The story thus far: Seeking a missing Texas Ranger, our old acquaintance The Tequila Kid comes across a poor family named Miller. Like many others in the area, this widow Sarah and her two little girls, Amy and Cindy, have been brutalized by a wealthy scoundrel named McCuller, who intends to drive away all the owners of small farms and ranches in the area and take their land. Later, drying off from heavy rain at the local stable, Sheriff Lucas Clay comes in search of The Kid, demanding she surrender her guns. Knowing Clay to be corrupt (and in league with McCuller), The Kid asks to speak with him in private. Moments later at the jail, he threatens her, and she deals him a beat-down, then informs him that she means to arrest McCuller and Tyson Avidite (a banker who is part of the conspiracy) before she leaves.
From the sheriff’s office, she goes to the Silver Slipper, the town’s saloon, gambling house and brothel. There, she encounters a young man named Jud Nelson, who she’d seen Sheriff Clay harass earlier. Recognizing him as a decent sort, she hires him to watch the jail to see if Clay leaves. Then she meets a twelve-year-old girl named Dixie, who does menial work at the Silver Slipper and is bullied by Toots, the brutish bartender. The Kid asks Dixie which girl is the most popular of the whores. Star, the girl replies, and The Kid gives Dixie the money to pay for Star’s services that evening.
Upstairs in one of the bedrooms, The Kid enjoys an intense hour of sex with Star. Afterwards, she asks the prostitute a few questions about the town and its doings. She learns that Clark Hansen, the missing Texas Ranger she seeks, disappeared around the same time as Dixie’s older sister Dallas, who was one of the whores at the Silver Slipper. The Kid asks about Ben McCuller, but Star refuses to answer, claiming “it’s too dangerous.” When The Kid goes back downstairs, Jud returns to let her know that Sheriff Clay just left town, riding hard in the direction of McCuller’s place.
Figuring she’s done as much as she can for one night, The Kid decides to join an ongoing card game, where she ends up winning a decent amount of money, as well as a neglected horse, which she takes to the local stable where her own horse is being kept.
The next morning, The Kid is informed by Jud Nelson that Cy Warren, McCuller’s enforcer and dirty-jobs man, has just entered the sheriff’s office, using a key. On their way to confront him, The Kid is taken aback to recognize the horse Cy has hitched up outside as Thunder, who she knows to be the property of Clark Hansen, the missing Texas Ranger she is seeking. More determined than ever to get answers from Cy Warren, she boldly strides into the sheriff’s office, a nervous Jud close behind.
The Kid quickly catches Warren in an obvious lie about his having purchased Hansen’s horse, and arrests him on the spot, drawing her gun before he can. Once Cy is locked up, she and Jud set off for banker Tyson Avidite’s office. With the genuine ranch deeds in her possession, she and Jud quickly establish that the ones Avidite is holding for McCuller are obvious forgeries, created in an effort to steal the area’s small ranches from their rightful owners. Confronted by the evidence, Avidite breaks down and confesses to his role in McCuller’s crooked conspiracy.
Later that day, The Kid steals onto McCuller’s land while he is away. She encounters his vicious pair of trained dogs, and deploys Indian methods she learned as a young girl to make friends with them. That accomplished, she carefully breaks into his study, where she fiddles with a certain something in the man’s desk drawer before making her escape.
The Kid has one more task to accomplish before turning in. She drops by the Silver Slipper to liberate the young girl Dixie from her menial position. The vicious bartender Toots is intent on stopping The Kid, but she takes him down with a couple of well-placed punches, then helps herself to a large wad of cash from the man’s pocket for Dixie’s back wages. The Kid and the girl then depart, leaving an enraged Toots behind.
The Kid takes Dixie out for a decent meal, buys her a new set of clothes, then gets them a room at a local boarding house. After a bath, The Kid plans to turn in for the night… but Dixie has other ideas, insisting on making love to her benefactor as a way of saying thanks. The Kid finds the sweet young thing impossible to resist.
The next morning, on her way to the sheriff’s office, The Kid happens upon two men loading a large wagon with food and supplies, and quickly realizes they work for McCuller. When they beat a man for begging for a little flour, she arrests them both, putting them in jail along with Cy Warren. Once they’re locked up, she asks Jud Nelson to return the deeds McCuller stole to the families he took them from — along with a thousand dollars for each family, taken from McCuller’s bank account, and the contents of take the wagon of supplies.
By that time, The Kid is obliged to cut Warren loose, but she refuses to give him back his horse (who belonged to the missing Ranger Hansen), forcing him to walk back to McCuller’s ranch. Needless to say, Cy Warren is quite displeased.
The Kid takes Dixie to the Miller home, asking Sarah if she can take the girl in. Sarah immediately consents. Her daughters Cindy and Amy quickly take a liking to Dixie (whose real name, we learn, is Clara), and agree with their mother.
That night, The Kid beds down in the Millers’ barn, keeping a lookout. Before turning in, Sarah gives her daughters a bath, along with Clara/Dixie. Later, Sarah pays The Kid a late-night visit, and ends up slipping into The Kid’s bedroll to keep warm. There, she mentions having bathed the girls. The Kid wonders out loud why Sarah’s daughters don’t wash themselves, then gets the young mother to admit that she very much enjoys seeing the girls nude. By then, Sarah is so aroused that The Kid easily seduces her, and they begin to make love.
Meanwhile, Clara is in bed with her new sisters, teaching them some very intimate games. Cindy and Amy have already explored kissing with one another, but Clara gets them to go much further. They all have a lovely time.
Sarah, on the other hand, is so troubled by illicit thoughts of her daughters that she pulls away from The Kid, apologizes and leaves. Returning to the house, she is surprised to find Clara waiting in her bed. Sarah resists, but Clara’s seductive skills are so well-honed that she ends up giving in, allowing the girl to make love to her. One at a time, Any and Cindy are awakened by the sounds of passion, wander to their mother’s room to investigate, and end up joining in the sexual abandon. Sarah gives into her newly discovered desire and makes love to both her children, as well as Clara.
Meanwhile, evil rancher McCuller has assembled an army of rough men to drive the small farmers and ranchers out of the area for good, killing them if need be. He also hires notorious gunman Kid Coley (who widowed Sarah Miller a couple of months earlier when he shot down her husband) to kill the Tequila Kid.
After releasing McCuller’s men Sam and Cookie, The Kid heads over to the Silver Slipper for a drink with Jud. When the bartender Toots sees them, he seizes a gun and tries to shoot The Kid, but Star blocks the shot and dies herself.
At the same time, McCuller’s army prepares to ride.
And now, dear readers, we make our way into the next installment. Read on…
by Purple Les
It sure was freezing cold for being so sunny out. Ma had sent me and Amy to Mrs Vale’s to borrow some cake pans. Now that we had flour and eggs, Ma wanted to bake us a cake to take to the Vale’s Christmas party.
It was a long walk on the main road, so cold the ground was rock hard. Amy was playing her harmonica as we walked back home and I was carrying the cake pans. I thought her lips would freeze to it for sure, but she just played it fine anyway.
I was walking ahead cause I was in a hurry to get back home again. And because I wanted to get away from the music. I love Amy to bits, but if I had to hear Hark the Harold Angels Sing one more time I might rip off my own ears, dig a hole in the ground and bury them.
Then she stopped playing long enough to come running up next to me. She went on about how good it was that it was Christmas Eve day, and chattering on and on about baby Jesus, and Santa Claus.
I never was too sure about Santa Claus. Seems like it would take a miracle for him to do all the things folks say he can. I have heard about miracles and Christmas time magic, but never seen any.
I figured out last Christmas it weren’t Santa that brought us presents. It was just Ma and Pa, telling me and Amy that Santa done it. Now with Pa gone, I didn’t see how we could have any kind of Christmas. We had some money now, but Ma couldn’t go into town and spend it on presents cause of the stores not selling to any of us farmers after Mr McCuller made them stop. The only reason we could even get food was we’d trade some eggs or hay or even Pa’s things for whatever little bit of something our neighbors could spare. But it had been a spell since we traded cause everybody had less and less all the time.
So I just didn’t see any way Ma could pretend to be Santa Claus and leave us presents. It made me wish Santa could be real, just to make my sister happy. But I knew he weren’t. So it would be a sad Christmas for us. I didn’t say anything to Amy though. No sense in ruining it for her. I’m more grown, so I understand, but cause Amy is still only eight, I wanted her to believe a little longer if she could. But she’d find out Christmas morning just the same.
Out of nowhere a horse and rider jumped right in front of us out of some tall brush, and me and Amy stopped dead still right where we were.
I dropped the cake pans right there in the road, I was so scared. The rider got off his horse, laughing at us. He said, ‘Member me, girls?’
Well sure, we remembered him. Who’s ever gonna forget the low down skunk of a man who shot your own Pa dead? But we didn’t say nothing. Well, I didn’t, but Amy hollered ‘You’re Kid Coley! You’re the bad man who killed our Pa!’ I didn’t recall ever seeing her so mad.
Faster than I could blink, he drew his gun and shot Amy’s harmonica right out of her hand. He had a real scary look on his face now. I was glad Amy’s fingers didn’t get shot off, but she started to cry anyway.
He said ‘Good riddance. I hate music, and I specially hate the sound of a d—m harmonica. Say, I been following you kids for a ways now, and I got a message for your mama so listen close. I’m coming to see her later this afternoon. You tell her I’ll show her what it’s like to be loved by a young man with fire in his belly, not some sorry old gunslinger turned sodbuster.’
He shoved his gun back in his holster, then reached down and scooped me up. He put me in a bear hug so I couldn’t move, then kissed me. I kept my mouth shut or tried to but he pushed his tongue in my mouth. I could hear Amy yelling at him to let me go, trying to pull me from his grip.
It was horrible and seemed to go on forever, but at last he threw me to the ground and laughed. Amy kneeled by me, and Kid Coley spit on the ground right next to her. He said, ‘Tell your ma I hope she’s got that much fight.’ He put a hand on the front of his pants. ‘Don’t worry, though. I’ll save some for you girls.’ Then he rode off laughing.
Amy helped me get up on my feet, then picked up her harmonica. It was ruint, but she said it was a gift from Pa and she meant to keep it.
We ran home fast as we could to warn Ma. I forgot to bring the cake pans, we was in such a hurry.
***
Button shied and snorted at the sudden crack of a gunshot. The Kid paused, then led her horse at a fast trot toward where she thought it came from, then slowed down to cautiously approach a thick cluster of dried-out brush, grown high enough to conceal a man.
Drawing close, she saw where something had come through the brush, then spied a couple of baking pans, lying in the road. Dismounting, she just barely made out where horse hooves marked the ground in one spot, aimed toward the town. Then she found marks in the dust from the heels of small boots, running the other direction. Two pair, from the look of it.
This don’t feel right, The Kid told herself. She quickly gathered up the pans and mounted up, then rode Button at a gallop down the road in the same direction those little boots had gone.
***
I didn’t really start to crying till we was back home again. I felt like a big baby but just couldn’t help it. Ma comforted me for a while till I come back to my senses. Clara kept Amy busy making some decorations out of pine cones she’d picked up around our ranch. Ma had me sit still and drink some tea. I felt better some, but got all scared again when Ma took the rifle down from the mantle. I watched her clean it and load it up. All the time I kept looking at the ruined harmonica on the table, thanking God Amy hadn’t been hurt.
We all jumped when there was a knock at the door.
***
Sarah snatched up the rifle when she heard the knock. “Who is it?” she yelled, struggling to keep her voice steady and strong. Don’t let him know you’re scared, else you and the girls are done for.
She felt almost sick with relief to hear, “It’s the Tequila Kid, Sarah. I found some bakin’ pans up in the road, and figured they was yours. The girls all right?”
Setting the rifle down, Sarah quickly let The Kid inside. She gave the young woman a fierce hug, then slammed and bolted the door.
***
We was all glad to see the Tequila Kid. I felt a little braver now that she was there.
***
The Kid held Amy in her lap while sipping hot tea, listening intently as Amy and Cindy told her what had happened, her eyes returning now and then to the broken harmonica on the table.
After hearing the gist of Kid Coley’s message, The Kid stood Amy up on the floor, then got to her feet. Putting a hand on each girl’s shoulder, she murmured, “You two sure are brave. I admire you for that.” She turned to Sarah. “I’ll stable Button in the barn, then wait there for that damn Coley. But first…”
The Kid checked Sarah’s rifle, satisfied to find it cleaned and loaded. Moving the dining table over to the door, she tipped it onto its side with the legs facing the entrance. The Kid cocked a round into the rifle and said, “Sarah, come on over to this side of the table and get down behind it.”
Sarah knelt behind the table, facing the front door. The Kid handed her the rifle, saying, “If that door starts to open, shoot!” Laying the barrel on the table’s edge, Sarah took aim, and The Kid nodded. “That’s good. For now, just stay calm and do whatever you like, but keep an eye and ear open. You hear a horse approach, get behind that table and ready to fire that gun.”
The Kid faced the girls. “When Coley shows up, you three hole up in the bedroom. Keep the door closed. I reckon Coley will raise a ruckus when he gets here. That’s when I want you girls to run and hide. We got us a little time, so after I put Button up I’ll scout around some.” She looked up at Sarah. “Remember… the door opens, you shoot and don’t stop shootin’ ‘til that gun’s empty.”
“Kid,” Sarah said, a frantic look in her eyes. “Maybe… maybe you should take the girls somewhere else. Somewhere safe. This is no place for them to be.”
Resting a hand on Sarah’s shoulder, The Kid sighed, “Truth is, there ain’t no safe place for good folks ‘til this is over.”
“Take Clara, then,” Sarah pleaded. “He’s after my family, not hers. She shouldn’t be mixed up in this.”
Clara spoke up. “No, ma’am. I’m stayin’ right here. You folks took me in, and I’m with you, no matter what.”
“Oh, my sweet child,” Sarah whispered, on the verge of tears. Reaching out, she drew Clara into her arms, then gestured Amy and Cindy into their embrace.
Watching them hug, The Kid took a slow, deep breath. Hope I got what it takes to keep these good folks safe. I know for fact Coley’s taken out faster than me in a fair fight. “I better get out to the barn,” she said.
Sarah looked up. “Don’t you get yourself hurt, Kid. Please, be careful.”
Taking Sarah’s hand, The Kid gave it a quick squeeze. “Just keep yourselves safe. Don’t you worry about me none.” Touching the brim of her hat, she opened the door and stepped out, then turned and said, “Keep this door locked.”
The Kid started for the barn, leading Button – only to turn when she heard the sound of running feet. There was little Amy, hastening toward her. The Kid squatted down, and when Amy got to her she said, “You shouldn’t be out here, sweetness. Go on, get back indoors, and stay there like we agreed.”
“I will, I promise,” Amy declared. “I just came out to bring you this.” Turning her back to Button, she held up a large red apple with a yellow ribbon wrapped around it. “It’s for Button,” the child whispered. “So she has a gift for Christmas. It’s the only apple that was in the supplies we got. You will give it to her for me, won’t you?”
The Kid had to blink back tears when she replied, “Why, I sure will. I’ll surprise her in the mornin’, and I’ll tell her it’s from her good friend Amy.” She carefully put the apple into her coat pocket.
“And this is for you!” Amy said excitedly, handing The Kid a hard-boiled egg. “Merry Christmas.”
“Why, shucks. Thank you kindly.”
Reaching into her pocket, Amy took out a pine cone with splotches of green and blue paint on it. “This is a Christmas decoration, Kid. Or you can use it like a little Christmas tree. You can put Button’s apple under it for her!”
The Kid cradled her gift in both hands. “Well, now,” she said, beaming at the little girl, “I never had nothin’ like this before. I’ll treasure it always. Thank you, Amy.”
“You’re welcome.” Amy replied, smiling back.
“Uh, I’m sorry I ain’t got nothin’ for you, Amy.” The Kid said glumly, then her face brightened. “Except this.” Going down on her knees, she gave the child a warm, lingering hug.
Hugging her back, Amy murmured, “That’s a real nice present, Thanks, Kid.”
Drawing back, The Kid rubbed the tip of her nose against Amy’s. “Glad you liked it. I don’t go round givin’ hugs to just anyone, y’know.” She gave the little girl’s bottom a pat. “Now get you back inside, pardner.”
The Kid watched as Amy ran up to the door, turned to give her a quick wave, then scurried into the house. For a long time, she studied the Miller home, bracing herself for the confrontation with Kid Coley. Sure hope I can keep them safe… or if I get killed, I hope Sarah can take him down herself.
She led Button into the stable, gave her some hay, and seated herself on a bale of hay to wait for Coley, looking out through a chink in the barn wall. She kept Button in her line of vision, knowing her horse would surely hear a stranger coming and warn her with a noise or sudden movement.
The Kid was sitting on a bale of hay when she saw the mare’s ears turn and her head lift. Button nickered softly and The Kid whispered, “Good girl.”
***
Kid Coley rode up slowly. He glanced around before dismounting to open the gate and lead his horse in. He didn’t bother to close the gate. As he approached, Coley looked thoughtfully at the barn.
From inside the Tequila Kid stared back, unseen. C’mon, Coley, bring your horse in out of the cold. Better yet, just come on inside, see if anyone’s in here.
But Coley moved past the barn, paused to tether his horse near the water trough, and advanced toward the house. He paused for a moment, drew his gun, then shouted out, “Sa-rah Mil-ler!” He snickered. “Or maybe I should say ‘Sarah Jax’. Hope your girls gived you the message I sent.”
***
We seen him ride in and did like we was supposed to. Well, almost. Clara and Amy went in the bedroom and shut the door, but I was at the table with Ma. I just couldn’t leave her alone out there. She tried to make me go but I flat out said I wouldn’t, so she let me stay. She rested her arms on the table and cocked the rifle, ready to fire. Then we heard him yell.
***
Kid Coley looked around, wearing his malevolent smile. “All alone here, ain’t ya? Be smart now, Sarah. You and your girls take off all your clothes, then open up and invite me in. Do that, and I’ll let you live when I’m done. Make me force my way in, and I’ll still have my way with all of you… but I’ll make you hurt real bad afore you die.”
He fell silent, waiting for a response. None came. His jaw tightened. “I know you’re in there, God damn it!” Coley shouted. Drawing his gun with one hand, he rubbed his crotch with the other. He inspected his pistol, spun it in a quick circle with his trigger finger, then shoved it back into the holster. Baring his teeth, he snarled, “Fine. Fine! You had your chance to treat me right. I’ll make you wish you never been born, all of you!”
Stepping forward, he froze suddenly as the sound of a raven’s caw echoed through the yard, breaking the silence of the cold, late afternoon. Hand on the butt of his gun, Coley looked up and around, but saw nothing. He turned toward the house again, then heard the raven caw again, louder this time.
Looking over his shoulder, Coley saw the Tequila Kid standing about twenty feet away, thumbs hooked in the belt on her pants. She wore no coat, and stood slouched with one knee slightly bent.
“Kid Coley, ain’t it?” she asked, almost casually.
Coley kept his expression neutral, but inside he was rejoicing. Perfect. I been searching all over for her, and here she is, The Tequila Kid. All mine for the taking. I’ll kill her, then have my fun with Sarah and her girls before I shoot ’em all. Torch the house, take The Kid’s body back to McCuller for the rest of my money, then help his men burn out the rest of them sorry-ass farmers. A good day’s work.
“Well, now,” Kid Coley said, “I’m famous, am I?”
“Oh, I knew it had to be you, judgin’ by that big yellow streak runnin’ down your back. You’re a tough man when it comes to killin’ innocent women and children, ain’t ya? Whatever spawned you must be real proud.”
Coley’s upper lip on one side turned up, so he resembled a growling dog. His face turned dark, a flash of anger replacing his coolness. “Shut your damn trap. I know all about you, Miss Tequila Kid. Cast-off redskin scum like you ain’t fit to talk about my ma and pa. If they was still alive, they’d be right proud of me. My people built this country up from nothin’, made it what it was. Now look at it.” He spat on the ground. “We killed or drove off most of the redskins, then what happened? It got filled up with Irish, Germans, Chinese, Mexicans… more kinds of human garbage than I can put a name to. Worst of all was that damn Abe Lincoln freein’ all the darkies, givin’ ‘em the notion they’re as good as a white man.
“That’s why I work for men like McCuller. He knows this country has got to be made pure. And that ain’t gonna happen ‘til we get rid of the trash. As for your sort… hell, you Texas Ranger scum are even worse. When the law defends these sodbusters it ain’t law anymore, it’s a sad-ass joke. You’re a goddamn disgrace to that badge you wear… and once I’ve snuffed your light out, I’ll put a bullet hole right through it.” Kid Coley pushed his coat back on the right side, readying himself to draw. His dark eyes smouldered with hate.
“And you’re the one to do that?” The Tequila Kid replied with a disdainful snort. “I can return fire, y’know. It won’t be like shootin’ women and children in the back like you’re used to doin’, Kid Chickenshit.”
Coley’s mouth twisted. “I don’t kill women nor children… just vermin that don’t belong here. Just keepin’ the filth from spreadin’ around.” He shook his head disdainfully. “Know what? It’s nothin’ but a waste of breath talkin’ to a half-breed like you. Time to die, Tequila Bitch.”
“Tell ya what, Coley,” The Kid murmured, “Just to be a sport about it, I’ll draw left-handed. Give you a fightin’ chance.” She moved her right hand behind her back.
“Oh, no, you don’t,” Coley replied, wagging his finger. “You’re tryin’ to pull the wool over my eyes. I’ve heard tell of your left-hand draw. Reckon I’ll take my chances with the right.”
“Fine, fine,” The Kid said. “I’m gettin’ bored, listenin’ to you jabber all day long. On the count of five, fill your hand.”
Coley grinned, “You can count to five? Shit fire, I didn’t know redskins even knew what numbers were. You must’ve learned that afore them savages took you. Course, they ruint you for livin’ among white folks. Me, I’d of put a bullet through your head the day you first showed your face in a town.”
He’s tryin’ to get me rattled, The Kid told herself. “Goddamn it, Coley… don’t you ever get tired of workin’ your jaws? Shut the hell up and let’s get this done.” She took a deep breath, let it out. “One, two..” she began, putting her left hand behind her back, preparing for Coley to make a move. Sure enough, before The Kid could say, “three,” he went for his gun and drew.
A split second after Coley’s gun left its holster, The Kid shifted her position ever so slightly, just enough for the shot to miss, though it sent her hat flying. A split second later, The Kid fired herself, the shot hitting Coley square in the chest. He staggered back a couple of steps, then crumpled to the ground.
Quickly moving to the man’s side, The Kid kicked his gun away, then squatted down next to him. Coley was mortally wounded, but not yet dead. Just missed his heart, she told herself. Blood flowed freely, soaking through his shirt.
A large, folded piece of paper was tucked into the front pocket of Coley’s coat. Taking it out, The Kid opened it up to find a rough map of all the ranches and farms in the region. There was writing as well, but she had no idea what it meant.
When Coley spoke, it took her by surprise. “I guess you got lucky, damn you. I’m done for.”
“You’re a fool, Coley,” The Kid replied. “I couldn’t of outdrawn you. If you hadn’t tried to cheat, it would of been me layin’ there with a bullet in my head.”
Coley slowly nodded. “I reckon so. But you ain’t gonna stop McCuller from drivin’ them dirt farmers off his land, ever fuckin’ one of ‘em. His men are ‘bout to kill that new sheriff, then they’ll be movin’ on them families, a few hours before dawn. Any of ‘em who don’t p-pack up and leave will die. Hell, maybe McCuller’s boys’ll kill the ones who d-do leave, just for fun.” He coughed up a gobbet of blood.
The Kid was numb with horror. Hell’s bells. McCuller’s already made his move, and I didn’t see it coming. What do I do now?
Coley was choking on a laugh. “So that’s it. You may of won this battle, but McCuller… he’s won the war.” A bloody froth coated his lips, and his voice was reduced to a ragged whisper. “I’ll see you in hell, bitch…”
With one last rattling laugh, Coley fell silent, a grotesque death smile frozen on his reptilian face.
The Kid’s mind spun frantically, like a dog chasing its own tail. Shit. That raid’s gonna happen in about five, six hours. Jud could already be dead… and even with a head start, I can’t get to every ranch in time. My only chance is to get to McCuller and nab him, have him call his men off. No time to spare – I gotta go now!
Quickly going through Coley’s pockets and gear, she then slung his dead body over the back of his horse, fastening it to the saddle. Climbing up on Button, Kid turned toward the house and yelled, “Sarah! I got to go! I took care of Coley, but keep on the lookout for any more of McCuller’s men.” Driving Button ahead, she called out, “Adios!” then hit the trail, riding hell-bent for leather.
***
Me and Ma both jumped when we heard the shot. She pushed me down and rested the gun on the edge of the table, her eyes fixed on the door. She looked fierce but her cheeks were pale, and I know she was mighty scared, too.
Later on Clara would say she was sure there was two shots. Ma was of the opinion if there was two shots, they must have happened at the same time, but there was no way to know, so we waited.
It was dead silent. I asked Ma if she thought the Tequila Kid was dead. Why didn’t she shout out to us? Ma couldn’t figure out the quiet either. Surely who ever shot the other would speak up, wouldn’t they?
We couldn’t stand it no more after what seemed an uncommon long time. Then just when we was about to look out the window, there was the clomping of horse hooves.
Ma told me to stay put and she went to the window, but I followed her anyhow. She gave me a look but didn’t say anything.
We looked out, just barely raising our heads. It was almost dark, but there was the shape of two horses riding out the gate. One horse had a rider, the other horse had a body slung over the saddle. I sure was glad to see the rider was the Tequila Kid.
She rode toward us a little and shouted out that she shot Kid Coley, but we needed to watch out for more raiders. Then she and the horses was galloping off into the dark.
Ma checked on Amy and Clara and found they had fell asleep. We figured it best to leave them that way. So me and Ma went back behind the table to listen and wait for any trouble. Don’t know how after all that excitement, but I fell asleep myself.
We never did see the Tequila Kid again.
Soon to come: Chapter Eleven!
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