What Dorrie read: the text of a chapter from Johnny Madrid, the Border Hawk: Vengeance at Bitter Creek

 

Jake Delaney wheeled and saw a horseman, silhouetted against the western sky. He had been hidden in the glare of the red-gold sun, and Delaney had seen nothing of him until he was almost on them.  The rider came slowly up the street.

Delaney let Ella go, pushing her to the ground behind him.  She fell with a sob, cowering down and covering her head with her arms to ward off the blow she knew was coming. 

"Who is he?  Does anyone know him?" questioned Delaney hurriedly.

One by one his men shook their heads.

The rider reined in his mount and sat regarding them.  He lounged in the saddle, his face shaded by the brim of his hat.

"He's wearing that gun down low," whispered one of Delaney's companions, his voice hoarse. 

"A gun hawk!" whispered another.

The stranger looped the reins over the saddle horn and rested his right hand casually on his thigh.  He stared at them, the glitter of his eyes in the shade of his hat all they could see of him.  Delaney, suddenly nervous, said nothing but glowered back.

"Evenin', ma'am," said the stranger to Ella.  His horse stood like a statue as he removed his Stetson with his left hand and made Ella graceful obeisance with it.   Brilliant blue eyes, glittering like cold sapphires, raked over Delaney and his toughs.  "The lady needs a hand up," he said, his voice soft and silky smooth, and the tone of command made sure no-one there thought it was a mere suggestion.

Ella, trembling, looked up into a face that she trusted instinctively and which riveted her attention.  He was young and handsome, but it was more than that that captivated Ella.  The azure eyes in the darkly tanned face softened when they glanced at her and he had taken his hat off for her as if she were a lady.  His hard mouth curved into a smile that she saw as respectful. 

Delaney saw it as a threat.  He took a step back, placing his boot deliberately on Ella's short satin gown, making sure the dance-hall girl couldn't move.  "Is that right, stranger?  Then maybe you should get down and help the lady."

"Because a dog like you's hurtin' her?  I reckon I need to teach you some manners."

"A half-breed like you can't teach me nothin'!"

The sneer in Delaney's voice made Ella shudder and she cried out a warning to the stranger when she saw Delaney's hand reach for his gun.  But the stranger moved so fast his hand was just a blur.  Before Delaney could clear leather, he was looking down the barrel of the stranger's Colt.

Delaney froze.  There was a murmur of fear from his henchmen.  The stranger waved his gun at them, inviting them to leave and they needed no encouragement.  They melted away, leaving Delaney and the stranger staring at each other.

"Now," said the stranger, his soft voice so menacing that Ella's breath caught.  "Help the lady up."