CHAPTER 22 “A tough little nut.”
Time seemed to stop as Bowie stared down at Andre’s battered and bloody form. He forced a smile, said, “Hello, old man. You always did know how to make an entrance.” He took the pirate’s arm, hauling him to his feet.
“Not so fast,” Buckner snapped. “This man’s a prisoner.”
“Prisoner?” Bowie addressed the group at large. “What crime has he committed?”
A low growl rolled through the colonists.
Buckner said, “Likely planning to snatch one of our women.”
Holding Buckner’s baleful glare, Bowie displayed Andre to the group. “I ask you, gentlemen, does this look like a man who needs to steal his women?”
This garnered a smattering of laughs, but most faces remained grim.
Strap Buckner betrayed no amusement. “If he wasn’t up to mischief, what was he doin’ be
