She pretended bravery she didn’t feel. “You ready to toss your gun? You with the gunny sack, drop the sack and toss your guns, too.”
The injured man threw his gun toward her.
The tall man tossed his gun. “I can’t let go of this sack, lady.”
“Oh, I think you can. You afraid of what’s inside?”
“You know I am. I shouldn’t of untied it ’cause now I’ve gotta hold it closed. You could just shoot the sack.”
“Drop the sack and move to the side by your friend. Davie, get the rope. Don’t get between me and them.”
“It’s in the barn, Mama. We’ll need a lot of it to make sure they don’t get away.” Davie gave the prowlers a wide berth.
The injured man whined, “I need a doctor. I may be crippled.”
“You’re still alive and if you want to stay that way you’ll shut up.” She nodded to the second man. “I said drop the sack.”
He held out one hand as if pleading. “Lady, I can’t or I’m likely to get snakebit.”
Charlotte shot his hand that held the gunny sack.
He dropped the bag and two large rattlesnakes crawled out. Holding his injured hand with the other one, he quickly scooted away from the snakes.
Bright moonlight revealed the writhing serpents against the pale red soil. One coiled to strike at the inured man.
He screamed, “Do something. Kill that thing quick before it gets me.”
The other reptile slithered toward the tall man.
Charlotte shot each snake and then levered the rifle again. “I should have let the snakes bite you. That’s what you planned for us.”
Davie returned with coils of rope.
The second man still cradled his injured hand. “We were just following orders. We wouldn’t have thought it up on our own.”
The first one stopped cursing and looked at her. “That’s right, lady. You can’t quit this job. We got no choice but to do what we’re told.”
“There’s always a choice. All you had to do was ride away. Each of you lay on your stomach with your hands behind you.”
She was surprised when both complied.
The first one raised his head. “We need a doctor. Aren’t you gonna at least bandage our wounds?”
“You’ll be fine until tomorrow. Davie, tie this one’s hands then loop the rope around his neck then tie to his feet with his knees bent.”
Davie nodded. “You mean hogtie him? Sure.”
When the man complained the rope was too tight, Davie kept going. “Don’t think I’ll feel sorry for you. That was my bedroll you put that snake in.”
“Look, kid, we knew someone would find it before it got you. It was just to scare you. Hey, that’s way too tight.”
Davie glanced at Charlotte. “You can complain to the sheriff when he arrives.”
Davie repeated the process with the other man. When he was finished, neither man could struggle without choking himself.
“Mama, I’ll get the shovel and bury the snake heads.”
While he did that, Charlotte tested the ropes. “Good job, Davie. Let’s get some rest, shall we?” She led their horses to the hitching rail where they had access to water. Then she gathered their weapons.
The first man screamed, “You’re not gonna leave us like this? This ain’t right. I can’t breathe good like this. “
The other man complained, “What if a coyote or wolf smells blood and comes? You can’t leave us here defenseless.”
Davie leaned the shovel against the barn before he walked toward her.
“Men, that’s where you’re wrong. You two would have killed my son without a second thought. What had you intended to do with the snakes tonight? Don’t think I’ll worry about either of you.” She carried the criminals’ weapons into the house.
Of course she would watch over them for she wasn’t like them. She’d keep watch until help arrived but they didn’t need to know that. Let them worry about their safety.
***
Grateful for the full moon, Bret and his companions followed the rustled herd at a safe distance. When the cattle were rounded up into a box canyon that included water and grass, the rustlers strung a makeshift fence blocking off the exit. When they’d finished, Sheriff Haney gave the signal.
Guns drawn, the four of them rode up to the five rustlers.
Sheriff Haney shouted, “You’re under arrest. Throw down your weapons and raise your hands.”
Arp drew his revolver but instead of dropping it he aimed at the sheriff. The sheriff shot him in the arm. Arp grabbed his injury and appeared as if he couldn’t believe what had happened.
The sheriff asked, “Did you think you were bullet proof? Arp—or whatever your real name is—you’re as mortal as the rest of us.”
Another of the rustlers tried to make a run for freedom and fired as he went. Bret shot him and the man fell from his horse.
Rifle aimed, Bret rode toward him then slid from his horse. “Get up slowly and don’t reach for your gun.”
The man stood and blood ran down his sleeve from his wound. He held his hand as if he was going to draw. “I’m not going with no sheriff. He’ll hang me.”
“You’re late thinking of that.” He motioned with his rifle. “Drop your gun. Toss the knife that’s in your boot onto the ground.”
The man didn’t move. “I tell you I’d rather die now than be hanged.”
“Maybe you can trade your testimony for an easier sentence.”
“I ain’t no rat. Ain’t that what you mean?”
“Isn’t being a live rat better than being dead?”
The man’s face contorted as he considered his choices. Finally his shoulders sagged.
“You win.” He threw down his gun then took the knife from his boot and tossed it to the ground.
Bret collected the weapons and pulled the rifle from the man’s saddle sheath. “Get on your horse and ride slowly
