True Grit - Charles Portis [61]
“I don’t care a thing in the world about guns. If I did I would have one that worked.”
Chaney was carrying a load of bedding from the cave. He said, “I was shot from ambush, Ned. The horses was blowing and making noise. It was one of them officers that got me.”
I said, “How can you stand there and tell such a big story?”
Chaney picked up a stick and pitched it into a big crack in the ledge. He said, “There is a ball of rattlesnakes down there in that pit and I am going to throw you in it. How do you like that?”
“No, you won’t,” said I. “This man will not let you have your way. He is your boss and you must do as he tells you.”
Lucky Ned Pepper again took his glass and looked across at the ridge.
Chaney said, “Five minutes is well up.”
“I will give them a little more time,” said the bandit chieftain.
“How much more?” said Chaney.
“Till I think they have had enough.”
Greaser Bob called up from below saying, “They are gone, Ned! I can hear nothing! We had best make a move!”
Lucky Ned Pepper replied, “Hold fast for a while!”
Then he returned to his breakfast. He said, “Was that Rooster and Potter that waylaid us last night?”
I said, “The man’s name is not Potter, it is LaBoeuf. He is an officer from Texas. He is looking for Chaney too, though he calls him by another name.”
“Is he the one with the buffalo gun?”
“He calls it a Sharps rifle. His arm was hurt in the fight.”
“He shot my horse. A man from Texas has no authority to fire at me.”
“I know nothing about that. I have a good lawyer at home.”
“Did they take Quincy and Moon?”
“They are both dead. It was a terrible thing to see. I was in the very middle of it. Do you need a good lawyer?”
“I need a good judge. What about Haze? An old fellow.”
“Yes, he and the young man were both killed.”
“I saw Billy was dead when he was struck. I thought Haze might have made it. He was tough as boot leather. I am sorry for him.”
“Are you not sorry for the boy Billy?”
“He should never have been there. There was nothing I could do for him.”
“How did you know he was dead?”
“I could tell. I advised him against coming, and then give in to him against what I knowed was best. Where did you take them?”
“To McAlester’s store.”
“I will tell you what he did at Wagoner’s Switch.”
“My lawyer has political influence.”
“This will amuse you. I posted him with the horses out of danger and told him to fire a string of shots with his rifle now and then. You must have shooting for the way it keeps the passengers in their seats. Well, he started out all right and then as the job went along I noticed the shots had stopped. I figured Billy Boy had run for home and a plate of mother’s soup. Bob went to see about him and he found the boy standing out there in the dark shucking good shells out of his guns. He thought he was shooting but he was so scared he could not remember to pull the trigger. That was how green he was, green as a July persimmon.”
I said, “You do not show much kindly feeling for a young man who saved your life.”
“I am happy he done it,” said Lucky Ned Pepper. “I don’t say he wan’t game, I say he was green. All kids is game, but a man will keep his head and look out for his own self. Look at old Haze. Well, he is dead now but he should have been dead ten times afore now. Yes, and your good friend Rooster. That goes for him as well.”
“He is not my friend.”
Farrell Permalee made a whooping noise like that of his brother and said, “There they be!”
I looked over to the northwest and saw two riders approaching the top of the ridge. Little Blackie, riderless, was tied behind them. Lucky Ned Pepper brought his glass into play but I could see them well enough without such aid. When they reached the crest they paused and turned our way and Rooster fired a pistol in the air. I saw the smoke before the noise reached us. Lucky Ned Pepper pulled his revolver and fired an answering shot. Then Rooster and LaBoeuf disappeared over the hill. The last thing I saw was Little Blackie.
I think it did not come home to me until that moment what my situation was.