Range War (9781101559215) by C. J. Cherryh Page A

her.”
    â€œNo, it isn’t. She only thinks it is.” Carlos paused. “But she is just part of the reason I have come to see you. The other part is this.” He touched his swollen face. “You beat me, made me look the fool.”
    â€œYou had it coming.”
    â€œWho are you to judge? I was doing what I thought best to protect my people.”
    â€œAnd you got Alejandro killed.”
    â€œHe went with me willingly. He knew what might happen.”
    â€œIs that what you tell yourself?”
    â€œHe is gone. It is pointless to talk about him. But my sister is very much alive, and I tell you now, to your face, that you have no right to be with her.”
    â€œIs that all?” Fargo wanted to be on his way.
    â€œThere is just this. Pablo, Horaz and I have had enough of you, and we are escorting you out of the valley, here and now.”
    â€œWhat about Trask?” Fargo said. “I’m to meet with him tonight. You don’t care that I might be able to smooth things over so that your people and the cowboys can get along?”
    â€œFilthy gringos,” Carlos said. “What gives you the idea we want to get along? This is our valley. They are the ones who must leave. So long as they stay, we will go on spilling their blood.”
    â€œThis isn’t about the good of your people,” Fargo said. “It’s about your hate.”
    Carlos put both hands on his rifle. “What will it be? Will you leave or will you die?”

25
    The other two didn’t have rifles or revolvers. They had knives in sheaths at their hips, and when Carlos gripped his rifle, each gripped the hilt of his weapon.
    â€œI take back what I said about you being stupid,” Fargo said.
    Carlos blinked in surprise. “You do?”
    â€œTo be stupid you have to have a brain.” And with that, Fargo whipped out his Colt and jabbed his spurs. The Ovaro bounded between Carlos’ horse and Pablo’s. With a lightning swing to either side, Fargo slammed the Colt against their heads. Carlos fell but Pablo stayed on and reined aside, reeling.
    Fargo shifted to cover Horaz but Horaz did an incredible thing: He rose onto his saddle, leaped onto Carlos’ horse, and from there sprang at Fargo. And as Horaz sprang, he drew his knife.
    Fargo barely got his arm up in time. Horaz was big, and his weight was enough to knock him from the saddle. Each got a grip on the other’s arm as they toppled. Fargo tried to turn so that Horaz bore the impact but they both came down hard on their sides. Horaz made it to his feet first. Fargo was only to his knees when the sheepherder slashed at his neck. Fargo ducked and smashed the Colt against Horaz’s knee, and Horaz cried out and staggered. Fargo smashed his other knee. Horaz swore and came down on his hands and toes.
    â€œDamn you, gringo!”
    Fargo hit him once, and then again, and Horaz crumpled, unconscious.
    Hooves drummed as Fargo pushed to his feet. Pablo had recovered enough to try to ride him down. Fargo darted aside and the horse swept past. Instantly, Pablo reined around to try again.
    Fargo took a long bound and leaped. With his left hand he grabbed Pablo’s serape even as with his right he rammed the Colt into Pablo’s side. Pablo cried out, and the next moment Fargo hauled him from the saddle and slammed him to earth. Pablo groaned and went limp.
    Fargo thought that was the end of it but a blow to his shoulder spun him half around. His gun arm went numb.
    Carlos had his rifle by the barrel and was wielding it like a club. His face contorted in hate, he hissed, “I will cave your head in, gringo!”
    Fargo dodged a swing but lost his hat. He skipped back and Carlos came after him, swearing furiously. Fargo tried to raise the Colt but his arm wouldn’t work. He went to border shift, and tripped over Pablo.
    Before Fargo knew it, he was flat on the ground with Carlos rearing over him and the rifle