When the Shooting Starts by William W. Johnstone

Author:William W. Johnstone
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pinnacle Books
Published: 2022-03-30T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

Talbot looked surprised by Smoke’s answer, and so did Pearlie, who had followed along while the two men searched among the fallen warriors for Black Drum.

“I didn’t expect you to say that, Jensen,” Talbot replied. “After the Indians attacked your ranch, I thought you’d be eager to pursue them.”

“A part of me is, Colonel,” Smoke admitted. “I don’t like what Black Drum has done. He needs to be stopped and brought to justice. But I’ve fought that bunch once already today, and put my wife in danger doing it. I’m not going to ride off and leave her here again.”

He was glad Sally had gone inside. If she had heard him say that, more than likely she would have lit into him like a house afire, insisting that he wasn’t going to use her as an excuse for not doing the right thing.

“Very well,” Talbot said stiffly. “I suppose if you’ve made up your mind—”

“I have.”

Pearlie spoke up, suggesting, “Why don’t I go with the colonel and his men, Smoke? I know my way around these parts pretty darned well, too.”

Smoke knew that was the truth. Pearlie hadn’t been in the valley as long as he and Sally had, but there was no chance he would get lost, either. And he could warn Talbot if the troopers were approaching a good spot for Black Drum’s renegades to lay an ambush.

“If you’re sure you want to do that, it’s fine with me,” Smoke said.

Bob Dutton had walked up in time to hear the conversation. He said, “I’m comin’ along, too. I’ve got a score to settle with those redskins. Those fellas they killed over at the Triangle EC were friends of mine.”

Talbot looked at the young cowboy, sizing him up, and said, “We can’t allow personal grudges to interfere with doing our duty, son.”

Dutton shook his head. “It won’t, Colonel. I’ll follow orders, just like I was one of your troops. I just want another shot at those renegades.”

“And you’ll have it, as far as I’m concerned.” Talbot glanced at Smoke. “As long as your employer agrees.”

“I don’t have any say over things like that,” replied Smoke. “You go ahead if you want, Bob, and you’ll have our best wishes going with you.”

“Thanks, Mr. Jensen.”

“We’ve talked about that. It’s Smoke.”

Dutton grinned. “Thanks, Smoke. Would it, uh, be all right if I got a fresh horse from the string? Mine’s been ridden to hell and gone today.”

“Mine, too,” added Pearlie.

Smoke nodded and told them, “Both of you go ahead. Take any of the horses you want, except Drifter.”

Pearlie chuckled. “It ain’t like I’d ever try to ride that rapscallion anyway. Drifter’s a one-man horse.”

He and Dutton headed off to the barn to throw their saddles on fresh mounts. Talbot turned back to Smoke and eyed him with keen interest.

“I believe you and Captain Skinner already had a discussion about providing remounts for my men . . .”

“This is an entirely different situation,” Smoke said. “Tell them to go ahead and get fresh horses, too.

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