CORT'S TRIAL

by

BAILEY

Chapter Three

Cort’s first realization that he was still alive came four weeks later.  He had hovered between living and dying while dreaming of the afterlife.  Somewhere during these dreams he kept hearing Judy crying for him to wake up.  Each time he tried he fell short.  He saw Linda crying and clutching Bobby.  Was she crying for him?   He couldn’t reconcile his being shown the light of heaven when he’d done so much evil.  He heard someone whisper that he was forgiven his past and he was still needed on earth.  Things had to be done, and he was the only one who could do it.  He’d seen Ellen and felt her caress his fevered cheek.  She had smiled and told him, “I did what I had to do. Now you have do what you have to do.  Your life will mean something if you have the courage to return.”

Doc thought Cort was dead as they bore his body to the church. When Cort’s hand moved it scared Mrs. Rodriguez, who was helping clean Cort for burial.  At first Doc thought it was a simple death reflex.  When Mrs. Rodriguez screamed he came to explain how the body often twitched as if still alive.  When Cort moaned, he immediately began tending to him.  Doc couldn’t bring himself to hope Cort would live.  It just wasn’t possible. 

Only Mrs. Kane, Doug, Maria Rodriguez and he were there.  The other parishioners had already left.  Doc swore them all to secrecy and Doug offered to hide Cort in his own house. It was too risky.  Barstow or his men were liable to find them out.  They made fast plans to move Cort out of town to an old shack several miles away.  Their only chance was to give him enough laudanum to keep him quiet while they placed him in a casket and drove to the cemetery.  He was already so near death, Doc wasn’t sure he would make it through the night let alone the drive to his burial. 

Since Cort was a man of few words, Doc convinced the reverend to say only a short prayer before leading his flock back to Redemption.  Doug volunteered to ‘bury’ Cort with Doc’s help and as soon as the last mourners left they lifted Cort out of the casket and into the wagon bed.  Doug stayed to bury the casket while Doc drove Cort to the shack.

Once the funeral was over they knew anyone leaving town without a good reason would be under suspicion by their new marshal.  He watched everything like a hawk.  Though he was convinced Cort was dead, he was concerned that someone would try to contact the real law and cause him a problem.  No one came or left town without an explanation. As farmers and ranchers from the outlying area came to town, Barstow had a talk with each one.  He threatened each of them with death and destruction of their homes and families if anyone went to the real law.  The town was his and he milked it for all his needs.  All the businesses gave him anything he wanted.  They had no choice. 

Doc and Doug both realized this would happen, the moment they saw Cort’s badge on Barstow’s shirt.  Two weeks after Barstow’s arrival, ten men rode into town to join forces with him.  He was now invincible to even the real law.

What Barstow didn’t know about was Doc’s association with a family of Indians.  He had helped them several times and they took seriously the debt they owed him.  He asked them to stay with Cort and help him as much as possible.  They honored his request and did what they could.  Doc told Barstow he needed to make rounds at some of the outlying farms and ranches.  He did that at least twice a week.  The first two times he sent a rider with Doc just to make sure he was doing what he said.  It left Cort without his help for a week, and Doc wasn’t sure if he’d find a dead man when he was finally allowed to ride out alone.

The squaw who was tending Cort did what Doc asked her to do.  But when he didn’t return, she began tending Cort the way she was taught.  She made poultices from herbs and manure to draw the infection from the wounds.  She made soup from rabbits and prairie flowers and fed him broth every two hours.  She slept on the floor next to his bed and made sure he was bathed with cold water whenever his fever got too high.  She watched to make sure he urinated and encouraged him by placing his hand in warm water.  She also encouraged his body to defecate by giving him herbs that soothed his bowels.  If he did not, the poisons would surly kill him if his wounds didn’t.

When Doc finally reached Cort he was surprised to find him alive and the wounds beginning to show signs of closure.  He was far from healed and it was still very possible he could die.  But the fact that he lasted that first week gave Doc his first real hope.

Doc visited Linda at Barstow’s request.  He’d gotten carried away ‘explaining’ things to her and she was in a bad way.  Doc wished he had the courage and ability to kill Barstow himself as he examined Linda’s battered body.  Her face was swollen with two black eyes and her lip was cut.  Those would heal relatively soon.  His main concern was the bruising to her abdomen.  She had been punched several times and was probably bleeding internally.  There wasn’t much he could do to help her except to recommend bed rest and liquid diet.  Barstow made it clear he wouldn’t allow any kind of surgery.

Doc sat with Linda for two nights.  She finally started showing signs of recovery and he asked her why she antagonized her husband into doing this.   “I didn’t do anything.  He somehow knows I loved Cort and he can’t live with that.  He won’t stop until I’m dead. That’s the only way he can stop me from loving him.” 

She cried and Doc was tempted to tell her Cort was still alive.  It would give her some hope.  Instead, he said, “Cort wouldn’t want you to live like this.  He’d be the first to tell you to do whatever it takes to survive, for yourself and for your children.  Barstow won’t live forever.  His days are numbered.  Then you’ll be free.” It had to happen.  Sooner or later, the legitimate law would show up and things would change. 

Cort was weak as a new born kitten but he was finally and irrevocably with the living.  He was again able to walk, albeit shakily.  He could tend to his own bodily needs and was even able to eat on his own.  It took all his strength to do these seemingly simple tasks and he still slept at least twenty of the twenty-four hours a day, but Doc was happy to see the improvement.  They talked about the town and the terror Barstow held it under.  Cort lived for the day he’d be able to settle all counts.

When Doc explained Linda’s situation, Cort’s eyes blazed like fire.  Doc could see Cort’s feelings were as strong for Linda as hers were for him.   At first Cort was upset that he held feelings for a married woman.  But when Doc explained why she left Barstow and how she’d thought him to be dead, Cort realized their love hadn’t been tainted by her lying.  Doc also told him the way Barstow mistreated Linda because of Cort.  He vowed he’d kill Barstow and ask Linda to marry him. 

Every day he concentrated on getting well.  He had to regain his strength or he’d be of no use when the time came.  He grew more and more restless, worried that Barstow would finally kill Linda, either beating her to death or shooting her as an example.  He’d seen men like Barstow before.  They gained strength from hurting those who couldn’t defend themselves.  The only consolation he had was the fact that Barstow didn’t seem interested in hurting the children.  Cort couldn’t have taken the thought that Judy or little Bobby was being abused as well.  He remembered the beatings he’d suffered at his own father’s hands.  The day his father died, Cort had gone to church and thanked God for delivering him from hell.  He was eight years old.

Doug met Linda at the mercantile.  He wasn’t allowed to visit her at the saloon and she wasn’t allowed to go to his home.  Mrs. Kane would tell him when she was coming to shop and would let him in the store through the back door of her office.  It was the only way they could see each other without creating a problem.  God knew what Barstow would do if he found out they were meeting against his wishes.  Mrs. Kane was taking a terrible chance on their behalf. Barstow always had a man accompany Linda but he always waited outside at the front door while she sat in Mrs. Kane’s office and ‘had tea’.

Doug hadn’t seen Cort since the day they loaded him on the wagon at the cemetery.  But Doc gave him updates each time he returned.  Doug knew about the beatings and toyed with the idea of killing Barstow himself.  He knew that he’d only die in the attempt and if he missed his chance, Linda would be left completely at Bill’s mercy.  His only hope was that Cort would return and deal with Barstow properly.  Doc made him swear not to tell Linda Cort was still alive.  If Barstow found out he’d surely kill Linda and hunt down Cort.

Whenever Linda was ready to leave the mercantile, she and Mrs. Kane reiterated this gossip or that news for the gratification of her escort.  They felt it would cover Linda from Bill’s finding out she was spending time with her brother.  She would always gather several items to take back to the saloon for Bill’s perusal.  He never let Linda out of the saloon with both children.  She was allowed to take one or the other.  He felt she would not try to escape if she had to leave one of the children.  He was certain she would find very little opportunity anyway, considering he always sent one of his men to escort her.  But it never hurt to hold the trump cards. 

It took Cort nearly four months to regain his health.  Even then he was only a shadow of the man who'd fallen in the street of Redemption.  He ate well and helped his Indian friends hunt and gather the food he consumed.  He needed to re-build his strength as soon as possible.

He rode far up into the hills and began target practice.  He hadn’t lost his touch, but he wouldn’t be able to face and defeat fourteen men alone.  He needed help and a plan.  He came up with the plan and he was sure the townspeople would help.  Barstow had nearly bled them dry and some were on the verge of bankruptcy.

Before he could put his plan into use, the last thing he expected happened.  Doug rode into Cort’s sites, making noise and shouting for him.  “Cort!  Cort, if you’re here, come out!  It’s Doug Dawson!  Cort!”

“Stop yelling! You could wake the dead!”  Cort had slipped in front of Doug before he even knew he was there.

“Jesus, Cort, you scared the shit out of me!”

“What’s going on?  Why are you here?  Where’s Doc?”  Cort wasn’t used to seeing anyone but Doc or his Indian friends.

“He’s dead, Cort, along with a bunch of others.”  Doug slid off his mount and nearly landed in the dirt.  Cort saw the blood from a gunshot wound and caught him, lowering him to the ground.  “Barstow went crazy when a sheriff and two deputies came to town.  He killed them and then rounded up everyone in town and put them in the church.  He started shooting everyone, accusing us all of sending for the real law.  When they finished shooting everyone, they torched the town.” 

Doug was talking while Cort saw to his wound.  It was deep, through and through, bloody but not life threatening if cleaned and tended to.  He bound the wound with cloth from his own shirt and tied Doug to his horse so he wouldn’t fall off.  Cort caught up his own mount and they set off to the Indian encampment.

He left Doug there with assurances that he would be taken care of then Cort headed to Redemption.  Doug managed to tell him he'd escaped death while lying underneath Mrs. Kane who fell on him right after he was shot.  When Barstow and his men left, Doug managed to slip out the window of the reverend's office in time to see his stable and most of his horses collapse in burning rubble.  He found one old mare still in the corral next to the barn, had left on her, taking the long way around to keep from being seen.

“What about Linda and the children?”  Cort was afraid to ask.  He could almost see her dead along with the children next to her.

“I caught a glimpse of her in a buckboard.  One of Barstow’s men was driving.  I think both kids were with her.  Cort, you have to get her back!  He’ll kill her if you don’t.”

When he arrived in Redemption, Cort couldn’t believe the ruin that was once the town he’d protected.  There were several people from the neighboring farms and ranches already there.  Once one of the ranchers rode in and saw the carnage, the news spread rapidly.  They were busy looking for bodies in the buildings and at the church.

When Cort rode in they couldn’t believe their eyes.  It was as if he’d risen from the dead.  He sat and told them how he was about a week too late in his plan to re-claim the town.  At first he blamed himself for not acting sooner.  But several of the men and women commented on how he still didn’t look well; he was skinny and pale from his ordeal.  They seemed to feel it was a miracle he was even alive, much less looking to avenge the town.

The best Cort could surmise was that Barstow would likely head to Mexico. Word of this kind of slaughter would bring not only lawmen to the fore, but the military as well.  Barstow’s only hope was Mexico.  Somehow, Cort didn’t believe his own reasoning.  Barstow had been good at hiding before and would likely head for a place they would least expect. 

He sat trying to decide where that place might be.  He recalled a conversation he had with Linda one evening after dinner.  Doug had gone out of town to sell some horses he’d bought from a rancher who tamed wild horses for extra money.  He always gave Doug his first choice and Doug would buy the best of the lot.  Then he’d take them for sale to several people he dealt with on a regular basis.  It usually meant he would be gone for a week or ten days.

Doug asked Cort to check on Linda and the kids while he was out of town.  When he stopped by to see if she needed anything, she assured him she didn’t but invited him to dinner.  He’d helped Linda clean up dinner and put the children to bed.  It was the best evening he could remember.  She seemed surprised that he was willing to help her with womanly duties.

“I don’t see helping with the dishes as a comment on my manhood.”  He said it with a slightly embarrassed look.

“I suppose not.  Most men need to convince everyone of their masculinity, yours is already evident.”  Linda said it without thinking.  She realized she’d embarrassed him yet again and tried to make amends.  “I’m sorry. It’s just that some men need to dominate in order to feel their worth.  You don’t seem to need that.”

Cort smiled shyly, “I’ve read the Good Book considerable.  Man is supposed to be the protector and provider.  I don’t remember reading anything that says he can’t help make the woman’s life easier.  A man is supposed to revere the woman he’s taken to wife. She takes care of him, his home and gives him children.  Why wouldn’t he cherish her enough to ease her burden?”  Of course, she wasn’t his wife and though he could wish otherwise, she probably never would be.

When had he come to that conclusion?  He knew Linda was a fine woman, too fine for a man like him.  He couldn’t help think how nice it would be to come home at night and share his day with her, play with the children and go to sleep with her instead of sleeping alone.  He was beginning to think thoughts he shouldn’t.  “Well, I guess I’d better be leaving.  I wouldn’t want the town to start talking.”

“It’s still early. Don’t leave just yet.  I’ll make another pot of coffee.”  She didn’t want him to run away.  He always seemed to leave just when he started to reveal himself.  “The town will talk no matter what.  At least we’ll know the truth of it.”

“Well, maybe just a little while.”  He really hadn’t wanted to leave. He just didn’t want to compromise her in front of the town.

They sat and talked for another hour.  She told him about how she and Doug lost their parents several years ago.  They had relatives back east, but they didn’t know any of them.  When he asked about her husband’s family, Linda became nervous.  “I don’t really know Bill’s family other than his brother Tom.  He owns a farm in Oregon, somewhere around Springfield.  I only met him once. Tom is a very nice person. He was totally opposite of my husband.”

“What do you mean?”

“When Tom came to see us, he was on his way to Oregon.  He stopped to try and talk Bill into coming with him.  He wanted Bill to help him with the farm.  It was very evident that Bill didn’t respect his brother and wanted nothing to do with farming.  Tom told me before he left that if I needed a place to stay I was welcome in his home.  You see, my husband was a volatile man and I think Tom was concerned for me and Judy.”

“Did your husband hurt you?”

Linda looked down at her hands before answering.  “Yes.  I think he hated me.”

Cort went and crouched in front of her, taking her hands.  He ran his thumbs over the back of her hands.  He couldn’t look at her.  “I can’t imagine anyone hating you.  I can’t imagine anyone hurting you.  I’m glad he’s dead so he can’t hurt you anymore.”  He was still looking at her hands when she slid her right hand out of his and touched his face.

“You’re a good man, Cort.”  When he looked up, he saw tears.  He didn’t know what to do so he kissed her hand and told her he had to leave.  He walked back to the jail trying to sort out how he felt.  He was sure he was in love with her, but he had nothing to offer.  His marshal’s pay would hardly support a family and she deserved better than an ex-outlaw. 

Oregon was a long way to travel on only a hunch, but Cort became more convinced Barstow had gone there seeking refuge.  It was opposite the direction everyone else was looking and Bill no doubt felt he could ‘handle’ his dirt farming brother.

It took Cort over a month to get to Springfield.  He still wasn’t fully recovered and had to take things slower than he wanted to.  He had to keep telling himself that if he pushed too hard, he was more likely to come down sick and never get there.  He was torn between taking care of himself and the urgency he felt in getting Linda and the children out of danger.

He had spoken to several people along the way who recalled four men, a woman and two children. Barstow probably sent his other men to Mexico and maybe some other places, to throw the scent off himself.  Cort felt better facing four men instead of fourteen.  In Redemption he could have looked to the townspeople for help, in Springfield he’d be alone.

Cort camped along the McKenzie River and made plans to find the Barstow farm.  He thought about Linda and how long it had been since he’d seen her.  Over six months since the night they had dinner.  Judy was three now and Bobby was over a year old.  He missed the children as much as he missed Linda.  He never understood men who couldn’t accept another man’s children as his own.  As a child, he wished so many times that his mother would find a nice man and re-marry.  He wanted a father, a real father, not just a biological reference, for that was surely what his father was.  He never cared about Cort and treated his wife worse than he treated his horse. 

It was no wonder when Herod rode into town and gave all his attention to him, Cort was willing to do nearly anything for Herod’s approval.  He became Cort’s father, at least in the beginning.   As time went by Cort realized the game Herod played.  He always sought out kids, dirt poor and looking for approval, to use in his sick game.  When Herod demanded he kill the priest, Cort tried to resist.  It was better Herod killed him than burn in hell for killing a holy man.  In the end, Cort realized Herod would only kill the priest after he was dead anyway.  It served no purpose.  After he left Herod’s gang he tried desperately to repay the priest by helping others and taking care of orphans.  He knew it wouldn’t erase the sin he carried, but at least the priest would know he was trying to take his place and help where he could.

The night Herod’s men rode into the Mission, Cort had just finished putting the last of the children to bed.  He heard horses and went to see who it was.  The moment he opened the door, Ratsy hit him with the butt of a rifle in the stomach.  Cort had no opportunity to recover as Ratsy and Foy beat him senseless.  The children came to see what was going on and two of the older boys attacked the men.  Ratsy killed both of them as they scrambled to help Cort.  Just for good measure Foy shot two little girls as they huddled in a corner crying.  The other children scattered, running into the night, away from the only home they’d known in two years.  They watched from the bushes as the two men set fire to the mission.   Cort was put in shackles and dragged, stumbling behind their horses. 

Cort slept fitfully throughout the night.  He kept returning to all the blood spilt because of him.  The priest was bad enough, but the picture of the children dying rarely left his consciousness.   They had looked to him for protection just as the town had.  He’d been responsible for so many unnecessary deaths.  He should have known Herod would never let him go.  He should have realized a group like Barstow’s would never face him head on.  He had become too comfortable, lost the edge, and so many were dead because of it.  If he saved Linda and the children, he swore he’d never carry a gun again.

Tom Barstow sat by his sister-in-law bathing her fevered head and praying she’d live through the ordeal his brother visited on her.  Most men would have caved under the beating she received.  He wasn’t there when it happened or he would have stopped Bill.  It was the second time this had happened since they'd arrived more than a month ago. 

Linda kept calling for Cort.  Judy had mentioned the name as well.  She kept telling her mother, “Cort not here.”  It was evident that not only Linda, but Judy cared for Cort.

Linda seemed to quiet again, and her fever went down.  Tom decided while she was resting, he’d make a quick trip to the barn and feed the cow.  He didn’t want to leave her long, but things still needed tending to.

It was cold and rainy as he walked to the barn. Tom got the feeling he was being watched.  He moved inside and went to the pitch fork.  Stabbing a good amount of hay, he tossed it into the bin.  He checked on the cow, giving her more water. 

Before he walked out, he said over his shoulder, “I don’t know who you are, mister, but if you need something, ask.  No need to steal.”

Cort stepped out of the stall at the end of the barn.  He could see the man was unarmed but kept vigil for a possible hidden gun.

Tom slowly turned to face the man.  His arms were held to the side a little above waist level. “Is this the Barstow farm?”  Tom knew that voice he’d heard it enough times.

“Yes.  So you’re Linda’s Cort.  I thought you were dead.”  The two men stood just looking at one another in the gloom of the barn.  Neither could make out the other's features.  “You don’t remember me, do you?  Tom Barstow.”

“I remember.  I heard you died in Texas, in a gunfight.”

“No, Herod told everyone that so he wouldn’t have to take the time to hunt me down. You know Herod always said ‘once in only one way out’. I lit out one night while we were on a job, just the two of us.  We went to a cat house and I told Herod I wanted a girl for the whole night.  I paid her thirty dollars to sleep by herself so Herod wouldn’t know I’d left.  He killed the girl when he found out I was gone.  I ran as fast and as far as I could.  That’s when I decided to come here and start over.”

Cort moved closer and said, “I’m here to arrest your brother and take his wife and children back to Redemption.  He murdered twenty of the townsfolk and burned the town down.  He has a lot to pay for.”

“He has a lot more than that to pay for.  Linda’s in the house.  He beat her and left her for me to find.  I honestly don’t know if she’ll live.  I have no love for Bill, Cort, and he has none for me now that I’m no longer an outlaw.  He’ll kill me just as soon as anyone.  I’m worried about Linda and the kids.”  He thought for a moment, “You might want to know, ten men showed up yesterday.  He’s fourteen strong now.  You can’t take him by yourself.”

“I need to see Linda.”

“That’s not a good idea.  She’s feverish and if she recognizes you she might tip your hand to Bill.  Judy remembers you as well and she can’t be trusted to keep quiet.” 

Cort thought for a moment.  “We need a plan to get rid of as many as we can at once.”

“With Linda as hurt as she is, I’ll have to do the cooking when they come back.  Maybe I can help that way.  Sick men don’t fight as well as healthy ones do.”

“When are they due back?”

“Tonight, maybe tomorrow.  Where are you staying so I can get word to you?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be where you can find me.”  Cort stepped back into the shadows and was gone.  Tom stood there remembering how Cort was always the best at blending in the background.  He’d been the best of the lot at staking out a bank. 

Tom returned to the house to check on Linda.  She was feverish again.  He wiped her face with a cool cloth and went to get some warm broth.  Judy never left her mother’s bedside and Bobby was content to play on the floor in the same room.  He was glad they were easy children.  He returned with broth for Linda, just in time to hear Judy say, “Mommy, Cort will make it better.”

“Judy, who’s Cort?” 

“He was hurt.  But he makes it better.”

“What do you mean, honey?”

“He made me better when I was sick.  I miss him.”  She had such a sad face, Tom picked her up and hugged her.

“Maybe he’ll come see you.”  She smiled at that idea.

The next morning Tom got up from the cot he was sleeping on in the front room and went to check on Linda.  Her fever had dropped late that night but had returned again.  He was beginning to think Linda wouldn’t make it without a doctor.  He was just about to hitch the wagon and take her to Springfield when Bill and his men arrived.

Tom noted that there were only twelve of them and asked why.  “We were bushwhacked on the way back. Funny how someone would try that against this many guns.  You been talking to somebody about me?”

“Who would I talk to, Bill?  Springfield is twenty miles from here and the nearest farm is fifteen.  I’ve been tending to your wife.  I haven’t had time for conversation.”  Tom could see his brother was suspicious.  Cort must have caught them on the way back from Springfield.

Tom made breakfast and fed the gang.  He had made the biscuits the night before and put a hefty amount of arsenic in three of the biscuits. He made sure to slather plenty of butter on along with strawberry jam before putting them on the table.  The biscuits he made for the children and himself were set aside.  He only used three so Bill wouldn’t get suspicious.  The three men that ate them would be very sick before they died.

About half an hour later three of Bill’s men came down with severe diarrhea and vomiting.  When Bill questioned Tom, he said, “I heard several families have lost loved ones to dysentery recently.  That’s probably what they have.”

One of the men died an hour later and the other two within an hour and half. Rainey, one of Bill’s men, looked spooked.  “I didn’t think you could die so fast from dysentery.”

Five down, nine to go.

Linda slowly began improving.  Her fever finally went down and stayed that way.  She was managing to move carefully around the house.  Bill was away again but took only six of his men.  The other three were left to watch them. 

Bill was becoming more paranoid about his men dying.  He told Tom if anymore died of ‘dysentery’ he’d kill Linda.  Tom took him at his word.  Bill never ate what the others were fed.  He made Tom cook for him while he watched.  When Linda got better, he had her cook for him.  He told her, “If I get sick for any reason, I’ll kill Judy first then Bobby and I’ll let you live with their deaths on your conscience.”

Linda sat in the front room thinking about the time Judy came down ill.  Doc had left town just after Judy became sick.  He’d given her some medicine then left town to deliver a baby at one of the ranches.  Doug was on one of his horse trading trips.  Cort stopped by to see if they were alright and when she told him how sick Judy was and how she was at her wit's end.  He immediately offered to help.

Linda was worn out after three days of near sleeplessness trying to take care of Judy and tending Bobby.  Cort finally insisted she get some sleep while he took care of Judy.  He held her and bathed her with cool water.  He talked to her and told her stories when she became restless and crabby.  She seemed to trust him to make her better.  His deep, soft voice comforted her as he held her, gently rocking her to sleep. 

Cort stayed three nights taking care of Judy and the town was aware he had.  There were rumors and innuendo but people like Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg and Mrs. Kane, came to Cort’s and Linda’s defense.  They knew neither Cort nor Linda would shame themselves in front of the town and after her illness Judy seemed to look to Cort as if he were her father.

It was a cold but sunny afternoon. Linda needed to get out of the house, even if it was just to walk to the barn.  She quietly moved toward the stall where Tom kept the milk cow.  The children were both asleep so she would have some time to just think.  As she neared the stall she heard low voices.  At first she thought it was Bill’s men.  Tom was supposedly in the field gathering pears.

When she heard Tom’s voice she stepped closer to hear what he was saying.  When she heard Cort’s unmistakable voice answer she nearly fainted.  He couldn’t be alive! She must still be feverish.  “Cort?”  She said it almost as a prayer. He stepped out of the stall.  Light from the window in the hay loft shown on his face and she could clearly see it was him.  He caught her just as she fainted and carefully lowered her to the ground.

Cort was holding her and talking in a low voice, encouraging her to wake up.  She finally opened her eyes, afraid it was a dream.  She couldn’t believe she was looking into his handsome face again.  She could see concern in his eyes but his arms were holding her close. “Oh, Cort! You’re alive!”  She was crying and clinging to him as she buried her face in his chest.

“Shhh, Linda, it’s all right.”  He wanted to hold her forever.  He could see the after effects of Bill’s latest beating and had to steel himself from riding out to find him.  They needed to even the odds a bit more before he could guarantee a future for Linda and him.  “I love you, Linda.”  He said it close to her ear.  When she turned to look at him, he kissed her very gently.

“I love you, too.”  She could barely speak.

“Tom, get the buckboard hitched.  I want you to take Linda and the children to Salem.  I’ll take care of Bill and the rest.  Whatever you do, keep moving. You have to get them to the marshal there.  He’ll kill all of you if I fail.  Take my rifle just in case.”

“No, Cort!  You have to come with us.  I lost you once! I can’t do it again!”  Linda was crying and clutching him.

“You can’t do this alone.  We may have gotten rid of three of them, but there’s still six left.  Even you aren’t that good, Cort.”  Tom had lured each of the three men left at the farm, into the barn.  Cort surprised each one knocking them out then hogtying and gagging them.  They were currently locked in Tom’s fruit cellar.

Cort didn’t want to argue. He needed to know Linda and the children would be taken care of.  “When Bill comes back, he’ll never believe those men left.  He’s liable to kill all of you.  I can’t take that chance.” 

“Then let me take Linda and the kids to a hiding place I know.  It’s not far and I can be back before they return.”  Tom hated to use his guns again, but this time it was for the right reasons.  “We’ll take the horses. It’ll be faster that way.”

“Please, Cort, at least let him help, please!”  Linda knew Cort would never just leave.  Her best hope was that he’d let Tom help.  When they were alone for a short time after her first beating, Tom told her that he’d ridden with Herod and knew Cort.  She was recalling that conversation while the two men discussed their options.

“When you were fevered you kept asking for Cort.  I rode with a man named Cort once.  I was wondering if it was the same man Judy talks about.  She told me he wore guns and what he looked like.  Was he a preacher?”

“Yes, he was at one time.  But I doubt you associated with him back then, though.  He was an outlaw before he became a preacher.”

Tom smiled.  “That’s him.”  Tom became serious. “Linda, I’m not proud of it, but I was an outlaw, too. I rode with Cort in Herod’s gang.”

Linda could hardly believe what he told her.  He was such a good, hard working person it didn’t seem possible.  Then again Cort had been, too.  “What was Cort like when you rode together?   He never really told me about his past.”  She needed to hear even the bad parts about Cort.  She was sure nothing would change how she felt about him and it gave her comfort to talk with someone who knew him.  She hadn’t gotten over his death and doubted she ever would.

“He and I were a lot alike.”  Tom got a faraway look and she could see he was recalling some painful thoughts.  “Cort was the fastest with a gun and I was second.  He never really liked doing what we did, but Herod had a strong hold on all of us.  Most of the gang liked the thrill and the money, Cort didn’t.  He’d gotten caught up in something he couldn’t break away from, but he never took pleasure from it.  He always did what he was told but you could see he hated it.  Herod made sure we all understood that if anyone left the gang he’d hunt them down as traitors. 

One night we were all at a cat house and one of the boys was liquored up.  He started beating his whore.  Cort told him to stop but Bud didn’t listen.  He kept at the girl.  Cort finally stepped in and Bud drew on him.  Cort killed him before he cleared the holster.  Herod came in madder than hell, yelling at Cort for interfering.  He made the mistake of challenging Cort to step outside.  When Cort accepted, Herod backed down.  I think that was the turning point for Cort.  He knew Herod would kill him. He was the only one Herod was afraid of.  Cort had never gotten over killing a priest in Nogales and Herod had finally pushed him too far.

The next day Cort was gone and Herod wanted to find him.  We got sidetracked by a posse that was after us and Herod let things go for the time being.  We all knew he wouldn’t rest until he found Cort and killed him.”

“Cort was a good man, wasn’t he, Tom?”

“Yes.  He probably would have been a lawman instead of an outlaw, given different circumstances.”

“He was you know, a marshal, when we met, I mean.  I miss him.”

Linda knew from that conversation, that Tom hated killing as much as Cort.  She didn’t want him to get involved in something he’d regret, but she couldn’t see how Cort could stand alone and survive.

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