Read Online A Texas Hill Country Christmas by William W. Johnstone - Free Book Online

“We were on our way here to warn you that there might be trouble.”
    â€œYou know, when we settled here, I expected a raid from time to time, but it’s been so peaceful in these parts I guess we all sort of let our guards down. These Indians are the first ones we’ve seen except for some old-timers passing through once in a while. They never seemed like they wanted any trouble.”
    â€œSince Colonel Mackenzie broke the back of the Comanche resistance a few years ago up at Palo Duro Canyon, most of them have moved onto the reservation in Indian Territory,” Macmillan explained. “But there are always a few firebrands who can’t stand to be tamed. They jump the reservation and go raiding now and then.” He paused, then added grimly, “This bunch won’t do that again.”
    â€œI hope you’ll stay a spell,” Chadwick said. “We’d like to put on a feast and show you men just how much we appreciate what you’ve done.”
    Macmillan smiled and said, “That might could be arranged, although we can’t delay too long in returning to the fort—”
    He stopped as Houlihan approached them. The little Irish non-com was frowning.
    â€œWhat’s wrong, Sergeant?” Macmillan asked.
    Houlihan jerked a thumb over his shoulder and said, “We got fourteen dead Comanch’ here, Major.”
    â€œThat’s about how many we expected, isn’t it?”
    â€œProblem is, ain’t none of ’em got that half-moon mark.”
    Matt knew what Houlihan was talking about. He had seen the report that had been sent out to the different forts in Texas, listing the names and descriptions of the men who had left the reservation. The leader of the group, Black Moon, had gotten that name because of a black, half-moon-shaped mark on the left side of his face. The stain had been left there when someone had fired a gun practically in his face during a battle when he was a young man. The burning powder had pitted and blackened his skin permanently.
    â€œAre you sure, Sergeant?” Macmillan asked. “Perhaps you should check again.”
    â€œAlready checked twice, sir. That devil ain’t here.”
    â€œMaybe he was killed in one of those earlier raids,” Macmillan suggested. “The people at those ranches fought back, after all, before they were massacred.”
    Houlihan shrugged and said, “Could be.” It was obvious, though, that he didn’t really believe it.
    Neither did Matt. Black Moon was the ringleader of the group that had jumped the reservation. It was likely none of the other warriors would have turned renegade without his urging. Maybe they would have continued their rampage anyway if Black Moon had been killed, but Matt thought it more likely they would have tried to head back to Indian Territory and sneak onto the reservation, hoping to escape punishment for what they had done.
    No, his gut told him that Black Moon was still alive and out there somewhere, having slipped away from this ranch when it became obvious to him that his followers were about to be wiped out.
    John Chadwick frowned and asked, “Do you think we need to worry about this Indian you’re talking about, Major?”
    Macmillan shook his head without hesitation and said, “No, he’s just one man. I don’t think he represents any real threat. Local authorities can handle him from here on out. We’ll spread the word that he may be in the vicinity so the Rangers and other lawmen can keep an eye out for him.”
    â€œI’m not sure that’s good enough, Major,” Matt said.
    Macmillan sounded a little annoyed as he asked, “What do you mean?”
    â€œYou’re going back to Fort Griffin, aren’t you?”
    â€œThat’s right. I can’t justify keeping an entire patrol out just to hunt for one man.”
    â€œYou shouldn’t need me anymore, though. I think I’ll see if I