Ethan was no fool. He'd seen this marshal years ago and couldn't believe Old Dick didn't recognize him. Richard Barr...he smiled and shook his head. He was a renegade outlaw that met the Commancheros leader, Half Tongue and would barter white women and booze for horses stolen by the notorious gang of horse theives. Richard Barr's real name was Dick Barrandez. TW was enslaved by the Commancheros and on many occassions, he was there serving as the two bartered and drank. TW turned slowly and glanced at each of the men and the woman. Old Dick might fool the town, but he was sure Sandy and the other two were wondering how TW knew this Marshal and he couldn't be trusted.

TW listened as the Marshal talked about the war wagon hold up and wondered if he knew about the next payload. He kept quiet and listened to what the man had to say. Slowly, TW stepped away from the bar, in case he had to draw and jump over the countertop. His hand only a couple inches away from his rifle. In the back of his mind, he wondered if Chase had found this woman Maddie and if he was in position with the horses behind the saloon. His plan was to break 'er out of jail while working on a way to save these two from being captured.

But now he had the Marshal a couple feet away near the table and on the right side a couple of bar stools away was his deputy. He mentioned a five way split.

TW spoke first...how much we talkin?

As Dawson had his say, Bones knew that Sandy and Jesse were preparing themselves, already their hands must be at or very near their respective pistols. Bones waited for more from the big cowboy, this Dawson seemed tough like iron, Bones thought the odds were much better to take the big man in a gunfight, by the looks of him no one in the room was going to take him in a fistfight.

The Marshal broke the tension somewhat as he got back to his feet and made his offer. Help him take down McIntire's Iron Wagon, effectively ruining the man's financial hold in this territory and not only would Barr give an even split but he would look the other way and let all parties involved walk right out of town.

Yeah sure, and maybe we could all ride a great big flying pig out of town...

Bones did not trust anyone on this earth except Sandy and Jesse, and he would do just about anything to secure their safety and survival so for the time being he made up his mind to go along with the marshal's deal. There were a few loose ends still out there that could only work against the four of them, at this point they could really only make nice with Barr and hear him out.

Bones wondered what conclusion TW Dawson would come to, he was a lone wolf in this deal and did not owe Sandy, Bones or Jesse a damn thing. The tall man in the red shirt could simply tell Barr to stuff it and set off a lethal chain of events. But surely Dawson would want a chance to clear his name and take his face off of those wanted posters that littered the streets of the nearby towns in this territory.

At the very least Bones thought that just like himself, Dawson would take the deal for the slim chance of facing McIntire himself and giving him what no one else had the sand to, sudden death.

Bones' eyes lingered on Dawson for a few seconds more before the thin man turned back to Barr and lifted his glass.

"Count me In." Bones said as he hoisted his glass, Sandy shot him a sly look, Jesse was glaring at the thin gunfighter as he spoke, she looked like she would spit fire.

"I'm in too, I'm not gonna sit in the jailhouse in this dump while you hog all the glory and fun." Jesse hissed as she stood and offered her glass.

Bones did not give a hang about the money, in truth the thin man never had much use for the stuff and if you were to ask Sandy it would be related that Bones Brown never had more than a dollar or two in his ragged clothes at any time, ever. Bones' wealth was tied up in one single thing, he was good in a gunfight. Bones Brown was a believer in destiny of a sort, in his youth he prepared the bodies of the dead and laid them to rest in fresh dug earth, in these later years he was a master of sending men to the undertaker. Bones viewed these events like a circle that was destined to close someday, you could not go on killing forever, Bones knew this, perhaps the time was coming for the circle be complete.

Bones was not going to fight against the inevitable, but he was going to make damn sure his friends got free and clear before the curtain came down. So his mind was made up, take the deal and agree to spill more blood and at the end of things, help his friends as he had always tried to do in the past.

Sandy followed his friend's lead. He held his glass high and nodded his agreement to the marshal. From his perspective it was a sound plan. They'd hit McIntire where it hurts and up until that day they took out the iron wagon, Coyote Hills would be a safe haven for them, so long as they kept their wits about them. They'd have to keep their heads down most of the time of course, but at least they wouldn't have to worry about getting their backsides shot off.



Jesse smiled and gave, Sandy a playful but solid hit in the shoulder. He didn't spill a drop of whiskey.

"Still solid on yer feet, eh Sandy." She commented in her rough and raspy voice, followed by an excited yip, "Been lookin fer you two sons-a-bitches for near a year and as soon as I finds ya, we're robbin' a goddam stage coach! You'll have to fill me in on this McIntire feller later on, sounds like a real bastard."

The rough and tumble woman licked her lips in anticipation of shooting back the glass of whiskey, but the marshall wasn't drinking, at least not yet. There was the matter of dealing with Dawson and the big man didn't look to pleased with the marshal's offer, like he had some old score to settle. Unfortunately, his beef could cost them their lives and Jesse would rather deal with one man instead of twenty. Bones was as fast as they came and Sandy could out wrestle most, but against so many the fight would be a short one and she'd only just found her boys again. She damned, if'n this ornery cowboy was take 'em away and the derringer up her sleeve was cocked and ready to fire.

Looking over at Bones, she saw that stone cold stare in his eyes. In fact she got to know it so well she could tell when he was about to draw every time and her shot would be right behind his if came down to it. Personally she hoped this Dawson threw in with them, he looked like he could handle himself in a scrape and would come in handy considering the reputation this McIntire had.

"So you in or what, Dawson?" Jesse called out to the big man.



Marshall Barr grinned when Dawson asked, "how much we talkin?"

"Don't play that game with me, Tumbleweed." Answered Barr, "I know you've seen the wagon. You know how much McIntire hauls. Why a fifth of that cargo is more than enough fer you to buy yourself a nice spread and hire enough hands so you'd never have to work again."

Barr's grin waned as he stared into Dawson's eyes and recognized the past burning within them. "Ethan. The past is the past. " the marshal said and seeing that the man was still impassive cut right to the chase, "So what? You wanna a hit me? Is that it? I'm a different man now, and despite what you might think I care for this town. When I put on this star, it was because I shed my old life. Threw it out with the trash, but that bastard, McIntire dragged me right back in."

Barr placed his glass down on the table and walked over and stood before Dawson. His deputy readied himself for action but the marshal raised his hand and signaled him to stay out of it. "Well, com'on, Ethan. Get it over with." Said Barr as he stuck his chin out, "Take yer shot. Deep down I know you want take down, McIntire as much as I do, so take yer shot and throw in with us."

The smaller man stood before Dawson, staring him down. Never again would he get the opportunity to hire two reputable outlaws and Tumbleweed Dawson again, and he was willing to do what ever it took to make his plan work.

TW looked from Bones to Sandy to the lil lady named Jesse with only his eyes. He stood his ground as Barr got right up close to Dawson taunting him. "Well, com'on, Ethan. Get it over with." Said Barr as he stuck his chin out, "Take yer shot. Deep down I know you want take down, McIntire as much as I do, so take yer shot and throw in with us."

Well marshal, I'm not one to throw in the towel so lightly. Turning in place, TW pours hisself another whiskey. He swallows the sour whiskey & rye and sets the shot glass down on the countertop as he looks at the deputy at the corner of his eye. Turning he hits the marshal square in the jaw and watches as he tumbles back over the chair behind him. Dawson points at him, That's for every white slave trade you made with Half Tongue, you sonofbitch! Richard Barr looked surprised.Thats right you sonofbitch, I was there. You and I got some business to finish when this is all over. TW put his hand out and pulled the marshal back up on his feet. So is there a better place to talk business?





At Coyote Hills, McIntire walked into a small Wells Fargo Assay office where a Mr. Madison Larkin waited for McIntire.

"Sheriff, I have a busy schedule to meet, I almost left without you."

Mr Larkin, we got delayed, but the gold is being transferred as we speak and should be finished within the hour. This will be the last time we are delayed, that I promise.

"Well, Sheriff McIntire ,Wells Fargo cannot be delayed and..."

Silly lil man, I have some business to do in town so I should be back here in one hour. My deputies here will stand guard so you are encouraged to stay. I do expect a check to be cut before you leave tonight? Yes? Nod... yes Mr Larkin. Good boy! Sheriff McIntire loved to humilate this lil man and proceeded to pat his bald spot on his head as if the man was nothing but a rag doll. McIntire put his shooting glove and walked down Main Street with four of his entrusted deputies to the jailhouse. It seemed a bit quiet tonight but then maybe Barr got smart and put a curfew into effect like McIntire had done back in Shady Gulch.

He approached the jailhouse and swung open the front door. Hey Buck, hey Jeb...where's a Mitch and Marshal.

Hey Sheriff...Jeb snickered, we got your lil girlfriend in the back...wanna piece of the action.

WHAT!

Easy Sheriff...Jeb is just messin 'round with ya, said Buck. Aint ya Jeb?

Aw shur Sheriff...we wouldn't hurt the Keegan girl. We know you'd come fer her.

Where's Marshal Barr and his deputy Mitch?

Well la thar down at the saloon, fixin on bringin the rest of them cowboys in. Marshal barr got the place surrounded.

Chase finished telling Maddie that he knew how to get her out but her would need some help, so she was to sit tight. Crouched low so as not to make a large target, Chase looked up at the deputies positioned on the rooftops around the saloon. He saw that they were more relaxed now then before, a few of them taking a tabacco break, some smoking some chewing. He made it the corner of the jailhouse when he quickly ducked back into the shadows, seeing McIntire and a few of his men enter the jailhouse. Shit!! This wasn't good.

When he saw McIntire and his men disappear into the jailhouse he, watched the men across the street and when they weren't looking he made his way, using the shadows, to the saloon, heading around back. The horses were tied around back in an alley, not far from the saloon itself. He slipped into the rear of the saloon, and making his way through the small storage room, he came to the door that went into the bar room itself. He spotted Ethan and saw Bones and Sandy sitting at a table. He didn't know who the woman was, but he figured the man walking towards Ethan was the sheriff. Looking around, he spotted Mitch standing at the corner of the bar. How was he going to get Ethan's attention without alerting the man at the end of the bar? When he saw Ethan clock the sheriff, he grinned. Then he heard Ethan suggest they go somewhere and talk business. Okay, now this was strange but it looked like Sandy and Bones were in on it too if his instincts were right.

Chase made a risky decision and crawled back into the storage room. Standing up, he walked right into the bar.

"Well, hello Ethan..Sandy..Bones. Fancy meeting you all here. McIntire's here as well. I just saw him enter the jailhouse. Funny how everyone wound up in the same place."

He looked over at the bartender and demanded a shot of whiskey, his eyes on Ethan hoping that he got the hint on who was in the jailhouse and who just entered. They needed to get Maddie out of there and soon. If McIntire got his hands on her, he'd hurt her. He then looked over Sandy and Bones, hoping that they too, caught the hint, if they even knew that Maddie was in the jailhouse.

When Dawson, turned away and poured himself a whiskey at the bar, Barr relaxed. The man, had obviously come to his senses and the Marshal rather preferred a drink to the alternative. Stepping forward, he walked straight into Tumbleweed's big fist, all went black for a moment and Barr found himself staring up at as Bones Brown from the floor. It seemed that old, Dawson knew a lot more about his past than he realized, but Barr made peace with the fact he'd be going straight to hell a long time ago.

Barr rubbed his jaw and spat out a wad of blood before he accepted Dawson's hand up. "What scares me, Dawson, is that I know you were holding back on that one." Said the Marshall as he steadied himself against the bar. With a waving hand, Barr grabbed the whiskey bottle and Pete fired down a glass pronto, just as he haphazardly poured the liquor, spilling more over the bar than in his glass. He spun around and raised it to seal the deal, "To partnership." he toasted and as the Marshal shot back his drink a half-breed apache wandered in from the back.

"Godammit!" Cursed Barr, "Who the hell are you?"

Barr had a mind to shoot the kid dead where he stood but then he noticed that he was not only familiar with Dawson, but he seemed to know Sandy and Bones as well. The Marshal laughed at the comedy of errors. He had purposely, placed three of his most incompetent men at the back of the saloon to ensure that Sandy and Bones could make an easy, yet believable get away, so he wasn't surprised that the Keegan girl's ranch hand slip by them so easily. 'What the hell else could wrong?' Barr wondered.

"McIntire's here..."

When, Chase mentioned that the Sheriff of Shady Gulch was already at the jailhouse, Barr's eyes widened. "What the hell is he doing here at this time in the morning?" He said surprised, while wiping the blood away from the corner of his mouth, "Land sakes! Well, y'all better get the hell outta here. Behind the saloon are three of the stupidest men I have, try not to hurt 'em too bad. There's three horses back there as well if'n ya need 'em."

The Marshal was thinking as fast as he could. He planned on them having a lot more time to discuss the heist but as fate would have it, McIntire was early. "There's an old abandoned farm house about ten miles west of here, you can't miss the weather vein standin' over it. In the east corner of the main room, you'll find a hidden trap door that leads to the cellar and down there you'll find enough supplies to keep ya fer a few days if needs be. I'll meet ya there tonight."



Sandy threw back his shot and listened intently to the marshal's instructions. Seemed easy enough, all except for the fact that McIntire was lurking about town. Still, he didn't waste any time gathering his gear up and making for the back.

"Just a goddam moment." Snapped Jesse, "I gotta git my gear from upstairs. Hold yer horses for a moment, Sandy. Just wait! Yer gonna end up gettin' your tail shot off! Even if they is three fools out thar, they's still three fools with guns."

As Jesse ran up the stairs, Sandy cracked the back door open ever so slightly to get a look outside. All he could see was the edge of one man's shoulder standing not more than a few feet away and the others were around the other side of the door.

"We might as well get rid of them, real quiet like." Whispered Sandy who was already planning to use a sleeper hold on the closest one, "Where's Dawson? We could use his fists."

Chase stood there, looking at the Marshall and listening to what he had to say on where to meet up. When Sandy walked over to the rear door and peeked out, he worried about Maddie. How in the hell were they gonna get her out of McIntire's hands now? Sandy, Bones, and Dawson didn't realize the hurt McIntire would put on Maddie for not only being a Keegan, but for being the one woman who would just as soon spit in his face, and had done so before, than look at him.

"Wait a minute, Marshall. What about Maddison Keegan? I know she's in your jailhouse and I know what McIntire will do to her if he gets his hands on her."

He looked at Sandy then Dawson, his eyes telling both men that he was not about to leave his best friend and a woman who was like a little sister to him behind.


Maddie sat up straighter when she heard McIntire's voice. Her heart filled with dread and a little fear which she quickly swallowed down, the all too familiar defiant look filling her blue eyes. When McIntire walked back to her cell and stood in front of the bars, she sneered at him as she leaned up against the cool brick wall next to the small window.

"Well...well.....well, they'll just let any type of dirt filled scum into this town."

Marshal Barr tipped his hat back and scratched his head out of frustration. He was really beginning to dislike this half-injun. "Well, I'm sorry about that kid. I truly am," he replied, "but ya see there's not much I can do now if'n, McIntire's got to her. If that rattlesnake catches wind of what we're up ta, he'll string us all up."

The Marshall left it at that. He really didn't give a plug nickel for the girl, she'd always been a thorn in his side the way she set off, McIntire and as far as he was concerned she was gettin' her just desserts, or McIntire was getting his. How ever that expression went.

As the outlaws were heading out the back, Marshall Barr and Deputy Murdock headed out the front. They took their time, making sure the others had a chance to take out the three men in the back and make their getaway before heading out. When they did, they both ran out firing back into the saloon, aiming at the floor, trying to put on a good show. The Marshal, held his jaw to draw attention to the bloodied lip that Dawson had serendipitously provided and hollared, "They're gettin' away, boys. Get in thar and get em!"

The Marshal's deputized gang drew their pistols and stormed into the saloon ready to shoot dead any outlaw that crossed their paths.

Jesse came back down stairs quickly, with her gear slung on her shoulder she made for the back door.

"See you boys outside..." She said with a grin as she passed by Sandy and Bones and was the first out the back door. There was a thud on the other side of the open door as Jesse began to scrap it out with one of the deputies.

Bones rushed out the back door, the thin man kept his guns in his belt. Jesse had a hold of the closest deputy, she had pulled on his neck kerchief forcing him to lean forward as she brought her knee to his groin. The man was on his knees gasping for breath, Bones moved past the unfortunate man to see two other deputies about ten feet away. The men were only just reacting to Jesse's assault on their friend. One man was putting his thin cigar out as the other was rushing at Jesse. Bones made his way to the man with the cigar as the third man came at Jesse and Sandy.

The man with the cigar went for his gun, Bones got a hold of his arm and held it fast as he came eye to eye with the deputy.

"Not fast enough boy." Bones growled as he elbowed the young man in the chin. The man stepped backwards from the blow, it was painful but the man was still on his feet. Bones forced the young deputy back further until his back was against the rear of the building. Bones still had a hold of his one arm as the young man struggled to remove his pistol from his belt.

Bones elbowed the dark haired man again this time right in the nose. The man cursed as his nose began to bleed. Bone had undone the man's gun belt with his free hand, his weapons slid to the ground and bones kicked them away.

Bones let up on hitting the young man and took a step back and scooped up the deputy's guns.
"You go on now, get the hell out of here or I'll finish what I started."

The man began to walk past Bones and back to where Jesse and Sandy were, he kept his head down and was pinching his bloody nose to keep it closed.

"Whoa! —" Sandy cried as Jesse ran by, but true to her nature the impetuous woman never took the time to look before she leapt, so he chased after her. Not that she needed any help dealing with one man, but there were two more rushing to their friend's aid. Bones met one head on, and the other a small scrapper came at Sandy swinging a heavy stick.

Sandy figured, the Marshal made sure to inform these deputies to take them alive at all costs, thus preventing them from using their guns and getting off a lucky shot. Fine by him, except he happened to get the creative one, with the axe handle. Why in the hell did he always get the mean little guys? The scrapper swung low and Sandy, leapt back, then he swung high and the wrestler saw his opportunity. Ducking under the skull crushing swing, Sandy got a good grip on the man's mid-section and hooking his arms round his legs took him down, simultaneously flipping him on his belly. Prone, the smaller man tried to swing backwards with his weapon, but Sandy easily blocked the weak attack and drove his knee into the man's back. The man gasped and spit out the dirt driven into his mouth, then feeling the weight lift off his back spun around ready to swing again.

"Enough." Said Sandy pointing a gun at the man's belly.

The deputy quickly dropped the axe handle and looking down realized that the outlaw was holding his own gun on him, which he must have slipped out of his holster when he threw him down.

"Y'all are under arrest —" the deputy squeeked.

"Save it." Sandy cut in, directing the deputy with a wave of his gun, and the scrapper fell in line behind the other man who staggered past him holding his bloody nose. They headed back into the Silver Sage saloon, thankful to be alive and Jesse holding the pistol of the third deputy kicked the last one in the arse and slammed the door behind him.

"The first man that pokes his head outta that there door, I'm a shootin' off his pecker pole! Ya here me!" Hollered Jesse, quickly backing away from the door while keeping her gun trained on it. Nearing the horses she tossed aside the deputies gun, threw her gear to Sandy and straddled onto his pony leaving the last one for Dawson or whoever else might need it.

"Let's git the hell outta here boys!" Shouted Jesse with a triumphant yip, spurring the horse forward as she clamped tightly onto Sandy.

Sandy guided the horse round a corner and rode east, back to where he and Bones had left their horses and possessions. Jesse drew her gun and looked back to make sure Bones was with them and no one was pursuing them. She saw a few deputies on foot run around the corner but by the time they raised their gun and drew a bead on them they were well out of range. They had made it out of town, now all they had to do was make it to the marshal's hide out and wait for him to arrive, a plan that Jesse was all to comfortable with.

"Y' know, boys. I don't trust that marshal as far as I can spit. I say we high tail it." Voiced the gruff woman.

Sandy had actually been debating the same thing, but then he thought about the money and the satisfaction of robbing that son-of-a-bitch, McIntire. "I don't trust 'em either, Jesse," Agreed Sandy, "but let's see how close we get to that iron wagon. We can bail-out at any time."

"Well, yeah. Maybe." Debated Jesse. She still didn't like the plan, but a few extra dollars in her pocket stolen from a tyrant was hard to pass up.

Bones rode out of town with his old friends, it felt proper that Jesse was back in the mix. Bones looked ahead of him and Sandy, the wild woman was yards ahead of them riding out front like a bat out of hell.

Bones smiled as he heard Jesse yip and shout, spurring her stolen horse faster and faster.
"Let's go you mangy thing, Git!"

The outlaws were riding for Barr's abandoned farmhouse, Bones would keep his eyes open for the old weathervane.

It was ten miles to the hideout, Bones wondered as he always did, was this another set up?

Bones was liking the idea of taking the iron wagon apart, hitting McIntire where he hurt would put a smile on the thin gunfighters face. Bones did not give a hang about the money, damn the money, Bones was just happy to ride with Sandy and Jesse again.

"Faster you ugly som'bitch" Jesse shouted to her horse as she increased the distance between she and Bones and Sandy.

"God I love that girl." Bones said to Sandy as they rode.

Sandy smiled broadly at his old friend, sharing the sentiments of the gunslinger. It was like old times again and the sharp-shooter felt something he hadn't had in a while — a sense of security. He had never taken much mind of it before he met Jesse and Bones, and he sure did appreciate it now after losing it.

He wasn't sure what exactly happened to Dawson, but Sandy caught sight of the big man heading round the other side of the Silver Sage saloon. The man moved with purpose and so he didn't think to turn back for him, Tumbleweed could easily take care of himself and look after that kid, Chase as well. Sandy also felt a little bad about leaving the Keegan girl behind, but with McIntire in town he'd not only have his own men at his disposal, but Barr's men as well. Those were bad odds, and Sandy wasn't about to risk any of their lives on a fool's mission.

While they rode hard too Barr's hideout, the Marshal made his way back to his office. All along the way back down Main Street, Barr ran his story over his mind. It had to be air tight, or McIntire would suspect something, and that man had a nose like coyote. He could usually sniff out a lie so the Marshal had to have his wits about him.



McIntire grinned fiendishly as he looked, Madison up and down. He chuckled delightfully at her feistiness when she called him scum. 'Dirt filled scum', to be precise. God, how he loved her spirit. Breaking her would be one of his greatest triumphs yet, and with her he planned to take his time and enjoy every moment of it.

"Well now there, Miss Keegan, aren't you a right perdy little jail bird." McIntire hummed.

The girl hissed so loudly that the Sherrif stepped away from the bars, else he have to fend off her grabbing hold of him and risk damaging his prize. "You do have spirit." he commented, then turned away when he heard the bell on the door chime.

"Hmmm, that best be the Marshal." Said McIntire, then tipping his hat politely to the Keegan girl said, "Now, don't go running off now. We have some unfinished business."

Sherrif McIntire gave her a stomach turning wink and headed back into the main office where he met up with Marshal Barr. "Good morning, Richard." he bid.

"Sherrif." Acknowledged Barr with a tip of his hat, "What brings you to town so bright early?"

McIntire immediately noticed Barr's bruised and bloody lip but didn't mention anything of it. He just strolled over to Barr's desk, sat in his chair and threw his boots up on the desk, purposely kicking the dirt off his boots just to see if he could a rise out of the man. When he didn't, he leaned back and placed his hands behind his head. He looked at the door then slowly his eyes traced their way back to settle on the Marshal.

"So where are my fugitives?" he asked.

"I'm really sorry, sir. I had the place surrounded, but that son-of-bitch, Dawson up and cold-cocked me and they made out the back. They took out my deputies and high-tailed out of town."

McIntire stared up at the ceiling and rocked back forth for a while. The chair creaked and groaned in time with, Barr's heart beat which was steadily rising into his throat. He could feel the heat rising out of his collar and feared that soon he would start sweating, but then the Sherrif spoke.

"Well Dawson's far better than you ever were, or will be, Barr, so it doesn't surprise me."

Barr grit his teeth at the insult but forced a nod. "He caught me cold, sir."

"Shut-up, Barr! If'n that man would a caught you cold you'd be dead right now. No, you're down right sloppy! Now, seeing as how you did manage to catch me the Keegan girl, you've put me in a good mood and I'm going to over look your foul up. Just make sure they're outta my jurisdiction, and if'n there not I want them dead. You hear me!"

"Yes sir." Said Barr.

"Now, why don't you git outta here and give me some privacy. Go on, and git! I don't wanna look at right now."

Marshal Barr hastily left his office. He didn't know what the Sheriff had in mind and he didn't really care, all he knew was that he literally dodged a bullet.

After the marshal had left the office, ol' Buck Daniels who had been quietly sitting in the turn-key's room glanced over at McIntire. The Sheriff's look said everything his loyal man needed to know and the turn-coat deputy moseyed out after Barr.

McIntire was no fool and knew that the best way to keep tabs on his employees was through the watchful eyes of a bribed man and Buck Daniel's and been bought and paid for. Spying on the marshal had been very profitable for the deputy and Buck was good at it. He might have appeared to be a simple ranch-hand turned deputy on the outside but much of it was an act. In truth, Buck was near as shrewd as McIntire and it was this quality that made the Sheriff aware of the man and appoint him the task at hand.

As Barr made his way to his house at the other end of town, Buck strolled down the Main street, smiling and carousing while all the while keeping an eye on the marshal. He had wanted to get in on the action at the Silver Sage but as fate would have it, Barr kept him out of it and back at the jail, baby sitting the Keegan girl. Just like, McIntire he wondered how the outlaws were able to make such a clean get away from a surrounded saloon, but it hard to say exactly what happened not being able to have witness with his own eyes.

Buck smiled at one of the local working girls as she passed by him on the boardwalk and that's when he stopped dead in his tracks as Mitch Murdock slipped out from around the corner of a building in usual creepy manner. His shadowed face beneath the brim of his hat was focused on one of the his small knives which he twirled dexterously through his fingers. Buck never liked the guy, he gave him the heebie-jeebies but he was Barr's right hand man so the turn-coat had to be wary of him.

"Jeezus, Mitch! Where in the Sam Hill did ya come frum?"

Mitch didn't reply, just continued to twirl his small throwing knife. Buck paused, and after about three breaths, figured he wasn't going to say much so he continued on his way. "McIntire's in the jail with that little shake so I'm off ta git me some doughgods and a coffee. I'll be down at the inn." he lied.

Buck made his way down the board walk toward the other end of town and made sure he went right instead left after Barr in case Mitch was watching him. All he wanted to do right now was make sure he was aware of the marshal's whereabouts and he had a good view of his house from the front window of the Desert Rose.

Back at the jail...



McIntire waltzed back into the jail, leaned against the wall and lit his pipe. His snake eyes lingered for a moment on the Keegan girl as he sucked back the tobacco and blew out a great cloud of blueish smoke. He produced from under his arm a box which he tossed onto the jailer's table and flipped open with one hand. Reaching in he drew out a beautiful dress. It was cornflower blue with a white lace back and pearl decorations along the girdle.

"Thought ya might put this on." Said McIntire and it was quite clear that he wasn't asking, "And if'n yur thinkin' of down right refusing I'd advise ya ta reconsider. Ya see, some of my deputies spotted that half breed yer partial ta and if you don't want see the flesh whipped off his back and his neck stretched, you best be doin' as I ask."

McIntire walked over to the cell slipped the dress through the bars and tossed it onto the cot. He smiled fiendishly and made his way out. "Now don't ya keep me waiting to long. I figured we'd have lunch at the Desert Rose." he told her before he slammed and locked the door.



The sun was near its ten o'clock position by the time they spotted the old weather vein silhouetted against against the brilliant blue sky. There wasn't a cloud to be seen and the heat was already rising off the sandy ground. In another hour it would be too hot to comfortably travel and the farm house was a welcome sight. As they approached the building they could see that it was little more than ramshackle shack. There was no glass left in any of the windows and the roof was full of holes. The front door swung in the wind and the current tenants, three ornery crows squawked their protests as they vacated the dilapidated veranda and perched on the end of weather vein, curiously watching the newcomers.

About the only thing that didn't look like it was falling apart was a small corral attached to the building that would serve to keep the horses. They had stopped by to pick up their other mounts which they had left hidden just outside of town and now had two extra horses, more than enough to keep going if they were forced to.

Sandy threw a leg over his stolen piebald and smoothly drew his pistol as he landed on the ground. He motioned for Bones and Jesse to stay mounted as he made his way over to one of the windows. Peeking in the first window it was plain to see that there was no one waiting in ambush, and looking into the next saw a vacant back room. He then walked around the perimeter just to be sure and when he came round the other side, holstered his gun and walked back to collect his horses.

"All clear." he told Jesse and Bones, "The corral looks decent and it's right off the building so we can make a quick get away if we have to."

After they took care of the horses, the first thing Sandy did once they were inside the house was head to the east corner of the main room and locate the trap door that Barr told them about. It was well hidden, but a few hard stamps on the floor revealed the edges and using his knife pried it open enough to slip his finger under the wood. Once it was open, a ladder could be seen and hanging on hook beside it was a lantern topped up with fuel. Sandy lit the lantern and climbed down. The cellar was cool and permeated with that usual damp earthy smell, but his nose detected a few other smells lingering about. The first one, was gun powder, there was at least twenty barrels, more than enough to blow the entire house to hell. There were also several crates stacked in a corner and being the curious type, Sandy couldn't help but to pry one open with a crow bar he found laying about and wasn't surprised to find they were full of whiskey bottles.

Sandy climbed back up the ladder and handed the box of supplies, Barr told them about to Bones. He then went back down and returned with a couple of bottles of whiskey.

Jesse yipped excitedly when she saw the liquor and snatched them up. "This'll make the time pass boys!"

"There's seven crates of it down there and more than twenty barrels of gun powder." Sandy told them as he pulled himself out of the hole and sat at its edge his feet dangling through the opening, "Looks like Barr uses this place to store his stolen goods. There's a coal chute down there that's used to move the crates in and out."

"So what else is down there?" Asked Jesse greedily.

Sandy shook his head. "That's it. There's also a large cistern of water so there's more than enough for us and the horses. Guess we'll just sit tight until night fall."

Bones sat on his horse and looked at the run down property, the house was no more than a shack, it looked like a stiff wind would knock it down. When Sandy was done looking the inside of the house over he gave Bones and Jesse a wave.

Bones climbed off of his horse and walked into the the old corral next to the shack. It was nice to be out of the sun, Bones took his hat off and wiped his sweaty face with an old hanky. Bones sat down on an old empty keg that was in the old place, it made a fine enough chair and allowed the gunfighter to see out the front of the house. When Sandy came up from the cellar with the spirits, Bones suddenly felt like a drink.

Bones slipped off his long overcoat and tossed it to the floor.
"It's damn hot today..." The thin man grumbled.
His shirt under his coat was yellowed and worn, there appeared to be a few old bloodstains on it as well. In a few places Bones or someone else had sewed some patches onto the shirt to keep it together. The older gunfighter had never been much for fancy duds nor had he ever been a slave to fashion but now he just looked ragged.

His pants looked much like his shirt, worn and threadbare but his gun belt and guns were spotless, the leather of his belt had been oiled and his guns did not have as much as a fingerprint on them.

As Bones was rolling up the sleeves of his shirt Jesse had snatched one of the whisky bottles, she pulled the cork from it with her teeth and spat it on the ground.

"I need to wash the dust outta my mouth..." The steely eyed woman said as she took a long pull from the bottle. She took the bottle away from her lips and swallowed, she then held it to her mouth again.
"I can still taste that dust."
She said with a grin as she drank again.

"Jesus Butch, when we loot that wagon I'm gonna buy you a new shirt."
Jesse said with a wink as she drank from the bottle for a third time.

"There's nothin' wrong with my shirt."
Bones said as he took the bottle from her.

Maddie stared at the dress laying on the cot and as much as she wanted to destroy the thing and rip it to shreds, she knew that she couldn't risk Chase's life by her rebellious nature. Making sure no one was watching, she quickly undressed and slipped the dress on. She neatly folded her pants and shirt and tucked them away underneath the cot. Her boots poked out from beneath the hem of the skirt, but it couldn't be helped as they were the only foot wear she had.

She sat back down on the cot and waited for McIntire to return, wondering how in the hell she was going to get out of this and whether or not Chase was okay. Chase had made the comment that he'd see if Allison's father would allow him to court her and Maddie wanted to make sure that he had that chance with her best friend, so for now, she'd have to be a good girl and bite her tongue the best she could, which would be difficult to say the least.

She stood up when she heard McIntire approach and couldn't stop her blue eyes from spitting nails at him.

"There......I put on your stinkin' dress. Shall we go already? The sooner we go and get back the sooner I can get away from your stench."