The Road Agent by Clyde Barker

Author:Clyde Barker [Barker, Clyde]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Robert Hale
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

The killing of the sheriff of Terra Nova would need to be timed just right, thought Frank Mason, as he and the others waited for the Flyer. Some enterprising soul had set up a little canteen at the way halt where they were fixing to catch the train, which meant that at least they now had some coffee and vittles in their bellies.

The landscape hereabouts was windswept and bleak. As far as the eye could see, there was nothing but grass and a few spindly trees. How folk were able to live in such a Godforsaken spot was a mystery to Mason; he was city bred and liked to have plenty of stores, gambling houses and saloons around him. Open spaces made him uneasy. He reached for his watch and then stopped; recalling that he no longer had one. That too was a score to settle with that young thief. Murdering the boy who had stolen his watch might well be a matter of strict policy and necessary in order to protect from discovery the Great Enterprise, but it would also be a matter of personal satisfaction to Frank Mason.

Since only he and his companions were waiting for the arrival of the railroad train and they were standing some distance off from the canteen, Mason felt that they could discuss their projected actions without fear. He said, ‘You’re sure that young hot-blood will be able to take care of Taylor and get him safe to town?’

One of the other men laughed and said, ‘I’d trust Johnny West with my life, but he surely has a hard row to hoe this time and no mistake! That Taylor is a sodden wretch, but he knows his stuff. If Johnny can keep him sober enough for a day or two, it’ll all be fine.’

‘But you think that West is the boy to make sure that the man gets there on time,’ persisted Mason, ‘For if he don’t, I tell you now that the whole thing will miscarry.’

‘You’re a worrier, Mason,’ said another of the men, ‘Allus were. You’re a damned good soldier, but you worry too much. If Johnny West said that he’d bring Jed Taylor to Terra Nova, then that’s what he’ll do.’

‘I surely wish we could o’ got somebody other than an inveterate barfly to act for us in this matter,’ opined Mason gloomily, ‘The timing is key to everything and drunks are apt to be late or not show at all. Leastways, that’s been my own experience.’

‘We had to take what we could get,’ said one of the others, who had not yet spoken. ‘We was lucky to find Taylor, after he was discharged by the ‘C’ and ‘O’ road. The old Chesapeake and Ohio line, you know? What was your idea on the subject, Mason? Advertise in the local newspaper, maybe? How about, “Smart fellow wanted to help destroy the Union; must be dab-hand with preparing explosives”.’

‘You’re funny and I don’t think,’ growled Mason, ‘I only hope we won’t repent of using a soak like Taylor, that’s all I say.

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