Caliber of Justice: Volume 1

By David C. Gooch

Caliber of Justice is a two book series, containing eight adventures of Texas Ranger Shane Dawson. These stories tell the story of a young boy who experiences circumstances in his life that force him to seek revenge. Thanks to the aid and mentoring of two Texas Rangers, Shane Dawson becomes a welcomed help to them in tracking down the most violent criminals of west Texas, thus earning him the opportunity to himself become a Texas Ranger.

The two books introduce you to Shane, and his acuaintenances, as they ride on many adventures together that span the course of Shane's life as a lawman. The Caliber of Justice allows the reader to become famliar with the main character and then follows him through his career as a Texas Ranger as he tracks down outlaws, robbers, Indians and horse thieves.

The books contain the following adventures:
BOOK 1:
Texas Ranger
Bounty Hunter
Grapevine Stage
Smoking Gun

Book 2:
Wagon Train
Inside Man
Cattle Drive
Santa Maria

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Feb 4, 2011
• ISBN: 9781456720902

David C. Gooch

David C. Gooch is a minister, earning his Master’s in Biblical Counseling in 2008. David is the husband of Deborah Gooch, an elementary teacher for the Fort Smith Public Schools, and the father of Meagan Gooch, and Jonathan Gooch. David has always held a love for western movies and writings, along with his daughter Meagan, his father John Gooch, grandfather Luther Gooch and his God-father, William Birdsong. From a very young age, David was introduced to the writings of Louis L’Amour and the classic western movies with John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart and Audie Murphy. David lives in Fort Smith, AR., which is home to the icon of western justice - Isaac Parker, and is the home of the Marshal’s Museum, and the referenced hometown in the newly remade John Wayne classic, “True Grit.” David’s writings mostly stem from the importance of justice in our American system that is no more exemplified than the lack of it in the old west. Being a citizen of Fort Smith, AR., David was influenced greatly by the heroic dedication of men like Judge Isaac C. Parker and U.S. Deputy Marshal Bass Reeves. Fort Smith resides on the border of Arkansas and Indian Territory, now known as Oklahoma. In the 1800’s, Fort Smith was the only U.S. Court and the only post for law enforcement for what was one of the roughest destinations for some of the west’s most notorious outlaws. Judge Isaac Parker was known as the Hanging Judge due to his thirst for justice and a quick sentence. Judge Parker had many marshals and deputies who risked their lives entering Indian Territory in order to bring to justice the bandits, murderers and horse thieves who would escape into the rough territory to hide from the law. During his career, Judge Parker tried over 13,490 cases, 344 of which were capital crimes, and 9,454 of the cases resulting in guilty pleas or convictions. Over 160 men were sentenced to death by hanging, although only 79 were actually executed. Judge Parker died of exhaustion after years of working six days a week, ten to twelve hour days. One of his most famous quotes can still be heard throughout the territories, “I have ever had the single aim of justice in view…’Do equal and exact justice,’ is my motto, and I have often said to the grand jury, ‘Permit no innocent man to be punished, but let no guilty man escape.” Judge Isaac Parker 1896

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© 2011 David C. Gooch. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 01/28/2011

ISBN: 978-1-4567-2092-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4567-2091-9 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4567-2090-2 (e-b)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2010919556

Printed in the United States of America

Bloomington, Indiana

Dedication

The Caliber of Justice series is dedicated to the memory of William ‘Bill’ Birdsong who taught me to love life and to be myself at all costs. Bill’s humor and genuine nature drew folks from all across Little Rock, Arkansas and friends from even further as he welcomed each as his own and was never short on stories or laughter. Bill was my hero and my inspiration for goodness. To Bill, I ironically commend you using your favorite line from The Quick and the Dead, Mister, you’ve shore got one handsome woman.

I also would like to dedicate this series to my father, John D. Gooch who is a man whom every man should aspire to resemble. My father is cowboy at heart and exemplifies the very nature of what I consider to be a good man. I have found none during my lifetime who have had fault with John Gooch, but normally overwhelmed instead with compliments and credits to his character.

I would like to express my appreciation to my beautiful wife Deborah, to my wonderful daughter Meagan, and to my awesome son Jonathan. Thank you for your patience and support. I love you.

Volume 1

Book 1: Texas Ranger

Book 2: Bounty Hunter

Book 3: Grapevine Stage

Book 4: Smoking Gun

Texas Ranger

Book 1

Texas Ranger is a story of a young man whose father and brother were murdered by the notorious Dodge Madison Gang. Young Shane Dawson was sent to the Jesuits to become a minister rather than leaving him to live a life consumed with vengeance. Being discouraged with the lack of law enforcement in the territory, he turns the murders into a personal quest for justice. Meeting up with two Texas Rangers who were on the trail of the same gang, Shane becomes endeared to the Caliber of Justice that the Rangers possess and learns a great deal from them in their adventure to capture the Dodge Madison Gang. Texas Ranger is the first of eight installments in the Caliber of Justice series which introduces you to young Shane Dawson and his journey to become a Texas Ranger, and to bring justice to the lawless old west frontier of Texas.

Chapter 1: Growing Up

FIGHT!!! Never had there been such a showdown at the Dawson homestead. This dual could determine superiority between Caleb and Shane. Suddenly the boss grabbed iron and pointed the weapon directly at the two, sending a rush of fear all over the pair of brawlers. It was a known fact in Texas that you didn’t draw iron unless you were intending to use it, and the boss was now more than fed up with their antics and plenty ready to use the weapon against them. Suddenly the most frightful voice echoed a stern warning through the house… Boys, said Caleb’s and Shane’s Ma. You get your hands off each other, clean up this mess, and take your differences outside.

Caleb and Shane Dawson fought over one thing or another practically every day; but this time it had escalated in the house, and what’s worse, in Ma’s kitchen. One thing that everyone knew was that the barn, fields, corral, and den were free territory, but the kitchen, that was Ma’s. On this day, what used to be a spotless oasis of cleanliness in the midst of this otherwise unrefined Texas territory was now akin to the remains of a Kansas tornado. Pots were strung everywhere and the trash was spilled all over the floor. Ma’s homemade apple pie was now being licked up by the old gray housecat who was probably the only soul enjoying this whole situation; that is besides Catherine, the middle child, who had been watching the whole thing from the loft. She always enjoyed watching the boys go at it and seemed to have more than enough entertainment with the two of them around. She watched as the boys began pushing each other, then punching, then wrestling all over the kitchen table, knocking over chairs and finally knocking over a 25 pound bag of flour. Catherine laughed as they looked like a couple of ghosts flying around the kitchen after they both had rolled through the spilt flour. She hadn’t had so much fun in weeks, or at least days. Ma, on the other hand, wasn’t none too excited about the whole quarrel. Today’s altercation just cost her a homemade pie, a bag of flour, and half a day of scrubbing floors and furniture. Ma had grabbed iron, her favorite cast iron skillet, and was waving it in front of the boys’ faces whacking it on the chairs and table trying to get their attention. Shane was four years younger than Caleb and two years younger than Catherine, but he wasn’t willing to take anything off of his older siblings. Shane and Caleb froze at Ma’s screaming as Caleb looked at her with a glazed look of terror, knowing that he was the oldest and would get most of the blame because he was supposed to now be the mature one. Shane noticed Caleb’s attention now being focused on Ma, and figured that he was already knee deep in trouble, therefore he might as well get his whippin’s worth. Shane drew back his right fist and threw it right on target for Caleb’s nose; but Ma was a little quicker and a lot more experienced, therefore Shane’s punch met nothin’ but cast iron as she quickly stuck the iron skillet in front of Caleb’s face causing Shane’s fist to clang the iron like a hammer on an anvil. Shane fell to the floor clutching his swollen hand and trying his best to hold back his tears so that Caleb wouldn’t see. Catherine fell back laughing at the sight while Caleb smiled about as big as Shane snarled. Ma dropped the skillet and knelt beside Shane and looked over his injured hand.

Are you okay sweetheart? Ma asked.

Yeah, I’m fine Ma. Leave it alone. That didn’t hurt a bit. Shane answered with still a small grimace on his face.

Good, then get this mess cleaned up at once and get out and finish your plowin, said Ma. She added, By the way boys, Catherine and I will be makin’ another apple pie for tonight’s supper. You two ain’t allowed any of it ‘cause you obviously didn’t like the first one I made. And neither of ya’ll will be gettin’ any biscuits for the next week because of the flour that you wasted.

The boys got up, dusting flour off of their entire bodies, and began righting the fallen chairs and picking up cups and bowls from all over the kitchen.

Way to go Shane, said Caleb.

Well you started it, replied Shane.

It seemed that fights were just a given when it came time for Ma to give her famous bowl-rim haircuts. Every time the boys were forced to get their hair cut, you were assured that a brawl would eventually break out as the boys would engage in a battle of name-calling. Today, it appeared that ‘donkey ears’ didn’t take well with Shane who was already a hot-headed youngster, always rarin’ to fight.

Chapter 2: The Dawson Family

The Dawsons were a Christian family who had always lived a peaceful lifestyle, other than the brotherly conflicts that seemed to arise a little more often than one could appreciate. Jessie Dawson was a Baptist minister and travelled from county to county, giving spiritual guidance and preaching God’s Word to the heathen people of the lawless Texas territory. Jessie Dawson knew Scripture backwards and forwards and was quick to quote it when answering almost any question that you could pose. The family spent every night reading in the Bible and learned the stories as part of their school learning. Jessie loved helping the people of the territory with their various problems, but loved nothing more than lettin’ loose on a rip-snortin’ sermon about sin and Satan. Nothing seemed to stir up Jessie Dawson more than a sinner livin’ an ungodly lifestyle or the devil who was making him do it. Pastor Dawson would ride from town to town announcing to everyone around that there would be a church meetin’ in just a couple of hours. He would visit the dry good’s store, the hotels, the sheriff’s office, the bank, the saloons and even the house of the devil (as he would often call the whorehouses). He certainly enjoyed preaching, but by the time he witnessed all of the drunkenness, violence, scantily-clad women, and all of the debauchery of a typical west Texas town, he was fired up and ready to preach everyone to repentance. Shane, Caleb and Catherine were good mannered children, except towards each other, and all knew the Bible fairly well. Many people laughed at Dawson because of his ranting about fire and brimstone, but he was a man of conviction and believed what he read, and was therefore determined to keep as many vacancies in Hell as possible. Although many mocked him and referred to him as a Bible-thumper, they certainly didn’t do it to his face. Jessie Dawson stood about six foot three and weighed around 220 pounds, so he was rarely interrupted during his visitations. He was a learned man, but had calluses on his hands to prove his belief that a man only eats when he’s willing to do the work; there probably wasn’t a man in the territory that was able to plow a forty acre plot faster than Jessie Dawson. Strength for him seemed to come in the form of faith first and then muscle just as a backup.

Ruth Dawson was a simple woman who believed in discipline, schooling and non-violence. She was often up before Jessie began his day and was normally the last to go to bed at night as she finished the dishes and swept the dust that seemed to collect on the floors faster than she could remove it.

Caleb was 16 years old at this time and was a tall and skinny sort, a good student, and a hard worker on the farm although he liked to talk as much as work. Sometimes he just seemed to talk a little too much so that his little brother would get fed up and insist on sharing his own opinions which were not normally meant in a positive way.

Catherine was a sweet, quiet girl who was fourteen with long blonde hair and a huge smile. She was mother’s helper and was never far from her kitchen apron. Catherine loved her brothers and enjoyed more than anything watching them play, and even fight, after all it was mostly friendly as the boys did love each other enough not to take it too far.

Unfortunately for this seemingly perfect west Texas family, they had lost a fourth sibling, baby Diana, to smallpox at the age of only two years old, just six years prior. This was devastating to the family, especially for Ruth, but faith got them through as it had so many times before.

Lastly, there was Shane Dawson. Shane was about twelve years old and was a keg of gun powder just waiting to explode. Shane wasn’t quite the dedicated worker or student as was his brother Caleb, but chose instead to frequent the closest watering hole or fishing pond, or to terrorize the girls in his schoolroom with frogs, worms, snakes, and anything else that might possibly get a scare out of them. Ironically enough, although Shane was not much of a student, Scripture seemed to stick with him to the point that he would often shock his parents, siblings, and teacher as a Bible verse would pop up at just the right time to use as a good defense. Parents, do not spare the rod was his favorite each time Caleb seemed to just start getting himself out of trouble.

Texas hadn’t been a state for long and the Mexican occupancy had ended just a short time earlier. West Texas was a lawless frontier with folks from every background and all with different intentions. The Civil War was over and the United States was just getting used to sharing a ‘united’ government under President Grant; but with so many men lost during the Civil War and during the Mexican and Indian campaigns, the army had been depleted and was short on funding. The western territories were so vast, and settlers were moving there in such numbers, that there was just no solution for establishing a sufficient government or military presence in these territories. Occasionally a Calvary unit would patrol the territory or an Army post would be established with eight to ten soldiers, but that was all that the U.S. government could afford with the quickly expanding borders of these newly united states.

Towns began realizing the need for a local sheriff, but many times these simply became pawns of the richest and most influential. Marshals were appointed by the government, but they were so few that covering thousands of miles of territory on horseback was just impossible. Many times the townspeople would lynch a horse thief a couple of weeks before the Marshal could even arrive.

For the Dawsons, this was no easy life and was not what Jessie Dawson knew in the Bible to be paradise, but he knew that this was temporary at worst and that a better place was waiting for him and his family some day. Although he certainly wasn’t ready for the trip, he knew that a land with no Indian attacks, Comanchero raids, rattlesnake bites, endless droughts, or bank robberies would not come soon enough.

Despite the harsh conditions and the lack of law enforcement, this homestead was the Dawson’s home and they felt very fortunate to share it together. To them a home was not their nine-hundred square foot house with a two bed loft, a yard full of rattlers, or a mostly dry creek bed for most of the year. A home to them was a shared relationship together building memories with whatever resources they had available to them. Never was there a day that one of the Dawsons was guilty of wishing for something that they didn’t have, but rather always seemed to find that they had just enough to get by, or at least enough to create a solution to the immediate problem.

The land was dry and unforgiving, but the Dawsons had managed to squeak out a small homestead despite the conditions. Jessie and Ruth had managed to build a small house with the help of some neighbors though Jessie did most of the work himself. The house had a bed on the ground floor where Jessie and Ruth slept, then a small den area with a fireplace, a kitchen with a pot-bellied stove and a hand-pump for water, then an upstairs just big enough for 2 beds, one for the boys to share and one for Catherine. Jessie’s favorite part of the house was a long porch in front on which his rocking ‘throne’ was perched. From there he would end each day with a cup of coffee, looking up at the stars and marveling at his ‘estate’ that consisted of the house, one barn, a well house, a chicken coop, a hog pen, and a 40 acre field.

Life was good preaching the Word, farming, and enjoying his family. Thus was the life of the Dawson family… quiet and rather unremarkable to most.

Chapter 3: Life Changing Experience

The fog was lifting as the sun began to rise early on this cold Texas morning as gray smoke ascended softly from the chimney of a small bark shack. Shane Dawson had grown into a fine looking young man and was now eighteen years old. He watched intently for any sign of movement or activity in the bark shack that was a one room building, originally home to a squatter who had given up on attempting to farm this arid terrain and leaving it abandoned for the past several years. But today it was host to several members of the Dodge Madison Gang who were using it as a hideout from the law.

Shane Dawson was now a grown young man, standing just an inch shorter than his six foot three father and weighing around 200 pounds and was now quite an experienced brawler and an even better shot with a pistol or rifle. He had just experienced a difficult several years since his fond memories of the homestead with his family and was now on the verge of a resolution that he thought might bring a little peace to his otherwise hellish existence. The Madison Gang was no more than a hundred yards away, and so was justice.

As he continued to patiently watch the bark shack for any signs of the Dodge Madison Gang, Shane’s thoughts began to drift towards the memories of when he was only twelve years old as he and his brother Caleb fought at the famous Kitchen Standoff.

Shane smiled each time he remembered the two of them being covered in Ma’s baking flour and rolling around the kitchen. He remembered how mad Ma was, how funny Catherine found it to be, and how Pa really didn’t pay it any attention at all, after all boys would be boys and it was Ma’s kitchen, not his.

Six years had passed since that incident, but Shane remembered it everyday as one of the happiest memories of his childhood. Shane remembered that event so vividly because it was one of the last happy memories that he ever had of his brother.

Shane was still looking right at the bark shack, but was seeing something completely different in his mind. All he could see was a nine-hundred square foot house with a two bed loft, a bedroom downstairs, a small den, and Ma’s kitchen. He could see Pa in his chair beside the fireplace, reading his Bible as a crackling fire roared over the arguing of Shane and Caleb. He could see Ma and Catherine in the kitchen, laughing and splashing water on each other as they washed that evening’s dishes. A smile came over Shane’s face as he remembered his almost perfect life growing up with an almost perfect family.

As he continued to watch for movement in the shack, he gripped his Winchester rifle with a little more intention as his brow began to wrinkle and his teeth began to clinch. He began to remember a night when he was just thirteen years old as seven men rode up at dusk and asked for some water and some food. Pa was never one to let a man go hungry or thirsty and Ma seemed to always have something cooking on her pot-bellied stove, so the visitors were cordially invited for supper.

When the meal was done, one of the men began drinking whiskey straight from a bottle, and all conversation seemed to be nothing more than casual until that bottle was almost empty. It was then that Shane’s life began to change. The drunken man began watching Catherine in a suspicious way and began speaking some inappropriate language to her. Pa was being very patient so that he might avoid any sort of trouble but came straight out of his seat as the man grabbed Catherine’s arm and sat her on his knee.

Shane remembered that his Pa went from puppy to viper in a moment’s time when he saw his daughter being handled by a dirty, drunken heathen.

Let her go mister, said Jessie in a somewhat subdued voice.

The man looked at him with a half smile on his face, You talkin’ to me preacher?

I’m talkin’ to you, and I said for you to get your hands off of my daughter, replied Jessie.

The man responded, Preacher, you might be a God-fearin’ man, but are you a gun-fearin’ man as well?

I fear no thing, no man, and no devil, and right now I’m not sure which of the three I would consider you, answered Jessie.

At that insult the man stood up, dropping Catherine to the ground and drawing a Colt .45, pointing it directly at Jessie. I shore hope that yo’re prayed up preacher ‘cause you’re about to meet the devil or your Maker one, said the man.

Knowing that he was the oldest child and that he was expected to help take care of the family, Caleb pulled a carbine rifle from the mantle and shot the man through the left shoulder, seeming to only anger the massive man all the more. The man looked at him with a look of pure shock, then unloaded three shots into the seventeen year old Caleb Dawson.

Caleb fell over dead as Jessie lunged at the man with pure hatred and vengeance. As he struggled with the man, the pistol discharged, causing Jessie to suddenly release his grip on the man as he began sliding down to the hardwood floor.

Shane ran to the rifle, intending on picking it up and shooting every one of the men, but Ruth stopped him and begged him to put it down.

Dodge Madison, the leader of the gang, was more than irritated with his man for grabbing the girl and shooting Caleb and Jessie. You idiot, we’re on the run from the law and you decide to leave a trail of dead bodies so that they can track us down! Are you crazy? asked Dodge.

I’m sorry boss; I was just having some fun with the girl. I didn’t know they was gonna get so heated up over it, responded the man.

Well you and Frank grab those bodies and bury them outside the house, ordered Dodge. Me and the boys would be gettin’ the women and boy mounted up to ride.

The wounded man responded, But boss, I’m shot. I need to get this bleedin’ stopped.

Dodge answered, You’ll have time to stop the bleedin’ after you take care of your mess.

Yes boss and I’m sorry, I just… the man started.

Just bury the bodies before you do or say something else that you’ll regret, interrupted Dodge. Ma’am, I’m afraid that you and the children will have to come with us, said Dodge.

Please don’t hurt us, haven’t you done enough damage already, answered Ruth.

Miss, Ned didn’t mean ya’ll no harm and probably wouldn’t have done nothin’ to yore girl. Yore men folk just jumped the gun a might, said Dodge.

My men folk were protecting their family sir. A concept that your men obviously don’t understand, answered Ruth.

As Ned and Frank buried the bodies out front, the other men saddled horses for Ruth, Catherine and Shane. Ned and Frank set fire to the house so that it might look like an accident and that the Dawsons had to flee from the tragic house fire with nobody knowing exactly where they went for shelter. The men got Ruth and the kids mounted on their horses, then mounted their own horses and rode out.

It had been hours of riding when Ruth asked to stop and allow them just a couple of hours sleep and some food. Dodge explained that the law was already on their trail and that once they found the Dawson place burned they might figure out who had done it, therefore they had no time to spare, especially since these extra riders had not been expected and were beginning to slow their progress.

Dodge decided to make their way to a local Jesuit mission nearby where they could drop the family and keep them quiet at least for a few hours so that the gang could make time between them and the law. It was dark and early in the morning hours when they approached the mission. The mission was an old Spanish complex that the Catholic Church had planted in order to reach the Mexicans, the Indian natives, and the settlers that had moved into the area.

The mission was run by Father Benjamin, three nuns, and a couple of Mexican volunteers who took care of the cooking and upkeep. As they approached the mission, they saw no lights and no movement around the complex, so they rode quietly through the gate, up to the front door of the church where they dropped off Ruth and the kids, who were still bound by ropes. The men put handkerchief gags into their mouths so that they could not scream for help, realizing that by leaving them bound and gagged, this would give the gang several more hours of distance from the law until someone at the mission finally awoke.

Even then, it was miles and miles from the nearest town, therefore it would be more than half a day’s ride before they could even let anyone know what had happened. The men rode off, leaving the Dawsons stranded and helpless until help would awaken and release them, but even then their future seemed a bit unsure as the reality of the loss of Jessie and Caleb began to sink in.

A few hours later one of the Mexican volunteers woke and saw the Dawsons bound and gagged outside of the chapel as he quickly ran to their rescue. He didn’t speak much English, therefore he began yelling for Father Benjamin.

The priest awoke, pulling on his robe, and then began a hurried pace to the chapel. Then as the helper was untying the ropes and gags from the Dawsons the priest also arrived. My children, I am Father Benjamin the keeper of this sanctuary, what has happened to you? he introduced himself.

Ruth was still a bit in shock and couldn’t answer without breaking out in tears, therefore Shane answered, Some men…they killed my Pa and brother and brung us here so that we couldn’t tell no one. They showed up at our house askin’ for food and water, so Pa gave it to them, but then one of the men grabbed my sister and started puttin’ his hands all over her…

What a terrible story. I’m sure that you are tired and hungry as you deal with this horrible experience. Please come and allow us to feed you and to offer you water and a place to lie down. We’ll talk about your struggle after you’ve had a chance to rest, said Father Benjamin.

……thank you, Ruth managed to say while shivering and holding back tears.

Once the Dawsons had a chance to rest, the priest came and spoke with them in detail about their experience and provided some wisdom and comfort for their situation. One of the workers rode to the nearest town and reported the events to the local sheriff so that they could attempt to track down the ruthless gang that had destroyed the seemingly perfect Dawson household.

Ruth and Catherine were somewhat comforted by Father Benjamin’s reassurance that God would take care of them and that Jessie and Caleb were in a better place, but not Shane…not Shane. It was like he had lost all recollection of Scripture and all that his Pa had taught him, especially the parts about forgiveness, love and mercy.

When the priest reminded him that Jessie and Caleb were now in a better place, Shane responded, In a dirt hole? That’s a better place? In a dirt hole that his murderers dug for him? That’s supposed to make me feel better, padre?

Son, things happen that we cannot understand and men do things that are straight from the Devil, but we cannot help those things. We must remain strong to our faith and allow God to judge those men, responded Father Benjamin.

No father, I CAN understand these things. It’s real simple. Those men murdered my father and brother, they tied up me and my Ma and sister like hogs, then dumped us in this pig pen in the middle of nowhere. And I ain’t yore son neither, I’m my father’s son and he’s dead, answered Shane as he stormed off to nearby rock to think.

The Father responded, It will take time for him, for all of you, to have any peace about these circumstances. There are no easy answers to the questions that you will have, but the answers will come in time.

A few weeks passed and Ruth and Catherine were now over some of the shock. They were getting on with their lives as they had found comfort in the solitude of the mission, but now they knew that it was time to move on.

They decided to move to Ruth’s sister’s home in Abilene where they would be welcomed and where the kid’s would have a fresh new start. Shane had not adjusted nearly as well as Ruth and Catherine and now had a violent temper about him that was out of control. As Ruth spoke with Father Benjamin about the situation, he suggested that they leave Shane at the mission for a short time and allow them to help him to heal, as they were afraid that uprooting him and reintroducing him to the world before he had healed would be a mistake.

The next morning was chilly and rain began drizzling on the carriage that Father Benjamin had given to Ruth and Catherine. They had left Shane asleep in bed so that he would not be able to follow them or to put up an argument about their leaving without him. Ruth and Catherine began their journey to Abilene, looking back every few feet and wondering if what they were doing was the right thing, and hoping that Shane would be able to reunite with them when Father Benjamin determined that he was ready.

One of the most dangerous things that one could have done in the Texas plains was to lift up a rock without being ready to jump back in case a rattler was sitting in waiting. Father Benjamin had lived in this territory all of this life, therefore he knew a rattler’s behavior all too well.

As young Shane awoke from his sleep, Father Benjamin and the others had gathered together in the chapel to pray for Shane’s understanding of this situation. Although they knew that God was faithful to give grace and understanding, they were pretty sure that Shane wasn’t going to be well prepared to accept it.

Sure enough, Shane found that his family and their things were gone, and that the carriage was gone, as he now realized what had happened. He stormed from room to room, and building to building looking for someone to yell at; the rattler was out from under his rock and was ready to strike. Finally he saw that the door to the chapel was open as he ran up the steps and then stopped in his tracks as he saw the others kneeling and praying around a table of candles. Where are they padre? asked Shane.

Come in my boy, said the father. We have some things to talk about.

We have nothing to talk about, just tell me where my family went, answered Shane with a raised tone.

They’re gone Shane. They’re gone and have decided to leave you hear until you can gain focus on what has happened in your life. Your mother wants you to stay and learn Scripture as your father did and possibly for you to become a minister. This is your course in life, not a life of vengeance and anger, replied the father.

They left me? They left me? After all I’ve been through they LEAVE me? asked Shane.

"No Shane, they haven’t left you, they have released you. They have released you to God. They have released you to forgiveness. They have released you to a life of grace, not revenge. It was the hardest thing that your mother could have done," he answered.

She should have let me shoot the bastard when I had the chance. She isn’t releasing me. She’s running away while those killers get off free! Shane yelled.

Chapter 4: Moving On

Shane had now been at the mission for a little more than three years and was now sixteen years old.