The Last Ride of Caleb O'Toole (5 page)

Blacktooth snatched Caleb's bottle away and drank, smacking his lips from the bite of the whiskey. Then he shoved it back into Caleb's shaking hands and roughly brushed him aside, sending Caleb crashing into the wall just feet away from Henderson's table. Wiping the burning whiskey from his lips with the back of his hand, Blacktooth took a murderous stroll around the saloon, looking for a victim. None dared meet his gaze. Cowboys shifted on their feet nervously. No one wanted any part of him. Finally, his eyes rested on Henderson and he leveled his deadly stare at him. Caleb's breath caught, knowing at any second things could explode like a violent storm.

“You seen that?” hissed Blacktooth to Henderson. Henderson, hat over his eyes, sat calmly with his hidden Colt pointed under the table at Blacktooth. Furious that Henderson ignored him, Blacktooth demanded again. “I'm talkin' to you, mister!”

“I heard you,” replied Henderson quietly.

“I asked you if you seen that.” Blacktooth moved his hand to his Colt. Caleb's eyes widened as Henderson tilted his hat up and stared back at Blacktooth. The other cowboys in the saloon cleared the area around Henderson's table. Caleb held his breath as the two men faced each other down. The saloon was as quiet as a church, yet crackled like a lit fuse.

“Well, I can't see much of anything from here, now can I?” Henderson was dangerously calm. “But if you ask me if three nines beats two fives, I'd have to say it does. I heard a man say he had three nines, so I guess he wins.”

“Hear that? I win, he says!” choked Irishman, struggling in Mountain Man's grasp.

“You callin' my brother a cheat?” challenged Blacktooth, his mouth breaking into an ugly black snarl. “Get up!”

Caleb could almost sense Henderson pulling back the hammer of his Colt. His mind raced, his heart pounded, for there he stood against the wall, clutching the whiskey bottle, standing between a murdering thief and the Killer of Quick Creek. At any moment, the bullets would fly and his own blood could splatter the walls of the Dobytown Saloon. Thinking fast, he slowly crossed over to Henderson's table. The old clock quietly ticked as the two gunfighters continued to stare each other down. Carefully, he poured whiskey into Henderson's empty glass, trying to keep the bottle from clinking against it. He brought his other hand up to keep it steady.

“Can't forget our manners,” said Caleb in a shaky voice as he filled Henderson's glass. Blacktooth, his hand on his Colt, stood poised to unleash a barrage of lead. But then, a flicker of amusement appeared across Blacktooth's face.

“Manners!” Blacktooth roared. “Bottle Boy says we can't forget our manners!”

Caleb looked at Henderson. “A full house beats three of a kind, right, mister?” Caleb quietly pleaded. “That's right, isn't it?”

Henderson eyed Caleb for what seemed like an eternity. Then slowly he reached for the whiskey glass, his right hand still under the table on his pistol. Caleb held his breath as Henderson brought the whiskey to his lips and drank. Satisfied, he then set the glass back down on the table.

“That's right,” said Henderson as he gave Caleb a sly wink.

“He says a full house wins!” said Caleb to Blacktooth.

“Here that, Davey?” said Blacktooth, his mouth set in an ugly grin. “The boy says you win!”

“That's it. I'm out! I'm not losing what I have to a cheater!” said Irishman as he broke free from Mountain Man's grip.

Snake lashed out suddenly and pistol-whipped Irishman to the floor. “Can't quit now, Irish. New hand!”

Blacktooth sneered victoriously at Henderson and headed over to the poker table. Henderson pulled his hat down over his eyes, easing his hand off his Colt. Caleb breathed a sigh of relief as Red hustled over with a plate loaded with food.

“The Lord did give you some smarts, Caleb. You best get yourself out of here for tonight.” Red ruffled Caleb's hair. “We'll see about tomorrow.”

“Thanks, Red.” Caleb took the food gratefully and headed through the swinging doors. The cowboys were drinking again, the girls laughing, and the piano player playing. The Dobytown Saloon was hopping once more.

Caleb picked up his Sharps rifle and sat against the wooden stall in the lantern light. More horses had been left out front while he was in the saloon and he'd dutifully brought them in for feed and water. Now, he could finally rest. Tumble was curled up nearby, snoring softly. Tilly lay snuggled against Julie like a raggedy angel, still clutching a favorite little doll that they'd managed to bring along for her. Julie slept with her arms around Tilly in motherly protection, her golden hair fanned out in the hay. Caleb took a rag from his back pocket and cleaned the rifle's barrel and stock. He pulled the hammer back and peered into the chamber, then blew away some specks of dirt. He took out a bullet and slid it in, mindful of the click it made when it was snug in the chamber. Next, he squeezed the trigger and eased the hammer down. He leaned back in the hay and closed his eyes as exhaustion washed over his body. Images of his burning home, his dying mother, the wolves, and the Blackstones flickered across his mind. He heard Dusty give a quiet snort outside the barn door. Then Caleb fell into the deepest sleep of his life, the Sharps slipping from his grasp into the hay beside him.

***

“That's it. The dapple-gray horse there. She's all I've got,” a strange voice said. Caleb could not move himself to wake. He could feel someone suddenly shaking him, but he could not open his eyes, so deep was his sleep.

“Well, she's ours now!” answered a dark and sinister voice.

“Caleb, wake up!” he heard Julie say, feeling her trying to shake him from his slumber.

The
CRACK
of a fist against flesh jolted Caleb awake in time to see Irishman fly through the open barn door and land in a heap. The four murderous Blackstones, drunk and dangerous, barreled in behind him. As Blacktooth reached down and yanked up Irishman, his evil eyes rested upon Tilly, who snuggled deep into Julie's arms.

“Well now. What do we have here?” leered Blacktooth as he dropped Irishman into a pile of manure.

“It's the dragon!” exclaimed Tilly. “It's him!”

Blacktooth stared hard at Tilly. Then his mouth broke into an ugly black grin. “What do you know? You're a long way from Great Bend now, aren't you?”

“Bottle Boy, too, if my memory serves,” cackled Mountain Man.

“Told you he was that same kid,” said Rat Face.

Caleb searched the hay all around him. The Sharps that had fallen from his grip was buried beside him. Suddenly, he felt the heavy rifle and struggled to bring it to bear. In a flash, Snake was on him, jerked the Sharps from his hand, and tossed it aside. Then he shoved Caleb over toward Mountain Man. Caleb lashed out and caught the huge man with a solid kick in the shins, but Mountain Man held him in his fist and just laughed. Suddenly, he backhanded Caleb across the face. Caleb's head exploded with light and he went flying, landing in a heap, his ears ringing from the blow. He tried to get back on his feet, but Mountain Man clamped a ham-sized fist around his throat. Caleb struggled to breathe, the blood roaring in his ears.

“Tumble! Get 'em!” Tilly managed to gasp as she struggled in Julie's arms.

Tumble charged from the stall and set upon the Blackstones in a barking rage, snapping his mighty little jaws at Mountain Man's feet. Mountain Man kicked at Tumble and nearly dropped Caleb when Rat Face picked up a shovel and silenced the loyal mutt with a blow to his head. Tumble yelped once, then lay still.

“And I sure remember that dang dog,” laughed Rat Face as he tossed the shovel aside.

Caleb could feel the life squeezing out of him. Try as he might, he could not break from the big man's grip. He punched at Mountain Man with both his hands, kicking out with his feet, fighting for his life. Finally, Mountain Man released him and he crashed to the ground, gasping for breath.

“Stop!” Julie ran to her brother. Blacktooth reached out and snagged Julie by the hair. “No…please…” cried Julie as she struggled in the big man's grip.

“Well now, looks like we got a whole family of brats here.” Blacktooth stared at Julie like a fox at a hen.

“What do you think we should do with 'em, Eli?” said Snake, moving in for a closer look.

“Ask me, it throws a kink in things,” said Rat Face. “I say we get rid of 'em.”

“Look, I want none of this,” exclaimed Irishman suddenly. “You have my horse. Let me go.”

“Shut up!” Mountain Man lashed out and smacked Irishman across the head. “We better take care of 'em. Bottle Boy and the little princess here, they be witnesses, Eli.”

“Got a point there, Davey,” growled Blacktooth.

Caleb lay dazed, his ears ringing and his vision blurred by Mountain Man's blow to his face. Through the haze, he saw Julie struggling in Blacktooth's grip. Little Tilly sobbed as she lay in the straw of their stall. Tumble was crumpled up just a few feet away, blood pouring from a gash in his head. He could hear Dusty, tied up outside, screaming a high-pitched whinny.

“Please. We won't say anything,” pleaded Julie as Blacktooth yanked her close.

“You leave my sister alone!” cried Tilly as she ran from the stall to Julie. Blacktooth grabbed Tilly and tossed her to Rat Face like a little rag doll.

“Ha! Look out for this one!” joked Blacktooth. “Hold on to her, Earl!” Rat Face grabbed Tilly and held her tight as she kicked and screamed.

“No!” cried Julie as she raked her fingernails across Blacktooth's cheek, drawing blood.

“Feisty little puma, you are.” Blacktooth laughed and wiped some blood from his face. “Looks like we've got a little business to take care of, my brothers. Let's saddle up and take 'em out of town. Gag 'em first. Davey, get some rope.”

“Right good idea, Eli.” Mountain Man grabbed some rope from one of the stalls.

As Caleb felt his strength return, he saw the Sharps lying ten feet away, half hidden in some hay. The tip of the long barrel gleamed in the lantern light. He edged slowly toward it on his belly, thinking if he could just get to it, they might stand a chance. As Julie put up a mighty fight against Blacktooth, Caleb chose his moment. Mustering all his courage, he dove toward the rifle. In an instant, he brought it to his shoulder, pulling back the hammer with a resounding
CLICK
.

“Stop!” Caleb leveled the Sharps at Blacktooth's chest. Terrified, he knew they could easily gun him down, and in fact seemed to be amused by his show of bravery. The four Blackstones stood silent, shoulder to shoulder, daring Caleb to pull the trigger. Caleb held his ground.

“Well, Bottle Boy, what are we going to do about you?” Blacktooth snarled as he held Julie tight against him.

“I say shoot him. Gonna have to deal with them anyway,” said Snake as he rested his hand on his Colt. “He's only got one bullet in that Sharps of his.” Rat Face tossed Tilly away. Mountain Man dropped the rope and slid his enormous hand to his pistol.

“Good idea, Nathan,” said Rat Face. “I say on the count of three! One…”

“Two…” chuckled Blacktooth, his black eyes boring into Caleb. Julie lashed out with a kick to his shin. Blacktooth grabbed Julie's hair and held her in front of him.

“Caleb!” cried Julie as she fought against Blacktooth.

“Let her go!” Caleb knew this may be the final moment of his life. The Blackstones would kill as soon as breathe. The blood roared in his ears and his heart thundered in his chest. Suddenly, the sound of the cocking of a pistol rang out behind him.

“You heard the boy,” said the deep voice. William Henderson, Colt pistol in his hand, stalked with deadly purpose through the barn door. He stood beside Caleb and boldly stared into the evil eyes of Blacktooth, leveling the Colt at his head. “Let her go.”

No one moved. Blacktooth held Julie in his grip, then finally let her go. “You best back out of here. This ain't your business.”

“I'm making it my business.” Henderson trained his gun on the murderous brothers. “You men drop your guns, real easy.”

“We should get the Sheriff,” said Julie.

“Good! Why don't you go on and do that?” chuckled Blacktooth.

“No! He's in with them!” exclaimed Caleb, remembering the curious exchange in the bar.

“Noticed that, did you, boy?” said Henderson. “I said lose the guns.”

The Blackstones held their ground, pure rage pouring from their eyes. So tempted they were to draw on Henderson, their hands itched for the handles of their revolvers. Surely they could kill him if they all fired at once. And just as certain, each knew Henderson would kill two of them, or maybe three, before they got the chance. The Killer of Quick Creek stood rock-steady, almost daring them to make a move. Slowly they unbuckled their gun belts and let them fall to the ground. Julie grabbed Tilly and backed out of the way.

“You,” Henderson said to Julie. “Gather your things and take the little girl out of here. That your wagon outside?”

“Yes, sir.” Julie jumped into action.

“Can you hitch it up?” Henderson kicked the Blackstones' guns away.

“I can,” Julie said as she grabbed Tilly and their things and hustled out of the barn.

“Boy, aim that rifle of yours at that ugly fellow on the end.” Henderson motioned toward Snake. “If he moves, shoot him.”

Caleb nodded and shifted his rifle to Snake and pointed it straight at his head. Snake glared at him with dead viper eyes as Caleb fought to hold the big gun steady.

“Those your horses?” Henderson pointed his Colt at Blacktooth, indicating the horses behind him.

Blacktooth silently stared back, aching to get his hands on his gun.

“I take it that's a yes.” His gun covering the Blackstones, Henderson picked up the rope Mountain Man dropped and slapped at the flanks of the horses, driving them toward the barn door. “Ya! Git!”

“You're a dead man,” hissed Blacktooth as the horses raced out of the barn.

Henderson faced Blacktooth and the two men locked in a deadly stare of destiny. Then Henderson reared back and backhanded Blacktooth across the mouth, splitting his lip. Blacktooth hit the ground hard.

“Guess I'll be going now,” said Henderson. “Son, get in that wagon.”

Caleb's heart pounded so hard he swore he could hear it. When he backed out the barn door, he turned to see Julie hitching up Dusty. Tilly suddenly jumped from the wagon and raced past Caleb into the barn. “Tumble!” cried Tilly.

“Tilly, no!” shouted Caleb.

“Get her out of here!” exclaimed Henderson.

Tilly darted past the Blackstones to try to save her dog. Rat Face lunged at her as she ran near him and took her to the ground. He clamped an arm around her and held her in front of him, using her as a shield. Caleb ran toward his sister, blocking Henderson's aim. “Get down, boy!”

The Blackstones suddenly dove for their guns. Blacktooth shot first as Henderson jerked his Colt up to avoid Caleb. It was a lightning bolt that wounded Henderson in his side. Henderson fired back as Blacktooth ducked behind a mound of hay. Mountain Man raised his gun to fire, but Henderson, with the calm of a man who had seen many battles, whirled around and fired first, killing Mountain Man instantly with a shot to the heart. Rat Face grabbed his gun and scurried away with Tilly, taking cover in a stall. In the panic and confusion of the moment, Irishman bolted toward the barn door, but fell dead to the ground, shot in the back by Blacktooth.

Snake rose from behind an old service wagon and drew a bead on Henderson's back. Caleb swung his Sharps and fired. The report of the big rifle filled the barn and Snake grabbed for his ear. Caleb had shot it half off, adding yet another scar to Snake's ugly face! Quickly, he reached for another bullet to jack into the Sharps, precious seconds passing as he struggled to reload. Tumble sprang to life and launched himself at Rat Face, burying his teeth in his leg. Rat Face, yowling in pain, let go of Tilly and tried to beat Tumble away with the butt of his Colt. Kicking off Tumble, he drew on Henderson. Caleb swung the Sharps toward Rat Face. He fired, but missed as the rodent man dove for cover.

“Get her out of here, boy! Go!” yelled Henderson, reaching for the spare Remington revolver in his boot. Caleb grabbed Tilly and dragged her toward the barn door. Blacktooth vaulted a stall and hid behind some bales of hay. Henderson shot the lantern above and flames cascaded over the hay and Blacktooth. Blacktooth beat at his flaming duster, firing wildly at Henderson. With both his guns blazing, Henderson managed to keep the three Blackstones pinned down. Henderson backed toward the barn door to cover Caleb as he struggled to get Tilly and Tumble to safety.

“Come on, Caleb!” shouted Julie as she held Dusty and the wagon steady.

Caleb scrambled into the back of the wagon with Tilly. Henderson fan-fired his Remington and backed out of the barn as flames began to devour the inside. When Henderson had fired his last shot, he reached for a loose bridle that was draped over the rail and lashed the door shut. There was a crash of gunfire from the inside and the door splintered from a hail of Blackstone bullets. Caleb reached down and pulled up Tumble, then covered Tilly with his body. “Go, Julie!”