Free Ralph Compton Sixguns and Double Eagles by RALPH COMPTON Page B

after another until she’s too old and used up to go on. Well, that’s not for me.”
    â€œNor me,” Monique said.
    â€œNaked in a roomful of gamblers,” Wes said, “You’re still pleasing men.”
    â€œThey’re paying dearly,” said Louise, “and it’s look but don’t touch. When you’re in Boulder, sit in on some of our games. I can’t promise you’ll win, but you’ll get an eyeful. We’ll do our best to take your mind off how much you lose.”
    El Lobo laughed.
    â€œIs he laughing with us, or at us” Monique asked.
    â€œAt you, probably,” said Wes. “For a pair of manhaters, you didn’t lose time sittin’ down with us. How do you explain that?”
    Louise laughed. “You misjudge us. We don’t hate men. We enjoy the company of men and that attention only they can provide, but only men of our choosing, on our terms. We liked the looks of you two. You seem just wild enough to be interesting, without the need to settle down, to burden a woman with crying babies.”
    Wes laughed. “We have no choice, then.”
    â€œNone,” said Louise. “With cabins the size of broom closets, what is there to do on a steamboat?”
    â€œThere’s a roulette wheel in the casino,” Wes said. “We can go in there and lose a few dollars to further enrich the owners of this steamboat.”
    â€œWhy not?” said Monique. “We’re not allowed to gamble in the Pretty Girl Saloon. It might be fun.”
    So they left the dining hall, the eyes of many men upon them, and went into the adjoining gambling casino. There was a dozen tables for various card games, and the roulette wheel. The wheel was silent, attended by a bored little man in a green-visored cap.
    â€œPick a number and color,” Wes said, taking a double eagle from his pocket.
    â€œThirteen red,” said Louise, “but I pay my own way.”
    She dropped a double eagle on the table near the wheel, and the bored operator came to life. Wes slapped two double eagles on the table, deftly palming the coin Louise had placed there.
    â€œThirteen red for me,” Wes said.
    â€œWait,” said Monique, “I want to play.”
    Surprisingly, she dropped a double eagle in El Lobo’s hand. Reaching in his pocket for a coin, he took two between his fingers, palming the double eagle Monique had given him.
    â€œI’m betting my age,” Monique said. “Nineteen black.”
    The wheel’s operator looked at El Lobo, and he nodded. He would go with Monique’s choice. The wheel whirred to life, the ball rattling around, and it settled on a number that cost them all their money.
    â€œAgain,” said Louise. “Same number, same color.”
    â€œThe same for me,” Monique said. “I feel lucky.”
    â€œI don‘t,” said Wes, “but I’ll go with it another turn.”
    El Lobo said nothing, confirming his intention to play by producing his money. Again the wheel whirred, and again the house won.
    â€œThis contraption’s too rich for my blood,” Wes said. “If it’ll make you feel better, me and El Lobo will watch the two of you lose your money.”
    â€œNot me,” said Monique. “I’ll try again another time.”
    â€œSo will I,” Louise said. “I’m about ready to try my luck with that skinny bunk in our cabin.”
    â€œThen we’ll call it quits for tonight,” said Wes. “You can join us for breakfast, if you like.”
    â€œPerhaps we will,” Louise replied.
    After they had left the casino, Wes and El Lobo followed, making their way down the narrow corridor to their cabin. Once inside, Wes locked the door, while El Lobo lighted a lamp. El Lobo laughed, for Empty stood looking at them, totally unrepentant for having gone after Monique in the dining hall.
    â€œThey do not fool the perro,” El Lobo