Ride the Free Wind by Rosanne Bittner

Author:Rosanne Bittner [Bittner, Rosanne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Diversion Books
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Twelve

Zeke’s wagon clattered over the hard clay earth, with Grimey’s close behind. Zeke squinted up into the torturous sun. The sky seemed to be all sun, and its glare hurt his tired eyes. Yet he felt compelled to stare at it for a moment, for he suddenly was overwhelmed by the sensation that this trip had been a mistake and that the spirits were trying to tell him so. He could almost hear a voice telling him to beware. He tried to shake the idea from his head as his eyes turned to the red rock canyon ahead, but the sensation would not leave him. He kept thinking of Jonathan Mack’s perfumed smell and small hands, and his own uneasiness over the suspicion that Mack was not being completely honest irritated him.

But perhaps only the tedious, hot journey and his longing for Abbie had brought on this depression and this uneasy suspicion. Once he’d reached Santa Fe and was on his way back to Abbie, he would feel he’d been foolish to worry.

At least they had reached Devil’s Pits, the point at which they were to veer north into Santa Fe. But Devil’s Pits was a dangerous place, a rocky crevice between two great cliffs of sheer redrock—a spot avoided by Indians and traders alike because of the numerous deep holes that potted the area, holes that led to caverns below that were known to be abundant with rattle snakes. Its name was fitting, for it was a demon-infested place where only a devil would want to live.

Zeke motioned Grimey to keep moving. They would get themselves out of the canyon and away from the danger of snakes before making camp. There was only one narrow exit, and Zeke knew that the mouth of the canyon would be an excellent place for an enemy to lie in wait for unsuspecting prey; however, in this Godforsaken place probably the only enemy to be feared were the snakes. Indians and Mexicans stayed away from the canyon because of the rattlers. Zeke used it now only for safety, at Mack’s request. Traveling through the canyon was insurance that no one would be near to attack the wagons. In that respect, Zeke had to admit Jonathan Mack had thought well. There remained only one more day’s fast run to Santa Fe. Then, finally, he could get his money and get back to Abbie!

He urged the stubborn mules up the rocky canyon floor. The animals were fidgety, for although snakes could not be seen, the mules sensed their presence. The canyon walls became less steep, and a wide opening gaped ahead. Zeke headed for it, anxious to get out of the canyon. Grimey was quickly bringing up the rear. But just as the wagons peaked the canyon exit, ten horsemen emerged quickly from the surrounding boulders, too quickly for Zeke to react, for he had not expected anyone to be in such a desolate place, let alone ten Mexican outlaws with rifles, all pointed at him.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.