Showdown Read Online Free PDF

said, looking up from his mug of beer. “I think they’s a deputy ’bout a hundred miles east of here. If the rain was to stop right now, and the telegraph wires ain’t down, and the passes ain’t closed by slides, or the bridges ain’t washed out, I figure he’d get here in ’bout a week or so.”
    â€œThat is incredible,” the man responded.
    â€œWelcome to Idaho Territory,” Frank said.
    Outside, lightning and thunder hissed and boomed and the rains came pouring down, hammering on the roof.
    â€œGonna be a bad one,” Bob said. “Good thing the supply wagons just run. ’Cause we’re damn sure gonna be cut off for a spell.”
    â€œThis is dreadful,” Nora said.
    â€œNot as dreadful as it’s going to be when some of your gunfighters catch up with me,” Frank said, his voice hard.
    * * *
    â€œIt’s uncommonly warm,” Doc Raven said to Frank the next morning. The men were having breakfast in the cafe. The heavy rains had not abated. “I’ve seen it like this a couple of times over the years. Both times during a heavy rain. The slides are going to be bad—bet on it.”
    The telegrapher walked in, waved at the waitress, and took a seat at the table with Frank and Doc Raven. “Wires just went down,” he said. “That means the slides have started.”
    â€œWe’re cut off?” Frank asked.
    â€œWe sure are. Thirty miles to the east and thirty miles to the west. The last wire I received was informing me that about a dozen or so wagons were on the way from the east. No way of knowing whether they made it through Wildhorse Pass.”
    â€œWildhorse Pass is where the slides start?” Frank asked.
    â€œNot necessarily,” Doc Raven replied. “But it’s the worst place coming from the east. If they made it past that point, they’ll probably be rolling in here late today or tomorrow.”
    â€œSupply wagons?” Frank asked.
    â€œMaybe one or two of them,” the telegrapher said. “The others are probably settlers. No way of knowin’ till they roll in.”
    â€œI didn’t stick to the roads,” Frank said, “and followed old trails over the Divide. I don’t know much about what lies west of here. How about that way?”
    â€œThe way west on the main road is worse,” Doc Raven said. “If any travelers made it to the old trading post about twenty five miles west of here, they can get through to South Raven. If not, they’re stuck.”
    â€œSo there is a possibility this town is going to fill up with men looking to gun me down,” Frank said softly.
    â€œCould be,” Doc Raven said. “Things might get real interesting about here.”
    â€œInteresting is not the word I would use, Doc.”
    â€œYou best sharpen your tools, Doc,” the telegrapher said with a smile. “Odds are good that you’re gonna get real busy diggin’ out lead.”
    â€œNot if I pull out right now,” Frank said.
    â€œAre you considering that?” Raven asked.
    Frank shook his head. “Not really. It was just a thought.”
    â€œIt would be a tough pull over the mountains in this weather,” the telegrapher said. “And dangerous. No matter which direction you headed.”
    Frank smiled at that. “Any more dangerous than me staying here and possibly facing several dozen guns?”
    â€œGood point,” Raven said. “So what are you going to do?”
    â€œI’m going to wait until the rains ease up, then pull out.”
    â€œIt’ll be several days at least, maybe even a week or more, after the rains stop before the road is cleared. Believe me, we’ve been through this before.”
    â€œI’m sure you have,” Frank said. “Say, back about ten years ago, there was a little town north of here. Along the Payette. Is it still there?”
    â€œThe buildings are,”