled often as well. Occasionally, he served as a deputy here and there. Everywhere he went though, it seemed that he had left dead bodies behind. After losing Maggie, he no longer cared. He had honed his gun skills to a fine point. To a level almost unheard of anywhere in the west, and to where he was certainly one of the top ten fastest in the west, and possibly the fastest of the top ten. Yet all of it had seemed empty and meaningless, and his life had left him unfulfilled.
"What happened Maggie, how did you escape?" He asked.
She explained how after he had gone off with his father, she had decided to go back to Kentucky to visit some of her relatives. She had felt like she needed to get away and give herself time to get over her love for him. She knew she would eventually give in and marry him if she stayed, and she also felt that if she did, one day she'd be left a widow. Thus, she was in Kentucky when the Indians attacked and killed her family. She remained there throughout the rest of the war, and for a few years afterwards.
She returned to Texas in '69, settling in the town of Olsen's Falls. There she had met and fallen in love with a young cowboy by the name of Roy Baldridge, who worked for Joe Bolton of the BAR-O. They had gone steady for nearly a year before they'd gotten married. In fact, they had only been married just over a month when Roy was killed in the shootout with the MT gunmen.
"Why didn't you ever write me?" Duane asked.
"I thought about it, but after writing a couple of my friends in San Antonio, they began telling me stories about you. I heard all kinds of things about you, most bad. You never became a ranger after all, but a bounty hunter and gun-for-hire instead. You never got in trouble with the law, but always remained close to the edge leaving behind dead men wherever you went. Oh, I heard about you alright, all the way up in Kentucky. How you'd shot up cow-towns in Kansas, how you killed three gunmen including an ex-ranger who'd gone bad down in El Paso. I heard how you almost single-handedly ended the Braxton-Tucker feud and several other stories. You made quite a name for yourself. But it was much worse than being a ranger. At least, that would have been respectable."
"I guess it isn't a valid excuse, Maggie, but after I lost you, I felt part of it was because I'd insisted on becoming a ranger. That's why I gave it up. After losing you and giving up my dream, I just gave up on everything I guess. Maybe I took it out on everyone else. I've never killed anyone who didn't deserve it in some way though, or who didn't start the fight with me. At least, I can say that much. Would you let me take you to dinner tonight?"
She looked up into his handsome face which for the first time in years, showed signs of hope and genuine enthusiasm. She looked down again and slipping back into her backwoods vernacular said, "Jack, the only reason you're in town must be cause you're hiring out yer gun-arm ta someone. I know Murdoch's hands, ever last one of 'em, an unless you just got into town, I know you ain't ridin' for him. The same goes for Bolton. That leaves either Fogg or Tanner. It ain't likely Fogg because his bunch left town last night from what I heard. That leaves Tanner, and it was his men who killed my husband. I loved Roy, not as much as I loved you, but I loved him and he was a good and caring husband. I cain't go to dinner with you. I hope you can understand."
"Maggie, I assure you I had nothing to do with your husband's killing. I didn't know anything about it until the next day. I was out branding cattle on the range when that happened. I don't believe my boss ordered it either. I heard he cussed out the men that did it something fierce. Anyway, even if he had ordered me to, I would not have done something like that. More than that, had I been there, and known who he was, I would have sided him just for your sake, please, believe me."
She hugged him again and said, "Oh Jack, I believe you. I don't know if I believe you about Tanner or not, but I believe you. It's hard to know what to think right now. I've gotta get back home, laundry's still on the line."
"I'll come with you, at least ride along and make sure you're safe."
"No, Jack. My heart's just too unsteady right now. I ain't sure of my feelings. I'm afraid I'd fall in love with you right away. Especially seen's how I never really stopped loving you anyway. If you want, you can come see me in a couple of days. I just need time to get my thoughts together. To decide where I stand. Too many things have happened lately fer me ta think clearly."
"Alright Maggie, but you can bet, I'll be out there soon, come Hell or high water. If only you knew how much you mean to me!" He said passionately.
"That's what scares me Jack, I do." she said and then kissed him lightly on the lips, and then abruptly walked away.
After she had walked out of view, Duane decided to return to the Boar's Head. Despite the fact that she had turned him away, he felt hope within himself for the first time in many years. He felt like celebrating. After all, she had not exactly ruled out the possibility of their love being re-kindled. Just as he was approaching the entrance to the Boar's Head, Ballard came out.
"Hell Jack, I'm goin' over ta the Silver Palace. A man could die a old age waitin' fer Lancer ta finish up with Conchita. Why don't ya come with me?" Ballard asked.
Duane's face broke out into a huge smile and he slapped Ballard on the back saying, "Shoot pardner, why the hell not?"
Colt, somewhat astonished at his partner's newfound enthusiasm, stepped back and stared at the still beaming Duane and said, "What'n the hell's come over you? You look like, well, like I'd bet ole Lancer's a lookin' right about now."
Ballard slapped himself on the knee and pointing his finger in Duane's face he laughed and said, Why you old fox! I know what happened! You already been over ta the Silver Palace and done fell in love with one a Tanner's new fillies, an you came over ta get me so you could strut around like a peacock an brag about it! Well, I got bad news fer ya. If ya decide ta bring me over there yer takin' a mighty dangerous chance with yer love life. Lord knows, your a right handsome man, but any woman'll tell ya, you ain't a patch ta me. I'm afraid yer gonna end up with a broken heart tonight, cause when them girls get a look at my gorgeous smilin' face, that's the last anyone's ever gonna see a their hearts!"
The renewed Jack Duane, not in the least taken aback at his brash partner's remarks, grinned broadly and said, "Damn Ballard, you sure are bashful ain't ya. Well, you're about half right, if that much." He was about to explain as they were walking toward the Silver Palace when something caught their attention in front of the bank across the street.
Duane noticed that the sign in the bank's window said "Closed." That was odd considering the time of day. Normally, the bank would be open for at least two more hours. But that was not all, despite the sign, six men exited the bank one after another, trying to look nonchalant yet each one, was wearing a long overcoat which was unusual to say the least, considering the extreme summer temperature. Duane noticed one of them carrying a sack in his left hand holding it next to his body as if trying to conceal it.
"What do you make of that, Colt" Duane asked stopping him and nudging his shoulder and nodding in the direction of the bank.
Glancing at the men leaving the bank Colt said, "Hell, I think the same as you. Looks like the bank just got relieved of the root of all evil ta me. Well, it's mostly Tanner's bank so I reckon we'd best brace 'em."
As the men were crossing the street toward a hitching rail where there were seven horses waiting, and one man stationed as a lookout, Ballard yelled forcefully, "You men just hold it right there!"
The reaction was instantaneous. The bank robbers had hoped to get out of town unnoticed, but were prepared to shoot their way out of town should it come to that. It did.
They grabbed for their guns almost as one, but the guns of both Ballard and Duane were already blazing as only two shots from the bank robbers were actually fired---- and Duane crumpled to the ground. Colt instantly turned his attention to the outlaw's horses as a man with a Winchester repeater fired again. However, the horse he had been hiding behind jumped and spoiled his aim and the shot missed Ballard by several feet.
Unfortunately though, the bullet injured a woman who had witnessed the incident and had began to run away screaming. As the woman slumped to the boardwalk, the man was instantly cut down by two bullets which struck him in the chest almost simultaneously, one from Duane, and the other, from Ballard.
"You alright Jack?" Ballard asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Duane said as he got up, clearly favoring his left ankle. He raised up his left boot and Ballard noticed that the heel was missing and there was a bit of blood dripping from the remaining sole of Duane's boot.
"I guess your lucky that hombre couldn't shoot straight. Looks like your gonna need new boots I reckon."
"Yeah, and it feels like I'm going to be mighty sore for a while." Duane added.
The townsfolk soon swarmed around the two gunmen and the dead, would-be bank robbers. Johnny Lancer sprinted up to them, quickly took in the situation in one quick glance and asked, "Why'n the heck didn't ya wait for me? You boys trying ta hog all the fun for yerself or what?"
"Duane once again raised his left boot and grunting, said sullenly, "If that's your idea of fun pardner, I can arrange for you ta have some right quick."
Ballard chuckled, and addressing Lancer said, "Well, what did ya expect. You went an hogged Conchita all fer yourself, we had ta do somethin' to liven this place up."
Just then, Morgan Tanner arrived. "You men certainly earned your pay this day!" He exclaimed after hearing what had taken place. Both of you will receive an extra bonus of $500.oo apiece." He added smiling, clearly in a generous and expansive mood.
Ballard, noting that, and feeling brazen and reckless said sarcastically, "What about my pardner, seems he's gonna need medical attention and a new pair a boots. I'd shore hate ta see him have ta spend his brand new bonus on them kind a trivialities."
"Duane, you pick yourself TWO new pairs of boots, any brand or style you wish, and have that foot taken care of. Bring me the bill and I'll pay it, gladly. You men more than earned your wages today." Tanner said, feeling magnanimous and seemingly unruffled by Ballard's audaciousness.
Ballard and Lancer went along with Duane to doctor MacDonald's office and waited as the doctor patched up his heel. It was a nasty looking cut on the bottom of the heel, but it was far from serious. The impact of the 44. slug had also slightly sprained the ankle. Doctor MacDonald informed him that the heel would be sore for a few days and that it was bruised, but that he had little to worry about. It would heal up fine and afterwards, his walking would remain unimpaired.
After the bodies of the outlaws had been examined, it was determined that they had been the Grissom gang. Normally, they had operated out of New Mexico, robbing banks in that state as well as Colorado. They had been relatively successful there, and this had been their first attempt at robbing a Texas bank.
Tanner had hoped, that they would have turned out to be Fogg's men. Nevertheless, he was glad that Duane and Ballard had been able to stop them when they did. He had too many other matters to take care of than to have to send men out chasing bank robbers.
No one inside the bank had been injured, but two customers, one teller, and Simon Greenbaum had all been thoroughly bound and gagged. However, both Ballard and Duane had become instant heros, and envelopes with their names inside began filling the box of suggestions, as to who should be appointed as temporary sheriff and/or marshal. Up until that moment, Tanner's gunmen had been generally regarded with fear and suspicion. That attitude was rapidly disappearing. Fogg and his men were now becoming the ones that the townsfolk regarded with fear and contempt.

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