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  John followed Hubert into the store and began browsing through the dry goods while Hubert filled his order. “I like this sideboard. I can’t say I’ve ever seen one like it.”

  “I just got that in from North Carolina. It’s actually a grocer’s counter but they have been finding homes as sideboards. Etta Mae has wanted it for the house but she knows we can’t afford it. Someday, she’ll get one.

  John continued to admire the piece of furniture. It was made of natural pine and was about seven feet long. It had rounded ends and a thick butcher-block top that was held together with a metal band. There were three rows of drawers and an open section below each drawer.

  “Here’s your slicker and blankets. There’s no charge for the beans. Will there be anything else?”

  “Just one thing more. I want to buy this sideboard for Etta Mae. But I don’t want you to tell her about it until I leave.”

  “John, I—I don’t know what to say. You can’t do that. That’s too much…”

  “Hubert, I’ll tell you what to say. Just say, ‘thanks’ and let me have a bit of pleasure in paying back you and your wife for your hospitality.”

  Hubert graciously put out his hand and said, “Thanks, John.”

  “You’re welcome, Hubert. You’re a kind man and you’ve got a good wife. I’m happy to have made your acquaintance.”

  The men returned to the house and ate the breakfast Etta Mae had prepared. When the meal was finished, John tied his slicker and blankets on his saddle behind the cantle and then added his saddlebags.

  As he was getting ready to get into the saddle, Etta Mae gave him a big hug, being sure not to squeeze his injured arm. “John, any time you come by this way, you be sure to come at meal time. You’re always welcome.”

  John hugged her back and shook Hubert’s hand and Hubert boosted John into the saddle. “So long folks. Thanks for your hospitality.”

  “Good bye, John,” said the couple as Midnight adopted a gentle lope. John was about a hundred yards down the road when he heard Etta Mae scream. Then she said, “John Crudder. What on earth did you do?” Then she let out a loud “whoop!”

  John smiled to himself and marveled that such a relatively small gift could bring such happiness. He rode on wondering what he would face that day. Frio City was about sixteen miles ahead. He figured he should make it by noon.

  Chapter 20

  When John reached Frio City it was well before noon. John stopped in front of the livery stable to see if there had been any sign of Holloway.

  “Howdy, young man,” said the stableman. “Are you back to give your horse some of my oats. You know I’ve got the sweetest oats in these parts.”

  John laughed. “Yup, I think Midnight could use some oats. While he’s eatin’ I wonder if you could help me with some information?”

  “Be glad to if I can. What you want to know?”

  “I’ve been tracking three bad men. One is named Holloway. He’s ridin’ a flea-bit gray. Then there’s a man with a fancy silver hatband that’s ridin’ a bay and another man who’s walking with a limp and ridin’ a dun. They were probably through here about two weeks ago.”

  “Yup, I seen ’em. But it weren’t two weeks ago. They came through here no more than two days ago.”

  John listened and was visibly excited to hear that he was so much closer to the evil men. “When did they leave here?”

  “Well, I think it was about dusk the day before yesterday. Yup, that’s when it was. I remember ’cause they took exception to me chargin’ ’em for the feed their horses ate. All I charged them was two bits each for feed and two bits for stabling them over night. They just laughed at me and didn’t pay me nothin’. Men like that ought to be horse whipped.”

  “I agree with you on that. Which way did they go?”

  The stableman pointed north. “Didn’t say where they were goin’ but they weren’t in much of a hurry. I saw ’em when they rode out of town but they didn’t go then. They went over to the saloon and didn’t come out ’til near midnight. I don’t sleep real sound like. Couldn’t help but hear ’em when they left the saloon. They were drunker than Cooter Brown. They left their horses saddled all that time waitin’ in front of the saloon. Why would anyone treat a horse like that? If they wasn’t gonna leave when they picked the horses up, why didn’t they just wait until they were ready to go?”

  “So when they left the saloon, they headed north?”

  “That’s right. They probably didn’t get far before they stopped for the night. Like I said. They were not in any shape to ride anywhere.”

  John gave two silver dollars to the stableman. “That’ll make up for what they stole from you. I’m glad you didn’t tangle with ’em. They’ve hurt a lot of people.” John swung up onto Midnight.

  “Thanks mister. But your horse hasn’t finished his oats.”

  John turned in the saddle. “I’ll be back this way and let him eat then.” Midnight was already making time getting out of town. Once he passed the last building, John gave Midnight his head and the big horse headed toward Moore, Texas.

  He arrived in the early afternoon and swung down in front of the saloon. John tied midnight to the hitching rail and went inside and ordered a beer.

  As the bartender slid the beer down to John, John asked about Holloway and his gang

  “Why are you wantin’ to know?” asked the barman. “You a friend of theirs?”

  The corner of John’s mouth turned up in a sardonic smile. “They’re no friends of mine. Fact is, they shot me and left me for dead. They’re also all wanted for bank robbery and murder. So have you seen them or not?”

  “Sorry mister. I didn’t mean nothin’ by that. I just wanted to make sure you weren’t with them, that’s all. Yeah, they were here. They picked a fight with one old cowboy. I think they would have killed him if I hadn’t got my shotgun on ’em. I told ’em to clear out and they left.”

  “When was that?” asked John.

  “That was just last night.”

  John put a quarter on the bar and ran out to Midnight.”

  “Hey mister. Aren’t you gonna drink your beer?”

  John ducked under the hitching rail and pulled himself into the saddle. He pointed Midnight north, leaned forward in the saddle and moved the reins several inches in front of the saddle horn. Midnight immediately ran at full speed out of town. John was close to catching up with Holloway. He knew it would likely only be a little while until he confronted them.

  John let Midnight run at full speed hoping to catch up with Holloway and his men before they hurt more people. In well less than an hour, John got to Nicksville. He slowed Midnight to a trot and headed for Nicks General Store. There were three horses tied to the hitching rail. Blue was barking at the closed door. John dismounted and tied Midnight to the hitching rail.

  Blue continued his panicked barking. John drew his six-gun and walked around to the back of the store. He silently opened the door and slipped inside. The three desperados had Nicks backed up to the back wall behind the counter.

  “I said, we want your money,” shouted Holloway. “We’re gonna find it anyway. You can make it easy and tell us and, who knows, you might even live.”

  “Muchachos, let’s cut him a leetle,” said Gomez as he unsheathed a machete he wore on his belt. “I want to see him bleed.”

  John took several steps toward the men. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  The men turned toward John. Atkins cocked his six-gun, but John shot him between the eyes before he got his gun ready to shoot. Gomez raised his machete but as he did, John withdrew the dagger from his sleeve and let it fly with deadly accuracy. It sunk into Gomez’s neck just above his sternum. Both men dropped to the floor as Holloway drew his gun. Before he could shoot, Nicks picked up a cast iron skillet and brought it down heavily on Holloway’s head.

  John and Nicks stood for a few seconds looking at the situation and taking in what had just happened.

  “I’m sure glad
to see you, John Crudder. Don’t know what I’d have done if you didn’t come in when you did.”

  “These men are just pure evil,” said John. “They’ve murdered several people. And it looks like they were getting ready to do it again.”

  John went to the pile of men and removed their guns and the machete. “Nicks, hold a gun on Holloway. I want to get some handcuffs on him before he wakes up. I have some in my saddlebags.”

  After retrieving the handcuffs, John pulled Holloway’s hands behind his back and applied the cuffs to his wrists.

  “Youngster, I’m glad you came equipped. What are you gonna do with this man?”

  “I’m takin’ him back to Laredo to stand trial for murder. But there are probably many cities that would like to put him on trial. I’m not sure what to do with his partners. Is there an undertaker around here?”

  “No, but we’ve got a coroner who will pronounce them dead. And there’s a couple of boys that live down the road that’ll be tickled to dig their graves for two dollars each. And I know they have money. They took twenty-seven dollars out of my cash drawer and decided I must have some more money hidden here. That’s when you came in.”

  “Where do we find the coroner?” asked John.

  “Well that’s me?” said Nicks with a big smile on his face.

  “I remember you’re the justice of the peace and the postmaster.”

  “Yup. I’m also the coroner. So let me do my coroner work. They’re dead. Now help me get my twenty-seven dollars back and enough to bury ’em.”

  John went through the pockets of all three men and removed their money. There were several hundred dollars between them. Together Nicks and John dragged the two dead men out of the store. When they came back inside, Holloway was just regaining consciousness.

  “What happened? Who hit me?”

  “I did,” said Nicks. “And if you’re not careful, I’ll hit you again.”

  “What have you done to my hands? Who tied me up?”

  “I did.” John had just retrieved his bloody dagger from the neck of Gomez. He went over to Holloway and wiped the knife on his shirt. As he did, he lingered only inches from Holloway. Leaving his dagger dangerously close to the man’s neck. Holloway’s eyes carefully tracked the dagger and his face showed the terror that he felt.

  “Holloway, you don’t deserve it but I’m gonna let you live. You’ll live long enough to get to Laredo and stand trial for murdering Marie Hanson. And if you’re lucky, we’re gonna ride right on past Encinal. I know they’d to get their hands on you for murdering Dawson and his wife as well as Colby. Anything you want to say?”

  Holloway looked at the floor and then with a smirk and venom in his voice said, “I got nothin’ to say. But you can’t pin that murder on me. That one in Laredo. Yeah, I did it but there is more to it.”

  “There’s nothing more to it,” said John. “You killed her and left a boy without his mother. I’m gonna see you pay for what you’ve done. But I’m not gonna put up with much from you. If you don’t want to go to Laredo, you can join your friends in the cemetery.”

  John tied Holloway to the hitching rail in front of the store. “Nicks, you reckon we could camp on your porch for this evening? I’ll be heading out at first light for Laredo.”

  “Of course you can, John. Make sure he’s tied up and I’ll get you some canned beans and peaches. Seems to me I remember you bein’ partial to ’em.”

  “Good memory. I do like ’em. Nicks, I’ll need some more groceries for my trip. If you will gather us enough food for both of us to last four days. That should be enough to get us to Laredo. Fortunately, Holloway has plenty of money to pay for it. Also, go through the saddle bags on all three of their horses. Gather any money you find and I’ll take that in. Then for Gomez and Atkins’ horses, they won’t be needing them any more. As far as I’m concerned, you can have them and their saddles.

  “Thanks, John. I’ll take good care of them. I’ve got one other thing I think you could use for your trip.” Nicks went to the back of his store and came back with a set of leg irons. “Do you think you could use these?”

  “Well, Nicks. You told me last time I was here that had just about everything in your store. You have proved that to be true.”

  “This pair has an extra long chain that comes apart in the middle. That’s so you can use them while he’s riding his horse. Once he is in the saddle, you just connect the two chains under the horse’s belly.”

  “You’re not gonna keep me trussed up all the way to Laredo are you?” asked Holloway.

  “I will unless you cause trouble. Then you’ll get thrown across your saddle and I’ll chain your hands and feet together.”

  “That just ain’t human,” said Holloway.

  “You mean, ‘humane,’” John replied. “You’re right. That’s the way to take care of wild animals. Only a wild animal would murder people. You are nothin’ more than an animal. Don’t give me cause to use other measures on you. But if you do, you can know I’ll be ready to accommodate you.”

  Holloway actually shuddered at John’s cold words. He could tell the diminutive cowboy meant everything he said.

  ✽ ✽ ✽

  When morning came, John opened another can of beans and fed some to Holloway.

  “Nicks, if you’ll help me, I want to get him in the saddle and get started.”

  Nicks helped Holloway into the saddle as John connected the leg irons under his horse.

  “At least cuff my hands in the front. I can’t ride with them in the back.”

  “They’re stayin’ right the way they are. Nicks, thanks for takin’ care of the buryin’ of Holloway’s friends. As far as I’m concerned, you can just roll ’em in a hole and put dirt on ’em. They don’t deserve anything more.”

  John took the reins of Holloway’s horse and swung up onto Midnight.

  Chapter 21

  Holloway’s horse followed closely behind Midnight. They made it to Moore by dusk. At the saloon, John swung down and tied both horses securely.

  “Ain’t you gonna get me down,” yelled Holloway as John went inside.

  John ordered a beer and told the bartender he had captured Holloway. The bartender told others that were in the bar. Soon they were all outside gawking and the man who had caused trouble there just a few days before.

  “You want us to take care of him for you?” asked the bartender.

  “Depends on what you mean by takin’ are of him. If you mean gettin’ him off his horse, I’d ’preciate the help. But if you mean something more….”

  The bartender laughed. “Come on men. Get this lowlife off his horse. Chain him up on the porch. I guess I need to get him somethin’ to eat.”

  “That would be fine. Just tell me how much it costs and I’ll take care of it.”

  “And I want a drink, too,” yelled Holloway. The bartender turned around and laughed.

  “Is there a place where I can bed down for the night?” asked John.

  “I’ve got a room upstairs you can use. What do you want me to do with Holloway?”

  “Tell you the truth, I’m more concerned with him escapin’ than anything else. I think he will be better chained outside where he can be seen.”

  “That sounds fine with me,” said the bartender. “I’ll have your horses taken care of for the evenin’. Just leave it all to me.”

  The bartender passed on orders to a couple of the men who were drinking. They got up and went out to take care of the horses. John ate dinner and went upstairs, glad to be out of the saddle. He knew all the time on horseback was taking a toll on him. But he knew he would be in Laredo soon.

  When morning came, the bartender served breakfast to John and Holloway. The bartender helped John get Holloway back on his horse and the leg irons secured.

  “You can’t make me spend another day chained up like an animal.” Holloway bellowed and cursed as he was put on his horse. John paid the bartender for the food and the room and left him an extra five dollars fo
r his help in taking care of Holloway.

  All the way to Frio City, Holloway complained. He said he was tired of being in the saddle and he took exception to being chained the whole trip. John just smiled each time he complained and ignored him.

  Once in Frio City, John went to the sheriff’s office, and had Holloway locked up and made arrangements for him to have a meal. He then went to the telegraph office and sent a message to Slim.

  Richard Hanson

  Bandera, Texas

  Captured Holloway. Bring Richie and meet me in Laredo for trial.

  John Crudder

  Frio City, Texas

  John went to the café, had a meal and contemplated the rest of his journey. He wanted to make it to Darlington by dusk so he decided to cut lunch short and get started. When he got to the jail to collect Holloway, he was met with complaints and profanity from his prisoner.

  “I haven’t even finished eating. And this is the first time I’m been out of handcuffs since we started. The deputy wouldn’t even take off my leg irons. You don’t have to treat me like this.”

  John continued ignoring Holloway and accepted the help of the sheriff and deputy to put Holloway on his horse. Once they got him in the saddle, they connected the chains of his leg irons and John headed for Darlington.

  ✽ ✽ ✽

  Just before dark, John pulled into Darlington and swung down in front of the store.

  “John!” shouted Etta Mae. “I’m so glad to see you again! Thank you so much for the sideboard. It’s—what’s he doing here?”

  “Hello, Etta Mae,” said Holloway. “Don’t you have any kind words for your brother-in-law? I hope you have something good for supper. I recall you are a wonderful cook.”

  “Don’t speak to me, you animal. Did you forget you stole from us when you were here?”

  “Easy, Etta Mae,” said Holloway. “Why does everyone call me an animal? I’m just a poor misunderstood cowboy who is tryin’ to make a go of it in the world.”

  “Hello, John,” shouted Hubert from the barn. Then he lowered his voice. “I had hoped I wouldn’t see you ever again, Percy.”