By the time Tom arrived in town it was an hour before opening time and he had plenty of time to put the note in the right place before the streets would be alive. Sneaking into the alley he waited there to see what the results were then he could report back to Hart. Tom peeked around the corner to see Carl riding down Main Street bent double over his horse. Running out of the alley he met him half way and saw that his shoulder was bloody and plus a lot of cuts and bruises like he was in a fight. Taking him to the doctor's office to see how bad he was Carl whispered to Tom what had happened at the camp last night.
After dropping Carl off at the docs Tom would ride over to Hart's place to let him know what happen. However before he could do anything the townsfolk started gathering in the street to open their business for the day. The Livery man told the audience that he saw everything that happen and soon the crowd was moving to the doc's place to see for themselves. The sheriff Mac came strolling along and noticed the crowd in front of the doc's place so he headed that way to investigate. Upon reaching the crowd he asked in a demanding voice what was going on. An old lady told him that the livery man saw a wounded man come into the town.
Thinking rather quickly as not to draw attention to himself because that was the last thing he wanted at this moment. Suddenly an idea pop into his head that would make the townsfolk turn against Garrett more than anything.
“Sheriff Mac, Carl said he was attacked by that dam half breed Garrett.” shouted Tom. “He saw him hit the young lady, Genisis.”
“What, are you sure that is what Carl told you.” asked Sheriff Mac with a concerned look on his face.
Tom just nodded his head and looked at all the angry townsfolk with an evil smile on both his face and theirs.
“Sheriff” yelled Nathan who came running up the street from his store waving a letter. “This was attached to my door. That dam Indian has my daughter. What are you going to do about it? If that dam Indian has hurt her in any way…”
“Don't finish that statement.” said Sheriff Mac. “Let me read the letter first.” After reading the letter for the second time he looked up at Nathan.” He is asking for food, ammo, money and horses. When he gets the supplies he will let your daughter go. You know that will not happen and he will probably kill her so that she couldn't identify him.” Nathan nodded his head that he knew and understood.
“Nathan, darling, please try to stay calm.” said Louise who had been crying as her eyes were red and swollen.
“We'll get a search party ready, first we check the town. Then we will broaden out to the area around the town.” said Sheriff Mac. “Where did this take place?”
“I'm not too sure.” said Tom “Carl passed out after that. Have to wait till he comes around.”
The Sheriff stepped into the doc's office to see if he could question Carl but doc said that he was asleep and wouldn't wake up till tomorrow. Doc Adams explained that Carl had lot of minor cuts but the major one was the knife wound in his shoulder. It will be a few weeks before he would be able to work. Leaving the office the sheriff headed to his place where the search party was gathering and waiting.
“Listen! Every one, as I said before we will check the town first then search the area around the town till dark. Then we will have to wait till daylight to search the forest.” ordered Sheriff Mac.
The search party spread out to start their search while Nathan was heading to the livery stable but the sheriff stopped him when he was halfway there. As polite as he could the sheriff told him it was best for him to stay behind and attend his store. Yelling at the top of his lungs Nathan argued that he was going and nothing was going to stop him. After a few minutes he calmed down enough so that the sheriff could finish his explanation. Thinking of the correct words to say the sheriff simply put it this way that he was too emotionally involve which would cause problems for the rest of the search party.
Stomping his feet with each angry stride he headed back to the store where he saw his wife standing on the porch looking at him with hope. Reining in his temper he walked up the steps to enfold his wife in his arms and whispered that they will find her, despite their feelings for their daughter she was still their property and was valuable. At least before any Indian touched her. Together they entered the store to get it ready for their first wave of customers. This way it will keep them busy.
Deciding it would look suspicious if he left right now so Tom wrote a note for Hart so he would know what was going on. Seeing a young boy standing on the street he asked the boy if he wanted to earn a dollar which he nodded yes. Tom instructed him to take this letter to Hart's ranch then come right back. Then he gave him the dollar which he put in his pocket. The boy ran to the livery stable to get his horse saddle then rode out at a fast gallop.
Not long later Hart saw the boy riding into his yard and stepped outside to see what was so important for him to come out. The boy handed him the note then left to go back to town. But before he left Hart gave him another dollar for all of his trouble which the boy put in his pocket along with the other dollar.
Walking back inside the house he poured himself some more coffee then sat down to read the letter. After reading the letter he crumpled it up and threw it in the fire then finished his coffee. His whole plan was destroyed by that dam Indian. Now he would have to wait to see what was going to happen. While finishing his coffee an idea came to him that he will join the search party and make them believe that Garrett would do the girl harm. The townsfolk will be so riled that they would run him out of town for good.
Getting up from the table he walked to the door where his hat and coat were hanging on the wall to the right. Putting his hat on then shrugging into his coat he walked out to the barn to get his horse saddle for the ride into town. When entering the barn he saw one of his ranch hands cleaning out a stall and told him that he had some business to attend to in town. That he would be back after supper so the ranch hand told him that he will look after things till he got back.
Riding away from his ranch Frank Hart was plotting out his plan to get even with the Indian. He was so deep in thought that he failed to realize that he was riding down the main street of the town. Looking around there was nobody in sight just like it was a ghost town. Then he saw Tom by the livery stables and the Carter brothers were riding in from the other direction.
Looking up Tom saw Hart and the brothers ride in a slow manner as if they were checking out the place. Leaving the stables he motion to the brothers to meet him at the cafe. As the brothers rode by Hart, Harold mouth the words meet at cafe.
The Carter brothers tied their mounts to the rail then sauntered into the cafe as if they were some notorious outlaws. Five minutes later Hart entered the cafe with Tom on his heels. Heading to the back table where they could talk in private, everybody ordered some black coffee and a pie. Sitting at the table waiting for their order to come the gang just made some small talk about nothing. After a while the waitress brought their coffee and pie Tom explained what had happened at the shack as well as how Carl got hurt.
“What are we going to do now?” said James. “Do you think that Indian has the girl?”
“I believe he does.” said Hart. “I have an idea that will turn the town against him forever.”
“Why don't we just drop the whole idea.” said Tom who was stuffing some peach pie into his mouth.
“We are dropping nothing. We are only changing a few minor details to make us look better to the citizens of this town.” explained Hart who drank some of his now cool coffee.
“What is your plan, boss.” said Harold who waved the waitress over for some more coffee.
Hart waited till the waitress filled up all the cups then left to attend other customers who had entered the cafe. When the waitress was gone Hart explained to them that they will join the search party and pretend to help in the search. Each one of them will join a different search party and drop hints how you can't trust an Indian. That the Indians are very sneaky and are out to murder and rape us. So that when he is finally caught the town folks will be ready to hang him or run him out of the town for good, preferably the former.
The four of them had a good laugh over the hanging part of the plan. Glancing out the window he saw some of search party were coming in and some were going out. This was their chance to join in the search. Getting up from the table the four of them headed to the door on the way out Harold paid for the coffee and pie.
Stepping out on the boardwalk Tom turned to Hart to tell him that he was going to check on Carl. To see if he is awake so that he could fill him in on what is happening. Just in case the sheriff decides to talk to him. Hart nodded his head for it was a good idea for they needed to have no more screw ups.
While Tom went to the doc's place the rest of the gang joined different parts of the party. Before turning the door handle Tom looked back to see that each one of the gang had went into different groups. At that very moment he regretted ever siding in with Frank but it was too late to get out.
With a deep sigh he went in to the office to see if the doc would let him see Carl. Looking up from doing his paper work he told him that Carl is awake and he could talk for a few minutes. Going into the room he saw that he was awake but in a lot of pain. Sitting down in the chair Tom leaned over to tell him what all was going on. And for him to say that the Indian attack him which Carl nodded that he did. Also Frank has a plan to make the Indian look bad to the town folks. He mumbled that he understood and wished that he never agreed to such an idea before falling back into a trouble sleep.
Leaving Tom to contemplate everything that he had and will do, all in the name of pride and revenge.
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