Bank Robbers

By Stardust

This story that is a follow up to the story, Welcome to Sweetwater. In this one Jack Craddock meets up again with Tess Hunter, this time in Bordertown.

Corporal Clive Bennett laid down his quill pen, capped the ink jar, and stacked his papers neatly. He glanced at the mess of papers scattered across Marshal Jack Craddock’s desk. The reports were scarcely started, and almost illegible. Craddock was tipped back in his old, swivel chair with his hat pulled down over his face, and his booted feet propped up on his desk, apparently asleep. His dusty, blue shirt was missing a button, and his dark, brown pants had mud on the cuffs, but his badge had a dull gleam to it. Sometimes the Mountie wondered how he was able to put up with the slipshod attitude of the Marshal toward paperwork and some of the other aspects of being a lawman. Clive couldn’t resist making a ridiculing remark, so that he could get a rise out of his friend. “Craddock, you’ll never finish those reports if you keep putting it off that way. That stack of paper will only get deeper.” The only answer he got was a louder snore from under the old, brown felt hat.

Disgustedly Bennett turned back to his own reports. He knew if the Marshal’s paper work got done, he’d end up doing most of it. Although he wasn’t about to tell Jack, he had to admit that Craddock was at least making a better effort at doing his own paper work lately. Marie seemed to be making a little progress at teaching him to read and write. Of course, doing Craddock’s reports for him did help to pass the time. It had been fairly quiet in Bordertown for some time now.

“Help! I’ve been robbed!” Wendell MacWherter ran into the muddy street yelling. “Help! There’s been a robbery. Help!”

Craddock’s boots hit the floor with a thud. He and Bennett almost collided as they ran for the door, pulling their guns as they did. “What happened?” demanded Marshal Craddock, as he broke through the small crowd that was gathering around the banker.

“I’ve been robbed! The bank’s been robbed,” chanted MacWherter over the whispers, and mutterings, and a few shouted questions of the townspeople that had gathered around him to hear what had happened, The banker finished untying a piece of rope from around his wrist and let it drop to the ground.

“Slow down, Wendell,” commanded the Corporal. “Where are the robbers now?”

 

MacWherter motioned toward the bank. “He went out the back way. Go after them, Corporal. Marshal. You too. Go after them.”

Craddock and Bennett ran through the bank and out the back door. There was nothing to be seen in the ally except a black cat that came to rub around their ankles.

The two lawmen returned to where the banker was waiting. “How long ago did it happen?” asked the Mountie.

Wendell sighed and looked at the floor. “Maybe a half an hour or so. It took me that long to get loose.”

Both lawmen put their guns in their holsters. With that much of a lead, it would be best to listen to the banker’s story first.

“Someone came in the back. I only got a quick look at him. He stuck a gun in my back, and said to open the safe. So I did! What else could I do? He tied my hands behind my back. Put a dirty rag in my mouth and tied my feet. He took the money and left.”

“What did he look like?” asked Craddock.

Wendell hesitated. “I – I didn’t see much, but he was big. Bigger than you or the Corporal, and – and strong, real strong. He had a mask over his face.”

“Did you see what color eyes he had, or hair, or clothes?” questioned Bennett.

“Eyes,” said Wendell. “Brown, or blue, or maybe green.”

Craddock turned from the confused, freighted banker and went out the back door. “I’ll look for his tracks,” he said disgustedly.

Bennett tried one last time. “What about his clothes? Did you notice anything unusual?”

“N-n-no. I think they were just ordinary cowboy clothes. Mostly dark, I think, and dirty, wet, and-and muddy.”

Bennett followed Craddock out back. He found the Marshal crouched down, scrutinizing the tracks that he had found there.

“One horse. Went that-away.” Craddock ran his fingers along the edges of several of the tracks, as if trying to memorize them. He walked back to the three wooden steps going into the back of the bank. “No boot tracks. He dismounted and then mounted from the steps so he wouldn’t leave any tracks.” He briefly petted the black cat that sat on the top step.

“It’s not much to go on,” said Bennett. “Let’s get the horses and some supplies.”

MacWherter eased out of the back door to the bank, looking at the two lawmen, wondering why they weren’t doing something. “Get after him. Hurry. Why aren’t you doing your jobs?”

“Shut up, Wendell,” growled Craddock.

**********

The bay and the palomino horses cantered down the road side by side. They were used to being ridden out together. Frequently the Marshal would slow, leaning in the saddle, checking to make sure the tracks were still there. They hadn’t gone far when the tracks turned off onto a narrow trail, through thick brush, and heading into the deep woods. The trees and brush made it harder to follow than in the mud of the road.

Clive noticed that his horse was getting slower and slower and limping. “Jack,” Bennett called out to Craddock. “There’s something wrong with my horse.”

Craddock rode back to where Bennett had dismounted and was checking the right front hoof of the bay. “What’s wrong?”

“The shoe’s loose. He’s starting to go lame.”

“That’s just dandy,” grumbled the Marshal. They both knew what they had to do even if they didn’t like it. “No since ruinin’ a good horse. You best head back.”

“I’ll go back to town and get another horse. I’ll catch up as soon as I can,” said Bennett.

Craddock was already heading back after the bank robber. He looked over his shoulder, calling back to the Mountie. “I’ll leave a trail even you can follow, Clive.”

Clive didn’t even bother to answer. He knew the Marshal was a better tracker than he was, but he wasn’t that bad. Taking up the reins of the bay he started walking back toward town. By the time he got there he was hot, tired, and hungry, had blisters on his feet, and had resolved he would not re-enlist in the Mounties when his term was up this time. Finally he arrived at the stable.

Otto Danzinger met him at the door. “What happened, Corporal?” asked the German immigrant.

“He threw a shoe. Right front. Saddle me another horse, will you, Otto? I’ll come back for it in a few minutes.” The Mountie headed for his office. He knew he and been short with Otto but he was mad at bank robbers, and criminals in general. He wasn’t worried about Craddock. After all, it was only one bank robber. But part of that money that had been in the bank was his. Not much but a little bit.

“Oh, Clive,” called out a French accented, feminine voice. Dr. Marie Dumont ran up to the Corporal catching his arm. “Did you catch the bank robber?”

“No,” Bennett answered, continuing toward the jail. “My horse went lame. I had to come back. Craddock is still after him. I’ve got to go back.” He looked down into the sparkling blue eyes of the lady doctor and felt his weariness and anger disappear. He couldn’t stay angry with her near him. She was just so pretty, always laughing, and enjoying life.

“Do you think Jack will catch him soon?” Marie asked. Without waiting for Clive to answer, she continued. “I do hope Jack is all right. By the way, Clive, Sally told me there are some people here to see you. They came on the stage today while you were gone. They said they were old friends of yours from Toronto.”

“Friends? Toronto?” Clive began to get excited. It would be wonderful to see some old friends again. “Where are they?”

Clive and Marie went to Sally Duffield’s boarding house. There were two women and two men in the parlor drinking tea. One of the women was Sally, wearing a simple calico dress, while the other woman had on a fancy peach-colored dress that looked as if it had just come out of a Godey’s Lady’s Books, with a matching hat perched on her head. The two men had on typical, big city suits with shoes that, although a bit dusty, were highly polished. Of course, thought Clive, this is one of those days he had simply been unable to bring himself to dress in the full Mountie uniform. He felt a bit foolish in his dirty leather shirt, and blue Mountie pants with the strip down the leg. Trying to be polite, he took of his wide brimmed hat.

“Here’s the Corporal now,” said Sally to her guests as Marie and Clive entered.

Two men stood and Clive recognized one of them. “Martin!” exclaimed Clive in surprise, as he shook hands with his friend. “Hello, Lisa.” He bent and kissed the pretty redheaded woman on the cheek that she offered him. “How nice to see you.”

“Hello, Clive,” said Martin Webber “It’s good to be here, and see you. So this is Bordertown? Clive, I want you to meet my friend, Frank Collins.”

Seeing that the Corporal and her guests did know each other and figuring they would want some time to talk, Sally decided to leave. “I’ll go check on things at the store, Marie.” She frequently helped Marie at her store, and she was sure that Marie would want to stay and hear about the latest news from the big city of Toronto.

Greetings were exchanged, and Clive introduced Marie to Collins, Webber and his wife. “What caused you to come here?” asked Bennett.

“We’re on holiday,” exclaimed Lisa, excitedly. “Isn’t it just wonderful. We came to see the Wild West. I want to see it all. The cowboys, Indians, and outlaws, and all. I even heard that you a bank robbery this morning. It must have been so thrilling.”

Marie looked at the young woman is surprise. She wondered what could be thrilling about a bank robbery. “Yes, yes we did have a bank robbery this morning, but I’m sure it’s nothing to be alarmed about. No one got hurt,” said Marie. “The Marshal and Clive will take care of it.”

“Oh, yes, it is so stimulating,” exclaimed Lisa, twirling around the room like a top.

In a more calm tone Martin said, “We just wanted to visit the frontier, and decided Bordertown would be the best place to come to, since you are here, Clive, and can show us around.”

“It is very primitive, isn’t it?” added Lisa. “I can’t wait to see more.”

“What did you expect?” said Frank, curling his lip in loathing. “It is the frontier. And part of it is in the United States, and those Americans are so backwards.”

Marie wondered whether it was the frontier or the Americans that he didn’t like. He didn’t seem at all impressed with the little town. And she, too, felt a bit backward since she was wearing a dark cotton skirt and white blouse as she usually did when seeing patients or working in her small, general store. Clive’s friends were dressed so formally.

“I think it will be fun, but is there some place we can go to have dinner?” asked Martin. “I, for one, could really use a decent meal. What we had at the stage stops wasn’t all that appetizing.”

“The saloon serves very good meals,” answered Clive.

“Saloon! I can’t eat in a saloon. Don’t you have a nice restaurant here?” stammered Lisa. She waved her hand in the air and then patted her head as if to make sure her small, flowered hat was still in place.

“It’s all right,” explained Marie. “It’s more like a café or restaurant. And the food is really very good.”

“Clive, would you and Dr. Dumont come with us?” asked Martin.

“I’ll need to clean up first,” said the Mountie, looking down at his muddy, dirty clothes. “I do apologize for meeting you this way, but I had been out on the trail.”

Marie looked up at Clive, a worried frown on her face. “What about the Marshal?”

Clive hesitated. He knew he should go after Craddock, but it was late, he was tired and wanted to visit with his friends. Also, he was remembering Craddock’s remark about leaving a trail even he could follow. The robbery had happened in the United States. Officially it was Craddock’s problem. “Um, he should be all right. If he’s not back by morning, I’ll go after him.”

Marie wasn’t really happy with Clive’s answer, but she knew Jack had been a lawman a long time and she knew what it was like to miss friends and family even though Bordertown was now her and Clive’s home.

**********

Jack Craddock had continued to follow what little sign he was now finding. He had to give the outlaw credit for being able to hide a trail. He was pretty good at it, but not good enough. The trail was fresher now. He was catching up, he thought, and then he spotted movement up ahead. He kicked his palomino into a hard run. Hearing the thunder of drumming hooves, the robber looked back. Outlaw and lawman raced their horses. The Marshal’s long-legged palomino gradually closed on the smaller dun. The robber pulled a gun and fired a shot back at Craddock, the bullet barely missing as it buzzed by the Marshal’s head.

“Give it up,” yelled Craddock as he pulled his own gun and fired. He was almost upon the robber. Changing his mind, he holstered the .45 and leaped. Craddock and the robber fell from their horses, hitting the ground hard. Craddock was up in a second, pulling his gun again, trying to catch his breath after the hard fall. He looked around for the robber. He was lying nearby, face down, apparently unconscious. “All right, come on,” said Craddock, quickly pulling the robber’s hands behind his back and snapping on a pair of handcuffs. The robber groaned as he started to come to.

“Not so big and tough after all, are you?” Craddock took a second look at the man at his feet. Actually the outlaw was kind of on the small side. The Marshal flipped the man onto his back, and pulled off his hat. Long dark hair spilled around the face of a woman, while bright red blood ran down the side of her pale face. “I’ll be damned -- it’s a woman,” he muttered. For a moment he just stared at her. She was familiar, but who was she? He didn’t think she was from around Bordertown.

Recognition and then shock flooded through the Marshal. “Tess! Tessie Hunter,” he whispered.

Craddock poured water onto his bandana from his canteen and cleaned the blood off the face of his prisoner. She groaned again and tried to pull away. Her eyes opened and she stared at the Marshal for a long minute.

Tess’ thoughts were a jumbled mess. Where was she? Why couldn’t she move? Her head hurt and her arm. Who was this man who was hurting her head? She knew she should know who he was. She knew she had looked into those dark, brown eyes before, felt the scrape of that stubble of beard, and the tickle of his mustache, and she knew his voice even before he said anything. How rough and harsh it was, and at the same time it could be gentle and kind.

Then with a jolt it all came back. She remembered the long days on the trail from Texas, robbing the bank, and trying to escape. Buddy! Where was Buddy? And Jack Craddock. What was he doing here?

“My arm,” squeaked Tess.

“What? Lay still, Tess. Let me see if ‘in I can wrap up this cut on yer head. You must a hit yer head on that log when we come off the horses.” He tied the bandana loosely around her head.

“My arm hurts,” muttered Tess. “I can’t move my arms.”

Craddock remembered the handcuffs and rolled her over enough he could unlock them. That was when he saw the blood dripping down her fingers.

With her hands loose, Tess managed to get herself into a sitting position. As the pain stabbed through her again, she gripped her left arm just above the wrist with her right hand. She winced and tried to pull away as Craddock took hold of her arm.

“Let me see,” he said. Gently he pushed her sleeve above the injury to reveal a long, gouge where a bullet had furrowed her arm and then sunk in to the flesh. “I’m sorry, Tessie,” Craddock apologized to the woman. His hands shook as he wrapped her own bandana tightly around her arm, applying pressure to stop the bleeding. He was thankful he had only fired once and that his aim had been off, as he was firing from a running horse at a moving target. Craddock rocked back on his heals and considered the small woman who sat in front of him.

“What are you doing here, Tess? Why did you rob the bank?” he questioned her, but she didn’t answer him. She just stared right past him. “Answer me, Tess. Why did you rob the bank? We were friends once; you can tell me why.”

She glared at him. “Once,” she said slowly, “not now.”

He rose and turned toward the horses, which were standing near by grazing on a bit of grass. “Can you ride? We’ll head back to Bordertown.” He picked up the reins and led them back to where Tess waited. He opened the saddlebags behind the saddle on the dun that Tess had been riding. There was the money that she had taken from the bank.

Tess stood up. “You have the money. Let me go.”

“Can’t do that.”

“I thought you said we were friends. If you value that friendship, just forget about me. Just let me go,” pleaded Tess. “What would it hurt? Please, Jack?”

The Marshal shook his head, although he had a fleeting thought that maybe he should do as she asked.

“What will happen to me?”

“Don’t know for sure. Suppose you’ll go to prison for a while. ------ Have you ever done anything like this before?” He wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer, especially if she had. Tess Hunter would have been the last woman in the world that he would have ever suspected of being on the wrong side of the law. He listened for her answer.

“No.”

Craddock couldn’t look at her. He had seen women’s prisons. He couldn’t imagine Tess in one. She wouldn’t survive. She had always valued her freedom as much or more than he did.

Tess was having the same thoughts, only more. She had to escape and get back to Buddy. She watched Jack remove the saddlebags from her horse and add them to the ones he had on his palomino. Angry with himself for forgetting about it, he bent over to pick up the gun she had dropped when they fell. If she had been a real outlaw, she might have already grabbed the gun and shot him.

Seeing her chance, Tess stood up and ran. She didn’t get ten feet before the Marshal caught her. She was hardly a match for him but she fought him anyway. She was desperate. She reached in her boot and pulled out a bowie knife and stabbed at him.

“Damn it, woman!” yelled Craddock as he jumped back.

Tess’ exertions had made her dizzy again. She stumbled. Craddock grabbed her around the waist pinning her arms at her sides, and pried the knife from her hand. The world swirled, turned black and Tess fainted in Craddock’s arms.

Jack continued to hold her for a long moment. It had been a long time since he had held Tess Hunter. He sighed deeply as he slipped the handcuffs back on her wrists again. Sometimes, he thought, he really did hate this job.

**********

It was well after dark when Marshal Craddock and his lady prisoner reached Bordertown. They pulled up in front of his office, or at least half of the jail was his, and half was Corporal Bennett’s. The 49^th parallel that divided Canada and the United States ran right through their office and jail. There was even a red line painted through the middle of the office to remind anyone that entered that the jail was in two different countries.

Craddock dismounted stiffly and turned to Tess. “Get down,” he said.

She continued to sit on her horse. Bone tired and aching all over with her hands handcuffed, Tess was afraid she would fall when she tried to get off, but she wasn’t about to tell the Marshal.

None to gently Craddock suddenly pulled Tess from the dun. “I said to get down,” he repeated.

Much as she didn’t want to, she had to lean against him a moment, until she was sure she could stand. She knew he was getting more and more perturbed with her. He had continued to question her on the long ride into town, but she had refused to say even one word.

Bruno Danzinger, Otto’s younger brother, had seen them ride in and came to get the Marshal’s horse. “Did you catch the bank robber?” he asked looking at the prisoner with interest.

Craddock didn’t answer his question. “Take care of these horses, Bruno, and go tell Marie I got a prisoner needs some doctorin’.” He gathered up the saddlebags with the money, took Tess by the arm and led her into the jail.

Bennett was in his quarters off the north side of the jail fixing to turn in for the night when he heard Craddock come in. He moved to the door leading to the office and watched as the Marshal led his prisoner in.

“Stand there and don’t move,” Jack said. Tess stood, but it was all she could do not to slump down on the floor she was so tired. Craddock lit a coal oil lamp just as Bennett stepped farther into the room with another lamp. Tess blinked at all the sudden light.

Bennett looked at the woman in surprise. “What’s going on, Craddock? Who’s this woman?”

Craddock tossed the money on his desk. “Your bank robber,” he answered. “And where have you been? Thought you was gonna come back and give me a hand.”

Bennett hedged the question. “It was late when I got in. I decided to wait until morning.”

Craddock had barely listened to the Mountie. “In there,” he motioned toward the jail cell, and Tess walked in. This was the one cell that was in the office section of the jail. There were more in the back, although Tess didn’t know that, nor did she really care. “Sit down and stay put. Don’t make me lock the door.” She sat on the hard, narrow bunk.

“Craddock, that’s a woman,” said Bennett.

“I ain’t blind.”

The Mountie was confused. “But MacWherter said the robber was big and strong……”

“MacWherter was scared stiff. He didn’t know what the robber looked like. Besides she had the money and was ridin’ the horse I was trackin’.”

Clive grinned at the thought of what it must have been like when Jack discovered the robber was a woman. He wished he had been there to have seen it. “Did you have trouble catching her, Jack?” He teased, glancing at the handcuffed woman with a bandana tied around her head, and another on her arm. He wondered how she had got hurt. He hated to think that the Marshal had used force to subdue her, but it sure looked like it. He though she must have been a real handful.

The door opened and Marie quietly entered the office. “Jack, Bruno said that you had an injured prisoner who needed medical help.”

The Marshal turned to the lady doctor. “Uh huh.” He pointed at Tess. She noticed that he hadn’t bothered to lock the cell, and the door stood open. She wondered if the woman was a prisoner or not. Maybe she was too weak to try to escape.

Tess glanced at the doctor and the two lawmen in turn, weighing her chances, even if she did still have the handcuffs on. She had to escape and get to Buddy. As Marie started to enter the cell, Tess jumped up and shoved the doctor hard. Marie fell against the Mountie and they went down in a heap. Tess almost made it to the door when Jack grabbed her.

“Haven’t you learned yet?” he yelled at her. He took her roughly back into the metal-barred cage. “Don’t move, Tess, or I’ll tie yer feet, too.”

Tess dropped onto the bunk and wilted against the wall. She was too tired and hurt too much to try again. For now she would let the doctor take care of her. As Marie removed the Marshal’s makeshift bandages, Tess resolved herself to the fact that Buddy would just have to wait for now. Anyway, she had told Buddy she probably wouldn’t be back tonight. Maybe if she told Craddock, he would go and get Buddy. She knew he could be very rough and opinionated and took his job seriously but she, also, knew he could be kind and gentle. But, no, she would wait, and see what happened tomorrow.

“Jack, you did well bandaging these wounds,” said Marie, “but was it necessary to shoot her?”

“She was shootin’ at me, Marie, and I didn’t know she was a she then,” The Marshal answered defensively. He was feeling guilty enough without Marie rubbing it in.

“Clive, bring me some hot water, please,” requested the doctor. While they waited for Clive to return, Marie got a bottle of laudanum out of her medical bag and gave a dose to Tess. When she had the water she cleaned the cut on Tess’ head and began stitching it. “Your name is Tess?” she asked. Tess had turned white as the needle bit into her flesh. Marie wanted to keep her thinking of other things than what she was having to do to her patient.

Tess answered the doctor with a groan.

Jack had stepped into the cell, too, and now made introductions. “Tess Hunter. Dr. Marie Dumont. And this feller is Corporal Clive Bennett.”

Hardly able to comprehend what Jack had said, Tess shuddered as Marie started working on her arm.

“Jack, you must remove these handcuffs for me to take care of this wound properly,” demanded Marie.

“All right,” relinquished Craddock. He knew better than to argue with Marie, and he could see the pain Tess was in.

Tess continued to sit stiffly, not making a sound as the doctor began probing for the bullet in her arm. Jack knew it hurt. There were several scars on his body that ached anew as he watched Marie work. Tears came to Tess’ eyes and she finally couldn’t hold back a whimper of pain. Jack moved in beside her, his big hand clasping her good hand; he put his arm around her shoulder and let her lay her head on his chest. Her eyes closed so that she didn’t have to watch Marie finish cleaning and bandaging her arm.

Marie stole a quick look at the big lawman holding Tess. She had known Jack Craddock for quite a long time but sometimes he could still be very surprising.

**********

Craddock returned from Zac Denney’s saloon balancing a tray with two steaming bowls of stew on it. He had persuaded Zac to heat up the stew for Tess and himself.

Bennett had walked Marie home and had not returned yet.

Tess was still sitting stiffly in her cell. Having made sure to lock the cell door before going to the saloon, Jack now unlocked it and entered handing a bowl to her. Again he sat beside her, eating his own stew. He needed answers but didn’t know how to get them from her. He decided to see if he could get her to at least talk to him.

“Been a long time since I been in Texas, Tess. Why don’t you tell me how things are down there?”

Tess shrugged. “Don’t guess nothin’ much has changed since you left.” She ate some more stew wondering where this line of questioning was going.

Jack tried again. “How’s your pa?”

“He’s all right, I guess. He retired but ain’t takin’ it to well. He hangs around the office a lot, getting in Sam’s way, but Sam don’t seem to mind to much. Sam Cain came back and is Marshal now.”

“I can’t see Teaspoon takin’ retirement well, either,” Craddock said laughing softly. “Guess Sam and Emma’s girls are about all growed up by now?”

“They’re gettin’ there.”

“Tess, I know you must have had a reason for robbin’ that bank. I sure would like to hear it.”

There was total silence for almost a full minute. A cricket chirped somewhere in the office. When Tess spoke Jack could barely hear her. “It was there. I just did it.”

“Why?” He needed to know more than that. He was sure she was holding something back.

“I needed the money. It was there. It looked so easy. It was.” Tess began to talk faster. “I came to town and tried to find a job yesterday. Was it only yesterday? So much as happened since then. I even wore a dress. I tried the general store, the saloon, and the bank, and some other places. Nothing. I kept thinking about the money in the bank. It seemed so easy. So I put on these clothes,” she indicated the man’s shirt and pants, “and I did it.”

Neither Jack nor Tess said anything else for long time. The uneaten stew cooled. The cricket sang, and another joined it. The insects seemed overly loud in the quiet of the room.

“Yer pa, Teaspoon, was a Texas Ranger and a Marshal. Yer husband was a Ranger and a damn fine lawman. You been ‘round people who stood for upholdin’ the law all your life, Tess. Rangers, marshals, sheriffs, Pony Express riders. Myself included, -------an’ you go an’ rob a bank. I just don’t understand it. Why?”

Again nothing was said. Tess didn’t know how to answer.

“I can’t understand unless you help me. Give me some answers, Tess. I thought you felt the same ‘bout the law, as me and your pa.”

“I was hungry,” snapped Tess. “So was – so was…,” Tears came and ran down her face. She couldn’t go on.

“Tess, you could of come to me. I’d a seen you got fed. You know that.”

“I didn’t even know you were here, Jack. I know I shouldn’t have done it. I – I guess I just didn’t know what else to do.”

Jack caught Tess’ chin in his hand and tipped her face up so he could look into her eyes. “Quit yer worryin’ and get some rest. I’ll do what I can fer you. Maybe I can talk the judge into goin’ easy on you since all the money has been returned.” Jack continued to gaze into Tess’ big, blue eyes. Dark, steel blue eyes. Eyes that were scared and full of pain. He finally couldn’t resist. As mad at her as he was, he had wanted to kiss her all day and now he did. Lightly at first, but as the kiss deepened Tess seemed to welcome it. Then her hand came between them, pushing him away.

She took a deep breath. “It’s been a long time, Jack, maybe to long. It ended for us six yeas ago. We can’t go back to it, especially since I’m headed for a jail term.”

“Yeah. I know,” agreed the Marshal. He stood up. “Get some rest.” He left the cell locking the door behind him.

“Know what, Jack? I might of got away with it, if it had been anyone else trackin’ me, but you.” Tess was trying to add some easiness to the difficult situation.

“Yeah, you just might have,” agreed Craddock as he left the office and headed for his cabin.

Tess sat for a long time thinking about what it had been like when she and Jack had known each other in Texas, and about what the future held for her, since she had done such a stupid thing as to rob a bank. Finally exhaustion, and the laudanum clamed her and she lay on the hard bunk, wrapped in the blanket Jack had given her. 

**********

Early the next morning Corporal Bennett looked in on the prisoner. He noticed that she was almost buried under the extra blankets and pillows that Craddock had given her. It wasn’t often that he gave a prisoner such consideration. Clive wondered why Jack was so concerned for this woman. He was adding kindling and wood to the coals in the stove when the Marshal walked in. Putting a finger to his lips he pointed at Tess, then whispered. “Let’s go get breakfast at Zac’s.”

Yawning and nodding at the same time, Craddock agreed.

“You look like you didn’t get much sleep last night,” commented Bennett as they walked toward the saloon.

“Nope,” said the Marshal, but not elaborating on the reason for his lack of sleep.

 The pale light of an early sun was beginning to warm the town. Hopefully it would dry some of the mud that seemed to always plague the street, and the people of the town.

They entered the saloon and took seats at a table in a corner. Diane Denney placed plates of eggs, ham, and fried potatoes in front of both of them and filled cups with coffee. She had been expecting them. They ate silently for several minutes. Finally the Mountie spoke. “You like her, don’t you, Jack?”

“Who?”

“The woman you arrested for the bank robbery.”

Craddock looked at his friend. “Yeah, I guess I do.” He went on eating.

“Jack, there is something you are not telling me about her.”

The Marshal sipped his coffee. He knew he had to tell the Mountie. He knew he needed advise about Tess, and although he and Clive argued and teased each other, they were still good friends. “I knew Tess in Texas,” he explained. “Her pa was the Marshal of Sweetwater for a long time. He and I were good friends. But she married one of my best friends, Ty Bowman. He and me were Rangers together. It was Tessie’s pa, Teaspoon Hunter, that got me headed straight when I almost wound up on the wrong side of the law. That was when I was just a big kid, back before the war.”

Not wanting to interrupt, Clive ate while Jack continued his story.

“After my family was killed and I thought I’d go crazy for sure, it was Ty that got me to join the Rangers, and we rode together. Kind a like you and I do. I saw Tess frequently at the little ranch she and Ty had.”

Bennett couldn’t contain his surprise. “What is she doing here in Bordertown, robbing the bank? Where is her husband? What did she tell you?”

“Ty Bowman was killed in a gunfight just a few months after I joined the Rangers. Tess took it pretty hard but was able to keep running the ranch with help from Teaspoon and some other friends. Don’t know why but she went back to using the Hunter name after Ty was gone. That’s what she was doing when I left Texas. I’m not sure what happened to make her come up here. She sure wasn’t telling me everything last night. What little information I did get from her was like pulling teeth.”

Clive had a feeling that there was more to the story than Jack was telling him but decided not to push it farther at this time. Just when he figured he wouldn’t tell any more the Marshal continued.

“She wouldn’t tell me much of anything. Just that she had tried to get a job and couldn’t. She had tried here at Zac’s, and the bank, and several stores. She said that she needed money ‘cause she was hungry. She said she got to thinkin’  ‘bout all that money in the bank. It was there, so she robbed it. That was all she would tell me.”

“What are you going to do with her?”

Craddock shook his head. “I don’t know. What can I do? She robbed the bank. She didn’t deny it, and the money was on her horse. I have to hold her for the judge. She’ll have to go to prison.” He pushed aside his half eaten plate of food. Suddenly he wasn’t hungry any more. “She’ll never survive in prison. Not Tess,” he said almost to himself as he left the saloon.

**********

Bennett continued to sit there drinking coffee. He still found it hard to believe that Tess Hunter had robbed the bank. It just didn’t fit his profile of a woman. Women were supposed to marry and have children. Not be outlaws. But, then, neither was being a doctor considered to be a woman’s job. And Marie was a very good doctor. So why couldn’t a woman be a bank robber?

Diane came to collect the plates. “What’s wrong with the Marshal? He didn’t eat.”

Distractedly Bennett answered her, “Oh, just not hungry, I guess.”

“That’s sure not like Jack. Hope it wasn’t the food.”

“Good morning, Clive,” Martin Webber called out cheerfully, “Why didn’t you tell us that the bank robber had been arrested yesterday. It sounds so fascinating. We heard about it at the boarding house. Was it really a woman?”

Frank Collins walked up behind Martin. “Bring us some coffee and breakfast,” he ordered crossly glancing at the waitress.

“Certainly, sir,” said Diane, giving Collins a withering look. She was sure she wasn’t going to like the man. She didn’t usually get treated that way, since her husband Zac owned the saloon.

“I heard an American lawman brought in the robber last night,” continued Martin. He seemed exceptionally interested in the robbery.

Bennett wasn’t sure how the word had spread that Craddock’s prisoner was a woman but he suspected it was going to cause problems. The gossip grapevine in Bordertown was a good one that got out all the juicy tidbits way to quickly. He tried to downplay the situation. “Marshal Craddock recovered the stolen money and arrested a suspect. There wasn’t much to it. Besides, the bank is on the American side, so it is an American problem.”

Diane had poured coffee for Webber and Collins and refilled the Mounties cup. Collins stirred in a spoonful of cream. “I didn’t realize there was a United States Marshal here in Bordertown.”

“Since Bordertown is part Canadian and part American, there needs to be a lawman for both sides,” explained Bennett.

“Sounds as if the bank needs to have more security in it,” commented Webber.

“Maybe so,” said Bennett. “It didn’t use to be that way, but Bordertown is growing and that is causing more and more criminals to be attracted to the town. I’m sure Mr. MacWherter will be a lot more careful about locking the back door from now on.” Bennett was glad to see Lisa Webber enter the saloon and put an end to the conversation. “ ‘Morning, Lisa,” he stood and seated her beside her husband. “Did you sleep well?”

“Yes,” she answered, “our room is quite comfortable, even if it is a bit small.”

Bennett returned to his seat. “Do you have plans for today? I would be glad to show you some of the wonderful country around Bordertown.”

“Maybe tomorrow, Clive; that was such a long ride on the stage I think I’d rather just rest and see the town today.”

“Yes, I think so,” agreed Martin.

“Well, you’ve probably already seen most of the town,” laughed Clive. “There isn’t much to it. It’s small and quiet but friendly.”

“I’m sure it is,” said Lisa.

As Diane served their food, Bennett stood, again. “I should get back to the office. If you need anything let me know.”

**********

Collins and the Webbers finished their breakfast and walked out to the edge of town.

“It really is very pretty here,” said Martin.

“There’s nothing to do; no shops, theater, fine restaurants, or anything,” complained Lisa.

Martin reached around her waist and pulled her to him. She turned her head so that his he kissed her check instead of her lips. “After we get the money, we’ll be able to go and do anything we want,” he said.

“Are you sure the shipment is to stop here?” asked Collins.

“Of course. I told you it was. I sent all kinds of letters changing the route and making a layover here necessary. It is coming on tomorrow’s stage, and won’t leave until the next one. We’ll have plenty of time. The bank will be real easy.”

“I thought you said Bennett was the only lawman here,” grumbled Lisa.

“I didn’t figure on that Marshal,” said Martin, “but I’m sure he won’t be much of a problem.”

“I can handle the Marshal, and your Mountie friend, too,” Collins assured Lisa and Martin. “They won’t be any kind of problem.”

**********

Wendell MacWherter spotted the tall, blonde Mountie leaving the saloon and called to him. “Corporal Bennett, may I speak with you?”

Bennett changed direction and went across the street to the bank. He wondered what MacWherter wanted. “What is it?”

“I – um – I, Corporal Bennett, I think there’s something I should tell you. You and Marshal Craddock,” stammered the banker, twisting his hat in his hands.

“Well, is it about the robber?”

“No, not really – but – I wasn’t supposed to tell anyone – but I think I should tell you – and Craddock – especially since the robbery yesterday.”

Bennett waited impatiently for Wendell to continue.

“There’s a large shipment coming in tomorrow.” MacWherter said in a rush. “It’s coming on the stage and then – then it’s to stay here in the bank until the next stage.”

“Why is the shipment staying over here?” asked the Mountie.

“I don’t know,” answered MacWherter. “I don’t think it has ever happened before. I have orders that it would come on tomorrow’s stage and leave on the next. It’s supposed to be safer that way, according to the letter I got. There’s not to be any guards and the stage drivers won’t know that they are carrying it.”

“I’m glad you told me Wendell,” said Bennett, shaking his in disgust. It didn’t sound to smart to his way of thinking. “I’ll let Craddock know, but be sure you don’t tell anyone else. Not anyone.”

“Of course I won’t, Corporal. I wouldn’t think of it. Corporal, you and Craddock will keep a special watch while the shipment is here, won’t you? Please.”

“You can be sure of it, Wendell. By the way, have you had a chance to count the returned money? Was any of it missing?”

“Certainly I’ve counted it and, no, not one cent was missing. What will happen to that woman?”

Bennett sighed. Of course, the whole town knew the bank robber was a woman. “She’s just a suspect for now. It will be up to a judge and jury. But if found guilty, she will be sent to prison, at the very least.”

“I certainly hope so,” exclaimed MacWherter. “I wouldn’t want a person like that turned loose to rob a bank again.” He turned and re-entered the bank, slamming the door in the process.

Bennett headed for his office, again. He wondered what kind of a company would send a valuable shipment with out any security to a small town like Bordertown for a layover. It didn’t make much since. He wondered what was in the shipment. Maybe even MacWherter didn’t even know, since he hadn’t said.

**********

“ ‘Mornin’, Marie,” said Craddock. He was standing outside the office, one hand on the doorknob, fixing to enter when he sighted Doctor Dumont.

“Good morning, Jack. How is your prisoner?”

“Still sleepin’ when I looked in earlier.”

Marie entered when Jack opened the door for her and went to the jail cell. Craddock hung up his hat as he followed the doctor in.

Tess sat gingerly on the edge of the bunk. She had not had a chance to clean up or change from the dirty, bloody clothes she had warn yesterday, and looked very disheveled after sleeping in them all night. She didn’t feel much better, even after the night of rest, but she had things she had to do. And she couldn’t do them from a jail cell. She had to escape.

“Are you feeling better today, Miss Hunter?” asked Marie.

Tess was slow to answer. “I – I suppose. I still have an awful headache. I – um – might feel better if I could clean up and change.” Tess was still determined to get out of the jail, and maybe if she could convince the doctor to let her clean up she would have another chance to escape.

Marie turned to the Marshal. “Jack, she needs some privacy. Let me take her to my place so she can bathe, and change. I can loan her some clean clothes.”

Looking at Tess’ bedraggled appearance, he had to agree. “I know, and I’ll see what I can do, but she’s not leavin’ that cell. She’s already tried to escape too many times. I ain’t taken’ any chances.”

Tess could feel herself sink under Craddock’s words. She had to do something. But what?

“At least let me change the bandages,” said Marie.

“All right.” Craddock unlocked the cell door. Tess stood up as Marie stepped in, while Jack stood guard. Tess looked at the Marshal, then at Marie. With no warning, she simply collapsed onto the floor.

“Oh, NO!” cried Marie, rushing to the woman and knelling beside her.

“What happened?” Craddock asked, as he, too, rushed to help Tess. Tess lay on the wooden floor of the jail unmoving.

“What should we do?” the Marshal asked, his hand going down to her head to smooth back a lock of hair. “Did she faint?”

“Yes, I think she did. And it doesn’t look like she is going to come out of it very fast. Jack, this jail is no place for her. Bring her to my place so that I can examine her properly. Her head wound must be worse than I thought.”

Craddock scooped Tess up into his arms, holding her firmly but gently he followed Marie from the jail. As they stepped out onto the boardwalk, they almost ran into Willie Haden.

“ ‘Mornin’, Marie, Marshal. Gosh. What happened?” said the boy. He was ignored by both as they continued on, but it didn’t stop him from following them.

Being carried down the street to the doctor’s home, by the Marshal, in front of the whole town had been bad enough, but the smelling salts were more than she could handle. Tess almost jumped off the sofa Jack had laid her on, but caught herself in time. She pretended to slowly come out of the faint, pushing at Marie’s hand and the bottle of smelling salts. She half opened her eyes. “Wh – what happened?” she asked in a low whisper.

“Miss Hunter -  Tess, wake up.” Marie began loosening her shirt.

Willie now stood beside Craddock. “Is that the lady bank robber, Marshal?”

Marie turned to the boy. “Willie, I have a patient. Please leave and give her some privacy.”

Craddock pointed to the door. “Go on, Willie.”

“Ah – gee.”

“You, too. Jack.”

“Nope,” said the Marshal. “I’m stayin’. I can’t say as I trust her.” He did walk to the door and watch Willie run down the street. “This is as far as I go.”

Marie shrugged. “If you must.” She removed Tess’ boots and helped her take the man’s shirt off, to reveal a very lacey camisole. She examined her patient some more and asked her a few softly spoken questions that the lawman couldn’t make out. Tess answered with even softer answers. Finally, while Tess lay watching the Marshal, Marie changed the bandages on her head and arm and gave her a spoonful of laudanum for the pain. Then Marie fetched one of her blouses for Tess to put on in place of the bloody, torn shirt.

**********

As he returned to an empty jail office, Willie saw the Corporal down the street still in front of the bank and ran to him. Bennett didn’t need to ask any questions. “Guess what, Corporal. The lady bank robber got sick and the Marshal took her to Marie’s.”

“He did? She got sick? I’ll go check in a bit, Willie. Thanks for telling me. You had better get at your chores, shouldn’t you?” Clive was never sure what to make of the boy or any of the other children that ran about the town, frequently stopping in to visit with him and Craddock. After seeing Willie on his way, he headed for the doctor’s home. “How is she?” he asked when he arrived.

“I can’t find anything wrong, except for the injuries she already had,” Marie said as she joined the two men in the dining room where they were sitting at her dining table. “I think she is just exhausted and needs to rest.” She pulled a blanket from a chest and went to spread it over Tess. “You lie there and rest, and I’ll bring you some soup in a few minutes.”

Tess nodded agreement and closed her eyes.

Marie and the lawmen went to the kitchen. She poured coffee for each of them and herself. Jack leaned against the doorframe and drank his. “Guess I was wrong, makin’ her stay at the jail last night,” he admitted.

“It is my fault, also, Jack. If I had realized she was that badly hurt, I would have insisted on bringing her here,” said Marie.

“Will she be all right?” asked Bennett.

“She may have a concussion. I’m not sure. It is so hard to tell with head injuries. But, I’m sure she will be all right with lots of rest and care.” She added a few pieces of firewood from the box nearby to the wood cookstove. Next she took a bowl from the ice box, poured it into a pan, set it on the stove and stirred the soup a bit as it started heating. The fire in the stove crackled letting the warmth and aroma of the wood into the room.

Clive turned to Jack. “I just talked to MacWherter. He said all of the money was there. None of it was missing. That should help.”

“It certainly should,” agreed Marie. She stirred the soup one more time, and then poured part of it into a bowl. “It is a shame that our society causes a person to fall to the level that they think the only thing left is to rob a bank to get money so they can eat. I dislike the thought of Tess now having to go to prison for what she did. Surely the judge won’t make her since the money was returned.”

“But she didn’t return it voluntarily, Marie,” added Clive. “That is the problem. And she wouldn’t have except that Jack caught her. Have you sent a notice off to the Judge?”

At first Craddock seemed not to hear what Clive had asked. His thoughts were far away. “Uh – oh – yeah. I’ll get one off on tomorrow’s stage.” Craddock peaked into the other room at Tess. She was still sleeping. “Guess I better send a letter to Tessie’s pa while I’m at it,” he added.

**********

Tess had pulled the blanket up and snuggled down into the sofa with it. It was so comfortable she wished she could stay right where she was and do as Marie said, but she knew she couldn’t. She could see Jack through her half closed eyes. She could hear the mummer of their voices. Then she heard the Marshal as he spoke a little louder saying he would send a letter to Teaspoon. That was all she needed. She was thirty-two years old and certainly didn’t need her father coming after her. He still had a tendency to want to treat her as a child anyway. But she supposed all parents were that way.

Craddock moved on into the kitchen and sat down at the table and disappeared from her sight. For the moment, she couldn’t see either of the two lawmen or Marie.

Tess slowly sat up, and then stood. Picking up her boots, she silently made for the front door. She was thankful for the thick carpet on the floor. She eased the door open. Being in good repair it only made one soft click as she opened it. She didn’t dare shut it completely. Standing on the porch, she pulled on her boots.

Her first thought was for her own horse at the stable, but decided it would take too long and was too risky. She saw a saddled, chestnut mare tied at the stable door. She would do just fine. Tess walked over to the mare and reached for the reins.

“Hey, that’s my horse!” a man yelled.

Dropping the reins, Tess took of at a run.

“She’s gone,” called Marie, looking at the sofa. She had returned to the living room to check on her patient, and give her the soup.

Craddock ran in from the kitchen turning a chair over in the process. He started to say something. “That little….” He never finished, but ran out the front door in time to see Tess running around the stable.

She heard the Marshal behind her. She tried to run faster but he was already upon her. He caught her shoulder and jerked her around. She almost went down under the strength of his grip.

“You never learn, do you?” he yelled. He was mad and angry and totally exasperated with her. “Damn it, Tess what…” He couldn’t continue. He didn’t know what to say to her or what to do with her. He wanted to help her, but she just wouldn’t let him.

At that moment, Bennett ran up. He couldn’t help but grin at the speechless Marshal glaring at the would-be lady outlaw. Then he looked at Tess. He could see how scared she was, and a crowd was gathering. “Come on, Cradock. Let’s take her back to Marie’s. All right, everyone, go on about your business. We’ll take care of this.” At Bennett’s insistence, the town’s people began leaving but all the while they were whispering and talking about the woman bank robber.

Back at Marie’s Craddock seated Tess at the table and tried again. “Why did you do it? Again. Why did you try to escape again? And were you pretending you were sick this mornin’?”

“I had to.” Tess’ lower lip quivered. There were tears in her eyes, even though she was trying hard not to cry. She would just have to make Jack believe her and she knew crying wouldn’t help. “I had to,” she repeated.

“Why did you have to? Come on, Tess, you’re not makin’ any since. I’ll try and help you out of this but you’re sure not makin’ it any easier by always tryin’ to get away.”

“Stop yelling at her, Jack. Can’t you see how scared she is?” Marie tried to calm both the Marshal and his prisoner. “Take your time, Tess, and tell us why you are so determined to get away. I think there is more to this than just the robbery, isn’t there?”

Tess nodded. She couldn’t stop the couple of stray tears that coursed down her checks, leaving dirty streaks. She swiped at them with the back of her hand. She took a deep breath. She knew she had to tell the whole sorry story to these people. “It’s – it’s my daughter,” she blurted out.

“You’re what?” asked Jack, not believing he had heard her right.

“My daughter, Buddy. I left her at an old cabin near here. Her, my gear, and some horses. Please, you have to believe me, Jack. She’s only a little girl. I told her I might be gone overnight, but I didn’t plan on being gone this long and I know she’ll be getting really scared by now. Please, please I have to go get her.”

“Do you really expect me to believe a story like that? Can’t you come up with anything any better,” Craddock looked at Bennett, almost laughing. “Do you believe that story?”

 “I’m not so sure, Craddock. Maybe she is telling the truth,” remarked Bennett. Tess certainly looked sincere to him even if it was a wild story. “Why didn’t you tell us about your daughter before?”

“Would you have believed me any better before than you do now? Would either of you really have believed me?”

“Really, Tess,” Jack was getting madder. “You don’t have no daughter. Or have you forgotten we knew each other pretty well before.”

“That was over six years ago. She’s only five. You wouldn’t have known about her since I had her after you left Texas. Please, Jack, go with me to the cabin.” Tess looked from one man to the other, and then at Marie. “We can’t leave her there.”

“Maybe we should check it out,” Bennett said to Craddock. “Just in case she is telling the truth.”

“Jack, you have to go. A little girl. She can not be left out there. We have to know for sure,” said Marie. Somehow she was sure that Tess was telling the truth.

Craddock knew they were right. They couldn’t take a chance on leaving a small child out there alone. “Where is this cabin? You best be tellin’ the truth. It better not be another trick.”

“I’ve never lied to you, Jack. I tried to escape and I robbed the bank, but I never lied to you. Not ever,” whispered Tess under her breath, but Craddock heard her and turned to stare at her wondering if there was a double meaning to her words.

**********

Tess, Craddock, and Bennett rode up to the old, rundown cabin. It looked ready to fall in on it’s self. There was no sign of life. The door hung open at an odd angle, hanging by one leather hinge. The glass was long gone from the windows, if there had ever been any.

“You sure this is the place?” asked Craddock.

“I’m sure. Buddy! Where are you, Buddy? Mama’s here now.” Tess swung out of her saddle, as did Jack and Clive. The Marshal grabbed her arm, and handed her to Bennett. “Stay here while I have a look.” Both men had drawn their guns. They didn’t want to be caught unawares if there was someone besides a child hiding here.

“Where is she? I have to look for her.” Tess was really getting scared and started toward the cabin. Why hadn’t Buddy answered her, and come out?

Bennett kept a hold of her arm. “Like Jack said, stay here.” They watched as the Marshal stepped into the doorway, and then on inside. He reappeared a moment later.

“Nothin’. What are you tryin’ to pull, Tess?” He sighed in disgust at her and himself for believing her. “I’ll check around back.”

He hadn’t quite made it around the corner of the building when a shot rang out and dirt spurted only a foot or so from his boots. Craddock jumped back and up against the wall of the cabin raising his gun and looking for a target.

“Buddy?” yelled Tess as the Mountie pulled her into the little bit of shelter offered by the cabin.

“You turn my mama loose!” screamed out a small but determined voice.

“Buddy?” Tess called again. “Where are you? Come here.”

Gradually they made out the shape of a child standing in the shadow of a tree to one side of the cabin. She had a huge pistol cocked and pointed at Craddock. Or at least it looked huge in the hands of the tiny girl.

“Put that thing down before someone gets hurt,” Cradock said and holstered his own gun, as did Bennett.

Tess pulled away and started toward her daughter.

“Tess, hold it, just have her put the gun down on the ground,” cautioned Craddock. “Don’t need her accidentally shootin’ you, or us, or herself.” He was also thinking that he didn’t want Tess to get her hands on the gun.

Tess instinctively knew what Jack was thinking and stopped where she was. She wasn’t about to pick up the gun, as she didn’t want Buddy getting hurt. But Jack didn’t know that and she had done too much to cause his mistrust now. “Put the gun on the ground, Buddy.”

“But, Mama. Those men. Are they goin’ to hurt us?”

“No, Buddy. No one is going to get hurt. Put the gun on the ground. Now. Then come here.”

After glaring at the two lawmen for a long moment the little girl did has Tess had instructed, although she didn’t like it. Craddock quickly picked up the pistol and unloaded the unfired chambers, while Tess grabbed her daughter and hugged her tightly. “It’s all right, Buddy. I’m here now. I didn’t mean to be gone so long. I’m sorry, so sorry.”

“I wasn’t scared, Mama. Really I wasn’t.” But tears were flowing unchecked down Buddy’s face, and she hide in her mother’s shoulder.

“Well, maybe you weren’t, baby. But I sure was,” said Tess as she looked at Craddock, and whipped tears out of her eyes. “Thank you, Jack, for bringing me out here.”

 

The Marshal watched the reunion while Bennett circled the cabin checking to see if there was any one else around. “You really should a told me yesterday. First off. ‘Fore we ever even when back to Bordertown.”

“I know. I guess I’ve been just doin’ everything wrong,” said Tess.

Just then the loud, vicious barking of a dog was heard.

“Hey,” yelled Bennett. “Get back.”

“Rustler!” cried Tess and Buddy at the same time, and ran toward where Clive was, with Craddock right behind them.

Bennett was backed against a tree, his gun pointed at a large shepherd dog that looked as if it would attack at any second. It was crouched down and growling, its eyes fixed on the Mountie, looking more like a wolf than a dog.

“Rustler, No. Come,” commanded Tess. Slowly the dog stopped growling and went to her. “He won’t hurt you, Corporal, not now.” Tess and Buddy petted and reassured the dog but it continued to growl every time either man moved.

“You sure you can control him?” asked Bennett as he slowly left his stand by the tree, and holstered his revolver.

The Marshal stepped to a large mound of gear half hidden in the brush and gathered up a rifle, a shotgun, and a knife. “You come prepared for a war, Tess. Got anymore weapons hid out in this stuff?”

“No, Jack, no more tricks, and I promise I won’t try to get away again. I just wanted Buddy safe.”