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The Life Story of a Confederate Cowboy .


Rooster Ron Wayne

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Elmer Frederick is a  Man who tries to mind his own , But don't have much of a tolerance for rude people.

 

The war has been over for two years now .

Elmer has been wondering the country looking for his brothers.

 

As he rides his palomino into yet another strange  town .

He is covered in dust and trail  dirt from  life on the road .

 

He can see the looks from the towns  people He is not welcome in there town.

 

As  he stopped at the saloon to rinse down some trail dust.

He pushes the saloon doors open and ? 

 

 

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A man wearing a blue Yankee shirt with Sergeant stripes rudely brushes past him almost knocking him backwards. 
Elmer says “Mister, watch where you’re going!”

The Yankee turns and just gives Elmer a sneer and keeps walking. 
“Hey! I’m talkin’ to you!” Elmer yells. 
The man turns reaching for his revolver. 
Elmer dodges to the side, draws his revolver and…

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Elmer See's there are two other Cowboys with blue Yankee shirts watch from 10 feet away.

As his pistol goes off and a cloud of smoke bellows into the saloon .

Elmer quickly looks to see what's going to happen next ?

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Bill Thomas and Chet Burrows, former Privates in the Union Army watch as a stranger shoots their old company Sergeant right in the chest. Neither one had any desire to get pulled into the fracas. 
The stranger spun, hammer cocked and pistol aimed right at Chet when Bob threw up his hands “Mister, we ain’t with that fella.”

Elmer stood upright but didn’t waiver in his aim. 
“Y’all are wearing’ the same shirts. How do I know you’re not just sayin’ this to throw me off?”

Chet gathered up his voice and croaked “We know him Mister, but we want no truck with you. He was our old sergeant, that’s all. He said he knew where we could find work. That’s the only reason we’re here.”

A voice from the right of Elmer said “Drop the gun”

Elmer turned to see a big man wearing a shiny tin Star on his vest and he had his gun trained on Elmer. 

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The Marshall said Little Elmer is that you ? 

 

It's me Matt,  How did you end up here ?

I  joined  the army after you and Henry   did not come home says Elmer.

 

You need to come with me Elmer says Matt ...

 

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Matt Frederick looked at Bob and Chet. “You had better come too. You were eye witnesses. I will need your statements.”

Chet responded “Marshal, we didn’t see much. Just…”

”Then you will report what you saw. Let’s go. My office is out to the right.”

As they went out into the boardwalk a skinny kid with a smaller badge than Marshal came running up. 
“Marshal, I heard there was a shooting.”

”Yep, there was. Help me escort these gents over to the office then run and get Doc Otis. He’s got a dead one in the Lucky Dollar.”

 

 

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"By the way Deputy, what took you so long to get here"?

 

Deputy Hank Coles replied.... "Sorry Marshall, I was down at that new donut store on the edge of town."

 

 

..........Widder

 

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"Sgt. Bad Temper started it Marshall", a voice from the corner spoke up. 

As the other men turned to see who had spoken, a figure stepped out into the light. 

"You know this feller?" the Marshall asked. 

"Nope, just want him to get a fair shake," the stranger replied. "These other two weren't involved", he continued. "They were barely awake." That got a chuckle from the crowd.

"You got a name?" the Marshall asked. 

"Sabre, C.J. Sabre," the the other man answered. "Let me finish this beer, and I'll give a statement."

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As they all head to the sheriff's Office.

Mrs. Margerett come out of the brothel across the walkway.

 

She says to the Marshall them two Boys there just left my establishment about a 1/2 Hour ago .

One of my Gals was roughed up pretty bad by  this one ! 

 

Then Chet and Bob  starts to run fast the other way ... 

 

 

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Elmer and C.J. started to reach for their guns, but the Marshall stopped them. With a hint of a smile on his face, he merely said, "Hank.."

Deputy Hank Coles took off like a shot. Grabbing a broom from a storekeeper, he chased down the two men and with a single swing of the broom, knocked both of them off their feet as though they'd been poleaxed. As they lay in the street, stunned by their defeat at the hands of the "skinny kid with a badge", several of the townsfolk clapped their hands in appreciation. 

C.J. said kind of offhandedly to the Marshall, "Fast little guy, isn't he?"

"Don't eat much, either," the Marshall replied.

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You don't miss much C.J , Says the Marshall .

Are you a former Lawman yourself ? 

 

The Cattle drovers will be coming threw here is a couple weeks .

I could use another good man .

 

Elmer walks back up to Matt and Says Brother do you know where Henry is ...

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"I spent the war in the U.S. Marines," C.J. said. "After that, I worked a few years as a Deputy U.S. Marshal in the Arizona Territory, so yeah, I've got some experience." C.J. concluded.

"I don't have anything going on right now, so maybe I'll sign on for a bit. What's it pay?" he asked with a grin. 

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Let's all go back to my office and talk says Matt .

 

You two boys get out of town and don't come back !

 

Chet and  Bob  headed towards there horses as fast as they could .

 

Elmer I have not seen Henry sence the war .

We got separated in 63 .

I have been looking for him myself .

 

I thought you was still home with ma and pa .

 

Hank just followed behind the men heading to the sheriff's  Office ....

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Bill and Chet rode fast about a half a mile outside the edge of town. Chet yelled to Bill to slow down and as they created a small hill they both stopped on the other side out of sight of the town. 
“Chet, I really thought we were goners there for a little while.” 
“Bill, I swear to gawd! The next time you beat up on a whore I will shoot you myself! What in the hell are we gonna do now? We have no money and there are. I more big towns around here for miles and miles. We sure can’t go back there.”

Chet reached down for his canteen and realized he had very little water. 
“Well, one thing’s for sure. We are gonna have to sneak back into town for some supplies. You danged fool…I oughta plug ya and be done with ya.”

Bill just sat and fumed at his partner. 
“Let’s ride down there next to those rocks and find some shade. We’ll go back into town this evenin’ and see if we can get some food and water for the road and we need to get these horse fed.”

 

Meanwhile, back in town…

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Elmer, C.J., the Marshall and Deputy Hank all headed into the Marshall's Office. Marshall Matt took his place behind the desk, while the rest of the men found other chairs. The Marshall noticed how Elmer and C.J. moved their chairs so that they could see the door. 

Elmer told his side of the shooting in the saloon, and C.J. back him up. The Marshall wrapped the whole incident up in a matter of a few minutes. 

"It sounds like a righteous shooting to me," the Marshall declared, "I don't see any reason to file charges. Just try to stay out of any more trouble, little brother." he finished with a grin. 

"No promises," Elmer answered.

"Now, what about you?" the Marshall asked C.J.

"Depends on what you want," C.J. told him. "I'm new in town, but I've been around a few places. Never shot anybody that didn't need it, at least that's the way it always turned out."

"You ever been in trouble with the Law?" the Marshall asked.

"One time," C.J. answered. "I was in Tombstone and got hassled by that Wyatt Earp feller for carrying a gun in town. I told him I'd be on my way as soon as I picked up some supplies, so he let it go."

"Yeah, I've heard that he likes to strongarm strangers." the marshall said. "Well if you're willing, I'll take you on as a Special Deputy while the Drovers are in town. If you work out, we might be able to make it permanent."

"That might be a good change." C.J. said. "I've been driving freight wagons for while, and while the pay's tolerable, watching the back end of a mule does get boring after a while."

How's $40 a month, a room at the hotel and three meals a day sound?" the Marshall asked. 

"That include ammo, too?" C.J. asked. 

"Not if you use too much for no good reason." 

"I'll try to avoid that." C.J. answered with a grin.

 "One more thing, you said you were with The Union during the War. The War's over. Are you good with that?"

"As long as everybody else is," C.J. said. I don't hold any grudges, but I won't back down from anybody who does."

"As long as you don't start it, I'm good with that." the Marshall said. "Take your gear over to the hotel and tell 'em I sent you. Tell 'em you want Room 3. It's at the end of the hall, so get a clear view of anybody coming your way."  

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As Marshall Matt, brother Elmer, CJ and Hank were in the Marshall's office talking things over and making plans there was herd of Longhorns and a crew of drovers headed north toward town.  They were still several days out but would need to resupply the chuck wagon in town.  The trail boss was a former Confederate captain named John "Hardnose" Armstrong, and a tow the line man he was.  He'd recently hired on three more cowboys he'd run across on the trail.  He was shorthanded after sending a couple of drovers down the trail for not following orders as he gave them.  So he hired a cowboy named Henry and his two Mexican compadres to fill the gap.  Henry met the two Mexicans, Santos and Cholo, while he was hiding out in Tasgosa Texas after a couple of run ins with the law.  Tasgosa was a popular town for bandits and gunmen to lay low in while things simmered down.  The war had left Henry a changed man.  He didnt talk much and when he did usually a confrontation followed.  He got angry quickly when talking of the war and what had happened to his cavalry unit were brought up.

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Elmer asked Marshall Matt if there was a place in town for him to lay his head .

for I have no money .

 

The Marshall says I live here at the jail house and sleep on a bunk in a cell .

I can offer you a bunk for a few days till you find some work or the drovers get to town and I fell up the jail .

 

Elmer asked maybe I could be a help as a backup deputy to earn the hot and cot  till I move on .

 

I still want to find Henry so I don't plan to stay long .

Says Elmer .

 

 

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The cattle drovers and the herd were a days ride south of town and were setting up camp for the night.  The cattle were settled into a tree lined pasture by a small creek.  Amos the cook had the chuckwagon set up,  the fly out and had a camp fire blazing as the drovers started drifting  in after taking  care of their horses.  Captain John had a seat on a tree stump and was having a cup of Amos's coffee talking with the cowboys as they came up for coffee and to enjoy the fire while waiting for supper.  Henry, Cholo and Santos had thrown their saddles on the ground and were lying back on them relaxing after a long day of riding drag.  At that moment a horse was heard walking up in the brush and stopped with the rider barely visible in the firelight.  The rider said "hello in camp, ok to come in?  I could sure use a cup of coffee and something to eat if you can spare any".  Captain John said "come on in I'm sure we have enough."  As the rider dismounted and came closer Henry and his compadres recognized him as the cowboy Henry had a fist fight with in the saloon in Tasgosa.  The fight was over a pretty senorita that Henry was buying drinks for.  If the bartender hadn't intervened with the threat of using the double barrel he was holding who knows how it would have turned out since the man Henry was fighting wore an 1860 Army revolver on his hip and carried a smaller revolver in a shoulder holster.  Henry was holding his own in the first fight but his opponent was obviously a professional gunman.  The bartender didnt want his saloon broke up again and stopped the fight.  A few choice parting words were exchanged and the gunman stomped out.  Now over a month later they meet again at Captain John's campsite. 

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As the visiting stranger unsaddled and threw his saddle near the fire, Captain John asked his name.  He replied "I go by Arkansas Charlie."  Where he threw his saddle positioned him almost directly across the camp fire from Henry, Santos and Cholo.  The cowboys started forming a chow line to get a plate filled with bacon, cowboy beans, a hot biscuit and a cup of Amos's extra strong coffee.  Arkansas Charlie was last to get a plate.  As they all sat around eating and having coffee Charlie kept glancing toward Henry and his two friends.  He said very little anyone.  This made Cholo quite nervous and he whispered to Santos, "I dont like this.  Something's gonna happen.  I dont know when but it will.  I can feel it.  That Charlie is a bad hombre".  One by one the talking ended the fire started to burn low and the cowboys drifted off to sleep.  

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Sometime during the darkness Charlie and his partner Paco got up quietly and started roaming around the camp assessing the layout of men .

 

Paco was picking up the guns of each man that was asleep and putting them in a pile behind the Chuck wagon .

 

Little did they know .

They was not the only ones awake.

 

Amos was watching everything from the inside of the Chuck wagon threw the pulled cover.

Amos had his hand resting on  his Gatling gun by the side of the Chuck wagon .

Amos was not always a old Chuck wagon cook living on the trail .

He too was in the war .

 

Captain John was also no stranger to late night stays .

He was a dangerous man himself.

Old Hardnose Armstrong was not a man to fool with .

 

Captain John slowly Cocked his trusty Gunnison revolver as he  could hear far off in the distance two more horses walking up quietly and slow .....

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As the approaching horses neared the other horses that were tied to the picket line one of them  nickered causing two of the picketed horse to whinny which awakened the cowboys.   Captain John then got to his feet still holding his cocked revolver and hollered "whose out there? Show yourselves!"  Charlie and Paco thought it best to act as innocent as possible since everyone was now awake.  A voice in the darkness said " its us Cap, Emmitt and Sam".  These were the two that Captain John sent down the trail earlier.  "Ok to come into camp, sir?"  Emmitt asked.  The captain answered "come on in but come slow I've got my gun drawn and cocked".  Emmitt answered back "thanks cap.  We mean no harm".  As they appeared in the dim firelight Captain John told two cowboys to keep an eye on them while I tend to these other two skunks while instructing Amos to "keep your gatling on our two guests".  He then walked over to Charlie and poked the barrel of his revolver under Charlie's chin and gruffly said "now you both drop your belts and put your hands behind your backs.  Henry, grab some rawhide and tie their hands.  You other men your guns and belts are in a pile behind the chuckwagon get them collected and stay on alert.  I've got to think what to do with these two come morning."  He then turned and faced Emmitt and Sam and asked " now, just what do we owe the pleasure of seeing you two again?"

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Sam answered Captain John's question saying that they had been drifting around looking for work and hadn't found any and decided to catch up with the herd and plead for their jobs back.   As the sun began to break the horizon and it became easier to see, Emmitt then looked at Charlie and Paco and said "hey you're the two we ran into at that ranch a ways back.  You were trying to steal some horses when the rancher and his foreman caught you."  Captain John asked " what else happened and why were you both there?"  Sam answered we just happened upon this when we stopped by this ranch lookin for work.  We had nothin to do with it, honest cap.  These two shot the rancher and his foreman and then lit outa there on them stolen horses.  The two men shot weren't hurt real bad so we helped patch em up so that a couple of the other guys there could get them into town in a wagon to the doc.  We left there and now we're here."  Emmitt asked how bout it cap, we've learned our lesson."  Captain John thought for couple minutes on what to do, and still waving his revolver He then said "well, I've got a crew to get fed, horses saddled and a herd to get moving.  We're already gettin a late start and I've got these two horse thieves to deal with.  If I'd been there to witness this and had the time I'd hang you two myself.  But I wasn't, and I hate horse thieves, so here's what were gonna do.  Amos grab as many volunteers as you need and get breakfast going, pronto!  Emmitt you and Sam are rehired, but you're gonna do the work of three men because I'm sending three men to escort these two into town to the Marshall.  I'm sure he knows what's happened by now when those two shot men got to the doc.  After breakfast I want Henry, Chollo and Santos to take these two into town.  Henry, dont take any chances.  Ride behind them rifles on them at all times until you deliver them to the marshall.  The Marshall knows me tell him we'll be there soon.  Now let's get things done.  We're burnin daylight!"

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Meanwhile, back in town....

 

     C.J. took his leave of Elmer and Marshall Matt, to head to the hotel to get a room. He checked in with a nice lady whose husband owned the place. She confirmed that Room 3 was just as Matt had said, and gave him the key. She told him that since he was going to be working as a Deputy Marshal, the town would be paying for the room. 

    Accepting the key, he carried his rifle, saddlebags, and warbag up to the room. It wasn't large, but was comfortable, furnished with a bed, dresser, easy chair, and writing desk.

    After settling in, he decided that if he was going to be the Law around here, he should get to know the town a bit. He casually walked the streets, making a mental note of what business were where, especially the bank and the saloons. He also took note of where there were small nooks and crannies where one might hide in ambush, just in case. 

   He arrived back at the Marshal's office just as Elmer was coming out. It turned out that Elmer was also going to take on as a Deputy. C.J. told him what he'd seen around town, when Elmer drew his attention to some men riding in. 

   There were five of them, the first two had their hands tied, while the other three were holding rifles on them.  

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Let's check this out Elmer

says C.J.

The two men start walking towards the men coming in on horses .

 

C.J yells out hold up there boys .

I'm the deputy marshal here in town what's going on here .

 

Why are these two tied up .

 

Chollo and Santos yelled out Horse Thieves Deputy ! 

We are Captain John Armstrong's drovers .

He sent us in to see Marshall Matt Frederick .

 

Elmer says who is that following up in back there dragging in the rear ? 

 

Just then deputy Hank Coles runs up to see what's going on.

As Hank runs up it spooked the two horses that the  rustler's was on and they took off running .

 

From out back two shots rang out from a Henry Repeating rifle   "Crack " "Crack" Both Men drop dead in the street .

 

As fast as this happens Elmer pulls is pistol and Yells out ,

You in the back drop your rifle and put your hand where I can see them ...

 

 

 

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Deputy C J Sabre then took over the scene and ordered our three friends to get off of their horses and then keep their hands up.  He told Hank to go and fetch Marshall Matt.  The Marshall arrived quickly and asked CJ what had happened.  CJ replied " these three were bringing in a couple of guys horseback with their hands tied.  Their horses spooked and took to runnin and this one with his hat pulled low turned his rifle on them and killed em both.  They're with Captain John Anderson's outfit that's headed here now.  Marshall Matt replied, "ok this is starting to make a little more sense now.  Big Jim O'Coonor who has a big spread southwest of here and his ranch foreman were brought in to the doc after being shot by a couple of horse thieves.  You boys can put your hands down now.  We're gonna get this figgered out shortly.  What's your names boys?"  "I'm Clollo and I didnt do no shooting."  "My name is Santos."  Silence.  Marshall Matt asked " and you?"  "Names Henry"  he said slow and low.  Marshall Matt then told him to push his hat up so he could see his face.  Henry slowly pushed his hat up and looked the Marshall in the face.  Neither one recognized the other just yet.  It had been several years and Henry was dusty from the trail and hadn't shaved in quite some time.  The cowboy clothes he was wearing also made him look quite different.  Henry was the oldest and Matt was the middle brother.  Matt then asked him why he shot them instead of riding  after them and getting control of the horses.  Henry answered "I've had it in for Charlie for a long time.  It was because of him that I almost died in the war.  Our smaller cavalry unit was riding ahead doing some recon when we got hit by a small unit of Union infantry dug into to some rocks above us.  We jumped off of the horses and took cover as best we could.  Them blue bellies shot our horses and most of us.  Charlie was coming up behind us with his boys and I heard him give the order to retreat and the bugle started blowing.  Instead of giving us support he left us there to die.  We finally were able to work some men around their flanks and took most of them out.  The rest took off.  By now we were so shot up it was terrible.  I swore I'd get him one day.  Matt had heard this story about the fight his brother had been in but the rest of war and many other circumstances had kept Henry a loner.  Matt then stuck his hand out and said "Henry, it's me, Matt, your brother. 

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Then Matt said this is your little brother Elmer too .

We have been looking for you for a few years .

 

Henry Smiled for the first time in many years ,

As he looked  at his two brothers who was still  alive.

 

Cholo and Santos smiled to and said Senior Matt 

We free togo  Martshal We Chot Nobody ...

 

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     Marshal Matt told Cholo and Santos that they could go but only over to his office and wait there until he arrived. He told Deputy Hank Coles to go with them, both so that the the two riders and his Deputy might not cause any more trouble. 

     As Deputy Hank Coles escorted the two men off of the street, C.J. stood back and just watched as the three now reunited brothers got reacquainted. Doc Otis, having heard the ruckus, came out to see which of his services were needed, that of the Doctor, or the Undertaker. 

     At Doc's arrival, C.J. went over and search the bodies of the two dead men. He didn't find anything particularly interesting, but he did notice how both men had been shot right in the heart, from the back.

     "What have I gotten myself into?" he thought. "Three brothers haven't seen one another in years, they just HAPPEN to get together in a town I just rode into, and one's a lawman, ones a drifter, and ones a backshooter." (You might forgive C.J. the last, he had no way of knowing about what had happened on the trail).   

     He walked over to where the brothers were still standing in the street to tell Marshal Matt what he'd found, or not found, as the case might be. 

    "Marshal," he said, using the man's Title to let him know that he was talking officially, "Doc's here to take the bodies away. I've searched them, but they didn't have much on them. Pocket knife, watch, and the makin's was about it. Doc says we can get their gun belts over to his place." Nodding to Henry, he asked, "I presume you've got their guns?" 

    When Henry nodded in the affirmative, C.J. continued "Not knowing what started all this, we're going to have to have a Coroner's Inquest, won't we?"

    Marshal Matt agreed, but said, "Henry's been telling us why they brought these men to town. They're a couple thieves that tried to rob the cattle drive. He says that the 'drive will be here in a few days and that the Trail Boss, one John "Hardnose" Armstrong will vouch for him and his compadres." 

    "Captain John Armstrong?" C.J. asked with a grin, "I met him a few years back, he helped me out of a scrape when I was a Deputy Marshal. If he back's your brother's play, We don't have to worry much!" C.J. told Marshal Matt. "C'mon, let's get on over to the office so's we can get the statements of him and his men. Then you can introduce me to your family!"   

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Everyone crowded into the small Marshall's office and filled what chairs there were and either sat on the extra desk or stood while Hank got the coffee going.  Matt handled the introductions of his brothers to deputy CJ and Hank.  When he got through introducing Henry as the oldest of the three.   Henry broke in and said "I'll be damned,  it's sure good to see you both again.  I can't believe this is Elmer.  Last time I saw you, you weren't more than a kid.  Now look atcha.  Hell, you're taller than I am and got a mustache and all.   And Matt your all distinguished lookin bein a Marshall now.  Hey Matt, hows the folks doin?  Been so long since I've seen them, 1861 was the last, when I joined up and went off.

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Elmer says they both are dead.

That's way I come looking for you two .

 

Damnd Redlegs come to our Land killing everyone and everything.

They took all the live stock and left little George for dead .

But he was the only one that survived.

 

Little George told the Huckleberries what happened and they took him in .

 

This Captain Sandral  said he was going to clean up this country one farm at a time . 

 

When I got back home to the farm and seen it burnt out .

I road over to the Huckleberry's farm to see if they was still alive or knew what happened.

 

Jim Huckleberry told me what happened and that we only had Little George left and he took him in .

He was out in the field working with his farm hands .

 

I told him little George is free and He don't have to stay if he don't want too .

And I was going to find my Brother's .

 

Now I have ! 

And we need to go asap ...

 

 

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Matt replied," now just hold on Elmer I know how you feel but my work here isn't done yet."  He looked over at Henry who was lookin at the floor shaking his head with his fists clenched.  Matt asked, "Henry, you alright?"  I know this was a lot of bad news all at once, but it's done and all we can do now is  move on."  He replied as he looked up, "damn it, I shudda been there."  Elmer asked " what if you had been what would you have done?"  Henry started to reply, "I'll tell ya little brother", as CJ interrupted him, " maybe you could have shot some more men in the back?"  Henry fired back "what are you gettin at mister?"  CJ replied " I just want to know why you shot those two in the back I stead of letting the law take care of it.  They weren't going to get far",  Henry lowered his head, thought for a minute and replied," I had it in for Charlie for a long time and when those horses spooked and took off my mind went back to when he turned tail and ran and left us there.  I guess I did what I wanted to back then".  Just then the sound of cattle bawling, hooves pounding, and cowboys hooping and hollering was heard outside.  Colo and Santos ran to the door and looked out.  Santos hollered " it's our cattle and Captain John and everybody.  They are here.  Our cattle and our friends are here!"

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With a thundering sound of hoofs  and cowboys yelling you can hear the drovers and Captain Armstrong hollering orders . 

 

Matt says let me deputize you too Henry quickly .

This sounds like a Wild Bunch ! 

 

Captain Armstrong runs a wild crew of boys,  Who likes to cut loose when they get in town ...

 

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      "Hold on Marshal," C.J. interrupted. "Henry's told us the background of his story with those two guys, and since I've heard it, I basically agree that he didn't do anything wrong. But we still haven't heard Captain Armstrong's report of it. And until we do, we can't have the Coroner's Inquest. You can't Deputize him just yet."

     "Let Elmer and me go down to the corralls and fetch the Captain back here. You find the Judge so we can finish this whole thing up. THEN you can take him on as a Deputy."

    Matt thought it over for a minute, then agreed. "Before you bring the Captain back here, ask him to pass on to his men what we'd like to see them do while here in town."

    "Main Street and all its stores, barber shops, bathhouses, bars, and other activities are open to them. Whoopin' an' hollerin' is more than welcome, but any breakage WILL be paid for."

    "The railroad tracks on the North side of town mark where the residential part of town starts. They'll see the Church there, too. They are welcome in the Church, but not past it.

    "Guns ARE permitted in town, but not in the bars. If they're going drinking, have them drop their guns here." 

     C.J. nodded and grinned, "Got it. C'mon Elmer, let's go before he thinks of something else."

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The drovers were just finishing gettin the cattle into pens beside the railroad tracks as CJ and Elmer walked up.  They found Captain John leanin on the corral fence watching the cowboys and giving an order now and then.   CJ stuck his hand out and Introduced himself and Elmer to the captain.  Captain John replied " good to meet you both.  I'm sure you have some instructions for my men."  CJ replied " yes we do."  Captain John stood up on the bottom fence rail, whistled and hollered " you boys gather round over here these deputies have some instructions for you."   CJ then told Elmer to relay the instructions from Matt.  Elmer began, "you men are welcome in our town.  Congratulate on a successful drive.   Feel free to go into any of the shops, stores, saloons and bath houses on main street.  You can wear your guns anywhere EXCEPT in the saloons.  Please drop your guns at the marshalls office before going to any saloon.  If you bust up a saloon or cause any damage anywhere you will pay for it and be thrown in jail.  Do not venture past the church into the residential part of town.  Okay, have a good time in town.  The cowboys start to whoop and move off when Captain John stopped them by hollering " hold it, not so fast I'm not done yet.  What the deputy said goes or you'll answer to me.  You'll pay for damage out of your pay and I'll leave you here in jail when we leave to head back home.  Understood?  Now Amos heres some money I want you to distribute evenly amongst the men.  This is part of their pay.  You boys will get the rest of your pay when I sell the cattle tomorrow.  Now, take care of the horses, go get a bath and some new clothes. There's some purty gals waiting.  And dont forget to drop those guns at the marshal's office.   Now git!"  CJ then told Captain John that Marshall Matt wanted to see him and asked him to go with them to to the office.  As they were headed down there a stagecoach came rumbling into town.  Marshall Matt instructed Hank to assist unloading the stage and to bring any mail back.  Hank went on his way.   CJ, Elmer and Captain John arrived at the office.  Matt said, "John, good to see you again.  Hope you had a good drive."  The captain replied " we did for the most part.  Good to see you again. Matt.  What's going on here as he noticed Henry, Santos and Cholo sitting off to the side."  Matt replied "well we're hoping you can help clear this up.  Seems Henry shot those two guys that they were bringing  into town for stealing horses.  Even though he shot em in the  back, "  he's then interrupted by Hank runnin as fast as he could down the boardwalk with spurs ringin and hollering " Marshall Matt!  Marshall Matt!" and as he burst in the door said "these here wanted posters were in the mail" as he handed them to the marshall.  Matt said " slow down Hank let's see what ya got".  As he looked at the posters he said, " well seems like Arkansas Charlie and his buddy Paco were both wanted for armed robbery, murder and horse theft.  There's a $1000 reward for each of them dead or alive.  This was issued by Judge Issac Parker."  He then handed the posters to CJ to look over.

 

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     As C.J. looked at the posters, he got a look at the one for Paco. 

     "I'll be doggoned," he said. "I know this Paco character. Paco Fierro. I knew a guy who drove a wagon for an outfit Paco worked for. Paco wound up getting fired for stealing from the company. Turned out that Paco never met a man he wouldn't steal from. If that Arkansas Charlie was anything like him, the town's better off without them." 

     When the Judge and Doc Otis got there, everybody was sworn in, the all said their piece, and the Judge called the event closed. 

    "Well all right then," Marshal Matt said, "Since that's over, I can swear Henry in as a Deputy." 

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