A bullet in the night

Sam’s first shot went wild. His second plucked at the elbow of my shirt. I drove behind a log before he could try again. Good thing. Bark shattered over me. Sam was a good shot once he settled down and got the range. I waited, counting the shots until he had to reload. I had tracked him for two days. Once my deputy and friend, I didn’t want to kill him. That is unless he left me no choice.

“Sam. Give it up. I’ll make sure you get a fair trial.” I called, still behind the log.

“Can’t do that, Dan. You know how them town folk are. Once they make up their minds, ain’t no changing it.” He called. “By the way, I saw you on the trail this afternoon. Had you in my sights for a while. I slowed down so you could catch up.”

In spite of myself, I glanced behind me. Sam stood not far away, his rifle pointed at the ground. I could have shot him. There was no one around. Slung him over the saddle of his horse and called it a day. But I would know. So I laid down my rifle and unbuckled my gun belt, stood up and let it fall to the ground. Sam smiled and did the same.

“You hungry? Been riding two days neary stopped for a meal.” I said going to my horse. I lifted coffee and salt pork.

“I’ll fix a fire. Down by the creek, okay?” Sam said, gathering wood. We left the guns lay until after supper.

“Can’t let the dew get to them.” He said, picking up the pistol and the rifle. I had unsaddled my horse, so I laid my firearms under the blanket. We talked until it grew dark. I checked the fire, then settled into my bedroll.

Something was wrong. I woke with my arms bound, Sam leaning over me, grinning. I was tressed up like a Thanksgiving pig. My arms were at my sides. He finished tying my arms and legs, then said. “I’ll leave your horse about a mile away with your rifle and gun belt. Knife is over that way.” He pointed to his left. “By the time you get to it and cut yourself loose, I should be long gone. So long Dan. Don’t try to follow me.”

“Good luck to you, Sam. You take care, you hear.” I said thankfully he left my mouth uncovered.

“Go home, Dan. You’re a good lawman.” He tipped his hat, mounted his horse and led mine away. I went back to sleep. What else could I do? Sam was long gone. By the time I cut myself loose and found my horse tied to a bush a mile away, it was noon. I thought of going after him, but he would be miles away. I was bone-tired, and going after him would be miles and days I didn’t have in my saddlebag. My thinking turned to riding into town empty and what the town council would say. They would demand my badge, and they could have it. I would ride away from Stillwater, free and clear. At least they would never know I was the one who pulled the trigger and killed the mayor. I killed the only one who knew my past.