A Noose for the Desperado — Clifton Adams

He came forward slowly, in that curious toe-heel gait that Indians have. With a big left hand, he grabbed Marta by the hair and jerked her half out of the chair. I hit him in the face and pulled Marta behind me. "Keep your damn hands off her if you want to go on living," I said. He was surprised. The next thing I knew his gun was coming out of the holster.