The Seventh Man

In the gathering dusk a shot rang out. Dan Barry's mount stumbled and fell heavily. The men of the sheriff's posse let out a wild yell and closed in for the kill. Dan Barry looked at them with hate. They had shot a horse to stop a man. To Barry that was worse than murder. He talked softly to the thrashing animal. "They'll pay for your death, Molly." He drew his rifle from its scabbard, looked at her one last time and fired. Then Barry swung his rifle up at the approaching horseman. A man settled in the sights. The gun spoke sharply.