Outlaw Reunion

Outlaw Reunion

Butch Henry set his ax down, wiped the sweat from his face and stretched his body to relax his back muscles. It was a stifling hot day, way too hot to be building corrals, but the heat and work actually made his back feel better. He had hurt his back last winter chasing a wounded buck. His horse hit a big limb that lay hidden in the deep snow, and he was thrown. He had known better than to chase the buck in the snow, and his foolishness still angered him whenever he thought about the incident.

"You got a wife and family to take care of and a ranch to run. What were you thinkin’ about anyway?" Butch growled, half out loud, as he picked the water jug up for a drink. "You could have been laid up, or worse yet, ruined a damn good horse."

After properly cussing himself out, Butch looked across the yard into the big corral where the horses were standing, and immediately picked out the big blazed-faced, sorrel gelding he had been riding when chasing the buck.

"Hell, you’re fine, ain’t you Ace?" The gelding hearing his name looked Butch’s way and nickered softly, making Butch grin.

Butch was proud of his horses, knowing he had the best in the country. He never grew tired of looking at the horses, always judging them and making mental notes of their good and bad points.

His attention shifted from the horses to his wolf dog, that had suddenly began growling and looking south. "We got company comin’ Bullet?" he asked the dog, as he retrieved his rifle from the barn.

Butch peered through the pines but saw nothing. However, he knew that Bullet’s keen senses would soon produce a rider, so he waited patiently. When his horses started acting up, Butch knew whoever was coming was getting close. He walked up to the edge of the pines for a better vantage point. It wasn’t long before two riders topped the ridge and rode down through the creek, heading for his place. Butch hid behind a big pine tree, and watched them as they rode closer. Their horses were thin and weary, plodding along, kicking up the fine dust. The two riders looked dirty and tired, but Butch took no chances as he noticed they were both wearing gun belts.

When the riders were about twenty yards from his position, Butch called out in a firm, commanding voice, "Hold up right there men. You’re on the 77 Ranch now, so state your business."

It startled the younger man, but the older man just laughed, and Butch instantly recognized him. "Willis McCall? I swear is that you under all that hair, dirt and whiskers?"

"Damn straight," Willis said, then he dismounted and shook hands with Butch. "This here’s my sidekick, Rowdy Henson. Step down Rowdy, and say hello to the best outlaw I ever rode with, Butch Henry."

"Mighty fine to meet you Mr. Henry. I’ve heard a lot about you," Rowdy said, staring in awe at Butch.

"Well if it came from Willis’ mouth I wouldn’t put much stock in it," laughed Butch, still amazed to see Willis in the Panhandle of Nebraska. "My God McCall how long has it been?"

"It’s been six years since I last seen ya."

"Hard to believe six years have come and gone, but it has. We’ll take your horses up to the barn and get some hay in ‘em. Then go up to my cabin and meet Sarah and my boys. I got a jug I’ve been savin‘, so we can have a drink for old times."

McCall stopped dead in his tracks, "You married, Butch?"

"Yep, goin’ on four years."

"I ain’t gonna meet your wife lookin’ like this," McCall replied, stunned by what he had just heard.

When he had decided to find Butch, Willis never considered that he would be married and have a family. The fact that he was changed everything. Willis had planned on holing up with Butch for a spell and then hit a bank. He was sure he could count on Butch throwing in with him like in the old days.

"Ah shucks she wouldn’t care, but you do need a bath," Butch said, flashing an easy smile. "I’ll go get the tub and soap. The water in the spring is warm, so you can clean up there. If that’ll suit ya?"

McCall was severely irritated his plans had gone awry, as he had hoped Butch might change his luck. "That’ll be just fine. Could you bring that jug too? I need a drink as bad as I need a bath."

Butch returned and handed the jug to Willis, who promptly pulled the cork and wet his lips, then he took a long pull on the jug. "That’s good Kentucky whiskey. Where did you get it out here in no man’s land?"

"No man’s land? Why Willis, you’re in the panhandle of Nebraska, anything is possible here," Butch said. "It’s 1869, we‘ve been a state for two years."

"I know where I am at, that’s why I asked."

"Rowdy care for a drink?"

"Rowdy don’t need a drink," McCall said bluntly, "he needs to see to the horses. Bring me my bedroll and a change of clothes." Rowdy didn’t say word, just did as he was told.

"Damn Willis, you could’ve let the man have a drink and take a bath. I can take care of the horses."

But McCall acted like he never heard him and passed the jug to Butch, who took a respectable drink and coughed, "Dang, it’s way too hot to be drinkin’ whiskey."

"It ain’t that hot, ‘cides were havin’ us a reunion," grinned McCall, passing the jug back to Butch after taking another healthy drink.

Butch took another turn and quickly chased the fiery bourbon with water from his jug.

"As good as this is tastin’ I reckon one more drink will hold me until my bath is done," Willis said, tipping the jug once more, then passing it to a reluctant but game Butch. While Butch took his turn, Willis filled the tub.

The whiskey, bath and shave transformed Willis, who felt relaxed and safe for the first time in a long while. Butch, on the other hand, was feeling a little wobbly from one too many turns on the jug. McCall noticed that Butch was feeling the effects of the whiskey. "Probably had that jug forever, too afraid to take a drink because of his old lady," he thought disgustedly. But he kept his thoughts to himself.