Read Online Iron Eyes Must Die by Rory Black - Free Book Online Page A

Why
would you go against these hombres and help me?’ Iron Eyes studied the face as the
older man absorbed his question. ‘Why?’
    ‘ My
brother Tom was the real sheriff in this town!’ the man replied.
‘Until Payne and his cronies rode into Rio Concho, that
is!’
    Iron Eyes knew pain when he saw it. Pain had
been with him for most of his life. He recognized it in the
wrinkled face above him.
    ‘ I
believe ya!’ he said.
    The pitchfork was pulled away
from his flesh. Iron Eyes struggled into a seated position and
rested his back against the wooden wall. The man knelt down beside
him and moved his lips close to Iron Eyes ’ left ear.
    ‘ I can
help ya, Iron Eyes,’ Hanney said. ‘I can help ya get the better of
these back-shooting varmints.’
    ‘ I’m
grateful, Hanney. Right now I need all the help I can get. I’m hurt
bad.’
    Hanney pulled the torn
bloodstained coat and shirt away from the bullet hole in the bounty
hunter ’s
shoulder. He gritted what was left of his teeth.
    ‘ That
bullet has gotta be cut out, boy! The wound’s infected.’
    Iron Eyes raised his leg and pulled the Bowie
knife from the neck of his boot. He smiled when he saw the
expression of the man seated next to him alter.
    ‘ Don’t
fret none, Hanney!’ Iron Eyes said. He handed the weapon to the
livery man.
    ‘ What
ya giving me ya knife for?’
    ‘ Dig
that bullet out!’ Iron Eyes muttered under his breath.
    ‘ You
serious?’
    Iron Eyes nodded.
    ‘ Dead
serious! Cut that lead out of me!’
    ‘ B . .
. but.’
    ‘ Now!’
    Duke Hanney held the knife in his shaking
hands and tried to change the subject.
    ‘ You
reckon you could get the better of them bastards?’
    Iron Eyes sighed.
    ‘ On a
good day, Hanney! Is this a good day?’
    ‘ With
me helpin’ ya, it could be.’
    ‘ You
say that they’re all outlaws?’
    ‘ Not
the townsfolk. Just the sheriff and the deputies,’ the livery
stable man corrected. ‘They come in here about two months back and
killed the real law. Buried them out on the prairie.’
    ‘ Why?’
    ‘ Beats
me,’ Hanney admitted. ‘They must have their reasons though. Maybe
they needs this town. Maybe they have to have some kinda control
over it.’
    ‘ How
far is the Mexican border from here?’
    ‘ Five
miles or so.’
    ‘ How
come the town’s menfolk are helping them?’
    ‘ Money!’ Hanney shrugged. ‘Payne and his boys seemed to have
a lot of it somehow. They bought up all the town scum easy. The
honest men don’t stick their noses out of their homes
much.’
    The bounty hunter turned and looked straight
at the man beside him.
    ‘ Why
didn’t ya wire somebody and tell them what was going on here,
Hanney?’
    ‘ The
telegraph don’t work, Iron Eyes. They cut all the wires before they
killed Tom and his deputies. They knew what they were doing OK. Had
it all planned out. There ain’t no way to contact anyone. This
town’s a long ways from anywhere.’
    ‘ Does
the stage come through here?’
    ‘ Every
Friday around noon.’ The livery man shrugged. ‘Payne always made
sure he and his deputies were waiting at the depot when it arrived.
None of the honest townsfolk have dared to open their mouths to the
stagecoach drivers or guards.’
    The picture painted by the
words of the
older man was not a pretty one. Iron Eyes rubbed his face and
pushed his long limp hair off his scarred features.
    ‘ This
is gonna be a tough one.’
    ‘ But
you’re Iron Eyes, boy! There ain’t no man who can stand up to you!
I’ve heard all them stories about you. They say that every outlaw
in the West fears Iron Eyes! Besides, you’re the only hope the
decent folks in Rio Concho got left, son!’
    ‘ I’m
that good, huh?’
    ‘ No.
Not good, Iron Eyes,’ the man corrected. ‘Bad! You’re that
bad!’
    Iron Eyes gritted his teeth and almost
smiled.
    ‘ Reckon ya right! Now dig that lead out of me and I’ll get
to work.’
    Hanney swallowed hard and moved the pointed
tip of the Bowie