Page 79 of Ask No Tomorrows


Font Size:  

“South,” Miss Tilda cried.

“Okay, you girls lock up and hopefully I’ll catch up to them before the law does.” Sam smiled. “I’d kinda like to take Friend along; maybe he can help me sniff them out. Got anything with their scent on it?”

Miss Tilda seemed to pause for a minute to think then nodded. “We sure do. Before they left, Riley managed to scald one of them pretty good with some hot water on the stove; he left a rag he used to smear butter on. Let me get it for you.”

“Thanks, that will help.”

“Be careful, Sam.” Nannette came and laid a hand on him. “I know you’re sweet on Riley, but we all care about you, Sam.”

He stared at Nannette for a minute then smiled. “I’ll be fine. But thanks for carin’.”

Less than a half hour later, Sam was on their trail.

Tracking them hadn’t been easy, but as he headed south, he figured they were headed for Mexico. With all that Harry had pulled, it wouldn’t pay for him to stay on this side of the border. The weather was hot and dry and Sam ate enough dust along the way.

He silently wished he’d come sooner, but now that he was sure of his feelings and what he wanted to do, he had confidence he’d get Riley back.

It was the second night out that Sam actually caught up to their camp. And he spent some time scouting out the entire lay of the camp and men before making any kind of move. There were five of them and all armed. Friend circled the shack they were in and sniffed about.

Sam got close enough to listen to them for a bit.

“If she hadn’t thrown that hot water on me, I’d be worth somethin’ right now.”

“Jarvis, it’s okay, ain’t nobody even on our trail yet. Quit frettin’.”

Sam backed off, he’d seen Riley at the stove cooking. After she’d scalded the one man, he was surprised they let her near a stove.

Sam couldn’t figure out how to completely best them so he figured if he could burst in and shock them, maybe get one or two before they figured out what hit them and with Friend maybe more.

Without another thought he directed Friend to follow him.

He stood in front of the door and kicked the door in. He fired shots wildly as he went inside. Friend didn’t hesitate to jump on Jarvis and Jarvis yelped as he bit the hand that was already blistering.

Sam saw Riley and couldn’t believe she clobbered the one closest to her with the skillet.

But Harry bested them both and now grabbed Riley’s hair and thrust her against him. “Drop it or she’s dead.”

Sam slowly lowered his gun, but he hadn’t dropped it. Harry eyed him. “I said drop it. Well, now what have we got, a black buck…You’re in the wrong place at the wrong time, mister.”

“I don’t think so. Let go of her…” Sam grit his teeth.

“Not a chance…” Harry began when Riley dipped her head and bit his hand hard.

Harry shrieked and dropped his gun. “What the devil…?”

Sam grabbed Harry’s gun and glanced at Riley. “You okay?” he asked.

Riley smiled. “I am now…”

Sam smiled too and looked at Harry. “See if you can find some rope, we’ll tie him up and take him to the Sheriff.”

Riley nodded.

Riley looked about but couldn’t find anything.

“Check my horse,” Sam instructed, holding the gun on Harry. “So you’re Harry.”

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
Articles you may like