Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 17, 2025
"An' how old are you, Mr. Houck?" the quiet, even voice of the owner of the Wagon Rod pursued. "I d'no as that's got anything to do with it, but I'm forty-three," Jake retorted defiantly. "You meant to live with her?" "I meant to treat her right," was the sullen reply. "But livin' with her, an' her another man's wife." "No, sir. That fake marriage with Dillon don't go. She was promised to me."
Then first thing I know he lights on that little buckskin hoss of his " "And forgets his hat," interrupted Houck. "Nope. He was wearin' a hat the last I seen of him." "And ridin' a buckskin cayuse, eh? Now Cotton says it was a blue roan." Andy laughed. "That hombre Cotton's got mighty poor eyesight. Why, he couldn't see good enough to ketch up his own hoss.
"I'd say you got a license to be. If she's lost out to-night she's liable to be frozen to death before mo'ning." "Yes," agreed Houck, and his lids narrowed. What did this young fellow mean? There was something about his manner both strange and challenging. If he was looking for a fight, Houck knew just where he could be accommodated. "In which case " The puncher stopped significantly.
"But you can't. You had yore chance, an' you couldn't. What you need is a master, some one you'll have to honor an' obey, some one who'll look after you an' take the devil outa you. Meanin' me Jake Houck. Understand?" "I won't! I won't!" she cried. "You come here an' bully me because because of what you know about Father.
Down in the bottom of his heart he knew that he could not leave this enemy of his to the fate that would befall him. The only thing to do was to go for help at once. He took off his coat and put it under Houck's head. He moistened the hot bandanna for the burning forehead and poured the rest of the water down the throat of the sick man. The rifle he left with Houck.
But before they left, Houck took what hastily packed food they had and distributed it among the posse, who packed it in their saddle-pockets. The remaining cowboys lay down for a brief sleep. They were up at dawn, and after a hasty breakfast set out looking for tracks.
Cotton, Gary's companion, a light-haired, amiable but rather dull youth, stated that Houck was over to the ranch. "I reckoned he'd come hisself," said Pete. "He knows this country better 'n most." "Oh, I dunno," sneered Gary. "Some of us been here before." "They wasn't no line then," said Pete quietly, "but they's goin' to be one." "You makin' it?" queried Gary. Pete smiled.
"Hit me who?" "That Houck. He shot you. Oh, Bob, are you much hurt?" Dillon was recalled to a pain in his intestines. He pressed his hand against the cartridge belt. "It's here," he said weakly. He could feel the wet blood soaking through the shirt. The thought of it almost made him lose consciousness again. "L-let's have a look," a squeaky voice said. June looked up.
Dud's white teeth showed in his friendly, affectionate grin. "Never did see such a fellow for backin' hisself into a corner an' allowin' that he's a plumb quitter. I'll bet, if the facts were known, he come through all right." June decided to tell her story. "Yes, Dud. He must have seen Jake Houck with me, and when Jake annoyed me Bob jumped at him and hit him. Then Jake shot."
The big man's hand groped at his belt. Brown fingers closed on the butt of a forty-five. Instantly both rescuers were galvanized to life. Dud's foot scraped into the air a cloud of sand and dust as Bob dived forward. He plunged at Houck a fraction of a second behind his friend. Into the blue sky a bullet went singing.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking