Sheriff Clay Fugate left the nearby town of Oak Ridge, where he'd stayed
overnight due to the storm. His route home took him along the east
side of the river basin. The big ranchers up north had dammed it up
years ago, but the rain running down off the higher mountain peaks overflowed
the blockage and the normally dry area had taken on just enough water to
create a thick deluge of mud.
Clay was concerned for the ranchers that inhabited the area, many of whom
depended on wagons for transport back and forth to town. Deciding to
check on those homesteaders he passed by on his way back home, recognizing
the landscape, he knew he was just North of the Bell homestead.
The Sheriff came abreast of the backside of the Bell place when he saw a
black horse standing in the back pasture with its gear intact. Knowing
Guy and Lucinda had a Bay gelding, he was curious about the lone animal.
Turning his horse in their direction, he arrived just as Guy stepped out
onto the front stoop.
"Guy." He said by way of greeting.
Bell was on his way out to check on his prisoner, and was surprised to see
Red River's sheriff. Guy stumbled in his rush down the steps, hoping
that Lu wouldn't make an appearance.
"Sheriff, what brings ya out my way?" Guy darted a nervous glance at
the barn and that was when he saw the black horse. He barely caught
the curse that sprang to his lips at the sight, sure enough to catch the
other man's attention. His muddled mind raced to come up with a reason
for the animals presence, as the Sheriff started to speak.
"Well, I was just wonderin' about that black you got out behind the barn."
Clay tipped his head in that direction. "Was coming in from Oak Ridge
and wanted to make sure you and Mrs. Bell had weathered the storm."
Scratching his head, Bell looked back at the sheriff, "I ain't never seen
if afore."
"In that case, think I'd better take it on back to town with me. Anybody
comes by looking for it, you can tell 'em to come see me." He turned
his horse in that direction, only to have Guy step in front of him, blocking
his path.
"Sheriff, how bout I go get him an' you can get you a drink at the well?"
Guy moved toward the field without waiting for the other man to answer.
Although Clay was puzzled by Bell's anxious manner, he didn't question it
further that cold drink sounding pretty good after his long ride.
"Hup" He nudged his horse's flanks, once at the well he took his canteen
and filled it first before slaking his thirst.
oooOOooo
Guy realized his mistake too late as the reins slipped from his fingers.
Lurching forward, hoping to snag them again he fell face first in the mud.
Cursing, Bell got up and swiped one hand down his face. The damn horse
was standing there, defiant, and every step Bell took the horse sidestepped
or backed up, its big head jerking up and dragging the reins just out of
his reach.
After a few minutes and two more slips on his bottom into the mud, Guy looked
back over his shoulder, checking to see where the Sheriff was. Not
seeing any sign of the lawman, Bell changed tactics.
He moved back and then circled wide around the left, the horse turning with
him as he moved. Once he had the animals back to the side of the barn
and the half-fenced corral, Guy started moving toward him slowly.
The black tossed his head, long neck stretching out toward Bell, big teeth
snapping. Guy smiled when its big rump bumped against the rotten wood
slats that represented what was left of the railing. In the next few
minutes, he lost that smile as the horse reared up, hooves pawing the air
and coming down just inches from him with deadly intent.
The lariat went sailing over Guy's head from just behind him. Bell
turned to see the Sheriff reeling in the hemp line, the big black tugging
now and again but giving the other man no real trouble.
"Damn Sheriff, I thought fer sure I's a gonner. That's what my people
would'a called a Devil Horse." Guy followed the two animals back toward the
house.
"Mine too." Clay had shook his head, he figured he'd arrived just in
time to keep that horse from killing Bell. He dismounted and picked
up the reins, and walked cautiously up to the horse. The animal stood
still head held high but appearing to be docile now. Thanking his good
fortune, and not wanting to press his luck in dealing with an unknown animal,
Fugate got back on his own horse.
"Tell Lucinda I asked after her and I'll see you around town." Clay
wrapped the other animal's reins around his horn and turned them both back
toward town.
Guy stood there watching until they disappeared around the bend and then
turned toward the barn.
oooOOooo
A growing list of aches and pains forced Vin to full wakefulness, the first
need he recognized was thirst, his bandanna felt like sand against his swollen
tongue, intensifying how dry his mouth was. He also had an urgent need
to relive himself that he was trying very hard to ignore.
Moisture ran down his face and it took him a moment to realize that it wasn't
rain but his own sweat.
