Slocum 421 by Jake Logan Read Free Book Online Page A

tried two more discovery trips, with no luck. Supplies were low enough that Slocum decided they needed to head back, so he rounded up the men and told them, “Tomorrow we start back. Feed the horses and mules double rations. We need them strong.”
    â€œHow many hides?”
    â€œOver six hundred. It was a good hunt.” That did not count the ones traded for and all the other kinds of furs they also took in. They were able to move quickly and were back in Fort Hayes in two weeks.
    The men drew their two dollars and left for town, leaving two on guard at the camp. Slocum found the banker at home that night and talked to him about the treasure. Aaron Tate was a man in his forties, clear-eyed, with a soft voice. “You have my word. Completely confidential business. What is it?”
    â€œSpanish gold coins.”
    â€œA few?”
    â€œNo, quite a few. They are over a hundred years old.”
    â€œOh, that is interesting. I suggest you ship them via an insured carrier to St. Louis. We can get a bid there on their value based on the quality.”
    â€œI have a woman who will have the power to collect all the money if I am not available. I trust her with my life.”
    â€œThen she will also need to sign the agreement.”
    â€œShe can sign her name and she can count.”
    â€œWhen will you bring the treasure in?”
    â€œTomorrow.”
    â€œShe can sign it with you then.”
    â€œFine. I will arrive there when you open.”
    â€œI will have some extra security so we can get it into the vault.”
    Slocum went back and explained the details to Murty. “You will sign and be a partner with me. But if anything happens to me, this money is all yours. Spend it wisely.”
    She looked solemn. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
    â€œNeither do I, but you may be in charge.”
    He rounded up Escatar and four other men who were sober and tough. They were set to guard the wagon on the way to the bank and during the unloading the next morning.
    Slocum and Murty sacked the coins that night and had it all ready. In the morning she drove the team, and he rode the gray horse with the Winchester across his leg. The men rode inside her wagon with their arms ready.
    She halted the wagon at the bank and set the brake at the front door. The guards jumped down, and the treasure was soon shuffled inside. Slocum’s men went outside to wait for him. The coins were being counted, and Slocum asked for ten of them in a money sack.
    The bank teller took care of that and handed him the sack. He handed it to Murty. “We’ll give those to Stowe.”
    In quick agreement she smiled and nodded. “He deserves them.”
    The final count came to three thousand and twenty coins.
    Tate said, “I am not on top of this market. But I would say about sixty thousand dollars.”
    She whistled and then she giggled. “Nice job, big man.”
    He hugged her shoulders. “Let’s go eat some breakfast. I’m starved.”

5
    Emerging through the front door of the bank, Slocum blinked in disbelief at the three men in suits and badges seated on their horses. The man with the drooping mustache asked, “Are you John Slocum?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œI have a warrant for your arrest for treason and the murder of an agent of the United States, Miles Hampton.”
    â€œDon’t fight them,” Slocum said to his men, who had taken defensive positions. “There is no need for anyone to be killed here. I surrender.”
    â€œTell me, Marshal, what was this Hampton doing for the government when he shot down John Trent in cold blood?”
    â€œAccording to my papers he was a federal agent investigating the organization trying to form the government of Washington.”
    The other two deputies took Slocum’s gun and bowie knife and put him in handcuffs. He nodded to Murty that it would be all right.
    â€œTake care of my