Pinfire Lady Strikes Back by PJ Gallagher

Author:PJ Gallagher [Gallagher, PJ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B07PM96SQC
Goodreads: 47321111
Publisher: Robert Hale Fiction
Published: 2019-07-28T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

On their approach to Trinidad, Dave McHugh had noted a good spot for an extended camp with running water, good grazing for the animals and a certain amount of shade from the harsh glare of the noonday sun. Mounting up, they rode in that direction and within a short time had established the outline of a Ranger camp with a designated kitchen area, horse lines and even a demarcated area where Abbie and Minny could perform their toilette in seclusion.

Supper was cooked and eaten, and afterwards pipes were lit as the group lay contentedly smoking and leaning on their saddles. Abbie and Dave had a brief talk about the joint plans for the morrow and, their conversation at an end, Captain McHugh got up and strolled over towards the horse lines.

There came a sudden crack, and a long gout of flame lit up the dark undergrowth on the edge of the clearing. McHugh pitched forward on his face in front of the Appaloosa that he had just brought an evening treat as the sound of galloping hoofs advertised the fact that the would-be assassin was rapidly vanishing in the darkness.

Abbie, together with others, ran forward to where Dave was lying. ‘Somebody bring a light here!’ was the cry and a lantern was brought. Dave was on his face, both arms outstretched with his hands clutching at the coarse grass. The ball had hit the leather V of his suspenders and had been deflected in a deep furrow across his back and gone under the right shoulder blade. An inch lower and it would have smashed his back bone. As it was, he had sustained a life-threatening wound.

It was decided to get him to Padre Pedro as quickly as possible as apparently he was the only one with the skills to attend to such a wound. As the Rangers prepared a primitive stretcher on which to place their wounded captain, he opened his eyes and called for Sergeant Campbell, the one who had identified Abbie as the Pinfire Lady. ‘Sergeant Campbell!’ he called out weakly, and when the latter appeared he said, ‘Sergeant, in my absence I’m appointing Captain Penraven to command the unit. Have the men obey her as they would me.’ And he sank back unconscious on the litter.

Leaving Sergeant Campbell to organize the night camp, with strong advice that all keep out of the campfire light, Abbie accompanied the four men carrying the litter through the town to the priest’s house. The dwelling was in darkness and she knocked quietly on the door. After a short silence, Father Pedro opened the door and Abbie whispered her appeal that he tended to their wounded commander.

There was no hesitation. He beckoned to her to bring Captain McHugh in and quickly turned up the wick of an oil lamp standing on the table. The captain was placed on the same couch that had held Jed Oldberg and the little priest prepared to operate for a second time that day.

The five

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