The Run.

Becky kept her mount at a steady pace toward the settlement of Visalia, which was situated thirty miles to the east. Her mount ,which was named Matty, could keep the comfortable , but steady pace all day. Becky had broken Matty to the saddle herself a few years back and it was decided to keep her instead of selling her off. A good steady horse that would not buck a rider off if a rattler startled her. Becky had not been to the Olsen ranch since she had ridden into the high Sierra pine and cedar forest to fall a big cedar for making the wood roofing shakes she sometimes sold and installed for others. That is, if the buyer was not inclined to do the high work. Some folks wouldn't even get on a ladder, so she had found occasional work roofing various buildings for the local folks. It once was a novelty to see a twelve year old girl load and install a roof by herself. The novelty wore off as Becky matured and she became well known.

The ride east was mostly uneventful, with the exception of crossing some well worn trails that ran north and south with traffic going both ways, including riders and a stagecoach heading north. Some sloughs had to be circumvented and had slowed her some, but she expected to arrive at the Olsens some time in the early afternoon. They were good Missouri folks and sure enough, had heard through the cowpoke grapevine about the doings up north that Becky, Josh and Lonnie were part of. Not all---but enough.

She was now riding through the gently rising and falling foothills, that preceded the giant peaks farther to the east. There were still patches of snow on the very highest peaks even in early September. It had been a very hot summer in 1879, however Becky and friends had missed much of it by being north and east of the valley into the pines, cedars and madrones of Jackson. Some said it had reached one hundred thirteen for a few days and then cooled off to 100 to 106. Odd place, this desert with so much water coming down from the snow melt each year starting in the spring. The runoff formed the ubiquitous sloughs and fed the largest fresh water lake west of the Missisippi river--Tulare Lake. Around the lake were deer, antelope, elk, the ever present coyotes and many smaller mammals. And of course it was full of fish, which the local natives captured in shoreside nets.

She saw the small sign with the usual arrow pointing in the direction of a cut in the undergrowth =olsen. She turned into the cut and rode for about a half mile before she saw a few buildings set up against a steep granite monolith sixty or seventy feet high. It was more than likely used as a protective measure against being surrounded by anyone with bad intensions. There were those. The granite covered three sides of their location and looked pretty safe, Becky thought. Never know who might show up.

Mr Olsen and family knew she was coming as soon as she turned into the cut to ride to their property. A few years back after some trouble with interlopers surprising them and attacking the family, which they had successfully but barely repelled, Mr Olsen found a solution by purchasing almost a mile of fishing line and some small bells. He tied the line to an overgrown patch of undergrowth right on the trail that was vitually impossible to pass without being disturbed. He ran the line clear up to the house, attached the bells to it and had made himself an excellant warning device. Had to replace the line every three years or so due to the sun weakening and eventually making it useless. This he did faithfully.

"Hey Mr Olsen---it's me. Becky Pearson," she hollered. Mr Olsen and his three sons were advancing from several strategic locations with iron at the ready.

 

Thanks Bro!

 

:hurray:

back in the saddle!

:sunny:

(I can't wait for Becky to rain on their parade!)

 

Thanks Scratcho.

 

"Put your guns down boys--it's a friend." His sons complied quickly with his order. As the five met in the yard, it became obvious that the tall girl was a welcome sight at the Olsens. Mrs Olsen came outside and down off the porch to greet Becky. "Well how you been miss Pearson? Long time -no see," she said with a welcoming smile. Mr and Mrs Olsen hugged her and asked about her family, the horse business and what the latest was from her recent journey north. The boys hung back some as the conversation carried on for a few minutes. A couple of the boys were close in age to Becky and they had certainly thought about her in various ways, as boys and men were apt to do. They were looking at her now. No harm, Becky thought. They'd always been right proper whenever they had been near her. The Olsens would expect no less from their boys.

"Come on in, Becky. I'll fix us something to eat, if you have the time." Well, I ain't really got too much time today, Mrs Olsen. But I could use some coffee and a smoke fer' sure. And this here critter I rode out here on today might like her some alfalfa, ifn' yáll don't mind. You see, we got us another situation over ta' Lemoore and that there's why I come ta' see yáll. There's a meetin' tonight at the Grange Hall in Stringtown and they's more'n likely fifty-sixty men a'comin to try n' fix what alls happened."

"By god Becky, if you need me and the boys, we'd sure come on over to help." I'd like to know what's going on, though." " Well, that's kinda' why I come over ta' see ya, Mr Olsen. But no---I reckon I may have come up with an idea fer' takin'care of --uh-- things over there." "Are you sure Becky? They lean on you too much already as far as I'm concerned. If it's going to take fifty or sixty men to--take care of your concern--what in the world can you do? But it's your business, I guess. I worry about you sometimes." Thank ya' mr Olsen. You ain't hafta worry 'bout me though. I kin' take care a' myself. Say, you still workin'on that-there trail up to them redwoods?" "Yeah, I sure am. It's taken me and the boys a year now by hacking and chopping obstacles out of the way, but when I get it completed, the tourists will be flocking up here to use my trail to see those big trees. I figure some will need guiding and I'll guide some of them if they need it. Those city folks are afraid to go up there. Some of them. Make us some decent money, hopefully." The youngest boy had led Matty over to the small barn enclosed by an equally small corral and began to wash her down. The two others were still enthralled by Becky and had not moved much from where they could see her straight on.

The coffee was made and the Olsens, their two oldest boys and Becky sat on the porch and smoked some hand rolled tobacco and drank the coffee as she explained that she would like to keep the particulars of her plan out of the conversation. "Ain't nothin'agin' yáll. It'd just be better the fewer folks know about it. "Ok Becky. But if you need us--we're there." "I know. Now let's me and you walk down to the barn Mr Olsen and I'll get right to it. I mean nothin' rude Mrs Olsen. You boys either. It's just the way it's gotta'be." "No harm, Becky. You two just do what's necessary." The two boys flushed a little. To be acknowledged by Becky Pearson and even to get smiled at---well--that'll work for a while in the fantasies of the young boys.

The necessary business attended to between Becky and mr Olsen, her horse washed, curried and fed, she began her goodbyes. She promised to return to cut lumber in the mountains to build a home for her and Josh. "What? Did you two get married? Becky giggled and said yes, they surely did. "I fergot ta' tell 'ya. I'm sorry 'bout that, Mr Olsen. Make sure and tell the missus I'm sorry fer'not mentionin'." She mounted the sturdy little horse and set off for home. The Olsen family watched her ride back to the trail that led off their land and were sorry to see her go.

"I'll be damned if I can figure that girl out. She has more guts than just about any man I ever met and I was in the war," Mr Olsen said to the others. She doesn't have much education, that's apparent. The way I heard it a few years back, she didn't take to schooling much, so she quit after the second grade to break horses for Mr Pearson and evidently did a fine job of it." "She sounds real back woods," one of the boys mentioned. "But I don't think I'd mention it to her. Bad idea, if half of what has been said about her is true, added Mr Olsen. She's a good one though. She wouldn't harm anyone that didn't need it. And evidently--there'a bunch of them that need some regulatin' right now.

 

:2thumbsup: :2thumbsup: :2thumbsup:

 

The ride home was about as uneventful as the ride east. Time to think. She stopped on the main north and south trail to help some folks pick a buckboard clear of the ground in order to replace a broken wheel. Otherwise, she rode straight home. She arrived there about seven oclock and set about finding Karla. When found, Becky asked her to come to the barn while she attended to Matty. "You find out about that that-there meetin' the men is havin?" "Yeah. I did. They's loaded and ready and the meetin's at the hall after dark. Probly' 'bout eleven's what I heard." "How many's comin?" Maybe a hunnerd's what's been said. They're plannin'on hittin' ém at four thirty in the morning, leastways that's the plan now as I understand it." "Figger they'll be plum tuckered out from drink in 'n such.


"OK. Good. I got somethin' I want ya' ta' do. Now --you tell me ifn' ya ain't up to it. You still be friends with them workin'ladies at the Dog.?" "I reckon. If'n they's the same ones as a few months ago. But who knows. I been hearing them outlaws is slappin'em' around and beatin'some of ém. But we got 'ta see about Lonnie and --------," "I know. The ol' man. We're a'gonna find ém, alright. One way ér the other. Listen now. I want you to enter that little room down in the back where yáll go fer smokes n' ta'git away from the constant pokin' and see ifn' any a'them is ones ya' know. You tell ém in a way such as they'll believe ya--and you tell ém Becky Pearson's comin' and ifn'they want ta' live, they'll pack lightly and get out of the Dog at four o''clock. None a'them outlaws can know they's leavin'. They don't say nothin to nobody, but they better git. You know that little draw out back a'the Dog 'bout fifty yards ér so. You tell ém ta'git out there in the dark git down in the draw and stay put. You too. Might have some slough water in it, but that-there's the least á their worries. Tell ém I said so and I damn sure mean it. Kin you handle that?" "Yes, I think so. It'll be dark, so's I can sneak around pretty good, I reckon." "OK. You can do it, I'm sure. When Josh gits' here, I'll tell him whats á goin' on. He'll come with me. I got me a little surprise for them fellers that thinks they kin' jus', ride in , kill whoever they want and git away with taken' over a law-abidin' town and ruin it." "What you got planned, Becky. Sounds like they's a bunch of ém and they damn sure ain't gonna"pay no attention to you 'n Josh. " "Yeah. That be mostly' true, I reckon. They ain't gonna'git no chance ---also one way ér the other.

 

:2thumbsup:

:hurray: :sunny:

 

Thanks Scratcho

 

The riders came from near and far. Some were Missourians, but most were from various other states and territories and had settled in the valley over the past decades. Many had left areas of contention and lawlessness and they were not pleased that there were still outlaw gangs that figured that any town they decided was ripe for takeover, could still be done in the year 1879. No one knew who the criminals were and at this point, no one cared who they were. They had killed the well respected sheriff and his newly hired deputy when they had tried in vain to stop them in their initial run on the town. No telling what had been looted or destroyed or who else had fallen to their reign of terror on the little town.

Old friends that hadn't seen one another for years were sharing greetings, but not as they usually had. No picnicking, dancing into the night or sharing tales of past cattle drives or crop failures or successes tonight. These men were stern faced and very serious concerning the business at hand.

When settled in, the crowd quieted and waited for someone to speak. A man from the east side of the valley stood. "Some of yáll are closer to Lemoore than most of us. I ain't been there for years, but I'm here --just like all the rest to see this play out. What's the plan? Or is there one yet?" Mr Hays stood up and advanced to the small podium in front of the room and began. "First off, it's good to see all a'yáll, but I'm damn sorry it has ta' be under these conditions. Everbody here knows whats á goin on in town and I can't think á much to do other than attack them damn outlaws outright. The trick is 'ta figger out when would be the best time ta' do it. What me and some a' the others has talked about, is that them outlaws is hard drinkin' men and they's gonná be down and out drunk by four thirty, five o'clock in the morning'. Leastways, we hope so.


So if'n we ride into that arroyo on the east side á town where the trees'l cut down the racket the horses'l make, then we can sneak on in close on foot. It looks like they's about eighty men here and we probably gonna'need all of us ta' git this done. Some a' the womenfolk hereabouts is gonna' set up down in there in the bottom outta'sight ta'keep the horses calm and they should be safe. That is if'n there ain't no objections to it." No one said anything against it, and it was generally conceded by everyone that that was an adequate plan. Not one anyone cared much for, but adequate.

The Dog is where they is stayin' çuz they's the only place in town tha's got forty rooms to let. They's ten or twelve workin'women that has rooms, so we got ta'be careful not ta'git any of ém shot. Don't rightly know how that's gonna' work out, but it ain't right ta' get any of ém shot, regardless a' what they do or don't do." Much nodding of heads from the gathering. "OK. So we got the horses taken care of, we all got plenty a'ammunition and now we got ta'walk in the dark bein' real quiet and spread out clean around the town. Now that's gonna' spread us out some, but we can't help that none. Yáll been asked to bring timepieces so's we kin figger when we's gonna' hit ém.

Pearson. Yáll got anting ta' add ta'what I said?" "No I reckon you 'bout covered it. 'Ceptn' that we got ta'be damn careful we ain't shootin' one another instead á them law-breakin'sonsabitches. That's about all we can do, I reckon. Some of us is likely ta 'get kilt ér injured and it don't make no sense ta' die with a friendly bullet. Well hell--don't make much sense ta' get kilt with any bullet now that I think on it." Some nervous laughter rippled across the room. "But yáll know. Sometimes it's a stand needs takin', and we're a' takin' it, so that's the way she lays out. The womenfolk is headin' ta' the draw now with a couple a' wagonloads a' good alfalfa ta' spread around ta' please the mounts while we commence ta' git them fuckers--'scuse my lingo, boys--anyway there's four a' my hands with ém ta' make sure they can git away under cover á gunfire if'n that be what's it comes too. Alright now---everbody look at yer' watches. It be exactly eleven thirty two on the dot. I'ma gonna'count down 'n we kin all set ém ta' eleven thirty three together." No one spoke as each man looked at their individual watches as the second hand swept the dial. The countdown went as planned.


"Yáll kin sleep fer' a fw hours right here 'n I'll stay awake n'git everybody up n'about at two thirty. Then we'll go on in hit ém at five on the dot. N'hit ém hard. And may god bless us one n'all."

 

Thanks Scratcho.

 

Karla had done what Becky had asked her to do and she was sure that the women would follow her instructions. They were all familiar with the name Becky Pearson, so the women had readily agreed. They had taken some awful abuse, they had told Karla. And whatever was planned, they were for it. Karla had told Becky and Josh that she had seen Lonnie and Mr Canary tied to the posts that held the roofed structure shading the boardwalk in front of one of the businesses down a block or so from the Dog. They were slumped down and showed signs of being beaten and abused. She had wanted to rush out to help them, but there had been a couple of men, one with a bull whip standing around the area close to the prisoners. She said that though looking mighty rough, they appeared to be alive, but it didn't look like they would be much longer if they weren't cut down and attended to and soon.

Becky said nothing, but her look conveyed her strong feelings about the information. She continued getting herself and the items she had brought from Mr Olsen's ready for what she had planned and that she and Josh would carry out. Josh had been at the meeting in the Grange hall and knew exactly what was said and what was to take place. Or what was planned to take place. Of course Becky was pleased that the time set for her friends and relatives to begin their planned attack would be five in the morning. Her plan was now set for four thirty in the morning. She didn't take kindly to the strangers that had forced her to take action that she had not planned on taking. But getting rid of a gang of lawless criminals required action if she was going to be able to get her life and that of her friends and neighbors back to normal. After the trip north with all the killing and danger involved, she just wished to settle in with Josh and build a nice home and plant some extensive gardens. Maybe run a few head of cattle. Break some horses for her pa. Get a few goats to keep the weeds down. Maybe even have a child or two. But, later on that one she knew. But here it was again. Trouble. Trouble, she had never shied away from. There must be a limit, she thought. But where in the hell was it?

" You done good, Karla. Real good. Now what we gonna' do will be happenin' at four thirty. The three of us'll ride in from the west and you can leave your horse in back a' the women in the draw and you kin' sneak around back ta' Mr Gibsons place and knock real quiet like and gain yourself entrance. Be careful and don't git' shot, now. You tell Mr Gibson that when yáll hear some noise that you two --well maybe three or four, ifn' his boys is strong enough to help--yáll pull Lonnie n' Mr Canary down ofn' them posts. Pull ém down real quick and git' ém in his buckboard and git ém out ta' docs house also real quick like.

"What do ya'mean, hear some noise, Becky. I mean------' " Oh, you'll not mistake my meanin'. Just do as I say. After me and Josh cause a little noise, we'll be out in the street coverin'ya' and makin'sure there ain't no threats ta' you and your group. Don't worry. Just do ér. OK?" "Sure, Becky. Whatever ya' say. Are you sure 'bout this? There's a big bunch of ém." After a bit, "Oh yeah. I'm sure."

The hours went by as Becky and Josh got their plan summerized to their satisfaction. They were ready by one AM and Becky urged Josh to sleep some before they left for town. He declined, as he was nevous and knew that he would not sleep at all until this thing was settled. They decided to lay down together and enjoyed their embrace, the warmth and the feel of each other. When she felt his response on her leg, she scolded him in good humor by gently slapping his crotch and said , "Not now, you horny man." He grinned and said he was sorry, but in jest for sure. He was never sorry to be holding her. "I'll sure be glad when this-here summer is over, honey. It's been a hell of a summer, ain't it?" A minute went by and she replied. "Ahhh---there's been some fun, now wouldn't ya say?" " Jumpin' jesus, Becky. Sometimes I think you're plum tetched in the head." he said quietly, with a grin. She giggled her little girl giggle and snuggled into Josh tightly. "I ain't tetched, you fool. I just don't give a shit. Know what I mean?" " If'n I don't, then nobody does."

 

It was now four o:clock in the morning. The women had completed their part of the plan by setting out long lines of sweet alfalfa for the horses to eat while they were to be kept in the draw east of town. Saddles, bridles and such, were left on just in case they were overwhelmed by a counter attack from the outlaws. The men had gathered quietly and were nervously speaking in whispered, chopped sentences, mostly about nothing at all. They all knew that this might be the last time some of them would walk the earth as living, breathing men. But this had to be done and they were the men who were going to get it done, one way or the other. Time seemed to slow down and they were getting anxious, as men who plan to war with other men often do.

Four fifteen now and the men began to move silently into a linear position and then would move to encircle the town as discussed. Hopefully all would reach their predetermined positions by the correct time and not be discovered prematurely by any of the lawless group in town. Becky and Josh were in position just outside of town in the darkness and had just checked their watches. They hugged across their horses and agreed that it was definitely time to make their move. " Be careful now honey. You have the backside and the north side and I'll take the front and the south side just like we discussed. Right?" " Yup. Look out, Becky. Maybe there'll be some a' them sonsabitches on the porch or out front somewheres."Ahhh--don't worry Josh. I got a double rig on and I'll use both Colts if'n I need to. Ok. Ready?" "Ready as ever." They each carefully lit a cigar, mounted up and headed for the Dog.

 

Cigars huh? No Zippos in them thar days huh.... This wouldn't have been the fourth would it?

 

:2thumbsup: :sunny:

:hurray:

 

:2thumbsup: Thanks Scratcho.

 

The nervous, but steadfast men had almost gotten into place in the moonless night and had been clearly warned about creating a situation like a circular firing squad. The plan to retake the town was going to be dangerous enough without shooting one another in the bargain. They weren't sure how many of the outlaws would still be up and about at this hour or even how many there were. Regardless, they all knew that what had to be done and fear or not--it would be done. It was a plan. A low whistle was begun by the designated man and was thereafter heard and passed on to each man in the line by the same method, until all of them had heard the signal. Watches were checked for a final time and the men began to slowly advance in the dark.


There were four buildings that stood independent of the line of businesses on the main street. The two churches, one Baptist, the other non-denominational, the buildings around the stables, including the large barn. And the Blue Dog. The Dog stood thirty yards to the immediate south of the main businesses, some which were built close together and had narrow walkways in between. Others were attached directly to adjacent buildings. The walkways could accept one horse and rider going in either direction, but not two at the same time from the opposite direction. A few arguments had happened over time concerning the right away, when one man would not give way to another, rightly or wrongly.


Becky was able to determine by the gaslight that burned in front of the Blue Dog, that two men were on the front porch. Both were prone on the boardwalk and did not move as she rode up to the front of the Dog with one of her Colts at the ready. No response from them. Drunk, she reckoned. She lined her horse up with the swinging doors and flung the first of her wired together packages over the top of them and turned swiftly to fling another into the door on the south side. It was closed, so she rode close enough to kick it in and then threw her second package in as far as she could. Her third went up and into the open window on the second floor. She could hear Joshes horse moving towards the north side and assumed that he was almost finished with his part. She turned her mount and headed toward the small walkway between the barbershop and Gibsons hardware across and north of the Dog. Josh had just entered ahead of her and they both cleared the back of Gibsons just in time.


The night was suddenly lit up as if daylight had popped up right out of the ground. Everything was framed clearly in the sudden flash of light. The huge noise followed immediately and the advancing men were lit up and thrown back a few feet when the shock wave hit them. Some men momentarily regained their senses, but most stood stock still while their brains were attempting to engage something--anything to figure out what in the hell had happened. The sky was still lit up from what was now apparently a very large fire. Various small pieces of lumber, shreds of glass, big pieces of large timbers, broken window frames, roofing shakes, fragmented poker tables, plumbing of sorts, pieces of water pipes, beds, drapes, doors, signs and all manner of flying debris were raining down on the men. Most of the men fell down and tried to cover their heads but some of the more adventerous began to run toward the conflagration. The burning debris seemed to be falling and settling on most of the buildings in town. Whatever had happened was very serious. Very serious indeed. The whole town seemed to be in danger.

 

"Let's go!! C'mon, let's go,"someone shouted. " Split up by twos and get up on the buildings and get them burning pieces of wood off'n 'em." The men had somewhat regained their senses and most of their hearing and began running towards the source of the huge explosion and the now collapsed Blue Dog, which was burning ferociously. The top two stories had gone sky high and the rest of it had collapsed in on itself. They fanned out, still in absolute confusion, but two by two began to help one another to climb onto the buildings that showed most of the burning debris. They kicked and pushed the burning debris off the roofs and into the streets below. It was a big chore, but it was obvious that the whole town could go up like the Dog had if they could not extinguish or at least get the burning wood off the roofs and down into the streets.


Josh and Karla joined Mr Gibson and his boys in cutting down Lonnie and Mr Canary from where they had been tied, while Becky stood in the street eerily lighted by what was left of the Dog. She had both Colts ready in case anyone was able to escape the burning pile of what was left of the once large building. It was obvious that anyone that was inside the burning mess was now spread around the area in very small pieces or buried under what was left of it. The two recent prisoners, having been cut down and dragged around in back of Gibsons, were loaded into the buckboard and Mr Gibson then set off for the doctors house with them. The others followed on their horses. The two had been beaten mercilessly and it looked to their untrained eyes as if the old man might not make it. They'd been bullwhipped, had rocks thrown at them for fun, and denied water and food.


They got them settled in at the docs house and hoped for the best. They needed liquid immediately and were given some. Karla wanted to stay with the horribly mistreated men and it was agreed that that would be a good idea. The docs house was about a half mile east of town, but it was certainly close enough to hear the explosion. "What in the world was that huge noise coming from town? Sounded like dynamite or something. Is the town OK? I never heard anything like it. Well, not since the war." "Now, which question 'ya want answered, Doc? Sounds like 'ya got at least two questions 'ta me." "Awww, Becky. Don't tell me you had something to do with it!" "Ok," she replied.

The doc had grown up in Lemoore and had never been away except to medical school , after which he had returned to take care of his friends and neighbors. He was very familiar with Becky Pearson, so he decided not to follow through with any more questions, but to begin helping his two patients as best he could. He thought to himself that there probably was going to be hell to pay over this one. "Fix ém up doc. Fix ém up good. You been knowin' Lonnie 'fer years and the ol'man is a friend a' mine. I reckon we need 'ta go help them fellers ta'git that fire tamed down some. We'll be back." "Alright, Becky," but he wasn't sure she'd get out of this one, if she was responsible. Then again, she'd never had much trouble getting out of anything before. A few busted up cowboys would have to agree about that. The doc had reset a few jaws over Becky.

 

Keep 'er cu...er...comin' :2thumbsup: :sunny:

 

Thanks Scratcho. :2thumbsup: