Devil's Canyon Read Online Free Page A

where they’re goin’, and why. It’s your rig, so insist on handlin’ the teams and wagon yourself.”
    Durham drained his bottle, got to his feet, and left the saloon. His relationship with Slade and his four unsavory companions had come about purely by chance. The outlaws had robbed a bank in Tucumcari, and had ridden their horses to death, just ahead of a ten-man posse. Durham’s wagon and approaching darkness was all that had saved them from a rope. Durham had closed the puckers of the wagon’s canvas, and the outlaws had hidden inside. By traveling all night, Durham had lost the posse, and had found himself part of a band of outlaws. At first it seemed a daring, hell-for-leather thing to do. But now he wasn’t so sure. Nearing thirty, he had lived by his wits since he was ten. Truthfully, he had acquired the wagon and teams in Amarillo, but only because the McCutcheon sisters had staked him with the understanding he would take them with him to California. He had stood them up, and he had little doubt they’d be getting even. He was unsure only of the time and place, and having been in Santa Fe almost a week, he was becoming more uneasy by the day. The more he thought of Mamie and Odessa McCutcheon, the more the rugged country to the west appealed to him. Returning to his wagon, he mounted the box and drove to the mercantile. Faro, Tarno, Dallas, and Shanghai ceased what they weredoing. Levi Collins came out of the store as Durham stepped down from the wagon box.
    â€œI’ve decided to let you use my wagon,” Durham said.
    â€œ
Bueno
,” said Faro. “What are your terms?”
    â€œI’ll handle the teams,” Durham said, “and I want you to stake me with enough grub and supplies to get me to California.”
    â€œCollins,” said Faro, “you’re paying. What do you think?”
    â€œWe can live with that,” Collins said.
    â€œIt’s a deal, then,” said Faro. “Durham, these are my pards, Shanghai Taylor, Tarno Spangler, and Dallas Weaver. Levi Collins, here, is the gent hiring our wagons.”
    â€œI’ll leave the wagon here for loading,” Durham said. “When you’re done, move it out with your own wagons. Where will you be for the night?”
    â€œIn that vacant lot across from the wagon yard,” said Faro. “A couple of us will be standing watch all night.”
    â€œI’ll see you there in the morning,” Durham said.
    As Durham started back toward the business section, his worst fears became reality. On the opposite side of the street, Mamie and Odessa McCutcheon stepped out of a café and started down the boardwalk. Durham bolted for the first available sanctuary, which was a dress shop. Ignoring the startled old lady who owned it, he hurried out a back door into an alley. Repeatedly looking over his shoulder, he hurried back to the lodging house where he had taken a room. Gathering his few belongings, he slipped out the back door. Darkness was still four hours away, and keeping tonarrow alleys and byways, he managed to reach the saloon where he had left Slade. This time, Durham didn’t bother ordering a drink, but went directly to Slade’s table.
    â€œYou’re gettin’ mighty damn brave,” Slade said, his eye on Durham’s traveling bag.
    â€œI made the deal for the wagon,” said Durham. “We leave tomorrow morning.”
    â€œWe’ll be a few miles behind you,” Slade said. “Don’t waste no time findin’ out where they’re bound, and why.”
    Durham nodded. It galled him, having a two-bit outlaw talk down to him like he was a hired hand. He took a back alley route to the edge of town, and for the lack of a better place, took refuge in the shade of a thicket, resting his head on his traveling bag. When it was dark enough, he would join Faro Duval’s outfit, and sleep under the