‘‘You answered it just fine.’’
Nest of Vipers
More riding. More dust to eat. More days of the relentless Arizona sun baking the rustlers and the horses into exhaustion.
Boone Scott and Sassy Drecker were together every minute they could be. When he rode drag, she rode with him. At night they sat apart from the others but so close to each other that in the dark they seemed to be one person and not two.
Drub spent a lot of time in their company. Now that he had made up with Boone, he tried to show he was the best pard a man could be.
One afternoon Old Man Radler came back to ride with Boone and Sassy. The land around was stark and dry. Radler took off his hat and moped his brow with his sleeve, saying, ‘‘This infernal heat. At least I will be used to it when I get there.’’
‘‘Get where?’’ Boone asked.
‘‘Hell. They say it is as hot as this if not hotter. A preacher told me there is a lake of fire. That will be something, swimming in fire.’’
‘‘I never have understood that,’’ Sassy said. ‘‘Hell, I mean. How can God make such a place?’’
‘‘Don’t ask me, girl. This world makes no kind of sense that I can see. We are born just to grow old and die. And along the way we sweat and struggle and suffer. If you ask me, the Almighty was drunk when he made all this. Either that, or he had a headache and wanted everyone else to have one too.’’
Boone chuckled. ‘‘I have never thought of it like that.’’
‘‘It is worse when you are a parent. Look at Drub. He will never be any smarter than he is right now. I will never forgive God for him being born a tree stump.’’
‘‘That isn’t God’s fault,’’ Sassy said.
‘‘If not his, then whose? All of this is his, not ours. We are flies to him. Any time he wants, he swats us down and crushes us underfoot.’’
‘‘Goodness gracious, that is an awful way to look at life. A body would go around glum all the time.’’
‘‘You don’t see me smiling much except when I am drunk.’’ Old Man Radler jammed his hat back on. ‘‘But I did not join you to talk about how loco this world is.’’ He looked at Boone. ‘‘I wanted to thank you.’’
‘‘Me? What did I do?’’
‘‘For what you have done with Drub.’’
‘‘I haven’t done much except be his friend.’’
‘‘That is more than enough right there.’’ Old Man Radler rubbed the stubble on his chin. ‘‘He has never had one before. He is so big and so dumb that no one ever wants anything to do with him.’’
Sassy said, ‘‘I think he is sweet.’’
‘‘You are female and do not count. Females are as fond of simpletons as they are of kittens and puppies.’’
‘‘I wish you would not talk about your own son like that. Drub is neither dumb nor a simpleton.’’
‘‘Don’t sugarcoat him, girl. You do him no favors.’’ Old Man Radler swatted at a fly. ‘‘I first noticed it when he was four or five. He would not learn his words. Vance had been frisky at that age, waddling around and poking his nose into everything. But Drub just sat there with a stupid smile on his face.’’
‘‘You did good raising him,’’ Sassy said. ‘‘Some parents would not have stuck with him, but you did.’’
‘‘It was my wife’s doing more than mine. And when she died, she asked me to go on taking care of him.’’ Old Man Radler looked at Boone. ‘‘So I thank you. It has made him happy having you as his friend. He told me last night that he wants to go off to California with you two.’’
‘‘We do not mind him coming along.’’
‘‘Then you are fools, girl. What will you do? Hold his hand every hour of the day? That is what it will take to keep him out of trouble.’’ Old Man Radler shook his head. ‘‘No. I can’t allow him to go. I will hold off telling him to spare his feelings.’’
Boone said, ‘‘He is big enough to make up his own mind.’’
‘‘An ox is big too. But you don’t let it do what it wants. You lead it around by the nose and show it where to eat and drink and keep it penned up at night so it doesn’t wander off and get lost. That is Drub. He is an ox. He needs constant looking after. One day you will have a family of your own and Drub will be nothing but a nuisance.’’
‘‘Do not put words in our mouths,’’ Sassy said. ‘‘I think he is sweet and I will stick by him if he comes.’’
‘‘That is the female in you. And like I just said, he isn’t going. But I am grateful for you treating him so nice.’’ Old Man Radler lifted his reins. ‘‘I also hate the both of you.’’
Boone was startled. ‘‘Wait. Why?’’
‘‘Because you bring out a part of me I have kept buried for so long, I almost forgot it is there. I do not like being reminded. I am not Skelman.’’
‘‘Skelman?’’
‘‘Haven’t you noticed, Lightning? He is the only one of us who never lets his feelings show. Not ever. He can kill anyone at any time and not bat an eye.’’
‘‘It is nothing to brag about,’’ Sassy said.
‘‘It is when you ride the owl-hoot trail. I cannot afford scruples. Skelman has none and is the better for it.’’
‘‘He gave me a flower once.’’
‘‘And I thought for sure the world would come to an end. But that only shows that you females can ruin even the best of us.’’
‘‘Honestly, now.’’
‘‘Don’t use that tone on me, missy. Even if I am wrong I am right. You can say I have blinders on, but I would rather see the world my way than let life trample me worse than it already has.’’ Old Man Radler gigged his mount and moved up the line.
‘‘I feel sorry for him.’’
‘‘I feel sorry for Drub.’’
Their winding course from spring to tank continued. Around the campfire one evening Old Man Radler tapped his tin cup to get their attention.
‘‘We are close enough to Ranson to pay it a visit. I know some of you would like to. I would too. But we will keep the herd hid, and three of us will stay with the horses at all times. I wouldn’t put it past some of those bastards to try and take the herd away from us.’’
‘‘We should keep on going,’’ Sassy said. ‘‘Ranson is a wretched place.’’
Vance snickered. ‘‘Wretched to some is fun to others.’’
Wagner grinned and nodded. ‘‘Me, I can’t wait to have a dove in my lap, a bottle in one hand and cards in the other.’’
‘‘We have earned the treat,’’ Old Man Radler agreed. ‘‘Besides, Ranson is where I am to meet with the man who wants to buy the rest of the horses.’’
Boone sat up.
‘‘He is supposed to meet me at the Acey-Deucey any of the next three nights. We could not set an exact date because I had to allow for delays in getting here.’’
‘‘Is there a dress shop in Ranson?’’ Sassy asked.
All eyes swung toward her, twinkling in amusement.
‘‘How in hell would we know?’’ Vance said. ‘‘Do any of us wear dresses?’’
‘‘There’s one,’’ Skelman said. ‘‘On the outskirts to the north.’’
All eyes shifted to him, and many of them grinned.
Skelman patted his mother-of-pearl Colts. ‘‘There are twelve beans in these wheels. Enough for all of you with some left over.’’
The eyes found somewhere else to look.
‘‘Be on your guard,’’ Old Man Radler told them. ‘‘More people die of lead poisoning in Ranson than anything else.’’ He turned to Drub. ‘‘You especially. They eat babies like you for breakfast.’’
‘‘Ahh, Pa. I am a growed man.’’
‘‘Listen to me. Their cemetery is filled with sheep they have sheared and roasted.’’
‘‘People don’t eat people, Pa. Even I know that.’’
‘‘In some parts of the world they do, boy. Cannibals, they are called. They would tie you to a pole and roast you
slow and easy over a fire like you would a suckling pig.’’
‘‘You are making that up, Pa.’’
‘‘Suit yourself, boy. But don’t blame me if they take a bite out of you.’’
A wide-open town like Ranson wasn’t like other towns. It didn’t roll up the boardwalks at sunset. People didn’t file to their homes after a long day of toil and quietly eat their suppers and then turn in early so they could be up with the crow of the cock. In a wide-open town like Ranson, the boardwalks were never rolled up. Sunset was when its inhabitants came out of their burrows and dens to partake anew of the raw and lusty delights dangled before them like so many tempting sweetmeats.
A wide-open town was a magnet. From miles around it drew those who preferred to live life rather than sleep and work it away. Liquor as their water, revelry their food. Instead of containing their passions, they let them bust loose. The only limits were those that spared them from a bullet or a blade.
The rustlers could not wait to get there. Yipping and yelling and waving their hats, they thundered toward the den of vice with delight writ on every face.
Except for the herd guards, only Boone and Sassy were left. Boone took his time saddling up and held the palomino to a walk once they were under way.
‘‘Are you nervous?’’ Sassy asked.
‘‘What would I have to be nervous about?’’
‘‘Your brother. What will you do when you run into him? Shoot him on sight? Your parents would be heartbroke, one son killing the other.’’
‘‘He has tried to kill me twice.’’
‘‘Two wrongs do not make a right.’’ Sassy reined closer. ‘‘I have an idea. Let’s forget about Ranson. Let’s ride clear to the Circle V and let your folks know you are alive and tell them what your brother has done.’’
‘‘No.’’
‘‘They deserve to know.’’
‘‘You forget why I left. It is bad enough I went against everything they ever taught me. I would spare them from having to know that both their sons turned out bad.’’
‘‘Boone Scott, don’t you dare. It was either kill or be killed. You are as fine a man as I ever met or I would not have given my heart to you. Your folks will understand. Eppley is the bad seed, not you.’’
Silence sat heavy on their shoulders until Sassy said, ‘‘You will do what you want no matter what I say. Is that how it goes?’’
‘‘They are my ma and pa.’’
‘‘Then what will you do? Walk up to him and tell him to go for his gun and shoot him? Your own brother?’’
‘‘I suppose you would like for me to let him live.’’
‘‘Do you want his death on your conscience the rest of your days? Do you really want that burden?’’
‘‘Brother or not, he tried to make worm food of me. It shows how much he cares.’’ Boone shook his head. ‘‘Shooting him will not bother my conscience one bit. But I would like to do it without my folks finding out.’’
‘‘How?’’
‘‘I am open to ideas.’’
A horse and rider suddenly loomed out of the dark, blocking their way. Sassy gasped in surprise and Boone’s hand flashed to his Colt.
‘‘It is only me,’’ Drub Radler said.
‘‘Consarn it, you gave me a start,’’ Sassy complained. ‘‘You ought not to scare people like that.’’
‘‘I am sorry. I just want to ride into Ranson with my pard. If you will let me.’’
‘‘You are our friend, Drub. You are always welcome to ride with us.’’
Drub smiled and brought his big bay in alongside their animals. ‘‘I heard you talk as you were coming up the trail. Would you really kill your own brother, Lightning?’’
‘‘It is either that or let him kill me.’’
‘‘I have wanted to shoot Vance a few times. Or chuck him off a cliff. He can be so mean.’’
‘‘If you promise to keep a secret I will tell you all about mine.’’
Drub listened with the rapt fascination of a ten-year-old. ‘‘Gosh,’’ he said when Boone was done. ‘‘Your brother is worse than Vance. I didn’t think anyone could be that awful.’’
‘‘Most of us never look past our own pasture,’’ Sassy said.
Drub was gnawing on his lip. ‘‘And this Epp is the one my pa aims to sell the horses to?’’
‘‘I am afraid so.’’
‘‘But if you kill him, how will we get our money? Can’t you wait until after he pays my pa?’’
‘‘I can’t promise anything,’’ Boone said.
A cluster of lights sparkled in the distance. Half an hour later the three of them drew rein at the end of the main street. The babble of voices, tinny music, laughter and the clink of glass were a constant undercurrent.
‘‘Look at those pretty ladies smiling and waving at me from that window!’’ Drub said.
‘‘Do you want a woman, Drub?’’ Sassy teased.
‘‘What for? I have Lightning. I would like to marry one day, though. A gal who is nice to me, like my ma was.’’
A hitch rail in front of the general store had rail left. The store itself was closed.
Boone dismounted and tied off the palomino’s reins. He turned as a man staggered out of the dark, singing drunkenly. At the last instant the man veered to go around them.
‘‘This is a fun place,’’ Drub said.
‘‘What now?’’ Sassy asked.
Hitching at his belt, Boone started down the street. ‘‘We mingle with the wolves and try not to get bit.’’
Revelations
The Acey-Deucey was a beehive of liquor, lust and larceny. Every square inch of floor space, every table, every chair, was filled by a bustling, buzzing swarm of humanity. Faces glistened with sweat. Eyes gleamed with envy, greed and desire.
Into the iniquity ambled Boone Scott. He had taken only a couple steps when half a dozen sharp glances were cast in his direction. Then he realized they weren’t looking at him; they were looking behind him. He spun, gripped Sassy’s arms and propelled her back out the batwings so fast and so unexpectedly that they nearly collided with Drub, who was just about to enter.
‘‘What on earth?’’
Boone pulled her to one side so they were clear of the doorway. ‘‘What in God’s name do you think you’re doing?’’
‘‘What are you doing?’’ Sassy tried to wriggle free, but he held on to her. ‘‘Let go.’’
‘‘You need to wait outside.’’
‘‘Like hell.’’
‘‘A saloon is no fit place for a lady.’’
‘‘I saw dresses in there.’’
‘‘The women who fill them are not like you.’’ Boone stepped back. ‘‘Wait here. If I do not find my brother I will come right out.’’
‘‘Nothing doing. We are together now. Where you go, I go.’’
‘‘Didn’t you hear me? You are female.’’
‘‘I am? My goodness.’’ Sassy smoothed her shirt. ‘‘You did not seem to mind last night. Why are you making a fuss now?’’
Boone glanced at Drub. ‘‘Tell her how it is so she will not think I am being unreasonable.’’
‘‘How what is, pard?’’
‘‘About ladies and saloons. It’s a rule, like never going to church drunk or spitting in the spittoon and not on the floor.’’
Drub peered over the batwings, his eyebrows nearly meeting over his nose. ‘‘You wouldn’t want me to lie to Sassy, would you, pard?’’
‘‘It is not lying when you tell the truth.’’
‘‘But she’s right, pard. There are dresses in there. I can see them with my own eyes. And there are ladies in the dresses. Pretty ladies with their hair done up and everything.’’
‘‘You are a big help,’’ Boone said.
‘‘Thank you.’’
‘‘So much for that,’’ Sassy said. ‘‘Lead the way.’’
‘‘No.’’
‘‘We are not hitched yet so you have n
o right.’’ Sassy went to go by, but Boone snagged by her wrist.
‘‘I mean it. My ma refuses to go in a saloon and no woman I care for will go in one either.’’
‘‘I had no idea you were such a tyrant.’’
Boone snapped his fingers. ‘‘I’ll tell you what. I have enough money on me for a room for the night. How about if I get one and you wait in it until I am done?’’
‘‘It is a wonder I can’t see through you. You will have to do better than that to trick me.’’
‘‘It’s no trick, damn it. It is for your own good and my peace of mind.’’ Boone tugged but she wouldn’t budge. ‘‘If you’re trying to rile me you are succeeding.’’ Again he glanced up at Drub. ‘‘Aren’t you going to help? Tell her you don’t want her to go in.’’
‘‘I don’t?’’
‘‘No. There are men who will pat her on the backside and undress her with their eyes. Or try to get her to drink even if she doesn’t want to. Or offer to take her into the private rooms at the back. Do you want that?’’
‘‘The saloon has private rooms?’’
Boone sighed. ‘‘For a pard you make a fine lump of clay. Please, Drub. I need you to back me. Tell her a saloon is no fit place for a lady.’’
‘‘Should I tell the ladies who are already in there first? They look awful happy and I don’t want them mad at me.’’
Just then two men in puncher garb separated from the flow of passersby. ‘‘Boone, is that you?’’ the taller of the two exclaimed. ‘‘Or are my eyes playing tricks on me?’’
‘‘If they are, my eyes are playing tricks too,’’ said the second puncher.
Boone turned and a smile lit his features. ‘‘Jeffers! Pete! What are you doing in Ranson?’’ As they warmly shook, Boone said to Sassy and Drub, ‘‘These gents are friends of mine. They ride for the Circle V. I have known Pete, here, pretty near half my life, and he is as good a leather pounder as you will find anywhere.’’
‘‘I can’t believe this,’’ Pete said. ‘‘We heard you had drifted down Mexico way.’’
‘‘I did but I am back.’’ Boone clapped the rangy puncher on the shoulder. ‘‘I can’t tell you how glad I am to run into you. I have missed the Circle V something awful.’’
Ralph Compton Bullet For a Bad Man Page 19
