Over the Border: A Novel

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Whitaker Herman. Over the Border: A Novel

I: THE THREE BAD MEN OF LAS BOCAS

II: OVER THE BORDER

III: EVEN A RUSTLER HAS HIS TROUBLES

IV: THE TRAIL OF THE COLORADOS

V: THE “HACIENDA OF THE TREES”

VI: BULL TURNS NURSE

VII: THE RUSTLERS ARE ADOPTED

VIII: “THE LEOPARD’S SPOTS”

IX: A PARTY AND ITS CONSEQUENCES

X: WANTED – A HUSBAND

XI: GORDON’S DÉBUT

XII: THE RECRUIT IS TRIED OUT – IN SEVERAL WAYS

XIII: AMERICAN RUSTLERS VS. MEXICAN RAIDERS

XIV: NEMESIS DOGS THE THREE – AND IS “DOGGED,” IN TURN, BY LEE

XV: BULL AND THE WIDOW CONSPIRE

XVI: ONE MAN CAN TAKE A HORSE TO WATER, BUT —

XVII: – BUT TWENTY CANNOT MAKE HIM DRINK

XVIII: THE “WIND” BLOWS CONTRARY

XIX: A KISS – ITS CONSEQUENCES

XX: SLIVER IS DULY CHASTENED

XXI: THE WIDOW TO THE RESCUE

XXII: LEE, TOO, IS CONFESSED

XXIII: IN WHICH THE WIDOW GOES AND SLIVER COMES

XXIV: UNDERSTANDING

XXV: LOVE AND BUSINESS

XXVI: A SETTLEMENT

XXVII: AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE

XXVIII: A “REQUISITION”

XXIX: TEMPTATION

XXX: THE OTHER HALF OF THE TRUTH

XXXI: “BRAINS WIN”

XXXII: TRAVAIL

XXXIII: THE DEATH IN THE NIGHT

XXXIV: – -?

XXXV: WHY?

XXXVI: “IN THE MIDST OF LIFE – ”

XXXVII: THE THREE – AGAIN

XXXVIII: FIRE

XXXIX: “VENGEANCE IS MINE”

XL: SLIVER “MAKES GOOD”

XLI: JAKE BETTERS THE “EXCHANGE”

XLII: BULL DREAMS A DREAM!

XLIII: THE LAST OF THE THREE BAD MEN

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That night the Three put up at the cantina in the little adobe town of Las Bocas, where, by reason of occasional largesses to the leader of the revolutionary faction that happened to be on top, a welcome was always certain. Just now it was more particularly so because the presentjefe-politico, a Carranzista, varied his political activities by acting as “fence” in the disposal of their plunder.

In accordance with his advice, the following afternoon found them approaching the American border at a point far west of their usual sphere of operations. While they journeyed the sun slid down its western slant till it hung like a smoky lamp in the far dust of the desert. Behind them the sea of sage still ran off to distant mountains, but the sunset glow washed its dust away, draping the land in a royal robe. Ahead the grade was rising imperceptibly but steadily to a sparse grass country where the sage, palo verde, and yucca gave place to hugesahuaros that strewed the plain with their fluted barrels like the jade columns of some vast ruin. Among them roamed the flocks and herds of a pink-walled hacienda that nestled in a grove of lordly cottonwoods. As they rode past, the Three noted with appraising glances the sleek hides of a fine bunch of steers.

.....

To give the Mexican policeman his due, he does not easily give up. If one man cannot bring in a prisoner, ten may. If they fail, perhaps a company can – or a regiment. The man’s shrill whistle was really far more dangerous than his absurd long gun. Instantly it was taken up on the next street and the next; went echoing through the town till it finally brought from the carcel a squad on the run.

By that time the Three had backed up against a wall and stood with rifles leveled across the backs of their beasts. Every particle of human kindness, humor, that had showed in their dealings with one another was gone. Jake’s long teeth were bared in a wolf grin. Sliver’s reckless face had frozen in stone. Bull’s head and huge shoulders rose above his breast, his face dark, imperturbable, fierce. Grim, silent, ferocious as trapped wolves, they faced the squad which took cover while messengers brought an officer and company from the barracks.

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