Sunset Pass (1990) Read Online Free Page B

hired about every cowpuncher on the range. But they don't last. Ash gets rid of them, sooner or later. Reckon about as soon as they Shine up to Thiry."
    "How does he do that?"
    "Wal, he scares most of them. Some he has bumped up with his fists. An' several punchers he's driven to throw guns."
    "Kill them?"
    "Nope. They say he just crippled them. Ash shoots quick an where he wants."
    "Most interestin' cuss--Ash Preston," said Rock lightly.
    "Son, this is what worries me," went on Winter with gravity. "It'll be some different when Ash Preston butts into you. No matter how easy and cool you start--no matter how clever you are--it's bound to wind up a deadly business."
    "Thanks, old-timer. I get your hunch. I'm takin' it serious and strong. Don't worry unreasonable about me, I've got to go."

    Chapter 3
    Trueman Rock was not one of the cowboy breed who cared only for pitching, biting, kicking horses. He could ride them when exigency demanded, but he never loved a horse for other than thoroughbred qualities. And sitting on the corral fence watching Leslie's white favourite, he was bound to confess that he felt emotions of his earliest days on the range.
    "Wal, True, did you ever see the beat of that boss?" asked Sol Winter for the twentieth time.
    Rock shook his head silently. Then, "I'll take him, Leslie, and consider the deal a lastin' favour."
    "Mrs. Dabb has been wantin' this hoss, didn't you tell me, Jim," asked Winter.
    "Wal, I reckon so. She has been out here often. But I don't think Mrs. Dabb really cared about the horse so much. She just wanted to show off with him. But today there was a girl here who loved him."
    "Who was she, Jim?"
    "Thiry Preston. She passed here today with her dad an' some of the boys. She just petted the hoss while the other Prestons walked around talkin'. Never said a word. But I seen her heart in her eyes."
    "Speaks well for her," replied Rock, as he slid off the fence and approached the animal. If this beautiful white horse had appeared desirable in his eyes upon first sight, what was he now? Rock smoothed the silky mane, thrilling at the thought that Thiry's gentle hand had rested there. "Leslie, I'll come out in the mornin'. I want a packhorse or a mule. Here's your money. Shake on it."
    "I'll throw the pack-horse in to boot," replied Leslie.
    "Sol," Said Rock, thoughtfully, as they retraced their steps toward town, "do the Prestons come in often?"
    "Some of them every Saturday, Thiry about twice a month."
    "Pretty long ride in from Sunset. Sixty miles by trail. Reckon the Prestons make a one-night stop at some ranch?"
    "No, They camp it, makin' Cedar Creek, where they turn off into a flat. There's an old cabin--belonged to a homesteader. Preston owns it now. Thiry was tellin' me they'd fixed it up."
    "Queer how all about these Prestons interests me so," said Rock.
    "Not so queer. Leavin' Thiry aside, they're a mighty interestin' outfit," returned Winter. "It's wild, perhaps, to let yourself go over this girl all in a minute. But then, wild or no it might turn out good for Thiry Preston."
    "Sol, why is her face so sad?"
    "I don't know. I've asked her why she looks sad--which you can see when she's not speakin', but she always makes herself smile an' laugh then."
    "It's for me to find out," said. Rock.
    It was nearly noon the following day when Rock had his pack outfit ready for travel. Leslie came up presently with the white horse.
    "Black leather an' silver trimmings," said, the rancher, admiringly. "Never seen him so dressed up. An' the son-of-a-gun is smart enough to know he looks grand."
    "He's smart, all right," agreed Rock, with shining eyes. "Now we'll see if he'll hang me on the fence."
    The white horse took Rock's mount easily, pranced and champed a little, and tossed his head.
    "Good day and good luck, rancher," said Rock, lifting the halter of the pack animal off a post. With that he headed down the road which the Prestons had taken the preceding day.
    Several hours' ride out of the