Eyes of Eagles by William W. Johnstone Read Free Book Online Page B

what me and Hart already know: he’s an Injun. And we don’t want no damn Injuns around here.”
    John and Hart were sworn deputies, albeit unpaid ones. However, they both knew that few in the community took them very seriously.
    Burl checked on his prisoners before he locked up the sturdy log jail. Both men were in leg irons and behind bars, and that, coupled with their wounds, insured that they were not going anywhere. The “doctor,” actually a barber and bartender by profession, had to dig and cut the arrowheads out of the rump and leg of the Saxon brothers. Not a very pleasant experience. The brothers lay on their bunks and suffered with a great deal of loud complaining.
    â€œBe a relief just to get away from those two,” Sheriff Marwick said, as he locked the outer door. It was a long ride out to the Montgomery place, and Burl was not a good horseman. By the time he arrived, his “deputies” with him, the sheriff was not in a good mood.
    And John had been right: Burl took an immediate dislike to Jamie. The boy was big for his age, and there was cold defiance in those pale eyes. And something else, too: the boy was not afraid of him. That was unsettling to Burl. He’d never met a boy who wasn’t afraid of, if not the man, as least the badge pinned on the outside of his black coat. But not this boy. And Burl had never been comfortable in the Montgomery home. It was too fancy for his tastes.
    Burl questioned the boy, and got the same story as he had earlier from Sam Montgomery.
    â€œLet fly them arrows a bit quick, I’d say,” Hart Olmstead said.
    â€œYou weren’t here,” Jamie said, meeting the man’s gaze. “So how would you know?”
    â€œDon’t you sass me, you smart-mouthed half Injun pup!” Hart said.
    â€œThat’ll do, Hart!” Sam stepped between them. “You’re forgetting that you are in my home. I’ll not permit you to browbeat this boy.”
    â€œI’m an officer of the law, Sam. You interfere with my questionin’ of this boy and I’ll put you behind bars.”
    â€œI’d like to see you try that, Hart,” Sam’s words were quietly offered. But they were edged with tempered steel. “As far as you being an officer of the law, you’re nothing but a joke. You and John both. Now get out of my house.”
    Hart Olmstead marched to the front door of the fine home near the edge of wilderness, his boots thudding heavily. At the door, he turned and pointed a blunt finger at Sam. “I’ll thrash no man in front of a good woman, Sam Montgomery, and your Sarah is a good woman. But I give you warnin’ now, first time I see you alone in town, I’d challenge you to fists, by God.”
    Sam stiffened in anger. He was not as big as Hart Olmstead, but was very strong. And Jamie suspected, from looking at Sam’s big, flat-knuckled hands, the man knew how to fight.
    â€œSam ...” Sarah said.
    â€œStay out of this, Sarah. I’ll have no man throw down a challenge and expect me to stand by and do nothing. Get outside, Olmstead. I am going to teach you a lesson you will never forget.” Sam had no way of knowing how prophetic his words would turn out to be.
    Hart Olmstead’s face turned first chalk white and then beet red. He very nearly tore the door down getting out of the home. Sam Montgomery removed his coat and took off his shirt. His muscles fairly rippled as he flexed his arms. He winked at Jamie. “I don’t hold with fighting, lad. But there comes a time when a man must fight for what he believes in. Sarah, would you be so kind as to grind some beans and have a fresh pot of coffee for me. And also have some hot water to bathe my cuts and bruises. Mr. Olmstead is a brute, and I shall not come out of this unscathed.”
    Sarah waited until the heavy bell stopped ringing in the front yard.
    â€œCertainly,” Sarah said, her face pale. She cut