Autumn of the Gun by RALPH COMPTON Page B

with Rutledge Jackman.”
    â€œWe won’t be telling the law anything, except that four men shot and robbed us,” Barnabas said. “We can truthfully say we’ve never seen them before.”
    â€œGood,” said Nathan. “That leaves me free to use whatever manner of persuasion may be necessary. I know Diablo, but how can I identify the other three horses?”
    â€œThere’s another black that could be Diablo’s double,” Barnabas said. “The other two are chestnuts, and all four are branded with a crown on the left hip.”
    â€œI want you and Bess to remain here in the hospital for a few days,” said Nathan, “and when you’re allowed to go home, lock your doors at night and arm yourselves. We’ll return as soon as we can and bring your horses.”
    â€œI don’t know how to thank you,” Barnabas said.
    â€œYou don’t owe me any thanks,” said Nathan. “Any wrong done to my friends is a wrong done to me. Vaya con Dios.”
    Nathan stepped out of the room, followed by Vivian. Neither spoke until they had left the hospital.
    â€œAll we know is a man’s name and where he is,” Vivian said.
    â€œI’ve hunted men with a lot less,” said Nathan. “We’ll ride to Shreveport and have us a look at this Rutledge Jackman.”
    â€œWhat do you intend to do, beyond recovering the horses?” Vivian asked.
    â€œI aim to teach Jackman and his bunch the error of their ways,” said Nathan. “Those four who robbed and shot Barnabas and Bess won’t ever do that again.”

CHAPTER 3

Shreveport June 20, 1877
    â€œFirst,” said Nathan, “we’ll find us an out-of-the-way boardinghouse. Then we’ll set about investigating this Rutledge Jackman.”
    The boardinghouse wasn’t as isolated as Nathan would have liked, but within walking distance there was a livery. The hostler had a female hound that struck Empty’s fancy, and it would be a convenient place to leave Empty when it became inconvenient to bring the dog along.
    â€œPardner,” said Nathan when the liveryman had stabled their mounts, “I’m interested in fast horses, and I hear there’s an hombre in these parts who buys, sells, and races ’em. Can you tell me anything about him? His name is Rutledge Jackman.”
    â€œNothin’ to tell,” the hostler said, a little too hurriedly. “Owns the Five Aces Saloon here in town, and Jackman Stables, just north of here on the Red.”
    He hurried away, unable or unwilling to say more.
    â€œWhich are we going to visit first?” Vivian asked.
    â€œI’m going to visit the Five Aces Saloon,” said Nathan. “You’re going to wait for me in our room at the boardinghouse.”
    â€œIt won’t be easy for me, watching your back from there,” Vivian said.
    â€œWe’re not in deep enough for that,” said Nathan. “It may be best if Jackman doesn’t know we’re together.”
    â€œI’ve had saloon experience,” Vivian said. “I can always hire on at the Five Aces.”
    â€œI don’t think so,” said Nathan. “Somehow, I believe Harley expects better of you, and of me.”
    Despite her protests, Nathan left her at the boardinghouse and went looking for the Five Aces Saloon. Somehow he must learn what Jackman intended to do with the horses taken from Barnabas McQueen. Was Jackman going to sell the animals or race them? With the McQueens being left for dead, Nathan was inclined to think Jackman intended to keep and race the horses. Nathan needed time, for his was a threefold task. Not only were the four who had robbed and shot the McQueens going to pay, but so would Rutledge Jackman for having sent them. Finally, Nathan intended to recover McQueen’s four horses. The Five Aces could only be described as elegant. The mahogany bar was fifty feet long, and even in the