The Lawman by Lyle Brandt

Author:Lyle Brandt
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2010-09-02T00:00:00+00:00

Dusk overtook them, as Slade knew it would, well short of Blaze. They’d reached a hilly stretch of country, wooded here and there, as if a giant had passed through and plucked most of the trees, while leaving clumps and copses in a pattern that defied all logic. There was cover to be had, for both the Haglunds and their enemies.

Slade took a chance and rode ahead, seeking a campsite that would minimize their risk. He’d covered half a mile and felt his nerves drawn bowstring tight, and was set on turning back to join the others when he found a spot that suited him.

Four weeping willows formed a kind of semicircle, with the open side facing southeastward, in the general direction they were traveling. The big trees offered shelter from the elements and prying eyes. Better, a spring cut through the grassy clearing, which would let them keep the horses close and under guard.

He rode back to the wagon, everyone aboard it watching him as he drew near. Dannell, driving all day without relief, showed weariness around his eyes and in the grim set of his jaw.

“How does it look?” he asked, dry-mouthed.

“I found a place,” Slade said. “There’s cover, grass, and water.”

“Fair enough.”

Slade made another pass behind the wagon, watching out for shadows on their trail, then led Dannell to his selected campsite. He dismounted then and led his roan to drink, but kept a sharp eye on the landscape they’d vacated.

Still nothing.

Wandle found him, carrying her bundle and a rolled-up blanket while her mother and the rest were making camp. “It’s good that no one’s found us, isn’t it?” she asked.

“It’s good so far,” Slade granted.

“But you’re still worried.”

“I get paid to worry,” he replied.

“Because they might sneak up on us tonight?”

“It’s crossed my mind,” he said. No point in lying when she’d see right through it.

“You can stop them,” she said confidently. “You and Papa.”

“We’ll do our best,” Slade told her, putting on a smile he hoped would be encouraging.

“I know you wouldn’t let them hurt me. Hurt us.”

“Not if I can help it,” Slade assured her.

“Well, I’d better help the others.”

“Right,” he said and, looking past her smile, Slade saw a couple of the younger kids collecting wood.

He interrupted them, telling the group, “There’ll be no fire tonight.”

“No fire?”

“What about supper?”

“We’ll get cold!”

Slade overrode their voices. “We’ve been lucky that they haven’t found us yet,” he said. “They shouldn’t have a problem following the wagon tracks, but we don’t want to give them any extra help. No beacons in the dark to guide them, right?”

No one replied to that, so he pressed on. “As far as supper goes—and breakfast, too—you packed food that would keep, already cooked. It won’t be hot, but it’ll fill you up. As far as warmth goes, overnight you should be all right if you bundle up together.”

“What if they do find us?” Tennys asked.

“We’ll keep watch through the night. Between Dannell and I, we ought to have it covered.”

“I’ll help,” said Draycen.

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