Range War Along the Pecos, by John Theron Crow

Range War Along the Pecos

CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE

 
Inside the Silver Palace, whose chandelier lit interior could almost be described as plush, a beautiful young woman was singing on the stage. All eyes were upon her and few noticed the way the batwing doors were slammed loudly open as Johnny Lancer stormed in. A quick glance around revealed the slight figure of Jake Barlow lounging casually against the bar across the room, calmly nursing a beer while enjoying the show. Lancer picked up a chair and smashed out the front window of the saloon. The singing stopped instantly and all eyes were upon the audacious young black-clad gunman.
"You ready to go to Hell, Barlow?!" Lancer challenged.
The mild-mannered gunman calmly turned to face Lancer as the crowd quickly rushed to get from between the two notorious gunslingers. Instantly some of the gamblers began betting heavily upon the outcome. Both men had tremendous reputations, however, the betting ran heavily in favor of Barlow. Johnny Lancer, was as much noted as a bank and stage robber as a gunfighter, whereas, Barlow was exclusively a gunman.
Barlow advanced forward a couple of paces from the bar and asked, "Mr. Lancer, have I offended you in some way? If so, I'm terribly sorry. But really, you should not have interrupted Miss Meagan's singing like that. It simply isn't polite. Much as I regret it, I'm afraid I will have to shoot you for this, unless of course, you apologize to the lady right now."
"Oh I'll apologize, just as soon as I've sent ya to meet the Devil, you baby-faced little shit. So shut up and shoot me, if you think you can." Lancer said.
"Okay, Mr. Lancer, but then, I gave you a chance to apologize-- and live." Barlow said.
All of a sudden both went for their guns and the sounds of the shots seemed as one. Lancer felt a sharp stinging sensation upon his neck whereas Barlow was flipped over backwards, landing atop a billiards table due to the sudden impact of a 44 slug between the eyes. Lancer felt warm blood streaming down his neck, but merely ignored it as he started for the street. Tanner was next. He paused for a moment, changing his mind. He ordered a cold beer. Tanner could wait a couple of moments.
No one approached him, however, they were speaking of the gunfight all over the saloon. Almost all of them amazed at the incredible display of speed. Many more were surprised that Lancer had out-drawn the infamous Barlow. Immediately the arguments began breaking out. Could Ballard or Duane have done it, some argued, "Hell yes!" while others argued to the contrary. Lancer didn't know. From all he'd heard, probably either Duane or Ballard could have beaten Barlow. But then, he'd never seen them in action.
Lancer had seen faster men than Barlow before. He had seen both Slinger Hawk, and Tuck Lomax in action, either of whom could possibly have beaten Barlow, and Blackjack Slade was reputed to be even faster than they. He would have to be careful next time.
Fact was, Barlow had been incredibly fast. His own bullet had struck Barlow in the forehead at the instant Barlow had fired, spoiling his aim ever so slightly otherwise Lancer too, would now be dead. He'd still managed to graze Lancer in the neck though.
Lancer knew that he had been sloppy. His anger had slowed him down. Not his draw itself, but his reaction time from the millisecond between when his eye perceived the beginning of Barlow's move, to the beginning of his own draw. Had he been calmer, he'd have caught the beginning of Barlow's move sooner, and Barlow would not have gotten off that shot. Finishing the beer, he strode purposefully out onto the street. Tanner was next.
He had seen Tanner draw against Murdoch. Tanner was faster than most, but had not seemed so fast as Barlow had been. One never could tell though. Tanner might have realized that he would not need to draw as fast as he could to beat a huge man with a heavy, cumbersome weapon. Therefore, knowing that other gunmen were watching, he might have drawn no faster than he had to in order to win. Many gunmen operated that way when they were certain they would win. That was to lure other gunmen into over confidence, a sometimes fatal mindset. He felt Logan had done the same thing yesterday when drawing against Swede Larson. After all, three other gunslingers had been watching his play. * * *
As Johnny Lancer was finishing his beer in the Silver Palace, Colt Ballard was closing in on Olsen's Falls at a gallop. Upon arriving at the Baldridge homestead, he had discovered the kidnapping and had reached virtually the same conclusions as had Duane, some time earlier. However, knowing the time that had passed, and the odds he would likely be up against, he had opted to return to town and seek reinforcements.
Ballard, although fearing for his friend's life, felt he could do Duane little good by attacking the Esperanza's alone, and would likely get them both killed in the process--that was, if Duane were not already dead. Tanner had a small army of gunmen, and that was what was needed at the moment, and Ballard intended to form a posse out of them as soon as humanly possible. Or so he reasoned as his horse galloped toward the outskirts of Olsen's Falls. * * *
As Lancer stepped out onto the street, the man he had sent in search of Tanner ran up to him apologizing. He explained how one of Tanner's south-section riders had arrived with a bullet wound in his stomach. Apparently, the rider had explained to Tanner that he and about twenty others had shot it out with the Fogg's and he alone had survived to tell the tale. Upon hearing of that development, Tanner had retrieved his horse and set out for his own ranch at full speed. The MT rider at doctor Anders' office, being gutshot, was not expected to live.
As the man finished his story, Lancer heard a murmur of astonishment from the crowd. He glanced up and noticed a rider approaching him, leading a horse and dragging what appeared to be a body behind the horse he was riding. The rider was Jesse Logan, upon Chico Portalis' horse. His own horse he was leading by hand, having been tired out from the hard ride to the BAR-O ranch. The body that was dragging behind Portalis' horse was Portalis himself. Portalis' draw, had not been fast enough, and Logan intended to deposit the body upon Tanner's office doorstep.
Logan dismounted in front of Tanner's office and cut the body loose. He then picked it up and literally carried it over and dropped it roughly at the door to Tanner's office as the townspeople gathered around in amazement.
Lancer walked over to him and asked, "What happened, Jesse?"
"One a Tanner's skunks here was a mite slow on the draw." Logan drawled. He then explained what had taken place that morning between the Fogg's and MT riders leading up to the grisly scene he'd encountered at the BAR-O, and his subsequent shootout with Portalis.
"'Fraid I got worse news, Jesse. Come on, I'll tell ya what's happened on the way ta Doc MacDonald's." Lancer said somberly.
As they strode toward the doctor's office, Lancer began bringing Logan up to date on what had transpired that day. He finished his story of the day's events as they were standing at the bedside of Moose Murdoch.
"Jesse, I know the doc says it ain't smart ta move 'em, but I'm thinking it would be a hell of a lot smarter than ta leave 'em here in town." Lancer said. "I'm thinking you're right, Johnny. I'll go get a buckboard and I'll round up Tommy's body. Keep an eye on 'em, will you?"
"Hold on a minute. You can't go taking Mr. Murdoch out to the ranch! He may be recovering, but he will need constant medical attention. I cannot allow you to take him out of here." Doctor MacDonald protested.
"Nope, and ya sure as hell cain't stop us neither. I know he needs constant medical attention Doc, an that's why you're comin' with us. So you gather up everything you need, and get ready." Lancer commanded.
As Doctor MacDonald began to protest Lancer whipped out his pistol and said, "Doc, I've had a mighty bad day today, an I'm on a damn short fuse. I've already killed one man, an If I have to, I'll shoot you and then go get Doc Anders ta take yer place. The choice is yours, and you got exactly ten seconds ta make up yer mind!" Lancer said impatiently.
Logan, under different circumstances would have objected strenuously against Lancer's behavior and methods. But at present, he had neither the time nor inclination. The doctor was needed and that was that. At that moment however, the door to the office burst open and Colt Ballard strode in, a shiny sheriff's badge pinned to his chest.
Noting the gun in Lancer's hand trained upon the doctor, and the pallid expression on the doctor's face, he demanded, "Lancer, what the hell's goin' on?"
Doctor MacDonald began, "Sheriff, these men are breaking the law! Why..."
"Shut up Doc, we'll do the talking." Logan commanded sharply.
"Ballard, you got any notion of what's happened since ya rode out after Duane? And by that way, did ya find 'em?" Lancer asked, holstering his gun.
"Hell, the good townsfolk were steppin' on each other tryin ta tell me what happened. Some want me ta arrest ya Johnny, and others want me ta make you my deputy."
"Well Colt, its your play, which'll it be?" Lancer asked, looking Colt directly in the eyes.
"Well, Johnny, seems ta me what you did so far I cain't arrest you for. Murdoch and Tanner, fair fight. You and Barlow, also fair. I would likely have had to arrest Barlow and he would have drawn. Fact is, you saved me the trouble of killin' him myself. Problem is, Johnny, I was also told, that you were huntin' Tanner an plannin' on callin' him out too. That complicates things a mite."
"Ballard, seems to me, that you'd better decide right now whether you work for Tanner, or the law. Right now, we're taking Moose back to the ranch. If you decide to draw on either me or Lancer, you'll have to fight us both. I need Johnny now, and so does Moose. You might beat him or he you, but I can't take that chance. You can't beat both of us though so you'd better step aside. If you want to fight either of us one-on one, I promise, we'll meet you after we've taken care of a couple of matters" Logan said.
"Hell, I came here to get you Johnny, and some of Tanner's men, ta form a posse. Duane's gone, an maybe dead." Ballard said. He then went on to explain what he'd found at the Baldridge place. So right now, my concern is gettin' up a posse. You boys want ta take Murdoch, that's fine. I won't try ta stop you."
"What about me? They are trying to force me to go against my will." Doctor MacDonald protested.
"MacDonald, you're a doctor, and Murdoch here, is a sick man. Way I see it, you're goin' with 'em. I'm the sheriff, an I got me a best friend who happens ta be the town marshal, ta think about and one, maybe two ladies as well. You heard 'em, I'd have ta fight both of 'em ta keep you here. I might win, but probably wouldn't. That'd mean that Duane and the women are goners. Who else is gonna save 'em, you?" Colt explained.
Ballard, if you're thinking with the mind of a sheriff instead of one of Tanner's gunmen, maybe you'd better come with us. The Esperanzas hit Bolton last night, massacred and tortured him and his men, and stole almost all of his cattle. That was the herd whose tracks you saw. I had intended to gather up a posse of Murdoch's men and go after them myself anyhow. If I'm right, you won't get a single man from Tanner, and you might get a bullet in the back if you protest. Besides, he's going to be more interested in chasing down the Fogg's after what they did this morning to his south-side crew. Why don't you come with us? We'll get you a posse. Way I figure it, Tanner's the one that hired the Esperanzas ta hit Bolton, and kill Sheriff Orr as well." Logan said.
"Hell, you're askin' me ta stick my head in the lion's mouth, me bein' a Tanner rider, an after what happened ta Moose and Mason..."
"Colt, just give me your word that at least, until we get the Esperanzas, that you'll act as a lawman ridin' fer the law instead of a Tanner gunman, an we'll treat you like one." Lancer said sternly, yet sincerely.
"Johnny, just what do you take me for? If Tanner is behind all of this as you say, he's gonna have as much ta worry bout from me as from the two of you together. Hell, I accept your offer, Logan. I AM, the sheriff, an I work fer the law. As of now, you can consider me resigned from Tanner until I find he's innocent of all of this!" Ballard said, extending his hand to Logan who shook it firmly.
"Let's get movin' boys! You too, Doc!" Ballard ordered.
As Lancer was watching Doctor MacDonald gather up what he needed, and Logan was rounding up a buckboard to load Murdoch into, Ballard called the mayor and a number of townsfolk out onto the street and addressed them. He informed them of their mission to free the women and help out Marshal Duane if possible. The town was shocked and outraged by the massacre of the Bolton crew as well as the kidnapping of Maggie Baldridge and whatever other woman might have been with her.
Mayor Irvins, was somewhat upset by Ballard's acting without Tanner's orders and attempting to gather a posse from the Murdoch faction, but said nothing, fearing the townsfolk, who were all solidly behind Ballard's actions. After all, Tanner was probably on his way after the Foggs by that time.
The journey to the Murdoch ranch went by without incident. Moose remained unconscious throughout the whole trip, due to sedatives which the doctor had administered. As they pulled into the yard in front of the main ranch-house, they found a group of riders assembled and preparing to ride out.
Alberto Perea, the Esperanza courier who had been sent to deliver the ransom note, had arrived approximately forty-five minutes earlier. Brazos had waited at the ranch-house as Shane had gathered as many men as he could from near by. Other men would be arriving soon, and still more later. All told, Moose Murdoch had some sixty riders in his employ, and the Murdoch brothers had chosen to call all of them in. Half, would guard the ranch while the other, went out to retrieve Charlene and Maggie. About half, had already assembled, fourteen more were expected soon, and another fifteen or so, within about four or five hours.
Upon the arrival of Logan and company, both Brazos and Shane rushed to the buckboard, fearing the worst. The whole crew listened in stunned silence as Lancer, Logan and Ballard recounted the occurrences of the day thus far. Josh Mason, broke down and cried openly after viewing the body of his brother, and both Logan and Lancer fought back tears themselves at the sight.
At first, both Lancer and Logan had been of a mind to stay behind and guard the ranch, but upon learning that the other girl who had been abducted was in fact, Charlene Lancer, neither could be compelled to remain.
After unloading Moose and placing him comfortably into a bed, it was decided that Shane would stay on, along with Josh Mason, with the crew guarding the ranch and the recovering Moose Murdoch as well. As the rest of the crew were about to leave for Casa Bonita, Josh Mason approached Lancer.
"Johnny, I want you to know, I've thought some terrible things about ya. I was plannin on gunin' ya the first chance I got. I'm sorry, and I wanted ta thank you fer avengin Tommy. I know I couldn't of done it myself. I'm sorry." Mason said as he extended his hand in friendship.
"Hell Josh, I can't blame ya. I'm just damn sorry I didn't see it comin' or I'd of shot that sidewinder sooner, and your brother would still be alive. If I'd of had the sense God gave a coon-hound, I'd of killed that damned Tanner too. Seem's I'm the one that ought ta be apologizin'."
"Naw, Johnny, you cain't see the future, and neither can I. Take care of yerself and don't get killed. You too, Jesse. I ain't got no more family, an I damn sure don't want to lose my friends too."
Lancer felt a warm, bittersweet glow deep inside as tears began welling up inside of him. He was unable to speak.
"You just watch your own hide Josh, or I'll come back and whup ya good! Logan said, smiling as the posse rode out of the yard and broke into a gallop.

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