Read Further Adventures of James Butler Hickok (9781101601853) for Free Online Page A

town.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œYou heard me,” the man said. “Leave . . . town.”
    â€œNow why would I do that?” He’d been thinking about leaving town, and if they’d left him alone, he might have.
    â€œBecause we’re tellin’ you to.”
    Clint turned so that he was facing the three men dead on.
    â€œLeo,” Murphy said.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œHe don’t look scared.”

FOURTEEN
    â€œDon’t make us hurt you,” Worthy said.
    â€œDon’t worry about that,” Clint said. “It won’t happen.”
    â€œHey, friend,” Reyes said, “we’re three and you’re one. We’ll beat you into the ground.”
    Clint smiled and said, “You won’t get that close.”
    The three men fanned out a bit—but to Clint’s satisfaction, not enough.
    * * * 
    A man ran into the Old Southern and said, “Showdown in the public square.”
    â€œWho?” the bartender asked.
    â€œDon’t know,” he said. “Three locals—Worthy and a couple of his boys—and one stranger.”
    Suddenly, men were running for the windows and doors to take a look. Hickok was standing at the bar alone, then decided to walk to the door and have a look. When he got there, several men stood aside to make room.
    He looked out the door down toward the public square, then stepped outside to have a better look, while the others remained inside.
    â€œThis should be good,” he said.
    â€œThis isn’t a good idea, boy,” Clint said.
    â€œThat’s what you say,” Leo Worthy said. “We say different.”
    â€œWhat’s this about?” Clint asked. “I’ve never seen you boys before.”
    â€œI told you,” Worthy said. “It’s about you leavin’ town.”
    â€œThere’s no way I can talk you out of this?” Clint asked.
    â€œI think he scared, boss,” Reyes said.
    â€œYou’re right,” Clint said. “I’m scared I’m going to have to kill three men I don’t know for some reason I don’t know.”
    â€œHe ain’t scared, Leo,” Murphy said.
    â€œListen to the man, Leo,” Clint said. “You can’t scare me away, and I’m not going to let you hurt me. So what’s next?”
    Worthy did not like the fact that Clint Adams was trying to face him and his partners down. The square was empty, but he knew people were watching. If they backed down, they’d lose face, and who the hell was this jasper anyway but a stranger who had come to town to dally with their women?
    â€œYou got two choices, friend,” he said. “Mount up and leave, or slap leather.”
    Clint thought about avoiding the fight by saddling up and leaving, but it went against the grain. Besides, the spokesman was wearing Confederate colors, and the war was still fresh.
    â€œI’m not leaving,” Clint said, “so I leave the rest to you.”
    â€œLeo—” Murphy started, but Worth cut him off.
    â€œHe ain’t makin’ us back down in our own town,” Worthy said, and went for his gun.
    The move was slow. Clint could clearly see it. Also, as the other two men reached for their pistols, it was as if they were all moving in slow motion.
    Clint drew his Army Colt and cleanly shot all three men through the thickest parts of their bodies. They all crumpled to the ground.
    From down the street, Wild Bill Hickok watched the action, saw the three men fall, and shook his head.
    â€œThat boy is quick,” he said.
    He turned and went back inside to the bar.
    * * * 
    â€œJust stand fast, friend,” a voice said from behind Clint.
    Clint froze, the gun still in his hand.
    â€œYou a friend of theirs, or law?” he asked.
    â€œI’m law, and I got my gun on you,” the man said. “Drop it and turn around.”
    â€œIf you don’t mind, I’m going