The first bandit’s head came apart and even Maria was impressed with the rifle’s awesome power.

Antonio Gomez The first bandit’s head came apart and even Maria was impressed with the rifle’s awesome power. She quickly worked the next bullet into the chamber and hit the next man a little low, tearing a hole through his throat at the Adam’s apple, shattering the vertebrae and making the man’s head tip as if he’d fallen asleep. He dropped down next to his mount.

The other two finally realized they were under attack and took up defensive positions. The shooter was too far away to see and they did not know where to hide. She hit the next man in the back and his breastbone exploded, but the shot did not kill him outright. Great gouts of blood squirted with every beat of his heart. He sat and watched it until he died.

The last one had had enough. He threw himself on his horse and rode as hard as he could into the desert. Maria was right behind him on Alanza. She’d put the big rifle away. She quickly caught up with the man, who was completely panicked and firing his six shooter wildly over his shoulder. He just wanted to get away.

Maria was amused by this and equally angry. There was no sin worse, to her, than to abuse a baby or a child and she resolved to make the bad man pay. She galloped up alongside him and he pointed his six shooter at her. She was so close that even a scared bandit couldn’t miss and he pulled the trigger as Maria smiled at him. Maria's Trail