Song of Eagles Read Online Free PDF

in his eyes and tell me what you see.”
    Chisum turned to stare for a moment at Bonney, and Falcon noticed the big man’s smile falter. He was seeing the same thing Falcon was.
    â€œDamned if you’re not right, Falcon. No bet.”
    Monroe scowled and glanced at Falcon. “I’ll take your bet, mister.”
    â€œYou got a hundred dollars, cowboy?” Falcon asked.
    Monroe pursed his lips, as if thinking. “I ain’t gonna need it, ’cause I’m gonna beat this pup, but I’ve got a hand-tooled Mexican saddle that ought’a go for about that.”
    Falcon nodded. “Then you’re on.”
    The cowboys all gathered around the two men after Bonney stepped down from his horse. There was almost nothing punchers liked more than a contest, be it one of fisticuffs, riding broncs, or shooting at targets.
    Several of the men were making small side bets, looking nervously at Monroe as if they didn’t want to get caught betting against their foreman.
    Finally all was ready, and Chisum counted to three. Bob threw the cup in the air, and both Bonney and Monroe grabbed iron.
    Bonney’s hand flashed upward with his Colt and fired almost without aiming, before Monroe had even cleared leather. The blast of the pistol was followed instantaneously by the clang of a bullet blasting a hole in the cup, sending it caroming off on a tangent.
    When it reached its apex and began to fall, there was another shot and another clang, making the cup dance in the air once again.
    â€œGoddamn,” one of the punchers muttered, “he hit it again whilst it was still in the air.”
    Monroe blushed a deep red, standing there with his pistol still half in his holster. He stared at Bonney, eyes hard and face set.
    Bonney had enough sense not to gloat. He holstered his gun and turned, holding out his hand to Monroe. “Don’t take it to heart, Mr. Monroe. You and I both know shootin’ at somethin’ that don’t shoot back is easy. Things might’a been different had we been facing another gunslick.”
    Monroe, mollified by Bonney’s face-saving gesture, grinned and took his hand. “You’re all right, Bonney. And one of the best shootists I’ve ever seen. I’d be right proud to have you stand with me if it ever came to gunplay.”
    Falcon noticed how Bonney beat Chisum’s best man and then managed to cause the hostile crowd to turn their support to him, a total stranger. Yep , he thought, there’s more to this boy than meets the eye. He’s deep as well water, and damn near as cold.
    Monroe stepped over to the porch and looked up at Falcon. “I’ll jest go get my saddle, mister, an’ I’ll bring it right over.”
    â€œI don’t need another saddle, Mr. Monroe. But I’m going to be buying a gambling establishment in the near future. I’ll call our bet even if you bring some of your friends in for the grand opening.”
    Monroe held a ham-sized hand up over the porch railing and shook with Falcon. “It’s a deal. You just let me know when and where.”
    Chisum motioned Bonney to join him and Falcon on the porch. When he got there, Chisum said, “Mr. Bonney, I really don’t need any more hands, but I’ve got a good friend who does, especially ones as good with a pistol as you are.”
    â€œWho might that be, Mr. Chisum?”
    â€œHis name’s John Tunstall. He’s not much older than you, ’bout twenty-four I suspect, but he and I are going into business together, and I know he’ll need some extra men.”
    â€œHow’ll I find him?”
    â€œYou head on into Lincoln and go to the building marked Tunstall’s General Store. I reckon he’ll be there ’bout now. Tell him I sent you.”
    Bonney shook hands with Chisum. “Thanks, Mr. Chisum. I appreciate the help.”
    â€œHold on there, Bonney,” Falcon said. “Give me a minute and