Trigger Gospel Read Free Page A

sundown. Came up by way of the old trail after leaving the North Fork.”
    â€œHumph,” the sheriff murmured. It was impossible to say whether he was pleased or not. “See anyone?”
    â€œNary a soul … I take it you’re lookin’ for certain parties.”
    â€œYeh,” Beaudry laughed with a preoccupied air. “Been out all day on a red hot tip that some of the wild bunch has come out of the Strip with somethin’ on their minds.”
    â€œWell, you ought to know where to look for them, if anybody does,” Little Bill volunteered. The tone with which it was uttered made it anything but the compliment the words in themselves might have conveyed. As it was, every man present caught the sinister import of the remark. To make it more pointed, Link Appling chuckled brazenly.
    The sheriff’s mouth twisted into a mirthless grin and he fixed his eyes on Little Bill.
    â€œI don’t know whether I get you or not, Bill,” he muttered tonelessly, “unless you mean that I been the sheriff of this county long enough to know my way around.”
    â€œWhat else could I mean, Cash?” the red-haired one inquired with a bland smile.
    Beaudry could have slain him for his cool impudence. But he had been given a way out and he decided to take it.
    â€œOh, nothin’ at all, I reckon,” he grumbled. “I’m just a little touchy about the way things have been breakin’ against me of late. I figure to have better luck tonight. We’ll cut across as far as the railroad.”
    â€œYour broncs won’t take you far,” said Tascosa. “They’re leg weary.”
    â€œThat’s why I’m here,” Beaudry declared. “I’m commandeerin’ your horses.”
    â€œWait a minute!” Little Bill whipped out fiercely. “Let me get this right. Do you mean you’re ridin’ in here and takin’ our horses whether we’ll have it or not?”
    â€œThat’s the idea,” Beaudry answered bluntly. “The law gives me the right to take ’em, and that’s what I’m doin’. We won’t have no argument about that. You can pick ’em up in Bowie tomorrow.”
    â€œBut our ponies have been on the go all day,” Tascosa argued. His eyes were hard. He was not overly solicitous about the horses, but he knew trouble could not be avoided if the sheriff insisted on taking Little Bill’s horse.
    â€œYou ain’t been pushin’ ’em by the looks of ’em,” said Beaudry. “That claybank there is as bright as a dollar. Whose horse is it?”
    â€œHe’s my horse,” Little Bill informed him, “and you ain’t takin’ him—law or no law!” His eyes were smoking with indignation.
    â€œI’m sorry to have to go contrary to your wishes,” said Beaudry patronizingly, “but he appears to be the best in the bunch, and I’m takin’ him.” He turned to his men. “Get the saddles off these nags, boys; we’ve been here too long already. I’ll take the big horse.”
    â€œBetter not try it,” Little Bill warned. “Put a hand on him and I’m throwin’ a gun on you, sheriff or whatever you are!”
    Beaudry did not back down. It was too late for that.
    â€œYou better use your head,” he blazed as he slipped out of his saddle. “Start a gun-play here and I’ll finish it!”
    Luther edged over to his brother’s side.
    â€œBill, let this thing drop,” he urged. “We don’t want no trouble with this man. He’ll slap you into jail and be glad of the chance.”
    â€œKeep out of this!” Bill flung back. “I’m handlin’ it, Luther.”
    â€œYou mean you’re makin’ a damned fine mess of things,” said Luther. “I tell you it’s gone far enough.” Without warning he poked a .45 in his brother’s side. “Now you