Lou Silt Read online

  That night, as was my custom, I walked the length of our small town before turning in. I began to muse on the changes coming and the fact that covering the town would no longer be such a simple matter as an easy evening stroll. I had been to Abilene and Kansas City and had seen what growth could do. In many ways I shared the others excitement over the coming railroad but I would also miss the quiet little place I grew up in. I did not often have doubts but some uneasiness began to creep into my mind as I wondered if I was cut out to handle the coming responsibilities.

  As I passed the back of Bill Bird’s blacksmith shop I heard a faint cry. At first I thought it was an animal in the stable. But I heard it again and turned my attention to the small shed behind the smithy’s forge. The scream came again and this time I knew it was no animal. I drew my Colt and as quietly as possible approached the closed door of the shed. I threw the door open and rushed inside. By the light of a lantern I saw Rafe holding down Bill’s young daughter. He had her on the ground and was kneeling astride her. Her clothes were ripped and Rafe was on top of her trying to clamp a hand over her mouth while fumbling with his pants. I grabbed him by his collar and yanked him erect.

  “What the hell are you up to, you bastard?” I yelled in his face.

  He pulled out of my grasp as she whimpered and cried. He backed away from me until he was up against the shed wall. His face was contorted with rage. His hands were shaking and he had the look of a rabid dog. I could see he was carrying a sidearm.

  We stared at each other for what seemed a long while and then he said, “If I ain’t going to get Breezy then By God, I will get someone. I say the hell with you, Josephus and everyone else who tries to stop me.”

  He had a mad look in his eyes and he was spewing spittle as he screeched out his words. I did not know if he was yelling at me or his kin. I heard footsteps behind me. Our shouting had awoken the house. I saw Bill running towards us with a rifle in his hands. He burst into the shed and saw his little girl on the floor. He rushed to her, blocking my view of Rafe. As Bill passed by me I heard the crack of a pistol and felt a bullet pass by my ear. Bill dropped to the floor to cover his girl. I fell to one knee, drew and fired at Rafe. He spun away from the wall as his head opened up and blood covered what was left of his face. He slid down the wall to the floor, letting out a sickening, moaning howl. I went over to him and kicked his old Navy pistol away from him. I seen right off that he was no longer among us. I turned to Bill and his little girl, whose name I plumb forgot.

  “Is your girl all right, Bill?”

  He had tried to cover her up. She sobbed quietly. “Hush, hush, darling,” he cooed. “It will be all right. Did he hurt you?”

  I could see that although her frock was ripped, her bloomers seemed to be intact. Between sobs she managed to croak out that Rafe had said all kinds of nasty things to her but she was unhurt except for a few bruises. Her mother came running out wrapped in a blanket and scooped the girl up in her arms and took her back to the house they had next to the shed. Bill walked over to Rafe , spit on him and kicked him.

  I restrained Bill and said it would be best for him to see to his family. I told him I would take care of Rafe’s body. I also told him that after his girl calmed down he had better find out just what she was doing out of the house after dark. By now a small crowd had gathered. I had a few fellas get some blankets and we carried Rafe over to the Doc’s. We really had no where to put bodies, so Doc kept them in back. It would take 2 days to get word to the Larues so we figured it would be best to stuff him in a coffin and put him underground. If Josephus wanted him, he could dig him up later. A couple of muleskinners was heading up near the Larue compound on their way north, so I told them to pass along the word. I knew this meant trouble and I would have to be ever vigilant.

  No one shed a tear for Rafe. He seemed to have been a right unpopular presence since he was a small boy. I wondered if he came back on his own or if Josephus had sent him to try and get Breezy back. Well, I guess I might never know and really did not care. I was glad to be rid of him. My dealings with the Larues had been all bad since childhood. I figured they were just going to get worse until one of us was dead. I, however, planned on holding the winning hand in that card game.

  After that night we had a few weeks of no Larue business. We all lent a hand to the Captain and the plotting out of the new fort. Everything was moving along at a rapid clip. Captain Lawton seemed right pleased at the progress. We had us a sit down in the Black Dog and he told us by next week he would be prepared to send word to Cheyenne and tell the troop to start on the trip north. He said they would be elements of the 2nd Regiment. It was mighty welcome news for us in Lost Path for word had arrived about trouble with the Nez Perce in Idaho territory. While we had little trouble with the Injuns in our area, folks always got nervous whenever they thought Injun trouble was expected. I told him Hitch would head south as he was ready to go and fetch Breezy back. He could then act as a guide to the Regiment. Hitch had been getting awful itchy about her being away and felt that she would be safer near at hand.

  I had listened to Al and some other folks in town about the coming population boom and the need for more law enforcement. I deputized Hitch and Al Berg. I also figured Jess and Busy to be steady and level headed men. They were out of hauling contracts for the time being and agreed to be auxiliary lawmen for room and board. All this was pending approval by the head US Marshal in Virginia City. All seemed fine and dandy and then the Larues showed up seeking vengeance for Rafe and the life I thought I had settled into changed in ways I could never have foreseen.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  After the gunfight with the Larues we had buried Haydn next to Rafe. Josephus was still recovering from his wounds. The Doc figured he could be moved to the jail in a week or so. He was afraid of infection setting in. I had Jess and Busy taking turns guarding him. I did not trust him and did not want the Doc being alone with him, wounded or not.

  One quiet night after I finished my rounds Violett and I sat quietly in the Black Dog having a last drink before retiring. She looked worn out after a long night but she still set my heart to pounding whenever I looked at her. Her long dark brown hair hung to her neck and her earrings sparkled in the low lantern light. I could smell the soft, sweet powder she wore and felt happy and privileged that she had taken to me the way she had.

  She raised her eyes to me after sipping her whiskey. “Lou, what are you going to do with Josephus? We ain’t heard from anyone up at the compound. You think they are fixing to attack the town? How many of them are up there?”

  “Well, when me and Hitch went up there they was out hunting. When we ran into them on the trail they was only 6 or 7 men. Now that Rafe and Haydn is dead I don’t think there is much starch left in the ones still there. I think that without Josephus telling them what to do they will probably listen to Old Dorcas and she ain’t looking for no trouble. She is probably glad I got him down here. Once he is well enough to travel I will take him to Virginia City and let the court there deal with him. He tried to kill a lawman and that will send him away for a long time.”

  That seemed to answer her concerns. She leaned in to me and took my hand.

  “Well now, what about us? What are your plans as regarding our situation?”

  “Aw, Violett, are you going to start on that marriage business again? Can’t we just do like we are doing? I don’t know about settling down. Sometimes I get a powerful wanderlust. Ain’t you happy as things are?”

  She stared at the table. When she looked at me again I saw the pain in her eyes. “Lou, you do not know a lot about me. I had some trouble in the past. It was nothing criminal so as you might arrest me, but bad enough. I ain’t getting any younger and I was hoping to maybe have a child while I was still able. I realize you are still a young man and maybe do not want to be tied to a lady who is somewhat older than you but I can’t wait forever. I truly like being here. I like the work and Al has been real good to me. Now with all the coming busin
ess I can be a real

  entertainer but all that ain’t going to mean much without us getting hitched and having a family. I am going to need an answer soon, Lou. I do not want to grow old slapping on makeup and singing for my supper every night. I know you are a good man and have been right good to me but I believe it is time for you to ask for my hand.”

  I was rightly taken aback. I suspected this day was coming, as she had been dropping hints all along. Even Al Berg had been after me to settle down with her.

  “Violett you honor me with your wish to marry. I guess Hitch and me is in the same position. Breezy is after him to marry also. He told her he had to think on it and I guess I feel the same way. I do love you but I am afraid of disappointing you. Just as I never thought I would take up the responsibility of Marshaling, I never thought about marriage and family. I always just moved as the notion took me.”

  “That is fine with me,” she said. “I will go wherever you want. I do not want to be tied to Lost Path; I want to be tied to you. I know I am being forward, just like Breezy related to me about her and Hitch, but I love you and want us to be together. I ain’t going to twist your arm but it is up to you. You had best think on it long and hard.”

  She rose and headed up the stairs. I sat in a quandary. I needed to talk to someone. Al Berg came out from the back after counting stock and putting the nights take in the safe.

  “Hey, Lou,” he said, “I do believe it is time to douse the lights and get some sleep. You about finished with that drink?”

  “Al, do me a favor and sit a spell.” He pulled out a chair and poured himself a shot. “What’s on your mind, Lou?”

  “It’s Violett. She is talking marriage again. This time I think she means it. She is all set on us getting hitched and starting a family. She wants little ones while she is able she says. I don’t know. I ain’t sure I am ready to settle down. I never really thought about this stuff; kids and all. What do you think?”

  “Hell, Lou,” He said, looking mighty serious. “You know how I feel. I think she is a damn fine woman. I know she has been around a little and is a might bit older than you but I do not think you will do any better than her. That is if you have a mind to marry and have a family. You got a good future here. As the town grows, the law force will grow with it. You get appointed a full US marshal and you can do well. Those of us that are here at the beginning can invest and have our money grow with the town. I know you ain’t much interested in financial doings but if you intend to honor Violett’s wishes you will need something to raise a family with. I think you should do right by her. I know Big Bill would approve if he was still with us. I known you since you was a baby and I think you will make a fine husband and father. Shit, boy, you don’t want to end up an old bachelor like me. All I got is this saloon and a possible roll in the hay with one of the workin’ gals. I know there are some who wished they could trade places with me but my life don’t hold a candle to a real family. You listen to your old Uncle Al and marry that gal before someone else comes along and she flies off with them. This is kind of funny because I was having this conversation with Hitch recently. I told him the same thing I am telling you.”

  Al downed his drink and started laughing. “What’s so dang funny?” I asked.

  “Well I was thinking on that gal Breezy. When you was off cowboying we had Jane Cannary in town for awhile. You heard of her; Calamity Jane? She was a handful, that woman. She could curse and drink with the best of ‘em. She was all the time talking about her big love, Bill Hickok. It was fun having her around for awhile but she was a right mess of a human. Anyway, that Breezy kind of puts me in mind of Jane. She don’t seem so messed up but she sure got that same feistiness. She seems to love Hitch and I think they might have a good life together, if he can ever control her. I could tell she was going to be one fine hellion from when I seen her as a child.”

  He stood up and yawned. “These old bones are starting to complain. You turn down the lanterns when you are ready to come upstairs. You now got all the wisdom this old fart has to offer. The Chinee will be out in a minute to mop up and keep guard. See you in the morning. Night, Lou.”

  Al slowly climbed the stairs while I pondered on what he had said. My head was spinning as I finished my drink. I nodded to the Chinese night man as he came to clean the floors and put up the chairs. I walked up the stairs and entered our room. Violett was asleep, or pretending to be. I got undressed and crawled in with her. I lay there still unsure about what to do. The moon shown in the window and throwed it’s shimmer upon us. A soft breeze blew in the open window carrying the lonesome howl of a coyote. I turned to Violett’s sleeping form and realized that I had already made a decision. As I fell to sleep I knew that Hitch and I was now truly well and spoken for. Amen to that.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  The papers had arrived authorizing me to make my new deputies official. I had Al, Busy and Jess in the jail and passed them their badges. I swore them in and we sat planning duties and schedules. I broke open a bottle to celebrate and Al lit up one of his foul smelling cigars.

  “Well,” Said Busy. “I hear we might be having some festive to-do’s here abouts. I been hearing talk about a marriage or two.”

  I looked at Al and frowned. He held up his hands in supplication. I laughed.

  “Well, could be, Busy. We ain’t set no dates yet.”

  Jess snorted and spit a wad of chaw into the spittoon.

  “What’s your problem, Jess?” asked Busy. “Ain’t you happy for the Marshal and Hitch?”

  Jess snorted again. “I was married once upon a time. A lot of good it did me.”

  Busy looked at Jess. “We never knew you been married,” he said. “When was this?”

  “Well, it ain’t nothing I am proud to speak of. This was back when I was in St. Louis. I was young and working for a riverboat line doing hauling and I got tied up with a wild young gal and we got hitched. I was away a lot but I was crazy in love with that woman. I thought we was doing fine but I got back from a hauling trip early on a Tuesday, I will always remember that Tuesday, and caught Mary and this Italian fellow named Andria in bed rutting like dogs in heat. I guess I lost my mind there for a spell and the next thing I knew they was dead and I was standing with a knife in my hand and covered in blood.”

  We all sat there not knowing what to say. Finally I spoke up. “Well, what happened? How is it you ain’t in jail?”

  “I got lucky, I guess. The riverboat owner and I was kinda friendly and he had a cheatin’ wife too. He got me before a judge that was a partner of his and the court ruled it was justified on my part. After all, it was a foreigner I done killed and ain’t no man sympathetic to a cheatin’ wife. I swore then and there to Lord Jesus to stay away from women. They ain’t to be trusted. So if you want to be married, you go ahead and do it. But I see it as a one way road to hell, and no way back. I regret what I did every day of my life but what is done is done. I ain’t that person anymore and just hope that the fires of hell ain’t awaiting me when I pass.”

  We all let out a sigh and I began to chuckle. “I know it ain’t funny but it seems we got to watch ourselves around you, Jess. I did not know you was such a dangerous sort. Any criminals come sniffing around these parts is gonna be in a mess of trouble.”

  Jess stood up. “That ain’t funny, Lou. And I would appreciate this little confession stay amongst us.”

  “Take it easy, Jess. I was just funnin’ you a bit. But I will surely take your cautionary tale to heart. Now let us get back to business. I am leaving tomorrow morning to head south to meet the Army coming up. I believe Hitch and Breezy are coming with them. You keep up the watch on Josephus and if the Doc says he is well enough, move him here and lock him up. When I get back I will head up to the compound and see what they want done with the bodies and if they want to go to the trial and speak on Josephus’ behalf.”

  We finished our drinks and headed off to the Black Dog for some grub. I wondered if I had been a might too hasty in mak
ing Jess a deputy. I hope he was right about being a different man now. As we neared the Black Dog we could hear all the sawing and hammering going on as the Captain was having the finishing touches put on the new quarters for the cavalry troop. It still needed a lot of work but most folks was glad to be getting the army up here as news of the nontreaty Nez Perce breakout had folks mighty jumpy.

  Over dinner that night I explained to Violett about my trip to meet the troops and bring Hitch and Breezy all the news. I figured to be gone 2 or 3 days at the most. I confided to her that I had reached a decision and wanted to be with her as husband and wife. She got a little misty eyed and we retired to our room for a sweet night of love. She was still talking about all her wedding plans as I fell off to sleep.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Bella snorted happily as we set out from Lost Path. It was a beautiful morning with the sun peeking out from the mountains. We headed due east to pick up the Cheyenne trail. I saw no one as the day progressed and was preparing to stop for the night when I spotted a dust cloud off on the horizon. I pushed Bella up a small rise to get a better view and with the aid of my spyglass saw the Army and its wagons. I rode to them at a gallop and saw a horse and rider pull away from the group to meet me. As we neared I saw it was Hitch. We pulled abreast of each other, waving our hats.