South of the Rio Grande — Max Brand

“You're a jailbird,” the chief said.

“A crooked gambler, a gunman, a yegg. But you know the country. You can ride, and shoot. I'm asking you to cross the border and bring back that outlaw, because you're all I got.

“You're like the man who owes a million. He has to put everything down on one number. If he winds, he's fixed. If he loses, he's dead. If you cross that border again, you'll win or you'll die!”

He was right, and I knew it. I hated his guts for offering me this ticket to death, but I'd never passed up a fight for my life.