Slocum's Silver Burden Read Online Free Page A

from haulin’ water fer the coolies to foreman and then to director.”
    â€œHe’s a director of the Central California Railroad?”
    â€œDirector and a vice president in charge of special freight. Or somethin’ like that.”
    â€œHe needs men to load the cars?” Slocum considered this a moment. He had tried to find work moving crates on the waterfront. Doing the same only on and off railroad cars wasn’t much different. “I don’t cotton much to the salt air. Workin’ across the Bay in the hills would suit me just fine.”
    â€œAin’t that kind of job. Mr. Collingswood, he needs men what can handle themselves. Like you.”
    â€œBodyguard? Or to break up union fights? That’s not for me.” Slocum stood and stared at the old salt. Underwood started to protest. “Thanks for betting on me.”
    â€œWait, mister. I ain’t bought you that drink. Ole Julius Underwood never goes back on his word.”
    â€œNext time,” Slocum said. He wanted liquor without knockout drops in it, and he suspected Underwood wasn’t above trying the shanghaiers’ trick to recruit for the Central California Railroad.
    Slocum paid for his meal and stepped out into the cool San Francisco air. A breeze off the Bay carried a chill to it that Slocum didn’t appreciate. He turned up his coat collar and started down Market Street. He hadn’t gone ten paces when he heard the sharp click-click of hobnailed boots hitting the pavement behind him. He reached over and slipped the leather thong off the hammer of his Colt and started to see who was rushing up from behind.
    â€œYou son of a bitch!”
    The curse accompanied a hard fist aimed at his face. Slocum ducked as the mallet of bone and flesh slipped past him so close he felt the wind of its passage. He was off balance and couldn’t strike back or get his pistol free. Two quick steps into the street almost got him run over by a carriage. Dodging the horse and the driver’s whip and cussing, he faced Bully Boy. The giant of a man had swung so hard it had thrown him to his knees. He clambered back to his feet and stood with his fists cocked and ready for a fight.
    Slocum doubted he would be as lucky this time. There weren’t any bettors to distract Bully Boy.
    â€œI’m gonna turn your face to mush, you piece of bilge.”
    â€œYou’re dumber than you look if you fight for nothing.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œYou’re not getting paid to get laid out again,” Slocum said. “The only difference this time is I’m not rolling you into the Bay. You go down now, you’ll stay down.”
    â€œAndy Yulin ain’t gonna pay me no more ’cuz you whupped up on me.”
    â€œYulin? The gambler?” Slocum had no interest in the man’s name. All he wanted was to buy time. Bully Boy might settle down. “I’ll buy you a shot of whiskey to show there’s no hard feelings.”
    This had the effect Slocum expected. Bully Boy roared in rage and charged, his arms going wide to scoop Slocum up in a bear hug. A quick twist sent Slocum’s left arm into Bully Boy’s right, letting him spin past. He used his right fist like a hammer on the back of the giant’s neck. His hand bounced off like raindrops from a slicker. The man’s bull namesake had nothing on him for strength and pure mean.
    â€œSucker punch me, will you?” Bully Boy shook his head, then attacked.
    Slocum’s straight punch to the prominent nose broke cartilage and caused a fountain of blood. Bully Boy was so het up he never noticed and kept coming, knocking Slocum back. Heavy blows landed on Slocum’s upturned forearms until he felt the strength ebbing from the beating he took. Any one of those punches would have laid him out in the street if it had reached his head or body. He began to understand how lucky he had been in their first fight.
    He managed