The Long-Knives 5 by Patrick E. Andrews

Author:Patrick E. Andrews
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: west point, gunfighters, the old west, apache indians, piccadilly publishing, best western ebook, patrick e andrews, united states cavalry, apache mesa, the long knives ebook series
Publisher: Piccadilly Publishing

Twelve

Garrity looked back at Wildon and pointed to the ground. “Here’s the trail we lost, sir. It’s popped up again in this softer ground.”

Wildon glanced downward, recognizing the marks they had spend so much time trailing but had lost when the terrain turned rockier. They led straight to a path that ascended into the boulders above. The military side of his mind spoke out.

“I would imagine that track is well guarded,” he said. “It certainly would be if I were charged with its defense.”

“Yes, sir,” Garrity said. “The bandits will have a series of guard posts all the way up there to the entrance of their camp. It’s something they picked up from Injuns. The only difference is that picket duty is voluntary in the tribes. I’d be willing to bet the bandit leader makes sure this place is secured proper.” He indicated another area that offered a way to the top. This was trackless country, strewn with boulders. “It’ll take longer, but it’s a guarantee we’ll at least make it.”

“Isn’t there a chance of patrols?” Wildon asked. Garrity nodded. “There sure is, sir, and we’d better be ready for them.” He loosened the pistol in his holster. “Ready to go?”

Wildon followed his example, but also pulled his Winchester up a couple of inches. “I’ll be using this if we have an unexpected meeting.”

“Good idea, sir,” Garrity said. “But it’ll take both hands on the reins to handle these animals. That’s pretty steep terrain there.” He urged his horse forward and, with Wildon close behind, began the slow ascent.

The mountain side offered more problems other than its steep angle. Large boulders, some piled on top of others, were packed close together. On several occasions, the two riders were forced to back down or turn around when what promised to be a good avenue to the top turned out to be a dead end.

The horses, good military mounts, did as well as possible as their hooves clattered over the rocky ground. They snorted and strained, doing the duty required of them. Finally Wildon and Garrity, both dedicated horsemen and cavalry soldiers, put the condition of their animals ahead of everything else.

“If we don’t give ’em a breather, they’ll bust their hearts,” Garrity said.

Wildon leaned forward a bit and patted his horse on the neck. “These fine fellows deserve some consideration.”

They dismounted and led the steeds by the reins, taking away most of the physical strain for the noble beasts.

Several times, Garrity left his horse with Wildon and went ahead on foot to check out a potential pathway. If it was a good one, he came back and got his horse to continue the climb. If not, he tried other approaches until he found one that would take them higher toward the objective.

Three hours of the strenuous work was exhausting. Soaked in sweat and breathing hard from the exertion, Wildon and Garrity had to rest. But it would have been foolhardy to relax in the open. After a half-hour of searching, they found some cover back in a small tree-filled ravine.

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