[Texas Rangers 04] - Ranger's Trail Read Free Page A

“I wish old Buffalo Caller could’ve seen this.” Buffalo Caller was the Comanche warrior who had first captured him and kept him for his own. “He would’ve given a hundred horses to watch white men battle one another instead of fightin’ the People. And it would’ve been worth every one of them.”
    Tom declared, “You’re white. That’s a scandalous thing to say.”
    Andy said, “Was it to happen, I’d cheer for the old Texans to win. But not too quick. I’d like to see the fight stretch out a while.”
    Tom shook his head. “Scandalous.” He looked back toward the capitol. “I’ve offered to do my part and stand with Coke. This ain’t none of you-all’s fight unless you want it to be.”
    Rusty said, “We’re here now. We wouldn’t go off and leave you by yourself.”
    Tom seemed pleased. “You sound like your old Daddy Mike. But I won’t be by myself, There’s several of my friends up there from way back. There’s a bunch of old rangers, too. Friends of yours, I’d warrant.”
    Rusty’s interest quickened. “Rangers?”
    “ Yeah, but like I said, it don’t have to be your fight. I wouldn’t want a young feller like Andy on my conscience. Or you, either.”
    “ We came of our own accord. We’re grown men.” Rusty glanced at Andy. “ I am, anyway.”
    Tom nodded. “There’s a wagon yard down yonder. Would you take my horse for me?”
    Rusty jerked his head. “Come on, Andy.”
    Andy led Tom’s mount. Rusty guessed there must be a hundred horses in the several corrals to the side of and beyond the large wooden barn. A droop-shouldered liveryman slouched in the big open doorway, waiting for customers. He limped out a few paces and spat a stream of brown tobacco juice at a bedraggled cat, missing by a foot. A bit of the spittle remained in his stubble of gray-and-black beard. He said, “You’re supposed to be in there chasin’ mice. They’re fixin’ to carry off the whole shebang, barn and all.” He looked up at Rusty. “What can I do for you-all?”
    “ Got room for three more horses?”
    “ If there ain’t room enough we’ll just stack them like cordwood. I expect you-all are in town to see the excitement?” It was a statement, but he made it sound like a question.
    “ We didn’t know about it ’til we got here.”
    “ I ain’t takin’ sides, you understand, but I hope the Coke people give that Davis crowd a hell of a lickin’. I’ve had a gutful of them thieves.”
    Rusty smiled. “Sounds like you have taken sides.”
    “ I reckon, but if the shootin’ starts I’m keepin’ my head down. I taken a Yankee ball in my leg durin’ the war. Convinced me I ain’t no fightin’ man.”
    “ But you’re willin’ to take money from either side?”
    “ I take care of horses, and horses don’t know nothin’ about politics. I do business with any and all, long as the money is genuine.” He extended his hand, the palm up. “And paid in advance.”
    Rusty took his time counting out the coins, for he did not have enough that he could afford to spend them needlessly. “We’ll want to bed down here in the wagon yard tonight. We’ve got no money to waste on a hotel.”
    “ Hotels are all full, anyway. Spread your blankets anywhere you can find an empty space. And be careful with your matches. You don’t want to buy no burned-up barn.” He dropped Rusty’s coins into his pocket. They clinked against silver already there.
    The capitol standoff was good for business.
    The liveryman looked behind him as if to be certain he would not be overheard. “Couple of fellers were talkin’ back of the barn. They’re waitin’ for Coke to give the word to make a rush against the capitol and put Davis out on the street. Could be a right interestin’ show.”
    Rusty glanced uneasily at Andy. “Tom could get hurt. He’s a shade old to be mixin’ in a bad fight.”
    Andy said, “He’s never run away from one yet. That’s why they made him sheriff again.”
    “ He ought