The Homesteaders (The Making of America, Book 15) by User

Author:User
Language: eng
Format: epub

But, as he rose, he saw there was no need to saddle up. The God-damned fools were riding back. Four of 'em, leastways. He recognized the initialed chaps and flat hat of the one who mattered. He started walking, growling low in his throat, to meet them.

Kilty and his riders saw him. Kilty said, "You boys round up them cows and get 'em back to the main herd."

"Man's coming with a rifle, boss."

"I noticed. Do as I say."

Joe was in a murderous rage, too angry for his own good. Kilty Dundee had ten years on him and he'd won more than one fight in his time by fighting as cold-nerved as he herded cows. He drew his own Henry .44 from the rifle scabbard on his saddle and dismounted methodically to stand his ground as the men cut cows behind him. As Joe approached Kilty levered a round in the chamber and said, "That's close enough, pilgrim. I'll pay you for the damage we done your crop, but let's keep this friendly."

Joe raised the Winchester and fired.

It was the last thing he remembered doing for a while.

He awoke with a hollow roaring in his head and an awful pain in his side to see Jessie's red head above him, outlined against the blue sky. His voice sounded tinny to him as he said, "Howdy. How's Ma?"

Jessie said, "Dead. I was afeared they'd killed you, too, you poor fool! Does it hurt bad, Joe?"

"Yep. Did I get that son-of-a-bitch in the flat hat?"

"No, he gunned you down like a dog and just rode off with the others."

Joe struggled to rise and Jessie held him down, saying, "They're long gone, Joe, you've been out for almost an hour. You're gunshot in the ribs and you've bled all over creation. If you'll just lay still I'll get the buckboard and we'll get you to the house."

"Don't aim to go to no fool house. Got to ride into town and kill me some cowboys."

Jessie started to cry. He tried to sit up again, gasped in pain and surprise, and said, "Mebbe I'd better restudy on that. That bastard shot me pretty good, didn't he?"

"Joe, you was swatted like a fly, no offense. I don't know why they didn't finish you off, but they didn't, and I want you to promise me you'll stay away from them from now on."

"Are you crazy, girl? You saw them kill our Ma!"

"Joe, I don't know who shot Ma. You was all shooting wild as anything! It might have been an accident. It don't matter if it was or not. I saw you just now from a distance, Joe. That man you

picked a fight with wasn't just good. He was impossible perfect! He nailed you with his first shot, swinging his rifle gun up like it was a pistol and firing from the hip."

"He's likely had more practice. I should have gotten closer afore I opened up."

"Honey, it wouldn't have done you a speck of good. I keep telling

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