The Release

Ben finally became a free man in 1859 after he'd spent eight long years in a Texas state-run prison for bank robbery. He was not guilty of the crime, but no one would hear his side of the story or investigate the matter. His tenure in the lockup had changed his life from being an innocent young man when he entered, to a hard-core man with scars over his body from fights with seasoned inmates when he left. None of his money or personal belongings were given to him when he was released, except for a moldy shirt, pants, and boots. A livery blacksmith in a nearby town gave him a job to earn money for a horse to travel home. While working there, he accepted another job driving a young lady and her mother to a destination where they'd catch a stage to Fort Worth to see an army doctor, concerning the growth in the young woman's side. However, the stage was not running because of Indian attacks, so Ben escorted them through Indian country where death was almost certain. The young woman and Ben became involved romantically, but Ben was anxious to get home, so after a spell, he said his goodbyes and left. His first stop when he got home was to see Neely, the woman he had planned to marry, but by now, she had two children and another on the way, so he went to see his folks at their homestead, which was eleven miles south of town. When he got there, he saw cows with strange brands, the place was in shambles, and his folks were missing. The town sheriff told Ben that his pa's death and ma's disappearance was an accident, but Ben didn't believe the lawman. He was going to find out what happened.