Читать книгу Buffalo Bill, Peacemaker; Or, On a Troublesome Trail онлайн

63 страница из 85

“But whyever was it?” inquired Nomad. “Why ther blazes should Benner want come-alongs? Is he goin’ ter put ’em on Perry?”

“It’s likely that he needs them in his lawless work,” returned Jordan. “Those ugly things are only used on prisoners, and the only prisoners Benner may have to take care of are those at the Perry ranch. I argue evil things from the fact that there are two sets of gyves.”

“What’s the argument?” came from Wild Bill, as he put the handcuffs in his pocket, filled his pipe, lighted it and made ready to continue the ride.

“Why,” said Jordan, “one pair would be enough for Perry. The other pair may be for Nate Dunbar, Perry’s partner. I’m afraid we’re going to find affairs in something of a tangle at Perry’s ranch. Let’s hurry on.”

For more than two hours they hurried, the sky pilot sitting his horse with all the skill and ease of a professional range rider, and bearing the discomforts of the rapid journey in admirable style.

At the end of two hours the party was in the scant timber that fringed the Brazos, and had pointed upstream. Abruptly, the sky pilot drew rein.