The Tracker

"Now see here," cut in Grissom. "I'm here to talk to Tadley and time is being wasted."

He pointed his finger at Joe.

"You keep your trap shut, stranger, or I'll turn Bent loose and he will kill you."

Joe paid no attention to the threats hurled at him by the rancher. Instead he spoke to Bent again.

"You remember that time down in Texas, Seely, maybe five years ago down on the Canadian River? I laid my gun barrel across your head. You said you would kill me one day for doing that."

Suddenly the man called Bent hissed, "You - you!" His face contorted and his lips set in a grim, thin line. It's you - it's you! Why, I'll kill you!"

His right hand suddenly gripped his gun butt and he pulled it halfway out of his holster when Joe's bullet struck him in the chest. His horse jumped to the side, spilling him to the ground. Immediately Joe covered the remaining six riders with his gun. Suddenly Shorty's stentorian yell threw fear into them.

"Don't nobody wiggle. I got a scattergun here and I'm ready to use it!"