Posted January 29, 2021 / Quentin Cantrell
“Rustlers?” He asked right off. “They’ve been quiet this spring so far, but I guess it wasn’t meant to last. Wish we had a County Sheriff for these things, well one more qualified for the job than Case Steelgrave. If I didn’t have my business I’d surely consider running myself.”
Quentin looked into his coffee for a long moment. "Yeah, about that...I am thinking about running against Steelgrave. I don't like the idea of him just walking away with the Sheriff's job..." He looked up at Speed. "...It might be useful to have the backing of the town marshal for what it might mean to the voters..."
Speed looked at Quentin and back to Roberson. “That would be just down from the bank, wouldn’t it? Let me get Pike down here and we’ll have a look.” He took off his badge and laid it on the desk, a sign he was willing to go after the last of them without a badge, or at least not a town Marshal badge. “Best be a private citizen for this.” He thought a moment, “Roberson, get a mount from the livery, tell ‘em I said to charge me for it.”
Quentin drained the rest of the coffee in a long drink and set the cup down on a table nearby. "Well, I can't let you go charging off after this desperado without finding out how the story ends, especially not as a private citizen." He walked over to stand near the marshal. "My horse is tied up down at the hotel. I have a rifle there and spare shells...as far as I am concerned you're still calling the shots, Marshal. What next?"
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
Posted January 30, 2021 / Henry Guyer
Quentin drained the rest of the coffee in a long drink and set the cup down on a table nearby. "Well, I can't let you go charging off after this desperado without finding out how the story ends, especially not as a private citizen." He walked over to stand near the marshal. "My horse is tied up down at the hotel. I have a rifle there and spare shells...as far as I am concerned you're still calling the shots, Marshal. What next?"
As he walked to his horse he looked to Quentin, an unexpected ally. Not that he doubted that he was an law abiding citizen, he had just not foreseen the man ready to pursue an outlaw. “I’ll ride up to the Lickskillet and let Pike know where we’re headed. You get you mount, and once Roberson is mounted we’ll start behind the mercantile. That’s where he lost his horse, and I believe where our suspect lit out from.”
Hopefully the tracks would bear out his theory, though the man was well ahead of any pursuers, he could only run so long before the horse would give out, but, should he be checking his back trail, that would change things considerably. A man would take more care not to kill his mount by running him to death.
Posted January 30, 2021 / Quentin Cantrell
Quentin exited the jail and began walking quickly down the sidewalk toward the hotel. He decided against running because that would just cause the townspeople to gossip and speculate about what was going on. He figured word would get out about the marshal's plan soon enough.
Minutes later, Quentin arrived at the hitching post in front of the hotel. He walked up beside Paladin and ran a hand along his mane, looking the mount over and checking the saddle, tightening the cinch from where he had loosened it when he arrived in town. Quentin then pulled his Winchester from the scabbard, He tried to push a .44-40 round into the loading gate but could not, nodding that the magazine was full. He then worked the lever to chamber a round and he used a thumb to ease the hammer down before loading a round back into the magazine. Quentin then slid the rifle back into the scabbard and he mounted Paladin, turning the horse and breaking into an easy lope up the street, turning into a nearby alley and ending up in the area behind several of the stores. He reined his horse to a stop and dismounted, letting the reins hang to keep Paladin in place while he walked over and stood looking at the tracks scattered around the area.
Retired Characters and NPC Writer.
Posted January 30, 2021 / Jay Ryker
"Yeah, maybe giving you some lessons is not a bad idea, if Addy agrees."
The walk back to the school allowed Jay some time to process what had just happened and how close the boys and him had been to getting shot. Maybe it was stupid what he had done but it had paid off. Now that it was all said and down, he started to feel a little shaky.
When Addy brought the boys back in the classroom who seemed to be on some sort of high from the incident, he sat down on a bench outside and wrung his hands through his hair, blowing out some air.
Strange what he was ready to do for a boy, who wasn't his own.
He leaned his head back against the wooden outside of the building and let the sun warm his face.
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
Posted January 30, 2021 / Henry Guyer
Having left word with Pike that he was going out with Cantrell and Roberson, he left the café, mounted up and took the first alley walking his horse toward Quentin looking for tracks. He was a ways from the back of the mercantile, but it never hurt to look the ground over, since no one knew which direction the outlaw took.
His second problem was, he had no idea who this other man was. Marley had been tight lipped about it, which surely didn’t help, but was expected. The outlaw code of not divulging names was commonplace, unless one thought he could get himself out of a jam, of at least get off easy. Not the case with Marley, he was going to hang and he knew it.
Speed caught up to Quentin in short order, as Roberson rode up. “Anything?” Speed asked, looking down and appraising the ground. There really wasn’t much, which told him the hombre likely walked the horse a bit. Which was sheer foolishness.
“See that crooked shoe print? My gelding’s got him an odd shaped front hoof, so the smithy has to work a shoe to fit. Would'a give up on him long ago, but he can go for days, and damn near like a herd dog, he is.” Roberson bragged, pointing to the odd shaped print.
“We got a start then, looks to me like best we head north-east but spread out, ground’ll be tore up when he lays spurs to him, then we got a real trail!” Speed told them.
Posted January 30, 2021 / Quentin Cantrell
“We got a start then, looks to me like best we head north-east but spread out, ground’ll be tore up when he lays spurs to him, then we got a real trail!” Speed told them.
Quentin listened to Roberson's description and nodded. "Well, that will help pick out his tracks, no doubt..." He looked over at Speed. "Marshal, I know I said you call the shots, but I have done this a few times. I don't think we should split up. I know Roberson's horse can run forever, but our friend from the bank was probably on edge and worn out before he even stole the horse. He might have holed up fairly quick to get some rest. If any of us ride up on him alone he wouldn't hesitate to shoot." Quentin thought back to the various times he hunted men. Nothing was more dangerous than a scared man, especially one that knew he was being chased.
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
Posted January 30, 2021 / Henry Guyer
“You might be in for rewards for those four that you have. Doubt this was their first bank job.”
“I’ve a stack of circulars, you could be right. Of course the town will likely take it, but it would go to good use. Maybe they’d let Miss Steelgrave have it toward the hospital.” Speed offered. “I suppose she’ll need all the support she can get.”
Doc Boone looked at the Marshal a long moment...
“You don’t care much about the reward money I take it. And what gives you the impression that the town council would do anything of the kind for a Steelgrave?” He words were barbed.
“I don’t Doc. I know them, and I doubt they would do anything for a Steelgrave, any Steelgrave. But they may well be able to separate the hospital from Miss Steelgrave and realize the importance of the project to this, and the surrounding communities. Of course, I could be wrong.”
Doc laughed at the last part of Speed’s statement. “Danged if you ain’t got this figured out, and them too! And you’re correct, she will need all the support she can get. Not so much financially as that from the people. She knows this is weighed by her name, and not by need. No sir, we’ll need the townsfolk to to back the young lady and her desire to improve the community, her father be hanged!”
“Hanged, Doc?
“ Hanged! I'm sure that would be met with delight, here a bouts, yes sir, pure de delight. But getting the nose around his neck has proven impossible so far. He never gets his hands dirty, always his ranch hands that do the jail time, or dance at the end of a rope. Robinson’s sent several to the gallows. In fact, some say his inability to get Elias is why he retired. Can’t say that’s true. More likely his age and health.” Doc said without clarification on the man’s heath.
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
Posted January 31, 2021 / Adelaide Chappel / With: Weedy, Wyatt, Katherine Bowen, Jay Ryker
Location: Schoolhouse
As she and Jay walked the boys back to school, Addy was really thinking that she couldn't blame Weedy, after all, she'd likely have done the same thing had she been in similar circumstances! Still, they had put themselves in danger and worried the teacher, and they had to consider that.
Before going in, she knocked on the door and announced herself so she didn't startle Miz Katherine. "Addy here, got yer strays rounded up!"
After taking the boys in, she nodded to the teacher. "They're yers fer th' rest of th' day, an' it's safe out now, 'though it might be best ta still keep 'em all in fer a time." Yes, the excitement was over, but there was still a tipped wagon and dead horse in the street, not to mention blood and a lot of activity.
Weedy glanced at Wyatt and shook his head slightly. He figured there would be some sort of penalty from the teacher, and he'd bare the brunt of it if he could, since he knew that Wyatt had followed him, so it was mostly his fault. He just hoped whatever it was didn't involve writing.
With the boys turned over, Addy went back outside, then sat on the bench beside Jay, silent, not sure what to say, not sure how to express her feelings, nor where their feelings stood.
Instead, she just reached over and put her hand on his.
Posted January 31, 2021 / Emeline Pike / With Clara, Bridget, Barnabas, Ralph, Jonah
Where: Lickskillet Diner
“You done just fine Em. Just fine.” Barnabas said as he took hold of her hand, a smile on his face. “Danged fool, took off my boot heel! Poor aim, an’ he had me dead to rights, but you did what had to be done, I didn’t figure he could’a downed me anyways. Would’a bedded him down afore that happened.” He paused, his face taking on a dour cast. “Sorry ‘bout the horse, just didn’t see any other way, I had no shot at him that laid hands on you."
"I know you did what you had to." And that he'd never harm an animal, especially a horse, without good cause. "I'm grateful that man didn't try to drag me away," she grinned, "I might have had to bite him!"
“So long as you’re unharmed, that’s what’s important right now. The ones we got in jail will join the ones that was shot soon enough. One escaped, I reckon he stole a horse an’ lit out. Ain’t sure what Speed’ll do about it, bein he’s a town Marshal and got to jurisdiction out yonder. But that don’t mean he might not go after him.”
Emeline nodded understanding. "I'm sure he'll do what he has to to keep the town safe." But if Speed left town to pursue the remaining outlaw, then Barnabas would have to be on patrol in town, so Emeline would have to wait a time before she could have him to herself...but she knew that was part of being engaged to a lawman.
“Best I get a heel nailed onta this boot, if it can be done, and get down to the office. Just wanted to be sure you were okay."
"Thank you, and I'm so relieved you're all right as well." Smiling, she gave his hand a squeeze, then put a light kiss on his cheek, even if it might not be completely proper. "Do what you have to, I have things to do here." And plenty of people around to keep her occupied so she didn't have time to worry over what had happened.
As he left, her attention turned to Clara and the whole fuss over Dr. Danforth...
"That is Dr. Danforth. He escorted Bridget into the building, I let them in. I told him he could help himself to something to drink and eat. He had my permission. If I overstepped my authority, you may take it out of my wages."
"No, Clara, that's fine." Taking a deep breath, Emeline smiled and nodded. "I commend you for giving them refuge." She glanced at Bridget. "Are you all right, Miss Bridget? I think pie is in order...for everyone."
She looked back at Clara. "We'll give out what food we have prepared, I won't be serving dinner tonight...I'm just..." she shrugged...Clara would understand.
"Shaken?" With the young harridan gone to torment the newspaper man, Jonah had ventured into the dining area of the cafe, carrying a tray that had mugs and the coffee pot on it. "Have a seat, dear lady, and allow us to take care of things." Not that he knew what 'things' entailed! At least he could pour Emeline some coffee! In the mean time, Clara would know what needed doing, and Bridget could help.
"Oh, well, thank you." Sitting, Emeline took the mug of coffee, her hands starting to tremble now.
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
Posted January 31, 2021 / Henry Guyer
Oh, probably didn't make it real clear, one of my short comings, I 'spose. What I meant was, we fan out , not all that far, three, four yards maybe, where we can see one another until one of us finds the track we looking for. Then we regroup and take out after him." Speed explained. "We have this one print, so maybe he walked it a few yards then laid sours to him, which would tear up the ground and give us a clear direction, that's what we're lookin' for.
"Sometimes my mind outruns my mouth. Let's get to it then." Roberson swung out to the left, Speed swung to the right leaving Cantrell in the middle.