El Paso by Matt Braun

Author:Matt Braun
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: St. Martin's Publishing Group
Published: 2011-08-08T00:00:00+00:00

4.

STOUDENMIRE AND Gillette returned to the plaza only to find themselves confronted with an even graver situation. Townspeople were scurrying about the stores and buildings fronting the square, preparing to defend El Paso. Everyone fully expected the vaqueros to begin shooting at any moment, and not a man among them doubted that the Mexicans in Paso del Norte would come running after hearing. gunfire. Barricades of trade goods and furniture were being erected on the boardwalk outside a number of stores, and already the plaza seemed encircled by an ominous ring of gun barrels.

The marshal took only a moment to gauge the situation, then turned to his deputy. “Jim, hotfoot it around the plaza and tell those nitwits to get inside and stay there. The man that fires the first shot will answer to me personally. You tell ’em he won’t like the way I ask questions, either.”

Gillette moved off at a brisk trot, and Stoudenmire headed across the square toward McCormak and his Rangers. But before he had gone ten paces, he heard his name called and turned to find the town leaders bearing down on him like a phalanx of scalded owls. Mayor Porter headed the delegation and close on his heels was the full city council, including Seth Hart and Doc Cummings.

“Marshal Stoudenmire, this madness has gone far enough!” Porter’s tone was one of outraged indignation. “You’re the one that brought these Mexicans into our town, and I demand that you resolve this dreadful affair immediately. I warn you, sir, we won’t stand by and watch our people slaughtered like so many sheep.”

Stoudenmire advanced on the jowly politician with a swiftness that rocked him back on his heels. “Porter you’re nothing but a conniving old blowhard, and I’ve had about all of you I’m gonna take. Lip off to me once more, and I’ll break your back. That’s a promise.”

Porter swallowed hard, wilting under the lawman’s brutal glare. When Stoudenmire saw that the mayor had run out of juice, he wheeled around and started off. But Seth Hart’s gruff rumble again brought him up short.

“Marshal, that won’t cut it. We’re the elected leaders of this town, and we have a right to know what you’re planning. After all, we’re not talking about jailing a bunch of rowdy drunks. Man, this whole town could be put to the torch!”

Stoudenmire spun on him, freezing the miller in his tracks with a flinty look. “Mister, you’ve sorta forgot who’s callin’ the shots around here. When I took the job, we had the understanding you’d stay off my back. The only conditions were that I run Banning out of town and get the Mexicans cooled off. Maybe it’s not as neat and pretty as you’d like it, but that’s what I’m doing. Now if you’ll just button up your pants and quit dribblin’ nonsense, I’ll get on about my business.”

Doc Cummings stepped forward, grasping the lawman’s arm as he turned to leave. “Dallas, don’t go off half-cocked like that. These men are only trying to help.

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