The Border Empire Read Online Free PDF Page A

he had brought the second of Nathan Stone’s Colts, which he had buried among his provisions. The Winchester would have to do. Empty growled softly, his warning to Wes. Creeping to the rim of the arroyo, Wes could see the outlaws gathered around the fire. Suddenly they leaped to their feet, hands darting to holstered weapons. Just as suddenly, they relaxed, laughing. Into the mouth of the arroyo walked Maria, just as naked as the moment Wes had found her! Her hands were behind her back, and while still in the shadows, she paused.
    â€œWell, by God,” one of the outlaws exulted, “the little catamount didn’t get enough of us this mornin’. She’s follered us, wantin’ more, an’ I aim to be the first to oblige her.”
    He started toward her, and the rest of them followed, laughing in anticipation. Wes held his fire, fearing any move he made would be the death of the girl. But Maria Armijo had come prepared to take her revenge. Behind her back, she clutched the second of the Colts that had belonged to Nathan Stone. Four times she fired, the shots blending into a continuous roar. Four of the outlaws were down, and before the remaining three could pull their guns, the Winchester was blazing. The horses reared and nickered, but Maria Armijo stood there calmly, the Colt in her hand. Wes slid and half fell into the arroyo. Maria just looked at him, a half-smile on her lips.
    â€œWhy the hell did you do that?” Wes stormed. “You could have been killed.”
    â€œSí,” she said calmly, “but I do not know of your debt to them. I know only of my own. My regret is that I did not kill them all.”
    â€œDamn it,” said Wes, “there was only five shells in the Colt. You couldn’t possibly have shot more than five of them. If I hadn’t been on the rim, one of them would have shot you dead. Where are your clothes?”
    â€œI leave them with your other horse,” she said.
    â€œI reckon I’ll have to give you some credit,” said Wes. “What they got was the last thing they expected.”
    â€œWhat become of the many horses they steal?”
    â€œWe’ll free them to return to their home corrals,” Wes said. “We’ll free the outlaws’ mounts, too, except for that black. He doesn’t seem to have a brand. We’ll take one of the saddles, and the black will become your horse. We might as well see what else we can use, that this bunch of varmints won’t be needin’ anymore.”
    She crossed herself. “You would rob the dead?”
    â€œI would,” said Wes. “You accounted for four of them, so don’t go preaching at me.”
    To his total surprise, she laughed.
    â€œDo what you wish, Senor Wes Stone. I will tell the black horse that he is mine, and that I am his bueno amigo.”
    Wes, going through the pockets and saddlebags of the dead outlaws, discovered more than a thousand dollars in gold coins. Several owned Colts whose shells were compatible with the two Colts that had belonged to Nathan Stone. Wes took extra saddlebags in which to carry the gold and the shells. Maria had managed to make friends with the black horse, and had chosen a saddle that had belonged to one of the outlaws.
    â€œYou can have a Winchester and a revolver, if you want,” Wes said.
    â€œI will take them,” said Maria.
    â€œI’ll saddle your horse,” Wes said, “and we’ll ride away from here.”
    â€œWithout burying the dead?”
    â€œThey rode away without burying your dead,” said Wes.
    Wes saddled the black, and from one of the dead outlaws who had owned a Colt, he took a gunbelt. The Colt was fully loaded, and he handed the rig to Maria.
    â€œWe’ll have to cut some new holes in that belt so it will fit you,” Wes said.
    The saddle Maria had chosen had a rifle boot, and Wes shoved a Winchester into it. Empty, not liking the prevailing smell of death,