The Indian Ring Read Online Free PDF Page B

was an experienced cowhand. His only problem was the devil he turned into every time he pulled a cork on a jug. He was a big, strong man and had literally killed a man with his hands in a saloon fight, been charged with murder, and escaped the hangman’s noose by escaping from jail in a small Nebraska town. He started riding the owl hoot trail and had done one murder for hire and held up two stagecoaches.
    Oink Johnson was also called Tightskin behind his back, because he was so large and bulky his skin seemed like it was stretched over a large frame. He had no neck, was short, but bull strong and had short-cropped red hair and a long red beard. Oink got his nickname because of the way he laughed. He sounded like a pig grunting when he really got a laugh going. Oink was rattlesnake mean and sadistic. He had robbed and killed and was also a rapist. This was unusual, because outlaws had been known to turn on their own if they molested women. There were so few women in the West, so most men were very protective of womanhood in general.
    By dark, the three had large steaks grilling over a large fire, and a skillet with sliced potatoes and onions. Strongheart could hear his stomach growling as he smelled the fresh steaks they had picked up from a butcher in Denver. Joshua lay in the foliage just a little outside of the circle of light from the fire. He had trained himself years before to ignore hunger, thirst, heat, cold, and insect bites when in such a situation, whether stalking man or animal. He had several more hours to wait, but in that time he would watch the three and listen to see how they interacted with each other.
    Joshua Strongheart lay in the shadows for several hours, watching the men share a bottle of whiskey and swap lies. He listened to their conversation and determined that Oink was the overt intimidator and mouth of the group, but Charlie Lombardi was the brains, the quiet shrewd one who spoke little, but he was definitely the leader of the trio. Based on this, Joshua formulated his plan.
    After midnight, all three were asleep and snoring soundly. He crept forward silently and made it first to Oink. He removed the man’s pistol from the holster and ejected the bullets into his hand, then replaced the gun in the holster.
    He slowly crawled over to Texas Tom and started to dothe same with him. However that cowpuncher had better instincts. He came wide awake clawing for his gun, and Strongheart’s Peacemaker ended that as it came crashing down on his left temple, producing an instant goose egg, and knocking him out.
    Strongheart looked over at Charlie, and he did not stir, nor did Oink. He undid Texas Tom’s gun belt and removed it. Then, he tied the limp assassin’s hands behind his back.
    Now, he crawled toward Charlie. He slowly inched forward on his belly. The Pinkerton was now only five feet away.
    Suddenly, Texas Tom, who had come to, yelled from behind him, “Charlie, look out! It’s Strongheart!”
    Charlie Lombardi sat bolt upright drawing his pair of .44s, giving Joshua no choice. His hand streaked down and up with his Colt .45 spewing flame. Two rounds that could be covered with a silver dollar slammed into Lombardi’s chest, both hitting his heart. He immediately slumped into a motionless pile of rags. Strongheart heard a gun click behind him, and he spun around as Oink tried fanning his empty gun with nothing but empty clicks. Strongheart raised his own gun, and Oink dropped his.
    Joshua pulled six bullets from his pocket and said, “Looking for these?”
    The man spat on the ground, glaring at the half-breed.
    Joshua said, “Toss it over here.”
    Begrudgingly, Oink threw the pistol to the Pinkerton, who caught it and tucked it into the back of his waistband.
    Oink said, “Yer a lot taller ’n’ me, Strongheart. You kin talk tough with a gun in your hand. What about with just yer fists?”
    â€œNo,” Joshua grinned broadly at the