Shootout of the Mountain Man by William W. Johnstone

Author:William W. Johnstone
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9780786025893
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp.
Published: 2010-09-13T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

With the departure of Dawes, the excitement was over, and everyone in the saloon started talking at the same time, trying to fix in their minds the memory of what they had just seen. The result was a cacophony of excited shouts and conversation.

Smoke walked over to Dawes’s pistol, which still lay where it had wound up after being pushed across the floor by Smoke’s second shot. Picking it up, he saw that, because of the strike of his bullet, it would need a new handle grip. He gave it to the barkeep. After that, he returned to the table, which had already been righted again, thanks to the efforts of Doc Baker and Nate Nabors.

“Looks like we are going to need new drinks,” Doc Baker said.

“Yeah, it looks like it,” Nabors said. “Get us another round, would you, Minnie?” Nabors asked. “And tell Paul they are on me.”

Minnie nodded, then started toward the bar to carry out the order.

For the moment, Smoke said nothing. He continued to look toward the batwing doors, just to make certain that Dawes didn’t suddenly burst back in with a second gun.

“Don’t worry about Dawes comin’ back,” Nabors said, noticing the attention Smoke was giving the door. “I’ve known him a long time and, believe me, he’s too much of a coward to ever try anything against you again.”

Minnie returned with new beers for Smoke, Doc Baker, and Nabors. “Now, where were we before all the excitement began?” she asked.

“Mr. West had just told us that he was Bobby Lee’s brother-in-law,” Nabors said.

“And you said she died?” Minnie asked.

“Yes,” Smoke replied. “Actually, she was killed, along with my son.”

“Oh. I’m so sorry,” Minnie said, reaching out to put her hand on his.

“Did the law ever catch the person who did it?” Doc Baker asked.

“It wasn’t a person, it was three persons. And the law didn’t catch them. I did.”

“You caught them? You mean, by yourself?” Minnie asked.

“Yes.”

“With the shooting exhibition you put on here today, I would almost imagine that the odds were on your side, despite the fact that were three of them. I have never seen shooting like that,” Doc Baker said. “How come I’ve never heard of you, Mr. West?”

Smoke took a swallow of his beer, then wiped the back of his hand across his mouth before he spoke again.

“Well, maybe it’s because my name isn’t Buck West.”

“What? I don’t understand, if you aren’t Buck West, how did you get the telegram?” Minnie asked.

“It is a name that I used once in my past. I believe Bobby Lee used it as sort of a code when he sent the telegram. He knew that I would respond to that name and I suppose he also knew that if he used it, I would realize that the telegram was authentic.”

“What is your real name?” Doc Baker asked.

“Jensen. Kirby Jensen, but most folks call me Smoke.”

Nate Nabors had just started to take a drink when he heard Smoke give his real name, and he jerked the mug back down so quickly that he spilled some of his beer.

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