The Sunshine Killers Read Free Page A

ain’t it?”
    In a move so swift that it seemed almost casual, the man knocked Tomlain’s hand away and then half pulled the pistol out of his belt. He didn’t pull it all the way for there were three of them and they were the kind of men, in that time and in that country, who, if you pulled a pistol, would have pulled their own and started shooting. The man did not take hold of his pistol as a threat, but only as a warning. He’d calculated the move to just the right degree and they recognized that.
    â€œCome now,” Billy said. “None of that now. We just want to talk to you.”
    â€œHell with that, Billy,” Tomlain said, his voice rising. “I want to know who the bastard is and what his business is. I don’t want him bringin’ no storm down round my ears.”
    â€œSee,” Billy explained, “we got some folks around here who get nervous about unusual things goin’ on. That’s why we just want to ask you a few questions. Hope you’ll take it the right way. What’s your name?”
    The man looked from face to face for a second. Finally he answered, “Name’s Saulter.”
    â€œWhere you come from, Mister Saulter?”
    â€œSouth,” the man said.
    â€œWe know that,” Billy answered patiently. “What we mainly want to know is what’s your business in Sunshine and how come you here?”
    The man looked at the three faces slowly. Finally he said in that hoarse whisper, “I need a rest. This place was here . . . I just stumbled on it.”
    â€œListen,” Tomlain broke in angrily, “this won’t get it.” He pointed at Saulter’s wound. “Somebody shot you and you’re running. What we want to know is are they chasing you? Have you got somebody fixing to come in here with company we don’t want to see?”
    Saulter was a long time answering. Finally he shook his head slowly. “No,” he said, “nobody is chasing me. Not now.”
    Tomlain made a sneering sound. “Sure, Pilgrim, we believe you. That’s why you’re running with a bullet in you. If you ain’t being chased, why are you on the jump?”
    â€œIt’s a long story.”
    â€œWell, we want to hear it. We got plenty of time.”
    The man shook his head and lay back tiredly, ignoring Tomlain’s remark.
    Tomlain started to make a move but Billy restrained him. “Aw, let him be, Tomlain. Let him rest a bit, we can take it up with him later. Let’s get some breakfast.”
    He took the unwilling Tomlain by the arm and pulled him away. But, as they went out, the short gunman turned to look back at Saulter, his leer a promise of more to come.
    When they were gone, Saulter swung around and sat on the side of the bed. Slowly, he pulled his undershirt down and buttoned his shirt. In spite of the fire at the far end of the bunkhouse it was still cold and his breath steamed in the air. First he put on his hat and then shrugged into his big coat. He had to rest before he could struggle into his boots. When he was dressed he still sat on his bed, seeming too done in to move just yet. At that moment the half-breed came in with a load of firewood. He carried it down to the fireplace and threw it in, causing sparks and coals to come flying out. Then he came back up to Saulter. “Maybe you buy me one wheesky?”
    Saulter didn’t move for a second. Finally he reached under the bed and came out with a bottle. He sighted it against the light. There was about an inch left. He uncorked it, took a long drink, then handed the rest to Chiffo. While the boy was drinking, Saulter located the stump of a thin black cigar and lit it. He smoked meditatively for a moment. The boy watched him.
    â€œWho are those men?” Saulter asked.
    The boy shrugged. “Just some mens.”
    â€œDo they stay or do they go?”
    â€œThey stay.”
    â€œWhat do they do around here? Do they