Across the Rio Colorado by Ralph Compton Page A

Hook’s in for a surprise. While these Texas hombres are polite and quiet, they don’t take to being pushed around. It’s not over.”
    And it wasn’t. An hour before first light, all hell broke loose. There was the roar of guns, the bawling of cattle, the thunder of hooves. Men shouted and whooped, and there were shrieks of terror from women within the Hook wagons. Glass shattered, and there was a thud as a wagon was toppled. Horses nickered, mules brayed, and suddenly it was over.
    â€œMy God,” said Cal Tabor, in awe, “what happened?”
    McQuade laughed. “I’d say that herd of Texas longhorns stampeded right through Mr. Hook’s camp.”

    â€œThe Lord works in mysterious ways,” the Reverend Flanagan said.
    â€œSome of us ought to ride up there and have a look,” Gunter Warnell said.
    â€œSaddle up and come along,” said McQuade. “We wouldn’t want Mr. Hook to get the idea we don’t care.”
    Ike, Gunter, Eli, Cal, and Will saddled their horses, and not to be outdone, Reverend Flanagan rode one of his mules. While the devastation wasn’t as great as McQuade expected, it was serious enough. The thud they had heard was the piano striking the ground, for the wagon in which it had sat lay on its side. Ampersand’s cook wagon had been toppled, and the saloon tent was no more. It had been trampled into the ground, along with a pair of barrels that had contained whiskey. Tables and chairs had been reduced to firewood, while six near-naked women stood looking at their wagon, which lay on its side. Most gratifying of all, however, was the sight of Rufus Hook and Lora Kirby standing where their tent had once stood. The women looked at McQuade and his companions, and Chance tipped his hat. He wheeled his horse, and with the others following, rode back to their wagon circle. They had been there only a few minutes, when Chad Guthrie and his seven men rode in.
    â€œHow’s Pete and Juno?” Guthrie inquired, as though nothing else had happened.
    â€œThey’re awake and hungry,” said Maggie Peyton. “All of you are invited to eat with us, if you like.”
    â€œMa‘am,” Guthrie said, “you just don’t know how welcome that invite is. We just had us a bad night. Somethin’ spooked them cows, and they’re scattered from here to yonder. We’ll be all day and tomorrow, roundin’ ’em up, and we’re two men shy.”
    â€œThat’ll give Pete and Juno time to rest and heal,” said Ellen Warnell.
    â€œYour cows wrecked Hook’s camp,” Cal Tabor said. “He may come looking for you, expecting damages.”
    â€œLet him come,” said Guthrie. “Considerin’ what he
done to us last night, after one of his slick-dealin’ gamblers cheated us, I reckon we’ll just call it even. We’re as peaceful as we’re allowed to be, but we purely ain’t opposed to shootin’ no-account coyotes that won’t have it no other way.”

CHAPTER 3

    C had Guthrie and his cowboys had breakfast within McQuade’s wagon circle. Pete and Juno got unsteadily to their feet, declaring themselves able to ride.
    â€œWe’ll be here at least another day,” Guthrie said. “Maybe longer. We can’t afford to lose any of the herd, this close to market.”
    â€œI reckon Rufus Hook and his bunch will be leaving, after they’ve picked up all the pieces,” said McQuade, “but they’re not the forgiving kind. Be sure you post a guard.”
    â€œWe’re obliged for your kindness,” Guthrie said. “It’s the way folks ought to be, and you’ll make good Texans. If you’re ever in east Texas, along the Trinity, look for my brand, the C-G Connected. You’ll be welcome.”
    McQuade’s wagons took the trail without seeing anybody from Hook’s camp. McQuade had learned something of the trail