The Peacemaker Read Online Free

the front of the wagon and peered cautiously over the seat. The reins were nowhere to be found. Puzzled, she looked for where they came off the team's rigging and sighed when she saw them hanging down behind the mules' rumps, slapping the ground. Even if she climbed over the seat and laid down across the dashboard, she wouldn't be able to reach them.
    Tears seemed to fall of their own accord and she didn't attempt to brush them away.
    Another bone-jarring jolt sent the driverless team oft the road. Now, it was only a matter of seconds before they would bolt.
    The fusillade of rifle fire behind her sent her scurrying back into position against the drop gate. The Apaches seemed to be everywhere, on the right, the left, behind the ambulance. She picked up the captain's carbine and braced herself for the recoil, then squeezed off the last three shots.
    Another volley of fire came from somewhere in front of the ambulance. Indy whirled in that direction and saw a second band of warriors approaching from the west. Their war whoops resembled a thousand coyotes yipping and howling at the moon.
    "Oh, God!" Frantically she searched the wagon for the captain's revolver, looking beneath her skirt, then moving the carpetbags. Finally, she slid her hands beneath Captain Nolan's legs and gave a cry of relief when her fingers closed around the wooden grip. There were four shots left. Only four. Three to use and one to . . . .
    She refused to think about that last shot.
    The team turned sharply, throwing the ambulance up onto its right wheels. Tossed to the side, Indy struck her right temple against the long wooden seat. Blinding pain exploded inside her head and everything went blurry. Groaning, she lifted her hand and touched the side of her head. Warm blood trickled down the side of her face.
    "Please, God. Don't forsake me now. I need you!"
    Blinking and squinting, she located the new band of attackers and raised the revolver. If she hit anything it would be a miracle, but she had to try. Her first shot went high. Lowering the sight and willing her eyes to focus, she squeezed off another, then a third, but had no idea if any of them found their mark.
    They galloped toward the ambulance—a boiling mass of horses and hostile Apaches. In a blur of motion they rode on past. More than a little confused, Indy stared at the cloud of dust they left behind and thanked God that for whatever reason they hadn't attacked.
    The troopers, she thought, a second later. That's where they were headed. They would help their friends kill off the remaining troopers, then they would come after her and Captain Nolan.
    A screeching noise came from out of nowhere. "Hai-eee! Hai-eee!"
    Indy swung around. She was wrong. Not all the Indians had ridden past her after the troopers. One had stayed behind, watching from a rise the ambulance had yet to reach.
    Perched like a big golden hawk upon his pinto war pony, the Apache was tall, lean and proud—an invincible force of one. A sudden wind whipped his black hair and his horse’s mane. His piercing gaze touched upon her for a scant second, but it was long enough to let her know he had seen her. Again, came that dreadful sound, "Hai-eee. Hai-eee." He kicked the pinto into a gallop and raced down the hillside after the wagon, seemingly intent upon catching the runaway team.
    He was naked but for a tan breechclout and knee-high buckskin moccasins; his body was a sweat-glistened golden brown. The sun glinted off the brass cartridges in his belt, sending flashes of white light radiating from him in all directions.
    His horsemanship would have won him top honors at West Point, she thought absently. Inch by inch the pinto swallowed up the ground, gaining on the lead mule, and a moment later they were running side by side. Switching the reins to his right hand, the Apache leaned to the left and caught hold of the mule's collar.
    Indy's eyes widened in disbelief when, incredibly, he hurtled himself over onto the mule's back.