The last hooray, ch. 1

THE LAST HOO-RAY



Chapter 1



“I call,”  Zack Mulhall said, and laid down his cards.  He had three fives, an ace and a king.  Zack leaned back in his chair and lit his cigar again. 



“Somebody open that door, the smoke is gettin’ thick in here,” Colonel Cummins said, as he threw his hand down on the table. 



“Well, it’s good you can win at cards, because your Rough Riders and Ropers, are losing their paychecks to my boys,” Cummins said and laughed, the anger of losing another hand bringing the color to his face. He poured himself another glass of whiskey. 



California Jack Roberts snickered with him, running his tongue over his blue tooth. 



Zack looked around at the cowboys sitting on their bunks.  They looked tired and bored and their smiles were half-hearted.



“Well, the contest aint’ over yet, we got two days to go,”  replied Zack, and pulled in his winnings. 



“Your boys..... and girls, aint even in the top five.  I thought Lucille was some kind of champion roper.  Hell, even your top cowboys can’t hold a candle to our crew,” California Jack said confidently.



“Well, I admit our cowboys are fresh off the range and aint’ quite used to the festivities of show business, but I can assure you they can hold their own,” Zack said earnestly.  “They are the real deal.” 



California Jack just grinned and snorted, and took a sip of whiskey. 



“Talk is cheap,” Cummins said. He pounded his empty glass on the table. “Lets me and you make it interesting.” 



“What you got in mind?”  Zack asked, sitting back in his chair.   



“I’ll put my half of the gate against yours, even bet.” 



“Three to one.” 



“Two to one.” 



“Done.” 



Zack smiled and stood up and put out his hand.  Cummins stood and shook his hand across the table.    Zack gave Cummins a hard look. 



“It’s a bet then.” 



Cummins looked back at Zack.  “It is.” 



Zack took off his hat and scraped his winnings into it.  “Well, boys, I’m gonna’ head to the house.  It was a pleasure taking your money.”



Zack left the bunkhouse at the stadium where most of the Cummins crew were staying.  It was next to the stables and the stock pens where the show kept its horses and cattle.  Zack was whistling and grinning as he stepped out of the stables and walked into the stadium.



“That was a mighty big bet boss,” California Jack said.  “I don’t trust that bastard.” 



“You boys better not let me down then,” Cummins said.  “You better win.” 



“They got some fine cowboys, and their stock is the best I’ve ever seen.” 



“You better just make sure you win.  Whatever it takes and I mean it,” Cummins said, “Or you boys will be eatin’ your horses, because you won’t be gettin’ paid by me.” 



“I’ll see what I can do,” California Jack said.  “I reckon we might be able to stir up their horses a little.  I’ll talk to Frank Reed.”



It had been raining for about a week, and the arena at the St. Louis World’s Fair was steaming in the afternoon heat.  The cowboys from Mulhall Oklahoma gathered in the center of the arena for a photograph.  Some of the Texas cowboys from the Cummins Show were jeering them from the stands.  They had been rehearsing for the show that evening.  Several hundred Indians including the notorious Chief Blue Horse and Geronimo were also sitting in the stands.  Geronimo and Blue Horse, as well as some of the Apache and Sioux warriors were on “loan” to the Cummins show, but still had a few army guards watching them. 



“Aint you Nation boys pretty,” one of the Texas cowboys called out. “I can’t tell the cowgirls from the cowboys,” said another.  There was some more laughter and whistles from the Texas cowboys.  Zack Mulhall fumed.  He had his famous daughters with him, as well as several other women in his show.  He was very protective of his girls.  Lucille noticed her Papa staring to get a “scrap” worked up.  It wouldn’t take much when he had been drinking whiskey in the morning, and hadn’t eaten or taken his nap after lunch.  It was not hard to get Zack worked into a lather on such occasions, and it often led to violent and unhappy consequences.  “Now Papa,” she warned, “Let’s just take their money, that will shut them up.” 



Zack let out a long breath and smiled at Lucille.  “You are right my darling.  We will do just that,” he said, and adjusted his hat for the photo. 



“You know boys; I’m gettin’ tired of fightin’ off the wild Injuns every night.  From now on let’s just let the Souix win.  Cummins can go to hell,” he said loudly. 



The Mulhall cowboys laughed.



“Papa, now smile and be nice,” Bossy said trying to hold her little sister Mildred still for the photograph.



“Ok that’s good”, the photographer hollered and waved his hand, and the Mulhall cowboys got up and started back towards the corrals where the horses were.



“This is the last time I go partners with any Texans from Buffalo Bill’s show either.  Those Texas Cowboys can go to hell too,” Zack said loudly enough to let the Texas Cowboys in the stands hear him.



Will Rogers and Tom Mix were smoking Cuban cigars with Blue Horse and Geronimo.  Geronimo liked the Mulhalls, and the Oklahoma cowboys.  He especially liked Lucille, and admired her horsemanship.  He wished for the old days, when he might have taken her for a wife.  There was nothing like a young wife. He tried to remember any white women who had been good wives to the Apache. He couldn’t remember any good ones.  They had traded all the white women to the slave traders in Mexico, or killed them.  He couldn’t remember if any of them had red hair like Lucille.  Anyway, he was old now, and those days were over, but watching Lucille ride, he wondered what it would be like to have a young red haired squaw.  He sighed and puffed on his cigar.



Geronimo had introduced Tom and Will to some of the Sioux warriors and Blue Horse.  Blue Horse wasn’t very sociable, but he had indicated that he liked Tom’s big white western hat.  Tom, having never emerged the better from a trade with wild Indians, handed it over reluctantly. 



“You take,” Blue Horse said, and ceremoniously put a thirty-seven eagle feather war bonnet on Toms head.  The only problem was that Tom’s head was way too big.  The war bonnet slipped to the side.



Will and some of the Indians laughed. 



Tom grinned, and still clenching a huge black cigar in his mouth, danced around in circles trying to hold the war bonnet on his head, and sang “Buffalo Gals.”



It was hard for Tom to tell if the Sioux war chief was smiling or not. Chiefs in general seemed to lack a sense of humor, but Geronimo was enjoying Tom’s act.  He puffed on his cigar and watched Blue Horse try on Tom’s hat.  It fell down almost to Blue Horse’s eyes.  Blue Horse was stuffing his two braids up into the hat trying to get it to fit. 



Zack walked up to them smiling. “I hope that aint’ a rain dance.  We don’t need anymore rain,” he said looking up at the sky.  “I went ahead and made the bet this afternoon.  Tell the boys I made the bet, and to go all out tonight.  It is time to shut these Texas Cowboys up.”



“Why you no like the Texas Cowboys?”  Geronimo asked. 



“They have been trying to boss us around, since we partnered up with Cummins,” Zack replied, “Its startin’ to wear a little thin.  From now on, in your battles with the Texas Cowboys in the show, you can kill all of them you want.” 



The Souix warriors seemed to like the idea, but Blue Horse said, “Cummins no like,” from underneath Tom’s hat, and smiled a malevolent smile.   





The “Cummins Indian Congress” had partnered up with Zack Mulhall’s “Congress of Rough Riders and Ropers,” in hopes of improving the gate receipts of both shows.  It had worked, but Zack hated it.  Cummins was a pompous blowhard in his opinion. Cummins had five hundred Indians and about twenty Texas Cowboys he had hired from the Buffalo Bill Show.  The Texas Cowboys were mostly play actors in the Cummins show.  They were big on hats, and short on cowboy skills, as far as Zack had seen.  They fought off the Indians in attacks on wagon trains, stage coaches and the Pony Express.  The Indians for their part, did a lot of dances, and finally got to win one in the re-enactment of Custer’s Last Stand, borrowed from Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show.  The Mulhall show brought the cowboy events which highlighted calf roping, steer wrestling, trick riding, and bronc riding, and featured Charlie, Lucille and Bossy Mulhall. 



There was a lot of rivalry between the Texas Cowboys and the Oklahoma Cowboys in the cowboy events.  Many of the rivalries had become personal between the cowhands.  It had been a three day competition, but because of the rain, all the timed events had been slow.  The Texas Cowboys had a high opinion of their skills, and were eager to put the Mulhall Cowboys in their place.



Zack and his crew were experienced gamblers, and had been employing the same profitable tactical con for four years, mostly in much smaller venues.  Zack would bring in his show, let the local cowboys get ahead, make the bets, and then clean up on the last day.  It had worked throughout Oklahoma and Texas, but apparently Cummins and his Texas crew didn’t believe that the Oklahoma crew was holding back.



Zack employed no play actors.  The Mulhall Cowboys were primarily ranch hands, but had been displaying their skills part time in Zack’s show for a few years.  They were very good.  Between shows, they went right back to working on the ranch managing Zack’s cattle herds.  They enjoyed the play acting, but everyone agreed it wasn’t their strong suit. While the Indian acts got enthusiastic applause, it was the cowboy events that brought the St. Louis crowds to their feet.  It was the bronc riding, and long horn steer roping, where sometimes the cowboy lost, and ended up face down in the mud, or worse.  The crowds seemed to like that.  Zack had also brought in other talent such as Will Rogers, known as the “Cherokee Kidd, and Bill Pickett, the negro cowboy borrowed from the 101 Ranch.



“I think I’m gonna stick to cowboyin’,” Tom said and handed Blue Horse back his war bonnet.  Blue Horse smiled and handed him back his hat. 



“We better go grease up our lariats.  The boss wants us to shine tonight,” Will said, “C’mon Tom.” 



“See ya’ll tonight,” Tom said and followed Will towards the corrals. 



That afternoon after the Indians attacked the stage coach. They were courageously fought off by the cowboys.  The St. Louis crowd enjoyed the show, and cheered the cowboys and booed the Indians.  The drama was heightened by the well-written script announced through a brass bull horn from the stands.



Then came the steer roping. Some of the local cowboys were still in the contest. The bets were going seven to one against Lucille Mulhall. The Texas Cowboys were confident, and there were some large bets between some of the cowboys. Zack watched his children start the event, one two three: Bossy, Lucille and Charlie. Lucille took the lead with the best time of the contest, and Zack laughed out loud.  He had bet heavily on his famous daughter. The rest of the Mulhall Cowboys came next, and the local boys, and Colonel Cummins’ Cowboys were soon consoling each other in the “maybe next time” crowd at the side of the arena.  The Cummins Cowboys were grimed faced as they watched the Mulhall Cowboy never miss their throws, and the times came in half of what they had been the day before.  The Mulhall horses were much faster, and made no mistakes as they had the day before.



The Mulhall hands dominated the bronc riding also.  At the end of the show, it was difficult for the proud Texas Cowboys to hand over their bets to the Oklahoma crew but their defeat was complete.  Zack could see Colonel Cummins pointing and yelling at California Jack Roberts, and some of the other Texas Cowboys.  Cummins had apparently realized that Zack and his cowboys had snookered him.  There was one more night to go, but it wasn’t looking too good.









.

After the show, Robert Tall Grass rubbed down the horses and started sorting them in the stables.  Zack Mulhall had the finest stock.  His horses gave the Mulhall hands the advantage over their competition. It was their breeding, and their training that made their show so unique. The show was violently chaotic as the best cowboys, best trained horses, and the wildest longhorn cattle met in the arena, and the crowd sensed that anything could happen.

The “Pike,” or central avenue, running through the middle of the St. Louis fair, was full of people.  The continuous roar of the crowds and the city was a big change for Robert.  He sensed how far he was from the quiet prairie in Oklahoma. He was proud to be a part of the Mulhall show, but very contented to be out of sight and taking care of the horses.  He had already fed and watered the cattle. The longhorns from Zack's herd were the meanest, and fastest they could find at round-up, but calmed right down.  Zack's horses however, were high strung and dangerous when excited. Robert sang an old Ponca Indian song that his Grandfather taught him.  Robert had quiet ways with the horses, as was the Ponca way. He sang to them softly as they calmed down, and slowly put them in their stalls. 

"God Damn son, didn't anyone teach you how to handle horses?"  Frank Reed walked into the corral holding a half empty bottle of whiskey, and kicked viciously at Robert's feet, tripping him.  The horses immediately began to stir, backing into the corners.  "God Damn Injuns, what the hell are you singin' about?" 

Robert turned and faced Frank.  He didn't know how to handle Frank Reed.  He had seen plenty of people drunk, doing stupid things.  But he would just walk away.  He couldn't walk away from his horses.

Frank pointed the whiskey bottle at Robert. "It’s bad enough I got to have you sleeping in my stables, but I aint gonna’ stand for no Injun singing."  . 

Frank Reed was the chief hostler of the fairgrounds. He hated these Oklahoma cowboys.  And he especially hated Oklahoma Injuns.  He had crossed Zack once already, and had been arrested for disturbing the peace.  His anger burned in his gut with the cheap whiskey.  He had been told by Zack to stay away from their horses, and let Robert handle them.

That just made it worse for Robert.  He could feel Frank’s hate for him and his horses.  Robert tried to stay out of Frank’s way.  Robert could smell the whiskey like a storm coming, and knew there would be another confrontation.  Frank walked towards the horses and grabbed a horse whip hanging from a post.  He started to whip the horses. “I’ll show you how to handle horses,” he said. The horses started screaming.

"No, you will not," Robert said, and wrenched the whip out of Franks hands.  He stood in front of Frank Reed defiantly.

Frank threw the whiskey bottle down, and tried to wrestle the whip out of Robert's hand.  Frank realized quickly that Robert was much stronger than he was.  Frank became enraged and kicked again at Robert's feet, missing and falling backwards, pulling Robert down on top of him. 

"God Damn Injun sons-of-bitches," he screamed, now enraged beyond control. 



“Ok, now the rabbit comes out of the hole, goes around the tree, and then back down the hole.” Tom Mix looked at Collin wearing his cowboy hat and grinned.  A Scottish sailor in a blue sailor suit, wearing a cowboy hat and longhorn chaps was almost too funny.  He tried to concentrate on the knot he was learning. 

“Aye lad, now Mickey, stand there still now while I lasso you,” Collin laughed as he tried to make the lasso spin above his head. 

They were all a little drunk. 

“Steady now lad,” Collin said, and tossed the lasso. It fell around Mickey perfectly. 

Mickey took another swig of scotch whiskey.  “Not bad, Collin not bad, your mum would be proud.” 

Tom had met the Scottish sailors after the show, and they decided to try some genuine scotch whiskey straight from Scotland, and trade seaman’s knots for roping lessons. 

Tom wanted to trade them out of their uniforms but he was much larger than both the Scottish sailors.  He liked the absurd idea of wearing one tomorrow during the cowboy events. He imagined the laugh he would get.  He was determined not to allow the Scotts to get his hat though, no matter how much scotch whiskey he drank. It seemed like everybody wanted to trade him out of his hat.  Tom knew however, that it was near impossible to buy a respectable western hat in St. Louis. Tom enjoyed all the characters that the world’s fair seemed to attract.  Wild Indians joked with Russian Cossacks, and Philippine Moro Warriors wore baseball hats, and carried curved Kris swords.  Women from all over the world were excited to see a real cowboy.  It was a wonderful fair.

They all heard the cussing and commotion next door.

"I dina know what's goin on in there, but it sounds to me like a killin' goin' on,” Collin said of the horses screaming and the yelling coming down the alley way.

Tom left his knot hanging from the gate, and ran into the stables next door, followed by the Scottish sailors.

Frank Reed was wrestling with Robert Tall Grass, and was trying to whip him with the horse whip.  The horses were moving back and forth behind Robert in a panic.

Frank never knew what hit him.  Tom and the Scottish sailors grabbed him from behind, and wrenched the whip from his hands.  Tom threw him over the gate, and into a pile of horse manure and hay.  Before Frank could recover, and reach for his pistol, Mickey roped him with his lariat. 

"Nice throw there Mickey, I do believe you're getting the hang of this cowboyin’,"  Collin said.  The two Scottish sailors had Frank up against the wall, and were giving him some intimate conversation regarding the right attitude in handling horses.  After a few brutal seconds, they ended the lesson with a hard kick to the seat of his pants, and sent him stumbling down the alley way towards the arena. 

"You all right?  Tom asked. "Robert, aint it?"  Tom picked up Robert’s hat and handed it to him. 

"Yea, I'm fine."  Robert said.  There was a large welt across his forehead, and his nose was bleeding.  He dusted himself off and looked at Tom.  "Thanks," he said, "Tom aint it?"  He grinned at Tom and the Scottish sailors.  "You fellers talk funny.  I'm scared to ask what part of Texas you-all are from." 

The Scottish sailors smiled.  "Aye lad, you're a game one," Mickey said.  "Did you happen to admire me ropin' skills there?  I might be a lookin' for a cowboy job next.  What do you think?" 

"Yep, I'd say west Texas." 

"Way west Texas," Tom said.

They all laughed. 

The next morning the word got to Zack that Frank had taken a whip to the Mulhall horses. The idea of Frank Reed whipping on his horses had Zack in a rage, and Lucille and Bossy knew that there was a confrontation coming.  They tried to stay close to Zack. 

That morning, some of the broncs got loose on the pike before they were driven back to the stables.  Frank Reed and California Jack went after them.  Zack wanted only his own people handling his horses.  Zack confronted Frank inside the stables.

“You been ridin’ my horses. God Damn you. I thought I told you not to touch them,” he said, the anger contorting his face. 

Frank Reed turned and faced Zack.  California Jack stood in the back of the stables and said nothing.

“Your horses got loose and we got them back,” Frank replied defiantly.  “That’s my job.” He sensed that Zack was at a boiling point.

Zack pulled his pistol and pointed it at Frank’s belly.  “I know what you boys are up to.  I’m warning you, don’t touch my horses again.” 



In the afternoon show, after setting the best time in calf roping, Lucille in an unscripted act, jumped off her horse and rode the enraged and bucking steer around the arena.  Zack was very upset at Lucille, and told her afterward to “Leave the rough stuff to Charlie.”  The crowd however, loved it. 



That evening, at the end of the show, the winners of each event were introduced loudly by the Master of ceremonies, and awarded their prizes dramatically by Geronimo in the center of the arena. They were called one by one to accept their prize money, and given their oversized ribbons.  Lucille took first place in steer roping.  All the other winners were from the Mulhall Ranch. 



Lucille trotted her famous horse Governor proudly around the ring, after accepting her ribbon, but “accidentally” dropped it in the mud. Several cowboys started for the fallen prize, but were warned off by the announcer.  “Hold it boys, I believe the little lady is going to retrieve her ribbon, cowboy style.”    Lucille turned Governor at the end of the stadium and then at a full gallop headed for the ribbon.  At the last second, she scooped down and plucked it up effortlessly, holding it high.  The crowd roared in applause.  She trotted to the center of the stadium and turned around and around waving her ribbon.  She laughed and lifted her sombrero as Governor bowed on his knees to the crowd.



 



“You are a cheatin’ God-damn bastard,” Colonel Cummins said to Zack Mulhall in the bunkhouse.



“My daughter won fair and square, as did the rest of the hands.  You better watch your mouth.  Don’t say anything you cant back up with your pistol.  Now pay me,” he said to Cummins forcefully.  He pulled his coat tails behind his back, and rested his hand on the butt of the colt pistol on his hip.



The Texas Cowboys were not happy.  Zack stared them down. Cummins was furious, the veins standing out on his forehead.  They paid their bets.  Zack walked out the bunkhouse door with just over eight thousand dollars. 



Tom Mix had just finished putting his horse up.  He sat down with the Mulhalls in the stands.  “Well, I reckon a hot bath ought to feel good.”  I think I’m gonna hit the hay early tonight.  By the way, how’s Robert Tall Grass?” 

“What do you mean?” asked Charlie. 

“Well”….Tom hesitated, “After the whipping he took last night, I figured he might be a little sore.” 

Zack turned and looked at Tom.  “What whipping?”

“When Frank started whipping the horses, Robert stopped him, but took a pretty good whipping himself.” 

Zack stood up and pulled his pistol, and checked the load.    “God Damn,” he said, shaking his head.

“Papa.” Lucille pleaded.

Zack walked towards the stables and the gate.

"Papa wait," Lucille said, and ran to Zack trying to slow him down.  Bossy and Charlie came up behind him and grabbed his arms slowing his pace. 

Zack took a deep breath.  "Alright children, don't worry," he patted their arms.  "Let's just get to the house."

Just as they entered the Pike, and the swell of the crowds, Zack spotted Frank Reed.  Frank was talking with some fellow Texans.  He saw Zack quickly approaching only  when it was too late to run. 

"Oh shit."

"You son-of-bitch, I’ll teach you to take a whip to my people,” Zack said.  He stood in front of Frank Reed and pulled back his coat tails.  He put his hand on his pistol.  “I’m gonna kill you Frank.” 

"Billie, stop Papa, please."  Will Rogers was joking with some of the other hands, heading for the hotel.  He turned and looked at Lucille.  Lucille was watching Zack bowing up for a real fight.

"Oh hell." 

There were several shots.  John Murray, one of the Texas Cowboys trying to stop Zack, went down.  Frank Reed was shot, and another bystander lay on the ground holding his stomach.  The cowboys grabbed Zack and disarmed him.  The crowd stood back, and soon cries for a doctor spread through-out the pike