Determined to hang up his guns, a Texas Ranger finds his plans waylaid when jealousy, pride, and hypocrisy force him into one last gunfight.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Richard Matheson is The New York Times bestselling author of I Am Legend, Hell House, Other Kingdoms, Somewhere in Time, The Incredible Shrinking Man, A Stir of Echoes, The Beardless Warriors, The Path, Seven Steps to Midnight, Now You See It..., and What Dreams May Come, among others. He was named a Grand Master of Horror by the World Horror Convention, and received the Bram Stoker Award for Lifetime Achievement. He has also won the Edgar, the Spur, and the Writer's Guild awards. In 2010, he was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame. In addition to his novels, Matheson wrote screenplays, and he wrote for several Twilight Zone episodes, including “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet,” based on his short story. He was born in New Jersey and raised in Brooklyn, and fought in the infantry in World War II. He earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri. He lives in Calabasas, California.
Chapter One
The chaparral bird was running a .erce race with the black roan as it pounded across the hard earth. The long legs of the bird .ashed wildly in a swirl of alkali dust, ten yards ahead of the roan’s battering hooves.
Off the wide trail, a jackrabbit bounded into the brush with great, erratic leaps. Awakened by the muf.ed thunder in the earth, a coiled rattlesnake writhed sluggishly and lifted its .at head, dead eyes searching.
The tall roan galloped along the trail, its broad legs drawing high, then driving down quickly at the dust-clouded earth. The spur rowels of its young rider raked once across its heaving .anks and the thick weave of muscles underneath its hide drove it on still faster.
Robby Coles paid no attention to the long- beaked roadrunner skittering its weaving path on the trail ahead. He rode close- seated, his knees clamped against the roan’s .anks, his booted feet braced forward and out against the stirrups. Beneath the broad brim of his Stet-son, his dark eyes peered straight ahead at the out fences of the small ranch he approached.
The driving hooves came too close and the chaparral bird lunged off the trail, racing into the brush. The roan thundered on, following the twists of the trail, a thin froth blowing from its muzzle. Spur rowels scratched again, the horse leaped forward obediently, past the tall and spiny- branched cholla cactus, galloping past the .rst fence line of the ranch.
Now the rider’s eyes focused on the far-off cluster of buildings that comprised the ranch layout. His thin lips pressed together into a blood- pinched line and there was a strained movement in his throat. Was he there? The question drifted like smoke across his mind and he felt sweat dripping down beneath his shirt collar and realized, abruptly, how thirsty he was.
Cold resolve forced itself into his eyes again and his slender hands tightened on the sweat- slick reins. He could feel the rhythmic pounding inside his body as the hooves of his roan pistoned against the hard earth. He could feel the arid bluntness of the wind buffeting across his cheeks and against his forehead; the abrasive rubbing of his legs against the horse’s .anks.
There were other things he felt, too.
As the hooves of his mount drummed along the trail, Robby Coles noticed, from the corners of his eyes, the aimless wandering of cattle beyond the fences. He swallowed hot air and coughed once as the dustiness tickled in his throat. The ranch was a half mile distant now. Robby Coles reached down ner vous ly and touched the smooth walnut of his gun stock. He wondered if he should be wearing it.
Merv Linken was coming out of the barn, carrying a pitchfork, when the big black roan came charging into the open area between the barn and the main house.
At .rst, the horse headed for the main house. Then the rider saw Merv and pulled his mount around sharply. Merv stood watching as the roan cantered over and stopped before him, its .anks heaving, hot breath steaming from its nostrils.
“Hello there, Robby,” Merv said, smiling up at the grim- faced young rider. “What brings you out in sech a rush?” Robby Coles drew in a quick breath and forced it out.
“Benton here?” he asked breathlessly, his dark- eyed gaze drifting toward the main house.
“No, he ain’t,” Merv said. “Matter o’ fact, he’s to town gettin’ supplies.”
He saw how the skin tightened across Robby’s cheeks and how his mouth pressed suddenly into a line.
“Guess you rode out fer nothin’,” Merv said, then shrugged. “Unless you want to set and wait.”
“How long’s he been gone?” Robby’s voice sounded thin and disturbed above the shuddering pants of his roan. He drew out a bandanna and mopped at his face.
“Oh... I reckon, since about eight,” Merv said. “Said he was—”
He stopped talking abruptly as Robby jerked the horse around and kicked his spur rowels in. The sweat-.ecked roan started forward, breaking into a hard gallop before it passed the bunk house.
Merv Linken stood there a while, leaning on the pitchfork, watching Robby Coles ride away toward town. Then he shrugged and turned toward the house.
Julia Benton came walking in quick strides across the yard, drying her hands. She was a tall woman, slender and softly curved, her hair a light blond.
“Who was that?” she asked.
“Young Robby Coles,” Merv answered.
“What did he want?”
“Got no notion, ma’m,” Merv told her. “Just came in, tight- leggin’ and asked for the old man.”
“Is that all?”
“That’s all, ma’m. Reckon he’s headed for Kellville to see Mr. Benton now.”
They stood silent for a moment, watching from beneath the shading of their palms, the roan and its rider dwindle into the distance of the brush country.
“He’s sure bakin’ that hoss,” Merv said. “Must be anxious to see yore husband.”
Julia Benton stood motionless in the hot sunlight, a look of uneasy curiosity in her eyes. She watched until she couldn’t see the horse any longer.
Then she went back to her dishes.
Excerpted from The Gun Fight by Richard Matheson.
Copyright © 1993 by RXR, Inc.
Published in November 2009 by Tom Doherty Associates, LLC.
All rights reserved. This work is protected under copyright laws and
reproduction is strictly prohibited. Permission to reproduce the material in
any manner or medium must be secured from the Publisher.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
FREE
Within U.S.A.
Shipping:
US$ 4.00
Within U.S.A.
Seller: BooksRun, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Fair. First Edition. Ship within 24hrs. Satisfaction 100% guaranteed. APO/FPO addresses supported. Seller Inventory # 0871317265-7-1
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: KuleliBooks, Phoenix, AZ, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. The book may have minor cosmetic wear (i.e. creased spine/cover, scratches, curled corners, folded pages, minor sunburn, minor water damage, minor bent). The book may have some highlights/notes/underlined pages - Accessories such as CD, codes, toys, may not be included - Safe and Secure Mailer - No Hassle Return. Seller Inventory # 521X7W001EQW
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Half Price Books Inc., Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_387520422
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.9. Seller Inventory # G0871317265I4N00
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Book Nook, Cadillac, MI, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Good. First Edition. Usual Ex-Library Markings. Dj Had Been Taped-In, Tape Was Cut, Wrap Removed But Tape Pieces Remains On Covers. Dj Has Very Light Edgewear. The Coloring On The Dj Spine Is Lightly Faded. Book Has Very Light Edgewear. Very Light Soiling. Book Lightly Cocked. Believed To Be A First Edition With The Number Line Starting At 9 & Descending To 1. Seller Inventory # 037893
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Dunaway Books, St. Louis, MO, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. First Edition. First printing with complete number line. A Near Fine copy in like dustjacket. Seller Inventory # 279577
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Campbell Bookstore, Austin, TX, U.S.A.
Condition: very good. Seller Inventory # UsedCamp0871317265
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Tacoma Book Center, Tacoma, WA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: As New. Dust Jacket Condition: Dustjacket included. First Edition. ISBN 0871317265. Hardback. First Printing. Near Fine Condition book in a Near Fine Condition Dustjacket. Tight, bright, attractive copy with no markings to the book. As new condition. No Signature. Seller Inventory # 9204743
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Dunaway Books, St. Louis, MO, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. First Edition. A Fine copy in a Fine DJ. Dj is protected by a mylar cover. Seller Inventory # 284267
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: GoldenWavesOfBooks, Fayetteville, TX, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: new. New. Fast Shipping and good customer service. Seller Inventory # Holz_New_0871317265
Quantity: 1 available