Ralph Compton Sixguns and Double Eagles by RALPH COMPTON Read Free Book Online Page A

small church, and behind the meeting house was a cemetery. Sunday services were over, and a high hedge between church property and the Morgan house provided cover. Wes and El Lobo dismounted, taking up positions behind the hedge.
    â€œWhat we look for?” El Lobo asked.
    â€œWe’re looking for Oliver Reed,” said Wes, “and here he comes.”
    Reed reined up his team, stepped down, and hurried to the house. He knocked, the door was opened, and he entered. He was there only a few minutes. Returning to his buckboard, he drove away.
    â€œWe follow?” El Lobo asked.
    â€œNo,” said Wes. “He’s on his way to DeShazo’s.”
    â€œHe lie to us,” El Lobo said.
    â€œThey were pretty convincing,” said Wes, “but I think Reed’s neck-deep in this. Otherwise, why would he be calling on Morgan and DeShazo? I told Reed we needed to capture a member of the gang who could be made to talk. I reckon he’s not all that sure of Morgan and DeShazo. I think we need to get word to Silver. Let’s ride.”
    But before they could mount their horses, Empty growled a warning.
    â€œGet down,” Wes warned. “We may have been discovered.”
    They were barely in time. Empty fought his way through the hedge as three rifles cut loose, burning the air with deadly fire. Slugs struck gravestones, screaming away, only to be followed by another fusillade.
    â€œDamn,” said Wes, “they’re on the other side of the cemetery, firing through the hedge. We need our Winchesters.”
    But their Winchesters were in their saddle boots and the horses, made skittish by the gunfire, were out of reach. They would have to make do with their Colts. El Lobo already had the idea, for he had begun inching his way toward their attackers, using the mounded graves and headstones for cover. While the gunmen they sought fired from behind the hedge, there were puffs of smoke, providing targets of sorts. Once Wes and El Lobo were within range, they cut loose, firing into the hedge below the drifting powdersmoke. Their efforts were rewarded with angry curses from their attackers and cries of pain. Suddenly, as Wes and El Lobo stepped up the attack, the firing from the bushwhackers ceased. There was a sound of retreating horses.
    â€œThey’re gone,” said Wes, “and we’d better vamoose. After all this shooting, somebody will have the law here.”
    Quickly they mounted their horses. Using the little church for cover, they went between it and the thick hedge, pausing when they again heard hoofbeats. Half a dozen horsemen rode along the street. Galloping along the opposite side of the church, they headed for the cemetery. Quickly, unseen, Wes and El Lobo trotted their horses toward the street until they were safely away. Empty had been waiting, and caught up to them.
    â€œNow,” Wes said, “let’s find a telegraph office.”
    â€œSí,” said El Lobo, “if we don’t get shot dead.”
    â€œWe’ll have to risk that,” Wes said. “Let’s just hope the Dragon forces don’t break the code Silver gave us. I wonder if the telegraph offices are open on Sunday?”
    They rode through the quiet streets, and during their search for the telegraph office, Wes spotted a Union soldier coming out of a café. There were silver captain‘s bars on the epaulets of the soldier’s blue coat, and as he proceeded along the boardwalk, Wes and El Lobo caught up to him.
    â€œCaptain,” Wes said, reining up.
    â€œI am Captain Powers,” said the military man. “What do you want of me?”
    â€œIs there a military outpost here” Wes asked.
    â€œThere is,” said Powers. “Why do you ask?”
    â€œDo you have the telegraph?” Wes asked.
    â€œYes,” said Powers, “but it’s not for civilian use, except in extreme emergencies.”
    â€œWe have such an emergency,” Wes