[Texas Rangers 06] - Jericho's Road Read Online Free PDF Page A

Farley, and he usually said it in a mocking way.
    “ Lookin’ for you. I ought to’ve known to wait and listen for a fight.”
    “ Wasn’t no fight to it. I was just standin’ there havin’ me a peaceful drink when that gink asked me if I wasn’t a Ranger. Don’t know how he figured out I was. They never have got around to givin’ us any badges.”
    “ Some people claim they can tell a Ranger on sight, just by the way he walks and talks.”
    “ I wasn’t talkin’ at all till that bird started to hooraw me. He said he never seen a Ranger that didn’t smell like a skunk.”
    “ If you try to whip everybody that doesn’t like us, you’ll be too busy to do anything else.”
    Farley transferred his irritation from the stranger to Andy. “You’re a little young to be preachin’ gospel to me, Badger Boy. I’ve been shot and shot at more times than you’ve had birthdays.”
    “ A little preachin’ might do you good, but I know you wouldn’t listen to it.”
    “ That, I wouldn’t,” Farley said, and went back into the bar. Andy remained on the sidewalk, debating with himself about following. He considered riding on alone and letting Farley follow in his own good time or not at all. He knew from past experience that Farley could be poor company, chronically dissatisfied and critical. But the major might not be pleased. He liked his Rangers to work together as a team, not pull against one another like stubborn mules.
    He walked into the room and found Farley leaning against the bar, a drink in his hand. The war scar on the side of his face accentuated his frown. “You still here? I figured you left.”
    “ The major says we’re supposed to head south and report for duty on the border.”
    “ I don’t remember him sayin’ I had to ride with you . Every time we work together somethin’ bad happens to me. You’re a damned jinx.”
    “ I’m not crazy about the notion either, but if you don’t like it you can resign.”
    “ That’d make you happy, wouldn’t it? Well, I’m not quittin’. Go find you a girl or somethin’ and leave me in peace for what’s left of the day. We can start the trip fresh in the mornin’.”
    Andy doubted how fresh Farley would be if he spent the evening in this bar or some other, but that was Farley’s problem. “I’ve got my horse in the same stable as yours. I figure to leave soon after daylight.”
    Walking outside, he met the stranger Farley had thrown out. The man seemed to have gathered his wits, and his expression indicated that he did not consider the argument settled. Andy pointed his thumb at the door. “He’s still in there,” he said. He stood around a few minutes, listening to the sounds of a vigorous scuffle and the cheers of bystanders from inside.
    Farley tumbled out the door and fell on his back on the sidewalk. Andy looked down at him and tried not to grin. “Enjoy yourself.”
    Farley rolled over and pushed to his feet, muttering under his breath. Face crimson and fists clenched, he stalked back into the barroom.
    Andy’s growling stomach reminded him that he had not eaten anything since breakfast. He had noticed a restaurant as he walked down the street. He met a policeman hurrying along the wooden sidewalk. The officer said, “Somebody told me there’s a fight down thisaway.”
    Andy pointed. “You might look in that bar yonder. There’s a right smart of noise comin’ out of it.”
    By the time Farley got himself untangled from this mess he might be ready to travel, Andy thought.
     
    Awake at daylight, Andy sat on the edge of the wagon-yard cot and looked at Farley, still sleeping, his blankets spread on a pile of hay. “Time to get movin’.”
    Farley did not respond. Andy had heard him come in during the night but had no idea what time it was. Farley had been talking to himself.
    Andy said, “I’m fixin’ to go get some breakfast. Then I’m hittin’ the trail with or without you.”
    Farley still did not respond. Andy could