Read Online The Battle At Three-Cross by William Colt MacDonald - Free Book Online Page A

largely a feeler to see what it might draw forth from Herrick.
    â€œYou—you—you’re crazy as a hoot owl,” Herrick stammered.
    â€œWhat were you doing in the bank a spell back?” Lance flashed.
    â€œWhy, I—I wasn’t at the bank—I——”
    â€œDon’t lie, Herrick!”
    â€œOh yes, I know what you mean.” Herrick’s words sounded a bit crippled. “Yeah, I remember now. I dropped in to get a ten-dollar bill changed.”
    Oscar chuckled dryly. “All the saloons in town out of change, I suppose.”
    Herrick directed a look of hate at Oscar and swung back to Lance. He was regaining some of his courage now. “What in hell business is it of yours, anyway?” he demanded. “I got a right to go in the bank——”
    â€œI’m not denying that.” Lance nodded coolly. “As a matter of fact, I didn’t open this conversation.In the restaurant you said you wanted to see me. I waited here until you’d finished your dinner. So far you haven’t had anything to say that amounts to a damn, aside from voicing some threats that sound pretty empty to me.”
    â€œThey won’t sound so empty before long,” Herrick snarled, again losing his temper. “I said I was going to get you. I’m not backing down any on that statement.”
    â€œI’ve already invited you to pull your iron and start,” Lance said quietly. “The first move is up to you!” He stood easily before Herrick, right thumb hooked into cartridge belt, waiting.
    Herrick backed a step, then another. Suddenly he threw both arms wide of his sides and shook his head. “I’m not drawing now,” he said thickly. “Not when you got that deputy to back your play. I’ll get you sometime when the odds are even. A man can’t get a square deal with the peace officers in this town.”
    Oscar drawled indolently, “Cherry-Cow, how would you like me to knock your ugly mug out from under your hat?”
    â€œThere you are, there you are!” Herrick spat hotly. “Like I say, the law’s taking sides. I ain’t fool enough to take on two men at once——”
    â€œYou’re fool enough to stand here talking about it, I notice,” Oscar stated disgustedly. “Go on, on your way, Herrick. First thing you know, I’ll be running you out of town for good.”
    Herrick commenced backing away, his gaze still on Lance. “You got things your way right now, Tolliver,” he grated, “but just remember, there’s new cards turn up in every deal.”
    â€œI’m remembering,” Lance said coldly. “Any time,anywhere—the play’s up to you. I’ll meet any stakes you name!”
    Herrick mouthed a muffled curse and, swinging around, strode swiftly down Main Street as though anxious to get away.

VI
Peaceful Yaquentes?
    Oscar and Lance arrived back at the sheriff’s office after a time to find Lockwood donning his sombrero preparatory to going to dinner. Lockwood eyed the two gravely as they entered.
    â€œI understand,” the sheriff said, “that you two exchanged a few words with Chiricahua Herrick.”
    â€œWhere’d you hear that?” Lance asked.
    â€œHerrick dropped in a few minutes back to make a complaint. He claims you tried to pick a fight with him, Lance, and you, Oscar, was ready to jump in to help. He asked that I tell you to leave him alone.”
    Oscar said calmly, “He’s a bloody liar if he claims we picked on him. Here’s what happened.” He gave the sheriff the story of what had taken place.
    Lockwood nodded. “I figured it was something like that. I wasn’t impressed none. I told Herrick to mind his business, and you boys would mind yours. He was inclined to get a mite cocky, so I told him when he was willing to trust the law hereabouts the law would trust him. He claimed he didn’t