Hoofbeats of Danger by Holly Hughes Page A

know what’s wrong with her—belladonna poisoning. It seems the stagecoach guard took some from Pa’s remedy cabinet and gave her a whopping big dose.”
    Jeremiah looked startled, and Billy whistled in surprise. “I thought you said he was a company spy,” Billy said.
    â€œWell, Pa got it wrong. He ain’t a spy, he’s just crazy. He did it for revenge on the Overland.”
    â€œThen who knows what sort of trouble he’s been stirring up along the route?” Jeremiah put in.
    Annie clenched her fists. “And just think what he could be up to next. We ought to stop him before he hurts any more horses.”
    â€œOr people,” Jeremiah added, his voice thick with anger. “If he hadn’t messed around with Magpie, your pa wouldn’t have got hurt.” Annie felt warmed by Jeremiah’s loyalty to her father.
    â€œAnd to think that he was going to report Pa to the Overland bosses,” Annie said, her temper rising. “He said he’d get Pa fired!”
    â€œHe still might, when he gets to the end of the line,” Ma said. There was a sharp line of worry between her eyebrows.
    â€œ If he gets to the end of the line,” Billy said. “But he won’t, not if I have anything to do with it. Annie’s right. We’ve got to stop him!”
    Just then, Redbird came running out of the station house. “I’ve got my pouch. Ready to go with me, Annie?”
    Billy caught Annie by the arm. “But I need you to ride the trail east with me, to catch Ambrose!”
    Annie stood uncertainly between Billy and Redbird. Her feelings seemed all jumbled inside. The only thing her mind could see was Magpie, staggering in the gully, shuddering with pain.
    â€œYou’re the fastest rider at the station, Billy,” she began in a faltering voice. “Shoot, you’re one of the fastest riders in the whole Pony Express. If anyone can catch up to the coach and stop Ambrose, it’s you. Why do you need me?”
    â€œBecause you’re the one who found the proof,” Billy insisted. “Nate Slocum won’t be inclined to accuse his guard of such a crime. I reckon you can explain things better than I can.” He smiled ruefully. “I’ve kinda got a reputation as a tale-teller, remember? Slocum might disbelieve me.”
    Ma blew out a sigh. “Billy’s right, Annie,” she said. “Slocum will need a powerful lot of convincing. Ambrose has been filling his ear with all sorts of bad words about your pa and Red Buttes. He’ll believe the two of you better than just one. Besides, you’re a good rider—you won’t slow Billy down much. The coach can’t have gone too far. It’s only been a couple of hours.”
    Tears sprang to Annie’s eyes. “But I can’t go so far from the station with Pa sick,” she protested. “Going down into the scrub is one thing, but riding miles away to the east—”
    Mrs. Dawson took her daughter squarely by both shoulders. “I’m here for Pa,” she said. “So is Redbird. The best thing you can do for him, Annie, is to clear his name and save his job. Now you saddle up and get going.”
    Annie made her decision in a split second. “All right.” And suddenly, her spirits leaped at the thought of the ride she was about to take.
    â€œGood luck, Annie,” Redbird said. “I’ll do everything I can for Magpie, I promise. Mrs. Dawson, keep dabbing Mr. Dawson’s head with water to hold the swelling down. I’ll be back soon!” She turned, plunged into the scrub, and was quickly gone from sight.
    Jeremiah clapped Billy on the shoulder. “Stormy’s in the barn, ready and rested. You can saddle him up. I’ll saddle Surefoot for you, Annie. You’re used to riding him, ain’t you?” He threw Annie a look that told her he knew exactly what she’d been up to last