Ralph Compton Whiskey River Read Online Free PDF Page A

convinced themselves their only hope lay in taking two horses and riding for their lives, the event they most dreaded happened. They heard the distant rattle of approaching wagons.
    â€œGod help us,” said Amanda. “We waited too long. Tonight there’ll be thirty men here in camp.”
    But the situation immediately worsened, because when the lead wagon appeared, Wolf Estrello was at the reins. That position had always belonged to Jake Miles.
    â€œSomething’s happened to Jake,” Amanda said fearfully.
    One by one, the wagons drew up. The teamsters began unharnessing the weary teams, and as Amanda and Betsy fearfully approached Wolf Estrello, the outlaw made it a point to ignore them. It was Amanda who asked the dread question.
    â€œWhere’s our Pa? Where’s Jake?”
    â€œDead and buried,” said Estrello unfeelingly. “The old fool got gun-happy, and I had to shoot him. Now you two pieces of baggage had better be nice to me, or the trail could get damned rocky.”
    But things got complicated quickly in a manner Wolf Estrello hadn’t expected. Amanda and Betsy, of a single mind, threw themselves at the surprised outlaw, cursing and crying. They tore at Estrello’s hair, smashed their small fists into his cruel face, and in her fury, Amanda was able to plant a well-placed boot in his groin. Estrello’s outfit looked on with some admiration, and nobody became alarmed until the two women had Estrello facedown, stomping him. It was Carl Long and Lee Sullivan who finally dragged the women away. When Estrello finally sat up, his face was a bloody mess. His swollen eyes came to rest on Todd Keithley, who was openly grinning.
    â€œBy God, it took the lot of you long enough to drag them off me,” Estrello snarled.
    â€œIt never crossed our minds you needed help,” said Keithley. “How many times have you said you could handle both of ’em?”
    â€œI won’t be forgettin’ you, smart mouth,” Estrello said. “Long, you and Sullivan take them hellions to my tent. I’ll take care of them after I’ve cleaned myself up.”
    â€œYou want we should tie ’em hand and foot?” Lee Sullivan asked.
    â€œNo,” said Estrello, “they’ve been coddled too long. If they try anything foolish, put a slug through any part of their carcass that appeals to you.”
    Some of the men laughed, while others eyed Estrello coldly. His was an outfit divided, and he was of a mind to use these stubborn females to establish his undisputed leadership. When he reached the tent that was his quarters, Amanda and Betsy sat on the ground. The two outlaws guarding them had their Colts drawn.
    â€œDo we go or stay?” Carl Long asked nervously.
    â€œYou don’t do a damn thing, either way, until I say so,” Estrello snarled, “and I ain’t give you no orders. You women get to your feet and strip.”
    â€œYou murdering son-of-a-bitch,” said Amanda with a hiss, “go ahead and shoot me. It’s the only way you’ll ever see me without my clothes.”
    â€œThat goes for me as well,” Betsy said.
    Both girls clasped their hands to still their trembling, but the fire in their eyes was unmistakable.
    â€œSpirited, ain’t you?” said Wolf Estrello. “I like that, be it in a horse or a woman. Now I aim to ask you one more time to get on your feet and strip.”
    â€œWhy don’t you strip us yourself, big man?” Amanda said. “I have a place in mind to plant my other boot.”
    Defiantly, both women had gotten to their feet, their backs to the rear of the tent. The outlaw said no more, and when Amanda taunted him, he moved like a lightning bolt. His heavy fist struck the girl below the left ear, and she fell back against the canvas, sliding to the ground.
    â€œDamn you,” said Betsy, leaping toward Estrello.
    But Carl Long slammed the muzzle of his Colt against