#88 Northern Grit
Northern Grit
By
Patty Wilkinson
(Some strong language, violence and adult themes)
NOTE: This story set in series one and before Jess’s relationship with Millie.
MANY THANKS TO: My friend Pam Knych Klawinski for the perfect screen caps.
DEDICATED TO: My friend Pat Broome from one ‘Northern Lass’ to another !
Chapter 1
“All I’m saying is we’ve got to be careful for a while Andy, tighten our belts some...”
Slim Sherman, his younger brother Andy and Jess Harper were sitting around the table having what Slim called a business meeting.
“But why,” asked the youngster, “it ain’t like I ever spend money. I don’t get the dang chance.”
“Isn’t like you ever spend any,” Slim said irritably, correcting the boy’s grammar yet again.
“Well, that’s what I just said,” Andy replied indignantly. “I never go any dang place to spend it...even if I had any which...I don’t.”
“And don’t pepper every sentence with dang,” Slim added frowning.
“Why not Jess does, ”came the quick as a flash reply.
“Exactly,” said Slim glaring at the dark-haired cowboy opposite him.
“Dang ain’t cussin’,” Jess said lightly. “If ya really wanna hear proper cussin’...”
“Well, we don’t,” Slim said quickly, “what I want to hear from you is how we’re going to get ourselves out of this fix?”
Jess just shrugged, “Well I dunno… you’re the boss, ain’t you?”
“Come on Jess you’ve been here a few months now, isn’t it time you took a tad more responsibility?” Slim asked angrily.
Jess sighed, “I suppose we’ll just hafta do as you say, spend less and work harder huh? We can’t do nuthin’ about the fact that we lost that stock in the floods. We’ll just have to wait on this next lot fattening up...nuthin’ else we can do far as I can see.”
Then he got up from the table, “You done jawing now? I wanna get off.”
“Off where?” Slim asked looking surprised.
“Well town of course. It’s Saturday night... you comin’?”
“Jess haven’t you been listening to a word I’ve been saying? We’re all going to have to stop spending and start saving our money.”
“Well, you can do what you damn well like,” Jess said, his lightning-fast temper suddenly erupting. “I’ve worked dang hard all week and I’ve got a hot date with a saloon gal and a bottle... so you comin’ or what?”
Slim shook his head and glared at his friend, “Nope I’m going to stay here and go over the accounts again.”
“Well suit your-self,” Jess said making for the door and snagging his hat from the peg as he went.
Then turning back, he said deadpan, “I know how you could save some money...git rid of me...that’d help the books some ...huh?” And he stormed out slamming the door behind him.
At the door banging Jonesy emerged from the kitchen, “You’ve gone and upset that no account drifter now,” he said with a lopsided grin.
“Do you think he meant it?” Andy asked looking shocked. “He’ll leave so you can save on his wages?”
“Nah he’s just sounding off,” Slim said throwing his little brother a smile. “He’ll get over it by tomorrow. Now once I’ve checked the books again how about a game of checkers before bed huh?”
Jess left Traveller at the livery after exchanging a few pleasantries with old Bert the owner.
“So are you just for the evening ... or is this fellah staying overnight?” Bert asked as Jess turned to leave giving his mount an affectionate pat.
“Uh depends on whether I get lucky or not,” he said with a cheeky grin.
Bert rolled his eyes at the young cowboy and said, “Well I’ll take good care of him until I see you son.”
He watched the assured young man stride off down Main Street, “Young folk today... no morals,” he said softly to himself. But there again you couldn’t help liking a boy who cared about his horse the way Jess Harper did he thought as he went off to settle the bay in his stall.
Jess marched into the Laramie saloon, and made his way over to the crowded bar.
Tom, the landlord, came to serve him and grinned at his new friend.
“Evening Jess, beer is it?”
Jess nodded and cast an eye around the bar looking for Jenny the pretty red head who he was seeing that night. She was from near his old hometown back in Texas and they had a lot in common.
When Tom returned with a foaming beer he said, “Slim not with you tonight?”
Jeez he thought, his profits had gone up some since the handsome young cowboy had hit town. He’d even persuaded the home body Slim Sherman to frequent the bar on a regular basis, which was all good for business Tom decided, giving Jess a warm smile.
“Nah got his head stuck in the ranch books. Seems ta think we’ll hit the rocks iffen we don’t all turn into dang misers...stayin’ home and watchin’ the pennies."
“Of course, you had a bad time in the floods,” Tom said sagely, “bound to have an effect on the business.”
“I guess,” he said vaguely. “So, uh is Jenny around?”
“Huh? Um...Jenny yeah... Sorry Jess I had to send her home at noon. She was real sick, got this tummy bug that’s doing the rounds. She felt real faint and sickly.”
“That’s too bad,” Jess said digesting the information. Darn it he might just as well have stayed home and kept Slim happy saving money he thought.
“So do ya think she’d like a visitor?” he asked hopefully.
“Nope, shouldn’t think so Jess, not the way she was chucking up anyways.”
“Great,” he said sarcastically.
“There was someone looking for you earlier though Jess...a Chinese guy?”
“Huh? I don’t know any Chinese,” Jess said looking surprised.
“Well, he knows you, or of you anyway, said he’d call by later.”
Jess shook his head, “Is he one of the railroad men?”
“Nope he was real smart spoke well too, a real gentleman I’d have thought. Well educated anyway, most insistent he speak with you.”
An hour or so later and Jess had decided to drown his sorrows by making some inroads on a bottle of whiskey when he was suddenly aware of someone across the bar scrutinizing him. After a moment a diminutive Chinese man, followed closely by another came and stood on either side of him.
“Mr Harper?” the tallest one asked bowing slightly.
Jess’s eyes narrowed and he took another sip of his whiskey before replying, “Who wants to know?”
“Please allow me to introduce myself, I am Fu Wang,” and then turning said, “and this is my brother Jai Wang.”
“Pleased to meet ya,” Jess said still feeling slightly suspicious, “so what do you want with me huh?”
“Please Mr Harper we wish you to accompany us to Denver to speak with our honorable employer.”
“Huh... Denver you say, why the heck would I want to go all the way down there?”
“Because our honorable employer requests it of course,” said Fu Wang looking like that was surely obvious.
“So, who is this honorable employer then?” Jess asked looking somewhat bemused.
“Very sorry, I am not at liberty to say.”
“Huh?”
“He say … he not at liberty to say,” Jai Wang said speaking loudly and clearly as though to a simpleton.
Jess sighed beginning to get bored with the conversation. He took another swig of whiskey and tried again.
“So, what does he want with me?”
“Very sorry, not at liberty to say,” Fu Wang repeated.
“Well, you can go back and tell your honorable employer that I ain’t comin’. If he asks why you have my permission to tell him that you ain’t dang well at liberty to say, OK?” Jess said churlishly.
Hell, this whole evening was turning into a disaster. He might as well finish his drink and git back home. At least that would please Slim.
Unfortunately, what he hadn’t noticed was Jai Wang slip a Mickey Finn into his drink as he was chatting to Fu Wang.
Now he knocked the strong drink back in one...and almost immediately felt kind of strange. He staggered feeling dizzy and the bar seemed to be coming up to meet him. He grabbed hold of it and held on tightly shaking his head in an attempt to clear it.
Tom came over immediately, “Hey, are you OK Jess, you look awful.”
“I dunno, I feel kinda strange,” Jess admitted, “real dizzy...”
“Ah,” said Tom wisely, “that sounds like that bug young Jenny’s got. She came over real faint and dizzy too... You want to come in the back for a while lay on the coach?” he asked solicitously.
Before he could reply Fu and Jai Wang had hold of an arm each and pulled him upright.
“It OK we care of Mr Harper, take him outside for nice fresh air, he be good real soon, “Fu said quickly and they bundled him off before Tom could say more.
Jess was unconscious before he reached the street and the two young Chinese men virtually dragged him along to their wagon where they quickly pulled him on board and covered him with a blanket before heading for the railroad at speed...
Chapter 2
When Jess didn’t arrive home that night Slim wasn’t particularly perturbed.
Andy was long abed and Jonesy went to bolt the front door, opening it and peering up to the rise first.
“No sign of Jess,” he said turning to where Slim was heading off to bed.
“Nah, he reckoned he was on a promise with that Jenny from the saloon,” he said chuckling.
Jonesy shut and bolted the door frowning.
“That’s another thing I don’t want young Andy to pick up from him. The casual way he is around women. It ain’t right the way they all fall for his sweet talkin’ either...ain’t right at all. Why I even saw old widow Brown making eyes at him in the mercantile the other day!”
Slim chuckled at that, “Not jealous are you Jonesy?
Then more thoughtfully, “I know he likes the ladies, it’s just his way to be real charming around then I reckon. But I think he treats them right. He doesn’t frequent places like the Last Chance and mix with the hookers there either. Nope I don’t think he’s a bad influence on Andy in that way, don’t worry Jonesy,” and with that he turned in.
When Jess still hadn’t come home by Sunday evening Andy was practically beside himself with worry.
“I knew it,” he said eyeing his older brother reproachfully, “you’ve driven him away with all your talk of scrimping and saving and I don’t blame him either.”
“Look all I said was we had to pull in our horns for a couple of months. That was all just talk, him saying I could save on his wages. He’s just found something better to do in town this weekend that’s all,” Slim said hating to see his brother so upset.
“Like what? What could he find to do all weekend?” Andy cried.
“Uh...well I don’t really know,” Slim said flushing a little and figuring now was no time to revisit the chat about the birds and bees they’d had a few years earlier.
Needing a diversion Slim went off to the kitchen to pour a coffee where Jonesy was washing the dishes.
“I think the boy may have a point,” he said softly. “It ain’t like Jess to miss out on my Sunday roast is it...girl or no girl.”
Slim merely rolled his eyes and told the old timer to quit fretting and Jess would be home before night fall.
However, when he still hadn’t returned when it was time for Andy to bed down even Slim began to feel slightly anxious.
Then when Andy had started getting really wound up Slim finally cracked, “Alright, I’ll tell you what I’ll do. I’ll check to see if he’s taken his stuff OK?”
He entered their shared room; Andy tagging along behind him.
Slim paused in front of the large chest of drawers and took a deep breath. He knew what a private man Jess was. Looking though his things seemed like an invasion of that privacy. But it looked pretty much like Andy wouldn’t sleep that night unless he could reassure him.
He squatted down and pulled out the bottom drawer which belonged to Jess and gave a sigh of relief. All his stuff was there...his spare shirts and underwear and his Sunday best clothes.
“See,” he said turning to the boy, “everything is here.”
“That doesn’t prove anything,” Andy said stubbornly, “if he was mad enough, he’d have taken off anyway. He can buy new clothes anyplace.”
Slim sighed deeply and removed the clothes and looked underneath and sure enough there it was... Jess’s Ma’s old Bible. He opened it and flicked through, noticing some of the verses scored underneath and others having pencil notes in the margins...it was a very well used tome he noted. It also contained the things most precious to his pard... that he knew. There were some letters from a girl with a Texas postmark. A few faded photographs, a small, woven friendship bracelet and ... Yes, here was the sale receipt for Traveller and his pardon from the Governor saying he was a free man... Jess would travel nowhere without those. Even if he’d been real mad and decided to leave he’d have returned for the Bible and contents, of that he was sure.
Andy was finally convinced that Jess hadn’t lit out and left the ranch.
“Maybe he’s hurt, been in a fight or sick,” he said his eyes wide with fear.
“Look Andy you head off to bed,” Slim said kindly, “and if he isn’t home tomorrow, I’ll ride into town. I need some supplies anyway,” he added grinning at the youngster.
And I’ll drag him out of that Jenny’s bed and get him back to work, he thought to himself.
*******
It was still early when he rode into town and seeing Mort sitting on the boardwalk outside his office he reined Alamo in and joined him.
“Is everything OK Mort?” he asked as he took the seat next to him, eyeing the rifle cradled in the Sheriff’s lap, “Expecting trouble?”
Mort turned and grinned at him, “Nope, just taking in the air, fine morning.”
Slim nodded and then a thought struck him, “Hey you haven’t got Jess banged up in one of your cells have you Mort?”
Mort turned and grinned at him, “No, why... should I have?”
Slim shook his head, “No I think not, I just thought he might have been fighting or got drunk...we had words on Saturday evening and haven’t seen him since.”
“I haven’t seen him, but I was home Saturday, and Lon was on duty. He may know something, but he’s out down the town some place.”
“If he’s not in your jail I’ve a pretty good idea where he is,” Slim said with a cheeky grin.
“Oh?”
“Um...he’s seeing that Jenny from the saloon, she’s got rooms at that lodging house near you hasn’t she Mort?”
“Indeed, she has...but Jess hasn’t been there, that I am sure about.”
“How come?”
“Well, I saw Ma Bates just this morning and she said young Jenny and a couple of her other lodgers have been real sick...some kinda stomach bug...Jenny hasn’t been well since Saturday.”
Slim tipped his Stetson back and scratched his head; doggone it, where was he then?
“I should have a word with Tom at the saloon. He usually knows exactly what goes on around here,” Mort said grinning, “if that hand of yours is in some kinda trouble I bet Tom will know.”
“Sure, he was in here on Saturday night,” Tom confirmed. “He was at the bar with the Chinese men.”
“Huh? What from the Railroad or the Laundry?”
“Neither, they were from out of town someplace, said they needed to see Jess real urgent. They caught up with him later in the evening...just before he was taken sick.”
“Taken sick?” Slim echoed.
“Yup, same thing as young Jenny’s got, I reckon, he said he felt real faint...and the Chinese guys took him outside for some air. Could have been the whiskey of course,” he said thoughtfully, “that’s all I know Slim, sorry.”
Slim thanked him and as he turned to go, he bumped into Mort’s deputy Lon.
“The boss said you were looking for me?”
Slim nodded, “Jess has gone AWOL. He could be sick. I was just going over to the doc’s place.”
Lon frowned and turned back to Tom, “Did you say Jess was with some Chinese men?”
“Yup, two of them...seemed nice enough, real polite.”
“Strange,” Lon said, “I was down the street and I saw two Chinese loading something into a wagon...could have been Jess I suppose. It was pretty dark and too far away to see. But they were going towards the rail-head at quite a lick of speed. I’d just heard the night train whistle as it pulled in. It occurred to me they’d hafta move damn quick if they were to catch it.”
“Yes,” the ticket seller confirmed. “Two Chinese gentlemen caught the night train to Denver on Saturday night. They had another gentleman with them. They seemed to be holding him up...said he’d ‘over imbibed’ in the saloon. Drunk as a skunk in our speak,” he added grinning at Slim.
“Was it my ranch hand, dark hair, blue eyes a guy called Jess Harper?”
“Jess...uh yep I know Jess, played a hand or two of poker with him before now, nice guy.”
Slim hid a sigh, “So was it him Ernie...was it Jess?”
“Couldn’t rightly say Slim, he’d gotten this blanket wrapped around him...was wearing a battered old black Stetson, could have been Jess I suppose.”
Slim stood outside the rail-head looking despairingly around him and then his gaze rested on Alamo. Traveller, where was Traveller? Hell, Jess wouldn’t willingly leave town without his beloved horse.
He quickly made his way to the livery and dismounting went into the dimly lit stable. There at the far end in his usual stall he spied Traveller. However, before he could go and check on him Bert ambled over.
“Morning Slim what can I do for you?” he asked with his toothless grin.
Slim nodded to the back stall, “I see you’ve got Traveller here, so do you know where Jess is?”
“Sure, gone out of town on business...left enough cash to keep that horse of his in luxury for the next six months never mind a few weeks!”
“Huh?”
“See for yourself,” Bert said pulling an envelope full of notes from his shirt pocket. It’s way over the top. I intend to give him half back when he lands home.”
“Hell, Bert Jess doesn’t have that kind of money,” Slim said looking shocked.
“Well, they said it was from him.”
“Who did?”
“Why the Chinese gentlemen, of course.. They said Jess had some urgent business come up and he’d asked them to be sure his horse was well cared for and he’d be back in a couple of weeks.”
“They said he’d definitely be back?” Slim asked.
“Why sure he will,” Bert said grinning again. “You know the way Jess is about his horse. Sure, he’ll be back for him.”
Slim had then returned to Mort’s office.
“Come on Slim you’re over reacting, you know Jess. He’s probably friends with these Chinese and gone off to help them out with something, he’ll be home when he’s ready.”
“They could have high jacked him, drugged him or something.”
“Or he could just have had a skin full. His date was sick; he’d had words with you. Knowing Jess, he probably started looking for some consolation at the bottom of a whiskey bottle.”
“And that money...for Traveller’s board ? So where did he get that huh?”
“Card table win...or maybe his Chinese friends subbed him.”
Slim shook his head, “I just don’t buy that.”
“Look Slim if you don’t hear anything in the next few days, I’ll contact the Sheriff over in Denver see if he knows anything...that’s about all I can do.”
Just two days later Slim received a wire from Jess:
Important business come up STOP Back as soon as I can STOP Real sorry STOP Jess.
Chapter 3
When he finally awoke, he had no idea where he was. He lay there being rhythmically rocked backwards and forwards and there was the distant clickety-clack of a rail car running over the tracks. After a moment he opened his eyes and looked around him. Yes, he was in a railroad coach, lying on a bunk...and sitting opposite was the inscrutable form of Fu Wang.
Jess sat bolt upright and then just as quickly fell back, clutching his head and cussing softly.
Then he tried again, sitting up more carefully this time and eyeing Fu warily.
“What the hell am I doin’ here?” he spat angrily.
“Ah, you are awake Mr Harper that is good, we reach our destination shortly,” Fu replied, seemingly unperturbed by Jess irate outburst.
“Goddamn it!” Jess swore, “I said what am I doin’ here?”
“Why you agree to come see honorable employer,” Fu replied easily.
“Like hell I did! Damn it I’ve been shanghaied ain’t I! You slipped somethin’ in my drink and then dang well shipped me out to God knows where...I never agreed to come with ya...you know that!”
“Honorable employer wished to see you, so we bring,” Fu said as though it was as simple as that and Jess was making a fuss about nothing.
“Doggone it, where the hell are you taking me?” Jess yelled, leaping up from the bunk and grabbing Fu roughly by his jacket and shaking him.
Unbeknownst to Jess all the time he’d been in conversation with Fu, his brother Jai had stealthily been climbing down from the top bunk and now he lunged a hypodermic needle into Jess’s arm...rendering him unconscious in moments.
When he eventually came around again, he was being supported by Jai and Fu Wang and standing outside the impressive edifice of a large house in the centre of Denver.
When the door was eventually opened Jess looked into the eyes of his old drill sergeant, who he hadn’t clapped eyes on since the end of the war. He was now in civvies but Jess would have known him anywhere.
He was still feeling incredibly groggy and wondered if he was dreaming or even hallucinating, from all the drugs the two Chinese had pumped into him.
Sargent Owen smiled at him and said, “Well done Harper…stepped up to help us out have you? Good man, come along in.”
Jess was shown into a large study with an imposing desk, the walls covered in prints depicting military scenes.
“The Major will be down directly. Take a seat Harper...at ease, you look a little tired,” he added before marching out leaving Jess feeling even more disorientated.
Moments later the door opened again admitting his old CO... Major Adams.
He was just as Jess remembered him. He had a ramrod straight back, cropped iron grey hair and dark blue, penetrating eyes that missed nothing. But now, like the sergeant, was in civilian dress.
Even though Jess was feeling as mad as a wet hen and sickly too, he immediately stood up and gave the tall distinguished looking man a salute.
“Ah, Harper, good man at ease. Sit down do. Neither of us are in the army now. Well, I’m semi-retired anyway,” he amended.
Then he looked more closely at the young cowboy.
“You look a tad rough, if you don’t mind me saying so,” the Major said throwing him a concerned glance.
“Well, that’s probably because I’ve been shanghaied by those dang Orientals of yours,” Jess said bitterly, forgetting for a moment he was in the company of one who had been such a high-ranking officer.
“Shanghaied? You mean they drugged you and dragged you here against your will?” Major Adams asked looking dismayed.
“That’s about the size of it,” Jess agreed.
“Well, I’m very sorry...I hadn’t meant for that to happen. I had hoped you’d volunteer of your own free will to help me out?”
“Well, I might have done given the option,” Jess said bitterly. “But the only words those guys seem to know are ‘not at liberty to say’, to every dang question I asked. I didn’t know who wanted to see me or why,” he finished.
“Well, that’s too bad old chap... I’m sorry. Uh, that’s the trouble with the Chinese, inscrutable you see, they can be a tad secretive...But there again that’s what makes them so useful in top secret work like mine I suppose.”
“Top secret work?” Jess asked intrigued.
“Of course, you know nothing of my assignment, how could you. I’m still on the army payroll for some special duties...here and there; where needed you understand.”
“Look Major I ain’t bein’ disrespectful. But I’ve been dragged here against my will and could possibly lose my job. Not to mention my good old horse has been left pining in the livery, so what do ya want of me?” he asked irritably.
The Major smiled at him, “I’d forgotten about you and the horses...Fear not Harper my men have paid the livery owner handsomely to care for your horse. They’ve also wired your boss at the Sherman Ranch explaining that you have been called away on urgent business.”
Jess squinted up at him, “It looks like you’ve covered every base. Now why would you do that Major, why do you want me especially when you’ve probably got a whole darned army to choose from huh?”
“Straight to the point and taking no rubbish from me, that’s what I always liked about you Harper, you speak your mind. Even if it did get you into trouble once or twice as I recall,” he said chuckling.
Jess grinned back in spite of feeling slightly annoyed, “You too Major,” he said quietly. Hell, they hadn’t nicknamed him the Mad Major for nothing.
“Indeed,” the Major said nodding, “like you Harper I didn’t always play by the rules. But by God I got things done...and you’re the same. So, in answer to your question that’s why I chose you. Also, the fact that I know I can trust you completely. Sure, I’ve heard about some of the exploits you’ve been up to since the war...but a man doesn’t change, not that much. I know if you agree to the assignment, you’ll get the job done.”
“So, what exactly is this job?” Jess asked warily.
The Major took a seat behind his desk and steepling his fingers, looked very thoughtful and then began to explain.
“As you know one of the casualties of the war was the loss of our cotton industry down south. Eventually our biggest buyer, Britain, had to go elsewhere for the product as there was an embargo on our cotton. Then of course, we just stopped producing it as all the men were at war. Britain suffered terribly too. What they are now calling the Cotton Famine...the huge Mills they use to process and weave the raw cotton had to close resulting in terrible poverty across most of the north of the country.”
Jess just nodded wondering where this was leading.
“Anyway, the British eventually had to start trading in the middle-east with Egypt and India. But now...well they are returning to us and new trade agreements are in the process as we speak. In fact, the federal government and northern capitalists are well aware that restoration of cotton production is critical to the financial recovery of the nation. Cotton exports are needed to help reduce the huge federal debt and to stabilize monetary affairs in order to fund economic development, particularly railroads.”
Jess took that on board and wondered how Slim would react to the fact that government were ploughing money into the railroads that would eventually be the death knell of the Stage business. But he figured it was going to happen sooner or later so no point in frettin’.
The Major droned on in the same manner for some time before Jess was finally able to ask, “So where do I fit into all this then Major?”
“The leader of the British delegate is one Ernest Ramsden, a great reformer and philanthropist. He is very concerned that all the workers involved in the cotton production be treated fairly. That there is economic reward for all, not just the big suppliers but the poorer share croppers as well.”
“Sounds good to me,” Jess interjected.
“Yes, but as you can imagine the talks are very...well challenging...the situation down in Georgia and Mississippi being far from stable yet. Mr Ramsden’ s son, Albert, is of the same mind as his father in wanting fairer working conditions for the less well off. But he um...unfortunately goes about reform in a slightly different manner.”
“He does?” Jess asked looking interested.
“Yes, I’m sorry to say that Albert is something of a hot head and tends to uh...become somewhat aggressive if he sees injustice. He tends to lash out rather than having a meaningful discussion... and is something of a loose cannon as far as diplomatic discussion is concerned, if you understand me?”
Well good fer him, within reason Jess thought privately. But maybe the guy didn’t know when to back off? He said nothing, wondering how long it would be before the Major stopped pontificating and got to the dang point.
“So that’s it in a nutshell. Mr Ramsden has asked that Albert be shown around the northern states to um...give him a break from the talks. I believe he is very keen to see a working ranch. That’s where you come in, to escort him around and keep him safe. Unfortunately, his outspoken comments have already earned him a few enemies down south and his father is most insistent he should be guarded during his brief trip up here.”
“Great Jess thought morosely, he’d hafta babysit some boss’s son who didn’t have the common sense to know when to shut the hell up.
Jess was in too minds whether to tell the major where to stick his assignment...and then something extraordinary happened.
Major Adams opened his desk drawer and withdrawing a bulky envelope pushed it across the desk to Jess.
“Go on open it,” he said, his piercing blue eyes never leaving Jess’s for a minute.
He did as he was bid and gave a low gasp when a huge wad of notes fell onto the desk.
He just looked up at Adams speechless...
“That is for you now,” the Major said in a matter-of-fact tone. “The same again when the task is completed and Albert returns safely to his father...so what do you say huh?”
Jess looked down at the pile of money. Money that would see the ranch out of the sticky patch they were enduring and then some.
He looked back up at the Major, “Why so much?”
“It uh reflects the gravity of the situation and the importance of keeping Ramsden safe. Should anything happen to him it would be a total disaster and the end of the trade talks.”
“And you think it will?”
“I hope not no. But Albert is...well something of a liability. He likes his own way and he also likes to uh...experience life to the full. I think you may have your hands pretty full keeping him out of danger. But I can’t think of a better man for the job. And something else...you are very alike in many ways. I’m hoping that some of the lessons you’ve learnt along the way might be shared with him. I think he might listen to you where his father has failed.”
“You seem to know a heck of a lot about him,” Jess said frowning.
“Yes, well I should do...you see my youngest sister relocated to Britain many years ago...and married Ernest Ramsden...Albert is my nephew.”
Chapter 4
Whatever Jess was expecting it sure as hell wasn’t the cheeky looking young man that arrived that evening.
He breezed into the parlor, where Jess and the Major were enjoying a pre-dinner whiskey and at once the room felt somehow too small Jess thought.
He was a broad, tall man in his early twenties and was dressed in a casual suit of a rather alarming shade of brown and green, with a matching vest. This over a white shirt and dark necktie, all topped off with a peaked flat cap of the same material and color as the suit.
“Eh by gum, but its rite good to see you again Uncle,” he boomed as he entered.
“Ah, Albert my boy there you are at last, we were beginning to wonder where you’d got to. You were accompanied by my men on your trip up here were you not?”
Albert rolled his eyes, “I was. But that really weren’t needed tha’ knows Uncle. I can look after me self. We just stopped off for a pint of ale on the way over...if that’s what you could call it,” he added morosely.
“Um, well never mind about all that. I want you to meet an old colleague of mine from the war, Jess Harper. Jess this is my nephew Albert Ramsden.”
Jess stood up and shook hands with the giant of a man and said, “Pleased to meet you Albert.”
Albert’s deep brown eyes twinkled, “So you’re the poor bugger tha’ s got the short straw are you lad?”
Jess wasn’t too sure he was happy with being called a poor bugger...or indeed a ‘lad’, but let it go and merely gave Albert a weak smile.
“Looks that way,” he replied succinctly.
“Well, I just hope you’re more fun than the last idiot,” he said loudly, “because we really didn’t see eye to eye...No sense of humor and hated booze and women...a real stuffed shirt he was,” he added throwing his Uncle a hard done by look.
“Look here Albert we’re just trying to keep you safe,” the Major said testily, “and don’t you go giving Harper here a tough time, because I’m telling you now, he won’t stand for it.”
The way Albert swiveled around and gave Jess a hard look made the cowboy realise he was going to have his work cut out minding this rather brash young man. Yup he figured he’d earn every last cent of that fat pay packet.
“I’m sure we’ll get along just dandy Major,” he said giving Albert an equally challenging look. “He’ll soon get used to my little ways,” he added for good measure.
Albert seemed to concede round one and went off to pour himself a drink and Jess was rewarded by a broad wink form the Major.
The plan was for Jess to show Albert the sights in Denver and then after a few days head off back to Laramie so he could experience a week or two of ranch life. Jess secretly wondered how that would go down with Slim and just hoped the money would make up for any disruption Albert might cause.
The following day Jess accompanied Albert around the town visiting various places of interest from an Art gallery to other suitable places he thought a young man of wealth and standing would enjoy. He’d consulted Fu Wang the night before and had been given a full itinerary of the very best places to entertain their guest. However almost before noon Albert demanded they go for a drink.
“And not one of those posh places we’ve seen this morning either lad,” he said with feeling. “I want some fun...a few drinks...maybe some gambling, I like a wager or two,” he added hopefully.
Jess looked uncertain. Sure, that would probably be his choice too, but with the Major’s nephew in tow?
“We could go get a meal or a drink,” he said, “there was a coffee shop a couple of blocks back...or an eating house huh?”
Albert shook his head and said, “I know just the place, one of Uncle’s men tipped me off, come on,” and before Jess could reply Albert had ducked down a side street, whistling merrily as he went.
The place they entered a short while later would have given the Last Chance in Laramie a run for its money as regards being a low dive. A couple of middle-aged hookers sat at the bar drinking gin and arguing. In the corner a man sat moodily smoking a cheap cigar and shuffling a deck of cards. He had card sharp written all over him to Jess’s trained eye.
He looked around him and rolled his eyes. The man that had tipped Albert off was obviously having a laugh at the young man’s expense.
He turned to leave but before he could do so Albert had already ordered a bottle at the bar.
They downed a whiskey a piece and then the hookers moved in asking if the ‘handsome gentlemen’ would like to buy them a drink and have a good time.
Albert’s face lit up. But Jess quickly gave them short shrift and they relocated to the other end of the bar where they stood throwing Jess venomous looks.
“What did you do that for?” Albert asked in his booming voice.
“Keep yer voice down,” Jess said glancing around him and expecting the women’s pimp to appear at any moment and chuck them out.
“Well, why?” Albert asked in a slightly more modulated tone.
“Because they’re old enough to be yer Ma ! They’d have ripped you off somethin’ fierce and you’d probably have caught some exotic disease from the Barbary Coast,” he added for good measure. Shaking his head and knocking back his drink in one.
But Albert quickly poured them a couple more.
“Well, what about...” he asked hopefully tipping his head towards the card sharp in the corner.
“No,” Jess hissed, “come on we’re goin’ and he sank his drink in one again and turned to leave, one hand under Albert’s elbow to escort him out.”
“Why’d you do that?” Albert asked plaintively, finding himself once more out on the boardwalk.
“Just keepin’ ya out of trouble like my orders say,” Jess replied frankly.
“Do you always follow orders?” Albert asked throwing him a challenging look.
“Nope,” Jess admitted honestly. “But as far as you’re concerned, I’m willin’ to make an exception.”
“And why would that be?”
“Because I like and respect yer Uncle and we have a deal, he’s paid me to do a job and I aim to do it...understand?”
Albert nodded sulkily. “Loud and clear Jess, come on let’s go back, I think I’ll take a nap this afternoon...and dream of all those pretty lasses out there,” he said forlornly.
Although slightly taken aback by this turnabout Jess agreed and they lunched at the house and then Albert disappeared up to his room saying he had letters to write home and then would rest until supper time.
The Major and Jess were already seated at the dining table when Fu Wang came in saying that Mister Albert was not in his room.
“What!” bellowed the Major angrily, “Well where the heck is, he?”
“Guard on door, he say, Mister Albert left to send letters an hour or so ago,” Jai Wang said breathlessly, entering a minute later.
Jess stood up quickly, “I’ll go look for him Major, I think I know where I might find him,” he added.
The Dirty Dollar, as the saloon they’d frequented earlier was called, was now heaving with drunks and working girls.
Jess elbowed his way through to the bar and looked around him through the haze of cigarette smoke. He finally caught sight of Albert’s unique flat cap and wandering across the room realized he was playing poker with a small group of men...including the card sharp from earlier.
“Goddamn it,” he muttered under his breath before taking a vacant seat next to Albert.
“What the hell are ya doin’ here?” he asked out of the corner if his mouth.
“Winning,” Albert said grinning at Jess without an iota of guilt.
“Well quit while yer ahead,” Jess whispered urgently as the game came to an end, with the card sharp winning that hand.
“One more game,” Albert said stubbornly, “I’ve got to win my money back Jess.”
“Are you playin’ or what Mister?” the card sharp asked impatiently eyeing Jess with suspicion.
Jess nodded, “Yup deal me in.”
It took only minutes for Jess to confirm that he was playing with a cheat and not a very good on at that.
When the game was over and the card sharp had won again Jess thought it was time to step in and mention that there appeared to be 53 cards in the deck. As he had thought, the card sharp didn’t take his intervention well and reached for a derringer...but by then Jess already had him covered with his Colt.
He then conceded that maybe he had not been playing absolutely by the rules and quickly paid back all the players at Jess’s insistence.
All would have been well Jess reflected later if it hadn’t been for Albert’s temper and inflated sense of fair play. He was incensed and grabbing the card sharp by his scrawny shoulders shook him, rattling his teeth. He then followed through, smashing a huge ham sized fist into his face sending him flying across the room, upsetting several tables on his way. This in turn led to a free for all and soon the fists were flying and bottles were thrown, while the hookers screamed and dived for cover behind the bar.
Once the affray spilled out into the street Jess was able to grab hold of Albert by his jacket lapels and yell for him to git the hell out of it.
Albert was about to argue, until Jess looked like he might well draw his gun again and he sensibly erred on the side of caution. He nodded and the two ran hell for leather down a convenient alley way. Neither stopped until they had reached a well populated street where they paused to catch their breath, both now laughing uncontrollably.
“Well, that were a reet good punch up weren’t it Jess lad?” Albert said cheerfully, once he’d got his breath back.
Jess grinned across at him, “Sure was,” he agreed, “fightin’ keeps a man fit don’t it Albert.”
The other removed his cloth cap and ran a hand through his dark hair before grinning back at Jess, “Eh but it does lad aye ...and Jess call me Al will you...all my mates do.”
“Thanks,” he said but then his face fell, “uh-uh...”
“What’s the trouble lad?” Al asked.
“The state of you,” Jess replied noting the blood running down his chin from a split lip, a fast-closing black eye and the dusty, bloody mess his suit was now in. “I’m supposed to be keepin’ you outta trouble,” he said mournfully.
“By gum you don’t half worry mate,” Al said cheerfully. “We’ll get a room over at that smart hotel yonder. We’ll get them to patch up our clothes. Then we can have a wallow in a hot tub and we’ll look right as rain in no time.”
Whistling merrily Al strode forth; Jess following. Much, much later he was to remember Al’s signature merry whistling. But then all he wanted to do was get cleaned up.
Sometime later the Major eyed his nephew with a skeptical eye... “Lost your way on the road to the mail office?” he asked, looking unconvinced.
The major noted the black eye and the cut to Jess’s cheek, but decided to say nothing in the end. The boy was back in one piece and Jess had obviously bailed him out of whatever trouble he’d found... But the elderly man had really had enough.
“Uh yes Uncle, not quite got my bearings yet,” Al said, his fingers crossed behind his back Jess noted with amusement.
“Um and neither you will,” the Major said irritably. “I’ve decided that you’d be better off heading off to Laramie in the morning. I think this city is a tad too lively for you, young man. Being a stranger in our country I imagine you are not...well quite as streetwise as say Jess here. I think maybe a relaxing break in the countryside is just what you need,” he added, his tone brooking no argument. “You will leave after breakfast tomorrow.”
Chapter 5
It was with some trepidation that Jess approached the Sherman Ranch and Relay Station the next day.
They had made good time to Laramie and Jess’s first port of call had been to the livery to check on his good old horse.
“Nope you keep the money Bert,” Jess said firmly. “The military paid the fees for me, so I reckon they can afford it. I just thank you for taking such good care of him,” he added noting Traveller’s shining coat and bright eyes.
All the time they had been talking Albert had stood quietly by some distance away, admiring a large buckskin in the end stall.
“So, who is yer friend?” Bert whispered, unable to hide his curiosity about Jess’s strangely attired companion any longer.
Jess was acutely aware that he was on strict orders to keep Albert’s name and reason for being there top secret, so he merely said, “He’s an old friend of mine, just visitin’ a while.”
“He’s got an interesting taste in suits” Bert said with a wicked wink.
Jess grinned back, “Yeah well he’s from the old country...up north someplace, I reckon they all dress that way up there.”
“So, do you want to hire a horse for him then, to git back home?” Bert asked smelling a deal to be had.
However, Jess merely shrugged, “I guess not, I’m not too sure if he rides or not.”
Bert tipped his Stetson back and peered at Jess quizzically, “Strikes me you don’t seem to know too much about this old friend of yours? He lives up north...someplace? You don’t know if he rides or not. What’s goin’ on Jess and how’d you know a guy from the old country anyways, when you ain’t never been there huh?”
Jess was usually pretty forgiving about Bert’s inquisitive nature, but right now he couldn’t afford to be. Frowning he said quietly, “Just leave it huh Bert. If anyone asks, he’s an old friend visitin’...and that’s it...you understand?”
Bert back peddled quickly. Sure, he had a soft spot for the somewhat volatile young cowboy but hell you sure didn’t wanna get on the wrong side of Jess Harper, he knew that.
“Yup, I understand,” he said quickly, “nobody will hear anything different from me Jess.”
Then Jess looked really serious, “If anyone does ask, strangers like, you tell Mort Cory...OK?”
“Sure, sure I can do that Jess.”
Major Adams had already wired Mort alerting him to the situation and saying that Jess must be offered any support he required should the need occur.
A quick visit confirming they had arrived safely and all was well was all that was needed from Jess.
The Sheriff seemed to have a new look of respect in his eyes when Jess had made his short visit to just check in.
“Major Adams must think a lot of you, trusting his nephew into your care,” he’d said.
Jess had merely nodded, “I served under him and he knows I won’t let him down.”
“Good man and any problems, you just let me know,” Mort had replied.
Now Al was safely on board the Stage and Jess was riding alongside as they approached the ranch.
Once they were nearly at their destination, he spurred Traveller on into the yard to have a quick word with Slim, before their guest arrived.
As he had feared he didn’t receive a good reception from his boss.
Slim marched out of the barn to prepare the changeover horses; his face set in an angry scowl when he saw Jess ride in and slide down from the saddle.
“So, you remembered where you live did you?” he asked sarcastically, “Not to mention where you work,” he added for good measure.
“Look Slim I’m real sorry, but just hear me out will ya?” Jess said earnestly.
“Sure, you’re sorry. Um, now let me see this is the second...nope I tell a lie... the third time you’ve taken off on some urgent business and left me in the lurch. Not to mention upsetting my kid brother. Hell, Jess have you no darned conscience!”
“Look will ya shuddup jawing and just listen to me!” Jess returned angrily.
“The Stage will be arriving any minute now and the passenger on board is being guarded by me. I’ll explain everything later I promise, but right now I want ya to be real accomodatin’ and make him welcome OK?”
Before Slim could reply Mose drove the Stage down the rise and brought it to a shuddering standstill right beside them.
“OK?” Jess asked again anxiously.
Slim merely nodded as Jess leaned forwards and opened the coach door.
Whatever kind of guest Slim was expecting it certainly wasn’t Albert Ramsden.
From his checkered cloth cap to his shiny brown boots he was a sight to behold and completely alien to anyone Slim had ever clapped eyes on before.
Jess gave Slim a nervous smile and said for Mose’s benefit, “This is my old friend Al Ramsden.”
“Al this is my boss Slim Sherman.”
“Eh...it’s reet good to meet you lad,” Al boomed, beaming and offering a beefy hand to shake.
“Likewise,” Slim said weakly, “please er Al, come along in, coffee’s hot.”
All the time a bemused Mose had been watching proceedings and now he grinned down at Jess, “So who is he really?” he asked conversationally. “Because I’m pretty damn sure you don’t know any folk from the old country Jess.”
Jess just sighed deeply but kept his temper in check, “I bet Jonesy’s got pie,” he offered as he started to unhitch the horses.
If Mose had hoped to glean any more information about their exotic looking guest and his friendship with Jess, he was sadly mistaken as Al seemed as tight lipped on the subject as Jess had been.
He finally gave up and marched back to the Stage in high dudgeon, somehow feeling he was missing out on a real interesting secret of some sort.
Slim had followed him out and as the Stage left, he threw Jess a grim look before saying, “We need to talk,” and heading for the barn.
“I didn’t mean to let ya down again, really I didn’t,” Jess insisted. “But dang it I couldn’t help it Slim...I was shanghaied... Jeez I was halfway to Denver before I finally came around.”
Slim still looked skeptical, “It all seems a bit far-fetched to me, Chinese men abducting you...and then your old CO being this guy’s Uncle you say?”
“His sister married a Brit yeah.”
“Um, well I can understand that the President doesn’t want anything to scupper these trade talks,” Slim said thoughtfully. “I was reading something about it in the paper, how important the cotton export trade is to the country right now.”
“Well, there you are then,” Jess said quickly. “It seems Al upset the apple cart some back in Georgia...talkin’ out of turn, so his Pa thought it best to send him off someplace to cool down. See the local country-side. Maybe try his hand at ranching, until the deal is completed.”
“But why does he need a guard?” Slim asked looking perplexed.
“Like you say those talks are real important. I figure if some folk think he might land back and put them at risk...well then maybe he should be removed from the scene...for good,” Jess replied.
“What kill him? No surely not,” Slim said looking shocked.
“That’s what Major Adams says and he should know.”
“So, why’d they choose you anyway?” Slim asked.
Jess looked down and then looking back up at Slim said, “The Major asked for me special...said it was because he knew he could trust me and I’d get the job done...I guess he knows me better than you do huh Slim?”
And with that he strode away without a backward glance; leaving Slim looking worried and not a little contrite.
*******
“All I’m saying is he’s kind of a strange one,” Jonesy said in a stage whisper.
It was later that evening and Al had retired to bed early. He’d taken Andy’s old bed in the room Jess and Slim now shared, with Andy bunking down with Jonesy.
“Hush,” Jess whispered back, “he’ll hear you.”
“I very much doubt that, he’s deaf ain’t he?”
“How do you figure that?” Jess asked.
“Well, the way he yells, it’s obvious ain’t it.”
“Nah, you’ve got that wrong. It’s just a habit he’s gotten into. Seems those weaving and spinning mills where they work with the cotton, are real noisy...well the machinery they use is anyway. So, they either yell or learn to lip read, Al told me all about it.”
“Sounds like hell on earth to me,” Jonesy said stoutly.
“I guess a guy has to turn a buck any way he can,” Jess said sagely, “and that’s the way they do it up in Lancashire it seems.”
“Like Blake’s poem, something about dark satanic mills?” Slim quoted. “A real hard way of life so I’ve heard and mostly women and young un’ s work in there...a real hard life,” he repeated, shaking his head sadly. “But I suppose Al being the boss’s son doesn’t see that side of things.”
“Well, no matter Jess said, we’ve gotta keep him safe that’s the main thing.”
Slim rolled his eyes, the three had been sitting around the fire having a last coffee, Andy long abed.
“Well, I sure hope you’re going to do some work as well,” Slim snapped. “We’re supposed to be mending the North pasture fence this week, or had that conveniently slipped your mind?”
“I’ll be there,” Jess said gruffly, “I’ll take him with me.”
Slim just shook his head, “Well you make darned sure you get the job done, we can’t afford to lose any more stock that way. I’ve got more to worry about than chasing strays off our neighbors land.”
Jess jumped up looking flushed and angry, “Dang it Slim yes I’ll do a good job and mind Al too...satisfied?”
“Well, you’ll have your work cut out boy,” Jonesy said, “hard enough riding fence and mending those dratted wires without having a greenhorn along for the ride.”
“I’ll manage OK,” Jess yelled angrily, turning to stomp off to bed.
“Well, I sure hope this Major Adams is paying you handsomely for all this,” was Slim’ s parting shot.
Jess stopped in his tracks and then turned and walked back to Slim, his face registering deep resentment.
“Well sure he is why the hell do ya think I’m doin’ it?” he spat. “And I ain’t doin’ it for me either...I’m doin it for us all,” he declared hotly.
Then he withdrew the bulky envelope from his vest pocket and practically threw it at Slim.
“There, that’s the down payment... the same again when I take Al back in one piece, in a couple of weeks.”
Slim opened the envelope and looked in shock at the small fortune within.
“What the heck?”
Then he looked up at Jess and offered it over but Jess backed off.
“I said, didn’t I? It’s for you… well for the ranch. It should help us out of our financial trouble we’re in right now. I figure we can replace that stock we lost in the floods and get back on track again huh?”
Slim looked speechless, “I can’t take your money Jess.”
Jess merely sauntered off towards the bedroom again, before turning at the door, “Sure you can...after all, you said you wanted me to take more responsibility didn’t ya? Well, I am, that’s all... ‘night,” he finished before entering the room and closing the door quietly behind him.
Jonesy and Slim exchanged an astonished glance.
“Well, I’ll be...” said Jonesy softly, “I guess maybe the drifter is in for the long haul after all...huh Slim?”
Chapter 6
The following morning Jess was up in good time and after breakfast he declared he’d go and make a start on the fence that morning, if Slim wanted to stay and change the team on the early stage.
Slim looked slightly taken aback at this new enthusiasm for work, but recovered quickly and agreed he’d do that and meet Jess later in the day.
Al finished off his breakfast and beamed at Jonesy, “Thar were reet good,” he said wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “Should see us out for a while eh Jess lad?” he said grinning across at him.
Jess nodded, “Yeah, uh thanks Jonesy.”
“Well, it’s good to see someone appreciates my efforts,” the old timer said smiling kindly at Al and giving Jess a hard done by look before starting to clear the table.
“So, you’re riding along with Jess are you Albert?” Slim asked, just hoping he wouldn’t hold his partner back. “Uh you do ride then?”
“Eh yes of course I ride alright Slim lad don’t you fret about thar,” he said with another big grin.
Then he stood up and made for the door before turning, “Are you coming then Jess mate, or what?”
Jess threw Slim a rather startled look before cramming a final biscuit in his mouth and following Al out of the door.
Jess noted that Al was now attired in denims and suitable riding boots along with a plaid work shirt...but no bandana or vest.
“I think we’ve got an old vest belonging to Slim’ s pa someplace,” he offered, “and his hat too.”
Al looked surprised, “I’ve got me vest on lad,” he said opening his shirt and displaying a sparkling white undershirt.
“Nope that’s an undershirt,” Jess said looking puzzled...then alluding to his own vest said, “This here is a vest.”
Al chuckled, “No laddie that’s a waistcoat,” he said rolling his eyes. “Way you Americans have buggered up our language!”
Jess felt slightly offended at that, but decided it wasn’t worth making a fuss about.
“OK have it yer own way,” he said, “so you wanna a hat?”
Al again shook his head and pulled his cloth peaked cap down, “No ta.”
Jess was about to argue that a Stetson would keep the burning sun off the back of his neck, but then decided against it. He had a kinda feeling that maybe Al’s cap signified who he was...what he was. Just as a good Stetson defined a cowboy...so he left matters alone and went in search of a suitable mount.
“You can ride?” he asked again, just to be quite sure.
“Eh but of course I can. I’ve got me a tough Fell pony back home,” he said proudly.
“A pony,” Jess repeated, “OK well maybe Roxy then, she’s small but real tough and an easy...uh I mean a real well-mannered ride.”
Al sank back into the saddle with a happy smile, “Eh but ‘tis just like a comfy old armchair lad.”
Jess grinned at him, “We aim to make ‘em real comfortable. We spend so much dang time sittin’ a horse...not like your skinny kinda saddles,” he added grinning.
Al nodded, “Come on then lad...what are we waiting for...this way is it?”
And with that he kneed Roxy off to a brisk trot... and minutes later he was in full gallop up the rise.
Jess caught up with him a few minutes later.
“Hey whoa there, buddy, we don’t wanna wear ‘em out, got a lot of miles to cover, slow down some huh?”
Then looking thoughtful, “So have you been riding long?”
Al slowed down to an easy walk before replying.
“Um...since I were knee high to a grasshopper...about two I were when me Da’ first put me up on a pony...feet wouldn’t have reached t’ stirrups. If there had been any,” he added with a laugh.
“What, you learned bare back?” Jess asked looking impressed.
“Why of course I did lad, best way to learn to ride a hos...my Da’ reckons anyway.”
Jess grinned at him, “Well I reckon your Da’ talks a lot of sense...come on,” and they made their way to the north pasture
Slim had left the lumber, wire and a sack with the tools ready from the previous day. So, they wasted no time in getting down to work.
Jess was pleasantly surprised at how quickly Al got the hang of the work and the job was completed in no time.
So it was they were sitting enjoying a welcome cup of coffee by the time Slim joined them at mid-morning.
He gave Jess a hard look when he rode in, “Time for a break already?” he asked.
Jess ignored the comment and just gesticulated with his thumb to the already erected fencing behind him.
Slim wandered over to inspect the work and then returned wearing a rueful grin. “Well done, finished already and a good job,” he said squatting down by the fire and accepting a coffee from Jess.
“So, you managed OK on Roxy?” he asked turning to Al.
“Oh, aye Slim lad I managed aright...didn’t I Jess.”
The pair exchanged a conspiratorial wink before Jess said “Yeah, you coped just fine Al.”
Slim had the suspicion they were pulling his leg...but let the matter go.
“So, will you ride due north if I take the south?” he asked, “See if there are any more fences down?”
Jess agreed, draining his cup and kicking out the fire, he left with Al, saying they’d see Slim later back at the ranch.
*******
Later Jess was to reflect it wasn’t his fault...really it wasn’t.... everything happened so dang quickly...
The first notion he had that there was something wrong was when the cloudless July sky suddenly turned a threatening dark grey as storm clouds rolled in and the wind got up.
He turned up the collar of his jacket and motioned Al to rein in.
“Looks like the weather’s turning, I figure we’ll start heading back,” he said.
“What? Come on Jess, surely, you’re not going to let a drop o’ rain hinder you?”
“Uh well thing is Al it could be more than a drop of rain,” Jess said turning anxious eyes to where the wind was beginning to toss the nearby aspens about.
Then just seconds later the wind started howling and Jess was spurred into action.
“Follow me,” he yelled as he headed for the distant peak of the Twin Pines escarpment, knowing there was shelter to be had below the ridge.
By the time they reached the large rocky overhang that was almost like a shallow cave, Jess had to yell over the sound of the wind to be heard.
“Tornado,” he shouted, “it’s a dang tornado Al, we hafta take cover under here.”
Once they were in the lee of the bluff he dismounted and led Traveller under the protective cliff gesturing for Al to do the same. Once both animals were inside there was precious little space left as Al declared.
“Slim told me it was best to let the stock free and they’ll find their own shelter...but this is about it...no place else to get safe for miles...we’ll manage,” he added with a confidence he wasn’t feeling.
Then the screaming wind was buffeting them...and it started hailing...the stones soon forming an icy carpet as far as the eye could see.
Then debris started flying past them, huge tree branches and even an old wooden door wrenched from some far-off outhouse.
Roxy was shaking her head and pawing the earth. While Traveller stood rock solid...his head down and the only sign of his displeasure, blowing down his nostrils and shaking his head.
When a heavy branch nearly hit Al, Jess grabbed hold of him, “Git down,” he yelled, “flat on yer belly under here,” and he bundled him into the only space available...inches from Traveller’s heavy hooves.
Al did as he was told and seconds later Jess joined him, partially covering him from the worst of the bombardment with his own body.
They lay like that while the worst of the storm raged...Jess now completely beneath his good old horse who stood completely still aware of his master’s proximity.
Then there came a brief respite as they entered the eye of the storm.
Al moved to get up, but Jess pulled him back, “Not yet...ain’t over,” he gasped. Then moments later the storm recommenced.
Finally, the relentless hailstorm eased and the wind began to die down as the two men finally crawled out of their shelter.
“Well, that were a right bobby-dazzler weren’t it, lad?” Al said beaming and brushing himself down. “Eh but we get some storms back in Manchester, he added, “but that were a reet good downpour.”
Jess just stared at him in disbelief. He was either amazingly stupid...or very brave, he wasn’t sure which. But either way, he was a real cool customer if a dang tornado didn’t faze him Jess thought with new respect.
It was then that he remembered he’d dropped the sack containing Slim’ s best tools during their mad dash for safety.
They retraced their steps...but there was no sign of the sack of tools anywhere. So, it was with a heavy heart that Jess turned for home, knowing Slim would have something to say on the matter...and none of it good!
Once they landed back at the ranch Jess suggested Al go in and change into some dry clothes while he attended to their mounts.
A few minutes later Slim wandered into the barn, and grinned at his friend.
“That Al sure is a character...anyone would think he enjoyed that storm.”
Jess nodded, “Were you OK, you found shelter?”
Slim nodded, “Yup, I was over near dead Man’s Gully, so Alamo and I sheltered there.”
That’s good Jess said and then decided to bite the bullet.
“Look Slim it weren’t my fault really it weren’t. See I was tryin’ to keep Al safe from that dang storm...like I’m bein’ paid for and I... well I kinda mislaid the tool sack.”
Then Slim grinned at him and produced the sack from behind his back, “What this one?”
“Hell Slim, where’ d you find that?”
“Blew into the yard...Jonesy was just battening down the hatches and it darned near hit him,” Slim said chuckling.
Jess grinned back, “Well I’ll be...so I guess today wasn’t a total disaster after all!”
Chapter 7
After a grueling week spent riding fence and mending any breaks Jess and Slim were more than ready for a night on the town and of course they invited Albert along too.
Jess had tried again to get their guest to dress slightly less flamboyantly. But to no avail. When he emerged from the bedroom dressed in a dark green tweed suit, with a matching cap and bright yellow vest...or waistcoat as Al insisted it was called; Slim and Jess just stared in amazement. Whilst Andy had to have a hard poke from Slim’ s elbow to stop him sniggering.
It was Jonesy who finally broke the awkward silence, “Well son you look...uh, like you’re ready for anything,” he finished rather uncertainly.
“I...er could look out my Pa’s old hat and jacket,” Slim suggested hopefully, “help you uh, blend in a little huh?”
“Nah, don’t mither yerself lad, I’m fine,” Al said cheerfully.
“Don’t what?” Jess asked in an aside, to Slim.
But Al’s hearing was actually excellent in spite of Jonesy’s notion that he was deaf.
“Mither means...like don’t you bother yon self,” Al informed him helpfully.
“Right, come on them if we’re goin’,” Jess said, less than enthusiastically. Oh boy what sorta night out was this going to be he wondered mournfully.
The good folk of Laramie were not particularly noted for their acceptance of strangers or indeed of the unusual...or in Al’s case the darn right exotic.
Jess shook his head. He sure hoped they wouldn’t ridicule Al, as he had grown to really like and respect the guy; for all his odd ways and strange turn of phrase.
As Slim and Jess had feared everyone turned and stared at them as they accompanied Al into the bar of the Laramie saloon.
However, Tom was as welcoming as ever and never missed a beat as he took in Al’s unusual garb and said heartily, “So what’ ll it be gentlemen?”
They ordered a beer apiece...and were just about to withdraw to a less prominent place in the room when Jenny sidled over. Jess had been seeing the feisty Texan saloon girl for a few weeks now and had high hopes of getting kinda close and personal later in the evening. So, he gave her his best smile and said, “Well howdy beautiful.”
She gave him a brief smile and then said seductively, “Who’s your new friend then Jess,” giving Al a welcoming smile.
Jess introduced them and then a moment later Annie, followed by the third saloon girl Emma also came over. That was to be the pattern for the whole evening…Al was surrounded by pretty girls like bees around a honey pot...any other guy in the room virtually ignored by the girls.
“Your new buddy sure is a hit with the ladies,” Tom observed from the other end of the bar where Jess and Slim were now sipping their drinks rather moodily.
“Maybe they’re after his money?” Slim said slyly.
“Nope, the girls have been buying him drinks all night,” Tom said chuckling. “I don’t know what the guy’s got...but the gals sure like him.”
Jess looked mutinous, “And I thought that cute little Jenny really liked me ya know Slim,” he said shaking his head sadly.
“Never mind about that, Annie and me have been dating on and off for a month now....and all she’s doing tonight is making eyes at Al,” Slim said in disgust.
By the end of the evening, it was obvious that Al was more than a little inebriated. He’s declared the beer to be like gnat’s pee, early in the evening and had switched to Red-eye, liberally supplied by the girls and now he was swaying gently, a beatific smile on his handsome features.
“Oh boy, he’s really tied one on,” Slim said rolling his eyes, “there’s no way he’s going be able to ride home tonight.”
“You’re right Slim I guess we’d better get a hotel room for the night. Come on let’s get him moving.”
Then he shook his head chuckling, “Look at the state of the guy...you wouldn’t know his Pa was one of the richest men in the cotton industry,” and he moved off from the far corner of the bar where they’d spent most of the evening.
Slim grinned back, “Well it’s a darned good job his Pa is down in Georgia and can’t see his precious son right now. I doubt he’d be any too impressed.” And the two men made their way down the bar.
Neither had noticed the Dalton brothers, Karl and Jem slouched at a nearby table, all the time watching Al closely and listening in to their conversation.
*******
The following morning when Jess, feeling slightly the worse for wear, went along to Al’s room to rouse him, he was gone.
He tore downstairs to where Slim was just checking them out and said, “Dang it he’s gone!”
“Huh?” Slim asked, still feeling pretty groggy from the previous evening’s drinking himself and wondering what Jess was talking about.
“Gone, vamoosed...ain’t dang well here,” he proclaimed as though talking to and idiot. “Hell, Slim if anything’s happened to the guy my neck is on the line,” he added.
They paid the bill and tore off down Main Street to check if Roxy had left the livery, thinking maybe Al had decided to head back to the ranch. Then seconds later Jess came to an abrupt halt outside Miss Mollie’s eating house.
Slim slid to a standstill a yard or so ahead.
“What is it?” he called back.
“Will ya looky here,” Jess said a huge smile forming on his handsome features.
Slim back tracked and peering into the café window saw Al slowly working his way through a huge plate of breakfast. He was obviously enjoying every mouthful. Mollie was standing at his side topping up his coffee cup and smiling adoringly down at him.
“Well I’ll be...” Slim said, “How the heck does he do it?”
“What get all the ladies or managed a full fry up after a bottle of Red-eye?” Jess asked with interest.
Slim grinned back, “Both I guess!”
Chapter 8
With the fences all checked and some sections repaired there was a slack period at the ranch and so Slim suggested Jess take Al off on a hunting trip over to the area of the ranch known as Paradise for a few days.
They were busy cleaning out the barn when Slim suggested it and Jess stopped work and grinned over at his pard.
“You mean it, I get ta going hunting?”
Slim smiled back, “Well it’s kind of slack right now Jess and you’ve done a real good job on that fencing I reckon you deserve a break, Al too. Besides if you take him off for a few days maybe the rest of us will have a chance with the ladies,” he said chuckling.
Jess tipped his hat back and looked thoughtful, “I asked Jenny about that and she said it was his English accent that they all went for...that and that he’s uh...real handsome,” he added bitterly.
“Seems my Annie was really smitten with him too,” Slim added caustically. Then quietly to himself, ‘so yeah, I guess maybe taking him off hunting is a good plan.’
“Well look on the bright side if we ever get to visit the old country, we could have the gals flocking around us too,” Slim said recovering his mood and smiling.
“Yeah, well I ain’t waitin’ on that happenin ’,” Jess said, “I guess we’ll be back in favor when Al goes home in a couple of weeks.”
“Yeah, let’s hope so! In the meantime, you go off and have a nice hunting trip,” Slim said cheerfully and then quietly to himself, “and I’ll keep an eye on the girls while you’re both gone.”
Meanwhile back in the ranch kitchen someone was far from happy.
“Well, I don’t think it’s fair,” Andy exploded, “I’ll be back in school again in a couple of weeks, why can’t I go with Jess and Al?”
“Now come on Andy, Slim explained didn’t he,” Jonesy said patiently, “he needs you here to help me with the chores and the stage business while he’s away in Cheyenne on business next week. Besides it’s safer for you here.”
“What do ya mean, Jess isn’t in any danger is he?”
Jonesy back peddled quickly, “Huh, no of course not. I just meant with all those wild animals and things,” he finished lamely.
However later that evening when Andy had finally stomped off to bed still declaring that life was SO unfair, that Jonesy brought up the subject again with Slim and Jess, Al already having turned in.
“What do you mean, am I sure it’s a good idea?” Jess asked impatiently, “When was goin’ huntin’ an’ fishin’ ever a bad idea huh?”
“You know dang well what I mean,” Jonesy replied irascibly, “you said yourself that you were being paid crazy money for keeping the guy safe, so there must be some risk attached?”
“I shouldn’t worry too much Jonesy,” Slim said easily, “I checked with Mort just the other day and he said there’ d been no strangers in town.”
“Yeah,” Jess agreed, “and I can’t really see anyone coming all the way from Georgia to kill him...can you? As long as he’s out of the way and not upsetting the talks then I guess he’s out of mind too.”
“Well, you just watch yer back,” Jonesy said gruffly, “you may be an ornery cuss, but I’ve gotten kinda used to havin’ you around,” and with that he marched off to brew some more coffee in the kitchen.
Jess turned to Slim with a raised eyebrow, “Was that a compliment?”
“As near as you’re ever going to get, I guess,” Slim said chuckling.
*******
Jess and Al made good time the following day. They had caught their supper in the small lake in the Paradise hunting grounds, at the far edge of Sherman land, before relaxing with a coffee apiece.
Then they sat admiring the sun setting over the water, the coffee liberally laced with hill whiskey.
“Eh but it’s belting here,” Al said his eyes sparkling with delight, “proper belting. I wish them back home could see it all,” he added, as he looked around him. The magnificent snow topped mountains a back drop to the lake with a forest of huge pines surrounding them, their heady scent on the light breeze.
Jess nodded, “It’s real special up here. Slim’ s Pa decided to leave it wild when he bought the land and it’s always been that way so the hunting’s real good, and the lake awash with fish. It sure is rightly named...Slim was lucky growing up here huh?”
Al nodded, “I believe you didn’t have an easy life before you landed here at the Sherman place though?”
Jess frowned, hating to disclose anything of his past to folk, especially ones he didn’t know too well.
“You believe that do ya?” he asked grimly.
Al recoiled and sat up quickly from where he’d been lounging sipping his coffee.
“Hey, I’m sorry Jess lad! Eh I didn’t mean to upset you. It was Andy that told me about how you had a difficult time as a kid. Then how your home was burnt down...nasty business really nasty...But I didn’t mean to meddle.”
Jess glanced over at him and was surprised to see a look of real concern in Al’s kindly eyes.
“It’s OK,” he said quietly, “ I just don’t like talkin’ about it too much... losin’ my kin and all... And yup the kid’s right I guess I didn’t have it easy as a boy... But when yer livin’ in poverty mostly, you don’t know it as a kid. What you ain’t ever had you don’t miss,” he said with a wry grin.
Al nodded wisely, but said nothing.
“But I reckon you wouldn’t know about that, with yer Pa bein’ rich an’ all,” he added.
Al looked down into his cup and then up at Jess, “Well it hasn’t always been that way Jess lad...I had it reet hard as a kiddy too tha’ knows. Pa were workin’ the machines, Ma a spinner in the Mill we now own. But back then we had next to nowt. (Nothing) Me and our kid were set to work by the age of just four.”
“Who’s ‘our kid’?” Jess asked.
“Me brother, Johnny he’s a year older than me.”
“What, you worked in the Mill as a four-year-old boy?” Jess asked clearly shocked.
“Yup...I were a scavenger from the age of four...it were reet hard work...bein’ a scavenger.”
“Huh, so what’s that?”
“We ‘ad to get under machinery and pick up the cotton pieces...we were small see could get under easy. But machinery were kept movin’ so you had to be quick...in and out see?”
“Sounds real dangerous,” Jess said.
“Oh aye, tis dangerous alright... all ut jobs at mill are dangerous Jess lad. It’s nuthin’ to lose an arm to ‘ut machinery. Once a man got his leg caught...he didn’t make it. Another time me mate Billy lost his hand when he were a scavenger. But when I turned nine, I was taken on as an apprentice and ‘twas easier. I was a piecer then; used to mend the broken cotton threads. It’s not as dangerous. But hard work...from five in t’ morning to eight at night...tha’ s a long day.”
“Dadgum it yer not kiddin’,” Jess agreed.
“Any road...it were good in a way, because I can do any job in t’ mill now and so I can understand the workers, you know? Me and Da’ we really care about the workers; more than can be said of some owners I can tell you.”
Jess shook his head in admiration, “So how come your family ended up running the place?”
“My Uncle owned it, my Mam’ s brother, and when he died me Da’ got the business. It weren’t meant to be that way. Da’ and his brother-in-law didn’t hit it off too well. He suffered us workin’ for him, but we got no favors...it was like we weren’t kin at all. Any road…he died heart attack and blow me down if his son Arthur weren’t killed in an accident at the mill the very next week,” and he shook his head sadly. “So, my Mam and Da’ inherited. That was a good while back and we own three Mills now. All real gradely, uh good that is, good places to work too,” he added. “We look after our workers, like I say.”
“Then you suffered that... what did the Major call it...the Cotton Famine? During our war wasn’t it?”
A fleeting look of desolation crossed Al’s handsome features.
“Eh lad but that were a bad. All the mills closed down...folk were starvin’. It were hard to see it. The place so quiet, so different from usual you see. Usually of a mornin’ all you could hear at first light were the sound of clogs on cobbles.”
“Huh?”
“Clogs, tha’ knows like wooden shoes on ut cobbled streets as folk made their way to work? Eh enough to waken the dead that noise. But then after the mills closed...silence everywhere; so damned quiet...save for the sound of the odd babe scriking...uh cryin’...hungry see...”
“You had it hard...I didn’t realise,” Jess said softly.
“Yeah, well...good old Northern Grit saw us through it,” said Al quickly and then with his boyish grin changed the subject.
“So anymore of that moonshine...it’s reet good in ‘it!
*******
The following morning, they set off at first light deciding to move on deeper into the backwoods hoping to bag a deer to take back to the ranch for the pot.
The way was difficult to say the least. The narrow trail had a steep drop to a canyon some forty feet below to their left and thick forestation to their right.
Jess reined in and turned back to Al and said quietly, “Take it real slow and easy, this track opens up to a clearing in a half mile or so and there’s a small lake. I guess the deer will be drinking there. When I give the signal dismount and we’ll walk in. If we keep down wind, we should get a good shot in,” he added with a happy grin.
Sometime later Jess turned in the saddle to motion Al to dismount when at that very moment a shot rang out through the cool clear morning air.
Al watched in shocked disbelief as a bullet slammed into Jess who was catapulted from the saddle and over the edge of the ravine. Bouncing off several rocks he finally came to rest at the bottom lying spread-eagle and deathly still, a trickle of blood running down his temple.
Traveller had sidestepped alarmingly close to the edge of the track and nearly followed Jess over before regaining his balance and tearing off towards where the narrow track opened out into the clearing just yards away.
Before Al could comprehend what was happening, he was lassoed, torn from the saddle and dragged along several yards across the dirt. Then an ugly looking red headed man jumped from his mount and in moments had him hog tied as if he were a yearling ready for branding.
Seconds later he was joined by a slighter man with the same dark auburn hair and ugly features.
“I said wing Harper not kill him,” the older brother growled.
“Hell, I didn’t know he’d take a dive over the edge damn it!” Jem spat angrily.
“Yeah, well you’re lookin’ at a rope iffen we’re caught,” Karl snarled, “so let’s get the hell out of here and get the money on this greenhorn and then make for the dang border.”
“I vote we forget it,” Jem said looking decidedly wary now, “just vamoose huh?”
“No way,” Karl said, “what we’ll do is simply forget about the guy’s Pa... but get some cash straight from Sherman. You heard what him and Harper were talking about in the saloon the other night. The guy’s Pa is paying Harper handsomely to protect his precious son. Well, we’ll just have us that money in return for this ...what’s his name... uh... Ramsden’ s safe return.”
At the sound of his name Al shook his head and again tried to struggle free from the tight ropes binding him.
“Bleedin’ ‘ell... what does tha’ think tha’ s playin’ at!” he yelled angrily.
Jem turned to his brother with a quizzical glance, “Don’t he speak English?”
Karl shook his head, “Don’t look that way...gag him anyway and get him back on his horse. We’ll hole up at the camp today and get a message over to Sherman. He pays up or the English guy is dead meat.”
Then he wandered over to Al and gagged him.
Chapter 9
It was late afternoon before Jess finally stirred.
Traveller had stopped after a few hundred yards and then worked his way carefully down to the lower ground via a back track. Then he had waited patiently for his master to finish his nap.
When the sun finally began to slide down beyond the distant hills, he grew impatient and meandered over to where Jess was still lying on his back, unmoving.
The bay put his head down and blew softly into Jess’s face and when that didn’t work nibbled gently at his unruly hair. After a few minutes this had the desired effect and Jess roused himself; staring groggily into Traveller’s face. “Ger-off,” he gasped at last, pushing the unwanted attentions away and running a hand through his hair. Then he grimaced in pain at the simple movement and noted the blood on his sleeve and realized he’d been shot.
He gingerly put his arm down again and then explored around his rib cage with the other and winced again, “Goddamn it I’ve busted my darned ribs too,” he whispered before cussing even more vociferously.
Traveller’s head shot up and he rolled his eyes unused to a strong outburst at such close quarters.
Jess gave a weak chuckle and said softly, “It’s OK boy ain’t your fault, now come here, huh.”
Traveller had a kind heart and instantly forgave Jess his irrational flare-up and obligingly came forward standing steadily beside his master. Then Jess painfully pulled himself to a standing position hauling himself up by the stirrup iron. Once he was standing, he reached for his water canteen and drank thirstily before pouring a goodly amount over his burning face. His head was aching from the gash to his temple and his face red and painful after being exposed to the roasting hot sun all day.
He finally shook his head and tried to make sense of what had happened. A good few hours ago now he figured as he saw the sun low in the sky.
There had been a gunshot...yes someone had shot him in the arm...but why? Then he gasped damn it where the hell was Al? Had he been shot too? Or taken hostage maybe? But who knew he was here other than Slim? Surely some mob handed gang hadn’t traveled all the way up from Georgia just to silence Al? It didn’t make sense.
He finally took a deep breath and managed to mount his horse. The searing pain in his ribs making him cry out in agony again...but then he took another breath and kneed Traveller on to a slow walk along the track and out of the canyon.
It only took him a few minutes to read the tracks once he arrived back at where the shooting had taken place. There were signs that Al had fallen from his horse and of a fight of some sort and then three horses had left at speed. From the direction Jess figured they were heading for Dead Man’s Gully on the edge of the Sherman pasture land. If Al had been abducted, and things looked that way, then the gang would need somewhere to hide out whilst they negotiated a deal, if indeed they were after a ransom.
Jess knew that there was nothing but open pasture land for as far as the eye could see in this area, save for some steep jagged rocks jutting up to the sky forming a dead ended gully, then somewhere beyond, an old Indian burial site.
They had once used the box canyon to coral strays so Jess knew of it. He was also aware that there was only one way in and out making it easy to guard. The steep walls surrounding it were impenetrable...almost like a mini fort he remembered.
He rode slowly every step jarring his damaged ribs, but at last his tenacity paid off as he saw a plume of smoke floating up into the evening sky.
“Gotcha,” he said softly to himself.
Leaning down he patted Traveller’s neck, “We’ll make camp here boy and pay those bastards a little call at first light...huh.”
*******
Earlier in the day the Dalton brothers had returned to their camp, with Al still tied and gagged and started making their plans.
“You stay and guard him and I’ll ride over to the Sherman spread and arrange for him to bring the money over,” said Karl.
“And you think he’ll do it, just like that?” Jem asked with disbelief.
“Sure, when I show him this,” Karl said grabbing Al’s flat cap from his head.
“Maybe,” Jem said still looking unconvinced.
“OK I’ll tell him Harper’s hurt, needs a doc and we’ll let him go as soon as we get the money, that’ll do it fer sure. Harper and Sherman are pretty good buddies, he’ll pay up alright.”
*******
Karl Dalton approached the ranch with caution and hitching his mount near the water trough he removed his rifle from its scabbard and warily advanced on the house.
When young Andy answered his knock, he was somewhat wrong footed.
“Uh where’s yer brother kid?” he asked roughly.
Andy looked up at the ugly redheaded man and vaguely recognized him as someone Slim had once said was trouble, Dalton... that was it, Karl Dalton.
“He ain’t here,” the boy said making to slam the door shut again, but Karl was too fast for him and inserted his boot.
“I said where is he boy?” Karl boomed raising the rifle.
“Cheyenne, back on the noon stage tomorrow,” Andy blurted out, now thoroughly rattled.
“How about the old man, what’s his name...uh Jonesy?”
Jonesy was down the home meadow bringing in Chase the house cow for afternoon milking, but Andy wasn’t about to share that. Karl Dalton looked real mad about something and Andy sure didn’t want him venting his anger on Jonesy...not with his bad back, no siree.
“Out some place, I dunno,” he said giving a helpless gesture with his hands, “he didn’t say...gone to see a neighbor I think.”
“You wouldn’t be lyin’ to me would you boy?” Karl snarled again pushing his rifle under Andy’s nose.
The youngster turned pale but just shook his head.
Karl cussed angrily and then peered back at the child. “OK you’ll just hafta do...now listen up son and listen good. Me and Jem have got that odd English guy over at our camp...uh for safe keepin’ ya understand?”
When Andy didn’t respond he continued.
“You tell yer big brother iffen he wants him back alive he’s to bring $500 to Dead Man’s Gully and we’ll strike a deal OK?”
When Andy appeared struck dumb, Karl got even more annoyed, “You’ve got it. I know that because Harper was paid real well fer lookin’ out fer him weren’t he...huh boy?”
Andy just shrugged. “I dunno.”
“Seems like you don’t know much kid do ya? Well know this, if yer brother don’t cough up by dusk tomorrow that Ramsden is a goner. You got that?”
“Here’s proof we’ve got him,” he added showing Andy the cap, “OK?”
“Yes sir,” Andy said nodding vigorously.
Karl turned to go and then turned back again, “Oh yeah and yer ranch hand, Harper, is hurt real bad. You can have him back too, as soon as we get the cash savvy?”
Karl wasn’t prepared for the strength of Andy’s reaction.
“What have you done to Jess you low life!” he yelled furiously.
“Hey kid...you watch yer dang tongue!” Karl snapped. “Just get yer brother to bring the cash and everythin’ will be fine,” and with that he strode off and was mounted and away in seconds.
When Jonesy returned sometime later, he found a very upset Andy saddling up his pony in the barn.
“Now let me get this straight...you say that no hoper Karl Dalton has taken Jess and Al prisoner and he wants cash to release ‘em?”
“I told you that,” Andy said almost crying with frustration. “We can’t stand here talking about it, Jonesy, we hafta go and help Jess escape...Al too,” he added.
“Now come on Andy let’s think this all through,” Jonesy said calmly. “There ain’t nothing we can do. That Karl will just take us prisoner too and then there’ ll be nobody here to tip Slim off... and what about the critters...the stages coming in? We can’t just leave the place to run itself dang it!”
“But what about Jess, Dalton said he was hurt bad.”
“Well, all the more reason to be sensible. We’ll tell Mose when he brings the early morning stage through, get him to alert Mort Cory. Then Slim will be home on the noon stage, him and Mort will think of something and we’ve got until dusk tomorrow you say...so plenty of time huh boy?”
Andy looked unconvinced but was finally persuaded to go and milk the cow and then come in for supper. But when bedtime came around, he argued again.
“I could go help Jess if he’s hurt and you stay here to tell Mort and Slim. Heck Jonesy he could be dyin’ right now and we’re just going off to bed like there was nothing wrong!”
“Talk sense boy, that saddle bum is as tough as old boots you know that. Heck it would take more than the Dalton’s to see him off. Why I shouldn’t be surprised if he’s escaped already and on his way home. Now you go get some shuteye and things will look brighter tomorrow, you’ll see.”
So, Andy reluctantly went to bed.
“OK, but I’m going to sleep in Slim’ s bed tonight...makes me feel closer to him,” the boy said quietly. Jonesy looked a tad surprised but agreed...anything for a quiet life he thought to himself.
When Jonesy went to rouse him the next morning he’d gone.
*******
As dawn broke at Dead Man’s Gully Jess made his way silently to the mouth of the ravine, having left Traveller ground hitched some way back.
Now he inched his way forwards and painfully climbed up onto a large rock and surveyed the area below him. His handsome features broke into an evil grin.
There just below him dozing peacefully he saw Jem Dalton.
Jess hunkered down and picking up some small pebbles hurled them down so they landed just beyond the dozing man.
The sudden noise startled him and he jumped up looking around him in puzzlement. That was when Jess launched himself down from the rock behind him and thrust his rifle hard into Jem’ s back.
“Don’t move an inch or yer dead meat,” he growled.
Jem visibly shaking put his hands up and stood waiting for Jess to relieve him of his iron.
He reached forwards and swiftly took Jed’s Colt stuffing it in his own belt before ordering him to hit the deck. Then he whisked some leather thongs from his gun belt and tied Jed’s hands tightly before pushing him at gunpoint to a nearby pine. He finally lashed him to the tree with another thong this time dampened and tied securely around his neck, binding him to the tree.
“You’d better dang well hope my business with your brother concludes before that dries out,” was his parting shot, “because if it don’t, I guess you’ll be minus a head.”
With that Jess made his way silently into the steep sided ravine.
It was like taking candy from a baby he was to relate later. Karl Dalton was fast asleep in front of the dying embers of a camp fire, but of Al there was no sign.
Jess glanced around him and then noted some shreds of cut rope at the base of a nearby tree and figured Al had made his escape. But dang it how had he got out with Jem guarding the entrance? Unless he’d been napping for a while and Al had crept passed him?
However, his speculations came to an abrupt halt as Karl stirred in his sleep.
Jess marched over and kicked him hard in the ribs before waving his rifle in the man’s shocked face.
“What have ya done with Ramsden?” he growled.
“Arrgh....wha’...” a dazed looking Karl muttered, rubbing his painful ribs and throwing Jess a reproachful look.
“You heard me, the English guy, where is he?”
But before Karl could reply Jess saw a movement out of the corner of his eye...and looking upwards was horror stricken to see Al inching his way up the almost sheer face of the ravine. He seemed completely unaware of what was transpiring below him as all his attention was focused on the task in hand. Even as Jess watched he saw the tough guy finally pull himself up and over the edge the steep escarpment and disappear over the other side.
“Well, I’ll be,” he muttered to himself, “I didn’t think that was dang well possible.”
Then he looked back down to where Karl was still lying back rubbing his ribs.
“Git up you lowlife,” Jess snarled and moments later a resentful Karl led their horses from the camp and went to join his brother outside.
Once they were mounted, hands securely tied and Jess had collected Traveller and Roxy they began to make their way slowly around to the far side of the rocky incline where he figured Al would now be descending the slightly less challenging climb.
Karl watched the dark-haired cowboy through calculating eyes. It hadn’t escaped his notice that Jess was badly hurt. Hell, he was amazed he’d survived that fall down the gully in the first place. He’d noticed how difficult it had been for him to mount and now as they rode slowly along, he saw how pale and sickly he looked. It was only a matter of time before he collapsed Karl concluded and then they’d get the drop on him and return to their original plan.
Jess was just about to motion for them to turn to their left hugging the base of the hillside when he saw a cloud of dust on the horizon heralding the arrival of a rider, traveling at speed.
He reined in and waited until he finally recognized Andy Sherman riding hell for leather towards him.
“What the heck?” he muttered to himself.
Moments later Andy threw himself from his pony and tore over towards Jess.
“Are you OK,” he gasped, “that Dalton man said you were hurt real bad,” he added glaring over at Jem and Karl.
“I’m fine Andy, what are you doing way out here?” Jess asked looking slightly bemused.
“I just said didn’t I? I’ve come to help ya because he said you were hurt bad.”
“Does Jonesy know you’re here?” Jess asked ignoring the youngster’s garbled explanation.
“Well not exactly, but I had to come Jess, I just had to,” the boy lamented.
Jess tipped his hat back and ran a hand across his burning face...the sun now scorching down. That was all he needed, his ribs feeling like they were afire every time he breathed. Al missing someplace, these two outlaws to keep in check and now his boss’s vulnerable kid brother to keep safe too. Things just kept getting better and better he thought sarcastically.
“Look Andy you shouldn’t be out here, Slim wouldn’t like it,” he started.
However, before the child could argue they saw another dust cloud on the horizon with a much more cautious rider approaching at a slow trot.
Then sometime later a very angry and hot looking Jonesy reined in Harpy his mule and eyed Andy crossly.
“What do you think you’re doing boy...running off that way when I told you we had to wait on Slim and the Sheriff....huh?”
Andy just hung his head, “I had to come Jonesy. Jess needs our help.”
Jonesy transferred his gaze to Jess and looked slightly less aggressive. Yup the drifter sure did look pretty sick. He was holding his chest with one hand and was sporting a nasty gash to his head. There was some blood on his sleeve too, from a bullet no doubt he surmised.
“I guess you don’t look too good at that,” he said grudgingly.
“I’m OK,” Jess said quickly, “but er... I need to go find Al. Do ya think you and Andy could take these two hoodlums back to town, explain everything to Mort huh?”
Jonesy really didn’t think Jess would make it home much less be able to go off searching for Al, but knew better than to voice his qualms.
So, he merely nodded, “Sure I can do that.”
But again, Andy protested, “I’ll stay with Jess to help him look for Al. Please can I Jonesy, please!”
Jonesy looked uncertain and then said, “Well Slim will be home shortly and I’ll send him right over, so I suppose so, you’re only a half hour ride away I guess.”
Andy whooped for joy, but Jess threw Jonesy a rather uncertain glance.
“Can’t do no harm, it should be safe enough,” Jonesy countered, “and you don’t look any too good Jess. I think maybe the boy will be a help if you take a turn for the worse...Uh shot, were you?” he added.
Jess just nodded, “It’s just a scratch,” he said quickly, the last thing he needed then was for Jonesy to start his fussin’ and carryin ’ on.
“If you say so boy,” the old timer said with a look of disbelief.
Then turning to the Dalton’s said come on you two, let’s go...and shortly afterwards he retraced his steps, covering the two outlaws with his rifle.
Once they’d headed off Jess watched them for a moment hoping the old guy would be alright…but what could he do? He needed to find Al, and soon...while he could still sit a horse.
Andy threw him an anxious glance, “Are you sure you’re OK Jess?”
He nodded, “You lead Roxy for me will ya,” and with that he urged Traveller on towards the other side of the ridge where he hoped to find Al.
They had been riding for some time before Jess was finally able to make out some fresh tracks in the dusty earth. He dismounted and hunkered down.
“See here Andy, these look like those big old boots that Al favors...and see the way he seems to be draggin’ one foot? Looks like he’s hurt...maybe took a fall climbing down the other side of the hill?” he pondered.
He squinted off into the distance. “I figure he lost his sense of direction; the ranch is due north and he’s headed off to the west,” he said shaking his head. Of course, the guy didn’t know the lay of the land and Jess wasn’t too much better having only worked in this far-flung area once since he’d arrived at the ranch.
“What are those sandstone hills over yonder and those pines? Is there water there?” he asked Andy, as he stood up again.
Andy looked kinda troubled so Jess noted, “Heck Jess don’t you know? That’s the old Arapahoe burial site nobody ever goes there.”
Jess remembered Slim mentioning it now and tipping his hat back grinned at the boy, “Why not, afraid of ghosts are they?”
Andy shook his head vigorously, “Nope it’s not that...it’s White Eagle.”
“So, who’s that then,” Jess asked indulgently, “the ghost of the chief?”
“This ain’t no laughing matter Jess,” Andy said severely. “White Eagle is about a hundred years old and a medicine man. He guards the burial grounds and if you go near, you’ll be cursed.”
Jess shook his head chuckling, “I don’t see how a guy that old can be too much of a problem and anyway I thought all the local injuns were on the reservation now?”
“They are all except White Eagle, Slim lets him stay here and Sheriff Cory knows about him too. Slim even fenced the area off so folk won’t disturb him. Good job too...seeing as to what he does. I guess Slim ’s trying to keep folk safe.”
“Huh, what do ya mean?”
“Well, White Eagle’s got like special powers. He puts folk to sleep with his special injun medicines and then he kills ‘em...and worse Jess, he butchers ‘em and eats their hearts and liver!” he said, visibly shaking at the thought.
“Oh, come on Andy you don’t believe that,” Jess said trying to stop a smile breaking out.
“I sure do, Freddy Masters in school told me and Micky Smith too.”
“Hang on weren’t it Micky as got excluded last month for telling lies and frightening all the girls with his scary tales?” Jess asked now openly smirking.
“Well, I guess so.”
“Well then...” Jess said mounting up.
When Andy still seemed reluctant Jess said in a more kindly tone, “It doesn’t really matter if this ol’ injun is fixing to cook us up for supper or not, we hafta find Al don’t we? But you head back to the ranch iffen you want, that’s OK Andy.”
Something in the way Jess had dismissed the silly tale made Andy suddenly come to his senses, “Nope I’ll stick with you. You’re right I’m sure White Eagle is OK, after all Slim likes him...so he can’t be all bad.”
Those words were still echoing in Jess’s head when they arrived at the burial ground sometime later.
An arrow smacked into the dirt just feet from where he was riding slowly in, causing Traveller to rear and whinny in fear. Then a second arrow whistled past Jess’s ear making him dive from the saddle and yelling for Andy to do likewise.
“Andy git down,” he hollered again, as several more arrows rained down around them.
Jess had dashed over to where the boy was lying on the ground, winded from the dive from his pony, and threw himself protectively across him.
He had drawn his gun but was hesitant to use it not wanting to gun down some venerable elder...or possibly catch Al in the cross fire. Plus, he was pretty sure the arrows were merely a warning and not a serious threat.
“My name’s Jess Harper, from the Sherman ranch and I’m here with Andy Sherman,” he yelled. “We mean you no harm White Eagle.”
After a few minutes an elderly Indian broke cover and still with his bow in hand faced Jess and Andy.
He had long white hair falling around a deeply lined, striking face. He stood tall and had the stature and bearing of one of authority.
When he spoke, his voice was strong and powerful.
“You brother of Slim Sherman?” he asked pointing at Andy.
“Yes sir,” he whispered looking terrified.
“You Jess Harper, work for my good friend Slim Sherman?”
Jess opened his mouth to reply, but before he could a voice from behind him said firmly. “Yes, he does White Eagle and like he says he wishes you no harm.”
The old man’s face broke into a welcoming smile and he lowered the bow. “Slim Sherman... good to see you again,” he said.
Jess swiveled and saw Slim just behind him grinning from ear to ear.
Then he came forwards and leaning down he offered a hand, “What are ya doing down there, Jess?” he asked with a chuckle...winking at his little brother.
Jess was hauled up and he brushed himself down with his hat looking a tad sheepish.
“I was tryin’ not to git an arrow in me,” he replied in a gruff whisper. “Dang it Slim what do ya expect me to do huh?”
“Don’t fret he’s harmless enough,” Slim replied in an aside before marching forwards to shake hands with the venerable old medicine man.
Once the men had chatted quietly for a few minutes White Eagle turned to Jess and said, “Your friend is quite comfortable and resting in tepee,” and he gestured for Jess to follow him.
He lifted the entrance flap and peering into the dim interior Jess was just able to make out Al reclining on a bearskin and covered with a bright Indian blanket...one leg bandaged and propped up on another bundle of animal skins.
“He rests peacefully. Ankle heal in one week maybe two...needs much rest...no walk,” and he dropped the tent flap and gestured for Jess to join the others by his camp fire.
Jess collapsed down and took a deep breath, his ribs once more on fire and his damaged arm and head now throbbing in unison.
“Jeez you’re a mess pard,” Slim said softly peering over at his buddy. “Jonesy said you’d been knocked about some but...”
“I’m OK,” Jess broke in, “quit yer fussin’ Slim.”
“Slim right, you need good medicine,” White Eagle interrupted. “Lie back here,” he added pointing to where a saddle covered with a blanket made a comfortable resting place beside the fire.
“Now,” White Eagle added brooking no argument.
Jess threw Slim a wary glance, but then did as he was bid, relaxing down on the blanket and stretching out.
“Good, that very good,” White eagle said nodding and with the approximation of a smile on his ancient lips.
Then he commenced working on Jess. He removed his shirt and gently probed the broken ribs.
“Two maybe three broken chest bones,” he intoned before disappearing into the tepee and returning with some woven cloth similar to hessian. This he soaked in water from a canteen and then bandaged it tightly around Jess’s ribs.
“Hey take it easy,” Jess muttered irritably as the cloth pulled on his painful ribs.
“Must be this way to hold chest in place...to heal good,” White Eagle said showing little sympathy. “Binding dries and holds chest in good, very tight...very good,” he said with another little smile.
Jess figured his chest was just fine as it was and didn’t need to be in this seemingly vice like grip, but reckoned White eagle wasn’t one to be argued with. He could always cut it off once they were on their way back to the ranch he reasoned.
Then White Eagle turned his attention to the gash to his temple and bullet wound to the top of his left arm. Both were thoroughly washed out with clean water, some cooling leaves of some sort placed over them and then they too were bandaged, but not tightly Jess was relieved to note.
Once his efforts were completed, he poured out a cup of some foul-smelling concoction that had been heating over the fire.
“What the hell is that?” Jess spat, his patience fast running out now.
“Is Birch bark tea...to make you sleep...take pain away...is good,” White Eagle said pushing the cup to Jess’s lips.
Jess sniffed the offensive liquid and turned to his friend for support.
“Slim, do somethin’,” he gasped.
But Slim merely grinned at him.
“Just try it Jess...down in one. It works really well; I took some once years ago when I’d busted an arm after my pony threw me. White Eagle here found me and took real good care of me. I was only a kid back then and was hurting something fierce. But that Birch tea sure hit the spot…took all the pain away and I was able to make it home.”
Jess sniffed the medicine once more before downing it in one. Then he grimaced and cussed softly...Slim and White Eagle looking on in amusement. It was only Andy who looked as fearful as Jess as they exchanged a glance, remembering the tales of drugging and other atrocities afforded to trespassers. But before Jess could utter his concerns he was yawning and within minutes fell into a deep restorative sleep.
Chapter 10
The following morning, he awoke feeling much better and was delighted to see Al sitting on the opposite side of the camp fire looking pretty chipper too.
As soon as Al saw Jess stirring, he came across and hunkered down beside him.
“By heck Jess you didn’t half give me a shock tumbling down that dratted gully,” he said looking upset, “I thought you were a goner, really I did.”
“Well, I weren’t too happy about it myself,” Jess said stretching and grimacing at the pain in his ribs. “But I guess we survived OK...just about,” he added rubbing his chest ruefully. “So, how’s the ankle?”
“Aw its nowt ta worry ‘bout Jess...just sprained it ...will be right as nine-pence in a few days.”
“Uh, well keep outer ol’ White Eagles way then, he’s sayin’ yer not to walk on it fer two dang weeks.”
“We’ll see about that,” Al said smirking.
“You sure do have a lot of what ya call northern grit,” Jess said shaking his head and smiling. “I don’t figure I know anyone could have scaled that dang canyon wall that way...and then walked a good five miles on a busted-up ankle.”
Al merely looked pleased and then said, “If it comes to that Jess lad you’ve got more than your share of uh...Texan grit...way you survived that fall down the gully and managed to come and find me!”
The two men were still chuckling when Slim came bearing a coffee pot and two cups.
“What’s in there?” Jess asked looking wary.
“Relax pard, it’s just coffee. You get that down ya and we’ll be heading home. Jonesy will be getting real grumpy being left to run the place all on his own-some,” he said grinning.
They were on their way within the hour, white Eagle’s strict instructions as to their medical care ringing in their ears.
Once they were trotting along on their way home Al turned to Slim and said “So uh, Slim...have you been into town much while we’ve been away?”
Slim shook his head, “Not really. I’ve been over in Cheyenne on business mostly. I did call in at the saloon on my way out there though.”
“Um...so see Annie, did you?” Al asked, not quite meeting Slim’ s gaze and flushing up slightly.
“I might have, why do you ask?” Slim replied brusquely.
“Uh... um, no reason lad...no reason, “Al said looking even more uncomfortable.
Sure, Slim had been to see Annie and if he thought he could get back in with her he was sadly mistaken. All she seemed to want to talk about was their unusual visitor. How long he was staying and when he’d be back in town.
Now he felt the stirrings of jealously return and merely spurred Alamo on to a greater pace saying if they were to call in at town and make a statement for Mort they’d better get on.
Jess and Andy exchanged a puzzled glance at Slim’ s ill humor, but said nothing.
Once in town they made their way to Mort’s office, Al leaning heavily on a walking stick supplied by White Eagle.
The Sheriff glanced up when the men strode in and quickly moved some papers from a chair so Al could be seated with his leg up.
“Well, I’m sure glad you two made it back in one piece,” Mort said grinning at the walking wounded. But then he sobered. “I reckon we’ve enough evidence against those two to put them away for a good long spell...and it’s long overdue too,” he added. “It’s been one petty theft after another, but they’ve really surpassed themselves this time! Extortion...not to mention abduction and actual bodily harm...yup I can really throw the book at then with your statements gentlemen,” Mort said gleefully.
Once their business was completed and they were back on the sidewalk Slim made to mount up, but Al held back.
“I um, think I’ll stay in town for a little while,” he said, looking a tad embarrassed.
“Oh?” Slim asked from where he was now seated on Alamo and ready to ride out.
“Uh...yes you see that White Eagle, he suggested I see the doc here in town...just to check my ankle out to be really sure it’s not um...broken.”
Slim raised a questioning eyebrow. That sure didn’t sound like White Eagle to him. Heck the old guy didn’t have too much time for what he called ‘white medicine’.
“Really, he said that did he?” he drawled.
“Uh...yes and um...maybe Jess should get checked over too?”
Slim waited for Jess to explode declaring he wasn’t goin’ within’ a mile of that old quack, Doc Johnson. Jess had taken a grudge against the old timer for giving him a general anesthetic a while back to set a badly broken arm...and now wouldn’t go anywhere near the doc’s office, if he could help it
“Uh yeah, makes sense,” he agreed grinning over at Al.
Then he turned back to Slim, “And anyway don’t forget I’m bein’ paid handsomely fer keepin’ ol’ Al here safe...just doin’ my duty Slim.”
Andy giggled, but was quickly silenced by a look from his big brother.
“OK, well I’ll expect you back at the ranch in a day or two,” he said grudgingly before kneeing Alamo out of town at a fast gait followed by Andy.
Once they had disappeared around the bend in the street Al threw Jess a crafty wink.
“Some liquid refreshment first; do you think Jess lad?”
Jess grinned back, “I reckon I’m feelin’ kinda dry, yeah,” he agreed as the two made their way down the street to the saloon.
As soon as they entered Annie made a beeline for Al and the two went off to a quiet corner table whilst Jess ambled over to the bar and ordered a beer from the flame haired beauty Jenny.
He thanked her and took a sip of his drink before peering at her over the rim of his glass. He finally put it down and said sarcastically, “What ain’t you makin’ tracks to sit over there with our exotic friend?”
She giggled and shook her head, “Nope I reckon Annie has won out...he’s only got eyes for her.”
“Well, that’s a shame,” he said disparagingly, “I guess you’ll just hafta make do with me.”
But then he saw the twinkle in her eyes and she leaned over the bar to within an inch of his lips and whispered, “Well I reckon that won’t be too bad Jess...so what are ya doing tonight...huh?”
It was only the fact that Al had to pack up ready for his trip back down to Georgia and then on to England that the two men finally returned to the ranch at the end of the week. They had seen precious little of each other, spending all their waking...and indeed sleeping hours in the company of the two saloon girls...And absolutely no time in the presence of old Doc Johnson.
“Don’t worry he won’t ask,” Jess said easily as they advanced on the ranch house on the Friday afternoon.
“No?”
“Nope he’ll be too dang busy tearing a strip off of me to even remember that’s why we were stayin’ in town,” Jess said with great perception.
He pushed the door open and braced himself for the onslaught.
Jonesy and Slim were sitting at the table enjoying a coffee and both men looked up and grinned when they saw who it was.
“Hey Jess...Al, good to have you back,” Slim said beaming at them.
“Jonesy, go make some more coffee, will you?” he added.
Jess stood still, open mouthed with surprise, just waiting for Slim to harangue him...but nothing.
Al ambled over to the table removing his cap and said, “Well, its reet good to see you Slim lad, so how’s tha been?”
“Everything is fine, just fine thanks Al.”
“So, come on Jess coffee’s hot,” Slim said indulgently patting the seat beside him.
Jess looked wary, “I’ve uh, gotta go put the horses up.”
“Nonsense I’ll do that, you’ve had a long ride...sit on down,” Slim insisted vacating his own seat and making for the door.
Jess still stood rooted to the spot as he watched Slim leave and then wandered over to the table and took his place.
“Is uh...Slim OK?” he asked Jonesy.
“Um...sure why shouldn’t he be?”
“Oh, no reason.”
As Slim marched over to the barn leading Traveller and Roxy he whistled cheerfully. Yes, Jonesy had been quite right to read him the riot act he thought. And anyway, Al was heading off tomorrow leaving the field free for him to pursue Annie once more. His mood now lifted, compared to what it had been just a few hours ago.
He had burst into the ranch house after changing the horses on the noon stage on his own once more and he was fuming.
“Just wait until I get hold of that no-good son of a b....!”
Then he saw Andy laying the table and moderated his language... “son of a gun!”
Jonesy strolled out of the kitchen and told Andy to go wash up before the meal and then turned to Slim.
“Well, he’s only doing what he’s been paid to do you know Slim.”
“Oh, don’t give me that, he’s milking it for all he’s worth,” Slim spat angrily. “He’ll have been nowhere near the doc. He’ll just have spent all his time cosying up to that Jenny, I guarantee it.”
“And Al is doing likewise with Annie...huh?”
Slim just looked down and flushed with anger and embarrassment, but said nothing.
“Well, that’s what all this is about isn’t it?” the old timer persisted.
“Maybe,” Slim answered honestly.
“Well, I really shouldn’t fret about that,” Jonesy said easily, “because according to Mose, Al is shipping out soon. He’ll be coming back to pack up all his stuff later today and on his way tomorrow. That will leave little Annie in need of some kindness and fussin’ I shouldn’t wonder. Get her on the rebound see Slim....if you play your cards right.”
Slim brightened slightly, “I hadn’t thought of that.”
“Um, well something else you haven’t thought of. For once that no good drifter is doing something useful. Or had you forgotten that he’s being paid handsomely for guarding young Al. And what’s more he promised to hand it over to buy in new stock?”
Slim looked down feeling really bad now.
“Yes, I guess I had, thanks Jonesy. He had a real bad time out there looking out for Al too, I guess he deserves some downtime with his gal...I won’t bawl him out don’t worry.”
Now rubbing down Traveller he grinned to himself again. Their money worries over and the prospect of a romance, life was suddenly looking pretty good.
It was when they had all turned in, Al already snoring away on the bunk bed, that Jess challenged Slim’ s behavior.
They were settling down for the night, Jess sitting on the edge of his bed and Slim finishing washing up, when Jess said quietly, “Well ain’t ya gonna bawl me out for stayin’ in town so long? I’d really rather get it over with Slim.”
Slim raised his eyebrows in innocent surprise, “Now why would I do that?”
“Because of me leavin’ you here with all the work?” Jess replied sarcastically.
“Well, you were working too…looking out for Al, and that’s just fine.”
Jess now looked astonished, “Well there’s no need to be so dang agreeable about it.”
“Look its fine Jess...like I said you were just doing your bit to help the ranch weren’t you? I mean you’re still going to put some of the cash towards new stock?”
“Well sure I am I made a promise, didn’t I?” Jess sad rather abruptly.
“And you keep your promises, I know,” Slim said sincerely, “and I thank you for it Jess really I do.”
Jess’s ruffled feathers were calmed and he eventually grinned back at his pard “That’s OK then.”
The following morning all was hustle and bustle as Al packed up for his trip home. As it was a Saturday Andy begged to be allowed to accompany Jess to town and visit the mercantile to spend his pocket money.
“Please Slim, I’ve done all my homework already,” he implored of his big brother.
Jess threw Al’s valise in the back of the buckboard and grinned at the youngster, “Go on Slim let him come along for the ride huh?”
Slim sighed, “OK then, but I want you both back this afternoon...no staying in town all weekend Jess. Now where is Al, he’ll miss the darned train if he doesn’t hurry up,” he added peering around the empty yard.
“I think he’s over in the barn with Roxy, I’ll go fetch him,” Jess said striding off.
Jess entered the dimly lit space and was surprised to see Al slumped on a straw bale and looking decidedly dejected.
“Hey what’s up buddy, you’d better shake a leg, or you’ll miss the train,” Jess said.
“I don’t want to go,” Al said looking up, his eyes bleak.
“Huh?”
“It’s Annie, I ...well I suppose you’d say I’m smitten Jess...really smitten...eh but she’s a grand lass...don’t you think?”
“Well sure she’s a cracker Al, but just one problem she lives here and you live in England...so I don’t see how that could work out?”
“Me neither,” he replied shaking his head sadly.
“Look you’ll get over her,” Jess said smiling kindly,” plenty of pretty gals back in the old country huh?”
“Oh, crikey yes. Our kid...my brother that is, is married to a reet lovely lass...But none of them are like my Annie,” he replied sadly.
“Hell, Al you ain’t proposed have ya?”
“What...well no but...”
“Al, Jess are you coming,” Slim yelled from the yard, “that train won’t wait you know!”
They just made it to the rail-head in time.
Al had insisted on stopping by the saloon for a few minutes, where he kissed an anguished looking Annie, leaving her sobbing in her friend Jenny’s arms.
When they hurried onto the station platform Al’s Uncle, Major Adams was pacing anxiously, whilst a guard of half a dozen troopers looked on. They had arrived on the inbound and now were ready to head off again as soon as Al put in an appearance.
“Ah there you are my boy,” the Major said advancing on his nephew.
“Harper,” he said beaming and offering a hand, “well done, mission completed eh!”
“Yes sir,” Jess said with a small salute then shaking the major’s outstretched hand, “quite a reception committee you’ve brought Major.”
The elderly man glanced over to the waiting troops and nodded, “After the spot of bother you’ve had here, I thought it better to be safe than sorry. We certainly don’t want any more abduction attempts.”
“So, you know about that?” Jess asked looking surprised.
“Yes, Mort Cory sent me a wire, filled me in on everything. With special reference to how well you managed to resolve the situation. Well done Harper!”
“Thank you, sir,” Jess said grinning and making a mental note to thank Mort.
The Major dug about in his jacket pocket before withdrawing a bulky envelope.
“Here you are... the balance of your wages for the assignment, plus a substantial bonus young man.”
“Well gee, thanks Major,” Jess said looking delighted.
“You’re very welcome, and you’ve earned every last cent!”
Then the whistle blew and the guard declared all should board as the train was about to leave.
Jess turned and shook hands with a very subdued Al.
“You’ll look out for her won’t you Jess...tell her I’ll write as soon as I get home?”
“Sure, sure I will, safe journey buddy.”
Andy and Jess marched out of the station a few minutes later, after waving the Major and Al off. Then Jess threw a kindly arm around the youngster’s shoulders.
“Come on ‘our kid’,” he said chuckling, “let’s go spend some money!”
Chapter 11
All at the Sherman ranch were truly delighted when Jess returned later that day bearing gifts for them all. He had splashed out on new fishing rods for himself, Andy and Slim. Then had decided to buy old Jonesy a shiny new frying pan that he knew he had been eyeing up in the mercantile window for several weeks.
Once the gifts had been marveled over and Jess thanked, he and Slim got down to business.
“There’s a cattle sale over the other side of Cheyenne end of next month,” Slim said cheerfully, “so I’ll arrange for old Jed Potts to come and give Jonesy and Andy a hand here and we’ll go buy the stock.”
“Sounds good to me,” Jess said returning the smile. “So how about going down to the creek before supper and trying out the new lines...huh?”
The next week or two went by quickly, the men enjoying some leisure time as it was a fairly slack period work wise, towards the end of August.
If Slim had thought he might salvage his relationship with Annie he was sadly mistaken. She was disinclined to attend the Saturday dance or even engage in the usual barroom banter as she carried out her duties as a saloon girl.
“She’s taken ol’ Al going real bad ain’t she?” Jess said to Jenny the following Saturday night, after Al’s departure.
Slim, listening in to the conversation said confidently, “She’ll get over him in time.”
Then smiling at Jenny, “She will...won’t she ?”
Jenny shook her head and cast a glance down the bar to where Annie was now polishing glasses and peering bleakly into space.
“No, I don’t think she will,” she said softly. “I should just leave it Slim. She says she’s given up on men for life...she really thought Al was ‘the one’.”
“What!” Jess asked in amazement, “You mean she wanted to Wed him?”
Jenny nodded, “That’s exactly what I mean.”
“But heck you girls always said you didn’t want to be bothered with all that stuff...said you just wanted a bit of fun,” Jess said almost indignantly.
Jenny eyed him thoughtfully, “Yes well a lady can change her mind you know Jess.”
He nearly choked on his beer at that and threw Slim an anxious look, before smiling weakly at Jenny and ordering another round.
Once she had gone to pour the drinks, he ran a finger around his collar looking slightly shaken. “You don’t think she meant her too, do ya Slim?”
Slim realizing that maybe he’d had a lucky escape as matrimony was no more on his immediate agenda than it was on Jess’ grinned across at his friend and said, “Yes...I reckon that’s exactly what she means pard.”
Shortly afterwards the men drained their glasses and decided on an early night.
“Going so soon on a Saturday night?” Jenny asked raising a questing eyebrow.
“Uh yeah, we’re real busy at the ranch,” Jess said quickly, “need to be up early you know,” and the two men left hurriedly.
It was just a few days later when they heard something that put the girls and their hopes of matrimony, back to the forefront of their minds.
It was still early on the Monday morning when they heard a rider approaching.
Jess was just bringing the replacement team out for the early morning stage when Mort Cory rode briskly down the rise. He tethered his buckskin by the water trough and wandered over.
Slim emerged from the barn and joined them, “Morning Mort what brings you out so early, not trouble I hope?” he asked.
“Kinda I suppose. It’s that Brit guy...uh Al. It seems he’s gone AWOL.”
“What! Hell, he’s not been abducted again has he Mort?” Jess asked heatedly.
The Sheriff tipped his hat back and looked thoughtful, “I couldn’t really say...but it’s unlikely. No sign of violence or a struggle. The guy simply told the Major he was going into town to buy some gifts for the folk back home ...and never came back.”
“Why the hell weren’t they guarding him?” Jess fumed.
“According to the Major that threat was now over. Apparently, the deal his Pa was negotiating with the cotton farmers has all gone through smoothly and everything is amicable again.”
“So, if he weren’t taken, he left of his own free will,” Jess surmised.
“Exactly and so the Major wired wanting to know if you could shed any light as to where he might be?”
Slim and Jess exchanged a knowing look, but said nothing. Hell, if Al had come back in the hopes of marrying Annie then good luck to him Jess thought.
However Slim found it somewhat harder to hoodwink a man of the law, “So uh, you’re sure he isn’t in town, you have looked huh Mort?” he asked vaguely.
Mort’s head shot up and his eyes narrowed, “Now I think I’d have noticed,” he said dryly, “what with that huge belly laugh of his carrying down the street. Not to mention those clothes he favours,” he added with a grin.
Then he looked more serious, “You know something dontcha Slim...um... Jess?” he asked, turning to the dark-haired cowboy and raising an eyebrow.
“No,” said Jess firmly.
“Yes,” said Slim at the same time.
Mort hid a smile, “So which is it then...yes or no ...huh?”
“No, we ain’t seen him,” said Jess again.
“But we figure we know where he’s probably heading,” Slim said, avoiding his pard’ s eye.
‘Heck, was it his fault he’d been brought up to follow the letter of the law?’ he thought grimly.
“Maybe you’d better just explain from the beginning,” Mort said patiently. “And uh, a coffee wouldn’t come amiss huh?”
“So that’s it,” Slim concluded as they sat around the table sipping the reviving coffee, sometime later. “I know Annie would marry him tomorrow, if he returned and asked her that is.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure of that,” Mort said reflectively. “She seems pretty taken with that new guy in town...uh Lancashire... Davy Lancashire is his name...a cattle man from Texas so I hear.”
“You hear? So, you haven’t met him?” Slim asked feeling deeply betrayed that Annie would take up with a stranger and not him. Hell, she knew how he felt about her...didn’t she?
“Nope seen him in the distance...it was Mose told me about him. He said he was real quiet...never heard him utter a word...just sits at a back table and canoodles with Annie any chance he can get.”
“Canoodles!” Slim spat angrily. “Well heck she sure got over that Al pretty darned quickly!”
“Hang on a minute,” Jess said thoughtfully. “So, you ain’t seen him at all then Mort?”
“Only in the distance, a big chap, strides along. He whistles a lot ...I noticed that.”
A beatific smile spread across Jess’s face, “You know what Mort, I think me and Slim should ride into town and meet this uh.... Davy Lancashire.”
It was still quite early when Slim, Jess and the Sheriff arrived in town. They hitched up by the saloon and wandered in.
Tom was behind the bar polishing glasses but came over straight away. “Morning Sheriff, Slim...Jess... anything wrong?” he asked surprised to see the trio in there so early.
“Uh, I hope not,” Mort said, “um, what can you tell me about this Davy Lancashire that Annie seems to have taken such a shine to?”
Tom looked uncomfortable and unable to meet the Sheriff’s intent gaze.
“Uh why do you ask?” he said all his attention now taken up with the glass he was polishing for all he was worth.
“Well, who is he exactly, what’s his business here?” Mort asked impatiently. “Heck Tom you should know, he’s in here every night according to Mose.”
“He um...tends to sit over in the corner...spends some time with Annie...but he doesn’t... uh you know mix much with anyone.”
“Is that all you can say?” Mort asked. “Is he staying long... has he ...you know, got some sort of relationship going with young Annie? I mean it’s all sort of strange isn’t it...her carrying on with him that way... so soon after that Al Ramsden left?”
“I really couldn’t say,” Tom said and then seeing Davy Lancashire himself entering for his usual mid-morning coffee he scurried away on the pretext of brewing said coffee, calling, “Ask him yourself,” over his shoulder.
The three men turned as one and were just in time to see the tall burly man standing stock still in his tracks before turning to leave again.
However, Jess was too quick for him and he pounced and caught the stranger by his arm and yanked him back. “Not so fast mister,” he said gruffly, “we want a word with you.” Then he peered more intently at the big man and propelling him firmly across to the bar said, “Come and say howdy to the Sheriff...uh Mister Lancashire.”
The tall man was dressed in a long frock coat, smart pants, western boots and a Stetson and looked every inch the, smart, prosperous Texan rancher he professed to be...except for the rather incongruous long red beard.
Jess shook his head chuckling and said to Slim and Mort, “Meet Mr Lancashire....or not!” he quipped merrily.
Then he leaned forwards and yanked hard at the beard which came away in his hand...revealing a very familiar countenance.
Al looked down, his face a picture of embarrassment. “How did you know?” he whispered.
Jess grinned at him, “Just a lucky guess. Plus, I figured Annie would never have gotten over you that dang quickly. Then when the Sheriff said this guy was always whistling ...well... And come on Al... I mean Lancashire... huh? That’s where you hail from ain’t it...couldn’t ya think of a better false name?”
Al looked even more humiliated, “Just the first name that came into my head and any road lad, you’re the only person who knew I was from there. I’d hoped I’d have completed my business without bumping into you, see Jess.”
“And so, what business would that be sir?” Mort asked stepping in and taking over.
But before he could answer Annie entered from the back room and rushed over to Al, taking his arm. Then she turned defiantly on the Sheriff and cried, “We are to be married Sheriff and you can’t stop us!”
Mort grinned across at her and said kindly, “Steady Miss, nor would I want to. It’s not the law’s business who decides to marry who, as long as you’re of age.”
Then turning to Al said, “But I am obligated to report back when an individual is reported missing Mr Lancashire...uh Ramsden and that’s exactly what your Uncle, Major Adams, has done. He’s very concerned about you, young man.”
Al hung his head, “Blimey I didn’t want to upset Unc...but he’d have made such a fuss...it just seemed easier to sort of well...elope I suppose,” he said smiling lovingly at Annie.
She turned back to Mort now, “Please Sheriff just give us a couple of days, we’re due to be married at the end of the week...and we’ll head back to the Major’s house. Then the following week back to Britain. It’s all planned Al has booked my berth of the ship...please don’t say anything!”
“Well, I dunno Miss,” Mort said looking wary, “I really should...”
“Hey Mort, what about if I wire the Major, say I’ve found ol’ Al and he’ll be home soon...that’d put his mind at rest and Al and Annie could still get hitched...huh?” Jess asked persuasively.
“I suppose that would work,” Mort said grudgingly. “It is the truth after all and the bride and groom obviously seem to know their own minds and they don’t need parental consent at their age...so...”
Before he could finish speaking Annie had thrown herself at him and given him a big hug and kiss on the cheek, “Thank you SO much,” she cried, laughing with delight and relief.
Mort looked rather pleased with himself and turning to Tom, who had now returned with the coffee said, “I think our business here is concluded...”
“The hell it is,” Jess said grinning from ear to ear, “We’ve got an engagement to celebrate, forget the coffee...set ‘em up Tom, drinks are on me!”
*******
So it was that Al and Annie plighted their troth...as Al quaintly described their wedding. (Old English to pledge or promise marriage) It was something of a hurried affair with little time to make any preparations.
At the couple’s behest, only a few folks were invited to the ceremony. Jess was asked to be Best Man and Jenny, Bridesmaid. The only others present being Tom from the saloon, who gave the bride away, Slim, Andy and Jonesy. At the end of the very moving service Annie threw her bouquet to Jenny who caught it with alacrity, winking at her best friend.
However, the moment passed Jess by as he was busy congratulating the groom at the time. So, it was to be a few years later that the significance of the gesture was explained to him by Daisy. But now he was decidedly innocent as he put a casual arm around Jenny’s shoulders congratulating the Bride and Groom. Then the small party returned to the saloon where a superb Wedding Breakfast awaited them, along with half the town ready to join in the celebrations.
“You didn’t really think you’d get away with a secret wedding, did you?” Slim asked grinning at the young couple. “Annie here is really popular in town,” he added giving her a loving smile, “she’ll be sadly missed.”
Then turning to Al said, “So you make sure you look after her,” he added giving him a slightly less than friendly look...leaving unsaid what would happen to him if he were ever to upset his new bride.
“You can rest assured she’s in good hands Slim lad,” Al said, the blond rancher’s veiled threat not going unheeded. “I’ll look out for her, treat her like she were a princess born and bred...she’ll want for nowt I can promise you that. I love her to bits you see.”
All the time Annie was looking adoringly up at her new husband and then she leaned forwards and kissed Slim on the cheek.
“Be happy for me?” she whispered.
Slim’ s face broke into a wide grin, “Sure, sure I’m real happy for you Annie, have a good life,” he replied softly.
Then Jess broke in bringing some drinks over and the moment passed.
It was a lively party that finally broke up in the early hours of the morning. The Bride and Groom had retired to the best room in the Laramie hotel for the night sometime during the evening and now Slim was following Jonesy and Andy across to bed down at the hotel too...
He turned to where Jess and Jenny were in deep conversation at the bar and said, “Are you coming across now Jess, we’ve got a couple of rooms booked.”
Jess half turned and threw Slim a look as though to say ‘are you crazy,’ but merely replied “Uh, no you go ahead Slim, I’ll see ya later,” Then leaning across said in a whisper, “Much later,” with a sly wink.
“Suit your-self,” Slim said quietly. He hadn’t missed the affair with the bouquet...or the knowing wink exchanged between the two girls. But that was Jess’s funeral he thought dryly...or wedding. There was no way his pard would listen to reason that night he decided .Nope, not with that light of passion in his deep blue eyes. So, he merely slapped him on the back and made his way across the road to the hotel.
It was the following morning when the alarm bells started ringing in Jess’s ears.
He had spent a night of unbridled passion in Jenny’s big comfortable bed. Now he stirred as the first dawn light filtered in through the drapes and he gradually became aware of her scrutiny.
He stretched and smiled lazily at her as she lay beside him, her head resting on her hand as she looked intently down at him.
“Morning sweetheart,” he said smiling up at her and then running a finger gently down her cheek, “why so serious?”
She looked down, then met his gaze again and burst out with, “Oh Jess, let’s do it!”
He was still only half awake, but heck if that’s what the lady wanted, well sure he’d oblige. He pulled her gently down towards him and kissed her deeply. But after a moment she pulled back...that intense look still in her eyes.
Jess finally became aware that maybe all was not what it seemed. He frowned slightly and said, “What do ya mean honey...do what?”
“You know, get hitched just like Annie and Al. What do you say Jess…I mean...you do love me don’t you?”
Jess’s eyes opened wide with shock, instantly awake as his heart started pounding and his breathing suddenly seeming out of control.
He made a sort of groaning sound that could have meant anything.
Now she was sitting up and peering at him keenly.
Love her...well he sure loved what she did to him...and yes, he was real fond of her...loved her in a way he supposed...but marriage ...hell marriage?
He cleared his throat, “Well sure I do...ya know honey. But heck this thing with us...it was just a bit of fun. We decided that, together didn’t we? Talked it through, said no strings attached, huh...you remember that dontcha?” he asked desperately.
“Well of course I do,” she said smiling indulgently at him, “but a lady can change her mind you know Jess.”
“They can?”
“Sure, everyone knows that it’s a lady’s uh...perog...prerogative... that’s it a lady’s choice...and I just chose to change my mind.”
Jess squirmed in the bed, pulling the covers up protectively and wondered how the hell he was gonna get out of this one.
Just at that moment there was a tapping on the bedroom door and Annie called out, “Hey you two…are you decent? You promised to come and see me and Al off this morning.”
Jess breathed a sigh of relief and Jenny looked slightly taken aback.
“OK we’ll be right there,” she called out...before turning back to Jess.
“Promise me...you’ll think about it Jess.”
“Think about it? Well yeah, sure I can think about it,” Jess agreed...already planning his getaway... “We’d better get dressed right now though.”
Sometime later all from the Sherman Ranch along with Jenny and Tom stood at the rail-head waving off the happy couple.
Jess was standing beside Slim and said out of the corner of his mouth, “I guess we’d better be heading home now huh Slim, lots to do?”
Slim eyed his friend indulgently, “Nah, no rush is there, buddy...things are pretty slack right now...until we head off on that cattle buying trip. But that’s not until next week.
“No,” Jess almost yelled, “Er I mean I’ve been thinkin’ Slim; we should head off early....in case we hit some bad weather ya know?”
Slim cast an eye up to the clear blue sky, “Bad weather...in August?”
“Well, you never know Slim.”
The he saw Tom and Jenny advancing on them.
“Look just agree with whatever I say OK,” Jess said urgently.
“So are you two coming back to the saloon for breakfast, Jenny’s cooking,” Tom said grinning at them.
“Uh...no sorry we can’t,” Jess said quickly. “Slim’ s just reminded me we’re off on a cattle buying trip tomorrow...so lots of work to do first.”
Slim looked slightly taken aback but agreed that yes, they really had to take their leave.
“Well, that’s just too bad,” Jenny said throwing Jess a lovelorn look. “You will um...think about it won’t you Jess?” she added coyly.
“Sure, sure I will, I’ll think of nothing else,” Jess said honestly.
It was later when back at the ranch and out of earshot of Andy and old Jonesy that Slim quizzed Jess about his strange behavior.
They were putting their horses up when Slim turned to his buddy and throwing him a questioning glance said, “So what’s going on then Jess?”
“Huh...uh... nothin’ goin’ on why?”
“Don’t give me that; you’ve been looking like a terrified deer looking down a double barrel shot gun from the wrong end since this morning.”
“Hey I ain’t terrified.” Jess said looking somewhat affronted, “just uh...kinda wary that’s all, doggone it.”
Slim rolled his eyes and said, “Well what are you ‘kinda wary’ about then pard?”
When Jess just looked down and said nothing Slim answered for him.
“Let’s try this for size. Miss Jenny suddenly got a hankering for a nice gold ring like her best buddy huh?”
Jess’s head shot up and he gasped, “How the hell did ya know that?”
“It’s pretty obvious isn’t it...one of them gets wed and then all their friends want to follow suit.”
“You might have dang well warned me,” Jess said looking belligerent.
“I did suggest you bedded down at the hotel...but I know you Jess, once you’re on a promise a team of wild horses wouldn’t have shifted you.”
Jess sighed deeply and sank down on a straw bale, “I guess you’re right. But hell, I never saw this coming Slim. We talked about it, way back before I... ya know ...got intimate with her. She was of the same mind as me, just havin’ a fun time...no strings attached. Just keep it real light she said...have a fun time and then move on she said. No mention of a dang lifelong commitment,” he finished bitterly.
“So, what did you tell her?”
“That I’d think about it,” he replied with a rueful smile.
“And will you?”
“Hell no, I’m goin’ on that cattle drive ain’t I and maybe she’ll have gotten over the notion by the time I get back.”
“So, you’re just going to cut and run?” Slim asked sternly.
Jess flushed up but said nothing.
“Don’t you think you owe her more than that Jess?”
He sighed deeply and ran a hand through his unruly dark hair before nodding. “Yes of course I do...I’ll go see he ...before I cut and run,” he added with a cheeky grin.
Slim rolled his eyes, “Well that’s better ... I suppose.”
*******
They rode into Laramie on their way to buy the cattle a few days later.
Both men headed to the saloon and whilst Slim had a beer and chat with Tom, Jess led Jenny to a quiet table at the back of the saloon and they were soon deep in conversation.
Tom tipped his head over to the young couple and said quietly to Slim, “I hope your pard lets her down gently...I can’t abide women weepin ’ and carryin’ on all over the place...bad for business.”
Slim grinned at him, “You know about that do you?”
“Hell yes, I told her Jess weren’t the settling down sort...but she wouldn’t have it. Like all females she thought she could change him,” and both men shook their heads sadly at the folly of unrequited love.
Meanwhile on the other side of the room Jess held Jenny’s hands across the table and looked deeply into her eyes, “It ain’t you, it’s me,” he said gently. “I did tell ya that I weren’t ready to settle down yet, didn’t I ... if ever,” he added.
“I know that,” she replied, “I just thought... when you saw how happy Annie and Al were, you’d change your mind.”
Clutching at straws Jess said, “Have you heard from them...did they get to the Major’s place alright?”
“Yes, she wired me, they’re just fine... staying at Al’s Uncle’s place for another two weeks and then they head back down south to take the boat home...well to England that is. I figure Annie’s getting homesick already,” she said reflectively, “it’s an awfully big step going to a different country.”
“One heck of an adventure though,” Jess said enthusiastically.
“Yes, I suppose so.”
Then Slim marched over, “I reckon we’d better be heading out if we’re going to make it on time Jess,” he said touching his hat to Jenny and throwing her a sympathetic smile.
“Sure, I’ll catch ya up,” and Slim made his farewells and left.
“Yer not gonna cry are you?”
Jenny shook her head, “No... I knew it wouldn’t work out if I’m honest...I think maybe we’re both too young.”
Jess gave a huge sigh of relief and standing he pulled her up and into his warm embrace.
“You look after yerself, you hear, and I’ll see you in a couple weeks...OK?”
She nodded, “Safe journey,” and then she gave a little stifled cry and ran off into the back room...leaving Jess staring after her.
After a moment he wandered over to tha bar, “She’ll be OK?”
“Sure,” said Tom, “she’ll get over it. You head off and we’ll see you when you get back.”
*******
As it turned out it was several weeks before Jess and Slim made it back to town.
They encountered some would be rustlers on the way home, but thankfully they were on their guard and saw the no hopers off before they could cut out any of the herd. Then once they returned home, they had their work cut out branding all the new beasts.
So it was about three weeks after Jess and Jenny’s charged conversation that they finally dressed up, ready for a Saturday night on the town.
They marched over to the saloon ready for a few drinks and some banter with the saloon gals. Annie had been replaced by Cherry, who had the dark sultry looks of an eastern princess and both men perked up when they saw her.
“Well, that’s going to be my date before the night’s out,” Slim said with unaccustomed self-assurance. “I suppose you’ll be carrying on where you left off with Jenny,” he added with a questioning eyebrow.
“As long as she‘s over that crazy notion about us gettin’ wed,” Jess agreed.
Cherry was currently busy at the far end of the bar and as the two men waited to be served a buxom, blond woman in her late forties entered from the back room and came over.
“Yes, young man what’ ll it be?” she asked casting Jess a motherly smile.
However, the smile on Jess’ face froze and he said rather abruptly, “Who are you and where’s my gal?”
She took his somewhat abrasive comment well and merely said, “I’m Gloria dear and if you mean Miss Jenny she’s gone.”
“Gone,” Jess gasped looking deeply shocked...then more loudly, “heck where’s she gone to?”
That was when Tom came over, “It’s OK Gloria I’ll deal with this,” he said quickly.
He poured a whiskey and pushed it across the bar, “Here drink this...on the house.”
Jess turned and threw Slim a puzzled glance before downing the offered drink and then saying, “So where is she then Tom?”
Tom looked up to the ceiling as though seeking inspiration and then looked back at Jess.
“Well at this precise moment I reckon she’s on the high seas, someplace between here and England.”
“What!” Jess yelled looking dumbfounded. “She can’t be! Heck why’d she do a dang fool thing like that?”
“Well, I’ll tell ya Jess, she said there was nothing left for her around here iffen you weren’t about to commit. Then she got another wire from Annie saying she was getting cold feet and wasn’t sure she’d be able to settle in the old country. That’s when Jenny decided to go too.”
“I’ll be...” Slim said chuckling. “Well, that’ll teach ya Hotshot...you don’t buckle down and do what the ladies want...they run out on you.”
Jess looked scandalized for a full minute and then he finally saw the funny side.
“I asked for that didn’t I?” he said laughing himself now.
Then he shook his head, “Oh well one door closes...” and he wandered over to the end of the bar to introduce himself to Cherry.
Epilogue
It was the following spring before they got word from Al as to how life was panning out in the Old Country.
Mose had brought the bulky envelope addressed to Jess on the morning Stage. Now he, Slim and Jonesy were seated around the table sipping a coffee as Jess read extracts out aloud.
“Al has taken over from his Pa whose retired now and says it’s real hard work, but he’s enjoying it.”
Then he gave a low whistle, “Jeez Annie’s expecting a young ‘un real soon. She sends her love,” he added throwing Slim a quizzical glance. Slim felt a slight pang of envy. He had sure missed Annie when she’d left...but heck he was philosophical enough to know when he was beaten and he was glad Annie was happy...really, he was.
Then Jess burst out laughing, “Well I’ll be!”
“Come on Jess spit it out,” Jonesy said impatiently. “I’ve a vat of liniment waitin’ on me to boil it up ya know!”
“Sorry Jonesy, OK it says here that when Al’s pa retired from the mill, he decided to go into the brewing business and he’s bought a brewery and the local Ale House too!”
“Ale House?” Jonesy asked.
“Saloon to us,” Jess informed him, “but listen up, the best of it is he’s taken on my Jenny as the Manager. She runs the whole place...well I’ll be!” he said again his eyes shining.
“See Jess if you’d wedded her like she wanted you could have gone over too...and be a part owner of a brewery and saloon by now,” Slim said chuckling at his own wit.
Jess looked thoughtfully off into the distance before turning back to his pard and said in a hushed voice, “Now wouldn’t that have been an adventure.”
*******
Annie went on to bear Al three healthy sons and a beautiful daughter.
However, Jenny never married but found her place in the world as the Manager and finally owner of the Nags Head public house in Manchester...the place bequeathed to her by Al’s Pa on his passing some years later.
It had been difficult for her to be accepted at first by the rough tough working northern men. Women rarely entered the ale houses let alone owned them. However, they soon realized they had met their match with the equally tough, strong Texan lass. She was eventually accepted and more than that... respected and loved by the local community.
If occasionally her thoughts ever returned to Jess and Laramie, she would smile; the memories bitter sweet.
Then she would think of what Al had referred to as Jess’ Texan Grit....and compared it with the Northern Grit she saw all around her. How the women folk remained strong and cheerful, often living and working in terrible poverty and harsh conditions. Then how the men overcame adversity with sheer hard toil and tenacity, facing everything the unforgiving weather and working conditions could throw at them.
Working hard and certainly playing hard too, seemed the same the world over, Jenny reflected. The lively banter and hard drinking in the Nags Head were not dissimilar to that which she had experienced in the Laramie saloon. Nope she thought to herself...she might be thousands of miles away from home...but these kindly, tough people were similar...very similar to those she had left behind back home and she rejoiced in that.
*******
Back in the Laramie saloon both Gloria and the exotic Cherry lasted only a few short weeks before deciding the work wasn’t for them.
“So, what’ ll you do now Cherry and Gloria have left?” Jess asked one busy Saturday night. “You can’t manage on yer own Tom.”
“I don’t intend to,” Tom said with a broad grin. “I’ve got me a new pair starting next week. You’ll like ‘em,” he said turning to encompass Slim in his smile. “Real purty gals...real purty, from your neck of the woods too I believe Jess...Texas way, so the cute little dark haired one said anyways.”
Jess perked up at that news, “Pretty you say?”
“Oh my yes...one blond and slender, the other dark and you know...” and he made a curvy shape with his hands, “a real doll,” he added.
Jess grinned, “Can’t wait to meet them,” he said happily.
But that, as they say, is another story...
The End
Thank you for reading!