Valley of the Gun (9781101607480) by Ralph W. Cotton Page A

shoulder-width apart. He threw back the bearskin coat, revealing his tied-down Colt .45.
    â€œNo, you would
not
, Fletcher,” the pain-racked sheriff barked hoarsely. “Now stand the hell down and shut the hell up.”
    The gunman took the sheriff’s command seriously. He withdrew another step, keeping his eyes on the Ranger’s big Colt.
    â€œAnything you say, Sheriff,” he replied, letting his shaggy coat fall over his gun.
    Sam took a step back also, sensing that was the end of it.
    â€œI still haven’t heard what you and Lightning Wade were talking about, ma’am,” the injured sheriff said to Mattie, wincing in pain as he spoke.
    Instead of answering, Mattie looked at the Ranger, who took the matter upon himself.
    â€œShe said it wasn’t about robbing the bank, Sheriff,” he said.
    â€œAnd you vouch for her, Ranger Burrack?” Hall asked.
    â€œHere’s what I vouch for,” Sam said. He raised his sombrero and showed the large lump on his head, the wide purple bruise reaching down below his hairline. “She shot me—winged me, thinking I was one of Dad Orwick’s men. Her shot grazed my shoulder and I fell off a cliff. If she hadn’t raised me up and taken care of me, I’d likely be dead now.” He gave Mattie a look.
    â€œThat don’t make her right, Ranger,” Hall said.
    â€œTo me it does,” Sam said. “If she was with Orwick’s bunch, a bullet through my head would have kept these questions from ever being asked.” He stared at the injured sheriff.
    â€œAll right, I’ll go with that, if it suits you,” Hall said.
    â€œNow, wait just one minute, Sheriff!” Kerwin Stone cut in sharply. “Shouldn’t she at least be questioned?”
    The sheriff gave the banker a sour expression.
    â€œShe just was, Stone,” he said. “Weren’t you paying attention?” Before Stone could reply, Hall turned to Clayton DeShay and said, “Good thing you came along with us, Sheriff DeShay. It looks like you’ll be leading this posse.”
    â€œWhoa,” said DeShay in surprise. “I’ve got to get back to Whiskey Bend. That’s my first responsibility.”
    â€œThen why’d you come along with us to begin with?” Hall asked pointedly.
    Sam watched and listened. Knowing that DeShay had used his name in joining Hall and the posse, he was curious himself as to why the sheriff of Whiskey Bend had come along. But it seemed DeShay didn’t want to discuss anything.
    â€œPardon me, Sheriff Hall,” he said quickly. “Of course I’ll lead your posse. I wasn’t expecting to be asked, is all.”
    â€œI don’t like this one bit,” Stone cut in again.
    â€œThen you tell us what the hell you do like, banker,” Hall said in a heated tone. “You want to lead this posse yourself, go right ahead on.”
    â€œWhat about this man?” Stone said, pointing a thick soft finger at Sam. “He’s a duly sworn—”
    â€œI don’t lead posses,” Sam said, cutting him off. “I’m riding on ahead. If you want my opinion, you go back to your bank, Mr. Stone. Let this posse and me plan on how to take down Orwick and his men—bring your money back.”
    â€œNothing suits me more than getting back to my office, Ranger,” Stone said. “But I need assurances that the money is coming back.”
    â€œIf I can get within gunshot of it, it’ll come back,” Sam said matter-of-factly.
    Arlis Fletcher chuffed aloud, not attempting to hide his contempt for the Ranger’s words.
    â€œIf bold talk is all it takes, I’d say you’ve got Orwick and his gang whipped already,” he said.
    Sam ignored the brash gunfighter.
    â€œGo home, Mr. Stone,” Sam told the banker. “I won’t lead the posse, but I’ll work with it any way I can.” He looked at Mattie and nodded