Free Ralph Compton Death Rides a Chestnut Mare by RALPH COMPTON Page A

my God, that’s thirty thousand dollars.”
    â€œDon’t let me gun down your dreams,” said Danielle, “but we’ll be reaching the railroad late in the season. Cattle buyers may not be paying as much as we’re expecting.”
    â€œMaybe not,” Tuck said, “but there’s a chance they’ll pay more than we’re expecting. There likely won’t be another herd until spring.”
    Conversation lagged. Having already commented on the rain, the mud, the delay, the rustlers, and the possible price of cattle in Kansas, there seemed little else to say.
    â€œThat night, while I was on the porch, Carrie sat with me awhile,” said Danielle. “She tried to make me promise I’d come back to your place after I’ve avenged my pa.”
    Tuck laughed. “You could do worse. Carrie’s two years younger than me. By the time you get back to our place, Carrie will be a prize for some varmint. She’ll be chomping at the bit to do something.”
    â€œShe’s chomping at the bit now ,” Danielle said. “She’s likely to do something foolish.”
    â€œI reckon,” said Tuck. “Has any woman ever done anything else, when it comes to a man? She’ll likely be wantin’ to share your blankets before we reach Abilene.”
    â€œTuck Carlyle, that’s no way to speak of your sister,” Danielle said heatedly.
    â€œWhoa,” said Tuck. “Don’t go jumping on me. It was you that suggested she’s after you like an old hen after a grasshopper. If she aims to bed down with some hombre , then I hope it’s you, instead of one of the Dumont, Baldwin, Chadman, or Flagg boys.”
    â€œSorry,” Danielle said, “but I’m not beddin’ with anybody until I’ve found and disposed of my pa’s killers. Why don’t you talk to Carrie, and give her some advice?”
    â€œShe’d tell me where to stick my advice,” said Tuck. “She always has before. If you promised to come back here, it might keep her out of trouble.”
    â€œI can’t use a lie to protect her,” Danielle said. “Before my search ends, I could be dead. Besides, after I’m gone, she’ll forget. The Dumont, Baldwin, Chadman, and Flagg boys may begin to look a little more promising.”
    Tuck laughed. “All any of them want is to take her somewhere and get her clothes off. Ain’t you old enough to figure that out?”
    â€œI reckon,” said Danielle, holding on to her temper. “While you’re in Abilene, buy her some of those cast-iron underpants with the money, and throw away the key.”
    That silenced him, and for a long time, neither of them spoke.
    â€œThere’s more clouds over yonder to the west. Unless it rains itself out before it gets to us, there could be more rain late tonight,” Tuck finally said.
    â€œOh, damn it,” Danielle said, “we’ll never get to Abilene. We may never get back to your ranch.”
    But the rain ceased before it reached them, and the following morning Tuck came up with an idea.
    â€œWhy don’t we hitch up the teams and see how far we can get today? I don’t think I can stand another day sittin’ on that wagon tongue, discussing cast-iron underpants for my sister, Carrie.”
    Danielle laughed. “Maybe I’ll tell her that’s what you aim to buy for her in Abilene.”
    â€œI don’t care a damn,” said Tuck. “I’ve done told her everything a girl should know, and maybe more. I told her if she wants a snot-nose kid before she’s seventeen, to just do anything that strikes her fancy. I got cussed out for my efforts.”
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    Despite the still muddy ground, Tuck and Danielle harnessed the teams and began their journey to the north. Tuck drove, steering the teams away from low places and keeping to high ground.
    â€œYou’re good with a team and wagon,”