Chapter 01

Miss Branch came down the aisle handing out the graded test papers. Alexis hardly bothered looking at hers - the 90 was unexpected as she had been uncertain of only one question. She looked over at Alex and he smiled. He probably gotten them all, she thought. Their academic rivalry was as good-natured as all their other ones. The twins had always been close and being at school and only seeing their parents on weekends and holidays had brought them even closer.

'We're lucky to be close enough to visit', she thought. Oak Grove was just over fifty miles away from Springdale and many of the students lived further away. Every weekend Caleb, the ranch foreman, or another trusted employee drove up in a coach drawn by a team of horses her father had bought for the purpose. On the longer days they would leave on Friday afternoon after the last class and be home before it was dark. As the daylight period became shorter he would stay at a hotel and pick them up on Saturday morning. 'One more day,' she thought as the classroom door opened.

It was Mr. Bradshaw, the principal. He would never interrupt a class for something trivial. The only time she remembered it happening was when Bonnie Sue Carver's father had been killed in an accident. Suddenly she felt apprehensive, as Miss Branch went to the front of the room to talk to him. After a few words Miss Branch turned and came back, heading for the row where she was seated.

'No, please don't let it be...', she looked over at Alex as Miss Branch arrived.

"Alexis, Alex, please come with me. Mr. Bradshaw needs to speak with you."

NO! No, please....

Alex was already out of his seat. Their eyes met briefly before he turned and she rose and followed.

"Please come with me," Mr. Bradshaw said and without waiting for a response turned and walked down the corridor. His office was just a short distance away and they followed. Another man was already in the office and Alexis felt her worst fears were confirmed. He was wearing the uniform of a Texas Territorial Marshal.

"Please be seated," said Mr. Bradshaw. He and the marshal remained standing.

"Alexis, Alex," the marshal said, "I have some very bad news. This morning a gang of bandits attacked your family's ranch. Your parents were among those who died."

Died? Killed, you mean.

She was aware of the roving gangs that occasionally crossed the border to rob, rape and murder but had never known them to attack a place like their ranch. They had over two dozen employees and all were armed and an army post with several hundred soldiers was not ten miles from their home. Their house was visited by at least one patrol on any day.

"I just arrived," the marshal said. "The army had been alerted and was on the way, I met them at Sardis and got a fresh horse there. I have a coach waiting to take you home. I regret not having more information. We'll leave as soon as you can get ready."

She felt Alex's hand on hers and turned to look at him. He was expressionless, still in shock. Finally he spoke.

"Let's go."

They went to their respective dormitories where their bags were already packed in anticipation of the weekend visit, then went to the square where the coach was waiting. The coach was a small one built for only two passengers. The four horses pulling it were big Drebens with spiral horns curving slightly outward. Two soldiers - a corporal and a private first class were waiting. The private took the driver's seat and the corporal the shotgun position. The usual shotgun was in a rack beside the seat, the corporal holding a Weaver .35 revolver carbine across his knees. Both men were armed with Hadley cavalry revolvers. A captain saw them off.

"We're patrolling the roads for thirty miles either side of your ranch," he said. "There's no reason to expect trouble but we're not taking chances. You'll probably meet a patrol or two along the way."

With four horses and a light load they made good time but the sun was setting as they passed through the main gate of the ranch. The smaller moon was already high in the sky and as the sun set the larger moon was just visible over the horizon in the southeast. The night would be more like an overcast day without the clouds.

Except for the area being deserted the house and grounds looked normal. The driver took the coach up to the front entrance and stopped. The driver set the brake and both soldiers dismounted. The sergeant came to the window on Ales's side.

"Stay inside while we check the area," he said. Alexis was on the side of the coach facing the house and saw two men emerge, the sergeant turning to face them with his carbine at port arms.

"That's Enak," Alexis said to Alex. "And Billy Gibson. I wonder where Caleb is."

"I expected him to be here to meet us," Alex replied. "I don't like the looks of it."

"Neither do I."

The sergeant turned and walked back to the coach. He opened the door while the private walked around to open the other door for Alexis. Both had taken the time to change clothes before leaving. Alexis was wearing trousers and boots and like her brother dismounted without taking the offered hand by the soldier. She ran around to join Alex and they walked over to where Enak and Billy were.

"Where is Caleb?" Alexis asked.

Their expressions told her.

"NO! Tell me they weren't..."

Enak knelt, took Alexis' hands in his.

"Caleb is..."

He looked down, then up at Alexis.

"I understand," Alexis said. "Enak, tell us everything. Let's go... where.."

"They never got inside the house," Enak said. "Let's go in there. Sergeant, we can take care of things from here. Thanks for bringing Alexis and Alex. Captain Mitchell was by earlier and will stop on his way back to the post. We should be all right now."

The sergeant and private mounted the coach and drove away.

"Come inside," Enak said.