Stagecoach;Western write 5 of 15

5.

“Marshall looks like we have another passenger.” Bucks motioned to the Marshall of the solitary figure in front of them. It was a man dressed in the suit and holding a duffel bag. He was armed with a rifle and water canteen.

“Gatewood, Henry Gatewood.” The man who hailed the stagecoach to stop. “I need a ride.”

The  stagecoach could sit eight but the level of comfort will be comprised. The new arrival sat next to me. He held onto the bag as if his life depended on it with the rifle leaned on the right side.

“Do I know you, Sir?” I was shaken back to reality by the man asking me the question. I was staring at him as if he could have recognized me then. He may be a foe or a friend but either way, he looked familiar.

Henry looked away from my gaze. He held back to the bag and then I noticed the mark on the bag. It read “Union Express”. He saw me looking and covered it with his left hand.

Henry seated to the right faced the window of the stagecoach. He had ridden off in the small carriage with the stash of railway’s bonds. He stole it from the Bank or lifted it off the Manager there whom he had shot in the Bank Office. He left the body in the vault to be opened the next day and stepped into the saloon. He was having his drink when he saw the Kid killed the other. It was a fair fight from his view. The other drew a hidden gun. He saw the other fall, and the Kid walked off. He also saw the other gentleman picked up the derringer. He just could not remember who was it then. It all happened so fast.

But Henry could not care less. He was more concerned with the bag.

“No, Mister. The stagecoach is full. You have to take the one here in two days.” Henry heard the stagecoach ticket master. He had no choice and took off to a nearby settlement, paid the farmer to let him stay in the barn. It was most unusual for he was no cowboy in dressing; he was not one to rough it out. The farmer offered him the stay in the house. He took it willingly but with his stares to the road leading to the house, No one came but he had to extend his stay. The stagecoach was not available for the next few days citing Apache troubles. He had to leave the area. The bonds would have been declared missing when the Manager was found. There may be a hunt for him. He did what was deemed necessary, he took a horse from the farmer. He could not pay for it but promised to come back. The farmer had no choice with the gun pointed at the chest, Henry also took the rifle and extra bullets, He was going to chance the Apache. He was desperate and no one appreciates his action.

Just like when he ignored the Kid of his innocence.

Life is never fair, Kid. I am the proving proof.

“Tell me, Mr. Hitch. Were you there?” I had to raise the question. “Were…”

“No, I lied. I was not there.” Mr. Hitch replied. “Stop asking me.”

It was then I lurched forward with my hands to strangle the liar but in the cramped conditions, I scared the ladies. Mr. Hatfield lashed out with his left fist into my right shoulder when Mrs. Mallory screamed. I fell to the side and was stepped on by Mr. Hitch. We were then slammed to the rear when the stagecoach stopped abruptly. I heard the door opened and was kicked out by someone. I believed it to Mr. Hitch. I fell on the hard ground facing the Marshall.

“Kid, tell me what happened.”

“I asked him a question and he …” My reply was cut off by Mrs. Mallory.

“He is a beast. He attacked Mr. Hitch and Mr. Hatfield stopped him.” That was the truth from Mrs. Mallory. I knew better than to lie then. I was pulled up by the Marshall.

“He can’t travel with us.” Mr. Hitch presented his point to get rid of me. “Give him a horse and let him go.”

“I can’t do that, Mister. He is with me and more to that, we have no spare horses.” Marshall Wilcox looked to the area around him. All he could make out was sands and the distant hills. The Kid may not last two days out there not so when the Apache is nearby. He can feel them at the back of his neck ever since they left the Outpost an hour ago. He had wished the Calvary given them an escort to Apache Falls but that was the past.

“Give him a gun and make him walk.” Mr. Hatfield queued up with his words. “I am concerned for the ladies.”

I looked at those heartless men I had shared my time over the last day. I wished I had my guns and they would have died by now.

“Unshackle me, Marshall. I will take my chances here.” I pleaded with the Marshall. It was best to die with my boots on than to share another day with these vultures.

“No, Kid. You stay with us. He will travel with me on the driver seat.” The Marshall declared. “It’s another two hours to Apache Falls. There we will split up.”

“Howdy, folks. I suggest we move on. I can see Geronimo in the distance by the mound of sands.” It was Bucks and his warning was timely. I saw the dismounted passengers boarded back while I was hauled to the stagecoach seat. I spied the other lady looking at me, with her expressionless look. Ms. Dallas was her name and she had remained quiet all the time. She was a beauty in the looks and out here, we don’t have many choices of that.

“Kid, I am releasing the irons. You give me no trouble or I will have you tossed out of the stagecoach.” Marshall Wilcox removed the irons on my wrist. “Now you hold this rifle. The more shooter, we may just survive this journey.”

Those were the same words The Marshall had told him that day soon after he was saved from the lynch. They had ridden out but soon enough the posse was on their trail. The Marshall had passed him the spare gun belt with the gun; it was once the possession of a cattle rustler but he had died escaping. They rode hard into the hills where their tracks can be untraceable in the hard rocks. The posse was a sizeable one of elven men and they were keen to catch up. The Marshall had led posse before and for one who caught up after a four hours lapse was either dedicated to the task or have a hefty reward for capturing the Kid. He had questioned the Kid on the crime he has done.

“All I did was call the other’s bluff at the cards.” Marshall Wilcox looked at the younger man riding with him. He reckoned the Kid whom he was told the name later in their ride, was too young to gamble let alone knew of the tricks up the sleeves.

“I learned when young from my Uncle. He was a gambler. And taught me how to shoot.” I told the Marshall. I did not mean to kill the other man but he drew first. I guessed most of my reputation came from my draw and most of them were over the card game.

Both the Marshall and myself rode hard and long that journey. Soon we were cleared of the posse. We called it quits and when I was to ride off, the Marshall told me who was pursuing me.

“It’s the family. You killed their second son. Luke ‘Old Man’ Plummer was a cattle baron and he was not a forgiving man. He will hunt you if you ever come back.”

“Marshall, how did you know?” I asked then,

“He offered me the task when I rode in but I declined, I heard the real outcome at the saloon and reckoned you are innocent. I don’t persecute the innocents. And Kid, you have a reputation. You do not shoot in the back and held a fair fight. So young Plummer's death may be his own fault.”

“Presumption, Marshall.”

“Unless I am proven wrong. I am never to judge another. I leave it to the Judges. I will not hold my conscience on accusing another of killing unless I have my own doubts.” With that, the Marshall and I parted ways. We did meet later but that’s another tale.