38
BLACK BEN
“You so much as twitch on the way back to Amarillo and I’ll shoot you dead, and that’s a fact. That is, if I don’t beat you to death with my fists. You die out here, it will be hard on you. No way to dig a grave out here, even if I were inclined to do such a thing. The animals will get at you and tear you to pieces. First the buzzards, then the coyotes and wolves and lions. In a week, there won’t be anything left of you but bones and gristle. On the other hand, you can come with me peacefully and take responsibility for your actions.”
“Okay,” Ben said. “I won’t be a bother.”
“Get over here so I can bind them hands,” Frank said. Then he said, “Stop your hands from shaking.”
“I’m trying. I can’t help it none.”
“Aw, now, I ain’t gonna hurt you unless you give me reason. So
