Renegades Read Free

years ago. Almanzar specializes in wet cattle, if you know what I mean.”
    Frank understood the term, all right. It referred to stock rustled from one side of the river and driven to the other. Down here in this border country, a lot of cattle had gotten their bellies wet over the past few decades, going both directions across the Rio Grande.
    Young Ben spoke up. “You don’t know that Don Felipe has been rustling our cows, Pa.”
    â€œI know all I need to know,” Tolliver replied with a disgusted snort. “Almanzar’s a thief and a bloody-handed reiver, and this ain’t the first time he’s tried to have me killed!”
    Obviously, there was trouble going on around here, Frank thought. Just as obviously, it was none of his business. But by taking a hand in this gun battle, he had probably dealt himself into the game, whether he wanted that or not. If Cecil Tolliver was correct about Don Felipe Almanzar sending those gunmen after him and his son, then Almanzar would be likely to want vengeance on Frank for killing several of his men.
    â€œAnother thing,” Tolliver went on angrily to Ben, “I don’t want to hear you callin’ that bastard by his Christian name again. He ain’t our friend and never has been.”
    â€œWhat about when you first settled here, before I was born?” Ben asked. “I’ve heard you say more than once, Pa, that without Señor Almanzar’s help, the Comanches would have lifted your hair back in those days.”
    â€œThat was a long time ago,” Tolliver growled. “Things change.”
    Frank wasn’t really interested in the history of the feud between Tolliver and Don Felipe Almanzar. He said, “Where were you men headed?”
    â€œBack to the Rockin’T,” Tolliver replied. “We’d been to San Rosa for supplies.” He shook his head in disgust. “All the boxes done bounced out back along the road, when that bunch jumped us and we had to take off so fast. We’re lucky the damn buckboard didn’t rattle itself to pieces.”
    â€œSan Rosa’s the nearest town?”
    â€œYep, right on the river about five miles upstream from here. The name’s fouled up—it ought to be Santa Rosa—but the fella who stuck the name on it didn’t savvy Mex talk. Still a pretty nice place.”
    â€œI’ll pay it a visit,” Frank said. “I was looking for a place to get something to eat and somewhere to stay.”
    â€œYou don’t have to go to San Rosa for that.” Tolliver jerked a thumb at the buckboard. “Help us set that wagon up, and then you can ride on to the Rockin’T with us. You’ll be our guest for as long as you want to stay, Mr. Morgan.”
    â€œCall me Frank. And I wouldn’t want to impose—”
    â€œImpose, hell!” Tolliver had picked up his hat, and now he slapped it against his leg to get some of the dust off. As he settled it on his head, he went on. “After what you done to help us, I’ll consider it a personal insult if you don’t let us feed you and put you up for a spell.”
    Frank smiled. “In that case, I accept.”
    He whistled and Stormy came out of the chaparral, followed by Dog. Tolliver and Ben looked with admiration at the big Appaloosa, but were more wary where Dog was concerned. “That critter looks a mite like a cross between a wolf and a grizzly bear,” Tolliver commented.
    â€œHe’s all dog,” Frank said with a grin. “Just be sure you’ve been introduced properly before you go to pet him. Unless you’re a little kid,” he added. “He’ll let kids wool him around like he’s still a pup.”
    Frank took his rope from the saddle and tied one end to the buckboard. Ben saw what he was doing and brought over the surviving three members of the team. The rope was tied to their harness, and the horses did the work as the