Read Online The Devil Gun by J. T. Edson - Free Book Online Page A

the various faces.
    ‘Why, mister?’ asked Ole Devil.
    ‘My people are causing the trouble, sir. I’d like to help put it right.’
    ‘If you fall into Union hands, you’ll be shot, boy,’ warned the grim-faced General, but an almost gentle note crept into his voice.
    ‘I will whether I see it through or stay here, sir, in the end.’ A man who acted as Marsden had could expect death at the hands of his own people. He knew and accepted that fact before be started out for the Ouachita. However, he wanted to see through the thing he started. Knowing the risks they took, he stood a fair chance of never coming back and preferred that to bringing shame upon his family.
    Dusty smiled. ‘We’ll be travelling light, real light, sir. Mr. Marsden’s an infantry officer, does he think he can stand the pace?’
    ‘I trained for cavalry almost from birth, sir,’ Marsden answered.
    ‘Then you can come along,’ Dusty promised. ‘With your permission, sir, I’ll start making my preparations. We’ll pull out at first light in the morning.’
    Although they might be able to leave earlier, Dusty knew it would be better to utilise the rest of the day in making sure they had the best horses and preparing for the long, hard ride ahead.
    After Dusty’s party left the room, Mosby turned to Ole Devil. ‘Do you think we can trust Marsden, sir?’
    ‘I know we can,’ Ole Devil answered. ‘Haven’t seen the boy since he was ten, but he’s his father’s son.’
    ‘How about it, Dustine?’ queried Ole Devil.
    ‘You know his family, sir?’
    ‘You might say that, Colonel Mosby. I served with his father in the Mexican War, General Marsden is Dustine’s god-father and young Marsden there is my god-son. They named him Jackson Hardin for me. Now, gentlemen, we’ll see what we can do to get my god-son out of the mess he’s in. You’re a pretty good lawyer, John. Is there a precedent for his action?’
    ‘If there is,’ Mosby replied after a moment’s thought, ‘I can’t think of it.’
    ‘Or me,’ admitted Ole Devil. ‘I think that we’ll have to try direct methods. Hondo, can you take down a letter to General Philo Handiman, we’ll send it under a flag of truce to the nearest regular Yankee outfit, they’ll pass it on to Philo in Washington.’
    Not knowing that his future was under consideration, Marsden resigned himself to his fate. In an attempt to stop himself thinking of his ruined career and possible fate, he studied the scenes around him. First thing to strike his eye was that the Texas Light Cavalry’s camp showed none of the casual slovenliness he associated with volunteer outfits. Next of interest being the amount of Union Army gear on view. Tents, leatherwork, arms all bore the mark of Union make, even though the voices around the camp sounded Texan.
    ‘You look surprised that we’re living so well, mister,’ Dusty remarked.
    ‘I am, sir,’ admitted Marsden.
    ‘We couldn’t do it relying on our own folks’ supplies. Apart from the uniforms, we mostly draw on the Yankees for anything we need.’
    A faint smile came to Marsden’s lips at the small captain’s words. Something told Marsden that the forthcoming trip would be an education for him and that he might gain knowledge of use in his career. The smile went as Marsden realised that in all probability he no longer had a career or a future.
    Telling the two sergeants to grab a meal, then report to his tent and bring Billy Jack, Dusty took Marsden to his quarters in the officers’ lines. Another of Marsden’s illusions went as he found that the wedge of tents had been stockaded and gave every hint of permanency.
    ‘We aren’t going anywhere,’ Dusty remarked in answer to the other’s comment on the permanent nature of the quarters. ‘Not unless it’s back over the Arkansas.’
    The tent proved to be spacious, although not luxuriously furnished. However, it compared favourably with Marsden’s quarters with the Zouaves. Dusty shared the