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Short Stories & Tall Tales
Too Close For Comfort
By Christopher Scott
“Get him up here on the table boys,” ordered the Doc.
The two young cowboys hoisted their friend onto Doc Colby’s emergency table.
“How is he doc? How bad is it? Will he be alright?”
Eldon was the excitable one of the Bar Zero boys. Whenever he got nervous or scared, his mouth would get to runnin’ non stop till someone eventually threatened to plug it up with a fist full of knuckles, which worried him all the more and tended to make things worse. He wasn’t much of a fighter, but he had the gift of gab. He could talk the spots off an appaloosa if given half a chance. The gift had saved him on more than one occasion.
“How the heck do I know,” answered the Doc. “Why don’t you two give me and your partner here some breathin’ room and let my nurse move up to the table to help me out. You boys need to leave this room now.” Doc Colby went right to work. “Let’s get this shirt off of him, Sara, so I can take a look at this hole in his chest.”
Doc Colby was a short, spry, white haired gentleman. He didn’t look or act a day over fifty, but the truth of it was, he was well into his seventies. Being a Doctor and all, he didn’t have the wrinkles or the sun-darkened leather looking skin like most of the local buckaroos. Long hours in the hot sun tend to dry a man out over time and the Doc wasn’t a man to spend a whole lot of time out in the sun. He was an educated man who spent most of his spare time in the shade reading books.
Now the Doc had moved here from back east several years ago. He had grown tired of the highbrows of the Boston society crowd and when the opportunity to move west presented itself, he didn’t have to think twice. He took full advantage of it and ended up right here in Arizona. It was quite the change for him, but he loved the more relaxed small town way of life and without wasting any time, he settled right in and made himself at home. Doc Cole had the touch when it came to removing lead out of a bullet hole and was considered somewhat of a miracle worker around these parts. The folks in town talked highly about the Doc. Rumor had it he was so good at his trade, he could almost raise the dead. But to be truthful, it was just a lot of talk. He really hadn’t quite figured out how to revive a dead man and doubted he ever would. But that’s not something you could convince the boys at the Bar Zero of. They seen him bring a dead man back to life, or so they say.
Now Silas, the man on Doc Cole’s table, wasn’t quite riding that lonesome trail yet, but he was heading in the right direction at a pretty quick lope and the two boys who brought him in saw an awful lot of blood spilling out of that hole in his chest. And it was no little hole. It was made with a slug from a Colt .45.
As it happened, the three Bar Zero boys were in town for their customary Saturday night game of cards and a couple of drinks at the Red Dog saloon. As they walked down the boardwalk they chided each other about how the first one through the door got first chance with the ladies. Silas managed to out step Morgan at the last second to be the first of the three inside. As they swung through the entry they found themselves in the middle of a drunkin’ brawl. A man named Cole Petty from the Lazy B had accused one of the boys from the Rocking M of cheating at cards. The Rocking M boys took offense to one of their own being accused of cheating and got behind their man. The Lazy B boys, seeing they were outnumbered, decided the best thing they could do was to take an offensive posture, and with that, bottles and chairs started to fly, soon followed by fists and spurs. Anyone not wanting to get involved in the discord was ducking for cover.
In the heat of this whole ruckus, Cole Petty had pulled his gun and pointed it at the fella he had accused of cheating. Being half drunk and half out of his head he made the fool decision to let off a shot in the direction of the Rocking M boy. It was at this very moment the three Bar Zero boys walked into the saloon. And unfortunately for Silas Walker, being the first of the three through the gates, the poorly shot bullet meant for the heart of the Rocking M boy found it’s way deep into his chest. It knocked him back into the arms of his two friends and all three went tumbling back out into the street.
Eldon and Morgan jumped up and brushed themselves off. Silas tried to get up but once he realized he had been shot, he fell back to the ground. Eldon and Morgan, not yet having dulled their senses with a few drinks of Red Dog whiskey, still had their wits about them. They made the right decision to pick up their friend and high tail it to Doc Colby’s office.
By this time, Pete Morris, the Red Dog’s piano player, had followed his usual escape route out the side door and into the alley. He was making his way to the street when he ran into the Bar Zero boys.
Morgan, who had Silas by the shoulders, saw the piano player step out into the street and called out. “Hey you, our friend’s been shot. Run on ahead and fetch Doc Colby. Let him know we’re coming.”
By the time the two boys arrived with Silas, Doc Colby and his wife, Sarah, were ready.
The color in Silas’s face was draining as fast as the blood from the hole in his chest. “Throw him up here on the table and get out of my way. You boys need to leave this room, now,” demanded the Doctor. “Sarah, sedate this young man, I need to get inside that hole and see where all this blood is coming from. He’s loosing it too fast. In another minute he’ll be too far gone for me to do anything for him.”
The boys left the room and closed the door behind them.
Eldon, being badly shaken by the event, spoke up. “Did you see how white he was? He had no color. He was like a ghost. I don’t have a good feeling about this Morgan. What are we going to do?”
“Eldon! You can start by just shutting up!” insisted Morgan. The Doc didn’t say he was dead, so that means there’s still a chance he could pull out of this. Let’s not hang our heads just yet. Why heck Eldon, you never know, maybe Silas ain’t ready for them pearly gates just yet and maybe ol’ St. Peter will just turn him right around and send him back home. In the mean time, let’s just sit down and see how this thing plays out.”
Eldon and Morgan had been sitting in the Doc’s office for going on two hours when Sheriff Rodgers stepped into the room. “How’s your man doin’,” he asked.
“Not too sure,” replied Morgan. “We’ve been sittin’ here for quite a spell now and the Doc ain’t so much as stuck his head out the door. I guess we’ll consider that a good sign for now. We did find a pot of coffee on the stove and helped ourselves. Can I get you a cup?”
“Not right now,” declined the Sheriff. “Pete Morris told me about your man getting shot during the ruckus at the Red Dog earlier this evening, so I thought I’d come by and see how things were with him. I also wanted to let you know that the man who shot him got away in the commotion. I hear it was Cole Petty from the Lazy B who fired the shot. I got my Deputies out lookin’ for him. His horse is still at the livery stable so I don’t think he’s left town yet. Once we come up with him we’ll just have to wait and see what the charges against him will be. Hopefully they won’t be for killing your friend.”
After some brief small talk the Sheriff left the office and headed back to his duties.
Several minutes later Doc Colby walked into the waiting room. He had a somber look on his face and his news was less than uplifting.
“Well boys, your friend is still alive but to be honest with you, it was a close call. The good news is, his heart is still pumping, but he’s lost an awful lot of blood. Maybe too much. It’s going to be touch and go for a few days. I suggest you boys get yourselves some sleep and you might think about getting in touch with any kin he might have.”
Morgan agreed with the Doc. “I wouldn’t have guessed sittin’ around for hours could make a man so tired, but I’m about ready to call it a day. I think I’ll head down to the Livery Stable and see if Robert Lee can spare a spot in his loft for me tonight.”
“I’m right behind you,” agreed Eldon. “I’ve had about all I can take for one day. Maybe Silas will be awake tomorrow.”
“I wouldn’t count on that,” replied the Doc. “I think it’ll be a couple a days before he comes to, if he makes it at all.”
With that bit of sobering news the boys thanked the Doc for all he had done and headed for the livery stable.
The stable doubled as a blacksmith shop. It was owned and operated by a man named Robert Lee, a big burley hulk of a man. He wasn’t much over the age of thirty and stood well over six feet tall. His looks were in line with someone who had worked a forge and hammer most of his life. He had a fairly rough disposition about him, enough so, that if you didn’t know the man, you would certainly consider staying out of his way. There was a time in his life when a slick promoter out of Louisiana wanted to make a bare-knuckle fighter out of him, but it turned out ol’ Robert had a glass jaw. That put a quick end to the big money dreams of the Louisiana promoter and Robert went back to doing what he did best; Poundin’ steel and workin’ horses. And that slick promoter, he went off looking for another kid he thought he could make a quick buck off of.
Robert was well versed in handling all manner of horses. He had a natural way about him. It was more of a gift really. He had an uncanny ability to relate to the wild ones like no other man. Robert was what the old timers called an ‘old soul’. He could break a horse without the wild antics of a forceful submission. All he did was work em’ slow and gentle and talk to em’ low and quiet like. It would take him the better part of a day but by the time he was ready to swing into the saddle, that horse was like butter in the sun. It was quite a show when Robert Lee broke a horse. And when he was done, that horse was worth its weight in gold.
It was late as Eldon and Morgan made their way to the livery stable, but Robert was still working at putting the finishing touches on a hot wheel rim.
“Good evening Robert,” called Eldon. “Say, you wouldn’t happen to have an empty spot in your straw where a couple of fellers’ could get some shut eye for the night, would ya’. We can pay you four bits each.”
“I always got room for a Bar Zero man,” answered Robert. “Say, I heard about Silas getting shot. How’s he doing?”
“Well I tell you what,” reported Eldon. “I ain’t never seen so much blood in all my life. It darn near drained the life out of the man.”
Robert dipped the hot wheel rim he was working on into a trough of cold water. It brought the water to a boil as it sizzled and steamed. “You’re not sayin’ he’s dead, are you?” he inquired.
“Oh no, he ain’t dead, but he was lookin’ as white as a ghost when we left him with the Doc,” Eldon replied. “He’s still breathin’ but if he pulls through, it’ll be no less than a miracle. I’m sure he’s close enough to St. Peter at this very minute to be holdin’ a conversation with him. Could be that Silas is making his case for a second chance.”
Robert gave the rim a couple taps with his hammer. “Well if he’s half the talker you are Eldon, he’ll be back with a story or two. Have they caught the jasper that put the bullet in him?”
“No sir,” declared Eldon. “That snake Cole Petty is still on the loose. Sheriff thinks he’s hidin’ out close by though.”
Robert laid the wheel down by the trough. “Cole Petty, from the Lazy B? You don’t say. Why he left his horse with me this morning. That’s it right over there, the roan, in the end stall. I’ll tell you what. With all you two boys have been through, you can have the loft tonight at no charge.”
Morgan readily accepted the offer. “Well that’s mighty nice of you Robert. We sure do appreciate it. You’re working awful late tonight. Is there anything we can do to help you out before we turn in?”
“Thanks for the offer Morgan. Truth is, I needed to get this wheel done today and the day about got by me. I just finished it up. I’m ready to call it a night myself. You'll find a couple of extra bedrolls in the tack room. Help yourself and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
The stable held about a dozen stalls, six down each side. It was open in the center with a loft section above the stalls on either side. Holes were cut into the floor and straw was pitched down into the stalls through the holes. The stable had living quarters where Robert made his home. Eldon and Morgan checked on their horses, found the two bedrolls and headed up to the loft.
“Call me crazy,” Said Morgan. “But I love the smell of fresh hay and horse sweat. I’m envious of Robert. I think that ol’ boy has got it made.”
“Well, the hay’s alright,” replied Eldon.
The day had started out so well, but fate had dealt a bad hand to one of the young buckaroos from the Bar Zero. Eldon and Morgan fell asleep hoping their friend, Silas, would still be alive in the morning.
Hours later, Morgan suddenly opened up his eyes. It should have been pitch dark up in the loft, but there was light coming from somewhere within the stable down below. A dim light from a single lantern caused the shadows of the stables framework to dance and move about as the light was moved. Morgan layed still for a time but not a sound was heard except for the occasional snort and movement from one of the horses below.
Morgan slowly moved toward Eldon. He gave him an easy nudge and put his hand over his mouth to keep him from making any sound. Eldon saw the light from below and Morgan motioned for them to silently make their way over to the edge of the loft to get a better look. They slowly inched forward and peered over the edge at the scene below. A lantern sat on the ground and the shadowy figure of a man stood between it and one of the horses. It was the horse in the end stall, Cole Petty’s horse.
Eldon realized right away what was taking place. He whispered to Morgan with an excited voice. “Why that must be Cole Petty. He’s fixin’ on high tailin’ it out of here. We’ve got to stop him before he gets away. Why I can lay a bead on him right now and put a bullet square between his shoulder blades.”
“Now that ain’t no way to shoot a man no matter what he’s done,” insisted Morgan. “Let’s see if we can get the drop on him before he mounts up.”
Eldon was beginning to get a little excited. “Well we best be going about it then cuz’ he’s about ready to go. We need to do this before he opens the door.”
“OK,” whispered Morgan. “Lets split up. You move down toward the ladder and when you’re ready I’ll call out to him and when the time is right, you drop down and get his gun.”
“Sounds like a plan,” answered Eldon. “Let’s do it and do it quick. I ain’t lettin’ that jasper out of my sight. I’ll shoot his horse out from under him if need be.”
Eldon made his way down toward the ladder. Once in place Morgan called out.
“Cole Petty, I got a .45 pointed at your back. Why don’t you just raise your hands and move away from that horse.”
The stranger was caught by surprise. “I ain’t Cole Petty,” he replied.
“Well then if you ain’t Cole Petty, you’re a horse thief cuz’ that there horse you’ve been saddling up belongs to Cole Petty.”
By this time, Eldon had made his way down the ladder and was heading toward the stranger, but before he had a chance to get to him the stranger kicked the lantern and put out the light. Morgan fired off a shot in the dark hoping to hit the man before he had a chance to duck for cover. Morgan called out in a low voice.
“Eldon”
“Yep”
“See anything?”
“Nope”
“Stay low and keep an eye on the door,” he ordered. “We got him cornered. Just wait for your eyes to get adjusted to the dark.”
After a minute or so their eyes started to adjust, when all of the sudden, from out of nowhere a very bright lantern appeared, bright enough to about blind them. A scurrying sound could be heard and then a shot rang out. By the time Eldon or Morgan could see again, Cole Petty was on the ground with a bullet in his shoulder and Robert Lee was standing over him wearing nothing but his long johns and a six-gun.
“Looks like I shot me a rat,” observed Robert. “A no-good rat trying to make on outta here without payin’ his debt. Somebody needs to get hold of the Sheriff before I put this rat out of his misery.”
“No need,” called the Sheriff as he walked into view from the front door of the stable. “I heard the gunfire and came right over. And who have we here? Well well, if it isn’t Cole Petty. I’ve been lookin’ for you. I have a cell with your name on it Petty. Get up and let’s go. I’ll have the Doc. look at that shoulder once I get you all tucked in.”
As the excitement died down and the Sheriff escorted Cole Petty out the door, Robert unsaddled the roan and headed back inside as Eldon and Morgan made their way back to the loft.
The following morning Eldon, Morgan and Robert walked over to Doc. Cole’s office to check on Silas. He was still breathing and some of the color had returned to the buckaroos face.
“He don’t look so dead anymore,” observed Eldon. “I think he just might make it.”
After several days Silas had come around and was beginning to regain his strength enough to sit up and eat some. Robert kept tabs on him since he was right in town. That Friday night, Eldon, Morgan and several other hands from the Bar Zero stopped by to check up on Silas. They were all pleased to see how well he was doing. They had a good visit and as they were all about to leave, Morgan spoke up.
“We’re headin’ over to the Red Dog for a drink. Can I bring anything back for you?”
Silas thought it over for a moment or two, and with an air of caution he slowly replied. “No, but you can do me a favor.”
“And what might that be?” asked Morgan.
Silas smiled and offered his friend a word of advice.
“Don’t be the first one through the door.”
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