Law Of the Desert Born (Ss) (1984) by Louis L'amour Read Free Book Online

oath it wasn't, he's gone for good now. All we have to do is sit tight."
    The two moved off, and Jim Gatlin, staring at the girl in the semidarkness, saw her lips were pressed tight. His eyes had grown accustomed to the dim light, an d he could see around the small office. It was a simple room with a desk, chair, and filing cabinets. Well-filled bookcases lined the walls.
    He got to his feet. "I've got to get my gear out of that hotel," he said, "and my horse."
    "You're leaving?" she asked.
    Jim glanced at her in surprise. "Why, sure! Why stay here in a fight that's not my own? I've already killed one man, and if I stay, I'll have to Id11 more or be killed myself. There's nothing here for me."
    "Did you notice something?" she asked suddenly. "Wing Cary seemed very sure that Jim Walker wasn't coming back, that you weren't he." , Gatlin frowned. He had noticed it, and it had him wondering. "He did sound mighty sure. Like he might know Walker wasn't coming back."
    They were silent in the dark office, yet each knew what the other was thinking. Jim Walker was dead. Pete Chasin had not known it. Neither, obviously, h . A d Bill Trout.
    "What happens to you then?" Gatlin asked suddenly. "You lose the ranch?"
    She shrugged. "I never had it, and never really thought I would have it, only . . . well, if Jim had lived . . . I mean, if Jim got the ranch we'd have made out. We were very close, like brother and sister. Now I don't know what I can do .
    "You haven't any people?, , "None that I know of." Her head came up suddenly. "Oh, it isn't myself I'm thinking of; it's all the old hands, the ranch itself. Uncle Dave hated Cary, and so do his men. Now he'll get the ranch, and they'll all be fired, and he'll ruin the place! That what he's wanted all along."
    Gatlin shifted his feet. "Tough," he said, "mighty tough."
    He opened the door slightly. "Thanks," he said, "for getting me out of there." She didn't reply, so after a moment, he stepped out of the door and drew it gently to behind him.
    There was no time to lose. He must be out of town by daylight and with miles behind him. There was no sense getting mixed up in somebody else's fight, for all he'd get out of it would be a bellyful of lead. There was nothing he could do to help. He moved swiftly, and within a matter of minutes was in his hotel room. Apparently, searching for Jim Walker, they hadn't considered his room in the hotel, so Gatlin got his duffel together, stuffed it into his saddlebags, and picked up his rifle. With utmost care, he eased down the back stairs and into the alley.
    The streets were once more dark and still. What had become of the Flying C hands, he didn't know, but none were visible. Staying on back streets, he made his way carefully to the livery barn, but there his chance of cover grew less, for he must enter the wide door with a light glowing over it.
    After listening, he stepped out and, head down, walked through the door. Turning, he hurried to the stall where his powerful black waited. It was the work of only a few minutes to saddle up. He led the horse out of the stall and caught up the bridle. As his hand grasped the pommel, a voice stopped him.
    -Lightin' out?"
    It was Pete Chasin's voice. Slowly, he released his grip on the pommel and turned slightly. The man was hidden in a stall. Why not?" Gatlin asked. I'm not goin' to be a shootin' gallery for nobody. This ain't my range, an' I'm slopin' out of here for Texas. I'm no trouble hunter."
    He heard Chasm's chuckle. Don't reckon you are. But it seems a shame not to make the most of your chance. What if I offered you five thousand to stay? Five thousand, in cash?"
    -Five thousand?" Gatlin blinked. That was half as much as he had in his belt, and the ten thousand h e carried had taken much hard work and bargaining to get. Buying a herd, chancing the long drive.
    -What woul_d_l have to do?" he demanded.
    Chasin came out of the stall. Be yourself," he said, just be yourself-but let folks think you're Jim