Shadow of Legends by Stephen A. Bly

Author:Stephen A. Bly
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: B&H Publishing Group
Published: 2000-11-11T05:00:00+00:00

“It was all a wild goose chase,” Seth Bullock reported the next morning as he stood by the stove at the back of Fortune’s Hardware. “When I got to Terraville, nobody knew of anyone being shot. Said they thought there was a ruckus over at Cheyenne Crossing. But, when I got there, they reported the only excitement around there was a lot of commotion down at China Camp in Spearfish Canyon.”

“Did you ride on down there?” Todd asked.

“Yeah . . . and the strange thing is, they all left.”

“The Chinese?”

“Not a one of them left at China Camp. Packed up and gone.”

“Daddy always said there wasn’t much gold over there,” Todd said.

“I rode half the night, then camped on the other side of Anchor. Half the time a sheriff’s job is investigatin’ things that don’t happen.” Bullock finished his coffee and set the tin cup next to the row of others on the back shelf. “My word, it’s a pitiful sight.”

“What’s that?”

“Everyone’s coffee cup lined up there and not one man sittin’ around the stove,” the sheriff sighed.

“It does seem pleasantly peaceful, doesn’t it?”

“Peaceful? It’s downright boring,” the sheriff complained. “Think I’ll wander down into the badlands and see if anyone knows something about those old boys who busted your window.”

“Quiet Jim thinks it might be those two stagecoach outlaws who escaped,” Todd offered.

“I reckon it could be. But no one’s seen them in town. Still, they didn’t seem smart enough to stay out of sight very long.”

“I don’t hardly remember what they looked like. I didn’t pay them much mind.”

The sheriff brushed back his long, curling gray mustache. “The blond one was bigger and taller, but it was the shorter, dark-haired one that did all the cussin’ and threatenin’. They had the drop. I can’t figure why they didn’t put a bullet in you. Nothin’ personal, but maybe they were lookin’ for Brazos, since he’s the one that shot their pard.”

“That’s not really too reassuring.”

“Well, I hope your daddy and Yapper Jim stay away for a few more days. Might give me a chance to find where they’re hidin’ out.” Sheriff Seth Bullock moseyed toward the front door. “Until we find ’em, I’d pack a gun if I were you.”

Todd pulled open his suit coat to reveal a belt holster and a short-barreled .45 Schofield Smith and Wesson.

“That should do it. Let me know if you spot anything suspicious. I don’t figure they’ll show themselves in daylight. But I reckon you, me, and Quiet Jim ought to watch ourselves at night. We were all a part of bringin’ ’em in.”

“This evening’s the Raspberry Festival at the church,” Todd reminded him. “I don’t think even that bunch would take potshots at a church meeting.”

“I reckon we’ll find out.” Bullock pushed his hat back and meandered out into the street.

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