Run From A Hanging

Chapter I

Riding into Odessa slow and easy, the riders stopped at the Barber shop near the bank.

Tasman, you take the horses down the street as if to put them in the livery. Come up behind the bank and bring the horse around to the back door. Daily said as the other two riders were dismounting in front of the Barber shop.

Tasman took the horses reins, started down the street, as Daily and the rest of the gang walked toward the bank. Tasman had seen several people along the board walk that had stared at them on the way into town. But now the people went about there business and wasn’t paying attention to the riders anymore. It had been a good idea of Daily’s to take the horses down the street as if to put them up in the livery. Tasman turned between the livery barn and the dress shop. Moving down the side of the dress shop, he turned the horses up towards the back of the bank.

As he came to the back door of the bank, the door opened up and the three men came out carrying two sacks of money. They mounted and put the heels and spurs to the horses heading north from town. They had made two hundred yards when the sound of a pistol being fired could be heard behind them. The men kept the horse at a run for over a mile then slowed the horses down to a trot. After another mile, they made the horses hit another run that lasted for almost two miles.

Coming to a creek with running water, the riders put the horses into the water and walked them for over a mile down stream in the water. They let the horses drink before moving off to the west. The riders kept the horses down to a fast walk or a lope. Coming to another creek, they put the horses in the water again, walking the horses slowly, so the horse’s feet and legs could get some relief from the cool water. They headed south this time and went for about a quarter of a mile coming out at a ford where there had been a lot of horse traffic that had been through.

No one had said a word during the past four hours for there had been no need. Daily had been leading the way and he stopped his long legged roan under a big live Oak tree. He took a blanket from his saddle, after loosening his girth strap so the horse could take a breather, and then he spread the blanket out some. He dumped the contents of the sack that he had onto the blanket. J.D came over and dumped out the sack he had brought from the bank.

Daily set down, counted the money, and then he divided it four ways. He had always given equal shares on the take from a robbery where other gang leaders usually took an extra cut for the planning of the job. As the men picked up their share of the bank robbery, Tasman said, I’m going over to my sisters for a few days. Where might I find you at?

I’m heading over to Warfield for a while. If things get hot, look for me up around Midland and we can plain another job. Daily answered as he gathered up the blanket. He tied it behind the saddle, pulled the cinch girth strap up tight, and stepping into the saddle he turned his horse to the east. All the riders followed Daily except Tasman.

It was coming on to late in the afternoon by the time the gang reached Warfield. They pulled into the hitch rail in front of the saloon, stepping down from the saddle, each man looked around the town, and then they entered the saloon. There were several town folks in the saloon for this time of day, but over in the back corner of the room set a cowboy playing a solitaire game of cards.

Daily picked up a bottle of whiskey and one of the other men got four glasses. They walked over to the table where the cowboy was setting and Daily asked, Mind if we set in and have a few hands of poker?

You furnish the drinks? the cowboy asked.

Daily set the bottle down and the other two men set down as the cowboy shuffled the cards. They had been playing for about an hour when the cowboy saw a big man with the star in a circle badge on his vest walk up behind Daily. The big Texas Ranger never said a word but pulled his pistol out and cold cocked Daily. The other two men were pulling iron when the Ranger shot them both. The cowboy, who had been setting at the table when the outlaws had came into the saloon, had his hands in the air as the big bore of the .45 pistol looked him between the eyes.

You’re under arrest for robbing the Odessa Bank this morning. The big Ranger said.

I was here at Warfield all day.

You prove that?

He was here when I opened up this morning at ten o’clock this morning Sam. From over at the bar the bartender said as he held a tall cold beer in his hand.

You sure about that Burgess, because there were four men robbed the bank this morning at Odessa and I followed them here. Three of the horses are out front of the saloon? Sam Mountain asked.

Sam have I ever steered you wrong?

Nope. You, Sam pointed at the man at the table, take your stake from the pot and put the rest of the money in this sack. Then search these men and put any money they have into this other sack. The man at the table took his ten dollars from the pile of cash on the table and then went about his search of the downed men. Sam Mountain took hold of Daily’s collar and drug him outside the saloon. Picking Daily up, he threw him over the saddle belly down, moving to his horse he got two pair of cuffs from his saddle bags and put them on Daily’s hands and on his legs.

The cowboy came from inside the saloon with the money sacks and Sam had him go through the saddle bags on the horses. Sam mounted his horse and waited for the man to finish searching the saddle gear. Tell who the hell that might care to use them horse and the belongings to pay for the burial. Turning he headed out of town.

After about five miles, Daily went to hollering. Sam pulled up and told Daily, Better get comfortable while we’re stopped.

Daily squirmed off the horse, to the ground, and was holding his stomach, How the hell do you expect me to ride with my legs cuffed?

Walk or ride makes no difference to me. Why don’t you try side saddle?

Daily gave Sam a lot of verbal abuse and Sam started leading the horse off at a walk. After about ten feet Daily had been able to mount, was on the horse with his right leg hooked over the saddle horn, and holding to the saddle with his hands on the saddle horn.

Chapter II

Get in that first cell Daily. I’ll take your cuffs and leg irons off there. Sam told Daily.

Slim Daily, stood to his full height of six foot three inches tall, he waddled toward the first cell. The leg irons made it hard to walk with the two hundred pounds that he weighed. Jim Picks, the Ranger jailer, was just a few steps behind Daily. Daily turned swinging his hands, which were cuffed together, at Jim and nearly taking Jims head off. Sam hit Daily across the head, with his .45 pistol, knocking Daily to his knees onto the floor.

Sam helped Jim Picks to get up from the floor. Jim shook his head and asked, Why the hell did you hit me for Daily?

Hell I’m going to get hung anyway.

Get in the cell and you can just wear your cuffs and leg irons till hell freezes over. The next time you come from the cell I’ll be carrying a 10 gauge greener with the hammers eared back.

Stepping into the cell, Daily turned and replied, I still think you Rangers aren’t going to be able to hold me or take me back to New Mexico.

You’ll get back to the law in New Mexico one way or the other. Jim Picks replied and laughed a long laugh. The Captain wants to see you in the morning, Sam. The bunkhouse is almost empty so you‘ll be able to get some good sleep.

Thanks Jim for the message. I haven’t had much sleep since picking up Daily. Tell the Captain if he that I got the message.

Three days later, Sam led the two horses up in front of the jail and tied them to the hitch rack. Sam Mountain pulled the big Mexican saddle from the horse and drug it into the jail office. Jim was on duty and gave Sam a questionable look.

Why did you bring that old Mexican hull in here for Sam?

You’ll see Jim. Get your keys and come on back Mister Daily has got an appointment in Las Vegas New Mexico.

Dragging the saddle they went to the back and Jim had his shotgun already cocked. Daily was lying on his bunk and set up when he heard the racket Sam was making.

What the hell you doing Sam? Daily asked with a worried look on his face.

Lay down on the floor on your stomach with your feet toward the cell door unless you want to ride side saddle again but for two weeks this time. Sam replied with a calm voice.

Daily got up, walked over to the door, and looked at the two men outside the cell. He then turned around and lay on the floor on his stomach. If were going to Las Vegas I’d rather not have to ride side saddle that far? Daily replied as Jim unlocked the door and stepped back against the wall.

What the hell you going to do now Sam. Daily asked with a sourer caustic sound in his voice.

At which time Sam threw the saddle on top of Daily’s back and set down on the saddle. Daily went to hollering and after a few minutes got his breath.

Put your hands over your head and when I get you chained as I want you can get me off your back.

Daily finally put his hands over his head and Sam undone the cuffs and locked leg shackles on Daily’s wrist. The chain was running through the saddlebow under the saddle horn. Sam took the leg irons from Daily’s feet, told him to get up and come on outside. Daily finally got from under the saddle, picked it up, dragging most of it behind him to the porch in front of the jail. All the time Jim was laughing and about to go into the stumper fits.

That’s not my horse and this ain’t my saddle. That’s nothing but a horse fit to pull a wagon. Just look at him. His feet are big as dinner plates and there are harness marks on the nag. Daily said.

You done some trading because the other saddle was too light and the other horse ran too fast, Sam commented, Oh you need to throw the saddle on from the right side of the horse unless you think you can cinch it up enough to ride.

Daily was mumbling, all the while, he was dragging the big saddle over to the plow horse. Thinking to himself, That big son of a bitch would make me walk. He finally got the saddle over the horses back. Sam straighten the saddle blanket, cinched the saddle up tight enough to keep it on the horse. Sam then put a large set of saddlebags with the trail cooks gear and food along with two bedrolls on the back of the saddle of the big horse.

Mount up Daily and let’s ride unless you intend on walking along side of the horse.

Why the hell you doing this to me Sam Mountain?

You gave me a lot of trouble coming in and I don’t want that much trouble taking you to New Mexico. You remember how to get to Las Vegas. You might want to consider taking the shortest route unless you want to put up with me for a while, Sam commented with a big grin on his face.

Yaha, I know how to get there. You aren't going to lead the horse Sam.

Naha I believe you can handle the horse with the bridle ok. Now let’s hit the trail.

Daily tried to get the horse to trot and finally had to settle for a fast walk. But after leaving town, Daily turned the horse heading north with Sam following along behind, at a safe distance. Daily kept asking Sam questions about why he had to ride such a horse and rig. Finally Sam quit talking to him and it wasn’t long until Daily shut up and rode in silence.

It was a long day following along behind the big horse. Daily would get the big horse to a fast walk and then after a hundred yards or so the horse would slow down to a slow walk. The sun was setting in the west when Sam finally called a halt near a creek that was almost dry. Sam had Daily get off the right side of the horse and Sam untied the bedrolls and saddlebags from the big horse. Sam finally pulled the cinch loose and shoved the saddle off on top of Daily. Sam left with the horses going to the water in the creek while Daily was hollering and cussing Sam.

After watering the horses, coming back to camp, Sam gathered up some dead tree limbs and started a fire. Setting and waiting for the water to boil so Sam could make the coffee, Daily asked, How about taken me loose from this saddle?

Sam just looked at him and smiled. Sam finished warming the two cans of beans and had the coffee ready when Sam finally said, I’ll sleep on the other side of the creek and you can sleep right where you’re at. Don’t try to run away and don’t come to the other side of the creek. Or I’ll start chaining your legs to the nearest tree. Sam finished eating, took the pans to the creek, and washed them out. Returning to camp, Sam Mountain picked up his bedroll, walked across the creek, and didn’t come back till morning.

Sam found that Daily had made a lot of track as if he was trying to get the saddle loose and also around the horses that were hobbled. Daily was still asleep in his blankets, Sam walked over and kicked Daily on the boots. Daily looked up at Sam and then he started getting up from the blankets.

Sam made some coffee while Daily rolled his bed up and came over to the fire dragging his saddle.

What’s for breakfast, Daily asked after a big yawn.

Coffee, some biscuits and a piece of ham I brought with us from the town cafe.

I think we need to go through the pass up ahead and over a couple of short mountains. That is about the shortest way to go. Slim Daily commented.

You lead out Daily and I’ll follow unless I see you’re steering us the wrong direction.

They were saddled and on there way by the time the sun had peeked over the top of the mountain to the east of them. The day was like the day before and soon it had been several weeks of them days on the trail. The big horse had finally decided the stay at a fast walk and could hold the pace all day.

The land in front of them yawned endlessly to the horizon, miles of gently rolling prairie studded with clumps of slender mesquites. Dry bunchgrass whispered in changing gusts of wind. Little puffs of cliché dust arose from the gelding's heels as it walked along the ruts. Moving westward into the purpling dusk, Daily watched the flight of doves in the distance. Birds flew toward water before going to roost at night that is why Daily studied the dove’s flight path. North of the wagon road the doves disappeared beyond a grassy knoll. Daily and Sam Mountain reined the horses toward the hill and even the plow horse struck a lope.

A tiny pool of collected rainwater sat in a rocky hollow in a sheltering of stunted cottonwoods. They rode toward it, slowing the horse to examine the shadows beneath the trees. Caution had become a part of Sam Mountain’s nature, to expect the unexpected, and as a result he never approached unfamiliar places without exercising great care. The shadows below the trees were empty shadows. They allowed the horses to hold a trot to the edge of the pool to quench their thirst.

In the failing light, Sam examined his surroundings. The water hole would be a dangerous place to make camp, for as easily as he'd found it, so would roving Apaches and other travelers who knew how to read the land. When the Sam’s horse lifted its muzzle from the pool Sam swung down to splash water on his face, he cupped a few mouthfuls, sampling the pool for gypsum before swallowing.

A clump of windblown mesquites offered a minimum of shelter from prying eyes in a draw between two knobs. They rode for the trees at a walk, Sam Mountain’s hand resting on the butt of his gun just in case the trees held unexpected guests. They found the grove empty and they swung down from the saddles into the shadows. Sam Mountain fitted the hobbles on the horses and then he stripped gear from the horse's back and set about gathering an armload of firewood.

Sam built a circle of stones to shield the flames as best he could. When the fire crackled to life he made a sparing pot of coffee from his canteen and put the tiny pot beside the flames. It seemed to Daily this was a good place to rest and he had better enjoy his time before he saw the judge at Las Vegas.

It took three weeks for them to get to Las Vegas, New Mexico. Sam had let Daily set the pace. Daily finally got the message and he decided to hurry along on the trip as fast as he could manage to get the horse to move along. That way he might have a chance to escape from the local yokels at Las Vegas. Sam figured that maybe Daily got tired of having to drag the saddle around because Sam refused to take the chain loose. Daily hadn’t give Sam any trouble to speak of and was almost a model prisoner during the trip.

They arrived in Las Vegas around noon; the word must have already gotten around town that Daily and a Texas Ranger was coming into town today. There were a lot of people on the streets to watch them head towards the courthouse. Pulling up to where people were pointing the Sheriff and three Deputies were waiting with shotguns. Sam identified himself and Daily. Sam Mountain turned horse, saddle, prisoner and chains over to the Sheriff. Sam handed the Sheriff the keys then he turned his horse and rode eastward toward north Texas.

Daily set the saddle and one of the Deputy’s took the irons from his wrist. Give us any trouble and you’re a dead man Daily. The Sheriff replied.

Daily dismounted, rubbing his wrist he answered, "Don’t aim to