the Gentleman Gunfighter, C. F. Allison [best e reader for android .txt] 📗

gavel once again to close this case out too. Judge Forrester then looked at Clay and said to him in a cold and level tone, “Mr. Allison, you have made your self an enemy to the law here in this town. I would strongly recommend you gather your property as quickly as possible and leave. I would also highly recommend you never return here or to this State for that matter.” Facing the judge with a solemn look of his own Clay replied, “I believe your right judge, and I believe I’ll take that advice. Much obliged to you for being a fair man Your Honor.” With that being said, Clay gathered his property and he and John turned and walked out of the saloon wasting no time leaving town.

“Well big brother, where to now?” John asked. “Being how we missed the work back there I figured we’d head back up toward Dodge City. I heard the McNulty Company is in need of trails hands for a big cattle drive and round up.” Nodding his head in agreement John replied, “Sounds like a plan to me. Let’s make some distance.” Both of them giving their horses a gentle kick the horses began to gallop and they turned northeast towards Dodge City.

A couple of days into the journey Clay began to suddenly notice a dust free, fresh air smell. He told John “We need to try and make that small valley we camped in on our way down. There’s a storm brewing and we’re going to need the cover of those trees.” Not very long after that the sky began to darken, and the wind began to blow harder and harder. That wasn’t far away though and Clay still had his small pup tent from his days in the confederate army. It was rolled up and attached to his saddle next to his bedroll.

It was already starting to rain when they reached the pond in the small grove of trees. Clay quickly rolled out his pup tent and set it up faster than he could ever remember getting it set up before to keep from getting soaked from the fast approaching rain storm. The tent may have been small, but it was large enough to accommodate the brothers and protect them both from the furious storm and violent rain that came fast and hit hard trying to wash away everything in its path. The brothers decided they had might as well rest up so they could drive on whenever the rain stopped. The storm didn’t pass until late that evening so the brothers decided to go ahead and rest up through until the morning and just get an early and fresh start then.

Clay woke to the smell of meat and eggs cooking, and the smell of fresh brewed coffee made its way through the air. “Where the hell did you get meat and eggs from little brother?” Clay asked John. “There’s a big nest up that there tree, probably a Hawk’s nest, and I caught me a Rabbit this morning with one of my home made snares. I thought you might fancy a nice hot breakfast for a change.” Clay nodded with appreciation and a smile to him and replied, “You’re sure right about that. I aint eat in so long my belly buttons telling my back bone that my throats been cut.” They hadn’t eaten since they left Las Animas after their trials, and both of their stomachs were having a fit of protest.

After breakfast they put out the fire and cleaned up their campsite. Washed out the pots and pans, and rolled up the little pup tent. It was still pretty early as they once again started northeast toward Dodge City in search of work. The sun shimmered bright and you could almost see the heat generated off of it. The day was starting to heat up to become a scorcher as it got closer to noon or one o’clock. The two men could see the steam coming up from the ground in some areas so they decided to take it slow and easy to save the horses from exhaustion. Walking with them instead of riding them at intervals. Stopping in shaded areas along the way and letting them drink to allow the animals to rest in the heat as well so they could cool down. Finally the long hot day ended and they made camp for the next nights rest. Clay had shot a deer earlier that day, so they got to have another hot meal for supper instead of settling for jerky. They made deer jerky out of the left over meat to keep it from going bad and to fill their bellies in the long trail ahead. Knowing that a hot meal may not come again for a while was a reality Clay was planning ahead for. Clay made a pot of coffee and they sat around getting fat, and talking. “This sure is the life aint it brother?” Clay said looking up at the stars as he rolled himself a cigarette. John just nodded his head and said nothing admiring the clear starry night himself. Clay lit his cigarette and sipped his coffee taking in the beauty of the night. He often enjoyed relaxing to the nighttime outdoors.

“Hey in the camp!” a voice called out from the darkness. “Mind if I come in?” it shouted. The brothers jumped to their feet and Clay shouted back, “Do it slow, and with empty hands. Keep ‘em where I can see ‘em.” A shadowy figure began to appear leading a horse and holding his other arm straight out from his body. Ever so slowly he entered into the camp from the darkness. As he came into the light he said “I could smell your coffee and it sure smelled good. I thought I’d see if I could trouble you for a cup.” John invited the man to have a seat and get a cup of the coffee. “You’re welcome to some of those beans too if you’re a mind. My name’s John, and this here is my brother Clay. What do they call you stranger?” The young stranger drew closer to the firelight and it became unmistakably apparent to the brothers that this was a young, clean-cut black man. “Much obliged for the vittles and coffee. Now you can see I’m black, am I still welcome to try them?” he asked. “Of course you are that’s a stupid question.” Clay responded. “You sit yourself down and get your fill mister. What’s your name?”

“My name’s Jack, and my little brothers name is Mario. He’s waiting out yonder to see if I’m gonna get killed or beat for being black and walking into a white camp.” The stranger told the brothers. John called out to the shadows inviting the younger brother in. “Mario, come on in and fill your belly.” Jack called out too. “Its ok Mario, They’re friendly.” Clay told Jack, “Y’all are welcome to camp with us if you’ve a mind to. Too many things crawling about and sneaking around in the night to be riding on. Where you boys headed too?” he then asked. Jack and Mario cautiously looked and each other then Jack replied. “Well sir, not trying to set you off or anything. We’re trailing some white men, and when we catch ‘em. We’re gonna kill ‘em.” Clay got a serious look on his face and asked the brothers, “What you gonna go and do some thing like that for boys?” That’s when Jack began to explain their intentions and reasons to him. “Well mister, my brother, and me were coming in from the fields when we saw them riding off. When we got back to our cabin we found my wife and daughter had been raped and murdered by the bastards. Now we aim to find ‘em and kill ‘em for it.” Clay kept his solemn look as he glanced toward John and told Jack, “Me and my brother don’t much abide by men treating women and children that way. Don’t matter what color they are. I believe we’ll be riding with you if you don’t mind.”

“That’s a mighty kind offer of you mister, but I’d feel powerful bad if one of you got hurt on our account.” Jack responded. “These men are dangerous men.” John busted out laughing which made Jack and Mario get a very confused look on their faces. That only made John’s laugh harder. Clay broke in with a smile to explain his brother’s humor in what Jack had said. “Let me re-introduce ourselves to you.” He began with a sort of snicker of his own. “My name is Clay Allison, and that’s my brother John Allison.” The confused look on Jack and Mario’s faces turned into a look of shock and fear. They couldn’t believe they had actually stumbled on to the famous gunslinger’s camp. Then to top it off they had been invited in for coffee and beans by the man. Not only that, but this man with the horrible reputation wanted to help them get justice from these men they were after. “I just hate ignorance in a man.” Clay said. “Any man that could do things like that to a woman and a child needs to be gilded, and then shot. I’d like to track down these skunks with you boys. If y’all kill ‘em you’ll hang for it, but if I shoot ‘em, well, that’s justice. Now before you tell me no and be pig headed about it for revenge, I promise you, I’ll see to it you get revenge before I do anything. But get it my way, deal.” Clay stretched out his hand and Jack shook it. “You have a deal Mr. Allison.” He said.

John butted in and said, “Come on now boys, get your selves something to eat and some coffee. It’s time to relax a spell. We’ll get an early start in the morning to go find them murdering cowards and get us some justice.” The conversation turned to more pleasant subjects and carried on for a good while into the night, until they all finally drifted away to sleep.

The morning came with a new since of purpose for Clay. He felt as if it were his duty to right the wrong that had been done to his new friends. If only to show them that all white men were not like these outlaws. He picked up the renegades trail before they had been riding for very long. It seemed that the fresher the trail got, the more anxious Clay became. It was almost dusk when Clay told John and his new friends to make a cold camp. John knew that meant Clay felt they were close to the rapist / killers. “I’m gonna scout ahead and see what’s out there.” Clay told them. Jack started to say something but Clay interrupted him by holding his hand up. “Don’t worry my friend. I gave you my word and I’m