The Old Ranger by Donald L. Robertson

Author:Donald L. Robertson [Robertson, Donald L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub

Chapter 2

Josh woke to the turkeys' yelping as they greeted the West Texas morning. He came awake quickly, scanned the area in the dim early morning light, picked up his rifle, and stood. As soon as he moved, Scott Penny woke and looked around.

"I could sure use a cup of ranch house coffee right now, as bad as it is," Scott said.

Josh went to his horse, saddled him, and slid the Winchester into its scabbard. As quietly as possible, he walked Chancy down to the creek for water. While the gray drank, he filled the water bag and his canteen, then went back up to the camp. Bull was awake, sitting where he had fallen.

Blood had clotted on Bull's left cheek just below the hairline. His left eye was black and swollen almost completely closed.

Scott Penny was saddling his horse and chewing slowly on a piece of venison jerky. He turned to Josh with a wink, "Bull here's not feelin' too shiny."

Bull turned his head so that he could fix Logan with his right eye. "You're gonna pay for this one," he said, rubbing his right fist in his left hand. His shoulder muscles bulged under his dirty shirt.

"Anytime you're ready, Bull," Josh said. He waited for a moment, then deliberately turned his back on Bull. "Scott, how far a ride is it to the Rocking N ranch house?"

"Bout a half-day's ride south by west will put you on their doorstep."

"Then I'll be leaving you boys. Watch out for the Comanches, I've a feelin' they're not too far away."

Josh heard the rush of feet in the pecan leaves behind him. He spun to his left, filling his hand with the Colt. Bull was caught in mid-stride.

Josh could see the bloodlust in Bull's eyes. The man wanted to hurt him. He'd seen brawlers like Bull; they waited until a man's back was turned, then attacked. Josh waited for the man to make a decision. Bull didn't appear to be a fast thinker. He was probably weighing his chances. He didn't want to, but if Bull kept coming, he'd kill him; but the man had frozen as still as a block of ice.

He looked calmly at Bull over the muzzle of the Colt. "You have an almighty urge to die, Mister. But this isn't the time nor the place. I'll tell you this much; you ever try to jump me like that again, and I'll hole you where you stand. Now drop your gun, real easy, and go hunker down by that tree."

Bull dropped his gun, turned around, moved over to the pecan tree, and sat down. Josh watched the man. He'd been humiliated twice. Josh realized Scott was a talker. He'd have the whole story about Bull spread across the prairie in no time. Bull would become a laughing stock. Well, he'd brought it on himself.

Josh raised a hand to Scott, eased down into the creek bed, and mounted the horse. He could feel the big gray's muscles quiver as he settled into the saddle.

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