Ralph Compton Train to Durango Read Free Page B

cabin. But he had seen enough. Quickly he returned to his companions.
    â€œI saw only two men,” said Wes, “but there’s a bar across the door of the cabin. Its back is facing the river. After dark, maybe we can approach it from the river and find out if Renita and Tamara are in there.”
    â€œI go,” El Lobo said.
    Wes and Silver said nothing, for they were well aware of the Indian’s ability to move soundlessly through the night. Not daring to risk a fire, they ate jerked beef and drank river water. Two hours after darkness had fallen, El Lobo prepared to visit the cabin. The moon had not risen, and when the Indian faded into the shadows beneath the trees, Empty went with him.
    â€œI’d be interested in knowing how he intends to find out if Renita and Tamara are in that cabin,” Silver said.
    â€œSo would I,” said Wes. “If there’s a way, he’ll find it.”
    Reaching the river well below the cabin, El Lobo climbed carefully down the bank. The water ran shallow, and he avoided it when he could. When he could not, he lifted each foot carefully. Empty had crossed the river and had become a silent moving shadow on the opposite bank. The riverbank on which the cabin stood was high enough to conceal a man, and El Lobo was careful to remain in its shadow. Nearing the cabin, he could hear men’s voices somewhere beyond it. He soon stood looking at the barren log wall that was the back of the cabin. There was no sign of a window. Suddenly his alert ears caught a sound that was foreign to the night. A rasping, scraping noise, it seemed to come from the cabin itself. Quietly, carefully, El Lobo crept up the riverbank until he was near the back wall of the cabin. He waited, listening, and the strange noise started again. He dropped to his knees, and between two of the logs there was a flicker of light. The fire inside the cabin!
    â€œTamara,” El Lobo whispered. “Querido.“
    â€œPalo,” came the response, “this is Renita. Tamara is here.”
    In an instant, Tamara was beside the wall.
    â€œThere are four
hombres
, Palo,” said Renita, “and they have taken our clothes. What would you have us do?”
    â€œYou have wood and you have fire,” El Lobo said. “Pile the wood next to the door and set fire to it. The fire will draw the
hombres
who take you prisoner. When they come, we will be waiting for them.”
    â€œWe will do as you say,” said Tamara softly. “Vaya con Dios.”
    Silently, El Lobo crept away. When he was far enough downriver, he climbed the bank and made his way hurriedly to where Wes and Silver waited. Quickly he related to them what he had learned, and what he had instructed Tamara and Renita to do.
    â€œThat’s a stroke of genius,” Silver said. “We don’t know where those varmints are, and we’d be prime targets, goin’ near that cabin. But when that fire becomes big enough for them to see it, they’ll come running. Then they’ll become our targets.”
    Quickly they took their Winchesters from their saddle boots, and leaving their horses where they were, started for the cabin on foot. They approached the cabin from the front, concealing themselves within rifle range, where they had a good view of the door. They didn’t have long to wait. Flames were soon climbing the door and licking hungrily at the shake roof.
    â€œBy God, they’ve set the cabin afire,” Bolivar shouted. “Come on.”
    Once the four men were plainly visible in the starlight and in the light from the cabin’s flaming door, Silver shouted a challenge.
    â€œYou’re covered. Stand where you are and drop your guns.”
    But the challenge went unheeded. The four men went for their guns, firing at the sound of Silver’s voice. But Silver and his companions were bellied-down with Winchesters, and the slugs sang harmlessly over their heads. Their return fire