In My Life Ch. 03

Emerson colored. "Billy, if you paid as much attention to your own business as you do to everyone else's, you'd be a millionaire by now. That was just an expression of gratitude."

"In that case," Billy smiled, "I'm sure going to try to get that girl in my debt. That's better payment than gold."

The following morning Emerson was pleased to see the girls rode with their hair tucked under their hats, although he knew a person would have to be a fair distance away to mistake them for men. Those two were very much female.

The herd had settled into a routine and the drive was going well. Emerson was confident that if he could get past Gustin the drive would succeed.

It was about an hour before Emerson expected to reach the night's campground when Tom Gordon rode up to him. "Emerson, it's probably okay, but I wanted to be sure you knew. The girls headed off to catch Pedro. They said the herd was going good and they were going to surprise everyone with something to eat besides beans. Do you think they will be all right?"

Emerson was immediately annoyed. They probably would have no problems, but they had gone alone! How could he be certain?

"Tom, I think we'll ride on ahead and catch them. This is exactly what I did not want them to do, regardless of the reason."

Emerson took off at a fast trot with Tom close behind. In twenty minutes of hard riding they found where Pedro had set up camp and the girls' horses were there. Still a half mile distant, Emerson felt relief. He would give them the lecture of their lives!

Tom called to him and Emerson looked his way. Tom was pointing to a break in the rocks near the base of a mountain. Emerging from the opening were four armed men. They were headed for the camp and were about the same distance away from it as Emerson and Tom.

Emerson opened his gelding up and Tom followed suit. The two pulled into camp just ahead of the small group of armed men. Emerson dismounted and walked to the fire and stood facing the approaching riders. Tom came up on Emerson's left.

As the four got close they stopped their mounts and sat looking the situation over. Emerson knew the leader had to be Gustin. He was a big man, in his forties with a surprisingly friendly smile. To his right was a Mexican, dressed in black and silver. Long hair flowed from under his hat. He didn't bother to try a smile and showed contempt as he faced Tom and Emerson.

The other two had to be Miller and Tuleya. Emerson had heard descriptions of the two. Miller was a slight man, blonde to point of almost being an albino. He wore a mustache as light as the rest of his hair. He was around thirty and was one of those people that always seemed nervous and on edge. Tuleya was dark in complexion and hair. He was much larger than Miller and looked almost jovial. Emerson knew that he was anything but that, and regarded the group closely.

The four men dismounted and walked to the fire, stopping across from Emerson and Tom. It was at this time the two girls emerged from the small tent Pedro had placed for them by the chuck wagon.

They had seen Tom and Emerson ride up and knew they were in for a dressing down, but both felt justified in their actions. It began when Maria thought it would be nice to cook a 'real meal', as she called it She then persuaded Cathy. "This is our last chance to have a decent meal," Maria had told Cathy. "We are safe enough today. The real danger starts tomorrow. Think how much everyone will appreciate a good meal."

Cathy had been dubious. "You know what Emerson said. He might get pretty upset."

Maria responded, "What can he do? Spank us? Come on Cathy, let's do it."

Cathy had relented, but insisted Tom be told of their plans. Maria chided her as they rode. "You seem to spend a lot of time with Tom. Is there something there?"

"I am surprised you noticed, the way you watch Emerson all the time. I happen to think Tom is nice. The more I see of him, the more I realize he is better than I had thought."

As soon as they reached the chuck wagon the two appraised Pedro of their plans. Since he would have a good meal and only have to gather wood for a fire, he gladly agreed.

The girls ducked into their shelter and quickly cleaned up. Both washed their faces and hands, removed their hats and combed their hair. At this point, they heard horses and glanced out to see Emerson and Tom riding fast to the camp.

"We are in for it now," Cathy told Maria. "Did you see how fast they rode up? Emerson must be mad!"

"Well, I am not afraid of any man," Maria answered. "We will stick to our plans and make a nice meal, for a change. That will take care of any ill feelings fast."

The two women failed to hear the other riders approach from their blind side. When they stepped out of the shelter, it was to find Emerson and Tom facing four men across the fire.

They saw the strangers react to their presence. Their mouths all dropped and they became openly agitated. Maria realized these men were like animals and there would be trouble. Both girls stopped and stood very still.

"Good God!" Bob Gustin exclaimed. "Will you look at that! Boys, this is our lucky day!"

"If you don't mind, Gustin, I'd like that dark-haired one first." It was Miller and his eyes practically glowed as he watched Maria.

"Boys, you know I'll be fair. First, I think we should talk to these gents. They may have something to say." Gustin gave a quick laugh as he finished.

Emerson stood still, watching the four. It was his to do. These men would try to kill Tom and him, and take the girls and the cattle. There were only four of them here, but there had to be more close by. Swiftly calculating their chances, Emerson knew how bleak it was. Still, it was fortunate that Gustin did not have his entire gang with him. Emerson determined he would never let them join forces. His best chance was to take as many of these men as he could right now.

Tom followed Emerson's lead. Maria and Cathy remained silent. They had heard the comments and knew what these men planned.

"This is a quiet bunch," Gustin finally spoke. "We are here to tell you we are going to cut your herd for any of my cattle. While we are at it, I think these ladies will want to go with us. Isn't that so, girls, or would you rather we kill these cowboys right here and now?"

There it was. Maria knew they would shoot Emerson and Tom if they didn't agree to go with them. She also knew Emerson would die before he would let those brutes have her and Cathy. She had placed them all in a horrible position!

It was Emerson that spoke. "You are Gustin? You don't have any cattle and you certainly aren't going to cut this herd. And," Emerson emphasized his next sentence," You'll rot in Hell before you ever touch one of these girls!"

Gustin gave that friendly smile. "Mister, I am Bob Gustin and I have eight men on a flat on that mountain watching us right now. All I have to do is signal them and they'll be here in a couple of minutes. Now do you have a crew that can handle a dozen fighting men?"

"The crew will only have to handle eight and yes, they are up to it." Emerson answered. Emerson took a half step closer and asked, "Gustin, do you think you are up to it?"

Gustin was confused. "Why do you think they'll only have eight to worry about? You can bet we'll be with them."

"I'm betting you won't be, Gustin. So far you've talked a lot but haven't done much to back it up. Talk is cheap," Emerson smiled at Gustin across the fire.

It was Tuleya that spoke, "For Christ's sake, Gustin! He means to take us out of the play, here and now!"

"Who are you?" Gustin had lost his smile. "You don't look like anybody I ever heard of. I think you're just desperate. I'm going to signal my men to come down."

"The next move you make better be for your gun, Gustin. I can't let you get together with the rest of your scum. You've made your talk, now it's time to back it up!" Emerson goaded the outlaw leader.

Maria stood still, sensing that death was at hand. She marveled at Emerson's nerve and confidence. Even as she felt fear unlike any she had ever experienced before, she admired Emerson. He was a man, as her father would say. He faced Gustin and his outlaws and showed no fear. He had even challenged them!

Tom Gordon knew he was facing some very salty men and he had thoughts of dying. He was amazed that he had no fear. These men were out to rape and plunder and he and Emerson were the only ones that were near enough to stop them. If he died in these hills, it would be with honor. He considered that and knew it was better than living in shame. He felt pride. Emerson needed help and he was the man standing beside him with his life in the balance. At this point, he had no doubt that Emerson's intention was to shoot it out with these outlaws!

Maria, too, understood what was about to happen. Emerson was going to improve the odds for the others and possibly give the women an opportunity to survive, even at the cost of his life. She watched the scene unfold in horror.

Cathy Jordan recognized the situation as being bleak, and decided Tom and Emerson would not be able to handle all four men. She glanced around and located her rifle, leaning against the wagon, not five feet away. Quickly, she made her plans.

Cathy felt pride in the courage of the two men from Morgantown. Tom was showing more nerve than most. Few would back Emerson in this hand. Gustin seemed to hold all the cards. Yet Tom did not waver, and Cathy knew he was willing to die for her and Maria. She promised herself that she would never question Tom's courage again, if they both survived this situation. Thinking about her rifle, Cathy knew that she was going to have a say in who was left standing.

Gustin gave the group by the fire his best smile, "There's no need to get all worked up. We were just-" and he went for his gun.

Emerson had sized up the group and decided Miller and Tuleya were the most serious threat. He would concentrate on them. He was glad to have Tom side him, but knew Tom would never be able to take the other two. It was a tough situation. His intention was to get as many as possible and hope the rest of the crew would show up in time to help the girls.

His hands shot down and came up blazing. He was putting lead into Miller and Tuleya as fast as he could thumb back the hammer. The button Emerson had focused on disappeared on Miller's shirt. Tuleya's shirt pocket turned crimson and both men staggered backward.

As he was firing, Emerson saw the Mexican go down and realized Tom had done his job. A blow smashed Emerson's right shoulder and he was turned part way around. He brought up his left hand gun and pointed it at Gustin only to see Gustin's chest turn red and his arms flail wildly. Then Emerson saw Gustin take another slug in the chest and drop over backward. Turning he saw Cathy Jordan levering another shell into her rifle.

Tom concentrated on Emerson's advice. He had to make his first shot count! When Gustin started the dance, Tom had already decided to try for the long-haired Mexican. Tom was bringing his colt up when he saw flame and felt the bullet go by his head. Tom leveled his gun and shot, just before his man fired for the second time. Tom's aim was true and the Mexican took one in the heart, but not before his second shot took the hat off Tom Gordon's head. Tom went down in a heap.

Cathy grabbed for her rifle when the shooting started. Turning back she saw Tom and the Mexican both drop and Emerson hit by a bullet of Gustin's. Feeling a hatred she had never before experienced, she shot Gustin in the chest. Working the lever, she fired again and then ejected the spent shell and replaced it with a fresh one, waiting.

Emerson began dumping spent cartridges from his left hand gun as he surveyed the scene. Unable able to use his right arm, it took longer than usual. He holstered that colt and reached over and removed the gun from his right hand and reloaded that.

By this time Cathy was at Tom's side, looking at his head wound. With a sigh of relief, she told Emerson, "He's still alive, but it looks like a slug dug a furrow in his head. I think he should be all right if I can stop the bleeding."

Maria was close to Emerson. "You've been shot! Look at your shoulder, and your leg!"

Emerson had not known he was hit in the leg, but when Maria mentioned it he noticed his right leg was weak. He had been hit in the thigh, near the spot the steer had gouged. The bullet had passed through, but he was bleeding from both wounds.

He staggered as he took a step and Maria came closer and placed his good arm around her shoulders.

"I want you girls to get out of here, fast! The rest of Gustin's crew watched that whole thing and will be high tailing it down that mountain right now."

"Emerson, Tom needs care. I guess I'll stay here with him." It was Cathy. Emerson suddenly realized he would never get Cathy to leave Tom.

He nodded to Cathy. "Then get him under the wagon and have your rifle loaded and ready." Pedro came puffing into camp, his arms full of wood and his eyes popping. "Pedro, stay with Cathy and Tom." Emerson was trying to think through the pain that was beginning to flood his body.

"Maria, ride for the crew and get them back here pronto! I'm going to try to beat the rest of Gustin's bunch to that wash I saw these four come from. If I can beat them there, I can hold them off for awhile. Help me back to my horse and then get on Tom's and ride!"

Mounting his gelding was difficult, but with Maria's help he made it. Maria then jumped on Tom's mount.

"There is no sense telling you to be careful. Just stay alive, for me, please." Maria told Emerson and then wheeled her horse and headed out on a dead run.

It seemed like it took forever, but just over a mile out, Maria saw the crew riding in a group, headed in her direction. She pulled up as they approached.

Pat Casey was white as he questioned Maria. "We heard shooting. Where have you been hit?"

Maria glanced at her shirt and saw it was covered with blood. Her father thought she had been shot! "I wasn't hit. Tom and Emerson shot it out with Gustin and three of his men. Gustin's bunch is dead, but Tom and Emerson were hit. This is Emerson's blood. Gustin said the rest of his gang would come off that mountain, so Emerson rode to a wash to try to hold them off. He is seriously wounded and needs help!"

Then, as if to emphasize her words, gunfire reached their ears. Without another word, Miguel spurred his horse in that direction, and the rest followed suit. Maria turned Tom's tired mount and headed after them as fast as she could.

Emerson knew he had lost much blood and was weakening as he rode. Still, he had no choice. If he could get to that bottleneck before Gustin's bunch, he could hold them off for a while. Emerson knew his crew had to have heard the shooting and would be coming.

He left his horse and headed for some high rocks on the east side of the ravine. He fell when he dismounted, his right leg no longer responding to his commands. He lurched to his feet and locked his knee. Using his rifle as a crutch he managed to get into the rocks. It wasn't the place he would have chosen, but it was the one he could reach.

Riders were coming hard down a dim trail and Emerson knew he had barely reached the rocks in time. It was Gustin's men, of that he was certain. The third man was obviously an Indian, riding with no saddle and no shirt.

Cradling the rifle against his left shoulder, Emerson put the lead rider in his sights. When he got within forty yards, Emerson squeezed the trigger. The man rolled off the back of the horse and remained where he struck the ground. The rest of the outlaws threw themselves from their saddles and took cover in the rocks.

They soon determined Emerson's position and began shooting in his direction. Placing the stock between his knees, Emerson worked the lever on the rifle. Slugs whined off the rocks around him as he kept low. Emerson felt himself becoming dizzy and knew the crew would have to show up soon, or it would be all over.

He pointed the rifle around a bolder and fired a shot with his left hand, just to give them the idea he was still alive and shooting back. Then he slowly worked another shell into the chamber.

Miguel Hernandez rode like a man possessed. His wife's son was in grave danger. He has grown fond of Emerson and recognized him as a man of character and courage. The rest of the crew worked to keep up. Following the sounds of the shooting, Miguel saw the opening in the rocks and headed for it with his colt drawn. Those behind him followed suit and raced into the wash with their guns ready.

Gustin's men had taken cover from the shots Emerson fired. When Miguel and the others hit the opening, their sides were exposed. The fighting was brutal, but lasted only about a minute. Miguel, Pat Casey, Billy Hatko and the rest of the riders were no pilgrims. When they entered the wash they laid down a merciless barrage that the remnants of Gustin's gang could not endure.

Emerson had gotten to his feet when he heard the riders open up on the outlaws and saw most of the swift finish. Feeling weak, but relieved, he was about to call down, when he sensed movement behind him. Trying to move fast, Emerson simply fell, but it saved his life. He felt a burning sensation in his lower back and he landed on his bad shoulder. Rolling over, and in great pain, he saw the Apache standing over him with a bloody knife.

Even as he tried to get a pistol into play, Emerson knew he would be no match for the speed of the Indian. The knife would do its work and Emerson was far too weak to prevent it.

Suddenly, from close by, a shot boomed and Emerson saw the Indian's blood spray the boulders. The cruel face showed surprise for a second and then went blank, as the man collapsed on Emerson, dead.

With his last bit of strength, Emerson pushed the body from him. Standing on a rock, holding a rifle, was Maria. She dropped the weapon, rushed over and and knelt beside Emerson. "Can you get up? We have to get you out of here."

"I think I can make my feet, if you help me. I'm getting a little light-headed. Maria, you were just in time!" Emerson's voice was weak and he could barely hear himself.

With Maria to lean on, Emerson was able to get back down to where he had left his horse. He knew that, even with her help he would not be able to reach the saddle. At that point, his crew rode out of the wash and over to where he and Maria stood.

Billy Hatko jumped off his horse and gently put his arms around Emerson. It was barely in time, as Emerson felt himself sinking. Billy lowered him to the ground and began to work on him immediately. He cut what was left of Emerson's shirt and made bandages and placed them over the wounds.

"We have to stop the bleeding now, then we'll get you back to camp to do a thorough job. It looks like I'll have to stitch your back. This reminds me of that time we were in San Francisco." As he spoke, Billy quickly worked to stop the flow of blood.

"Now let's get you back to camp." Billy declared and Maria and the others watched as Billy lifted Emerson into the saddle. Maria had been very quiet, but as she mounted, she looked at the other riders.

"Bob, are you all right?" she asked Bob Jordan. He was wearing a bandage around his left forearm.

"Maria, it is a scratch compared to what Emerson took. We wiped out the rest of Gustin's gang! These guys might look like a bunch of ranchers, but can they shoot! Your dad and Miguel rode into that wash, shooting the Hell out of them. I was lucky to get there in time to be a part of it. Is Cathy okay?" Bob was still very excited from his first taste of battle.

"She is fine. When Tom and Emerson shot it out with those four, your sister grabbed her rifle and killed Gustin herself. He was putting bullets into Emerson, who had been fighting with that Miller and Tuleya. Tom shot some other man and was wounded in the head. She would not leave for safety when Emerson told her to. She insisted on staying with Tom. Pedro had been out looking for firewood and missed the whole thing." Maria decided to admit to the group why they came to be at the camp.