Oklahoma kiss by Unknown Read Free Book Online Page B

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           They were probably stealing cattle, he thought, butchering them, and selling the meat to those homesteaders who were waiting for the government to open up the Indian land to them.
           Adam stared thoughtfully at the wagon. The horses were ready for crowbait, but a magnificent steed could not have looked more appealing. This unexpected development could very easily solve part of his dilemma.
           Raising his rifle, he sighted the man who he figured to be the bravest, or the most foolhardy — whichever proved to be the case —and ordered sternly, "Freeze! I have you covered. Make an unnecessary move and it'll be your last one. My name is Adam Cahill, United States Deputy Marshal. You are under arrest for cattle theft. You can come along peacefully, or you can come along lying beside that beef carcass, makes no difference to me."
           The men, completely taken by surprise, did as ordered. The one who Adam figured might behave foolishly, moved reluctantly, his face twisted with anger, "You can't arrest us," he growled. "This ain't the States. This is the Indian Nation and a deputy marshal's got no say-so 'bout what goes on in these parts." His hand inched slowly toward his gun.
           "That's where you're wrong, mister. I'm looking at you down the barrel of a Winchester. That, and the fact that you're nothing but low-down cattle thieves gives me the say-so of what goes on. And if you get one inch closer to that gun, you'll be minus a hand. If you don't believe me, just try it."
           The man was now thoroughly convinced Adam meant what he said. He thrust his hands high into the air. But knowing they faced a hangman's noose if they were brought in, he tried a different maneuver. "It's your mistake, Mr. Deputy. I'd like nothing more than to see the expression on your face when the boss gets through with you. Did you ever stop to consider that we were sent out here by the foreman to bring some beef meat in? Hell, as for us skinning the steers out here, we figured it would be easier than toting them back to the ranch." He glanced at his partner. "Ain't that right, Baldy."
           "U-uh, y-yeah, every word is the gospel truth," the other man stammered.
           There was a faint whisper of a boot in the grass but Adam's mind was on what the men had just said. The warning was an instant too late. He felt the blow coming before it hit him. He started to turn, and then something smashed down on his skull and he felt himself falling . . .
     
           Chapter 4
     
     
           Pain . . . pain wrapped Adam like a shroud. He slowly reached out his hand and pushed. It was cold . . . cold and hard above him. He was dead. No, not dead. He could still feel cold, and he could still feel pain. And there was a coppery scent of blood in the air.
           Buried. Yes, that must be it! He was buried. They had placed him in a coffin and buried him alive!
           There was a moment of sheer panic, then he struggled to regain a calmness he did not feel. He had been in many dire situations before, but how in the world was he ever going to get out of this one?
           Tentatively, he reached out his hand again and pushed, trying to judge how deeply he was buried. Then, he opened his eyes and an immediate relief washed over him. He was neither dead, nor had he been buried alive. When knocked unconscious, he had simply fallen face first onto the ground, and when he started to regain consciousness, his thoughts had been confused and addled.
           Another searing stab of pain shot through Adam's head when he sucked in a deep gulp of air and        struggled to his knees. Even though he was in an addled state of mind, he realized, from the shadows, not much time had passed since he had been attacked from behind. Glancing about, the small clearing appeared to be deserted except for him. The wagon was gone and there were no signs of the men.