Rebellion

By Lee Bishop

Rebellion is sweeping northern Mexico as peons attempt to gain freedom from wealthy land owners who treat workers and farmers like indentured servants or slaves. Periodically peons and vaqueros will visit Ricardo Montoya in the Arizona Territory, pleading with him to join the rebellion and lead the rebels who are continually being mauled by the Mexican Army.
Ricardo has become James Barringer. He has a new wife, Christina, and is content to manage the huge Barringer cattle ranch. James repeatedly turns down requests to lead the rebellion, claiming his responsibilities now lie with his family in the Arizona Territory.
Montoya is finally drawn into rebellion, but will destiny be denied or will fate intervene?

• Language: English
• Publisher: World Castle Publishing, LLC
• Release date: Dec 18, 2017
• ISBN: 9781629898469

Lee Bishop

Following college at The University of Missouri and a stint in the U. A. Army, Lee began a 15-year newspaper career at The Phoenix Gazette in Phoenix, Arizona. He wrote more than two thousand news articles and feature stories for The Gazette.His main work emphasis was government and politics, and most of his career was spent writing about the Arizona State Capitol, the Arizona House of Representatives and the State Senate. Lee also covered the Phoenix City Council and Maricopa County governmental issues. He wrote numerous stories about prominent Arizona politicians including U. S. Senator Barry Goldwater, Speaker of the U. S. House of Representatives John Rhodes, and U. S. Senator Paul Fannin.Lee had three novels published during and after his newspaper career, including Gunblaze by Leisure Books; the first book in the Border Legend series by Walker and Company, and Davy Crockett for Dell’s American Explorers series.He left the newspaper business to pursue a career in real estate and still owns a real estate company, Southwestern Homes Realty, in Scottsdale, Arizona.Lee and his wife, Sue, have two sons and two daughters, who all live in the Phoenix and Tucson areas with their families. They have eight grand-children.He is an avid outdoorsman who walks his boxers two to three miles each morning. Lee’s favorite passion is hiking the Grand Canyon at least once a year. He also plays golf regularly.Lee has returned to writing novels on a full-time basis and concentrates on southwestern historical fiction with action and adventure being the dominant focus.He and his wife continue to reside in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Book preview

The large stage coach pulled up in front of the Hermosillo Hotel. Two vaqueros, wearing heavy overcoats to ward off the dust from the trail, slowly got down from the driver’s seat in front and opened the doors on each side. The men helped Christina and Victoria Barringer disembark from the carriage. James Barringer exited from the street side.

The accompanying entourage included four heavily armed cowboys from the Barringer Ranch, plus the two vaqueros riding on the stage coach. The Barringers were about to embark upon a pleasure cruise from San Carlos to San Francisco. Victoria, the matriarch of the Barringer family, had contracted for the cruise on The Eagle, one of the fastest clipper ships on the west coast. It was a one day coach ride from Hermosillo to San Carlos on the Gulf of California.

The sailing adventure was to be a pleasure cruise…a belated honeymoon for Christina and James and a shopping extravaganza in San Francisco, and the return trip would utilize a portion of the recently completed transcontinental railroad from California to points east. Christina wanted to study the world-famous Victorian architecture in San Francisco to determine what exterior features might be incorporated into her new home James was about to build for her atop a hill opposite Victoria’s mansion in the Arizona Territory.

James Barringer, known in Mexico as Ricardo Montoya, was surprised how well his new wife got along with his grandmother, Victoria. He watched and listened as the two women engaged in non-stop conversation.

For Victoria, it was a new experience to be able to communicate with a well-educated, highly intelligent woman of great beauty. The ranch had no women to match Christina’s intellect, reasoning powers, and overview. Victoria enjoyed their time together more with every passing day.

Several months had passed since Christina and James had returned to the

Barringer Ranch. James had fallen in love with Christina at first sight when he met her in Hermosillo while on a business trip. She fled with James on the very day she was to be married to a man named Miguel Soto. Soto pursued them and tried to murder them, and James killed him.

Ricardo Montoya married Christina in Mexico before they crossed the border into Texas, and repeated the vows as James Barringer at a huge wedding ceremony on the Barringer Ranch. She was now legally married in both countries to a man with two names.

Usually, James would change into Mexican clothing whenever he crossed the border, and on the return trip would change back into Arizona cowboy clothing. It was easier to command respect and give orders to workers if you were dressed in the apparel worn in their country.

On this trip, he stayed in Arizona cowboy clothing and wore a Stetson cowboy hat instead of a sombrero. His last visit to Hermosillo, when he stole the bride, had resulted in a monumental upheaval in the community. Merely changing clothing and a hat made him almost unrecognizable. He did not foresee any lingering obstacles which might interfere with the clipper cruise. James sent the cowboys and the stage coach to the large stables down the street, and accompanied the women up the stairs and into the lobby of the beautifully decorated hotel.

***

Across the street from the hotel, a thin businessman with a dark moustache and goatee looked out the second story office window, and his eyes opened wide in amazement as he stared at Christina. Don Cipriano Soto’s mouth dropped open. Then, he took a closer look at the tall cowboy standing near her. That’s him, he thought.

***

The Barringers walked up to the hotel counter. The manager smiled at the three of them. He instantly recognized Christina, and then shifted his gaze to the cowboy. His eyes showed alarm as he recognized Ricardo Montoya. Relax, said James. There shouldn’t be any problems this time. Christina and I are married, and this is my grandmother, Victoria Barringer.

The hotel manager appeared very uncomfortable as Victoria signed the papers for the night’s lodging. He kept glancing at James but said nothing. The three of them mounted the wide staircase to the second floor. Victoria was staying in the largest suite in the hotel. James and Christina were next door.

Victoria was to meet briefly with her Hermosillo attorney, Alfredo Garcia, before the women began shopping. An hour later they entered his office and the affable, friendly lawyer greeted them warmly.

It’s wonderful to see you again, Mrs. Barringer. And also the two of you, Ricardo and Christina, he stated in his smiling manner.

They exchanged pleasantries for a few minutes.

On this trip, I’m using my Arizona name, James Barringer, James said.

You look like an Arizona cattle baron today, said the grinning attorney.

They walked into his inner office, and Victoria signed several papers regarding ownership of the Mexican ranch, Vista Bonita, that was now jointly owned by Ricardo and his Mexican brother, Rafael.

Come to our home tonight for dinner, said Garcia. My wife will be happy to see you.

The Barringers agreed to have dinner at his home at 7 p.m. and prepared to leave. The women walked out first, and Garcia motioned to James to come back into his office for a moment.

Cipriano Soto is in town. He’s Miguel’s father. I just finished the paperwork for his partnership with Ramon Aragon. They are going ahead with the mining partnership even though the marriage did not take place. The mining office is across the street from the hotel on the second floor. Watch yourself, the lawyer warned.

James thanked Garcia and left with the women. They spent the rest of the afternoon making the rounds of the upscale stores. The women bought dresses and jewelry, and were engrossed in small talk while James continually surveyed the streets for any sign of trouble.

Upon their return to the hotel, James looked up at the second story window across the street and saw the figure of a dark, very thin man staring at him. Neither Barringer nor Soto gave any indication that they recognized one another.

He knows that I’m here, James thought.

***

That night an ornate carriage and retinue of cowboys and vaqueros arrived at the Garcia mansion at precisely 7 p. m.

Are you sure we need all of these men with us? Christina asked.

It never hurts to be cautious, Barringer said and smiled.

The lavish home was surrounded with lanterns. The house was French colonial, three stories tall including a full basement. The hipped roof around the entire home covered all of the exterior verandas. Potted flowers were everywhere. Large dormer windows allowed light into the second story rooms. The exterior doors opening out on to the verandas were of California redwood.

A lot of thought went into this home, Victoria commented. It rivals my house.

Garcia met his guests on the front porch and escorted them inside. James took a few minutes stationing his men and then joined the group.

Mrs. Garcia was her usual gracious, charming self. She explained how most of the redwood interior walls had been shipped from San Francisco. Beautiful tapestries and lovely oriental rugs adorned every room.

The guests were provided with champagne and hors d’oeuvres. The women engaged Mrs. Garcia with a myriad of questions concerning the style and grace projected by the home.

Barringer and Garcia were able to step away from the ladies and carried on their own quiet conversation.

When we got back to the hotel, I looked up at the mining company windows and saw the thin man with the moustache and goatee studying me. He knows that I’m here, all right, James stated.

"He’s another cold one,

just like his son. He never smiled once during the whole contract negotiation that took place over an entire afternoon. Soto sat there staring at me and Ramon Aragon, seldom uttering a word. He was cold, calculating, and showed no emotion."

I wonder what enjoyment he gets out of life, Barringer commented.

Business and money are all that matter to him, as far as I could ascertain, said the attorney.

I have six men with me, and they are all top gun hands. I doubt that he will try anything, James noted.

Garcia nodded his head in understanding. I never did hear what happened outside of Chihuahua. Could you fill me in?

We left Chihuahua to stay at the base of the escarpment in the beautiful resort hotel called Vista Bonita, which is the same name that our Mexican rancho has. That timber country below the Arriaga Rim is gorgeous, and so is Christina. I wasn’t thinking as straight as I should have. Safety wasn’t on my mind.

A lovely woman will do that to you, said a smiling Garcia.

The men laughed.

When we left the hotel in the morning and started to climb into the coach, there was a hail of gunfire. Both the vaqueros sitting on top of the carriage were killed. Christina and I ducked around behind the hotel and began following a trail that led up the escarpment. I was able to fire down at our pursuers and killed several of them. This kept them back a considerable distance. Soto and one of his men had taken a different trail up to the top of the rim. When we got to the top, rain had set in and clouds of fog were everywhere.

Garcia stared at James as he absorbed every word.

Barringer continued. I left Christina momentarily. She said that the cloud of fog parted for a few moments and Soto was standing in front of her. He pulled a knife and said he was going to cut her to pieces. Christina shot him in the chest with my revolver. He was on his hands and knees in front of her. I moved back to where she was standing and finished him off with one shot.

Amazing…. Simply amazing! Garcia stated.

When there was no one left alive to pay them, the few remaining gunmen departed. She married Ricardo Montoya in Mexico and James Barringer in the Arizona Territory.

Do you realize you would have to get two divorces if this didn’t work out? said the smiling attorney.

Both men laughed loudly and the Barringer women and Garcia’s wife stopped talking and looked over at them.

Chapter 2

Don Cipriano Soto sat behind the desk in his office chair looking at three vaqueros standing in front of him. His dark hair was streaked with grey, but his moustache and goatee were still solid black. The thin man’s dark eyes moved slowly from one man to another, sizing them up.

I’m told that you men can use a gun, Soto said in a quiet voice.

Antonio Murrieta, the leader of the three, nodded his head yes. "What is it you want us to do, and how much are you willing to pay?’

I want you to kill a man.

Murrieta’s eyes narrowed. The heavyset gunman and rustler had a block-like face, large nose, jowls, and a bushy moustache.

How much will you pay? Murrieta asked again in a baritone voice.

The second outlaw, Jose Carillo, had predator eyes. He was tall, thin, and had a full beard. Carillo shifted from one foot to another in anticipation.

The third vaquero, Angel Contreras, the youngest of the three men, suddenly appeared uncomfortable. Contreras was of average height, had light brown eyes, an oval face, and was clean shaven.

I’m told that you men will take on any job for a price. I will pay you a lot of money to kill a man staying at the hotel across the street. Are you interested?

If the price is right, I’ll kill any man, Carillo responded.

Don Cipriano opened the desk drawer and took out three leather pouches. He pushed them across the desk to the vaqueros.

There’s fifteen hundred pesos in each pouch. When you come back and your mission is accomplished, I’ll have another five thousand pesos for each of you.

Murrieta’s eyes opened in surprise. Carillo reached for one of the pouches, but Murrieta grabbed his arm.

That’s a lot of money for one man. Is he well-guarded? And why do you want him killed?

Carillo pulled his arm loose and appeared agitated.

His name is Ricardo Montoya, and he killed my son. Soto sat back in the chair and waited for the name to register in the vaqueros’ minds.

This is the man everyone talks about? Murrieta asked.

Yes. He is staying with his wife in the hotel, and they will be leaving by coach early tomorrow morning. The vaqueros who are with him are staying in the small hotel next to the stables. I’ve watched him walk back and forth twice without any bodyguards, Soto explained.

Let’s do it, said the squinty-eyed Carillo.

Murrieta turned to Carillo. Shut up! he growled. Carillo moved back a step but continued to stare at the money pouches. Montoya is a top gun hand, and has developed quite a reputation for his fights with the Apaches and other gunmen. This is not a simple task, Murrieta pointed out.

Soto sat quietly analyzing the three men. He had his doubts about the youngest of the three, who appeared to be ill at ease and nervous. The young man’s body language indicated discomfort.

Murrieta’s hard eyes bore into Soto.

If one or two of us don’t return, then the entire fifteen thousand pesos will go to the one or two of us who do survive. And, there will be another ten thousand peso bonus to the remaining vaqueros. That’s my counter to your offer, said Murrieta.

Carillo smiled as he looked at Murrieta.

I have my doubts about the young man standing next to you. Are you up to this assignment? Soto asked Contreras.

All eyes were on the young vaquero.

***

Contreras was frightened. He had been involved in rustling cattle for more than a year, but he had never killed anyone. And he hadn’t expected to be called upon for such an assignment. His two companions had killed men over the years and had no conscience.

***

I’ll do the job, he blurted out. You can count on me.

Soto doubted the young man’s ability to follow through, but with such a short time frame within which to act, he would use the outlaws standing in front of him.

I agree to your terms, Soto stated. But, remember, if you don’t kill him, you get nothing.

***

The outlaws left the office and stopped just before they exited the building.

I would guess that their suite is heavily guarded. Angel, you check out the hotel and try to figure out how many guards there are. Jose, you take a walk down to the stable and determine what might be good vantage points for us to use if we were to ambush him. If he walks back and forth to the stable without any guards, early morning will probably be our best choice, Murrieta surmised. We’ll meet back here in an hour.

***

James was up early the next morning. He told the guards to remain at their posts and take the women and their luggage down to the lobby. He began his normal stroll, but was alert and stayed on the board walks next to the buildings as he moved towards the stable.

Two blocks from the stable he came to an intersection with flat-roofed buildings on all four corners. The streets were virtually empty as he continued his walk across the intersection.

The first shot came from atop the building on the northwest corner. It tore through his Stetson, just missing the right side of his face. James rolled on the ground and was back on his feet running for the building from which the shot had been fired. A second shot came from the corner building across the street and tore the sleeve of his shirt. Once he reached the building’s overhang, he looked back and saw the gunman across the street. James fired twice at the man standing next to the building. His second shot hit the gunman in the hip. The outlaw was knocked to the ground and struggled to pull himself up. Barringer used his rifle and the next slug went through the middle of the wounded man’s back. He fell on his face and did not move.

The second one’s above me, James thought, but he won’t stay there. Barringer rushed around the building towards the back, where he knew a fire escape would be located.

The outlaw had reached the bottom of the fire escape and was beginning to run down the alley when Barringer came around the corner. James snapped off a quick shot, hitting the man in the left arm. The outlaw ducked between two buildings and was out of sight.

***

Murrieta was in pain but continued to run until he reached a collection of trash containers, where he hid. Barringer circled and began running down a parallel street to intercept the assassin.

The outlaw frantically tried to tie his bandana around the wound in order to stop the bleeding. He looked up just as James came into view. The gunman picked up his revolver and lurched forward against the metal trash containers. James heard the noise, saw the revolver aimed in his direction, and dived to the ground.

Consumed with pain, Murrieta began firing wildly in Barringer’s direction. The three slugs were all high and off the mark. James took his time and fired just below the top of one of the tin containers where he could see the outlaw’s hat. The slug tore through the outlaw’s right cheek.

The intense pain made him jump up. You bastard, he shouted.

***

The gunman fired one more shot before Barringer’s bullet went through his forehead. His lifeless body pitched forward on the trash cans, creating an explosion of noise.

Barringer got up and advanced quickly to where the outlaw lay dead. Satisfied that the man was no longer a threat, he turned and ran back to the original location where the gunfight had begun. People were beginning to come out of the buildings, and were walking up to where the first man’s body lay alongside the wood building. Seeing that he was dead, James began looking around for other assassins.

Barringer looked up at the top of the building on the northeast corner and saw a young vaquero staring down at him. The two men held each other’s gaze for a moment before the man backed up, turned, and ran for the fire escape. James moved rapidly to the rear of the building and saw the young man climbing down the fire escape. As he neared the bottom, Barringer aimed his revolver at the vaquero.

Freeze! he yelled out.

The young man stumbled and fell the remaining four feet to the ground. Please don’t shoot me! I didn’t fire at you. I couldn’t do it. I’m not a killer! he pleaded.

James walked over to him and took his revolver. How many more men are there? he growled.

The boy’s face had lost its color. His eyes were wide with fright. There were just the three of us…me and two other men, Antonio Murrieta and Jose Carillo. Please don’t kill me!

Who hired you?

A man named Soto. He has an office across from the hotel.

Barringer was breathing hard from running. Sweat was running down his face. He took a moment to catch his breath.

The vaquero’s fright escalated. He dropped to his knees and held his hands in front as if he was praying. For the love of God, have mercy! he groaned.

James made up his mind that he would not kill the young man because he had not fired at him.

What are you doing with those two gunmen?

We steal cattle. I’m just starting out. I was with them when Soto made us the offer. I couldn’t back out. I didn’t know what to do. I knew I couldn’t shoot anyone. I’m not a killer, he babbled.

That’s for sure. Barringer began dusting himself off while he determined what to do with the young rustler. What’s your name?

Angel Contreras.

James finished cleaning himself and fixed Contreras with a steely gaze. You’ve picked the wrong profession. When we catch rustlers on my ranch, we hang them.

Contreras groaned and looked at the ground. He knew he was going to die.

I’m not going to kill you, Angel. But someone else will if you continue down this path. You have a chance to change professions. Take it.

The young outlaw looked up at Barringer. Oh, thank you, he moaned.

James ejected the shells from the young man’s revolver. Get on your feet.

Contreras staggered as he got up. James stuck the revolver back in the rustler’s holster.

Go get your horse and get out of here, James said