To The Gallows With Lee Callahan: Western

By Neal Chadwick

To The Gallows With Lee Callahan: Western

by Neal Chadwick

 

 

 

Lee Callahan felt the hard punch to his chin.

He flew into the dust and then when he raised his head, he saw into grim, determined faces, as well as a revolver muzzle.

"Lee!"

That was Madeleine.

She wanted to rush to him, but two strong, hard-gripping male hands held her relentlessly by the wrists.

"You keep your hands off my daughter in the future, Callahan!" hissed old McGregor. The hair at his temples had long since turned gray, but in the center of his tanned face were two angry flashing blue eyes. He was a rancher. To his right and left stood some of the cowboys he had in his employ.

"Dad, he didn't do anything to me!"

Despair stood in Madeleine's fine-cut face. A few tears had already rolled down her cheeks.

"Ha!" went McGregor. "That would be even nicer!"

"We were just...talking!"

"Bad enough! I want this to stop! Once and for all!"

Lee was still lying in the dust.

As the situation was, there was nothing he could do. The rancher's revolver was still pointed at him and the blush that had risen in McGregor's face spoke for itself.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BEKKERpublishing
• Release date: Mar 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9798201567019

Book preview

1

Lee Callahan felt the hard punch to his chin.

He flew into the dust and then when he raised his head, he saw into grim, determined faces, as well as a revolver muzzle.

Lee!

That was Madeleine.

She wanted to rush to him, but two strong, hard-gripping male hands held her relentlessly by the wrists.

You keep your hands off my daughter in the future, Callahan! hissed old McGregor. The hair at his temples had long since turned gray, but in the center of his tanned face were two angry flashing blue eyes. He was a rancher. To his right and left stood some of the cowboys he had in his employ.

Dad, he didn't do anything to me!

Despair stood in Madeleine's fine-cut face. A few tears had already rolled down her cheeks.

Ha! went McGregor. That would be even nicer!

We were just...talking!

Bad enough! I want this to stop! Once and for all!

Lee was still lying in the dust.

As the situation was, there was nothing he could do. The rancher's revolver was still pointed at him and the blush that had risen in McGregor's face spoke for itself.

Had McGregor not been the father of that woman he loved, he might have tried to pick up the Colt himself.

But as things stood, he was reluctant to shoot Madeleine's father. And if it could be avoided somehow, he would not do it either.

Lee wiped the blood from his lip. He could easily take the few blows the guys had given him.

And he would not give up so easily.

Maybe you'll put the damn iron away first, Mr. McGregor! suggested Lee as calmly as possible. Then we can have a better talk...

The rancher narrowed his eyes.

There is nothing more to say between us! he hissed. If you meet with Madeleine again, I can't guarantee anything! I will not allow my daughter to fall for a bastard, a half-breed!

A twitch went through Lee's whole body. So now it was finally out. Lee had been expecting it all along. He had known that such a remark would come.

But when it came, it hurt in spite of everything.

His features darkened.

For a few seconds, his eyes met McGregor's.

Then suddenly a voice accustomed to authority broke the silence.

Any problems?

It was Morris, the sheriff of Bellfort, and Lee was glad he finally showed up.

McGregor had to visibly restrain his fury, and with some effort he succeeded. He swallowed and then put the gun back into the holster.

Lee stood up.

What's going on? inquired Sheriff Morris. And as he did so, his eyes slid along the men, scrutinizing them. Madeleine managed to tear herself away at that moment and ran to Lee. Her slender arms wrapped around his neck.

Did something happen to you, Lee?

No, nothing serious.

I don't want my daughter dating that.... that son of a bitch of a half-breed! scolded McGregor, spitting to the ground. That's not an exaggerated wish, is it, Sheriff?

Morris shrugged his shoulders.

McGregor's mouth twisted grimly. By the way, this is strictly a family matter! And it's none of your business, Sheriff!

If it were really just a family matter, then it really wouldn't be any of my business. But when shooting irons are drawn here, then it becomes something else - and then it's my business!

He molested my daughter, Morris! the rancher hissed in anger.

No, Dad! That's not true!

Morris pushed his hat down his neck.

Take your daughter and ride home with your people! he said. I guess that's best for now!

For a moment there was tense silence. Then McGregor growled, Come on, Madeleine!

She looked up at Lee.

I guess I better go with him now.

Lee nodded and a soft smile played around his mouth.

Yes.

She stroked his hand through his tangled hair once more. Then she went to her father, who glared at her angrily and grabbed her wrist.

As McGregor moved off with his pack, Madeleine turned briefly once more.

Lee looked after her.

That little McGregor is not for you, Callahan! opined Morris. If I may give you some good advice, keep your hands off her! McGregor can't take a joke in these matters, and if you don't let up and look for a wife elsewhere than on his ranch, of all places, then-

Morris hesitated.

What then?

Then there will inevitably be trouble.

Lee picked up his hat from the floor.

He thinks someone like me is worth less than someone like him just because my skin is a little darker! Is that right?

I don't care why McGregor finds you unsuitable as his daughter's husband. Even if it were only because your hat has a few spots on it.... I hope I have made myself clear. I don't want any trouble at Bellfort. I don't care about anything else!

But Lee waved it off.

I can't promise you anything, Morris!

Then he walked past the sheriff without looking back again.

Callahan! shouted Morris after him.

Lee stopped short.

What else, Sheriff?

I have nothing against you, Callahan, but I can't promise you anything either! If you're going to do stupid things and won't listen to reason, for example, I can't promise to be there in time to protect you from McGregor's temper!

Lee shrugged his shoulders indifferently.

I can take care of myself!

2

Lee Callahan had refrained from going to the saloon for another drink. Maybe some of McGregor's people were still there, and he wanted to avoid them.

Not that he was afraid of them, but he didn't want to provoke trouble wantonly. Besides, there had already been more than enough of that today.

And so he had mounted his horse and ridden out of town.

In front of him were rolling grassy hills, and in the distance were forested mountain slopes.

It was good land, here around the town of Bellfort.

Land to raise cattle or sheep or to grow grain.

After a while, Lee saw a small ranch appearing behind a ridge of hills.

It belonged to Luke and Mildred O'Kensey.

Many years ago, the two of them had shown up here with a covered wagon and a small baby, bought some land and created something there with their handiwork from nothing.

The baby had become a man, Joel had been his name.

During a shootout, a stray bullet had struck and killed him.

Joel O'Kensey had had nothing whatsoever to do with the matter at hand. He had simply been sitting at the wrong table in the saloon at the wrong time.

A coincidence, but fateful for Joel.

The O'Kenseys had found it hard to get over the death of their only son.

And then one day an adolescent boy had appeared in Bellfort.

A half-breed, half Cheyenne, half white, who tried to get by by stealing.

The little one's name had been Lee. Lee Callahan.

The O'Kenseys had taken him in and raised him like a son. He was very grateful to them. Now he worked on their ranch.

And when the O'Kenseys died, they had determined, he would inherit the ranch.

They had gone to a notary public specifically to have this put in writing.

Unfortunately, Mildred and I have no more children, Luke O'Kensey had told Lee at the time. But you've been like a son to us all these years, and that's why we think it's right for you to inherit everything! God knows who else might take this beautiful piece of land! Possibly that greedy, insatiable McGregor!

The O'Kenseys' small ranch did not allow its residents to live in luxury, but it did feed them.

They were willing to work hard, which was repaid by the fact that they had always remained their own masters.

When Lee reached the ranch buildings, he saw Mildred O'Kensey in front of the