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“Jest you and me?” Frank asked, turning his head in question.
“That’s right, just you and me.” Lee nodded.
“Well boys, you heard the man, this is strictly between the two of us. And you also heard I gave him a chance to back down, seein’ as how he’s only got one good arm. That and the fact that he’s nothin’ more than a low down stinkin’ Negro lover.” Frank chuckled.
“That’s right Frank, don’t forget I still have one good arm, and you ought to consider it, before you take me on.” Lee’s voice sounded low and dangerous now.
Frank dismounted, his saddle creaking as he moved away from it. He handed his reins to one of his men and faced Lee. “This won’t take long.”
The others chuckled. Most of Frank’s men looked relaxed and sure that Frank would be the victor.
Lee moved a good distance away. He tied his gun to his leg and stared at Frank. He stood away from the sun and spread his legs. “I’m sorry to have to do this, Frank. I wanted to leave this valley peaceful like. But you’re callin’ me out…”
“Naw…now don’t blame me fer this. You took offense to me callin’ that black whore a bitch. You sweet on her or somethin’, Lee? Women like that can get you in trouble.” Frank laughed once more; again his audience snickered. “She’s been my whore for the last few months now, thought you knew.” Frank twisted to see if the others heard and they had, they were snickering aloud.
“I think you’ve said enough, Frank. You’ve picked your fight, so let’s get to it.” Lee’s hand moved to just above his gun. “Let’s see if we can shut that big ugly mouth of yours up for good.”
“I don’t believe it. You’re in love with that little whore?” Frank laughed again. “Well, I’ll tell her when I bury you.”
There were a few snickers then it was over.
Frank drew. For a few seconds, the dust flew so heavy no one knew what happened. The acrid smell of smoke off their guns permeated the air. The horses scattered some from the shots. But when the smoke cleared, the men behind Frank all began to mumble. Frank lay sprawled in the dust, his gun still in his hand, as Lee holstered his gun, glancing at the others. He glanced down at Frank. “I didn’t want to do that, but sometimes it’s the only way to shut someone up.”
“Boss ain’t gonna like this,” one of the men hollered.
“Boss don’t have a thing to do with this. This was between me and Frank. You heard it from his own mouth. I’ll take Frank to him myself,” Lee muttered.
The dust flew about them as they followed Lee into the yard.
Mr. Jeffries came out onto the porch. He had a cigar in his hand until he saw Frank. Then he dropped it.
Before he came down the porch steps, he eyed Lee closely. “What have you done?” he shouted as he came around the horse to see his son lying across it.
“I’m sorry Mr. Jeffries, but he goaded me into a fight.”
“You killed my son?” he bellowed and turned to Lee.
Lee watched him lift Frank’s head from the saddle. Watched his face turn black with fury.
“I ought to kill you…you miserable piece of trash.” Mr. Jeffries went for his gun. Lee beat him to the draw and held his gun almost at his nose. “Let’s do this a little more peaceable. Frank drew on me. I killed him. It was a fair fight.”
Mr. Jeffries looked at his men. “Is this true?”
The foreman moved forward on his horse. “Well, Frank…he…”
“I don’t want to hear how. I want to know if it was a fair fight,” Jeffries barked.
“Yeah…it was fair,” the foreman admitted. “Frank egged him on.”
“Thank you for bringing my son home, Mr. Nelson. Now get the hell out of here. I’ll have your money for you at the bank. You can pick it up. The banker will take the deed. I don’t ever want to lay eyes on you again. Do you understand?”
“If that’s how you want it.” Lee agreed with a nod.
“That’s how I want it.”
Chapter Fourteen
As they sat around the supper table that night, Lee told them what had happened.
