Assault of the Mountain Man

past Smoke, he saw a rider approaching. “Someone is comin’.”

Smoke looked around too. “That’s young Eb Kyle, isn’t it? Delivers telegrams for Will Winsted ?”

“I believe it is,” Pearly said. “He must be lookin’ for directions.”

Smoke started toward Kyle, the smile still on his face. But when he saw the expression on Kyle’s face, he felt a quick twinge of worry and the smile disappeared.

“Kyle, what is it?” Smoke asked. “Do you have a telegram for me?”

“Yes, sir, Mr. Jensen, I’m afraid I do,” Kyle said. “And I’m terrible sorry to be the one what has to deliver it.”

“Give it to me.” Smoke held his hand out impatiently. He tore open the envelope, then removed the telegram.

MISS SALLY HAS BEEN SHOT SHE IS AWFUL BAD HURT BUT DOCTOR SAYS THERE IS HOPE

CAL

“Smoke, what is it?” Pearlie asked.

Smoke handed the telegram to him and looked at Kyle. “When did you receive this?” he asked.

“It took me just under half an hour to ride out here,” Kyle said. “Mr. Winsted, he give it to me just as quick as it come in, and he wrote it down.”

Smoke started toward the barn. “Pearlie, fill my canteen, bring me my pistol and my other hat,” he called back over his shoulder.

“We’re goin’ over there?”

“Not we, I. I’m going,” Smoke said. “We’re still in the middle of a roundup. I need you to stay here and watch after things.”

“Smoke, come on. I can’t just sit here, wonderin’ what’s goin’ on,” Pearlie insisted.

“You aren’t going to have to wonder. I’ll keep you posted. I’ll send you a telegram every day.”

“You promise?”

“I promise. Now get my gear together while I’m saddling my horse. Oh, and give Kyle a dollar.”

“Wait there, Kyle,” Pearlie said as he hurried into the house to respond to Smoke’s requests.

“I will, thank you,” Kyle said. “I’m awful sorry I’m the one had to bring this message.”

CHAPTER TEN

Gothic

It took Smoke just over two hours to make the ride, which was about as fast as he could go without crippling his horse. As he rode into the town, he saw a man’s body in an open coffin, standing up in front of the feed and seed store. A sign was propped against him.

KILLED IN A BANK ROBBERY

Do you know this man?

So, there was a bank robbery. That has to be how Sally was hurt. But how did she get involved ?

“Smoke!” a familiar voice shouted.

Looking toward the hardware store, Smoke saw Cal come running toward him.

“I knew you would come!” Cal said. “I’ve been keepin’ an eye out for you ever since I sent the telegram.”

“How is she?” Smoke asked.

“It ain’t good.”

“Damn it, Cal, is she alive?” he literally shouted.

“Oh, yes, yes, she’s alive. I’m sorry, didn’t mean to scare you none.”

“Where is she?”

“She’s over here.” Cal pointed toward the hardware store.

“She’s in a hardware store?”

“What? Oh, no, no, I mean, she’s in the doctor’s office. His office is just over the hardware store. You get to it by goin’ up those steps on the side of the building there. He’s at ...”

Cal didn’t finish his sentence, because Smoke slapped his legs against the side of his horse, galloping the final fifty yards. Swinging down from his horse he made a quick tie of the reins to the hitching post, then clambered up the external stairway, taking the steps two at a time. When he reached the little stoop up top, he jerked the door open, then pushed inside without knocking. He saw Sally on the table, and the doctor and Tamara Gooding standing alongside, looking down at her.

“Hey! What do you mean barging in here like this?” Dr. Gunther scolded.

“He’s Sally’s husband,” Tamara said quickly.

“I’m Smoke Jensen. Sorry about breaking in like that.”

“No, no, that’s quite all right, Mr. Jensen,” Dr. Gunther said. “I’m sorry I spoke so harshly.”

“How is she?”

“I won’t lie to you, Mr. Jensen. She was shot through the lower abdomen, and the wound is quite serious.”