Beneath Red Tail Wings Intruders Welcomed

Beneath Red Tail Wings
Table of Content

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Intruders Welcomed
by Patricia I. Williams

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Intruders Welcomed

Cobby was staring at him with white rimmed eyes and teeth bared in righteous indignation. The wall eyed grulla’s hide gleamed in the sun from an intensive currying. His stubby tail and scant mane were free of tangles and burrs. Matt wiped the sweat from his face with his forearm. He surveyed the result of his labor with a faint smile. Cobby was hobbled for the moment, otherwise he would be trying his best to kick in Matt’s ribs. Pulling that rawhide loose was going to be an adventure.

The cowboy smiled as he ran toward the cabin, dodging the snake like lunge of the ewe necked devil. He wiped his boots along the porch edge before he went into the cabin.

He checked his patient, still resting quietly. Matt was pretty confident whoever tried to rob the old man had given up. The weather should have further discouraged them. It must have been a pretty cowardly bunch, since the money wasn’t taken. He had met few men in this country not tough enough to climb down there and take what they killed for.

Matt foraged some wild greens and snared a couple of rabbits on his fifth day. The old man had swallowed some of the broth off the meager stew Matt had boiled up and kept on the fire. Now there was more confidence the man would recover. Matt settled down to eat, grimacing at the lack of salt and seasoning, but grateful all the same to not have an empty belly.

After cleaning up he stepped outside again leaning against the wall to roll a smoke. It wasn’t a regular habit, but he was bored. There weren’t any old magazines or newspapers in the cabin and Cloth of Gold was memorized from constant use. Sooner or later he would get back to Silverton or Denver and get some new reading material. Maybe he would winter up here in this cabin. With a little patch work it could be secure. Even with the signs of regular use, he would hope who ever laid up wintered someplace else. He never liked staying over in Denver for the winters. But logic demanded he learn more about surviving the weather before taking the chance on living alone during snow season.

Matt was taking his last drag on the butt, when Cobby’s head swung up, ears pricked forward. He turned to face the trail they had come in on. A horse whinnied, not close by yet. Matt reached inside the door and picked up his rifle, stepping back into the dim room. Cobby snorted and backed up near the cabin wall, nostrils flared and teeth bared in antagonistic greeting.

Three riders emerged from the stand of aspen around the cabin. A boney shouldered old man lead the procession, his eyes lost in wrinkles and weathered face. A white handlebar mustache dropped over his thin lips, tainted yellow from tobacco. There was a girl riding behind him with copper hair, shot through with gold and red sparks from the sunlight. Another man rode up beside the girl. He took off his hat and shook the water off it, then mopped his face with a handkerchief. He leaned toward the girl and said something to her. Her chin went up and she shook her head, stubborn refusal obvious on her face. He flushed pink and jerked his horses’ reins hard, riding up next to the old man. His blond hair was cut close in the eastern way, thick and curling with pomade. Even from inside the cabin Matt could see the vivid blue of his eyes.

“Hallo the house,” the old man called. “We smelled the smoke. We’re lookin’ fer someone.”

Matt stepped out onto the porch, his rifle held casually in both hands.

“You’re not looking for me mister. I don’t know you,” he growled.

He saw the men straighten in their saddles, suddenly wary.

“Now wait a minute son, don’t get testy. My names Gil Jones, foreman of the Rocking Falls Ranch on the plain below these here mountains. We’re lookin’ for the boss man Will Bethencourt.”

“He’s my father. I’m Sarah Bethencourt. Please have you seen any strangers or heard anything? He’s been missing near a week.”

Sarah moved her horse ahead of her companions, ignoring Gil’s upraised hands to warn her back.

“Please sir, have you seen anyone? How long have you been here?”

“Hold on a minute lady. How do I know you’re really who you say you are? A pretty face don’t mean you can’t be up to no good.”

“Wait just a minute. Who the hell...,” the blond put his hand on the butt of his sidearm and Matt’s rifle shifted, aimed dead center.

“Stop it Kevin. The man is right. He doesn’t know who we are. Here, look here.”

Sarah reached inside the collar of her shirt and pulled out a locket dangling from a silver chain. She lifted it over her head, anxious hands fumbling her first attempts to get it untangled from the long copper braid.

“Here, look inside. There’s a picture of my father, mother and I.”

“Toss it over here,” Matt demanded.

He caught the locket out of the air with his left hand and stepped back inside the cabin. He recognized the man as the same one lying in the bunk behind him. The hair was darker, but the cut and heavy mustache was the same. Sarah was a little girl posing between him and a thin fragile looking woman. Obviously Sarah took after the woman in looks. Matt closed the locket and stepped outside.

“Miss Bethencourt, your father’s inside.”

“Thank you!” Sarah quickly shifted to dismount.

“Hold on, hold on. He’s been hurt and still unconscious!”

She was already pushing passed him while he was speaking. He heard her worried cry and then she was calling Gil to come to her.

Matt stepped aside as the two men stepped down from their horses and rushed the cabin. He followed, rifle trained on their backs. While the trio hovered over the bunk, Matt pushed the shutter back letting in more light and waited for their next move.

“That’s a bullet wound Miss Sarah and looks like he’s been bashed about the head too.”

While Gil and Sarah were examining the wounds and black bruises, the one called Kevin turned to Matt, his hand once more sliding to his holstered gun.

“Mister, Mr. Bethencourt was carrying a lot of money, just where did you say ...”

“I didn’t say,” snapped Matt. “Whatever he had on him is still on him. I’m no thief.”

“Kevin! Dad’s money belt is right here.”

“What?”

The blond’s face was blank with shock. He stared at Matt in disbelief, his face once again rosy.

“Well damn mister. I don’t know what to say. I’d like you to accept my apologies. It’s been such a worrisome time. We’ve been just at the end of our rope.”

He took off his gloves and offered Matt his hand. His smile was disarming. Matt looked him in the eyes and saw nothing but a rather embarrassed younger man trying to impress a girl. He shook the proffered hand. Kevin sighed in relief and couldn’t stop the side long glance in Sarah’s direction.

‘No harm done, Mr. …?”

“Oh, Harlan. Kevin Harlan. I really am sorry for my crude accusations.”

“Apology accepted Mr. Harlan, though you aught to know accusations like that can get you shot out here. My name is Matthew Travers.”

“Really pleased to meet you, Matthew. It’s a good thing you came along when you did. Sarah was out of her mind with worry.”

“Glad I could help.”

Matt sat his rifle down and motioned Kevin to the table.

“Take a load off. Coffee’s hot.”

“Good I could use a cup.” Kevin sat down and poured the thick black concoction that Matt called coffee. He couldn’t stop the grimace at the bitter taste, however.

“Sorry about that. You might want to water that down some.”

Kevin grinned and his face got all rosy again.

“Well it is rather strong.” He laughed then and gratefully took the canteen Matt was offering to pour some water in his cup. Matt was rather embarrassed himself. He wasn’t much of a cook.

Sarah finally moved away from her father’s side and approached the table.

“Thank you Mr. Travers, thank you so much. I’m sending Gil for the rest of the men. One of them can ride for the doctor.”

“There’s a doctor around here?”

“There’s a doctor out at the Wimbly Ranch. Some cousin of theirs from Silverton,” Kevin interjected.

“He came to assist their cook. She’s having a baby and always has trouble. I hope he’s still there.”

“Well there’s not much grub left. I got some rabbit and wild greens in that pot on the fire. And there’s cans of beans and peaches.”

“That’s alright Mr. Travers. I’m sure we can add to it.” Sarah gave her father’s savior a smile.

“You men sit and have your coffee. I’ll take care of the horses,” Matt offered.

“Thanks Matt, but Gil’s the one needing rest. Old bones, you know.”

Kevin laughed and followed Sarah outside. He didn’t see the look of disgust that twisted Gil’s face.

“Young upstart,” Gil grumbled. “Thinks he knows it all.”

Matt hid his amusement as Gil got up and stumped out to take care of his own horse. Sarah rushed back in and began unloading the saddlebags she dumped on the table.

“We’ll just heat these up,” she said laying aside a bundle.

“They’re biscuits,” she grinned at Matt, “and you can drop this into the pot with your rabbit.”

She tossed Matt another bundle which turned out to be half a cooked rabbit.

“I’ve also got some cheese and bacon. There is a little bit of flour and salt too.”

Matt dropped the rabbit into his pot and added the little sack of salt.

“I have a few snares out since morning. I should go check them. A couple more rabbits wouldn’t hurt nothing.”

“Alright Mr. Travers. When you get back supper should be ready. Oh, Mr. Travers?”

“Matt will do mam.”

“Ah yes. Well Matt, thank you again for saving my father.”

“It was purely an accident mam. I’d been tracking this hawk’s flight and just happen to look down and see your father lying on this ledge. I wasn’t sure if he was alive, so I climbed down. It’s a good thing Cobby’s such a good cow pony. I’d never got him up otherwise.”

“My father had fallen off a cliff!” Sarah’s face paled during Matt’s description of her father’s rescue.

“Sorry mam. I didn’t mean to scare you. It was about an hour back that away.”

Matt pointed to the east and Sarah paled even more. She sat down and Matt quickly pour her a cup of coffee.

“Here Miss drink this. I didn’t mean to cause you more upset.”

“What’s going on in here? Sarah are you alright?”

Kevin’s voice startled Matt so, he almost reached for his sidearm, which was still lying on his bedroll. He stepped away from the table to cover the move. Trust some girl with eyes the color of new pennies to make him forget he was surrounded by strangers. He turned to face Kevin and spoke more sharply than he intended.

“I thought she was fainting.”

“Father had fallen off a cliff!”

“What? Sarah honey, you’re white as a sheet.”

He hurried to her side and took her into his arms, murmuring whatever nonsense women wanted to hear when upset.

“Leave us alone a minute, will you. You didn’t have to tell any horror stories.” Kevin was frowning at Matt over Sarah’s shoulder.

Sarah tried to object but Kevin’s arms tightened more pressing her face into his neck. It was Matt’s turn to stump outdoors. He snatched his coat off the nail by the door and was gone into the trees. Kevin shushed Sarah’s protests and continued to rub her shoulders. Soon he was kissing her forehead and cheeks. He kissed her lips, deepening the kiss fairly quickly. Sarah began to struggle.

Kevin, my father and the door’s open. What are you doing, stop it!”

She pushed him away.

“God Sarah, I’m sorry. You just go to my head. You’re so beautiful. Every time I hold you. I’m sorry, really.” He grinned sheepishly and backed away from her.

“Forgive me? Please?”

She was frowning and it took a heartbeat longer than normal for her to give him a shaky smile. He was peeking at her from under long pale lashes, his eyes imploring.

“Alright Kevin. I didn’t mean to snap.”

“I know honey. You’re tired and I’m being a bore. Here sit down and drink your coffee. I’ll get the rest of our things. Once the doctor gets here and your father’s home you’ll feel better.”

Sarah watched him go outside. Then turned her thoughts to putting together a meal.

Speculations and Aggravations

Mr. Travers surprised them all leaving her father’s money on him like that. His frayed store bought clothes and that horrible looking animal they saw near the cabin marked him as a very poor man. Most cowboys were working for a dollar a day. Sarah wondered if the long scar on his cheek was gotten in a knife fight. The oddest thing was the spectacles he wore. The lenses were smokey gray and seemed to wrap around the sides. She had yet to see his eyes, but he didn’t appear to be short sighted, certainly not when holding them off with that rifle.

Contrary to most cowhand habits, his guns were well oiled and clean. He moved quiet too. For all the inconsistencies his integrity was obvious. He looked directly at everyone he spoke to, catching their eyes. Sarah’s father always remarked on men who wouldn’t or couldn’t. She tried to think what color they could be behind those gray lenses. His skin was tanned and his hair was deep brown, near black. It was shaggy and curled around his ears and shoulders. It was a mess but he obviously made regular use of a straight razor.

She had no fondness for beards, although her father favored them. He used to tease her by giving her bushy kisses. She would squeal and make a break from fiery cheeks rubbed red by the wiry hair. She loved her father but his ideas of affection usually left her feeling more than ever, she should have been a boy.

Sarah placed the sliced cheese on the table and supplemented Matt’s dented plates with their utensils. They could eat soon as the biscuits were warmed through. Sarah raked the hot ashes over her tightly wrapped treasures and stepped outside. She was standing under lowering skies when Matt returned. She never heard his passage through the woods. He glanced her way but went inside. She should go in and dish up his food. Her father would surely give the man a job after all he’d done for him. When Sarah got inside Matt was hunched down by the fire eating from his battered plate.   Two skinned rabbits hung from a hook off the mantle. Kevin and Gil came in behind her heading straight for the freshened coffee. She quickly dished up the stew for the other men and turned out the biscuits. Making her own plate Sarah sat down in the wobbly chair at the table. She passed the plate of cheese to each man. Matt got up and opened two cans of peaches and passed it around.

“I have to make sure to come back up here and replace what I used. Somebody obviously stops off here from time to time.”

“Might not be friendlies. Kind of off the usual trails,” Gil commented.

“Yeah I did wonder on that. Was only luck I found it in that thunderstorm. Almost passed it by. It would have been bad for both of us with the lightning and all.”

“Yep, Mr. Bethencourt was lucky you came along. We might have never found him. How did you manage that anyway?” Kevin looked curiously at Matt.

“I noticed a couple of red tails seem to be keeping to my trail. I was looking for their nest when I noticed him. Didn’t see any sign of his horse though. Thought that odd, but didn’t have time to look around. The storm moved in real fast and the lightning got bad. Even after the rain stopped I couldn’t see trying to take him anywhere in his condition. He seems to be resting better. We should all turn in early tonight anyway. It looks like another storm maybe brewing.”

“I’ll go along with that suggestion young feller. I’m plum tuckered myself. If I’m gonna ride down the mountain I’ll need to start out at dawn to get to our base camp. Hope you’re wrong about that storm though. It could last another couple a days and Will needs that sawbones.”

There wasn’t much said after that. The group addressed their hungry middles and didn’t leave any left overs. Matt put the rabbits on a spit to roast before he spread his bedroll on the floor.

Sarah looked beyond him to see her bedroll setting atop her saddle by the bunk. Gil rolled his blankets out on the other side of the fireplace and was soon covered up with his hat over his face. Matt followed suit leaving his rifle propped against the fireplace at his shoulder, his gun holstered on his hip because there were strangers all around him now. Kevin and Sarah looked at each other and shrugged. In a few minutes they were all lying down. Kevin positioning himself beside her.

Matt lay awake a long time under the cover of his hat listening to the rustles and sighs as everyone settled. He hoped the man could travel in a few more days anyway. It was good there were folks looking for him and could take over. But it was still nerve wracking to be around people he didn’t know.

It seemed like minutes later Matt opened his eyes to watch Gil tiptoe out into the dawn’s light. Kevin rolled out of his blankets with a groan and stumbled out the door behind him. After a while Matt stirred and stoked up the fire, putting on the coffee. He took a can of beans, heated them in the skillet and tossed in the last two biscuits. He went to the door calling out to Gil, startling both men.

“There’s bean and biscuits on the table for you. I’m thinking you got a long ride and its real cold this morning.”

Gil strode into the cabin peering up into Matt’s face. He grinned and patted the younger man’s arm.

“Thank ye kindly son. It’s pretty nippy and a full belly will help me along.”

With that he sat and wolfed down everything in a few minutes. He drank two cups of coffee before putting on his coat. Sarah set up at that moment yawning and stretching.

“Oh Gil why’d you let me sleep so long. You need breakfast at least.”

“It’s alright Miss Sarah, Matt here rustled me up some grub and stuffed me right good. I’m on my way.”

He walked over to the bunk and kissed Sarah on the forehead.

“Don’t you worry yourself honey. I’ll be back with the boys to get Will home and the doc should meet us there.”

Sarah smiled and hugged his neck.

“I don’t know what Father and I would ever do without you Uncle Gil. I love you.”

“Girl don’t start all that mush. Let me out a here boys. I’ll be bawling like a dogie in a minute.” Gil laughed and stepped out. Kevin called after him.

“You be careful ole man. Whoever waylaid Mr. Bethencourt might still be around!”

“Only if they want a belly full a lead.” Gill called back slapping his sidearm. He stepped into the saddle and turned his chestnut cow pony into the trees.

Sarah cooked breakfast and spent the remainder of the morning tending her father. Kevin was talkative, however she noticed Matt spoke very little. After seeing to his horse, he ate with them but retreated to the doorway to read. He put on those odd four lens spectacles when the sky cleared and sparkling sunlight filtered through the trees.

“How long have you been reading that book Matt?” Kevin asked. The blond was leaning forward in the chair squinting at the dog eared yellowing pages. “What’s it about?”

“It’s called Cloth of Gold, Henry Aldrich. It’s a book of poetry.”

“Aldrich, Aldrich. Hey that the same fellow who wrote A Story of a Bad Boy?”

Matt looked up and nodded. “The very same. I never read that one. Got this in a dry goods store in Denver a few years back. The clerk tossed it in my kit. Said he was done with it.”

“And you still reading it after all this time? You really must like poetry.” He rocked the chair in his amusement.

“I do.” Matt returned to his reading.

“No offense Matt. It’s just you don’t look like a poetry reader to me.”

“Kevin.”

“Ah, Sarah I was just kidding around.”

“It’s fine Miss Bethencourt. Reading material is hard to find in this country. Poetry was a gift of sorts.”

“What do you mean?”

“Friend of mine in the war had an interest in poetry. When he got killed, I got his belongings. He had no family to speak of so I kept his written efforts. I planned to have them published one day, but...”

Matt’s expression darkened. He frowned and returned the book to his saddlebags.

“Pardon me mam.”

He picked up his hat from the saddle on the floor and stepped out the door.

“Wait Matt. I’m sorry. We didn’t...”

“Ah Sarah, let him go. We didn’t do anything. Probably just bad memories.”

“We should apologize. It wasn’t right for us to pry.”

“We didn’t pry. You asked a question and he answered. He could have begged off. He’ll get over it. Don’t get so worked up.”

“I don’t want him to leave angry Kevin. We owe the man.”

“Well honey, why don’t you give him some money now and send him on his way.”

“We can’t do that. He saved father’s life. Father would want to meet the man that risked his own to save him.”

“Maybe so, but I still think you should pay the man and let him go about his business. Gil and the boys will be back soon enough. Beside’s we don’t know anything about him. Maybe us showing up disrupted his plans.”

“Plans? What possible plans could he make? He could have left father to die and stolen the money. We would never have known. Instead he treated his wounds and stayed with him.”

“Maybe someone else got to Mr. Bethencourt before him. It would be easy to save him and then cash in later. It’s no secret in the territory your father is well off. Between the Army contracts and his interest in the silver mines, he’s worth ten times what’s in that belt.”

“Kevin, this is ridiculous! There’s no logic...”

“Ridiculous, we’ve only got his word he pulled your father off a ledge!”

“I won’t listen to this nonsense.”

Kevin left the chair and grabbed Sarah by the shoulders.

“Let go of me. How dare you!”

“Sarah, Sarah damn it! Calm down. I’m just asking you to think! Stop it girl. Your father’s life’s at stake!”

Sarah gasped and stopped pushing at Kevin to stare at him.

“Sarah honey, I’m not saying not to be grateful. I’m just saying be careful. Don’t let gratitude blind you to what’s possible. We don’t know this man and he could have plans. We have to protect your father until he can take care of himself. I may be paranoid, but better safe than sorry.”

“I’m, I’m sorry. You’re right. I guess I’ve been so happy I didn’t want to think the worst thing...”

“It’s okay Sarah.” Kevin said, pulling Sarah into this chest and stroking her hair. She rested against his shoulder. He caressed her until the shivers ceased. Finally he stepped back and looked into her face.

“You still mad?”

She had the grace to blush scarlet.

“No, I’m sorry Kevin. I misjudged you. I thought you were...well, never mind forget it. I need to consider what you said. Help me Kevin, help me keep an eye on Mr. Travers.”

Kevin gave Sarah his most dazzling smile and hugged her again.

“You bet honey. Don’t worry I’m staying right by your side.”

She hugged him tightly and sighed when he buried his face into her hair. Sometimes Kevin was so gallant and other times she wanted to hit him over the head with a pan. Now was not one of those times. He had a point. Matt Travers was a stranger. Maybe only what he appeared to be, a good man in a country where law abiding were few. But to protect her father she could not let her softer emotions interfere with caution. If the man did not look so...ah well, enough of such thoughts. Her father came first. Travers could take care of himself.

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