The Mucker


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"
Tell him to go back into his stall," was Byrne's laconic rejoinder, as he pushed  
his mount forward to pass the brigand.  
The soldier was voluble in his objections. Again he reined in front of Billy, and by  
this time his five fellows had spurred forward to block the way.  
"
This is the wrong trail," they cried. "Come this other way, Capitan. Pesita has so  
ordered it."  
Catching the drift of their remarks, Billy waved them to one side.  
"I'm bossin' this picnic," he announced. "Get out o' the way, an' be quick about it  
if you don't want to be hurted."  
Again he rode forward. Again the troopers interposed their mounts, and this time  
their leader cocked his carbine. His attitude was menacing. Billy was close to  
him. Their ponies were shoulder to shoulder, that of the bandit almost broadside  
of the trail.  
Now Billy Byrne was more than passing well acquainted with many of the  
fundamental principles of sudden brawls. It is safe to say that he had never heard  
of Van Bibber; but he knew, as well as Van Bibber knew, that it is well to hit first.  
Without a word and without warning he struck, leaning forward with all the  
weight of his body behind his blow, and catching the man full beneath the chin  
he lifted him as neatly from his saddle as though a battering ram had struck him.  
Simultaneously Bridge and Miguel drew revolvers from their shirts and as Billy  
wheeled his pony toward the remaining five they opened fire upon them.  
The battle was short and sweet. One almost escaped but Miguel, who proved to  
be an excellent revolver shot, brought him down at a hundred yards. He then,  
with utter disregard for the rules of civilized warfare, dispatched those who were  
not already dead.  
"
We must let none return to carry false tales to Pesita," he explained.  
Even Billy Byrne winced at the ruthlessness of the cold-blooded murders; but he  
realized the necessity which confronted them though he could not have brought  
himself to do the things which the Mexican did with such sang-froid and even  
evident enjoyment.  
"
Now for the others!" cried Miguel, when he had assured himself that each of the  
six were really quite dead.  
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Page
208 209 210 211 212

Quick Jump
1 76 153 229 305