LeRoy, U.S. Marshal 3 by Neil Hunter

Author:Neil Hunter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: wild west, old west, action hero, american frontier, us marshals, piccadilly publishing, neil hunter, western fiction ebook, gunfighters and lawmen
Publisher: Piccadilly

Twenty-Three

Until he opened his eyes again to hot sun in his face, body aching and the wound in his leg burning with fierce pain. Sweat beaded his face. Soaked his shirt and stung his eyes. LeRoy shook his head to clear his vision.

Stared up into an aged bewhiskered face that showed a sun browned map of deep wrinkles and fierce blue eyes.

‘Hell, son, you had me fooled there for a time. Figured you might be dead until I heard you groan.’

LeRoy cleared his dry throat as he sat up.

‘Right now I’m close to thinking the same.’

A brown hand held out a canteen with water sloshing around inside. LeRoy took it and swallowed a small amount. The water was not exactly cold and fresh but LeRoy was in no state to complain.

His benefactor rocked back on his heels and took stock.

‘By the badge there I figure you as a lawman.’ He gave a flick of his head in the direction of Munro and Riggs. ‘They the ones tried to do for you?’

‘That was their notion,’ LeRoy said.

‘Appears they weren’t sharp enough.’

‘They came close.’

‘Should I know you?’

‘Alvin LeRoy.’

‘Heard the tellin’ sometime. About you being one hell of a lawman. They say you got a hard nose for followin’ people and never one for quittin’.’

‘Goes with the job.’

The old man nodded. Held out a bony hand. ‘Barnabus Cole,’ he said.

‘And what does Barnabus Cole do?’

‘Most anything I can turn my hand to.’ He jerked a hand to where a pair of loaded pack-horses stood. ‘I sell whatever the market asks for. Travel around the territory. Folk can be a long way from stores. I offer what they need. Long as it’s on the right side of the law.’

LeRoy managed a slow smile. That depended on what Cole interpreted as on the right side of the law.

‘Now while you were sleeping I pulled all them horses together and tied ’em tight,’ Cole said.

‘I owe you.’

‘You want to let me take a look at that leg of yours? You bin bleedin’ some.’

There was sense in the old man’s words. Unless he did something about it the wound might put him out of action long enough for his prisoners to get even further away.

‘Doctoring one of your skills?’

Cole gave a ragged chuckle.

‘Son, in my time I turned my hand to a lot of things. Cut me some bullets out a time or two.’

‘It’s the cutting out that worries me.’

‘I got a prime bottle of whisky in my pack. Pour some on the wound it’ll help deaden the pain. And a swallow or two will help you as well.’

‘I guess I’m in your hands, feller. Let’s take a look at it first.’

LeRoy shed his gunbelt and slid his pants down. Cole cut away the sodden long-johns to expose the site. After an inspection Cole leaned back, nodding to himself.

‘Well, Mr. US Marshal, you had a lucky escape. That piece of lead only just tucked itself in under the skin. Can see it clear enough so we won’t need to dig deep.

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