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feet in time and moved to knock Tor down. Tor jumped up in a second and ran at him again. Lee dodged.
On and on it went, one hitting the other until they could barely stand.
Then Tor reached for his knife and they rolled to the ground in a battle for control. Tor nearly had it aimed for Lee’s head, when Lee flipped him and he scrambled to his feet once more.
Tor still had the knife but Lee dodged it. Lee tried a head-butt on Tor then went back to the ground, rolling, the knife cutting Lee’s shoulder.
Lee winced and struck Tor in the mouth. Tor’s mouth bled and he groaned. It was just enough to let Lee get control. He tried knocking the knife away, but Tor had a death grip on it.
Suddenly, they rolled over and Tor became very still. He rolled onto his own knife. But he wasn’t dead. Just wounded badly.
Lee grabbed his gun. “Alright, that’s enough. On your feet, we’re goin’ in.”
Tor grumbled but moved when Lee stuck the gun to his rib. His side was bleeding pretty badly and Lee wanted to get into town quickly.
All the way into town, Lee had listened to Tor’s laugh at how the Sheriff wouldn’t do anything. Several times Tor grunted from the wound and stopped his horse, but each time Lee prodded him on. “Let’s get into town and get a doctor for you.”
“A doctor? What do you care?” Tor shouted.
“I don’t, but your father will.”
He took him over to the doctor and left him. He then went to the Sheriff’s office and explained what happened.
Sheriff Harding, known for his fair play, agreed that Tor needed to be locked up.
“I know his daddy will have him out in no time and no judge would send him to prison but if you could manage to keep him in jail ‘til we can get out of town, I’d appreciate it,” Lee said.
“I can do that.” Harding firmed his lips and studied Lee for a moment. “I heard you sold out to Jeffries. Never thought I’d see that.”
“I sold the water rights to Harvey though, and I wanted you to know it. Harvey is a fair man. He’ll give Jeffries the watering rights for payment. I’ll be long gone and there won’t be any more trouble.”
“Well now, that’s a right smart thing you did there. And you’re right about Harvey. I’m glad to hear all this Lee. Makes my job easier. And…don’t get me wrong, I like you well enough, but once you are gone, most of the trouble around here will stop. Especially since you did Frank in.”
Lee smiled. “I’ll fetch Tor over to ya. Thanks.”
Lee tipped his hat and went over to get Tor. Doc Witherspoon patched Lee’s knife wound and handed Tor over to him.
Lee took him into the sheriff’s office and told him what had happened.
The Sheriff scratched his chin and glanced at Tor.
“You ain’t gonna lock me up for shootin’ a Negro, are ya?”
“‘Fraid I gotta, Tor. Don’t want to but I gotta. Don’t worry, your father can get you out on bail in a day or two,” Sheriff Carter said as he headed him to a cell.
Satisfied, Lee returned home to check on Hattie.
The old retired doctor, Doc Smithers, was there when Lee returned. Lee had known him most his life, a contrary old doctor who stirred up trouble most of the time with his constant gossiping. Lee guessed Sam didn’t know anything about Doc Smithers or he would have rode into town and fetched Doc Witherspoon from town. “How is she?” Lee asked as the old man came out of her room.
“I got the bullet out. She’s resting. She’ll mend. I guess I should congratulate Joe.”
Lee twisted his head in question. “Why? What do you mean?”
“She’s pregnant.”
“She’s…she’s pregnant?” Lee repeated. “Are you sure, doc?”
“Well, it is early, but she complained of being sick in the mornings and so I told her I’d do a thorough check on her if she didn’t mind. And yes, she’s pregnant. You want to tell Ole Joe or should I?”
