Read Online The Legend of El Duque by J. R. Roberts - Free Book Online

saying.”
    â€œFine.”
    The two men sucked on their candy and waited. Finally, the three men pushed off from the building they had been leaning against, and started across the street.
    â€œTake the man on your right,” Clint said, “and do not fire unless I do.”
    â€œSí,”
Mano said, “you are the boss.”

TWENTY
    Clint moved to his left, away from the horses, and Mano followed.
    As the three men approached, Armando was in the center, with Reyes to his left and Cruz to his right.
    â€œAmigo,”
Armando called out.
    â€œAre you talking to me?” Clint asked.
    â€œWe give you a chance to ride out, gringo,” Armando said. “Put your money on the ground first.”
    â€œAnd why would I do that?” Clint asked.
    â€œSo that you may ride out of town alive,
señor
.”
    â€œWell,” Clint said, “I’m not putting my money on the ground, and I expect to ride out of town alive anyway. What do you think, Mano?”
    â€œThat sounds like a good plan,
señor
,” Mano said.
    â€œThere you go,” Clint said, “my friend approves of my plan.”
    â€œYour friend is very young,
señor
,” Armando said. “Perhaps we should give him a chance to think over his answer, huh?”
    â€œHe’s very young,” Clint said, “but he doesn’t need time to think. And I don’t have time to play games with you or try to save your lives. So if you’re going to do something, do it.”
    That seemed to surprise Armando for a moment, and disconcert his other two men. They were wondering why the gringo wasn’t a little more afraid.
    â€œIf not,” Clint said, “we will mount up and ride out and you can wait and rob the next gringo.”
    The three Mexican bandits didn’t move, so Clint walked slowly to his horse and mounted up. While he watched the three men, Mano also mounted.
    Clint started to back away with Eclipse, while Mano turned his horse to ride out of town. That was what Armando was waiting for. He was smarter than Clint thought.
    Once Mano’s attention was diverted, Armando went for his gun. His two compadres followed. Effectively, Armando had turned a three against two situation into a three against one.
    Clint drew, pointed, and fanned his gun, exerting enough pressure downward to keep the barrel from jerking. The three Mexicans danced in the street for a moment, then fell. Clint quickly reloaded as Mano turned.
    â€œWhat happened?”
    â€œIt’s over,” Clint said. “Keep riding.”
    He holstered his gun and followed Mano out of town.
    * * *
    A couple of miles out, Mano reined his horse in and turned to Clint.
    â€œWhat happened?”
    â€œThey waited until your back was turned to draw.”
    â€œBut I was ready,” Mano said, “ready to—how do you say?—back your play.”
    â€œI know you were, Mano,” Clint said.
    Mano shook his head.
    â€œI still need to prove myself to you.”
    â€œThe time will come,” Clint said. “As a gringo in Mexico, I’ll attract more attention. You’ll get your chance.”
    Mano stared at Clint for a few moments, then said, “I think perhaps all of the stories my father told me about you are true.”
    â€œMaybe,” Clint said. “The next time I see him, I’ll have to ask him what he told you.”
    â€œI can tell you that,” Mano said as they gigged their horses. “After all, we need to talk about something.”
    â€œMano—”
    â€œThere was the time you faced the James boys . . .”

TWENTY-ONE
    â€œWe’re lost,” Tibbs said, “ain’t we?”
    â€œNo,” Steiger lied.
    â€œWell,” Jerome said, “then we don’t know where we are.”
    â€œLook,” Steiger said, “we know where he’s goin’, so let’s just go there.”
    â€œMexico City?” Tibbs