The Hangman Cometh: A Correction

"Readings dead then," Malone said, more a statement than a question.

"No reason to kill him. Tied and gagged him and put him in the hay loft at the stable when he went to get his horse. Figure someone's found him by now."

"But why did you take his place and get involved in this?" Smalley repeated Malone's question in a puzzled voice.

"Johnny here is my baby brother and I won't let you bastards hang him for something he didn't do." Tyler smiled at his brother and added, "Fact of the matter, I wouldn't let y'all hang him even if he was guilty."

The younger Rawlings stepped to the front of the platform and looked down at Jack Malone. "Johnny, no," Tyler ordered. "He's not armed and I didn't get you out of this jam just so you could turn into a cold blooded killer."

Pointing to a space between two of the buildings that bordered the gallows area, Tyler said, "Through that opening are three horses and a pack animal. Molly's waiting on you. Get yourself up on a horse and you two lite out for California. You got enough supplies to get you to the next big town. I'll just hold these folks here until you get gone."

"Tyler...." Johnny began.

"Don't argue with me boy. You got a chance to make somethin of yourself."

"But what about you Tyler? You could come to California with us."

"It's too late for me Johnny; I've done too much. Ain't no way I could live a normal life; there'd always be someone wantin to be the man that killed Tyler Rawlings." Tyler stepped closer to his brother and put his free hand on the boy's shoulder. "Go on now boy; go take care of that pretty little gal. Name one of your kids after me."

Johnny gripped Tyler's arm for a few seconds and then climbed down from the gallows. He backed across the open space and entered the pass way between the buildings. Tyler watched him go; glancing back at the people in front of the gallows to make sure no one tried to stop his brother.

"Now folks, let's just settle back for a spell," Tyler said. He sat down on the edge of the platform, still holding the coach gun. "You there sonny," he said pointing at a boy of about 17. "Gather up those gun belts and drop them on the ground in front of the gallows."

It was an hour later when Tyler stood up. The people had begun to get restless but none dared to cross Tyler Rawlings.

"Reckon that's long enough," Tyler said. He walked down the steps to ground level and over to the pass way. "Boy pick up those guns and follow me." The boy hesitated and Tyler smiled. "Not gonna hurt you son; do as I say," he said in a soft voice.

"Now if any of you the rest of you get froggy, well y'all go on and jump. But I'll kill the first person that sticks his head out into the street. Got a Winchester that I can hit a half dollar at two hundred yards. Come on son."

Tyler backed through the pass way with the boy following. Once on the street, he ordered the young man to drop the gun belts into a watering trough. Tyler mounted his horse, nodded at the youngster, and rode west, following the trail of Johnny and Molly.

********************

The first night that the young couple camped and unload the pack animal, Johnny found $1000 in gold Double Eagle coins and currency and a note that Tyler had put in one of the panniers.

The note read; Malone paid a thousand dollars to hang you. Only fittin that you and Molly use it to get a start in California. Take care of yourself Johnny and stay out of trouble.

"Reckon we can make it to Sonora in four days if we push it Molly," Johnny said after reading the note. "From there we can take a stage to Fort Stockton." He jingled the buckskin pouch that held the money. "With this we can catch a train to El Paso and points west." Johnny hugged Molly to him. "Once we get to California, this money will give us a stake on a new life."

They rode hard for the next four days; starting at dawn, stopping at mid day to water and rest the horses for a couple of hours, and then riding on until dusk.

Neither of the young people noticed the figure in black that shadowed their progress from a mile or so behind them; protecting their back trail.

The End