Chapter 28
He heard the horses at the top of the hill and knew it wasn't the men
who had ridden into his valley two days ago.
Those men were still around. Even
if he couldn’t see them, he knew they were hiding in the coverage the rocks
and logs provided on the many ledges he knew so well. He knew this whole valley; no one could hide
from him here, not without his knowing what they were up to. The earlier arrivals were definitely running
from something or someone.
He crept along the rocks stealthily; he never had to look down at his
feet, they had walked this terrain a thousand times before. They knew each loose boulder and hole in the
ground. He watched the new group making
their way down the main path, close to the valley floor now. They seemed cautious - the one in the back with
the black hat kept looking behind him. Maybe
he was expecting company or trying to avoid it.
But that young man wasn't who kept his attention, it was one of the riders
toward the front - the one on the paint pony, the one in the blue coat and white
hat. It's been years but he'd know him
anywhere. He moved closer and that's
when he saw them. Most of the men had
badges on their coats. And the boy in
front was surrounded by them.
"What kinda trouble have you gotten yourself
into now, boy?" he whispered.
He'd have to move fast to save him. The
old man paused for just a moment as the younger man looked toward the Indian
riding in front of him then glanced in his direction.
That confirmed it; he was close enough to see their blueness.
They were his mama's eyes. "Whatever
reason these men have for holding you, I'll get you away, I promise."
He started forward. "I'm
comin', Joey."
And that's when the first shot rang out.
Jeff Flemington had heard the horses as they approached the top of the
hill. He'd been waiting for that sound
for two days now and it had finally arrived.
He knew it was only a matter of time until they were tracked down - he'd
been forced to be sloppy in their retreat out of
Jeff Flemington saw the badges shining in the mid-morning sun and smiled
when he recognized one of the men toward the rear. It was none other than Territorial Marshal Sam
Cain. He was actually wanted by the territorial
marshal - he was impressed.
And now the good marshal would pay for being so diligent in his work by
losing the lives of some of his men, most of his men, if Jeff had his way.
He motioned his men to spread out. The
posse was stretched out along the main path, nearing the valley below.
He would take them totally be surprise- they'd never know what hit them,
he thought, smiling.
His men were watching him for the signal. He shook his head and pointed to himself.
They would know what he meant by the gesture - he would get the first
shot off then they could have their fun. He
slowly moved forward. He wanted the front of the line, mainly to cause
a chain reaction of panic amongst the horses. They would come running toward the valley and
he and his men would pick them off one by one.
At least he hoped it went that way.
He steadied his hand then took aim. And
that's when the first shot rang out.