The Man with the Iron Badge Read Online Free PDF

he’ll kill them.”
    Santino grinned.
    â€œThat is what you want,” he said, shaking his head. “If Vail kills them, then we have a three-way split of this money.”
    â€œAnd if they all meet us in that canyon, we have enough money for a six-way split,” Starkweather said, “although it won’t be an even split, will it?”
    â€œIs it ever?” Santino asked.
    â€œMount up, Mex,” Starkweather said. “We left some grub in that cabin in the canyon, didn’t we?”
    â€œFood and whiskey, amigo.”
    â€œFood and whiskey,” Starkweather said, “and bags of money. Can life get any better?”

ELEVEN
    The first night in New Mexico they camped by a water hole. Clint made the fire and cooked some beans. Starkweather saw to the horses. He had learned how to handle Eclipse without losing a finger.
    When Starkweather joined him by the fire, Clint handed the young lawman a plate of beans and a tin cup filled with coffee.
    â€œYou never sent that telegram, did you?” Starkweather asked around a mouthful of beans.
    â€œWhat telegram is that?”
    â€œThe one checking to see if I was really the sheriff of Danner.”
    â€œOh, that telegram,” Clint said. “No, I never did get around to that.”
    â€œSo you believe me?”
    â€œI don’t think a man would go to the trouble of having a badge made out of iron and then lie about it,” Clint said. “I’ve decided to take you at your word.”
    â€œThank you,” Starkweather said.
    â€œWhat part of New Mexico do you expect to find your father in?” Clint asked.
    â€œIf I know anything about the man, it’s that he can’t help himself. He has two weaknesses.”
    â€œWhat are they?”
    â€œBanks,” Starkweather said, “and killing lawmen.”
    â€œWell,” Clint said, “I guess if he’s done that lately, the word will get around.”
    â€œThat’s what I figured,” Starkweather said. “Next town we come to, we might hear word.”
    They finished eating and had more coffee. Both of them were careful not to stare into the fire. They weren’t being tracked, but they still didn’t want to ruin their night vision.
    â€œThere’s something else about that iron badge, isn’t there, Dan?” Clint asked. “Something you’re not telling me.”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œDo you want to tell me now?”
    â€œMy father has this habit,” Starkweather said. “When he kills a lawman, he likes to shoot him right through his badge.”
    â€œAnd you think the iron badge will protect you against a bullet?”
    â€œHe won’t be able to crimp it,” Starkweather said. “Maybe he won’t be able to shoot through it.”
    â€œIt’s a possibility, I guess,” Clint said. “Depends on the caliber of the ammo, and the range.”
    â€œAnd I guess I wouldn’t mind if people started calling me the man with the iron badge.”
    â€œA reputation,” Clint said.
    â€œWhat’s wrong with that?” Starkweather asked. “You’ve got one.”
    â€œAnd it’s not something I went looking for,” Clint said.
    â€œWell,” the younger man admitted, “it’s really not high on my list.”
    â€œI thought there was only one thing on your list,” Clint said.
    â€œYou’re right,” Starkweather said. “Stopping my father, and his gang.”
    â€œI’ll take first watch tonight,” Clint said. They’d been taking turns on watch, just to be safe.
    â€œOkay,” Starkweather said. “See you in four hours.”
    The young lawman rolled himself in his blanket, first removing his gun, but keeping it close. Clint had told him their first night out not to sleep with his gun belt on. There was always the chance of rolling over and shooting yourself. Clint recalled a man who had not only