Welcome To The Bullpen
The Journey
Robert Collins
Ethan Miller was leaning against the support beam under the wooden awning on Front Street. He was in the shade, avoiding the direct heat of the sun and watching the activity on the dirt road. A few people were walking from one side of the street to the other. There were half dozen horses tied-up in front of the saloon and a buckboard was being loaded in front of the general store. He pulled a stick match out of his vest pocket and stuck it between his teeth. Ethan pushed his hat back revealing his entire face.
Across the street, a middle aged woman stepped off the boardwalk and headed right for him. It was Lizzy O’Donnell, the wife of the local preacher. He could tell by her gait and smile that she was going to want something from him and he was sure he wanted nothing to do with it.
“Hello Mr. Miller. Can I have a few minutes with you?” She asked with a bright smile, looking up at the tall man.
“Why sure, Mrs. O’Donnell, what can I do for you?” He replied with a friendly smile that gave his black eyes a soft look. Normally, they were dark and disconcerting; especially to those who did not know him. At one time, Miller was the sheriff but had relinquished that duty as he was unable to deal with the politics of the small town. He’d given it a good effort for two years but left the position when Preacher O’Donnell asserted his authority over the treatment of a young man he had arrested. It took a little more convincing to encourage a local boy to behave himself on a Saturday night drunk. The preacher felt that Ethan was a little over zealous in his treatment of the local cowboy, Junior Jackson. It wasn’t the first time Miller needed to use a little extra effort in curtailing the unlawful elements, but this one happened to be the son of a popular rancher.
“Mr. Miller, Could I call you Ethan? I think we know each other well enough that I can use your Christian name. I remember when you first came to this town.”
“Of course, Mrs. O’Donnell, call me Ethan.” Arriving in Smithtown twelve years earlier, he had escaped from an orphanage in Joplin, Missouri when he was fourteen. He headed for Kansas City to get lost in the crowd and had somehow ended up in Smithtown, Kansas.
“Ethan, my daughter Susan is coming home. As you know, she has been away at school back east. She’s completed her studies and will be arriving in Kansas City in the next week or so. I was hoping you would be willing to fetch her from the train station and return her home for me?” She grabbed his forearm and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Is that something you could do for us? I’ll gladly pay you ten dollars for your time.”
Ethan had a dim memory of a tall gangly fifteen year old girl with red hair and freckles; with a disposition of a rattler. He could certainly use the money, though. He knew getting involved with the O’Donnell family would somehow result in some anxiety. But, ten dollars was a great deal of money.
“I don’t know Mrs. O’Donnell. Your husband certainly doesn’t have a high opinion of me. After that episode with Junior Jackson, I don’t suppose he would want me to get involved with your daughter.”
“Quite the contrary, Ethan, Mr. O’Donnell and I discussed this and we agree that you would be the best person for the job. It is quite a ride from here to Kansas City and back again and we know with your experience our Susan would arrive home safely. With you being an ex-lawman, we know that you can take care of yourself and any situation that might arise.” She said glancing at the pistol on his hip.
Ethan looked pensive for a moment and then replied. “Well if you and Mr. O’Donnell both feel that way, I guess I could fetch Susan for you.”
“That is wonderful, Ethan. I’ll convey your response to Mr. O’Donnell and we will make the arrangement right away. We’ll be receiving a wire from Susan any day now and I’ll let you know what day she’s to arrive.”
He watched Mrs. O’Donnell walk back to the other side of the street. He had a premonition that this was one job he should have refused. But then again, he could use the money.
*
Four days later he was on his way to Kansas City to pick-up his charge. It was just past sun-up and it would be a long hard ride, especially since he was in a buckboard and not on his horse. The road was bumpy and dry, throwing a blanket of dust around the wagon, the two horses and Ethan.
He arrived in Kansas City just before noon and made his way to the train station. It had been many years since he’d been in Kansas City and he was amazed at its growth. Many of the building had four or five stories and the streets were busy with all kinds of traffic. He had to wait several times for cattle to clear the road.
He found a spot for the wagon a couple blocks from the station and walked through the crowd to the arrival area. He made his way to the platform and saw a young woman standing by several large bags and a trunk. From where he stood, he could see that she was tall with long strawberry blonde hair. Could that be Susan O’Donnell, he thought. If it was, she’d grown into quite a woman.
He slowly approached the woman and she watched him as he neared. He stopped a few feet from her and removed his hat.
“Hello, ma’am, are you Susan O’Donnell?” He said with a smile.
“Yes!” She said harshly. “Who would you be?”
“Why, I’m Ethan Miller. Didn’t your mother wire you that I was coming?”
“Yes, but I didn’t expect some dusty ol’ cowboy,” she snapped. “Your hands are filthy and these bags are new.”
What have I got myself into, Ethan thought. Be polite, get her home and collect the ten dollars.
“Well, the road is dry and there was lots of dust. I’m afraid it will be the same on the way back to Smithtown,” he said.
“Are you telling me that I am not riding in a covered coach?” she said raising her voice.
“I’m afraid so; we’ll be riding in your family wagon.”
“For the love of God, are you serious?”
“It shouldn’t be too bad. I’ll cover your belongings with canvas and you should wear a bonnet.”
She crossed her arms and leaned back a bit and said with a mocking laugh. “Mr. Miller, I am not going with you in an open wagon. You can go back and get a real coach and pick me up tomorrow.”
Ethan put his hat back on his head and pulled it down tightly. “I’m afraid that’s not possible. Your mother told me you had to be back today and if you didn’t come along you could walk to Smithtown.” This was a lie of course but he felt it was necessary under the circumstance. There was a little smirk on Ethan face but he’d about had it with this pushy girl. “It’s up to you. Your mother made it very clear. You must come home with me tonight.”
“Well, I never….”
Before she could say another word, Ethan was walking away from Susan. He turned his head and said. “I’ll be back in ten minutes. Stay with your belonging while I get the rig; then we can go.”
Susan stood with her mouth agape and watched Ethan walk away.
A short time later, Ethan was packing Susan’s bags on the back of the wagon. He tied them down with rope and canvas and said. “It’s time to go if we want to be there before dark.” He reached out to help Susan into the wagon but she brushed his hand away and climbed into the seat.
They pulled away from the boardwalk and headed west out of Kansas City. As they came to the outskirt of town Ethan pulled the wagon to the side of the street and stopped in front of a small hotel. “It’s a long ride from here. I’ll go inside and get us a box lunch. If you’d like, I think you can freshen-up in the hotel.”
She looked at him with a little less meanness and said. “Thank you.” She climbed down and headed into the hotel lobby.
In fifteen minutes they were on their way out of Kansas City. It didn’t take long before they were into the rolling hills and out of sight of the city.
“Well, Susan, how was your trip? I’ve only been on a train once and it was for only a couple of hours. You came quite a ways. Did you see anything interesting?” Ethan asked.
“Is this what you are going to do for the next four hours? Sit and harass me with questions?” she retorted.
Ethan faced forward and did not turn his head and said. “I’ve about had it with your better than though attitude. Let’s make the best of it and not talk at all.”
“That suits me fine.” she said. I could use a little peace and quiet.
They rode for another hour without a word between them. The road was rough and both had acquired a pale film of dust. Lines of sweat dripped down their faces and gave them a look of a crying mime. Ethan turned his head and caught a glimpse of Susan with her red hair showing at the edge of her bonnet and the white paste on her face. Without regard to his passenger, Ethan broke out into laughter. At first it was a quiet laugh but it quickly grew in intensity to a loud howl. The more he tried to hold it in the louder he got.
Susan looked at him in disgust that he would openly make fun of her but before she could say a word she began to laugh as well. Ethan too, was covered in the trail dust and before long he had dropped the reins and both of them were laughing uncontrollably. The horses slowed and then stopped when they no longer felt the snap of the reins. Ethan and Susan slowly began to get control of themselves. Susan pointed to the drool coming from Ethan’s mouth and they were soon both in another fit of laughter.
After a few moments Ethan tried to mumble an apology. “I’m sorry”, he said. It was just the sight of you with all the dirt on your face and I couldn’t stop laughing. I’m sorry.”
Wiping the dirt from her face with a handkerchief, Susan said with a broad smile. I’ve got to admit, it sure was funny. If I look anything like you do, I’d laugh at me too.”
The laughing episode seemed to have broken the ice and a semblance of a conversation began. Susan told him about school and living back east and Ethan talked about the time he was marshal.
“Did you ever have to use your gun?” She asked.
“A few times when we had to chase some Indians off of some farmers land. I shot a man in the leg when I marshal. I was aiming for the wall behind him. Even though I didn’t mean to shoot him, the rest of the town saw it differently and though I was a great shot.”
“I’m sure you were a good marshal. I feel safe with you.” She said with a sincere smile. “Another thing, I’m sorry for how I treated you at the train station. It was rude and immature.”
Ethan looked at her for a second and then faced forward giving the reins a snap. “I’m sorry for laughing at you but you are quite a sight.”
“You’re not so handsome now, either.” Susan said smiling.
“I like that. You have a nice smile.”
Susan was about to say something when there was a gunshot and a sliver of the seat broke away. Ethan pulled the brake on the wagon and jumped from the seat pulling Susan to the ground with him. He reached up and pulled his Winchester from the scabbard on the side of the wagon.
“What is it?” She screamed
“Road bandits, I think. There haven’t been Indians in this part of the country for some time.” He said. “Stay low.”
Ethan guided her under the wagon as he tried to figure out where the gunshot had come from. He knew by the sound it was a rifle. There was a small hill about two hundred feet in front of them and he surmised the shooter was somewhere in that vicinity.
Another slug snapped into the wagon and then an instant later the sound of the shot echo across the plains. He struggled to look at the small hill but the sun was shining from that direction and he couldn’t see any movement. Suddenly he thought he saw a wisp of smoke waffling just to the left of the hill by a boulder. That had to be it he thought. Was it a lone gunman or was there more than one bandit he thought.
He lay on his belly and aimed his Winchester to the spot he thought the shots were coming from. “Susan”, He said. “I’m going to give you some cover fire. When I start shooting, crawl all the way under the wagon and into the ditch on the other side. Don’t stop until you are in the ditch..understand?”
Susan had a look of fear and panic but was able to nod her head.
“OK, be ready.” Ethan began firing at the spot on the hill. He let go four rounds and looked over and saw Susan disappear into the ditch. He fired two more shots and got up and ran across the dirt road and dove into the ditch as shots exploded in the dust beside him.
He fell on top of Susan and she gave out a low groan. “Are you alright?”
“Yes.” She said in a whisper. “What’s happening?”
“They’ve got to be road bandits and they got us pinned down. I don’t want to be here in the dark or they could sneak up on us. I’ve got to do something now.” He said.
“What can we do?” She cried.
They stayed in the ditch for some time keeping low as a shot would occasionally ring out. The sun was slowly falling and darkness would soon engulf the prairie.
“Listen, Susan.” He said as he put his hand on her shoulder. “Have you ever fired a gun before?”
“Yes, but not since I left to go to school.”
“Good. It will come back to you.” He said. He lifted his pistol from his holster and gave it to her butt first. “Take this. All you do is point it and pull the trigger.”
She took the gun and held it in both hands. She hefted it and he could tell it was not foreign to her.
“I’m going to try to move around them and see if I can get them from the side of the hill. It’s going to take a few minutes because I need to keep back so they don’t see me.”
“You can’t leave me here!” She said. Her eyes were wide in fear.
“Listen, Susan. You’re going to be fine. Keep your eyes on the road in front of you but stay in the ditch. This should be over in a few minutes. I’m sure if I get close enough, I’ll scare them off.”
Ethan moved out in the direction behind the ditch and made his way in a looping route in hopes of surprising the bandits on the hill. In a few minutes he was adjacent to the hill and the setting sun gave him a temporary silhouette of the rocks on the top. He thought he saw two people move among the boulders. He slowly climbed the hill trying to keep low and out of sight. As he approached the crest he saw a man aiming his rifle and preparing to fire in the direction of Susan.
Ethan stood up and yelled to the man. “I have you covered; drop the gun”.
The man turned and faced Ethan with a look of surprise on his face. He put his rifle to his shoulder, aiming it at Ethan. Ethan didn’t hesitate and fired his Winchester hitting the man square in the chest. He went down without a sound and his rifle tumbled among the rocks. As Ethan lowered his rifle a gunshot rang out and he heard the bullet pass him by. He fell to the round but could see nothing.
He searched the horizon but saw or heard nothing. Then from behind a boulder a figure began running down the hill towards the wagon and Susan. Ethan fired his rifle with no luck as the man was moving quickly down the hill.
“Susan”. He yelled from the side of the hill. “He’s coming towards you. Run!”
Oh my God, Ethan thought. I left her alone and this man is headed right for her. He began running down the hill as fast as he could. He fell once and dropped his rifle and had to retrieve it, losing precious time.
He could no longer see the man as the sun had fallen behind the hills and darkness fell suddenly. He heard gun fire break-out and his heart almost broke from his chest. He heard at least five gunshots; both a rifle and hand-gun.
He finally saw the wagon in sight as if nothing was wrong. Both horses stood silently with their heads hanging low. Ethan stopped at the side of the horses and took a look before approaching the ditch. Please Lord; keep her safe, he said to himself. He slowly made his way to the ditch and saw a figure lying in the dust. He held his breath as he stooped down to check the body when he heard a voice; a women’s voice.
“Don’t move or I will shoot you.”
It was the most wonderful sound he had ever heard. It was a women’s voice. And unless the figure he was chasing was a woman, he knew Susan was safe.
“Susan. It’s me, Ethan.” He slowly stood and turned to see Susan at the top of the ditch pointing his revolver at him. Her face was white with streaks of sweat and tears that had made long marks on her face. “Lower the gun. It’s all over. You did well.”
With a blank look on her face Susan lowered the gun and dropped it to the ground. Ethan climbed out of the ditch and picked-up the Colt and took Susan in his arms. She began to shake and clung to him like a child. “It’s all right.” He said. It’s all over.
Out of his periphery vision he saw movement and a glint of metal in the darkness. The figure in the ditch had rolled over and was pointing his gun at them. Ethan gave Susan a hard push. She screamed as she fell to the ground. At that moment simultaneous gunshot rang out in the night. A flash game from above and below the ditch. Ethan fell back as a slug smashed into his right arm loosening the gun from his grip. He could see the man preparing to fire again. Before he could fire, the man’s head snapped sideways. A bullet entered the side of his head and exited on the other side. He slumped to the ground, dead. Standing on the other side of the ditch was Susan with the smoking Winchester in her hands.
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