Read [Texas Rangers 03] - The Way of the Coyote for Free Online Page A

"Lord willin', that'll get better. But your hand won't fit a plow handle very good for a while."
    "Won't be much plowin' to do anyway with winter comin' on. I expect I'll spend most of my time gatherin' unclaimed cattle like James has been doin'."
    Webb glanced toward Andy. "I hope you'll spend some time teachin' Andy to read and write. Josie has made a start."
    "I'll do the best I can. When it comes to books, I'm only middlin' myself."
    Webb said, "Teach him out of the Bible. That way he'll learn two lessons at one time. I doubt he's studied much religion where he's been."
    Rusty replied, "The Comanches have religion. Not the same as you teach, but I guess it fits them all right."
    Webb's wrinkles deepened. "Teach him anyhow. When he's old enough, the Lord'll show him what's right."
    Andy wondered if that meant going on a vision quest. Among the Comanches, when a boy came of age he went out alone to seek guidance from guardian spirits, usually in a vision. Only when he had experienced such a vision could he be considered truly a man.
    James Monahan burst through the front door, his face dark with trouble. "Rusty, we're fixin' to have company. Where's your gun?"
    Rusty looked quickly at Andy, then stepped toward his rifle leaning in a corner. "Comanches?"
    Andy swallowed. They've come for me, he thought. He could imagine them cutting his throat for what he had done to Tonkawa Killer.
    James said, "No, it ain't Comanches. It's the Oldham brothers."
    Rusty's worried look told Andy that the name Oldham had a dark connotation. Rusty picked up the rifle, flinching at the pain in his burned hand. He seemed to debate with himself about whether to stand the weapon back in the corner. He said, "Maybe they've come to realize that I was forced into what I did. Maybe if I don't have a gun in my hand this time, I won't need one."
    James warned darkly, "I doubt they've realized a damned thing. They're bullheaded, ignorant, and mean as snakes." He lifted his own rifle from its pegs atop the fireplace. "At least step back into the bedroom out of sight 'til I take the measure of their temper." He did not have to check his rifle. He kept it loaded all the time.
    Andy could not remember hearing anyone mention the name Oldham before. He looked at Josie, hoping she might explain, but she only stared in silence at the front door, fear in her eyes.
    "Who the Oldhams?" he asked.
    She shook her head, bidding him to silence. He turned to watch the door. Boots struck heavily on the porch, and a large man entered the room. He had a rough face that reminded Andy of a defiant Apache captive he had seen once. A smaller man followed. He had but one arm, his right sleeve pinned below the shoulder.
    The two men stopped. The larger one looked in surprise at James's rifle. "What's the matter, Monahan? A man'd think we're horse thieves or somethin'."
    He carried a pistol in a leather holster high on his right hip. The smaller man wore one on the left side.
    James considered before he answered, "I knew who you were when I saw you ride in, Clyde. What I don't know is why you're here."
    "Just passin' through the country. Thought we'd sleep in your barn or under your shed tonight. Looks like it figures on rainin'."
    James thought again. "Ordinarily we wouldn't turn anybody out to sleep in the rain, but this ain't an ordinary situation. I want you-all to take off them pistols and hand them to my granddaddy."
    Clyde Oldham blinked in astonishment, resisting a moment, then giving in. "Never heard of such a thing." He unbuckled his belt and handed the weapon to Vince Purdy. The one-armed man held out until Purdy extended his hand.
    Clyde complained, "We've visited better houses than this, and nobody ever told us to hand over our guns."
    James said, "We want to head off trouble before it can start. You-all ain't the only guests we've got. Come on out, Rusty."
    Rusty stepped from the bedroom. Andy watched the Oldham brothers' faces change, eyes widening in surprise, then