Another fellow stepped forward to steady the ladder. I moved beneath the younger woman and instructed them to support her before loosening the ropes. We worked carefully, keeping the ropes from releasing suddenly, and within a minute she was lying on a blanket beside the tree.
She was conscious, but her breathing was uneven.
The older woman followed.
When her feet finally touched the ground, her knees gave way. I caught her beneath the arms and helped her down without pulling at her wrists.
For a moment, she gripped my sleeve.
"Don't let him take us."
I looked into her eyes.
"He won't be putting you back in that tree."
She studied my face.
Then released my sleeve.
The deputy came toward us.
"You're interfering with my authority!"
I stood.
"What authority?"
He pointed toward the women.
"They're prisoners."
"On what charges?"
"Fraud."
"Where's your warrant?"
He hesitated.
I looked at the men around him.
"Anyone seen a warrant?"
Nobody answered.
The deputy's face twisted.
"You think you can ride into my town and tell me how to do my job?"
"No," I said. "I think you've already told me enough about how you do your job."
His hand moved toward his revolver.
Mine stayed at my side.
I didn't want a gunfight beneath that tree. There were two injured women on the ground, frightened horses nearby, and men who might decide to shoot simply because someone else started.
So I spoke quietly.
"Don't."
The deputy froze.
"Whatever you've been doing here, drawing that gun will only make your situation worse."
The tall ranch hand shifted beside the wagon.
"We should get a doctor."
The deputy glared at him.
"Nobody asked you."
The man looked at the women.
"They need one."
That was when the heavyset fellow spoke again.
"There's a stagehouse two streets over. Woman who runs it used to nurse people."
I nodded.
"Good."
Then I looked toward the two women.
"Can you walk?"
The older woman tried to stand.
Her legs nearly folded beneath her.
I caught her before she fell.
"Easy."
She gritted her teeth.
"I can walk."
"Maybe in a minute."
The younger woman was crying quietly into her hands.
I crouched beside her.
"Listen to me. We're getting you somewhere safe. Nobody is putting you back up there."
She looked at me.
"Why?"
I didn't understand.
"Why what?"
"Why help us?"
I thought about giving her some fine answer about justice or honor. But the truth was simpler.
"Because somebody should have done it before I got here."
She stared at me for a long moment.
Then she began crying harder.