McIntire swiftly pointed to high advantage points around the ranch...2 men there, 2 men on the other side, up along that trail, 4 behind the Keegan Ranch house, 2 east and 2 west of the creekbed...anything moves...and I mean anything, gun it down and make sure their dead. I don't want no witnesses.

Ok sheriff...

Listen up boys...this man, Ian Keegan is wanted for harboring fugitives and in this territory Ian Keegan is going to hang.

Duke you take four boys and spread out on the south side...I'll take the the other four and make my move toward his house.

Duke...in ten minutes I want you to advance to the barn and burn it down..

But sheriff what if someone is hiding in the barn?

McIntire looked at Duke and then turned away without looking back. Duke you know what happens to my deputies that disobey my orders....

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


IAN KEEGAN...

IAN KEEGAN.....

THIS IS SHERIFF MCINTIRE. I HAVE A WARRANT FOR YOUR ARREST FOR HARBORING FUGITIVES< MADDIE KEEGAN and TUMBLEWEED DAWSON

WE KNOW YOU"RE IN THERE, COME OUT WITH YOUR HANDS INTERLOCKED and BEHIND YOUR HEAD.


YOU'RE SURROUNDED KEEGAN...

YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES THEN ALL HELL IS GOING TO BREAK LOOSE...


Duke moved into position and McIntire watched as Duke lit a couple of torches.


Ian Keegan stood in the doorway aith his rifle in his hands..
SHERIFF...THIS IAN...What the HELL you Talkin 'bout...my DAUGHTER ISN"T NO FUGITIVE...SHE JUST AINT bending over for a lynin jackass...like YOU MCINTIRE...and I AINT DONE A DAMN thing

And you KNOW iT...SO GIT OFF MY PROPERTY NOW...


In the background, gunfire echoed through the canyon. It had already started...


When Ian said something to someone else in the house and pulled back his rifle in the doorframe...McIntire and his deputies rushed the house.

Blam Bam Bam Bam Bam Bam...McInitire fired inside the house from the doorway and listened as two bodies fell to the floor. It was over before any of McIntire's men made any advancement to burn down the barn.

As Ian is arrested and shackles are put on him for the ride back to town. McIntire looks at Duke...you have your orders...finish them...he watched as Duke fidgeted then finally tossed the torch on top of the tall barn as did the other torches were tossed. The barn burnt quickly and billows of smoke raised above the desert floor and could be seen for miles..

The Possee took Ian and hand delivered him to the Shady Gulch jailhouse that afternoon.

The bloodbath at Ian Keegan ranch was left in a disarray by Sheriff McIntire s gunslingers and each of them rode off with more then they could carry in their saddle bags...

Ethan took the shotgun hanging on the wall above the fireplace and loaded both barrels full of buckshot and gunpowder. Maddie wasn't anywhere to be found and ol’ TW was fit to be tied...Dang...I'm hungry. Taking the loaded shotgun outside he adjusted the sling and walked down pass the cactus plants and stopped. He'd learn to hunt Quail from his pa many years ago and one thing he did know without a dog he had a lot of work to do by himself. Quail were found on land that had a combination of open land and woody cover. Fields around the shack were thick with briars, tumbleweeds and tall grasses that provided Quail with the seeds they feed upon and cover to hide from when they felt threaten.


Between the cactus and briars, Ethan could hear their chatter. Quail camouflaged so true to nature that one could walk right past a Quail if it was being still and not notice it. But the one thing, his Pa did teach him was their normal daily pattern, Quail fed on seeds in fields in the morning; Quail rested under woody cover by mid-day; late afternoon Quail would be back in the weedy areas of a field gathering seeds and normally slept in weedy, grassy areas at night. Ethan looked at the midday sun and figured the Quail would be running again in a little bit of time, so he sat down on a boulder and waited.


When he heard the group of Quail scatter from under the briar bushes, he took aim and fired knocking down five Quail with one shot. Well that wasn’t too bad. Taking the birds to the stream, Ethan cut off their heads, used his index finger and thumbs and plucked the feathers from the breast and back, shot and guts from each bird. Ethan walked back to the shack, wondering what happen to Maddie.

Cooking the birds, Ethan had just sat down and wasn't disappointed. Juicy, tender and meaty, with a subtle, pleasant gaminess, Ethan’s grilled Quail with dry-cured olives and Swiss chard sauce was a far cry from the buckshot peppered Quail of his childhood. He had finished eating two birds when Maddie
showed up, looking tired and hungry. Evening Miss Maddie…you looked terrible, why don’t cha pull up a chair and I’ll finish up outside. Tomorrow we can head toward your Daddy’s ranch.

Maddie had spent most of the day scouting the area, making sure that McIntire's men were nowhere to be seen. She'd had a hard day of it, a rattlesnake spooking her horse and causing her to tumble from the saddle only to have to walk a few miles to collect her black and white painted mustang. By the time she'd made it back to the little cabin, she was sore, dirty, hungry and tired. Smelling the cooked quail made her mouth water and she all but snatched one, devouring it before stopping and blushing at the inuse of her manners. She mumbled a 'sorry' and sat down next to TW to eat the bird more slowly. Then, she told him what had happened to her that day and smiled at the thought of seeing her ma and pa again.

****************************
The next day was sunny and bright as TW and Maddie moved out. By early evening they were on Keegan land and Maddie couldn't stop herself from spurring her horse into a fast gallop to reach the large cabin as quickly as possible.

TW would see her pull her horse up short as if something had spooked her and stay still on top of the hill overlooking her ranch. What she saw had her seeing red then had her face turning whiter than then white on her paint.

The barn was gone, nothing but smoldering rubble and from the looks of things elsewhere around the ranch, there'd been a small war. Thinking about her pa, Maddie screamed a 'NO!!' and pushed her little mustang down the hill and straight for the man who was going through the rubble that used to be the barn. Pulling her gun, she got ready to shoot when the man turned and she saw that it was Chase.

Jumping off of her horse before it stopped, she ran into her best friend's arms.

"What's happened?!"

"Maddie, it was McIntire. He's got your pa and he's willing to trade you for him. He's got him at the jailhouse now and if you don't agree with his terms in a set amount of time then he'll hang him."

Maddie gasped at what Chase had told her and turned to see TW dismounting and walking towards her. Chase repeated what he knew to the big man as Maddie made her way to the barn, her bright blue eyes turning dark with anger.

"Maddie....Maddie girl, now you need to calm down. We have to have a plan first before you go off half cocked and get yourself killed. We'll get your pa, don't worry about that."

Chase had seen this look before and knew that he'd need TW's help to keep the girl in line while they formed a plan. Leaning closer to the man, he quietly spoke to him.

"Look, she's gonna go after her pa, mark my words and if we don't keep a close eye on her, she'll get herself killed or worse......she'll become McIntire's whore. And trust me, he won't be easy on her. She's stubborn and as willful as they come, but she's loyal to a fault. Maybe between the two of us we can keep her corraled while we come up with a plan."

Chase was watching Maddie as she picked her way through what was left of the barn, a sob escaping her every now and again as she found charred remains of a horse or a man.

TW got off the saddle and walked toward the barn. The devastation was tremendous and if McIntire had something to do with this, he was finished as a sheriff. TW knew it was time to get his buddy involved. The officer from Chief of Scouts for the Third Cavalry during the Plains Wars and a pony express rider for the Wells Fargo stagecoach. The officer had seen more action then the United States 1st regment Cavalry Soldiers of the presnt Civil War.

Ethan walked right up to Maddie and put his strong arms around her. Maddie cowered in fear against his shoulder so that no other could see her tears. She was strong-willed yet now she needed his strength to hold her up. Looking into her watery eyes, Ethan held her to his chest. It's ok Maddie..he'll pay for this. Let's walk together. Ethan and Maddie walked toward the house. He had to get her away from this...this wasn't necessary it was McIntire, he went too far and TW knew he never be able to get the any soldiers out here for a lil disturbance. They had more important things ongoing with the confedrate soldiers taking possesion of the Arizonia Territory. Ethan whispered , we will get help and get your Dad back.

Ethan pushed the door open with his boot and looked around...the place had seen better days. Sunlight shone through the bullet holes left in the walls and shattered glass from picture frames were swept up in small piles. Chase must have been busy before we got there. Maddie burst into tears and fled to her bedroom. Maddie..., TW walked over to her room and cradled her face in his hands. Chase stepped into her room and quietly handed a wet cloth to TW to soothe her anguish. Chase do you have any meds to help...help 'er sleep.

Bullheaded and ornery...Maddie said, NO. No Meds...I'm fine. TW said, looked at her softly let me take care of you. TW fed her some rum and soothed her until she fell asleep.

Afterwards,

TW to Chase. Chase, can we get a doctor to come out to the ranch?

Chase to TW. No doctor will come out now.

TW to Chase. ...ok then here is what I need you to do. Get as many workers together and clean this place up. Maddie and I will leave tonight to go to Slippery Gulch. It's about 4 days ride, north of here. I will send a telegraph to Fort Defiance.

Chase to TW. No you cant do that...Fort Defiance soldiers abondon their post and the Confedrate soldiers moved in.

TW to Chase. What!

Chase to TW. It happen when you guys were in Coyote Hills. US Army abondon their post and was overrun by the Confedrate Army.

TW to Chase. Well then that leaves us with only one other lawman that I know about. He fought in the Plains War, worked as a pony express rider for Wells Fargo stage and he was headin for the Missouri Territory to work as a lawman out there. His name is COL William McCabe. I'll take Maddie with me to find him and you need to stay here and keep low until we get back. In eight days, that will get us two days to rescue Maddie's Pa.

Chase to TW. Good luck TW.

TW to Chase. Good luck? Thats not a bad trip.

Chase to TW. Oh I know that TW...I meant good luck with Maddie, she's set in her ways and she's ornery.

TW to Chase. I noticed. Yeah you're right I will need luck....

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

Riding out into the darkness, Maddie was on her own horse and bitchin up a storm. There was only one way to get her to come with Ethan and she was fit to be tied. Literally TW tied her wrists to the saddle post. He sat back in his saddle and pulled the other horse behind him...wishing he had put his scarf around something that would have done the most good instead of hearing her whine.

Now son...I ain't tellin you again...git up outta there and move. You don't want me to pull this trigger and put this lead ball between your eyelids cuz then aint noone is gonna claim you except fer them buzzards flying overhead. Now son at the count of four, I'm gonna pull on five.




Col McCabe sat on his horse and stared down at the boy, no sense in this. He shook his head...what were you thinking BOY trying to steal US mail from a armed Pony Express rider.

Git up, put these on. Wild Bill threw handcuffs to the boy. Let's go. The kid jumped on his own horse and rode back to Slippery Gulch with a six shooter in his back.

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

Back in Town, the Wild West show was already in full swing and Wild Bill watched from the grandstands all the acts. Then a challenge went out to all the men and women in the audience.

HERE HERE THERE THERE COME ONE n ALL...TONITE WE WILL TAKE ALL CHALLENGES FROM THE GRNDSTANDS IN A CHALLENGE TO SHOOT THE MOST CLAY PIGEONS. THE WINNER WILL RECIEVE $100 DOLLARS.

Wild Bill watched as man after man lost and finally he stood up and took the challenge hisself.

Pull...the clay pigeon didnt make it but half way across the field before Wild Bill shot it to pieces.

Round after round...each clay pigeon was shot down. The sharp shooter and Wild Bill were now shooting 3 clay pigeons at the same time, but with their backs turned around.On the second to last shoot, the sharpshooter missed the third pigeon. Wild Bill came out being the winner. Cheers from the crowd and an invite by the owner to join the wild west show. Sorry but I got job. He won the $100 dollars and enjoyed the rest of the show with everyone else.


That night the show wrapped things up and left Slippery Gulch. Noone saw the group go but the entire act packed up and left town. In the morning, Wild Bill woke up to screaming going on. The bank had been robbed and people were upset. Noone knew who pulled it off....

Sheriff McIntire walked down the street to the Miner's lodge. Many people still were gathered around the mine shaft, awaiting news if their loved ones had made it out.

Late last night, the Mine whistle went off when a methane gas explosion was sparked probally by a miner's pic some 2600 feet below the surface. The explosion rocked Shady Gulch and good folks woke with new worries.

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

Bart, how men were down in the mine working last night?

Twenty men, sheriff.

See to it that the spouses get word when their men are pulled from this mess and make sure I'm notified when work can begin again.

Blinking...Bart looked on at Sheriff McIntire. His cold impression of wanting to clear the mess up and start mining again without any compassion for the men that were lost the night before..stunned the young Bart Trane. He turned away when the Sheriff spoke again..

Bart...

YES SIR, SHERIFF!

One last thing, when you find out who caused the explosion down there , I want the spouse stripped of her belongings and put in the middle of the town square. When the stagecoach pulls in, I want put on the stagecoach to be shipped to Coyote Hills RedLight District. She can work off her husbands debt at the local whore house until his debt is paid off for this mess and the delay of the gold shipment.

Now get these mess cleaned up and the town people out of here before I return and fire you as well.

YES SIR..

Turning toward the crowd, you heard the Sheriff...git...git outta hare..

Maddie had never been so angry then she was right at that moment. How dare he tie her hands to the saddlehorn of her own saddle and force her to follow him! She had to get her pa out of jail and instead TW was dragging her with him to Slippery Gulch for some reason or another! She was bitching at his back, threatening with him everything under the sun and then some until finally she quieted. He hadn't even let her have her own horse, her beloved black and white painted mustang gelding, but then she also knew that Chase had warned TW that she had trained the horse herself and didn't need her hands to guide him. Sighing loudly, she glared at his back waiting until his guard was down so that she could get back to saving her pa. Then she would deal with Chase, the traitor!! How could he side with this buffoon when it was her pa that McIntire had taken?!

As they rode on, Maddie began to doze in the saddle.

Look, I'm telling you right now. This new arrangement will work for both of us, Buck. I can make you a wealthy man. Just keep Coyote Hills under control and watch how your investment grows. There are investors from Chicago and New York interested in properties out here and they want to open the doors to a new way in banking. By using these legal tenders, this circulation of paper money is the future, Buck...a far better way to do business versus weigh in an ounce of gold. And the coppers, well I can see our town folk wanting to buy a round using a $1 dollar tender and receiving change...currency.


Using these tenders is the way of the future, Buck...I mean think about this...The earlier notes in this series carry the following obligation: "This note is a legal tender...a..a. legal document, for all debts, public and private, except duties on imports and interest on the public debt, and is exchangeable for U.S. bond.

Six percent (6%) interest on twenty year bond, redeemable at the pleasure of the United States after 5 years." We could get richer by selling these bonds ourselves. We're at war. By the time the folks figure on cashing in on the bonds, we will have reinvested their cold cash into a more profitable institution called a bank and this is a far better way of cash transactions. We could buy and sell cheap indian land...that could bring us another large sum of money using that cash from selling bonds.

Buck think about it...I'll be back at the end of the month. I should have Ms Maddie recaptured by then. Ms Madison will either become my lil wife or she will hang right beside her daddy.

The two law men handshook as McIntire watches the last of the gold sacks removed from the war wagon. Buck looks at the sheriff...brillant ...Sheriff, hows this sound... McIntire and Daniels Commerce Bank of the West.

TW corraled the horses by the campfire, laid out his and her sleeping mats, built a campfire and cooked some beans and coffee. Maddie quietly slept on the sleeping mat. She was tranquil and TW watched her and she wrapped her arms around herself to get warm. TW pulled the wool indian blanket off his horse and covered her from head to toe, tucking in the bllanket so that no critters (like a scorpian could come slip in under her blanket in the middle of the night).

He sat there drinking coffee when a wood grouse made a noise in the brush.TW smiled as he listened closely and reached forhis six shooter. The animal came closer and TW quietly pulled back the hammer...

"WILD BILL, you have got to be the noisest wood gruise I did ever hea n see , now com'n out before I put a bullet hole into ya...." announced TW.



Gawd damn it TW ...I ain't still figurin' how'd you know it was me...after all thse years you still know mg y moves and call sign...

Maddie woke to feeling a weight laying on her and realized that it was TW's blanket. She threw the offensive thing off of her as she rolled over to hearing voices, one of them TW's and the other she didn't recognize. She rubbed her eyes before standing quietly, seeing that both men were busy slapping each other on the back and greeting each other. Seeing her chance, she quietly headed over to the make-shift corral and grabbed her horse's bridle. Within seconds, she had the bridle buckled into place, had set TW's horse loose and was swinging up onto the horses back, kicking him into a run to head back to Shady Gulch and get her pa out of jail before McIntire had him hung. She wasn't sure what she was going to do, she only knew that she couldn't let her pa hang.

TW turned around when he heard the ruckus and Wild Bill shot a look over TW's shoulder and laffed. hahahahaa....I think you got yourself a run away calf almost as fast as lil Missy" laffed Wild Bill.

"Well I'll be... Gawd dang that woman is impossible to deal with. I can see why them other strangers got up and ran from this part of the country...to git as far away from that one. Ahhh hell, TW took off his cowboy hat and shied a fly away. I ain't going after 'er...ain't no sense in it."

"Well now that depends TW...all the women you got around you always seems to run from ya."Laffing Wild Bill got off his saddle and to top it off, she spooked your horse as well."

"I ain't worried none 'bout that ol' gal, she'll be back in 'bout five minutes...but now that udder one...she needs a good swift kick..." stated TW

"...Or she needs a real man to give 'er a spanking!" said Wild Bill.

TW looked at Wild Bill, go ahead...make my day. I aint no loss there.

Both men sat down by the campfire and TW poured two cups of coffee. I ain't wasting no more time on 'er and I ain't chasing no more females. If she comes back I'll help 'er git her Pa...but if she don't come back then...that injun boy is gonna havta suffer and do it all himself. I got something else in mind...TW grew quiet.

Wild Bill looked at TW "...OK TW, what's this all about? You got me out here in the middle of the night and I know it wasn't fer this nasty ass black ink, you call coffee... I got your telegram 'bout something big...WHAT?"






Well...I gotta ask you a favor and it goes against everything you believe in. But that last cattle drive I was on a sheriff by the name of John McIntire...gunned down my partner, Jake Brennan in a town called Shady Gulch...'bout 100 miles or five and half days ride northwest of here.


WIld Bill listened..."that name I ain't heard before as a sheriff...he was a dirty gun slinger working for the railroad company up in Kanas Territory if I remember right. Go ahead, TW...I'm listenin'"

Well, when Jake didnt come back with good news 'bout making a deal with the bankers buying our cattle herd, I left my three cowpokes out here in injun country to watch the herd... and I went into town looking for 'im. I followed his tracks right to Sally's Saloon and a couple of deputies didn't like me poking around asking questions and tried taking me in. Bill..they drew first blood, my revolvers finished the gunfight. I took off and rounded the town back to the herd and my cattle was run off by the injuns and two of my boys were scalped. I have nuthing left ta live for and when I rode cross the Arzonia desert to Coyote Hills, I stopped at the Pony Express stop...you know where I'm talkin' 'bout...the place was set on fire."

"Sons of a bitch!...yeah I know where your talkin' 'bout...go on..." Well, that sheriff had me listed on the wall fer Murder and there were 2 other strangers and that thar crazy brunette ridin' into danger without no gun wanted fer all kinds of things...now you know I aint stickin up fer them...but chances are they were framed too. This McIntire fella is a dirty fighter and pulls a lot of weight in these parts. He owns a gold mine in Shady Gulch and owns that town. He's got the Coyote Hills marshal in his back pocket and needs to be arrested and takin in if not shot."

"He runs a war wagon...with a new fancy gun on it..called the 'Gatling'. It shoots bullets and cuts down everything in its sight while transporting bullions of gold worth 100's of thousands of dollars."

"TW...I don't wanna know anymore...you know how I feel about that..."

"Yes Sir...COL Sir...I do, but its a matter of gittin that son of a bitch , who now has that gals' father and holding him hostage in Shady Gulch so he can git her to come into town to force her into marriage to save her dad or hang them both."

"Now I aint tellin ya how ta run your show...but I got some fellas wantin to take out that wagon and I plan on gittin my share with them...if'n how I kin find them boys again. That young gal is a handful...and she needs help too. And Colonel, YOU owe me one. If it weren't fer me, you wouldn't be here and thats all I got ta say 'bout that."

"OK TW...let me think 'bout it...but ya know after this is all over you need to go west and Im gonna go northeast."

Maddie hadn't gone more than five miles before she found herself on her butt in the middle of a ground cactus. A jack-rabbit had leapt out of the brush and spooked the horse she'd been on. Her mind soley on her pa and getting to him before MacIntire had him hung had her totally surprised when the horse spooked and started bucking. Without a saddle on top of that, she was off in a matter of seconds and a scream rent the air as she felt the little needles of the cactus plant go through her pants and into her rear end. She watched as the traitorous horse ran back the way she'd just come. Looking around her, she found a bare spot to brace her hands on to push herself up off of the spiny plant.

Once she was off of the plant, Maddie grimaced as the tiny needles ground into her soft skin on her rear. Her pride was shattered, which made her madder than a hornet and her rearend felt as if it had hundreds of tiny needles poking into it....literally. She knew that she had no choice but to tuck her tail and head back to TW and camp, although, it was going to be a painful five mile walk back with cactus thorns sticking in her butt.

Wild Bill looked at TW both watched the mare trot back into camp less one Madison Keegan.

"Well guess thats your cue...TW" Wild Bill smirked and burst into tears laffing so hard.

"Gawd dang that woman..." is all TW said as he got up and walked over to 'Sugar Plume', the horse he rode in on loved plumes.

"Keep the coffee hot, I'll be back in a few minutes...Com'n Sugar Plume let's go lasso is that young wild mustang!"

Riding out TW followed the trail he took coming in this way.

He heard her in pain over the next ridge and stopped, waiting fer her to crest the ridge. As she walked up the road...TW sat in his saddle and said..."Look it here if it ain't Miss Maddie Keegan..." he laffed as she gave him the dirtiest look.

"Do you care fer a ride thar Ms Keegan or do ya prefer ta walk?"

Maddie looked him straight in the eye...I didn't come back cuz I wanted to.. that horse isn't like mine. If you had brought mine, I would have been long gone already. "Owww"

"What's the matter thar, Maddie ...you walk like you fell into a catus plant..TW smirked and then extended his hand out to her to lift her onto his saddle.

When she looked at him and didnt grasp his hand...TW knew something was up.

Maddie was so embarrassed her face turned a shade of dark pink..and she had tears in her eyes.

I can't...I can't just jump on...I hurt and I can't sit down.

TW half smirked and wanted to bust into laughter but for Maddie to show a side of her that maybe only one man in her life had seen before, Maddie's eyes were real wet.

TW got off his horse..."Oh I see...well. We will... havta put you on the back of Sugar Plume lying across my saddle on your stomach until we can get back or you can walk back.

Maddie didnt like that idea but didnt have a choice.

Thats ridicious..no way...No way am I gonna lay across that saddle like your prize. I'll walk that rest of the way back..

"Oh OK..have it your way!" TW got back on his saddle and turned around...I'll see you back in camp...be sure to watch, for for them hungry coyotes.

TW beganto ride over the ridge, when maddie said..."WAIT" . Ok already I'll do it. Just don't you dare touch me.

TW looked at her..."Now look...Maddie I aint wantin no more trouble with ya...we are going back ta git your pa, but not without Wild Bill and if and how you do this again, running off like that ...then you're on your own...understand lamb chops...TW patted Maddies backside to drive home his point." She screamed bloody murder, kicking and swinging. TW laffed as he lifted her up and sat her down onto his saddle. He really wanted to slap 'her butt , but then he thought of the pleasure of plucking each one out and laffed again to hisself.

Heading back to camp...Wild Bill was getting ready to leave for Slippery Gulch. "TW...Ma'am...I'm headin back into town, why dont you two follow me after ahhhh you take care of business here." Wild Bill laffed as well after TW told him what had happened. TW you sure know how to pick 'em.

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


Sitting down, TW watched as Maddie wrapped the blanket around her lower half and then came forward...she didnt say much. TW handed her a bottle of whiskey. "Now Maddie, I want you to take a good 3 swigs of this liquor and then lay across my lap and we'll take them cactus needles out or you can ride into Slippery Gulch laying over my saddle until we can find a doctor in town if there is one. I believe were two days ride from there. Maddie took five swigs of the whiskey and tripped over the blanket onto TW s lap. She was feelin no pain just slightly embarrassed.

TW tried to act serious yet as he began pulling out the cactus needles one by one using tweezers, there seemed to be a devilish grin everytime Maddie screamed and kicked.