Ralph Compton Train to Durango (20 page)

•   •   •

“They've had some trouble gettin' across the Little Colorado,” said Silver.

“The original wagon tracks lead upstream, and Hogan's following,” Wes said. “They'd have a better chance of finding a crossing downstream.”

“But that would take them the way they don't want to go,” said Silver. “The more I see of this, the more certain I am that whoever has the gold is headed for the Gulf of California and a sailing ship.”

•   •   •

Southwestern Arizona, May 5, 1885

Elias Hawk and Hobie Denbow were less than a hundred miles from Yuma when their luck turned sour. The wagon's left rear wheel slammed into an unseen hole, splintering the axle where it passed through the hub.

“Good thing we have a spare axle,” said Denbow.

“A mixed blessing,” Hawk said. “Replacing it will take time we just don't have.”

It was more difficult than they expected, for the ground was soft and the foot of the wagon jack kept sinking into the earth. It would not lift the heavy wagon.

“Damn it,” said Hawk, “we'll have to unload it again.”

They labored for an hour, unloading the wagon, most of an hour replacing the broken axle, and another hour reloading the wagon. By then it was sundown. They unharnessed the teams for the night and lit a small fire, unaware they were being watched. Hood, Illivane, and Ginsler had ridden far ahead of Hogan's wagon.

“Well,” said Illivane, “are we goin' to piddle along with Hogan's wagon, or do we end this chase on our own?”

“We'll end it when I say,” Hood replied. “Hogan's still five days behind with that damn wagon. I don't want nothin' said to him about us catchin' up with these coyotes. We'll plan a surprise for them, once they're a little closer to Yuma.”

The trio rode back to Hogan's camp, reaching it shortly before midnight. Surprisingly, Drade Hogan was awake and furious.

“Where the hell have you three been?” Hogan demanded. “I'm not paying you to gallivant around at night. I could have been attacked.”

“We had some business to take care of,” said Hood calmly.

The three of them unsaddled their horses, ignoring Hogan's cursing.

•   •   •

“They're gettin' tired following Hogan's wagon,” Wes said. “Where you reckon those three went that rode out tonight?”

“I'm guessing they rode ahead to catch up to the
hombres
that took Hogan's gold,” said Silver. “If they have any idea the wagon Hogan's chasing is full of gold double eagles, his life won't be worth a plugged peso. Next time they ride out, we'll follow them.”

“They could leave Hogan behind, take the other wagon, and be across the border before Hogan could catch up to them,” Wes said.

“That's what I'm expecting,” said Silver. “Hogan's about to be double-crossed again, and by the very bunch he's brought along to protect him. However all this ends, I think Hogan will get what's coming to him. I want to recover that stolen gold, if we can.”

•   •   •

Southwestern Arizona, May 6, 1885

“Even with the trouble we've had,” said Denbow, “we'll reach Yuma before that ship's there in the Gulf of California. Then what?”

“We'll cross the border and wait,” Hawk replied.

But they were never to reach Yuma or the border. After supper they turned in for the night, and just before dawn, Blanton Hood and five of his followers rode in shooting. They dragged the bullet-riddled bodies of Hawk and Denbow away from the wagon and then tore into the metal containers filled with double eagles.

“Great God Almighty,” Ginsler shouted, “we're rich.”

“Not till we're rid of Hogan,” said Arrington.

“We ought to tell Hogan what we've done, and let him take the gold on to Yuma, or maybe even across the border. Hogan must have some plan for getting past them.”

“Maybe you've got something there,” Hood said, “but when we tell Hogan we killed the two varmints that double-crossed him, is he gonna believe we don't know what's so damn valuable in this wagon?”

“He'll have no choice,” said Illivane. “We'll use him if we can, but if he starts pawin' the ground and raisin' hell, we can always just shoot him.”

Hood laughed. “Exactly what I was thinking. Ride back and tell Hogan we're waiting here with the wagon.”

“I don't think so,” said Illivane. “Send one of your own boys, ‘cause I'm looking out for mine.”

“Ginsler,” Hood said, “ride back and tell Hogan we've captured the wagon, that we'll be waiting for him.”

Ginsler rode out, leaving Hood, Arrington, Illivane, Concho, and Hawser. Illivane looked at Hood, and the outlaw laughed. They understood one another. From a distance, Silver, Wes, and El Lobo had witnessed the shooting. They watched with interest as Ginsler rode back the way they had come.

“They're going to use Hogan to get the gold across the border,” said Silver. “I think it's time we got ahead of them and rode on to Fort Yuma. A company of soldiers should even up the odds.”

“They could travel due south from here and cross the border somewhere to the east of Yuma,” Wes said.

“I think Hogan has considerably more in mind than just crossing the border,” said Silver. “As you know, Americans—even wealthy ones—are not all that welcome these days in Mexico.”

“
Sí
,” said El Lobo. “
El Diablo gringos
.”

“Let's ride,” said Silver. “If we run into trouble in Yuma, we may need time to get some telegrams off to Washington.”

•   •   •

Fort Yuma, Arizona, May 9, 1885

“I'm not doubting your word, Silver,” said Major Gately, “but we're right here on the border, and we've had our troubles with Mexico. I will not permit gold belonging to the federal treasury to be taken out of this country.”

“But this conspiracy we're trying to destroy may have confederates across the border,” Silver argued, “and they'll go free, unless we allow these outlaws to make contact.”

“Sorry,” said Major Gately. “We'll assist you in capturing these men and recovering the stolen gold, but it will have to take place on American soil.”

“The damned military and its rules,” Wes said, when they had left Gately's office.

“We'll ride back north a ways,” said Silver, “and when we see the wagon coming, we'll tell Gately to be prepared.”

“
Sangre de Christo
,” El Lobo said. “
Soldados
don't go to Mexico, then I go.”

“I'm just thinkin' the same damned thing,” said Wes.

“I'm reluctant to end my career with a court-martial,” Silver said, “but if there's a real need for crossing the border, I won't stop either of you.”

Riding at night, the three of them reached the outlaw camp not more than twenty-five miles north of Fort Yuma.

“Hogan's still alive, and they're headed for Yuma,” said Silver. “Let's ride back and wait for them.”

There were two wagons now, Hogan driving one taken from Hawk and Denbow, and Albion, one of Illivane's men, driving the other. Hood rode alongside Hogan's wagon.

“You aim to stop at the fort?” Hood asked.

“Certainly not,” said Hogan. “We'll travel at night, passing several miles east of the town and the fort. None of you are to go there.”

Hood said nothing. Just north of Yuma, they waited for darkness. When Hogan judged it was dark enough, he led out with the first wagon. Suddenly, from the darkness, came a shouted command.

“Halt and surrender your arms. You're all under arrest in the name of the government of the United States.”

“Damn you,” Hogan shouted, seizing his Winchester.

Three rifles roared, and Hogan fell off the wagon box, dead before he hit the ground.

“We're surrenderin',” one of the outlaws shouted. “Don't shoot.”

Silver accompanied the soldiers with their captives, while Wes and El Lobo rode toward the distant border. When they reached the Gulf of California, the rising moon illuminated a sailing ship anchored off shore.

“So that's where they were bound,” said Wes. “Let's dismount and go closer.”

“Halt,” a voice commanded. “
Quien es?
”

“Per'ap who you expect,” said El Lobo in a guttural tone. “
Nombre?
”

“Captain Antonio Diaz,” the voice said. “You are on Mexican soil. We must sail soon.”

“Bastardo,” El Lobo snarled, “you do not sail again, ever.”

Guns roared. Wes and El Lobo fired at the muzzle flashes, and there were groans of anguish. But Diaz had not been hit. He lunged at Wes and El Lobo, the blade of his knife flashing silver in the moonlight. But El Lobo had holstered his Colt and gripped his Bowie in his right hand. He avoided two savage thrusts by Diaz, and with a mighty sweep of the big Bowie, he slashed the front of the Mexican's coat from one side to the other. When Diaz came at him again, knife raised, El Lobo seized the Mexican's wrist. Dragging Diaz to him, he thrust savagely with the Bowie. With a groan of anguish, Diaz went limp, and El Lobo allowed him to slump to the ground.

“You would drown us in California's big water,” El Lobo grunted. “Now you pay.”
³³

“Come on,” said Wes. “All that shooting may bring the border patrol.”

They returned to the fort, and Silver was at the gate to meet them.

“I thought I heard shooting,” Silver said.

“You did,” said Wes. “If there are any medals, see that Palo gets one. Captain Antonio Diaz jumped us with a knife, and Palo taught him a permanent lesson.”

“His ship is out there, then,” Silver said.

“It is,” said Wes, “but it's shy a captain and at least two of its crew.”

“
Bueno
,” Silver said, “and if it's ever mentioned, I don't know a thing about it. All the captives are in the guardhouse, the gold is in federal custody, and in the morning I'll get off a full report to Washington by telegraph.”

“After that,” said Wes, “do us all a big favor and send a telegram to Dodge. There's some folks who'll want to know we're alive.”

“I'm ahead of you,” Silver said. “I sent that telegram tonight. Tomorrow, after all our business here is done, let's light a shuck for Dodge City.”

•   •   •

Dodge City, Kansas, May 15, 1885

“Thank God it's over,” said Molly, speaking for them all.

“Molly and me will be in Washington for a month, tying up loose ends,” Silver said. “As my last official act, I'm going to recommend for you, Wes, and for you, Palo, a reward of fifty thousand dollars.”

“
Por Dios
,” said Tamara. “
Por Dios
.”

“You meant what you said about retiring to south Texas and startin' a horse ranch, then,” Wes said.

“I did,” said Silver. “This worn-out old cowboy's goin' home.”

“Palo and me will be lookin' around for a few hundred acres with plenty of grass and water,” Wes said, “but we won't do anything serious until you and Molly get there.”

“We'll be coming,” said Silver. “Get yourselves some rooms at the Cattleman's Hotel in San Antone. Then look up Bodie West at the Texas Ranger office and tell him all that I couldn't tell him, the last time we talked. When Molly and me get there, we'll go after some of those wild horses that Nathan Stone and King Fisher loved so much.”

“
Bueno
,” Wes said, “but before we do anything else, let's find a preacher. I promised Renita we'd tie the knot, and if we do, I don't think Molly and Tamara will let you and Palo out of it.”

Empty, the blue tick hound, barked his joy at seeing them all together again.

1
The Dawn of Fury, The Killing Season, The Autumn of the Gun

2
The Autumn of the Gun
and
The Border Empire

3
Sixguns and Double Eagles

4
The Border Empire

5
The Border Empire

6
The Autumn of the Gun

7
The Border Empire

8
Sixguns and Double Eagles

9
Sixguns and Double Eagles

10
The Autumn of the Gun

11
Sixguns and Double Eagles

12
Sixguns and Double Eagles

13
The Spanish called it
El Rio de las Animas Perdidas
—the River of Lost Souls. Now it is simply the Animas. This shelf, along which narrow gauge locomotives still run today, was blasted from solid rock, and is twenty-seven miles long.

14
Sixguns and Double Eagles

15
Not until 1907 did Indian Territory finally become the state of Oklahoma.

16
Sixguns and Double Eagles

17
Sixguns and Double Eagles

18
The Autumn of the Gun

19
The Dawn of Fury

20
Sixguns and Double Eagles

21
The Border Empire

22
Sixguns and Double Eagles

23
The Border Empire

24
Sixguns and Double Eagles

25
Sixguns and Double Eagles

26
Sixguns and Double Eagles

27
The Border Empire