Iron Eyes, no. 1 by Rory Black Read Free Book Online Page B

eyes
bulged trying to take everything in. She had never before seen
flowers like the ones that grew on climbing vines around the
courtyard.
    The smell of
cultured roses filled the air, and almost blocked out the aroma of
horses and cattle.
    This was indeed
an oasis in an otherwise desolate place. They had been led ten
miles from the rolling river to this place, and both Iron Eyes and
his female companion were anxious. Neither were used to meeting
people with good intentions and felt they had entered a possible
trap.
    The weathered
bounty-hunter was quick to toss his long right leg over the
saddle-horn before sliding down the saddle on to the dusty ground.
His eyes were narrow and flashed around the many riders who
surrounded him.
    These were vaqueros . He had never before met any
of them, and felt uneasy at their ability to talk without his
ability to understand.
    It was as if
they all were dressed for church to the man who had seldom bothered
to wash himself or his clothing. These men were, on the whole,
immaculate. That worried him.
    There were women around the hacienda courtyard, although they
stayed mainly in the shadows, as if they required permission to
step into the sun.
    As Iron Eyes
paced toward the wagon he could not believe the sight of so many
silver objects attached to so many saddles. It was like looking
into a treasure chest. Why on earth would these folks waste silver
simply to decorate saddles?
    They were a rum
bunch and he did not like rum bunches.
    Jane sat on her
wooden plank, still gripping the Winchester rifle on her lap. Still
keeping her finger upon the trigger as she too studied the
scene.
    Then they heard
the music.
    Both Jane and
Iron Eyes were shocked that guitars could be played outside a music
hall. Yet they were. The small group of men were strumming their
various sized guitars and singing up on an elevated porch.
    ‘ What the hell have we ridden into, Iron Eyes?’
    Jane spat at
the ground as she watched the men dismounting.
    ‘ Beats me,’ he shrugged.
    ‘ I heard of circuses but never thought I’d see one.’ She gave a
subtle laugh at their hosts’ expense.
    Iron Eyes
continued to look about the courtyard and still could not feel easy
with their situation. ‘What you reckon is going on?’
    ‘ I figure we are in trouble, big trouble.’ She sniffed at the
men who made her feel rather less than feminine.
    Iron Eyes
reached up a long, thin arm and took her hand as she climbed slowly
down with her trusty rifle in her hand. As she reached the ground
she resumed her grip upon the weapon.
    Dwan José
Valdez dismounted and made his way toward the pair of curious
Americans.
    ‘ You are still not trusting me?’ he asked, taking off his wide
sombrero and giving it to a servant.
    ‘ This don’t make no sense, Valdez.’ Jane chewed on her words as
he came to a stop before them.
    Her eyes took
him in. From his polished boots to his oiled hair. ‘This is some
kinda trick.’
    Valdez gave a
sigh. ‘This is no trick, dear lady.’
    ‘ What do you want to invite us here for?’ Iron Eyes’ voice was
low, and almost inaudible.
    ‘ You were on my land. You are my guests,’ the Mexican
smiled.
    ‘ It don’t figure,’ she told the man.
    Valdez gave a respectful look at her rifle. ‘My men used to
shoot anyone who strayed on to my rancho , but I tell them it is not
civilized.’
    ‘ True.’ Iron Eyes watched as the majority of the vaqueros disappeared into
various buildings around the courtyard. Soon there were only a
handful left. All elegant. All standing behind Valdez.
    The fingers of
Dwan José clicked, and from nowhere a female servant appeared at
his side.
    The man spoke
to the girl, and then turned to Jane and translated.
    ‘ I tell her to take you to my best guest room where you can
bathe and refresh yourself before our evening meal.’
    Jane glanced at Iron Eyes, who was still watching the vaqueros over the
Mexican’s shoulder. He cast his eyes down upon her for an