Ralph Compton Train to Durango Read Free

Tamara said. “There is but one door, and the outlaws watch it, but this cabin is on the river bank, its back next to the river. Wes and Palo will not come through the door.”
    â€œBut the walls are built of heavy logs,” said Renita.
    â€œThe spaces between the logs are chinked with mud,” Tamara said. “Some of the sticks they’ve given us for kindling can be used to dig the mud out. We cannot escape, but when Wes and Palo come, there will be enough of a hole for them to learn we are in here. I am ashamed of myself for not having thought of it sooner. Time grows short.”
    â€œYou’re right,” Renita said. “Let’s start digging now.”
    â€œOne of us will dig at the chinking while the other listens at the door,” said Tamara. “They must not discover what we are doing. You listen at the door, and I will begin.”
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    Wes, El Lobo, and Silver followed the Rio Grande north, for it had been a dry year and the river was a ready source of water.
    â€œWe can follow the river right on into Santa Fe,” Silver said. “Riding north from El Paso, it’s the most logical destination. If they aimed to leave a trail for us, we’ll be findin’ tracks.”
    â€œSix horses will leave quite a trail,” said Wes, “but we can’t be sure they’re the right tracks. Could be some
hombres
from south of the border, riding north on a raid.”
    â€œNot likely,” Silver said. “You and El Lobo raised so much hell in Mexico last year, the powers in Mexico City are having to make a show of patroling the border.” 5
    After a few miles, the riverbank turned sandy, with little vegetation. There were tracks of deer, coyotes, and shod horses. El Lobo dismounted and began studying the horse tracks.
    â€œHow old are those tracks?” Silver asked.
    â€œWeek, per’ap,” said El Lobo.
    But all the tracks were not visible all the time, and El Lobo studied the ground for almost a mile before he had accounted for all the horses. Nodding to Wes and Silver, he mounted his horse, and the trio continued along the river. Eventually there were open stretches of sand where Wes and Silver could see tracks of six horses.
    â€œWe’d better start thinking in terms of an ambush,” Silver said. “We know they’re riding north, so we don’t have to follow the actual tracks. We can parallel the river, riding back to it occasionally to be sure they haven’t changed directions.”
    It was sound thinking, and after riding a mile west, they again rode north.
    â€œHow far it be from El Paso to Santa Fe?” El Lobo asked.
    â€œAbout three hundred miles, as I recall,” said Silver. “I can’t imagine six riders undertaking such a ride, unless they’re lawmen or outlaws. Texas Rangers would be somewhat out of their jurisdiction.”
    Empty was well ahead of them, and they rode the rest of the day without sighting the riders they pursued.
    â€œIf we aim to have a supper fire,” Wes said, “we’d better eat before dark.”
    Near sundown, they reined up, dismounted, and unsaddled their horses. Wes lit a small fire, putting it out when the coffee was ready and their bacon had been broiled. It was still early, so instead of turning in for the night, they talked.
    â€œSilver,” said Wes, “we’re obliged to you for joining us in our search for Renita and Tamara, but what do you aim to do after we’ve found them?”
    â€œWashington allowed me a month to rest and recuperate,” Silver said, “and if we end this chase near Santa Fe, I’ll still have two weeks that I don’t have to account for. I aim to use that to learn as much as I can about the Golden Dragon. Since they’ve pulled out of California, I won’t be surprised if they’ve left New Orleans and Carson City as well. That’ll mean