The Last Run
by Patricia Henry
Chapter Six
Jess slid through the yard like a snake. With each movement, his arm throbbed with pain. He had tied a handkerchief around his forearm, but it hadn't stopped the bleeding. Inch by inch, he moved heading for the edge of the cabin. He bit down on his lip, so he wouldn't cry out in pain. He could see Slim and Tom standing in the yard. In the distance, he saw the stage. He sighed as he finally reached the side of the house. His shirt now was red from the blood that still oozed out of his wound. Breathing hard, he leaned against the cabin for support. Tom had his gun touching Slim's back. Jess took a deep breath then threw the knife, yelling, "Slim!" His mark was true as the knife struck Tom in the back. Slim glanced with confusion then realization as Tom fell to the ground screaming in pain. As Tom's gun fell from his hand, Slim dove for the revolver.
At the same time, Ben yelled, "Dawson, don't shoot! The stage driver will hear."
But instinct won over choice as Dawson fired. The bullet slammed into the ground next to the fallen gun. Slim jumped back. The stage pulled to a halt halfway down the hill. Both Ben and Dawson turned to look at the stage. For a long moment, the stage sat there before it began to turn around. As soon as Jess had thrown the knife, he pushed his body up against the wall. Then with more determination than strength, Jess ran through the back door into the house.
He rushed to Jonesy and Andy. He pulled the ties apart, freeing both.
"Jess!" Andy screamed with joy as Jonesy asked, "What do you want us to do?".
Jess paid no attention as he pushed past Jonesy. He headed for his bedroom. Though pain shot through his body with every step that he took; he moved quickly. He pulled so hard on the bottom drawer of his dresser that a water pitcher crashed to the floor. Frantically searching, he threw out his shirts as if they were rags. He found the revolver concealed under his blue shirt. He had learned a long time ago to keep a loaded gun hidden.
Jonesy grabbed for the rifle over the fireplace. He couldn't remember the last time someone had shot or even cleaned this weapon. He only knew the rifle was unloaded. "Andy, get some bullets!"
Jess moved quickly to the window in the front room. The stage now was no where in sight. Dawson was standing over Slim with his gun pointed right at Slim's head. With the skill only a gunfighter would have, Jess aimed and fired. Dawson fell to the ground clutching his chest. Slim half ran and half crawled for the water trough as Ben fired off a round. Jess threw the revolver to Slim. It landed a few inches from him. Slim reached for the weapon, but bullets from Ben's gun drove him back.
As Andy handed Jonesy the bullets, Jonesy ordered, "Andy, help Jess!"
Andy moved to Jess. "You need to sit."
"No!' Jess took a deep breath to steady himself. "You get down, away from the window. Now!"
"Jess-"
"Now, Andy!"
Jess grabbed the rifle from Jonesy. He had a hard time lifting and holding the weapon to his shoulder. He groaned with pain as the weapon jerked into his body each time he pulled the trigger. But despite the discomfort, Jess fired off a round giving Slim a chance to grab the revolver. It took two tries but Slim finally had the pistol. Hidden behind the water trough, Slim called out, "Give yourself up!"
"Give it up, Ben!" Jess repeated, leaning against the wall as Jonesy reloaded the rifle.
"I'll ride out," Ben bargained.
"No!" Jess replied. Jess held out his hand for the rifle.
"Jess, I can shoot," Jonesy said.
"You better let me, Jonesy."
"Jess, if this was a pistol but it's a rifle. And you're going to have a tough time holding it and aiming. You're hurt awful bad. I know I ain't fired a rifle in a long time, but I know I can hit him."
Out of the corner of his eye, Jess saw movement. "Andy, get down and stay there," Jess commanded. Then looking back out the window, he yelled, "Ben, you can't win this one."
"You've changed, Jess. But I'm hoping you still remember that we were friends."
"No, we just worked at the same ranch together. That time I hit you, it weren't no mistake."
Suddenly Ben fired shots, one hit Slim in the arm. He fell backwards, moaning as blood poured from the wound. Without stopping his fire, Ben raced for his horse. He mounted expertly. Jess pushed himself away from the window. Ignoring the pain that gripped his body, Jess forced himself to move. With one last burst of effort, Jess darted out of the house with Jonesy at his side. Since the one arm dripped blood, Jess had to use the other hand to grab the gun that Slim still held. Jess aimed. At the same time, Ben turned his horse and aimed his gun at Jess. Jess fired first, but his pistol misfired. Jess glanced down at his revolver as if he couldn't believe it.
Ben smiled. "It's time to settle the score, Jess."
The gunshot was loud.
The smile was still on Ben's lips as he began falling out of the saddle. Jonesy fired the rifle again. Ben screamed and fell from the horse completely.
