Billy the Kid (A Herne the Hunter Western Book 13) by John J. McLaglen

Author:John J. McLaglen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: western, billy the kid, western action, john j mclaglen, best western, western and sheriff, western action adventure, western 1880s, best western online, pat garret
Publisher: Piccadilly Publishing

Chapter Seven

Pat Garrett sat on the fence alongside the livery stable watching Herne and Billy and the rest saddle up and prepare to ride south. The sky was bright with promise, blue and yellow and lacking the smudge of a single cloud. A couple of days’ ride should take them within reach of the Rio Grande, after which they would be safe from any U.S. marshal that Murphy and Dolan might arrange to send after them on account of Brady’s death.

‘Sure you won’t ride with us, Pat?’ called Billy from his saddle.

Garrett smiled towards the sun and shook his head. ‘Guess I’ve come far enough for a while. Now Jed’s ridden off them two bad losers, I’ll stick around and see what else good luck’ll bring me.’

‘Okay.’

Billy turned his horse’s head and started to move off. Herne raised a hand in Garrett’s direction and the tall man waved an answering salute.

Garrett stayed where he was until the four riders were out of sight and nothing showed of them save a slow-moving cloud of dust that marked their path until that, too, faded into the clear air.

Pat Garrett set his hands to the fence and pushed himself outwards and down. He hadn’t eaten yet and there was an eating house that advertised ham and eggs and coffee for forty cents.

~*~

When the sun was at its highest and hottest Charlie Bowdre ran his mount a few yards ahead of the others, then turned it sideways on across their path.

He raised a hand, fingers outspread. ‘We got to talk.’

A snarl sped to the Kid’s face and he pulled his horse up short, making it rear up on its hind legs. ‘What the hell you playin’ at, Charlie?’

‘Nothin’ only ... only we got to talk, that’s all.’

Billy quietened his animal and let his right hand drift close to his holster. Herne shifted himself to the side, keeping an eye on both men, hoping that whatever Charlie Bowdre was going to say wouldn’t cause things to erupt into violence.

‘I got me a wife, I guess you know that an’...’ Pecos pushed his hat forward on his head and grinned.

‘Sure we know that, Charlie, ain’t you always writin’ to her an’ stuff.’

‘Never mind that,’ snapped Billy. ‘Let him say his piece,’

Charlie pulled his pipe from his pocket and set the stem in his mouth, biting down on it with signs of nervousness.

‘Thing is ... she ain’t above a few hours ride south-east of here.’

Billy’s mouth tightened till his lips were barely visible. ‘Go on.’

Charlie took the pipe from between his teeth and pushed a finger end down into the bowl. ‘I ain’t seen Manuella since the turn of the year an’—’

‘Hear that?’ put in Pecos. ‘I told you she was a Mex. I ...’

One look from Herne was sufficient to shut him up.

‘I thought I could ride through with you boys an’ pay it no heed, but …’ Charlie shook his head to one side. ‘... thing is I can’t. No way.’

Herne watched the Kid’s face, trying to make out what was going on behind it.

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