Stop moving around so much, she implored silently.
Hettie focused on her target and fired. Chips and sawdust flew from the branch. The mob ducked and scattered, shouts filling the air. She reloaded quickly and fired again. Men drew their pistols as they searched for their assailant.
A shot rang out, then another. A shower of splinters flew up from the shingled roof three feet away. She scrambled back, reloaded her gun, took aim at the rope.
Fire exploded on her right arm as a shot ripped through her shoulder. The rifle tumbled from her grip and clattered to the ground. She gripped the wound, blood oozing between her fingers. A bullet whizzed by her ear, and more pinged off the tin flashing as she scrambled and rolled out of the way.
Jezebel whinnied shrilly as Ling continued to kick at
