Ambush at Shadow Valley Read Online Free Page B

Gesturing at the dead law-man’s worn-out Confederate tunic, he added, ‘‘President Davis promised him land in your country if he would fight for the Southern cause.’’ He gave a slight sigh and patted the constable’s dusty, streaked forehead. ‘‘But we know how that turned out, eh, Luis?’’
    â€˜â€˜I’ll wait outside,’’ Sam said quietly, backing away to give Hector time alone with the dead.
    â€˜â€˜I go too,’’ Hector said stiffly, seeing the woman, ready to attend to the corpses, return. He turned and walked out the door behind the ranger. ‘‘I will visit my brother’s body again before I leave Valle Hermoso, if there is time. If not, Ramon will understand,’’ he added.
    The ranger stopped out front of the old woman’s shack and turned to Hector. ‘‘Before you leave? Where are you going?’’ he asked, realizing that he already knew the answer.
    â€˜â€˜I am going after those murderers as well, Ranger,’’ he said.
    As Gates and the rest of the villagers gathered closer around them, Sam said, ‘‘I have to tell you, Hector, I work alone.’’
    â€˜â€˜I said nothing about riding with you, Ranger,’’ Hector replied. ‘‘I know this country as well as any man. I will have no trouble hunting these animals down.’’ He jutted his chin with determination. ‘‘I do it for my brother. He would have done the same for me.’’
    Sam wanted to say more on the matter, but he could tell that his words weren’t going to make any difference to this strong-willed young man. He started to turn away and walk to where Black Pot still stood, diligently awaiting him in the dirt street. But before Sam walked away, Gates said to Hector, ‘‘We’ve all talked it over. We’d like you to take Luis Gravis’ badge and be the town guardia of Valle Hermoso.’’
    â€˜â€˜I am honored,’’ said Hector, ‘‘but I cannot be town guardia. Did you not hear me tell the ranger that I am going after the men who killed Ramon and Luis?’’
    â€˜â€˜So?’’ said Simon Gates. ‘‘That’s all right with us, right amigos?’’ He turned to the other men for support. ‘‘Ramon was one of us, don’t forget. And Gravis was the law in Valle Hermoso.’’ He pointed toward the door of the widow’s adobe where the two bodies lay. ‘‘There’re two good men lying dead. If you can bring the murderers in, we’re behind you all the way. We’ll make up a posse and ride with you until they’re—’’
    â€˜â€˜No,’’ said Hector, stopping Gates short. ‘‘There will be no posse, not if I am guardia.’’
    â€˜â€˜Then you’ll take on Luis’ job and uphold the law here?’’ Gates asked.
    Hector looked to the ranger, then back at Gates. With a slight sigh, he said, "Sí , I will be guardia for Valle Hermoso, at least for now. I will do it so I can hunt these men down.’’ He pointed a finger at Gates as if for emphasis. ‘‘But I do not want a posse with me. It is better that I go alone.’’ Even as he spoke, a young boy hurried into the widow’s adobe and came running back with the bloodstained badge in his hand.
    â€˜â€˜Anything you say, Guardia Hector Sandoval,’’ said Gates. He took the badge, wiped it off and pinned it on Hector’s shirt. ‘‘On behalf of Valle Hermoso I welcome and congratulate you to office.’’
    â€˜â€˜Gracias,’’ said Hector, appearing humble. ‘‘I will do the best I can.’’ He looked around at the villagers and said, ‘‘Now I have to go. I must gather supplies and prepare my horse for the trail.’’
    Gates looked disappointed, but he tried to cover it with a wide