EDGE: The Biggest Bounty (Edge series Book 12) by George G. Gilman

Author:George G. Gilman [Gilman, George G.]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: General Fiction
Publisher: Lobo publications (A High Plains Wesrern)
Published: 2013-01-26T05:00:00+00:00

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The trail of the two hold-up men led Edge in a wide half circle around the western rim of the verdant valley at the centre of which was the town of Jerusalem. At first, it was easy for the slitted eyes of the tall half-breed to see the sign left by riders and horses. But then day drew to a close and the period of twilight was short

The half-moon was bright and there were no cloud patches to veil it. But it hung low in the sky, spreading deep shadows through the timber and - higher up in the Big Horn Mountains - dropping solid pools of darkness among the rugged rock formations. Night, in collaboration with firmer ground which was less inclined to show sign of his quarries’ passing, slowed the progress of the solitary rider.

But after awhile, a pattern emerged. The wide swing around Jerusalem ended short of the trail from the south. The hold-up men had turned west, climbing every yard of the way, then at the crest line of the first step of the range had veered northwards. Edge followed the easiest course and at infrequent intervals saw horse droppings, cigarette butts and hoof prints in pockets of soft earth.

When he reached the barrier of a rearing slab of solid rock, he elected to follow a narrow gully that canted steeply up towards the star-dotted western sky. At the top, it leveled off and then opened out on a high plateau. A trail bisected the rocky flatland and at the very centre was a small group of frame buildings. They looked distant and desolate in the pale moon glow. The shout reached Edge like the last of many echoes down a long valley. A stage emerged from among the buildings, pulled by a six horse team whipped into a gallop, heading north. The clatter of hoof beats reached him late and distorted.

He watched for a few moments, lean face impassive as he considered the alternatives. Then he thudded in his heels and jerked on the reins, urging the gelding into a gallop towards the buildings. As he drew closer, he saw they formed a stage line way station. The largest building was the office and waiting room. One of its windows was lit. The others were stables, a feed barn and a shack for the company man to live in.

Edge rode in among the buildings at a casual walk, carefully but not furtively. Two horses were hitched to the rail outside the main building. He had last seen the animals raising dust on the trail out of Jerusalem. Also familiar was the sign hung on the front of the single storey building: WYOMING-MONTANA-COLORADO LINE. Like the rest of the station, the sign was in a better state of repair than the old line shack south of Jerusalem.

The half-breed angled his horse across to the hitching rail and maintained an attitude of calm self-assurance as he slid from the saddle and tethered the gelding. He had his back to the doorway as he stooped to check the tension of the cinch.

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