“I reckon not,” Roy replied, “but it might be a good idea for you boys to get on your way. Them other two soldiers might be back here with half their company to get those two.” He nodded to the two casualties, who were just beginning to show signs of life.
“I expect you’re right,” Cody said. “I apologize for runnin’ off four of your customers.”
“Don’t matter,” Roy said. “They’d done spent all their money anyway. Besides, I might sell some whiskey to their friends when they come back lookin’ for you two.”
“What about me?” Mae piped up, having been an astonished spectator up to that point. “You mighta cost me money.”
“Oh, yeah,” Cody said. In the heat of the action, he had forgotten what started the altercation. “How much do you charge?”
“Three dollars for a straight ride without no extras,” she replied.
“Fair enough,” Cody said and dug into his pocket. “Here’s three dollars and a dollar extra.”
She looked surprised. “You want it now?”
“I ain’t got time now, lady, but I figure I owe you for one. I’ll settle for a kiss.” He planted one on the startled prostitute and then sang out, “Let’s go, Jug, before the whole damn army shows up.” He paused a moment while Jug got his gun belt from Roy and then started for the door after his brother.
Outside, they wasted no time. Stepping up in the saddle, they turned their horses toward the trail to Stevensville. “You gonna tell Pa you gave a whore four dollars of that money we got for the horses?” Jug asked.
“Hell no,” Cody answered with a chuckle. “I’m gonna tell him you ate four dollars’ worth of pickled eggs. He’ll believe that.”
Ride the High Range Page 25