Read Online Further Adventures of James Butler Hickok (9781101601853) by J. R. Roberts - Free Book Online Page A

men walking down the street and waved at them.
    â€œWhere is he?” Williams said.
    â€œIn the Empty Holster Saloon.”
    â€œThat place is always empty,” Levi said.
    â€œGood thing you didn’t follow him inside,” Williams said.
    â€œWhy would I?” Gant asked. “I wouldn’t wanna face him alone.”
    â€œThat was smart,” Levi said.
    Williams and McQueen exchanged a glance. Neither of them had ever said that about anything Gant had done before.
    â€œSo what now?” McQueen asked.
    â€œWe know he’s in there, right?” Levi asked.
    â€œThat’s right,” Gant said.
    â€œThen we’ll just wait for him to come out.”
    * * * 
    Hickok left the Straight Flush Saloon and started walking down the street toward the public square. Getting out of the saloon into the open air, he realized that he was antsy to be on his way. Springfield had fulfilled its purpose as a place for him to wind down after the war ended.
    All he had to do was get his watch back.
    * * * 
    Dave Tutt and Wild Bill Hickok were heading for their showdown. It was as if each knew the other would be waiting for him, so they both walked to the public square.
    Each of them drew observers with them, but one of those was not Clint Adams. He was still in the saloon, finishing his beer and wondering about the man who had followed him.
    He was heading for his own showdown.
    Again.

TWENTY-THREE
    Clint walked to the batwing doors and looked outside. His man had been joined by three more. So it was to be four this time.
    â€œFriends of yours?” the bartender asked.
    â€œNot exactly.”
    â€œYou’re the fella who gunned down Leo Worthy and two others in the square, right?”
    Clint turned and looked at the man.
    â€œHey, I got no beef with you,” the man said. “I’m just sayin’.”
    â€œYes,” Clint said, “I did that.”
    â€œSo these are friends of theirs, then.”
    â€œApparently.”
    â€œThere’s a back way,” the bartender said.
    â€œI can’t do that,” Clint said. “If word got out that I ran, I’d never be able to show myself in a town again.”
    â€œI guess I can see that,” the bartender said. “You took three. Do you think you can take four?”
    â€œI guess we’re going to find out,” Clint said, and stepped through the batwing doors.
    * * * 
    Dave Tutt reached the public square, which was empty. Word had gotten out that he was heading that way. Unbeknownst to him, word had also spread that Hickok was on his way as well.
    All he knew when he reached the square was that no one was there . . . until Hickok appeared.
    * * * 
    As Hickok approached the square, he also noticed the empty streets. When he got there, he saw Dave Tutt standing about fifty yards away from him. The sun glinted off the chain hanging from his vest.
    The watch.
    * * * 
    As Clint stepped through the doors, the four men across the street spread out. But Clint could see that they were favoring one man as the leader. They wouldn’t move until he did.
    The street was empty, and nobody seemed to be watching from windows. Something else must have been going on that had the people’s attention. Clint didn’t care. He didn’t crave an audience anyway.
    * * * 
    Levi was concerned.
    The streets were empty. That was okay. But normally you’d see people watching from their doors or windows, or from an alley, or from cover. There was nobody here. What was going on?
    * * * 
    Dave Tutt stopped walking, but didn’t say a word. He knew they were being watched from all around them. Plenty of witnesses.
    The time had finally come.
    * * * 
    Hickok spotted Tutt and stopped.
    â€œDave,” he called, “I told you not to wear that watch around town.”
    â€œWhy not?” Tutt called. “It’s