Righteous Lawmen

By Clay Cassidy

Blake Farraday has eleven deputies to help him stand up against outlaws and fight for the oppressed. Blake is a United States Marshall, sworn in by Federal law to uphold peace and justice where and whenever needed. A rich ore of Silver is being mined by a small community of settlers, but a money-hungry outlaw and his henchmen are getting rid of all the farmers in order to get hold of their land. A request is sent to Blake for help in this regard, and him and his deputies descend on the town to take on the outlaws and let justice prevail.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Clay Cassidy
• Release date: Apr 5, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224534975

Clay Cassidy

Born on 12 April 1964. Enlisted in the Army in 1983 for two years as Operational Medic. Married my wife in December 1988, and moved back to my birth town, a small mining town in South Africa. My wife and I are blessed with two children; a son and a daughter. I have been writing since primary school and have always been an avid reader. My love for literature grew as I became older, as did my love for writing. It was only later in my life that the decision to submit one of my plenty manuscripts for a review that I'd written over the years. I submitted to SBPRS in Houston, Texas. Their response was quick, and a couple of months later I was standing with the first Print Proof Copy of my book. I have a keen interest in the American Wild West. This drives me to write Westerns, which is my favorite genre. I've always been passionate about writing. Apart from writing, I also do Editing, Proofreading, and Formatting of text before and/after submission of manuscripts to publishing houses at a relatively low cost to the Author. Two of my favorite pastimes when I'm not writing, is doing oil painting and pencil sketching, Wildlife being my favorite genre.

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Righteous

Lawmen

Clay Cassidy

Edited and Published by Clay Cassidy

Copyright © 2024 Clay Cassidy

All rights reserved

License Notes

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system, without the permission, in writing, of the Author.

DEDICATION

I dedicate this book to my wife Daleen, my son Dean, and my granddaughter Leonisse, who have been, and are, the inspiration behind my writing career. Without them I would not have had the courage to carry on when the going gets tough. They are not only my biggest fans, but also my severest critics. Thank you for supporting me.

Love you always

Clay

CONTENTS

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Dedication

Prologue

About the Author

Prologue

Two horsemen nervously control the five horses outside the Farmer’s Bank in Arkansas, while the other three members of their gang are busy robbing the bank from its payroll. This is their biggest bank job since they started their careers as criminals.

Inside everyone is quiet. There is quite a large number of customers in the bank. Three men enter the bank; their faces covered with kerchiefs and six-guns drawn. Waving his handgun around, one of the robbers covers the clients.

This is a stick-up, ladies and gents! Grab some air or I’ll drill a hole in you. Make it snappy; I ain’t got all day! Hurry up, Harry, before we have the Law breathing down our necks. Lady, if you hesitate any longer to obey my partner, your days are numbered! Do you understand that? Fill up the bag with all the cash in your register!

The cashier does as she is told, with Harry keeping her in his sights. The man who does the talking indicates with his head to the other member of the trio.

Ira, do as you’re told and open that door!

CHAPTER ONE

Two hours fast riding South of Gunsight.

A quiet, small Silver mining town brings one to Green Pasture, one of the most flourishing cattle ranches in the district.

Annie Poise freezes with shock as the volley of gunfire reaches her where she is hanging the washing. The firing seems to come from close by, but Annie can’t be sure. Running frantically around the front of their house, she hears the incessant gunfire distinctly, and without any further doubt knows where it’s coming from.

It’s quite close to their ranch, seemingly in the region where Norman, her husband, and William, her son, are rounding up cattle. Her father, Jack Truman, and brother, Jasper, are also out, helping Norman with the task of rounding up cattle.

Without a second thought, Annie runs into the house and in one swift motion, grabs a Winchester carbine from the gun rack, which is always kept loaded nowadays. Without faltering in her stride, Annie runs towards the stables.

Here she mounts her mare bareback and clutching the rifle in one hand, races off in the direction where she hears the shots coming from.

Her son is foremost in her thoughts as her horse speeds onward. Reining her horse in at the crest of a hilltop, Annie pulls out her eyeglass and brings it to her eye while scouring the land before her.

She sees movement about a mile from where she is, and her heart almost stops at the sight of what she sees. Regaining her composure, Annie rides at breakneck speed down the slanted hill.

Annie’s mare does not stop completely when she jumps from its back. She falls to her knees at William’s side and reaching down, lifts him from the ground. The seven-year-old groans softly and opens his eyes, pain etched shallow in them.

Ma, they shot pa! Grandpa and uncle Jasper have also been shot! Pa and Grandpa tried to keep them from shooting me, but they got me in the leg. Am I going to die?

Annie shakes her head.

No, Will. You won’t die, but I’ll have to get you to the doctor to stop the bleeding. Sit right here; I’ll be with you shortly.

Annie goes over to where Norman is lying face down in the dirt, his now lifeless hand still clutching his six-shooter. Annie turns him over on his back and sees the three bullet wounds where he’s been shot.

As she looks at her brother, she sees immediately that he is beyond help, and is about to turn around, when a slight movement from her father catches her eye. Quickly she rushes to his side. Her father is coughing up blood and bubbles are frothing on his lips.

Daddy; daddy, can you hear me?! Please don’t die! Just hold on for a little while; I’ll get you to the doctor in town. Don’t leave me now!

Jack Truman struggles to keep his eyes open. He takes hold of Annie’s hand, squeezing it feebly while his voice breaks as he speaks.

I been hit bad, pumpkin. Ain’t gonna make it outta here alive … aargh! There’s a man by name of Blake Faraday who’ll help you; used to be close friends with his pa. Write him and tell him who you are. Now take li’l Will an’ get him to the doctor!

Annie is about to protest when her father exhales his last breath from his bullet-riddled body. She quickly covers the three bodies with tall grass against the merciless sun and vultures. She will get the undertaker to ride out to their ranch and collect the bodies.

Annie leads her horse to where William is sitting. Quickly she puts a tourniquet around William’s upper leg to stop the constant flow of blood.

We’ll have to ride double on my horse, Will; I’ll help you mount. We’ll go and get the buckboard and ride into town.

It’s a difficult ride back to the ranch, as William’s leg is causing him intense discomfort. Although Annie’s outer façade is calm and efficient, she is emotionally shattered to pieces by the untimely deaths of her husband, beloved father and brother.

William takes the death of his father very bad, and cries softly all the way to town. Annie tries to console him, without much success. Reaching town, Annie makes straight for the Doctor’s rooms.

***

Earlier that same morning; some distance from the house.

Norman Poise sits astride his horse alongside his father-in-law, Jack Truman, as he looks at his son with pride that makes his heart swell. His brother-in-law, Jasper, is riding towards them at a leisurely pace.

William is only seven years old, but already has all the makings of a great rancher. Both Norman and Jack smile at the excitement of William when the latter points to a herd of cattle.

Norman is of average height, although his physique is quite muscular. He has short, sandy hair with