The Border Empire by Ralph Compton Read Free Book Online Page B

ran down the alley parallel to the street from which they’d entered the cantina, Wes hoping they might reach the lodging house before there was any organized pursuit. A door suddenly opened, revealing the curious face of a Mexican. But it disappeared just as suddenly when Wes drew his Colt. Aware of the danger, Empty ran ahead of them. When they reached the next cross-street, it appeared they had escaped the congested area of the shops and cantinas. Empty had turned back to the south, the direction from which they had entered the town, and the streets seemed deserted.
    â€œSensato perro ,” Maria said.
    â€œHe’s smarter than I am,” said Wes. “When the shootin’ started up front, he headed for the back door. Now he figures we’re returning to the horses, and that’s where he’ll be takin’ us.”
    â€œPer’ap we hide in the lodging house,” Maria said.
    â€œI’m hopin’ you can,” said Wes, “while I lead them on a wild goose chase. I’ll take all three horses, and work my way back to the lodging house after dark. If they mount heavy pursuit, I don’t want them gunning you down along with me.”
    â€œI wish to go with you,” Maria said. “Per’ap I never see you again.”
    â€œWe can’t risk it,” said Wes. “That damn coin I dropped in the cantina was our undoing.”
    â€œThe image of a strange beast,” Maria said.
    â€œA dragon,” said Wes. “It’s their symbol, and since we’re not part of the gang, they won’t have to think long and hard to figure how and where we got it. By now they know about the seven dead outlaws in the arroyo.”
    Empty led them back to the livery barn by a series of twists and turns.
    â€œNow,” Wes said, “I want you to go back to the lodging house and stay there until I return for you. Keep the room dark. When they come looking for us, I want them to find tracks of three horses.”
    She didn’t want to go, and Wes watched until she entered the house. He then stepped cautiously into the barn, but saw no one. Listening, he heard a deep snore. In a stall, on a pile of hay, he found the old hostler. Dead drunk, an empty bottle lay beside him, and that suited Wes. He wouldn’t be able to tell the outlaws that Wes had taken the three horses and had ridden away alone. On an upturned wooden crate there was a lantern, and beside it Wes left a coin, careful that it was genuine. If each of the seven dead outlaws had been in possession of one of the devilish medallions, that meant there were at least six more of the golden emblems among the coins Wes had shared with Maria. Quickly, Wes saddled his grulla and Maria’s black. The bay still resisted the packsaddle, but Wes calmed him enough to accept his burden. With the bay and the black on lead ropes, Wes rode south. He chose a trail across open ground, leaving abundant tracks for the outlaws to follow. Time enough to lose them once he had led them away from Maria. Once away from the town and into a concealing forest, Wes turned north, seeking the mountains he had seen earlier. He circled the town, always looking back, but there was no pursuit. That bothered him, along with the growing realization he could—and should—have brought Maria with him. Waiting for darkness, he sorted through the gold coins he had taken from the dead outlaws until he found four of the dragon’s head medallions. Curious, he turned one over and found a number three. Quickly he looked at the others, and they were identical. He had no doubt the dragon’s head symbolized the murderous outlaws, but what of the number—a three—on the opposite side? Uneasily, he waited until the shadows fell before making his way to the distant town. While he had left an obvious trail, there had been no pursuit. That, with Maria on his mind, was enough to arouse a sense of foreboding. Keeping to the shadows,