Three Fine, Well-Tended Graves, Part Ii

...It was early fall when the trouble came to the Sperry’s and the Circle-S Ranch, a dozen bandits came riding in hard, shooting their guns in an entrance grand, they thought none would dare make a stand, but the punchers pulled iron for hard deeds, and Rudy shot a bandit clear off his steed. The ranch descended into swirling chaos, as lead and fire shot from both sides, out in the open four bandits were caught, pitching off of their mounts as they died, four more, sensing defeat, turned to ride, but Andrew McGin was game for the fight, shot up two good cowboys, put out their lights. Then young Rudy, shooting from the corral, saw a sight that chilled his every nerve, out in the open, caught up in the mess, were Graciella and their little girl, the two pillars that held up his world, McGin pointed at his wife with his six-gun, said,”Sorry there’s not time to have some ‘fun.’” Rudy hurled himself forwards to get in range, but it was useless, the three were not near, he had no thought, just frantic fury, never had Rudy ever known such fear, but then Jack Campbell suddenly appeared, he dove before Rudy’s child and wife, the bullet punched deep, all roared at the sight… Before McGin could realize what had happened, Rudy’s gun unleashed six rapids shots, the first two went high, but all of the rest, struck hard into the target they sought, McGin slammed hard to the ground in that spot, He was dead before he managed to hit the ground, Rudy ran to Jack’s side, and by him crouched down. The cowboy was breathing with ragged gasps, nothing could be done for the poor man, he spat up blood, and then said to Rudy, “I just could not let it happen again.” From his eyes the last bits of life ran, Jack Campbell went limp right there in his arms, off came the hats of the punchers and Barnes. Rudy straightened up, and looked to the men, “We have to find where his wife and child rest. Clean up here, Barnes, then sent riders out, I think four of them probably is best, Find out if you have to search half the west.” Barnes nodded sadly, then turned to the cow-hands, “You heard the boss, we do right by our man!” The Circle-S went on after that dark day, Rudy’s ranch became semi-legendary, A local hero 'til nineteen twenty-six, 2hen he was laid in the family cemetery, but nearby, among the stones marked ‘Sperry,’ is the name of ‘Campbell’ chiselled on three graves, each fine and well-tended to this very day.