“You don’t say ham and cauliflower, you don’t say
Laurel and Shulenheimer.
Some things just belong together; they got a
chemistry, a magic
that can’t be created or recreated, it just happens.
But bless ‘em Madison Avenue and Hollywood keep
trying.’
-
Albert Wise
Author’s Note: The
following is a re-working of the Third Season Episode ‘Bushwhacked’ written by
John Thomas James and David Moessinger.
It was written for Roger Davis’s Heyes and here I have re-written it
with Peter Duel as Heyes. This is not
done to criticize Mr. Davis, but to explore how the third season might have
played out if Peter had filmed these episodes.
1881
They were being watched.
Kid Curry finished tying down his bedroll and looked over at his partner next to him doing the same. The street was crowded outside the hotel and he wondered if he should mention it. He had nursed the feeling since they had left the saloon last night and had been relieved when Heyes had turned in right away wanting to get an early start.
Besides he might be wrong he told himself and then sighed, no he wasn’t. They had been on the run too long for him to doubt his instincts. But he also knew Heyes got annoyed every time he noticed before his partner did. Heyes seemed to feel that made him look like he wasn’t looking out and paying attention too. What he didn’t understand was that Kid paid attention so Heyes could be three steps ahead dreaming up tomorrow.
But
you couldn’t tell Heyes that. Sighing
Kid swung his saddlebags over his horse.
At least they were leaving, problem was, was anyone following? Deciding
his partner would be more annoyed when he realized and Kid hadn’t told him he
said softly:
“Heyes
I think were being watched.”
Heyes
turned and looked at him blankly, Kid had been right, he hadn’t noticed yet.
“What
makes you think that?”
Kid
rolled his eyes, “I don’t know Heyes, ten years on the run, the hairs standing
up on the back of my neck, I don’t know, I just know,” he answered lamely.
Heyes
sighed and turning to tighten his cinch used the opportunity to glance across
the street.
His
eyes paused for a moment on the lean, forty something cowboy rolling a
cigarette across the street from them and felt a knot form in his stomach. Kid was right and he had missed it.
“What
do you think?” Kid asked quietly.
“I
think he’s watching us or rolling a cigarette or both,” Heyes smiled
pleasantly.
Kid
stared at him exasperated, “I knew you’d come up with the right answer.”
“Well
its in there somewhere,” Heyes said frowning.
Through
the deception of checking their horses they both were able to maneuver another
glance and watched as the man finished lighting his cigarette and walked away.
Without
another word the two outlaws mounted their horses and turned them towards the
edge of town.
******************************
Tossing
down his cigarette the cowboy quickly began to run until he reached an alley
where his partner was waiting with two horses.
Jake
Horn knew he had a once in a lifetime opportunity and he wasn’t about to let it
just ride out of town. He and his
partner, Phil Westerly had recognized the two wanted men in the saloon the
night before and had spent half the night arguing over how to cash in on it.
Both
were afraid if they involved Sheriff Wiggins the reward would be lessened or
even taken from them and $20,000 was not an amount one gave up easily.
Finally
Phil had pointed out the reward was dead or alive. They would just wait until they could catch them unaware and
bushwhack them.
Pleased
the wait had not been long they spurred their horses into a gallop and hurried
out of town.
**********************************
Perhaps
half an hour had gone by and Kid’s nerves were on fire though he showed no sign
of his apprehension as they two of them rode along the hillside primed for an
ambush.
Heyes
glanced over noting his partner’s tenseness where others would not. If Kid was worried that was good enough for
him and he casually unhooked his gun and moved his horse so Kid would have a
clean shot if something alerted him. It
was not that he expected his partner to do all the work he was just realistic
that if anything suddenly happened he knew who would get to their gun first.
**********************************
“Which
one you want?” Horn asked checking his Colt 45 as he lay on his belly on the
ledge that overlooked the wagon road.
“Which
ever you say Jake,” Westerly added nervously and proceeded to check his 45
because his friend had.
“I’d
better take Curry. Don’t move till I
do. I’m gonna let them get at least 20
feet past us.”
His
partner nodded and gulped as the two riders came into view.
“Now
don’t rush it. Don’t move till we’re
looking at their backs. And don’t stop
with just one or two shots.”
So
involved in watching the two men inch closer neither man was aware of the
figure that had come up behind them.
Intrigued, the cowboy, frowned listening and then his eyes widened as he
realized their intent. Slowly a smile
creased across his handsome face.
On
the ledge the two bushwhackers had now drawn their gun as Heyes and Curry moved
past into prime position.
“Hey
Phil, Jake, whatcha doing?
Shocked
the two men turned just in time to take the two bullets fired at them and make them
fall back dead. Quickly the cowboy ran
over to the men and taking their gun hands fired a shot off from each of their
guns.
Meanwhile
Kid and Heyes had reacted at the first shot and diving for cover under the
protection of an embankment waited.
“Hello
down there!” the cowboy called.
The
two men looked at each other with puzzled glances.
“You’re
safe now. I got the men that was trying
to bushwhack you.”
Getting
no response the cowboy moved out into the open he raised his hands.
“Hey
its all clear now. Can you see me?”
Slowly
Kid and Heyes stood up, guns still drawn and advanced on the man who missed
none of the deadly expertise with which they closed on him.
“You
don’t have to be nervous. There is no
harm left in these two anymore,” the stranger joked now a little nervous
himself.
Recovering
their horses they spurred them up the hill to where the cowboy waited with the
two dead men.
“In
case they ain’t ex-friends, that one’s Phil Westerly and that one’s Jake
Horn. They’re Stock Grower
Detectives. Use to be anyway. The association fired them a few months
back.”
“What
happened up here?” Kid asked his eyes missing nothing.
“I
saw their horses and come up to check.
They were getting ready to tear you boys off from the rear. Told ‘em to freeze and they rolled over and
started shootin’.
Heyes
looked up from examining the bodies and nodded to his partner and they both
holstered their guns.
“My
names Marty Alcott,” the cowboy smiled offering a hand.
“I’m
Joshua Smith,” Heyes said taking it.
“This is Thaddeus Jones and I guess we owe you a load of thanks.”
Marty
smiled, “I’ll let you buy me a drink or three in Rock Springs, after we report
this to the sheriff.” He turned to get
his horse. “We better get started.”
The
two outlaws exchanged a conversation without a word and when they didn’t move
Marty looked back.
“Got
a problem?” he asked confused.
“Ah
yea I’m afraid we do,” Kid said.
“Not
sure how to tell you this, because we really do appreciate what you did, but we
can’t with you,” Heyes said.
“Why
not?” the man asked puzzled.
“Sheriff
will want to know why these two were trying to bushwhack us,” Kid said simply.
“And
we have to admit,” Heyes smiled. “We
haven’t got a real good answer for him.”
The
man studied them both for a moment and then shrugged not letting it bother him.
“I
guess I understand what you mean.
Should’ve figured as much, but we got so many nice people in Wyoming
named Smith and Jones, I just didn’t notice.”
Heyes
smiled faintly at the inference wanting to keep the man amiable at all costs,
“Look you just go back and tell the sheriff we refused to go back with you and
he’ll put it all together.”
“Sure
those two weren’t what you’d call popular around here. I don’t know anyone that will give me
trouble,” Marty suddenly stopped and smiled.
“You fellas looked like you were heading for Sweetwater. If you wait till I get my horse I’ll ride
with you, I gotta get a wagon to haul these fellas in.
Heyes
stole a glance at Kid and noted he was frowning, but turned and smiled at Marty
all the same, “Fair enough.”
“And
that includes a supper invitation at my place,” Marty added. “My wife is the best cook in the county!”
***********************************
The
ride was cordial and full of non-informational small talk mostly carried by
Heyes to Marty. Kid contributed when
spoken to, but for the most part had gone silent and Heyes frowned wandering
what was eating at him.
The
A-T ranch was soon in sight and the three men rode up weary and grateful to get
off their horses.
“Hi
Lonzo!” Marty smiled at the 15-year old boy waiting at the barn door for them.
“Hi! I brought you harness back, its in the
barn,” the boy said his eyes growing wider as he stared at Curry and Heyes.
“Tell
your dad I’ll be over to see him next week,” Marty said tying up his horse and
motioning for them to do the same.
“Will
do and tell Ellie I said thanks for the apple cider.
On
her name a dark haired beauty stepped out onto the porch and waited for them to
approach.
“Ellie
meet Joshua Smith and Thaddeus Jones,” Marty said.
“Ma’am,”
Kid said as Heyes and he tipped their hats.
“They’re
gonna have supper with us. I told them
you were the best darned cook in the county.”
The
woman smiled, “Well I hate to make a liar out of you…”
“And
you better not!” her husband said with false gruffness allowing everyone to
enter ahead of him and turning as he shut the door he drew his gun and cocked
it.
“Ellie
take their guns.”
The
three turned startled, only Kid did not look surprised.
“Come
on Ellie put them on the shelf there.”
Giving
them both an almost apologetic look the rancher’s wife delicately drew their
guns free and carrying them like dead rats by the tail did as she had been
ordered.
“You
do this for all your supper guests?” Kid asked quietly.
“Sorry,
but I’ve got a lot more to say to you fellas, which I couldn’t exactly do
standin there with two dead bodies at my feet,” Marty said.
Ellie
turned and stared at him frightened, “What bodies?”
“I
killed Jake Horn and Phil Westerly.”
“On
no….” she said going white and sinking into a chair.
“They
were going to shoot these two from ambush.”
“That’s
true ma’am,” Kid said.
“They
fired at me when I told them to freeze,” Marty went on and then turned to Heyes
and Kid. “You see boys, Horn and
Westerly weren’t what you would call good friends of mine. So we all got a problem now. You can’t afford to go back to Rock Springs
and answer questions and I can’t afford to take those bodies in without you to
back my story.
Heyes
exhaled and conjured up his best convincing smile, “Mr. Alcott we appreciate
your position, but your wife can back you up now. She’s heard us agree that’s how it happened.”
“And
the sheriff might decide my wife and I are lying. Nope, its too well known I didn’t like those two one bit. And I was at the Circle R Ranch today. A lot of people know I had to ride by that
hill to get home.” Suddenly angry. “I’m
in trouble because I saved your skins!
Now you are gonna ride into town with me and tell the sheriff exactly
how it happened.”
The
two cousins glanced at each other and finally Kid nodded.
“All
right,” Heyes said frustrated, but convinced of the man’s determination. “But it doesn’t have to be both of us, one
will do.”
“All
right, as long as I got a witness.”
“Could
we have a moment to decide who its gonna be?” Heyes asked dryly.
The
rancher nodded and swung the barrel of his gun over towards the bedroom
door. “Go right in there. Windows are a luxury we couldn’t afford so
don’t be thinking about escaping.”
Resigned
the two men entered the room and shut the door behind them.
“You
knew something was wrong,” Heyes said glancing around the room and then looking
at his partner.
“Yea,
but I wasn’t expecting that. Something
is bothering me though, but I just can’t put my finger on it. So how you wanna do this? I think I can get that gun away from him…”
Heyes
shook his head, “No we need him to explain to the Sheriff he shot those two
Kid, otherwise if they mentioned they were going after Heyes and Curry to
anyone…”
“They’ll
think we killed them,” Kid sighed sinking down on the edge of the bed
wearily. “Ya know Heyes this going
straight is not all its cracked up to be, just staying alive gets us into trouble.”
“All
right who goes?” Heyes said.
Kid
grinned at his stubborn stance. “Looks
like you all ready got that figured out.”
“Yea
well you had to turn yourself in last time for the Jordans,” Heyes said. “Only seems right I go this time.”
“Heyes
we tossed a coin for that and as amazing as the memory is, I won, it was my
choice, besides I got a better chance of getting away once he explains,” Kid
said simply.
Heyes
straightened indignant, “And I don’t?”
“Heyes
he’s more likely to talk you to death than you him.”
“No
I’ll go,” Heyes said digging his heels in.
“I’m more likely to convince a sheriff it was all a big mistake than you
are. You look like an outlaw.”
“I
what?” Kid said turning on him.
Heyes
sighed sadly, “I’m sorry Kid, I never wanted to tell you that, but the truth is
you just look wanted.”
Kid
stared at him, “How do you come up with this stuff?”
Heyes
grinned pleased, “Well I get my best stuff when I’m sleeping.”
Kid
shook his head. “Not buying it Heyes.”
Heyes
glared at him and fished in his pocket for a coin, “All right only fair way.”
“Then
lets make it really fair,” Kid said taking the coin. “Call it!”
********************************
“Now
who’s that?” Marty asked looking up at the sound a rider galloping up pulled
his attention from the bedroom door as the two outlaws emerged.
The
front door was suddenly flung open and a tall man in his mid thirties burst
into the room in a fit of agitation.
Striding across to Marty he trust a newspaper into his hands.
“Read
it, right there! I can’t believe it
says what I think it does!”
“Mr.
Smith, Mr. Jones …my partner Cress Truett.
He’s not usually this emotional.”
The rancher ignored him and
continued on, “Go ahead, read what that bunch of big time thieves has come up
with now,” and to emphasize his point he jammed his finger into the paper.
“What
is it Marty?” Ellie asked as her husband read down the page.
Marty
looked up shocked and then began to read aloud, “Cheyenne. The Livestock Commission has just announced
issuance of an order empowering inspectors at market points to seize all cattle
shipped by men…known to be rustlers…All money from the sale of such cattle will
be impounded until the shipper can prove rightful ownership.”
“That
can’t apply to us!” Ellie gasped as the two ranchers seethed angrily. “You and Cress aren’t rustlers!”
Marty
stared at her, “Ellie where you been the last five years? To the Wyoming Stock Grower’s Association
any man with a less than 300 head of cattle is a rustler.”
“It’s
illegal!” she tried again. “They can’t
just order an issue like that.”
Heyes
glanced over at Kid. The Stock Growers
were infamous and more than once in the last five years Kid had been offered
large sums of money to lure him away from Devil’s Hole and become a gunman for
one of the bigger ranchers. They worked
by intimidation and fear and it was a coup to have the finest and the fastest
gunman at your side protecting your interest.
The
last man to offer Kid the job still walked with a limp.
Marty
sighed, “Well they have. Three years
from now some court will say they can’t do that, but it won’t help us
now.” Angrily he slammed down the paper
and walked to the window.
Cress
looked down at the paper having given up, “How do you prove you own a steer
after its been shipped to Omaha?”
The
room went silent and Heyes sympathized with their dilemma. His family had been small farmers and he and
Kid had always leaned on the side of the underdog even when they were robbing.
“Ah
if it makes you feel any better,” Heyes said quietly. “I’m going into Rock Springs with you.”
Marty
suddenly turned from the window, “No you’re not. I’m gonna offer you a proposition. If you take it, you can forget you ever witnessed anything.”
“What
are you talking about?” Cress asked as Kid groaned just imagining what the man
wanted them to do.
“Jake
Horn and Phil Westerly were set to bushwhack these fellas. They started shootin’ and I killed them
both.”
“Marty
if you did that and you’ve got witnesses you better hold on to them,” Cress
stared horrified.
But
Marty merely turned to Heyes and Kid, “There’s a round up headed this way in
two or three days. They’ll be
collecting the cattle in this district.
If you’re willing to help Cress and me, you’re not only off the hook,
I’ll pay you each two hundred dollars.”
“Willing
to help you do what?” Heyes said not about to let his partner sell out his gun
even for their freedom.
“First
we join the round up like were expected to, you can help with that.”
“And
then?” Kid said cynically.
“We
take what belongs to us. Me and Cress
got nearly two hundred steers out on that range. We cut them out and drive them to Montana for shipment. When we get to Montana I hand you both two
hundred dollars for a week’s work.”
Heyes
shook his head and smiled, “Only one problem with that Marty in Wyoming the
roundups are run by the rules of the Stock Growers Association. Do their rules allow you to cut out any
cattle?”
“Their
rules don’t allow us to live! But I
don’t figure I’m bound by rules I didn’t have any say in making. I’m giving you a chance to pay me back for
what I done for you, now how about it?”
Kid
sighed, “Marty that’s like asking a man his preference in ways of getting
killed.”
“No
it ain’t. Ranch hands don’t back up the
big ranchers these days. The big
outfits took ways the grub line, cut wages to thirty-five dollars a month and
started laying the boys off during winter.
All we got to worry about is the foreman and maybe a couple of stock
inspectors,” Marty explained.
“Stock
inspectors are hired guns,” Heyes pointed out.
“Would
you prefer going into Rock Springs with me?” Marty yelled.
Heyes
sighed and closed his eyes giving himself a moment to think. To tell the truth he wasn’t sure. There was no way he could let the death of
those two men be linked to him and his partner. He was almost sure Horn and Westerly wouldn’t have mentioned what
they were planning to do to anyone, the reward tended to bring out the greed in
men, especially men like them. And if
Marty didn’t report it and took his cattle and ran he would more than likely be
blamed for the deaths when the bodies were found letting him and Kid off the
hook.
Still
Heyes knew life had a way of twisting on a man and he didn’t like leaving such
dangerous loose ends to chance.
“No,”
he said finally. “I would rather try
for Montana, but the decisions up to Thaddeus, he doesn’t have to go anywhere.”
Kid
turned and gave him a long-suffering look that spoke volumes about the idea
that Kid would just ride off and leave him.
“All
right, you got a deal,” Kid said glancing at Heyes with a promise they would
talk about this later.
“Wooohooo!” Marty said overjoyed. “Ellie put on the supper! And give the boys back their guns. That’s something they can’t afford to leave behind!”
*************************************
“You
mind telling me what were doing helping with this cattle drive now that we have
our guns?” Kid asked as he punched the hay beneath him into something
resembling a bed.
“Kid,
I wish I knew,” Heyes said staring out the upper barn window. “I just think we should keep an eye on him
until word gets out about those bodies and we find out who is being suspected
of shooting them.”
“Something
about all that is still bothering me,” Kid said staring up at the ceiling.
Heyes
turned and looked at him, “Like what?”
“I
don’t know, but something is wrong.”
Heyes
smiled, “Let it be and it might sneak up on you.”
“Yea
probably right,” Kid said moving to roll over.
“And Heyes? Please note I didn’t
flatten you for suggesting I would ride off and leave you.”
Heyes
leaned back with a grin; “Marty didn’t know that, good to keep them thinking
that our own survival comes first.”
“Heyes
my own survival does come first, that’s why I keep you around,” Kid said
sleepily.
Heyes
warmed by the compliment settled down sleepily, “Feel the same way Kid.”
******************************
The
next few days were back breaking and exhausting. The drive’s foreman was a seasoned professional named Mike
McCloskey whose loyalty to the Association was unwavering. Along
with two stock inspectors he kept a rein over the ranchers who quietly fell
into line.
“I
think it’s about time boys,” Marty said riding up to Heyes and Kid with Cress. “They’re eating now and won’t be expecting
anything.”
“Marty
lets take this slow,” Kid said worried about how cheerfully excited the man
was. It was almost like he was hoping
for a showdown.
“Just
want what’s mine,” Marty said and the four of them rode up to the fire where
the men were eating.
“Your
late,” one of the inspectors said not looking up from his beans.
“Were
not eating today Pete,” Marty said cheerfully.
“We don’t have time.”
McCloskey
turned reading something in his tone; “You ain’t got time to eat?”
“Nope,”
Marty smiled. “Got some work to
do. We’re cutting our cattle out.”
McCloskey
pushed back his hat genuinely surprised, “Why would you want to do a fool thing
like that?”
“Cause
we know how to read,” Cress said darkly.
“Huh?”
McCloskey snorted.
“We
read the latest news from Cheyenne,” Marty explained.
McCloskey
stared wide-eyed playing dumb, “What’s he talking about Pete?”
“Don’t
ask me I can’t read.”
“The
latest Commission order, Mike. About
seizing the cattle of all known ‘rustlers’.
I never stole a cow in my life and neither has Cress, but that ain’t the
point, is it? We’re here and them dudes
at the Cheyenne Club want us out,” Marty said in a loud voice so everyone could
hear.
“You
don’t like the Association that’s your business. But this round up is my business and the rules don’t allow nobody
to drive any cattle out of the herd.”
“They
happen to be my cattle! And nobody can
tell me I have to sell them this year or any other year!” Marty said truly angry
now.
A
second stock inspector moved in beside Pete and McCloskey. The other cowboys turned back to their food
trying to stay out of it.
Heyes
didn’t even to have to glance at his partner to know what was coming.
“So
you got yourself a couple of hired guns eh?” McCloskey said as if just noticing
Heyes and Curry.
Heyes
smiled, “No sir, like we told you before he just hired us to help with his
cattle.”
“They
are his cattle aren’t they Mr. McCloskey?” Kid added politely. “I didn’t hear you deny that.”
“The
rules don’t allow a man to cut out cattle, any cattle. It’s my job to see that nobody breaks those
rules! And its these fellas,” McCloskey
said indicating the two stock inspectors. “Job to back me up any way that’s
required. You get my meaning?”
“Yes
sir,” Heyes said still smiling but there was a dark edge to his eyes now that
hinted at the outlaw leader he kept hidden.
“It’s mighty clear, but you wouldn’t start shooting at a man just
because he doesn’t want to sell his own property, would you?” Heyes ended the
question without a smile. The threat
now returned back to the man.
“I’m
foreman of this roundup and I got a right to shoot anyone that tries to keep me
from doing my job.”
“And
that’s all we want to do Mr. McCloskey,” Kid sighed. “Our job.”
“You
try taking any cattle out of that herd and it will be your last job!” McCloskey
said angry. Angry that he was being
challenged and angry that these two strangers could frighten him so. “You fellas are through here, all four of
you! Just git on out!”
“Can’t
do that Mike,” Marty said quietly.
“Nobody talked to me when those rules were made and I only plan to take
cattle with my brand on them. So we
better settle this right now.”
“What
d’ya mean settle it?” McCloskey said.
“We
don’t want your stock inspectors here shootin us in the back when we start
after our steers. So let’s settle
it. If you’re gonna use those guns, use
them now. If not, we got work to do.”
“Boy
put them under arrest,” McCloskey said with a calmness he didn’t feel to the
two inspectors. “Interferin’ with a
legal roundup.”
The
two hired guns nodded and for a moment there was silence as no one moved, then
just as suddenly it was over. Kid’s gun
was in his hand and the two men were staring down at their holsters, the ones
they had never reached when they had tried for their guns.
Kid
sighed, “We’re going to turn around now and got to work. But first you’re gonna toss your gunbelts to
my friend here, let’s start with you.”
Quickly
the guns had been removed, the men eager to appease them.
“We’ll
leave them down the trail a bit,” Kid continued and turning his horse followed
the other four back to the herd.
McCloskey
stood there seething.
“Get
into Rock Springs as fast as you can.
Tell Techmacher what’s happening and bring back some help, lots of
help!”
****************************************
“How
fast you think McCloskey is gonna get reinforcements here?” Kid said a few
hours later, the cattle drive behind them, Montana laying ahead.
“We
got a good start, depends on how eager the Association is to…” Heyes stopped as
a lone rider pulling a back horse appeared into view.
“Just
Ellie,” Marty said riding up. “She’s
got supplies.”
Heyes
frowned and knew his partner was doing the same. This was no place for a woman if things were going to get ugly.
But
Cress felt no constraint to stay quiet, “Marty I don’t like Ellie being
here. It ain’t safe.”
“You’re
getting to be a bigger worrier than she is!” Marty laughed.
“He’s
got a right to be worried,” Heyes said firmly.
“How long do you think it will be before the Association sends some of
their inspectors after us.”
“Maybe
never. They’ve got only a couple dozen
of them hired guns and they’re scattered all over the territory. Besides after watching him, I think he could
take them all!”
“Yea
well he ain’t gonna take them all Marty,” Heyes said angry now. “We didn’t sign on as gunslingers and were
not gonna face two dozen men for a herd of cows, especially if its gonna put
the lady in danger.”
“Besides,”
Kid said quietly. “Hasn’t the Stock
Association got the power to deputize anyone they can find?”
“For
a pair of strangers you boys sure do know a lot about Wyoming,” Marty said with
an unreadable smile. “But who they
gonna get? Every year they have a
harder time finding people to do their dirty work for them.”
“Marty
they will send somebody and you know it!” Cress yelled.
“Maybe,
but Ellie is safer here than alone at the ranch. Cress I understand how you feel,” he added cryptically. “But this is a family decision and its
final.”
“Yea
well let’s hope that ain’t the only final family decision you make,” Kid said
darkly.
*********************************
Pete
opened the door of the sheriff’s office and pulled off his hat for the two men
talking just inside. Sheriff Wiggins
stood as he did, but the man he had been sent to find just gave him a lazy look
from the chair he occupied.
“What
are you doing here Pete?”
“McCloskey
sent me. Marty Alcott and Cress Truett
cut their steers out of the roundup.”
This
did cause the man to rise to his feet, “And nobody tried to stop them?”
“They
had a couple of hired guns with them and this one, well sir I ain’t never seen
nobody that fast, ever!”
“Four
men just came in and just took over a round up!”
“Mr.
Techmacher, nobody’s got to tell you how the cowhands feel. They’ll work for you, but they won’t fight
people like Alcott and Truett for you.”
The
Sheriff spit out a wad of tobacco, “Guess those boys heard about the new order,
Tesh."
“McCloskey
thinks they are headed for Montana,” Pete added.
“Then
we’ve got to see they don’t’ get there, I got my own reasons for wanting a few
words with Marty Alcott,” and turning he glanced back to the nearest cell and
Pete swallowed at the two bodies covered there.
************************************
“Ordinarily
I’d never ask a question like this, but we’re in business together,” Marty said
lightly as he stood beside the two outlaws saddling their horses. “Like to tell me why being witnesses was
such a scare to you?” Getting no answer
he continues. “I think I got it figured
out. Either of you Ben Thompson? Or Bill Longley? Or Hannibal Heyes? Wes Hardin?
Kid Curry? Clay Allison?”
“Marty
you can guess all you want, we’ll listen,” Heyes smiled, but it didn’t reach
his eyes.
Cress
sensing trouble hurried up, “Marty wouldn’t ask you boys that if he didn’t like
you. It’s just a little game he’s playing.”
Marty
grinned and swung into the saddle.
“He’s
right boy’s, I already know who you are!”
“Marty! It’s Lonzo Taylor!” Ellie’s voice suddenly rang out.
The
young boy from the barn suddenly galloped up to them and nearly fell off his
horse exhausted as Kid caught the reins.
“Hey
Lonzo what’s the matter?” Marty asked.
“Marty
you’re in trouble, real bad trouble!” Lonzo gasped. “Sheriff Wiggins thinks you killed Jake Horn and Phil
Westerly. It’s all over town. Everybody is talking about it. They got a posse, least 10 men…” the boy
gulped for more air. “Max Bash heard
some shots on the way out to his ranch.
He said he saw your horse tied in a draw.”
“It’s true Alonzo, I shot
them to keep them from bushwhacking my friends here.”
The
boy stared at him horrified, “Marty why didn’t you tell the sheriff? He thinks you killed them cause of the run
in s you had when they worked for the Stock Growers.”
“Better
get on home son,” Cress said nervously looking around.
The
boy paused for a moment and then nodded crushed by the revelation.
“Reckon
we best get movin’,” Marty said.
****************************
“Time
to go on watch boys,” Marty said a day later nudging the two sleeping men as he
and Cress moved to turn in.
Kid
and Heyes sat up sleepily and began pulling on their boots.
“Look I don’t exactly know how to tell you this after the deal we made, but I think you can see the sit