Badlanders by David Robbins Read Free Book Online

the profanity. She saw a dog lift its leg at a hitch rail.
    â€œBarbaric,” Edana said.
    â€œI agree,” Alexander said. “These people are unbelievably crude. It’s as if they don’t care what others think of them.”
    â€œI like it,” Isolda said.
    â€œYou don’t mean that,” Edana said.
    â€œBut I do,” Isolda insisted. “When have I ever cared what anyone thought about me? I only have because Father and you made me. But this”—and she gestured at the whirl of activity—“is me.”
    â€œYou’re being ridiculous,” Alexander said. “Your mother was always a proper lady, and so are you.”
    They came abreast of the Three Aces. Through the front window they could see it was packed, even though it was only the middle of the day. Boisterous babble and mirth spilled out, along with the tinkle of glasses and the tinny music of a piano.
    â€œWho says this place doesn’t have culture?” Isolda said.
    Alexander was about to walk on when the batwings slammed open and out stalked three men. All three wore wide-brimmed hats and revolvers. One of them wore two with ivory grips. They hadn’t shaved in days, and they were in need of baths.
    The man wearing two revolvers had a scar on his left cheek. Stopping short, he leered at Edana and Isolda. “Look at this, boys. What do we have here?”
    â€œMy daughters,” Alexander said coldly.
    The man with the scar came off the boardwalk. Helooked Edana and Isolda up and down, a lustful gleam in his eyes. “You two fillies are right pretty.”
    Isolda looked him up and down and imitated him, saying, “And you, you randy goat, are right ugly.”
    The man with the scar grinned. “I like a sassy gal. They’re more fun under a blanket.”
    â€œNow, see here,” Alexander said, moving between them. “I told you they’re my daughters.”
    The man blinked as if surprised. “So?”
    â€œSo you’ll treat them with respect, you obscene specimen.”
    â€œWhat did you just call me?”
    The other two sauntered over on either side of their companion. One was lanky, with a hooked nose and big ears. The other had bulging eyes and a froglike aspect enhanced by his bulbous lips.
    It was the lanky one who snickered and said, “He called you a specimen, Scar. I heard him clear as day.”
    â€œWhat the hell does that even mean?” said the frog.
    Alexander half turned to Isolda and Edana. “Come along,” he said, but before they could take a step, the man called Scar barred their way.
    â€œYou’re not goin’ anywhere, mister. Not until you explain what you just called me.”
    â€œI won’t be treated like this,” Alexander said. “Do you have any idea who I am?”
    â€œYou’re mud,” said the lanky one.
    The frog chuckled and said, “Good one, Grat.”
    â€œWell, he is, Tuck,” Grat said.
    Isolda had listened to enough. She refused to be treated so shabbily. Especially by men who appeared barely intelligent enough to know their right hand from their left. Moving past her father, she poked Scar in the chest. “Now, see here. You’ll leave us be and go about your own business or there will be hell to pay. You hear me?”
    Scar didn’t act the least bit concerned. Or mad. Instead he laughed and said, “Listen to her, boys. This galhas got a lot of spunk. I like that almost as much I like sass.”
    â€œShe’s a cow,” Grat said. “A cow with spunk, but still.”
    â€œWhat did you just call her?” Alexander said.
    â€œLet’s go find the marshal,” Edana proposed. “He’ll put a stop to this nonsense.”
    The one called Tuck snorted. “Shows how dumb you are, lady. There ain’t any tin stars in Whiskey Flats.”
    â€œWhat?” Edana said.
    â€œThere’s ain’t no law, you stupid