Smoke from the abandoned cigar tipped into a tin mug atop the cane table wafted to the porch ceiling and hung there like a malevolent spirit hovering above the heads of the two outlaws seated below. Their eyes were on their men; watching as Wheat and Kyle worked in the dusty yard. Wheat held a piece of paper in his hand which he referred to from time to time. Kyle was occupied with opening boxes and digging through a pile of tools he had tipped out of the supply shed.
A moment later, Hank and Lobo came out of the barn, their heads together, deep in conversation.
The door to the bunkhouse hung open and the sound of an argument could be heard. Preacher's voice was raised in irritation. "God bless it, Ikey, look again. It's got to be there. Nowhere else it could be!"
The Kid tapped the ash from his own cigar and chuckled, "Looks like we ain't gonna have the boys givin' us anymore trouble for a spell, partner."
Heyes grinned, picked up his discarded stogie, and drew a long pull. Exhaling, he blew several smoke rings and watched them fade away. "Yep."
"So's all they gotta do is find all the things on their list and they win a bottle of the good stuff and a day off to drink it?"
"Yep."
"That's a pretty damn clever way to get the Spring cleanin' done."
"Thanks, Kid." A pleased dimple appeared.
"So who do you think will win?"
"If I give 'em long enough they all will and so will we."
Curry laughed again. "How about we make this a little more interestin'? I'll put ten dollars on Gully and Fletch to win."
"Why Gully and Fletch?"
"Cause they're the only men we have with an ounce of organization."
"Good point. Mind if I decline that bet?"
"All right then. How about this one? I'll bet that same ten that Wheat and Kyle don't finish their list." Curry leaned back in his rocker and glanced at his best friend and co-leader of the Devil's Hole Gang.
"Sorry, I can't take that bet neither."
"How come?"
"'Cause no one's gonna be able to finish those lists."
"Aw Heyes, what have you done?" groaned Curry.
"Now, Kid, I wanted to be sure we got a few days of peace and quiet after all the ruckuses those boys have been kicking up lately. I may have put a couple of things on each list that I know for sure we don't have anymore."
"What were you thinkin', Heyes? Those boys are gonna be real pissed at you when they find out you tricked them," growled Curry. "You know you crossed the line here, don't you?"
"Don't worry, when those knuckleheads finally figure it out, they'll get their whiskey and their days off. In the meantime, all we've gotta do is sit back and enjoy the peace."
The Kid thought about it for a moment and then looked at his partner with admiration. "You know, sometimes you really are a genius."
Heyes smiled smugly, "I'd like to think so."