Chapter 16

           BythetimehearrivedatKennerly’s,aqueerobscurityhadcomeoverthenorthernhorizonandheknewitwasdust.OverTulltheairwasstilldeadquiet.

           Kennerlywaswaitingforhimonthechaff-strewnstagethatwasthefloorofhisbarn."Leaving?"Hegrinnedabjectlyatthegunslinger.

           "Yes."

           "Notbeforethestorm?"

           "Aheadofit"

           "Thewindgoesfasterthanamanonamule.Intheopenitcankillyou."

           "I’llwantthemulenow,"thegunslingersaidsimply.

           "Sure."ButKennerlydidnotturnaway,merelystoodasifsearchingforsomethingfurthertosay,grinninghisgroveling,hate-filledgrin,andhiseyesflickedupandoverthegunslinger’sshoulder.

           Thegunslingersidesteppedandturnedatthesametime,andtheheavystickofstovewoodthatthegirlSoobieheldswishedthroughtheair,grazinghiselbowonly.Shelostholdofitwiththeforceofherswinganditclatteredoverthefloor.Intheexplosiveheightoftheloft,barnswallowstookshadowedwing.

           Thegirllookedathimbovinely.Herbr**ststhrustwithoverripegrandeuratthewash-fadedshirtshewore.Onethumbsoughtthehavenofhermouthwithdreamlikeslowness.

           ThegunslingerturnedbacktoKennerly.Kennerly’sgrinwashuge.Hisskinwaswaxyyellow.Hiseyesrolledintheirsockets."I-"hebeganinaphlegm-filledwhisperandcouldnotcontinue.

           "Themule,"thegunslingerproddedgently.

           "Sure,sure,sure,"Kennerlywhispered,thegrinnowtouchedwithincredulity.Heshuffledafterit