Salomon 3 by David Xavier

Author:David Xavier
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Bucklebury Books
Published: 2015-06-18T04:00:00+00:00

The Mexican Army escort stood mounted outside the jail with rifles trained. Their horses stepped in place on the dusty road, their saddle leather creaking and buckles clicking. Salomon stood among the ranks, the Comanche pony beneath him once again. The crowd had followed but they remained quiet now but for murmurs. There was one horse without a rider.

The voice from the jail carried crisp across the street. Andrés Pico sounded as a bell tower toll. A chair was thrown from inside and the legs caught in the wrought iron. A desk was overturned. The soldiers exchanged glances in the street and grinned. Inside the discussion quieted and the door opened. The crowd outside began to move forward but the Army rifles were raised once more.

Andrés Pico walked to the platform edge, a leather holster slung over his shoulder, two pistolas strapped in place. The sheriff hurried close behind, speaking quickly, pleading his case. Andrés called a name and one of the soldiers came forward with a bank satchel outheld.

“I have already alerted American officials,” Andrés addressed the crowd. He raised the satchel. “I am buying this man’s freedom from the San Francisco authorities for the full reward of fifteen-thousand dollars.”

“With all due respect, Don Andrés,” the sheriff said, “I cannot allow this.”

Andrés turned to the soldier and snapped. The soldier held forth a second satchel. Andrés grabbed it and held it high.

“For twenty-thousand dollars.” He turned to the sheriff. “This is not a negotiation. I am buying this man’s charges from you. He will commit no more. He will disappear and you will not hear of him again, I will see to it.”

Andrés stepped into the street and tossed Salomon the gunbelt and mounted among the soldiers. The sheriff stepped forward in protest and put a hand to his gun. The soldiers swung their rifles and the sheriff backed away with his hands in clear sight. The mob advanced and Andrés stepped his horse at them and spoke.

“Any man follows us will be in clear violation of the treaty between governments. I will consider any followers a threat and will order him shot on sight. Let this be the end of this.”

He reined his horse around and kicked into a run. The patrol followed in a pounding a hoofs that clattered between the building fronts, leaving nothing but shouts and dust behind.

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