Zero Smith by Keith Imus

Author:Keith Imus
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Keico Publishing Co

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

When the men were assembled, Smith addressed them.

“I’m going away for a while. Todd here will be in charge while I’m gone. The bank will notify him when the cattle will be coming in. When you go to the cattle pens to receive our new critters, you go armed and with all hands, but quiet like. Don’t start any trouble. Now get this. Nobody goes anywhere alone. I don’t want any of you to get mixed up in a shooting. When you go to town for supplies, go in groups of six or more, then get back here as quickly as you can. If there is any gun work to be done, I’ll come back and handle it.”

“You will receive your pay here at the ranch on the first of every month. I’ll feel a lot better knowing you are all safely hunkered down here. If some of you get randy, just try to keep the lid on it for a few days and we’ll see if this blows over.

“Remember, when you men go to town or to the rail yards to pick up the cattle, it’s imperative that you go armed and in groups, six or seven men at a time, more if you like. Now get this, Nobody goes to town alone, or even in pairs.”

“Naturally I can’t order you to stay here but I’d like it best if you all would just hang out until I come back. Todd, you better hire some more men. Get mature people if you can. It’s quite possible that this whole thing will blow over in a few days, or more likely, in a couple of weeks. However long I’m gone, you’ll get your pay. That’s it for now. Be careful and good luck.”

Smith turned to Todd and asked him to join him in his office.

The two men sat drinking whiskey, feeling the burn of its fire on the way down.

Smith began,

“Todd there’s more to this than meets the eye. The man in the black leather vest who I shot today is king-size trouble. I think he comes from a hill family that’s been feuding for generations. Their name is Walters.”

“Leather Vest is a sometime assassin. The whole clan is long on guns and short on brains. They’re really only trouble because there are a lot of them, not because they’re any good. There are two cousins who can be bad actors, but the last I heard of them they were back in Tennessee.”

“At any rate, I want you to stock up on ammo and food and fortify this place. Sandbag around the bunkhouse, at least belt high; the same for the main house. Keep the best ten horses in the corral at all times, and rotate them so they keep fit.”

“Post guards and patrol the stream so that no one dams up our water supply. You better fill a few water barrels just in case. If you have to, you can always use the old well. Even though it doesn’t taste very good, the water is all right.

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