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decision.”
    â€œYou bet they did!” Horn said. “We been trackin’ these rustlers a long time, and now these fellas have held us up. We coulda caught up to them today.”
    â€œYou think so?” Delman asked.
    â€œNow that they’ve got some cattle with them,” Siringo said, “we know so.”
    â€œIt’s still gonna take me some time to get up a posse,” Delman admitted. “After another hour or so these men will start to think about their dead comrades, and I won’t get so many volunteers.”
    â€œSo what?” Horn asked. “You want us to do your job for you?”
    â€œSeems to me you’d be doin’ your own jobs,” the lawman said.
    â€œYou wanna come with us, then?” Horn asked.
    The lawman was a tall, lanky fellow in his early forties, wore his gun like a schoolteacher would, much too high.
    â€œI don’t think so,” he said. “I’ve got to stay here and . . . keep an eye on things.”
    â€œYeah . . . that’s what I thought,” Horn said.
    Horn’s tone didn’t seem to ruffle the lawman.
    â€œYou may think I’m scared or somethin’, but I’ve got responsibilities here.”
    â€œOf course you do,” Siringo said.
    The sheriff studied the detective for a moment, probably trying to figure out if he was being serious or sarcastic.
    â€œI think we’ve been delayed long enough, Sheriff,” Clint said. “We better get going, unless you have something else you can tell us about the rustlers.”
    â€œI think I told you all I can.”
    Clint, Siringo, and Horn exchanged glances, nodded, and headed for the front door. The sheriff followed.
    *   *   *
    Outside the lynch mob was still gathered, and they watched while the three men mounted their horses.
    â€œBunch of brave men when they’re lynching three innocent strangers,” Horn commented. “Won’t none of them volunteer for a posse.”
    â€œThat just means they won’t be gettin’ in our way,” Siringo said.
    Horn nodded and said, “I guess that’s one way of lookin’ at it.”

TWENTY-ONE
    Sandusky and his crew made good time pushing the hundred head. The cows were well behaved, and his men knew how to handle them.
    â€œWe’re makin’ good time,” he commented to Anderson.
    â€œStill too slow, if there’s a posse after us,” Anderson said nervously.
    â€œDon’t worry about a posse,” Sandusky said. “I got a plan.”
    â€œWhen do I get to hear it?”
    Sandusky looked around them to make sure they could not be overheard. Delilah was sitting at his feet, but she wouldn’t dare say a word to anyone. She knew he’d kill her if she did.
    â€œYou, me, and Delilah, we’re gonna ride on up ahead,” he said. “We’ll meet up with the men and the cattle in ol’ Mexico.”
    â€œWhat if they don’t make it to Mexico?” Anderson asked. “What if the posse catches up to them, and . . .”
    Anderson trailed off as he noticed Sandusky watching him with a small smile on his face. Delilah was also smiling.
    â€œOh, I get it,” Anderson said, “I get it.”
    â€œIf they make it, fine,” Sandusky said, “we’ll sell the cows. If they don’t make it . . .” He stopped and shrugged.
    â€œI get it,” Anderson said again.
    â€œSee?” Sandusky said. He slid a hand down and into Delilah’s shirt until he was cupping one of her big breasts. “I told you to leave the thinkin’ to me.”
    *   *   *
    After a few miles Tom Horn was still fuming about the treatment they’d received.
    â€œGoddamned idiots!” he swore.
    â€œTake it easy, Tom,” Siringo said.
    â€œIt’s bad enough we got shot,” Horn went on, “but those blamed idiots were gonna hang