Devil's Canyon by Ralph Compton Page A

Ghost
. Please do your own scouting, Mr. Duval.”
    The wagons moved on, covering another fifteen miles before reining up for the night. Durham had kept his silence, mulling over what Faro Duval had said about the outlaws and their obvious intention of staying far ahead. Durham wondered if the outlaws had been near enough to have heard the shot, and if they had witnessed his fall from grace. He had to believe they had washed their hands of him, for now there wasno way he would be able to rendezvous with Slade. That meant when the outlaws decided an ambush was in order, Durham would be just another target in the sights of their rifles. Double-crossing Slade was no longer a possibility. Like it or not, he must cast his lot with these teamsters, if he was to survive. To that end, immediately after supper, he began mending his fences. Going to Faro Duval, he spoke in as friendly a manner as he could.
    â€œDuval, I’ve been doin’ some thinking, and I owe you and Mr. Collins an apology. The deal I made with you in Santa Fe was legitimate, and I was wrong, trying to back out of it. If we’re attacked by Indians—or anyone else—I’ll take part in the defense, and I’ll do my best. I’ll take over the wagon again, if you wish.”
    â€œFar as I’m concerned,” said Faro, “your apology’s accepted.”
    â€œMr. Duval speaks for me, as well,” Collins said.
    â€œWell, there don’t neither of you speak for me,” said Odessa McCutcheon. “I like this teamsterin’, and I reckon I’ll stay with the wagon.”
    â€œSince it’s your wagon,” Durham said, “I can’t argue with that.”
    â€œPraise be to God,” said Mamie, “he’s admitted it.”
    Durham’s apparent repentant attitude did much to lighten the mood of the camp, but Mamie and Odessa McCutcheon still viewed the gambler with distrust. It was a fair night, with moon and stars, and during the first watch, Mamie McCutcheon took the opportunity to speak to Shanghai, Tarno, and Dallas.
    â€œDurham’s got a lyin’ tongue. Don’t believe nothin’ the little sidewinder says, and if Duval or Collins willlisten to you, warn them. He knows them outlaws was trailin’ you for some reason, and he’s makin’ peace so’s he can hang around and find out why.”
    â€œYou don’t have to convince me,” Dallas said. “I still think he’s the varmint that crept up and slugged Collins.”
    â€œI think so, too,” said Shanghai, “but there’s no proof.”
    â€œThere might have been,” Tarno said. “We should have searched the varmint.”
    â€œWithout givin’ away any secrets,” said Mamie, “could he have taken something from Collins that might tell him where these wagons is goin’, and why?”
    â€œMy God, yes,” Dallas said, recalling the little sack of gold ore. “He could have taken part of something that wouldn’t have been missed.”
    â€œHe done it, then,” said Mamie.
    â€œI believe you’re right,” Shanghai said. “I wish you’d talk to Faro.”
    â€œOdessa will do that,” said Mamie. “The varmint’s slick as calf slobber, and we purely don’t believe for a minute he’s reformed. He’s just waitin’ for a chance to turn somethin’ to his advantage, and he’ll back-shoot any one or all of us, if he has to.”
    â€œFaro can fool you,” Tarno said, “and I think Collins is deeper than he looks. I won’t be surprised if they’re thinkin’ like you and Odessa. Whatever Durham has in mind, I can promise you, he won’t get the jump on all of us.”
    Mamie laughed softly. “I didn’t think so. You
hombres
has been over the mountain and seen the bear. The kind of men we knowed in Texas before the war.”
    The night wore on. Shanghai, Tarno, and