Up on the slopes of the Chinati Mountains and behind the Esperanzas, a figure watched, and had to restrain himself from shouting out loud. His plan was working better than expected. He had come upon it shortly after leaving Casa Bonita. Zach Baynes had followed the Esperanza's trail south, till it veered off northward again toward the Chinati Mountains. However, as he was preparing to follow, and old friend stepped out from behind concealment. It was a Comanche warrior known as Two Trees. The same Two Trees that had killed and scalped Jesse Logan's father in 1858.

Baynes had spent a number of years with the Comanche, since then and had made many friends among them. Eventually, he and Two Trees reconciled and became friends. After all, at the time of George Logan's death, the Comanche had been at war with the White man. It had not been personal. Baynes and Two Trees had ridden together many times, hunting, and stealing horses from the rival Kiowas, much further north when both of them were considerably younger. Ironically enough, Two Trees still carried with him the scalp of George Logan, along with numerous others.

Although Two Trees could speak English, Baynes spoke to him in Comanche. It turned out that Chief Tenkiller, so named because he had once, supposedly slain ten Apaches in one day, was out raiding below the border. It was rare that the Comanche ever roamed that far south, and in fact, they were now in Apache lands. However, Tenkiller had heard of a man who had a huge supply of repeating rifles, along with ammunition which he was willing to trade for stolen livestock. It was too good a chance to pass up. Thus, when Baynes had met Two Trees, he had been scouting ahead for Tenkiller's band, in order to look for any signs of the army or any other potential enemies.

Baynes was also a close friend of chief Tenkiller, and because of this, a plan immediately began to form inside his head. He had explained his situation to Two Trees, who had then led him to Tenkiller's camp. After talking it over, Tenkiller agreed to help Baynes attempt to free Charlene. Of course, not without a price. Baynes had offered a hundred head of cattle along with two hundred horses. An expensive bargain no doubt. Nevertheless, he knew Murdoch would make good on his promise. Especially, with the life of Charlene at stake.

As Baynes watched the Indians approaching the Esperanza gang, and Muerte, along with two other desperadoes leading their prisoners up a canyon below him, he counted his good fortune.

The original plan had ben for Tenkiller to insist upon taking Charlene, in return for letting the Esperanza gang go free. An offer Esperanza would be highly unlikely to refuse, considering, that he was outnumbered many times over. Later, Tenkiller would turn Charlene over to Baynes, who would arrange for Tenkiller to pick up the horses and cattle from Murdoch.

However, the wily bandito must have anticipated that Tenkiller might want the girl and had thus sent her away. Well, there were three men guarding her now, and the odds were pretty good, except for Muerte. Baynes would have to be mighty careful with that one. He stealthily began to pursue his quarry.

Muerte soon found the spot he was seeking. From there, he could barely make out what was taking place between Esperanza and the Comanches below. The spot was secluded, and there were enough trees and shrubbery to maintain concealment while observing the goings on below. To their backs however, was a steep cliff, which dropped off some thirty feet before reaching the treetops below. However, if necessary, He knew a way down to the bottom. It was unlikely that the Indians would attempt to follow.

He quickly trussed up Charlene and Jesse on the ground. He had merely smiled evilly at Logan, who had come close to loosening his bonds while upon the back of the horse. Muerte tied them more securely this time. He then stationed the two other bandits a guards, and walked out of camp to get a better view of what was taking place. Already, the sounds of gunfire were reaching the little camp.

"What's happening, Jesse?" Charlene asked.

"Hell, I don't know Charley, but looks like our amigo Emillio may have his hands full. He was probably trying to negotiate himself out of a fight. Right now, it sounds like it didn't work. How are you holding out?" Logan queried.

Before she could reply, they heard a muffled groan and turned to see Zach Baynes standing over a dead guard, Bowie knife in hand. Instantly, the other guard was clawing for his gun. Charlene, whose legs were tied at the ankles, quickly pivoted around on her backside and lashed out with her bound feet, at the other guard's legs. He stumbled and his gun went off harmlessly in the ground, just as Baynes' knife found his heart. Baynes quickly moved to slash Logan's bonds. He knew he had to get a gun into Logan's hands before Muerte could return. He was too late.

Muerte strode into the camp almost casually. Baynes had his knife in hand, but Muerte's revolver was already out and trained upon the big mountain man. Muerte smiled, then holstered the pistol. Instantly, Baynes hefted the knife to throw, but a bullet from Muerte's suddenly re-drawn pistol caught him in the shoulder and the knife slipped harmlessly from his fingers to the ground beside Logan.

Baynes' wound was not serious, it was not intended to be. Baynes stood there and stared at Muerte then said, "If you think I'm gonna let you tie me and then carve me up like you did that sheriff, you're crazy."

Muerte smiled and said, "No, Senor, for joo, eet would be no fun. I know joo can stand the pain. Joo haf one chance for joor life. Peek up the knife and joos eet!"

Baynes slowly picked up the knife and could hardly believe his good fortune as Muerte tossed his pistol aside, and pulled his own knife from its sheath. Baynes, having a crippled right shoulder, switched the knife to his left hand as the two men slowly began circling one-another. Both made tentative slashes, feeling each other out. Baynes slashed, but was parried by Muerte's left as he moved in for what he thought was the kill. Baynes dodged the thrust and as Muerte pulled back for another, swiftly kicked him in the face. Muerte went sprawling backwards. Before Baynes could follow through however, Muerte was back upon his feet. Baynes feinted another kick and Muerte ducked back. He then lunged at Baynes who sidestepped and slashed Muerte deeply across the cheek. Muerte grabbed his hand as the two men tumbled to the ground. Due to his injured shoulder, Baynes was slowly but surely being overpowered by Muerte. After a brief conflict, Baynes' struggling ceased as Muerte's knife slashed open his belly.

Suddenly, Muerte's knife hand was seized in the most powerful grip he had ever felt. Another hand grabbed the back of his belt and he was instantly hoisted high into the air. All that Muerte could feel then was a falling sensation as a huge figure flung him over the edge of the cliff.

"I reckon that'll take care of that bastard." Nighthawk said as he reached over and slashed the bonds of first, Charlene, then Jesse.

Jesse immediately went over and knelt by the prostrate body of Zach Baynes. As tears began welling up in the corners of his eyes, Baynes opened his own. He glanced at Nighthawk and nodded, satisfied as to what had happened.

He looked back at Logan and said, "Hell boy, you ain't gonna start blubbering like a woman on me now are ya? Don't, I might start a-crying too. Sides this ole boy's lived one hell of a life, an I lived it just the way I wanted to. Just bury me somewhere's out in the wilderness--soon as you and Charley get safely away from them bastards below. Hope ya ain't too mad at me. I set it up so's the Comanches would try an get Charley back. Didn't know you was with 'em, Jess. Anyhow, I guess Esperanza figured them Comanch might want a young blonde, so he sent ya'll up here. Anyhow, them's Tenkiller and his bunch. They won't bother ya none, but Moose owes them two-hunnerd horses and a hunnerd head a cattle. I figure they earned it." Baynes grunted through clenched teeth. He then glanced up at Nighthawk who stood towering over them.

"You big halfbreed son-of-a-bitch! Ya were a mite late, weren't ya?" Baynes gasped, but he was grinning.

"See ya on the other side, you ornery old coot." Nighthawk replied.

"Yeah, and I'm gonna whip your ass when ya get there, fer showing up late like that." Baynes said grinning. He then smiled at Charley and said, "Girl, yer old Uncle Zach loves ya, I hope you know that."

"I do" Charley replied through muffled sobs.

"I got only one request of ya girl, but its important ta me. So will ya honor a dying man's last request?"

"I will if I can." she sobbed.

"Marry that no good fer nothin' Jesse Logan. He maybe ain't got that nerve ta ask ya, so's I'm doin' it fer 'em. And hurry up about it afore someone else kidnaps the two of ya! Air ya gonna promise me?"

Charlene and Jesse exchanged glances then looking back at Baynes she said, "Yes, I will, if he wants me."

"Jesse?" Baynes asked looking at Logan.

"Hell yes!" Was all he could muster at the moment.

"Good, then its settled. Consider me a backwoods preacher. The Crows made me a medicine man of sorts, but then, ya'll have heard that story a thousand times. Anyhow, you two are married, far as I'm concerned. When ya get back ta The Fall's, get Rev Phelps ta do ya up proper, if ya want. Jesse, in my saddle bags, you'll find somethin' I thought ya might want ta have. Ya see, it was Two Trees that helped me talk Tenkiller into providin' this little diversion fer us."

Jesse's jaw dropped open in astonishment as Baynes continued. "I don't know if ya want it or not, but I thought ya might. I f ya don't, maybe Moose will. Anyhow, I traded Two Trees my old Colt Dragoon fer yer paw's scalp. Like I said, you'll find it in my saddlebags. "Baynes then let out one excruciating gasp and his eyes closed. His breathing then ceased and the one time terror of the mountains, went under.

Jesse then walked over and put his arms around Charley who remarked through her sobs, "He sure died game, didn't he Jesse?"

"He sure did, girl, he sure did. I guess though, he wouldn't have had it any other way. I could never imagine him gettin' old enough for the rocking chair. I know that thought used to worry him some."

"Well, I know its tough, but ya'll need to choke it down so we can get outa here. I don't know if you noticed but the shooting's stopped below, and they might be headin' up here any moment" Nighthawk said.

"They won't. Charlene, go see what's going on below. Anyhow, Muerte's supposed to wait until it's safe, then meet the Esperanzas just inside the mouth of Diablo Canyon. Murdoch is supposed to be some three miles into it, at Diablo Springs. Esperanza figured he could talk his way out of it." Logan said.

Nighthawk handed Charlene his telescope and she walked out to where she had a view of the battlefield below. The Comanches were retreating, and the Esperanzas were just getting up to mount their horses.

What had happened, as it was later learned was, that Esperanza had once again sent out his emissary, Alberto Perea to parley with the Comanches. Upon being informed that the girl was not with them, the Comanches took up council among themselves as Alberto returned to his group. The Comanches decided to test there new rifles on the gang. They had assumed that Baynes was already on the trail of whomever had the girl, thus, it wouldn't hurt to rattle the gang somewhat and keep them pinned down for a while, then be on their way to collect their reward. And rattle them they did. The Esperanzas lost nine men, and one was nearing death. That one, Emillio promptly shot himself, after the Comanches had departed. Apparently, he could not afford to be slowed down.

As Charley watched, the Esperanzas mounted up and began heading southeast, toward Diablo Canyon. The Comanches, having lost some twenty-three men, were heading North, toward the Murdoch spread.

When Charley reported what she'd seen to Logan and Nighthawk, they were just finishing loading Baynes' body on one of the guard's horses. Nighthawk had retrieved Baynes own mount from the spot where he had cached it. Logan checked the saddlebags and sure enough, found a scalp. He was fairly certain it was his father's due to the fact that the hair was red, as his father, George Logan's, had been. A grisly memento, to say the least, but a memento nonetheless. Jesse would keep it himself. He carefully placed it back into the saddlebags.

"Look, I got ya out safe, but I can't stick around. Fact is, I ran into Tenkiller's bunch just after Baynes left them. I was planning to ask them for the same kind of help, almost. Now I have to catch them and ask again."

"How's that Lance?" Logan asked.

"Well, you see, last night, Tanner came out after us in force. He now has some twenty or thirty new hands working for him from the Concho River Rocking- B ranch. Old man Brockman kicked the bucket and Tanner took over the whole shebang, somehow. But Wade Terrell, Ace Scurlock and Case Tyree are with them."

"Whew!" Logan whistled under his breath.

"Yeah, well, Chief Tenkiller is a friend of mine too, but he wouldn't help earlier on account of that he had already promised to help Baynes get Miss Lancer here back. But, as of last night, Tanner's ranch is probably in ashes by now, and I reckon Tanner's men are still huntin' Captain Fogg. Fogg'll be way outgunned, and I was plannin' ta get the Indians ta whittle the MT crew down a bit, or at least, get them to divert their attention long enough to allow Fogg to get to a place where he can hole up a mite. When I found out about Charlene here, I decided I'd lend a hand. I've done that, Jesse, so we're square, and I gotta go."

"Like hell we're square, Nighthawk, I owe you my life." Jesse said earnestly.

"Me too." Charlene chimed in passionately.

"Careful, Logan. Remember, I'm half Shawnee. I might take you up on it and call in the debt sometime." Nighthawk said grinning, then whirled his horse and rode off.

Logan mounted Muerte's horse. He had left Tecumseh with Brazos' posse, not wishing to lose him should he come out of this alive. Much to his surprise, he found his own pistols in Muerte's saddlebags. Charlene mounted Baynes' horse.

"Charley, do you think you can make it back to the ranch alright?" Logan asked.

"You know I can Jesse, but I'm stayin' with you!" she replied poignantly.

"Charley, someone's got to get Uncle Zach back to the ranch for burial, and I've got to ride out and tell Brazos that you're safe. I mean, I've got to ride hard so I can get there before Esperanza does."

"Jesse, I love you, and for a while, I thought I'd never see ya again. Then, I thought we'd die together at least. Now, I ain't about ta let you outa my sight. Uncle Zach won't mind the wait, and if ya need ta tie him down tighter, get down and do it. But I'm goin' wherever you go and that's all there is to it. Like it says in the Bible, 'Wherever thou goest, I will go! You and I ain't properly married yet, but I ain't leavin' yer side till we're married and that's that. No use in arguing."

Jesse laughed and smiled at her lovingly and proudly, then chuckling, commented, "You know, the Bible also says something like, "Wives, obey thy husbands."

"Forget it Jesse. We ain't properly married yet anyhow. I'm goin' with ya!"

Jesse shook his head and rolled his eyes upward as if to say, What am I ever gonna do with such a stubborn girl!?" Yet, in his heart, he could not have been more proud of her. With that, the two, galloped off, leading the horse bearing the body of the late Zach Baynes, toward Diablo Canyon.

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