True Grit page 24

 True Grit page 24 by ric gustafson

At one point, Quincy and Moon were quietly conversing with each other.

Cogburn stood up with his rifle. " What are the two of you discussing?".

Moon blurted out. " We saw Ned and Haze two days ago".

" Be quiet Moon or I will kill you".

" I must have a doctor". Moon winced again. " I will tell them what I know".

Quincy took out a bowie knife. He chopped off one or more of Moon's fingers. Moon screamed. Angry, he shot a rifle ball into Quincy's neck. Blood splurted all over the place. 

I jumped off the bench and ran to a nearby corner.

Cogburn ran over and checked Quincy. There was no pulse. " He's already dead".

Moon was bleeding from his hand. " I'm dying".

Cogburn knelt down to Moon's face. " Where's Ned Pepper?".

Moon screamed. " Don't leave me here to die".

" I won't". Cogburn asked again. " When did you see Pepper?".

" I saw Ned and Haze two days ago at McAlester's".

Cogburn glanced at the door. " Are they coming here later tonight?".

Moon winced. " Yes".

LaBoeuf looked at Moon. " How many?".

" At least four". Moon winced one last time. He closed his eyes forever.

Cogburn frowned. " I'll cover them up".

LaBoeuf scratched his chin. " What do we do now?".

" Find a good spot about half the way up the North slope".

He pointed at me. " What about you and her?".

" Baby sister and I will find a spot up the South slope". He pointed at the Texan. " Wait for my signal".

research help: ' True Grit' by Charles Portis

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric