Mark had a toothache so we headed into town to see the doc.  Mark was reluctant to go.  But aren't we all?  When we got to the doc's office he was putting his coat on.  He was on his way to see Mrs. Callahan.   I told him I had a patient for him.  "Dr. Burrage is very busy Pa, maybe we could come back tomorrow," mumbled Mark.  The doc told Mark he wasn't that busy.  He told Mark that he should have a seat and he would take a look at his tooth.  "Last of his baby molars. Well when you get this one out, your gonna have a man on your hands Lucas," said the Doc.  "Will it hurt?" Mumbled Mark.  "Ah no, just a little yank," said the Doc. "You'd rather have it out then have it bother you for two or three weeks?"  Asked the Doc.  Mark looked over at me.  "It's up to you son."  He agreed to have his tooth pulled.  "Good. Let's get at it then," said the Doc.  He reached for the whiskey bottle on his shelf.  This was to help with the pain.  He realized he couldn't give this to Mark.  "We only use this for more serious cases," said Doc.  Before you knew it, Doc had his tooth pulled.  "You feeling better son?"  "Yeah."  "Good. If you hurry you'll be able to get over to school before morning recess."  "School! But Pa, after all I just had my tooth pulled, and I won't be able to concentrate."   He tried to convince me to let him stay home, but it didn't work. He told me I didn't understand.  But I did.  I was a boy once.  "Alright, I'll go," said Mark.

"Lucas," called Micah.  "Howdy Micah, what's up?" I asked.  He told me that Pedro Sanchez was killed.  That Abe brought the body in last night.  He said that Abe was on his way home when he saw Pedro's place on fire.  He went over to see if he could help.  Pedro had two bullets in him.  He didn't know who did it.  He had Pedro's wife and Juan in his office now.  He couldn't get anything out of them.  He asked me to talk to them.  He felt they always liked me.  I agreed to see what I could do. 

I told Mrs. Sanchez I was sorry to hear about Pedro.  I told Juan we needed his help.  I asked him if he saw or heard anything last night.  He said he saw and heard nothing.  I felt he must know something, he had the place next to Sanchez.  I then turned to Mrs. Sanchez.  I told her that Pedro was my friend.  The one who did this should be punished.  I had heard of how they like to take care of their own problems. I told her that the law was the same for her people as it was for mine.   I was unaware how preoccupied Juan was looking out the window.  He was watching for a man, a revenging angel by the name of Baranca. When Baranca rode into town, Juan lured the Marshal out of town.  Juan then came over to Mrs. Sanchez and told her I was right.  He told Micah there was something there that would help find the guilty one.  He wanted Micah to go to Pedro's ranch.  I agreed to keep my eye on things until they got back.

When Baranca got into town he went straight to the saloon.  He knew exactly who he was looking for, Hadley. "Buenos Dias, senior's, I am Baranca."  He walked up to the bar.  I want some of your best tequila, with a slice of lemon and a pinch of salt.  Sweeney looked at Hadley.  Hadley shook his head no.  Sweeney told Baranca he didn't have any tequila.  "Too bad," said Baranca.  "Then I'll have some of your best whiskey."  Hadley told Baranca he could find what he wanted at the Cantina at the other end of town. Before he left he told them he was looking for a man called Hadley.  Hadley told him who he was.  He stood there making fun of Baranca.  Baranca calls Hadley out.   He is backed up by his own avenging angels. He makes everyone go outside.

"People of North Fork. Baranca's law rules here. My people have sent for me to see that justice is done. So we will proceed. The man who stands before you is called Hadley. The night that has just passes, did burn the house of one Pedro Sanchez. For these things he must pay.  "I didn't kill Sanchez, I didn't even know him," said Hadley.  "Do you want these to be the last words you speak?"  Asked Baranca.  The Angels of Baranca all voted, all thumbs down.  "Mr. Hadley, you have one minute to pray," said Baranca.

I told Baranca he just can't kill Hadley. He had to abide by the law.  Just then Mrs. Sanchez comes out of Micah's office and walks up to Baranca.  He asked her if Hadley was the man who killed her husband?  She nodded her head yes.  "She's a liar," said Hadley.  Baranca asked her again.  Again she nodded her head yes.  "Well I didn't kill him. Why should I want to kill her husband? Why would I want to kill a dirty squatter?" Said Hadley.  She then slapped Hadley across the face.  He went to back hand her.  I grabbed his arm.  "She couldn't have seen, she wasn't even there," yelled Hadley.  Now Mr. McCain, are you questioning Baranca?"  "It doesn't change anything. He still gets a fair trail according to law, Baranca." I said.  Baranca told Poco to take Hadley and his friend away and guard them.

Baranca says this is a matter of honor between him and I.  No bullets, just our fist.  We were suppose to hit each other on the jaw.  Until one man falls to his knees.  The one standing is the victor.  He chose the weapons and the rules, I get the first swing.  I gave it a good shot.  He still was standing.  Now it was his turn to hit me.  Baranca was a little disappointed to see me still standing.  Again I hit him hard and again he was still standing.  "I forgot to tell you, I am called 'Baranca with the Iron Jaw'."  He hit me again.  It felt more like he was Baranca with an iron fist. I then noticed Hadley and his friend escaped.  I hit Baranca in the stomach.  I asked him where Hadley was.  He said he didn't know.  I said his men did.  Pogo said Hadley was in the stable.  I called to Hadley.  I advised him not to leave town, that I was sure Baranca's men were guarding the roads.        

Hadley starts shooting.  Baranca and I duck behind the water troth.  I called for him to come out.  I told him Baranca wasn't gonna touch him, that I would take him to the Marshal's office with me.  He said if I wanted him I should come and get him.  I started to work my way over to the livery stable.  I ducked into the cafe and went thru the back door and snuck into the livery stable from the back.  "Alright Hadley, drop the gun. Drop it!" I said.  Just then we heard a shot.  Baranca killed Hadley's partner.  He was getting ready to kill me.  "Alright Baranca, I had enough of you. Well I've got Hadley. Who's law now Baranca?"  "Baranca and his angels are silent. Is that not you answer?"  I took Hadley over to the jail. 

Mark and I were outside of Micah's office waiting for Micah to return.  He said once he got working on his math he forgot all about getting his tooth pulled.  Baranca rode up.  "Amigo. I couldn't go without saying good-bye. My angels are waiting for me. Adios."  "Pa. He seems like he's a good man. Why would he want to kill Mr. Hadley without a trial?"  "He is a good man son. When he came here he thought he wanted revenge. Because he's a good man, he realized what he really wanted was justice."  I asked Mark if he thought he could get a peppermint stick by that tooth."  "Oh boy," said Mark. Off he went to Hattie's.