“I’ve heard talk that some sell Mexican horses in Texas, and Texas horses in Mexico,” Danielle said. “Anything to that?”
“Some do,” said Joel Votaw, “but we don’t. Believe me, there ain’t no love between the state of Texas and Mexico, and most Texans don’t give a damn what happens on the other side of the border. As it is, if things get touchy in Mexico, we can cross the river into Texas, and the Mexes can’t touch us. That could change almighty quick, if we was to run Texas horses across the border into Mexico.”
“Damn right it could,” Hez Deshea said.
“You’re avoiding the law in Texas,” said Danielle, “but what about Mexico?”
“Too much border,” Wes Pryor said. “There’s no way they can watch it all. Mejicanos cross the river into Texas, drivin’ Texas horses into Mexico. They can’t complain to the United States that Texans are violatin’ their boundaries, because they’re violatin’ the Texas boundary. That’s why nobody—not even the rangers—can stop it.”
“Why are you camped in Mexico instead of Texas?” Danielle asked.
“You ain’t earned the right to know that,” said Joel Votaw. “Not until you’ve told us the truth. What’s a younker that ain’t old enough to shave and totin’ two irons doin’ in old Mexico?”
Danielle sighed. None of these men were the killers she sought. She quickly decided to tell them the truth. Or most of it. She told them of her father’s murder and of her vow to track down the killers.
“I need money to continue my search,” Danielle said. “There’s seven more killers, and I’ll never find them if I have to stop regular for a thirty-and-found riding job.”
“That makes sense,” said Joel Votaw, “but how do we know if you throw in with us, you won’t shoot some hombre that’ll attract the attention of the law? We can’t allow that.”
“If there’s ever a possibility of the law stepping in, I’ll vamoose,” Danielle said.
Black Jack laughed. “I think we’d all vamoose if that happened.”
“The men I’m after are outlaws and killers,” said Danielle. “They’re not going to call on the law for help.”
“We been splittin’ the money equal,” Wes Pryor said. “If you join up with us, there’ll be less money, split six ways.”
“Show me what you’re doing,” said Danielle, “and I’ll pull my weight. Your share may be even more.”
“You’ve made a good case for yourself,” Joel Votaw said. “I think we’ll take you in for a while, as long as you don’t get gun-happy and draw attention to us.”
“I’ve never shot anybody except in self-defense,” said Danielle.
“Bueno,” Votaw said. “So far, we’ve took the horses we wanted without us doing any shooting. How good are you with horses?”
“I grew up with them,” said Danielle. “I trained the chestnut mare I’m riding.”
“We don’t take a whole herd of horses,” Votaw said, “because it’s hard to control a herd at night. Each of us will take two lead ropes and lead two horses away. Come first light, when they can follow our tracks, we’ll be across the border, in Texas.”
“Only twelve horses for a night’s work,” said Danielle.
“The right horses will bring a hundred dollars apiece,” Votaw said. “Two hundred for you for one night’s work. At thirty and found, that’s near seven months of line riding. If you can find the work.”
“I’ve already learned the truth of that,” said Danielle. “Where are you finding all these hundred-dollar horses?”
“A rich Spaniard, Alonzo Elfego, owns about half of Mexico,” Votaw said, “and all his horses are blooded stock.”
“Why doesn’t he have riders watching them at night?” Danielle asked.
“There’s too many of them, and they’re scattered,” said Votaw. “Besides, he has no idea when we’re coming to visit him. We’ll go tonight, and then give him a rest. There are other ranchos with plenty of good horses.”
“Black Jack,” said Hez Deshea, “why did you bring that pair of blacks with you? They should of brought top dollar in Texas.”
“Cheap old bastard that was interested in ’em tried to knock my askin’ price down to seventy-five dollars,” Black Jack said. “That, and he got a little too interested in them Mex brands. I mounted up, rode out, and left him standin’ there.”
“You done right,” said Votaw. “Brands are none of his damn business as long as he’s gettin’ a bill of sale.”
“Where do you get bills of sale?” Danielle asked.
“A jackleg printer in El Paso makes ’em up for us,” said Votaw.
Danielle nodded, digesting the information. Horse stealing was a hanging offense, but it seemed that these thieves had it down to a fine art. The only question in her mind was whether or not her alliance with the horse thieves would enable her to find any of the remaining men on her death list. Again Votaw spoke.
“Black Jack, you’d better take that pair of blacks back across the border, where we’ll meet after tonight’s raid. The rest of you get what sleep you can.”
Black Jack mounted his horse, and with the pair of blacks following on lead ropes, he rode north. Danielle picketed the chestnut mare and, resting her head on her saddle, tipped her hat down over her eyes. After the blizzards on the high plains, the mild climate of old Mexico and the warm sun were welcome. She drifted off to sleep, rousing only when she heard a horse coming. Black Jack was returning. Shortly afterward, one of the bunch got a supper fire going. It was small, under a tree so the leaves would dissipate the smoke, and as soon as the coffee was hot, Revis Bronson put out the fire.
“When will we be going?” Danielle asked.
“Midnight,” said Joel Votaw. “We ain’t more than fifteen miles away.”
Black Jack laughed. “Hell, we may be camped on Elfego’s holdings right now.”
The horse thieves all laughed, finding such a possibility amusing. Danielle had nothing more to say, and except for an occasional comment from one of the others, there was only silence. Danielle watched the stars, unable to sleep, thinking of the changes in her life. She might easily step over the line, becoming an outlaw, but how else was she to ever find the outlaws who had murdered her father, without associating with outlaws herself? Finally, Votaw gave an order.
“It’s near midnight. Time to saddle up and ride.”
Votaw gave each of them a pair lead ropes. They then saddled their horses, mounted, and rode south. There was no moon, and riding behind the others, Danielle could barely see them. They took their time, eventually reining up in the shadow of a stand of trees.
“We go from here on foot,” Votaw said. “Once you’ve taken your horses, bring them here until we’re all ready to ride.”
Danielle had to concede that the thieves were smart. By starlight, it would be difficult to see men afoot, even if the herd was being watched. Dark as it was, they could still see the dim shapes of grazing horses. The horses raised their heads and snorted as they were approached. Danielle began to speak softly in a soothing tone that had proven effective in her handling of the chestnut mare. Suddenly, the night came alive with gunfire. Winchesters blazed from three different directions. There were entirely too many defenders. Danielle did not return the fire, for muzzle flashes would have been the finish of her. Besides, she had no intention of killing men for defending what was theirs. She reached the stand of trees where the horses had been picketed without being hit. Black Jack Landis hadn’t been quite so lucky. He lay on the ground, groaning.