For some life lasts a short while, but the memories it holds last forever.
-Laura Swenson

"I still don't like it Heyes," Kid Curry said glumly from his horse, which was picking its away along the slate ridge with questionable success. "We're been pushing our luck visiting Wyoming as it is, but this close to Devil's Hole? Just too many people that can recognize us."

"Now Kid our luck has held so far. And we'll be over the border by tomorrow into Colorado and you can sleep easy then," Heyes said cheerfully, always a sure sign he was lying.

"I think Lom just calls us up here sometimes just to see if we can get in and out alive," Kid went on annoyed. He was tired and hungry and the job Lom had promised hadn't amounted to more than a hundred dollars, which wasn't much when you considered it had nearly taken that much in ammunition to get them out of it alive.

"You'll feel better after a hot meal and a soft bed," Heyes said dreaming of both him self.

"You really planning on stopping in Rawlings? Heyes we hoorahed that town so many times even the stray dogs know us."

"Yea, but we got friends there, people in that town owe us," Heyes said confidently.

"Maybe when we had gold in our pocket, but now were just worth gold turned in," Kid said cynically.

"Kid just once I wish you would…" Heyes stopped realizing his partner was no longer behind him. Turning his horse slightly he looked back to see Kid was off his, gun in hand.

"What?" Heyes said instantly alert.

"There," Kid said pointing and replacing his gun left his horse and began a slippery descent down the hill they were navigating.

Heyes dismounted and collecting the horses' reins stared trying to see what his partner's sharp eye had caught and then he saw it.

A body, clearly thrown from the trail, almost hidden in the early autumn leaves.

"It's Gravy!" Kid yelled up. "And he's alive!"

*************************************

"How is he Doc?" Heyes asked as he and Kid rose up from the chairs in the Doctor's waiting room. They had gotten lucky not only finding the Doctor in, but that he was new to town and unaware of how much business they had brought his predecessor.

"Well with a bullet wound and exposure a man his age should be dead," the physician said wiping his hands wearily. "But I suspect he's too ornery to see it that way."

Kid broke into a grin of relief; "Can we see him?"

"Yes, but not too long," the doctor said and paused. "That was a very fortuitous chance you finding him like that, and knowing him as well. Oh and by the way he made me swear I wouldn't get the sheriff. Do you know why he's so hell bent on letting someone get away with nearly killing him?"

"Gravy probably wants to see to it himself," Heyes smiled poker faced.

"That's another thing," the young doctor said shaking his head. "What kind of name is that?"

"He's a cook Doc, rode most of the trails during the big cattle drives," Heyes said. "That's where we first met him."

Appeased the Doctor finally led them into the small room he kept for emergencies and leaving the two ex-outlaws they hurried over to the bed where the wizened and lined face watched them with sharp hawk like eyes.

"Thank ye boys," he said hoarsely.

"Just glad we came along when we did Gravy," Kid smiled affectionately. The old cook had been put out to pasture when the bulk of the cattle drives were moved to using the railroad to transport their beef. Stumbling across the old man drunk and penniless they had offered him a job as cook at Devil's Hole and he had been there ever since.

"Who did this Gravy?" Heyes said pulling up a chair.

"Kruger."

"Dan Kruger?" Kid said instantly alert remembering the dangerous southerner who had challenged Heyes for the leadership of the gang and lost badly before being thrown out of the hide out. "Wheat let him back into the Hole?"

"Wheat, others gone. Rode in with…strangers."

"Why would they want you out of the Hole?" Heyes said confused.

"Cause I saw the little girl."

"The what?" Kid said.

"Kidnapped, wasn't suppose to see her."

Kid and Heyes looked at each other worried. This kind of thing could give the Hole a bad name.

"So they shot you?" Heyes said unable to believe anyone had thought the old cook a threat.

"Kruger and another fella, said I needed to come with them to get supplies. Just outside the Hole I figured out what they was gonna do and made a run for it. Shot me…left me for dead."

"Ransom?" Kid said looking at Heyes. "Those fools are gonna get an army after them."

"Not money, revenge," Gravy coughed. "Little girl's name is Jessie Lincoln."

****************************

"The President's granddaughter?" Kid said still not quite believing it. "Heyes if that were true why isn't everyone talking about it?"

They had left the doctor's office after paying the bill and being assured their old gang member would be looked after.

"Maybe cause they don't want everyone knowing. Country still healing up after the war, this wouldn't do it any good," Heyes said his mind working a mile a minute. "Kid this is bad, you know someone, somewhere is gonna find a way to tie this to us or the gang."

"Ain't too good for the little girl either," Kid said dryly.

Heyes gave him a look, "I wasn't saying I…"

Kid held up a hand, "I know, I know, sorry, just hasn't that family had enough grief? Heyes we gotta do something, if only for Willie."

Heyes looked up sharply a memory from a life time ago flooding back to him.

"Kid that was 20 years ago!"

"Don't make no difference and you know it," Kid replied in that stubborn voice Heyes knew from experience meant trouble.

"Look do you realize how many things could go wrong for us if we get involved in this? They'll end up blaming us for sure and we'll hang!"

"And if we don't some idiot will try and send an army in there and she'll be as good as dead," Kid said eyes cold as granite.

"But it isn't OUR problem!" Heyes growled at him.

They walked along in silence and Heyes cursed him mutely.

His cousin was just waiting for him to break. Damn him he could wait him out better than anyone he'd ever known. It was like a wordless argument was going on and Kid always had the advantage in those, man could say more by not saying a thing; drove him crazy sometimes.

"You realize this will probably get one of us killed?"

Kid remained poker face, not for one moment letting on that he had noted that Heyes had changed the tense.

"Look I don't want the little girl to die either! I liked Willie too and I'm sorry what happened to his family, but…" he stopped a thought occurring to him and Kid bit back a smile.

"And?"

"Buy me a drink I might have an idea."

**************************************

It was not that a good many occupants of the Maybelle saloon didn't recognize Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry when they entered. It was that they were arguing so dangerously with each other that suddenly $10,000 didn't seem like that much money; when trying to get it might mean a gun or two being emptied into you.

As for the ex-outlaws they didn't seem to notice anyone or care who was overhearing their conversation.

"I told you Heyes I'm sick of it. Go straight you say, live high and easy, well all I've been doing is sleeping hard with an empty belly!"

"Look we've been doing just fine all these years with me doing the thinking, keep that in mind, you'd starve without me."

"What am I doing now!" Kid roared slamming his glass on the table. "I am sick of your high and mighty know it all carrying on! And for your information its me that's been keeping you alive all these years and right now I'm real close to demonstrating how!"

"You ungrateful…" Heyes made to swing at him, but Kid ducked and returned a punch that send Heyes crashing against the bar.

"Back off Heyes, were done. You be smart and stay out of my way from now on."

"Where the hell do you think your going?" Heyes yelled after him rubbing his jaw.

"Back to where the money and life is easy."

"What you think you can run the gang without me!" Heyes jeered.

"Heyes I got news for you, I always did, you were just window dressing."

And grabbing the whiskey bottle from the bar Kid Curry slammed out of the saloon causing those around the door to scatter in fear.

Hannibal Heyes got up slowly the rage emanating him enough to keep every man in the room from saying a word. That he was just as dangerous as Curry not one of them doubted and the few that had seen him angry before almost feared him more.

Heyes was a loose cannon and he didn't cool off like Curry did, he just simmered until he'd worked out how to get his revenge.

"Well what the hell are you all looking at?" Heyes growled turning his eyes on the room like a cougar sizing up his next prey.

"Heyes honey let me put some ice on that!" a female voice said. Only a woman would be fool enough to mess with the outlaw the men thought, but were grateful for her diverting him.

Heyes turned to stare into the concerned eyes of Sheila, who had known him since he had joined the gang. Never pretty, she had gotten by on her youth and now even that was deserting her.

"Where's your room?" he said slipping an arm around her.

"This way honey, don't you worry."

There was a collective sigh as the disappeared into a back room and Heyes slammed the door shut.

They pitied her, but not enough to intervene. Better he work off some of that rage on an old whore than one of them.

**********************************

"Did he see it?" Kid asked stepping out of the shadows as Heyes shut the door.

"Every word, heck I almost thought you two had quit partnering by the time you were done!" Sheila smiled amused as the two cousins grinned at each other like cats that cornered the canary. They had always been good to her, even when others started passing her by. Treated her with respect and just being with them made her feel younger and worth something. So when Heyes had come up and asked for a favor it hadn't taken gold to convince her.

"All right Dapper at the stable said they were leaving as soon as their wagon was filled that gives us about ten minutes. Sheila you know what to do?" Heyes said grabbing his saddlebags.

"Get this telegram to Lom as soon as Kid and you leave," she said eyes shining with excitement. "You sure they won't see you hid in their wagon?" she asked worried.

"Not with that wagon, little special number Heyes had built for just this purpose," Kid grinned.

"And since their wagon has unexplainably busted an axle they are going to have to use that one to get all those supplies back up to Devil's Hole," Heyes smiled, but then it faded as he glanced over at Kid checking his gun. "I'm more worried about Kruger up and shooting you the minute he sees your heading for the Hole."

"He won't see me until I want him too, quit worrying," Kid said calmly.

"There are six of them Kid," Heyes felt the need to go on.

"Which is why my gun is loaded for that," Kid said simply. "You just do your part and I'll do mine."

"Maybe you should be the one in the wagon…"

"HEYES! Now quit worrying, it’s a good plan, its gonna work, besides I can't come back dead or you'll never get a chance to get me back for that punch."

"You call that a punch? Grandma Heyes had a better right hook than that," Heyes said, but there was no humor in his voice.

"Just get her out safe Heyes," Kid said understanding. "We promised Willie."

****************************************

"He still there?" the lanky dark haired man driving the wagon along the unseen trail said nervously.

"He sure is," Kruger said running a hand through his own dark curls. He would be the last to admit Curry trailing them was unnerving him. If it had been Heyes he would have instantly found a spot to bushwhack him. He still carried the scar from his battle for the gang against Heyes and his bitterness only matched his wariness. But Curry's fight with Heyes had warmed him to the gunslinger. About time he woke up to Heyes's egotistical controlling nature. "Quit your worrying Remmer I can handle him."

"Least we got this wagon. Colonel would not have been pleased if we had shown up without the supplies," Remmer said trying to keep his voice steady.

"Yea that little creep at the stable thought he could charge us for renting it after sabotaging ours."

"You showed him Kruger! Why this one is even bigger and better!"

"Just like the Devil's Hole Gang is gonna be with us running it!"

"Hey he's gone!"

"What?" Kruger looked back and felt his blood run cold. It was said Heyes and Curry had ways into the hideout that only they knew. The Colonel would kill them if they let him get in unnoticed.

"Hurry it up, Colonel is gonna want to know about this."

*******************************

"I'll have them strung up when we catch them!" the large red faced General roared as he paced the Porterville jail swishing his riding crop haphazardly and causing Sheriff Lom Trevors to exhale impatiently while he waited for the tirade to stop.

"They were only trying to help," Lom tried again speaking more to the distinguished looking man wearily sitting in the chair next to his desk.

"They are outlaws! Probably hoping to get a part of the ransom!" the General snapped back.

Something in Lom snapped as well. He had been bullied and harassed since the military man had descended on his office and finally decided it was time to re-take control.

"General Harris, Heyes and Curry have spent the last year doing their best to go straight. But even if they were still outlawing they would never even consider hurting a woman let a lone a little girl." He turned his attention back to the distraught father sitting silently. "Now if they went after your daughter sir its because they thought they could rescue her and from the telegram Heyes sent I think they were pretty close to doing just that. So why don't we just give them the 24 hours they asked for and save a lot of men and maybe that little girl's life?"

He spoke with such authority that even the General grunted some agreement.

"All right Trevors its gonna take me that long to get an army together. But if those two have not returned with the Secretary of War's daughter I am marching into Devil's Hole with an army!"

****************************

For the third time in as little months Hannibal Heyes found himself riding into Devil's Hole under less than ideal circumstances.

He was pleased to find the hidden compartment he had designed not only was durable, but endurable and he suffered the trip lost in thought about what lay ahead.

That Kid could handle himself he had no doubt. His younger cousin could more than hold his own even without his gun, but what kind of men was he going up against?

Kidnapping a child and a child from a family who had suffered so much hinted at a mindset far beyond merciless and it worried him.

Not to mention that anyone thinking they could get away with such a crime had to be completely mad.

So just what or who was waiting for his cousin at Devil's Hole?

********************************

Kruger pulled his horse in tried not to appear nervous as he dismounted.

Colonel Wesley had been waiting and he even now the ramrod straight older man with his short clipped graying hair dominated the compound despite the rougher and more dangerous looking men waiting with him.

"This is not our wagon," was all he said and waited for explanation.

Kruger hitched up his pants and coughed, "Yes sir, other broke an axle, or so the stable said. Tried to rent us this one, but we knew a swindle when we smelt one and we got it for free in exchange," he added proudly.

"Kruger you’re a bigger fool than I took you for," the man merely replied and stepping up to the wagon circled it and then finally with a hard kick caused the hidden compartment to drop open. "Did it never occur to you that the enemy might be giving you a Trojan horse?" And pulling out his pistol fired the entire contents into the wagon.

*********************************************

Porterville, Wyoming

"You have known these men a long time Sheriff?" Robert Lincoln said quietly as he watched the rain from the window of the sheriff office. He was tall man like his father, the President's last surviving child and, the prospect of another tragedy seemed to tear at him ruthlessly.

"Yes sir, nearly ten years. I rode with them during my outlaw days."

"And you trust them?"

"Yes sir I do," Lom said trying to find the words that would give the man some hope. "Heyes, well he really is the genius they write about. Never met a man who could size up a problem and how to beat it as fast as he could. Got an imagination and sixth sense about people that is plain magic to watch."

"But Curry he is gunslinger isn't he?"

"Yea I guess in the strictest sense he is. But I never once ever saw him draw first in anger, even when provoked. Man has a real decent streak running through him and believe it or not he's the one who more times than most keeps Heyes from blowing up."

"I just don't understand why they would risk their lives to help my daughter."

Lom let a small smile escape. "Oh they'll tell you it was because they thought they would get blamed or Heyes just wanted to see if he could do it. But truth be known those two are far better men than they would want to let on and easy marks for just about any sob story they run across."

"Then how on earth did men as good as you are painting them get into outlawing?"

"War, lost their parents in the border wars and like a lot of men drifted into it. But they are trying to get out and I respect them for it."

"I hope you are right about them Sheriff," Lincoln said his voice breaking.

"Sir you have the two most clever, dangerous and honorable men I have ever met trying to rescue your daughter, if she were mine I wouldn't want anyone else."

***************************************

"Nothing," one of the men said crawling out from under the wagon.

Kruger let out a sigh of relief, but Wesley was not as appeased.

"You two men back track see if you find any tracks of a man on foot."

The men moved for their horses when suddenly a rider appeared out of the trees.

"How the hell did he get in here!?" Wesley snarled.

"That's Kid Curry, we saw him on the trail, he used to lead the gang with …"

"I know who Curry is," Wesley snapped and waited as Kid slowly road up looking unconcerned about being out numbered 6 to 1.

"Afternoon," he said quietly. "Wheat around?"

"I'm running the Hole now," Wesley said quietly.

Kid nodded digesting this piece of information.

"Need a bed for a night or so, names Curry."

"I know who you are," Wesley said.

"Then you know I'm no threat to you," Kid said calmly.

"That remains to be seen, take his gun."

"First man tries is gonna be the first man you gotta bury," Kid said calmly.

"You are outnumbered Curry."

"No sir."

"No one is that quick."

"He is," Kruger said quietly.

Wesley turned on him angrily.

"Look I don't want any trouble, just a bed," Kid said simply.

Wesley eyed his men, the confidence Curry was exuding was causing them to doubt and while each were good shots it was usually with a rifle behind a rock. He didn't need any casualties right now, not when they were this close.

"Come in and let's talk," Wesley said finally indicating the Leader's cabin.

"Thank you kindly," Kid said calmly. "Just put my horse up."

Kid dismounted and taking the reins of his horse turned towards the stable.

"Curry ain't nobody that fast," one of the men said seizing the opportunity to go for his gun.

And for his attempt he fell hard bleeding and in pain.

"I am," Kid said and waited for anyone else to express doubts on his ability.

"Damn fool, take him inside," Wesley said disgusted and headed for the cabin. "Kruger we need to talk."

********************************************

"Any problems," Kid whispered softly as he pulled the saddle of his horse.

"Nope," Heyes offered softly. "Too busy looking at you to notice me slipping out. That Wesley seems like a sharp character."

"Definitely military," Kid agreed. "Any sign of the child?"

"Nothing yet, I'll signal when I find here. By the way nice shooting."

"Let's hope I made my point," Kid said in reply and turning left the stable.

*****************************************

"I tell you he and Heyes had a hell of a fight, broke up for good," Kruger said convinced by what he had seen. "Bound to happen eventually they were always arguing.

"You think Curry wants to take over the gang again?"

"Sounded like it."

"Well if he is looking for work this could prove useful, provided we can trust him. Show him in."

Kruger left leaving Wesley to consider the situation. He didn't trust Curry for a minute, too coincidental, but that didn't mean he couldn't prove useful if the man thought there was money in it for him.

There was a knock at the door and Wesley gave a curt command to enter.

Curry did removing his hat and shutting the door.

"Mr. Curry I am unsure what to do with you. I understand you wish to return to the Devil's Hole Gang. We are at the moment using this hide out for our own purposes. I cannot have anyone here that could compromise my mission."

"Mister I got my own troubles, I got no hankering to buy into yours," Kid said calmly.

"Kruger painted a rather chilling picture of you."

"His beef is with my ex-partner, not me."

"I am confused as to why you let the man who drew on you live, unusual for a hired gun."

"I wasn't getting paid to kill."

"So you'll kill for a price?"

"Mister," Kid said taking a seat and stretching out. "I'll do just about anything at this point for a price. Now I don't know what you're up to and like I said I don't care. But I do know this territory and for allowing me to rest up and think out my next move I'd be willing to share some of my experience."

"How do I know I can trust you?"

"You can't unless I'm working for you."

"I don't like mercenaries."

"And I don't like men who give me the run around. I'm the best, now you can either take advantage of that or not, your call."

Wesley stared at him trying to read behind the poker face, but Curry gave nothing away and he found himself liking the man and his backbone.

"Fair enough. Spare room here, your old one I gather, its yours if you want it."

"Mighty kind of you," Kid said not dropping his guard one-inch.

"Where you hail from Curry?" Wesley said curious.

"Kansas, border town."

"Jayhawker?"

"No, but I have killed more than one man for suggesting it," Kid said. "Bushwhacker, Quantrill took me on a kid when my folks died."

"Ah so that's where you learned to shoot."

"You?"

"Georgia. Though I spent a good deal of the war in Andersonville. Please don't give me your pity. I found it a rather profitable setting. You know Mr. Curry if I ever decide your telling the truth I think this could be the beginning of a very useful partnership. My men with the exception of Kruger have no idea what I have done, they are merely hired guns whose loyalty I have bought." The older man let his hand linger longer on Kid's shoulder than necessary. "You could do worse than align yourself with me."

Kid groaned inwardly, no his luck was not that bad.

But he merely replied, "Worth considering."

**********************************

Heyes knew every place to hide anything of value in Devil's Hole, hell he'd come up with most of them over the years, but this had him stumped.

He had managed to check out the bunkhouse, the stable, supply shack even the smokehouse, but nothing. Where was the bastard keeping her?

"Anything?" Kid said softly as he stepped out under the pretense of relieving himself.

"Nothing, it's got me stumped," Heyes said from the tree above him.

"Don't think obvious, we got a real odd one here Heyes," Kid sighed. "Spent time at Andersonville and it left a mark. Your looking in places a sane man would keep a child, that's why you can't find her."

"Just great, I knew we had to be dealing with a lunatic. What about the other men?"

"With the exception of Kruger, just hired guns, they haven't got a clue who that little girl is. By the way she was in my old room, but it looks like they moved her recently."

"He let you in there?'

"Heyes I'm staying in there."

"How did you manage that?" his partner asked amazed.

Kid sighed, "He likes me."

"What do you mean?"

"He's takin' a likin to me."

"Well that's good isn't it?" Heyes asked confused his mind still on the problem.

"No Heyes a likin' as in that cattle boss we had out of Fort Worth?"

Heyes froze and swallowed, "You are jokin'."

"No Heyes trust me that's not something I joke about."

"You gonna be all right?"

"Yea I can keep him at bay for the moment, don't want to upset him until I have to though, so if you'd just hurry I'd be real obliged."

"There is one place I haven't looked, remember that abandoned well? But he couldn't be that sick."

"Heyes, he idolizes Bloody Bill and to be honest I don't think he intends to give her back even if he gets the ransom."

"Heading there now and Kid? Watch yourself."

"Don't worry Heyes I'm not a green thirteen year old boy this time."

********************************

Heyes hurried through the approaching darkness afraid of what was waiting for him. The old well had been left open because during the rainy season it would still fill up. Heyes had used it more than once to hide loot in, but surely the man wasn't crazy enough.

"Hello?" he whispered down into the hole.

A small sob came back in reply.

"Son of a…" Heyes cursed pulling off his jacket and testing the rope. "Sweetheart can you hear me? I'm here to help you."

He heard some movement, but no reply.

"Jessie my name is Heyes, I know your father."

"You do?" came a little voice.

"That's right honey and I'm gonna get you back to your mom and dad," Heyes said climbing up on the edge of the well. "Now I'm gonna come down and help you out of there okay?"

"Its scary, there are bugs and..and things."

"I know sweetheart, but you don't have to be afraid any more I promise."

But as for you Wesley… Heyes growled to himself, it may take me some time, but I'm gonna plan a payback worthy of your worst nightmare.

************************************

To Kid's relief Wesley seemed content to let Kid wander into the bunkhouse and join the poker game going on.

After a hand or two the men began to relax especially when Kid produced the whiskey from his saddlebags. Most were two bit rustlers and penny anti crooks and it was heady stuff sitting at Devil's Hole playing poker with Kid Curry himself. And Kid helped it along with stories from the Gang's past and losing enough to seem human. Combined with the liquor he slowly gained their trust and eager to meet his approval downed the generous shots of whiskey he kept pouring.

"Men like you, always did, you were never like Heyes," Kruger said following Kid out onto the porch where he had gone under the pretext of a breath of fresh air. "Smart mood you made in town Curry."

"Yea should have done it years ago," Kid said in agreement leaning over the railing like he didn't have a care in the world.

"Look this job with Wesley is just a one oft, man is to fanatical for my tastes."

"What exactly is this job anyway?"

"Nothing you need worry about, but when its done I'm gonna have a nice healthy bank roll to start rebuilding this gang with."

"You mean to take over Devil's Hole?"

"Yup and I could use a good right hand man with a gun arm like you got."

"Sounds interesting."

"You could do worse."

"I all ready did," Kid said bitterness in his voice. "What say we open another bottle of whiskey and salute our new partnership!"

Kruger grinned and slapped him on the back. With Curry backing him he could do anything!

But Kid didn't notice his excitement.

Someone had opened the stable window.

Heyes had the child.

*************************************

Jessie Lincoln let the stranger bundle her up in his coat and despite the fading light she could feel his smile as he talked to her and found herself responding to it.

"Do you really know my daddy?"

"Yelled at me for eating all the cookies," Heyes said honestly.

She managed a little smile, "Daddy really likes cookies."

"Oatmeal raison right?" Heyes said carrying her over to the trees out sight.

"You do know him!" she said flinging her arms around his neck and starting to sob.

The small act was enough to dislodge any impartiality from Heyes frame of reference. He was going to beat Wesley into the ground and then stuff what was left down that well.

"Do you have any cookies?" she asked softly and he wondered the last time she had been fed.

"Does your daddy let you eat cookies before dinner," he countered trying to keep her distracted and reaching up pulled an apple free from the tree above them.

He felt her smile and giggle, "No," but then she went strangely quiet. "I didn't get breakfast or lunch either. That man got mad when I cried and he made them put me in…in there."

She heaved out another sob and the only answer he had was to hold her closer.

**********************************

Kid walked into the cabin and noted the light was on in Heyes's old room. Time to start a distraction he decided firmly and checking his gun walked over to the pantry and began stuffing cans into an old flour sack.

***********************************

"Still hungry?" Heyes whispered softly at the little bundle tucked under his arm on her 2^nd apple.

"Can I have some more water?"

"Sure you can," Heyes smiled passing her the canteen. As soon as Kid saw the signal they had to be ready to ride. He wasn't sure what his friend was planning, but if past experience was any indication it was going to be interesting.

"Your afraid about your friend aren't you?" Jessie said staring at him, her eyes large and frightened.

Heyes shook off his gloom and gave her his best smile, "Oh my friend is very good at looking after himself."

"Doesn’t matter. So was my grandfather and they killed him."

She said it so matter of fact Heyes put an arm around her and sat her on his lap.

"Your grandfather was a very special man. Do you know I met him?"

"Really? Your that old?"

Heyes laughed, "Well I wasn't much older than you when it happened, neither was my cousin. Actually he is the reason it happened, " Heyes sighed heavily. "He was always getting into trouble."

"Like now?"

Heyes grinned, "Well something like now, would you like to hear about it?"

She nodded eagerly and turned around on his lap to face him giving him her complete attention.

Heyes managed a forced smile, Kid I hope this distracts both of us because you are beginning to worry me.

***********************************

"Han you should see it, ain't never seen a train like it in my whole life!" Six year old Jedediah Curry said his blue eyes wide with awe. "It's parked down by the river siding under some trees. Its got flags and brass bells and…"

Eight-year-old Hannibal Heyes frowned at his younger cousin. It wasn't so much he didn't like trains, but the fact that he had not been the one to make the discovery. Though still young Heyes enjoyed being the one to dazzle and awe his peers especially his cousin. It didn't do at all for Jed to make such a find especially when it overshadowed his news.

"You ain't even said what you think of the fort!" Heyes said annoyed and Jed gave their hideout atop his father's barn a quick once over. They had been working on it all summer and both had taken exceptional pride in the view it commanded of the countryside around their two farms. But it was hardly news and then he saw it. Heyes had rigged up a mock telescope just like the one in the pirate ship book Heyes' father was reading to them.

"Han that's great! Why I bet we can see the train from here with that!" Jed said happily.

Heyes groaned, that stupid train again! Trains were all Jed could think about some days. Why even when they played battle with their tin soldiers he was always turning a rock into a train and running them over! It just wouldn't do!

"That all you got to say? You know how much work this took to get up here!" Han said exasperated.

"No Han I think its jake really," he said and not wanting his cousin to lapse into one of his moods took a proper look at it and had to confess it really was something special. "Your Pa help you?"

"Maybe," Heyes sulked.

Jed considered this. Usually he was willing to talk his friend out of a mope, but today he just didn't feel inclined.

"You wanna come with me to see the train?" Jedediah bravely asked.

Heyes looked at him incredulously, "You ain't allowed all the way down to there! Your Pa would skin you alive."

"He ain't gonna know."

"Well you Ma will, she's got eyes in the back of her head."

"She's over with your Ma. You coming?" Jed asked making for the ladder.

"No I am not," Heyes said and waited for his cousin to hesitate, but Jedediah Curry's mind was on one thing and nothing short of divine or parental intervention was going to stop him.

"Fine," Jed said puffing out his chest cause he had heard that made him look older.

"They catch you your gonna get a whoopin'," Heyes pointed out maturely.

"Worth it," Jed said carelessly.

"I ain't coming with you."

"Didn’t ask you too," Jed pointed out turning and continuing on.

"He'll be back," Heyes said turning back to their fort and the pulley he had traded his mother's sewing basket for (she always said she wished she could never see it again). It was going to make bringing up supplies so much easier once he rigged it up.

Ten minutes went by and frustrated Heyes looked up from his work. Jed should have been back by now. He couldn't do this alone, what was his cousin thinking.

Standing he looked out the window of their hideout and frowned when he could see no sign of the younger boy. Worried he peered out the telescope his father had helped him make and gasped. There almost over the far hill was Jed, trudging along without a care in the world.

"Jed no!" Heyes groaned as his younger cousin began sliding down the hill to the remote rail siding.

Despite his annoyance Heyes opinion of the smaller boy went up a notch. It had taken courage to go that far alone. But quickly the realization of what their parents would do to them and him for letting Jed go off alone kicked in.

Scrambling down from the roof of the barn he hurried over to where he had tied up the old horse his parents let him use to ride back and forth between the farms. Emerald didn't go very fast as far as horses went, but she was a mite size quicker than a boy and Jed in particular.

Tying up the horse in the bushes on the hill above he looked down in time to see Jed crawl under the train and disappear among its massive wheels.

"I swear Jed Curry you are more trouble than a body can bear!" Heyes said through gritted teeth as he scrambled down after him and suddenly found himself stopped as he slammed into a hard pair of legs and felt two strong arms grab hold of him.

"Where you think your going boy?" the man growled and Heyes looked up into a weather worn face filled with a thick mustache.

"To see the train," Heyes lied.

"Well this here is a private train for important folks," the man said ominously. "So run along fore they shoot you for trespassing!"

He let Heyes go and gave him a push back up the hill where Heyes hurried off as if the threat had frightened him. Well if he were honest it had. If he came home with his cousin shot he was gonna be in six kinds of trouble.

"Jed," Heyes said under his breath and muttered an oath he had learned from his grandfather. Kin!

Reached the top of the hill he sat down under a tree feeling highly put upon and considered going home and just letting his parents deal with the problem.

But how did you get on a train without anyone seeing you?

***************************************

The gun going off made them both jump. It was followed by breaking glass and a loud yehaw that brought a pained grin to Heyes's face.

"Are the bad men coming?" Jessie asked clinging to him terrified.

"No sweetheart that's just my partner keeping them busy with a little gunplay. Come on were going to get you out of here!"

*****************************

Kid, as a rule, never felt the need to show off just how well he handled the six gun strapped to his hip. But over the years the daily practice he was dedicated to had often taken on slight variations as he attempted to see just how versatile one could be with a peacemaker.

And now as everyone stumbled out bleary eyed to the compound he proceeded to impress the group with each bullet doing tricks worthy of any wild west show.

"Damn it Kruger how much whiskey did he drink?" Wesley roared as Kid tossed up another empty whiskey bottle into the night sky.

"Didn't have much sir," Kruger said voice slurred. "Hell you see that?" the man said distracted at Kid's showmanship.

"Damn outlaws," Wesley swore. "Whose on guard duty?"

"I am sir!" One of the men said raising a hand with a whiskey bottle.

"Where the hell did you get that?"

"Well Mr. Curry said they always gave a man on look out a bottle on cold nights…"

"Damn it give me that, get back to your post."

"Boy he sure can shoot can't he?"

"I'm gonna shoot all of you when you sober up in the morning," Wesley roared. "Now back to bed!"

In answer Kid shot the cork off the bottle in Wesley's hand.

"Drinks on me Colonel!"

***********************

Heyes pulled the horse up to the rail shack and squinted back into the early morning light. They had cleared Devil's Hole without incident, but by now the camp would have realized the child was gone. Which meant Kid would have his hands full if things had not gone well.

He looked down and smiled in spite of it all. Jessie had slept through the entire trip. Hiding the horse he carried her inside and laid her down on the makeshift cot relieved to see Sheila had left the supplies he had requested.

Starting a fire he warmed up the soup she had left and was relieved when the child opened her eyes at the smell.

"You didn't tell me how the story ended," she said accusingly.

He grinned, "Your right, you hungry?"

"Yes sir."

"Me too, lets have something to eat and I'll tell you what happened."

**************************************

Little realizing the prophetic act he was contemplating, young Hannibal Heyes crawled effortlessly into the high branches of the trees making his way to the one overhanging the top of the train and dropping silently on to the car roof.

He lay their for a moment waiting to be caught, but when nothing happened he peeked his head up slowly and seeing the coast was clear began to inch his way over to the edge.

Once there he leaned over and peered down a the open window and in one swift motion swung through it in a move he would adept years later to include locomotive engines.

Silently he stood and considered the door he had landed in front of. A certain odd thrill had overcome any fear he had started the venture with and cautiously he turned the knob grinning when it moved under pressure.

Slipping in the door he let his eyes adjust to the cool darkness and the finery all around him. It looked like the Mayor's posh parlor with its velvet curtains and carved chairs and for a moment he was content to take it all in impressed and then he saw them.

There in the middle of the floor, partly hidden by a chair they had moved, deeply entranced in a battle with toy soldiers was Jed with another little boy with dark hair about his age.

"Jed!" Heyes said completely disgusted with him.

"Hi Han, this is Willie, come see his soldiers! He's got cannons!"

Heyes stood there wanting to cry. Here he had gone to all that trouble, risked his life and Jed didn't even care! It was a humbling experience and he wiped his hand across his eyes not wanting the tears forming to fall.

Jed looked up when he didn't move and frowned. "Han?" he said and got up.

"I gotta go," Han said miserable turning to leave.

"Please don't," said the stranger. "Jedediah has told me so much about you! He says you have the best ideas and you even have a fort!"

Han turned, he was a sucker for flattery his mother always said, but Han saw it more as people recognizing the truth of a thing.

"Yea, I guess so," he said digging his hands in his pockets.

"Han the cannons fire cannon balls!"

Heyes looked up, hurt feelings gone, a boy had to keep things in perspective.

The game began in serious earnest then. Heyes had always complained he never had enough men to properly cover a battle field (and using stones in place of men always got confusing as people were forever not sure which rock was which side.)

But Willie had over 200 men! And two separate armies at that! So without a grown up in sight they quickly took over the desk, the sofa and most of the floor fighting the 'greatest battle for supremacy in the known world" (Heyes had read that in a book once and always wanted to see what such a battle looked like).

"You hungry?" Jed said looking up two hours later.

Han just rolled his eyes, he was about to launch the cavalry, how could Jed think of things like that now.

"I got some licorice," he volunteered and pulled the lint covered string from his pocket where it was dutifully cut in three pieces and consumed.

"Would you like some cookies? I could ask my brother for some," Willie said eager to do anything to keep his two new friends.

'You have a brother? Doesn't he want to play?" Jed asked interested.

"I have 3, but just Robert is with Father and I. He's old though, he's going to college to be a lawyer."

"I'm going to college to be president," Heyes decided suddenly.

"My father is going to be president," Willie said simply.

The two Kansas cousins looked at each other and grinned.

"Your dad can't be president," Heyes said with great authority.

"Yes he can, if everyone votes for him."

"I'd vote for him," Jed said suddenly.

"Thanks!" Willie smiled. "I'll go get us some cookies."

He disappeared and came back a moment later with his pockets stuffed with cookies and a pitcher of milk which Heyes helped rescue.

"I couldn't carry the glasses," Willie explained.

"Its okay tastes better out of the pitcher," Heyes said taking a slug of milk and passing it on.

Willie watched fascinated, "I never drank it that way, my mother would be very upset."

"So are ours when they catch us," Jed grinned sinking back with a cookie; life was good, they were still warm!

"You always live on a train?" Heyes asked savoring the cookies finally realizing how hungry he was.

"No just when my father is campaigning. He's giving a speech today. How high did you say your fort is?"

"Least a hundred feet or so," Heyes said honestly because it was in his mind.

"I don't think it's that high Han," Jed said better with things in a more concrete reality.

"You wanna see it?" Heyes said feeling magnanimous after the cookies.

"You mean it!?" the boy asked.

"Yup but you gotta be a member of our gang," Jed said mouth full of cookie.

"Is it hard?" Willie asked worried.

"Nah, just gotta take an oath," Heyes said. "Stand up."

Willie leapt to his feet excited. "I never took an oath before! I've never even been in a gang!"

"I told you he has good ideas," Jed whispered to him.

"I…you gotta say what I say," Heyes explained patiently.

"I."

"Say your name."

"William Wallace Lincoln."

The two cousins looked at each other impressed most of their friends said say your name.

"Do hereby swear to protect the secrets and plans of our gang and look after each other no matter what."

Willie stumbled through it and then followed the two cousins spitting into their hands and solemnly shook hands with each of them. It was a grand moment.

"Okay your in the gang, but just remember I'm leader," Heyes warned him.

"I don't mind," Willie said happily.

"Maybe we should get some cookies," Jed said practically as they moved to the door.

"I took them all, even my brothers," Willie confessed.

"Then we better get out of here fore he realizes," Heyes said sensibly.

But their happiness was short lived as suddenly the train jerked to life.

"It’s moving!" Jed gasped part in delight, part in fear.

"Where is it headed?" Heyes said whirling on Willie.

"Washington DC!"

Jed turned and stared at him horrified.

"I think were gonna be late for dinner," Heyes sighed.

**********************************

Colonel Jefferson Wesley walked stiffly through the bunkhouse disgusted as he passed between the snoring men. No sign of Curry, no doubt sleeping it out in the barn where he had fallen after that damn fast draw lesson he had given Kruger.

But it didn't matter he would have his revenge. Lincoln and his Union had cost him everything. The money split only one way would give him a new start and the Lincoln family could rot wondering what happened to the child.

On that thought he moved to the well checking his gun as he walked. He would take care of her and then ride to pick up the ransom. Let his men take the brunt of the government's revenge when he left word of where they would find her.

He stopped as a figure stepped out from behind the well.

"Far enough Colonel."

He turned surprised at the sober face of Kid Curry.

"So I was right about you."

Kid tossed the last of the boots and guns into the well. "I'll be taking your horses with me. Should slow your men down long enough to be rounded up."

"And what do you intend to do with me," the man said softly.

"I've been giving that some thought, considered leaving you in the well to rot, but you might just find a way out. Then I thought about bringing you with me for trial, but this country don't need that and neither does the Lincoln family."

"Doesn't leave you many options unless you letting me go."

"No, can't do that either," Kid said removing his glove. "That little girl is gonna have enough bad dreams from this without her thinking you come after her again."

"So you are just going to kill me in cold blood?" the man sneered.

"Nope, that gun in your hand makes it fair. Fairer than what I think you were going to do to that child if she had still been here."

"What are you talking about! She's…"

"Gone, my partner saw to that last night while I was distracting you all."

Wesley let out a scream of rage and raised his gun.

His body went lifeless into the well.

*******************************

"I can't go to Washington, my Ma will kill me!" Jedediah said aghast.

"Come on it ain't going too fast we can jump, " Heyes said rushing to the door ready to leap. "Jed?"

"I can't Han, I'm scared," Jed said as the train began to pick up speed.

"Jed we gotta!" Heyes pleaded.

"You go, don't worry about me!"

Heyes considered this, it was tempting, but then the oath crossed his mind and he shook his head. "Can't Jed, gotta look after each other."

"Very commendable son," came a deep voice and all three boys turned to see a tall thin man with Willie's dark laughing eyes smiling at them. "Robert, I think I have found what happened to your cookies. Joseph ring the engine and tell him to stop the train," he called back to a servant as his oldest son stepped into the room and stared at his brother.

"Willie what have you been up to!"

"Playing with my friends," the boy told his older brother who almost smiled at the way the two strangers flanked him in support.

"I ate most of them sir," Jed volunteered with a heavy sigh.

It was too much for the older boy who had to turn away to hide his grin.

Willie's father was not so successful and started to laugh. "Looks like you had quite a battle here."

"It was Han, father, he planned the whole thing!" Willie said proudly pushing Heyes forward to take a bow.

To the two cousin's delight the man got down on his knees and carefully studied the scenario. "You have quite a military mind young man," he said nodding impressed. "When you get a bit older some see me I might just have a job for you."

Heyes beamed, "Thank you sir, but my cousin helped, he thought of putting the cannons on the sofa."

"Willie I think introductions are in order."

"Father this is Hannibal Heyes and Jedediah Curry, were a gang," he added proudly. "Fellas this is my father, Abraham Lincoln."

**********************************

The Curry farm had never been so popular. Grace Curry found herself hurrying inside for more lemonade as another carriage pulled up, this time with the Mayor himself in tow.

"Thought we were banned from his house after Hannibal and Jed's last visit with their mothers?" Daniel Heyes asked his brother in law softly.

"Yea well that was before they started hobnobbing with Senators," Jedediah's father said shaking his head amused.

"Curry what is the meaning of all this!" Mayor Montgomery said hurrying up to them with his wife all a flutter. "Been told you have the future President sitting on top of your barn!"

The farmer looked up and squinted at the ramshackle wooden structure on his barn clearly labeled: R Fort.

"Sir my father requests more cookies, the little white powdered ones if possible," Robert Lincoln said jumping down from the rope ladder.

"I'll tell Maureen," Heyes's father said biting back a smile.

"Mr. Curry is it true!?" the Mayor said in awe.

"Yes Mayor, it appears he is at that," the man's soft Irish brogue said unruffled. "Least wise if I get my vote. This is his son Robert."

"Well out of my way I must speak with him!" the Mayor said appalled at such improprieties.

"Afraid I can't let you Mayor," Robert Lincoln said politely, but firmly.

"But I'm the Mayor of Lawrence! Why can't I go up?" the Mayor said in his best pompous voice.

"Because sir," the young man said completely serious. "You aren't a member of the gang."

********************************************

Jessie stared wide-eyed impressed. "My father got to go in your fort! And my grandfather too!"

"Yup, even used my telescope to look for pirates," Heyes grinned remembering. "He and your grandfather were made honorary members of our gang. Your grandfather was real special man, Jessie."

"And you ate my daddy's cookies!" she giggled.

"Yea he didn't take that too well," Heyes admitted. "My cousin was always getting into trouble over things like that."

"And it's all really true?" she said desperate for it to be.

"Well except for that part about me always being in trouble," came a voice from the door.

The little girl jumped as Heyes went for his gun and then broke into a grin, "Took you long enough."

"Is that your cousin?" Jessie said cowering next to Heyes as she looked at Kid not sure he looked like the nice little boy in the story she had just heard.

Kid walked over and crouched down in front of her removing his hat, "Yes ma'am, Jed Curry at your service."

She studied him suspicious and then softly smiled, "Were you always in trouble like Mr. Heyes says?"

"Only because I was getting him out of trouble."

"That's what my big sister says about me."

Kid gave her his best understanding smile back.

"Can I go see my daddy now?"

"You sure can sweetheart," Heyes said rising as Kid gave him an all clear nod.

Taking Heyes by the hand she allowed him to lead her to the door and then stopped.

"Can girls join your gang?"

"Well ma'am as a rule we don't usually," Kid said honestly.

"But I think in your case we can make an exception," Heyes winked.

***********************************************

"24 hours Trevors, you said 24 hours!" General Harris bellowed across the desk. He had arrived only moments earlier with a guard in tow desperate to point out how wrong the Sheriff had been.

"And its been 23 and 48 minutes," came a voice from the doorway.

"Jessie!" Robert Lincoln said and as the child let out a cry of daddy he scooped her into his arms and held her desperately.

"Hannibal Heyes I presume," Harris said looking the outlaw up and down attempting to find some fault with him.

"Howdy Lom," Heyes smiled ignoring the man and his aide.

"Heyes," Lom grinned so wide his face seemed about to break.

"You boy are under arrest!" Harris said. "Sgt. Frank arrest this man…"

The gun clicking back made everyone turn.

"Easy boys don't want to scare the little girl, just drop them nice and slow," Kid said from the back door.

"Kid Curry I have no doubt!" Harris said disgusted.

"Afraid so sir. Howdy Lom, thought you'd have gotten a lock for that back door by now," Kid smiled joining the group.

"I did, just sometimes forget to lock," Lom said innocently.

Kid grinned.

"Did you get them?" Heyes asked as he opened the cell and escorted the two military men into it.

"Yup, warm too, didn't have a 100, is six enough?" Kid asked pulling the clean white napkin out of his pocket.

Jessie turned in her father's arms on the smell.

"Cookies!"

"Never break a promise to a gang member," Heyes said handing her the napkin and looking at Robert Lincoln smiled. "Or a friend, no matter how long ago it was made."

In June of 1859 Willie did indeed travel with his father and often accompanied him later when he reviewed the troops Willie and his brother loved animals and the white house was filled with gifts of dogs, rabbits, goats, and ponies.