Author’s Note: The following is a re-working of the Third Season Episode ‘Bushwhacked’ written by John Thomas James AKA Roy Huggins. 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.

COTTONWOOD, UTAH

The small town's idyllic quiet is suddenly broken by the sound of gunfire.

Suddenly two disreputable men burst from the front doors of the bank firing. A man goes down, then another. Reaching their horses the outlaw team of Mugs McGeehu and Hank Silvers mount up and firing again they charge their horses through town disappearing into the hot open desert.

It is not be the last we will see of them.

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

"Heyes you've been quiet too long you're making me nervous," Kid Curry said from his horse, which was slightly behind his partners. Around them the magnificent and stark landscape of Monument Valley made them feel open and exposed, while at the same time all alone in the world.

Hannibal Heyes looked up from his thoughts and let a small smile escape. Kid possessed one of the most prized attributes in a partner, his ability to know when to talk and when not to. His grandfather had called it knowing how to listen to silence. Heyes had met men who were good listeners, but few who could leave a man to his thoughts, but instinctively know when to reach in and gently coax him out.

"I was just thinking," Heyes admitted. They had played this game too many times for either man to rush it. It passed the time and long miles.

"I know," his partner said with mock concern, "That's why I was nervous. All right, thinking about what?"

"How many banks you think we robbed?"

"Where did that come from?" Kid laughed.

"I've got," Heyes frowned mentally checking his figures. "59, 68, if you count that time with Big Jim."

"Sounds about right," Kid said. "You count that one in Dodge we robbed three times that week?"

"Yea," Heyes said with a wicked grin as remembered it fondly and then coughed. "Not that I'm proud of that mind you."

"Course not," Kid said easily enjoying the banter. The amount of miles they covered would be unbearable sometimes if it weren't for Heyes's mental wanderings and Kid knew he could always count on the dark haired man to keep things interesting. "So just why were you doing all this counting?"

"How many trains?" Heyes said and then heard the question. "Well I got to wondering what the Governor's timetable for our amnesty was; if he had a system."

"You mean so many days for trains, so many days for each bank we robbed?" Kid laughed. "Heyes only you'd think like that." He frowned as he saw the smile run away from his cousin's face and followed his gaze to find the reason.

A buckboard pulled by a rail thin horse and driven by an old timer making its way slowly down the road to the small town of Little Grande they had just left.

As polite society ordained both groups prepared to stop to offer greetings in the midst of the desolate landscape. Neither expecting trouble, but both prepared for it.

No sooner had the two ex-outlaws offered the 'afternoons' when the strangest transformation came over the driver of the wagon. With a startled expression he suddenly went rim rod straight on his perch and urged his wagon away from them.

"He thinks he knows us. Suppose he's right?" Kid asked quietly not looking back.

Heyes sighed, "If he does anything about it, he's right, whether he knows us or not."

Suddenly the sound of a horse being whipped into a gallop reached them and turning they both watched forlornly as the buckboard took off with its terrified driver towards town.

Experience left them no other decision and kicking their horses they left the road running.

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

Hours later, civilization and options few they raced into the first's town they had come across and made for its livery stable.

Riding noisily into the barn they dismounted in unison with Heyes turning to face the proprietor, while Kid chose their new mounts. It was a routine they both knew well and each could be counted on to adapt and work with whatever the situation called for without needing to confer or worry what the other was thinking.

"You see three men ride through here?" Heyes said puffing up his stance importantly.

Kid swallowed a smile at the voice Heyes was using. His partner called it his 'deputy' voice and never failed to pull it out when he needed to impersonate the law. Kid had never thought to question him why it was a 'deputy' voice, it just was.

"Sagers ain't a very large town. Anybody in particular?" the 45-year-old blacksmith said intrigued.

"Outlaws," Kid said his voice conveying how much it disgusted him to have to say the very word. "They must have gone around ya. We need fresh horses! Trade you these and 5 dollars for those two over there."

Kid all ready had the bridle off his and was fitting it to one of the horses he had pointed to as Heyes moved to do the same to the second animal.

His partner did not question Kid's quick summation of which two horses were fastest. If Heyes had his instincts with how to deal with people, then Kid certainly could be credited with his knowledge of horses. He seemed to have a sixth sense knowing the potential of an animal and Heyes had long ago stopped trying to understand or second-guess him.

The owner watched startled. Not only did they talk fast, but also they worked just as quickly. It was hard for a body to think.

"You law men?" he finally asked.

"Deputies," Heyes said as if God himself had appointed him, his old horse unsaddled now.

"Six dollars extra and you got a trade," the man decided examining the weary animals.

"It's a deal!" Heyes said and added to his partner. "Pay him Carruthers!"

Kid quickly pulled out the money not blinking at his new alias. Heyes seemed to get the oddest delight in thinking up names for them and Kid usually got the stranger of the two. Kid had always secretly held his partner had been sorely disappointed in the alias's Sheriff Lom Trevors had saddled them with in their run for amnesty and peeling off six dollars he paid the man as Heyes finished saddling his new horse.

Kid suddenly looked up shrewdly, "Do you rent horses?"

Heyes shot up an eyebrow and swallowed a smile, as the man looked at him bewildered.

"Rent horses?"

"Right. By the hour, say?"

"By the hour?" the proprietor said reacting to the preposterousness of the notion.

"If you did rent horses, how much would you charge, by the hour?" Kid asked slower this time as Heyes checked over both their horses.

"Well," the man said squinting and thinking hard, "Bout fifty-cents per the hours."

"You got yourself a deal!" Heyes said and turned to the six remaining stalls and quickly drove the animals out with a resounding slap on their hindquarters.

"Hey! Hold on thar! What you doing?" the man sputtered.

"We're renting them!" Heyes said swinging up onto his horse. "Pay 'em Carruthers!"

Kid dutifully handed the proprietor more money. "It'll take about an hour to round them up. This will more than cover it!"

Then catching the reins of his new horse from Heyes they were on the run again.

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

Deputy Jerry Wermser had never wanted to be anything other than a lawman since he had read his first dime novel, 'Marshall Justice and the Desperados of Death' when he was seven.

Even now leading his first posse he was oblivious to how tired and weary his body felt. He was hunting outlaws!

Leading the 5 man posse into Sagers he stopped at the livery stable and leapt off his horse even as the rest of his men did the same, albeit a little less enthusiastically.

"You seen two men ridin' through here?" Wermser asked.

"You mean three men don't you?" the proprietor said looking up from his counting.

"Two men! Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry!" Suddenly the young man notices the empty stalls. "Hey ain't you got no horses?"

"I did ten minutes ago, but somebody run 'em off."

"Who'd do a thing like that?" Wermser said naively.

"Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry?" the proprietor said finally putting 2 and 2 together. "Horses are out yonder, nice and fresh!"

Cursing under his breath the deputy and his men charged out after the scattered horses. It would seem chasing certain outlaws was a lot harder than it had been in the dime novels.

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

Crouched down in the limited cover Heyes and Curry waited as the Rio Grande Western freight train pulled away from the water tower.

They had made this move many times before, though, as a rule preferred to have had more say in when and where they made the attempt. Early on they had both learned boarding a train, for whatever purpose, was a two-man job and it sure helped if it was with a man you trusted.

During their outlaw run as leaders of the gang they had often had to board moving trains and whenever possible Heyes had made sure if one of them was needed for that part of the job, the other was there backing him up.

Which was why as they started to run on foot towards the boxcars they worked as a team.

Kid reaching the train first slid the door open with practiced ease allowing Heyes to leap head first in and a second later re-appear and grab his partner's arm and pull him safely in beside him.

Standing Heyes slid the door closed as Kid got to his feet. The dark coolness of the boxcar was a relief from the garish sun and both men looked at each other with happy impish grins. Neither man enjoyed being hunted, but there was a small satisfaction in not being caught.

"What're you fellas doing here?"

Turning surprised, their eyes finally adjusted to the change in light, they finally noticed the pitiful figure scrunched up in the corner like a discarded rag doll. His clothes were dusty and wrinkled. His shoes grimy and his weasel like face blackened by three days of stubble.

"Harry?" Heyes said amused as well as wary.

"We're doing what were usually doing, we're running," Kid said with a long exhale of a sigh. He was a good enough man to feel a pang of pity for the Bannerman detective, but a smart enough one to remember how much trouble usually accompanied his arrival.

"The question is what are you doing here?" Heyes said pushing back his hat and shaking his head at the man's appearance.

"It sure is a small world isn't it?" Harry said miserable.

"I was hoping you weren't going to say that," Kid taking a seat.

"Harry what are you doing here?" Heyes asked interested joining them on the straw covering the box car floor.

"I lost my job," Harry explained mournfully.

"How did it happen this time?" Kid said clearly not surprised.

"They just…let me go," Harry said melodramatically.

"Yea, but why Harry?" Kid said shrewdly knowing there was more to it.

"Well they said…incompetence. Can you imagine that?"

Clearly both men could, but Heyes managed to swallow his smile and Kid just rolled his eyes and leaned back against the rail car wall.

"No Harry we can't," Heyes said with his best smile. "Why we've run into a lot of Bannerman detectives in our time and there is no way you could be any more incompetent than they were." It was said with such genuine sincerity even his partner looked up in amazement at how Heyes could make a man feel better by insulting him.

"Thank you Heyes," Harry smiled. "You know it sure is a wonderful surprise runnin' into you boys like this. You're the only real friends I've got in this whole rotten world."

Kid lifted his hat from his eyes to stare at the man who had left them for dead twice.

"Harry I wouldn't let that get around," Kid said putting the hat back over his eyes and hoping once more for a nap.

"Yea Harry," Heyes laughed. "Folks might know what kind of friend you've been to us and you'll scare anyone else from wanting the job!"

"Well it's true, cause…"

He was never allowed to finish. Instinctively Kid and Heyes both looked up hearing or sensing something and as one moved towards the slats in the wall and peered out.

In despair both men stare at the posse moving up along side the train, their posse.

Suddenly they begin to rein in at one of the telegraph poles following the tracks. Quickly on of the group got off his horse and began to climb the pole.

"Heyes," Kid hissed. "What's he doing?"

"He's climbing that telegraph pole," Heyes frowned back.

Kid gave him a long suffering look, "I know that Heyes! But why? Can you send a message from a telegraph pole from the middle of nowhere?"

Heyes looked worried, "Kid, I don't like to even consider that possibility."

"It is," Harry said suddenly between them watching.

"Is what?" Kid asked clearly not thinking Harry a great fountain of knowledge.

"If he's got the right equipment with him he can send a message from there."

The two hunted men look at each other stricken.

"I suppose we could put a few miles between them and us and jump off?" Kid said clearly not putting much hope in the idea.

Heyes turned and leaned back against the wall, "Without horses or water we wouldn't have a chance, especially with them telegraphing the nearest town."

Kid joined him against the wall, "And that's the same town this train will be stopping in about thirty minutes, Little Grande." Kid turned and looks back out. "At least as the moment were leaving them behind. I sure don't like the idea of sitting here waiting for the law in Little Grande to meet us when we pull in, you sure you don't want to jump and take our chances?"

Heyes smiled ruefully at his cousin's optimism, "Kid the first American who ever saw this part of the country said it would never be able to sustain human life. Unfortunately he was absolutely right. Besides we can't jump they would run us down like that as they headed to town, there is nothing out there to hide in."

Heyes stopped and caught a flicker of despair in his cousin's eyes. Kid was right they couldn't just sit there and wait for the sheriff in Little Grange to swing open the door and drag them out like cattle.

Furiously Heyes looked around for anything to spark a plan; an idea and finally his eyes rested on Harry and slowly a wide, dangerously sly grin spread across his face.

Kid blinked and smiled in answer. He had seen that smile too many times not to know its potential.

"Harry do you still have your Bannerman Detective credentials?" Heyes said turning on him with such force the man jumped startled.

""Yeah, they tried to get them back, but I claimed I lost them," he said bitterly.

"Oh and I bet they believed you," Kid said his eyes lighting up as he caught a glimpse of what Heyes was up to.

Heyes meanwhile had captured Harry's bag and was rifling through it; "You got a razor in here?"

"Razor?" Harry asked confused. "Yeah, but there ain't no water."

Heyes triumphantly meanwhile had pulled out the razor as Kid, clear now on what Heyes has in mind begins pulling of Harry's coat.

"Heyes as I've mentioned once or twice before you are a genius," Kid said proudly as he begins to dust off Harry's jacket.

"Hey! What are you doing? Hey now!" Harry adds as Heyes pushed him against the wall and moved to start shaving him.

"Harry if you sit still this won't hurt…hardly at all! But if you move," Heyes brown eyes look sincere, worried and concerned. "It could be fatal."

He ends this with a smile so dazzling Harry is mesmerized until the first razor scrape hits his skin.

But he never has a chance as Heyes bears down on him determined to shave him as Kid manages to dust his clothes and hat off and finally haul off his shoes and shine them.

They finish just as the train sounds its arrival whistle and begins to slow.

Peering through the slats in the boxcar they see the train platform is filled with townspeople led by a lean competent looking sheriff named Tankersley.

With a crowd of men backing him up he moves over to the boxcar and slides it open only to step back in surprise as a neat, clean shaven Harry Briscoe armed with the Navy Colt from his shoulder holster jumps down with Heyes and Curry holding their hands up.

"What's going on here mister?" the sheriff says with a dark scowl.

"Harry Briscoe, Bannerman Detectives," Harry responds showing his credentials. "These men are my prisoners sheriff."

Skeptical the sheriff takes the credentials and finding them in good order returns them to Briscoe.

"Your prisoners huh? You know who these men are?"

Harry proudly puffs out his chest; "Do I know! Been on their trail for three months! Lost em a few days ago then they made the mistake of jumping this train and I got them!"

The sheriff glances over at Kid and Heyes who do not have to act either weary or disgusted.

"Who are they?"

Harry leans over to whisper the names to the lawman.

"You don't have to whisper. We know who they are! Do you?"

"Sheriff, a BDI man doesn't arrest someone without knowing exactly who he is! These men are Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry and I intend to deliver them personally to the Wyoming authorities!"

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

An hour later, urged on by Harry's dire warning that the Devil's Hole Gang could descend on the town at any moment to rescue their leaders, Curry and Heyes stood waiting handcuffed to each other at the Stagecoach depot.

"Heyes, the Sheriff has been in that telegraph office for fifteen minutes! He's gotta be checking on Harry!" Kid said worriedly glancing over at the office that was situated next door to the stage.

Heyes swallowed trying to think positive, "Or he could be telling the Sheriff in Laramie that we are on our way."

"That takes a quarter of an hour?"

"If he's checking on me we're all in trouble," Harry said frightened. "And I…"

At that moment the Sheriff and Deputy Wermser appeared and approach the group.

"Briscoe, I've decided my Deputy better go with you. Even unarmed and handcuffed, these two fellas are dangerous," Sheriff Tankersley said clearly not comfortable with releasing two such notorious men without more security.

"Sheriff when you've been an agent of the BDI as long as…" Harry tried.

"Bannerman Detectives, Inc likes to think it's some kind of Federal Police Force, but it ain't. It's got no official status. The reward might be yours, Mr. Briscoe, but the responsibility is mine," Tankersley said firmly and turned to his Deputy. "Use your cuffs, Wermser.

Wermser nods and takes out his own handcuffs and moves to attach Curry to him. Kid gives him a look that makes the man have second thoughts, but the Sheriff glares at him and he snaps them on the outlaw with a swallow and avoids Kid's eyes.

The Sheriff turned to the stage driver just finishing up paperwork; "You ready Bill?"

"All set Sheriff."

The four men awkwardly enter the coach as the Driver mounts the high seat.

The Sheriff shut the door and peered in, "You got that Wermser? I am holding you responsible for getting these outlaws into the prison in Wyoming."

"Yes sir," Wermser sighed unhappily as the stagecoach took off. Glancing over he felt none too comfortable sharing the seat with Kid and Heyes, but had little choice as he was handcuffed to Kid. Across from them Harry sat smugly enjoying his importance.

They had not gone far when Wermser began to feel the constraints of being a lawman and began to complain.

"…and then I'll miss the church social on the next night, that'll be Saturday, and on Sunday, I'll miss the…"

Kid finally had enough and rattled the chain that connected them to get the Deputy's attention, "Mr. Wermser, remember what the sheriff said about our reputation?"

"Yeah?"

"You keep on complainin' about the trouble we've caused you and I'm gonna do my best to live up to it right now," Kid growled.

Wermser opened his mouth and shut it and then turned to Harry, "Well all I wanted to say was I wouldn't even be here if the Sheriff'd got an answer to his blamed telegraph!"

Heyes, who had been feigning sleep under his black hat lifted it up startled, "What telegraph?"

"The one about Briscoe here! Sheriff sent a telegraph to the Bannerman Detective Agency," he turned and looked at Harry. "He wanted to find out if you was really good enough to take these fellas to Wyoming all by yerself. But he didn't get no answer, leastwise not on time. So here I am!"

Both Kid and Heyes make no attempt to disguise their dismay and Heyes frowns thinking furiously.

He suddenly gets an idea and looks at Kid who nods and subtly kicks Harry to alert him. Harry looks up to meet Kid staring at him intently, but doesn't understand. Rolling his eyes Heyes then kicks him and Harry frowns trying to understand. Disgusted Heyes pretends to look out the window at something and finally the light goes on for Harry.

"I saw something out there!" Harry says pulling his head in from the window. "Get moving! Might be the Devil's Hole Gang!"

Wermser peers out and sees nothing; "I don't see no dust back there. Don't see nothing back there!"

Harry smiled smugly, "Well I did! That's one of the special qualifications of a BDI man, vision! Average vision just isn't good enough!"

Wermser considered this and glanced back and forth at the two prisoners. Heyes and Kid both met him with cool confident smirks causing him to glance back out the window.

"By golly there is something back there!" he cried suddenly.

Harry swallows clearly startled and takes a second look. His expression clearly reveals to Curry and Heyes that this time he really did see something and Heyes glares at Harry trying to move the plan along.

"Now we'll see if you BDI agents are as smart as people say," Heyes said with meaning to Harry. "With our luck you probably are."

Harry is completely clueless and Kid jumps in trying to give him time to catch on. "But you better think fast, Mr. Briscoe. Those are our boys back there, no doubt about that. Can't mistake them for ranch hands," Kid looks over at Heyes. "I knew Wheat and Kyle wouldn't let us down."

Wermser is looking out the window again now deeply worried.

"Unfortunately Kid I've got a terrible feeling Detective Briscoe is going to come up with something!" Heyes said shooting Harry another look. "Even if the gang is coming after us like they're outrunning a stampede!"

"I don't know Heyes," Kid continued with mock confidence. "Maybe BDI men aren't really that smart! And he hasn't got a lot of time to get us off this stage!"

A small light goes on over Harry, as Wermser looks at him hopeful.

"Is there a ranch near here?" Harry said slowly.

Wermser nods, "Yea this is Circle Y country. Bout three, maybe four miles on we oughta be passing their road."

Harry nods and sticks his head out the window, "Give them the whip! Spur em in the eye! We're being pursued!"

Kid in mock defeat sighed to Heyes, "I knew he'd think of something!"

The stagecoach reached the road and Bill slowed up allowing Heyes, Curry and Briscoe to jump out. Harry waved his gun in the air for effect as he tells the driver to move out.

"Stay ahead of them as long as you can! Get moving!"

"Hold it!" Wermser yelled, clearly worried, "I still think I oughta stay with you and them outlaws!"

"I explained that!" Harry said rolling his eyes. "You gotta stick your head out now and then or the gang will catch on! You don't want them to know the stage is empty! Get movin Bill!" he yelled to the driver who didn't need to be told twice.

"How did I do boys?" Harry asks anxiously.

"You did great Harry!" Kid assured him. "Come on, we aren't out of this yet."

"And to think the BDI fired you for incompetence!" Heyes said clapping him on the back as they start to run.

Kid shoots Heyes a look that clearly says don't push it, but Heyes is feeling hopeful and begins to prep Harry on what he is going to do next.

Moments later they walk up to the large ranch compound of the Circle Y. It is filled with the rancher's family, including his 15 and 17-year-old daughters and assorted ranch hands.

Harry, with a little more swagger than the situation warrants, walks Kid and Heyes up with his gun on them.

"Well will you look at this! Whatta we got here?" the ranch owner asks coming up to stare interested.

Harry has his credentials ready and offers them to the man. "I'm Briscoe, Bannerman Detectives Incorporated. It was taking these prisoners to Cheyenne by stagecoach when their gang tried to overtake us. But I fooled them, jumped out of the coach and used it to decoy the gang away and came here for help."

The entire group turns to study Curry and Heyes who try their best to look like defeated, but dangerous outlaws. The girls smile with warm approval. This is the most exciting thing that has happened in months!

"Well that sounds perty serious," the ranch owner said pushing back his hat. "What can I do Mr. Driscol?"

"Briscoe," Harry correctly tightly. "All I need sir is three horses and I'll be on my way north. The Agency will reimburse you later for the horses and gear. I'll give you a signed receipt, of course."

"Mister?" the oldest daughter said smiled coyly. "Who are they?"

"I'd rather not say little lady. It's safer not to know who these two are," turns to rancher. "And we are in kind of a hurry."

"Well if were gonna give you three horses and gear I think we oughta know who we are helpin' ta hang, don't you boys?"

His hands let out a chorus of shore do's and you betcha's in agreement.

"Well the fact is these fellas are Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry," Harry confesses.

The reaction is immediate and not necessarily negative, especially from the girls.

"No wonder you are in such a hurry!" the ranch owner says with a whistle. "Saddle up some horses boys! And Curly get some grub together. They can take it with them!"

Everyone but two of the men scatter to do as instructed.

The youngest daughter smiles up at Heyes, "Are you really Kid Curry?"

Heyes looks pained at the confusion, "No, but he is."

The oldest daughter smiles at Kid, "Are you as good with a gun as they say you are?"

Kid gives her his best smile back, "Miss you give me a gun and I'll show you."

The ranch owner laughs as the girls giggle, the two men's charm is lost on none of them.

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

Wermser worriedly glanced out the window positive now this was not the best plan. Just what was the Devil's Hole Gang going to do to him when they found out… The Deputy stopped and squinted suddenly recognizing the riders.

"Bill! Bill stop the coach, its Sheriff Tankersley! Pull up!"

The driver obeys and the Sheriff and his posse gallop up. Wermser shakily steps out of the coach revealing he is alone.

"Where are you prisoners Wermser?" Tankersley said, his voice far too quiet.

"We…we thought you was…we thought…"

"Wermser…where are your prisoners?"

"We dropped them at the Circle Y Road, Sheriff. Me and Briscoe thought you were the Devil's Hole Gang."

The Sheriff re-boarded his horse. "Stay with the coach Wermser. Go to Cheyenne. Don't ever come back."

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

"All clear?" Kid asked quietly as they pulled in their horses along the ridge. They had been riding some time now without sign of pursuit and a glimmer of hope was beginning to burn.

"I think so," Heyes said his mind clearly playing with all the possibilities.

"All right then let's head south," Kid said.

"South?" Harry asks as Heyes nods in approval.

"Harry, Wyoming is north and the nearest railroad is south. Any comment?"

Harry stared at the two most wanted outlaws in the west and blinked, "I think we oughta go south."

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

"…and Briscoe had them handcuffed and covered. My guess is he is taking them up to Wyoming just like he said," the ranch owner explained to the Sheriff and his men. "Seemed like a right competent fella to me.

Sheriff Tankersley frowned skeptically.

"They rode that way Sheriff," the oldest daughter said helpfully. "Headin' north."

"Were they really Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry?" her sister asked with a sigh.

The Sheriff nodded, "I wish I could say they weren't. Mount up boys!"

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

The Sheriff rode the group hard finally stopping to check the trail where his quarry turned south.

"They turned south," the lawman said examining the ground and turned to the nearest man to him. "Pete I'm going back to town. You stay with them in case they don't head for the railroad. Jim, you and Oren come with me."

The Sheriff mounted up and the party splits and wearily begins again.

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

"Its no good I can't ride him," Kid said tightly from where he was examining his horse's foot. The horse had stumbled almost falling and now was clearly lame and incapable of taking a rider.

"Get up with me," Heyes said offering an arm. "We'll make it."

The group had not gone far, the horse clearly tiring under the weight of two men when they caught sight of the posse.

"No question about it, they're gonna catch up to us and I'm gonna end up in jail for aiding and abetting. No question about it at all. There I was, settin in that nice boxcar mindin' my own business…"

Ignoring him Heyes attempted to urge his horse faster. They move on, but it seems to make little difference as the Posse only gets closer and Harry only gets more melancholy.

"And if I'd made it to California I could have got a job out there on the San Francisco police force instead of getting saddled with a criminal records…"

"Harry one more word out of you and I'm gonna take your horse and leave you hear for the posse cause that's what we should be doing!" Kid finally yells back.

"And Harry may I remind you that if it hadn't been for us you would have been in a jail six months ago for theft?" Heyes said through gritted teeth. "Or don't you like to remember that?"

The reality of all this finally hits the man, "Fellas!" he cries out worriedly. "I was just, well, you, just talking! There is nothing I wouldn't do for you boys! You know that! Nothing!"

"Harry I think you came up with just the right word," Kid says dryly.

Heyes grunted amused and then looked up as a far off whistle of a railroad train reaches him.

"I think we can make it to the track, but the train's not going the right way," Kid sighs.

"It's movin Kid, "Heyes reassures him with a grin. "And as long as its movin its going the right way!" and spurs the horse into a trot.

"But boys that train will take us right back into Little Grande!" Harry whined catching up.

"All right then Harry you give us your horse and we'll skip the train!" Kid answered.

Harry has no reply for this and once more Curry and Heyes move into position at the same water tower.

The run to the train is almost the same, with Kid once more opening the boxcar, but this time as Heyes dives inside he pulls in Harry as Kid leaps in under his own power. For a moment they just lay their breathing until a strange voice calls out.

"Now put your hands up!"

The three weary men not believing how bad their luck was got up and slowly turned to face the two strangers leaning comfortably against the back wall of the boxcar, 45's cocked and pointed.

Kid smiled and took the lead, "What are you pointing guns at us for? You can see were not armed!"

"Who are you?" one of the men asked.

Heyes gave him a tired grin, "Well my friend and I, we're out of work cowhands," and then pointed to Harry. "And this is Slick McSweeney. He's a gambler, as you can plainly see. We got run out of a little mining town a few miles north of here."

As Heyes is talking both him and Kid begin to lower their hands. Heyes's easy going charm is effective and as he paints the picture the two stranger's suspicions start to fade.

"Caught ya dealin off the wrong end huh?" one of the men leers at Harry who finally drops his hands.

"No, but they thought he was, which is just as bad," Heyes laughed.

Kid smiled at the two men completely aware they were more than cowhands, but without a gun he was going to have use Heyes's weapon of choice. "We'd sure appreciate it if you'd invite us to have a chair."

The two men laugh and put away their guns.

"Sure pull some up!" one replies and the group settles on the straw close enough to be neighborly, but no where near friends.

"Cowhands I feel friendly towards, cause we're out of work cowhands ourselves," one of the men said unpleasantly. "But gamblers I don't like."

Harry smiled weakly, "Dishonest gamblers are one thing, honest ones another. I'm honest!"

Heyes felt a pang of pity for Harry. The man just naturally came off as distrustful. "Well Slick tries to be dishonest, but his heart just isn't in it," Heyes sighed with just enough emotion to get sympathy from a stone. "That's why he's as down and out as we are."

Kid, who had the gift of looking relaxed even when he was as strung as tight as a cord, stretched and with a small yawn asked, "How far you boys going?"

"Little Grande. We ain't never been there and we hear it's a real friendly little town."

"Real friendly town," Harry nodded and then added. "Except towards my friends here."

Both Kid and Heyes were good enough poker players not to react to this except with small frowns.

"They got in trouble there last month…with the sheriff," Harry went on cheerfully giving Heyes a poke in the back with his thumb as continued. "They're gonna have to jump off this train before we get there." Turning he stared at Kid and Heyes with meaning. "Remember that big rock the train passes? About ten miles this side of town?"

Kid, who was getting no poking from Harry looked at him dubiously, "Yea, I remember the rock, what about it?"

"You fellas jump off there and I'll go on into Little Grande and get you some horses and grub."

Heyes swallowed considering this, "Slick you sure you know what you're doing?"

"Can you afford to be on this train when it stops in Little Grande?" Harry asked pointedly.

"No," Kid said honestly and added. "Can you?"

"Sure, they like me there."

Kid resisted shooing his partner a questioning glance, "They like you there?"

"Well they got nothing against me, which is more than you fellas can say!" Harry chuckled like he hadn't a care in the world.

"Slick I think you are out of…" Kid frowned.

"No," Heyes said after a long pause. "Maybe he's right."

Kid stared at them; "You are both out of your minds."

"So what they got against you fellas in Little Grande?" one of the men asked interested.

"Disturbing the peace," Heyes said quickly before Harry could make something up. He was going to trust Harry to a point, but no point in giving him too much rope. "My friend here has a drinking problem," Heyes added with a grin at Kid.

"Like how?" the other man queried.

"When he drinks he thinks he's Kid Curry!" Heyes said a deep baritone laugh.

The rest of the car with the exception of his partner joined him.

It said much for Kid's faith in his cousin for minutes later he stood with him at the open door of the moving train, the rock in question approaching quickly.

With no way to confer or question Kid just shook his head and jumped, followed a second later by his cousin. They rolled away from the train with far too much experience and lay there on the sandy soil for a moment wondering if their luck could get any worse.

Curry was up first and walking over to his partner offered him a hand up.

"All right. Tell me what we're doing here," Kid said patiently, but it was ebbing.

Heyes began dusting himself off so he could avoid meeting Kid's eyes, "Well, Harry was right about one thing. They'll search that train in Little Grande. We had to jump."

"But did we have to jump ten miles from the town? Ten miles from water and horses, not to mention food!" Kid said slumping down under the shade of small tree beside the rock. "I can't help remembering what you said about people surviving here."

"Well Harry had something in mind," Heyes said with false cheerfulness and making sure he took a seat out of arm shot as he said it.

"Harry had something in mind?" Kid said whirling on him. "Did I hear you right?"

Heyes turned on him earnestly, "Kid, all the time he was talking he kept jabbing me in the back with his thumb."

Kid stared at his cousin dumb founded, "And that's your answer? All of it?"

Heyes smile faded, "Yea, I think that's all of it."

Kid fell back against the tree deflated and lost. "Heyes I depend on you to do the thinking. I trust you," Kid said quietly and Heyes wished he were yelling. "Have you got any reason to think Harry isn't going to be arrested and tossed into a cell when that train gets to Little Grande?"

Heyes tried to summon up some bluster, but can't do it. "No Kid, I tried, but I couldn't come with any reason at all."

"So you decided to jump anyway?" Kid said baffled.

Heyes nods.

Kid exhales loudly. He is tired, hungry, thirsty and disappointed. It is not a good combination. "You know its very probably the Sheriff, who seems to have a brain in his head, split the posse and went back to Little Grande isn’t it?"

"Very probable," Heyes agreed.

"And they, especially the sheriff, don't like Harry in Little Grande do they?"

The truth his partner was speaking finally caught Heyes's anger and since getting mad at himself just didn't seem right he turned it on his partner.

"Look I lost my head okay?" Heyes yelled. "Harry kept jabbing me with that thumb and I began to think he had something in mind!"

Kid said nothing, which made him even angrier. He wanted something to fight against.

"Kid the gut truth is that I'm not the genius you think I am!" Heyes said still yelling. "I'm stupid and gullible and idiotic! There, happy!" he added and slammed down his hat and folded his arms.

"And those are your good points!" Kid answered in quiet voice.

Heyes turned on him looking slightly hurt; "Maybe we should bust up!"

Kid turned and stared at him, "Maybe we should bust up? How? There is a posse out there somewhere that is probably gonna walk right over us any minute. Let's talk about busting up when we got some place to go, okay? Preferably two places!"

And with that Kid put his hat over his eyes and laid back.

Heyes watched him for a moment and needing the last word finally said.

"Okay!"

They lay in silence dozing exhausted losing track of time until Kid finally speaks.

"All right let's face it. We aren't going to get any help from Harry, what do we do?"

Heyes from under his hat, "Wait for a train going east I guess."

"Heyes they go by here at top speed, twenty or twenty five miles an hour. It would tear our arms off!"

Still from under hat, "We could wait till dark and walk to town. It's only ten miles."

Kid putting hat back over face, "I think I'd rather get an arm torn off."

Heyes sits up annoyed, "All right you come up with a way out of…"

He breaks off as they both hear it. Horses coming.

Ducking into the little cover they have the two men hold their breath as the weary posse rides by within feet of them.

For a moment they seem certain to be discovered, but so tired are their chasers that they miss them and as they move off both men exhale with relief.

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

Harry watched the impromptu card game going on in the boxcar trying to work out the best way to reach his gun without them noticing. He had been excluded due to Heyes's story about him being a gambler and was grateful. It gave him a chance to get off into position to draw from his shoulder holster.

"Hey! This ain't no trey! It’s a deuce!" one of the men snarls.

His friend pulls the card back, "All right, all right. Danged cards are so wore out I can't read the spots."

Harry quietly slipped his gun from its holster and coughed.

"Where did you git that?"

"And what are you doing with that!" his friend added raising his hands.

"I'm putting you both under arrest," Harry said rising cautiously.

"What in the devil for!"

"For grand theft. You are Hank Silvers and you are Mugs McGeehu, and I'm Harry Briscoe of the BDI. I spotted both of you the minute you got on this train."

A whistle blast interrupted him as the train slowed into the station.

A moment later the door of the boxcar slid open and a surprised Sheriff Tankersley stared in.

"Afternoon Sheriff! Here I am again!" Harry said beaming.

"I can see that, Mr. Briscoe, but I can't believe it. Would you like to tell me what you are doing?"

"My job Sheriff. I'd like you to meet my prisoners, Mugs McGeehu and Hank Silvers."

The sheriff reacts on the names.

"There is a three thousand dollar reward on each of them Sheriff," Harry puffs proudly. "They are wanted in Colorado for grand theft."

"If they are McGeehu and Silvers they happen to be wanted for murder right here in Utah. They committed it a few days ago in Cottonwood," the lawman said and turned to his men. "Get them up to the jail."

Harry moves to follow but the Sheriff places a hand on his chest to stop him.

"Not you Briscoe. We got some talkin to do."

"Talking? Fine Sheriff."

"And put that gun away!" Tankersley growls.

Harry obliges and slams the Navy Colt into his holster.

"Now then. What happened to Curry and Heyes?"

"Well the Devil's Hole Gang was trying to overtake us," Harry tried.

"That was me Briscoe."

"You? Chasin the stagecoach?"

"That's right and I got a hunch you knew it at the time."

"Not me, Sheriff! Would I of got outta the couch if I knew it was you back there?"

"Yea I think you would," the Sheriff said arms folded.

"Never! Anyway, they jumped me Sheriff. Like you said, they're a dangerous pair."

The Sheriff eyed him skeptically; "They jumped you. While they were handcuffed."

"Right. Co-ordinated the action and leaped right on me from their horses. Overpowered me."

"Where?"

"Well I suppose you spotted where we turned south?"

"I did."

"That's where it happened. Then later they left me without a horse, so I jumped the train. And found McGeehu and Silvers in the boxcar."

"That's quite a story Briscoe. It might even hold a little water. Except for one thing. WHY WOULD HEYES AND CURRY LET YOU KEEP YOUR GUN!" he roared.

Harry smiled, "Cause they took the bullets out first, Sheriff!" Removes gun. "See?"

Sheriff is slightly taken back and tries another tack. "Briscoe I sent a wire to the Bannerman Detectives, inquiring about you. When they got around to it their answer was that you don't work for them."

"That's standard procedure, Sheriff. To protect we agents."

"How in the devil would that protect their agents?"

"Well we work under cover a lot. Standard procedure, working under different identities. But if I telegraph them and use the right code phrase, everything is going to be cleared up."

Frustrated the Sheriff pointed forward and marched Harry over to the telegraph office where he watched over his shoulder as he wrote:

J.X. Horgan

Bannerman Detectives Inc.

Denver, Colorado

Harry Briscoe, Agent

A long tension filled silence followed as the two men waited and both looked up sharply as the key began to tap and moved to the counter waiting impatiently until the clerk handed the Sheriff the reply.

"Harry Briscoe, etc. Congratulations on McGeehu Silvers capture stop Have notified Governor and claimed reward stop Report back to Denver immediately stop," the Sheriff looked up and scowled at Harry. "I think I see what you mean about the right code word. You get any part of that six thousand dollar reward?'

"Oh yes, twenty percent!"

"Which leaves the Bannerman Agency eighty percent. Right?"

"Well yes, that's how it works out, Sheriff."

"Briscoe, you are a lucky, lucky man. You lost me Heyes and Curry, but you brought in McGeehu and Silvers. And since a lot of folks love Heyes and Curry for makin the railroads unhappy and since the whole territory is all fired up about what McGeehu and Silvers done in Cottonwood, I'm 'way ahead on the deal."

"I appreciate that Sheriff!"

"You appreciate what? I ain't even told you what I'm gonna do yet. You wanta know what I'm gonna do?"

"I'm sure I'm gonna appreciate it, whatever it is Sheriff," Harry smiled.

"I'm gonna let you go. But I want you out of my town on the first available transportation."

"I appreciate that, Sheriff!" Harry beamed, but he was talking to the door that had just been slammed in his face.

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

The sun was high and at its hottest as Curry and Heyes stretched out under the little shade they rock and tree offered.

"Kid I think your right," Heyes said suddenly. "Our best chance is the train east."

"If we don't starve to death before it comes," Kid grumbled.

"I wonder what Harry is doing?" Heyes said curious.

"He's doing time in Little Grande jail where he belongs," Kid growled.

"But I keep feeling that something must have made him think he could stay out of jail and help us," Heyes sitting up hopefully.

"Yea its called stupidity," Kid said sharply back.

Heyes looked at him hurt and annoyed, not sure which emotion was winning.

Kid shifted uncomfortably. It never felt right when he and Heyes got irritated with each other. It usually meant they were at the end of their rope and both knew turning on each other instead of working together would not get them any where, but neither knew how to bite back their frustrations at this stage.

"Heyes," Kid said quietly as his partner rolled over away from him. "We've never tried to jump a train at night, you realize that?"

"Yep."

Kid stared at his partner's back, couldn't he see he was trying. "Think we can do it?"

"I'll tell you later."

"Oh well, maybe we'll get lucky and the train won't come by till tomorrow," Kid attempted.

Heyes rolled back and just stared at him, "That's what I like about you Kid, you always see the bright side of a situation. I was gonna sit here thinkin we were in serious trouble!"

For a moment they both seemed about to take a swing at each other, but then they just decide it's too hot and slumped back down frustrated.

It was the train whistle that revived them and looking at each other they make it to their feet and start to run.

Reaching the spot they had boarded the train from twice before they crouched down and waited to let the passenger cars pass first and then they see him.

There at the window smiling brightly is Harry. He tips his hat as the train whizzes by.

It is enough to give both men a shot of adrenaline and quickly they spurt for the train that is moving at top speed this time.

Heyes manages to lunge out first and grip a ladder, his body is flung violently to the side, but he holds on and plants his feet on the lower rung. Curry gets a chance at the ladder next in line and is only able to get a grip with one hand and when the speed swings his body violently to the side he loses it and is flung out and onto the dessert sand where his body rolls a half dozen times and comes to a stop motionless face down.

Heyes who has been watching Kid's progress lets out a yell and without thinking lets go of the train to tumble after him. He falls hard, but doesn't feel it, scrambling up and running at break neck speed to reach his partner.

Reaching Kid he kneels down and gently turns his friend over. "Kid! You all right? Kid?" his voice cracks and it has nothing to do with how dry his throat is from the lack of water.

Shaking him slightly the knot in his stomach tightens as Kid remains motionless.

Suddenly all the squabbling of the last day races through his mind and he wishes for a thousand chances to do that time over again. He should have thought of something, why hadn't he thought of something? He knew they couldn't make that train, but Kid had trusted him, just like he had trusted him to jump off it.

"Jed, please my luck ain't this bad," Heyes whispered swallowing back tears. "Don't let us bust up now!" He looks upward at the blinding sun seeking compassion from something he doesn't believe in, but is still mad at. "He said when we had two different places to go, he didn't mean this!" he yells at the sky furious. "Give him back!" The last is said like a small child and comes out so desperate and broken there is no doubt Heyes will not be able to find the energy or inspiration to move from that spot alone.

"36."

Heyes looks up blinking back tears to stare in amazement at the blue eyes watching him.

"Kid!" Heyes lets out in a joyous whoop laughing delighted and then stops. "36 what?'

"Trains, you asked how many trains we robbed. Ya know banks really were easier cause…"

"They don't move," they both grinned in unison. It is a private joke and Kid's way of telling Heyes he is all right. Heyes however is too aware of what he almost just lost and demands reassurance.

"You all right? Can you move?" Heyes asked absently wiping the tears away with a dirty hand so his partner won't notice.

To show him he didn't, Kid sits up almost hiding how much the action hurts and shakes his head. "Wait a minute what are you doing here? You made the train! Aw Heyes don't tell me you jumped off?"

Heyes looks at him haughtily, "For your information it was the wrong train." And then when his cousin sits there and grins at him grateful he rolls his eyes and adds, "Didn't seem the right time to bust up, happy?"

Kid nods and lets Heyes help him painfully to his feet.

"Anyway Kid," Heyes grins suddenly rejuvenated by his partner's presence. "What would you do without me? Ever think about that?"

Kid gives him a dry look, "Constantly. If it wasn't for you Heyes, I wouldn't be where I am today."

He moves to take a step and a wave of dizziness washes over him. Disgusted for appearing weak Curry puts out an arm to steady himself and suddenly finds his arm around his partner's shoulder taking his weight.

"I'm all right Heyes," he says sounding anything but.

"Course you are," Heyes says cheerfully and gives the impression that helping him is more to make Heyes feel better than him.

"Thank you," Kid finally sighs.

"Let's go back to our office and plan our next move," Heyes said gently.

"You know Heyes maybe we should split up," Kid said suddenly and his cousin stiffened worried. "Cause we've never up to now committed murder and that is about to change."

Heyes relaxed and grinned as he help Kid back down into the shade, "Good old Harry?"

"Good old Harry. I am going to track him down and strangle him with my bare hands."

"No Kid, that's too simple. Harry deserves more for all he's put us through. I'm thinking we bury him up to his neck with molasses and then we find an ant hill…"

Kid smiles as his eyes slowly close. "Heyes you’re a genius."

Heyes stares at his cousin for a long moment wishing he could do something to make him more comfortable, but he is hopeful and energized now. He has his partner back and he wants revenge.

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

"Kid, Kid wake up its night. We gotta walk into town and get some food and water," Heyes says shaking him softly.

Kid opens his eyes unsure where he is, "I slept all day?"

"Yea so that ten miles is going to be a piece of cake," Heyes says with enthusiasm he doesn't feel.

But Kid understands what he is doing and not wanting to let him down gets to his feet without assistance.

"All right lets do it."

They begin to walk in the cool night air and though neither man says anything they are both strengthened by the others presence.

Suddenly Kid places a hand on Heyes's arm and puts a finger to his lips. Heyes listens and hears it too.

They slide over to the nearest grouping of rocks and wait. It is a lone rider, a boy eleven or twelve riding bare back leading two saddled horses.

"Hold it right there!" Heyes says sliding down in front of the boy's horse and catching the bridle.

The boy is clearly frightened, but doing his best not to show it.

"Where you taking those horses?" Kid said looking hungrily at the water canteens they are carrying.

"They are mine!"

"Didn't say they weren't," Heyes smiled. "Just curious where you are taking them."

"That's for me to know and you to find out," the boy replied shakily.

"That's what were trying to do!" Kid moaned. "Where are you taking them!"

"To some very important people."

"WHO!" Kid roars.

"I can't say. And you don't scare me you don't even have guns."

"Son do you know how long we've gone without food or water, I don't need a gun," Kid says dangerous now.

Heyes moves in front of Kid and smiles disarmingly at the child, "I'm sorry son, just we've had a real time of it."

"I can't tell you," the boy answers not unsympathetically. "The man who paid me is very important. I promised him I wouldn't let nothing go wrong."

Kid and Heyes glance at each other, could it be?

"That man wouldn't be Detective Harry Briscoe of the BDI would it?" Heyes asked trying to keep the hope out of his voice.

The boy's reaction is immediate and clear. It was Harry all right.

"Son these horses are for us," Kid says taking off a canteen.

"But Detective Briscoe said his friends were out at Emigrant's Rock."

"That's where we were," Heyes said taking the water his partner passes him. "Did he tell you our names?"

"Yes, but I ain't gonna tell you!"

"How about Smith and Jones?" Kid asked with a smile as the water poured through him.

The boy smiled slowly and with great relief.

"There is grub in the saddle bags too and I brought plenty of water!"

He hands the reins to Kid and Heyes and they both quickly mount up.

"Thank you son, Detective Briscoe would be proud of you," Heyes smiles.

"By the way when you saw Detective Briscoe how was he getting along with your sheriff?" Kid asked taking another slug of water.

"Real good, I guess. After all, Mr. Briscoe brung in them two killers."

"What two killers?" Heyes asked sharply.

"Mugs McGeehu and Hank Silvers."

The two outlaws looked at each other and laughing shook their heads.

"Thanks son," Heyes smiled.

"You best get on home," Kid ordered and watching him leave looked at his partner as they trotted off. "Heyes this is really beautiful country. We gotta stop runnin through it so fast we never see anything."

"Kid you are absolutely right. We need to take some time and effort to look around and appreciate."

"And sleeping for three days wouldn't be a bad idea either…in a real bed!"

"I know just the place!" Heyes smiles slyly.

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

It is the next morning and the two men are wandering down the same road that it all began on three days earlier. They look as if they haven't a care in the world until a buckboard comes into view It is the same one with the same old timer who recognized them last time.

He stiffens and pretends not to see them as he passes and then slaps the reins of the horse and takes off.

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

Two hours later Kid and Heyes sit on the porch of their third floor hotel room. They are freshly shaven, straight out of the bath and wearing only trousers and their Henley's. Bare feet up on the rail, their faces hidden in the shade and height of the porch they light cigars as they watch the scene being played out down the main street.

Sheriff Tarkensley is doing his best to interest the men in town to form a posse. It is not going well as no one has recovered from the last posse and even the promise of $20,000 reward is not motivating anyone to go saddle his horse.

"Man seems to be having a problem going after us," Kid smiles pouring him self a drink and offering his partner one.

"Yup, thought he might," Heyes smiled accepting it.

"How long you think we got till he gets back," Kid asked interested.

"Day at least. But the train leaves in the morning and we'll be in Denver before then."

Kid grins wickedly and clicks his partner's glass.

"Ya know Heyes I'm really looking forward to that."

"Out witting the posse?"

"No," Kid said taking the cigar out of his mouth. "Getting on a train while it isn't moving!"