Land quite so soon.”
Dan’s eyelids raised and the old fella actually managed a smile. “I’m ready to die,” he said. “Dammit, Marshal, don’t keep me from the pearly gates of heaven.”
“I’ll be back soon,” Longarm said with a sigh of relief. “I don’t think your time has come yet.”
When Longarm stood up, he felt weak in the knees and somewhat dizzy. He shook himself and decided that he needed a bite to eat before setting off after those horses. He found some hard biscuits and salt pork and had himself a meal, squatting beside Dan and trying to still the buzzing in his head.
“Thanks,” the prospector said. “For saving our lives.”
“You did your part,” Longarm told the man. “You were the giant killer. I couldn’t have handled him on top of the rest.”
“I don’t believe it,” Dan said. “There were five and we’re both still alive, so that means you killed four of them all by yourself.”
“I had some luck.”
“No,” Dan whispered, “luck had nothing to do with it.”
Longarm saw no point in wasting either time or energy in discussion, so he washed his food down with water and headed off into the desert. The moon was just a thin wedge, but he figured it was bright enough to lead him to the outlaw horses that would carry them back to Wickenburg.
Chapter 14
Longarm walked all night across the desert. By daybreak, he was footsore and exhausted but determined not to give up his quest to overtake the five runaway horses. He was also pretty sure that the animals were waiting at the hidden springs where Preacher Dan had once found gold.
The sun was well up on the horizon when Longarm finally came to the place in the mountains which hid the secret desert springs. And, sure enough, there were the five outlaw horses, grazing on the lush green grass that surrounded the water hole. They were still saddled and bridled but had all broken their reins. When the animals saw Longarm, he was afraid that they might bolt and run, but they didn’t. They seemed to realize that this was the only water for miles around, so Longarm had no difficulty in catching all but the two Indian ponies which he did not want anyway.
“Glad that you are showing more sense,” Longarm said, tightening the cinch on a large sorrel gelding after he’d tied the two other captured horses to his saddle horn. ““Cause, if you’d tried to run away, I might have lost my temper and shot the three of you.”
The horses didn’t seem too concerned with Longarm’s empty threat. And so, after refilling his canteens, Longarm mounted the sorrel and led the extra pair back out into the desert. It was hot but not unbearable, and they made good time back to Preacher Dan and what he now thought of as the Spanish treasure caves.
After tying up the animals very securely, Longarm hurried up to check on Dan. He was relieved to see that the old prospector was still alive.
“I didn’t expect to see you so soon,” Dan whispered, his voice weak.
“We’re getting you back to Wickenburg,” Longarm promised. “Think you can make it?”
“No.”
“Dammit, you had better try,” Longarm gritted. “if you die on the way, I’ll dump your body off and the coyotes will feast on it tonight.”
It was a poor attempt at humor, but Dan managed a smile nonetheless. “I’ll make it,” he said. “What about food and water?”
“I’ll pack all that I can on the two extra horses.”
“I want you to poke around in these caves just a little more,” Dan urged.
“For what?”
“I dunno. I just have a feeling that old Jimmy Cox must have had time to bury most of his Spanish gold coins. I’ve had little else to do but think since you left yesterday, and I believe that I have things figured.”
“What things?”
“Where Jimmy would hide his gold coins.”
“I’m listening,” Longarm said.
“I think that he hid them in that second cave. You know, the one way back in this hillside.”
“What makes you think so?”
“Because that’s exactly where I’d hide them. And I’d bury them in the floor and then smooth it over with dust. Marshal, you need to check out that floor.”
“It’s too big to go over, and besides,” Longarm replied, “I need to get you to a doctor.”
“Ain’t no real doctor in Wickenburg,” Dan told him. “Just a tooth puller.”
“Well,” Longarm said, “there will be medicine and a better place for you to rest. Also, if you die, there’s a still half-empty cemetery in Wickenburg and probably an undertaker who needs the cash.”
Dan chuckled drily. “Damned if you don’t have a soft spot in your heart after all, Marshal!”
“I had better start preparing a travois for you,” Longarm said. “Unless you can sit up in the saddle.”
“Not a chance,” Dan replied. “But first, I’d like you to go check out the floor of the second cave.”
“You seem mighty persistent on this matter. Are you holding back some information on me?”
