SIMPLE GIFTS

Drena Hills

'Child of God,

therefore children of God,

therefore brothers.

 

All wars are civil wars.'

-

Eric Gill

 

 

 

                He heard the music even before he saw the light.  Later he guessed his eyes had been closed and without the memory to startle him back he would have ridden past and eventually to his death.

 

                The song drifted through the trees, unhindered by the darkness or the cold.  Soothing it guided him forward and then bid him welcome to a place he normally would not have sought refuge.

 

                Four days and he still was not sure he had lost them, but at that point he honestly didn't care.  In fact so consumed by exhaustion was he that he slid off his horse and wearily climbed the three steps to the church doors and didn't care what the reaction that would wait him inside would be.

 

 

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

 

                Grace Community Church would later remark among itself that they always believed God answered prayers, they were just a little taken back by the method He often took.  Dirt poor farmers, most had come from the hills of Pennsylvania, with courage and pride and a faith that was annoying to those without it or in defiance of it.

 

                Prayer meetings were normally on Wednesdays, but they had gathered that Friday knowing full well what the night could bring once the hired guns finished their hoorahing in town and liquored up came to full fill the threat of the Saturday before.

 

                And so they joined together, men, women and children, old and young, fearful and resigned.  They prayed and they sang and they fellowshipped over groaning tables of food content in the knowledge that whatever they would face, they would face together.

 

                Their unity was due mostly to their Pastor; a canny Scot named Charles Stuart who after 30 years of fighting evil had picked up a few tricks himself.

 

                It was he who had seen the wisdom in putting all their property under the church's name, thus making the battle not against the individual, but God.  This had slowed the powers against them, but money in the end had brushed aside the law and justice and led them to this moment where they had taken a stand and now waited for a miracle or the end.

 

 

                It was just about this point that Hannibal Heyes came through the door.

 

 

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

 

 

He had expected the church to go silent on his entrance, all right he half expected a lightning bolt, but when none came he stood blinking at the warm cheery light of the room, soaking in the warmth and the way the song greeted him like an old friend.

 

                He heard a noise to the right of him and saw and old man give him a toothless smile and pat the bench beside him, scooting over so he could just slide in.

 

                Heyes nodded grateful and dropped into the seat and leaned back against the wall his last drop of energy gone.  He was asleep before the song ended, but not before it took hold.

 

 

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

 

                                                                                Lawrence, Kansas

                                                                                    Spring 1863

 

               

                "Jed, that's not how I drew it at all!"  11 year old Hannibal Heyes said disgusted looking up into the massive branches of the tree before him.  He had arrived at the construction sight at the bend in the river late and found his cousin was all ready hard at work hammering.

 

                "I know," Jedediah Curry said with the weariness of someone who has dealt with geniuses all his life and learned to let them talk and then just get on with it.

 

                "Then why didn't you follow my plan!"  Han said climbing quickly up the knotted rope to reach his cousin seated on the platform diligently working.

 

                "I figured you wanted it to stay up when the wind blew," 9 year old Jedediah said practically.

 

                "You saying my plan ain't no good?"  Han said not sure if he was more hurt or angry, but both had the potential for a proper fight.

 

                "Nope, just saying I ain't clever enough to find a way to make what you put down work," Jed said honestly.

 

                His cousin looked into the clear blue eyes calmly waiting for his reaction and he felt the anger and hurt drain off him like it always did when he finally listened to Jed.

 

                "You are clever Jed," Han said half in a mumble and looked at his blueprint to get past the moment. 

 

The tree house had been a labor for love for the two of them since the winter snow had melted.  They had managed so far without any parental help and a certain pride had grown between them at the thought of showing their fathers the final creation.

 

                Unfortunately Han's idea of a water wheel to power a ride up and three stories all linked by stairs had been a little too much for both the tree and Jed's ability with a hammer.

 

                "So you don't think the top branches can hold my office huh?" Han said disappointed.  He had always wanted an office since seeing one on a trip to Kansas City with his father.  He still was a bit vague on what people did in offices, but he knew his would be where he would think and work out ideas, ideas that would dazzle everyone.

 

                "'Fraid not Han," Jed said squinting as he studied his friend's disappointment.  "But you can have this floor for it.  I don't need an office, I don't get ideas like you."

 

                Han turned and looked at the younger boy who had found a way to link their tree house to a tree beside it giving them an 'escape' route in case of danger.  He had to admit he had been pretty clever at how he had done it using the barrel slats and barge ship coil they had scrounged.

 

                "You do all right Jed," he said and then smiled when Jed did at the praise.

 

                "I did get your water hauler to work," Jed said proudly eager to show his cousin he was doing his best.

 

                "Well, well what have we here?"

 

                Both boys looked at each other and then scrambled over to the edge and peered down.

 

                The blue uniform was old and torn, but unmistakable in its allegiance.  Jed whistled at the rifle the man carried along with two pistols.

 

                "I was wondering if I might take shade under your trees," the man said with an amused smile that crinkled his eyes nicely and made the two relax slightly.

 

                Their parents had warned them over and over about talking with soldiers, which had grown more and more difficult as the war raged on and both sides crossed the river with increasing regularity.

 

                "Reckon," Han said. 

 

                "Thank you kindly," the man said easing down wearily against the trunk beneath them and closing his eyes.

 

                "I wonder if he'll let me see his gun," Jed said eyes bright with excitement.

 

                "Your mom will skin you alive," Han said, but his voice expressed a certain curiosity about the man.

 

                "She ain't gonna know," Jed said stubbornly.

 

                "She'll know, she always knows," Han said.  "Besides they find out were working this far from the farms they will forbid us to come back, you know they said the river was dangerous now."

 

                "Well I'm here now and I wanna see that gun," Jed said resolved and grabbing up the handkerchief that held his lunch he shimmied down the rope.

 

                The soldier erased the smile he had formed listening to them and went poker face as Jed approached hesitantly.

 

                "Mister."

 

                "Sergeant."

 

                "Really?" Jed said interested.

 

                "1st Massachusetts infantry," he said. 

 

                "Where are you men?"

 

                "Just a bit past here, got separated from them seeing some equipment over the river.  What side your family standing for boy?"

 

                Jed considered this, "My mom says were on God's side, so we can't pick sides in a war.  She don't like killing."

 

                "Mother is a good woman, unfortunately sometimes a man has to take a stand."

 

                "So what's your stand?"  Jed asked sitting down next to him.

 

                "At the moment getting something to eat, I don't suppose your mom instilled enough Christian charity in you to share that lunch with a hungry soldier?"

 

                "Here," Jed said without hesitating.  "My mom says you never turn down a stranger's request for drink or food," and added in a confidential whisper.  "They might be an angel!"

 

                The man roared with laughter, "Fraid not this old relic son, but thank your ma all the same."

 

                The man took the food offered him and quickly wolfed it down and after a drink of water leaned back gratefully.

 

                "Boy you were more hungry than me," Jed grinned.

 

                The man smiled offering his hand, "Mike Cooper."

 

                "Jed Curry."

 

                "Jed!"

 

                Both of them looked up as Heyes stepped forward.

 

                "That's my cousin Hannibal," Jed explained proudly. "He figured out the tree house!  He can figure out anything!"

 

                "A pleasure to meet you Hannibal," Cooper said offering his hand.  "Named after a soldier eh?"

 

                "You know that story?" Heyes asked pleased.

 

                "I've studied the battles of all great soldiers," Cooper smiled.

 

                "Really!?" Heyes said eyes excited and sitting down he passed his lunch to Jed before he could ask for a bit.  "My dad tells me lots of stories about wars and battles, he was soldier himself in England before he married my mom and came here."

 

                "He's not fighting?"

 

                "Not with a gun," Hannibal said shrewdly.

 

                The man nodded impressed, "Can I ask a favor of you fellas?"

 

                Jed and Han looked at each other.

 

                "I suppose," Han said slowly.  "Depends on what you want?"

 

                "My unit won't be back this way until tomorrow. I'd like to use your tree house to rest up in till they arrive.  Seen some Jonny Reb's in the area and I need a place to hide out till its safe."

 

                The two boys looked at each other.  Hiding out a soldier!  It didn't sound wrong, in fact it sounded pretty exciting.

 

                "Yea I guess so," Han finally said.

 

                "Great, and to pay you back I'll be happy to do my share helping with your tree house, fair?"

               

                "Fair," Jed said relieved to have some grown up help they hadn't had to ask for.

 

                "Now let's get a look at those plans…"

 

 

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

 

 

                "Tis the gift to be simple tis the gift to be free," the words of the song floated down to the two boys running across the field towards the tree house.  It was accompanied with banging and when they reached the tree they stopped in awe.

 

                There in the branches cleverly balanced with supporting beams were the extra levels of Heyes's plan.

 

                "Wow!" Jed said impressed and quickly climbing up.  "I never thought to do it that way."

 

                "You did a fair job yourself, might make an engineer someday," Mike smiled taking the nail from his lips.

 

                "I brought you breakfast."

 

                "Jed you are a gentleman and a scholar, but I don't want to get you in trouble with your parents."

 

                "It's okay I'm always hungry my mom expects me to want extra," Jed said happily sitting back to watch his new friend eat.  "How was it sleeping out here?"

 

                "Very good, had a clear view of everything and no one had it of me, Han your ideas on camouflaging worked very well, you are to be commended."

 

                The older boy swelled with pride.

 

                "Han is good with stuff like that," Jed said proudly.

 

                "Yea, but Jed figured out how to make it all stay up," Han said loyally.

 

                "That song you were singing," Jed said as Mike finished his meal and began whistling the tune.  "My mom sings that song when she's working too. My dad taught Han to play it on granddad's fiddle, it almost sounds like it."

 

                Mike laughed as Hannibal glared at his cousin, "That's a start."  His eyes suddenly narrowed seeing something.  Quickly he pulled a telescope from his bag and focused on something out on the river.

"Boys I have to be going," he said gathering up his things and hastily leaping down.

 

                "But it's still early!" Han said upset to lose his friend.

 

                "Duty calls, but thank you both, you've done your country a great service!"

 

                And giving them a salute, he disappeared off into the trees.

 

 

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

 

                The sound of the doors being kicked open jarred Heyes violently from his sleep and he nearly fell off the pew.  Looking up confused he realized it was just past dawn and all around him people were waking up startled as the six men filled the center aisle of the church.

 

                "All right Reverend time is up!"  James Buck said pushing back his hat and spitting out his tobacco.  "Get out or we burn you out."

 

                Heyes considered this trying to gain his senses.  The group had moved foreword leaving their backs to him. Common sense told him to just sit and wait and not draw attention to himself.  But darn it they had woken him up!  First decent sleep he'd had in days.  And it just made him angry.

 

                "Didn't you mother ever teach you knock?" Heyes said quietly coming up behind the men an clicking back his gun.  "No, no don't turn around, you're bad enough to look at from the back."

 

                "Who are you mister?" Buck snarled turning his head slightly.

 

                "The man with the drop on you, but most people just call me Heyes, Hannibal Heyes."

 

                The name hushed the room more than the men's entrance had.

 

                "You working for these church mice?"

 

                "I work for me."

 

                "Then clear out while you can."

 

                "I also hate people who give me orders and can't back it up."

 

                "Oh you planning on killing us all in a church?" Buck snorted.

 

                "Can't see a reason not to," Heyes said pleasantly as if he was discussing what to do after breakfast.  "I was sleeping and you woke me up, not a man living won't agree that's a fair excuse for killing a man.  Besides think how much trouble and time it will save with you dead in the church aisle.  Reverend can do the funeral and then just toss you out back into the church graveyard and throw some dirt on you."

 

                The men were muttering uneasily now.

 

                "Hannibal Heyes ain't no killer, I read your wanted poster it don't say murder," Buck said with false bravo.

 

                "Yea it don't, does it?" Heyes grinned almost laughing.  "Guess none of them men lived long enough to mention it to the law."

 

                "Still six against one," Buck said but his voice broke.

 

                "No it ain't," came a voice from the front and everyone looked up as Jedediah Curry jumped down gun drawn.  "Sorry, Reverend, folks, ma'am," he tipped his hat walking past the dazed congregation.  "Been looking for you long enough Heyes, gone and got yourself religion?"

 

                "Nope, just the chance for a few hours sleep and then they woke me up," Heyes smiled.  "That would be my partner boys, Kid Curry?"

 

                Kid tsk, tsked the men sympathetically.  "Not a wise mood boys, my partner ain't the most understanding of men before he's had his coffee."

 

                "Yea well its still six to two and we got another 8 men outside!" Buck said fighting the urge to wipe his sweaty palms down the side of his trousers.

 

                "Reckon you did have," Wheat said clicking back his rifle from the window.

 

                The men turned slightly to see Kyle's gun aimed at them from a window on the other side.

 

                "We didn't think to look in the church Heyes!" Kyle grinned.  "But Kid said you got peculiar sometimes."

 

                "Now what's all this about?" Heyes said moving to the front to face them and replacing his gun now that his partner's was drawn.

 

                "These squatters…" Buck started.

 

                "I didn't ask you," Heyes said turning and picking out the Reverend.  "Reverend?"

 

                "Thank you Mr. Heyes.  I am afraid our community is experiencing a drought, this is our 3rd year."

 

                "Looks pretty green around here," Kid said.

 

                "Exactly, the Lord has seen fit to bless the land our farms and church are on with an underground well that has allowed us to prosper, unfortunately even though we have offered to share our good fortune, certain cattle owners feel it would be best if the land and the well were in there control.  This is their latest attempt to force us to sell our land."

 

                "That don't seem right," Kid said glaring at the men with enough force one accidentally dropped his rifle.

 

                "You got papers proving this?" Heyes asked.

 

                "Yes sir, all legal, unfortunately the judge the men bought wasn't," the Reverend said dryly.

 

                "Heyes I vote we shoot them all," Wheat said looking bored. 

               

                Every eye focused on Heyes, who pretended to consider this.

 

                "Let em go, but keep their guns, saddles and boots," Heyes said finally.

 

                "Our what!?"  Buck yelled.

 

                "One more word and I'll take your clothes too," Heyes said simply.

 

                "You can't do that!" Buck said indignant.

 

                "I'm an outlaw leader, I can do whatever I want, don't you read those dime novels?" Heyes said just as indignant back.

 

                Kid had turn to hide the smile he was fighting and then coughing he turned back, "All right boys everyone out!  You folks just carry on," he added to the wide-eyed congregation.

 

                Ten minutes later the gang stood by their horses laughing and watching the hired gunmen ride uncomfortably away.

 

                "Thank you for coming looking," Heyes grinned at Kid.

 

                "Yea well when the entire posse decided to follow you I figured we better try and catch up quick.  A church Heyes?"

 

                "First thing I stumbled across," he explained moving to mount up.

 

                "Heyes can't we rest a bit I plum tuckered out," Kyle whined.

 

                "Now boys don't you think these poor folks have been through enough for one day?"  Kid said understanding.

 

                "Actually we were wondering if you would be gracious enough to join us for a meal," came a voice.  "We have more than enough, were rather thinking it was going to be our last meal."

 

                They all turned to see the elf-like pastor smiling at them.  He was no more than 5 feet, with great ears sticking out from graying hair cut badly, but the twinkle in his eyes was impossible not to smile at.

 

                "Ah you sure them folks in your congregation wouldn't mind?" Heyes said doubtful and trying not to think of how hungry he was.

 

                "Gentlemen you were sent by God, no one else has that kind of timing or sense of humor.  And besides for all we know you are angels disguised to test us?"

 

                Heyes looked over at Kyle and Lobo, man had a lot of faith or a very strange view of angels.

 

                "Thank you sir we would be most grateful," Heyes said.

 

                "Excellent.  There is food and water for your horses over in that stable, were meeting in the cellar, nice and cool down there."

 

                Heyes watched him walk away and then turned on his men.  "Few rules up front, don't shoot anybody, don't kiss, carry off or plain out bother any women and don't dump the entire plate of food your passed on your plate, got it?"

 

                The six men nodded.

 

                "And go wash up after you stable them horses," he added.

 

                The men hurried off leaving him alone with his cousin.

 

                "I hope we didn't make it worse for those folks," Kid said thoughtful as they walked towards the church.

 

                "Well not much worse off that dead, so I think were leaving them a step up…" he stopped singing could be heard coming from the church.  He smiled at the tune; it was the same one from last night.  The one that had brought him there.

 

                "Takes you back don' t it?" Kid said pausing to listen as well.

 

                "That it does," Heyes smiled remembering

 

 

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

 

                                                                                               

                They nearly tripped over him.  He was laying on the high grass, one leg knee up groaning, but softly.  Blood was everywhere. 

 

                The gray uniform on him was mismatched and didn't fit and Han's first thought was he don't look much older than me.

 

                "He's been shot!"  Jed said kneeling down.  "What are we gonna do Han."

 

                "Your house is closest, come on help me with him," Han ordered.

 

                Together they managed to half carry; half drag the soldier until at last the Curry farm came into view.  Jed's mother looked up from her garden and horrified began to run towards them.

 

                Moments later the Confederate soldier was safely inside the house.

 

                "Jed get me some water.  Rachel go and get your father out of the field," Mrs. Curry ordered her daughter as Han helped her pull the cloth away from the wound.

 

                "Is he gonna live?" Jed asked worried.

 

                "Well were not going to let him die without a fight," the soft-spoken blond woman said taking the water and a cloth and then smiled at the boy's worried expression.  "Don't worry you two, if God put him in your path that's a good sign."

 

                The boys nodded relieved and hurried off to get the items she called for.

 

                "I'm more worried about how both sides of this foolishness is going to feel about this," she said softly to herself.  "Well it makes no never mind, I hold no truck with death in this house!"

 

 

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

 

                Jed's father had come running and immediately sent the boys to bring Han's father.  It was evening by then and the group spent a tense night waiting for morning.  Upon its arrival the two father's set out for Lawrence and the surrounding countryside to locate where the soldier's unit would have been camped.

 

                "It's imperative we get him back to his own company as soon as possible," Han's father said quietly to the Curry's.  "We don't want either side thinking we've chosen sides.  He really would be better in the barn in case someone follows that trail of blood here."

 

                "I am not leaving a wounded boy in the barn!"  Jed's mother said straightening, hands on her hips and righteous indignation in her eyes.

 

                "Now lass, he's only think of our safety," Jed's dad smiled recognizing the signs.  "Jed, Han look after the women, we'll be back before mid day."

 

                But they weren't and as the afternoon shadows grew longer so did the mother's concerns.

 

                "Where do you think they are?"  Jed asked worried as he and Han sat beside the unconscious soldier.  In the kitchen is mother was working to keep her mind off things singing as she worked.

 

                "Just probably had trouble tracking down the Rebs," Han said lightly.

 

                "Maybe we shouldn't have brought him here," Jed said quietly looking like he was gonna cry.

 

                "Nah, he would have died, gotta do the right thing."

 

                "Always?" Jed asked.

 

                "Well when you can."

 

                "My momma used to sing that song."

 

                They both stared down at the large green eyes staring up at them and realized he was referring to Jed's mom's singing.

 

                "Ma!  He's awake!"  Jed yelled.

 

                "Momma used to sing it to me fore I went to sleep at night," the boy said his eyes far away and filled with pain.

 

                "I can play it on the fiddle," Han said not knowing what to say.

 

                "How are you feeling young man?" Jed's mother said coming over wiping her hands on her apron and putting a cool hand on the boy's forehead.

 

                "Better ma'am, much obliged," the boy lied.'

 

                "Excellent, ma'am, we'll be taking charge of the prisoner now."

 

                They all turned to see the tall Union soldier in the doorway.

 

                "You are taking no one anywhere, this young man has been shot," Jed's mom said moving in front of the wounded man.

 

                "Ma'am he is a prisoner of war…"

 

                "And what right to ya have barging in a home like that, not even wiping your dirty feet!"  Han's mother said coming in the door past them carrying the evening milk, her Irish lilt coming to the forefront when she was angry.  

 

                "Ladies…"

 

                "Mike!"  Jed said surprised suddenly realizing who the man in the door was.

 

                "Hello Jed," Mike said softly.  "Han."

 

                "How do you know this man?" Han's mother said pulling her son to her.

 

                "He helped us build a tree house," Han explained relieved.  It would be all right now.  They knew Mike, he was fun and their friend, he would understand.

 

                "Alright you two take him out to the wagon with the others," Mike said to his men who stood waiting.

 

                "Mike he's hurt!"  Jed said running over and catching his arm as the soldiers entered.

 

                "Jed, I'm sorry, but this is war, that man is our enemy."

 

                "But Mike," Jed said tears in his eyes as the wounded boy groaned in pain at being moved.  He looked over and saw his mother and aunt holding hands and crying.  This didn't make sense.  How could he make these stupid grown up understand and suddenly a thought occurred to him.  "Mike!  Mike you can't be enemies!  You remember how you told us your Ma sang you that song to put you to sleep, well he said his mom did the same thing! How can you be enemies?  He sings the same songs you do!"

 

                The man stared down at him for a long moment, "I'm sorry Jed, ladies."  He tipped his hat and without a backward glance was gone.

 

                The two boys and their mothers stared after them and then back at the blood stained sheets.

 

                "You can't be enemies," Jed said tears running down his face.  "You sing the same songs."

 

 

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

 

 

                There had been many potlucks at the Grace Community Church, but this was one for the ages.  Long tables had been set up and the outlaws were found seats and urged to eat up and feel at home.  The eating presented no problem, and eventually the warmth of the people overcame their uncomfortableness at being at a church social.

 

                "And what happens when they come back," Heyes said quietly over coffee to the Reverend an hour later.

 

                "Yea we may have bought you a week or two, but not much more.  They'll get some more men in here and be back," Kid pointed out.

 

                "Well then I would suppose we expect another miracle," the Reverend said.

 

                "Just how attached are you to this land?" Heyes said reading over their deeds and looking up with a funny expression on his face.

 

                "Well we had been hoping for California, but our money ended here, so this is where we settled."

 

                "What if we could get you to California with enough money to buy all the land you needed?" Heyes said his eyes sparkling.

 

                "That's very kind of you lad, but we can't take your spoils, wouldn't be right…"

 

                "No, no, I'm talking about a swap.  Now you said the three ranchers own this land along here correct?" he said pointing to a line on the map.

 

                "Aye, but more dead and barren a piece of real estate…"

 

                "Even better!  Were going to get them to trade you this land for yours."

 

                The Reverend looked at him, "What are you up to lad?"

 

                "Oh you can be sure its no good for those ranchers," Kid grinned reading his friend's expression. 

 

                "Reverend I'm think I have a way that will solve all your problems without anyone having to fire a shot," Heyes smiled wickedly.  "Now how would you feel about hiring me to be your lawyer?"

 

 

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

 

                "A trade?" the head of the cattleman's society said staring at Heyes.  The outlaw was clerkishly dressed in a business suit and wore wire-framed glasses to complete his studious image.

 

                "Yes sir, as lawyer and representative of the Grace Community Church I am proposing a land swop.  They feel unable to resist your persuasive tactics and are willing to move aside.  All they ask is complete unrevocable title to this land and some moving expenses."

 

                The man excused himself and stepped over to his cronies and lawyers.

 

                "Knew we had them scared!" he laughed.  "How does it look?" he questioned his lawyer.

 

                "Well it seems all straight forward as long as you gentlemen understand that the way this contract has been drawn up you waiver any right ever to that land and can never contest this sale."

 

                "That dead earth?  They can have it!  Let's sign and get this over once and for all."

 

 

 

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

 

 

                "Reverend I would like you to meet Mr. Greeley of the Union Pacific Railroad," Heyes smiled as he Kid and the railroad lawyers rode up to the tiny church. 

 

                "Reverend," Greeley said.  "I'm here hoping we can make a little deal."

 

                As he spoke the congregation curious looked up from their packing and slowly began to drift forward to hear.

 

                "A deal sir?  Well let me offer you a drink and a wee bit of shade and we'll hear what you have to offer."

 

                And hour later, both sides more than satisfied, the railway men road off happily tut tutting over the signatures on the deed.  They were just as pleased over the good will the story would generate when it 'accidentally' came out, as Mr. Rembacker had suggested, that the railroad had generously bought rights to land from a church seeking to relocate.

 

                "Mr. Heyes I'm not quite sure how you did this," the Reverend said staring at the incredible check in his hands.  "Surely we owe you something for all your trouble."

 

                "No trouble Reverend," Heyes said mounting up.  "Just be out of here before the news breaks.  Those ranchers don't strike me as having any sense of humor.

 

                "Yes I especially liked the part when you had the man give us all life time passes on the railroad," the clergyman laughed.  "I promise you we'll be gone by morning!  Thank you Mr. Heyes, thank you Mr. Curry, I don't know why you did it, but I am truly grateful."

 

                "Heyes?"  Kid asked as they turned their horses away and galloped off.  "You gonna tell me now how your knew the railroad was coming through here and would want that land at any cost?

 

                "Well you know how I always read all the mail in the train safes while you pack up the money? "

 

                "Sure, then you put it back so no one don't know anyone has read it and that way you get information on other big shipments of gold and stuff."

 

                "Well sometimes there is other information in there as well," he grinned.

 

                Kid laughed and shook his head amazed, "Heyes you do out do yourself sometimes, but tell me, really, how come?"

 

                "Huh?"

 

                "Little church, middle of nowhere, how come you went to all this trouble for them?

 

                Heyes considered it for a moment as behind them a familiar song drifted up on the lips of people happy and at peace and he smiled. 

 

"Simple, I guess.  We sang the same song."