Antebellum BK 1 Read Online Free Page A

gonna obey it.”
    “ We can’t just let the entire population of Laredo move across the river to start a new town in Mexico, Captain,” the Major replied.
    “ It ain’t the whole population; it’s seventeen families. And we got no legal right to stop ‘em from movin’ wherever they wants to go. We just fought a war to guarantee freedom to these folks. Now yer askin’ me to take it away.”
    “ When approved, the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo will cede Laredo to the United States.”
    “ And in a local referendum, the citizens of Laredo voted ten to one in favor of returnin’ it to Mexico.”
    “ Their petition was denied,” the Major shouted.
    “ Yup, and they know that too. That’s how-come they’re movin’ across the river.”
    “ They had better not try it.”
    “ They’re halfway across already, haulin’ all their worldly possessions. They’s even takin’ the bones of their ancestors from the graveyard so as they can rest in Mexico.”
    “ Then get out there and stop them.”
    “ Guess you wasn’t listenin’ when I said we ain’t got a legal right to do that.”
    “ You’ll either stop them from crossing the river, or I’ll have your badge.”
    “ You got it.” Whipple tossed the orders on the Major’s desk then added his badge and credentials. “This here pistol’s mine. Walker his-self give it to me.”
    The Major’s confidence was ebbing. “Without that badge you have no legal means of bringing Lucky Billy Van to justice for murdering your partner.”
    “ Well now, that there’s a horse of a different color, Major. For the killin’ of Charlie Lagrange, I want revenge. I ain’t interested in no justice.”
    “ Kill Billy Van and you’ll be an outlaw too.”
    “ Billy Van’s in Mexico. I’ll do my best to kill the bastard over there, but if I miss and he comes back to U.S. territory, I’ll get me a Federal Marshal’s badge and kill him here.” He started for the door.
    “ Now you hold it right there.” The Major unsnapped the cover on his holster but before he could draw his pistol, he was looking into bore of Whipple’s Walker Colt.
    “ Make up yer mind, Major. Live or die.”
    The Major put his hands on his desk.
    “ Good decision.” Whipple stalked out, holstered his pistol, slammed the door, mounted his horse and turned south toward Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, in pursuit of William Van Buskirk. Neither the Major nor any Texas Rangers tried to impede him or the citizens of Laredo in exodus.

June 6, 1848
    Two Alone Ranch, Texas

    M arina Van Buskirk was riding on the front seat of a wagon beside her son, Thomas. Behind them, a train of animals, mounted men and horse-drawn conveyances stretched across the plain to the horizon, raising a towering cloud of dust. “That looks like a town over there by Comanche Peak.” Marina pointed ahead.
    “ It is,” Thomas replied. “Buildings and tents have been springing up around the trading post like weeds around a waterhole.”
    “ Isn’t that your land?”
    Thomas shrugged. “It was. The State of Texas says that all this is Comanche land now.”
    “ What? You have a grant from Stephen Austin, don’t you?”
    “ Yes. But the State says it’s not legal.”
    “ So what are you going to do?”
    “ Wait and see what happens.”
    “ That’s awful. After all the blood, sweat and tears you’ve put into this place.”
    “ It’s not as bad as it sounds. No matter what the State decides about the land, they have to pay us market value for the improvements, and we still have our cattle.”
    “ Where will you go if they take the land?”
    “ Josiah Whipple sold me six hundred and forty acres by the old Waco Indian camp.”
    “ Is that enough land for your herds?”
    “ No, but Josiah’s land straddles the only decent ford across the Brazos and there are two free-flowing artesian wells, so it’s a perfect place for a town.”
    “ So you’ll sell your cattle to become a businessman?”
    He smiled. “I came to Texas to