The Dawn of Fury (46 page)

Leading the black, Rankin stalked away, leaving Hugh to follow as best he could. Nathan made his way through the circle of friends crowding around Viola and Daybreak.

“A grand ride,” Nathan said. “Nobody on any other horse could have even come close.”

To Nathan's surprise, Viola threw her arms around him and the onlookers all roared their approval. Amid all the merriment, Jesse Hayden became serious.

“I reckon we'd best take Daybreak and ride to the house,” he said.

“But we'll miss the street dance,” Viola protested.

“Best if we do,” said Hayden. “Captain Jennings is ridin' back to Austin. With nothing happenin' during the race, I'd not be surprised if there ain't trouble tonight.”

“That's sound thinking,” Nathan said. “I'll collect my bet, load my packhorse, and go with you.”

“You'd best take some of us with you to collect that bet,” said Hayden.

“I'll manage,” Nathan said. “It's something I aim to enjoy.”

When Nathan reached the mercantile, he wasn't in the least surprised to find McKowen and Driggers standing on the porch. They said nothing as he entered, and as he had half-suspected would be the case, Nate Rankin was with Hicks.

“Count it out,” said Nathan. “In gold.”

“Pilgrim,” Rankin said, “we don't take kindly to strangers comin' here and interferin' in local affairs.”

“I don't care a damn for your local affairs,” said Nathan. “I came here, placed a bet, and I won. You took my money, and I'm here for some of yours. Now pay up. Put it in a sack, Hicks.”

“Go ahead,” Rankin said sullenly. “He's got it comin'.”

Nathan said nothing. He suspected he would have even more coming before he rode out of Lee County. Hicks piled the double eagles on the counter and was preparing to sweep them into a gunny sack when Nathan stopped him.

“Not yet,” said Nathan. “Count them in stacks of five hundred.”

It was an obvious, intentional insult, and Hicks's face flushed. Rankin looked as though he might explode. Nathan had turned sideways, prepared should the door open suddenly, yet keeping his watchful eyes on Hicks and Rankin. When Hicks presented it, he took the heavy sack in his left hand and with his eyes on the pair behind the counter, he backed toward the door. When he stepped out, McKowen and Driggers had gone. Jesse and Viola Hayden were waiting.

“I'll get my packhorse from the livery,” Nathan said, “and we'll ride.”

The packhorse loaded, Nathan rode by the hotel and left his key.

“You're paid through tonight,” the clerk said.

“Forget it,” Nathan replied. “I have business elsewhere.” Leading his packhorse, Nathan followed the Haydens. Cotton Blossom ran on ahead. There was no conversation until they reached the Hayden barn.

“I reckon I'd better sleep in the barn again tonight,” Nathan said. “I have a feeling they're not finished with us.”

“The same feeling I have,” said Hayden, “but you can't sleep in our barn forever, can you?”

“No,” Nathan replied, “but I don't want them coming down on you because of what I've done. If they aim to get at me through you, I look for them to try it tonight. You saw what Rankin's kid did to the black. They might try to shoot or hamstring your gray, just to get even.”

“If they hurt Daybreak or act like they want to,” Viola said angrily, “I'll kill them. I swear to God, I will.”

Nathan won out in his bid to remain in the barn with Daybreak. While there was a chance that Rankin and his friends might seek revenge by trying to harm the horse, Nathan didn't really think so. What he most feared was the parting with Viola. He had known the girl for twenty-four hours, and if her actions meant anything, he would have one hell of a time convincing her it was in her best interests if he moved on. What he expected from old man Rankin was some attempt to recover the money Nathan had won. If that were the case, he believed he could direct Rankin's hostilities toward himself, leaving Jesse and Viola Hayden free to mend their fences after Nathan had departed. Suddenly his thoughts were disrupted by the clatter of a horse's hooves. It had the sound of urgency and Nathan took the ladder from the hay loft three rungs at a time. Before he reached the house, he could hear the frightened voice of the Negro barkeep he knew only as Simon.

“Mistah Jesse, suh, Wil' Bill Longley an' his frien' McKowen, they done shot up the street dance. Some of us done been kilt.”

“Get down, Simon,” Jesse Hayden said, “and tell it from the beginning.”

Simon practically fell from the mule he'd ridden. He sat on the edge of the porch and clasped his hands, trying to control their trembling. Finally he steadied himself enough to tell the story.

“Antler Joe an' Fat Jack be dead,” said Simon, “an' Joe's woman be hurt bad. Five others be shot in arms an' laigs. I send rider to Tanglewood to fetch Doc Trotter.”

“You did exactly right, Simon,” Hayden said. “Are you sure it was Wild Bill Longley and McKowen who did the shooting?”

“I see 'em, suh,” said Simon. “I swear before God it be them. Wil' Bill, before he shoot, he holler at us. He not be satisfied, he say, until we uns all be dead er run out'n Lee County.”

“That sounds like him,” Hayden said grimly. “When they rode out, which way did they go?”

“North, suh.”

“Bound for Indian Territory,” Hayden said. “About all we can do is send a rider to the Ranger outpost in Austin, or to the Union army's commanding officer there. The telegraph might head them off at Waco, Dallas, or Fort Worth.”

“If I was running from the law, bound for Indian Territory,” said Nathan, “I'd shy away from any towns between here and there.”

“I know,” Hayden sighed, “and so will Longley and McKowen.”

“My God,” Viola cried, “they can't be allowed to escape. The Rangers will send a man after them.”

“The Rangers have no jurisdiction in Indian Territory,” said Nathan, “and from what I've heard, all the Union outposts are shorthanded. But you're right. The law should have a record of this. I'll ride to Austin tonight and report it. How far is Austin?”

“Forty-five miles,” Hayden said, “but this is not your responsibility.”

“As much mine as anybody's,” said Nathan. “Besides, I have reasons for riding out tonight. Reasons of my own.”

“You'll be coming back, won't you?” Viola asked anxiously.

“I hope so,” said Nathan. He hated lies and half-truths, and he knew if he rode to Austin tonight, he would take the coward's way out and not return.

“Then saddle Daybreak,” Viola said, “and I'll ride with you.”

Nathan sighed. She wasn't going to make it easy for him. Now she must know what he hadn't intended telling her.

“Viola,” said Nathan, “I told you I have reasons of my own for riding out tonight, and now you're forcing me to spell out those reasons. When I ride out, I'll be followed, and when the showdown comes, I don't want you in the line of fire.”

“Nate Rankin, then,” said Jesse Hayden.

“Rankin and maybe some hired guns,” Nathan said. “If I can draw him away from here and pull his fangs, he shouldn't trouble you again. If he wants to carry a grudge, then let it be against me.”

“No,” said Viola, “I won't let you do it. Return his money. Nobody has to know.”

“He'll know,” Nathan said. “It's more than just the money. He's got his share of pride. It's time somebody poked some holes in him and let it out. It's time for me to ride. There'll be a moon later.”

“Nathan,” said Jesse, “I don't like this. It's a job for the law.”

“Wrong,” Nathan said. “The killings in Lexington are a job for the law. The law won't care a damn what I
think
Rankin's about to do. They'll be concerned only after I'm shot dead, provided there's enough proof to go after the varmints that did it. They won't be expecting me to ride out tonight and that gives me an edge. Whatever happens after I leave here, you're to know nothing about it. Understand?”

“I understand,” said Hayden. “You're welcome here anytime. Simon, come in the house and Viola will make some coffee. Come on, Viola.”

Bit Viola was not easily discouraged. Suddenly Nathan found her face uncomfortably close to his, and in the lamplight from the front door, there was no mistaking the tears on her cheeks.

“I know what you're doing and why you're doing it,” she said softly. “Just tell me that you won't forget me, that I'll see you again.”

“I won't forget you,” he said, “and if I live, somehow—somewhere—I'll see you again.” Despite the presence of her father and old Simon, he kissed her long and hard. Without another word, he turned away.

“Vaya con Dios,” she cried.

Nathan wasted no time. When he reached the barn, he led the black out of his stall and saddled the animal in the darkness. It took him longer to load the packhorse, for he dared not light a lantern. He led the horses out of the barn, pausing a moment. There was a light breeze out of the southwest, and it brought the fragrant odor of tobacco smoke. At least one of them had a lot to learn about stalking a man. Nathan mounted and rode south, leading the packhorse. Cotton Blossom loped on ahead.

Five hundred yards west of the Hayden barn, Hugh Rankin waited. With him were Driggers and Gadner, a pair of gunmen Nate Rankin had hired.

“Damn it, Junior,' Driggers said, ”I told you to stomp out that smoke. You might as well of fired a couple of shots so he'd know we're out here.”

“I told you to stop callin' me Junior,” Hugh snarled, “and I don't take orders from you. Daddy put me in charge of this.”

“Shut up, the both of you,” Gadner said. “I thought I heard something.”

“He's ridin' out,” said Hugh. “Let's go after him.”

“Go ahead,” Driggers said sarcastically, “and get your ears shot off.”

“By God,” said Hugh, “if we lose him, I ain't takin' the blame.”

“Perish the thought,” Driggers said, with an ugly laugh. “I reckon your daddy would spank you, an' I hear he's got a heavy hand.”

“Come on,” said Gadner. “We'll ride a couple of miles behind him until he beds down for the night or until moon-rise, whichever comes first.”

“Daddy wants him dead,” said Hugh. “Just don't neither of you forget what you got to do.”

“Oh, we ain't about to forget,” Gadner said. “Are we, Driggers?”

“Naw,” said Driggers. “We got it planned out perfect.”

The pair had been paid five hundred dollars apiece for the killing of Nathan Stone, but their ambition went beyond that. It was no secret that the gambler they were trailing had ridden away with ten thousand dollars of old man Rankin's gold. When the gambler was dead, who was to stop Gadner and Driggers from claiming the gold as their own? Certainly not the snot-nosed Rankin kid ...

Nathan rode for an hour, rested the horses, and rode on. He waited until the pale quarter moon added its glow to that of the twinkling stars. He then began seeking a suitable spot to spread his blankets for the night. He rode into a hollow and reined up beside a fast-running creek. On the farthest bank was an upthrust of waist-high boulders. Nathan led his horses a few yards up the creek. There he unsaddled the black and removed the packsaddle from his packhorse. It must appear that he had indeed made camp for the night. He spread his blankets near the creek, directly across from the stone barricade on the farthest bank. With some brush, dry leaves, and stones, he arranged his blankets so that from a distance the intruders couldn't tell he wasn't in them. While it was an old trick, it was still the best defense a man had while being stalked at night. After they cut down on his empty blankets, they wouldn't know whether he was alive or dead until he made some move. Before he fired, he must know how many men he faced, for his own muzzle flash would reveal his position. He crossed the creek, and with Cotton Blossom beside him, settled down behind his stone abutment to wait. His pursuers, when they came, must be afoot, lest their horses nicker and reveal their presence. He had a definite edge, for the night wind was out of the northwest. Cotton Blossom heard them first, for his hackles began to rise. Nathan tightened his grip on the hound. He drew and cocked his right-hand Colt. Nathan's eyes were used to the gloom beneath the trees that lined the creek and he could see them when they paused to study the mound of blankets beside the creek. Suddenly two Colts roared, then roared again. Nathan held his fire. After a long silence, a voice spoke.