The Floating Outfit 21 by J.T. Edson

Author:J.T. Edson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: winchester rifle, the old west, colt 45, piccadilly publishing, the wild west, dusty fog, j t edson, pulp fiction western ebook, the floating outfit western series, outlaws and gunmen
Publisher: Piccadilly

Nine – The Travelers

Dusty kept his horse off the hard surface of the trail as he rode towards the clearing and its hooves made little sound on the springy turf under foot. For all that, he expected at least one of the strangers to have heard his approach. Folks travelling in the west tended to be alert and quick to catch even slight sounds at night. More so when having recently heard shooting.

Even when he rounded the final turn and came into plain sight of the clearing, the travelers gave no sign of being aware of his presence. They sat around a small wooden table, apparently at the end of a meal. To Dusty it seemed that the trio held a cheerful and interesting conversation, their whole attitude giving that impression, but their lips never moved and he heard no words.

While not a man easily swayed by impressions, Dusty felt just a touch perturbed by the silence of the trio. Even as Dusty watched, the young man looked at the girl like he was requesting something and, although no word passed, she handed him the sugar bowl.

Remembering the necessary etiquette, despite his uneasiness, Dusty halted the paint on the edge of the clearing and announced his presence.

“Hello the camp. Can I come on in?”

Dusty felt surprised at the casual manner in which the travelers accepted his appearance. Most folks would have displayed some agitation at suddenly hearing a voice and seeing a rider looming from out of the darkness. Even dudes fresh out from the east—or perhaps them more than most, for the blood and thunder novels of the day gave a graphic, if not entirely accurate, picture of the dangers and perils of the range country—usually showed more concern. Any party which had been as long on the trail as the trio must have, should know caution by now.

Instead of showing concern, the trio rose to their feet and turned towards Dusty. While the men’s faces never lost their grave expression, they seemed amiable enough, and the girl smiled warmly at him.

“Come, please,” said the elder man.

With permission granted, and not before, Dusty swung from the paint’s saddle and walked forward. Although free, the stallion followed on his heels like a well trained hound-dog.

“Howdy, ma’am, gents,” he greeted.

“Good evening,” replied the elder man and the younger nodded.

“Mind if I share your fire for the night, sir?”

“Of course not. Vaza, lay out a meal for our guest.”

“Don’t go to any trouble, ma’am,” Dusty told the girl. “I’ve—”

“But it is no trouble,” smiled the girl. “Please come and sit at the table while I prepare something.”

The younger man flashed a glance at the girl, almost as if objecting to her suggestion and an embarrassed expression flickered across her expressive face. Yet the man displayed no hostility to Dusty and raised no objections to accepting the small Texan as a guest.

“Perhaps you would wish to care for your horse,” the elder man suggested. “Vaza can prepare your meal while you do so.”

“I

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