Read Online Wyoming Winterkill by Jon Sharpe - Free Book Online Page B

“Can’t say as I have, no.”
    â€œThe man irritated me. He thinks he’s the cock of the walk. He knows everything and won’t listen to anyone who thinks differently.”
    â€œOne of those.”
    â€œHe believed he could get to Oregon sooner by taking a shortcut.”
    About to sip, Fargo paused. “I don’t know of any shortcut.”
    â€œNeither do I.” Harrington turned, and his face was grim. “His great idea was to cut up through the geyser country and then head due west.”
    â€œThe damned fool.” Fargo was as familiar as any man alive with that region. It was some of the most rugged on the continent.
    â€œThat was my opinion,” Colonel Harrington said. “Of course, I had to be tactful about expressing it. I explained that wagons can’t possibly make it across the Tetons but he refused to listen. He said, and I’ll quote him, that he’d yet to meet the mountains he couldn’t lick.”
    â€œHell,” Fargo said.
    â€œI explained that the snows come earlier up there than they do here. That he might find him and all his charges stranded in the high country in the dead of winter with slim prospects of survival. Can you guess what his response was?”
    â€œHe’s never met the winter he couldn’t lick?”
    Harrington smiled. “He told me that no one ever gets anywhere in life by being timid. That he was confident he could beat the snow, make it over, and have his wagon train in Oregon a week and a half sooner than he would if he took the Oregon Trail.”
    â€œJackass.”
    â€œI tried my best to talk him out of it but it was no use. Twenty wagons were in his train. Over fifty people, counting the children. There was even a baby, as I recall.”
    â€œYet this Coarse went anyway,” Fargo said in disgust.
    â€œDid I mention how arrogant he was? And now I hear it has cost him.”
    Fargo saw where this was going. “Don’t tell me,” he said.
    â€œRemember Jules Vallee, the old trapper?” Harrington asked.
    Fargo knew Jules well, and said so.
    â€œHe came all the way down from the Tetons to let me know that Coarse and his people are stranded. The first blizzard of the season about buried them. Jules said they’re running low on food and can use our help.”
    â€œThat’s why you sent for me.”
    â€œYou’re the best scout we have,” Harrington said. “And you and that horse of yours can cover more ground in a couple of days than my men can in a week.”
    â€œYou want me to go up and bring them out?”
    â€œI do. Whether Coarse wants to come or not. Do whatever is necessary. You can even use force if you have to.”
    â€œI like that part.”
    â€œYou won’t like the next part, I’m afraid.” Harrington returned to his desk and sat with his hands folded. “Jules told me he found sign that Blackjack Tar and his bunch were keeping an eye on the train.”
    â€œHell,” Fargo said again.
    â€œMy guess is that Tar will wait until Coarse and his people are so weak from lack of food that they can’t defend themselves, then move in and help himself to their money and valuables.”
    â€œAnd wipe them out to keep them from talking.” Fargo drained the coffee and set the cup on the desk. “This gets better and better.”
    â€œDoesn’t it?” Harrington frowned. “I’m sorry. My first impulse was to take out a patrol. But I don’t know the country like you do and we might not be able to find them or wind up stranded ourselves.”
    â€œWhy couldn’t Jules guide you?”
    â€œI asked him to and he refused.”
    â€œHe give a reason?”
    â€œJules wants nothing to do with Blackjack Tar. He says that Tar is poison. Since he’s a civilian I couldn’t force him.”
    â€œWhere is Jules now?”
    Colonel Harrington’s frown deepened. “He fell