Drifter 2 Page 3

  Lucifer’s smile vanished. ‘You’ll try.’

  Savage ignored the comment and approached the figure tied to the rock. Mercifully death had claimed him. It looked as though a stray bullet had finished him off. What concerned Savage most was the dead man’s clothing.

  ‘What are you doin’ all the way out here anyhow?’ Lucifer asked, interrupting Savage’s thoughts.

  Savage moved away from the corpse and looked around at the dead renegades. ‘My business.’

  Lucifer watched him thoughtfully. ‘He’s not here.’

  ‘Who?’

  ‘Rios,’ Lucifer answered. ‘It was him that got away.’

  Savage cursed silently under his breath but the expression on his face gave it away.

  ‘So it was him you were after,’ Lucifer scoffed.

  Once more Savage ignored him. He walked back to the man draped across the rock and said to Lucifer, ‘Come over here and tell me what you find strange about this dead feller.’

  Lucifer frowned and did as he was asked. He stood beside Savage and looked down at the bloodied corpse. After a period of silence, Lucifer said, ‘The only thing I can see is that he’s wearin’ a Reb uniform. But that ain’t uncommon. After the war, that’s all some folks had left to wear.’

  Savage nodded. ‘True. I take it you served the Southern cause?’

  Lucifer’s jaw set firm. ‘I did.’

  ‘Well take a close look at the uniform he’s wearin’. Beyond the blood and everythin’ else and tell me what you see.’

  Frowning, Lucifer studied the clothing once more then his face changed when he saw it. He shook his head in bewilderment and looked across at Savage.

  ‘Christ almighty,’ he said in a low voice. ‘He’s meant to be in Mexico. What’s he doin’ here?’

  ‘If you gentlemen would be so kind as to put your weapons down, I would much appreciate it,’ a deep southern drawl sounded from behind them.

  Both men whirled to see who’d spoken and were surprised to see not one man standing there, but eight. Eight armed men had materialized from the surrounding desert, all dressed in Confederate uniforms. Their leader, a solidly built man who stood a shade under six-feet, wore sergeant’s chevrons on his sleeve.

  ‘Haven’t you heard, Sergeant?’ Savage asked. ‘The war is over.’

  ‘The war will never be over for us,’ the man snapped then spat in the sand at his feet to emphasize his point.

  ‘Hey lookee there, Esa,’ a thin corporal pointed out. ‘That feller there is wearin’ Yankee blue britches.’

  Savage figured Esa to be in his early thirties. His brown hair shaggy atop a rugged face.

  ‘Get their guns, Colter,’ Esa ordered.

  ‘Sure thing, Sergeant Brown.’

  Colter moved forward and relieved them of their weapons, all the while smiling like an idiot, exposing blackened teeth.

  ‘Hey, you don’t have to take mine,’ Lucifer protested. ‘I’m on your side.’

  ‘I guess we’ll find out won’t we?’ Esa sneered. ‘Get them on their horses. We’ll take them to see the Major.’

  ‘Don’t you mean the General?’ another trooper asked.

  ‘No, I don’t.’

  One of the other troopers had checked out the man on the rock.

  ‘He’s dead, Esa.’

  ‘Two in a matter of days,’ Esa nodded grimly. Then he looked at Savage and Lucifer. ‘Well, at least you two got them.’

  ‘One got away,’ Savage admitted. ‘Rios.’

  ‘Shame you didn’t get the son of a bitch.’

  Esa was about to say more when a trooper came bounding up to them.

  ‘We gotta ride, Esa,’ he said hurriedly. ‘All them gunshots have drawn some attention.’

  ‘All right, let’s go,’ Esa snapped. ‘Mount up, we got company.’

  A trooper brought forward the horses of Savage and Lucifer. They clambered into their saddles before being caught up by a wave of their captors on the trail riding hard and deeper into the mountains.

  Five

  An hour later the small band of riders crested a ridge. Savage noticed a man who sat at the top of a small rock wall they passed. A sentry. Then they dropped down into a sandy valley with copper-colored cliffs on both sides. The scarred bluffs seemed to sprout from the desert floor. The valley was filled with giant saguaros and prickly pear. Scattered across the floor were lots of small desert shrubs no higher than a man. It was a harsh landscape that greeted them, but the one thing that Savage noticed was that it did have water. A small stream fed through the valley giving an almost constant supply.

  Then Savage saw a small clump of adobe buildings in the distance. Their copper color helped blend them into the surrounding landscape and a cursory glance would easily miss them. It was only a small settlement.

  The pace of the horses dropped back as they neared the buildings and Savage could make out a parade ground and a flagpole that flew the Confederate battle flag.

  ‘What the hell is this place?’ Savage asked a trooper next to him.

  ‘Fort Jackson,’ he said proudly. ‘Named after the second best general the Confederacy ever had.’

  Knowing the answer before the question ever passed his lips. Savage asked, ‘Who was the best?’

  ‘General Joseph Orville Shelby,’ the trooper said. Then he added, ‘Our commanding officer.’

  ‘Shut your yap, Wade,’ Esa barked.

  When the riders eased their mounts to a stop on the parade ground, more Confederate cavalrymen started to gather, causing a stir. Savage figured there to be around two hundred men in the fort at his best estimate.

  Before they could dismount, the group was approached by a captain with dark hair and solid build. Savage put his age at around middle thirties and his height at about six feet.

  ‘What do we have here Sergeant?’ he asked.

  Esa gave him a look of disdain. ‘Prisoners, Captain Simeon. We found them while we were searching for Mendelson.’

  ‘And?’

  ‘Mendelson is dead.’

  Simeon shook his head. ‘Too bad. Where are you taking them?’

  ‘To see Major Perkins.’

  ‘Sir.’

  ‘Sir.’

  Simeon stared at them thoughtfully then nodded, ‘Carry on.’

  Savage watched Simeon walk away and couldn’t fight the feeling snagged in his mind that something wasn’t right with Fort Jackson.’

  ~*~

  Major Christopher Perkins stood near his roughly built plank desk and stared intently at the two men, trying to decide what to do with them. Not that there was much of a decision to make. They couldn’t be let go, so would have to be treated as spies and dealt with accordingly.

  Perkins was a square-jawed, medium built man with brown hair and gray eyes and Savage put his age somewhere in the vicinity of forty.

  Savage looked about the room. It was sparsely furnished, having only an open fire for warmth, the Major’s desk and two chairs, one of which now contained Perkins. When they had first arrived in front of the Major, Lucifer had quickly stated that he was no threat, however, Perkins would have none of it.

  ‘I’ll thank you to shut up,’ Perkins ordered. ‘I’ve listened to enough of your squawk. If I hear any more of it, I’ll have Esa gag you.’

  A dark cloud descended on Lucifer’s face but he remained silent. Something else seemed to settle in the killer’s expression too. Something unreadable that Savage couldn’t quite fathom.

  ‘Nice set-up you all have here, Perkins,’ Savage stated.

  Perkins dragged his lingering gaze from Lucifer and looked over at Savage.

  ‘That is Major Perkins to you,’ he ordered.

  Savage ignored the directive. ‘How long have you fellers been out here?’

  ‘I’ll ask the questions, damn it!’ Perkins snapped.

  This is going well, Savage thought. ‘OK.’

  ‘What are you two men doing here in these mountains?’

  ‘I don’t know
about him,’ Savage pointed at Lucifer, ‘but I’m here huntin’ a feller for the army.’

  A look of alarm flitted across Perkins’ face before it disappeared. Though when he spoke, a trace of it was evident in his voice.

  ‘Who?’ he asked urgently, concerned that they would be discovered.

  ‘A feller called Rios,’ Savage explained. ‘The same one who killed your man out in the desert west of here.’

  Perkins’s eyes snapped to Esa who nodded. ‘They were engaged with the hostiles when we came upon them.’

  ‘Thanks for your help,’ Lucifer said drily.

  Esa’s gaze hardened as he stared at Lucifer but his discipline held sway so wasn’t drawn by the comment.

  Suddenly the door opened and all heads turned to see two men walk in. One was Simeon and the other was General Jo Shelby.

  ‘What can I do for you, General?’ Perkins demanded.

  Savage was taken aback by the manner in which the subordinate had addressed Shelby. When he’d served, it was unthinkable that one would speak in such a way to their commanding officer.

  Shelby was in his middle thirties with dark wavy hair and a mustache and goatee. Beneath the facial hair were lines from years of the pressures of command. His uniform was a little loose on his now slim stature, another sign of hard times.

  Shelby ignored Perkins and fixed his gaze upon Esa.

  ‘Why weren’t these men brought to me, Sergeant?’ he snapped, his dark angry eyes burning holes in the man.

  Then the second thing happened that convinced Savage that all was not right in Fort Jackson. Esa remained silent, almost openly defiant.

  ‘Well?’

  ‘Answer the General, Sergeant,’ Simeon snarled.

  ‘I had him bring them to me,’ Perkins cut in. ‘I didn’t see the point in worrying you with such a trivial matter.

  ‘Arrogant bastard,’ Simeon mumbled, but loud enough for Savage to hear.

  ‘Take them away and lock them up, Ben,’ Shelby ordered. ‘I’ll talk to them after.’

  ‘Yes, Sir.’

  ‘Wait!’ Perkins protested loudly. ‘If you want to lock them up for the time being, then fine but I suggest you treat that one as a spy and have him shot.’

  Perkins was staring hard at Savage.

  ‘Why might I ask?’ said Shelby.

  ‘His britches are Yankee issue.’

  ‘Hmmm,’ Shelby said thoughtfully, carefully studying Savage. ‘You did serve I gather?’

  Savage nodded. ‘Cavalry. Captain.’

  Shelby smiled. ‘Good. Then you shall join me for our evening meal tonight. Take them away, Ben.’

  Savage couldn’t help but notice the smoldering rage in Perkins as he glared hostilely at Shelby. Yes, sir. There was definitely something wrong at Fort Jackson.

  ~*~

  Two hours after the sun had gone down that evening and left a cold chill across the high desert, Simeon came for Savage. The solid timber door to the small cell in which Savage was sequestered, opened and the captain entered.

  ‘General Shelby is waiting.’

  ‘Lead the way,’ Savage told him.

  They crossed the parade ground and entered an adobe building not much bigger than the one Perkins used. The room, however, was well lit and three meals had been laid out on a rickety table. They were served on tin plates but looked quite appetizing to Savage, having not eaten for most of the day.

  ‘Welcome Mr. Savage,’ Shelby greeted him. ‘Please take a seat. You too Ben.’

  ‘The food looks mighty good, General,’ Savage observed.

  ‘Antelope stew,’ Shelby said. ‘Nothing fancy, but good nonetheless.’

  They ate in silence and once they’d finished, Savage said, ‘Can I ask you somethin’, General? It’s merely a curiosity but it’s been naggin’ me since we arrived.’

  Shelby nodded. ‘Please do.’

  ‘Why aren’t you in Mexico like everyone thinks? Accordin’ to all reports, that’s where you all went.’

  Shelby smiled. ‘Yes. Holed up in Mexico with a thousand men ready to make the south great again.’

  Savage couldn’t help but notice the sarcastic tone in the man’s voice.

  ‘All fanciful tales told by drunks and men who have no idea what they’re talking about,’ Shelby said, picking up a cup of coffee. He took a sip and continued. ‘In reality Mr. Savage, I rode into Mexico with no more than two hundred men. Most of whom you would have seen when you arrived today. We were welcomed at first but after a while, we became treated as intruders in their country. The Mexican people became quite bitter towards us so we left. And this is where we ended up.’

  Shelby paused once more to sip his coffee then stared silently across the rim at Savage before saying something that stunned him.

  ‘Now I want to go home to Missouri.’

  Six

  ‘Why are you tellin’ me this?’ Savage asked Shelby uncertainly.

  ‘Because I need your help to do it, Mr. Savage,’ Shelby explained. ‘There are those among my men who believe that the southern cause is everything and would not hesitate to kill anyone who stands against it. Even me.’

  ‘Would that someone happen to be Major Perkins by any chance?’ Savage inquired.

  Shelby nodded. ‘It would.’

  ‘We should have shot the son of a bitch before it got this far,’ Simeon spat vehemently. Then gathered himself and apologized. ‘Sorry, General.’

  ‘I agree, Ben. We should have.’

  ‘Why not now?’ Savage asked.

  ‘Because if something like that were to happen now then the divisions between the men could tear wide apart and they may turn on each other,’ Shelby answered. ‘I have had enough of war and killing, Mr. Savage and I want to go home. Many of them still hold blind hope that one day the south will again be great. Can you understand that?’

  ‘I think so.’

  ‘My thinking is that if you accept the task I wish to set you, then just maybe it’ll save lives all around.’

  ‘What is it that you want me to do?’ Savage asked.

  Shelby signaled to Simeon who topped up Savage’s mug with coffee.

  ‘I want you to escape and I want you to ride out of here to the nearest fort and report our presence to the commanding officer,’ Shelby explained.

  ‘Is that all?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘I hate to tell you this, General but won’t a whole troop of cavalry arrivin’ on your doorstep invite more killin’?’ Savage pointed out.

  ‘I’m hoping that if it happens, my refusal to fight might persuade them all to give up and go home.’

  ‘I’m guessin’ some of them ain’t got homes to go to,’ Savage suggested.

  ‘That is the sad fact of it all, Mr. Savage,’ Shelby allowed. ‘But at least they will all still be alive.’

  ‘What about Perkins? Where does he fit in all of this?’

  Shelby sighed. ‘I’m afraid that he is the wild card in the deck. He’s up to something but we don’t know what.’

  ‘Will you do it?’ Simeon asked impatiently.

  Savage glanced at him then back to Shelby. ‘OK. How are you goin’ to pass off the escape?’

  ‘Let me worry about that,’ Shelby said. ‘All you need to know is that Ben will come for you tonight and get you out.’

  ‘What about Lucifer?’ Savage said, wondering about the scalp hunter.

  ‘He goes too. Can’t have one of you escaping without the other.’ Shelby stated. ‘Is that a problem?’

  Savage shook his head. ‘Nope.’

  ‘Then you will leave tonight.’

  ~*~

  ‘We’re getting’ outta here tonight,’ Savage spoke to Lucifer in a low voice.

  ‘Says who?’ he shot back skeptically.

  ‘Just be ready damn it,’ Savage whispered harshly. ‘OK?’

  It was just after midnight when Simeon came for them. Using the shadows, they were able to slip outside of the fort’s perimeter. The moon was only quarte
r so there wasn’t much light.

  Savage, Lucifer, and Simeon were met on the outskirts of the fort by four other men who had their horses and weapons.

  Once mounted, they let the horses pick their way along the valley until they started the climb to the top of the ridge. Halfway up Savage stopped.

  ‘What’s the matter?’ Simeon asked, stopping his mount beside Savage.

  ‘What about the lookout at the top?’

  ‘You don’t have to worry about that,’ Simeon assured him. ‘The sentry tonight was appointed by me.’

  Once outside the valley, they stopped. Savage sat saddle beside Simeon and said, ‘It’ll be at least six days before I return.’

  ‘Not to worry,’ Simeon replied. Once you are both reported dead no one will give you a second thought.’

  ~*~

  ‘Sir, Savage and the other one have escaped,’ Esa informed Perkins the following morning.

  ‘How?’ Perkins asked in a low voice that dripped with rage.

  ‘I don’t know.’

  ‘Has a party been sent out after them?’

  Esa nodded. ‘Captain Simeon took a small detail out.’

  ‘Damn it,’ Perkins cursed vehemently. ‘Have some men organized and dressed in the Union uniforms we have. If they make it out of the mountains alive, he’s going to bring trouble so we need to have the plan together now.’

  ‘I’ll see to it, Sir.’

  Thirty minutes later the door burst open and Shelby strode in. He glared at Perkins and asked harshly, ‘What on earth are the men doing out there dressed like Union cavalry troops? I demand to know now.’

  ‘It is all a part of my plan to join forces with the Apaches,’ Perkins explained. ‘Have you ever heard the expression, The enemy of my enemy is my friend’?’

  Shelby nodded.

  ‘Well, General, by the end of this day the Yavapai Apaches will be crying out for the blood of the Union soldiers who killed their brothers. After which I shall approach them and we will discuss terms of an alliance. I’m about to double the size of our army. Maybe even triple it and then I will take them into Texas and drive out the carpetbaggers, the union supporters, and the soldiers. Once that is done, more will flock to the battle flag and then we can start making the confederacy whole again.’