The Last Ride of Caleb O'Toole by Eric Pierpoint Read Free Book Online Page A

at Henderson. “A full house beats three of a kind, right, mister?” Caleb quietly pleaded. “That’s right, isn’t it?”
    Henderson eyed Caleb for what seemed like an eternity. Then slowly he reached for the whiskey glass, his right hand still under the table on his pistol. Caleb held his breath as Henderson brought the whiskey to his lips and drank. Satisfied, he then set the glass back down on the table.
    â€œThat’s right,” said Henderson as he gave Caleb a sly wink.
    â€œHe says a full house wins!” said Caleb to Blacktooth.
    â€œHere that, Davey?” said Blacktooth, his mouth set in an ugly grin. “The boy says you win!”
    â€œThat’s it. I’m out! I’m not losing what I have to a cheater!” said Irishman as he broke free from Mountain Man’s grip.
    Snake lashed out suddenly and pistol-whipped Irishman to the floor. “Can’t quit now, Irish. New hand!”
    Blacktooth sneered victoriously at Henderson and headed over to the poker table. Henderson pulled his hat down over his eyes, easing his hand off his Colt. Caleb breathed a sigh of relief as Red hustled over with a plate loaded with food.
    â€œThe Lord did give you some smarts, Caleb. You best get yourself out of here for tonight.” Red ruffled Caleb’s hair. “We’ll see about tomorrow.”
    â€œThanks, Red.” Caleb took the food gratefully and headed through the swinging doors. The cowboys were drinking again, the girls laughing, and the piano player playing. The Dobytown Saloon was hopping once more.

Caleb picked up his Sharps rifle and sat against the wooden stall in the lantern light. More horses had been left out front while he was in the saloon and he’d dutifully brought them in for feed and water. Now, he could finally rest. Tumble was curled up nearby, snoring softly. Tilly lay snuggled against Julie like a raggedy angel, still clutching a favorite little doll that they’d managed to bring along for her. Julie slept with her arms around Tilly in motherly protection, her golden hair fanned out in the hay. Caleb took a rag from his back pocket and cleaned the rifle’s barrel and stock. He pulled the hammer back and peered into the chamber, then blew away some specks of dirt. He took out a bullet and slid it in, mindful of the click it made when it was snug in the chamber. Next, he squeezed the trigger and eased the hammer down. He leaned back in the hay and closed his eyes as exhaustion washed over his body. Images of his burning home, his dying mother, the wolves, and the Blackstones flickered across his mind. He heard Dusty give a quiet snort outside the barn door. Then Caleb fell into the deepest sleep of his life, the Sharps slipping from his grasp into the hay beside him.
    ***
    â€œThat’s it. The dapple-gray horse there. She’s all I’ve got,” a strange voice said. Caleb could not move himself to wake. He could feel someone suddenly shaking him, but he could not open his eyes, so deep was his sleep.
    â€œWell, she’s ours now!” answered a dark and sinister voice.
    â€œCaleb, wake up!” he heard Julie say, feeling her trying to shake him from his slumber.
    The CRACK of a fist against flesh jolted Caleb awake in time to see Irishman fly through the open barn door and land in a heap. The four murderous Blackstones, drunk and dangerous, barreled in behind him. As Blacktooth reached down and yanked up Irishman, his evil eyes rested upon Tilly, who snuggled deep into Julie’s arms.
    â€œWell now. What do we have here?” leered Blacktooth as he dropped Irishman into a pile of manure.
    â€œIt’s the dragon!” exclaimed Tilly. “It’s him!”
    Blacktooth stared hard at Tilly. Then his mouth broke into an ugly black grin. “What do you know? You’re a long way from Great Bend now, aren’t you?”
    â€œBottle Boy, too, if my memory serves,” cackled