Old Thad stood shaking his head and looking down at Hardin’s body.
“Jase sure has spread his hate, to get a man to do this.”
Billy picked up his hat and brushed it off. “Either that,” he said slowly, “or he paid to get Hardin to do what he didn’t have the guts to try himself.”
“What do you reckon we ought to do with him?” Thad asked himself out loud.
Joe Metcalf said dryly, “Weren’t for the smell, I’d say leave the bastard there to rot.”
“Jase’ll be wondering what happened to him,” Billy said slowly.
Old Thad looked down again at the body and his jaw set in a firm line. “Well—I killed him, so I’ll deliver him. Joe, get one of the boys to harness a team to the buckboard.”
Metcalf nodded to one of the riders crowded around and the man turned away for the horse corral. Billy moved besi
