"L'Amour, Louis - Sackett Family 11 - The Sky-Liners (a)" - читать интересную книгу автора (L'Amour Louis)

putting on a show. He was a brave man, but
only a fool will chance a shot from a Winchester at
forty feet. Knowing who we were, he now knew
we would shoot, so he sat quiet and started
to smile. "Sorry, boys, but a joke is a
joke. We've come to town on business and want
no trouble. Shall I say we apologize?"
That was like a rattlesnake stopping his rattling
while keeping his head drawn back to strike.
"You can say that," I agreed, "and we'll
accept it just like you mean it; but just so's there's no
misunderstanding, why don't you boys just shuck your
artillery? Just let them fall gentle into the
street."
"I'll be damned if I will!" Tory
Fetchen yelled.
"You'll be dead if you don't," Galloway
told him. "As to being damned, you'll have to take that
up with your Lord and Maker. You going to shuck those
guns, or do I start shooting?"
"Do what he says, boys," Black said.
"This is only one day. There'll be another."
They did as ordered, but Galloway is never
one to let things be. He's got a hankering for the
fringe around the edges.
"Now, Gentlemen and Fellow-Sinners, you have
come this day within the shadow of the valley. It is
well for each and everyone of us to recall how weak
is the flesh, how close we stand to Judgment, so
you will all join me in singing "Rock of
Ages."'"
He gestured to Black Fetchen. "You will lead
the singing, and I hope you are in fine voice."
"You're crazy!"
"Maybe," Galloway agreed, "but I want
to hear you loud and clear. You got until I count
three to start, and you better make sure they all
join in."
"Like hell!" Tory was seventeen, and he was
itching to prove himself as tough as he thought he was
... or as tough as he wanted others to think he
was.
Galloway fired, and that bullet whipped
Tory's hat from his head and notched his ear.
"Sing, damn you!" Galloway said; and brother,
they sang.
I'll say this for them, they had good strong
voices and they knew the ^ws. Up in the mountains
the folks are strong on goin' to meetin', and these
boys all knew the ^ws. We heard it clear: