Chapter sixty-one
The next morning I got Lee. And, even though he objected, we had us a little meeting with Mr. Tomlin and Ross. I explained to them who Lee really was, and then I told them all that Lee had told me.
Mr. Tomlin listened closely, and he frowned thoughtfully.
“Well now, I’ve heard of Lee Mattingly,” Mr. Tomlin said. “But, I don’t care about that right now. Rondo says you’re a man that’ll stick, and Rondo’s word is good enough for me. Ross?”
Ross shrugged.
“If what I’ve heard about you is true, then I’m glad you’re with us,” Ross said. “From what Rondo just said, I reckon we’ll be needing all the help we can get.”
Lee seemed to be humbled by their approval.
“Thanks,” he said. “I’ll do my best.”
Mr. Tomlin and Ross nodded, and then we got to work.
***
A few days later the last herd of yearlings arrived. We had enough hands, and we were all ready to go. So, Mr. Tomlin decided that we had better leave the next day.
We had a some time off that afternoon, so Rachel and I walked out a little ways from the house to say our good-byes.
“We’ll be leaving early, so I won’t get to see you in the morning,” I told her.
Rachel smiled back sweetly.
“I’ll still be here when you get back.”
I smiled. I didn’t know what to say, and there was an awkward moment of silence.
Rachel looked up suddenly.
“You know I think very highly of you,” she said.
I nodded.
“I think a lotta you, too.”
“I’d marry you in a heartbeat if you asked,” she said quickly.
I was startled, and it took me a second or two to reply.
“Listen, Rachel; if’n I was in shape to get married, then you’d be the first person I’d ask. But, I ain’t.”
“Why not?”
“For starters, I ain’t got nothing to offer,” I said.
“Those things have a way of working themselves out,” Rachel replied hopefully.
“But that ain’t all,” I said. “You know my past. I’ve done some things that I ain’t very proud of.”
“Nobody’s perfect,” Rachel said.
“True, but I’m a long ways from being perfect,” I replied. “I can’t be thinking of making a home until I get some things figured out.”
Rachel lifted her chin proudly. I wasn’t sure, but it looked like she was fighting back tears.
“I think you’re wrong,” Rachel said. “But, I’ll wait for you. When you get things figured out, you know where I’ll be.”
Rachel turned and hurried off to the house, and I just stood there and watched her.
I felt bad. To hurt her feelings was the last thing I had wanted. Then again, she had to know how I felt.
I was still standing there, mulling it over, when I saw some movement from a-far. I looked again and spotted some riders heading towards us.
They were riding in columns of two, and it didn’t take me long to figure out who it was.
I wasted no more time. I hurried back to the house and found Mr. Tomlin.
“Yankee soldiers are coming!” I told him.
Mr. Tomlin’s face turned sober.
“Well, whatever they want, it can’t be good. We’d best get ready for ’em,” Mr. Tomlin declared.
Mr. Tomlin had hired over twenty cow-punchers, but they were all staying out with the herd. The only folks at headquarters was just me, Ross, Lee, Buster, and the Tomlins.
We grabbed our rifles and met back on the front porch.
“Is there always this much excitement around here?” Lee wanted to know.
“Just about,” I replied.
Mr. Tomlin was watching the on-coming soldiers with a thoughtful frown.
“Ross, I want you and Buster on the front porch behind me. Lee, you take cover in the bunkhouse.”
“Yes, sir!” Lee said, and as he rushed off he flashed me a grin. “You know, I ain’t killed me a Yankee since the war!”
Mr. Tomlin shot Lee a dark look, and then he glanced at me.
“Rondo, get inside the door. If there’s any shooting, I want you to take care of Lieutenant Porter.”
“I would consider it a pleasure,” I replied.
I moved inside the doorway and made sure that my rifle and six-shooter were loaded. I returned my six-shooter to my holster, and as I did Lieutenant Porter and his troops trotted up in front of Mr. Tomlin.
I took aim with my rifle.
One wrong move, and Lieutenant Porter was dead.
Chapter sixty-two
Lieutenant Porter had a triumphant look on his face.
“Mr. Tomlin, I’m here on official business, so I’ll get right to the point. I’m here to arrest you.”
Mr. Tomlin narrowed his eyes.
“I don’t think I’d like that.”
Lieutenant Porter’s face stiffened.
“I don’t care what you think. I’m the law.”
“Carpetbag law!” Mr. Tomlin fired back. “What, may I ask, am I being arrested for?”
“Three of my men have come up missing,” Lieutenant Porter said. “I’ve reason to believe you are responsible.”
“We took care of some horse thieves a few days back. That is all,” Mr. Tomlin said.
“That’s not what I heard,” Lieutenant Porter replied.
“How did you hear about it?” Mr. Tomlin asked suddenly. “None of us have told anybody.”
Lieutenant Porter looked uncomfortable.
“How I found out is not your concern.”
It was then that Lieutenant Porter noticed my rifle barrel poking out through the doorway. He jumped in the saddle with surprise.
“Say! You there in the door! Come out where I can see you!” He demanded.
I walked out onto the front porch, and my rifle was still pointed straight at Lieutenant Porter.
“Watch that rifle!” Lieutenant Porter exclaimed. “That thing could go off and kill somebody!”
“Sure could,” I agreed with a tight smile.
Lieutenant Porter eyed me irritably.
“I ain’t got nothing against you or any of you other fellers. I’m only after Mr. Tomlin.”
My voice was barely audible, but everybody heard me clear.
“No,” I said as I went down the steps and stood by Mr. Tomlin.
Lieutenant Porter’s face turned red with anger.
“You interfere and you’ll be sorry.”
“Can’t have him,” I shook my head.
The feeling was coming over me, and I felt alert and ready.
“We’ll take all of you boys if we have too,” Lieutenant Porter threatened.
“First person that dies is you,” I replied. “So, you boys had best clear out.”
Lieutenant Porter made no move to leave as he glared at me.
“You think you’re good, but you can’t get all eight of us,” he said. “We’ll kill you and everybody else.”
“You’ll try,” I replied.
“You’re willing to die to keep us from taking Mr. Tomlin?” Lieutenant Porter raised his voice so that everybody could hear.
“Yes,” I replied. “And you’d better be ready to die too, ’cause you’re the first person I’ll kill.”
“Me too,” Ross added.
“And me,” Lee hollered from the bunkhouse.
“So you see, the only thing we know for certain is that you die,” I said.
Overall, it was eight to five. But, as far as Lieutenant Porter was concerned, it was now one against three, and Lieutenant Porter didn’t like his odds.
Lieutenant Porter swallowed hard.
“Now’s not the time,” he said. “But we’ll be back.”
“I thought you’d see things my way,” I said wryly.
Lieutenant Porter studied me for a moment.
“I still think I can beat you,” he said.
I smiled.
“Like I said, we won’t know ’til we’ve tried.”
Lieutenant Porter studied me for a second more, and then he wheeled his horse around and rode out. His men followed close behind him.
We watched them leave, and then Mr. Tomlin turned to me.
“Well done, son, well done,” Mr. Tomlin declared as he reached up and patted me on the back.
Mrs. Tomlin and Rachel came out of the house. And, despite our earlier discussion, Rachel was impressed.
“That was the bravest thing I have ever seen!” Rachel exclaimed. “You were wonderful!”
I was uncomfortable, and I felt my face getting red.
“Just did what I had to do,” I said stiffly.
Rachel carried on some more about it, but finally they went back into the house.
Lee stood by with a big grin on his face.
“What would you have done if Lieutenant Porter had gone for his gun?” He asked me later when we were alone.
“I would have killed him,” I replied.
Chapter sixty-three
I was quiet during supper.
Afterwards, I didn’t stay long on the front porch. I said goodnight to Rachel, and then I walked down to the bunkhouse.
I didn’t go inside. Instead, I set out on the front steps.
After a while, Lee and Ross joined me.
“Well! What is the ‘brave one’ up to now?” Lee asked with a smile.
“Just thinking,” I replied.
Lee nodded as they sat down on the steps beside me. Lee pulled out a cigar while Ross pulled out his plug of tobacco.
I let them get comfortable before I said anything.
“We leave tomorrow,” I commented.
Lee and Ross nodded.
“With us gone, Lieutenant Porter can do anything he wants.”
Again, Lee and Ross nodded.
“That sort-a bothers me,” I said.
“Think he’ll give Mr. Tomlin trouble?” Ross asked.
“I do,” I said. “He said he’d be back, remember?”
Ross frowned thoughtfully.
“What can we do about it? He’s the law,” Ross said.
“He is,” I nodded. “But, I’ve still got a plan.”
Lee looked up curiously.
“Would this plan of yours be against the law?”
I thought on that.
“Yes,” I said. “But, I’ve been on the wrong side of the law for a long time now.”
“I thought you were doing things honest now,” Lee said.
I frowned thoughtfully.
“Been thinking on that. I figure a man has to have a creed or some sort-a rules to live by. Once he figures them rules out, then he needs to follow those rules as best he can. Trouble is, I’m still figuring them out.”
“Most folks would say the law is the rules,” Ross said.
“I’d usually agree,” I said. “But, I don’t agree with Lieutenant Porter’s laws. That’s why I’m making my own.”
“So, just what is this plan of yours?” Lee wanted to know.
“Porter thinks he’s faster than me. I figure on showing him he ain’t,” I explained.
“You mean you’re going to just ride into town and shoot it out?” Ross asked.
“Sounds better every time I hear it,” I replied.
“Mr. Tomlin won’t like this,” Ross warned.
“Don’t plan on telling him,” I said. “After it gets dark I’ll ride on into town and take care of things. Afterwards, I’ll join you out at the herd. Mr. Tomlin won’t find out until after we’re gone.”
“There’s eight of them soldier boys,” Lee said. “You’re planning on taking all eight by yourself?”
“I will if I have too,” I said.
Lee shook his head.
“I can’t figure out if you’re brave or just plain stupid. But, I ain’t going to let you do this alone. I’m going with you.”
“Me too,” Ross added.
“No, Ross, you’ve got to stay,” I said. “If something goes wrong, then you’ve still got to leave with the herd.”
Ross didn’t like it, but he reluctantly agreed.
“What about Rachel?” Lee suddenly asked.
The mention of Rachel’s name made Ross look up curiously.
“What about her?” I asked.
“You do this, and you won’t be able to show your face in these parts ever again,” Lee said. “You think about that?”
“I have,” I replied. “But, it’s best this way. She’s a real lady, and I’m an outlaw and a killer. It would never work. It’s just not right.”
“Them rules again,” Lee said.
“That’s right,” I replied.
Ross frowned thoughtfully.
“So, you won’t be coming back here after the cattle drive?” Ross asked.
“That’s what I figure,” I nodded.
“What’ll you do then?” Ross asked.
I shrugged.
“I ain’t thought that far yet. I reckon I’ll just see what develops.”
“Least you’ll have lost Palmer’s trail,” Lee said.
I nodded, and it fell silent as we set there thinking our own thoughts.
Finally, Lee looked back up.
“So, let me get this straight,” Lee said. “You’re doing this so Mr. Tomlin won’t get arrested after we leave, right?”
“That is correct,” I nodded.
“’Cause it’s against your rules to let a good, honest man like Mr. Tomlin get arrested.”
“Yep,” I replied.
Lee looked at me curiously.
“So, it ain’t nothing personal?”
I thought on that as I watched the setting sun, and I smiled slowly.
“Well, mebbe a little,” I replied.