Scream of Eagles Read Online Free

laid it out flat on the table. “We’ll ride to here,” he said, pointing to a series of pencil-drawn lines. “Then catch the train to here. Then ride over to this place. That’s where some of the Nelson gang is said to hang out.”
    â€œWho says?”
    â€œThe guides.” He looked at the faces around the table. “Does anybody have a better plan?”
    No one did.
    â€œWhat’s the guide’s name?”
    â€œOne is called Hank. I believe he called the other one Newly, or something like that.” Falcon had walked on past the reporters and did not hear the man correct himself. “No, not Newly. It was Newby. Yes. That’s it. Newby.”
    * * *
    From Atlantic City, Jamie had drifted down to Bear River City. Just two years back, it had been a booming town as the railroad pushed through. Now the town was rapidly dwindling. In a few years it would all but disappear. A few more years, and it would vanish. Fort Bridger was located not far from there.
    The commanding officer at the fort had been warned that Jamie was heading his way and was on the prod for the man who killed his wife.
    The commanding officer filed the dispatch away and decided to stay out of civilian business. Besides, he couldn’t fault Jamie one whit for what he was doing.
    Jamie was playing a long shot, for the two men rumored to be holed up in or near the dying town might have left, or might never have been there. But Jamie had time. And he would check out every lead, no matter how shallow it might seem.
    A patrol out of the fort hailed Jamie about ten miles from town. The sergeant was a man who Jamie remembered from the recent unpleasantness between the States. Although how the man could advance to top soldier in only a few years was a mystery to him. That got cleared up in a few heartbeats.
    â€œSergeant Mahony, Mr. MacCallister,” the top soldier said quickly. That was not the name he had used in the Confederate Army. He had probably taken the name of a dead Union sergeant toward the end of the war.
    â€œSergeant Major,” Jamie said with a smile. “I don’t recall ever meeting you.”
    The top soldier breathed a lot easier with that. “I seen you one time during a truce when you was heppin’ bring in some Union wounded. I remembered you. Reason I give you a shout, Colonel, was they’s two men in town waitin’ to kill you. They’ve made their brags about it.”
    â€œI’m hard to kill, Top Soldier.”
    â€œYes, sir. I know that for a pure-dee fact.”
    â€œThese men in town . . . Phil Howard and Fred Allison?”
    â€œThat’s them, Colonel. I ‘spect they’re waitin’ in the Lucky Lady saloon, havin’ a whiskey.”
    Jamie’s smile was more like the snarl of a wolf. “I hope they enjoy their drinks. In a few hours they’ll be in hell!”

3
    The town was quickly dying. As Jamie rode up the street, he could see many buildings that now stood empty. Soon the wind and rain would begin to rot the lumber; a careless match would add to the demise of some of the structures.
    Jamie stabled his horses, brushed the dust of the trail from his clothing, and checked into the one hotel remaining. And it wasn’t much.
    â€œI want my room swept and dusted clean, freshly washed sheets on the bed,” he told the clerk. “Turn the tick. If I find bugs in my bed, you won’t be happy with me.”
    â€œYes, sir, Mr. MacCallister,” the clerk was quick to oblige. “I’ll have that done right now. We also have bathing facilities. Would you like for me to have the water heated?”
    â€œDo that. Stow my gear in the room. I’ll be back shortly.”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œIs there law in this town?”
    â€œNot no more, sir.”
    â€œFine. That uncomplicates matters.”
    Jamie walked across the street to the saloon, shoved open the batwings and stepped in, his eyes