An excerpt from my book Cheyenne Circumstance:
………In 1869, the war between the states had been over for four years. Bill Langley was only eighteen years old but had already had his share of trouble.
Early that year, the troubled youth met his friend, Cullen Barker, in an Evergreen, Texas saloon. He like, Langley, was a Southern sympathizer. Three ex-slaves were explaining their part in helping the North win the war to the saloon owner, who was a former Union soldier. The saloon regulars were enjoying the show put on by the ex-slaves.
Langley, though, thought the three were unruly and ill-mannered. He ended their swagger by drawing his .44 revolver and making them dance through a barrage of bullets, nearly wounding one of them. Langley and Barker had to make a quick exit.
The sheriff gathered a posse together and rode out after the two. Langley and Barker escaped and made their way toward San Antonio. There was a purpose in San Antonio.
There was a purpose in San Antonio.
“Bill! You know there’s a fella in San Antonio tellin’ everybody there he knows you. He’s tellin’ ‘em when he sees you, there’ll be a showdown in the street, and he’ll gun you down.”
“What’s his name?” Langley asked.
“Sam Bloom.”
A rattle snake was slithering away from the two men on horseback. Langley pulled his Dance .44 from its holster and fired in one smooth motion. He watched its bullet sever the head of the snake as it tried to slither away.
“I ain’t seen no one faster than you!”, Barker said.
“You’re right!”
“He’s gonna’ find out, won’t he?”
“Yep!”
Langley knew his reputation for his swift gun was growing. This wouldn’t be the first time he would face a man down in the street. Most likely it wouldn’t be his last. Gunplay seemed to be what he wanted now.
It wasn’t long after arriving in San Antonio that Langley heard Sam Bloom was in the Buckhorn Saloon. Bloom could be heard from the street about how he was going to outdraw the famous “Bloody Bill Langley”.
For Langley, there was only one thing to do. Call the liar out into the street.
“Bloom, I’ll give you one chance to live. Get on your horse and leave now.”, Langley said loud enough for everyone in the saloon to hear.
Bloody Bill had called Sam Bloom out. It was time for him to run or fight.
“Come out to the street and face me like a man. Bring your friends with you. They can tell the story of how you bravely faced me down and died trying.”
Bloom dropped his gun belt to the floor.
“Mr. Langley, I..I… I’m leaving. I’m unarmed.”
Langley watched the young man leave the saloon.
“Get on your horse and run away you coward!”
The Buckhorn Saloon patrons watched Sam Bloom gallop away.
Langley glared at the crowd. “Shouldn’t brag if you can’t back it up.”
Langley was disappointed he didn’t get to demonstrate his gun skills. But he knew there would be other chances.
His chosen lifestyle meant he would forever be “on the dodge” and looking for ways to evade the law. Bloody Bill Langley had an earned reputation. He needed to get out of Texas, at least for a while…………
More of “Bloody Bill’s” adventures in Cheyenne Circumstance. Available on Amazon, Kindle, and Audible.
