LLM Part 1 Chapter 11

11.

The small misunderstanding was cleared with Hawkins calling off the cowboys. He dismissed the cowboys and then apologized to Lance.

“Do I know you?” Hawkins looked at the moustache man with the long side burns.

“I doubt so. I just arrived to Arizona.” Lance replied in his British Isles ascent. “I do have to …”

“There is no need. Please continue with your drinks, gentlemen.” Hawkins then looked at the cowboys. “Wait outside.”

The three cowboys walked out of the saloon. It was then another group stepped in. Hawkins ignored the moustache and sideburns man to greet the newly arrived. There were three in the group; two men and a lady. The men were dressed in the fine silk suit with the vest and cravat around the neck. They wore the corsair hat that had the edges covered their ears. Both of them had the thick moustache on their upper lips and the thick eye brows. They held no guns on their belt but the jeweled curved dagger on the left side was not an ornament. The lady was dressed in the riding outfit with the wide knee length skirt and white blouse beneath dark waist length jacket. She had on the similar belt with the dagger except her hair was covered by the smaller version of the Stetson hat. It was her boots that attracted Lance. It was made from expensive sable felt. So was the jacket but the boots were alluring and sexy.

The trio took the seats motioned by Hawkins which was two table from the one occupied by Lance and Mr. Smith. The conversation was overheard.

“Sergei Ivanich, I greet you to the new land.” Hawkins then looked towards the other. “Omar Hanum of the Ottoman…...”

“Enough of the pleasantries. We are here because you have what we want.” The one addressed as Omar replied with agitation. “Our journey was far and …..”

“And we will enjoy your pleasantries.” The lady spoke up. She glared at the two men who had remained tight lipped then. “Our wait was longer. Tell me more of your arrangement.”

It was then Lance saw the lady’s face. She was a beauty to behold and the blue eyes brought it out with radiance. He saw the two men did not argued with her. The quartet continued on with the pleasantries except the two men which had remained silent. It was then another arrived.

“Master Hawkins, the carriages are here.” Hawkins acknowledged the man and motioned to the three guests to join outside. Lance peeked out from the window when the group had stepped out. He saw three carriages and an escort of ten riders. Each carriage had two handlers. The lady mounted the middle carriage while the two men took the rear one. It was Hawkins who took the first one. The order was given and the carriages rode off with the riders. Lance got up to follow but he found the front door was blocked by the three cowboys. They latched the door behind them. It was then the other five local folks spread themselves out across the hall. They were joined by the bartender.

“Master Hawkins sent his regards to you.” The bartender voiced out. He had then passed out the guns to the others. Lance looked to Mr. Smith who stood up.

“How many do you think there are?” Lance asked while he adjusts his bike for the crucial draw. “I am surprised that we were caught by them.”

“I am afraid you need not concern yourself. The whole town is under our control. We are all blood drinkers. We have been waiting for you ever since you arrived at the valley. And for you Mr. Smith we have been watching you.”

It was then a figure crashed through the window and landed on the flooring. It was Tonto and he was firing the rifle of his at the three cowboys. He got two down with chest shots and the maimed the third one in the right forearm. It happened so fast that no one could react then. He then turned to shoot at the others. It was then Lance and Mr. Smith joined in the fight. The duo fired at the town folks who were also pulling at their guns given to them by the bartender. It happened so fast that all five men were soon on the flooring. Only two of them were dead shot by Lance with the silver bullets in the head but the others were writhing there in pain. The other three and the surviving cowboy still have their guns.

“I shot them with the silver bullets.” Mr. Smith cried out. He was ignored then when Lance took two more shots at two of them while Tonto had removed the last two including the cowboy. There was still the bartender which both Lance and Tonto shot simultaneously.

“I shot them with the silver bullets.” Mr. Smith still disbelieved at the effectiveness of his own bullets. Lance stepped over the dead bodies to ensure that they were dead. The bartender was still alive despite the two bullets at the heart. Lance aimed and shot off the front part of the head. He then looked at Tonto who was at the window.

“Kemo-Sabe, we have more of them.” Tonto called out. “The horses are at the back.”

All three of them rushed for the back exit and mounted the horses. They heard the shots into the saloon but they were already riding into the dark. They rode hard and soon left the valley. Tonto stopped to check their trails and was relief that no one pursue them.

“What happened to my men? Sergeant Kelly….” Mr. Smith asked when they dismounted to rest the horses.

“They are all dead. Sergeant Kelly was last but he was soon dead. They came at us past the sentry. I think it happened so fast that I was taken by surprise.” The group had stayed at the valley to await more instructions. Tonto was with them. “I counted twelve of them and was quick. They did not use guns but daggers. It was all over in seconds except for me and the Sergeant. He fought hard but there was so many you could handle. I escaped with barely my life and rode here.”

“You left my men to die?” Mr. Smith showed his anger. Lance stepped in to avoid a fight. “You are a bastard…”

Lance held the Pinkerton agent back and acted as a buffer between the two. Tonto had then rushed forth on being call profanities but Lance held out the arm to hold him back.