Read Online Across the Rio Colorado by Ralph Compton - Free Book Online Page B

to excuse a man just because he’s drunk. I don’t drink, because I know what whiskey does to a man. Should I get drunk and kill a man, he’s just as dead as if I’d been cold sober. So none of these people have any excuse for what happened, least of all, Trent Putnam.”
    â€œLet’s not talk about them anymore,” said Mary. “When all this started, you were about to heat up my coffee. It’s cold again.”
    McQuade laughed. “You’re in luck. I have a fresh pot.” Drawing her close, he kissed her long and hard, and whatever difficulty awaited them at dawn faded into oblivion.

    Well before dawn, Trent Putnam was stone sober, cursing anyone who came near. But Chance McQuade was one of the men on the last watch of the night, and with just a few words he silenced Putnam. The camp was up and about well before first light, and so that they might get the unpleasant duty behind them, McQuade called for a vote as to what should be done with Luke Burke and Trent Putnam. Now conscious, Luke Burke was brought out into the wagon circle on blankets. Trent Putnam had been freed from the wagon wheel and allowed to restore the circulation to his arms and legs. McQuade wasted no time.
    â€œBurke, you’re accused of fooling around with Putnam’s woman, while he was gone to Hook’s saloon for whiskey. Putnam, you’re accused of shooting Burke, when you returned, drunk. I have the authority to expel both of you from this wagon train, as well as the woman who’s been fooling around with the two of you. Do any of you have anything to say?”
    â€œI was drunk,” Putnam said. “I didn’t know what I was doin’.”
    â€œNo excuse,” said McQuade. “You were sober when you decided to get drunk.”
    â€œThe woman’s been makin’ eyes at me,” Luke Burke said weakly. “I didn’t take nothin’ but what was offered.”
    â€œI didn’t do anything wrong,” Selma cried. “I was just makin’ Trent jealous, so’s he’d marry me, like he promised.”
    â€œWe have a decision to make,” said McQuade. “Do we allow this trio another chance, or do we expel them from this wagon train?”
    Before anybody could respond, the Reverend Flanagan got to his feet, raised his hand, and cleared his throat. Greeted by silence, he spoke.
    â€œFriends, I’m a believer in repentance. All of us are sinners saved by grace. I propose that these three sinners be forgiven, with provisions for punishment if they backslide. I’m prepared to perform a marriage ceremony,
which will fulfill Mr. Putnam’s promise to this woman, Selma. Unfortunately, assuming that Mr. Putnam agrees to leave the whiskey alone, we have only his word. Likewise, we will have only Mr. Burke’s promise that he will stay away from Selma, who will be a married woman. I propose that these two men take an oath before us all to forgo the evil in which they engaged last night. Should either violate that oath, they will then be expelled from this community.”
    â€œWhat about the woman, preacher?” somebody shouted.
    â€œShould the woman, Selma, be found in violation of her vows, she too will be driven out of our midst,” said Flanagan. “Now, Mr. Burke and Mr. Putnam, do you agree to take this proposed oath and abide by it?”
    â€œYeah,” Burke said. “I’ll take it.”
    â€œMr. Putnam?” said Flanagan.
    â€œI’ll take it,” Putnam growled.
    â€œNow, young lady,” said Flanagan, turning to Selma, “if you’ll stand here next to Mr. Putnam, I’ll make an honest woman of you.”
    â€œI ain’t tyin’ myself to that whore,” Putnam shouted.
    â€œIf I’m a whore, you made me one,” Selma cried.
    â€œI was about to make that same observation,” said the Reverend Flanagan. “If you are unwilling to fulfill your promise to