Read How the West Was Won (1963) for Free Online Page B

Lilith lied promptly. I was still awake.
    Eve's chin lifted. No, it wasn't. It was late. Daughter-Zebulon Prescott's voice was stern-I'll only ask you once. Is there anything for your ma and pa to worry about?
    No ... no, there ain't, pa. There's not a thing. Eve turned back to the lean-to and took up the washpan and, with Lilith beside her, started toward the river. Under the tree where she had made the bed of boughs there was only the mat of twisted branches now. The blankets were gone. Lilith ... look! Eve went around the tree and pointed. On the tree, cut deep into the bark, were two hearts, freshly cut, and cut deep. They were joined by a deep gash.
    Lilith was amazed, and envious. You mean ... you mean you actually got a grown man to do that? Did you get him to say those crazy words, too? I did ... just like in the book. Seemed like he enjoyed it.
    Eve Prescott, you're lyin' worse than pa! You cut those hearts yourself! I won't say I didn't coax a little, but he did it. He said it was a mighty solemn occasion, like shootin' rapids without a paddle. Well, it sure didn't keep him by you. More'n likely he did it just so's he could get away. You know how driftin' men are ... they never want to stay put. You're lucky he's gone. Do you want to live out your days like some squaw? Like an Indian squaw? More'n likely that's all he's used to. I'll see him again, she said confidently. I know I will ... and he hasn't got a wife and six kids, either. Not yet he hasn't! Evening brought coolness to the river. Behind Linus the setting sun painted fading colors upon the darkening waters. The bluffs were higher now, and the trunks of the forest trees were merging into one solid wall of blackness, although their tops still etched a jagged line against the sky. It had been a slow day. The current seemed stronger than before, and perhaps he was not trying quite as hard. It irritated him that his thoughts kept reverting to the girl at last night's camp. His mind was usually crystal clear, open for impressions, warnings, dangers. His instincts were alive to every change of sunlight or shadow, to every hint of movement.
    That was quite a woman, he said aloud. Now, if'n I was a marryin' man- He could see the white of the sign before he could make out the words. The sign was on the river bank, and behind it a path wound up the bluff to a cave where a feeble glow of light could still be seen.
    With a sweep of his paddle he swung nearer to read the sign, feathering the blade as he swung alongside.

How The West Was Won (1963)

FINE OLD LIKKER SOLD HERE
    The sign presented an invitation and a challenge. Besides, it was getting late. A few drinks would make him sleep good and sound, and it wasn't often he dared trust himself to let go and really sleep.
    Waal, now ... He turned the canoe deftly to the spot where two dugouts were moored.
    From the cave above came a faint sound of music, harmonica music, played with a dancing lilt. Waal, now! he repeated. I don't mind if I do. This ain't Pittsburgh, but a man might as well try a hair of the dog that's goin' to bite him.
    Tying the canoe, Linus took his rifle and mounted the trail. Off to the left, through the trees, he saw just the vestige of another trail. It was not dark, although the sun was down sometime since. That old trail was long out of use, but it indicated that somebody had probably lived here long before these folks had moved in. More than likely it had been an Indian trail, or one made by some early hunters.
    Then from above he heard the music break and a voice called out, Customer! A bare-footed, yellow-haired girl, quite pretty despite the rags she wore, appeared at the mouth of the cave.
    Thirsty, mister? she called. This here's prime whiskey. Drier'n a grasshopper on a hot griddle. Linus wiped the back of his hand across his mouth and followed her into the cave. The harmonica player, he noticed-for he noticed most things-was a lean, scrawny youth who looked at him with a queer, taunting