Invite to a Showdown by Terrell Bowers

Author:Terrell Bowers [Bowers, Terrell L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Robert Hale
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Travis felt drained of strength. They had ridden solid for two days and he was not yet recovered from the bullet wound. The ache often penetrated deep into his chest and it would bleed some after moving around too much or riding a horse. After a few hours, he had to rest or ride doubled up to ease the pain.

His condition had not gone unnoticed by Sparky. ‘Once we get back as far as Keylock, you can rest up a day or two while I go visit the US marshal and speak to a judge. I’ll get warrants for the Diamond A crew and we’ll have the law behind us.’

Travis grimaced inwardly at Sparky’s decision. He didn’t like the idea of waiting for a judge or marshal to act, but he was too weak to join in a fight just yet. He would do what Sparky suggested and hope his injury would heal.

After several hours of riding Travis brought up the plan again. He still didn’t like being left behind and making Sparky do all the work.

‘It’s the best way to handle this,’ his friend maintained. ‘You about fell out of the saddle when we crossed that stream back there.’

‘The horse stumbled.’ Travis excused his reaction. ‘It gave me a pretty good jolt.’

‘That’s what I mean, Capt’n. You need to take it easy for a few days. Can’t expect to recover from a near mortal wound without proper rest.’

‘I still ought to make the ride with you to Silver Crest and meet with the marshal. What if he doesn’t believe you? What if you need someone to verify what we know to a judge?’

Sparky gave his head a shake. ‘My word will do the trick. And it’s forty miles of mountain trails betwixt Keylock and that mining town. You’d be lucky to stay in the saddle for five miles buck jumping up hill and over dale.’

‘So I’m supposed to stay in town and wait for you?’

‘Aye, Capt’n. Keylock is just up the road. I give it a look when we come through on our way to the railhead. There’s a boarding house that you can hole up in while I make the trip to Silver Crest. The town isn’t real big, but it does have a livery, freight office, saloon and store. It’ll be a good place for you to rest up.’

‘But that’s three or four days wasted – you making the trip to Silver Crest and back to Keylock. If we don’t act fast, Armstrong might either find out we’re alive or spend the money.’

Sparky put on a stern look. ‘You ain’t going to be up to a fight until you heal some more. You take it easy for a couple days, while I take care of the legal aspect of this here chore. Don’t worry, Capt’n, we’ll get them polecats and figure a way to get our money back. But I’m telling you, this is the best way to handle things.’

Travis would have argued, but his head was throbbing with pain and his entire upper body felt on fire.

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