The Savage Curse by Jory Sherman Read Free Book Online Page B

deadly as a rattlesnake,” Ward said. “So watch your step.”
    Ben and John scoured the place where they lay their bedrolls before laying them out on the ground.
    Ward lay down, placing his pistol close at hand. He blew out his candle and laid it on the ground within easy reach. He turned over and closed his eyes.
    Ben and John lay down, their heads close together. John held a finger to his lips and mouthed the word “wait.”
    Ben nodded.
    John blew out his candle. Ben snuffed his out with his finger, waxing the tip and part of the nail. The oily smoke hung in the air for several moments. John heard Horky and Jubal talking, but couldn’t make out what they were saying. Soon, they stopped and it grew quiet.
    John lay there, his eyes open, fighting off sleep. He listened to Jake’s breathing and to Ben’s. He reached over and jostled Ben to make sure he was still awake.
    Jake’s breathing became deeper, more even. In a few minutes, he began to snore.
    John waited another five minutes, then felt for Ben’s head. When he touched his ear, he scooted closer, whispered into it.
    â€œYou awake, Ben?”
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œI don’t trust this bunch.”
    â€œMe, neither.”
    â€œWe’ve got to get away from Crudder whenever he takes us out of here.”
    â€œHe can lead us to Ollie Hobart.”
    â€œI know. But Crudder is a dangerous man. And sooner or later, he’ll find out who we are.”
    â€œWhat do you want to do?”
    â€œJust follow my lead. I’ll get shut of him before we get to Tucson. We can track him to Hobart.”
    â€œHobart will know we’re comin’, John. Crudder will sure as hell put a bug in his ear.”
    â€œCan’t be helped.”
    Jake’s snoring became louder.
    â€œJust let me know when you plan to make the break.”
    â€œI will. Might have to run for our lives.”
    â€œWon’t be the first time, Johnny.”
    â€œNo. And it probably won’t be the last. Now, get some shut-eye.”
    â€œYou, too,” Ben said.
    John lay awake for another half hour. Finally, the snoring subsided to a tolerable drone in his ears and he sank into sleep. His right hand gripped his pistol. It was a comfort, something he could rely on. But maybe Horky had been right, closer to the truth than any of them knew.
    Perhaps, he thought, as he drifted into sleep, the gun was cursed.
    It was sure that it had blood on it.

8
    CRUDDER MADE IT EASY FOR BEN AND JOHN.
    The following morning after breakfast, when the men were all drinking a second mug of coffee, Crudder announced his plans.
    â€œWe can’t all ride into Tucson in a bunch,” he said. “We’ll draw too much attention to ourselves.”
    â€œSo what do we do?” Mead asked.
    â€œWe got a meetin’ place. We drift in at night, two at a time. Meet up at the Lobo Rojo, that little cantina on Vera Cruz.”
    â€œI don’t know where it is,” Ward said.
    John blew steam from his tin cup and sipped his coffee, his gaze fixed on Crudder. He and Ben didn’t know where the cantina was, either.
    â€œYou find Hidalgo Street, ride west. You’ll come to Vera Cruz. Head north three blocks. You’ll see the Hotel Norte. Right next to it is the Lobo Rojo, a big sign on the false front and a big red wolf on it.”
    â€œWhen?” Mead asked.
    â€œWe should get to Tucson tonight,” Crudder said. “I’ll go in first, take John Logan with me.”
    John felt a squeezing of his heart, as if Crudder had reached into his chest with a grimy hand. He drew in a breath to ease the pressure.
    â€œHorky, you and Jubal ride in about an hour later, from the south trail. Jake, you’ll take Ben with you and come in from the northeast where that old trading post stands.”
    â€œI know the place,” Ward said.
    â€œAn hour apart. We’ll all ride together until we’re five miles out, then