Guns for Hire

Miles out of Laredo, Walt Slade saw the flash of a giant explosion, then the glow of growing flames -- seconds later, the deep rumble of the disaster came to him. The Ranger spurred down the trail to investigate. Suddenly, hoofs drummed in the night, and five horsemen rocketed into view. "Friend or foe?" Slade wondered for an instant -- then hurled himself sideways from the saddle as a hail of leaden death smashed toward him from the riders.