[Texas Rangers 04] - Ranger's Trail Read Online Free PDF Page A

“They’re liable to get spiked themselves.”
    Rusty said, “Len Tanner’s goin’ to help.”
    “ That’s no big relief.” Tom nodded toward Andy. “Surely you’re not lettin’ the boy go.”
    “ He’s stayin’ here with me.”
    Tom said, “Good. We’re dealin’ with people who are used to absolute power. If they got him in their sights, they wouldn’t take his youth into account.”
    Andy spoke up. “If I was still with the Comanches I’d be looked at as a warrior now. I sure wouldn’t let a bunch of bluecoats scare me.”
    Tom said, “They scare me. I just hope Grant doesn’t set them loose. You know they arrested the mayor today”
    Rusty said, “I hadn’t heard that.”
    “ Roughed him up some, then turned him loose because it looked like a riot was fixin’ to break out. They still haven’t got their orders from Washington.”
    Rusty walked to the door and stared out into the street. Everywhere he looked little clusters of armed men stood waiting, watching. The tension was electric, much like the atmosphere before a thunderstorm. “Wouldn’t take but one good spark to touch off the powder. I wish we’d gone back home.”
    Tom said, “For my wife’s sake, I wish we’d never been asked to come in the first place. She needs a woman to be with her ’til she gets her feet back under her. I ain’t been able to find one who’d stay”
    Rusty kept a disturbing thought to himself. What would become of Mrs. Blessing if a bullet brought down her husband? “We could start home right now. It won’t be full dark for another hour.”
    Tom shook his head. “We finally got back the right to vote. It’s time to get off of our knees and stand on our feet.”
    “ No matter what it costs?”
    “ We’re at a fork in the road. One way follows the law. The other twists the law to whatever it wants it to be.”
    Rusty smiled. “First time I ever heard you make a speech.”
    “ I don’t often feel the need, especially with you.”
     
    Rusty did not intend to go to sleep so early, but it had been a long day. Soon after he lay down on his blankets he dozed off. He awakened suddenly to the squealing of two horses nipping at one another. He saw that Andy’s blankets had been thrown back. Andy was gone.
    Damn fool kid, he thought. He’s gone to help Tanner and the Morrises.
    The stableman was asleep on a steel cot in a small office at the front of the barn. Rusty aroused him to ask when Andy had left. The man sat up, blinking rapidly, swinging his bare feet over the side. His voice was sour. “Don’t you people know what the night is meant for?”
    “ That boy who was with me, did you see him leave?”
    The man ignored the question. “Night’s a time for rest. If you want your horse, you know where he’s at. Catch him yourself. And you can put him back for yourself when you come in. If you’re too drunk to unlatch the gate, just tie him to the fence.”
    “ How long has it been since the kid left?”
    “ I didn’t look at my watch.” The man scratched his backside. “What kind of a critter is that button, anyway?”
    “ What do you mean?”
    “ He come stealin’ in and got his horse. I wouldn’t have knowed he was here if the horse hadn’t snorted just as he passed my door. Wouldn’t surprise me none if that boy’s got Indian blood in him.”
    “ I’ll admit he acts like it.”
    The stableman said, “Probably snuck off to find him a sportin’ gal. I did when I was his age. ’Spect you did, too. I got no quarrel with it as long as they let a man sleep.”
    Rusty saddled his horse while the stableman returned to his blankets, muttering all the way.
    The kid’s got more nerve than judgment, Rusty thought darkly. As bad as Len Tanner.
    He rode in a long trot to the Morris brothers’ camp at the edge of town. He found the fire burned low. No one was there. He was sure he knew where they were, and Andy with them.
    Damn Len Tanner. He knew I didn’t want Andy to be any part of