The Bounty Hunter and the Indian

By John J. Law

Hank Hazelwood, aka the White Hood, was seemingly fearless, as was his gang. Not only did he laugh in the face of danger, but he was one lucky outlaw. Pinned down in an alley by fifteen Pinkerton detectives never slowed the White Hood down. He simply threw a lighted stick of dynamite at them, after he shot and killed one of the agents.
During their getaway, their intention being heading back into New Mexico, the gang spotted a lone rider trailing behind them; a bounty hunter by the name of Clay Barton. Still, Hazelwood felt no fear. With determination to end the bounty hunter's chase, the White Hood led his gang to a mound of rocks and dirt that seemingly had sprung up from nowhere, in the shape of an Indian legend, the Thunderbird. Nearly the entire gang was wary of the haunting feeling of the formation, all but Hazelwood. And he was soon to learn that Clay Barton, the bounty hunter, was the least of his worries.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.C. Hulsey Books
• Release date: Dec 9, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223067641

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

The Hood that Laughs

Hank Hazelwood kept low behind some barrels, crouching as he clutched his gun and the large money bag. There was twenty thousand dollars in the bag; money that he and his boys had just stuffed in earlier. They had committed another bank heist, one of several that they had perpetrated before. Hank and his gang were already gaining a notorious reputation, and it was only a matter of time before something like this happened. No, Hank wasn't really surprised that there were several Pinkertons bearing down hard on him and his boys.

Boy, they really brought out the cavalry against us this time, eh?

Jeff Finks shook his head. Hank was smiling at him, trying to keep the mood light, but he couldn't see any reason to smile. Today, he was starting to regret joining the White Hood's gang.

They ain't sending no Cavalry against us, Hank! This is just plain overkill! Fifteen Pinkertons against us five men? This is crazy!

Hank shrugged his shoulders. He was decked out in completely white garb, from his hat, to his coat, shirt, and even pants. Only his boots and gloves were of a darker shade, and it was this penchant for fancy dressing that earned him the moniker of the White Hood. It was that, and his penchant for redistributing the outrageous sums of money that he robbed to people he felt needed it more. Of course, the redistribution happened after Hank had split the money with Jeff and the others. 

I guess I can't really blame them. I mean, we have been robbing banks and trains like crazy now, haven't we, boys?

Jeff and the others stared at Hank. Despite the white bandana over his mouth, they could all tell that he was smiling and laughing merrily, even as the Pinkertons were almost on top of them now. One thing those papers and mythmakers failed to notice was that Hank was seemingly never afraid. He always seemed to laugh and act all merry, even in the face of insurmountable odds. One might say that this was commendable and even inspirational. Another might say that it was just plain reckless and crazy. Now, Jeff was gravitating toward so the latter.

I don't know how we're going to be able to stand up against fifteen lawmen, Hank! Much less get out of here all alive an' in one piece!

Hank laughed again. It was the same laugh that Jeff and the others were now familiar with. When they first joined Hank, they were not familiar with that laugh. When they first heard it, they thought it sounded more than strange and almost terrifying. It was not a normal man's laugh. It sounded like a cross between the laugh of a hyena and the hoot of a vulture. There was something different about that laugh, something off. It was that laugh that Hank always did when they were in a pinch. Whenever they were most at risk