Texas Killers by J. T. Edson

disconcerting steadiness, there was a coldly savage look about its owner that reminded him of paintings he had seen depicting Indian warriors on the warpath. So, following his companions’ example, he stopped and allowed the Springfield to remain pointing at the ground.
    â€œWhy the shooting, Waco?” Mark inquired, after having turned from the three Bosgravnians and satisfied himself that, like them, the advance party would not be taking any hostile action.
    â€œThat first bunch to come over the tree must’vedisturbed a big old copperhead,” the blond youngster answered, his accent showing that he too was a son of the Lone Star State, bringing down and twirling away the Colts almost as rapidly as he had drawn and fired them. “He was coming out this side and, happen that gent’d jumped down so near, was likely to have riled up enough to chomp him on the leg.”
    â€œA copperhead ?” Liebenfrau growled, coming to a halt and thrusting back his half-drawn saber. “And what might that be, Mr. Counter?”
    â€œJust about the most dangerous kind of poisonous snake we have down here, Colonel,” the blond giant replied, but refrained from explaining how the species Ancistrodon Mokasen was more feared than any of the rattlesnake family because of its almost silent mode of attack and speed when striking. He pointed in the direction from which they had come, where shouts of alarm were sounding from the beach beyond the trees. “We’d best let them know there’s no cause for alarm.”
    â€œGo and tell them, Baron,” the Personal Attendant ordered and, as the aide-de-camp returned along the trail, glanced to where the Crown Prince was climbing over the log. Then he brought his attention back to Mark and his voice was somewhatless harsh than usual as he continued, “I think an explanation is necessary.”
    â€œAnd me,” the big blond agreed, then looked at the Englishwoman. “Can I help you over, ma’am?”
    â€œThank you,” the Lady answered, having removed her empty hand from the pocket. “Provided the snake isn’t still able to—chomp—anybody, I think the term is.”
    â€œIt’s dead, Freddie,” Rudolph declared, turning his gaze from the torn apart body of the large snake to the cause of its death. “I’m in your debt, my capable young friend. If you’d called a warning, or moved less quickly, I would not have been able to stop myself jumping down.”
    â€œI sort of figured it out that way myself,” the youngster admitted.
    â€œBut leaping out and acting as you did could have put your own life at risk,” the Crown Prince pointed out.
    â€œI thought some about that as well,” the youngster declared, then looked over his shoulder and his voice took on a note of asperity as he raised it. “Showing these good folks how quiet ’n’ sneaky we can move was one right smart notion, Lon. Why damn it, you could’ve got me killed.”
    â€œI could’ve, but not with the way my luck’s been running so bad these days,” the black-dressedyoung man answered, showing no suggestion of remorse over having put a good friend’s life in danger. Swinging his gaze to von Farlenheim, who was glaring up at him furiously and starting to rise, he extended his right hand and continued, “I’m right sorry I had to rough handle you-all that ways, mister. Only I could see’s you wasn’t fixing to believe what I’d told you and there wasn’t going to be time to talk it out peaceable.”
    â€œCaptain von Farlenheim!” Leibenfran barked, as the young Bosgravnian thrust himself erect without assistance.
    â€œYes, sir?” the First Taster answered, snapping into a brace and facing the speaker instead of carrying out his intention of striking the Indian-dark Texan.
    â€œSend your men back to the beach,” the Personal Attendant ordered,