The Killing Season (14 page)

McLean laughed, his good humor restored. “These Horrells can't do nothin' but help me. Another hell-raising day or two in Lincoln, and Sheriff Bowie Hatcher won't care a damn what we do. Since that bunch of coyotes has got a mad on for you, I reckon we'll keep you close to home for a spell. The more mischief they stir up, the less favorable the law's goin' to look on Armijo Estrella.”

But things didn't work out the way Colton McLean had hoped, because the Horrells again rode into Lincoln, accompanied by six of Estrella's imported
Mejicano
gun-throwers. It became a bloody Saturday night that Lincoln would never forget. A few minutes before midnight, one of Colton's riders thundered into the ranch on a lathered horse. Nathan Stone sat up in his bunk and was buckling on his gun belt when Colton McLean and the wounded cowboy reached the bunkhouse.

“Stone,” said the rancher, “this is Riley, an' he just come from town. Now Riley, you tell it all. Then I'll have Squid see to your wound.”

“We didn't do nothin', Mr. Colton,” Riley said. “Gus, Will, Sandy, an' me, we was just leavin' the Rio Saloon. The bastards bushwhacked us, killin' Sandy, an' they wounded the rest of us. We holed up in the Rio, an' Gus an' Will is still there. They was more shootin' down the street, an' I reckon the varmints has got the rest of our boys pinned down. I got out the back door an' lit a shuck here.”

“Stone,” said McLean, “saddle up and ride. Take Hugh and Vance with you. Whatever you have to do, then do it.”

“Leave Hugh and Vance to cover the ranch,” Nathan said.

“By God,” McLean roared, “I'm givin' the orders. Take Hugh and Vance with you. I'll be here, and Riley can shoot. So can Squid, if he's got to. Now ride, damn it.”

Anticipating McLean's order, Nathan found Hugh and Vance waiting.

“Riley didn't tell us nothin‘, 'cept there's hell in town,” Vance said. “What're we ridin' into?”

As they rode, Nathan told them what he knew, and long before reaching Lincoln, they could hear the ominous rattle of gunfire....

“We'll rein up shy of town,” Nathan said, “since we don't know what we're buying into. A man on a horse is a prime target, even in the dark.”

It was a sound argument, and Nathan's companions said nothing. Cotton Blossom had no desire to venture into what he recognized as a gunfight, and remained with the horses. Recognizing the need for firepower, the three men took their Winchesters and set out toward the nearest building.

“That's the Rio,” Vance said quietly. “They likely got the back door covered by now.”

“Then we'll uncover it,” Nathan replied. “We must get McLean's riders out of there. With the outfit split into twos and threes, they'll be overrun and gunned down to the last man.”

Coming in behind the Rio Saloon, they could see muzzle flashes as one of the gunmen poured lead in through the open back door. Before Nathan could make a move, Hugh fired twice, silencing the gun at the back door.

“Get in there, both of you,” said Nathan. “I'll cover you while you bring out Gus and Will. Move, damn it. Whoever's covering the front knows something's wrong back here.”

Hugh and Vance were barely through the back door when Nathan saw a shadow creep slowly toward the rear of the saloon. Near the wall, beneath the roof overhang, the dark was most intense. Nathan waited, daring not to miss, for his shot would reveal his own position. Firing his left-hand Colt, he fell to his right, as a slug whipped over his head. He returned fire, aiming for the muzzle flash, and there was no response. The two riders Hugh and Vance hustled out of the saloon were still alive, but it appeared their wounds might limit their participation in the fight. Hugh spoke quietly.

“Gus an' Will's been bloodied up some, but their vitals ain't hurt. They're goin' with us an' liberate the rest of the outfit.”

“Two down,” Nathan said. “The varmint shootin' from the front got nosy.”

“The rest of the sidewinders has got Joel, Tobe, an' Quad trapped somewhere,” Vance said. “Let's slip in behind and give 'em hell.”

With that in mind, the five of them set out toward the sound of gunfire. Somewhere ahead, a woman screamed, and the gunfire became more intense. The building under siege proved to be larger than a saloon.

“God,” said Will, “they're holed up in the Rio de Oro Dance Hall. There's women likely in the line of fire.”

“But the varmints we want are outside,” Nathan said. “We'll move in behind them and shoot at their muzzle flashes. Make every shot count. After the first, you're as much a target as they are.”

They crept toward the dance hall, fanning out, each man aware they were dangerously outnumbered. The firing from within the dance hall was all but drowned out by the roar of the guns of the attackers. Then from the darkness came a shout, and Nathan believed it was one of the Horrells.

“You McLean cow nurses has got five minutes to come out. You don't, then we douse the place with coal oil and burn you out.”

To the dismay of Nathan and the McLean riders, the attackers ceased firing, and there were no muzzle flashes.

“Damn,” Vance groaned, “we'll have to wait for them to make the next move, because we don't know where they are.”

“It's time for them to learn the rest of the McLean outfit is here,” said Nathan. “Get ready to fire.”

“No, damn it,” Vance argued. “There's likely a dozen of these varmints, and our boys inside won't be no help to us. Hell, we can't surprise 'em if they know we're here.”

“If they know we're here,” said Nathan angrily, “they'll cut down on us and we'll have some targets. After they've fired the dance hall, what's to stop them from standing us off while the McLean riders inside are burned to cinders? By God, use your head.”

“He's talking sense,” Gus said. “Get your guns ready. Challenge 'em, Stone.”

“You Estrella varmints are surrounded,” Nathan shouted. “We're the McLean outfit, and we're ordering you to drop your guns. Make any move to fire the building ...”

Nathan's plan worked to perfection as Estrella's riders cut loose with their guns. The five McLean riders were belly-down with Winchesters, and while lead roared overhead, they laid down a deadly fusillade, firing at muzzle flashes. The defenders inside the dance hall understood what was happening, and when they began firing, some of the attackers were caught in a crossfire. There were cries of pain and groans of agony that trailed off into silence.

“To the horses,” somebody shouted. “Git to the horses an' ride.”

The attackers ceased firing and ran for their lives. There was a clatter of hooves as those who were able to reach their horses galloped away.

“You McLean riders,” said Nathan, “this is the rest of the outfit. Are you hurt?”

“This is Tobe,” a voice responded. “Joel, Quad, an' me is bloodied up some, but we're alive. We're comin' out.”

While the trio had arm and leg wounds, they emerged on their feet. A rider came up the street with a lighted lantern, and when he dismounted, Nathan could see a star pinned to his vest. Sheriff Bowie Hatcher had arrived.

“Now,” said Hatcher, with all the authority he could muster, “just who the hell kicked off this fracas?”

“Why don't you start an investigation an' figger it out?” Gus suggested.

“By God, I've had a bellyful of you mouthy McLean riders,” Hatcher growled. “Come Monday, I'm telegraphin' Santa Fe for a U.S. marshal.”

“Hatcher,” said Will, “them damn Estrella riders cut down on us without cause. Sandy Bigler is layin' outside the Rio Saloon with a bullet hole in his skull. If you don't saddle up and go after them coyotes for murder, then I reckon Mr. McLean will want to know why. It'll be a good question for him to ask your U.S. marshal when he shows up.”

“You expect a lot of one man,” Hatcher said bitterly.

“The U.S. marshal won't be but one man,” Gus said devilishly.

“Sheriff,” said Nathan, “we're taking no responsibility for anything that happened here tonight. We defended ourselves and our outfit, and we'll do it again. Now you gents that's in need of a doctor, let's be finding one. Then we'll ride back to the ranch, because we may be needed there.”

“My God, yes,” Joel said. “It'd be just like the bastards to try an' burn us out.”

“Those of you that needs patchin' up,” said Nathan, “have it done. Since the sheriff is providin' a lantern, I aim to see if we salted down any of those coyotes.”

“I ain't been hit,” Vance said, “and I'm comin' with you. I'd like to see some of them varmints with blood leakin' out.”

“No more than me,” said Hugh.

“Just a damn minute,” Sheriff Hatcher protested, “this is law business.”

“So was the gunfight that got one of our boys killed and most of the others shot up,” Vance said. “Where the hell was you when we could of used your help?”

Hatcher stalked off with the lantern, saying nothing. Nathan, Vance, and Hugh were on his heels. The sheriff circled the dance hall and found three bodies, all of them
Mejicano.
Nathan was disappointed but not surprised that none of the Horrells had been killed. They were the kind to fight when they had the advantage, to run when the odds tilted the other way. Saying nothing to Hatcher, Nathan, Hugh, and Vance joined their comrades at the doctor's office. When the outfit was ready to ride out, Hugh and Vance roped Sandy Bigler across his saddle. The men rode in silence, and long before reaching the McLean ranch, they where challenged.

“McLean riders comin' in,” Vance shouted.

Leading his horse, Riley stepped out of the concealing brush. When the outfit reached the house, McLean and Squid stood on the porch with Winchesters.

“How bad?” Colton McLean asked.

“Sandy's dead,” said Gus. “Rest of us got shot up some, but we'll heal.”

“Bring Sandy into the parlor,” McLean said. “Then I want to see all of you in the dining hall. Squid, start up some coffee.”

They sat on benches drinking hot coffee and waiting for McLean to speak. Finally he did, and his voice was grim.

“Riley tells me they laid an ambush and gunned down Sandy without cause.”

“They done that,” Will said. “Gus an' me, we was right behind him when he stepped out the door of the Rio Saloon. Sandy didn't have a chance. There was at least three of ‘em cut down on us, 'cause it was the next two shots that nailed me and Gus.”

“Stone,” said McLean, “when Riley brought me word, I sent you, Vance, and Hugh back to town. Tell me what happened from the time the three of you arrived until the end of it.”

Nathan knew McLean was testing him, and he supplied only the facts, without exalting himself. McLean's eyes were not on Nathan, but on the faces of the rest of the cowboys who had been with him. There was still some animosity in the eyes of Hugh and Vance, and McLean sighed with satisfaction. Nathan Stone had taken command. While Estrella's killers had gunned down Sandy Bigler, they had paid with the lives of five of their own, and it was the kind of vengeance Colton McLean understood. He got up and put down his tin coffee cup.

“You all done what you had to, and you done well,” said McLean. “It's Sunday, not more'n three hours from daylight. We'll have breakfast at eight and then we'll lay Sandy away.”

“By God,” Vance said, “you ain't lettin' them bastards get away with this, are you?”

“I can't see they got away with anything,” McLean replied. “They started a fight and we finished it. We lost one man and they lost five. They're likely bellied-down with their Winchesters waitin' for us, but we're not ridin' into their trap. As it stands, they wronged us and we're guilty of nothing more than defending ourselves. I aim to leave it that way as long as I can.”

Reaching the barn, the cowboys unsaddled their horses, and despite the late hour they took the time to rub the animals down. Nothing was said until they reached the bunkhouse, and Vance turned on Nathan.

“You work fast, bucko. You rode in yesterday and already the old man's talking to you and down to the rest of us. Hugh or me could have told him what happened in town.”

“I agree,” said Nathan mildly, “but he didn't ask you. He asked me, and I told him.”

“Damn it, Vance,” Hugh said, “back off. He told it straight, givin' us credit as an outfit. You was goin' to stand there and let Estrella's gun hawks burn that dance hall. Now you got a mad on because Stone challenged 'em and forced a shootout.”

“So that's how it was,” said Tobe. “Me, and Joel and Quad was in there, and we'd of been fried alive. We're obliged, Stone.”

“There was no disagreement,” Nathan said. “The five of us fired together.”

But Vance glared at Nathan, all the more agitated because his hesitation under fire had been questioned. Nobody said anything more, but Vance's comrades looked on him with disfavor, and Nathan knew it wasn't over.

 

“Damn it,” Sam Horrell complained, “they ain't comin'.”

“Why should they?” Ben observed. “We cut down one of them, they kill five of us, and you expect them to ride into another ambush, all in one night?”

“Ben's right,” said Martin. “We're wastin' our time layin' out here in the brush. It'll be daylight in another two hours. Even them Mejicanos was smart enough to give it up and ride back to camp.”