Ralph Compton - Death Rides a Chestnut Mare

“Oh, damn it,” Danielle said, “we’ll never get to Abilene. We may never get back to your ranch.”

But the rain ceased before it reached them, and the following morning Tuck came up with an idea.

“Why don’t we hitch up the teams and see how far we can get today? I don’t think I can stand another day sittin’ on that wagon tongue, discussing cast-iron underpants for my sister, Carrie.”

Danielle laughed. “Maybe I’ll tell her that’s what you aim to buy for her in Abilene.”

“I don’t care a damn,” said Tuck. “I’ve done told her everything a girl should know, and maybe more. I told her if she wants a snot-nose kid before she’s seventeen, to just do anything that strikes her fancy. I got cussed out for my efforts.”

Despite the still muddy ground, Tuck and Danielle harnessed the teams and began their journey to the north. Tuck drove, steering the teams away from low places and keeping to high ground.

“You’re good with a team and wagon,” Danielle said.

“I’m good at most everything I’ve tried,” said Tuck. “Of course,” he said, winking, “I got a few things I ain’t tried.”

“One of them being Katrina, I suppose,” Danielle said.

“Hell, I can dream, can’t I?” said Tuck. “I saw her watching you while we were there at the Chadmans. Chadman’s impressed with you. By the time we get to Abilene, you may have already been inside those underpants.”

“Maybe,” Danielle said, for once not blushing, “but I’ll tell everybody else what I’ve told you and Carrie. My pa’s killers come first.”

Despite the mud, Tuck’s expert handling of the teams managed to keep the wagon on high ground. He continued on until after sundown before unharnessing the tired mules.

“I figure we’re not more than thirty-five miles from the ranch,” said Tuck. “If all goes well, we’ll be there late tomorrow. Not bad, three days to Dallas and four back, returning with a loaded wagon.”

“Where are they, Ma?” Carrie complained. “They’ve been gone a week today.”

Mrs. Carlyle laughed. “Who are you missing? Tuck or Daniel?”

“I miss them both,” said Carrie. “The rest of the ranchers have gathered their five hundred head, and they’re waiting on us.”

“They’ve also promised to help Tuck and Daniel with our herd,” Mrs. Carlyle said. “It shouldn’t be more than a day, with so many riders.”

“There was a full night of rain to the south of here, night before last,” said Carrie. “The mud may be deep. They may still be three days away.”

“We’ll just have to wait and see,” Mrs. Carlyle replied. “I’m sure they’ll be here as soon as they can.”

The Carlyle Ranch. North Texas. August 18, 1870.

It was late in the evening, sundown not more than an hour away. Despite the scolding of Mrs. Carlyle, Carrie stayed rooted to her spot, continuing to look to the south as far as she could see. Finally, on the horizon, a moving speck became visible. It eventually turned into two teams of mules and a wagon.

“They’re coming, Ma! They’re coming!” Carrie shouted, running for the house.

Mrs. Carlyle and Carrie were waiting on the porch when Tuck reined up the tired and sweating teams. He was alone on the wagon box.

“Where’s Daniel?” Carrie inquired in a quavering voice.

“Oh, he met a girl in Dallas and decided to spend a few days with her.”

“No,” Carrie cried, bursting into tears.

“Tuck,” Mrs. Carlyle scolded, “don’t tease your sister. Daniel’s horse is still out there in our barn.”

The joke was over, and Danielle managed to squeeze out of the wagon, where she had concealed herself.

“Damn you, Tuck Carlyle, I hate you,” Carrie shouted.

“It was partly my idea,” said Danielle.

“Then I hate you too,” Carrie snarled.

“We got to find her a man somewhere, Ma,” said Tuck, apparently deadly serious, “else there’s no tel lin’ what will be takin’ her to the hayloft.”

It was more than Carrie could stand. Speechless, her face flaming red, she ran into the house.

Chapter 4

The Carlyle Ranch. North Texas. August 19, 1870.

“The first thing we’d better do,” Tuck said, “is get the word to Dumont, Baldwin, Chadman, and Flagg that we’re back. If they’ll help us gather our herd, we’ll be on the trail to Abilene tomorrow.”

“They promised,” said Mrs. Carlyle.

“Maybe we’d better remind them we’re ready to begin,” Danielle said.

“Then let’s go,” said Tuck. “We’re losing more time.”

Only Carrie said nothing, but stared vacantly out the window.

Tuck and Danielle weren’t even off the Carlyle spread when they met Barney Dumont.

“I was just comin’ to see if you’d made it back,” Barney said. “Pa said if you was back that I’m to take the word to Baldwin, Chadman, and Flagg. We can start your gather today, getting on the trail that much quicker.”

“We’re ready,” said Tuck, “and we have the needed parts for the Colts, besides the wagonload of provisions and ammunition.”

“Then I’ll tell the others to get on over to your place just as quick as they can,” said Barney.

“Bueno,” Tuck said. “It’s the moment of truth. We’ll have to find out if we have cows enough to make the drive.”

At Upton Wilks’s ranch, Wilks was receiving a report from Kazman, his segundo .

“They’re gettin’ ready for a drive,” said Kazman. “Four of the outfits has rounded up at least five hundred head. There’s nobody left ’cept the Carlyles.”

“Why not the Carlyles?”

“Tuck and the young gent stayin’ with ’em took off south a week ago, in old man Flagg’s wagon. Today they come back. From the tracks, I’d say the wagon’s loaded to the bows. They likely been to Dallas, buyin’ food and ammunition.”

“Where the hell would they get the money?” Wilks demanded.

“Somebody staked ’em,” said Kazman. “Maybe that new gent that’s stayin’ with ’em.”

“Looks like we’ll have to take care of him,” Wilks said. “Give ’em a couple of days on the trail, but before the herd becomes trail-wise and settles down, stampede the lot of them from here to yonder.”

“It’ll be hell, finding them longhorns in Indian Territory,” said Kazman. “I was hopin’ we could grab the herd and take ’em on to Abilene ourselves.”

“Maybe we can,” Wilks said, “but we’ll need more riders. Not countin’ you and me, we got eight riders. There’s nineteen in that outfit, and every one of them, even including the women, can shoot. We’ll wait until they’re practically out of Indian Territory before we take the herd. Let them do most of the hard work.”

“I like it,” said Kazman. “Ambush?”

“Yes,” Wilks replied. “Shoot them all dead. Then when they default on their taxes, I’ll take over all their ranches dirt cheap. Take a pair of riders with you and ride into Indian Territory. We’ll need four or five more riders. No petty thieves. We want killers.”

Within the hour, riders began showing up at the Carlyle ranch. The Dumonts were the first to arrive, followed by the Baldwins. The Chadmans were next, followed closely by the Flaggs.

“I’ll need daylight to repair your Colts,” Danielle said. “The rest of you begin gathering the cattle. When I’m done with the Colts, I’ll join you.”

“It’s important we have those Colts ready,” Tuck said. “Go ahead and fix them.”

Danielle spread out a blanket on the grass beneath a tree. She then began work on the half-dozen Colts, breaking them down one at a time. Finished with one, she started on the second one before Carrie joined her.