The Hangman Cometh: Tyler Rawlings

"Glad I didn't have to kill him," Tyler said and then smiled. "Even if he did deserve it."

The brothers heard the bawl of a steer in trouble. They rode around a rise and saw the animal stuck in a black pool of thick liquid; the smell of sulfur hung heavy in the air. The steer looked tired and had been fighting to get free for a long time.

John rode close to the pool as he shook out his rope. He tossed the noose over the horns of the big steer and Tyler threw a loop over the animal as well. They took a turn with the ropes around their saddle horns and together they backed their horses; slowly pulling the animal free.

Once the steer was back on solid land, Tyler stepped down from his horse and flipped the ropes off the animal. The steer took a halfhearted swipe at Tyler with his horns and then trotted off toward some other cattle that were grazing nearby. As the animal joined the others, it snorted and bawled describing its ordeal to the rest of the herd.

"That damn stuff cost me three or four head every year," John complained. "They get caught up in it and can't get free." He pointed at the bones of a steer. "That one died about six months ago."

Tyler smiled as he coiled John's rope and then his own.

"What's so blamed funny," John asked. "I don't see the humor is the Double B losing more than a hundred dollars a year."

"Now I know why Logan was so eager to get his hands on your ranch." He finished coiling the ropes, tossed one to John and tied off his to his saddle.

"Well are gonna tell me?" John ask impatiently.

"This 'damn' stuff is oil; black gold or petroleum they call it." John looked puzzled. "It's what they use to make the coal oil for your lamps and lanterns. Back east they light the streets with coal oil lamps. Men drill for it and it makes the owners of the land rich." Tyler held up his finger and added, "Not well to do mind you, but rich. Men back in Ohio and Pennsylvania made so much money they have to hire people just to count it."

"That stuff is worth money?" John said.

"More money than you could make in a life time of ranching," Tyler replied.

"Well come on," John ordered. "Let's go tell Molly."

A rifle shot rang out kicking up dirt about a foot from Tyler. He slapped John's horse on the rump and yelled, "Go take care of Molly." John hesitated. "They could have someone at the house too; now go."

John turned his horse and rode off as a second shot sounded; he didn't see Tyler fall to the ground. Tyler wasn't hit but he knew he was outgunned so he played dead. The shooter was using a rifle and was out of range of Tyler's Colt. Maybe he'll come to me, Tyler thought as he played 'possum'. It was a dangerous play but it was the only way to get closer to or away from the shooter.

Tyler's horse stood nearby nervous and skittish, wanting to leave but following the ground tie training that taught him stay put. The animal would take a few steps away from Tyler and then move back; a dance of fear versus training. Tyler was face down in the dirt, facing the direction the shots came from. He had his left arm stretched out over his head and he watched under that arm through eyes barely open.

In the distance but getting closer he saw a horse and rider slowly coming toward him. Tyler's horse snorted when he saw the other animal but stood still due to his training. The sound of the hoof s came closer and stopped. Tyler tried not to tense up but he was at the ready to make a move.

"Guess you're not so high and mighty now, are you gunfighter?" Tyler recognized the voice of Dixon Samuel. "I'm gonna take that shiny hog leg of yourn and wear it. Then I'll tell everybody where I got it. I'll tell them I killed the famous Tyler Rawlings."

Samuel stepped down from his horse and walked over to victim. He used the barrel of his rifle to roll Tyler over onto his back. As he let himself be rolled over, Tyler grabbed the rifle barrel and twisted it out of Samuel's hands. Surprised, Samuel was still able to pull his pistol and start to bring it up.

Tyler had continued the roll and as he came to his feet he drew his Colt. The shot from Tyler's .45 caught Samuel in the stomach and knocked him off his feet; his pistol went sailing away. Samuel managed to sit up and looked down at the blood oozing through his shirt.

"I killed you," he said. His voice was puzzled as he watched Tyler holster his gun and reach down and pick up his Stetson.

"Not likely Samuel." Tyler fingered the bullet hole in the crown of the hat. "But you came close."

Dixon Samuel sat for a few seconds looking up at Tyler. "I ain't gonna see Las Cruces again," he said and fell over onto his side.

"Reckon not," Tyler said. He gathered up his horse's reins, vaulted into the saddle and put the animal into a hard gallop back to the ranch house. His horse skidded to a stop in front of the porch and Tyler dismounted before it came to a complete halt, pulling his Colt as he hit the ground. John and Molly came out of the house and stood close together in each other's arms.

"We're fine Tyler," John said. "Molly said she hadn't seen or heard anyone. She didn't know why I came up riding like a banshee. "

Tyler holstered his pistol. He put a hand on John and Molly's shoulders. "I figured there was only the one man but I couldn't be sure. It was Dixon Samuel."

"You said was," Molly asked.

"He won't bother me again," Tyler replied. "Now that I know you two are alright I'll go back and bury em."

Tyler and John got a pick and shovel from the barn and rode back to the meadow. As they rode up to Samuel's body, several vultures flew away squawking in protest at being drive away from their meal. At the edge of the meadow, close to the tree line, Dixon Samuel was put to rest in a shallow grave; large rocks were brought from a hillside and covered the grave.

"I know he deserved killin," Tyler said as he and John rode up to the corral. Tyler got off his horse and turned to John. "But I hope that's the last man I have to kill because I'm Tyler Rawlings."

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

Tyler dismounted at the Double B corral, put his hands on his hips and bend backwards stretching his back. John and Moll were doing the same thing. The Rawlings has just returned home after a weeklong cattle drive. For three days enduring the clouds of dust kicked up by the herd, they pushed the cattle over the nearly 40 miles toward the market at the railhead in San Luis Obispo. At least the cool fall weather gave us a break, John thought.

It was a good year for the Double B as there were about fifty head of cattle to be sold. After agreeing to a price with a buyer from back east and receiving a bank draft for a little over $1200, the crew of the Double B decided to stay overnight in a fine hotel in San Luis Obispo. Tyler, John and Molly took a vote and decided they deserved at least one night up pampering before hitting the trail back to the ranch. The next morning they started back but their horses were tired from the drive so they took two full days to get back to the ranch.

"Too many years of livin in hotels and boarding houses makes a man soft," Tyler complained with a grin. "I forgot how much hard work it was herding cattle."

"Well you can take the night off big brother," John said. "Then early in the morning we can start again."

"Start again?" Tyler asked.

"Yep, we have to get started on next fall's drive. Can't sit around and wait till the last minute."

"Quit teasing him John," Molly said. Turning to Tyler she added, "We can take a day or two off before we get back to it." She grinned at the look on Tyler's face. "You boys take care of the horses and I'll have supper ready soon."

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

"Think I'll saddle up and take another look at that oil seep," John said as he finished his breakfast coffee the next morning. "See if we've got another cow stuck in it."

"Saddle my horse and I'll go with you as soon as I help Molly with the dishes," Tyler said. He grinned at Molly and continued, "Anyone that can cook good as you young lady deserves help with the cleanin up."

John went to the corral and roped his horse. As he finished saddling his mount, four riders came to a halt in front of the house. John pulled his Winchester from the saddle scabbard and walked up behind them.

"Hello the house," the oldest man called.

"Hello yourself Mister," John replied. "What can I do for you?"

The man turned his horse toward John; the other three followed suit. "I'm Joe Bedford." He motioned at the others. "The two youngins are my sons and that's my brother Saul. We're lookin for a man might have passed through here a while back."

Saul Bedford looked over John's shoulder and pointed to the horse in the corral. "That be his animal, Joe. I followed its rump for long enough to recognize it."

"Who does the horse belong to?" Joe asked.

"What's the name of the man you're lookin for?" John replied without answering the question about the horse.

"Tyler Rawlings."

"The gunfighter?" Joe nodded. John looked thoughtful for a few seconds. "Don't know his name but a man passed by here a month or so past. He asked to water his horse and fill his canteen. I noticed he had a lot of blood on his shirt but he didn't want my wife to tend to him. The stranger thanked me for the water and rode out."

"What did he look like?" Saul asked.

"Why are you lookin for him?" John asked.

"Rawlings killed my other two sons, just gunned them down he did," Joe answered. "Now what did the man that stopped here look like?"

"Tall, hard lookin and whip cord thin. Dark hair, wore black with a nickel finished pistol tied down low. Looked about done in what with the blood and all."

"That's him," Joe said. "Where did he go?"

"He rode east...but he didn't get far," John replied.

"How's that?" Saul put in.

"I went to check on some cattle in my east meadow, over at the base of the foothills. Found the man that stopped for water, lying dead with some vultures getting acquainted with him. That horse of his was standing close by; he hadn't moved far from the body."

"I told you I winged him Pa," one of the boys bragged.

John could see the front door of the house and saw Tyler standing just inside of the opening with his pistol in his hand. Turning and walking back toward the corral forced the men to turn so the house was at their back. John sort of waved a signal for Tyler to stay put; it looked like he was swatting at a horsefly.

"Chased the vultures away; by that time he weren't a pretty sight. I buried him and covered the grave with rocks to keep anymore varmints from getting at it. If you like I can show you the grave Bedford," John offered. "It'll take us about an hour or so to get to the meadow."

"I would appreciate that. If we water our horses we'll follow you to this grave."

John nodded toward the horse trough. "Help yourself. I'll just let my Mrs. know I'm goin." He took his horse's reins and walked to the ranch house.

"Tyler you keep out of sight, you hear." John ordered as he stepped into the house. I got these men thinking Samuel's grave is yours. You stay put and we'll be rid of them quick enough." He kissed Molly, patted her on the shoulder and went back to his horse.

John mounted his horse and led the way to the far meadow with Joe Bedford riding beside him. As they rode, Bedford talked about how bad Tyler Rawlings was. If there was an insult Bedford didn't use John couldn't think of one.

"So this Rawlings just shot you sons in cold blood; without warning?" John asked. Before Bedford could answer John said, "From what I heard about this Rawlings he is a killer but he never draws on a man lessen he has a reason."

Joe stared at John and shrugged. "Well...Jacob may have prodded him a mite and drew down on Rawlings; but Rawlings is a man grown and he should have let my boy be."

"You said he killed both your sons?"

"Yep, Jethro shot at Rawlings when Jacob went down. Rawlings shot him too. He was another youngster that Rawlings should have walked away from."

"How old were your sons Mr. Bedford?"

"They was twins; would'a been twenty five next month."

John shook his head at what he had heard. "No disrespect Mr. Bedford, but it sounds like boys were full grown and Rawlings just defended himself."

"Maybe so, but I aim to avenge my sons." Bedford took a deep breath. "I aim to see he pays for what he did."

John pulled his horse to a stop. "I reckon he did Mr. Bedford," he said pointing ahead to the rock covered grave.

Bedford trotted his horse closer and dismounted. He kicked at one of the large rocks and turned toward John. "You sure this is Rawlings?"

"I don't know Mr. Bedford. A man that fit the description of Rawlings you gave me stopped at my place for water. A few days later I found the same man dead man just about where you're standin and I buried him. If it helps, the man I buried was wearing a nickel plated revolver. I've got it up to the house if you care to have it."

John watched Bedford for a minute or two as he stomped around the grave site. Bedford looked up at his kin who was still mounted and asked, "Well?" The other three Bedfords shrugged their shoulders.

"You're welcome to dig him up if you want Mr. Bedford. But be sure and cover him again; I don't need no extra varmints like coyotes and such hanging around my cattle." John paused for a few seconds. "I need to get back to the house."

As John turned his horse he saw a rider silhouetted against the skyline of the hill on the other side of the grave. He rode around the base of another small hill and watched the Bedfords. The four men talked back and forth for several minutes and then Joe Bedford mounted his horse. He said something to the men, pointed east and they rode toward Bakersfield.

John watched as the silhouette followed the Bedfords until he disappeared over the hill. Tyler's up to his old tricks, John thought. Hope he lets them be.

It was nearing supper time when Tyler rode up to the corral and dismounted. He unsaddled his horse, brushed the animal and made sure it had feed and water before he turned it into the corral. As he walked toward the house he saw Molly come out onto the porch followed by John.

Molly waited until Tyler got the porch and said, "Come in to supper and I don't want to hear a word about what you've been doing."

Tyler stepped up onto the porch. He looked at Molly and John. "I didn't do anythin little girl but make sure those men kept riding east. Followed em for ten miles or more; don't think they will be coming back." He took Molly's hand. "I told you I was done with killin if I could keep from it."

"Enough of this jawing," John interrupted. "Let's eat."

Molly smiled and bustled into the kitchen. John followed her with Tyler right behind him. Tyler stopped just inside the door and unbuckled his gun belt. He hung it on a peg next to the door jamb. Turning back into the big open room he saw Molly and John watching him.

"Reckon it's time to hang up my gun"

The End?