Chapter Sixteen Heading Back

Near the end of McLane’s second day, he sees the ravine he will pass through. He plans to go through the ravine and make camp on the opposite side.

As he approaches the mouth of the ravine, both horses come to a halt without any effort on his part. Looking at their heads he notices both of them have their heads high in an alert mode with their ears pointing in the direction of the ravine.

Funny, they didn’t react that way coming through the ravine before. Something out there has them alerted. Wondering, McLane ponders if it could be a mountain lion. He ties the extra mount’s lead rope to the saddle horn so his right hand is free. Then he pulls his carbine from the scabbard and holds it across his saddle.

Cautiously, he moves the two horses forward.

Johnny is waiting for McLane about a third of the way. Removing his hat Johnny watches the sheriff pass by the rock he is hidden behind.

Sighting on the sheriff’s back he takes a breath, lets it out slowly and pulls the trigger of his Winchester.

Expecting a mountain lion, McLane’s body is full of tension as the bullet passes through his back and out of his chest. McLane falls from the saddle and both horses bolt, frightened by the sound of the shot echoing off of the ravine walls.