It Takes One to Know One

By Desert Sundown

Hannibal Heyes shifted in his saddle and looked over his shoulder at his partner, riding a few yards behind him. “Are you still grumblin’?” he frowned.

The Kid turned irritable blue eyes on him, “Yeah, man says he’ll pay sixty dollars an’ you just signed us both up. Didn’t even ask me, after we agreed no more cattle drives,” he complained.

Rolling his eyes, Heyes turned back, sighing. “For th’ hundredth time, Leland was lookin’ to replace th’ two men he lost, he needed an answer quick an’ I couldn’t find you. Sixty dollars apiece was good pay for three weeks an’ we were broke,” he frowned. “We finished early, got paid, an’ we’re headin’ to town for some rest. Let it go!”

The Kid scowled at his partner’s back, “We had a deal,” he growled.

The dark-haired man yawned; he was too tired for this. Although it had been a relatively short trail drive, they were both in need of sleep, due to taking turns riding guard at night. He knew his partner didn’t do well without proper rest; the Kid had been in a sour mood most of the time. Heyes tried to stay positive, but his patience was running thin.

He shook his head, “Kid, we were outa’ money, coffee, food, an’ almost outa’ bullets! Plus, the weather was turnin’ colder. You’d have done th’ same if it was you talkin’ to Leland.  When it’s that bad, we take whatever job we can find. We agreed no more drives but I don’t recall sayin’ even if we starved.” Heyes argued.

“Coulda’ looked for somethin else,” Kid griped, refusing to give in, knowing Heyes had a point.

Heyes turned to glare at his cousin, “And if we didn’t find somethin’ else? It was th’ first job we even heard about in over a month. I don’t like trailin’ cattle either but we didn’t have a choice,” he reasoned.

“Well, one of us sure didn’t!” Kid growled.

“Forget it! There’s no talkin to you when you’re like this,” Heyes said, exasperated. “Stubborn mule,” he mumbled, turning back.

“What?” Kid demanded.

“Nothin’!” Heyes snapped, prodding his horse, widening the distance between him and his surly cousin.

The Kid stared after his partner, feeling guilty, knowing he owed him an apology. Heyes had taken the only job available and, although he hated to admit it, he would have done the same.

 

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The trouble began after a visit with their old friend Soapy Saunders and their plan to head south. A telegram from Lom Trevors had sent them north instead, another favor for the Governor.  He needed some important papers picked up and delivered; reluctantly the two men had headed toward Big Springs, Nebraska. Five days later, out of money and supplies, they had arrived to find that a friend of the Governor had already left to make the delivery.

Both men were angry and feeling used, but the Kid had taken it personally. He had become morose and untalkative, Heyes’ attempts to cheer him up hadn’t helped.

Unable to find work and with the weather growing colder, they headed south again, surviving on the game they hunted and fish they caught, sleeping in the open on cold ground and feeling pretty discouraged.

They had stopped in the small town of Wray Colorado, hoping to find a job that would at least pay enough to buy some coffee, bullets and grain for the horses.

Entering the saloon, Heyes had overheard George Leland’s conversation, regarding anyone looking for work; he had hastily asked about the job. Leland was the trail boss charged with getting a small herd to Fort Robinson for near-by reservations. He had lost two men; one injured when his horse fell on him and the brother who was caring for him. He needed two men to replace them fast in order to deliver the cattle on time.

Unable to quickly locate his cousin, Heyes had accepted the job for both of them, providing another target for the Kid’s frustration. Once again heading north with the trail drive, the Kid had gone along, unhappy with the job and angry at his partner for agreeing to it. Heyes had tried to remain good-natured and sympathetic, knowing how the Kid felt about both, favors for the Governor and herding cattle. Still, he felt he had done what he had to and was waiting for Kid to get over his stubborn attitude. 

 

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Kid frowned as Heyes disappeared around a rock formation, yards ahead. Heyes knew the danger of putting that much distance between them on the trail; moreover, he knew how the Kid felt about it. “Now who’s bein’ stubborn?” Kid mumbled. “Okay, I shoulda’ let it go an’ said sorry a while ago, but that ain’t no reason for you to get careless, you’re just tryin’ to get back at me,” he fretted to himself. Shaking his head in disbelief, he sighed then nudged his horse into a trot, “C’mon, better catch up before my genius partner gets hisself hurt bein’ stupid,” he growled, worry tightening his throat.

Reaching the rock formation, Kid’s gun leaped into his hand when he heard a mountain lion’s scream, followed by the frightened squeal of a horse and a gunshot. He kicked his horse into motion, rounding the rocks to see his partner on his back, struggling, his hands locked around the neck of the snarling animal inches above him.

Kid jumped from his horse and ran toward his partner, stopping several feet from them, pointing his gun. The huge cat’s weight shifted sideways and Heyes’ shoulders lifted off the ground. Kid hesitated, heart pounding, he couldn’t risk shooting his cousin but he had to stop the animal from inflicting more damage. The movements of the struggling pair were erratic and unpredictable. Desperate and unable to get a clear shot, Kid switched his aim. The cat screamed when the bullet hit its hip and giving up on his prey, it turned to run. With another shot from Kid’s gun, it fell and lay unmoving

Holstering his gun, Kid hurried to Heyes and knelt. “Heyes!” he questioned fearfully, seeing the amount of blood.

“I’m okay---I’m okay,” Heyes assured him, his voice quivering.

“I don’t think so partner, let me get a canteen.” Kid walked quickly toward his nervous horse and reached out slowly. “Easy boy, all over now,” he soothed and caught the trailing reins. Tying him to a bush, he grasped the canteen and hurried back to Heyes, who lay trembling, his eyes closed.

“Coat’s pretty tore up, awful lota’ blood,” Kid told him, unfastening the coat and shirt.

“Bullet caught - him --- when he jumped,” Heyes said.

Kid lifted the bottom of the henley, “That explains some of it, but you got a mess of scratches and puncture wounds on your chest. Th’ coat probably saved you some, think we can get your arms outa’ th’ sleeves?” Kid asked, worriedly.

Heyes took a deep breath, and looked up at his friend, “I’m cold,---we ain’t more’n –a few miles from ---- town. Let’s just get there – see what needs doin’ then,” he said tightly.

Feeling guilty, Kid gave him a sympathetic nod and lowered the undershirt, then closed and refastened the coat. “Yeah, might be for th’ best,” he agreed, helping Heyes to sit up. He opened the canteen and held it toward Heyes, “Take a drink,” he recommended.

Heyes took the canteen, holding it awkwardly and drank a couple swallows, then passed it back.

“Rest a minute, I’ll be right back,” Kid said.

Crossing the patchy ground, he slowly approached Heyes’ horse, talking softly. Seemingly untroubled, the animal glanced up at him, then continued grazing. Catching the trailing reins, Kid looked him over, and finding him sound, led him back to where his own mount was tied.

Heyes sat, head down, fingertips massaging his forehead; Kid sighed heavily and glanced toward the dead cat. Both men were aware that rabies was frequently carried by mountain lions, not a pleasant prospect.

“Your horse ain’t hurt but he don’t like th’ scent of that cat,” Kid said, holding the reins tightly, trying to calm the jittery horse. “You ready to ride?” Kid asked.

Heyes looked up, “Sure,” he replied, standing and crossing to his horse. He took the reins, grimacing as he pulled himself into the saddle.

“You aw right?” the Kid asked.

Heyes nodded, “Yeah, let’s go,” he said.

“Hold up,” Kid instructed. He approached the dead cat and studied it, kneeling  near its head. Moments later, he stood, grasped Heyes’ hat and hung it on the saddle horn, “Looks like he was healthy. Holler if you need to stop,” he said, then mounted and moved his horse onto the trail.

The mid-day sun was directly overhead as the silent pair rode into North Platt. Kid rode slightly ahead of Heyes observing buildings and the few people hurrying to their destinations. He led them past the sheriff’s office, relieved that it wasn’t a name he recognized.

“Howdy, is there a doctor in town?” he asked of a man passing by. The man waved his hand, “Just th’ other side o’ th’ hotel,” he said. “Much obliged,” Kid replied.

Heyes winced as the scratches and bite marks burned, pulling as they stuck to his clothes. “Let’s get a room an’ a bath first, may not need a doctor,” he told Kid.

“Don’t start, you need to see a doctor, you can get a bath after.” Kid frowned at him.

“Not if I’m bandaged up,” Heyes protested, desperately needing a warm bath.

“We’ll ask th’ doc about a bath, might need stitches,” Kid said tightly, his eyes searching. Spotting the sign that read ‘DR Carruthers’, Kid dismounted, tied his horse and looked up at Heyes, “You need help?” he asked, taking his reins.

Heyes shook his head and dismounted stiffly, groaning under his breath.

“Let’s see if he’s here,” Kid placed a hand on Heyes’ back, guiding him inside.

The doctor looked up from the desk, standing when he saw the blood on the tattered coat, “May I help you?”

“I got a mite scratched up tangling with a mountain lion,” Heyes reported, casually.

“We need to get that coat off and clean you up. Are you still bleeding?” the doctor asked, opening the door to a small room.

Heyes shook his head, resisting Kid’s attempt to aim him toward the room. “Mostly th’ cat’s blood, I figured on getting a bath at th’ hotel. My partner thought I should ask you first,” Heyes said.

Seeing the worried and tense frown on the Kid’s face, the doctor smiled slightly, “I see, can you unfasten your coat?” he requested.

Kid reached for the buttons, “He’s Joshua Smith, I’m Thaddeus Jones. He shot th’ cat as it jumped, few miles outa’ town. I looked it over, didn’t look sick,” Kid supplied, pulling aside the tattered fabric, while Heyes eyed him.

Stepping forward the doctor studied the deep scratches, then nodded, “Bath may be the best option, but no more than fifteen minutes. You need to wash the injuries with soap and dry them well. I’ll come to your room in an hour to dress the wounds.” He took a small bottle from a cabinet and handed it to the Kid. “This’ll help with the pain,” he said.

Kid slipped it into his pocket and fastened Heyes’ coat, “Thanks Doc,” he said, giving Heyes a steady look, “C’mon, let’s get you settled,” he said firmly.

Kid retrieved both saddlebags, following Heyes into the hotel and asked for a room with two beds and a bath. The desk clerk turned the book and offered Heyes the pen. Glancing at Heyes, who shook his head wearily, Kid took the pen and signed for both. Taking the key, he followed Heyes up the stairs and opened the door.

Sitting in the chair, Heyes rested his arms on the table, a groan escaping him.

Kid opened the medicine, “Take a swallow an’ let’s get th’ gloves an’ coat off,” he instructed.

“I’m okay,” Heyes responded, starring at the table.

“Take it, gonna’ hurt cleanin’ them cuts,” Kid ordered sternly, holding it to Heyes’ lips.

Closing his eyes, Heyes swallowed some of the medicine, then turned away.

“Heyes,” Kid growled.

“Yeah,” Heyes said tightly, staring at the table.

“Dammit Heyes!” Kid exploded, earning a warning glance from dark eyes. “What th’ hell were you thinkin’ – you know we don’t lose sight of each other on th’ trail,” Kid hissed, glaring at his cousin.

 Heyes released a heavy breath, “I know, it was stupid,  --  I’m sorry” he said, dismally.

“Heyes, look at me,” Kid insisted.

Heyes was too tired and defeated to face more of his cousin’s disappointment. He would never admit it, but Kid’s faith in him helped him to believe in himself and the possibility of an amnesty. Reluctantly, he raised his eyes, “Could we talk about this later?” he requested.

“Count on it,” Kid said firmly. “An’ yeah, it was stupid,” he continued, taking a deep breath. “But not as stupid as me takin’ it out on you ‘cause we had to herd cattle again. We both know this is mostly my fault --  I’m sorry Heyes. I don’t blame you for bein’ mad at me, but you’re hurt, you gotta’ quit bein’ stubborn an’ let me help you,” Kid urged, and watched the tension melt away as Heyes sat straighter.

Heyes smiled and snorted laughingly, “Pot callin’ th’ kettle black - I’m not mad, Kid,” he said.

Kid smiled back, “Good, now let’s get th’ coat an’ gloves off.”

A short time later Heyes leaned back slowly in the tub, grunting as the water stung his wounds, finally relaxing. Kid handed him the soap and a wash cloth, opening Heyes’ watch, “It’s quarter to one, you’re outa’ there at one o’clock so don’t get too comfortable. You gotta’ clean them scratches an’ bites. You need some help?” he asked.

“I can manage, my hands ain’t as stiff,” Heyes replied.

“Okay, I’ll go look after th’ horses. I’m lockin’ th’ door, be back before one,” Kid said, closing the door behind him.

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A few hours later the partners were struggling to stay awake, both clean and comfortable. The doctor had applied a soothing salve and bandaged Heyes’ wounds. Kid had brought food and coffee to the room and annoyed Heyes into eating a decent portion of it, then finished the rest himself. Knowing that Heyes disliked taking medicine, Kid had bought a pint of decent whiskey for after they ate.

Yawning, he retrieved the water glasses and poured them both a generous drink. Sitting on the bed where Heyes was propped up with pillows, he handed him a glass. “You gonna’ be able to sleep?” he asked, concerned.

Heyes took the glass, “Not gonna’ be able to stay awake,” he said, yawning.

For a few minutes they both sipped their drinks in companionable silence.

“Thanks Kid, I think we,” ----” Heyes started.

“Not tonight, Heyes,” Kid took Heyes’ glass and set both on the night stand. Moving some pillows, he got Heyes lying flat. “In spite of stupid cows, hungry mountain lions and pushy Governors, we’re both still alive. We both need some rest and you need to heal up. Now go to sleep,” he ordered, straightening the blanket over Heyes.

“Was just gonna say we still manage pretty good together,” Heyes told him.

“Keep talkin’ an’ you might change your mind,” Kid warned, then grinned.

“Night Kid,” Heyes smiled back.

“Night partner.”