Ruby's Letters - January 1876 ( Snake, Shots, and Fingers) Part Three

 

    Ya know Margo, I have heard men talk about how in combat, or fights and such things that time can somehow slow down. How some fellas can see more, and maybe even do more, in the space of a few seconds. I now believe that must be true.
   When the shooting started I felt like that. The whole thing was over in a moment, but I feel like I saw every detail, every little thing that happened. I know I should have just yelled and ducked behind the bar until it was over, but I could not stop myself from watching.

  The tall cowboy was the first to reach for his pistol. And he was fast. At least it seemed like he was. But his pistol had not even cleared his holster before Snake's gun fired. The cowboy's head shot back has he fell to the floor. His friend reached for the Colt on his hip but Snake took no notice. He suddenly knelt and twirled to face behind him. At the same time I saw Shots stand up from his table with his fancy Pearl and Gold pistol raging. The shorter cowboy was dropped next to his friend. I turned my head to follow Snake's gaze and saw there were suddenly other men in the crowd with guns in their hands. The room became full of smoke as several pistols all seemed to fire at once. Screams of pain mixed with shouts of fear and explosions of gunpowder. A bottle behind my head exploded and whiskey and glass seemed to fill the air. I saw a man grab his belly in pain and start to fall as another shot took him in the leg. The floor in front of Snake threw up wood chips as the bullets landed nearby. Another would be assassin screamed as Snake's bullet took off the top of his head. Shots turned his attention to the new threat as well. His pistol cracked and the fifth man fell backwards over the craps table. The last assailant standing unloaded a shotgun in Snake's direction, but luckily his aim was too high and he peppered the wall behind him. Two more shots rang out from Snake's guns, and the man with the shotgun lay on the floor.
   Suddenly the silence seemed to feel as heavy in the room as the drifting smoke. Snake stood frozen gazing back and forth across the room, almost daring anyone else to make a play. Finally satisfied, he slowly lowered his pistols.
  "God Damn!!" Shots shouted coming from behind his table. "Whoo!!! Did you see that? Did you God Damn see that?? Now that was some crazy shit!!" Lily came out from under a table she was hiding behind and jumped into his arms.
  Snake turned and looked at me. "Sorry about the mess Ruby." he said as he reloaded his guns. I stood in shock for a moment. I think I was trying to take it all in. My dress was covered in glass and whiskey. "Ruby? Ruby? You alright gal?" My attention came back as I looked his eyes.
  "Damn Snake," I stammered like a school girl." I don't.... I ..... -Watch Out!!" I yelled as I saw a rifle suddenly pop across the the upstairs balcony aimed at Snake's back. He twirled and reached for his pistol as a gun blared from the end of the bar. The man upstairs dropped the rifle and fell over the balcony, crashing through a table as he hit the floor dead. Snake whipped his aim towards the end of the bar, ready for a new threat.
  And there, well, there was a sight that just about surprised the living hell of me, sis. There stood Fingers, with the first dead cowboy's gun smoking in his hand. He looked as shocked at himself as I imagine we all did. He stared at the gun like he was not quite sure what had happened. Then he looked up at Snake.
  Snake tipped his hat at Fingers and said "Much abliged friend." Fingers slid the cowboy's gun under his belt and replied "Gotta make sure you get all of them son. Else, what's the point?" He turned and reached for his glass.

  Damn Margo, not sure I can take many more nights like that.

Snake

Ruby's Letters - January 1876 ( Snake, Shots, and Fingers) Part Two

  "All right Snake, and you can call me Ruby." I opened another bottle for him. "Looks like you made a friend in young Shots there. He is a decent enough kid."
  "Yeah he seems alright." He said as he lit a cigarette. " A bit too cocky for his own good that's for sure, but he has some grit to him. Found a few fellas in this town like that. My new Deputy, he's a good man."
  "John Roberts?" I asked. "Don't rightly know him too well. But he has a reputation around town as an honest man. I can see where he would make a good lawman."
 "Yep. Brave man. Quiet. Unlike young Shots over there." He nodded to the table behind him where Shot's face seemed to be attached to the front of Lily's corset. Damn girl knows better, but she is my best earner, so I let her get away with small things like that from time to time.
  "So where you been Snake?" I asked him. "My girls have been about sick to death with worry that they have done something to upset you. You ain't been by to see any of them in days!"
  "No such thing Ruby. No such thing at all." He poured himself a drink from the new bottle and downed it. "You're girls have been real nice. No complaints from me, that's for damn sure. Things just got, um, complicated, that's all." He almost looked embarrassed.
  "Uh huh," I replied as I watched him pour another."Complicated? Damn Snake, do not tell me some She-Cat done got her claws into you already? I just might burn this place to the ground and move back East if I thought such a thing were true!"
   "No ma'm, not that at all." I couldn't tell if he was lyin to me or not. "Just, ...well,.... I best not talk about it Miss Ruby if'n it's all the same." He was certainly hiding something. I was curious as hell now and was not going to let him off the hook that easy. But then, things took a turn.

     I heard a loud slap and the crash of a glass hitting the floor. I swear I heard Snake sigh gently and say what I believed to be "Finally" under his breath. As people moved away from the end of the bar I saw Johnathon Dukes, the banker, kneeling amidst the remains of his glass. He was holding his right cheek in his hand. There were two cowboys I did not know standing over him with evil grins on their faces. Everyone else cleared away, except for Fingers, who seemed not to be taking any notice of the event at all. "I told you the men in this town were soft Jake. Soft as babies!" said the taller cowboy to his friend with a drunken laugh. They were both rough looking. Their hair was as dirty as their clothes. Their boots were well used and muddy. They seemed to have a dangerous look about them. Only their pistols seemed clean and well taken care of.
   "I did not offend you sir! You struck me for no reason!" Dukes said in his mousy voice. His face was red and puffy. His eyes were watery. "No reason at all!"  My bouncer Gus started to make his way to where the trouble was.
   "Pull your man away Ruby." Snake whispered to me as he slowly turned around and put his back to the bar. "No need for him to get hurt." His voice suddenly seemed clear and sober. Something in his tone made me think there was more going on here than it looked like. I noticed Snake was not even looking at Dukes and the two cowboys, but was sweeping his gaze at the other side of the room. Almost as if he was searching for something. I also noticed Shots make Lily get off of his lap and move away from the table. He had a grin on his face. My danger sense started kickin in mighty strong at that point.
   "Marshal!" cried out Dukes from the floor "Marshal, you gonna let them them just beat on an innocent man? I did nothing to these men!!! I need your help!" The crowd continue to move away until there was no one in that side of the room except the cowboys, Dukes, Fingers, and Snake, who slowly turned his head towards the cowboys.
  "Well now Mr. Dukes," he said very calmly, "I'm afraid I can't help ya. I'm off duty right now."  The cowboys began to laugh at this. I noticed Fingers' head finally rose up from his glass to look at Snake for a second.
  "Off duty?" Duked cried. "Off duty?"
  The shorter of the cowboys laughed. "I reckon you were right Paul, looks like everybody in this town is yella! Even the damn Marshal!"  Gus had just about made it to the cowboys, but he stopped at this and looked at me. I motioned him to move away. Snake took a step away from the bar and stood out in the open. Dukes began to crawl away.
  "You fellas sure you want to go through with this? You want to play this all the way out?" His hands slipped down next to his pistols. "Oldtimer, you best move from behind those two."
  "If'n it's all the same Marshall," replied Fingers as he raised his glass,"I am enjoying my beer right here."
  "Suit yerself friend. Now boys this is your one and only chance to walk out of here alive tonight. I know what this is. I know what you are planning. Give it up, you can't win." The shorter cowboy looked nervous, but the taller one smiled.
  "Damn son," he said, "I heard you were a cocky son of a bitch. You really think you are that good?"
  "Aint no one proved me wrong yet friend." Said Snake. "Last chance."
  "Go fuck yourself." He said as he went for his gun.

   Then everything went to Hell.

Ruby's Letters - January 1876 ( Snake, Shots, and Fingers) Part One

Dear Margo

    Hey gal. My my things here in Red Creek have sure gotten exciting lately. This new Marshal I was tellin you about sure aint took no time to kick the bobcat if'n you know what I mean. Done got the town all stirred up. He took a posse up in the hills the other day after that outlaw what killed the Sheriff and things went bad. Couple of local boys got killed. And that young fella I mentioned, the school teacher's husband? I guess he done saddled up with the killer and got himself shot by the Marshal. Damn fool.
   Whole town feels like it's on edge. That asshole that owns the joint at the end of town has been tryin to stir things up against the Marshal. I don't know, he seems alright to me. He was in here last night and well, showed us all something I think.

     It was around 10 o'clock or so and the place was pretty full. Usual local crowd and some rowdy trail hands that I believe have a herd camped out on the plain nearby. The Marshal was here and I could tell he had already been drinkin some earlier. He came in with that young slick "Shots". Now the two of them together is a damn sight girl. Thought I was gonna have to break out a horse whip to keep my girls off of their table. Now Shots is sweet on my head girl Lily, so she was sittin with the two of them. Snake I ain't figured out just yet. The first couple of days he was in town he was certainly fond of my gals and sampled quite a few of them. Then something changed and I ain't sure what it is yet. He's still friendly to em and all, and has been buyin em drinks and the like, but ain't "been" with any of them in a few days. I am tryin to work my charms on him, but he's a hard nut to crack.
   Anyway the three of them was a sittin at the table sharing a bottle. Now there is this old timer that lives here in town that once in a while will come in the place for a spell. He's an old drunk, but rumor has it he used to be a bigshot Indian fighter or something. I know he usually does his drinkin down at the Noose with the other bums and such, but like I says, once in a while he comes in here. Nice enough fella, never causes no trouble, just a little, rough looking, I guess. His name is O'Mally, but most folks call him "Fingers". He told me once I reminded him of someone he lost a long time ago. He was so sad when he said it, I felt bad for him. Well now this fella came in last night as well. I noticed him kinda hidin out at the end of the bar sippin on a beer. I stopped by to say hi.
   "Howdy Fingers. How you been keepin these days?'
   "Evening Miss Rosie." he replied, "Best that I can I suppose. You are lookin pretty as a painting tonight Ma'm."
   "Why Fingers, you do know how to charm a gal don't ya? What brings ya in tonight?"
   "Bah," he said and wrinkled up his nose," that damn fool Bullard is runnin his mouth down at his turdhole of a joint. He don't know shit for shit, that much I can tells ya!" I laughed.
   "I heard he was tryin to cause some trouble today with the new Marshal." I said as I refilled his beer." On the house Fingers."
   "Thank ya Ma'm." he said "One thing I have learned Miss Rosie, is that people are right quick to listen to idiots! I ain't got the patience fer it. This new lawman might not be worth a rooster's dick as far as I know, and I don't rightly care to tell ya the truth, but Sheriff Barker was always good to me. If this new man is going after the bastard that killed him, then I stand behind him. Don't make no sense to try to stop him before he has a chance to prove his self. If ya get my meaning Ma'm."
   "Well Mr. O'Mally!" I smiled at him."That might be the most words you have ever spoken to me at once in the whole damn time I have known you! They really musta got you worked up tonight didn't they?"
  "I didn't mean to ramble Miss Rosie. I know you are busy." He seemed embarrassed.
  "No Fingers, it's alright. I like talking to you. You just go ahead and spend your night at my bar tonight. You are always welcome." I reached out and patted his gnarled hand.
  His smile beamed at me. "You are as kind as you are pretty Ma'm. Thank you."

  Just then this big, fat, sweaty figure kinda forces his way to the bar. He just about knocked Fingers' beer out of his hand. "Evening Mr Dukes." I said with a forced smile. "What can I get for you?"
  "Whiskey. And not the cheap swill you sell these cowboys." He had a high pitched, nervous kind of voice.
  "Yes sir." Johnathon Dukes is the owner of the Town Bank. You know I hate to talk bad about people sis, ........ shut up, ....... but this fella just always rubs me the wrong way. One of those people who just know they are better than everyone else and aint afraid to show it. A man who thinks that because he has money he is above reproach. Plus he just strikes me as a sleazeball. None of my girls like him. They all charge him three times as much as everyone else, and still complain about him. Well I noticed Fingers was staring at him with a disgusted look on his face. Dukes nodded his head at Fingers but the old man turned away without a reply. I chuckled and decided I liked Fingers even more than I thought.
 
   Well a little bit of time went buy and the place got more and more crowded. And a little bit more rowdy as well. I think the excitement of the day was wearing on folks and business was good. I had a chance to talk to the Marshal when he came up to the bar.
  "Well well Marshal Johnson," I said "I was beginning to think I musta made you mad somehow the way you been ignoring me all night."
  "Not at all Miss Rosie." I could tell right then that he was pretty well into his cups at that point. His eyes were glassy and he was slurring his words just a touch. "I been treated right well here. And please, call me Snake."

Priscila's Diary - January 1876

    I don't understand. There must be some mistake. I know Johnny has made some bad decisions and has been fighting his demons, but this? It can't be true. He would never sink this far. He is not a horse thief! He could not have been involved with a cruel evil man like Kid Holmes. Never. But there he sits in Snake's jail. And those two poor men are dead. What am I to think? I have to hear it from Snake. I know he will not lie to me. I just have to make him talk to me. He will have the answers I need to hear. I am going to get Sally to watch Joshua and go find the truth. But it scares me so.

   What is happening to this town? Damn that outlaw for bringing this evil into our midst. I am afraid the worst is yet to come. I went to the jail today to talk to Snake and almost walked into a town revolt! Dan Bullard, I man that I really do not know, was poking the hornet's nest with a stick. Seems he and some of his friends, are blaming Snake for the deaths of those two boys! Lord knows Snake has his faults, but he can't be blamed for this. It's Holmes, why can't they see that?
   I approached the jail house and Snake stepped out on the porch to meet me. "I'm sorry Prissy," he said lighting a cigarette, " but I can't let you see him yet. He's still recovering."
   "Tell me the truth Snake. He could not have been mixed up in this mess. There has got to be some misunderstanding!" I pleaded
   "I wish I could tell you different gal,"he replied with a sorrowful look,"but it looks bad. He was there, he fired on us along with the rest of the gang. I won't know the rest until he wakes up and I can talk to him. But Doc Thomas has got the slugs out of him and patched him up real good. If he don't get infected, he should be fine."
  "Was it you that shot him Snake?" I asked. He paused and looked at the porch floor for a heartbeat.
  "I reckon I don't rightly know Prissy. There was a lot going on. I am not exactly sure who shot who." He was lying. I could tell. He never could lie well. And as I was about to call him on it I heard noises approaching from behind me. Snake looked over my shoulder to the street and his face suddenly grew hard and cold. "Go on now Prissy" he whispered, "get from here. Might be trouble." I turned and saw a group of angry looking men headed directly towards us. "Go!" Snake repeated in a hard voice that left no room for discussion. I stepped away without realizing I was even doing it.

  "Marshal!" said the man in front of the group. I recognized him has Dan Bullard. He owns that no good whiskey house that Johnny has been hanging around. "We come to talk to ya!" I stepped off the end of the porch and stood behind a nearby wagon.
   "Well, you found me Bullard." said Snake as he spread his feet and dropped his hands down near to his pistols."Read your letter in the paper this morning. Reckon you got your hackles raised up."
   "You're damn right we do!" Said Bullard in a loud voice. "We don't rightly like the way you are operating things around here. Them boys didn't need to die!"
   "Now you are right about that." Snakes voice was a calm as a small pond on a windless day. "Innocent people get hurt sometimes. Sometimes they even get killed. I don't like it no more than you do friend. But that's the way things are. If I could take things back, I reckon I would, but I can't. And there we are."
   "Fancy talk Marshal." Said Bullard looking around at his friends for support. "But it don't change the fact that Hugh's boy is in the ground!" A few of the men patted Mr. Darling's back to comfort him.
  "Mr. Darling, I am right sorry for your loss, but your son was a grown man. And a brave one at that."
  "You don't know nothing about it Marshal!" shouted Bullard "We want you out of this town! Right now. You can leave on your own, or we can make you. What's it gonna be Snake???" He said the last word in a mocking, foolish manner. I backed behind the wagon a little more.
  Snake stood silent for a moment, letting the weight of the situation settle in. "Friend," he said in a calm cool voice," that sounded a little like a threat to me. Are you sure you want to play things this way?"
  "There are 9 of us here Marshal, and just one of you. I reckon that means we can play things any damn way we want to." I realized then for the first time that Bullard was drunk. In fact it looked like most of them were.
  "Dan," spoke up one of them, " I didn't sign on for no gun play."
  "Shut up Dukes! Ain't gonna be no gun fight. I don't care how good he's supposed to be, aint no one man will go up against nine at once. Ain't nobody that good!"
  "You sure about that friend?" said Snake. "You willing to risk everything on that? I'll tell you what Bullard, I know you are upset, and maybe even a little bit drunk right now. I am gonna let you walk away from this and not hold it against you. But only if you go now. You see, you keep standing there in front of my office running your mouth like a fool, I might decide to get offended. And sir,  I'm from Texas, we don't take kindly to someone offending us. We tend to take it personal. And then people tend to get hurt."
  "Let's go Dan." said Dukes, the banker "This isn't the way to handle things." Some of the others voiced their agreement to leaving.
  "Alright Marshal." Said Bullard "But this isn't over. Know that we are watching you. We won't stand for no more innocents getting hurt on account of you! Let's go men." Then he turned away and the others followed. All except Hugh Darling. He stood there looking at Snake.
  "He was a brave boy Marshal, wasn't he?" he said in a voice near to breaking.
  "Yes sir, he was. No question about it."
  "You gonna get the son of a bitch who killed him?"
  "Yes sir. You have my word on it." replied Snake.
  "You kill him Marshal. You kill the bastard." Then he turned and slowly walked away.

  As I started to come from behind the wagon, I saw another figure step from the shadows on the other side of the jail. Snake wheeled and reached for his pistol as he stepped into the light. "Damn it boy. That's an easy way to get killed!" I could see him relax as I recognized young Shots.
  "Nicely played Marshal." said the young man with a sly grin on his face. "Thought for sure I was gonna have to put a bullet in one or two of those fellas to help you out."
  "When I need your help youngin, I will ask for it." Snake laughed "But I appreciate it anyways."
  "Anytime Marshal." He said as he pulled a flask from his hip and took a drink. "Don't kid yourself into thinking Bullard won't come back. Best watch your back." He offered Snake a pull.
  "Son," said Snake as he took a swallow from the flask, "you don't live long in this business any other way. Now come on inside and help me finish off this bottle." With that they went back into the jail.

  And I walked home without any more answers than I had this morning.

  Poor Johnny.

Red Creek Tribune - January 25th 1876

Aftermath of Bloody Shootout

By Silas Furgenson, Owner, Red Creek Tribune

   It has been 2 days since the deadly gunfight in the hills outside of town between Marshal Johnson's posse, and Kid Holmes' gang, but the impact of this violent clash still has the citizens of Red Creek on edge. Tensions came to a head yesterday after the funeral of young Jimmy Darling. A small group of concerned locals made their displeasure known outside of the Marshal's Office.
   Dan Bullard, long time Red Creek resident and owner of the Broken Noose Saloon, seemed to be the vocal leader of this group. Unhappy with the Marshal's handling of the Holmes' situation, and in fact, blaming the Marshal for the deaths of Jimmy Darling and ranchhand Kevin Guilderman, Bullard led a group of 8 or 9 men to the Marshal's doorstep and confronted him on his actions. Included in this group were lumber mill owner, and father of slain Jimmy, Hugh Darling, and owner of the bank Johnathon Dukes. Gambler Stan Masterson, and several regulars from the Broken Noose were also present.
   Eyewitness reports have Bullard calling the Marshal out of his office and demanding than he leave town. Bullard claimed the citizens of Red Creek did not want, or need, the kind of trouble they blamed Marshal Johnson of bringing to town. The Marshal is said to have thanked the group for their concern and asked them to stay out of the way of the law. Tempers apparently flared and things were reported to move close to a dangerous place, but apparently cooler heads prevailed. Bullard and his followers left the jailhouse with warnings that they would be watching how things play out.
  Dear Readers, it is an uncertain time we find ourselves in. Murderous Outlaws in the hills, young men slain in the promise of their youth, threats of civil uprisings. We, as the people of Red Creek, need to insure we do whatever is needed to protect the peace and security of our humble town. Know that I, Silas Furgenson, vow to keep you updated with the latest developments, as they occur.

Jimmy "Shots" Scafe - An Introduction

   December 19th, 2011

    Hey guys, Barry here. Well, Christmas time is right upon us. All the Decorations are up here at the Cardwell house. Most of the shopping is done as well. Which is good because it has given me more time to sort through Prissy's trunk.

 

    I have stumbled across an interesting side story that ties into Prissy's tale and Red Creek. It deals with a young gunslinger named Jimmy Scafe, or "Shots" as he was called. It's been kinda hard to put the pieces of his story together from the various items that I have found, but I think we now have at least a rough overview of who he was and how he ties into to Prissy and Snake. We do know from a Red Creek Tribune article I have already posted here that Shots was a part of the initial posse Snake took into the hills after Kid Holmes. It mentions that Shots leaped from a boulder and saved Snake from getting shot in the back. This kind of dramatics it seems came easy for him. Apparently Shots was quite a character.

   Here is an excerpt from one of Ruby's letter's talking about him,

    "Now Sis, I believe I done spoke to you before about this fella here in town called "Shots". Lord a mercy this boy has got some big balls on him! Last night there was some rough cowboys in the joint drinkin it up and havin a good ole time. Well, Shots was in here as well flirtin with one of my gals. He seems to have takein a liking to Lilly, a young pretty redhead that has been here a few weeks. Now one of these cowboys, they were on a drive up to Kansas City I believe, got it into his head that he wanted Lilly for himself and that Shots was hoggin up all her time. These boys came up outta Texas, and you know they grow em big down there, and Shots, well he damn sure aint the biggest frog in the pond. Hell, I think he's a might shorter than me. But that ain't got nuthin to do with his stones if'n ya know what I mean. That boy ain't got a lick of back down in him. He's a pretty boy too. Got curly black hair, clean face. Young lookin. But Hell I guess he is young. Cant be but 20 I reckon. Always dresses nice and clean as well. A real ladies man. But like I said, he has a hard streak in him when he gets pushed. So this cowpoke from Texas starts to push him. Tellin Lilly she should come see a real man when she's tired of playin with boys. At first Shots laughs it off and offers to buy him a beer. But this fella was pretty drunk and like I said, Shots ain't that intimidating to look at, so he just keeps acomin. I swear I could see the smile fade off of Shots' face when he realized this cowboy was not gonna give up. I motioned for Gus to try and stop things before they got started, but it was too late.

    "Step away from me Lilly." Shots said in a calm cool voice. And once she did, "Now Mister, I got no particular problem with you this evening, but I suggest you change your tone and attitude right quick."

    "Or what boy?" says the cowboy. "Hell, does your daddy know you got his guns? You might be in fer a whuppin when he finds out."

    "Now fellas," Gus butted in trying to save the situation. " we don't need no trouble in here tonight. Let's just drink up and have some fun with the ladies. Let me get you both a bottle, on the house."

    "Right friendly of ya Gus," said Shots, "but I get the felling this cowboy is lookin for a fight. Ain't that right cowboy? You lookin for a fight?" His hands inched down near his brace of pistols. Beautiful ones they were too. And well used.  Well this cowboy musta heard something in Shot's voice or saw something on his face that made him think maybe he had made a mistake. Everyone in the bar could see the doubt come over him. His friends saw it to. They tried to back him down, but he was bull headed. "I ain't scared of you boy!" He said as he cleared his jacket away from the revolver stuck in the front of his pants. 

   "No sir, I reckon you ain't." Said Shots in a low, deadly tone. "But you are afraid of dyin. I can see it in your eyes. I can smell it on you. And you know you are close to it. Right close. Best step down Mister. Live to see the sunrise." For a moment I thought the cowboy was gonna be smart, but I guess he was too far along to turn back. Men are so stupid Margo. Wasn't nothing put silly pride stoppin him from getting out of this mess. But to a man pride is powerful thing I guess.

  "Shots!" I said as things got to the breakin point. "You kill this man on my floor, you ain't gonna be welcomed in my place never again. You hear me?"

   "Now Miss Ruby, that ain't right. I ain't done nothin wrong. And hell, I am your best customer, you ain't gonna put me out."

   "You ever known me to not mean what I say son? You, cowboy! Get your damn hand away from your gun and sit your dumb ass back down before this boy kills you dead. You ain't got a chance, and you know it." The cowboy's face was a mask of confusion, he didn't know what to do or think. Seems like that is pretty much the natural state of most men I ever met! But pride won out.

  "To hell with all of ya!" He cried as he went for his gun.

  I heard three shots go off before the cowboy's gun had even cleared his pants. The first one got him in the thigh, the second one in his shoulder as he fell. The third one was for his friend who I reckon tried to back his play. He got a bullet in his hand for his trouble. The smoke cleared and Shots still stood there leaning against the bar with smoke drifting out of the barrels of his pistols. "Damn it Shots!" I said.

   "But Miss Ruby", he said with a sly smile as he holstered his guns and reached out for Lilly, "I didn't kill anyone. Me and Lilly will be upstairs."

   As I watched him take Lilly, and a bottle to the rooms upstairs, I heard Gus laugh. "Well Miss Ruby, boy has a point."

   "Shut up Gus and help these boys out of here and down to the Doc's." As I turned away I had to smile myself. Damn, that boy has a coachload of swagger. 

   How can you not like Mr. Scafe after a story like that? Haha!  Anyway, there is alot more to do with Shots, Snake, and Kid Holmes later. I will try to get a few more posts in before the holidays.

Barry Cardwell