THE POSSE THAT WOULDN'T QUIT

(Another well written story and I found no significant flaws. So, I'm just adding a private conversation in the bunkhouse. It's mentioned in "AS&J The Story of Two Pretty Good Bad Men," which happens to be my new Bible while writing these chapters, that one of the writer's toyed with bringing to light a bit of Curry's family background. The idea was nixed for this episode, so I decided to add a bit myself. Unfortunately, it gets a little dark. Sorry).

After supper the day they arrived at the Jordan's home, Heyes spied Mr. Jordan's guitar and entertained the family with song and guitar music while Kid dozed comfortably in a chair. When it came time for the girls to scamper off to bed, Heyes and Curry linger a bit with Mr. and Mrs Jordan before themselves heading off to the bunkhouse.

"Sure is a nice family, ain't they Heyes," Kid said as he pulled off his outer clothing, leaving only his long johns and Henley on as he climbed into his bunk.

"Yeah, they are, Kid."

Kid shuffled onto his back and clasped his fingers behind his head. "Think we lost that posse?"

Heyes sighed. "Nope, not if they do have an Apache with them."

"Then we best be figuring out a way to move on quick."

"Yep. Problem is, no horses."

Kid shrugged. "Jordan's got horses."

"And we've got no money to pay them. We can't just steal them, Kid. That's a hanging offense."

"Can't just walk away, Heyes. Nearest town is half a day's ride from here."

"Uh-uh," Heyes replied, crawling into his own bunk.

"Could just be honest with em."

Heyes looked perplexed but Kid didn't see it. "You mean tell them who we are?"

"Course not. Just ask them to loan us a couple of horses. Promise to let them know where we leave em."

"Would you do that for somebody? Loan someone a hundred and fifty dollars worth of animal stock on the promise that they'll let you know where they'll leave em?"

"Well, we can't stay her a full two weeks, Heyes. That posse will surely find us."

"I know."

So, what do we do?"

Heyes sighed. "I gotta think on it a while, Kid. We won't stay more than a day or two, I promise."

Kid was quiet for a few minutes.

"I like them two little girls. They remind me of Katie," Kid said with a bit of melancholy in his voice.

Heyes smiled. "Your little sister was quite the tomboy tag-along, always wanting to do whatever her big brother was doing."

Kid chuckled. "She even wanted to learn to shoot my gun," Kid said.

"Course your pa put a quick stop to that."

"Yeah, I couldn't sit down for a week."

"I remember she looked just like a little version of you, Kid. She had those long blonde curls, those clear blue eyes."

Heyes?"

"Yeah?"

"You think she was scared? You think she knew what was happening?"

Heyes closed his eyes and winced. This was territory he did not want to travel.

"No. I think your Ma and Pa would have seen to that."

Kid nodded reflectively. "I hope you're right, Heyes."

"Kid, you know how strong your Ma and Pa were... How much they loved you and Katie... You know they did right by her."

Again Kid nodded sadly.

"Kid... I've been thinking...Maybe we ought to just steal two horses," Heyes said, trying to get Kid's mind onto to something less tragic.

"What? You want to get us both hanged, Heyes?"

"Well, we got our saddles. Maybe we could barter them for two of the Jordan's horses. Then we wouldn't be stealing."

"That sounds like a possibility, Heyes. But we can't ride as fast bareback. Probably couldn't outrun the posse if they should catch up to us."

Heyes sighed. "That's true, but if we could get to a town, we could sell them, play some poker to get some more money, then buy them back along with saddles and tack."

Heyes?"

"Yeah?"

"I think you need to think on this some more."

"Probable right."

"I'm going to sleep now, Heyes. It's been a long day."

"Good night, Kid."