Free Angel Train by Gilbert Morris Page B

blue eyes and was a handsome man. His good looks concealed a vicious streak. He could be cruel and had been on more than one occasion. Like the others, he had tested Tremayne and found himself battered so badly that he couldn’t work for a week.
    Standing next to Jukes was Al Delaney. He was thirty-eight years old, of average size, and one eye was covered with a black patch. Of the four, Delaney was probably the most decent. He was rough and could take care of himself, but the quality that Tremayne treasured most was the fact that he had handledmules. That had been his profession, and he would be invaluable on a drive to Oregon.
    Tremayne studied these four, and then his eyes touched on Billy Watson, who did not seem to belong with the others. Billy was only seventeen, a slight young man with light brown hair and mild brown eyes. He had been abused by Canreen and others, and it was for this reason rather than for his fighting ability that Tremayne had chosen him. Tremayne realized his softhearted quality, which occasionally showed itself, compelled him to give the young man a second chance. Despite his cynicism, Casey Tremayne knew that Billy was basically good.
    He smiled at Elsworth Charterhouse, who smiled back.
    He outlined the situation and stated his side of it. “I think most of you fellows are like me. You’d do anything to get out of here.”
    “There must be a catch in it, Casey,” Al Delaney said. “I never heard of a prison letting guys go.”
    “It’s all conditional, Al,” Tremayne said. “If we get the train through, our pardons will be confirmed. Anybody who runs will be hunted down like a dog by the law and by me. Get that straight right now.”
    “Who is this bunch we are supposed to watch out for?” Canreen demanded. “A bunch of preachers you say?”
    “They’re Christian people, and I’m warning you right now, Jack. You’ll treat them well, or else I’ll leave my mark on you as I did once before.”
    The remark seemed to drop like salt on a wound. Casey Tremayne was the only man who ever bested Canreen in a fistfight. Both men had been bloodied and bruised, but Casey Tremayne had walked away while Canreen didn’t regain consciousness for hours. He still had the scars, and now there was a challenge in his eyes.
    “You think you can whip me, Canreen?”
    Canreen shifted. “I’m not interested in that. I’m interested in getting out of here.”
    “That’s smart, Jack. So I’ll put this to you. Any man who disobeys me, I’ll whip until he can’t walk, and then he’ll work the next day. I won’t bust any bones.”
    “What if you can’t whip him?” Canreen demanded sullenly.
    “Then I’ll shoot him in the head,” Tremayne said flatly. “Let me add this. There’ll be one rule about these people. You’ll treat them with respect. There will be young women too. You haven’t seen a young woman in a long time. If any of you get out of line with any woman, I’ll cut him off at the neck. There’ll be no trial. I’ll be the judge, jury, and executioner. Can you swallow that, Jack?”
    Jack Canreen glared at Tremayne, but he shrugged. “I’ll do anything to get out of here. Even be nice to your preacher friend.” He turned and said, “What about him? He’s not going to help on a drive like this.” He indicated Billy Watson with a nod and waited for Tremayne’s answer.
    “I’m taking Billy because he’s going to be a good man. He’s already a better man than you, Canreen.”
    “Why, I could whip him with one hand.”
    “You probably could, but still you’d wind up on a gallows or shot by a posse. The jury’s still out on Billy. He can be anything he wants to. He shouldn’t have been in this prison in the first place, and I’m giving him his chance. If I catch any of you ragging him too much, I’ll settle it. If any of you set out to discipline him, you get ready to pick your teeth up. Any questions?”
    “Why you takin’ the Limey? He’ll be worthless,”