Collection 1988 - Lonigan (v5.0) by Louis L’Amour Read Free Book Online Page B

had been shot. When the foreman had threatened reprisals, Burr Fulton had ridden right up to the Slash B bunkhouse, dragged the man from his bunk, and whipped him soundly. When the punchers had wanted to round up the gang, their frightened foreman had refused permission. What had begun as a series of raids on the Slash B had grown until almost a reign of terror existed in the malpais.
    Three of the hands quit. Drifting out of the country, they stopped at Regan’s cabin.
    â€œHad enough!” Curly Bowne said with disgust. “I never worked for a white-feathered outfit, and I never will! If they’d turned us loose we could have cleaned out that bunch, but young Bud Billings is afraid of his shadow. The old man is sick, and Anse Wiley, the foreman, is plenty buffaloed now.”
    â€œStick around,” Regan told them. “No use you boys riding out of the country. There’s plenty of grub here, and you can hole up and help me hunt lions for a few days. I’ve been sort of thinking about going down to talk to old Cash, myself.”
    Webb looked at him cynically. “Heard you had a run-in with Burr,” he suggested.
    Curly Bowne and Jim Webb studied their boot toes. Dan knew they were awaiting his reply. These men had always liked him, but nobody in the malpais knew much about Regan. He was just the Slash B lion hunter. The story they had heard about the dance did not show him up too well.
    â€œI had a few words with him,” Regan said calmly. “He dared me to holster my gun, said he’d kill me if I gave him an even break.”
    â€œYou didn’t do it?”
    â€œNo.” Regan’s voice was flat. “I’ve no use for killing unless forced to it, and there were women and old folks around. Anyway it wouldn’t have been an even break for Burr. He never saw the day he could throw a gun with me.”
    He said it so calmly, in such a completely matter-of-fact tone that it didn’t sound like boasting. Curly looked at him thoughtfully.
    â€œWhy don’t you go down and see the old man?” he suggested then. “We’ll hold on here for you.”

----
    D AN REGAN RODE by way of the stage station trail and arrived there at sundown once more. Jenny was putting food on the table when he went in, and her father glanced up at him.
    â€œHowdy, Dan,” Meadows said grimly. “Reckon you can say good-bye to us now. We’re leaving!”
    Regan twisted his hat in his fingers, avoiding Jenny’s eyes.
    â€œScared out?” he asked.
    Jenny’s old irritation with him surfaced once more.
    â€œIf I were you I’d not talk about being scared!” she said scornfully.
    He glanced at her without expression. “All right,” he said quietly.
    â€œOr anything else!” she flashed.
    â€œDid I say I was?” he asked gently.
    Her face flamed and she whipped around and walked from the room, her chin high.
    â€œJenny’s sort of upset lately,” Meadows commented. “Don’t seem like herself.”
    â€œBurr been around?”
    â€œEvery night. That Bill Hefferman, too. He’s a mean one, he is.”
    â€œI’ll be ridin’ on, I reckon,” Dan said. “Got to go over to the Slash B.”
    â€œDrawin’ your time? They all quittin’?”
    â€œNo,” Dan Regan said quietly. “I’m applying for a job. I want Anse Wiley’s job—ramroddin’ the Slash B.”
    Meadows stared. “You’re crazy!” he said. “Plumb crazy! That outfit would run you out of the country or kill you! Burr Fulton has Wiley so buffaloed he doesn’t know which end is up!”
    The door slammed open and Bill Hefferman came in. “Coffee!” he roared. “Give me some coffee!” He grabbed Meadows by the collar and shoved him toward the kitchen just as Jenny appeared in the door, her eyes wide and startled. “Get me some coffee!”
    â€œYou make too