The Law and Alan Taylor

By William Post

Alan Taylor was reared by an ex-Texas Ranger in Central Texas. While his father was off to the Civil War a friend of his aunt taught Alan how to use a handgun. After three years of practicing, Alan became very skilled with its use. A friend of the gunsmith was an ex-prize fighter. He taught Alan how to use his fists. At 18 Alan was well over six feet and with the prize fighters teaching, became as skilled with his fists as he was a gun.

Alan got into a fight with the foreman of a ranch and beat him badly. The foreman brought the ranchs top gun and confronted Alan. Alan tried to talk his way out, but ended up not only killing the top gun, but two other ranch hands who drew on him. The rancher was outraged and sent for Jack Wesley, known as the fastest gun in Texas. Alan was lucky in the gunfight and killed Wesley and his reputation was now set.

Alan went to Austin to college and was hired by the sheriff as a night jailer. During his time as a deputy sheriff, Alan solved many crimes. His story is filled with thrilling adventures which will keep the reader on the edge of his seat.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Aug 19, 2014
• ISBN: 9781496931184

William Post

William Post is the author of 19 novels with a variety of genres. the flagship of his novels is a trilogy starting with The Mystery of Table Mountain. Post’s descriptions of the scenery and weather makes the reader feel he is experiencing what the characters are enduring. The characters come alive as their emotions are displayed in a manner that makes the reader become part of the story. Post was reared in West Texas. He was educated at Texas A. & M. and served in the U. S. Navy. After his service, he became a surveyor for the Southern Pacific RR which took him to the wilds of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California, where he immersed himself in the lore of those areas. This becomes apparent as he describes some of his experiences in his novels. Post is a professional engineer and land surveyor. Taking an early retirement as chief engineer of the Long Beach Water Dept., he moved to Northern California and started his writing career. Post is an Evangelic Christian and the thread of his beliefs can be seen throughout his novels. Post now lives in Las Vegas, NV with his extended family.

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© 2014 William Post. 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.

Published by AuthorHouse 8/4/2014

ISBN: 978-1-4969-3119-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4969-3118-4 (e)

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CONTENTS

Chapter 1   Farm Life

Chapter 2   The Schooling Years And A Friend

Chapter 3   Back From The War

Chapter 4   Ben Carter

Chapter 5   The Fight With Carter

Chapter 6   An Ambush

Chapter 7   Marriages And Parting

Chapter 8   Trailing An Outlaw

Chapter 9   The Outlaw Trail

Chapter 10 An Unanticipated Stop

Chapter 11 The Canyon Fight

Chapter 12 The Return To Austin

Chapter 13 A Surprise

Chapter 14 The Bank Robbery

Chapter 15 Murder Mysteries In Austin

Chapter 16 Transporting A Criminal

Chapter 17 A New Profesion

Chapter 18 The Gunfight

Chapter 19 An Old Enemy

Chapter 20 Undercover In Amarillo

Chapter 21 Mr. Chan

Chapter 22 A Vacation Promised, A Nightmare Had

Chapter 23 Trials And Tribulations

Chapter 24 The Reunion And A Robbery

Chapter 25 Joey Gomez

OTHER BOOKS BY WILLIAM POST

The Mystery of Table Mountain

The Miracle

A Call to Duty

The Blue Ridge

A Doctor by War

Inner Circles

Gold Fever

The Tides of War

The First Crossing of America

The Evolution of Nora

Darlene

The Gray Fox

Captain My Captain

Some Boys From Texas

Alaskan Paranormal

*The Riflemen

*A New Eden

*A Soldier and a Sailor

* indicates books to be published in early 2015. I have changed publishers, but the books can still be ordered at most books stores, Amazon and my website. Go to my website, Novelsbywilliampost.com for more information.

PREFACE

The Law and Alan Taylor is a book about a Texas boy who evolves into being a law officer. I chose the name of Alan Taylor for the main character as I have a dear friend by that name. My friend grew up in West Texas and has the same moral code that my character has. When we were attending Texas A. & M. together, he picked up the nickname of Hondo. There was a movie out about that time based on Louis Le’Amour’s book, Hondo. The character in the book resembled Alan in many ways. I was inspired by Alan’s code of ethics. I remember what Saint Frances of Assisi said, We must all tell people about Jesus, even if we have to use words. It has been a privilege to know Alan through the years and I imagine he has had a positive influence on many people through his life.

The book empathizes the value of good parents. Good parents direct children’s lives in a positive way. Last Sunday I heard a minister who told of his father. He had to call on his father in an emergency and though the minister was 57 years old, his father responded and helped him out of his problem. His thought was: It is wonderful to have someone you can call on in times of distress, namely our heavenly Father.

I really enjoyed writing this book. It took me to many places that I knew as a young boy. As I have mentioned before, no one enjoys the novel like the author.

Again I want to thank Dalia Fransham, who is the first person to read my manuscripts. She always gives positive guidance and corrects many of my errors.

CHAPTER 1

FARM LIFE

Farley Taylor and his wife, Rose, had worked hard to build a farm in Central Texas near the town of Dexter. They had first homesteaded, then added to their farm until they now owned two hundred acres.

The second year Farley farmed, a drought came and he knew if he didn’t do something soon, he would lose his crops in years of drought. There was a creek that had cut between two hills forming large bluffs where it narrowed. It was located on the upper portion of his property and Farley could see if he dammed the creek, he could form a large lake behind it. The lake’s water would be at a higher elevation than his crops and if he dug ditches, he could irrigate his crops. He also saw that he needed a man to help him dam the creek.

Farley was in town and had just concluded the purchase of several links of twelve inch pipe and a fresno to move the dirt he needed. Both would be delivered in a week or so. While he was crossing the alley to where his horse was tied, he noticed a Mexican man going through the garbage of a grocery store and an idea occurred to him, If this man is hungry enough to go through garbage for a meal, maybe I can hire him to give me the help I desperately need.

Farley walked over to the Mexican man and asked if he spoke English. The man looked up and said, "Pequeno," and showed a small space between his thumb and forefinger.

Farley smiled and said, Do you want work?

A broad smile came across the Mexican’s face and he said, "Si, which Farley knew to be the Spanish word for yes."

Farley motioned him to follow him, but the Mexican pointed to his wagon where a woman and two small children were. Farley, nodded and pointed to the grocery store and said, Come with me.

The Mexican man followed and Farley entered the store and bought three loaves of bread and a salami roll. As he paid for them, Farley indicated for the man to take the food to his family. The Mexican man bowed and took the food, then left for his wagon. Farley followed him and watched as the hungry children wolfed down the food. Farley gathered his horse and pointed for the man to follow him.

When they arrived Rose was sitting on the porch with their son, Alan. Farley said, Rose, this family is going to live with us until I can build them a house. I need his help to dam the creek I told you about. He needs work, and his family needs a place to stay. They are really hungry. Even if I didn‘t need him, I would still ask them to live with us until they are on their feet.

Rose said, We only have two bedrooms.

Farley said, I know that, but they can stay in Alan’s room and he can bunk in with us. If I don’t get that creek dammed by April and dig the irrigation ditches, we will make no crops again this year.

Rose smiled and said, A body has to do what a body has to do. She then rose and went to the wagon to help greet the Mexican family. She motioned for them to come in. With hand gestures she showed the woman the room where their family would live. Farley and Alan were helping move the Mexican family’s bedding and other essentials into the house.

It took awhile to get the family situated, then Rose asked the lady to help her prepare supper. While the women were doing that, Alan and his father were getting a bench in the barn because they didn’t have enough chairs for everyone to sit at the table.

The Mexican woman understood the chores of preparing a meal. She peeled potatoes and washed the green beans. Rose showed her the pots and pans she was to use. The woman smiled at Rose and appeared grateful.

The meal took an hour to prepare. While the women were doing that, Farley took the Mexican man to the spot he wanted to build his dam. As they walked Farley pointed to himself and said, Farley Taylor. The man pointed to himself and said, Hector Gomez. They then shook hands.

When they arrived at the bluffs, Farley used hand gestures to show that he wanted to dam the creek to irrigate his farm. Hector understood immediately and nodded.

Alan had taken the two Gomez boys, who appeared to be ten and twelve, to the barn with him. He pointed to himself and said, Alan. The boys understood and the older boy pointed to himself and said, Carlos, then pointed to his brother and said, Benito. Alan then showed them the chores. He fed the chickens with some maize from a bin. He forked hay for the horses and gave their cow a scoop of oats from another bin. He then took a bucket and milked the cow while Carlos and Benito watched. When he was through, they walked to the house and they could see their fathers coming, also.

Farley prayed over the food and after he prayed the Mexican man raised his arm indicating he wanted to pray. The Taylor family could not understand the words, but as each of their names were mentioned they knew Hector was praising God for their good fortune. Each of Hector’s family then crossed themselves. Rose then passed the roast she had sliced into thick slabs to Hector. He served his wife, Maria, first and then his two boys.

The two families integrated nicely and soon were able to talk to one another. It was a language that at first was part Spanish and part English. Alan spoke only English, but it was only a month before Carlos and Benito knew English and Alan understood some Spanish. They spoke with an accent, but Alan started to weed that out.

The work on the dam was going well. Hector showed Farley that he needed to put boulders at the base and then stack them in a pyramid. They diverted the water to one side while they built the major part of the dam. They put in the pipe on that side and it now carried the water of the stream. The pipe was a foot in diameter and had a shut-off valve.

It took all winter to construct the dam and dig the irrigation ditches. The boys all helped and worked hard. When they had completed their project, all felt pride in their accomplishment.

Farley explained to Hector that he could not pay him until the crops came in that fall. Hector said, You have already paid us, Senor Taylor by sharing your house and food with us.

Farley said, I would like your family to stay with us. If you agree, we will build you a house before next winter.

Hector said, Si, Senor Taylor, I and my family will serve your family. We are very grateful for your kindness.

Well, it is not all kindness, Hector, I needed you.

Hector smiled and said, And we needed you, then extended his hand and they both smiled as they shook hands.

Farley said, Hector, please do not call me Senor Taylor. My name is Farley and if I am to call you Hector, then you must call me Farley.

After the crops were sown, Farley and Hector began building a house for Hector’s family. Farley had bought a large circular saw that was powered by the water pipe from the dam. Through a system of gears, it turned the saw at a high speed. They were able to fell a number of pine trees. then saw them into the size of boards needed. Farley had no plan to go by, so they built a house exactly like the Taylor’s home. It took all summer to build the house. Rose and Maria put in some ideas for the kitchen to make it better. After the house was built, they then built furniture for the home.

Their crops that fall were better than good, but the crops of other farmers of their area were sparse. This sent the price abnormally high and Farley doubled what he usually made even in good years. It was a glorious day when they all went into Dexter and purchased new clothes.

While they were in Dexter, Rose visited her sister, Helen. Helen was her younger sister, but was widowed when her husband was killed in a freak accident at his work. Her husband’s family were well to do and set up a trust fund, so Helen lived comfortably in an upscale house. It had an indoor water closet, the first that was in Dexter.

Helen suggested to Rose that Alan stay with her in the fall and winter so that he could attend school. Dexter sat nearly ten miles from the farm, which made it impractical to commute to school.

Alan had only three years of schooling, so Farley and Rose agreed and it was set. Carlos and Benito were both saddened when they received the news. Rose knew that the two children would need schooling also, so during the day, Rose schooled the two boys. Maria also sat in on the schooling, because she could neither read nor write.

Alan was fifteen now, and came home on the weekends and was a great help. Carlos and Benito worshiped Alan and he liked them as if they were his brothers.

It was now 1859 and talk of war was in the air. Farley had some military experience as he had spent three years in the Texas Rangers before he met Rose. When he met Rose they fell in love. Rose talked to Farley and convinced him that he could not be a Texas Ranger and be married to her. He loved Rose, so he quit the Rangers and took up farming.

Alan was born the first year of their marriage and Rose had a difficult time. The doctor told Farley that she may not live. However, Rose pulled through, but could not bear anymore children.

Farley smiled at her and said, One boy is enough, Rose. We will make him the finest boy in the world.

After Hector and his family had been on the farm two years, everyone could see that war was going to come. That is when Farley received a letter from his former commanding officer when he was in the Texas Rangers. The letter told him that if war broke out, he was to take a troop of rangers to fight for the South. Farley had been an outstanding Ranger and was told he would be a captain when the troop was formed. Duty again boiled in Farley’s blood. Hector could run the farm and his two boys were now old enough to give him all the help he needed. He didn’t talk this over with Rose, as he knew she would be adamantly against it.

When Lincoln was elected in 1860, Farley knew the war would happen and received word to report to San Antonio. Farley took Hector into Dexter and told his banker that Hector could do all business for him while he was gone. He told Rose he had to go. She was bitterly against him going, but he left anyway. Hector told him not to worry, that he and his boys could hold down the farm. It was now all set up and Farley left the week Fort Sumter was fired upon.

Alan’s staying with his Aunt Helen during the week continued. She loved Alan as if he were her own boy. He enjoyed staying with his Aunt Helen as she involved him in her life.

Helen had a friend who was a gunsmith. His name was Wiley Barton. Wiley was a widower who had lost his family in a fire. He missed his children and took to Alan as much as Helen. Wiley suggested that after school, Alan help him in his gun shop. Alan liked Wiley and the work.

There were many cowboys who came to town and all wore pistols. As Alan’s father never wore a gun, Alan asked Wiley why they wore guns?

Wiley said, It makes them feel bigger than they are. It is a symbol of strength.

Once in awhile there would be a shootout between individuals. Wiley said that it was always between ranch hands from different ranches. Animosity began building between two of the large ranches.

Ben Carter owned the largest ranch and hired the most ranch hands. His adversary was Morton Hobbs. There was a shootout in town between the men of the two ranch, where one of Ben’s hands was killed. Ben was incensed and he and his crew rode for the Hobbs ranch. When they arrived they caught Hobbs by surprise and killed him and all his ranch hands. They set fire to the house which left Hobbs’ wife and three small children watching their house and all the out buildings burning. Carter sat on his horse looking at Hobbs’ wife and children and thought, They witnessed this and if I let them live, they will get me hung.

Carter brought his men together and said, If we leave Hobbs’ family, they will put a rope around our necks. We need to shoot them and throw their bodies into the fire along with everyone we killed.

One of the men said, I won’t shoot a woman or a child.

Carter pulled out his gun and shot him from his horse. He then turned to the rest and said, Get to shooting.

It was a bloody massacre. All the men felt ashamed as they threw the children into the fire. Carter dragged the man he had shot and threw him into the fire. They all stood watching the fire. No one said a word. Most were very ashamed of what they did.

Carter said, It was a damn shame, but it had to be done. It will be the death of all of us if anyone talks. If you are asked, say you worked all day and each one of you can say, ‘I have several friends who can vouch for me.’ I will do the same. Our story will be that we were moving the herd from the north pasture down south.

News of the fire was learned when a peddler came to the Hobbs ranch to sell him some leather goods. The sheriff rode out and looked through the fire. He could tell that all the people of the ranch were in the fire. He studied the corpses that were burned beyond recognition and saw that many had bullets in them. One of the children was not killed by gunfire and had sought refuge in the fireplace. The child was burned badly and the sheriff could see that the child had died of smoke inhalation. Nothing could be proved, but all knew it was probably Ben Carter and his hired hands.

Carter and his men became more reckless now and everyone feared them. When they stomped into the saloon, everyone would leave but the sporting women. A few of the dry-land farmers, who abutted Carter’s ranch, sold out to him at a very low price. Carter’s banker, Sal Goldman, thought they may have been coerced into the sale, but no one said they were. Goldman thought this may be out of fear, as all knew about the Hobbs ranch massacre. As Ben Carter’s ranch grew, he became more greedy and his men more ruthless. Goldman, himself, was paid by Carter to give him information and helped Carter get title to the Hobbs place. For this, Carter paid Goldman three hundred dollars.

Wiley began to notice the change in Carter’s men and thought about this. He decided to talk about it with Alan.

He said, Alan, a man now days must know how to defend himself. I’m going to teach you to shoot.

Alan was excited about this and looked forward to his lessons. Wiley knew Helen would be against this, so he cautioned Alan not to tell her.

Wiley and Alan began riding out of town to a canyon Wiley knew about. He strapped a scabbard with a Colt pistol on Alan and began teaching him to shoot. His first instruction was to show him how to wear the scabbard and pistol. He showed him how to put the gun handle where his hand could grasp it the easiest. He showed him how to tie the bottom of the scabbard to his leg as to hold it in place.

Wiley said, Alan, you have heard stories about gunfighters and their quick draw. A quick draw will do you no good unless you hit your target. I will teach you to shoot and hit what you are shooting at. As you draw your pistol, you will also be pulling back the hammer. You will then point it at your target, turn sidewise, hold your breath and squeeze the trigger. Speed is not nearly as important as hitting where you aim. Try to block everything out of your mind but what you are doing. Concentrate on pulling your pistol smoothly while cocking the hammer as you do so. Turn sideways, extend your arm and fire at the torso of the man confronting you. If you do this, you may survive. If there is more that one person, cock your hammer immediately after firing, then turn to that man, hold your breath and squeeze the trigger. Then turn to the next and repeat the action. Remember, speed is not necessary if you do what I have told you. The main thing to remember is to concentrate on the steps I have told you about. Block everything out of your mind by going through the steps in your mind. If you do this through the confusion that is always there, you will not let distractions affect you.

Alan followed Wiley’s instruction to the letter. He tried to block everything out of his mind, but his action with the pistol. After much practice he became smoother and quicker, however, not so quickly as to lose his accuracy.

Wiley talked to him about killing a man. He said, Alan, never kill a man unless there is no other way. Remember life is precious and pride is worth nothing. If you have to look like a coward that is alright, but let me caution you, most men who confront you will kill you anyway, so stand tall and do what you have to do. The main thing is blocking out everything but what you have to do.

Wiley showed Alan where to aim when facing a man. He said, Try to hit the man in the middle of his upper torso. That is the easiest target and that Colt will bring a man down if you hit him there. Immediately after shooting, go to the man and kick his gun away. Many men have been killed by not doing that. The initial stun will bring a man down, but in a minute or so, that may wear off and he will shoot you.

Alan was impressed with Wiley and followed his instructions to the letter. They practiced twice a week now and Alan became better and better.

Wiley had a friend who owned the saloon. His name was Trey Garland. He had been a prize fighter in his youth. He was big and muscular. He worked out on a bag he hung in his back room. He often came over to the gun shop and brought Wiley a bucket of beer after Wiley had closed up. Alan was there most of the time and enjoyed their conversations about the days of yore.

Alan was now sixteen and had grown to six feet one, and now weighed about a hundred and eighty pounds.

Trey said, Alan, I’m a retired prize fighter, but I came close to having my clock cleaned last week. I saw where I had gotten soft with the easy living I now have. I need someone to workout with. If you will come over after you close up here, I will teach you to fight so you can defend yourself if you ever are confronted. It is not all my helping you. I need someone to help me get back into shape.

Alan looked at Wiley and he said, I think he’s right, Alan. A man needs to know how to defend himself and there is no person in this world who could teach you better. It will also keep Trey’s belly flat, and they all laughed.

Every weekday Alan would go to the backroom of the saloon. Trey was good and had been trained by the best. Trey had Alan first work hitting the bag. In just a minute or two Alan would be out of breath and arm weary.

Trey said, We need to do roadwork.

Alan said, What is roadwork?

That my boy, is running in the early morning. We will start with a mile and increase it as we get into shape.

The roadwork was very hard at first, but after a couple of weeks it got easier. Alan was surprised at how easy Trey ran. He ran like a young man. Soon they were running five miles before breakfast. Alan found he now had more energy and felt better during the day. He talked to Trey about that.

Trey said, Running should be a lifetime exercise. I feel better and I’m sure I will live longer. Running by yourself is a chore, but running with you is a pleasure. Alan felt the same way. He liked to be with Trey. Trey built him up and made him feel like he was worth something.

They began sparring and Trey showed Alan how to pull his right shoulder back when he was shooting out his left. Alan could tell this gave him much more hitting power. He showed Alan how to move to put his weight behind his punches.

Wiley would come over to watch them spar. Alan had quick reflexes and was really getting the knack of fighting, and liked it. Trey would never hit Alan hard, but hard enough to send him to the mat quite often.

At these times Alan would grin at Trey and say, I will never be as good as you.

Trey said, "I have vowed to teach you until you are better than me. Fighting is a thing you have to learn. It does not come naturally to anyone. Some people can acquire some moves, but a trained fighter, who has some