Read Monument Rock (Ss) (1998) for Free Online

was a roaring flame. Kirby was leading th e way due west and the three rode desperately, crouching low in their saddles to escap e the hail of bullets.
    Weaving among the boulders, Bully led west, then south, then doubled back to th e north. At a stop to let the horses breathe, the Kid leaned over and cut Brock's hand s free of the top loop of rope, and Brock did the rest himself. Slowing down, the Cactu s Kid looked around and could see the loom of Solitario Peak off to the north and a little east. Kirby was riding west, following some vague sort of trail, weaving throug h some rough country. Dropping into Fresno Canyon, they turned north and kept a goo d pace until the peak of Solitario was behind them to the east. Then she led them out , going northeast. They stopped briefly at a tinaja; nearby was the dark outline o f what had once been a frame of a mine scaffold and prospector's shack, now partiall y collapsed.
    Bully chafed his wrists and grinned at the Cactus Kid. "You sure are hellfire whe n you cut loose, mister! We'd better hightail it northwest. Maybe we can make a settlemen t before they catch up to us. I'd at least like to have a gun!"
    "You ride on." The Cactus Kid shoved his hat back on his head and began to buil d a smoke. "I'm going back."
    "Back?" Kirby cried. "Are you crazy? You want to go back there and get shot?"
    "No, ma'am, I sure don't. On the other hand, those hombres took seven hundred dollar s of money off me. I want it."
    "Why are you so interested in getting-!" Kirby was breathless. The moon was risin g and he could see her face in the light.
    "Here, now!" Brock said mildly. "Let him alone. If he wants to go back, he want s to go back and that's his affair. Although," he added , "I do think it a foolish thing."
    "Nevertheless," the Kid insisted stubbornly, "I am going back." He turned his horse.
    "You two ride on. I've got business to attend to!"
    Kirby stared at him, her anger fading. "Don't go back!" she pleaded. "They'll kil l you! They will! I know they will!"
    Brock held up his hand. "You won't have to go back," he said gravely. "I can hea r 'em coming."
    "How far off?" The Kid strained his ears to listen.
    "Down the canyon. It could be a mile or more."
    "Hit the saddle, then," the Kid said quietly. "I'll wait for 'em. I've got a Col t and plenty of ammunition. I'll stand 'em off."
    "We'll wait," Kirby said. "Maybe we can get hold of some guns once the fighting starts."
    "Then get out of the way," the Kid agreed, ". . . back near that mine. I'm goin g to wait right here by the tinaja for them."
    It was well after midnight, but how late he was not sure. The Kid waited, occasionall y drying his palms on his jeans. The riders were taking their time, evidently searchin g the rocks as they came along. Probably they were not sure which way the Brocks ha d gone with the Kid. When at last he heard them close by, there was a faint gray i n the east. The outlaws-and he decided there were at least four of them-drew up i n the blackness near the cliffs.
    His horse concealed among the rocks, the Cactus Kid settled down for a wait. He coul d hear voices arguing, and then a rider started forward. When he was still some thirt y yards off, the Kid spoke. "Better stay where you are. I'm heeled for trouble."
    "If you hadn't butted into this"-it was Branch speaking -"everything would be al l right. Suppose you mount up an' light a shuck? We want the Brocks, not you."
    "Sorry. It'll cost you to get 'em. I got a gun now."
    "Don't be a fool!" Branch said angrily. "You won't have a chance!"
    The Cactus Kid settled himself for a wait. Without doubt most of the outlaws wer e awaiting daylight to hunt up their horses, and he had a hunch that Branch would wai t for day also. Well, that suited him.
    An hour passed, and the gray grew stronger. Another hour, and although the sun wa s not up, it was light. Behind the Kid was the canyon mouth where Bully and Kirby Broc k had taken shelter; beside the Kid was the tinaja with