Kill McAllister Read Online Free PDF Page A

coming as it did now that everything seemed to be breaking in his favor at last. For so long since the war he had tried to make his stake and now it was almost in his hands. He knew now that he had been crazy to bring that many cows to Combville, but the deal with Holst had been too good to miss. The number of men who bought and shipped cattle who would handle that much rustled stuff were limited. Holst was paying cheap, but he was paying cash and that was what Forster wanted more than anything. He wanted it not only for the deals he had in hand, but for his self-respect. He was never meant to be a pauper.
    As he neared Holst’s pens, he couldn’t see a soul in sight and the thought reached him that Holst might be back at his hotel. Panic hit him.
    He halted his horse and looked around. Over to his left an engine was shunting a line of cattletrucks alongside the pens. The glow of the fire warmed the cold early morning light. He turned his horse that way and rode alongside the tracks. The bay didn’t like it and tried to balk, but he urged it on by using the spurs. There was a bunch of men in conversation near the locomotive. They looked like punchers and railroadmen, but when he gotclose he saw that Holst was among them. He reached them and they turned.
    â€œHolst,” he said, “a word with you.”
    The urgency in his voice brought the man to his side. Forster slipped from the saddle.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” Holst demanded. He was a bluff Ohio man who was making fast money in the cattle trade. His reputation was bad, but he didn’t let that bother him, for all that interested him was to make money and the speed at which he made it.
    â€œMaybe nothin’,” Forster said, trying to get a hold on himself. “I can’t go into details now, there’s no time. But how quick can you ship those cows out?”
    â€œHow quick? Well, I can get them aboard tomorrow.”
    â€œMake it today.”
    â€œHell, the loads for today are all in the pens. Those cows you brought in yesterday are still out on the holding ground.”
    â€œHolst,” Forster told him, “you get those cows out today or there’s liable to be trouble.”
    â€œYou told me they were clean.”
    â€œAt the price you paid for ’em?”
    Holst’s heavy face went thoughtful. He never missed a chance to squeeze a man.
    â€œYou mean I’m taking a risk you didn’t tell me of. I haven’t paid you yet, Forster. They’re still your cows.”
    Forster started to sweat and it showed. He stood there shaking with rage and hating this man, knowing that he was in his power.
    â€œNow,” he said, “let’s play this easy, Holst. You an’ me will be doin’ business in the future.”
    â€œNot if there’s risk.”
    â€œI tell you, if you get those cows out of here today there’s no risk.”
    â€œI have only your word for that. I’m afraid this affects the price, Forster.”
    The big man looked at the dealer like a man petrified.
    â€œHow much?” he demanded, his voice shaking.
    â€œDollar a head.”
    â€œYour last price was robbery. This is murder.”
    Holst’s face was hard. It usually was when he sighted a good profit.
    â€œTake it or leave it.”
    Forster lost his temper. His pride and his need knocked him off-balance.
    He raised his voice. “I’ll leave it,” he said and went to step into the saddle.
    Holst caught him by the arm.
    â€œDon’t be hasty,” he said.
    â€œGo to hell. I’d rather run them back onto the plains than sell at that price.”
    Holst said: “Knock off fifty cents and call it a deal.”
    Forster turned.
    â€œAll right,” he said.
    Holst said: “I can hold this train for an hour. How soon can you start loading?”
    â€œI’ll have cows here in that time.”
    Forster vaulted into the saddle, spun the bay around and raked home