Slocum and the Hellfire Harem (9781101613382) Read Online Free PDF Page B

Tinker family out here. Maybe he’d misunderstood them. Or the men might well have sent away for brides, immigrant women from back East.
    â€œAnd the young’uns,” the old man continued. “I don’t rightly recall how many we got now. Too many, I reckon, all girls as they are.”
    Slocum didn’t respond to the comment, another in what was shaping up to be an odd prejudice by this man against women. He saw the other men trade glances. “How long ago were they taken?”
    â€œCouple of days.”
    â€œYou must be anxious to trail them. Do you have any other stock? Anything at all you can ride?”
    The old man made a noncommittal noise.
    â€œI’ve never been on this trail before, so I’m not sure how far the next town is, but when I get there, I’ll let the law know—”
    The old man slammed a fist down on the table, cutting Slocum off and showing surprising force considering his weakened state. “There will be no law involved in our affairs! The Good Lord has deemed it so!” He turned to the others around the table and looked them each in the eye. Reluctantly they met his gaze. “Are we not men? Are we not made in the image of the Lord?”
    They murmured an assent, which apparently wasn’t good enough, for he repeated his questions in a louder, tremulous voice, and the four younger men perked up, nodding and meeting his gaze. It was obvious to Slocum that they were in fear of the older man with the flowing white beard.
    Then, just as abruptly, Tinker tuned to Slocum, fixed him with what Slocum assumed was supposed to be a fear-inducing, withering glare. “We will deal with this situation ourselves, is that clear to you . . . stranger?”
    Stranger, thought Slocum. After I saved your God-fearing backside? “Perfectly clear, forget I mentioned it.” Slocum opened the front door. “And rest assured, I won’t let the law know of your . . . predicament.” He looked at each man, then touched his hat brim. “Good luck, boys.”
    Then he turned to leave, but leaned back in. “One more thing: What did that other man look like? The one who stopped and laughed at you . . . you know, the one who
didn’t
stop to help you.”
    The old man stared at him through puffy, red-rimmed eyes. “Don’t know. Couldn’t see so well. Sun”—he closed his eyes and swallowed—“sun was bright.” His eyes snapped open. “He carried the taint of a bad man about him. A bad, bad man. A devil man. The Lord will strike him down, rest assured. The Lord will have His way.”
    â€œYou’ll pardon me for asking, sir, but if you didn’t see him, how do you know he wasn’t one of the ones who did this to you and stole the women and children?”
    The old man looked up at him, his brow creased and hooded, a scowl on his mouth. “It wasn’t—I know what I know. We was robbed by devil-bandits, I tell you. Godless creatures.” By the time he’d finished speaking, his hands were clenched atop the Bible, his head shook, and spittle flecked from his mouth.
    Slocum regarded the sad family, then nodded once and left the house. He’d made up his mind that they didn’t need any more tending by him, and he no longer wished to be around them. They were, as Orton had said, odd, especially the old man. He had crazy, angry eyes and a dangerous sway over his sons. It also occurred to Slocum that if they had no beast to ride, they might think his horse was ripe for the taking.
    He had just about gotten the Appaloosa saddled when he heard a small cough behind him. He turned to see Luke, the youngest of the men, dressed in a white shirt, loose black trousers, and holding the wooden water pail.
    â€œYou headed to church, boy?” Slocum smiled, tried to show the lad it was meant as a joke, but it was obvious it wasn’t taken that way.
    â€œNo, sir.