Dead Man's Cache - Chapter 7 Trapped

Black MacQueen rolled a cigarette and sauntered toward the other outlaw.

"I reckon you better saddle up and take a look over the Flattops, Dunc.
The way I figure it Lee's posse must be somewhere over there. Swing around
toward the Elkhorns and get back to report by to-morrow evening, say."

Boone looked at him in an ugly manner. "Nothin' doing, MacQueen."

"What's that?"

"I'm no greaser, my friend. Orders don't go with me."

"They don't, eh? Who's major domo of this outfit?"

"I'm going to stay right here in this valley to-night. See?"

"What's eatin' you, man?"

"And every night so long as Melissy Lee stays."

MacQueen watched him with steady, hostile eyes. "So it's the girl, is it?
Want to cut in, do you? Oh, no, my friend. Two's company; three's a
crowd. She's mine."

"No."

"Yes. And another thing, Mr. Boone. I don't stand for any interference in
my plans. Make a break at it and you'll take a hurry up journey to kingdom
come."

"Or you will."

"Don't bank on that off chance. The boys are with me. You're alone. If I
give the word they'll bump you off. Don't make a mistake, Boone."

The Arkansan hesitated. What MacQueen said was true enough. His
overbearing disposition had made him unpopular. He knew the others would
side against him and that if it came to a showdown they would snuff out
his life as a man does the flame of a candle. The rage died out of his
eyes and gave place to a look of cunning.