Gold Raven (34 page)

Mike furthered eloquently, taking the captain by surprise. He hadn’t expected someone such as Mike, speaking as if he was educated…giving him doubts as to if this man was indeed the one he hunted. Few true bandits were equipped with such words as this – having political knowledge that was boldly spoken. Dismissing his doubts, he forged onward.

“
Nevertheless, I have it on good authority that the bandit leader, Miguel, could be found within this camp…I have sound reason to believe that to be you.” The captain pressed.

“
As I stated, Miguel, yes – bandit; no. Who may I ask, is your informant, I fear you have been misled. Let me think, hmmm wait - let me guess, surely a man of your station has not allowed a common desperado to pull the wool over your eyes? Santiago is the name of the desperado I am thinking? If he is your source, I can assure you – you have been misled. This camp you see is open to all and any in need of rest from travel. He is one who has taken advantage of our facility… I found out about his unlawful activities and insisted that he leave. He refused, and so his eviction from this camp has given way to his captivity.”

“
I wondered how he might take his revenge and now I see.” Mike spun his false tale hoping it would gain them a reprieve from what he feared was about to take place.

Again the captain felt a surge of doubt…his men were behind him awaiting his word to attack. He had given gold to Santiago; made a pact with him… he could not lose face. Admitting that he was possibly wrong before his regiment was not something he was about to do. He was forced to carry on, and did.

“
If what you say is true…why is there now a firearm pointed at me? Come Miguel, this game you play is a dangerous one. One in which I am better equipped to win. Tell your man to lower his weapon; I have only come to talk.”

“
Is that so? Then why is it your men are surrounding this camp…seems a bit much for talk. Certainly just a few could have done for what you claim.”

“
One never knows what one is coming up against.” The captain admitted. “They are merely a precautionary measure.”

“
Let me reassure you captain that this camp is home to mostly women and children. You are in no danger from us; the reason our rifle is trained on you is to insure we are in no danger.”

“
My men are under full control. I have no intention of harming anyone. As I said, I have come to talk. If what you say is true, and innocent be all that dwell here…there is nothing to fear.”

“
Talk then captain…enough time has been
wasted.”

“
Very well…turn over the weapons, land deeds and gold you’ve stolen, and yourself…and we can be on our way.”

“
Do not believe him Jefé! We will fight!” Hector hissed.

“
Shhh!” Mike commanded. “Captain, please do not think me stupid. If you truly believe there are bandits within this camp…you would then be under obligation to arrest all and any you know that description fits. No…I am sorry, if for a moment I believed you sincere in taking me for questioning alone…I would then turn myself over. However, considering my innocence, there is no reason I should do so… nor jeopardize the innocent within while opening our gates to you. You must take our word…there are no bandits here…nor any of the things you speak of.”

“
Until I see for myself that there are no such things, I’m afraid I cannot leave. A man of honor, as you claim to be, would surely not so selfishly endanger the lives of others?”

“
The innocent…as you call them, to save your own neck! Only a low snake would put his own life before the lives of the innocent.”

“
Do not listen to him Jefé! He is hoping to strike at your pride and conscience! He does not care for the women here, or the children!” Hector spat, noticing Mike’s moment of doubt. He looked down at Hector knowing what he said was true, but still…he had no real solution to the predicament he felt responsible for getting them into. Noticing his reluctance, Hector encouraged.

“
Santiago has betrayed us! Not you! We are behind you no matter your decision! But do not hand us over without a fight! Even if it is to our end…let us die as men!”

Mike swallowed and looked back at the captain. “I’m sorry captain …I know not of what you seek. There are no weapons here belonging to the army. This is simply a camp for orphans and widows…funded by my father. One in which I run free to those in need.” He added for leverage.

The captain’s eyes narrowed.

“
Who might your father be?”

Mike swallowed nervously and began sweating. He’d put his foot in it…he hadn’t meant to involve his father or his name…he suddenly feared his next move.

“
Well? Who is this father who funds this camp? Lies! You are funded by robberies, pilfering…because you are a den of thieves!”

“
My father is Maynard Ramsey Webster! Owner and merchant of Ramsey Shipping & Passage! He funds us! He supplies this camp with all of its needs!”

“
Lies
!” The captain trumpeted. “Enough of this nonsense - open the gate!”

“
What do you offer as our guarantee that none will be harmed!?” Mike shouted back.

“
Allow me and a couple of my men inside to search the camp; if what you say is true – we will withdraw and continue our search elsewhere.” The captain promised, growing impatient. From his peripheral, he noticed that Harold and Clarke could find no hidden concealed point to enter. The entire perimeter of the wall was guarded.

Because they had obviously been warned, it left no means to sneak up on them. He had to get inside those walls. By the looks of things, more lives than the bandits would be lost. ‘So be it – I will not be made to look the fool.’ He thought resentfully.

Mike could see the calculating in his hesitation. He was thinking of how best to invade. Mike spared a moment to look at each placement of his men. All were ready and waiting, their weapons pointed towards the men now waiting for their captain’s orders. They were well protected as long as the enemy stayed at a distance and off of the wall. Once they reached the wall, they would have to scale it; that would mean a hand battle…for that, they were also ready.

“
You, and one of your men, captain. That is enough.” Mike conceded.

“
How then would I be certain of my own safety, and that of my man?”

“
As we can clearly see, we are out numbered. Why would we be so foolish as to bring you harm knowing they wait without to charge in at your defense? You and your man are safe.”

“
I do not like this Jefé. The captain, he is not to be trusted! Just let me shoot the yanquis and let the fighting begin!” Hector murmured.

Mike dismissed the idea; to fire first would only make matters worse. “Well captain…we are waiting.” Mike asked with his patience draining.

“
Very well, if that is how you want it, I concede.” He turned his horse to ride towards the front gate, his eyes making contact with his men to get ready to charge the entrance, however…Mike’s call down to him brought him up short.

“
Umm, excuse me captain! Back this way please.”

Pryce stopped and looked back, “The gate is that way.” He pointed out. “Yes, I agree…it is, however if you will kindly return to this spot, dismount from your horse, you and one of your men will then be hauled up and over the wall.”

While the captain stared with wide eyes, Josh quickly retrieved a rope.

“
Surely you
’re joking! I have no intention of doing anything of the kind! Just open the gate! This whole matter can be done and over with quickly.” He reprimanded indignantly.

“
Something tells me not to open that gate sir. So, it is this way, or no way – the choice is yours,” After tying a loop, Josh handed the rope to Mike who lowered it over the side for the captain to see, “First you and then the man of your choice, captain.” Mike continued, cooperating as far as he would.

Pryce felt himself at a true disadvantage, he was not about to go inside the walls without his men.

He looked to the man nearest him, his eyes conveying an unmistakable message as he slowly climbed down from his horse; the man to his left doing the same following the captain to the wall. Mike had paused lowering the rope waiting for the captain to make up his mind.

“
I’m here.” He announced with his arms spread.

Leaning over, Mike lowered the rope the rest of the way. Pryce knew that once he reached for the rope it would be then or not at all. His right hand rose to grab the rope and suddenly yanked it while his left gave the signal to fire; Pryce slammed his body against the wall for cover.

Hector saw it too late, by then a shot rang out, the slug hitting him in his right temple spraying blood that covered Mike’s face and neck.

Shaken and in horror, Mike roared, “Open fire – you bas -tard!!!”

He ducked, falling to his knees, taking Hector’s fallen body with him. Hector’s head poured crimson, spreading rapidly upon Mike and the ledge where they stood. The white of his open eyes and the soaked black of his hair the only other colors to be seen from the neck up. With tears in his eyes, Mike immediately snatched up his firearm, letting Hector’s body fall from the ledge to the ground.

Their aim was deadly as one militiaman after another fell from his horse; others of the regiment charged forward amidst the smoke and acrid smell of gun powder, while one shot after another rang out as they rushed to reach the wall. “Keep them off the wall!! Don’t let any get to the wall!!” Mike shouted, his order echoing along with the gunfire in the hidden valley; with his men following suit, each tossing his weapon and grabbing the exchange to shoot again.

Mike felt a sudden burn to his left shoulder; there was no time to wonder at it with the cries of others hit sounding out around him; some from his men, many from the soldiers that clung tightly to horses whinnying in fright, rearing and pawing the air, many inadvertently shielding their riders to catch the shots themselves; falling to their deaths and crushing those unfortunate enough to be trapped beneath them.

Others escaped their fallen chargers attempting to run
for the wall, only to jerk suddenly and fall injured, some perishing on the spot.

Mike dropped his weapon and reached for Hector’s, catching a glimpse of one of the women below him grabbing his to reload. With firearms discharging everywhere, it left little time to withdraw and grab a reloaded weapon. Every moment used to turn, gave the soldiers an advantage to charge the wall and scale it.

Jona took the place of a fallen comrade, aiming over the side just in time to shoot a soldier between the eyes, she shuddered from the look he gave her – as if surprised to see a woman had killed him. She pulled her weapon back to quickly re-load, shaking as she did so, turning back to find herself, run through. She looked down at the long sword piercing her chest finding it odd to be there when she hadn’t felt it enter her body. She traced its length to the hand at the hilt and up into the eyes of the one holding it, feeling equally as surprised as the man she’d killed.

She sucked in painfully as the owner of the sword yanked it quickly from her body and pushed her aside. She landed on the ledge and lay there feeling him step over her, her mind questioning as to how long it would take her to die. Another thought occurred to her, she wasn’t ready to die, but her breathing grew labored as she started drowning from within.

Swords and rapiers clinked and slashed in a battle that raged around the wall. With the rush of the troops, the bandits were fighting with all they had to hold off the invasion. Screams and cries from every direction echoed, coupled with gunfire. The smell of scorched and singed flesh; and the smell of cordite were strong within the nostrils making the eyes sting and water.

Mike was still in place, busy fending off those trying to breach the wall where he fought, when he chanced to see out of the side of his eye, flashes of their enemy pouring over two unprotected areas. He leapt from his spot, yelling as he ran there…

“
Max! Tobias! The wall! They’re getting over the wall!!”

A soldier forcing him to engage in sword battle or die met Mike. As the soldier advanced on him, he parried, realizing there was no time for fencing, in the midst of his counter attack he fought dirty by reaching behind him for his small dagger; with the flick of his wrist the swordplay ended as the man fell to his knees with the dagger protruding from his throat. Mike ran by him pulling his weapon free as he went.

In the far distance a lone horsemen sat upon his mount in shock and terror as he viewed the siege. Juan’s heart hammered in horror at what was happening. Smoke hovered like thin low hanging clouds over the camp as one explosion after another reached his ears. Men, like ants, climbed the wall, spilling over. Juan knew from where he stood, it would mean certain death to attempt at trying to give aid. Tears welled as he fought the anguished moan bubbling up from his knotted guts. He just could not risk his own life for a battle that was clearly lost. Giving one last forlorn glance, he turned his mount to head back to his cousin’s before someone discovered him.

Captain Pryce, who had long since the battle began, returned to a point of safety on the ridge; shouting commands to his troops, noticed the distant rider. Wasting not a moment, he sent two of his men after him.

Juan rode his horse at a neck-breaking pace, aware of pounding hooves closing in behind him. Louder and louder, closer and closer the distance separating him from his pursuers grew shorter. With dread, he turned and looked over his shoulder as the speed of his flight caused the wind to pull his sombrero from his head. Panic gripped him; the soldiers were bearing down on him. He knew that he would not be able to outride them, so he pulled his pistol and fired but missed. His horse was growing labored, slowing down and foaming around his mouth. In the blink of an eye, Juan found himself sailing through the air. His horse had stumbled, throwing the beast off balance, hurtling Juan head long in the distance to the ground.