Pecos Crossing by Elmer Kelton

Author:Elmer Kelton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates
Published: 1963-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

Riding away, he paused several times to look back. The first time the girl still sat in the wagon, watching them. The next time she was standing in the shade of the arbor, but she was still watching. The third time, just before they rode out of sight, Johnny saw the man standing beside her.

Johnny turned in the saddle, doubt tugging at him. He and Speck rode half an hour in silence. Speck was slumped forward, fever riding him. Johnny reined up suddenly. “Speck, we oughtn’t to’ve left her there.”

Speck made no reply.

“We don’t know that Gerson. Did you notice how he looked at her?”

Speck said hoarsely, “Like a coyote lookin’ at a cottontail rabbit.”

“I’m goin’ back for her, Speck.”

Speck only shrugged.

Johnny looked about for some shade, though the day was wearing well along toward sundown, and it was no longer particularly hot. He rode to a big mesquite, took his blanket and spread it out beneath the tree. “Lie down there and rest, Speck. I’ll be back directly with Tessie and the wagon.”

Speck didn’t argue. He almost fell out of the saddle. Johnny hurried to help him. When he had Speck set, he swung back onto the brown horse. “Come on, Traveler, let’s travel.”

Moving in an easy lope much of the way, it took him somewhat less than half an hour to get back. He saw the wagon beside the brush arbor, the team standing droopheaded, not yet unhitched. The man and the girl must be in the house. Johnny wrapped the reins around a post and stepped up to the open door. He heard Gerson’s voice.

“Now, girl, you got nothin’ to be afraid of.”

Gerson hadn’t heard Johnny. The man had Tessie backed into a corner, his big left arm braced against the wall to keep her from stepping aside. His right hand was under her chin, and her eyes were wide with fear.

“Get away from her, Gerson!”

The girl cried out in relief. “Johnny!”

Startled, Gerson turned. Instantly the girl darted beyond his reach. She ran across the small room and threw herself against Johnny. “Oh, Johnny, you came back!”

Johnny’s fists were clenched. “What have you done to her?”

Gerson shook his head. “Ain’t done nothin’.”

Tessie Barnett showed her fright. “He told me he was going to the law and tell them about you, unless I would stay here with him. He said he wanted me to be his girl.”

Johnny said grimly, “You go on outside, Tessie. Wait for me.”

Gently he pushed her aside. But she stayed where she was. “Johnny, he’s too big for you. Don’t fight him. Let’s just go.”

“We’ll go in a few minutes.” Fists tight, he started across the room toward Gerson.

He had been so angry he hadn’t thought about Gerson having a gun. But there it was, a rifle propped against a table. Gerson took one quick step and reached it. He brought it up before Johnny could move against him. A wicked smile split Gerson’s bearded face. “Just keep on a-comin’, cowboy. I’ll blow a hole in you as big as your hat!”

Johnny stopped, his mouth dry.

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