Wild Read Free Page B

said with a smile, “But do you really want to be outnumbered by us?”
    “Not really,” Matt agreed. The men got up and left the tavern, nodding at the barman and serving girl as they passed the counter.
    “Are you sure this is a good idea?” Matt asked as soon as the door slammed shut behind them. “I’m from out of town, and even I would have shot that man on sight.”
    “You’re absolutely right, too,” Kearney said. “Not sure what choice we have, though. I can guess we’ll be riding to Mesilla since Tom wants to meet on the northwest end of town, but I don’t know how many people are riding with Oliver these days. I’m not too sure I could round up a trustworthy posse, either. The colonel has at least as many enemies as friends.”
    “There is that,” Matt said. “At least there’ll only be one of him. I wouldn’t put it past him to have his boys follow us from a safe distance, though.”
    “No, I’m actually counting on it,” Kearney said. “This isn’t my first rodeo. If I see a cloud of dust pick up behind us, I’m tying that boy up well before they get within shooting range, and then the odds’ll be even.”
    Matt grinned. “Let’s gear up then.”
    * * * *
    They stopped off at Matt’s room. He paid the baker for an additional week’s rent. Then he and Kearney walked to the sheriff’s office.
    “There’s a stable ‘round back,” Kearney said. “If you’d be so kind to bring two of the horses and a week’s feed ‘round front, I’d be much obliged. The sheriff’s is the white one; I’ll ride him, since you’ll be taking mine. He’s the black one.”
    “Where is the sheriff, anyhow? I’d have thought he’d handle a high-profile case like this himself.”
    “You’d be right, too, but he’s visiting his parents in Louisiana. He’ll be back next week. Hopefully we’ll have this all wrapped up by then.”
    Matt nodded and went around the back of the sheriff’s office while Kearney went in the front door. Five minutes later, Matt came back leading two saddled horses by the reins just as Kearney came out with two full duffels.
    “Tie this off to the back of your saddle,” Kearney said, tossing one of the bags to Matt. “Got you some extra provisions, water skins, and bullets. Pretty sure you didn’t come here loaded for a rescue hunt.”
    “That’s right kind of you, deputy,” Matt said, loading up his horse before swinging into the saddle. “Let’s go meet the outlaw.”
    Matt started his horse off at a trot as Kearney jumped atop his mount. Just as he pointed his horse westward, he heard a loud burst of laughter behind him. It didn’t sound like the cheerful kind. He wheeled his horse around. A hundred yards away, in front of the general store, several young cowboys were standing around in a circle, pushing someone around.
    “Back me up, deputy?”
    Kearney nodded, and Matt kicked his heels into the horse’s flanks and rode him into the group.
    “How about you boys let me in on the joke,” he said, jumping down into the middle of the cluster of men. A dust-covered Mexican man was sprawled in the dirt.
    “You a lawman?” one of the cowboys asked.
    “Nope, just a private citizen that doesn’t much like bullies. Now why don’t you all go on and let this man go about his business?”
    “Because his business is taking away our work,” the cowboy explained. “Damned Mexicans come over here and do the same job for less pay; and there’s hundreds of them every year, ‘round this time!”
    “Yeah,” one of the other young men agreed. “I got two sisters and a sick ma. We don’t need his kind ‘round here messing things up for honest folk.”
    “What’s your name, amigo ?” Matt turned toward the Mexican, who had picked himself up and was brushing the dust from his clothes.
    “My name is Juan, señor . Juan Vargas.”
    “And what is it that you do for work, S eñor Vargas?”
    “Please, call me Juan. As for my work, I do whatever I can. I was a