The Mendelsons - Father and Son

By John J. Law

Joe Mendelson stood atop a rocky hill, the life and death drama that played out beneath him appeared small. It was almost as if it were the struggle of tiny ants to survive, and not real people. The stagecoach that had been stopped looked a little larger than the tiny people that exited it. The riders that had stopped the coach along with their mounts looked like slightly bigger bugs than the others. But it was clear from where Mendelson stood that they were not just bugs. These were human beings locked in a life and death struggle that seemed all too common in the times they lived in. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.C. Hulsey Books
• Release date: Mar 26, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224976065

Book preview

Chapter One: An Unexpected Meeting

All right, everyone! Hands up in the air. This is a holdup! Just step out of the stagecoach and hand us your valuables. Ain't no one need to play hero, and ain't no one going to get hurt!

The passengers inside the stagecoach heard the rider outside speaking to them in a gruff voice. Their stagecoach had been stopped abruptly, and the passengers did not know why. When they heard the man speaking, they finally realized what had happened.

The bandit had several accomplices with him. All of them had cloths covering their mouths and their facial features were thus, obscured. All of them were also armed and brandishing revolvers. All the passengers on the coach realized it would be futile to try and argue with the bandit gang.

From where bounty hunter Joe Mendelson stood atop a rocky hill, the life and death drama that played out beneath him appeared small. It was almost as if it were the struggle of tiny ants to survive, and not real people. The stagecoach that had been stopped looked a little larger than the tiny people that exited it. The riders that had stopped the coach along with their mounts looked like slightly bigger bugs than the others. But it was clear from where Mendelson stood that they were not just bugs. These were human beings locked in a life and death struggle that seemed all too common in the times they lived in.

"That stagecoach robbery down there is really none of my concern. However, considering the lack of jobs I've been getting recently, I think

it would be a good idea to try and shoot down as many of those outlaws down there as I can. After all, some of them may have a price on their heads an' from where I'm standing up here, they should be sitting ducks!"

Mendelson's idea made a lot of sense. From up above, he did have the advantage and the outlaws would never know what hit them. He took his rifle and squinted for a better focus of the small figures below. He held the rifle with steady hands and did not tremble. As he aimed the rifle, he held his breath to keep the shot steady. Finally, he pulled the trigger.

A shot rang out from the rifle, striking one of the riders down. He was knocked off his horse, and the horse scurried away in a panic. The other riders were all shocked and surprised to see one of their own shot down unexpectedly.

Some of the men pointed their guns up in the air, but there was nothing they could do. Mendelson fired again and again. Two more of the bandits were knocked off their horses. There was nothing their compatriots could do.

Chaos and confusion now descended upon the group of bandits. They had expected this stagecoach robbery to go without a hitch. They did not expect to get picked off like this.