Read Online Webb's Posse by Ralph Cotton - Free Book Online Page B

you look at it.” Summers shot a quick glance at the townsmen closing in. “You’ll make a wide gain for yourself if you get up off your knees on your own. The fact is, it’s something we really could use if you’re going to lead these men.”
    â€œAll…right then,” Webb groaned, pushing up from the ground. Summers stood back three feet, making no attempt to help him.
    â€œThat’s the way, Deputy,” Summers whispered. “You’re doing fine.” He watched Webb wobble back and forth, pressing a hand to a swollen cut on his jaw. “Now drag Daniels to his feet and throw him up on his saddle.”
    â€œDo…what?” Webb’s breath heaved in his chest. He gave Summers an incredulous look through swollen, bloodshot eyes. “I just…fought to make him stay here.”
    â€œI know, but it’s different now that you won. Now you’ve got to let him ride with us!”
    Webb gave an exhausted shrug. “That makes…no sense at all.”
    â€œIt will once you’ve thought it through,” Summers whispered. “Do like I’m telling you.”
    Webb looked down at Daniels’ broad back. “I can’t…lift that big son of a—”
    â€œYou’ve got to, Deputy,” Summers insisted, still in a whisper between them. “Think what it’ll do for you in the town’s eyes.”
    â€œLord have…mercy, Will,” Webb groaned. “I’m…beat all to hell!”
    â€œYou can do it, Deputy. I know you can,” Summers insisted. “Now lift him up…throw him on that saddle.” Summers stepped back out of the way. “These men will follow you anywhere.”
    The townsfolk along the street and the men mounted and ready to ride posse watched in hushed silence as a struggling Deputy Abner Webb pulled Edmund Daniels up and looped an arm across his shoulder. “Give him room!” Will Summers shouted. The townsfolk pulled back and watched Webb drag the knocked-out man to the big gray gelding standing in the middle of the street. With all his strength, Webb pushed upward againstDaniels until finally the limp figure flopped across the saddle like a corpse.
    Summers saw the deputy was about to fall, so he hurried over to him and grabbed the reins to the gray. “There now, you saw Deputy Webb make things right with Edmund Daniels,” Summers shouted to the mounted possemen. “Does anybody have any more to say on the matter?” He looked from man to man, making sure his eyes met theirs. When no one replied, he said, “All right then. Let’s be off and gone!”
    While the possemen filed by, Will Summers held the reins to Webb’s horse. Webb struggled upward until he flopped over into his saddle. Summers handed him his reins, then handed him the reins to Daniels’ big gray. “Here, Deputy, sit tall,” Summers said. “You’ve earned the right to hold your head high.”
    â€œI…need to see…the doctor,” Webb rasped. “I believe he’s broke…something inside me.”
    â€œDon’t whimper like a pup,” Summers snapped at him. “You’ve just done a big thing for yourself. Be proud of it.”
    â€œAt least…let me wash my face, Will,” Webb moaned.
    â€œDon’t worry, Deputy.” Summers pulled a wadded-up bandanna from inside his coat and shook it out. “Soon as the posse is farther down the street, you can clean your face up. Don’t let these men see you’re hurting though.” Summers reached down with the bandanna and gestured young Eddie Duvall toward them. “You, kid, take this over, dip it in the horse trough and wring it out for us.”
    â€œThe horse trough?” Webb moaned.
    â€œIs he going to die?” Eddie Duvall asked, staring in awe at Abner Webb’s battered face.
    â€œNaw, kid, this man is tougher than a pine knot.” Summers