Shalako (1962) by Louis L'amour

the women alive."
    Laura's eyes were without expression. "Yes, yes, of course. But be careful."
    It was a silly thing to say at such a time, but what could be said? She took a deep breath and, stepping out side, she walked coolly and deliberately to the nearest wagon.
    Climbing into the wagon, she gathered up a parcel of food, a medicine kit with additional medicines, and a box of ammunition. Putting them all in a burlap sack, she swung it over her shoulder and walked back to the stable.
    Returning, she climbed into the wagon again. The heat was stifling under the canvas wagon top and the interior smelled of the sun-hot canvas, a smell like no other, yet not unpleasant.
    From a box of her own things she took a .44-caliber derringer with two barrels, one over the other. Checking to be sure it was loaded, she tucked it into her clothing.
    Loading another box of ammunition and more food into her sack, she returned again to the stable.
    She had concealed the sack when Bosky Fulton suddenly came down the ladder and, without glancing at her, went outside and worked his way around to the house.
    She recalled hearing a low mutter of conversation from the loft, and remembered that one of the other teamsters was up there.
    Fulton remained in the house but, after a few minutes, Rio Hockett came to the door and motioned to one of the other men. The man crawled, then suddenly darted for the door and ducked inside, a bullet tapping the doorjamb with a disgusted finger.
    Aided by Laura, Irina returned to the wagons and re moved more of the food and ammunition.
    No shot was fired at them.
    Buffalo returned to the stable. "They're pullin' out," he said. "Those smokes are drawin' them off. I'd say we'd better light out of here."
    "Do you suppose it is a trick? Something to draw us out of this position?"
    "Don't think so. Their dust shows up too far off for that. They've sure enough taken out."
    Roy Harding strolled up to the door. "What do you think, Buff? Could we make Fort Cummings? My guess would be the troops are out by this time."
    The rest of their party slowly congregated. "Please," Edna Dagget said, "let its go now."
    Bosky Fulton spoke from the stable door. "Too late for you folks. You're goin' to stay here. We're takin' out." Their heads turned as one, and Bosky Fulton stood in the stable door behind them, and beside him were four men with rifles, hip high, ready to fire.
    "We decided we don't like it here no more," Fulton said. "Rio, you shuck their guns and shake them down for money or whatever."
    "If you wish to leave," Count Henri said coolly, "you must realize you are not alone.
    We were discussing such a move when you came in. I suggest you harness the teams and be ready to move out."
    "We go," Fulton repeated, "you stay."
    Von Hallstatt clutched his rifle by the upper barrel, but he stood among the women and there was no chance of bringing it into use without endangering them all. And he had seen how quickly Fulton could go into action.
    "If you appear with our belongings," Dagget warned, "questions will be asked. It must be obvious to you that many of our weapons and other belongings will be recognized or easily identified."
    Fulton grinned at Dagget. "Not in Mexico. Not in the border towns. And when the Apaches get through with you folks nobody will be asking any questions at all."
    He glanced over at Harding. "You're in the wrong crowd, Roy. You belong with us."
    "I like it where I am," Harding replied bluntly. "I never did cotton to thieves.
    Nor do I want to get my neck stretched."
    Fulton shrugged. "Suit yourself. Soon as they see what those smokes meant the Apaches will be back. They'll take care of whatever we leave."
    When they had been disarmed, their guns were emptied and handed back. "Look funny if you had no guns. It would make the Apaches talk and we might have to answer to the Army if we were caught. So you just keep those fancy guns."
    Irina thought of her derringer. If she could get it out... but that would