Flame Across the Land Read online

  When Held and his injured companion collected their horses later in the day of the shootout with Seaton, they had already elaborated a story that would account for the man’s injury without getting involved in the actual facts of the case. That could cause complications. They were both hoping that they might avoid having to explain at all so it was with some trepidation that, some time later, they saw Brandon himself approach as they were working on some drainage.

  ‘Held!’ he cried. ‘I’ve been lookin’ for you.’ He looked at the wounded man’s bandaged arm. ‘Hello,’ he continued, ‘what happened here?’ Held and his companion quickly exchanged glances.

  ‘It’s like this,’ Held began. ‘We were workin’ down the boundary line, repairin’ fences, when we spotted a rider comin’ towards us. We didn’t think anything of it but when he saw us he started to hightail it. It looked kinda suspicious so we got to our horses and rode after him. He opened fire and Thurston here took one in the arm. We carried on ridin’ but he had too big a start on us and he got away.’

  Brandon nodded. ‘You can’t blame yourselves for that,’ he said. He took a close look at the injured man’s arm.

  ‘Someone did a good job of bandaging it,’ he said, turning to Held. ‘Was that you?’

  Held nodded. ‘I always carry some medical supplies,’ he mumbled. ‘You never know when they might be needed.’

  ‘Indeed not. You managed to remove any traces of lead?’

  ‘Yeah.’

  ‘That’s a mighty handy skill to have,’ Brandon replied. Held nodded.

  ‘This stranger,’ Brandon resumed after a few moments, ‘the one that shot Thurston; he wouldn’t by any chance be the one you had some trouble with at the livery stable recently?’

  Held turned but avoided facing Brandon directly. ‘Trouble at the livery stable,’ he repeated. ‘I’m not sure. . . .’

  ‘Don’t lie to me,’ Brandon hissed. The expression on his face had changed from one of mild affability to a scowl of anger. ‘Marshal Braithwaite was over this afternoon. I know the whole story. I know something else as well.’ He paused but there was no response from either man.

  ‘Don’t you want to know what it is?’

  Held licked his lips and Thurston merely nodded.

  ‘This isn’t the only lie you’ve told me. Braithwaite took a ride into the hills recently in order to investigate a little matter of the murder of an old sheepherder. He was expecting to find some evidence but he told me that despite taking a good hard look, he couldn’t find anything. Now isn’t that strange seein’ as how you boys were specially commissioned to provide it?’

  Held was trying desperately to think of some excuse, but he knew he was beaten.

  ‘There’s somethin’ else as well,’ Brandon continued, addressing Held in particular. ‘It seems like you were particularly keen to draw his attention to the brand markings on a horse right there in the livery stable. It was the Lazy Ladder. Now I wonder what that was doin’ there?’

  Held and the other man were both silent as Brandon looked hard first at one and then the other. His face was drawn tight in a rictus of rage. He seemed to be struggling to remain in control of himself, but with an effort he succeeded.

  ‘I think you’ve got some explaining to do,’ he said. ‘I don’t know where Rogan is, but you’d better find him quick. I want to see all three of you in my study in an hour.’

  Without waiting for a reply, he turned and rode away. Held and Thurston remained where they stood, as if transfixed by Brandon’s malice, until Held spoke again.

  ‘Better do as he says,’ he muttered.

  ‘What do you think is goin’ to happen?’ Thurston replied.

  ‘I don’t know, but we’ll be lucky to come out of it in one piece. We’d better be quick and find Rogan.’

  With sinking hearts, they went to their horses and climbed into leather.

  Seaton and Utah broke camp early in the morning and after making a decent breakfast, set off once more. The oldster reckoned he could just about make out the trail the rustlers had left but it got progressively harder to find it. After riding for some little distance further, they had to admit defeat.

  ‘What do we do now?’ Utah asked.

  ‘There’s nothin’ else we can do except keep ridin’ in the same direction.’

  The character of the country had changed again and had become grassier. Presently, towards noon, they caught a glimpse of some kind of structure ahead of them.

  ‘What is it?’ Utah said.

  ‘I don’t know. Pity I had to leave my field glasses behind.’

  When they had ridden a little further they could hear a faint creaking noise and the nature of the object was revealed; it was a windmill and it was standing a little back from a wire fence.

  ‘I ain’t seen one of those danged things around here,’ Utah remarked.

  ‘Me neither, but together with that fence, I guess it probably means we’ve reached Mill Iron range.’

  They sat their horses and regarded the unfamiliar scene. The windmill was a crude wooden affair with a big wooden wheel and double vanes. A ladder ran up one side.

  ‘Looks like we ain’t gonna get any further,’ Utah said.

  They rode up to the fence. It was well set and braced with posts at regular intervals and four strands of wire.

  ‘Guess it’s goodbye to the open range, at least as far as Brandon is concerned,’ Seaton said.

  ‘If this is the Mill Iron and we’re right about those rustler varmints, there must be a way in someplace.’

  ‘Yeah, but not just here. I guess we left their trail somewhere.’

  They turned their mounts and rode parallel to the fence for a little way.

  ‘Brandon must be doin’ real well,’ Seaton said. ‘All this must cost a lot of money.’

  They drew to a halt. ‘So what do we do now?’ Utah said.

  ‘We’ve done what we set out to do,’ Seaton replied. ‘I think we can be pretty sure those rustlers came from the Mill Iron. If so, it’s a pretty safe bet it’s not the first time. So what does that say about Brandon and his methods? I’d say that if any cattle outfit was responsible for the attack on you, it’s more likely to be the Mill Iron than the Lazy Ladder.’

  ‘There ain’t no proof,’ Utah replied.

  Seaton glanced along the line of the fence. ‘It must have taken some time to set this up,’ he said, ‘and a lot of labour. I wonder how many men Brandon employs?’

  ‘You figure it’ll catch on?’ Utah asked.

  ‘I guess so,’ Seaton said. As he glanced along the line of the fence another thought occurred to him. ‘Remember me telling you about my visit to the Lazy Ladder?’ The oldster nodded.

  ‘Miss Montgomery said she thought Brandon had made an offer for it to her father. Well, it seems to me that if a man wanted to make life difficult for a neighbour, one way would be to fence him in.’

  There was a brief silence before Utah spoke. ‘What are you gonna do? Head back for Lindenberg?’

  Seaton looked at him. ‘What am I gonna do? Don’t you mean what are we gonna do?’

  The oldster grinned awkwardly. ‘Yeah, that’s what I meant,’ he said.

  Seaton thought for a moment. ‘I figure I could have a problem there. After what’s happened, the marshal is likely to be lookin’ out for me.’

  ‘Are you sure he’d recognize you?’

  ‘No I’m not, but it’s a big risk.’ He scratched his head.

  ‘If you need someplace to hide out, there’s always the line cabin.’

  Seaton shook his head. ‘We ain’t got a right to stay there,’ he said. ‘Besides, it would be only a question of time before somebody showed up.’

  He remained deep in thought, trying to puzzle out what the next move should be, when his face brightened.

  ‘I’ve got it,’ he said. ‘We will head back to Lindenberg after all, and when we get there we’ll make ourselves at home in the old Sheepmen’s Association building. It’s standin�
�� empty and there’s no reason the marshal would know we were makin’ use of it. If he’s lookin’ out for me at all, he’ll be keepin’ his eyes on the hotel.’

  ‘Sounds as good a plan as any,’ Utah replied.

  ‘It’ll do for the time bein’,’ Seaton said.

  When Held and his two companions entered the ranch-house, they were immediately taken aback by seeing Marshal Braithwaite sitting in a chair next to Brandon. They hesitated for a moment in the doorway.

  ‘Come on in,’ Brandon said. ‘I think you already know Marshal Braithwaite?’ Held mumbled something in reply.

  ‘I told you the marshal was over earlier. I forgot to mention I invited him to stay on for a while.’

  Some chairs had been drawn up for them to sit in and after they had done so Brandon briefly made the introductions. He and the marshal both held glasses in their hands and there was a bottle of brandy on a table, but Brandon pointedly did not offer them any. When he had completed the formalities, Brandon turned to his foreman.

  ‘I won’t beat about the bush,’ he said. ‘In view of what has occurred, I ought to sack all three of you. You lied to me and you let me down badly. However, I might be prepared to make excuses, subject to certain conditions.’

  Although Brandon’s manner was firm and unyielding, Held thought he detected a slight change from the outright anger and hostility he had shown earlier. He wasn’t sure whether to put it down to the drink or some other factor.

  ‘Whatever you say, Mr Brandon,’ he replied, acting as spokesman for the group. ‘We realize we did the wrong thing and we’re real sorry.’

  Brandon, apparently ignoring his words, carried on with his theme. ‘Marshal Braithwaite has informed me of events at the livery stable. It seems that the man with whom you got in a tangle is already known to him.’

  ‘Sure is,’ Braithwaite intervened. ‘He came into my office the day before askin’ questions about the Sheepmen’s Association. I made some enquiries at the Exchange Hotel. Seems like his name is Seaton.’

  ‘Apparently this same man Seaton is responsible for the disappearance of an old timer the Sheepmen’s Association took on to look after a flock in the hills near town,’ Brandon continued. ‘In view of what you and the marshal have said concerning a horse which apparently belonged to him, he may also be in the employ of the Lazy Ladder ranch. The evidence is conclusive. I have discussed what should now be done with the marshal, and we are agreed that Seaton must be found and brought to justice.’

  He paused to take a drink. Held thought he knew which way the conversation was heading, but he couldn’t be entirely sure.

  ‘Like Mr Brandon says,’ Braithwaite added, taking up the theme, ‘this man Seaton is dangerous and needs to be dealt with. To that end Mr Brandon has been kind enough to let me have the use of your services.’

  ‘If you are agreeable,’ Brandon resumed, ‘you will act, as it were, as unofficial deputies and your role is to bring this man in dead or alive.’ He glanced at the wounded man. ‘You can stay behind,’ he said.

  It seemed to Held that the emphasis of his final statement fell on the word ‘dead’ as Brandon looked squarely at him.

  ‘Of course, Mr Brandon,’ he replied. ‘We’ll be more than happy to work with the marshal and do whatever it takes. We appreciate the opportunity to make amends for all our previous mistakes and this time we certainly won’t let you down.’

  Brandon grinned. ‘You’d better not,’ he replied. He turned to Braithwaite. ‘Well, Marshal,’ he said, ‘there you have it. My men are more than willing to work with you in the interests of upholding law and order and keeping the town safe. And if I may say so, I think that is an excellent outcome to our little discussion.’

  He raised his glass and the marshal did likewise; they both took another draught before Brandon turned back to Held.

  ‘You boys can go now. Until further notice, you’re workin’ with the marshal.’

  The interview was over and Held and his two associates made their way outside. When the door had closed behind them Brandon leaned towards the marshal and replenished their glasses.

  ‘Whoever this man is,’ he said, ‘I want him killed. As far as the Lazy Ladder is concerned, you can leave that to me.’

  ‘Mitch Montgomery still holding out?’ the marshal asked.

  ‘He’s proving stubborn but I think a little fire might help to persuade him.’

  The marshal laughed. ‘A fire?’ he asked.

  ‘It’s been a dry season,’ Brandon replied. ‘If the wind gets up, anything could happen.’

  Braithwaite glanced out of the window with an assumed look of concern on his face.

  ‘Seems to be gettin’ up a breeze right now,’ he joked. They both laughed.

  ‘If Montgomery loses his winter feed, he’ll have to sell off his cattle at a loss.’

  The marshal guffawed again. ‘The ones he’s still got left,’ he replied.

  Brandon shot him a hard look. ‘I sometimes think I might have made an error in confiding in you too much,’ he snapped. ‘Just remember, you do pretty well with your cut on what we make out of those rustled cows and don’t go shootin’ your mouth off. I never liked too much loose talk.’

  The marshal shuffled uncomfortably. ‘Sure,’ he said. ‘I didn’t mean anythin’. You know you can count on me.’

  Brandon continued to stare at the marshal but then his features suddenly relaxed.

  ‘That’s fine,’ he said. ‘Just so long as we understand each other.’

  Braithwaite realized the time had come for him to make a move. ‘Thanks for the drink,’ he said. ‘I’d best be goin’. Just leave Seaton to me. The job’s as good as done.’

  ‘You will have my boys along to make sure it is,’ Brandon replied. He gestured to the marshal to resume his seat. ‘It’s gettin’ late,’ he said. ‘Why don’t you stay over? There isn’t any rush and there are spare places in the bunkhouse.’

  The marshal would have preferred to be on his way, but didn’t want to do anything that might go counter to Brandon’s new-found affability.

  ‘Sure,’ he said.

  ‘Have a word with Held. Make it a chance to get to know each other before you start workin’ together. I’ll see you in the mornin’ before you go.’

  The marshal walked to the door and made his way outside where he paused for a few moments, cursing under his breath, before making his way to the bunkhouse.

  It was late at night as Seaton and Utah arrived in Lindenberg and made their way stealthily to the Sheepmen’s Association building. The street was dark and all the other stores were closed. There was a narrow path at the side of the building and they led the horses down it to an overgrown lot with a battered shed at the rear, overlooked by trees.

  ‘Ideal,’ Seaton said. ‘There’s grass and nobody would be likely to see anythin’ unless they deliberately sought it out.’

  When they had made the animals comfortable they took a good look at the back of the building, seeking for a means of entry. The door was locked but one of the windows was smashed and it wasn’t too difficult to remove the few splinters that remained and then climb through. Once inside, they stood in darkness, listening. There was a steady ticking noise that unnerved them for a moment till Seaton remembered the clock. He struck a match and they picked their way forward. The room was empty but at the far end he recognized the few items of furniture and the empty coffee cups he had seen when he had peered through the front window on his previous visit. A little more light entered from the street and he blew out the second match he had lit.

  ‘It’s not likely anyone would see, but there’s no point in taking the chance,’ he said, peering into the darkness. In a corner there was a door and Seaton opened it to find it led into a small entrance way with a stair winding up into the gloom. He began to climb the steps. At the top there was a passage with three doors leading from it, and when he opened them it was to find each room empty like the one below except for some scattered items of lumbe
r. He heard a sound behind him and jumped as Utah came along the landing.

  ‘Kinda spooky,’ the oldster said.

  ‘Yeah.’

  ‘It’s funny, but I never feel that way when I’m out in the open. It doesn’t matter how dark or lonesome a place is; as long as the sky’s over my head I don’t mind.’

  ‘We don’t have to stay here long,’ Seaton replied.

  ‘I don’t know about you, but I’m plumb tired. I figure I’ll spread my blanket and try to get some shuteye.’

  ‘Me too,’ Seaton replied.

  ‘Upstairs or down?’ Utah asked.

  ‘Down,’ Seaton replied.

  Without further ado, picking their way slowly, they descended the creaking stairs.

  Chapter Five

  Seaton and Utah managed to make themselves quite comfortable and they awakened to the early morning sounds coming from the street outside. Seaton crept to the window and peered out. The man opposite was sweeping the boardwalk outside his store with a broom and there were indications of people moving about further up the street towards town. Hearing a sound behind him, he turned away to face the oldster.

  ‘I could use somethin’ to eat,’ Utah said.

  ‘So could I,’ he replied.

  ‘I guess we’re gonna have to be real careful when it comes to cookin’. At least we got some jerky and cold beans.’

  Seaton turned back to where the daylight was beckoning.

  ‘Hell,’ he said, ‘I want somethin’ better than that. And I don’t fancy stayin’ cooped up here for too long.’

  The oldster gave a gap-toothed grin. ‘Me neither,’ he replied. He clutched at his stomach and added, ‘Anyway, I’ll see you in a few minutes. I’m just taking a little trip out the back.’

  ‘Right. While you’re doin’ that, I’ll take a look through some of those drawers.’

  ‘You think you might find somethin’?’ Utah asked.