Iron Eyes Must Die by Rory Black Page B

shootin’
starts, don’t get in my way. Understand?’
    Hanney reached behind the
wooden wall and pulled up a twin- barreled shotgun.
    ‘ Don’t
ya trust me?’
    Iron Eyes pulled out one of his Navy Colts
and cocked its hammer. He then ventured out into the cool evening
air.
    ‘ I
don’t trust anybody!’
    ‘ Me
neither!’
    Both men ran into the shadows.
    It had started.

Chapter Thirteen
    Storm clouds gathered high above the narrow
canyon and slowly obliterated the stars which had cast just enough
light for the six horsemen to guide their mounts by. Yet the riders
ignored everything except the man ahead of them. Snake Adams
continued to lead his five remaining followers through the
strangely silent canyon.
    There was an eagerness about
the outlaw leader since he had managed to get his hands on the
brown envelope. None of his gang had ever seen him so excited
before. They could not understand the planning that had gone into
the previous few months. To them it had been nothing more than
following the orders of their notorious leader. The truth was far
more complicated. Snake Adams had learned about the very important
visitors who had arrived in Waco within minutes of them stepping off the
train. For he had spies in many places. Spies who allowed him to be
always one step ahead of the law. To learn things which were
secret. So it had been with the Easterners from Washington
DC.
    Adams had known of their trip to Waco long
before they had started out on their fateful journey. He also knew
why they were headed for Waco. For even powerful people can get
greedy. They can also break the law if the potential profits are
great enough and the temptation far too mouth-watering to dismiss.
Adams had known what they were planning, and how to take advantage
of it.
    There was just one piece of the complicated
puzzle to put into place now and that piece was in Rio Concho. That
was where he would reap the rewards of his misbegotten deeds.
    Snake Adams had not allowed any
of his gang to rest since they had set out from the train-car which
they had left totally wrecked. There was an urgency about the man who
continued to spur and whip his faithful mount far beyond its
endurance.
    Adams had something next to his merciless
black heart which was driving him ever onward. He knew that the
contents of the brown envelope was worth more than either he or his
gang could imagine.
    He could actually taste the fortune he knew
would soon be his.
    Lightning flashed all around the walls of the
canyon, but the outlaw leader seemed possessed by demons. He
continued to force his lathered-up mount along the sandy canyon and
was deaf to the complaints of those eating his dust.
    Then unexpectedly Adams reined in his mount.
He stood in his stirrups and looked out into the darkness.
    The other riders gathered to both sides of
the silent outlaw. Ferdy Mayne almost fell from his saddle as he
relaxed for the first time in hours.
    ‘ Ya
trying to kill us or the horses, Snake?’ Mayne gasped as he hung on
the neck of his steaming horse.
    ‘ Or
both!’ Brewster chipped in.
    Adams dismounted and snapped his fingers.
    ‘ Water
the horses, Kyle,’ he ordered.
    ‘ But
we ain’t got much water left, Snake,’ Parker said.
    ‘ Water
’em!’ Adams raised his voice.
    A terrified Kyle Parker slid from his
sweat-soaked saddle and started to gather their canteens
together.
    Adams removed his hat and tossed it at the
outlaw.
    ‘ Give
Kyle ya hats, boys. He’s gonna water the nags.’
    Ben Lynch carefully lowered his aching frame
to the ground and moved towards Adams.
    ‘ We
gonna waste all our water on the horses, Snake? Me and the boys are
damn thirsty too.’
    Adams nodded.
    ‘ The
horses need it more than we do.’
    ‘ Who
says?’ Brewster asked angrily.
    ‘ Hush
up, One Ear!’ Adams ordered. ‘We need the horses watered so they
can take us down there.’
    The five outlaws looked to where Adams was
pointing with his outstretched arm. The golden lights of