Jack Parker Comes of Age by Ed Roberts

Author:Ed Roberts [Roberts, Ed]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Robert Hale
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

Timothy Carter did not show up to make a statement about the theft of his cattle, and so the day after he had rescued them from being lynched, Sheriff Parker freed the two rustlers; repeating his earnest advice that they should leave Benton County as swiftly and quietly as they were able. After their narrow escape, he formed the impression that they were minded to heed his warnings. After ridding himself of his unwanted guests, the sheriff read a wire which had just been delivered to the office. It informed him that the train from Paris, with the ‘regulators’ aboard, had now left Paris and would be likely to arrive in Cheyenne that very night. Allowing for a day or so to get themselves organized and prepared, that might mean that the Texans would be hitting Benton County, if that were indeed their aim, on the day after tomorrow: Jack’s birthday.

Jack watched his father covertly, while tidying up the range and black-leading those parts that looked shabby. It was clear that the wire which had just been handed to him was enough to cause his father some perturbation. He guessed, quite correctly, that it had some reference to the men heading into Wyoming from Texas. Tom Parker glanced up and, seeing his son’s eyes upon him, said, ‘I just received word that this damned train is on the move and heading in this direction. There’s a chance that this’ll not concern us, but I wouldn’t lay odds on it. Day after tomorrow is when your birthday falls, isn’t it?’

‘It is, yes sir.’

‘All I’ll say is this. If those boys are leaving Cheyenne and look like to come here, then morning of your birthday, I’ll swear you in. Only ’til this affair is done with, mind. After that, we’ll talk about your future.’

‘Thanks, Pa.’

‘Don’t thank me, you young fool. You little know what you’re asking for,’ replied his father gruffly, ‘Why you can’t be content with studying in books is more than I can say. Still, there it is. You’re full young and want to see some excitement.’

Sheriff Parker was being less than candid with his son. He had no intention of placing his only child in hazard, and for all that he was ready to have the boy appointed, in theory at least, a deputy, he was not about to see Jack ride against a band of hardened wretches such as these Texans appeared to be. He would find a way of keeping the boy safe, even if it meant locking him up.

Later that morning, Jerry Reece came in and announced that there was great enthusiasm among the homesteaders for joining a legally constituted posse and facing down Carter and his bully boys. It was a question, now, of which way the town would jump when the knife reached the bone. ‘Time’s come, I guess’ said the sheriff, ‘to ask folk here which side they’re going to be on. There’s no room left for shilly-shallying, and the men will either have to be for law and order, or on the side of a crew of Texan freebooters.

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