The Ghost Riders by Griffin James J

Author:Griffin, James J. [Griffin, James J.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Rough Edges Press
Published: 2015-03-25T04:00:00+00:00

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“We’re all ready, Charlie,” Cummings said, when Charlie and Ty reached the Circle M camp. “Got fifty of the most ornery, rankest, spookiest, high-tailed longhorns out of the herd for you. They’ll run like the Devil hisself was on their heels.”

“Good. George, this is my pard, Ty Tremblay. Ty, George Cummings, the Circle M’s trail boss, Shep Purdy and Floyd Mavis.”

Ty and the Circle M hands traded nods.

“Sun’s sinkin’ fast, so we’d best get this fandango on the road,” Purvis said.

“You’re right,” Charlie agreed. “You boys ready?”

“We are,” Cummings answered.

“Gimme just one minute,” Ty said. “I’ve gotta untie my horse. Wouldn’t do to have Bandit bein’ dragged along behind the wagon, in the middle of a stampede. He’d fall and get trampled for certain. I’ll leave him here, and pick him up later.”

“Okay,” Charlie said. Bandit was untied, and left in the care of a Circle M hand.

“We’re all set. Just remember, George, this is me’n Ty’s play. Once you boys get the cows runnin’, fall back.”

Cummings shook his head.

“There ain’t a chance of that, Charlie. We’re in this, all the way. You think we’re gonna let you Rangers have all the fun? Not hardly. We’ll be crossin’ the Brazos with you.”

“You certain?”

“Absolutely.”

“Then let’s move out.”

Cummings, Mavis, and Purdy pushed the longhorns toward the bridge, keeping them at a walk. Charlie and Ty were just behind. They would push the wagon into the herd just before reaching the bridge, then gunshots over their heads from the Circle M men would send the cattle into maddened, headlong flight.

“What… what are you intendin’ to do, Ranger?” Joshua stammered, as the Circle M hands began to press the longhorns into a quicker pace.

“Even someone dumb as spit like you should be able to figure that out, Haskell,” Ty answered. “We’re gonna use these cows to get across the bridge.”

“You mean you’re gonna try and follow ’em?”

“Nope. We’re about to put this wagon right in the middle of the herd.”

Joshua blanched. Sweat broke out on his brow. He began to pull wildly at the chains shackling him.

“You can’t mean that!” Isaac screamed. “We’ll all be killed.”

“Do I look like I’m joshin’?” Ty asked. He slapped the reins on the team’s rumps and clucked to them, matching their pace to the now trotting cattle.

“Ranger, you… you ain’t gonna do… you’re… you’re plumb loco,” Isaac shouted. He grabbed the shackles holding his ankles and yanked on it, as hard as he could.

“Never been accused of bein’ sane,” Ty retorted. “Besides, it’s us crazies who have all the fun.”

The towers of the bridge had just come into view. Mavis and Purdy rode into the center of the herd, clearing a space for the wagon. Ty slapped the reins again, sending the horses leaping ahead. Once they were amongst the cattle, the herd closed back around them. The Circle M hands pulled out their pistols and began firing them into the air, giving Rebel yells. The startled cattle, already on edge from being pushed so hard, broke into a dead run.

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