Hanging At Noon

Set around the Arizona Desert, A Ranch Owner tries to find his prized stolen horse and plays cat and mouse with a dangerous outlaw to get back his horse.

Thomas Long was a hardworking man. His ranch stretched for almost 20,000 acres throughout Rattlesnake Canyon. He was searching for his prized horse, the horse that someone had stolen from his barn shortly before it burned down. Luckily, most of his livestock survived the tragedy.

Long had been walking from his back door to the barn to feed the animals, when heard his horses becoming unsettled in the paddock. He perceived rustling in the barn. By the time he arrived, he glimpsed the thief with riding bareback on his valuable obsidian stallion, Midnight. a large white hat, duster and silver spurs gleaming in the moonlight.

When Long reached the barn, he found a small fire had started in the hayloft, preventing him from pursuing the stolen horse right away. It took all the ranch hands working throughout the night to save a few remains of what used to be the oldest building on the ranch.

After a few days tracking, Long stumbled upon a campfire one night in a remote canyon. He dismounted, slid his trusty Winchester out of the saddle and tiptoed as a mouse over the rocks, sneaking a peek from where the light came at the campsite. The fire was positioned near a steep section of the canyon wall. Too late, he saw a shadow against the flames and before he could move, the unmistakable noise of a revolver hammers being forces against handles echoed in his ears. Long turned. He recognized the barrels and saw two pistols aimed at the center of his green eyes.

"Don't move an inch," demanded the sharp baritone moving in front of Long. "You're a lawman, I reckon?" the voice inquired, trying to figure out Long's reason for being in his canyon.

            Long grumbled, "Nope."

"You are so far away from everything," the stranger told Long calmly, like he was having a casual conversation. "What are you doin' out here?"

The stranger had a weather-beaten face that was as rugged as the terrain beneath him. Though he was a young man, this life had aged him about ten years, judging by the shadowy circles beneath his eyes. He wore a white cowboy hat and a long duster and he spoke slowly, careful not to reveal too much.

"Hunting a horse thief," Long answered. "You seen a black horse around? A stallion perhaps?"

"Maybe I have or maybe I haven't, Mister. What's it to ya?" was the cautious answer with his pistol still aimed at the target. He sighed and then lowered the firearms, putting them back in his holster, but not taking his eyes off his visitor.
         "A valuable steed was stolen from a large ranch a few days ago. The owner is paying big money for the horse's return," Long explained nervously.  

"Oh, really?" The stranger frowned. "And that's why you're in this isolated canyon chasing a horse?"

"Yeah." Long cleared his throat. "Word has it that the man who stole from him, burned down his barn, and destroyed his property and was last seen wearing a white hat and duster."

"Well, it sure ain't me, Mister." The stranger pointed over at the tree nearby and said, "that horse is my Pa's and I'm takin' it to my brother's ranch down the road."

            The stranger titled his head. Long heard a neigh. He could barely make out the horse's outline in the dark. Long cautiously stepped closer to the tied-up horse and observed his dark coat and his height, at least sixteen hands high. The stranger whistled, and the shadow came closer. His coat was the color of coal. The man walked up to the horse. He looked at the animal's face. A white star was on his forehead. The horse whinnied and nuzzled Long as he ran his hand down Midnight's neck and back.

"Yep, I'm pretty sure this is the horse," Long announced. He neighed again, and the stranger chuckled.

"He seems to be calm, but Mister, that ain't your horse," the stranger kept saying as a matter of fact. "You can stay here for the night. We will both be on our way at sunrise."

Long smiled, "I believe I will, since it seems the nearest city is about 10 miles away." Now that he found his stallion, he did not want Midnight out of his sight. Long made his way back and fastened his horse to the branch adjacent to the stallion, dismounted, then lounged by the fire near the unidentified figure.

"Coffee, Mister?" offered the stranger, stoking the fire.

"Sure, thanks," Long replied as he surveyed his situation. "Where did your Pa find him?" He questioned, after taking a hot sip of the potent brew.

"He was running free in the dessert with a herd of wild horses," was the only response he got on that.

"Say, I didn't catch your name, stranger," Long asked him smartly.  

The stranger hesitated for a second as he poured another cup of hot liquid from the pot.

 "I didn't say it. Ethan Cassidy. From Sedona."

Long's eyes perked up. "Arizona? I could say we are practically neighbors then. I'm Lisle. Lisle Jones," he said, giving the ranch foreman's name to hide his identity, since he was well known in his territory.

He put the cup down, then stared into the lonely darkness. "I find it interesting that nearly everybody I've come across recently wants this horse badly. Nearly got shot at, the night before last, by some bandits who wanted to steal him."

"How did you get away?" Long wanted to know.

Cassidy shrugged. "There were 2 bandits that snuck into my campsite, much like you did tonight. While an individual tried to distract me, the other tried to steal the stallion. I drew first and shot the one nearest me. The other I challenged to a showdown, beat him to the draw, and shot him through the heart, right where he was standing. Not a pretty sight."

"You do not seem bothered by this," commented Long thoughtfully.

"It's kill or be killed. Plain."

"Is that so?" Long took a sip of his coffee.

"Yeah."

"So, Cassidy; how did you get selected to ride this horse to your brother's ranch?" asked Long, knowing he wouldn't get a confession.

"It's actually my brother's horse. Pa asked me to take it to Paul's house after another brother was shot in a gunfight. I'm on my way there now," lied Cassidy.

"Maybe I can ride part of the way with you in the morning. Where ya headed?" inquired Long.

            "I'm going to turn in now, Jones." He set the cup down, curled up in the blanket, with his white hat over his eyes. Long stretched out near the fire for warmth and put his head on his saddle to sleep.

The first thing Cassidy noticed when he woke up at daybreak was the tall form of his visitor standing over him with his Winchester pointing at Cassidy's head. He also noticed that Long was wearing his gun belt and felt sure the pistols were loaded.
            "What's this all about?" Cassidy thundered. "I gave you coffee and shared my fire."

            "Oh yeah? You also shoved a gun into my face and threatened me!" Long growled. "This will be the last sun you will ever see… Mark my words. I'm going to hang you come sundown." Long remarked coldly, looking deep into Cassidy's face.

"I take justice in many forms. Just some of them ain't your way," Cassidy commented, hissing through his teeth, like a snake.

"Get up," Long ordered. "Put your blanket on my horse and I'm riding the black stallion."

The cowboy glared at Long and quietly placed his cover over the brown quarter horse that Long arrived on and hopped on. They proceeded southward toward town, with Long on Midnight and his rifle aimed at his former host. Long hoped for a judge in the next town to hear about Cassidy's horse thieving, but just in case; he had a backup plan.

As the morning dragged on, the only noticeable sound was of hooves hitting the hard ground of the canyon floor. The heat bared down on them; soaking their skin and making lathering the horses. It didn't take long before they had a requirement to stop to water their horses and refill their canteens.

"Tell me, I'm curious," Long said after slowing the horses down to a trot and miles of silence. "Why did you steal my horse?"

"If I did, what difference would it make?" Cassidy asked, knowing he would confess nothing to this stranger.

"Well, we'll just have the judge to decide this when we get to the nearest town," Long replied. "It's just a few more miles ahead." Though Long was not sure just how far they needed to go.

Cassidy responded thoughtfully. "Let me ask you a question. I know little much, but I know I didn't commit no pig stealing. Have you ever thought that you might have a case of mistaken identity?"

"You fit the description: calloused hands, white hat, long duster and shiny spurs, but I recognize the stallion."

Up ahead, both men saw the formation of what seemed to be buildings in a town on the horizon, though in the desert heat, distance can be deceiving.

"Keep him talking," Cassidy thought to himself. "Maybe he'll make a mistake and I can run off with that horse."

"Hey Mister. Did you ever consider the fact you might be wrong?" again questioned Cassidy sarcastically.

Long said nothing.

Then suddenly, the brown Quarter horse broke into a run, toward a group of trees. Cassidy saw up ahead, a bright light coming from what appeared to be a cave. Within seconds, he rode to this area with large boulders, trees and a stream. The tree was tall, about thirty feet high, with twisty branches above him. At the base of the tree ran a stream of water, something both man and horse needed to cool their thirst. His horse was charging into the water.

            Cassidy turned his mount around, grabbed his Colt pistol and aimed it at his pursuer, who came flying around the bend to catch up with him. Cassidy fired with the bullet ricocheting off the rocks near Long. The stallion suddenly stopped and reared up. Long told the horse to calm down and immediately dismounted, taking cover behind his horse and drawing his 2 pistols. Cassidy did the same but fumbled with the 2^nd pistol which now lay in the dirt nearby. He quickly pushed his horse out of the way, making a distraction, while sliding over, picking up the pistol and taking cover behind a large bolder.

"I reckon you aimed to take me in to town, right?" Cassidy shouted.

"That's right. Or, I could hang you here and now!" Long roared angrily. "For stealing my horse, lying about it last night and trying to get away."

"So you're the owner!" said Cassidy, pistols still aimed at Long. "Look at that sky!" Cassidy shouted. It was turning dark gray and a funnel cloud was forming in the distance. A huge dust storm was on the way.

Long thought, "I'm not falling for that trick." However, he glanced up long enough for Cassidy to draw fire and hit him. Long descended with a gasp. When the smoke cleared, blood was oozing out of Long's left shoulder and making him drop both pistols. Cassidy rushed forward and kicked both pistols out of the way. He then quickly walked over to Long's saddle bags and found two ropes. The small one was used to tie Long's hands behind him and the longer one Cassidy made into a noose. He never took his eyes off of Long.

While Long was lying on the ground and watching Cassidy make the noose, he asked, "What are you going to do me?"

"Remember you said you were going to hang me? Well, I'm going to return the favor!" Cassidy snarled with an evil chuckle.

            "Just take my guns. I only want my horse back!" Long shouted.

Cassidy chuckled, this time even louder.

"NO! I don't want to die!" Long begged, trying to think of how to barter his way out of this.

Cassidy walked to the tree where the horses were drinking water and threw the rope over the branch above him. "Do you know what this tree is?" Cassidy asked.

Long was sitting up now but breathing heavily. "Yes," he said, between labored breaths. "It's called a Joshua Tree."

"Correct. Do you know why?" asked Cassidy, suddenly full of trivia. Cassidy turned toward his captive and answered. "The Mormon settlers came upon this land years ago and thought the unique shape of this tree reminded them of the prophet Joshua, as if he was praying to His God while pointing to the sky with his arms outstretched."

"Interesting…" Long stammered, hoping this delay would give him time to create a plan of escape.

"Usually, the long branches provide shelter for insects and birds, but this evening the limbs serve a different purpose." Cassidy paused for effect. A lingering silence filled the air.

"A hanging." Cassidy gave a twisted smile and evil laugh, even louder than before.

Long yelled, but a hand was over his mouth so that his desperate cry fell on deaf ears. With a bit of effort, Cassidy lifted him onto the Quarter horse and lead them under the tree branch where the rope was placed around his neck.

Cassidy popped the brown horse's rump and just like that, Long was dangling from a Joshua Tree at noon somewhere out west in the desert. Cassidy grabbed the stallion's bridle, mounted Midnight him and quietly trotted into the lonely dunes.

As for the outlaw Ethan Cassidy, no one knows what became of him. Some say he went back to Sedona. Others say he disappeared and became a ghost, haunting the nearby canyons on horseback.