Vengeance Creek: The Sons of Daniel Shaye

35

“I can’t see a thing,” James said.

“Quiet,” Thomas said.

Ralph Cory was down on one knee, examining the ground in the waning light of the day.

Rigoberto Colon rode up next to the brothers from his position rising drag.

“Señor Cory has very good eyes,” he said. “One would think he once did this for a living, es verdad?”

Thomas said, “I don’t know…maybe.”

“What do you see, Rigoberto?” James asked.

“I see nothing from here,” Colon said. “It is Señor Cory’s job. If he asks for my help, I will look.”

James looked up at the sky. It wasn’t dark yet, but the moon had replaced the sun in the sky.

“We should camp,” he said.

“Wait,” his older brother said.

“For what?”

“Pa told us to use Mr. Cory and Berto,” Thomas said, “and that’s what I intend to do.”

“One of you want to step down here?” Cory said then, over his shoulder.

“Sit tight,” Thomas said, and dismounted. He walked over to where Cory was still crouched.

“Come on down here,” Cory said, and Thomas got down into a crouch. Cory pointed. “See that?”

Thomas leaned forward. “It’s the print we’ve been followin’,” he said, “isn’t it?”

“Yes,” Cory said, “and there.” He pointed again.

“The horse that’s been ridin’ with it.”

“Slightly longer stride on the right side,” Cory said.

“How can that be?” Thomas asked.

“What?”

“Both horses have somethin’ unusual about their tracks.”

Cory looked at Thomas. “If you have a good eye, no two tracks are alike.”

“Yes, but—”

“Look there.” The man was pointing in yet a third direction, but still within arm’s length.

“What’s that?” Thomas asked. “Tracks of a third horse?”

“Very good,” Cory said. He reached down and brushed away some debris. “The third horse’s tracks have crossed those of the other two.”

“Someone else is trackin’ them?”

“Apparently,” Cory said. “Wasn’t there some mention of a third man?”

“Yes, there was. The man who rode into town with Ben Cardwell, originally.”

“Looks like maybe he didn’t appreciate being left behind.”

Cory brushed his hands together and stood up, followed by Thomas.

“What do you suggest we do now?” Thomas asked.

Cory started to answer, then stopped and looked up at James and Colon.

“Ask Señor Colon,” he suggested.

“Rigoberto?” Thomas said. “What do you think?”

“If someone is crossing their tracks, we’re going to need daylight,” Colon said immediately. “I suggest we camp here for the night and get an early start.”

Thomas looked at Cory.

“That’s what I suggest.”

Thomas looked at James, said, “We’ll camp here.”

James let out an exasperated sigh and commented, “That’s what I said.”

“Then it’s unanimous,” Thomas said to his brother, “isn’t it?”