Free Son Of a Wanted Man (1984) by Louis L'amour

that of the man named Bayless. "He may not be young anymore, but he's hell on wheels with a gun." "Forget him! You three, along with Clatt, Panell, Monson, and Kiefer, will go with us. Nine out of ten will be with us in makin' the break.
    There's been a lot of dissatisfaction lately. The boys don't like bein' tied down so much. Sure, they've got money, but what good does it do them?" "Molina wants to raid the Mormons," Bayless commented. "They've a lot of fat stock and some damn good horses." Mike Bastian waited no longer. The chance of discovery was too great. His first thought was to go at once to Ben Curry, but he might betray his interest in Drusilla and the time was not ripe for that.
    What would Ben Curry say if he learned the foster son he had raised to be an outlaw was in love with his daughter? A foster son who had nothing, and no prospects?
    Yet what could he do?
    Ben Curry would know the girls and their mother were at Red Wall, and he would be going to see them. If he kept an eye on Ben he might find Ben's shortcut to the V-Bar.
    Recalling other times when Ben had left, Mike knew the route had to be much quicker than any he could guess at. It was probably further west and south, possibly some way across the Grand Canyon, although knowing the enormous depth of the canyon he could not picture a possible route.
    He would have to wait. He wanted to see Drusilla again but now he must wait here, watch Perrin, and do what he could to protect Ben. How fast was Ben now? And how tough? Speed of draw was the least consideration. Nerve and a steady hand were infinitely more important. If there was as much unrest in the gang as Perrin implied, something might break loose at any moment. He had known the outlaws were restless.
    Most of them had become outlaws to avoid discipline. Ben had commanded them longer than anyone would have believed, their loyalty due in part to the returns, in part to the carefully prepared escapes, as well as fear of his far-reaching power. Now there was fear that he was losing his grip. Mike felt a sudden urge to saddle his horse and ride away forever, to escape all the cruelty, conniving, and hatred that lay dormant here. He could ride now by way of the Kaibab Trail through the forest. Living as he did, it might be a week before they even knew he was gone. Yet to run now, no matter how much he wished to be away, would be to give up all hope of seeing Dru again.
    Moreover, whatever future he chose he could not abandon Ben in his hour of need.
    Returning to his room he sat dawn on his bed to think. Roundy first and then Doe Sawyer, each seemed to be hoping he would give it up and get out before it was too late. Doc said it was his life, but was it? There was a light tap at the door. Gun in hand, he reached for the latch. Roundy stepped in, glancing at the gun.
    "Gettin' jumpy, Mike? I don't blame you." Mike explained what he had heard. Roundy heard him out and then asked, "Mike? Have you heard of Dave Lenaker?" "You mean that Colorado gunman?" "He's headed this way. Ben Curry just got word that he's coming out to take over the gang." "I thought he was one of Ben's best men?" "So did we all, and so he has been, but more than likely he's afraid Perrin will climb into the saddle, and they have never liked each other." "Does Ben know?" "You bet he does! He's mighty wrought up, too. He'd planned on bein' away a few days on one of those trips to Red Wall. Now he can't go." Doc came in and the three talked, trying to foresee what might happen and what the best strategy would be. Perrin was hot for a break.
    "Roundy," Mike suggested, "either me, you, or Doe had better be here at all times, but you two had best sift around and get some of the men on whom we can depend, like Garlin and Coney. Don't get any you have doubts about. Have them drift up this way and be ready for trouble." . "Garlin's with the horse herd," Roundy said," "no way to reach him today without riding down there. "All right, get him when you