by F. M. Parker
“Yes, we’re the Tamblins,” said Dan. “Raasleer’s been killed by this young fellow. And his gang of rustlers are dead up on the hillside.”
Shallow wheeled his horse to ride up and stare down at the corpse near the creek. He turned and nodded to Edmonton. “This fits what I’ve been told Raasleer looks like.”
“Who were those riders I saw leaving in such a rush?” asked Edmonton.
“Friends of ours,” said Lafe.
“I see,” said Edmonton, evaluating the girl and the strained face of the young man standing tensely and alertly beside her.
Edmonton questioned Russ. “What’s your name?”
“Russ Tarlow.” He read the suspicious look on the rancher’s face. Cattle rustlers were hung in the Arizona Territory.
“He’s one of us,” interrupted Lafe in a tight voice and stepped up to stand near Russ. “If it hadn’t been for him calling Raasleer out and killing him, we would all be dead by now.”
“So he’s one of you,” said the Englishman. He whirled to look at Prim Herrera. “Do you know this man?”
His arm in a sling, Herrera guided his horse up close to Russ. For a long moment he stared down into Russ’s face. “He is a stranger, Senor Edmonton.”
“So that’s the way it’s going to be,” said the Englishman.
Russ tugged the pouch of gold Sun Wolf had given him from his pocket. He extracted a second bag containing his and Caloon’s gold, for he had taken his friend’s valuables, and handed them up to the Englishman. “This gold was found on rustlers. Maybe you can find the rightful owners.”
Edmonton hefted the gold in his hand. His eyes were softer. “What do you plan to do now?”
Russ considered that question. The range of possibilities for his future was changing rapidly. He glanced at Samantha. “I’m going to start a ranch on the Kofas,” he answered.
“Well, then you’ll need some money to buy breeding stock. Here, take this as a loan.” He pitched the precious metal to Russ.
“I may not be able to repay you for a long time,” exclaimed Russ, amazed at his sudden turn of fortune.
“Just keep rustlers out of the Kofas,” replied Edmonton in a stern voice, “That’ll be payment enough.”
“There’ll never be another rustier in those mountains,” promised Russ. “I might find some stolen cows over that way. When I do I’ll return them to their rightful owners.”
“Your word’s good enough for me,” said Edmonton. “I’ll be over to visit you from time to time and help you with any cattle you find.”
He turned to his men. “Come on, you cowboys. Let’s see how far toward home we can ride before it gets dark.” He smiled at Samantha and loped his horse down the valley.
“Let’s take Russ to the cabin, so we can stop his bleeding,” said Samantha. “Please hurry.”
As Russ started to move with the girl, the weakness from his injury caused him to stagger. Lafe and Dan saw his distress and stepped in quickly to catch him.
The strong hands helped Russ to walk. He thought of what Caloon had said. “It’s good to die with a friend near.”
Well, old friend, it is even better to be alive and near friends.
Samantha heard Russ laugh. She was worried about his wound, yet she felt happy. She took his hand and smiled.
Nighthawk
Copyright © FM. Parker, 1983 and 2011
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This digital edition published in 2011 by F.M. Parker
ISBN 978-1-908400-46-8
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