Enforce the boundary. If you do, the smoke clears. If you don't, if you let Morgan have his way, then Taza rides into town, and he won't be bringing a ledger." The judge looked at the smoke. He looked at the angry faces of the townspeople who were realizing they had been used to start a war that would burn their homes. He looked at Harlan, who was sweating profusely.
He made a calculation. It was the calculation of a survivor. "Sit down, Mr. Morgan." The judge said, his voice snapping like a dry twig. Morgan turned on him.
"You can't be serious." The judge stood up. "The court acknowledges the evidence presented. In light of irregularities in the land surveys, all claims filed by the Morgan Cattle Company in the northern basin are hereby suspended pending a federal investigation." The judge looked at Luke. "And the army will cease all operations against the tribe, provided they remain north of the Sleeping Rock line. Is that understood?" "It is a compromise." Luke said, "but we accept." Morgan made a sound like a wounded bull.
He looked at his empire crumbling. He looked at the railroad contracts that would vanish. He looked at Luke, the man who had burned it all down with a book. "I will see you in hell!" Morgan screamed. He raised the pistol.
He didn't aim. He just fired. The crack of the gunshot was deafening in the enclosed space. Luke felt a searing heat tear across his ribs. He staggered back, crashing into the railing.
Panic erupted. Men dove under benches. Women screamed. Morgan cocked the hammer again, his eyes wild, but before he could fire a second shot, the town deputy, a young man who had been watching the proceedings with growing disgust, swung his rifle butt. It connected with Morgan's wrist with a sickening crunch.
The pistol flew across the room. Morgan howled, clutching his broken arm. Two ranchers tackled him, pinning him to the floor. They were rough, their anger at being deceived finding a target in the man in the silk vest. Captain Harlan stood frozen.
He saw the ship sinking. He saw the judge looking at him. "I I had no idea." Harlan stammered. "I was misled." "Arrest that man." He pointed at Morgan. The judge looked at Harlan with pure contempt.
"You can explain that to the federal marshals, Captain." the judge said. "Until then, you are relieved of command." Luke pulled himself up. He pressed his hand to his side. His shirt was wet with blood, but the bullet had only grazed the ribs. It hurt like fire, but he could breathe.