Brothers in Blood (12 page)

 

 

Next day, Chet and the entire posse and their prisoner rode to the Windmill Ranch, spent the night, then went on to Camp Verde. Sarge and the main crew were on the move with a herd to Gallup.

Jesus and Cole brought the horses and gear they received for capturing the gang. Chet suggested when they got home they take them to Frye's Livery to sell, and they thought that was a good idea.

Chet knew they'd overheard Marshal Bailey talking about the rewards they'd get and wondered if they'd quit him when they received it.

They were close to the Verde Ranch when they stopped for a short rest and a chance to empty their bladders. The wind was cold out of the north, and the sky looked like the belly feathers of a goose. Apart from the others, Jesus and Cole approached Chet to talk to him.

“Would it be too much to ask your wife to help us invest this reward money?” Cole asked. “Jesus and I talked about not blowing it away. I don't think we'll be so rich, but if we invest in the right things it can grow, right?”

“I bet she'd be flattered to help you.”

Cole smiled in relief and exchanged a look with his partner. “Thanks.”

“Yes, thanks,” Jesus repeated.

“I'm glad you decided that. I thought you two might quit me and go into business for yourself.”

“Naw, we're grateful to get to do this with you.”

Jesus nodded in agreement. “It gets to be work sometimes, but we've seen more country working for you than we'd have seen in our lifetime.”

“I'm not quitting. It gets sure exciting at times,” Cole said.

“Fine. I'll tell Marge about what you two want her to do.”

A tall older man by the name of Kyle Riley, who ranched down on the border, spoke to Chet as they rode west. “How long have you been out here?”

“Oh, from start till now, about two and a half years. Why?”

“Just wondering how you put all your holdings together.”

“Not so much me, but I bought a badly managed large ranch. I hired the men he fired and they're the ones who put in the real effort to make it work. My family had some money from cattle drives we made to Kansas at the height of the market. I was able to invest that in places here that were in trouble. One man bought several sections of land on a railroad right of way, where the sections go right and left alternate. They weren't near a river so he got them to trade for land close to the Colorado River. He traded, but didn't know the river was in the Grand Canyon. They wouldn't trade back, so it was up for cents on the dollar.”

“How did you ever learn that?”

“There's a land agent in Preskitt that does it for me. He's a whiz at finding them.”

Appearing amused by Chet's story, Riley said, “Sounds like you fell in a pile and came out smelling like a rose.”

“I have been lucky.”

“I wouldn't say that. You convinced that Navajo agency in Gallup to let you supply them beef. I have to sell mine to Old Man Clanton and he has all those federal contracts in southern Arizona sewed up.”

“Well, up in Gallup the last contractor wasn't delivering on time and the tribe members traveled long distances to get their commodities. Waiting days for their beef didn't work for them. Quality was another issue. Hard pressed to get them there, meant the cattle were drawn and tough after the rush.”

“That's why you have the Windmill Ranch?”

“Yes. We assemble the cattle there, where there's good grass most of the year and makes us closer to the market.”

“You have hay, too?”

“We plan to improve on that. A dry fall like we had this year means no feed on the range for the stock. Or a big snow amounts to livestock losses.”

“Which way are you going, Hereford or Shorthorn?”

“I have a small purebred herd of Hereford mother cows. So I'm betting on the white face cross.”

“I have some of both. I thought Shorthorns might be better since they're from Scotland in the North Country.”

“I never thought about that. We're late getting to crosses, since the last foreman charged the owner for them and used longhorn home-raised bulls instead.”

“That was no help, was it?”

“No, and it also made the stock less valuable when I bought it.”

“Your success impresses me. Compared to your work, I feel lazy.”

Chet, amused, demurred. “Lucky, like I said. Things broke open for me. Kinda like lots of eggs hatching under one hen.”

“No, Byrnes, you're a doer. What will you do next?”

“I'm working on another ranch tied up in an estate. That's not for public record, since it's still in the works.”

“Where is it?”

“Right beside one I own.”

Riley chuckled and gigged his horse on down the road.

They reached the Verde Ranch late that night. Susie quickly dressed and welcomed them. She offered to feed them and set about doing it. Jesus and Cole helped her while the tired men sat in the living room.

“This is not your home?” one of them asked, gazing around.

“No, we'll be there by midmorning. That's my wife's home and where we live. Susie, my sister here, will move up to the Windmill Ranch soon where her husband is foreman. So this house needs a family to move into it.”

One of the posse said, “Don't tell my wife this nice large house is available. She'd make me move here.”

They all got a chuckle out of that.

The next morning, they reached home. Monica served them pastries and coffee. Meanwhile, Jesus and Cole reshod one of their horses so they could go on.

Within an hour, Bailey, his men, and their prisoner left for Tucson. Marge made sure they had enough supplies on their packhorses for the rest of the trip.

“Bailey is an interesting man,” she told Chet when they were alone.

“He thanked me for helping out.”

“Where did you finally find them?”

“Horse Head Crossing, up on the Little Colorado. They thought they were safe and were celebrating in a house of ill repute, and drunk when we arrived.”

“Oh, my.”

“They decided to fight and all but one was shot down.”

Marge came into his arms and held him close. “I'm so glad you're home.”

He squeezed her to him. “How are you doing?”

“So far, so good. No problems, except worrying about you.”

“No need to do that. How are Lucie and Reg?”

“Fine, but—”

“What else?”

“JD left them. They weren't sure where he went, except he said he needed to find his way. Neither Reg nor her could talk him out of it.”

“Nor could I, I'd bet.”

“What will he get into next?”

“I have no idea, Marge. I know I need a bath and I really missed you.”

“Later on, draw me a map where all you've been. Did you see any better place than here?”

“No. Nothing to move me out of here. Oh, the boys want you to help them to manage their reward money.”

“I'd be glad to. Were you glad they were along?”

“Hey, they are super help to me.”

“I have the boiler heating.” Then she whispered, “I don't have to have you shiny clean for you to love me. It'll be another hour till the water is hot enough for your bath.”

“Let's sneak upstairs.”

“Go,” she said, giving him a shove.

Up to date on the rest of the operations, Chet and Marge were eating supper that night when someone knocked on the door. When he answered it, Jesus and a ranch hand from the Verde Ranch stood there.

“They found some cattle today, killed by a grizzly. Tom sent Nate to let you know he thinks the bear has rabies,” Jesus said.

“Have you had supper?” Chet asked the cowboy, then wiped his mouth on a linen napkin.

“Yes, sir.”

“What happened?”

“I was with them when we found the cattle. It was bloody. I figured those tough old longhorn cows that hadn't come in for hay could fight a buzz saw. But he tore 'em up.”

“You sleep in the bunkhouse tonight. Tomorrow morning, you two come up here and have breakfast and I'll ride down there and see what we can do. I know Cole is in town, but the three of us can handle it. See you then.” He closed the door behind them.

“Who was there?” Marge asked.

“Jesus and a Verde cowboy named Nate that Tom sent about a cow killing done by a grizzly bear.”

“What are you doing to do?”

“Go hunt him down. There's lots of superstitions about grizzlies. They're simply a larger fierce bear that lead can stop.”

“Oh, my dear husband is going off on another chase.”

“Bear hunting. It should be fun. Cole is in town courting Valerie and selling the outlaws' horses they recovered. Jesus and I can handle a grizzly bear and be back in a few days.”

“You may freeze in this cold weather. Why isn't he sleeping? The rest of the bears hibernate now.”

“You have a point. Male bears down in Texas seldom sleep very long. The climate in the valley is not as warm as there, but not as cold as up on the Rim.”

“Maybe someone woke him up. You be careful. Grizzlies or not, they're man killers.”

“I'm always careful.”

She reached over and tapped the top of his hand. “Still, be careful.”

He promised.

 

 

Predawn, Jesus and Nate were already seated at Monica's breakfast table when Chet joined them. After exchanging greetings, he sat down.

Monica poured him a cup of coffee and he thanked her.

His housekeeper pointed a finger at them. “Crazy men, rushing off in the cold to shoot a dang bear.”

“Somebody's got to do it,” he said.

“I guess so, but you have better things to do than run down a bear.”

“No, Monica, a grizzly is a tough adversary. I'm taking along a .50-caliber Sharps rifle that can kill a buffalo at almost a quarter of a mile.”

“That's where I'd be. A quarter mile away from him,” she said on her way back to the kitchen.

“She'd probably kill him with a kitchen knife,” Jesus said quietly.

Chet shook his head at him. He didn't want her to hear their comments. They were only kidding, but he didn't want her feelings hurt. She faithfully fed them and did nice things for everyone. She was probably thinking how his being gone would make Marge unhappy. He sipped his coffee, wondering why his wife hadn't come down. He sent the men on and went upstairs to kiss her good-bye. He had no intentions to leave without doing that.

He hurried upstairs and sat on the bed, leaned over, and kissed her.

She woke up with a start and sat up. “I—I slept in. I'm sorry.”

“I wasn't going to leave without kissing you.”

She put her arms around him and kissed him. “Thanks. Be careful. I'll pray for your safety. Come back soon.”

“I always do.”

“I know you have to go. So much work to do. I know Bailey sure appreciated you. You're making this territory a place for common people to live and survive.”

“Take care of the baby.” He stood up. “And be careful.”

He buttoned his coat on the glassed-in porch and pulled up his collar as he ran to his horse. It would be a cold morning, but they'd be there early enough to head up into the bear country. The sun came out when they were halfway off the mountain, but it offered little heat. In his wool long johns, heavy clothes, and great jacket, he was warm. He regretted some he wasn't back in Texas, but if he was he'd probably not have half the things he was building in the Territory. So he wouldn't complain about the frigid temperature and booted his horse downhill with the others.

At the ranch, he went to speak to Tom who was at the blacksmith shop and met him at the door.

“Sorry, Chet, but I'm not a bear hunter, so I need your help. I thought about calling in the man in Camp Verde with the dogs, but he told me once you need tougher dogs than he has to tree a grizzly. I don't know anyone who has Airedales, and he says they're the only ones tough enough for that.”

“Why isn't the bear sleeping, my wife wants to know?”

“It was warm down here last week and he may have woke up.”

“He's up in the north country.”

“Yes. That's where they found the dead cows. I figured those old tough cows up there came from the Texas brush. They were some of the ones wouldn't come in and eat hay. But he killed them like they was rabbits.”

“How many bears you think there were?”

“I thought one, but I'm not a good tracker.”

“We're going up there and find him.”

“I'll come up tomorrow when I get things lined out, and help.”

“We'll be at Thorp's Spring. Nate said the slaughter was close to there.”

“Be careful. He's a killer, not only of cows, I figure.”

“How's John?”

“Making Hampt lots of wire. I still need to go see him. My men that haul it over there say it's stout.”

“Will you fence your farmland?”

“Yes. That wire and stake fence we have is hard to repair and expensive to maintain.”

“Sounds like what you need to do. See you, Tom. Tell Millie I'm sorry I missed her.”

“I will. You talk to Susie?”

“Of course. See you tomorrow.”

“Right.”

He galloped his horse to catch up with the other two men.

“Was it all right?” Jesus asked.

“Sure. Tom handles things well. A grizzly is a big deal. I guess they were the bane of the mountain men that trapped the beavers out.”

“Mountain men?”

“Yeah. Grizzlies were a lot more plentiful a hundred years ago. An old man once told me if you ever stab one, don't take your knife out of him.”

“Why do that?”

“He said then the bear would fight the knife stuck in him and not you. Take it out and he'd take you on.”

Jesus frowned. “I hope I never have to fight one with a knife, but I'll remember that.”

Nate agreed. “I saw them cows, and when I tried to ride closer, my horse about bucked me off. I guess he could still smell him.”

Chet shook his head. “No. The bear pissed on those carcasses.”

“They do that?” Nate asked.

“Yes, and that scares other predators away from their kills.”

“Well, it damn sure spooked that cowpony.”

Jesus pointed up. “They're having a gathering up there.”

What looked like a hundred turkey vultures circled in a high loop over the mountainside ahead of them. The winged foragers had found the death site and called all their buddies to join them. Where there was any shortage of the big scavengers, ravens filled in.

Several slinky coyotes ran off at their approach, and two red wolves slunk away as well. It was feast time and all were there, except the silver tip.

Jesus dismounted to examine the ground, and when he did, vultures scattered into the air.

All the horses spooked at the smell of the dead cows, whose entrails had been opened in the bear's attack. Nate held on to their horses' reins as well as the packhorses. The cows were large framed Longhorns, no doubt driven originally from Texas to stock the ranches. There were no calves or yearlings with them. The complaining of the disturbed vultures and the ravens made a lot of racket. Then they started acting brave enough that Jesus moved outside their feasting area. He looked at the mountain face and pointed north to indicate he thought the bear went that way.

Chet and Nate rode around and joined him.

“Get a lead?” Chet asked.

“Yes, he came and went this way, I'm certain.”

“You think he came back to this kill?”

“I don't know, but there are tracks of a big bear going north.”

“We better be ready for most anything, men.” He drew the .50-caliber Sharps out of his scabbard. Jesus took out his .44/.40 and so did Nate.

“Shoot him in the head. One of your bullets in his body will only make him madder.”

Jesus acted like he had a good track and went on afoot. They stayed back and let him lead. The cow track they followed was just a single path the range cattle used to come and go on. Other animals, like deer and maybe even elk, used them because the path was already marked for them.

They'd gone high enough to look down into the trough of the Verde basin, walled in on both sides by towering mountains. Chet sat his horse to wait while Jesus covered some ground looking for sign.

Chet noticed several good-sized pine trunks where the bark had been clawed by the bear sharpening his claws. From the height of the scars on the trunks, he was a giant.

“I think he has a cave around here,” Jesus said.

“Secure the horses with a lariat. If anything spooks them, we don't need to be afoot.”

“I'll do that,” Nate offered. Jesus had gone out of sight into the timber.

Chet set out to follow. The sun had warmed enough he unbuttoned his coat. He kept looking around, not wanting to be surprised by anything showing up. From a rocky point, Jesus waved for him to come up there.

After Chet climbed up, Jesus pointed. “I think he uses that cave over there. It has an opening big enough.”

Braced against a pine tree on the steep ground, Chet could see the entrance a hundred feet away. If that was his lair, it was strange the bear hadn't caused stock loss before. But no telling. He may have lost a mate or was looking for one and moved in there for the winter.

“What shall we do?” Jesus asked.

“I'm not fool enough to go in there and wake him up.”

Jesus nodded vigorously in agreement.

“If there's enough fuel, we can build a fire and smoke him out. But if he went back to hibernate, he'll be hard to get out. They say they breathe very little in that state.”

“I'd say he has us in a draw, huh?”

Chet nodded. “He very well does. We need to make camp closer to the spring. It'll be dark soon and we'll be fumbling around without any light.”

“Good idea. Where's Nate?”

“Downhill, watching the horses.”

“Jesus, was there a letter for you from Mexico?” Chet had wondered some about it since they got home, but hadn't checked. He knew Jesus had sent a letter to his girlfriend in Mexico before they left to run down the bank robbing gang.

Jesus looked disappointed. “No word so far.”

“Maybe she will answer you and you'll get it when you get back.”

“I hope so.”

“You did a good job tracking that bear. We'll keep an eye on things and see if he comes out again.”

“Cold as it is up here,” Jesus said, “I'd sleep, too.”

“It isn't toasty warm, is it?”

Jesus explained to Nate what they'd found. Then they mounted and went near the spring, far enough from the bear kill to not smell it or hear the animals fighting over the remains.

They snaked in firewood and let Jesus set up for cooking. Things went smooth, the wall tent up, horses hobbled and grained. Jesus had raided the ranch kitchen supplies and had elk steaks broiling while he fried sliced onions and potatoes for the side and made biscuits in a Dutch oven. Seated on a log, they let the heat from the cook fire reflect into their faces while waiting for the meal.

“Why, he don't need a wife,” Nate teased while they ate. “He'd beat most females at cooking anytime.”

When the laughter died down, Chet added,”And keep you warm at night, too.” The mellow smoke from the dead live oak they'd found filled his nose. Stars were out and he was tired enough to sleep. But he'd miss his wife, too.