Red Diamond Rustlers by Will DuRey

Author:Will DuRey [DuRey, Will]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Robert Hale
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

Mustang’s delayed return to Winter Gulch had been caused by the needs of Meg Rouse and Alice. The rear wheel of the medicine show wagon had collapsed again shortly after crossing the river and the damage was beyond fixing with the knowledge and equipment at Mustang’s disposal. So he’d left the womenfolk to camp overnight in the incapacitated vehicle while he continued the journey to Braceville to organise their rescue. That achieved, next day he’d made a beeline for Winter Gulch. Unable to find Frank, his enquiries had eventually led him to the conclusion that he’d gone to Tomahawk Wells. Unsure of his next move he’d hung around Winter Gulch for another day but, bored with inactivity, had set off in pursuit. The sound of gunshots had hurried him to this part of the trail.

After listening to Frank’s story, Mustang pointed at the nearby bodies. ‘What do we do with those two?’

‘That one,’ said Frank, indicating the man in the blue shirt who had been blasted out of his saddle, ‘we’ll hide among those bushes. I don’t suppose his body will ever be found.’

When they’d moved it, Frank unsaddled the man’s horse and chased it away. It didn’t go far, seeking shelter from the rain among the nearby trees.

‘What about the other one?’ Mustang wanted to know.

Frank had noticed the rowel brand on that man’s horse and had begun to wonder about the involvement of the Spur in the rustling of stock from across the river. ‘Let’s load him onto his horse,’ he said. ‘I’ll take him to the Spur ranch. It’ll give me the opportunity to look the place over.’

‘What about me?’

‘Get back to the Red Diamond without delay. I’ll join you there as soon as possible but my uncle must be told that Carter Ford means to strike again soon. Perhaps he’s already across the river and hiding out in the hills. My uncle and Willard Draysmith need to be making plans to prevent the loss of more stock.’

‘We’ve got an advantage this time,’ Mustang told him. ‘All of this rain has swollen the river. With a herd of cattle they won’t have any choice but to cross at the island. It’ll be impossible anywhere else.’

Those were Mustang’s parting words. In an instant, his pony had scrambled up the slippery bank and was gone from Frank’s sight. Ensuring that the body he was transporting was securely tied to the horse, Frank soon followed but at a more sedate pace.

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