CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

By morning Jake had told the sheriff his story, from driving the herd to Dodge City to tracking Garfield to San Antonio.

Garfield’s body had been removed from the street, where a large crowd had eventually gathered, probably made up of the gamblers who had lost their money and had nothing else to do but stare at a dead body, for free.

While Jake was in the sheriff’s office, telling his story and answering questions, Curly had reclaimed his sorrel from in front of the Alamo, and had then gone and found Taco and Dundee to tell them what happened.

The three of them were outside the sheriff’s office when the door opened and Jake staggered out.

“So no jail time?” Dundee asked.

“No,” Jake said, “I just had to pay the city for the lamps I shot out, and pay the show palace for the windows I broke.”

“You did fire a lot of shots,” Curly said.

“Typical gunfight, huh?” Dundee asked.

“I also had to pay the vet’s bill for the horse I nicked,” Jake said, with a yawn.

“Sounds like a lot of your money is gonna end up stayin’ here in San Antone,” Dundee said.

“The money does not matter,” Taco said. “You did what you set out to do, Big Jake. Señor Chance has been avenged.”

“Yes, he has,” Jake said, yawning again.

“You had better get some sleep, señor,” Taco said.

“You got that right, old friend,” Jake said. “The sheriff wants me out of town first thing tomorrow mornin’.”

“At least he’s givin’ you today,” Curly said.

“I told him I needed to get some rest, and then to find my sorrel.”

“He’s in the livery, Big Jake,” Curly said. “I grabbed him last night.”

“Thanks for that, Curly.”

“So it’s all over?” Dundee asked. “You don’t mind if we spend some time in a saloon today?”

“Like Taco, says,” Jake replied. “I did what I set out to do. You boys are on your own now. Saloon, gambling hall, whorehouse, whatever you want. Go do it. I’m gonna get some shut-eye.”

“And after that, señor?” Taco asked. “Where will you be going now that you no longer have a ranch?”

“Taco, my amigo,” Jake said, “I don’t have any idea.”

They watched Big Jake Motley walk off.