holster.
Fargo remembered the men down below and ran to the edge. There was no sign of anyone. The two mules were hurrying up the trail. There was no sign of the third or their human masters.
âDamn it.â
Fargo picked up the Henry, brushed dust from the receiver, and hiked a short way long the rim in both directions. It was as if the earth had opened up and swallowed the Nlakaâpamux.
That was all he could do for now. Fargo forked leather and headed back.
The others were just entering the last valley.
McKern was riding point and greeted him with a wave and a smile. But the smile faded when Fargo drew rein. âSay there, hoss. You look as if you were stung by a scorpion.â
âAny trouble while I was away?â
âNot a lick, if you donât count Theodore and Edith squabbling over something or other, and Allen saying as how all these evergreens are bad for his complexion.â
âHe said what?â
âThose are his exact words. I heard him with my own ears.â McKern gazed at the thick forests that thronged the high slopes. âBeats the hell out of me what heâs talking about. Folks donât go around rubbing trees on their faces.â
Fargo gazed the length of the long line. âKeep them going. I want to reach the canyon by nightfall.â
âWeâre close, I take it.â
âSo is a Knife war party.â Fargo gigged the Ovaro and soon came to Theodore and Cosmo.
Reining the Ovaro around so he could pace them, Fargo related what he had seen in the canyon.
âThose stinking savages!â was Theodoreâs reaction. âThe world would be a better place if every Indian was wiped out.â
âSome of them say the same about white men.â
âYes, and how ironic is that? The inferior wanting to wipe out the superior.â
âYou are one bigoted son of a bitch.â
Theodore went rigid with resentment. âHere now. With what Iâm paying you, I deserve a little respect.â
âDamn little.â
Cosmo said, âDonât take it personal, Theodore. Mr. Fargo has lived with Indians, as I recall. He regards them differently than we do.â
âYou, too?â Fargo said.
âI donât hate them on general principle, if thatâs what youâre asking. But they are savages. They live in dwellings made of animal hides and wear animal skins for clothes.â
Fargo looked down at his buckskins.
âBefore the white man came along they spent all their time making war on one another. They are at best a nuisance and at worst a menace, and either way, yes, I agree with Theodore. We are better off without them. The common saying that the only good Indian is a dead Indian is exactly right.â
âAnd you so cultured and all.â
Cosmo showed a rare trace of irritation. âWhat are you implying? Can you speak three languages? Can you cook a soufflé ? Can you discourse on the theater and fashion and politics? I take great pride in being cultured, thank you very much.â
âAll that, and modest, too.â
âNow you are merely being a bore. If you have nothing more enlightening to say, go be a bore elsewhere.â
âDonât mind if I do.â Fargo rode to where Edith was glumly regarding the world and brought the Ovaro next to her. âHow are you holding up, Mrs. Havard?â
âWhat do you care?â
âIâm only being polite,â Fargo lied. It was about time he had his hunch about Theodore confirmed. âI tried talking to your husband and Cosmo but they didnât want my company.â
Edithâs glower deepened. âLook at them. Together, as always. My husband and that thing .â
âIs that what you call your butler?â
Edith glanced sharply at him and shook so violently, she appeared to on the verge of throwing a fit. âButler, hell. Are you blind? Heâs an abomination.â
âI take it you donât like
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