Gunsmith 360 : The Mad Scientist of the West (9781101545997) by J. R. Roberts Read Free Book Online Page A

ground.”
    â€œWe better see how much we can get unpacked before dark,” Clint said, stepping down.
    â€œOh, there won’t be much we can unpack ourselves,” Tesla said.
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œThese pieces of equipment are too heavy,” Tesla said. “When they get here with the rest, they can unload everything for us.”
    â€œWell,” Clint said, “we can take in the sundries, get some coffee going—if there’s a working stove?”
    â€œSupposed to be,” Tesla said. “I shall be very upset if there isn’t.”
    â€œWell, let’s go inside and see what we’ve got,” Clint suggested.
    They approached the house, which looked to be solidly built. It was one story, with a porch that ran the width of the house in front.
    Clint tried the front door and found it open. Inside there was a large, empty front room, a kitchen off to one side, and in the back two bedrooms, which surprised Clint.
    â€œAh,” Tesla said, “Just what I need. All this empty space.”
    Clint walked to the stove, inspected it, and said, “Doesn’t look like we’ll have any problems here either.”
    They checked the two bedrooms, found them to be about the same size, each with a single bed already made up with sheets and a blanket. Other than some dust all over everything, the house looked fine.
    â€œThis is even better than I had hoped,” Tesla said.
    â€œWe’ll need some lamps,” Clint said. “I’ll see if I can find any.”
    He found half a dozen lamps, a couple beneath the stove, and the rest hanging off the back of the house, where he found another porch. Farther back he could see an outhouse.
    Carrying all the lamps inside, he could feel that they had oil in them already.
    â€œWhoever rented this house to you made sure you had everything.”
    â€œI told you,” Tesla said. “I use reputable firms.”
    â€œWell,” Clint said, “let’s unpack what we can before it gets dark, and I’ll use that stove to make us some supper.”
    â€œVenison stew?” Tesla asked hopefully.
    â€œNo,” Clint said. “I have to go hunting for that. I’ll do it tomorrow. Plenty of deer around here. I’ll bag one tomorrow. Tonight, it’s beans and bacon.”
    They carried in what they could, mostly food, coffee, blankets, Clint’s bag and rifle, and Tesla’s bag with his personal belongings. Clint saw some of Tesla’s equipment on the buckboard, saw that a lot of it was made of metal.
    â€œWhat are those?” he asked, pointing.
    â€œElectrodes.”
    â€œI don’t know what those are,” Clint said.
    â€œI’ll show you, when I get everything ready.”
    When they got what they could inside, Clint went out and took care of the team. There was a lean-to behind the house that he pressed into service as a livery. He then collected wood for the stove. He got it lit and started a pot of coffee, then set about to make the bacon and beans. Before long the house smelled of food and coffee, and was warm. They were able to remove their jackets.
    Tesla sat at the table with a cup of coffee and watched Clint cook.
    â€œYou can do many things I cannot,” Tesla said.
    â€œLike what? Shoot a gun?”
    â€œMore than that,” he replied. “Cook, hunt, the way you stood up to those three men with an ax handle. You could have used your gun and you chose not to.”
    â€œA gun is not always the way,” Clint said.
    He filled two metal plates with beans and bacon, carried them to the table. He set one down in front of Tesla, then sat across from him with his own plate and coffee.
    â€œWhen will you start doing . . . whatever it is you’re going to do?” Clint asked.
    â€œI need the rest of my equipment. When it arrives, there will be enough men to carry everything in. Then I can get started.”
    Clint poured out two more