Blue-Eyed Devil

46

VIRGIL AND ALLIE and I were sitting on what was left of the front porch of the Boston House. Much of the town was burned out. Against the charred backdrop of it, women and children and old men were walking aimlessly about.

“Why do you suppose they didn’t burn our house?” Allie said.

Virgil shrugged. He was looking down Main Street at some riders coming in. It was Callico.

“Because we’re friends of Pony?” I said.

“But he took Laurel and was going to kill her,” Allie said.

“Things weren’t going the way he wanted,” Virgil said.

“And he’d change like that?” Allie said.

“Folks do,” Virgil said.

“Savages do,” Allie said.

Virgil nodded.

“How’d he get hold of Laurel?” Virgil said.

“She saw the flames. She became hysterical. I tried to keep her with me. But despite all I’ve done for her, she paid me no mind. She was in the street and he saw her and must have recognized her.”

Virgil nodded.

“Got him killed,” he said.

“His own brother,” Allie said.

“Laurel,” Virgil said.

We sat quietly as Amos Callico and his troops straggled back into the smoldering town.

When he saw us, Callico pulled his horse over and stopped. He was spattered with mud, and his clothes were rumpled. He took his hat off.

“Miss Allie,” he said, and bowed his head slightly.

“Welcome home, Mr. Callico,” Allie said.

“Thank you very kindly, Miss Allie,” Callico said.

He looked at Virgil and me.

“Well,” Callico said. “We did it.”

“We surely did,” Virgil said.

“Don’t expect those red niggers will try this town again.”

“Probably not,” Virgil said.

“Thanks for your help,” Callico said.

Virgil and I both nodded.

“Well,” Callico said, and looked around at the ruin of a town. “Get me a bath and a night’s sleep, and we’ll start putting this town back together.”

“Gonna cost some money,” I said.

“Those Indians are from a United States government reservation,” Callico said. “I figure the government owes us.”

“Think you can convince them?” I said.

“You boys just watch me,” Callico said.

“We will,” Virgil said.

Callico turned his horse and fell back in among the returning straggle.

We watched him ride away.

“The hero of Appaloosa,” I said.

“He gets government money to rebuild this place,” Virgil said, “he will be.”

“And they’ll never remember what he was doing while the place was burning,” I said.

“He knows many important people,” Allie said. “I’ll bet he can do it.”

Virgil nodded.

“When will Pony bring Laurel back?” Allie said.

“Soon as he thinks she’s safe,” Virgil said.

“Do you know where he took her?” Allie said.

“Red Castle Rock, probably,” Virgil said.

“You know where that is?” Allie said.

“I do,” Virgil said.

“Well, why on earth don’t you go out there,” Allie said. “And bring her back.”

“He’ll bring her back,” Virgil said. “When it’s time.”

“She’s alone, sleeping God knows where with a half-breed tracker,” Allie said. “She’s sixteen, for God’s sake. I’m trying to bring her up right.”

“Doin’ a fine job,” Virgil said.

“And one thing I know,” Allie said. “If I know anything, I know men.”

Virgil nodded.

“And let me tell you right now,” Allie said, “that no good will come of him running off with her someplace alone.”

Staring down the smoke-soiled main street of Appaloosa, Virgil turned his head and squinted at Allie.

“I love you, Allie,” Virgil said. “Not exactly sure why sometimes. And it looks like I’m keep doing it.”

“Why, thank you, Virgil,” Allie said.

“But you say some of the goddamned stupidest things I have ever heard,” he said.

“Everett,” Allie said. “Are you going to let him speak that way to me?”

“Pony killed his brother to save Laurel,” I said.

“Does that make him a good candidate for husband?” Allie said.

“Might mean he loves her,” I said.

“Oh, piffle,” Allie said. “Why does anybody love a nybody?”

Virgil squinted at her some more.

“Damned if I know,” he said.