Read Online Ralph Compton Sixguns and Double Eagles by RALPH COMPTON - Free Book Online Page B

learn as much as you need to know, when I talk to them. See that they take clothing for several weeks. Tell them only that they are to obey my orders without question.”
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    â€œI reckon we’ll just wait here on the landing until time to board the steamboat,” Wes said. “At least there’s no good place for an ambush.”
    â€œPer‘ap they come after us on steamboat,” said El Lobo.
    â€œMaybe,” Wes said, “but they don’t have all that many places to hide. If they try to face us down, like the last time, we can handle them. It’s the back-shootin’ varmints with a hole to crawl into that bother me.”
    Just before noon, a steamboat from the north reached the landing, the hoarse bellow of its whistle causing Empty to cringe. Quickly the gangplank was lowered, and the deck hands began unloading cargo.
    â€œShe’s an hour late,” Wes said. “They’ll have to hustle to get our horses and the northbound cargo on board, if we leave on time.”
    â€œThe same steamboat go back the way it comes?”
    â€œYes,” said Wes. “This is the end of the line. We’ll likely have to board another boat in St. Louis for the rest of the way to Kansas City.”
    Passengers began arriving well before the freight had been unloaded, and there was some grumbling from those wishing to board early. Wes and El Lobo kept to themselves, watching for possible enemies, but nobody else appeared to be armed. A hack reined up, and after helping the two women down, the driver unloaded their trunks. The women—both with dark hair and in fancy dress—looked around. Just for a moment, their eyes rested on Wes and El Lobo.
    â€œInteresting,” said Wes.
    â€œ Malo ,” El Lobo said.
    Wes laughed. “ Amigo , you reckon they’re wearin’ a brace of Colts under all the fancy fixings?”
    â€œPer‘ap worse,” said El Lobo.
    Finally the freight was unloaded, and before loading the northbound freight all the waiting passengers were allowed to board. But Wes and El Lobo held back, waiting for their horses to be taken aboard. Once the animals had been led on and taken to a lower deck, Wes and EI Lobo followed. Empty followed reluctantly.

St. Louis. October 14, 1884.
    Rance Stringfield studied the telegram Turk Corbin had just handed him.
    â€œSo they’re heading west,” Corbin said. “I don’t understand how they escaped all them ambushes in New Orleans.”
    â€œThere’s nothing ordinary about these gunmen,” said Stringfield. “You had a firsthand look at what they did to us in Mexico. Our problem here in the western United States is getting our organization to see this for the danger it is.”
    â€œBy now, they’ll know Reed, Morgan, and DeShazo had to be eliminated,” Corbin said, “and all because these El Diablo Pistolas showed up in New Orleans. That should give ‘em some idea just how dangerous this pair is.”
    Stringfield sighed. “I hope so. I never expected them to destroy us in Mexico, but they did. If it happens here, we have nowhere to go.”
    â€œWhen they reach Kansas City, they’ll have to make it from the steamboat landing to the railroad depot,” said Corbin. “Hell, in that distance I could bushwhack the two of ‘em myself.”
    â€œIf I had the authority,” Stringfield said, “I’d send you there to do just that. Should they escape us there, we may not have another good chance at them until they get to Boulder, Colorado.”
    â€œIf they reach Boulder,” said Corbin, “they’ll have to travel by horseback from there to Nevada. That is, if they’re goin’ there. Just send enough gunmen after them and ride ‘em down.”
    â€œWith a mint at Carson City, I have no doubt that’s where they’re going,” Stringfield said. “I won’t be surprised if they create an