The livery stable owner’s eyes glistened. He rubbed a sleeve across them. “I hope one of my shots was what killed Lawson. Many’s the time I’ve wished him dead.”
“I’m sorry for all you’ve been through, Mr. Wimberly. I’m also sorry that you’ll have a bunch of horses to care for until the court decides who owns them. Don’t worry, my wife and I will see you get paid by someone.”
“I appreciate that and admit it’s a relief. There’s so many now it’ll stretch my pockets as well as my space. But, having Lawson out of the picture is more important than hay and oats. I hope he rots in hell where he belongs.” Head down, Wimberly made his way slowly to the corral where Carlos was adding another six horses.
Chapter Sixteen
Peyton was conscious of the townspeople quietly watching.
Señor Romero talked to several then approached Peyton. He gestured to the crowd. “People have asked me to speak for them. They are grateful for your help.”
Raising his voice, Peyton addressed them in Spanish, “Friends. I am thankful for your help. Only one man was injured and Lawson killed. None of you or my men were hurt. You have defended your town well.”
Señor Romero said, “You were good to make sure my grandsons were safe. We are fortunate you have come to our village to give us hope. Today our people were willing to die if it meant freeing Los Perdidos from the evil grip Lawson had on us.”
Peyton was uncomfortable with the level of praise. “Is there a telegraph here?”
“In the marshal’s office. He controlled who could use it so we could not send for help. The man who operated it is not Lawson’s supporter but feared for his family if he didn’t do as he was told. His name is Youngblood.” Romero caught the attention of a man and motioned him to where they were speaking.
A small man who appeared in his fifties stood in front of Peyton. “Mr. Knight, I’m thankful you’ve ended Lawson’s grip on our community. He terrorized us for years.”
“Are you willing to resume as the telegrapher?”
His face split in a wide smile. “Gladly now that Marshal Cain is out of the picture. The telegraph office building is attached through a small hall to the marshal’s office but used to have a separate entrance.”
“Let’s go in there and I’ll write out my messages.”
They went through the main office. The odor of too many unwashed bodies in too small a space assaulted his nostrils.
Sarge raised a window at the front. “Leave open that door, will you? We need somewhere to put these men. They’re packed in like sardines, which is good enough for them but the smell is about to make Ozzie and me pass out.”
“Can’t do much about it right now I’m afraid. But, this is Mr. Youngblood, the telegraph operator. He’s going to send some messages for me to get the sheriff here with his prisoner cart.”
Youngblood led him through a passage and into to the small telegraph office. A door and both windows to the outside had been boarded shut. The room was stifling.
Peyton searched for a tool to pry loose the boards sealing the door and windows.
Sarge had followed them and rummaged through a deep drawer. “Go on with your business and I’ll get those boards off and air out this room.”
Mr. Youngblood sat at his desk. “Be easier to breathe if you can. Sure got hot here in the summer.”
Peyton wrote out his messages. “Appreciate you sending both of these.” He passed them to Mr. Youngblood.
Sheriff Lopez, San Miguel County, Las Vegas, New Mexico Stop Have rounded up Lawson’s gang Stop Lawson dead Stop Need transportation for twenty men including former marshal and deputy Stop This jail full to only standing room Stop Please advise how soon we can expect help Stop Peyton Knight Pinkerton Detective agent
Sheriff Conklin, Santa Fe County, New Mexico Stop Lawson dead and his gunmen in jail Stop Notified San Miguel Sheriff Lopez Stop Peyton Knight Pinkerton Detective agent
“Now we have to wait for an answer.” Peyton wondered how long it would take the San Miguel sheriff to reach Los Perdidos.
He had stepped through the newly-opened door when Mr. Youngblood called him.
“There’s an answer from Las Vegas.”
Peyton hurried inside to receive the news.
Sheriff Lopez on his way with posse and cart Stop Advised by Santa Fe sheriff to hurry. Stop Should arrive today Stop
“Hey, this is good news. Thank you, Mr. Youngblood. I can go share this with my wife and my men. I know you keep all wires a secret but feel free to tell everyone the contents of this one.”
Peyton left a smiling telegrapher and told Sarge and Ozzie the news then left for the boardinghouse. He entered and waved as he rapidly crossed the lobby before anyone could stop him. He bounded up the stairs to the room he and Red shared.
When she wasn’t there, he rapped on the door of Mama’s room.
Red opened it and pulled him inside. “I’m so glad you’re here. We put Josiah in here because there are no more vacancies.”
Seeing his brother-in-law in the light caused Peyton to gasp. “He looks even worse in the daylight than he did by a candle last night. I’m surprised he survived as badly as he’s beaten. He must have the same strength as his sister.”
Yolanda sat on one side of the bed and Mama on the other. Both women looked up and beamed.
Mama patted her boy’s hand. “He has his father’s strength as well as
