EUREKA

On the Run

Without blinking, I spun in a tight circle, the barrel of the Sharps digging into Dash's ribs. With a harsh grunt he let go of my arm. Momentum carried me back around, and tipping that rifle to one side I squeezed the trigger. So fast had I moved, they was caught unawares. Pop jumped, staggering back with a rip of swearing as his leg crumpled under him. Something laid a hot brand across my arm, and I shifted around. Coal was lining up another shot, so I just naturally pointed the old carbine like a finger, pulling the trigger. Red bloomed on his shirt as he sagged, foam bubbling from his lips.

Half turning, keeping the rifle up, I looked for Dash only to find myself alone on the street, but not for long. Someone shouted, another swore, and I heard them coming. Then I was running toward the corral. Thunder cracked behind me, and something struck the back of my boot heel, nearly toppling me to the dirt. It saved my life.

Puffs of smoke erupted from the ground not far from my head. Jerking away, I angled my flight toward the forge, lunging into the shadows as splinters of wood exploded from the frame of the doorway. Taking a stand in here never crossed my mind and I kept going, but skidded to a stop just long enough to grab Tobias' saddle bags and rifle. I left the rest, there was no time.

They were flanking the building, I could hear them, so I sprinted for the corral throwing myself through the poles as they shot at me. The horses reared and bucked, not liking being shot at, and I took advantage of the brief reprieve. No man would willingly shoot a horse, so I grabbed the bay's mane and slung aboard barebacked. Pointing him toward the open country beyond the town, I kicked my heels in and held on.

The horse bunched his legs then took off like a scared rabbit, vaulting the poles effortlessly. A heated slug whistled past my ear, but the men wasted no more ammunition. They'd be catching their own horses and coming after me. I had to find a place to hole up...and fight.

That bay was a runner, and he kept right on going until there was nothing around us but country. Angling him north, we came into broken land, full of sloping hills, sycamore, ash, and tumbleweeds. Slowing him to a trot, we kept moving. I was the quiet sort, not given to quarreling or holding onto grudges, but if provoked I was a wildcat. In me right now was a tornado of fury, one itching to be let loose.

If they dared come, and I knew they would, the men riding my trail would find me. I'd make certain of it, then the killing would begin. Pa had raised us to be law-abiding, but in a land with no law, we were our own. Justice came according to each one's principles and ability, and I was armed with a rifle I could squirrel hunt with, and plenty of bullets.

Near twilight, the bay and I came upon a natural bridge. Below it, running smooth and deep, was a river. I reckoned it to be the Red but not knowing exactly where I was, couldn't be sure. Under the far side of the ridge, tucked back in the earth and brush was the entrance to a cave. I figured it was just the place I was looking for.

Dead trees were scattered about, as if driven here by flash floods, and left abandoned. Large rocks provided good lookout points but were not close enough to allow a body to sneak up on the cave. Walking the gelding to the river, we went across and directly into the cave. A very small shore of pebbles separated the entry from the water, and it had been dry.

I figured the only trouble I'd have in this place was from snakes or scorpions until the riders came. Gathering some dry grass, I rubbed the bay down and then patted his neck, having no way to tether him.

"Well boy, I guess you'll have to make do for yourself. I reckon there's grass somewhere close by."

Leaving him to do as he pleased, I set about gathering the makings for a small fire. Tobias' warbag had no matches, so I used the bow and drill method, starting a tiny fire. I wanted coffee and had worked up an appetite. It was a simple affair, then I put out the flames and rinsed the dishes in the river before drawing back into the deeper recesses of the cave.