Read Online The Road to Ratchet Creek by J. T. Edson - Free Book Online Page A

Cole, the remaining Arapahoes called off their attack. Swinging their horses, gathering up the wounded in passing, they plunged back across the water through which they had charged so boldly. Calamity and Cole held their fire, watching the retreat. Although the shotgun and Navy Colt also fell silent, the lighter revolver sounded twice more but there was no noticeable effect on the fleeing braves.
    After watching to make sure that none of the braves turned back in a final attempt at revenge, Cole swung about. He looked up the slope to where John Browning, Cultus and Conway approached with guns in their hands.
    â€œI thought I told you to get the coach to safety,” the marshal said.
    â€œWas going to,” Cultus replied. “Then I recalled that we never stopped to scout the draw afore coming over. So ole Joe hauled up and telled us to come back and do it.”
    â€œRight pleased to see you,” Calamity stated and went to pick up her carbine. “You come just at the right time.”
    â€œYou’re saying the truth, sister,” Cole agreed,holstering his revolver and going to pick up the whiskey jug.
    â€œIf there’s anything in it, save me one,” Calamity said. “I can sure—.”
    Her words cut off as a scared female scream rang out from beyond the rim where the stagecoach had halted. Swiftly the party bounded up the trail, Cole carrying the jug and Calamity encumbered by the two Winchesters. None of them knew what to expect to see when they reached the top.
    At first sign there did not seem any reason for the scream. The coach had halted about a hundred yards beyond the rim and Thorbold stood by the heads of the lead horses. Then Calamity and the men saw Monique kneeling alongside Pizen Joe as he lay sprawled on his back.
    â€œHe just got off the box and dropped,” Thorbold told them as they ran up. “Let me get to him!” Calamity snapped, then realized that she still carried her own carbine and Cole’s rifle. “And will somebody lay hold of all this hardware? I feel like the gun counter at Milligan’s store.”
    â€œLet me have them, Calam,” offered Johnny and thrust her Colt back into its holster to leave both hands free.
    â€œThanks,” she said, surrendering the Winchesters and going to kneel at the old-timer’s side. To her relief, she saw his eyes flicker open. “What the hell’re you doing down here, you fool ole goat.”
    â€œI’m taking me aftynoon nap, what else?” Joe yelped and struggled to sit up. “Just let me——.”
    Pain twisted his face and sweat burst on his face, causing him to flop back into a lying position again.
    â€œThat’s better,” Calamity told him. “Now stay there or I’ll have the boys sit on your chest.”
    Gently she slipped a hand under his neck and started to ease him from the ground. A gasp broke from him as Calamity moved her hand downward to support his back. Something hot, wet, sticky and familiar to the touch came into contact with her palm. She looked down at a blood-oozing hole beneath his right shoulder blade.
    â€œGod damn it, Joe!” she said. “You’ve been shot.”
    â€œNow me, I’d’ve swore some damned fool freighter done stuck me out of meanness with a pitchfork,” the old timer replied hotly. “Course I’ve been shot. Lend me hand up, one of ye, and we’ll be on our way.”
    â€œLike hell!” Calamity barked. “You’re bad enough driving well. The Good Lord only knows what you’d be like with a bullet in you.”
    â€œDamn it all, gal!” Joe spluttered indignantly. “I druv the ‘Big Run’ from Halleck to Bridger one time with three Sioux arrers in me brisket. Leave be——.”
    Seeing that strong measures were called for toobtain the old timer’s cooperation, Calamity bent forward and hissed words that reached only his ears. “If