Ranger Daring by Bradford Scott

Author:Bradford Scott [Scott, Bradford]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B000B79A44
Publisher: Pyramid Books
Published: 1971-12-15T05:00:00+00:00

TWELVE

The Diehard and similar places were unusually quiet the following afternoon. The carters were still busy getting over the results of their grand bust the night before.

“But they’ll liven up after a bit,” the sheriff said as he and Slade sat in the office discussing matters. “Not like last night, though, knowing they have to roll the empties to Sanderson tomorrow.”

The blanket-wrapped bodies of the slain outlaws had been loaded into a cart for dispatch to Sanderson and the office floor was bare, the sheriff regarding it with disapproval.

“Won’t be for long,” he predicted hopefully.

“With Dane Bard running loose, I fear you are right,” Slade replied. “Can depend on him kicking up a ruckus. A very obliging gentleman.”

“Who hasn’t had too much luck with his ruckuses of late,” Crane pointed out. “Figure to ride with the train tomorrow?”

“I rather think I will,” Slade answered. “That is if nothing happens to cause me to change my plans. As I’ve said before, it seems that all I do of late is ride herd on cart trains. But it also seems that most of the off-color happenings of late have, in one way or another, centered around the trains. And I have a feeling that the next excitement will take place in Sanderson.”

“Another hunch, eh?” chuckled the sheriff. “Well, I sure go for those hunches. More power to ’em! I see action.”

“But don’t forget.” Slade added smilingly, “that sometimes one hunch overrides another, and we might see action right here in Echo ”

“You get me all mixed up!” lamented the sheriff. Slade laughed.

“And I think we’d both be better off for something to eat,” he said.

“And a couple of snorts,” said Crane. “And if Mary is around, I’ll bet a hatful she’s hungry.”

“She and Lerner will be there after a while, hoping for a peaceful night,” Slade replied. “If my hunch about Sanderson continues to stand up, perhaps they won’t be disappointed.”

The sheriff stood up. “Let’s go,” he said. “Arbaugh will be here soon to take over the office.”

He locked the door and they walked through the crowded streets to the Diehard.

Despite the early hour, the Diehard was already doing plenty of business. And the carters were perking up. They raised a cheer at Slade’s entrance.

“Mary and Lerner will be here after a bit,” Saxon told them. They sat down at their table to wait.

Saxon and the sheriff fortified themselves with snorts, Slade indulged in coffee.

Mary arrived first. “Uncle Westbrook is still working in his office,” she said.

“I’m fine,” she replied to Slade’s query. “I’ll be getting hungry soon, though. If you don’t mind, we’ll wait for Uncle Westbrook. He’d like to have dinner with us.”

“Sure we’ll wait,” Slade agreed. “Be glad to have him. He’s good company. By the way, has anybody seen Estevan?” There was a general shaking of heads.

“Out scouting around, the chances are, trying to tie onto something that will please Capitan,” the sheriff said.

'That Estevan!” sighed Mary, “He’s wonderful, but he can root out more trouble!”

“Comes in handy every now and then, though,” Crane added.

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