Maria had no doubt what would happen next. She saw the rage in Emerson's eyes and knew he would fight Hogan. What she didn't know was how the fight would go.
Emerson had learned long ago to keep his temper in check. He had lost it on occasion and the results worried him. He had made it a practice to remain in control of his emotions.
This time, it was impossible for Emerson to control his feelings as he saw what Hogan had just done. Stepping between Hogan and Maria, Emerson looked Hogan in the eye. Even in his anger, he was surprised that Hogan seemed shorter and smaller than he remembered.
"Hogan, I'm going to give you the beating of your life," Emerson told him. "Women and boys seem to be your specialty. Try your luck with a grown man!"
"I heard you were back, Trask. You don't seem to be any smarter than you were eight years ago. I beat you then and I'll do it again."
With that Hogan threw his best punch, an overhand right. He planned on ending this fight before it got started.
Emerson easily stepped inside the swing and blocked it with his left arm. Emerson's right traveled to the point of Hogan's chin. Hogan's head snapped back. He never saw where the punch had come from, but it had hurt. Hogan took a step back, shook his head clear, and studied his adversary. Hogan had been in many fights, but seldom had be been pushed. Usually, he battered away at a man until he wore him down and eventually beat him.
The two circled in the street. Suddenly, Hogan put his head down and charged Emerson, confident his superior weight would take Emerson to the ground. Emerson quickly sidestepped his rush and brought both hands down on the back of Hogan's neck as he went by.
Hogan's chin plowed a groove in the street. He got up and slowly. Changing tactics, he worked his way in close. As he did so, Emerson raked Hogan's face and torso with short, wicked punches. Hogan's big roundhouses seldom connected. When they did Emerson would simply shake them off and continue hammering at Hogan's body.
Hogan managed to trip Emerson to the ground. Emerson rolled as Hogan sent a boot aimed for his head. It missed but glanced off Emerson's shoulder. Hogan's spur sliced Emerson's shirt and started blood flowing. Emerson quickly got to his feet and walked in on Hogan, battering the man relentlessly.
Hogan became desperate. Never had he had a fight go this long. He had never been hurt like this. Fear gave him renewed strength and he moved close and grabbed Emerson in a bear hug. He raised Emerson off the ground as he squeezed with all his strength.
Emerson was amazed at the man's power and knew he had to break the hold. He slammed both hands over Hogan's ears. He felt Hogan relax his grip slightly, so Emerson hammered his ears again. This time Hogan dropped Emerson and brought his hands to the sides of his head. Emerson felt Hogan's nose break from a left. His right hand started Hogan's left eyebrow bleeding. Hogan was weaving and having trouble protecting himself. When he covered his face, Emerson worked on his body. Gradually, Hogan's hands dropped lower and lower, and Emerson pounded away relentlessly.
Hogan went down and Emerson pulled him back up, smashing away at Hogan's face. Emerson was holding the unconscious Hogan up, striking him repeatedly, when he felt a tugging on his shoulder.
"Emerson, that's enough! You don't want to kill him."
Emerson turned to find Maria talking to him, holding her hands over her torn shirt. Maria instinctively knew that she would be able to calm Emerson. She watched him emerge from his rage and drop Hogan to the street. He gently took her arm and led her toward her two friends.
Cathy was on her knees by Bob, who had managed to sit up. A young blonde man in the crowd took his shirt off and offered it to Maria. She took it and put it on over the torn one she was wearing.
Maria had watched the fight in horror. At first, she feared Emerson would suffer another beating at the hands of Hogan. Soon she realized Hogan had no chance with Emerson, who was in a fury. By the finish, Maria felt pity for the brute, Hogan, and pleaded with Emerson to stop. The man didn't deserve to be beaten to death! Emerson had bruises on his face and his shoulder was bleeding from the spur, but he looked much better than the last time he had tangled with Hogan.
As Emerson and Maria walked over to help Bob and Cathy, a slim gunman stepped in front of Emerson.
"You'd better start carrying a gun, mister. I'm going to be looking for you," he threatened.
"You tinhorn, I'm here right now," Emerson laughed back. "Make your play!"
Maria was terrified. Emerson was unarmed and Lang was not a man to take an insult. Before she could warn Emerson, her fears became reality. Lang went for his gun!
As he spoke, Emerson had stepped close to the gunman. Nervously, the man had gone for his gun, only to have Emerson grab his wrist in a vise-like grip. Emerson then slapped the man repeatedly across the face until he went down. Emerson stood over him holding his gun.
"Tell Hogan I'll tear his heart out if he ever bothers these girls again. In fact, I'll tear it out if I ever even see him again. Actions like that will not be tolerated in Morgantown. If he wants to live, he'd better find someplace far from here. As for you, tinhorn, I'll be available anytime you feel lucky, but my advice to you is to get out of town while you're still alive."
Emerson turned to Red, who was standing off to the side, watching. "Red, do you want to buy into this? Fists or guns?"
Red looked away. "I guess not."
Emerson turned his back on Red and tossed Lang's colt into a nearby horse trough. Bending over, he practically lifted Bob to his feet.
"If you can ride, I suggest we get you home," Emerson told the younger man.
"I can make it. That's our wagon. I'll ride in back," Bob replied with effort.
Emerson and the girls helped Bob into the back and used blankets to make him as comfortable as possible. Emerson offered to drive the wagon, but Cathy refused.
"Thanks, but I've been handling these things since I was big enough to walk. I can drive it."
It was at this time, the man that had given Maria his shirt stepped up to the wagon and spoke to Cathy.
"Can I help? I'll drive you home."
"Tom, where were you when Bob needed help earlier?" Cathy asked. "I know you watched that whole thing and never lifted a hand to help us. I hope you watched Emerson and learned something about what men do! I'll manage, thank-you."
As the group mounted and slowly rode out of town, Tom Gordon remained where Cathy had spurned his help. His thoughts bleak and his pride shattered, Tom considered the situation.
He had been afraid to do anything. He knew Cathy and Maria would consider him a coward, and they would be right. A man with intelligence, Tom realized he could not change the past, but the future could improve. He promised himself he would never suffer the shame of cowardice again. Bob had been beaten, but showed he wasn't afraid and would recover from his pain faster than he, Tom Gordon, would get over the embarrassment he had suffered.
