One-Eyed Death by James W. Marvin

Author:James W. Marvin [Marvin, James W.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: violence, crow, wild west, old west, graphic sex, frontier fiction, james w marvin, laurence james, pulp western fiction
Publisher: Piccadilly Publishing
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

The decision to squeeze the trigger of the Purdey was based on a clear and simple calculation.

It had become obvious that Birtles and the troopers were not everything that they claimed. Crow’s growing suspicions were that they had deserted when they had the chance to go after the robbers of the payroll. It was also beyond doubt that they would kill the entire Spangel party. Having gone as far as they had, there was no other option left open to them.

In another few moments one of them would have gunned the shootist down where he sat, as potentially the most dangerous of the group.

The officer stood slightly to the side of the woman, so that her body wasn’t in front of him. His arm was round her waist and the muzzle of the revolver was drilling a hole in her neck, beneath the ear.

The roar of the gun was deafening, scarcely muffled by the blanket. The rectangle of grey cloth was blasted to shreds, lifted high into the air by the shot.

Lead tore across the few paces, ripping into the soldier a little below the level of his belt. He was driven immediately backwards, mouth jerking open in horror and white agony as the shot smashed into his groin, pulping through soft flesh, grinding through splintered bones.

He let go of the woman, his pistol flying from his grip and she fell to one side with a scream, hands going to her mouth.

The two other cavalrymen stood frozen for a fatal moment, giving Crow time to swing the remaining barrel of the Purdey and blast Taylor off his feet, the shot hitting home at the top of his chest, near the throat. At such short range the effect was devastating and instantly lethal. Nearly ripping the young soldier’s head off of his shoulders.

Only Mulcahy was left, holding his pistol, looking at his two dying comrades with a mixture of shock and disbelief. One moment they had controlled the situation, with the prospect of some rapid murder and then some rape to follow. Followed by two more murders.

And it was gone.

His lips moved but he was the only person to hear the words.

“It’s all fuckin’ gone.”

Crow dropped the scattergun immediately he’d fired the second shot, reaching for his pistol. But Ford was quicker. Drawing his own Colt and thumbing back on the action, ready to gun down the last of the troopers.

But Lily Spangel spoiled it all. Her already frail mind shattered by the attack and the killing, soaked in blood from the dead officer, she clawed her way straight to her feet, turning to look for somewhere to run. And put herself clean in line with Ben Ford’s shot.

The ramrod was just able to check his movement to shoot Mulcahy, yelling at the woman to get out of the way. Crow had a clear shot but was slower in drawing his own Peacemaker.

Which gave the soldier time for just one bullet of his own.

His mind flickered over the possibilities, while his shreds of self-control disappeared from his grasp.

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