Put the Gun Down

PUT THE GUN DOWN

Three stories of the old West

By Robert O'Hanlin

SMASHWORDS EDITION

PUBLISHED BY

Robert O'Hanlin on Smashwords

Put the Gun Down

Copyright 2017 by Robert O'Hanlin

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. Please share it with your friends and family through the source you downloaded it. Please remember that all rights are reserved, and no part of this eBook may be copied or reproduced by any means electronic or mechanical or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critic’s articles or reviews. Your respect for the author is appreciated.

This is a fictional book and any resemblance of the characters to any persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

Books by Robert O’Hanlin

The Outlaw Series

The Montana Outlaws

The Alberta Outlaw

Last of the Outlaws

Others

Windfall

O'Bannions Return

Justice in Lonesome Valley

Branded a Coward

Once a Gambler

The Cougar Man

Bucking the Odds

Table of Contents

Put the Gun Down

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Mark of the Silver Star

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

The Eastern Dude

Chapter1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Put Down the Gun

Chapter 1

The tall, raw boned man sat on his horse watching the wagons below him. He sat on a small rise surveying the vast plain ahead of him and as far as he could see nothing was moving except the people at the wagons. He was concealed by some brush that was scarce enough in this country, and he was not about to move until he was sure there would be no danger. What were five covered wagons doing here?

He looked around carefully again taking in the view the flat prairie country, watching for any sign of movement. This was the heart of Indian country and he knew a wrong move on his part could be his last.

As his gaze went back to the wagons he could see that there were women and children moving around among the men who stood talking beside the wagons. He was curious, but not curious enough to be mistaken as an intruder and perhaps shot. With the thought of being shot, his hand went automatically to the butt of the gun on his hip.

It was a gesture that always reassured him when he felt danger, and now he was definitely having that feeling. He was riding from the law, and by heading into Comanche country he hoped he would not be followed, but now he was at the risk of meeting someone who might know that.

He was good with that gun, as a matter of fact he was very good with the gun, a talent that brought him to where he was today. He could easily ride around these people without being seen, but what were they doing here with woman and children?

It was something he could not ride around, he was having second doubts but he could not ride away without at least warning them about the Indians he had come across earlier in the day. There were ten of them and they were from the Comanche tribe. He had managed to keep out of their sight, which was a feat in itself, but these people would not be as lucky.

He knew about the Comanche because he had fought them many times, and he knew that they would eventually discover this small wagon train. He left the safety of his hiding spot and rode slowly down the hill toward the wagons. He continued along carefully to the group of men who had seen him coming and gathered to meet him. When he was close enough he noticed that none of them were wearing pistols, and there was not a rifle showing among them.

What the devil are you folks doing out here?

They looked at him a little puzzled, and the man who he assumed was the leader stepped forward as the tall rider dismounted. The man held out his hand.

My name is Jedidiah Stoltz we were just about to have a meal, would thee join us.

The tall rider took the hand offered him, and for a moment he thought about giving him a false name. Then he realized they would have had no way of hearing about him being wanted by the law, and since he planned on riding on anyway it would not matter.

I’m Taggert, I don’t mean what are you doing right now, I mean what are you doing here with these woman and children.

The man looked at him as if he were bewildered.

We are on our way to a new home in a new part of the land, but our two guides took our money and guns and left us here. We are trying to decide which direction we should travel.

Taggert walked past him and over to the cook fire where two of the women were preparing the meal. He stepped past them and kicked the wood from the fire putting out most of the flames. He turned to the men who had followed him and were now even more bewildered.

This is the heart of Comanche country and the smoke from that fire will draw them like flies to honey.

Now he looked around more carefully.

Take those white canvas covers off those wagons, they are like waving flags out here in the prairie. How long have you been sitting here like this?

Two of the men had already started to remove the wagon canvas while Jedidiah talked to him.

What do you mean Comanche Country? The Baxter boys said this was a shortcut and a safe route.

Taggart looked around again at the women and children.

When did you say those men left you here?

Jedidiah pointed up the road.

About an hour ago and they headed back that way.

Taggert walked toward his horse.

Have your men cut what brush they can find and stack it up against the wagons for cover, and don’t light any more fires until I get back!

Before Jedidiah could ask any questions he was mounted and gone. It was coming on nightfall and he figured he would catch up to them as they camped for the night…and he was right. He smelled the smoke before he saw the fire and dismounted far enough back that they would not hear his horse approaching.

The two men were squatted by the fire when he stepped up to the edge of the firelight.

Howdy

The two men jerked upright with their hands going for their guns.

Whoa boys, take it easy. How about a cup of that coffee?

They relaxed a little when they saw that he did not have a gun drawn, and the taller and older of the two motioned him to come closer.

Come on in, we can spare a cup of coffee.

Taggart didn’t move.

And with that coffee I’ll take the money and guns that you took from those pilgrims you left back yonder.

The two men stiffened again with their hands moving closer toward their guns.

Who do you think you are coming in here like this? It appears to me that you are outnumbered and out gunned.

They all just stood there for a minute. Taggert had never been one to brag about the reputation he had earned as a gunman, in fact he hated living with that reputation, but now it might come to good use.

Well my name is Taggert and I’m here to tell you I came for their money and guns.

The tall man stiffened a bit.

Would you be ‘Tag’ Taggart?

Taggert smiled.

My friends call me Tag, but you ain’t my friends, so let’s have that money and guns!

He could see in the eyes of the big man that he was not about to give in, and as his hand moved toward his gun, Taggert drew. Before either of them could get their guns out, he had them covered with their hands still on their guns and they knew they were looking death in the eye.

Taggert took a step forward.

Unbuckle those gun belts and let them drop.

Both of the men did as he said and their guns hit the ground.

Now get me the money!

The younger of the two men reached behind him and picked up a pair of saddlebags and tossed them toward Taggert.

He carefully reached down to scoop up the bags.

Now step back from the guns and have a seat on those rocks.

He picked up the two gun belts and went over to their horses and hung them and saddlebags on one of the horses and then started to leave with the two horses in tow.

The big man jumped up.

You can’t take our horses and guns and leave us afoot in Indian country!

Taggert stopped and turned around.

That’s exactly what you did to those people with their woman and children, with a little luck you might be able to make it out of here alive.

He turned and walked into the darkness, feeling sure they would not follow him. It was almost midnight when he arrived back at the wagons and even though it was a full moon he had a little trouble finding them in the dark. He was glad to see that they had done as he suggested and cut some brush to help conceal themselves.

Jedidiah was awake when he rode up and he handed him the saddlebags and tied the two extra horses on the back of one of the wagons.

Here is you money and a few extra guns.

As Jedidiah took the saddlebags, Taggert noticed the young girl standing behind him for the first time, and in the light of the full moon he could see that she was lovely.

This is my daughter Abagail. Abigail, this is Mr. Taggert.

She bowed her head and made a slight curtsey as her father continued.

Since her mother passed two years ago she has been looking after me.

Taggert stared at her longer than usual for a simple introduction, and Jedidiah didn’t miss the interaction between the two of them either. She took his outstretched hand and for a moment they held that way, until Jedidiah still holding the saddlebags spoke again.

Did thee have to kill those men to get this back? We are members of the Society of Friends and we do not hold with taking of another’s life.

Taggert let go of the girl’s hand and pointed toward the horses.

I didn’t kill them, they gladly donated those horses and guns for you.

He looked around at the wagons.

I suggest that, even though it is late, you gather your men around because I have something to tell them.

It didn’t take much time getting the men together as they had already started to gather around the two men talking. When the last of the four other men arrived Jedidiah stepped to the front of them making it clear to Taggert who was the leader.

As I told thee we are members of the Friends and this is my family.

Taggert was a little uneasy, wondering how he was going to tell them what he had to say.

I understand and respect your belief that all people are your family but…

Before he could continue Jedidiah interrupted.

No Mister Taggert, in this case thee does not understand. These are my brothers, we are the Stoltz family.

He pointed to the first one in line.

This is the youngest, Bartholomew Stoltz, we call him Bart.

And pointing to the others, and as they stepped up he continued.

This is Caleb Stoltz and this finally is Ezekiel and Lazarus Stoltz

Taggert took each extended hand as they were introduced. He was shocked, he had thought of them as just a group travellers, but now the thought of the possibility of one whole family being killed by the Comanche hit him hard.

Jedidiah just told me you are Quakers and that you don’t hold with killing, but what I am going to tell you now might change your mind.

He heard a slight gasp from some of them and he continued.

When I left the Baxter boys and headed back here I passed the camp of the Comanche scouting party I had seen earlier. They were camped on the tracks of your wagons and you can be sure they will be here tomorrow.

Now the gasps grew louder as he continued.

I know that you men have probably hunted and know how to handle guns and I think we might be able to survive this, but it will mean you will have to follow my directions exactly.

He could tell that there was some that were probably wondering who he really was and why they should follow a man who just showed up out of nowhere, and amid the grumbling Jedidiah spoke up.

Listen to me, he brought our money back when he had no real reason to do so, he could have just kept riding, we at least owe him the respect to listen.

That quieted them down and Taggert continued.

"Sometime tomorrow morning there will be ten of the wildest and meanest Comanche warriors anywhere around riding in here with only one thing in mind, and that is killing all the men and older boys and then doing things that are too unmentionable to your woman and older daughters, and they may take two or three days doing that before they brutally kill them. The younger of your children may be kept alive to be brought