Friday, September 15, 1876, 10:00 am, Under Leaden Sky

It came suddenly without warning, a recall for Cook and McNue to Helena as there were bigger problems to the south in Harden, Montana. With only a handful of Territorial Marshals to utilize, Governor Samuel Hoiuser had little choice but to recall his men. He, the Governor, was at odds about the decision, but it was necessary, and there was simply no way around it. Similar problems had erupted in the town of Harden, outlaws had overrun the small town and killed the town's Sheriff.

Cook and McNue stopped in to see the still recovering Speed Guyer, and let him know about their recall, even though Pike had not returned, and the extra deputies had been released. Whatever was to be done, or deemed necessary would be up to Deputy in Charge Wentworth and the newly minted Town Council. Mayor Wentworth seemed to be a good man and would certainly do whatever was necessary to protect the town and its citizens.

They did not stay long with Guyer as his strength was far from being back to normal. They did stop in and give the news to Charlie, whom they had missed earlier. After all was said and done, Marshals Cook and McNue rode out of town at a brisk trot for whatever awaited them in Harden, and they suspected that it would not be good. They would ride directly southeast to Helena for instructions before riding on, almost to the Wyoming Territory border, and the town of Hardin. Neither felt good about this turn of events, what with Guyer laid up, Pike not returned as yet, and Wentworth still green. But there were those who could be counted on if things turned sour in Kalispell.

And so this chapter in their lives came to an abrupt close.