The Lawless Land

By David Waddell

The most untamed and wildest spot in the United States back in 1882 was a stretch of land between the Pecos and Rio Grande rivers. This area of land was beyond the reach of lawmen and the most vicious Outlaws, Comancheros, and renegade Apaches resided there. Two men, Judge Roy Bean and a Texas Ranger named Mason Crenshaw, set out trying to tame this lawless land. Will their efforts succeed, or will this stretch of land always remain lawless? A woman named Casey McRae leaves St. Louis with her father and his new bride to search for treasure rumored to be hidden in an old Spanish mission located in the untamed land west of the Pecos River. Will they find the old Spanish mission and the treasure rumored to be hidden inside it, or will the trials and tribulations they face during their hunt for the treasure get them killed or forever lost in the untamed and lawless area they ventured into? A retired gunfighter named Clint Coon enjoyed working as a blacksmith. He was happy and satisfied with his new profession, but all that changed after he received a letter informing him that his younger sister had been kidnapped and then taken into the lawless land west of the Pecos River. He closes down his Blacksmith Shop and sets out to rescue his sister. Will the retired gunfighter be able to rescue his sister, or will she be trapped for the rest of her life in the lawless land west of the Pecos River? Every one of these characters has different reasons for venturing into The Lawless Land. Will they succeed in their quests, or will they get killed or become forever trapped in the untamed and lawless land west of the Pecos River?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Nov 20, 2018
• ISBN: 9781643491431

Book preview

1

The land between the Pecos and Rio Grande rivers was the most untamed and wildest spot in the United States and the most vicious outlaws in the country resided there. It was said and written that the law stopped at the east banks of the Pecos River and the area between that river and the Rio Grande was known as The Lawless Land. This lawless land was beyond the reach of authorities until one man decided it was time to clean it up. His name was Judge Roy Bean.

Judge Roy Bean stood in the middle of his saloon called the The Jersey Lilly and looked closely at a portrait hanging on a wall and was still not satisfied how it hung. He walked up to the portrait, removed it from the wall, and then used his hammer to remove the nail it hung on from the wall. He moved the nail a few more inches to the right and then used his hammer to nail it back into the wall. He rehung the large framed portrait and then took a few steps backward and admired it.

Perfect! a happy Judge Roy Bean exclaimed. Now I’m ready to open up my court and saloon.

Who is that woman in that portrait? a curious bartender, Noah, asked.

She is Lille Langtry the most famous actress and most beautiful woman in the world, the judge replied.

Have you ever met her? Noah asked as he handed the judge a beer.

No, but I hope to one day.

The judge took a sip of his beer and then walked through the swinging doors of his saloon. He stood still on the wooden boardwalk and watched the sun set in the west. The judge was chosen to tame the wild and lawless land between the Pecos River and the Rio Grande. He knew he couldn’t do it by himself, and he needed help. Several weeks ago, the judge mailed a letter to a renowned Texas Ranger, Mason Crenshaw, who could help him tame this lawless land. The judge received a letter a few days ago from Mason confirming that he was on his way to Langtry, Texas with two other Texas Rangers.

Langtry was the town Judge Roy Bean picked for the location of his courthouse and saloon. He took possession of the saloon after he arrived in the small town and then renamed it after the famous actress, Lillie Langtry, whom the judge admired. The judge chose the town of Langtry for his courthouse because it was located inside the lawless land near the southern tip of his new jurisdiction.

Judge Roy Bean stepped down off the boardwalk and walked thirty feet away from his saloon and then stopped. He turned around, looked at his saloon, and then smiled. Where else can you have a beer, a shot of whiskey, play cards, and have a trial in the United States other than inside The Jersey Lilly Saloon, where patrons come to drink and have a good time and the accused come to be tried before me, he thought to himself.

Mason Crenshaw along with two other Texas Rangers, Cole Houston and Calvert Mosley left Austin, Texas, and rode their horses toward the town of Langtry. All three of these Texas Rangers had experience fighting Kiowa, Comanches, Comancheros, and tracking down and arresting notorious outlaws. None of them, however, had ventured into the lawless land west of the Pecos River. Their journey to Langtry had been uneventful which made the three Texas Rangers happy, but their quiet ride was about to become a little more exciting.

*****

Don’t shoot till I say so, an outlaw named Emmett Wiggins said.

Okay, but don’t wait too long, an outlaw named Jamie said. I’ve been looking forward to killing Mason Crenshaw for a very long time. He killed my older brother last year, and I’m finally getting a chance to avenge my brother’s death.

Didn’t your brother kill Mason’s wife after he raped her? Emmett asked.

Yes, he did, but that doesn’t matter, Jamie replied. He still killed my brother, and I want vengeance.

You’ll get your vengeance soon, just wait a little bit longer, so our bullets won’t miss hitting the three Texas Rangers.

Sorry, I can’t! Jamie said as he aimed his rifle at Mason Crenshaw

Don’t do it! Emmett pleaded. Your bullet might miss.

Sorry, I just can’t wait any longer, Jamie said while pulling his rifle’s trigger.

*****

Mason felt a something whiz by his right ear and then heard a gun shot. He kicked his horse into a fast gallop with the heels of his boots and headed for a small group of trees he saw. Cole and Mosley rode their horses at fast gallop behind him. They heard a few bullets whistle by them as they rode their horses toward the group of trees. When they reached the trees, they quickly dismounted their horses and drew their rifles out of their leather saddle scabbards. They saw a large dead tree lying horizontally on the ground, knelt down behind it, and then searched for whomever was trying to kill them.

How many are there? Cole asked.

Not sure, yet, Mason replied.

I see two muzzle flashes, Calvert said just as two bullets smashed into the dead fallen tree the three of them were kneeling behind.

For the next several minutes, the three Texas Rangers looked for additional muzzles flashes besides the ones coming from the two gunmen shooting at them. When they couldn’t locate anymore, they concluded there were only two gunmen shooting at them. They raised their rifles and then aimed them at the top of a small hill where the two gunmen were located. Once they got the two gunmen within their rifle’s sights, the three Texas Rangers pulled their rifle’s triggers and watched their bullets hit the ground a few inches in front of the two gunmen.

I want you two to stay here and keep those two men pinned down while I ride my horse around that hill they’re lying down on top of, so I can sneak up behind them. If my plan works, both those gunmen will be easy targets for me to shoot at, Mason said.

We’ll keep them pinned down for you, Cole said.

Good, they shouldn’t see me if you two keep firing your rifles at them, Mason said.

We’ll move around a little so they won’t see our muzzle flashes coming from just one place, Calvert said. That way they won’t figure out that one of us is sneaking up behind them.

*****

Mason mounted his horse and then rode it at a fast gallop away from the group of trees. Cole and Calvert fired their Winchesters as fast as they could and kept the two men shooting at them pinned down, so they wouldn’t see Mason ride his horse away from the group of trees. Mason rode his horse around the hill that the two gunmen were defending without being discovered. He still didn’t know the identities of the men that ambushed him and his two companions, but he was anxious to find out.

Mason dismounted his horse at the foot of the hill and climbed up it. The two men who had ambushed him, Cole and Calvert, were lying on their stomachs and firing their rifles at Cole and Calvert. As he climbed up the hill, he tried to keep himself hidden among the boulders and shrubs he passed by. As he neared the top of the hill, he drew his revolver and then stopped dead in his tracks when he heard a rattling and hissing sound. He looked to his right and saw a rattlesnake getting ready to strike at him. He aimed his revolver at it and pulled the trigger. His bullet killed the rattlesnake instantly, but also alerted the two men he was trying to sneak up on.

*****

Emmett and Jamie looked behind them after they heard Mason’s revolver firing. They looked down the hill and saw the Texas Ranger climbing up the hill toward them. Jamie smiled when he recognized Mason. He and Emmett stood up and aimed their rifles at Mason and then squeezed their rifle’s triggers. Mason saw Emmett and Jamie aiming their rifles at him and dove face first to the ground. As he landed on his chest, two bullets sailed over his head.

Emmett and Jamie fired their lever-action repeating rifles as fast as they could and watched their bullets hit all around Mason. Their attack on Mason was intense, and Mason was unable to return fire as bullets continued hitting all around him. Mason was pinned down and felt helpless.

We got him trapped! Jamie exclaimed.

We sure do! Emmet concurred.

Let’s finish him off before we need to reload our rifles, Jamie said We don’t want to give him a chance to shoot at us while we’re reloading.

He must be kicking himself for not bringing his rifle with him, Emmett said. I think he might be out of range to kill us with his revolver.

He might be, but we can’t take that chance, Jamie warned.

You’re right, we can’t. Emmett said as he targeted Mason’s forehead with the sights of his rifle.

Emmett had a clear shot at Mason’s forehead and smiled as he got ready to squeeze his rifle’s trigger. His smile quickly faded away when a bullet slammed into the middle of his back. He took a couple of steps forward and stopped when another bullet hit the back of his head. He dropped his rifle and fell forward and was dead before his body hit the ground. Jamie saw Emmett’s lifeless body roll down the hill and spun around and saw two Texas Rangers running up the hill with their rifles drawn and ready to use.

Jamie aimed his rifle at one of the Texas Rangers running up the hill toward him but never got the chance to pull his rifle’s trigger. Two bullets ripped into his lower back before he could fire his rifle. He turned around and saw Mason Crenshaw pointing his revolver at him. Before he could react, he saw a muzzle flash and felt a hot bullet enter his chest. So much for getting vengeance for my brother’s death, Jamie thought to himself as his life quickly faded away. He fell backward, landed on his back, and died a few moments later.

Mason walked up to Jamie’s body and kicked it hard with the toe of his right boot. He then walked over to Emmett’s body and did the same thing. He then slid his revolver back into its leather holster after being satisfied that the two men whom ambushed him and his two companions were dead.

Are they dead? Cole asked as he and Calvert came running up to Mason.

They sure are, Mason responded. They both had me pinned down until you two shot them.

Who are they? Calvert asked.

One of them is Jamie Buchanan. I don’t recognize the other one, Mason replied.

Didn’t you kill Jamie’s brother a while ago? Cole asked.

I sure did, Mason replied. His brother killed my wife after he raped her, and as soon as I caught up with him, I killed him. I heard his brother, Jamie, had been looking for me ever since planning on killing me when he caught up with me. He obviously couldn’t face me man to man and chose instead to ambush me along with you two.

Now, he can reunite with his brother down in hell, Calvert said.

He sure can, Mason said. And I hope he and his brother rot down in hell for eternity.

They will, Calvert said. All murderers, rapists, and outlaws do.

The three Texas Rangers left the two carcasses lying on the ground for the vultures to feast on and continued their journey toward the town of Langtry where Judge Roy Bean was anxiously awaiting their arrival.

2

Amelia McRae was enjoying drinking red wine with her male companion, Henry Billings. She and Henry laughed out loud as they gossip about other patrons they saw in the parlor of the fancy St. Louis hotel they were lounging in. They started falling for each other and decided to continue their conversation upstairs in Henry’s hotel room. They continued laughing out loud and flirting with each other inside Henry’s hotel room as they shared a bottle of red wine with each other.

Henry felt like he was in heaven as he poured another glass of wine for Amelia. He knew Amelia was flirting with him and was looking for some male companionship for the rest of the night. Henry had never seen a woman prettier than the one visiting with him inside his hotel room. He felt his heart pounding while he watched Amelia slowly sip the wine from the glass he had just handed her. He then asked Amelia if she would dance with him, and she quickly accepted his invitation.

As they started to waltz, Amelia said, We need some music to dance to.

How about this? Henry asked and then started humming a song.

I love it, Amelia said as she and Henry waltzed in the middle of his hotel room.

After they waltzed for several minutes they stopped and stared at each other while wearing flirtatious smiles on their faces. Their smiles slowly faded away when their hands rested on each other’s waists and their lips drew near to one another. Just as their lips touched a loud knock on the door interrupted a planned long passionate kiss.

Who is it? Henry asked in a loud voice after his and Amelia’s lips separated from each other.

Room service, a woman’s voice answered.

I didn’t order any room service, Henry replied as he walked toward the door.

Well somebody inside your room did, the unknown woman responded.

Henry looked back over his left shoulder and saw Amelia shrugging her shoulders indicating that she didn’t order any room service either. He then returned his attention to the door and walked up to it. He put his right hand on the doorknob and turned it and opened up the door. His lower jaw dropped open when he saw a beautiful young woman holding a revolver in her right hand and pointing it at him.

You can lower your gun, lady, Henry said with a nervous tone to his voice. My lady friend and I have done nothing wrong.

Amelia got angry when she saw who was pointing a revolver at Henry and yelled, Get out of here, Casey!

You’re coming with me, right now! Casey shouted back. If you don’t, I’ll shoot this adulterer, standing in front of me.

I’m no adulterer, Henry said. I’m not married.

You might not be, but Amelia is.

You’re married? a shocked Henry asked as he looked back at Amelia.

Yes, I am, Amelia replied with a sad facial expression. I must have forgotten to tell you that I am.

You sure did, Henry replied while his face began turning red with anger.

I was going to tell you eventually, Amelia said. Please don’t be upset with me.

Get out of my room! Henry ordered. I don’t want to see you again!

Fine, Amelia said as she walked toward the door. You have bad breath, and you’re probably a terrible kisser too.

I do not have bad breath, and you’ll never find out if I’m a good kisser or not! Henry declared as he felt his anger reaching a boiling point. He then sidestepped out of the way and then glared at Amelia as she walked by him.

You do have bad breath! Amelia said as she walked out the door.

Sorry for the intrusion, Casey said as she lowered her revolver she was pointing at Henry.

I didn’t know she was married, Henry said.

I believe you, Amelia said as she slid her revolver back into its holster. Please don’t socialize with Amelia again.

Don’t worry, I won’t, Henry said and then stepped back into his hotel room and shut the door behind him.

Are you going to tell your father that you caught me fooling around with another man? Amelia asked as she and Casey walked down the hotel’s hallway.

No, I won’t tell him, Casey replied. I don’t want to hurt his feelings.

Your father is a bore, and I wished I never married him, Amelia said as she and Casey walked down the hotel’s staircase.

I wished he never married you, Casey said. You’ve only been married to him for two weeks and you’re already cheating on him.

Casey and Amelia left the hotel and walked over to a diner where Oliver McRae was waiting for them. As they crossed the street, Casey looked straight ahead while Amelia’s eyes looked at all the handsome men passing by her. They walked up onto the boardwalk and headed toward the diner’s entrance. Casey walked through the diner’s entrance and saw her father sitting at a table in the rear of the restaurant. She then turned around to let Amelia know where Oliver was sitting and saw her flirting with two men just inside the diner’s entrance.

Casey walked up to Amelia and chased the two men away and then asked, Why aren’t you wearing your wedding ring?

Sorry, I must have forgotten to put it on, Amelia responded as she tried not to smirk.

She reached into her purse, found her wedding ring, and then slipped it on her left ring finger. She then looked at Casey and said, Let’s go greet your father and eat some dinner. I’m starving.

She then walked by Casey and headed for the table where her husband was waiting for her.

Oliver stood up when he saw Amelia and Casey walking toward his table. He pulled out both women’s chairs and helped them sit down. He then sat back down in his chair and looked at his beautiful wife and said, You look stunning my love.

Thank you, Oliver, Amelia responded. You just made my day.

You look beautiful as always, Oliver said as he looked at his daughter.

Thank you, Dad, Casey said.

Where have you two been? Oliver asked.

I was sitting in the hotel’s parlor reading the newspaper and talking to some women that I met, Amelia said. Nothing that exciting.

Casey couldn’t believe how easy it was for Amelia to lie. It had become second nature to her and she did it extremely well.

Oliver turned his attention to his daughter and asked, Did you check the stores to make sure they carry all the supplies we will need for our upcoming journey?

I sure did, and the stores I checked have all the supplies we will need.

That’s good news, Oliver said. I bought a wagon, a team of horses, and three tickets on the steamship docked just two blocks from this diner. The boat will disembark tomorrow morning and will transport us to Corpus Christi. Once we disembark, we will hook our team of horses up to our cover wagon and then travel northwest to where the Pecos and Rio Grande Rivers meet. Once we reach those two rivers, we will travel north in the area between those two rivers until we reach our destination.

What are you two talking about? Amelia asked. I’m not going on any journey. I love living in St. Louis.

We are traveling to an old abandoned Spanish mission in Texas where millions of dollars worth of gold is waiting for us, Oliver said. I thought you would be anxious to collect it with the two of us.

Did you say gold? a curious Amelia asked.

I sure did, Oliver replied.

How much did you say? a stunned Amelia asked.

Millions of dollars worth of it, Oliver responded. Once we retrieve it, we will be the richest family in the United States, and then we can move to San Francisco and live like royalty for the rest of our lives.

Oliver hated lying to his wife. He wasn’t sure how much gold was inside the old abandoned Spanish mission or if there was any gold at all. He heard stories since he was a child of a Mexican Army hiding a vast amount of gold inside an abandoned mission after it had learned that General Houston and his Texan army had defeated General Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto. By the time the army had crossed the Rio Grande River back into Mexico, it had learned that Texas had gained its independence so it marched back to Mexico City and never returned to the old abandoned Spanish mission.

Treasure hunters and outlaws visited the old abandoned mission looking for the gold but none had ever found it. The gold and the mission it was hidden in were then forgotten, and then the area of land between the Pecos and Rio Grande Rivers became a haven for outlaws. Only a fool would now venture into that lawless land searching for gold that might be hidden inside an old abandoned mission. Oliver McRae didn’t mind being called a fool because if he found the gold, he would have the last laugh.

I’ll go with you and Casey, an excited Amelia said. I’ve always dreamed of being rich and living in San Francisco.

I thought I would be able persuade you to join Casey and I on our treasure hunt, Oliver said wearing a smile on his face.

You did, my love, you really did! Amelia exclaimed wearing a smile from ear to ear. I’m so happy I married you! she said with excitement in her voice and then reached over and kissed Oliver on his lips.

Oliver smiled after his wife kissed him, but Casey just glared at Amelia wishing her father had never married her. Casey had hoped that Amelia would refuse to go with them, but greed won Amelia over, and now she was eager to go with Casey and Oliver to search for gold rumored to be hidden in an old abandoned Spanish mission in a land where outlaws, Comancheros, and renegade Apaches roamed and where the law and order were absent.

3

Clint Coon was busy working in his blacksmith shop and enjoying every minute of it. He bought the small shop one year ago and had built it up into a successful small business in the small town of Smithfield located in Tarrant County, Texas. Before he became a blacksmith, he was a professional gunslinger and was known throughout the west.