Autumn of the Gun by RALPH COMPTON Page A

about his business, leaving Nathan and Vivian with time on their hands. For the lack of anything better to do, they returned to their room at the boardinghouse.
    â€œNow,” said Vivian, removing her boots, “aren’t you glad I came with you?”
    â€œI am, for a fact,” Nathan replied. “I’ve never been very good at waiting around with nothing to do. Can you keep me busy until suppertime?”
    â€œI reckon,” said Vivian, “but not with you standing there in your boots, britches, hat, and gunbelt.”
    They slept, awakening an hour before sundown.
    â€œI know a cafe near the Pioneer Hotel that serves fried catfish,” Nathan said. “I’m willing to risk gettin’ shot for a mess of catfish.”
    â€œIs that all they have?”
    â€œOh, no,” said Nathan. “They have ’gator tail, crab, oysters, and just about any kind of critter that can be hauled out of the river or the gulf.”
    Vivian shuddered. “I’ve always been partial to catfish, myself.”
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    Time dragged, but somehow they survived, and the fourth day after the McQueens had been taken to the Le Croix Hospital, Dr. McKendree allowed Nathan and Vivian to spend a few minutes with them. Barnabas and Bess, in separate beds, were in the same room. Nathan wasted no time introducing Vivian, and after a glad welcome from Barnabas and Bess, Nathan questioned them and Barnabas replied.
    â€œRemember the big black, Diablo, that Eulie trained?”
    â€œYes,” said Nathan.
    â€œHe’s never lost a race. On Sunday, June fourth, we raced him at Natchez, and every other horse ate his dust. A gambler from Shreveport, Rutledge Jackman, offered us twenty thousand dollars for Diablo, and we refused to sell. It ended in a cuss fight, with Jackman swearing he would have Diablo. Four of them came after us, and they struck just before first light. Two of them gunned down the dogs while the other two came after us. First they shot me. Likely would have killed me, but Bess brained one of them with a stick of stove wood, and they went after her. That’s when I blacked out.”
    â€œIt’s well that he did,” Bess cut in. “They tore my clothes off. If he’d seen them do ... what they did ... hurt as he was, he’d have fought them. And they would have killed him.”
    â€œYou’re both alive,” said Nathan, “and that’s worth any sacrifice. They’re going to pay for what they’ve done, along with Rutledge Jackman. Your horses will be returned, too.”
    â€œNathan,” Barnabas said, “you’ve saved our lives, and that’s all we have any right to expect. This is my fight.”
    â€œYou’re in no condition to fight,” said Nathan, “and by the time you are, this damned Rutledge Jackman may have sold your horses, or hidden them where you can’t find them.”
    â€œI must admit that bothers me,” Barnabas said. “The other three horses aren’t quite in Diablo’s class, but they have the potential. They represent seven years of hard work.”
    â€œThat’s why I’m going after them,” said Nathan. “Is there anything more you can tell me about Rutledge Jackman?”
    â€œOnly that he’s ruthless,” Barnabas said. “God only knows how many men he hires, and they may all be killers. I can’t let you go up against such odds alone.”
    â€œYou have no choice,” said Nathan. “Besides, I work better alone.”
    â€œYou’re not going alone,” Vivian said.
    Bess laughed. “Nathan Stone, she’s a strong woman. You ride with him, my dear, and watch his back.”
    â€œBarnabas,” said Nathan, “the doctor has already mentioned the law. Since you have no proof to support what you’ve told us, the law won’t be much help. Anything you tell them now could point to you as a suspect when I’m done