Free The Serpent's Bite by Warren Adler Page B

saddle, which he accomplished with some effort.
    â€œSits well,” Harry said to them so that Temple could hear.
    â€œBorn on a horse,” their father replied with a smile from his perch in the saddle.
    â€œLots of cowboys in Manhattan,” Courtney said, laughing.
    The mood was lighthearted, friendly. Scott painfully lifted himself into his saddle. Soon they were moving again. But after a few moments, Harry dismounted and moved to one of the mules. Tomas joined him, and they inspected the mule’s leg.
    â€œBetter dismount,” Harry ordered. They obeyed the order and waited beside their horses while Harry and Tomas unloaded the injured mule’s burdens and shifted them partially to the other mules. The remainder was wrapped in canvas and raised by ropes to a tree.
    â€œWhat happens to that?” Scott asked, pointing to the canvas in a tree.
    â€œMex goes back and gets it. Way it goes. He fucked up.”
    â€œHow?” Temple asked.
    â€œNo problem for you, Temple. Just business. He don’t mind. Right, amigo?”
    â€œSi
, Señor Harry.”
    Temple looked puzzled.
    â€œLeave it alone, Dad,” Scott urged.
    â€œSo what happens now?” his father asked, still obviously confused.
    â€œWe go to Plan B,” Harry muttered. He moved to his horse and from under the cantle bag produced an object wrapped in canvas. It was a rifle. He took it and signaled to Tomas to bring the mule.
    Then they led the limping mule further away from where the family waited. At that distance they could see the two men, but their voices couldn’t carry, although they did hear occasional shouts and curses.
    â€œWhat the hell is going on?” Scott said.
    â€œCan’t make it out,” his father said.
    But there was no doubt that an argument was ensuing. At one point, the argument grew physical, with Harry lashing out at Tomas, beating him to the ground.
    â€œThe Mexican is catching hell,” Courtney said.
    â€œHe’s mistreating the guy,” their father said. “I don’t like that. I’m going to talk to him.”
    â€œDon’t, Dad. It’s not our business.”
    â€œI still don’t like it,” their father said. “I don’t like the gun either.”
    â€œHe said he was armed,” Scott said. “He told us why.”
    â€œSure is a lot different than last time,” their father muttered.
    Soon the two men weren’t visible. Apparently they had led the limping mule deeper into the forest. Suddenly a shot rangout. After a while Harry came out of the forest holding the gun. Tomas followed, his face expressionless. Scott and his father exchanged glances. His father nodded, silently acknowledging his son’s advice. Scott signaled his approval with a returning nod.
    â€œNot to worry, folks,” Harry said cheerfully. “Mule’s leg was lame. Had no choice. Dumb Mex fucked up on the packing weights. Let’s mount up again.”
    â€œAnd the dead mule?” Temple asked. It seemed an extraneous question.
    Harry chuckled.
    â€œHe’ll be scattered bones by morning. Everything gets recycled out here. Now let’s mount up.”
    Harry and the Mexican helped their father mount. Then they all mounted, and Harry rode up to the head of the train and led them forward. Tomas followed, leading the two remaining mules.
    â€œHe did say adventure,” Courtney said. They looked toward their father who seemed somewhat depressed. Scott moved up and addressed him.
    â€œI’m sure they know what their doing.”
    â€œI still hate to see the way he treats the Mexican.”
    â€œCome on, Dad. You’re not the personnel department. Accept it. Not your call.”
    â€œHe told me there would be two people to help him.”
    â€œFor crying out loud, Dad. Leave it alone.”
    His father nodded.
    â€œYou’re right, Scott.”
    Scott brought his horse back into line.
    They threaded their