The Night of Fort Romualdo Pacheco

 by Grace S. (ages 14-17)

Summer of 1881, one year before Trouble at the Line Shack

 

Chapter 1

      “I got a letter from Rebecca today,” Mother stated as she started to pass food around the table at supper one evening. “She would like us all to come visit her before Andrea has to start school again.” She paused. “In light of what has happened the past few weeks, I think it would be a good idea for everyone, but especially Andrea to have a break.” One week ago they had the first trial for Peter Wilson. Everyone was still tired from the whole incident.

      Mitch was glad that he and Chad had too many ranch related things to do, to be able to leave. He glanced at Andi. She looked like she was trying to come up with an excuse not to go, too.

      Justin interrupted Mitch’s thoughts, “As much as I would like to go with you, Mother, I have Peter’s trial to prepare for, and I really ought to stay home and prepare for it.”

      Mitch quickly spoke up, “As you know, Mother, the ranch is especially busy right now, what with getting behind from the trial and everything, and Chad and I need to get things caught up. I don’t think we will be able to make it, will we Chad?”

      “Nope, I’m ‘fraid not. Sorry, Mother,” Chad quickly put in. Andi made a face at him.

      “That is fine, Mitch. Andrea, Melinda, and I will just go this time. I will send a telegram to Rebecca and let her know when we will be there.”

       Andi began, “Mother, I—”

       Melinda interrupted with a sideways glance at Andi, “When will we leave, Mother?”

      Mother looked at Andi, “I know this doesn’t exactly suit you, Andrea, but a couple weeks away from Fresno is something you and I both need.” Turning to Melinda, she added, “We will be taking the 12pm train tomorrow. Justin can take us into town on his way to work.”

      One glance at Andi told Mitch that she wasn’t very happy about visiting San Francisco. He gave her a sympathetic smile then joined the conversation that Chad and Justin were holding about a rumor of rustlers in the area.

 **********************

      Mitch went down the stairs two at a time and strode into the dining room whistling a tune. Mother and the girls had left yesterday morning. “Good morning, Luisa,” he said as she put more food and coffee on the table.

      “Buenos dias, Senor. Senor Justin already ate his breakfast and is in town. Senor Chad has not come down yet.”

      “Gracias, Luisa.” Mitch sat down at the table and said a quick prayer. As he ate his eggs and ham, he smiled to himself. Chad never was the first one up, he thought, but neither was Andi.

       “What is so funny this early in the morning?” a voice growled.

      Mitch looked up and grinned sheepishly. “Oh nothin’ Chad. I was just thinking about how you and Andi were never the first ones up.”

      “Humph,” Chad sat down and poured himself a cup of coffee. He took a gulp, “For your information I was up with one of the mares who was foaling.”

      “What’s on the list for me today?” Mitch asked cheerfully.

         “Well, I was thinking that you will work with the colts today, I also want you to breed a couple of the mares with the stallions,” Chad answered between mouthfuls.

      “Sure thing, big brother. I’ll get right to it.” He took one last drink of coffee, grabbed his hat, and headed out the front door.

      Mitch climbed over the corral fence, grabbed a rope, and whistled for the colts. No answer. Hmmm, that’s odd. This is where Chad has been keeping them. Just then something caught the corner of Mitch’s eye. It was a horseshoe lying half buried in the dirt. Jake always makes sure the colts have shoes. Why did this—. This wasn’t a Circle C horse shoe. This meant someone else had ridden into the corral and herded the horses out.

      Chad isn’t gonna like this. He winced. Chad had already been grouchy at breakfast; Mitch knew what he would definitely be after he heard the news. He turned and sprinted towards the house. Better let Chad know right away. Those tracks were still fresh.

 

  Chapter 2

     Chad banged his fist on the table. “What do you mean ‘they were rustled’? I made sure the gates were latched last night.”

      “It looks like four or five horses rode into the corral and then rode out with all the colts. And they had latched the gate back. The only reason I knew there was somebody else in there was because of this horseshoe. The tracks are still fresh if you want to follow them.” He handed the horseshoe to Chad.

      Chad grabbed the horseshoe and turned it over in his hand. “Hmmmm”, he thought out loud, “this looks like a Mexican horseshoe…” He looked at Mitch, “Come one, little brother we have to go track down some rustlers. We’ll pick Justin up in town and grab some supplies. Tell Sid he’s in charge while we are gone. I’ll talk to Luisa.” He turned to go, then stopped. “Oh, and make sure you bring plenty of ammunition; I don’t know what we are up against.”

 ***********************

      The door to Justin’s office slammed. Tim dropped the papers he was holding and spun around. “Now Mr. Carter, you can’t come barging in here like that. Your brother needs to get things done; you can’t interrupt him without an appointment!”

      Chad ignored Tim and headed into Justin’s office. Justin looked up from his desk; when he saw it was Chad he sat back and crossed his arms. “What brings you into town at this time of day, Chad?”

       “The colts were rustled last night. Mitch and I rode into town to grab you and get some supplies so we could track them down. Grab your stuff, we’ve got to get going!”

      Justin grabbed his stuff and followed Chad. “Tim, take the next couple weeks off. Something came up on the ranch. I won’t be back for a while.”

      Chad and Justin walked to the general store where Mitch was waiting on them. “Did you get the supplies, Mitch?”

       “Sure thing, Chad.”

      “We’d better get going if we hope to catch them.” Chad turned to Justin, “We can pick the trail up a little ways out of town. It is leading southeast and it looks like they have about 6 hours head start. This could be a long ride.”

 **********************

      Mitch took his hat off and wiped his forehead with his handkerchief. After five long days of sweat and dust, they had finally reached the town where their trail was leading. Mitch combed his hair back with his hand and put his hat back on. “Well, I guess we better go down and see what old Calipatria has to show us. “

     “I suggest we split up,” Justin put in. “Chad, you take the stores; Mitch, you take the saloons; and I will take the liveries. Let’s meet back at the hotel in two hours.”

      Two hours later found Chad and Justin in the hotel lobby. Chad paced across the floor. “After two hours of going to all the different stores, not a single person could help me. They acted like I was the one who had rustled the colts! Where in thunderation is Mitch at anyways?”

      “Now hold on, Chad. No use getting all worked up. Mitch is walking across the street now. Hopefully he picked up a clue, because I didn’t find out anything either.” Justin turned to Mitch as he walked in the door. “Did you pick up anything? Chad and I couldn’t find anything.”

      “I hit bottom in every saloon…except the last one. I overheard a group of men talking about a herd of colts they brought through yesterday. One of the men said they stayed last night at a cabin outside of town, and they were taking the colts to El Jefe tonight. I think they are working in cahoots with the Mexicans, but we have to find out all the details.”

      Justin sat quietly for a minute then said, “Mitch, you ride out to the cabin to see if you can find their trail. Chad you come with me and we will talk to the Sheriff.”

      “Sure thing, big brother!” Mitch put his hat on. “I’ll see you fellas this evening.”

  

Chapter 3

      Mitch crept along behind the bushes in the back looking for activity inside the house. There wasn’t any smoke coming from the chimney and there weren’t any horses out front. He took his gun out, checked the bullets, and put it back into his holster.

      Slowly, he crept towards the back door. When he finally reached it, he paused, listening for any sounds of life inside. He took a deep breath, drew his gun, and kicked the door open. He walked in, and looking around didn’t see anybody. He walked across the cabin to check the bedroom, when he thought he heard something. He paused. The floor boards behind him creaked again. He spun around and as he did something came crashing down on his head. The world went black and he slumped to the floor.

 **********************

      Mitch slowly started to wake up, trying to rethink back to what had happened. As it came back to him he tried to figure out where he was at. He didn’t hear anything so he opened his eyes. He turned his head to see where he was at. He wasn’t outside because this room was warm, and even though it was night, this room was well lit. Mitch swung his legs over the side of the couch. This room didn’t look like a thieves' den, it looked more like a Spanish hacienda.

      A man with a Spanish accent broke into his thoughts, “Good evening, Mr. Carter. I am glad to see you have finally woken up. I do hope my men didn’t hit you too hard.” Mitch looked the man over. He was an older man with gray hair, a mustache, and he wore the clothes of a patrón. He spoke again. “Please forgive my manners. I forgot to introduce myself. I am Juan Chávez. My half brother built this fortress about 50 years ago, when our father gave him the land. But I shot him and he lost the land, poor man. But, thankfully, I was able to give of myself and take the land after he died. I kept the fort’s name, Ramualdo, in his honor. But! Enough about me, you will join me for supper will you not?”

      Mitch followed him through the hacienda. The man was talking so much Mitch never had a chance to say anything. How am I going to get out of here? I need to watch for an escape. Maybe after supper I can look for a way. Mitch didn’t like how friendly this guy acted, but he knew for a fact that he was Jefe. He paused when he got to the doorway of the dining room. Who are those two men sitting at the table? I bet they are the two guys that knocked me out!

      As if he could read Mitch’s mind, Señor Chávez said, “These are the two men who brought you to my humble abode. Please, do not be too upset; they were following my orders. Sit down and we will talk and eat.”

 *********************

      Señor Chávez wiped his mouth with his napkin and pushed his chair back. “And, now my friend, if you would come with me, I will show you to your quarters. “

      Mitch took one last drink of water and got up to follow the Jefe. He didn’t say a word as he followed Señor Chávez through the house but his mind was spinning. He didn’t say one word about the colts the whole time at supper. I wonder if he sold them or still has them. Chad and Justin are probably trying to find me; I hope they do before it is too late. Señor Chávez came to a stand still in front of a built-in bookcase in his study.  He pulled one of the books slightly out, which triggered a mechanism inside the wall, which in turn caused a portion of the bookshelf to open up, revealing a tunnel with stairs leading down.

      “Mr. Carter, the fortress which I told you about earlier. Please enter. I will show you the way and close the door behind us. I wouldn’t want somebody to accidently escape.” He waited for Mitch to pass him, then continued. “This fort is well hidden. In fact, it is so well hidden that no one will ever find it, not even your brothers. Do you know why? Of course, you don’t. Well, señor, let me tell you. This fort is completely underground. Any person could be standing up above us right now and you never know it. Ah! Here we are. This is your sleeping quarters, I do hope you find it comfortable.”

      Mitch ducked through the low doorway, then turned to ask Señor Chávez a question. “Señor Chávez, may I ask what you did with the colts? Did you sell them or did you keep them?”

      “Mr. Carter, that is for me to know and you to find out.” He turned to go, then paused. “Oh, one more thing. Know that you are in Mexico now, not in America. Your brothers cannot bring the law. But we can use the law against you and them. And lastly, I have guards everywhere down here.”

 

 Chapter 4

      Mitch lay on the cot with his hands behind his back, wondering what to do. It looks like there is only one entrance to this underground maze, but that wouldn’t make sense. Señor Chávez would have made this so that if he needed to escape, he could escape through the fort. There isn’t any window in this cell, so I can’t escape that way. And I would break my back trying to push that iron door down. I wonder if the door might open if I wiggle it a little. Mitch got up and crept over to the door. He gently lifted up on the handle and shifted it towards the hinges. The latch gave way and the door silently swung open. He looked both ways; no guards. Hmmm, no guards anywhere. That's odd. Señor Chávez said that there would be guards everywhere.

      He stepped out into the dim hallway and walked down the one to his right. Soon he came to a fork in the hallway and was wondering which way to go when he heard footsteps. He ducked into a doorway and waited to see who it was walking his way. A girl walked by humming a song under her breath. He grabbed her wrists and pulled her into the doorway.

      “Who are you, chica? Where are the guards? Digame!! Tell me!” She said nothing, but she didn’t look scared. This puzzled Mitch. “Tell me now, chiquita, or I will break your wrists. Now, one more time, where are the guards?”

       She looked at him and said calmly, “Come with me. Jefe has all the guards in a meeting right now. If you want to escape, it is now or never.”

      “Come, and we can escape together. What is a girl like you doing here?”

      “There is no time to explain. You must go now. I am better staying here and doing what I can. Go!”

      Mitch went quickly in the direction that she had pointed him in. It wasn’t long until he came to a door. He tried it and it was unlocked. It opened without a sound and behind it lay a set of staircases. He took the steps two at a time and went through another door at the top of the staircase. There was another passageway at the top, and although still dark, it was better lit than the passageway below. He progressed more slowly this time, making sure he didn’t meet anyone in the way. He came to the end of the passageway and was trying to decide which way to go when from the doorway on his right came a low voice with a thick Spanish accent. “Señor, come with me, por favor. Jefe wants to see you.”

     How had they known I would be escaping? How did they find out? Mitch figured it would be better to follow him and fight his way out of somewhere instead of trying to find his way out of an underground maze that he was unfamiliar with. So he followed him through the door and down another dark passageway. It didn’t take him long to notice that they weren’t the only two in the passageway; there were at least two men taking up the rear.

      The man in the lead opened the door to reveal a well-lit room with a cozy atmosphere. He ushered Mitch through the doorway. As soon as Mitch’s eyes grew accustomed to the light, he realized he was standing directly in front of Señor Chávez himself. Mitch immediately noticed the girl to Señor Chávez’s right. He gasped.

       “Mr. Carter! Let me introduce you to my daughter. This is Esperanza. She is beautiful, si?”

       Esperanza grinned wickedly at him.

       “We have already met,” Mitch said between clenched teeth.

      “So you have, so you have. To business!  You honor me with your presence once again. However, this time on more—how shall we say it?—unpleasant terms. You do know that this offense will not have a pleasant punishment for you, do you not?”

     Mitch gulped. “I have no doubt, Señor, that you have a fair view of justice, and I hope that you will have some pity on my situation.” He hoped that praising and flattering him would make him a little more softer. He wasn’t quite ready to die.

       “Mr. Carter, you play on my kind heart. But, I am tired of showing mercy to people who make mistakes. Next time you decide to find your colts, find the correct side of federales. I recently have decided that all my prisoners caught escaping will be shot in front of my own personal firing squad. Cheer up, Mr. Carter, it is a great honor! You are the first one to have it! Oh, let me tell you at what time you shall depart from this earth, as I am sure you are dying to know; pardon the pun.” He rested his chin in his hand and thought for a moment. “I think that tomorrow morning would suit me best.”

 ***********************************

      As Mitch was marched between two guards out to the yard he was doing some hard praying and thinking. What about everyone at home? I’ll never see Mother again, or Andi, or Melinda. I’ll never see Chad or Justin again either. I wonder if they will even be able to find what is left of me. These things had run through his head more than once all night long. But he knew he could trust God to help him no matter what.

      The guards tied his hands behind his back and blind folded him. They turned him towards the firing squad. A voice called out that Mitch recognized as Señor Chávez’s. “Mr. Carter, I am sorry that it has come to this, but everyone must pay for his mistakes. I usually give my prisoners a chance to say something, but I am crunched for time. I need to go sell a fine herd of colts that someone dropped into my lap.” Mitch heard a loud guffaw.

       Señor Chávez turned towards the captain and nodded. The next thing Mitch heard was   “Load!............. Ai—” Suddenly the sound of a horse pulling a wagon reached Mitch’s ears. It sounded like it was coming right between him and the firing squad. It stopped and something hit the ground. All of the sudden fireworks started going off in the wagon and people started shouting and everyone was in chaos. Someone suddenly ripped off Mitch’s bandana and pulled him into a hug. “It’s good to see you, little brother. There was a time when I didn’t know if I would see you again.”

      “Chad! How did you get here? How did you find me? How did—”

      “No time for questions. We have to go while the fireworks are still going off. Justin is waiting outside with the horses.”

      Mitch raised his eyebrows in a questioning look. Chad answered, “Yup, we got the colts too. But we won’t have any of it if you don’t get going.”

      They rushed out the front gate while everyone was still in chaos. Justin was waiting for them about a quarter of a mile away. And there sat the herd of colts. Justin hugged Mitch. “It’s good to see you safe and in one piece, Mitch.”

       “It’s good to be in one piece, although I almost wasn’t. But as Mother says, ‘All’s well that ends well’.”