further pledge ourselves to the fair and open use of water and grazing rights by all parties concerned in this area. No longer will we dam up streams or run cattle off of government free ranges. This parole, we understand, will become a full-fledged confession of our misdeeds should any of the homesteaders in this area suffer any further damages or mischief, either at our hands or the hands of the men who work for us.
“Agreed to and signed by us on this 16th day of May.”
Longarm looked up. The four men stared back at him dumbfounded. Finally, Tom Hunter found his voice and said, “They’ll never sign it.”
Robert Goodman said, “That’s a death warrant, Marshal. They’re not going to sign that confession. Why should they?”
“For a lot of reasons. The main one being that I’m not going to take them straight to prison. Let me read this other document to you and maybe you’ll understand how we’re going to enforce this first one.”
Hawkins said, “I’d damned sure like to see how you’re going to enforce that first one. The minute you’re gone, they’ll be back up to their mischief.”
Longarm said, “Just let me read you this.” He picked up the second piece of paper.
“We the undersigned, Jake Myers and Archie Barrett, willingly and freely, agree to contribute $50,000 each to the Grit Settlement Association. This money will be held in a bank account in a bank in Junction, Texas, and will be administered by a committee of three, comprised of Tom Hunter, Robert Goodman, and Mrs. Milton Thompson. We understand that this money is to be used in several ways. First, it is to be used to make retribution to those who have suffered losses of property and life by our actions and at our hands. Secondly, this money will be used to make loans to those homesteaders who are having a hard time making a living because of our mischief, interference, and skullduggery. We further understand that if we commit any single act against any of the homesteaders that is to their harm, the confession we signed will immediately come into use and warrants will be issued for our arrest and we will be hunted down and brought to justice. We further understand that in one year from this date, we will each make an additional payment of $25,000 to the Grit Settlement Association. We each understand that the failure to do so will result in the publication of our confession and the issuance of warrants for our arrests. We understand that the confession we have given is not immediately being executed solely in order to repair the damage we have done to the settlement of Grit and to the innocent homesteaders who have tried to make a living here. We pledge ourselves to try our best to repair the damage we have done in the past, and we understand that is the sole reason we are not being taken into custody at the time we execute this document.
“Signed by our hand on May 16.”
Longarm looked up. He said, “Well?”
Hawkins found his voice first. He said, “By damned, Marshal, that’s slick. No question about it. In other words, you’re holding out the carrot. If they behave themselves and don’t cause no more trouble, you won’t stick them in prison right away. But if they don’t, they’re going to prison right now.”
Longarm said, “That’s about the size of it, Mr. Hawkins. Or Deputy Hawkins as I should call you.”
Tom Hunter had an anxious look on his face. He said, “Marshal, that’s slick as bear grease, there’s no question about it. But I just can’t see them signing it. Why would they want to sign a confession?”
Robert Goodman said, “Are you serious about this Grit Settlement Association? That’s a wonderful idea. It’s what Milton Thompson was trying to do. Lord knows, having money in the bank that we could borrow against would help a lot of families through these hard times.”
Longarm said, “The way I look at it, Barrett and Myers did the damage, and I’m going to let them pay to repair it. Now, this ain’t strictly going by the law, but then I never was much of one to go by the book. I ain’t really got no way of proving anything against the two of them. They can get them a smart lawyer and they could play this thing out over several years and nothing would ever come of it. I figure if I could force them to sign these documents, some good would come out of it. Some people who have been hurt can start getting well. That’s the way I see it.”
Tom Hunter said, “It’s a damned good idea, and it’s a good way to do it. It’s the right of the thing. I just hope to hell it will work, but I still can’t see them signing this confession.”
Longarm said, “Well, let’s see. Bring them on out. We’ll let them have a look and get their reaction. In fact, I think I’ll let Deputy Hawkins here read it to them. Would you enjoy that, George?”
Hawkins chuckled his dry little sound. He said, “Yeah, I reckon I would enjoy that. After all, that’s lawmen’s work.”
The difference between the two men was clearly obvious. Jake Myers was older, but Archie Barrett showed the effects of his confinement and ill use. It had obviously preyed on his mind. He looked wilted. He looked defeated. The thought crossed Longarm’s mind that perhaps Jake Myers would have to undergo a few days of confinement himself before he could see a reason for signing the confession. He desperately hoped not. If there was any way he could wrap this business up and head back home, he would do it. Nothing he could think of would be more welcome than a train bound for Denver.
They both came in looking sullen and defiant, but there was still plenty of bluster in Jake Myers. Longarm listened to him spout and shout and curse for a moment or two. He turned to Tom Hunter. He said, “Didn’t I see a pair of good heavy leather work gloves around here?”
Hunter nodded. He said, “They’re out here on the back porch.”
“Would you kindly step out and hand them to me?”
“Be glad to.” In a minute, he was back with the heavy rough leather gloves that had gauntlets that reached halfway up the forearms. Longarm took the pair, stepped deliberately over to the front of Jake Myers, and slapped him as hard as he could across the face with the gloves. The blow staggered the old man backward. A little blood came trickling from his lips.
Longarm said, “Now, listen you old bastard, you fucking murdering son of a bitch. You’re here to listen. You keep your mouth shut until you’re asked a question. If you say another word, you’re going to get a lick of these gloves for every word you say. Have I made myself clear?”
Myers looked murderously at him. He said, “Yeah, I heard you.”
Longarm slapped him with the gloves again, harder this time. “Didn’t I tell you that you were going to get a lick for every word you said? You’ve got three more coming, by the way.”
