LIVE BAIT
There was a day of anxious waiting when they sat and watched the
trails and then, in the twilight, Hall led Allifair up the chasm and
showed her how to bait and set his traps. He helped her gather acorns,
carried in a last load of wood and, late in the evening, they parted.
She was brave again now, though she still hoped he would relent; but
the traditions of a lifetime were behind his resolve and he left her
without a tremor. Even his last kiss seemed cold, as if his mind had
leapt ahead and was held by the grim task before him; and his voice,
when he spoke, had the sternness of an ascetic who has banished all
weakness from his life.
"I must go," he said, "and fight this out with Isham, and they will
hunt me through the hills like a wild animal. And your part is to stay,
like a wild animal, too, hidden away where no one can find you. But
this is our last trial, and when I come back I hope it will be with
honor."
He left her then suddenly, before she could answer, and glided away
into the darkness; and Allifair clutched the pistol, which he had given
her for her safety, and returned to the eagles' nest alone. She was
like an eagle now that has lost its chosen mate, and its power to fly
as well; and if he did not come back she would be more than lost, for
the world would be empty without him. Yet what he said was true--it was
her part to wait; the rest was in the hands of God.
As for Hall he rode forth cautiously, scouting around above the
Basin; until at last it came over him that the Scarboroughs had taken
cover--they were shut up within the Rock House. Around the bunk-house
and corrals the Texas gunmen swarmed like flies; but they did not ride
abroad, not even to the store--except when some one had called. Then
they rode over in threes and fours, probably to get the latest news
as it was retailed by the inquisitive store-keeper. After that he
moved more freely and on the fourth day he sighted Meshackatee riding
south at the head of a posse. But this was no posse of three or four
fugitives, scouting anxiously around through the hills; it numbered
ten fighting men, and they rode down by the main trail from the north.
Winchester Bassett was still with him and Grimes, the sheepman; the
others were strangers to Hall.
"Hello!" hailed Meshackatee, when Hall showed himself above them. "Come
down and tell us what you know."
They halted on the trail and after Hall had shaken hands Meshackatee
drew him aside.
"Where you been?" he said. "Still gunning for Isham? Well, we've got
him holed up like a fox. Grimes came down here last week with a
bunch of Latter Day Saints; and we busted him, by grab, over night.
Or at least, Grimes did--I wasn't in on the deal--not officially. It
was a dirty job, anyway--they hung that little kid that we caught up
Horse-thief Canyon. No, not the one that cried--that nervy little
devil that stood up and told us where to go to. He was too damned
nervy--that's the trouble."
"And are you going back?" demanded Hall, "to repeat the performance?
Because if you are----"
"Oh, no, no!" protested Meshackatee, "that was too durned raw for me.
And besides, I'm an officer of the law. This is a regularly appointed
posse of deputy sheriffs, and we're going to serve a warrant on Isham."
"You'll never do it!" declared Hall. "I've been watching him for
two days and he never goes away from the Rock House. And he's got
twenty-two men, not counting himself and Elmo--that bunch could stand
off an army."
"Yes, they could so," admitted Meshackatee, "they's no use denying
it. But Grimes and his men are so crazy to git at him that Winchester
and me have give up. They're going to storm that house, if it's the
last act of their lives--unless we can tole Isham out! Say, there's an
idee," he said, stopping to scratch his bearded chin, "I'll tell you
how I believe we can work it. We can let you go in first; and, unless
I'm greatly mistaken, he'll take after you like a bat out of hell."
"No he won't!" returned Hall. "I know him too well. And besides, I've
got a plan of my own. I don't want him to know I'm alive."
"No, but listen," insisted Meshackatee, "what do you care what he
knows, as long as we git 'im between the eyes? We'll lay the ambush
first and you lead him into it--we don't care, we'll take on the whole
bunch of 'em!"
"Well," began Hall, and Meshackatee grabbed him by the shoulder.
"That's the talk!" he said. "Come on!"
"No, I don't agree to that," answered Hall, shaking him off. "But I
tell you what I might do."
"Well, go ahead!" cried Meshackatee, dragging him back to the posse.
"Hey, boys, here's a man we can rely on. Go ahead, Hall, and tell us
your scheme."
"I've noticed," explained Hall as the posse gathered about him, "that
all the Scarborough men keep close to the house. They're afraid to go
out into the hills. But every time some neutral rides up to the store
they go over there, sooner or later, to get the news. Now, if you
gentleman will conceal yourself inside the foundation of that burned
house----"
"Hooray!" cheered Meshackatee, giving him a slap on the back, "I told
you he'd think up some scheme. And in the morning you can show up in
the open."
"I'll do more than that," answered Hall, "I'll ride in from the
south--alone. They'd be sure to scent a trap if they saw me there
already; but if I came in just at dawn, and rode away with some
provisions, I feel sure that some of them would follow. There's a
thousand dollars reward on my head."
"Aha!" cackled Grimes, who had been wagging his head in approval, "so
that's how bad they want ye!"
"Yes," nodded Hall, "but that's the very reason why we'll never lure
Isham himself. He'll hold back and let his gunmen do the riding."
"Well, we'll see," asserted Grimes, "and if Isham don't come out we'll
damned sure go in there and git him. D'ye remember what I told you when
he killed my boss herder? Well, I've got three of his cowboys already.
And I ain't started, man, don't you never forgit that--nor these
fellers here ain't started. Them Texans of his rode up to their ranches
and took the work-horses off of their plows. D'ye think they'll stand
for that? Not while there's a man above the Rim that can shoot!"
"Well, come on," broke in Meshackatee, "we'd better git out of here
before some neutral comes by and tips our hand. And to make it look
convincing, in case any one is watching, we'll turn around and ride
back north."
He led the way up the canyon and they camped in a pocket where they
could waylay every man that passed by; but the times were troublous
and not a soul came or went, to add to the Mormons' grim toll. They
were frankly out for blood and Hall made no protest, even when Grimes
taunted him about the boy they had hung. He was a boy, that was true,
but he had not heeded their warning; and they had caught him redhanded
again. Hall kept away from the posse, talking gravely with Winchester
who was now the last of the Bassetts; and that evening after dark they
took the trail to Maverick Basin, surrounding the store an hour past
midnight.
They found Johnson hiding in bed, trembling and begging for mercy,
for he remembered the fate of the night-guard; and long before dawn
they had schooled him in the part which he must act in the grim play
to come. When Hall rode up, Johnson was to step out and meet him and
stand talking so the Scarboroughs could see them; and then he was to
retreat and come out with provisions, which were to be tied on the back
of Hall's saddle. That was all, except at the end Johnson was to give
the watching Scarboroughs a signal--and if the signal did not work,
if the Scarboroughs refrained from coming, then the store-keeper was
to be hung as a traitor. And the posse meant it, too, as Johnson soon
divined; and besides, he had seen the three cowboys.
Hall rode away north with the men who were to guard the horses, and
as the false dawn appeared he took to the brush, coming out past the
Bassett place at daylight. The hounds, as he had expected, suddenly
rushed out at him baying; and as he spurred rapidly away they set up
such a barking that the Scarborough dogs took up the cry. In the
distance he could see them running out from the Rock House and as the
uproar continued the kitchen door swung open and a woman stepped boldly
out. It was Miz Zoolah, and she would know him by his horse--the stage
was set for the play.
He rode up to the store, without glancing at the stone foundation
which sheltered Winchester Bassett and three Mormons, and Johnson came
tottering out the door. His face was ghastly white and his watery eyes
were swimming; but Meshackatee from inside the door was coaching him
like a prompter and he stumbled through his part.
"Why, howdy do, Mr. Hall," he fawned. "Git down, git down!" And Hall
replied in kind. They held a short conversation, then Hall ordered his
provisions and sat watching the Rock House while he waited. There was
movement there now and well he knew the glasses that were focussed
on his form; but he took the matter coolly, tying the provisions on
behind, and motioned Johnson to go back to the store. Then he rode off
to the north, leaving the leaven to do its work, yet half hoping that
Isham would be spared. For when Isham met his fate Hall wanted to be
present--he wanted to launch his black soul into hell; but now he was
only the bait of the trap--live bait, to lure the fox from his den.
From his hiding-place inside the store Meshackatee watched through his
glasses as the outlaws in the Rock House began to swarm; and when they
went for their horses he relayed the news to Winchester, who was in
command of the men behind the wall. Grimes remained in the store, to
back up Meshackatee when he called upon the Scarboroughs to surrender;
and four men were with the horses, which were hidden behind a hill out
of sight from possible raiders. They had learned their parts well, not
a man moved or spoke more than to give orders to the terror-stricken
Johnson; and as he tottered wretchedly about, chopping wood and drawing
water, they waited like cats by a hole.
An hour passed and Johnson came inside, for Meshackatee distrusted
him still; and as the Scarboroughs milled about without making any
start, Grimes took up a grim watch over the store-keeper. He had been
seen to make his signals, which he claimed meant all was well; but the
Scarboroughs, instead of coming, were gathered in a bunch, apparently
engaged in hot argument. Perhaps after all the store-keeper was nervier
than he looked, he might even have signaled them a warning; and in that
case the posse would find themselves besieged and left in a perilous
state. For the first thing that would happen would be the loss of their
horses, and along with the horses four men; and to be set afoot in a
strange and hostile country was disaster enough in itself. But if these
things should happen Grimes already had the rope which was to hang the
treacherous store-keeper.
There was a turmoil at the Rock House, men mounted and stepped down
again; and finally, after starting in a body for the store, all but
two of the gunmen turned back. These came on at a gallop, spurring and
swinging their quirts, and as they thundered up the trail Meshackatee
focussed his glasses and spoke through the doorway to Winchester.
"Here comes Elmo," he said, "and some other crazy fool. Kill the both
of them if they go for their guns. But remember--we're deputies! And
don't nobody shoot till I say: 'Surrender, in the name of the law!'"
He put up his glasses and turned to the storekeeper, who stood like a
man in a dream.
"Step out, Mr. Johnson," he ordered coldly. "Can't you see them two
customers coming?"
"But--but you're going to kill them!" protested Johnson in a frenzy.
"Git out there!" cursed Grimes, grabbing him roughly by the neck, "and
you stand up to it, or I'll shoot you in the back!"
Johnson drew a great breath and stepped out the door just as the
horsemen came galloping up. In the lead came Elmo, setting his horse up
to make a show; but the man who was behind him reined his horse in more
warily, glancing quickly about as he stopped. Meshackatee peeped out
through a loop-hole, nodded his head at Grimes, and stepped to the side
of the doorway.
"Who's in there?" demanded Elmo, hearing the quick stir of feet, and
Meshackatee threw up his gun.
"Surrender!" he shouted, "in the name of the----"
_Bang!_ went Grimes' rifle and Elmo lopped forward, shot dead by the
heavy .45. The man behind made a grab for his carbine, then whirled his
horse to flee; but before he could start there was a volley from the
foundation and he pitched off, still clutching at his gun. The horse
raced away, pitching and kicking at the saddlegun, which hung flopping,
half-drawn from the scabbard; and this was the messenger of defeat for
the Scarboroughs--another empty saddle coming home. They who lived by
the sword had perished by the sword--the ambushers had run into an
ambush. And in this last disaster Isham Scarborough read his doom. When
the morning came again he was gone.