Showdown at Squaw Pass by Robert B McNeill

Author:Robert B McNeill [McNeill, Robert B.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Robert Hale
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

‘Drop that iron, mister, else I’ll blast a hole in your back.’ While Jed had been preoccupied with Oates, Giffney had taken a Remington from a pack next to him. He now had it pointed at the young man’s back.

‘We may be old-timers, but we didn’t get to be old by bein’ stupid,’ Giffney continued. ‘You gonna do as I say, or do I pull this trigger?’

Jed scowled and dropped the gun.

Giffney then looked towards Stu, who was frozen in surprise. ‘Now, you, mister – unbuckle your gunbelt and let it drop to the ground.’

Stu complied immediately. Oates then picked up his gunbelt and Jed’s pistol. ‘Keep ’em covered, Miles,’ he said. ‘I’ll get some rope.’

Two minutes later Jed and Stu sat on the ground together bound back-to-back, with their legs tied at the ankles.

Oates said, ‘There, that should keep you from strayin’.’ He turned to Alice. ‘I’d a feelin’ somethin’ didn’t sit right with that pair. Do you want to tell me what’s goin’ on, Miss?’

Alice pointed to Jed. ‘That man’s Jed Transome. He’s wanted for the killing of a drover in Cutter’s Crossing. He abducted me from the schoolhouse and forced me to ride with him. The other man’s Stu Naylor, the marshal’s son. I’m not sure if he’s involved in the killing or not. I think Jed may have some sort of hold over him.’ She paused. ‘I’m so grateful to you for rescuing me. Thank you.’

‘Ain’t nothin’, Miss. Why didn’t you say somethin’ sooner?’

‘I was afraid Jed would try to kill you and your partner.’

‘Well, that could’ve happened, I suppose. Miles’n’ I are a mite long in the tooth these days. But that don’t stop us allowin’ for folks with evil intent. Either of us always keeps a pistol handy – ain’t the first time we’ve been drygulched.’ Oates scratched his head. ‘Now we gotta figure some way of handin’ these two over to the law.’

‘I think there may be a posse trailing us,’ said Alice. ‘I heard gunfire before we left camp this morning. About thirty miles further back.’

Oates said, ‘Gunfire, Miss? I don’t think it likely a posse would shoot, not if they wanted to take these two by surprise.’

‘We’ll soon find out,’ said Giffney, ‘two riders approachin’ fast.’

Ross and Bowman saw Alice with the two men and Jed and Stu sitting trussed on the ground. They reined in their horses and dismounted. Oates and Giffney stood next to Alice with their guns at the ready, regarding the riders warily.

Alice said, ‘It’s all right, it’s the deputy marshal.’

Ross walked over and said, ‘You OK, Miss Carnaby?’

‘Yes, thank you. We stopped here an hour ago when these two gentlemen offered us their hospitality. We were on the point of leaving when Mr Oates here realized something was wrong. Jed pulled a gun on him.’ Alice pointed to Giffney. ‘Mr Giffney made him change his mind.’

Giffney extended his hand, then nodded towards Jed and Stu. ‘Name’s Miles, my partner here’s Ches. You’ll be takin’ these men into custody, marshal?’

Ross shook the men’s hands and introduced himself and Bowman.

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