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    Brothers in Arms
    Brothers in Arms
    Brothers in Arms
    Ebook150 pages2 hours

    Brothers in Arms

    By Troy D. Smith

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    About this ebook

    The larger war over—the family war has only begun. Fate draws three brothers together again. A daring robbery, a bloody shootout, and a desperate trek through Indian Territory are just the beginning: Wade Qualls comes home—death and hell riding his coattails. Sam prepares to make his stand, his eye on a higher duty. Which brother will have the younger brother, Tim's loyalty, and Violet's love?

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherWestern Trail Blazer
    Release dateNov 2, 2010
    ISBN9781452357256
    Brothers in Arms
    Author

    Troy D. Smith

    Born in the Upper Cumberland region of Tennessee, Mr. Smith has loved books even before he could read them. In 1995 his first short story was accepted by Louis L'Amour Western Magazine, and he has been published in magazines since then on a fairly regular basis. Author of numerous award winning short stories and novels, Troy is currently a Doctoral candidate in the History Department at the University of Illinois. He says, "I don't write about things that happen to people—I write about people that things happen to."

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      Book preview

      Brothers in Arms - Troy D. Smith

      Brothers in Arms

      by

      Troy D. Smith

      Smashwords Edition

      Brothers in Arms

      ISBN: 978-1-4523-5725-6

      Presented by Western Trail Blazer

      Copyright © 2010 by Troy D. Smith

      Cover Art Copyright © 2010 by Jessica Pierson

      Edited and Produced by Rebecca J. Vickery

      Artwork and Production Consultation by Laura Shinn

      Dedication

      For my Mom

      Smashwords License Notes

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only.

      This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this ebook with other people, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you are reading this ebook without purchasing it and it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy.

      Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      Brothers in Arms is a work of fiction.

      Though some actual towns, cities, and locations may be mentioned, they are used in a fictitious manner and the events and occurrences were invented in the mind and imagination of the author. Similarities of characters or names used within to any

      person past, present, or future are coincidental.

      Other Titles by Troy D. Smith

      The Windigo

      The People in Yonder

      Brothers in Arms

      Tim is the youngest Qualls brother, but he's always been caught in the middle—his older brothers, Wade and Sam, are polar opposites, at odds in almost every way. Wade is a die-hard Confederate, still looking for ways to sustain his lost cause even though the war is over, turning to the outlaw trail. Sam gave his all for the Union, losing an eye at Gettysburg, and is now a lawman in their Tennessee hometown. They loved the same woman, Violet Mason, but when Wade didn't come home at the war's end she married Sam.

      Now, fate draws the brothers together once more. A daring robbery, a bloody shootout with a posse, and a desperate trek through Indian Territory are just the beginning: Wade Qualls is coming home—death and hell riding his coattails. Sam prepares to make his stand, his eye on a higher duty. Which brother will have Tim's loyalty, and Violet's love? The larger war is over—the family war has only begun.

      Chapter One

      A sudden flash of lightning illuminated the Kansas sky. The rain came down in relentless waves, collecting into swirling muddy streams on the forest floor.

      Beneath the crude lean-to, Wade Qualls swore sharply under his breath. He tried to burrow deeper under the time-worn poncho he wore, blinking back the water that trickled from beneath the crown of his Confederate-gray hat. Beside him, his kid brother, Tim, shivered from the cold.

      Wade peered from beneath the brim of his hat, surveying the drenched woods around him. A few yards away, under the canopy of a large tree, was another lean-to. A third was not far distant. Three men huddled underneath each of the other two hastily built structures. They were all dressed in parts of old Rebel uniforms, supplemented by some articles of civilian clothing. Beneath the poncho, Wade wore a red flannel shirt and a cavalry long coat, as well as a pair of worn and faded blue-jean trousers which were tucked into his high-topped black boots.

      All the men were wet and bedraggled. Water flowed freely down Wade's thick, black beard. He coughed, and swore again.

      Don't know why we bothered even puttin' these things up, he mumbled. I could stick my head in the river and be dryer' n this.

      One of the men under the farthest structure stood up abruptly, clutched his collar close to his face, and ran at break-neck speed toward the Qualls brothers. He slid under the scant protection of the lean-to's roof and took off his battered white hat, shaking the water from it.

      Tim spat an amber stream of tobacco juice into the mud. Get in here out of the rain, you ignorant Cajun, he said to the new arrival. And quit sprayin' water ever'where from that hat of yorn. Didn't they learn you no good manners in them bayous?

      Luc St. Clair ignored the younger man, focusing his attention instead on their leader. Wade, he said, don't you think we ought to be ridin'?

      Wade stared at him a moment. In this weather? he said. We wouldn't be ridin', we'd be swimmin'. We'll just set here a spell 'til it blows over, then we'll shove off.

      What about that posse?

      Wade shook his head. They've give up by now, surely. That stupid bank we took never had but eighty-one dollars in it. I can't see nobody stayin' up nights tryin' to get it back.

      Yeah, but don't forget that feller Eddie shot at. I seen 'im fall. What if he's dead? That would sure enough give 'em reason to come after us. And what if somebody recognized us?

      Even if they're still on our trail, there ain't no way they can track us through this storm. They couldn't even ride in it at much more'n a snail's pace, and we've got a good head start on 'em. We ain't got nothin' to worry about.

      Luc was unconvinced. I surely hope you're right.

      Wade gave him a hard look. How long you been ridin' with me? he demanded.

      Luc considered the question for a few seconds. Since 'sixty-three, he finally answered. That makes it five years, I reckon.

      And in those five years, Wade pressed, how many times have I been wrong?

      Never, as far as I can recall, the Cajun admitted. But you've only got to be wrong just one time to get us all killed.

      Wade Qualls chuckled. I like you, Luc. You're cautious. A cautious man is apt to live longer. But there's a difference between bein' cautious and bein' nervous. A cautious man knows when to set and wait—a nervous man spooks, and runs out into the open too soon—and we know what happens then. So let's just be calm. Whatever comes along, we'll handle it. At ease!

      Yes sir, Captain, sir! Luc said with a mock salute. Then, in a more serious tone, he added, Have you got the money somewhere that it'll keep dry?

      Wade snorted. Lord, yes. We'd hate to lose that, now, wouldn't we?

      Luc chuckled. Yeah, he agreed. We sure ain't gonna finance no second Confederacy with no eighty-one dollars.

      We don't want to finance a second Confederacy, Wade corrected him. We just want to keep remindin' the Yankees that the first one's still kickin'.

      If we keep hangin' around these parts, they're gonna kick instead, Tim commented. That's the fourth bank we've hit in this state since February.

      It's only the second one we've done on our own, though, Wade pointed out to his younger brother. Them others, we was still ridin' with the boys. They're a lot more noticeable—folks is after them a lot more than they are us.

      I'm glad we finally got clear of them boys, Tim said. 'We never should have fell in with that crazy bunch to start with. First Quantrill, then the James boys, and the Youngers. They're gonna come to a bad end, I done see it."

      Maybe, Wade grunted.

      I don't like the way they do things, Tim continued. Robbin' banks and trains and such I can see, but not burnin' down a whole town.

      How many towns did Sherman burn down? Wade asked sharply.

      That's different, Wade. That was war.

      So is this, boy. Don't you ever forget it, neither. Maybe Quantrill and them others didn't do things exactly the way we would, but they was doin' it all for the cause. We're just givin' them back some of what they gave us for four years. Most of our boys that lived didn't have any home left to go back to.

      They were silent for several seconds, then Tim said, Don't you never want to go home, Wade?

      Wade shook his head sadly. I've took up a fight, Tim, and I don't aim to give up till it's finished, or I am. That's the only way I can do it and still be able to face myself in the mirror without my eyes full of shame. It's a matter of honor.

      Sam went home, Tim said.

      Sam's side won. He didn't have nothin' left to fight about. I do. You're welcome to go home to Sam, if you want to. I ain't holdin' you here.

      Tim looked hurt. Don't say that, Wade. You know I'm with you. I have been since I was sixteen, when the war started and I rode out after you. I'll always ride with you Wade, you know that.

      Wade smiled kindly. I know, Tim. I'm sorry.

      The rain's lettin' up some, Luc said, trying to change the subject.

      Some, Wade agreed. But not enough.

      Remember that time in St. Joe a couple of years back? Luc asked, chuckling. When Ivy Barnes got drunk and got lost in that storm? We like to have never found him.

      Wade grinned at the memory. Ivy—he was a corker, wasn't he? I was mighty sorry to lose him. He was a good man.

      Luc's smile faded. We've lost a lot of good men, Wade. This time a year ago I bet we had thirty hands. Now it's down to just eight.

      Wade's eyes narrowed in anger. We've lost less than half that. We've only had six to get killed. The rest of 'em just left. He snarled in disgust. Traitors and cowards, ever' one of 'em. When things got rough, and we needed them the most, they slunk off like weasels. If I ever see any of 'em again, I aim to shoot 'em on the spot.

      It's just as well, Tim said. It's a lot easier to move around in a small group.

      Speakin' of movin' around, Luc broke in, Exactly where are we movin' around to? Things are gettin' mighty hot for us here and in Missouri.

      Wade shrugged. Then we'll just have to leave Kansas and Missouri. At least till things settle down.

      We gonna head west?

      Eventually, Wade said, nodding. But we're goin' somewheres else for awhile first. He looked over at his younger brother. We're goin' back to Tennessee, Tim. Home, to Ithaca. We can stay there awhile and rest up.

      Tim was immediately excited, but Luc was dubious. My God, Wade, have you gone crazy? Everybody there knows who you are!

      Wade nodded. And half of 'em think I'm a hero.

      That's well and good, Captain, but what about the other half? They're the ones that'll want to string us up!

      Wade seemed unconcerned. If there's trouble, we can take to the woods. Champ Ferguson and his boys hid up in them hills and mountains for years, chippin' away at the Federals the whole time.

      Luc was exasperated. Champ Ferguson also got caught, and they hung him! Romulus Jones, too.

      Wade shook his head. "Champ never got caught. Couldn't nobody have brung him down out of those mountains if he didn't want to come. Champ give up on his own, thinkin' that since the War was over and the whole Confederate Army was pardoned, it was safe. What happened to him shows

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