the Shadow Riders (1982) by Louis L'amour Read Free Book Online

need an army, Frank, but what I need, I've got."
    Suddenly three men burst from the saloon, then pulled up sharply, looking at the scene in the street before them. Happy Jack Traven emerged from the saloon behind them, a cup of coffee in his left hand.
    "If I were you," Mac said, "I'd deliver that message and then get yourself out of the way. This is a big, wide open country. You don't have to go to Mexico."
    A slender man in a black coat, who was one of the three from the saloon, stepped down off the porch. "What's going on here?" he asked pleasantly.
    "Nothing very exciting," Mac replied. "These gentlemen have been stirring up a little trouble, and I've just suggested they leave town before somebody gets hurt.
    "I also suggested they free those young women they've captured, and free them unharmed."
    "I am sure there's been a mistake," the man said smoothly. "I have been travelling with these men, who are cattle drovers."
    "Whose cattle are they driving?" Mac said. "I saw a collection of brands from ranches north and somewhat west of here, but no road brand. I suggest we ask the local sheriff to inspect that herd and your papers, sir."
    The man in the black coat glanced around. There were twenty-five or thirty people standing around listening. Under his breath he swore bitterly. This was all they needed, to stir up trouble with these people now.
    "Of course," he said politely, "I'd be glad to agree. We are under a good deal of pressure for time, unhappily. We have some sickness in the wagons and wish to get our young people to the care of a physician."
    "I am sure there is a good doctor in Victoria, and I would be glad to pay for his attentions to those of you who are sick." Mac was very cool. He dropped the Remington into its holster. "Why go away from this nice town when you have illness?"
    "Let's get out of here!" Frank said irritably. "This isn't gettin' us nowhere!"
    The other two men stepped down off the board-walk and came toward the man in black, but only he observed Happy Jack Traven and Dal stepping off the porch behind them.
    "We must go, but come whenever you are ready, and by all means, bring your doctor."
    He bowed, turned, and walked toward his horse, the others following.
    Mac Traven hesitated. Could he get a doctor and the law to go with him? And could they do it in time? He had no doubt the caravan would be moving within minutes of the arrival of these men in the camp on the Guadalupe.
    A tall gray-haired man came from the board-walk. "What was that all about?" he asked.
    Briefly, Mac Traven explained, then added, "They are heavily armed, good fighting men, and there are at least thirty of them. Nor will they stand for a search or for any doctor. In all fairness, I have to warn you of that. A search will show kidnapped women, stolen horses and cattle, and a thoroughly vicious bunch of men."
    "What are you going to do?"
    "Follow them, get those women away from them, and hopefully the cattle as well. These are dangerous men and must be stopped."
    "They have done no harm here, and our sheriff is in San Antonio. You might try for volunteers, but I doubt if you'd get many. It is not their fight, and this is a busy time for all here."
    As the man walked away Happy Jack swore. "You should have killed that Frank," he said irritably. "We had 'em boxed."
    "And endanger innocent people? When lead starts flying it is usually bystanders who get hurt. No, I can wait. When a man uses a gun he should be aware of the consequences."
    "What do we do now?"
    "We follow them, we get the girls back. We stampede their cattle, we delay them, we watch our chance to get that wagon-load of women. Let's go!"

    Chapter Six.
    Kate Connery was working close to their wagon when she saw the riders return from Victoria. They went at once to the canvas awning under which Colonel Ashford waited.
    She heard a mutter of voices and then one slightly louder, "Said he was Major Mac Traven. Sounded like he figured you'd know the name. There was at