Brionne (1968) Read online

  "They've been keeping mighty bad company," Mowry said. "Maybe a long walk might help."

  "All right." Brionne sat up, holding his rifle over his knees. "You boys start right off down the trail, and keep going. If we should run into you on the way back--"

  "What about our horses?" Miranda protested. "Won't they take them?"

  "I found 'em and moved 'em," Mowry said. "I rode one ... that's how I caught up with his nibs here."

  When they had gone, Mowry added wood to the fire. "The storm ain't over. I'd best get some fuel."

  "You ease that leg," Brionne said. "I'll get it." He got to his feet. He was a little unsteady, but he already felt better. It was all over now.

  He walked out in the rain and stood for a moment, just letting the rain fall on him, liking the feel of it. The thunder was sulking in the canyons off to the east; the clouds hung low and heavy over the basin. Standing there in the rain, he felt the tensions of the past few months slowly washing out of him, draining away, and leaving a stillness within him.

  He gathered sticks, using only one hand and putting them on the other arm, careful not to hurt the wounded shoulder. He had a bad bruise on his body where the second bullet had smashed against his belts, and that bothered him some. But Mat was all right. He was in there with Miranda, and they were sitting together.

  Dutton Mowry eased his leg, and stared out of the door at Brionne. "He's a good man, that one. Take it from a Pinkerton man, who's seen them come and go. He's one of the best."

  He glanced around at Miranda. Mat had gone to sleep, his head against her shoulder. "Are you going to grab him?" Mowry asked.

  "I'd rather have him than the mine," she said, smiling. "You know, I haven't even thought about it since we got here. I don't know whether there's anything up there or not. And do you know something else? I don't really care."

  James Brionne was coming back into the cabin as she spoke. He was carrying an armful of branches he had broken from a deadfall. He dropped the wood just inside the door.

  "I think the rain is easing up," he said. "I'll go get the horses."