THE NEXT MORNING Judge Abramson finished signing the warrants for everyone identified by Carlos McElroy including the sheriff, the judge and the prosecutor of Kent County as well as the Territorial Governor, Cornell Norris.
“Well, Marshal, it looks like you’ve got yourself a good case against the governor and his conspirators on some very serious crimes.”
“Yes, sir. I’m going to need help making these arrests, Judge. I would like you to appoint Black Feather and Wind Runner as deputy marshals.”
The judge sat back in his chair and considered the Indians standing in front of him.
“Do you gentlemen understand the laws of the United States?”
A grim smile crossed Black Feather’s mouth. “We do, Judge, but we do not like them. Your laws depend on whose enforcing them.”
“And your laws don’t have that problem?”
“Our laws are based on the natural law and guidance from the spirits, not the greed of men.”
“If you say so, Black Feather, but like it or not, when your clan signed the treaty the laws of this territory and the United States became your laws also. If you accept the commission as a deputy marshal you must act according to those laws. In this territory, under my supervision, that means you’ll do so honestly and fairly. Now I think you can do that, but I need you to tell me you will.”
Black Feather looked at Wind Runner who shrugged and nodded his head.
“We will, Judge.”
The judge stood up and pulled a bible out of his desk drawer. “Raise your right hands.”
After the two new deputies were commissioned Stan told the judge about Claw Of The Eagle. The judge wrote out a commission giving Stan the authority to give the oath to his third deputy.
“Bailiff!”
“Yes, your honor.”
“Go to Captain Anthony and ask him to the court.”
“Right away, sir.”
A few minutes later the captain entered the courtroom. “You ask for me, Your Honor?”
“Yes, Captain. Marshal, do you have enough men to arrest all the people you have warrants for?”
“Just myself and two, maybe three, deputies.”
“Captain, I request a squad of soldiers accompany the marshal and his deputies to Kentville to assist in the arrest of a group of suspects. One of those suspects is the territorial governor.”
The captain’s face lit up. “I’ll lead the squad myself, sir.”
“Good man. Well, Marshal, get the show on the road.”
“Yes, sir and thank you.”
Willis surprised himself when he made it into the saddle on the second try.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Doctor Scoville asked.
“I have to, Amos. My client is being railroaded to a hanging and it’s my duty to fight for him.”
“You do realize your life is in danger, don’t you?”
A tremble crawled up Willis’ spine. “Yes, I do.”
“Do you have a gun?”
“I wouldn’t know how to use it if I did.”
“All right, Willis. Walnut is a good horse. My daughter learned to ride on her and Walnut took care of her. She’ll take care of you too.”
“I hope so, Amos.” With that, Willis snapped the reins on the horse and started down the road to Fort Hurley, his head and upper body bouncing up and down, left and right precariously in saddle.
Four hours later Willis’ back and butt were causing him great pain and discomfort but filled with his sense of duty and mission he wouldn’t stop and rest. The Fort Hurley junction was in sight and a little relief flowed through him for he was over half way to his destination.
Suddenly a heavy blow slammed into the side of his head. He tried to hang on the saddle but the horse stopped in its tracks and Willis was thrown to the ground. The world went black.
Stan and his troop had been riding for three hours. They were a quarter mile from the Hurley junction when they heard a shot.
“Keep a sharp eye,” the captain ordered. “And form a skirmish line. Forward Ho!”
They rode cautiously until they reached the junction. Stan and Captain Anthony stopped and surveyed the area. “Black Feather, you and Wind Runner scout ahead,” Stan said.
They nodded and began to weave their horses through the trees until they disappeared.
“Marshal!” Wind Runner called.
Stan and the squad hurried toward the sound of his deputy’s voice. Next to a chestnut colored horse Wind Runner bent over a body.
The captain ordered the squad to set up a perimeter.
Stan slid off his horse and kneeling next to the body he recognized the new lawyer from Kentville. A deep furrow creased the young man’s scalp but he was still alive.
A soldier retrieved bandages and water and cleaned up the wound.
Stan checked through the lawyer’s saddle bags. He found court papers and immediately realized the lawyer, Willis Harwick, represented Jasper Lee.
Black Feather approached.
“Two men shot him from that hill.” Black Feather held up a spent .32 Winchester Center Fire cartridge. “I saw the tracks of two horses. One had a cracked shoe on the left front hoof. I also saw the boot mark of the shooter. A piece of the right heel is missing. We must have scared them off. I can catch up to them if you want.”
“Go ahead, but just follow them so we can identify them later. We’ll get Mr. Harwick here to the doctor in Kentville.”
Black Feather mounted his horse and galloped off.
Stan heard a moan and knelt by the injured man. “Mr. Harwick?”
The lawyer’s eyes opened and filled with fear.
“It’s all right, sir. I’m Stan Barstow, US Marshal.”
Harwick tried to sit up but fell backwards onto the arm Stan threw out to catch him. “What happened to me?”
“You were ambushed and shot in the head, but it’s just a deep gash. I suspect you’re going to have one helluva headache, otherwise you’ll be okay.”
Harwick struggled into a sitting position. “I’ve got to get to Fort Hurley and try to stop the trial. They’re going to hang Jasper Lee if I don’t.”
“Did you get a stay on the trial to make an appeal?”
“Yes, for two days.”
Stan thought for a minute. “Do you know any doctors in Kentville?”
“Amos Scoville is a doctor and good friend.”
“Will he let you stay at his house?”
“Of course, but why?”
“We’ll fix up a litter and get you to the good doctor.”
“No! I have to get to Fort Hurley!”
“Easy Mr. Harwick, there won’t be any hanging anytime soon. I have warrants for the arrest of the governor and his friends, including the judge and the prosecutor. You don’t need to go to Fort Hurley.”
Willis touched his head. “Then we need to get to Kentville with all possible speed. I can ride Marshal.”
“Mr. Harwick, the minute you try to stand you’ll fall flat on your face. That bullet didn’t kill you but your wound isn’t one to be taken lightly.”
The captain pointed to two soldiers. “You men make a litter for this gentleman. Make it quick.”
“Thanks, Captain,” Stan said. “I hope we’re not running out of time.”