Free Showdown On the Hogback (1991) by Louis L'amour

people might make trouble and cause talk in Washington is probable. I had considered that, but not knowing VI-CLENNON, had considered the chance negligible.
    "Slagle," he added, "I know. McLennon I do not know. Your suggestion eliminates a frontal attack. We must try some other means.
    Also," he added, was I believe that your presence has some claim on that of Miss Duane. Consequently, as we can brook no failure now, I have a proposition for you. How would you like to come into the firm? As a silent partner?"
    Keith's face flushed angrily, but Gunter looked up, his eyes suddenly hopeful. Burwick continued. "We could give you a fifteen percent interest, which believe me, will be adequate. I believe you could keep Miss Duane in line, and with you at the helm we might straighten this whole thing out-without bloodshed."
    Kedrick hesitated. The money was a temptation, for he had no desire to be indebted to Connie, yet the money alone would mean nothing. It was that last phrase that gripped his attention and made him incautious. "Without bloodshed," he repeated.
    "On those terms, I accept. However, let's discuss this matter a bit further."
    Keith spun on his heel. "Burwick, this doesn't make sense! You know the only way we'll get those people off is by driving them off! We agreed on that before. Also, this man is not reliable.
    I happen to know that he has friends on the other side and has actually been in communication with them."
    "So much the better." Burwick pursed his fat lips and mopped perspiration from his face. "He'll have a contact he can use then to make a deal." He chuckled. "Suppose you two run along and let me talk to Captain Kedrick?" Hours later, Tom Kedrick paused on the street and studied it with care. Burwick had been more than reasonable, and little as he was able to trust him, yet he thought it possible that Burwick was sincere in his agreement to buy off a few of them and to try to convince others.
    Certainly, if the government moved in they would have to move anyway. With McLennon and Slagle out of the picture, the chances were there would be no fight, for the others lacked leadership. No fighting meant no deaths, and the settlers would come out of it with a little money at least.
    He paced the street irritably, avoiding company. Burwick stank of deceit, but the man was a practical man, and he should realize that a sudden mess of killings preceding the sale of the land would create a furor that might cause them to lose out all around. At least, trouble had been avoided for the time, and even Connie was hopeful that something might be done. Tomorrow he was returning again to try to make some deal with McLennon and Slagle. A neutral messenger was leaving tonight.
    "They won't come to town," Burwick had agreed, "so why not pick some intermediate point?
    Meet them, say, at Largo Canyon or Chimney Rock? Have your talk there, and I'll come with you. Just you and me, McLennon, and Slagle.
    We can talk there and maybe make peace. Ain't it worth a try?" . It was only that chance for peace that had persuaded him and helped him to persuade Connie.
    She had listened in silence as he explained the situation. Then she had turned to him frankly.
    "Captain, you don't trust them, and neither do I.
    Uncle John has never been this way before, and I believe somehow he has fallen tinder the domination of those other men. However, I think that if Burwick is willing to talk, we should at least agree. I'11 stand by you in this, and we'll hope something can come of it that will prevent trouble."
    Kedrick was less hopeful than he had let it appear, and now he was studying the situation from every angle. As things stood, it was a stalemate. He was confident that with McLennon and Slagle to lead them, the settlers could manage a stiff defense of their town and their homes. Certainly, they could prevent the survey being completed and prevent any use being made of their lands.
    Yet there were fiery elements on both sides, and Keith did not