Nate Coffin's Revenge Read Online Free PDF

here’s my town, and it’s usually a peaceful little place.”
    Tried to lean up on one uncooperative elbow, but dizziness and creeping nausea put me on my back in a hurry. Held a trembling hand over my sweat-covered brow and said, “Boz tells me you know the fine-shooting lady who stepped up and saved me, Marshal.”
    “Not well, but I do know who she is. Must admit I didn’t have no idea she could put on a shootin’ display the likes of what folks witnessed in the street today, though.” He cut his answer short. Didn’t seem inclined to go any further unless prodded.
    “Any possibility you could tell me her name? Would like very much to thank her when I’m up and about. Maybe send a note, if I’m not able to do the deed in person.”
    “Name’s Dianna Savage. Mrs. Dianna Savage. She and the child showed up in town ’bout a year back. One thing everyone seems privy to about Mrs. Savage is that she doesn’t appear to need for anything in the way of money. Bought a house and right fine piece of property out on the far north edge of town, ’bout a mile from the sawmill. Paid every penny in cash to banker Hiram King. Keeps pretty much to herself. Nothing as I’ve witnessed in her past demeanor would have indicated a capability for what transpired out in the street today.”
    “So, take it she has a husband around someplace?”
    “Not as I, or anyone else, know of. Story most of the womenfolk around town tell, over their weekly washing, is that her man got his sad self killed when a horse fell on him year or so ’fore she settled in these parts. Most tend to believe she came to us from over near Waco, but ain’t no one makin’ any serious coin bettin’ on that particular piece of information. Being a seriously private person, she ain’t sayin’ one way or t’other.”
    “Ah. Well, I’ll make it a point to stroll by and express my heartfelt thanks quick as I can get off this cot and out of your cell.”
    Oakley got right thoughtful-looking. Slowly ran a hand through his iron-gray hair. “Don’t mean to throw water on your thinkin’, but there might be a small problem with your plans, son.”
    “What kind of problem?” I asked.
    “Appears one of the fellers Mrs. Savage blasted to Kingdom Come, whilst in the process of savin’ your valuable hide, was none other than the infamous west Texas badman Reuben Coffin.”
    The name dropped between us like a rancid corpse. Every Ranger in Texas worth his salt had heard something awful about the light-fingered and lethal Coffin brothers. Most notable of the deadly pair of ruffians was a hard-eyed killer named Nate. All of a sudden, and on top of the throbbing ache from my newly acquired skull decoration, a piercing pain like an ice pick speared through a spot somewhere behind my right eye.
    Rubbed my throbbing temple and said, “Not thinking straight, Marshal. Did you just say that Mrs. Savage killed Nate Coffin’s worthless brother?”
    “Baby brother, as a pure matter of absolute fact. Loved by everyone in their extensive family—including a cadre of aunts, uncles, and soft-brained cousins who live in, and around, Carrizo Springs. Way I’ve got it figured, the straight-shootin’ Mrs. Savage has about three weeks left amongst the living once Nate Coffin finds out what happened here in Salt Valley today.”
    Rolled onto my back and moaned. Used a heavy arm to shield my eyes from the sunlight pouring through a barred window above the cot. Mumbled, “Thought Nate Coffin and his boys pretty much worked the area around Uvalde, Del Rio, and Eagle Pass. Last I heard, Nate killed a couple of cowboys over close to Crystal City ’cause they insulted his hat.”
    “Hadn’t heard that ’un, but it wouldn’t surprise me none. Must be at least fifty gruesome and gory stories goin’ ’round ’bout how he’s killed the hell out of a boatload of innocents for a lot less in the way of provocation.”
    Peeked at him from beneath my shirtsleeve. “You truly