Flame Across the Land Read online

  ‘Right,’ he said. ‘This is what we do. This Seaton hombre obviously has some kinda connection with the Lazy Ladder. There’s the horse at the livery stable for a start. I reckon there’s a good chance that’s where he and that no-good sheepherder are likely to be headed, so tomorrow or as soon as I can put a posse together we ride right on over there and bring ’em both in. And if either or both of ’em somehow get shot in the process, so much the better.’

  Held sensed an easing of the atmosphere and attempted a smile. ‘Whatever you say,’ he replied. ‘You’re the boss.’

  ‘I take it you’re both stayin’ at the Exchange Hotel?’ Braithwaite said.

  ‘Yes,’ Thurston replied. Feeling it was too curt, he opened his mouth to add something but the marshal cut in.

  ‘Make sure you’re ready when I send for you.’

  ‘We’ll be ready,’ Held said. Feeling the time was ripe to make an exit, he got to his feet and the other man followed his example. They both nodded at the marshal and made for the door.

  ‘Don’t let me down again,’ the marshal snapped.

  Held wasn’t sure that they had done anything to let the marshal down in the first place, but Braithwaite was acting under Brandon’s direction and he didn’t feel in a position to raise any objections. Only when the two of them were safely out of the door did he turn to his companion and mutter, ‘One day that low-down skunk is gonna get his comeuppance.’

  The outcome of Hillier’s talk with Mitch Montgomery was soon apparent. Seaton was leaning on a fence-post with Utah and Brownlow, looking over the horses in the corral, when the foreman appeared walking towards them.

  ‘Well,’ he said, ‘I’ve been talkin’ things over with Mr Montgomery, and I’m pleased to tell you he’s right with us. I don’t think he needed a lot of persuadin’. Anyway, the upshot is that he wants to meet up with you folks to offer his thanks personally and then discuss what needs to be done about Nash Brandon.’

  Seaton swapped glances with Utah and Brownlow. ‘That’s great,’ he said.

  ‘How is Mr Montgomery?’ Brownlow asked.

  ‘He’s fine. I’ve seen him look better, but he seems to be more or less back to his old self. In fact, he’d like you boys to come over right now, if you’ve got nothin’ else to do.’

  ‘We’re just fillin’ in time,’ Seaton said.

  Hillier grinned. ‘Come on then,’ he said, ‘let’s not keep him waitin’.’

  He led the way to the front of the ranch-house where a number of chairs were placed around a table on the veranda. Several people were already gathered, and Seaton felt a quickening of the pulse when he saw Maisie Montgomery among them. She arose at their arrival and put out her hand to Seaton as he came up the steps.

  ‘Mr Seaton,’ she said. ‘I’m so glad to see you again. I’m only sorry I wasn’t here to welcome you and your friends, but I’ve been away from the ranch. I only learned about what happened when I got back yesterday evening.’

  Seaton had a feeling of relief at her words. He had assumed she was too busy caring for her father, but couldn’t help a slight feeling of disappointment.

  ‘No need to apologize,’ he said. ‘How is your father?’

  His query seemed to slightly unsettle her. ‘He’s making a good recovery,’ she replied. ‘I have so much to thank you for. If you hadn’t been there… ‘

  ‘Please don’t distress yourself,’ Seaton replied. ‘It seems to have all worked out for the best.’

  ‘I should have been here. It was a mistake to leave the Lazy Ladder even for a few days but when I heard that a friend was ill, I thought it would be all right to visit.’

  ‘I’m sure she must have appreciated you makin’ the effort.’

  ‘It turned out to be nothing much really – just a mild fever. I should have left it to the doctor, but I wasn’t to know.’

  Seaton sensed her agitation and decided it might be sensible to change the subject by introducing his friends. When he had done so she appeared to have recovered something of her aplomb, and the situation was further diffused when the door to the ranch-house opened and Mitch Montgomery himself appeared. His face was burned and blistered, more so than Seaton’s, and when he spoke there was a rasp to his voice.

  ‘I see you’ve made our visitors welcome,’ he said, addressing his daughter. ‘Please, take a seat everyone. Help yourself to the refreshments.’

  He lowered himself into a chair next to Seaton. ‘I want to thank you for what you did,’ he said. ‘Without your bravery in coming to my assistance, I wouldn’t have survived.’

  ‘I don’t know about that,’ Seaton replied.

  ‘It’s true,’ Montgomery said. ‘And I want to thank your friends too. Your intervention was crucial. From now on, I hope you’ll regard this ranch as a place where you will always receive a welcome.’

  Utah and Brownlow muttered their thanks and then Montgomery turned to Seaton. ‘Mr Hillier has told me what you said. I feel you are all owed an apology for what you have been through.’

  ‘None of it was your fault,’ Seaton replied.

  ‘Maybe not, but I still feel a responsibility for what happens in our little neck of the woods; and especially for the role played in all of it by Nash Brandon. There can be no question in my mind that he is directly responsible for your misfortunes as well as mine. More to the point, I think we can all agree that the time has come for us jointly to do something about it.’

  Seaton glanced first at Utah and then at Brownlow.

  ‘Well,’ he said, ‘I don’t think any of us would disagree with you there. In fact, we were kinda countin’ on your support.’

  ‘Then let’s drink on it,’ Montgomery said.

  They raised their glasses and had just put them down again when they heard the sound of hoof beats.

  ‘Who can that be?’ Montgomery asked.

  They listened while the drum of hoofs grew louder and looked out towards the range. Presently a group of riders emerged, their horses kicking up a cloud of dust, and in the lead was Braithwaite. There were six others and they rode right up to the ranch-house before bringing their horses to a halt.

  ‘Well, Marshal Braithwaite,’ Montgomery said. ‘This is an unexpected pleasure. It’s real friendly of you to pay us a social call.’

  The marshal’s eyes flickered in Seaton’s direction. ‘This ain’t no social call,’ he said. ‘This is business. I’m here to make an arrest.’

  ‘Oh yes? That still doesn’t explain what you’re doing here.’

  ‘I’m here because the person in question is the man sittin’ next to you.’

  ‘These people are my guests,’ Montgomery replied, ‘and since you seem to be trespassing on my property, I’d advise you to turn right about and get the hell out of here.’

  ‘And I’d advise you to co-operate, unless you want me to take you in as well for aidin’ and abettin’ a known outlaw.’

  The marshal reached into an inside pocket of his jacket and produced some papers which he waved in front of Montgomery.

  ‘Seaton,’ he said, ‘I have here a warrant for your arrest.’ He turned to Brownlow. ‘The same goes for you.’

  ‘What’s this gentleman accused of?’ Montgomery asked.

  ‘Jail breakin’. Evadin’ the law. Assault. You need to be very careful, Montgomery, that you don’t face the same charges.’

  Montgomery smiled. ‘Sorry, Marshal,’ he said, ‘but we can’t oblige.’

  ‘I don’t want any trouble,’ Braithwaite retorted. ‘Just hand ’em over and we’ll be on our way. Otherwise, I shall have to order my deputies to use force.’

  There was a moment’s tense silence. Seaton glanced at Maisie. Her features were set firm but he couldn’t take a chance of her getting mixed up in any violence. He was about to indicate his compliance with the marshal’s demands in order to defuse the situation when Montgomery spoke again.

  ‘Braithwaite, you’re nothin’ but a two-bit skunk and you haven’t got the guts to carry th
is through even with the help of your hired guns. Now I suggest you do like I just told you and ride away from here while you still got the option. And just in case you were thinkin’ to push it any further, I think you’d better be made aware that I’ve got you and your boys covered. Some of my men have you in their sights. One false move and you’ll be the first to die.’

  Braithwaite licked his lips. Involuntarily, he lifted his eyes to glance at the windows of the ranch-house. Some members of the posse shifted uneasily in their saddles. Braithwaite made one more attempt at bluster.

  ‘Just take it easy, Montgomery,’ he said. ‘No one wants any trouble. All you have to do is hand those two over and we’ll be on our way. Think for a moment. They are wanted men. As the representative of law and order in Lindenberg, I would have thought I’d have your support in puttin’ them behind bars.’

  Montgomery’s response was a dismissive laugh.

  ‘You,’ he said, ‘you the representative of law and order.’

  He got to his feet and walked to the top of the steps so that he stood on a level to Braithwaite, seated on his horse. For a moment they looked at each other eyeball to eyeball and then Montgomery quickly reached out his hand and tore the star from the marshal’s shirt. Briefly, he held it in his hand before throwing it into the dust of the yard. Braithwaite was taken by surprise and his immediate response was to reach for his gun but Seaton’s Colt was already in his hand.

  ‘I wouldn’t think of doing that,’ he said.

  Braithwaite’s face was twisted in anger and frustration but he realized that for the moment he was beaten.

  ‘You ain’t heard the last of this,’ he snarled. ‘We’ll be back.’

  With a word of command to the posse, he wheeled his horse and they all began to ride away, kicking up the dirt of the yard as they went. Montgomery stood watching them go until they were out of sight before turning to the others. There was a smile on his face and a glint in his eye.

  ‘Well,’ he said, ‘that was unexpected but I think the marshal has been taught a lesson.’

  Maisie rose from her seat and, rushing to him, put her arms around his neck.

  ‘I’m so proud of you,’ she said.

  For a few moments they embraced before she withdrew and returned to her chair. Seaton slipped his gun back into its holster.

  ‘You were taking a big risk bluffin’ them like that, weren’t you?’ Hillier said.

  Montgomery grinned. ‘Take a look yourself,’ he replied.

  Hillier’s face wore a puzzled look but he did as Montgomery had said, glancing into the ranch-house windows. Behind each one was a man with a gun.

  ‘It’s the same upstairs,’ Montgomery said. ‘After what happened with the fire, I figured it might be as well to be prepared.’

  Hillier grinned but his expression soon changed. ‘I figure the marshal is gonna be real sore after havin’ to climb down like he did,’ he said. ‘I gotta feelin’ he’s gonna be back soon with a bigger posse to back him up.’

  ‘A posse includin’ some of Brandon’s hardcases, I wouldn’t be surprised,’ Seaton cut in. ‘I agree with Hillier. We should prepare ourselves for a visit real soon.’

  ‘Once Brandon realizes that his latest trick hasn’t worked, he’ll be more than ready to cast aside any pretence and launch an all-out attack,’ Hillier added.

  ‘We can’t be sure that Brandon started the fire,’ Maisie interjected.

  ‘It might be hard to prove in a court of law,’ her father replied, ‘but has anybody got any doubts?’ It was received as a rhetorical question, and the only response was a few grunts and a shaking of heads.

  ‘If we’re right and Brandon attacks the Lazy Ladder, we’ll have our proof,’ Utah remarked.

  It seemed a good point and nobody added to it because just at that moment the door to the ranch-house opened and the cook appeared bearing a tray on which stood a big pot of coffee and some mugs.

  ‘Sorry for the delay, Mr Montgomery,’ he muttered. ‘Seein’ the marshal and his boys arrive kinda held things up a mite.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Montgomery said, ‘and by the way, you did a good job getting that chuck-wagon with the water barrels to the fire so quick.’

  ‘It was lucky I’d been gettin’ things ready for the trail drive once we get those cow critters rounded up,’ he replied.

  Montgomery nodded. ‘Yes,’ he said, ‘that’s somethin’ else we need to be thinkin’ about.’

  After leaving the Lazy Ladder, Marshal Braithwaite didn’t return directly to town but instead made for the Mill Iron. He was still smarting from his encounter with Montgomery. He knew he had lost face with the posse and he was eager to waste no time in redressing the situation. To do that, Brandon’s assistance seemed desirable. He had a feeling, too, that if he delayed and Brandon was to find out what had happened later, he would be in a particularly bad position. It seemed to him that his best chance of remaining in Brandon’s good offices was to let him know exactly where Seaton and Brownlow were to be found. He could claim credit in having tracked them to the Lazy Ladder and he could give a suitable slant to what had just occurred. In his anger they rode too hard and eventually he had to slow down and then draw the posse to a halt in order to rest the horses, which were beginning to blow quite badly. As they sat their horses, Held rode up to him.

  ‘Where are we goin’?’ he asked. ‘Someone was just sayin’ we don’t seem to be headin’ back for town.’

  ‘Who’s sayin’ it?’ Braithwaite snapped.

  Held paused before replying. ‘Well, I guess we all are.’

  Braithwaite’s posse was hand-picked. He knew it was Held who was asking questions. Suddenly a new thought occurred to him.

  ‘Well,’ he said, ‘since you’re askin’, I reckon the best place for you and your compadre to be headed is right back to the Lazy Ladder.’ Held looked at him questioningly.

  ‘As I recollect, Brandon assigned you two specifically to the task of gettin’ rid of Seaton. Well, now you know where he is, you’re in a position to do just that. And you can make an even better job of it by removin’ Brownlow at the same time.’

  ‘It’ll be kinda risky now they’ve seen us,’ Held replied.

  ‘I doubt whether anyone took much notice of you two. But in any case, after the rustlin’ and all, I would have thought you’d find it quite easy to stay un-noticed. All you have to do is just make yourself scarce and lie low till Seaton makes himself a target. He won’t be expectin’ anythin’. Hell, you’ll be in and out of there before I’ve even had a chance to talk to Brandon.’

  ‘You’re headin’ straight back for the Mill Iron?’ Held replied. Without quite knowing why, Braithwaite wished he hadn’t given away that piece of information.

  ‘I’ll let Brandon know what a good job you’re doin’,’ he replied.

  Held remained uncertain. Should he ignore the marshal and keep on back to the Mill Iron? He didn’t trust the marshal. He and Thurston were already in trouble with Brandon, and Braithwaite wasn’t likely to present them in a good light. All in all, it might make sense to return to the Lazy Ladder and deal with Seaton. He wasn’t so bothered about Brownlow. Braithwaite wasn’t really asking a lot. All it needed was a little care. They had handled more difficult jobs.

  ‘OK,’ he said. ‘We’ll do it.’

  ‘Good. And don’t concern yourselves about Montgomery. Leave anythin’ else to Brandon and me.’

  Held muttered something in reply and then rode over to Thurston. They spoke together for a few minutes. Observing them, Braithwaite thought he detected a certain reluctance on the part of Thurston to go along with Held, but after another colloquy he seemed to be more amenable. He was expecting them to come over and say something to him, but without further ado they wheeled their horses and began to ride back the way they had come. Braithwaite turned to the other members of the posse.

  ‘Come on boys,’ he said. ‘Let’s get ridin’.’

  It was getting late when Seaton bade goodnig
ht to Utah and Brownlow. As the bunkhouse door closed on them, instead of making his way back to the ranch-house, he decided to take a stroll by the corral. It had been quite a day and it looked like there was to be a fight ahead, but for the moment the night was still and peaceful. The sky was thickly strewn with stars and a yellow moon hung low over the distant hills. The occasional stamp or snort of the horses only seemed to emphasize the tranquillity as he leaned on the corral fence and observed their shadowy forms. One of them came over, tossing its head, and he stroked its muzzle.

  ‘Feelin’ restless, old girl?’ he whispered.

  His voice sounded strange in the silent landscape. Suddenly he felt uneasy. He turned his head, looking all about him, before beginning to circle the corral, drawing his six-gun as he did so. A grove of trees stood at the back of the corral and he became aware of the soughing of the wind among their leaves. Still there was nothing he could see that might cause concern. Nonetheless his instincts were telling him to be careful, and over the years he had learned to trust them.

  He stopped to look back at the ranch-house. The windows were dark except for one where a dim light glowed. He couldn’t be sure, but suspected it was Maisie’s room. What was she doing? Reading? Writing up her diary? He thought back to the events of the afternoon. She had shown no fear when the marshal and his stooges turned up and for a while it had looked dangerous. She was mainly responsible for the ranch functioning at all and she had certainly shown more determination than anyone in keeping it as a going concern. He turned away and was about to cross the short space of open ground between himself and the trees when the darkness was illumined by a stab of flame immediately followed by the crack of a rifle shot. He felt the wind of a bullet and immediately threw himself to the ground. Another shot rang out and a bullet thudded into a fence post inches above his head. The shot came from a different place among the trees so it was clear that more than one man was involved. At the sound of the explosions the horses in the corral took fright and began to whinny and rear; taking advantage of the confusion, Seaton crawled away to the shelter of some bushes.