The Past Awakened - Revised

by CoryLynne

Sheriff Cory's hostility towards a prisoner has everyone concerned, including Mort himself. I am reposting this story due to finding a glaring mistake in the original story.

THE PAST AWAKENED

I was none too gentle as I grabbed a handful of shirt and pulled the bleeding and handcuffed prisoner from his horse and shoved him towards the jail door. We had been chasing him and his partner for nearly a week, ever since they robbed the Laramie Bank, killing a friend of mine in the process then racing out of town.

I pushed the prisoner through the door and towards the cells, grabbing the keys on my way past the desk. I slammed the cell door behind him and after locking it securely I turned to leave when he demanded, "I want a doctor, now! I'm about to bleed to death!"

I swung around to face him, my hands clenched into fists, wanting in the worst way to punch him. He was a man a few years younger than me, clean shaven, with collar length white hair … but it was his eyes that stood out … they were steel colored and as cold as the metal. As I looked at him I again had the feeling that I had seen him somewhere, sometime in my past. "You'll get a doctor after my men have been taken care of and not a minute sooner! If you give me any more grief, I may just let you bleed to death." I stomped out, slamming the outer door for emphasis.

MC MC MC MC

Mort threw the keys on his desk and stormed out the office door just as Jess Harper rode up to the jail. He had just finished delivering the other bank robber, along with two members of the posse to the undertaker.

"Mort, I made sure the wounded got to Doc Saunder's and also delivered the bodies to the undertaker."

Taking a deep breath as he was trying to calm down, Mort replied sadly, "Thanks Jess, I appreciate it." His next duty was one he had always hated and the sadness was very apparent on his face.

"Mort, are you all right? You seem to be pretty upset." Jess had watched Mort try to keep his anger in check ever since they had captured the thief and noticing that Mort was untypically hostile towards the surviving bank robber, he was trying to figure out why.

"No, I'm not all right! How the hell do you think I feel … I have to tell two families that their husbands and fathers have been killed by some … lowlife …" he drew a shaking hand across his face, took a deep breath then looked at Jess and in a sad voice told him, "it's times like these that I wish someone else wore this badge." He turned on his heel and headed for Mrs. Connor's house, the first of his stops.

Jess was worried about his friend as he watched Mort walk off, he wanted to help him, but he couldn't do that if he didn't know what was wrong, deciding that he would wait for him to return he dismounted and tied his horse to the hitching rail, figuring that when Mort got back they could go for a drink and he could maybe find out what was really bothering him.

MC MC MC MC

I slowly climbed the three steps onto Clint Connor's front porch … stopping at the door, my stomach in knots, I removed my hat and knocked. Helen Connor quickly answered my knock; she was a petite blond haired woman, with a little girl standing at her side who was the mirror image of her mother. As she searched my face she screamed, collapsing into my arms, sobbing. No matter how many times I do this, I never know what to say, so I just held her as she screamed at me, pounding on my chest in anger and grief.

"Helen, I am so sorry." I handed her my kerchief to wipe away her tears.

At that time one of her neighbors came hurrying onto the porch to see what was the matter, she looked at me as she embraced Helen and told me, "Sheriff Cory, I think you should leave until she has regained her composure. If she wants to talk with you later, I will send word. You do understand don't you?"

Nodding my head, not trusting myself to speak, I turned and slowly trod toward the next family. I knew it would be no different than this one, nor any of the dozens of others I've had to tell over the years. My eyes were blurry with unshed tears for the men that have died upholding the law and the families that have had to try and survive without them.

MC MC MC MC

After informing Mrs. Stockton of her husband's death and receiving nearly the same reaction, Mort went by Dan Saunder's, the local doctor, first to check on the condition of the two wounded men, second to ask him to come to the jail and tend to the prisoner.

The Doc took one look at his face when he walked in and automatically opened his desk drawer, pulled out a bottle of whiskey and started to pour a glass, but Mort held up his hand, "No Dan, not right now, I still have a few things I need to do, thanks anyway. How are the wounded men?"

Dan told him that both the wounded men would recover with no lasting effects from their wounds … except mentally Mort thought, he was sure that neither would ride posse again and he couldn't say that he really blamed them.

As Dan and Mort were walking to the jail he commented, "Mort, after I check on your prisoner my prescription for you is to have a couple drinks with friends then go home and rest, you look about done in … and I don't want any arguments."

Mort glanced at his long time friend, "It will take more than a couple of drinks to erase the events of the last few days Dan. I see three friends lying at the undertakers, their families crying and mourning over their loss and then, in my mind I see the bastards that caused all their grief, one of them still alive in my jail and all I really want is to see him hanging from a tree."

Dan was surprised at the hostility in Mort's voice, as long as he had known him and it had been a lot of years, he couldn't recall ever seeing him this angry.

Jess was still sitting on the porch of the jail, with his feet on the hitching rail as Mort and Doc walked up and he had heard what Mort said. Jess stared at Mort then glanced at Dan, who shook his head slightly. "Jess, I was just telling Mort that we need to have a couple of drinks after I patch up the prisoner, would you like to join us?"

Jess realized what the doctor was trying to do and replied enthusiastically, "You bet, why ya think I been hanging around?" Dropping his feet to the boardwalk, he followed Mort and Dan into the office.

Not responding to either man Mort continued on into the jail, tossing his hat on the desk he retrieved the jail key and led the way to the cells. Mort watched as the doctor cleaned and bandaged the outlaw's wound, not being able to get over the feeling that he knew the man from somewhere. He locked the cell door after Dan came out and stood looking into the robber's eyes, seeing such pure evil that he felt his heart tighten.

MC MC MC MC

I walked out into the office, closing the door between us and the cells. The three of us settled into our chairs as Jess pulled a bottle of whiskey out of the bottom drawer of my desk, along with three glasses. After pouring a healthy shot into each glass, he passed them around, after which we each took a swallow, alone with own thoughts.

Doc was first to speak, "Will one of you please tell me what's up? Mort you act as if you've lost your best friend."

I didn't really want to talk about it, but knew Dan would keep insisting, "I have lost friends Dan, not only during the chase, but right here on the street of my town. Not only was this a long dangerous chase in which they always seemed to be one jump ahead of us, but it seemed as though they knew exactly where and when to strike and we lost men each time. I was beginning to think we weren't going to catch them."

"That's understandable, but it still doesn't tell me why you're so touchy, it's almost as if you knew this man from somewhere before, what aren't you telling us?"

I looked at two of my closest friends, trying to put into words what I was feeling, "I don't know how to describe it, this whole ordeal seems like I've lived it before and I really don't think it was a good experience."

Jess spoke up, "Why the hostility, I've never seen you so angry with a prisoner, or anyone else for that matter. If I didn't know better, I'd say I was rubbing off on you!" He ended with a small laugh.

Smiling slightly, I shook my head and answered, "I really don't know Jess and that's what's so difficult for me to deal with, I just can't figure it out, but I will. Sooner or later I will remember."

After a few more drinks Dan went home but Jess and I decided to sleep in the back room rather than go home.

MC MC MC MC

As daylight arrived I lay staring at the ceiling … I didn't get much sleep last night, I kept seeing faceless people, hearing gunshots and seeing bodies, all with no rhyme nor reason. I finally rolled out of bed, more tired than when I'd laid down. Jess was still snoring, so I quietly put my pants and boots on and strode into the office, I lit the fire under a fresh pot of coffee, along with a pot of water to clean up and shave with. By the time I came in from the necessary room the water was warm enough to begin.

I had just lathered up when the prisoner called out. Opening the outer door, I hollered, "What do you want?"

"I could use a bucket of water. I'd like a drink and to clean up a little."

Grumbling, I grabbed the partial bucket of water and going back into the cell block, I told him to step back then unlocked the cell door and put the bucket inside the door.

As I was locking the door he took a cup and dipped it full of water and while taking a swallow he looked at me strangely, pointing at my chest, he remarked, "I thought that killed ya."

I automatically brought my hand to my chest and started rubbing the scar, remembering back to a time long ago.

Jess walked in as I put my hand to my chest, "Mort, are you all right? You look like you just saw a ghost."

12 YEARS EARLIER

It was raining as we formed the posse but we were on the trail within the hour, following their tracks in the mud as they rode south towards Cheyenne. Twelve determined men riding after four desperate bank robbers who had robbed the Laramie bank, killing a woman and two men before fleeing town.

About four days later we caught up to them just before they crossed into Colorado, where they put up a hard fought battle, killing three of our posse and injuring two more, two outlaws were killed and one seriously injured. When the smoke cleared there were a total of five dead and three injured.

With the chance of more rain looming on the horizon we searched for and found a cave large enough for all of us, so at least we would be dry, but it was a solemn camp that night. After I handcuffed the surviving bank robber I tended to the injured while the remaining posse members took care of the horses, gathered wood and started preparing a meal. The wounded outlaw had three bullets in him and died before I could even assess his condition … the other two were posse members, one with a bullet hole through his shoulder, the other with a broken leg, suffered when his horse fell on him.

By the time I finished doctoring the wounded it had started raining, adding to the depression that had already settled over the survivors. When I walked up to the fire to get a cup of coffee one of the men asked me what we were going to do with the outlaw. "We'll take him back to Laramie to stand trial." I answered, knowing that the men wouldn't like my answer.

"We know he's guilty, so why wait, let's just hang him right here, save the town the expense of a trial." The other men were mumbling their approval, while one began to fashion a noose.

I stood my ground, staring at first one man, then the others until they all quieted down, "When you hired me to be your sheriff I took an oath to uphold the law and that law extended to all people until it's proven by a judge and jury that they are guilty and until that time, I will protect them. Do you understand?" I finished with a strong emphasis on my words, even though I felt a lot like they did. Not listening to the grumbling of the men, I walked off and found a quiet corner away from everyone, but one where I could watch the prisoner, rolling out my bedroll I laid down to rest, knowing I wouldn't be getting much sleep.

MC MC MC MC

The rain had let up by morning, but it was a cloudy, dreary day that matched the temperaments of the men. After a breakfast of beans and multiple pots of coffee the tired men loaded the dead and helped the wounded get mounted. The outlaw was put on his horse and tied securely, but we had gone less than a mile when he began to complain, "I can't ride like this, my hands are already numb, loosen these ropes."

I turned my horse to face him … I was not in the mood to listen to his bellyaching, "This is not a picnic … and I really don't care about your comfort. If you keep your mouth shut you might get to Laramie in one piece, but if you continue to cause trouble I may just ride off and let the posse deal with you." He didn't like it, but he kept his mouth shut.

As we rode on I was thinking that it's not often that I've disliked my job, but today is one of them. I am very tempted to just ride home and let the posse have the prisoner. Two of the people that were killed during the robbery of the bank were good friends that I had known even before I moved to Laramie and I had encouraged them to move to our town and open a general store. He and his wife had only been there two years, but had become very well liked by all that met them and they had the name of being very honest business people. Now they were lying dead in the cold ground, having had a funeral that I wasn't able to attend, and there were two more friends draped over their horses behind me. I knew that this was going to be a long lonely ride, with a lot of soul searching on my part and I was wondering if I could keep a neutral outlook on this case.

MC MC MC MC

We had been riding for a couple of hours when we stopped to let the wounded men rest. One of the posse members walked over to me, "Mort, we're a lot closer to Cheyenne than we are Laramie, can't we take the wounded there instead of making them ride all the way to Laramie?"

I smiled at him, nodding my head, "You must have been reading my mind Tom 'cause I've been thinking that very same thing. After we get there and everyone has a chance to rest up, you can head home and after I've met with the circuit judge I'll take the prisoner on to Laramie by stage."

"Someone should be with you Mort, after all we are deputies. I would stay and help, but with the wife expecting any minute, I better get home. I'll talk with the men and see if someone will volunteer to stay and help you."

"Thanks Tom, but that's not necessary. I appreciate it but I know I'm not real popular with the men right now, so you probably couldn't get anyone to volunteer anyway, and I understand … truth be told, I'm not too happy with myself right now either."

Tom placed a hand on my shoulder, "Mort, I can only imagine what you go through in your job, it can't be easy and I don't envy you. I know my opinion doesn't count for much with a lot of people, but I think you do a wonderful job and I know you don't get much thanks for it, but I for one appreciate you." As he finished speaking, he stuck his hand out.

I took the hand he offered, shaking it with gratitude and a smile I told him, "Thank you Tom, that means a lot and I appreciate it. Now let's get the wounded to Cheyenne!"

MC MC MC MC

It was nearing dark when the tired posse rode down the muddy street and up to the Cheyenne jail. I turned to the men that had ridden with me and with appreciation I addressed them, "Men, I know this hasn't been an easy time for any of you, I truly understand how you feel about this man, but you have done the right thing in helping me bring him in. Please take the wounded men to the doctor, Laramie will pay the medical bills and also for your lodging and meals tonight. I will make arrangements to transport the bodies back to Laramie. Thanks for your help and please give the families my condolences and tell them … well, just tell them I'm sorry."

I turned my horse to the hitching rail feeling more alone than I've felt in a long time. As I dismounted and tied my and the prisoner's horses Tom called out, "Mort … ", I turned to face him and seeing the tiredness and depression on his face I knew what he was going to say. "I'm sorry, none of the men want to stay and help, surely you understand that we all have ranches or jobs that we need to get back to. This is your job and you're expected to do it, but we aren't lawmen. We hope you understand."

He shuffled his feet, looking at the tips of his boots, "It's all right Tom, I do understand, go back to your families, as soon as I can make arrangements to have the circuit judge travel to Laramie I'll transport the prisoner. I'll see you in a few days."

I shook his hand and started to turn away, but he held on to my hand, "Mort, Joe Carson said if you could make arrangements to get a wagon to haul the bodies he would drive it and the wounded men could ride with him also, if they need to."

With a sad smile, I replied, "I'll have a wagon ready in the morning. In the meantime, take the bodies to the undertaker and have coffins made. It will make it easier to handle them."

"Thanks, Mort. Don't worry, we'll get them home. Is there anything you want me to tell your wife, I'm sure she's as worried as the rest of our women?"

"Noooo … just that I'll be home as soon as I can, thanks." With that, he released my hand and walked away. I called him, "Tom," he turned around and I told him, "on second thought, there is one thing you can tell her … tell her I love her."

He smiled and answered, "I'll do that Mort. You take care and we'll see you soon."

I turned back to the prisoner and after untying his hands from the saddle horn I jerked him off his horse and shoved him towards the jail, wondering how long it would be before I saw my family again.

MC MC MC MC

Lee Tatlock, the sheriff of Cheyenne and my long time friend, was standing in the doorway of the jail watching and listening to the proceedings in front of his office. As I shoved the prisoner towards him he asked, "Mort, how you doing? It's been quite a spell since you've been down this way. What do you have here?"

"Evening Lee, you're a sight for sore eyes. I'll be glad to tell you as soon as we get this scum locked up then I want a nice hot bath and a decent night's sleep."

We walked into the office, where Lee led the way to a cell. I pushed the prisoner into the small, barred room none too gently and Lee slammed the door closed. "Put your hands out," as I unlocked the shackles, I continued, "there's water and a towel over there. If you keep quiet, I may get around to feeding you later." Putting the handcuffs in my pocket, I turned and started toward the main office.

From the cell came the voice of the prisoner, "I haven't had anything to eat all day, I have my rights you know!" Ignoring his tirade, Lee and I continued to his office, closing the door behind us.

I took my hat off, running my fingers through my hair and down across the back of my neck as the Cheyenne sheriff opened his desk drawer and pulled out a full bottle of whiskey along with a couple of glasses. After placing them on the desk he poured the liquor then handed me one of the full glasses, "Now, tell me what's going on here."

MC MC MC MC

I took a drink of the whiskey, grimacing as the strong liquor hit the back of my throat. I stared at the glass after swallowing then looking at Lee I asked, "Where do you want me to start … the theft of a forty thousand dollar payroll, or killing three people in the process, then another two during the chase?" Taking another swallow of my drink, I continued, "The payroll was only supposed to be in the bank overnight, but with all the heavy rains we've been having, the creeks were so high that the army couldn't get to us to pick it up and three days later the robbery took place." I was pacing around the room still trying to figure out what I had missed and how someone had found out about the money. "The payroll came in on the stage, but the driver wasn't even aware it was on board … not until he was handed a telegram when he arrived, telling him it was in the boot. So I've been wondering how the robbers found out about it?"

I sat down and stared into my drink shaking my head, Lee walked up and put his hand on my shoulder, "You can't blame yourself Mort. They didn't tell you it was coming in and the weather being like it's been there just isn't anyone traveling, so there probably weren't any strangers around that would maybe alert you to something, " he paused, then asked, "Do you trust everyone that works at the bank? Maybe one of them organized it."

"Of course I trust them, they've all been working there for a number of years. I have no reason to suspect any of them. Of course money can do strange things to a person."

"So who's the man in the cell back there? He doesn't look familiar to me." Lee was refilling our glasses when his deputy came in, informing him that everything was quiet and he was headed home for supper. "Thanks Steve, could you do me a favor and go over to the café and pick up some cold sandwiches for the prisoner before you go home?"

Watching the deputy leave, I shook my head and shrugged my shoulders at his question, "I don't know him, I haven't even asked his name." Looking at Lee, I gave him a sad smile, "I'm afraid if I'm around him too much I'll try to kill him." Tatlock gave me an incredulous look, but before he could say anything, I held up my hand and started to explain, "In the process of robbing the bank they murdered two men and a woman … you remember Ben and Liz Colton, I talked them into moving to Laramie a couple of years ago?" Lee nodded his head, remembering the couple. "Well that scum back there shot them down like animals as they were walking down the street and for no reason whatsoever. Now their son will have to grow up with no mother or father."

The deputy brought a plate of cold meats and some bread, Lee let him into the cell area, taking the coffee pot and a cup in with him. I refilled my glass and stood staring out the door into the darkness which was nearly as black as the mood that had taken hold of me. I had to pull myself out of whatever feeling this was, I could tell it was taking control of me … me, Mort Cory, who has tried to remain strong for every occasion and every person, hardly ever letting my emotions control me when it counted. I needed to get that man back, because I sure didn't like the one I was becoming!

Lee and the deputy came out, closing the door behind them, "Good night Steve, I'll see you in the morning." The deputy bid his adieus and left us alone with our bottle.

Lee refilled his glass then looked closely at me, "He said his name is Jake Slater and he's from the newly formed Idaho Territory. I don't recall ever seeing him, or hearing that name … you?"

Shaking my head, I replied, "No, can't say as I have, nor have I ever seen him. I'll wire the Idaho authorities to see if they have any information on him."

"Let's finish this drink then we'll go to my place for supper, you can cleanup and stay with us. Sandy would love to see you and catch up on what Sara and Katie have been doing."

"No, I don't want to impose, I'll get a room at the boarding house, that way you don't have to go to any extra bother, besides I wouldn't be very good company."

"It's no extra bother and Sandy would have my hide if I didn't bring you home. I won't take no for an answer, bad company or not."

He stood smiling at me until I finally nodded my head, "All right Lee. You win, but don't say I didn't warn you." We had one more drink, with neither of us saying anything, the way friends do when they are comfortable with each other.

MC MC MC MC

As I soaked off a week's worth of dirt and grime I was thinking of home and my family. The posse would be leaving in the morning, going back to their jobs and families, but it would be another two or three days before I would be able to hold my wife and daughter in my arms, it's times like these that I wish I had a normal job, one where I was home every night.

Lee had informed me that the circuit judge was due in late tomorrow afternoon, which meant I had another day and night to kill before I could head home. I proceeded to shave off my week's growth of beard and after my bath I felt like I could get a good night's sleep.

MC MC MC MC

I rolled out of bed feeling almost normal, I had slept most of the night and was ready to face the day. Lee and I had a big breakfast and at least a pot of coffee down at the local café where we sat talking of old times and enjoying each other's company until nearly nine o'clock. He ordered a meal for the prisoner and when it was ready we headed to the jail and while Slater was eating we asked a number of questions, but his attitude hadn't improved any. He refused to give us any information as to where he had hidden the money, even after being informed that he would likely hang for the murder of the Colton's.

I stared into those evil eyes thinking that he was acting awfully relaxed and unconcerned for a man facing the death penalty.

MC MC MC MC

We were sitting in Lee's office, my mind a thousand miles away, when he jumped up and exclaimed, "Let's go fishing! We aren't accomplishing a dang thing here, except getting bored. You need to get your mind off of Slater and besides the judge won't be here for another three or four hours. What do you say?"

As he stood looking at me with a big smile on his face I couldn't help but laugh, "That sounds like a great idea, let's go!"

In a little less than an hour we were sitting on the bank of a small lake not far out of town, our poles in our hands and lines in the water. There was little to no conversation as we were each lost in our own thoughts. We didn't catch any fish, but we were much more relaxed when we rode back into town.

MC MC MC MC

The stage was right on schedule and as the passengers stepped off we were there to greet the judge. Carlton Fisher had been the judge in this part of the territory for as long as I could remember, he was known as a hard, but fair man who took his job very seriously.

Shaking his hand warmly, I greeted him, "Judge, it's a pleasure seeing you again, I hope your journey was pleasurable." Lee also shook hands and greeted him.

Stretching his back and looking at the two sheriffs he marveled once again at how much they looked alike, so much so that they could be twins. It had taken a number of times of being around them before he could tell them apart. Smiling to himself, he replied, "There's really nothing pleasurable about a stagecoach ride gentlemen, especially after all the rains. You're either dodging mud puddles or slipping into ruts that would bury a horse. Tatlock, do you have any whiskey that's worth drinking?"

Laughing, Lee led the way to his office, where he pulled out what was left of the bottle that he and I had tried to empty last night. Pouring us each a healthy shot, he stated, "Here's to your health Judge." Clinking our glasses we saluted and drank down our shots.

"Oh yes … that is much better, cuts the dust just fine. Thank you, sir." The judge held out his glass for a refill before sitting down at the desk and asking, "All right, what do you have for me?"

I gave him a report on the robbery and murder, finishing with, "Slater is the only remaining outlaw. The others were killed in the battle when we caught up to them. I can't say for certain that he is the one who pulled the trigger that murdered three people, but I do know for certain that he was their leader. We'd like to hold the trial as soon as possible Judge."

The judge had listened intently while I gave him my report. "I know you to be a fair man Cory, but I can see that this case means more to you than most. You care to tell me about it?" Judge Fisher took another swallow of his drink, looking at me over the rim of the glass with a questioning look on his face.

Surprised that he had read my feelings so quickly, I thought for a moment before I began, "Judge, besides the theft of forty thousand dollars, there were three people murdered. Two of those people were close friends of mine, killed because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time, they constituted no threat to Slater, nor his men. I feel they were murdered just because the robbers were blood thirsty and wanted to inflict as much pain on our town as they could, it was a game to them. It's one thing to kill in defense of a life, Sir, but it's quite another to callously take a life that is causing you no harm." I could still see the bodies lying on the boardwalk, cut down in the prime of their lives and their son now alone in the world.

Judge Fisher nodded before saying, "Off the record Mort, I can say that I agree with you, but we do have to go by the book, therefore I will set a preliminary hearing one week from tomorrow. That should give you time to find a lawyer for the man. Now, let's go have supper, I'm starving."

Lee spoke up, "Judge, my wife has prepared a special meal for supper and we would be delighted if you would join us. I happen to know that she has also baked a fresh blackberry pie."

"I accept! Your wife's pies are the envy of every woman in town, so I've heard. Lead the way gentlemen." The three lawmen hurried to supper, each with anticipation and hunger for the meal awaiting them.

MC MC MC MC

Lee and I headed for the jail early to prepare the prisoner for the stage ride to Laramie. We weren't going to take any chances with him, so we made sure that he was handcuffed securely, with a chain around his waist and through the cuffs.

While we were waiting for the stage I told Lee, "I have an errand I have to run, I will be back in a few minutes."

I walked to the telegraph office and sent two telegrams. One went to the Idaho authorities asking for information on the prisoner and the other was to my wife Sara, 'I'll be home for supper, love Mort.' I was smiling as I walked back to the sheriff's office, thinking about how nice it would be to get home and into the arms of my beautiful wife.

MC MC MC MC

Lee accompanied me as I marched the prisoner to the stagecoach, where I shackled his legs and carefully ran a chain through the ring that was attached to the front of the seat, then looped it through the leg shackles then around Slater's handcuffs and the chain around his waist and securely locked it. He wouldn't be able to move his hands or feet more than six inches in any direction, preventing him from grabbing me or anyone else that may be on the coach.

After double checking his shackles I stepped out of the stage and turned to the Cheyenne sheriff. "Lee … thanks for everything, I appreciate it more than you will ever know. Sometimes it takes a friend's help to put a person back on track. Come visit us sometime soon, I know Sara and Katie would love to see both of you."

Lee shook my hand, "I'm glad I could be of help Mort, and Sandy has been after me to take some time off, so we may just come up and do some fishing, maybe we'll even catch a few! Take care of yourself and be careful."

As I started to board, the depot agent hollered and said there was another passenger. I turned to see if it was someone I needed to be concerned with, but relaxed and smiled when I saw who it was. "Bonnie Jean, what in the world are you doing down here? I figured you'd be too busy to get out of town, what with all the drovers around." Bonnie worked at the local café three days a week and at the bank on pay days and Saturday mornings, she had a nice little place on the edge of town not far from mine.

"Sheriff Cory, what a pleasant surprise! I took a few days off to come down and visit my brother who was in town on business. I just put him on the train and barely had time to catch the stage. It will be a much nicer trip now with someone to visit with." I helped her into the coach, making sure she sat opposite of where I would be sitting. It wasn't until she sat down that she noticed the other passenger, then the shackles, "Oh, dear! Sheriff, will it be safe with a … a desperado accompanying us?" She gave me a big eyed, questioning look.

I gave her my best confident smile and replied, "It will be perfectly safe Bonnie, he is securely shackled and the key is safe in my pocket. Please don't worry yourself." She visibly relaxed and smiled as she made herself as comfortable as possible on the hard seats, casting another wary glance at my prisoner.

I climbed in after one more goodbye and handshake with Lee and closed the door tightly, Slater gave me a look that was as evil as any I've ever seen, informing me, "You'll never get me to trial Cory, just you remember that." As the stage took off he turned to look out the window, laughing menacingly, causing a cold shiver to run down my spine.

MC MC MC MC

All the conditions were good for traveling, the weather was clear and cool and the mud had pretty much dried and the dust hadn't gotten bad yet, if the driver could avoid all the ruts we would have a good trip.

We had just left the Crow Creek relay station and were pulling the mile long grade out of the creek bottom and once we got to the top we would stop to let the horses catch their breaths before continuing on to the next relay. We would change teams there before heading on towards Laramie and if all went well, we would be pulling into town about dark, which would be none too soon for me.

Bonnie Jean had started the trip with nonstop conversation that had begun to get on my nerves and evidently Slater's also, as he finally told her to shut up, causing me to try and hide a grin. She had been quiet for the last hour or so, until about the time we were getting to the top of the grade, when she asked me, "Sheriff Cory, do you suppose I could get out when we stop, I really don't feel well."

Upon closer examination, I saw that she indeed looked a little peaked, "I don't see why not, they usually stop for a few minutes anyway. You sure you'll be all right?"

She swallowed hard two or three times before answering, "Yes, I'm sure I will, especially after I walk around a bit. Thank you."

As the driver pulled to a stop at the top of the grade and just as Bonnie Jean stood to exit the coach all Hell broke loose. Gunfire erupted from both sides of the road, making the horses surge forward, causing the sick girl to fall towards me. I reached up to steady her and too late saw the derringer in her hand! I grabbed her arm just before the gun went off, a bullet hitting me in the chest.

I knew I was dying … my chest and the hand clutching it were covered with blood, which was flowing at an alarming rate.

Next to me, I heard the prisoner instruct her to get the keys to free him, while he shouted instructions to the men outside the coach.

I looked down at my chest then up at her with what I know had to be a pained, shocked and questioning expression. Breathlessly I asked, "Why? You don't … even kn … know this man." The pain was becoming unbearable and I knew I wasn't going to last much longer, but I needed to know.

She was searching my pockets, looking for the keys, her face was a sickly white as she was becoming covered in my blood, but she was determined, "Why you ask? Forty thousand reasons, that's why and a man whom I love very much."

A light went on in my fast fading brain, "You … he knew about the … payroll … because of you." Every breath I now took felt like someone was stabbing me with a knife and I was having trouble getting enough air into my lungs.

When she finally found the key she explained, "We have been waiting for months for a payroll to come in and now we can live in comfort somewhere that we aren't known!"

She unlocked Slater's cuffs, giving him a hug before he shoved her aside and turned to me, "I told you that you wouldn't get me to trial!"

My strength was going fast, but as he started to exit the coach I called to him, "Slater …" he turned to look at me, "I … I'll watch … you han … hang one day."

He smiled and said, "You'll never see me hang Cory, you won't even be seeing tonight's sunset. You'll be dead before I ride out of here." I heard him laughing as he went out the door of the coach.

I found one more little burst of energy, "Bon … Bonnie, don't be a fool … he'll discard … you … just wait and … see … he's murdered before … don't let him … " The pain and blood loss had taken its toll … I whispered, "Sara…" as I faded into oblivion.

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Bonnie watched as the sheriff died right before her very eyes, died because of her, "I'm so sorry Sheriff Cory, I've always liked you, but you were in the way of forty thousand dollars and a good life, something I've never had before."

Jake Slater rode up to the stage and taking one look at the sheriff, started laughing again, "I told him he'd never get me to trial! Bonnie you did beautiful, just like I told you. He hardly knew what hit him. Come on, let's go get the money." He handed her the reins of a saddled horse, laughing as he and the two accomplices rode away. Bonnie took one more shocked and sad look at the bodies of the sheriff and stage driver before following after the outlaws.

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The southbound stage had left Laramie right on time with a fresh driver and four passengers on board, they had been traveling for a few hours and after changing horses at the relay station about ten miles back they figured they would be getting into the Crow Creek relay station within an hour and reach Cheyenne well before dark.

It was an assorted group in the coach … a school teacher traveling from Alder City to Denver; a cattleman on his way to St. Louis; an elderly widow who was going to Cheyenne to live with her daughter; and a young man who had just graduated from medical school and was looking for somewhere that would hire a young, inexperienced doctor.

The stage driver, anticipating the Crow Creek downgrade coming up, had begun to slow his team when he noticed the northbound stage stopped at the top of the hill and four people on horseback riding off in a southerly direction. He usually met the northbound in this area, so he wasn't alarmed to find it stopped here.

As his stage got closer though, he saw that there was no driver on the box of the other coach, telling him that something could be amiss. He pulled the stage to a stop about twenty yards from the top of the hill and as he climbed down he informed the passengers, "Folks, the northbound stage is stopped up ahead, I'm going to walk on up there and see if there's a problem. You all can get out and stretch your legs, but be ready to roll when I holler, we have to keep on schedule."

The passengers all stepped down to stretch their backs and being normal, inquisitive human beings, they walked towards the other coach stretching their legs and to see what was going on. The driver, who had just reached the coach hollered back, "Doc, get up here right now!" Everyone had begun hurrying toward the stopped stage when the young doctor asked the teacher to please go back and get his medical bags.

The doctor ran around in front of the horses, skidding to a stop when he saw a man lying on the ground. He walked slowly to the man, knowing before he examined him that there was nothing he could do to help him. The man had taken a bullet to the forehead, the resulting damage would have made even an experienced doctor cringe. The young doctor swallowed hard, but he couldn't keep the bile from forming, he ran to the side of the road and threw up what little dinner he had eaten. Medical school had certainly not prepared him for this.

"Doc! Here's another one in the coach, pull yourself together and get over here." The stage driver and the cattleman were removing another body from the coach as the doctor wiped his mouth with his kerchief and hurried over.

He looked at this man, who had been shot in the chest and was covered with blood … too much blood and he was afraid he was looking at another corpse, but he would do a cursory examination, just to be certain. The teacher handed him his medical bag and opening it, he removed a stethoscope, placing one end on the man's chest and putting the other to his ear … he listened carefully while moving it around the man's chest and neck. Shaking his head, he was about to say the man was dead when he remembered a procedure he saw used at medical school. To the surprise of everyone watching, he raised the man's arms then crossed them over his chest and pushed down hard, he repeated this procedure four or five times. (1) He then placed his mouth over the man's and blew air into his mouth, repeating a number of times. (2) He again placed his scope on the man's chest ... listening intently, he began to smile … repeating the compressions and breaths, at the end of which, to the surprise and delight of those watching, the man coughed and moved slightly! But then his body went limp once more.

The doctor quickly listened to his heart, only to find it had stopped again. He once more applied pressures to the man's chest, along with breaths and soon the man began to breathe again, this time he kept breathing on his own, much to the relief of the doctor.

The stage driver asked the doctor, "Will he survive until the next relay station? It would be a lot more comfortable for him."

"He's not going to survive anywhere for very long unless I can get that bullet out of his chest. He needs it taken out as soon as possible or he'll die … permanently." The doctor was trying to determine how deep the bullet had gone and if he could get it out without killing him.

The cattleman spoke up, "There's an abandoned ranch house overlooking the creek, it's only about a half mile from here and it's a good road, so it shouldn't be too hard on him."

"Excellent, let's get going, the sooner I operate, the better." The doctor put folded bandages on the wound, then wrapped bandages around his chest to hold them in place and with the help of the teacher and stage driver, they loaded him back onto the stage, where the doctor cradled him, trying to keep him as still as possible.

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After loading the dead stage driver onto the coach, the cattleman took the stage team's reins and led the way to the vacated ranch house, the second stage followed with the other passengers. Pulling into the yard and knowing that water would need to be heated for the surgery the cattleman went to the house and started a fire in the kitchen stove. The teacher found water buckets and headed for the spring behind the house to fill them and when he returned he filled a number of pots, placing them on the now hot stove to boil.

The cattleman searched the house, looking for anything that could be used for bandages during the operation. Surprisingly, he found a trunk full of bed linens and towels, which he brought to the kitchen. Clearing off the table, he put a clean sheet down then went out to help carry the wounded man in. Before laying him on the table, the doctor removed his vest and shirt then lowered him to his back. He had begun to bleed again so he put a folded cloth on the wound and instructed the rancher to hold pressure on it until he was ready to begin operating.

The elderly lady volunteered to assist the young doctor with the surgery, telling him that she had worked in hospitals back home. Smiling at her warmly, he responded, "I would appreciate it very much, I'm afraid that this will be my first 'real' surgery and it will be a life or death situation for this man and I'm determined NOT to lose my first patient!"

She smiled and patted him on the arm, then began to tear sheets into strips for bandages, "You will do fine. By the way, my name is Gladys Pomeroy, and yours is …?"

He bowed to her, "Dr. Robert Crenshaw, from Milwaukee, at your service, or in this instance, at his service," pointing at the man.

"Hey, Doc, look at this, it was pinned to his vest." The teacher held up a bloody badge for all to see. "This man's a lawman and there are unlocked handcuffs in the coach, I'm guessing that whoever his prisoner was is responsible for his condition."

The stage driver spoke up, "That must have been who I saw riding off in such a hurry as we were arriving. There were four horses headed off to the southwest. While you are trying to save the sheriff's life, I will take the coach on into Cheyenne and report this to the authorities. If any of you are continuing on you better load up, I'll leave in about five minutes."

The cattleman and teacher both had commitments and couldn't remain to help, so Gladys took over from the cattleman and instructed the driver to have her and the doctor's bags unloaded and also let her daughter know that she was all right and would be there as soon as she could. She and the doctor then prepared to operate and hopefully save the sheriff's life.

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Sara Cory was uneasy and had been ever since a returning posse member had told her yesterday that Mort would be home as soon as he had talked with the circuit judge. As the posse member turned to leave he snapped his fingers and said, "Mrs. Cory, I almost forgot. He also said to tell you that he loves you." She had smiled and thanked him. But as she had watched him walk away there was something that kept worrying her.

She felt the need to get out of the house, so she went down to the Laramie Mercantile store to visit and maybe learn some news. Mrs. Joan Clark, who had been working for Ben and Liz Colton before their murders, was keeping the store open for the locals until it was learned what would happen to their holdings.

Just as Sara entered the store, Jason Thomas delivered a telegram to her. Jason was a young man who had lost his father about a year ago and was now doing odd jobs for people around town trying to make money to help his mother and himself survive. Sara gave him a coin and unfolded the missive, as she read the note she began to smile, 'I'll be home for supper, love Mort'.

Mrs. Clark, noticing Sara's smile, remarked, "Does that smile mean that Mort is going to be home soon?"

With a laugh, Sara refolded the telegram and happily replied, "He says he'll be home for supper! I must prepare something special for him. Do you have any canned apples? I think an apple pie will be just what the doctor … er Sheriff, ordered!" Laughing, Sara gathered a few supplies and rushed home, anxious to make sure that her husband had an enjoyable home coming.

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Doctor Crenshaw had laid out all the surgical instruments that he would need for the operation. As he was washing his hands he noticed them trembling and begged, 'Dear Lord, please guide me, I'm not equipped, nor experienced enough to do this on my own and without your assistance this man will die. He is in your care now, I am only the tool for you to use, please don't let me fail you.'

Taking a deep breath, he turned to the table where the man lay, barely breathing. "Mrs. Pomeroy, are you ready to begin?"

"Yes Doctor, and please call me Gladys." She answered with a strong voice and encouraging smile. "You will do just fine Doctor, this man will be shaking your hand and thanking you in a few days. Keep that happy thought in your mind."

The doctor smiled, "I pray that you are right." Picking up his scalpel, he began.

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Sheriff Tatlock was just getting ready to go home for the night when he heard the stage thundering into town just after dark and come to a sliding halt in front of the Cheyenne Sheriff's office. The driver was calling for someone before he had even tied the reins off to the hand brake, he jumped to the boardwalk just as the sheriff rushed out the door, demanding, "Where in the blue blazes is the fire? Man, you could have hurt someone racing down the street like that and you better have a damned good explanation for putting these folks in danger."

The stage driver stood with his hands on his hips, "Are you all done yelling at me now? The reason I'm in such an all fired hurry is that the northbound stage has ran into trouble. It was attacked on top of the Crow Creek grade, the driver was killed and the sheriff is nearly dead, in fact probably is by now. His prisoner is gone and I saw four riders leaving as we pulled up."

Sheriff Tatlock's face lost all color and his demeanor went from anger to shock, to disbelief. "You say the sheriff is …" Lee couldn't say the word, he had just shaken hands with him, not ten hours ago. He took a deep breath and took control of himself. "Did you get a good look at the riders?"

The driver's initial anger left him when he looked into the sheriff's face, not only was he shocked and saddened, but he looked just like the sheriff fighting for his life back at the ranch house and he wondered if the sheriff were concerned about a brother instead of just another lawman. He softly responded, "I'm sorry that I had to bring this news to you … he was, I mean is, a relative or friend?" At the sheriff's nod, he continued, "I couldn't see any faces, they were too far away, but one of them was a woman, I could swear to that. There was one white, or palomino horse in the bunch and a pinto. I'm sorry, that's about all I can tell you."

Lee looked at the other men, who had been standing quietly by, "Do you have anything to add?"

Both men shook their heads in the negative, but the teacher offered these kind words, "Sheriff, I'm sorry about your brother, but he's strong and the doctor is doing a wonderful job. Have faith, Sir."

"Doctor? There's a doctor there? Where are they now?" Lee asked with a ray of hope. He sternly told himself to calm down and quit acting like a greenhorn, Lord knows he had been in this kind of situation before … but not involving as good a friend as he had in this world, who was dying, or could already be dead. He needed to get to him as soon as he could.

It was the driver who answered his question, "They are at the abandoned ranch house above Crow Creek. The doctor and a lady stayed to try and save your brother's life."

"This doctor, does he know what he's doing? Does Mort have a chance?" The looks on the men's faces wasn't encouraging.

"He's fresh out of medical school and when he saw the stage driver's body he got sick to his stomach. The sheriff had no heartbeat when he examined him, but he did some strange pushing and kissing and got his heart to beating again, but I don't know how good he'll be at digging out the bullet."

"Thanks." Lee wasn't very confident in this young doctor, so he turned on his heel and sprinted to Doc Barnett's office.

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Tatlock took the four steps up onto the doctor's porch in one bound, knocking on the door before he had stopped moving. "Doc, open up! It's an emergency! Doc!"

The doctor opened the door and seeing the frantic lawman, he inquired, "Lee, what in tarnation's going on?" Seeing the look on the sheriff's face, he invited him inside. "What is it? You look like you've just lost your best friend."

"I may have, John. Mort's been shot and could be dead by now, get your gear and let's go, I'll hitch a wagon and meet you back here in twenty minutes, we can load the supplies and be on the trail in less than an hour."

Lee turned to go, but the doctor grabbed his arm, "Now hold on Lee! It's dark out there and there will be no moon, we can't be risking our horses or ourselves, that won't help Mort any. Just calm down, we'll get all the necessary supplies gathered and be ready to roll at daylight, that's the best we can do, now tell me what happened."

Tatlock rubbed a hand across his face and watching him it reminded the doctor of Mort. The two men could be brothers, in looks and actions and he could see how worried Lee was. "Use your head Lee, go talk with Sandy, have a drink and try to get some sleep. Lord willing Mort will make it until we get there. And shouldn't you be getting a posse together, he was escorting a prisoner if I heard the story correctly."

Lee nodded his head, smiled sadly and whispered, "He was taking the prisoner back to Laramie to stand trial for bank robbery and murder, and you're right John, I need to start acting like a sheriff and keep my personal feelings in check. But it sure isn't easy, I've known Mort for years, he's one of the best friends I've ever had … I can't lose him, not this way."

The doctor put his hand on the sheriff's shoulder and gently steered him to the door, "Go home Lee, I'll see you here before daylight." Lee nodded and went out into the night.

Lee knew he had one more duty before he could go home, he crossed the street and walked to the telegraph office, once inside he put pencil to paper, 'To Sara Cory. Mort's been shot, it's bad. He's at Crow Creek Ranch. I'll be there tomorrow morning. Lee.' The telegrapher read the note, looking at Lee with sadness, "You know this won't go out until morning?"

"Yes, I know, but I will be miles away by morning, please send it as soon as the offices are open." The telegraph operator nodded his head in understanding.

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On a trail about fifteen miles south of the Crow Creek grade four people sat around a campfire, "Bonnie, honey, you're awfully quiet, considering we are on our way to a new life far away from here. What's bothering you?"

Bonnie hadn't been able to shake the image of Sheriff Cory dying right before her eyes and being covered in his blood wasn't helping any, "Jake, we didn't need to kill him, we could have handcuffed him, his eyes were asking me for help, I …"

"We, no you, killed him in order for us to get away and start a new life, that's what you want isn't it, somewhere far away, where no one knows us? He stood in our way, you know that, so don't worry about it." She couldn't stop thinking about it and knew she would replay the scene over and over for a very long time.

The two men who had helped Slater escape listened to the exchange and were wondering when they would be getting their pay, "Slater, when can we expect to get paid for helping you out? We want to get out of the territory before the place starts crawling with the law."

Jake's contempt was evident when he answered, "You'll get paid when I want you to get paid. We have a lot of ground to cover and we need each other in order to get away from here. Just be patient boys, you will be richly rewarded." His sinister smile went unnoticed by the men, but not by Bonnie. Oh Lord, what had she gotten herself into?

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"Dr. Crenshaw, that was as brilliant a piece of surgery as I've ever seen! You can be proud of yourself and the sheriff will be forever in your debt, for without you he would surely have died."

After the stress of the surgery was over the doctor's hands began to tremble again, to the point that he could barely hold his coffee cup. "Gladys, I have never been so afraid in my entire life. To hold a man's life in your hands, knowing that he will die if you don't do everything exactly as it should be done is so frightening … but yet so exhilarating. I also know I wasn't alone in this victory, not only did I have you by my side as a very able assistant, but we had our Lord looking over our shoulders and guiding our hands. We all must be thankful for His support."

The surgery had taken longer than anticipated and even now the sheriff wasn't completely out of danger, there was the possibility of infection settling in, but they would keep the wound clean and face that if it became a necessity. At this time he was unconscious but the doctor expected he would awaken sometime in the next day or two. He knew that now was the time for some prayers.

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Sara was pacing the floor, drinking from her second pot of coffee in the last four hours. It was now nearly eleven o'clock at night, Mort hadn't returned and he said he would be home for supper, her earlier uneasy feeling had returned ten-fold when he hadn't appeared by dark. She walked out onto the porch for the hundredth time, hoping to see him walking up to the house, but the street was empty.

Sara Cory didn't attend church regularly, but she knew the Lord and she now fell to her knees, pleading, "Dear Lord please protect him and bring him safely home to us. Our daughter needs her father … I need my husband. "

A sleepy voice asked, "Mama, who are you talking to? You said Papa was coming home, where is he?"

Sara held her arms out for her daughter, "Sweetheart, come sit by my side and help me ask God to bring your papa home." Sara held Katie tight while they prayed.

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Doctor Barnett, Sheriff Tatlock and a posse of five men, which included a tracker, left Cheyenne well before daylight and pulled into the abandoned ranch yard a few hours later with a wagon load of food and medical supplies, the horses were lathered and breathing hard, but they had delivered their cargo safely. The sheriff quickly dismounted and helped the doctor down from the wagon seat, steadying him before he ran up the steps to the ranch house. He bolted through the door without knocking, needing to know if their race against time was successful.

Lee stopped just inside the door and quickly looked around … he saw a man sitting in front of the fireplace and a woman lying on a sofa, both sound asleep. His eyes continued searching the room, finally coming to rest at the kitchen table, on which lay the body of a man … alive or dead, he didn't know. He stood rooted to the spot as Doc Barnett walked in and seeing the direction in which Tatlock was looking he continued walking, stopping at the side of the table. Taking his stethoscope out of his medical bag, he placed it on Mort's chest, smiling when he heard a weak, but steady heartbeat and saw the slow rise and fall of his chest.

Lee had walked up as the doc examined Mort and when he saw his smile he expelled his breath, not realizing that he had been holding it. "Doc, is he really alive? He looks so pale and … " He couldn't finish his thought.

"Yes Lee, he is very much alive and now I must meet the man that has performed this miracle."

"Miracle? Why do you say that?" Lee was looking closely at Mort's face and hadn't noticed there was no bandage on his wound, only a three inch incision in the middle of his chest and perfect stitches holding it together.

"Take a good look at Mort. Wouldn't you say it's a miracle that he's still alive? That bullet was within a hair of hitting his heart and digging it out was as dangerous as the initial shooting and it took great skill to accomplish it without killing him."

Lee's eyes were watering as he thanked the Lord for sparing his friend. Turning to the couple in the living room he and the doctor approached them to give their thanks and appreciation for all they had done to save Mort's life.

The tired doctor had finally awakened enough to realize that there were other people in the house. Jumping up from his chair, his first thought was for his patient, but upon glancing in that direction he saw that he was still unconscious on the table.

He then addressed the two men, "Who are you and what's the idea of barging in here unannounced?" Upon closer inspection the young doctor noticed the badge pinned to one of the men's shirt. "Oh Sheriff, I apologize. As you might expect, we are a little jumpy after yesterday's events."

Smiling at the couple, Lee apologized, "Doctor, I'm sorry if we startled you, but I was very worried about my friend and it was unknown as to whether he was getting the care he needed. But I can see that you have no doubt saved his life and I am forever in your debt."

Mrs. Pomeroy had joined the trio of men, "Sheriff, you needn't have worried, Dr. Crenshaw did a superb job of taking care of your friend, I would recommend him to anyone. Let me put a fresh pot of coffee on while he explains everything to you."

The Cheyenne doctor gave his praise also, "Doctor, I am John Barnett, the doctor in Cheyenne. I have been practicing for better than twenty-five years and do not believe I have ever seen such precise work. I would love to have you work with me, I believe I could learn a few new tricks and we'd make a good team." Dr. Crenshaw smiled and shook the doc's hand enthusiastically.

"I would love to join you Doctor and I'm sure that I could learn just as much, if not more, from your experience. Thank you for the offer and if I may suggest, if you need an able assistant, Mrs. Pomeroy would be an excellent choice."

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After a cold breakfast the persons responsible for Laramie's sheriff lying near death were continuing their journey to the southwest. As they rode along Bonnie Jean was thinking about why she couldn't sleep last night, every time she had closed her eyes she saw the shock and pain on Sheriff Cory's face and seeing the life fading from his eyes as he died was something she would never forget as long as she lived. She had never shot anything before except rabbits and snakes but watching a man die from a bullet fired by your own hand was nothing like shooting rabbits. She was also upset with Slater, who along with his partners thought the shooting of the stage driver and sheriff was something that could be joked about over a drink around the fire. She was realizing that she had made a terrible mistake and began trying to think of a way to get out of her predicament and try to set things straight.

They had ridden steadily southwest most of the morning when Jake suddenly turned up a little-used trail to a small rock cabin. He turned to the others, "You all rest for a bit while I go gather the payroll. When I get back I'll pay you fellas and you can be on your way. I'll be back in a few minutes."

Slater rode off, but he had no intention of splitting anything with his two accomplices. He stopped a hundred yards up the trail and tying his horse to a tree, walked back down the trail to the cabin.

The men had opened a bottle of whiskey they had stashed in their saddle bags. Neither were what you would call upstanding citizens and murder was not something that bothered either one very much. When the woman had asked for a couple men who were not afraid to kill if necessary, they jumped at the chance, being broke helped their decision and besides, the Cheyenne sheriff was beginning to eye them suspiciously and they needed to get some money in order to leave town. After quietly discussing it over a couple of drinks, they decided they would kill Jake when he came back with the money, then they would have their way with the woman before riding off to somewhere they weren't known.

They were so busy passing the bottle back and forth that they weren't paying any attention to what was going on around them and it was to be their last and fatal mistake. Slater had crept up behind the cabin while they talked, stepping out he called to them and as they jumped up, he shot them both before they could pull their guns. Walking up to the fallen bodies, he placed two more well aimed shots.

Bonnie Jean stood at the cabin door in shock at what she had just witnessed, strengthening her resolve to get away from Slater as quickly as she could … before he decided he could live without her also.

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Katie hadn't slept in her parent's bed since she was a very small child, but Sara had let her sleep with her last night, as much for herself as for Katie. Sara knew in her heart that Mort had been injured, she just prayed that it wasn't severe. Not being able to stay in bed any longer, she quietly went to the kitchen and lit the fire under the coffee pot.

It was a little after daylight when there was a knock at the door, Sara rushed to open it, hoping that Mort had made it home, but it was Jason standing there. "Mrs. Cory, it's another telegram for you, Mr. Jensen said to rush it right over."

Sara's face lost all color and it was a moment before she responded, "Thank you Jason … oh, let me get a coin for you and tell Mr. Jensen thank you." Sara took the telegram with trembling hands, wanting very much to know what it said, but also afraid to read it.

Finally, with shaking hands she unfolded the paper and read, 'To Sara Cory. Mort's been shot, it's bad. He's at Crow Creek Ranch. I'll be there tomorrow. Lee.' She gasped as she read … she must go to him at once, she couldn't stay here not knowing if he were dead or alive. The Cheyenne stage would be leaving within the hour, she must be on it!

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Dr. Crenshaw took advantage of having several able bodied men at his disposal by having them move the sheriff. Four of them carefully lifted him from the table and carried him into the bedroom, where the doctor placed a couple of fluffy pillows under his shoulders and head, slightly elevating his upper body, making it easier for him to breathe.

Mrs. Pomeroy was not only an able medical assistant she was a wonderful cook as well. While the men were moving the patient and discussing his condition she baked biscuits and made gravy with some of the bacon and flour the sheriff and doctor had in their supplies. When it was all ready she called them to the table.

After breakfast, Sheriff Tatlock commented, "Mrs. Pomeroy, I would like to thank you for going to the trouble of cooking this excellent breakfast for us, I know you were very tired after your ordeal and I appreciate it as I'm sure the men do. We will leave most of the supplies with you, we'll take just enough for a few days on the trail."

"You are going after the men that killed the driver and shot the sheriff?" At his nod, she asked, "What will happen to them after you capture them?"

"They will stand trial for murder and aiding and abetting a prisoner to escape. They will hang, I'm sure."

"Sheriff, is this man your brother? You are so concerned and you look so much alike that you must be related."

Lee smiled, having been asked this question many times before, "No, not by blood, but he's as close, or closer to me than any brother could be. We've known each other for years and we get a kick out of pulling pranks on people once in awhile." Sobering, he stated, "I certainly hope he lives so that … so we can continue our shenanigans."

"It's amazing how much you look alike and I'm sure you will be pulling pranks again soon. Sheriff, before you go could you tell us his name. Unfortunately no one on the stage was from around Laramie, so no one knew him and his identification papers were so badly blood stained that they were unreadable. All we know is that he is a sheriff."

Tatlock had paled when Mrs. Pomeroy mentioned his blood soaked papers, he tried to compose himself before he replied, "His name is Mort Cory … he's the sheriff of Laramie and a way better man than the ones who shot him down ever thought of being. He's honest and fair with everyone, including men such as the ones who shot him, he protects them from mobs and hanging parties so that they can have a fair trial and he's definitely a man to ride the river with. He's a loving husband and father who was looking forward to getting home to his family last night. I thank you for saving his life, not only for me and his friends, but especially for his wife and daughter."

Placing her hand on Lee's shoulder she told him, "He's very lucky to have a friend like you and I look forward to getting to know him. Thank you Sheriff, and good luck in finding the persons responsible."

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Lee was hoping that the outlaws hadn't gotten so far ahead of them that they wouldn't be able to catch them before they crossed the border. They needed to move fast, as the weather wasn't looking good, it was starting to sprinkle already and if it began raining harder it could wipe out all tracks.

Turning to Doctor Barnett, Lee informed him, "John, we are going to take off, hopefully we will be back to town soon. When you get back to town could you send a wire to Sara and let her know Mort is expected to survive, she's probably frantic with worry by now?"

The doctor answered, "Of course, I'll do it first thing. Be careful Lee, we've had enough bloodshed and death for awhile."

Shaking the older man's hand, Lee gathered his posse and started after the outlaws.

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Jake Slater had no remorse about killing his accomplices, after all he didn't really know them, he had instructed Bonnie Jean to hire a couple of men to help him escape. They had served their purpose, so good riddance to them.

Gathering up their horses and taking what supplies were in the dead men's saddle bags, he turned to Bonnie Jean, "If we get a move on, we can make the border before there is any pursuit and with these extra horses we can make twice the time that a posse will. The money's hidden not far from here, we'll pick it up and be across the border before dark. Then it will be clear sailing Sweetheart, just like we dreamed." Bonnie Jean reluctantly mounted her horse, trying to devise a plan to get away from Slater.

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While Sara was packing she decided she would let Katie go with her rather than have her stay with friends on such short notice. Katie had just turned ten years old but was very mature for her age, Sara, nor Mort had ever shielded her from life's tragedies and she knew that Katie would want to see her father, especially if she thought it may be for the last time.

After she finished packing she woke Katie, "Wake up Sweetheart, we're going to go see your papa."

Katie turned onto her back, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, "Where is he? You said he was coming home."

"He's been hurt and he needs us to go help him get better. Get dressed as quickly as you can Honey, so we won't miss the stage."

The stage had been gone about an hour when a telegram arrived for Sara, 'To Sara Cory. Mort expected to survive. Please don't worry. Dr. Barnett.' The telegram was never delivered.

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Before the posse had gotten to the ranch that morning, Lee had sent Ken Clifford, the tracker, to where the stage had been attacked. There Clifford had carefully memorized the horse tracks and the footprints of the woman and prisoner, he would now be able to recognize them the next time he saw them. He followed the trail left by the fleeing group, leaving trail sign for the sheriff and the rest of the posse.

Lee spotted the trail sign just beyond where the stage had been stopped and led the posse at a gallop down the easy to see trail. While riding on the trail of the murderers he was doing some soul searching … would he be able to be impartial if and when they caught up to them? A good lawman tried not to let personal feelings enter into the way they performed their duties, but when a good friend was near death by the hands of those same people, would he be able to be fair?

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Slater and Bonnie Jean were riding hard and by changing horses every few miles they were making excellent time towards the border. They had picked up the payroll earlier and being that part of it was in gold coin, he had split it up between his and Bonnie's horses, to make the load easier on the animals.

It was just after noon when it began to rain, softly at first, then harder and harder until it was a regular cloud burst, causing the washes and gullies to begin running, which forced the couple to look for a place to wait out the rain. Jake knew there were caves a few miles from here, but they were down by the creek side, so he urged the horses to a faster pace, hoping to beat the floods.

They had just entered the creek bed with Jake riding quite a ways ahead, leading the other horses, while Bonnie Jean was bringing up the rear and as they were rushing along the trail her horse slipped in the mud and fell to his side, throwing her off … although shaken, she had the presence of mind to hang on to the reins. As she helped her horse to his feet she heard a roaring sound coming from up the creek, turning she watched horrified as a wall of debris and water came rushing down the canyon. She turned and scrambled up the hill away from the creek bed, pulling her frantic horse behind her, she reached a level spot above the creek just as the wall of water rushed by below her. She watched the water rushing down the creek and saw Jake racing ahead of the foam and debris, he was disappearing around a bend just as the water caught up to him.

Bonnie gasped as Slater disappeared. She knew she should feel sadness for the man, but she had seen a side of him in the last few days that she despised and if she were honest with herself, had feared, therefore she was finding it difficult to feel sorrow.

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The Cheyenne stage was making good time and running ahead of schedule, which didn't hurt Sara's feelings at all, but it was all she could do to keep from urging the driver to go faster.

While at the last relay station she asked him if he would let them off at the road into the abandoned ranch house, but he informed her, "Ma'am, I'm not supposed to make unscheduled stops, I'm sorry but it's against company regulations."

"Sir, my husband is at that ranch house fighting for his life and I would appreciate it very much if you could see your way clear to bend the rules a little. He was shot while escorting a prisoner to Laramie and I don't know if he's alive or …" She couldn't finish, the not knowing was finally taking its toll and she was trying very hard to hold on to her composure.

The stage driver replied consolingly, "I'm sorry about your husband, I heard about it yesterday. We will deliver you to him and I surely hope he will be all right."

Now, as they neared the grade dropping into Crow Creek it began to rain and by the time they stopped in front of the ranch house, it was pouring down hard. "Katie, honey we're here. Put your coat on, it's raining hard so run to the house."

The stage driver opened the door, helping the ladies to the ground, both running to the protective porch while he offloaded their bags. After delivering the bags he once again wished them good luck. Sara gave him a hug, "Thank you and God bless you, Sir."

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The posse had ridden hard when suddenly the tracks led onto a barely discernible trail. Not knowing what lay ahead, they rode slowly, soon coming to a small clearing which held a rock cabin at the far side. Sheriff Tatlock instructed two of the men to circle the small clearing and the others to check the cabin. The group spread out and cautiously approached the cabin and when Lee was within a few yards of the dwelling he spotted the bodies of two men. He dismounted by the bodies, finding both men shot twice, once execution style. He remembered seeing them around town, he had done some checking on them and found they weren't known, nor were they wanted anywhere, so he made the decision to bury them, rather than transport them back to town.

It had begun to rain while they were burying the two outlaws and by the time they were finished it was pouring down. Lee made the difficult decision to hole up at the cabin for the rest of the day and night, hoping by morning that the rain would have stopped.

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Bonnie Jean found a cave above the ledge that she had perched on as the flash flood swept by below her. It was large enough for her and the horse, with a little wood that had been left by some bygone traveler. It wasn't much in the way of the comforts of home, but it was all she would need for the night, she knew she wouldn't be able to sleep anyway, so she didn't even bother to open her bedroll, her jacket would be enough to keep her warm.

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Mrs. Pomeroy answered Sara's knock on the door, surprised to see a woman and child standing at the door, "Oh my goodness, do come in out of the rain. Whatever are you doing out in this dreadful weather? Please, let me have your coats and come in closer to the fire!"

Sara was taking in her surroundings as the lady was guiding them towards the warm fire. She saw a large living room, with an adjoining kitchen and two doors leading to what she presumed were bedrooms.

As she and Katie were warming themselves by the fire a young man exited one of the rooms. "I thought I heard voices, whatever are you doing out in this awful rain?" He joined the women at the fire, "Let me introduce myself, I am Robert Crenshaw and this is Gladys Pomeroy and you are?"

"My name is Sara Cory, this is our daughter Katie and I was told my husband is here." Sara was on the verge of tears and it took every ounce of strength to hold herself together, "I need to know, is he all right? Can I see him?"

The doctor was surprised, "Mrs. Cory, it's very nice to meet you, we've heard good things about you. Your husband will be all right in time and I will take you to him so you can see for yourself, but first let me explain what happened and what we've done. Won't you sit down? Gladys please get Mrs. Cory a cup of hot coffee. I am going to be blunt Mrs. Cory … when I first examined your husband he had no heartbeat …"

While Mrs. Pomeroy was getting the coffee and the doctor and Sara were talking, Katie wandered towards the open bedroom door, she didn't know why, but something was pulling her in that direction. She slowly entered the room, which had a lamp burning dimly on a nightstand on the other side of a bed, seeing someone lying in the bed, she approached quietly.

When Katie was close enough to make out his face, she smiled and whispered happily, "Papa!" She took her shoes and coat off and carefully climbed into bed next to the unconscious man. "You'll be fine Papa, Mama is here and everything will be all right, I promise." She kissed his cheek and snuggled as close as she could, pulling his arm around her.

Sara's face paled and tears slid from her eyes as the doctor described what had happened to Mort and what he had done to save his life. "Doctor, I don't know what to say, other than thank you, and that just doesn't seem to be enough. I will be forever indebted to you."

"No thanks necessary Mrs. Cory, I'm grateful that he's survived. Now, I'm sure you want to see him and you are no doubt very tired, please follow me and after you have eased your mind, we will fix you some supper then you can get some rest."

When Sara and the doctor entered the bedroom, both were surprised to see Katie sound asleep with Mort's arm around her. Smiling, the doctor advised Sara, "I suggest you have something to eat then retire to the other side of your husband, you will be the best medicine I could prescribe for him."

"Doctor, I'm not really hungry, if you don't mind, I believe I'll stay here with my family."

"I understand, I will bring your bags in and we will see you in the morning, good night."

"Good night, Doctor."

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The rain finally ceased in the early morning hours and the day broke clear and sunny. Sheriff Tatlock and his deputies had spent a cramped and sleepless night in the small rock cabin, dodging the drips from the dilapidated roof, thankful that they weren't out in the direct elements.

While the men were dining on cold biscuits and coffee the tracker was out scouting the trails, hoping he could find some sign of Slater and the girl. Although he knew the futility of searching any longer, he continued down the only trail leading south. He traveled for about a mile, finding another trail that branched off the one he was traveling, but all traces of anyone passing had been wiped out with the rain and he had no idea which trail they had taken. He gave up the search and returned to the cabin.

The sheriff and his posse were ready to ride by the time the scout returned, Lee inquired as to what he had found, "I think I know the answer, but did you find any trace of Slater?"

Shaking his head dejectedly, the man replied, "Nothing Lee. All the tracks have been washed out and a flash flood has swept down the creek. If Slater and the girl were in the bottom of the canyon there's a good chance they were washed away."

Lee sadly replied, "Thanks. All right men, let's head back to town, there's nothing more we can do out here. I'm going to stop at the ranch to see how Sheriff Cory is doing, I'll be back in the office in a couple of days and if it's all right with you, I'll take care of your pay at that time."

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After washing up and changing her clothes Bonnie had a quick breakfast of jerky and water, then saddled her horse and started on the trail back to the Cheyenne – Laramie road. She decided she would return the portion of the payroll that was in her saddle bags, as well as turn herself in for killing Sheriff Cory. She knew he was married and had a child and she couldn't live with herself if she were to try running and hiding from the law knowing they were struggling to survive without him.

As she rode along the trail, she kept replaying the entire scene in her mind and each time she saw the shock and pain on the sheriff's face when the bullet hit him … along with the blood … she couldn't believe that someone bleeding that badly had survived as long as he had. Oh, if only she had it to do all over again, because she wasn't sure she was going to be able to live with herself.

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Doctor Crenshaw knocked lightly on the door leading to Sheriff Cory's room, hearing nothing he quietly opened the door, revealing Mrs. Cory and her daughter, one on each side of the sheriff, both sound asleep. Smiling, he softly closed the door and joined Gladys in the kitchen.

"They are sound asleep. I believe he is receiving the best medicine he could possibly get at this time. I truly hope that he will regain consciousness today, looking at Mrs. Cory's face, I feel that will be the only thing that will set her mind at ease."

Pouring coffee for each of them Gladys agreed, "She's a lovely lady and their daughter is beautiful, I certainly feel as you do that they are the best thing for him at this point."

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Sara and I had just gone to bed and were discussing the events of the day when Katie came in crying, "Papa, Papa? Please don't die!" I hugged her to my side … I was suddenly awakened by severe pain and realized that I had been dreaming.

I lay still, my teeth clenched, when I heard my crying daughter say, "Papa, please don't die."

Looking into her teary eyes, I held her gently, whispering her name, "Katie … don't cry Sugar, I'm all right." I wasn't dreaming … I was alive! The last thing I remembered was calling Sara's name. "Everything is going to be fine Sweetheart." She lay sniffling, her arm across my stomach, as I rubbed her back soothingly.

I felt movement on the other side of me, slowly turning my head in that direction I met the moist brown eyes of my wife, who gently placed her arm across my shoulder, hugging me gently she told me, "I love you!" I smiled weakly, too tired and weak to respond.

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The posse took a shorter route back to town while Lee proceeded back to the ranch. He was anxious to see how Mort was doing and he was ready to sit on a real chair in a nice dry house.

He had traveled about half way when his horse began to limp badly. Dismounting, he lifted the hoof to discover that he had thrown a shoe. Of all the rotten luck … he still had about six miles to go before he got to the ranch, but it looked as if he would be walking the rest of the way.

The day had turned warm, so he took a big drink of water and began walking. He started out at a steady pace, knowing that this was going to be a very long and tiring day.

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Bonnie was making good time and should be getting to the road within two or three hours if everything went well. As she rode, she wondered if Jake had perished in the flood, or if he was hurt somewhere and needing help. Not that she really cared any longer … she had always loved him … he was so caring, as well as quite handsome in a rugged sort of way. He would always ask her how her day at work had been and would listen attentively as she gave an accounting. She now realized that he was just using her to learn what he needed to know about the shipments that occasionally came through Laramie. She was such a fool! Was she so blind that she couldn't see what was happening?

She was so deep in her own self pity that she didn't see the horse ahead of her, in fact it was only when her horse nickered that she looked up and saw it, noticing that it was being led by a man on foot. Now what should she do? She didn't know who this man was, he could be an outlaw, a ranch hand … he turned upon hearing her horse whinny and she saw the reflection on his chest … or, a lawman!

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Ken Clifford, the tracker who was with the posse had a hunch and his hunches were usually pretty accurate. In his mind he was certain that the people they were hunting had been caught in that flash flood and he was determined to find them or their bodies.

When the posse returned to Cheyenne, Ken went directly home, where he packed supplies enough to last a couple of days. Saddling a fresh horse he took the shortcut over the mountain, a little known trail that would cut off nearly ten miles, putting him a few miles south of where he had left off tracking that morning. He set up camp then explored around the creek until it was getting too dark to see.

At the break of day he rode into the stream bed and followed it up the creek. The stream was back to its normal size now that the rain had quit, but the destruction it left behind was unbelievable, if anyone had been in this canyon when the flood came through they would surely not have survived.

Clifford had ridden no more than four miles when he came upon the body of a horse and within a hundred yards he found another, this one was saddled. He searched the area around for better than an hour, but could find no sign of any humans, dead or alive.

He went back to the saddled horse and began digging it out enough to get to the saddlebags, which, if his intuition was accurate, would have the payroll in them. After opening them and seeing that he was indeed correct, he loaded the bags on his horse and headed for the ranch and Sheriff Tatlock. If he was lucky he would get there in time for supper.

He had ridden less than an hour when he saw tracks of a lone horse, which he recognized as being the tracks of one of the horses from the attack on the stage. He couldn't understand why they would be heading back to the scene of the crime, but they were traveling unerringly in that direction. And if he was correct in his estimation, they were about three hours ahead of him.

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Sara and Katie walked into the kitchen hand in hand, the big smiles on their faces were noticed immediately by Gladys. "Praise the Lord, Sheriff Cory must be awake."

"Yes, he awakened for just a minute then fell back to sleep. Doctor, I can't thank you enough for all you've done." Sara and Katie sat down at the table and began eating the breakfast that Mrs. Pomeroy set in front of them.

"Seeing the smile on your faces is thanks enough, I am so delighted that he has survived his ordeal. Your husband was my very first patient and it couldn't have been a more difficult case, but thanks to the Lord above, he has survived."

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Sandy Tatlock watched from her front door as the posse rode back into town, not seeing Lee her mind immediately thought the worst. Dr. Barnett had stopped yesterday and after telling her that it looked as if Mort would survive, he told her that Lee and the posse had headed out after the escaped prisoner and his accomplices. With her hand on her chest, she waited as a deputy rode up to their porch, "Afternoon Mrs. Tatlock. Lee asked me to stop and tell you that he was going by the Crow Creek Ranch to check on Sheriff Cory and he might not be back for a couple days, he said for you not to worry."

Letting out a sigh of relief, Sara replied, "Thank Heavens, when I didn't see him with you, I was afraid something had happened. I appreciate you stopping to tell me. I take it you didn't have any luck finding the escaped prisoner?"

The deputy shook his head, "No ma'am, the rain washed the tracks out and there had been a flash flood down the creek, weren't no use continuing. I best get on home to my wife, have a good afternoon."

Sandy smiled, "Thank you Ben and tell Margie hello, we must get together for tea when things have settled down."

After the deputy rode away she entered the house and immediately packed an overnight bag for herself and Lee. She changed into her riding clothes and went to the barn to saddle her horse … she figured if Lee was going to stay at the ranch for a few days, she would join him. No doubt there were things she could do to help with Mort's care and if she hurried she should get into the ranch before dark.

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Lee quickly turned when he heard a horse nicker, now was not the time to be caught unaware by one of the killers. Right away he noticed that the rider was a woman … remembering what the stage driver had told him … 'one of them was a woman, I could swear to that' … he loosened his revolver in the holster and waited.

Bonnie slowed her horse, now that she was confronted with seeing the lawman, she began to lose her nerve … what would happen to her? Would they hang a woman for murder and robbery? Her heart was beating a mile a minute and she was scared witless, but she took a deep breath and urged her horse forward to face whatever fate awaited her.

Sheriff Tatlock watched the woman slowly ride toward him, she reminded him of a scared deer that was ready to bound away at the slightest provocation. As she rode closer he recognized her as the woman who had boarded the coach just before it left yesterday … so this must be the same woman that the stage driver had seen riding away, which meant that she was part of the group that helped the prisoner escape.

When she reined in her horse Bonnie couldn't believe her eyes, it was as if she were looking at a ghost, this man looked so much like Sheriff Cory they could be twins. But it couldn't be, she had killed him!

Lee greeted her, "Ma'am, I'm sure glad to see you! My horse pulled up lame and I wasn't looking forward to walking all the way back to the ranch. You don't suppose you could give me a ride, do you?" Lee gave her one of his best smiles, hoping to alleviate her fear. If she were to run off now, he wouldn't be able to stop her or follow, he had never shot a woman before and he wasn't going to do so now.

Licking suddenly dry lips, Bonnie dismounted and confessed, "Sheriff, I want to turn myself in … I helped the prisoner escape and I am also responsible for setting up the robbery in Laramie." Taking a deep breath, she continued, "I also killed Sheriff Cory … I didn't do it on purpose, but when the stage lurched I lost my balance and when he grabbed my arm to steady me, the gun went off … I killed him, God help me … I killed him!" Falling to her knees, she began to weep uncontrollably.

Lee watched as the woman collapsed to her knees crying and with his lawman instincts, he felt that she was telling the truth. "Where is the prisoner? We know where his accomplices are, but there was no sign of him, or you for that matter."

Handing her his kerchief, she dabbed at her eyes, sniffling she looked up at him, "The last I saw of him was when the flood waters caught up to him and he was swept around a bend in the creek. I don't know if he survived or not … I can't feel any sadness for him, I learned the hard way that he was an evil man." Bonnie had to know if this sheriff was related to Sheriff Cory, "Was Sheriff Cory your brother? You look so much alike it's hard to tell you apart."

Shaking his head, Lee replied, "No, not by blood." He helped her to her feet, "We better start riding, by the looks of these clouds we could get some more rain and I don't relish spending another night camping out."

Mounting the palomino, they rode double towards the ranch, neither saying anything. If they were lucky they would arrive by dark.

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Sara and Katie had spent part of the day helping Gladys clean and straighten the house, it hadn't been lived in for quite a long time and was in dire need of some tender care. The rest of the time Sara spent at Mort's side, he seemed to be resting comfortably, but she was concerned that he hadn't awakened again.

Doctor Crenshaw entered the bedroom in the late afternoon to check on his patient, seeing him enter the room Sara asked, "Doctor, why hasn't he woke up? He's so still and pale and I'm afraid that … that he isn't going to make it." Sara tried to hide it, but she was close to tears not knowing whether he was going to live or die.

"Mrs. Cory, your husband has had a terrible shock to his body and has lost a great amount of blood, unfortunately I do not have the equipment to do a transfusion, and honestly I'm not sure it would have helped, because sometimes the recipient rejects the donor's blood and it can be fatal. When he awakens we need to get him to drink as much water as he can, he needs it in order to refresh his blood supply. In the meantime keep doing what you're doing, I'm sure he knows you're at his side and that is wonderful medicine for him. You and your daughter talk to him, tell him about your day, even read to him, he'll hear you and he'll respond, you'll see."

He patted her shoulder as he left the room. Taking his advice, Sara began telling Mort about their day, "Katie is learning some new recipes from Mrs. Pomeroy and she told me that she is going to fix them for us as soon as we get home." Tears began flowing, she couldn't stop them, putting her head in her hands, "Oh, Mort …" she wept quietly.

Mort heard Sara crying and wanted to hug her but he was so weak he couldn't even lift his hand, he whispered, "Sara ..."

Sara's head snapped up, only to see Mort lying there as still as before, thinking she had imagined hearing him, she rose and walked to the window.

"I'm sorry."

She whirled and walked towards him as a surprised and bewildered look crossed her face, "Sorry? You've nothing to be sorry for."

Weakly, he told her, "I said I'd be home for supper. I didn't quite make it." Sleep was about to overtake him, "I love you."

"I love you too!" Sara kissed Mort on the cheek and slowly lay down beside him on the bed, being careful not to hurt him. She whispered, "You're going to be fine, Sweetheart, and we'll have that special supper when we return home, just the three of us."

She hugged him tenderly, feeling as if the weight of the world had been lifted from her shoulders! Mort was alive! 'Thank you Lord, for bringing him back to us.'

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It was nearly dark and a gentle rain had begun to fall. Lee and Bonnie were only about a mile from the ranch and were hoping that they would make it before they become too wet.

Lee had coaxed Bonnie into telling him all she knew about the robbery and escape, some of it he had surmised, but she surprised him with some of the facts. Lee hadn't told her that Mort was still alive … at least he was when he had left yesterday morning … and he wanted to talk to him before he told her too much, so he decided that he would house her in the bunkhouse, keeping her sequestered until he could talk to Mort.

Bonnie suddenly asked, "Sheriff, what will happen to me? Will I go to prison?"

"That's not for me to decide Miss. I would try not to worry about it for now. You've done the right thing by surrendering to the law and when we get to Cheyenne we will see what your options are, but for now let's concentrate on getting to the ranch before we get too wet."

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Katie came running into the bedroom hollering and jumping up and down with excitement, "Mama, Mama!"

Sara quickly quieted her daughter, "Shhhh, you'll wake your father." As Katie calmed down, Sara continued, "Quietly now tell me what has you so excited."

Katie took a couple of deep breaths and as calmly as she could, she replied, "Mama, Aunt Sandy is here! She heard about Papa and came to help." She took her mother's hand and pulled until Sara rose from the bed and followed her to the door.

Sara followed Katie into the living room where Sandy was introducing herself to Gladys and Dr. Crenshaw. When they saw each other, they flew into each other's arms, "Sara, I came out as soon as I could, I had no idea that you would be here. How is he? The doctor says he should make a full recovery."

Sara's resolve failed and she broke down in tears as she hugged her dear friend, "Oh Sandy, he looks so frail and he's so weak. I keep praying that he will be all right, but it's difficult to watch him lie there so, so … lifeless … when he has always been so strong."

Sandy Tatlock held her friend while she shed the tears she had been keeping suppressed for so long. "He is strong Sara, he will recover from this … and he knows you are here. Everything will be all right, have faith."

"Faith is what has kept me going Sandy. Without His guidance I don't believe I could have survived … that and knowing that I had to be strong for Katie."

Mrs. Pomeroy hugged both women, "Ladies, let's have some hot cocoa and think about fixing something for all of us to eat. Sheriff Cory is resting comfortably, so you needn't worry. Come along now, you too Katie."

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Doctor Crenshaw had watched as the ladies consoled each other then quietly walked outside to let them be alone. He had just stepped off the porch when he saw horses coming up the road, one horse was being ridden, while another was limping along behind. As they moved closer he saw that one of the riders was a woman and the other was Sheriff Tatlock, he was surprised when they stopped at the bunkhouse, so he walked in that direction to see if there was anything he could do.

He watched as Tatlock helped the woman from the horse and lead her into the bunkhouse, wondering why he would stop here instead of coming on up to the main house.

Lee saw the doctor walking towards them and quickly getting Bonnie into the bunkhouse, he told her he would be back shortly. Meeting Crenshaw at the door, he steered him back towards the house, "Doc, I need to talk to you privately and you are not to say a word to anyone about what I am going to tell you. Do you understand?"

"Sheriff, what's going on? Who is that woman and why are you hiding her?"

Lee took a long breath and began explaining, "She was on the stage with Mort and the prisoner. I have reason to believe she helped the prisoner escape and is possibly responsible for Mort's injuries, but I need to talk with Mort before I make any decisions. I haven't told her that he survived his wounds … he has survived, hasn't he?"

The doctor gave Lee a long steady look, after which he nodded his head, "Yes, he will be fine, at this time he is still semi-conscious and it will take a long time for him to heal. But I don't believe the woman fired the shot. I believe the bullet that struck him was fired from outside the coach, it was jagged and the path was such that it couldn't have been fired by the woman." The doctor proceeded to explain to Lee his opinion of what happened during the shooting and escape. "I examined the stagecoach this afternoon and there is a bullet hole in the door. Come with me and I'll show you."

Doctor Crenshaw and Lee walked to the coach and carefully inspected the inside, after which Lee told the doctor that he would like for him to keep quiet about what they had found until after he talked with Mort.

"I will trust to your wishes Sheriff, but with Mrs. Cory and your wife being here, it will be difficult to keep secrets for very long."

Tatlock grabbed the doctor's arm, "My wife? … Sara? … They're here? Damn, so when can I talk to Mort?"

Dr. Crenshaw shook his head sadly, "I'm not sure. He woke for a short time this morning, but has been sleeping or unconscious most all day until a brief period a few minutes ago. I wish I could tell you, but I can't."

Lee thought it over for a little while, finally telling the doc, "All right, here's what we need to do. I think you are the only one who saw me ride in, so we will have to try and keep the woman being here a secret to everyone until I can try and work things out. Can you help me do that?"

"I'll do my best Sheriff, but you know how women are." Lee nodded his head and heaved a big sigh.

"Let me get Miss Carter settled into the bunkhouse and take care of our horses, then I will go to the house. We won't say anything about this until I've talked with Mort. All right?" The doctor agreed and started back to the house.

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Ken Clifford had ridden hard, hoping to get to the ranch in time for supper and he was also trying to beat the storm that had rolled in. Unfortunately, it didn't look like he was going to accomplish either task, as it was getting too dark to travel the trails safely and it was starting to rain fairly hard.

The tracker saw an overhang not far off the trail that he and his horse would fit under, so he urged the horse off the trail and into the protected space. Dismounting, Clifford quickly gathered some wood and lit a fire, as much for light as for warmth.

He unsaddled his horse, then spread his bedroll and placed his saddle as a pillow. Grabbing his coffee pot, he filled it with water and put it on the fire to boil then opened a can of beans and set the can close to the flames to heat.

After eating the beans and drinking most of the pot of coffee, Ken banked the fire and settled into bed for the night. He would get an early start and arrive at the ranch mid morning.

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Sheriff Tatlock walked into the house just as Mrs. Pomeroy served supper. The ladies turned to see who had come in and when Sandy saw Lee, she jumped up and warmly hugged and kissed her husband, "I'm so glad to see you and to know that you are all right, when the posse came back without you, I thought the worst."

"I'm fine, but I had to come see how Mort was doing." Looking at the doctor he asked, "How is he Doc? Will he be all right?"

The doctor played along with the sheriff, "Yes, he will be fine … it will take time, a lot of it, but he will be as good as new if he takes care and doesn't overdo."

"That's wonderful!" Smiling, Lee hugged Sara and explained, "Sara, I apologize for sending such bad news in a telegram, but I knew you would want to know what happened, especially since the posse had probably told you Mort would be home soon. I'm glad you're here, Mort needed you."

Sara hugged Lee, "I appreciate you contacting me, I'd been worried all day, I had a premonition that something just wasn't right and your message just confirmed what I already suspected. Thank you."

As they hugged again Mrs. Pomeroy called, "All right everyone, let's sit up to a good hot meal. It will make us all feel better."

Everyone sat down to a wonderful meal and congenial small talk.

MC MC MC MC

After the meal was finished the doctor and sheriff retired to the front porch while the women cleaned up. When the door closed the doctor informed Lee, "I told Mrs. Pomeroy that I would move to the bunkhouse and let all of you have the bedrooms. I also asked her to fix me a midnight snack, which she didn't suspect, as she knows I get up in the middle of the night and fix myself a sandwich. I will take that to the woman, I'm sure she is starved."

The men were walking towards the bunkhouse, "That was some smart thinking, Doc! I will trust her to your care, I don't think she will try to run, but this way it will maybe make her think twice about it. I think I'm going to hit the sack, it's been a long day. Thanks."

"Don't worry about a thing Sheriff, I will keep an eye on her, discreetly of course."

"Have a good night Doc, see you in the morning." Lee headed back to the main house.

MC MC MC MC

Doctor Crenshaw watched him walk to the house, then took a deep breath and knocked on the bunkhouse door. He heard a "Come in," so opened the door and entered.

Bonnie was just lighting the fire she had laid in the heating stove when the door opened, she looked up expecting to see Sheriff Tatlock, but instead she saw a younger, sandy haired man standing there with an uncomfortable smile on his face.

"Good evening Miss. Sheriff Tatlock asked me to help him out by staying here tonight. I apologize for the lack of accommodations; hopefully we can live with them for the night. My name is Robert Crenshaw, but you can call me Bob and yours would be …?"

Bonnie Jean was suddenly wishing she had cleaned up and put clean clothes on! She couldn't remember ever seeing any man as handsome as the one standing before her … getting a grip on herself she answered the doctor's question, "Pleased to meet you, I'm sure. My name is Bonnie Jean Carter and I'm sure we can survive the evening. Although I would be much happier if I had a hot cup of coffee and something to eat."

"I'm not sure about the coffee, but I can provide the food." He took the large sandwich from his bag, "While you're wrapping yourself around that I'll see if I can find some coffee."

While searching for coffee and a pot to boil it in, the good doctor was sneaking quick glances at the young woman, who was devouring her sandwich as if she hadn't eaten in days. She was a lovely … no beautiful girl, with golden hair framing a heart shaped face that held the most piercing blue eyes he had ever encountered.

He finally found the coffee pot, along with a can of coffee, filling the pot with water from the bucket by the door and adding coffee he placed it on the now hot stove to boil. Gazing at Bonnie Jean, he informed her, "We should have coffee in a few minutes. How was the sandwich … are you still hungry? I could go to the house and get more food if you want."

Bonnie returned his look intently, "No, this was quite sufficient, thank you. But the coffee will be most welcome, I haven't had any since before I boarded the stage …" Her demeanor suddenly went from contentment to sadness, remembering once again what she had done.

The doctor noticed the change in her immediately and suspecting the reason he inquired, "So, Sheriff Tatlock told me you live in Laramie … what do you do there?" Bringing her eyes to his, she began to tell him about her life … it was several hours and a pot of coffee later that they finally retired for the night.

MC MC MC MC

Lee walked into the house finding it empty with the exception of his wife. Thrilled that she had ridden out and joined him, he hugged her tightly and gave her a lingering kiss. "Has everyone gone to bed already?"

When she caught her breath, Sandy replied, "Yes, Mrs. Pomeroy was very tired after cooking three large meals for the group today. But I don't think Sara's asleep, she just sits and stares at Mort, willing him to regain consciousness. I'm not sure how much longer she will be able to hold herself together."

"Sara's strong, she's been through this before and unfortunately it probably won't be the last time. All we can do is to be here for them if they need us."

Sandy shook her head sadly, telling her husband, "That's true Dear, but Mort has never been hurt this badly before. He will take weeks to fully recover and that's if he doesn't get an infection or try to do too much, too soon. The doctor expects a full recovery but it's not going to be easy for him. And you know how you men are, it's nearly impossible to keep you down until you're one hundred percent recovered."

While Sandy was speaking, Lee poured them each a cup of coffee, handing one to her. Smiling he replied to her comment, "Mort's tough, I'm sure he will pull through with no lasting effects, but in reality I am concerned that he hasn't regained full consciousness. I was hoping that with Sara and Katie here it would spark something in his subconscious and he would come out of this coma he's in." (3)

"Maybe there was something that happened during the shooting that he's trying to forget. The brain can do strange things that we aren't even aware of, so let's give him time to work it out. I'm sure he'll be fine."

Tatlock looked at his wife intently before offering his opinion, "You don't know how close to the truth you are." He wasn't sure he should tell her what happened, but maybe she could offer some kind of suggestions if she knew the truth. "Honey, please promise to keep what I'm going to tell you to yourself, at least until Mort can decide what he wants to do. Will you promise?"

He waited until she nodded her head, then taking a deep breath he began, "I'm sure Mort thinks he was shot by someone he knows, someone that he sees daily and who he considers a friend … and on top of everything else, it's a woman."

Sandy gave her husband a confused look, "What do you mean he thinks he was shot by her? Either she did it, or she didn't. You don't think he's embarrassed because it was a woman, do you?"

Lee smiled, "I'm not sure how he feels about that … but I do know it wasn't her that shot him. The bullet was fired by one of the men outside the stage. From what the doctor told me about the angle of the bullet there was no way it could have been fired from inside the coach. When I searched the stage, I found a bullet buried in the seat and I am pretty certain that it's the same one fired by the woman. Now if Mort would just wake up long enough so I could tell him I think it would help in his recovery."

"Hopefully you can talk to Mort tomorrow and see what he says," Sandy stood and taking the coffee cups, she suggested to her husband, "in the meantime let's call it a night, it's late and there's nothing we can do tonight and I don't know about you, but I'm tired and sleepy."

She took his arm and steered him towards the bedroom.

MC MC MC MC

Clifford woke before daylight, had a quick breakfast of jerky and coffee and was on the trail by the time it was light enough to see. He figured he was about ten miles from the Crow Creek Ranch, so he should be in well before noon.

He was counting on Sheriff Tatlock still being at the ranch as he wanted to turn the payroll over to him as soon as possible. Last night before he fell asleep he had thought what having that money would mean for him and his family, but then he realized he could never live with himself if he were to keep it.

He urged his horse into a ground covering jog, shoving those thoughts out of his head.

MC MC MC MC

Gladys Pomeroy was up at daylight lighting the fire in the kitchen stove. After putting the coffee pot on, she began mixing biscuit dough and while that was rising she peeled potatoes and sliced bacon. By the time the potatoes and bacon were almost done, the biscuits were ready to go in the oven.

While the biscuits were baking she sat with her second cup of coffee thinking about the events over the last three days. Goodness, had it only been three days! It seemed as if a lifetime had passed, so much had happened that affected so many lives. A man was killed, another was still fighting for his life … a young, inexperienced doctor had transformed into an experienced professional, with a bright career ahead of him. A woman and child nearly lost their husband and father, a sheriff berated himself for not catching the perpetrators and she, herself had felt needed and useful for the first time since her husband had passed away. She decided, while sitting there going over those events in her mind, to find a job or volunteer somewhere after she got settled in Cheyenne. Her daughter may not approve of the idea, but she knew in her own mind that it would be the best thing for her.

Her day dreaming was interrupted by the arrival of Sheriff Tatlock and his wife, soon followed by Mrs. Cory. She jumped up and began pouring coffee for everyone, "Good morning! I hope everyone had a good night's sleep. Breakfast will be ready in just a few minutes."

MC MC MC MC

Sara immediately asked the group, "Has anyone seen Katie? She isn't in her bed and I can't find her anywhere!"

Everyone looked around at the others, all shook their heads in the negative, Lee asked her, "When was the last time you saw her?"

"Last night, I kissed her good night just before I went to bed. I have no idea when she left the room. She's been terribly upset about her father and she cried herself to sleep last night, we have to find her!"

Sandy hugged Sara to her, "We'll find her, she couldn't have gone far." Looking at the group, she then instructed Sara, "You look through the house and the rest of us will check the surrounding buildings and grounds. As soon as someone finds her shout out. Let's go."

MC MC MC MC

Katie had awakened just as it was breaking day, she got dressed and went to her father's bedside where she tenderly caressed his cheek. "Papa, please wake up," she whispered. "Mama and I need you. She cried almost all night and I cried a lot too … please Papa." She leaned over and kissed him then quietly left the room.

She left the house with a purpose in mind and headed directly to the bunkhouse, where she knew the doctor was staying. She didn't bother knocking, instead she just opened the door and walked in. The doctor was pouring a cup of coffee when he heard the door open, wondering who would walk in unannounced, he turned towards the door, surprised he asked, "Katie, what are you doing out this time of morning? What's wrong, is everything all right?"

Near tears, Katie replied, "Why doesn't Papa wake up? He just lays there, he doesn't move, not even when I kiss him or talk to him. Is he going to die?" She couldn't hold the tears any longer and started sobbing.

The doctor wrapped his arms around the child, cradling her as she wept. "Katie, your father was hurt very badly and it is going to take a long time for him to get better. The fact that he hasn't woke up yet is God's way of letting him rest and get stronger so when he does awaken he will be able to sit up and hold you and your mother and he can visit with you without getting so tired. I believe he will wake up today and tell us he's hungry and he'll talk with you for a while, he'll be very weak and will sleep a lot, but he will be getting better each day. Can you be strong and patient a little longer? Can you do that for me and your mother … and your father?"

Katie sniffled, the tears beginning to dry, nodding her head she looked at the doctor, and wiping the back of her hand across her nose, she said, "I'll try … will he really wake up today? I want my papa back." She began crying again and no matter what Doctor Crenshaw did she continued.

Bonnie Jean had listened intently to Katie's story … she knew the girl was Sheriff Cory's daughter, but what was she saying … she knew he was dead, she had watched him die. Katie had to be mistaken.

She stood and started to speak, but the doctor shook his head, his eyes pleading for her to not say anything. Before she could demand to know what was going on there was a knock on the door, "Come in."

The door opened revealing Sheriff Tatlock and Sandy, who immediately went to Katie. "Sweetheart, are you all right? We've been looking all over for you. Your mother is worried sick."

Katie sniffled once more before replying, "I'm sorry Aunt Sandy, but I had to ask the doctor to make Papa well, I don't want him to die."

Hugging her tightly to her chest, Sandy informed the girl, "Katie your father will be fine, it's just going to take a long time for him to recover. You need to be strong, not only for you, but your mother and especially your papa. Can you do that?"

Katie nodded her head, "That's what Doctor Bob told me too. I promise I will do my best, but sometimes I get scared. I'm sorry. Can I go back to the house now and see Papa and Mama?"

Smiling, Sandy gave her another hug then took her hand, "Of course you can, and I bet there's some breakfast for us too." She smiled at Lee then led Katie out the door.

MC MC MC MC

Bonnie waited until Sandy and Katie went out and closed the door before she jumped up and lit into the sheriff and doctor. "You told me Sheriff Cory was dead! Now his daughter is saying that he's alive, although not in too good of shape evidently, so tell me what the hell is going on!"

Sheriff Tatlock spoke first, "If you will go back over our conversations, you will remember that I never once said the sheriff was dead. You're the one who said you killed him, you didn't even inquire as to whether or not it was true, you just assumed because you saw him lose consciousness that he had died. I wasn't going to tell you any different until I had talked with Mort, it's his decision as to whether to charge you with a crime."

Doctor Crenshaw had stood by until he saw Bonnie start to cry and beat on the sheriff's chest, partly in anger and partly in relief. He gently pulled her off of the sheriff, who had just stood and let her take her anger and frustration out on him. She fought him also until she finally collapsed, sobbing into his arms, "Why … why didn't you tell me he was alive? I've been hating myself for what I did and you just stood by and let me think the worst."

She continued sobbing as he rubbed her back and held her tight. "Shhh, it's all right. Please stop crying, the sheriff is going to recover, you're not a murderer. And if he's the man people have been saying he is, he probably won't charge you with the assault. Let's just take one day at a time and deal with it as it comes."

As he continued to hold her, her sobs quieted, "I'm sorry, it's just such a shock."

Sheriff Tatlock smiled as he watched the pair, suspecting there was more than a doctor offering support to a patient and thinking it had been awfully sudden. He quietly slipped out the door and returned to the house. He was hungry and he would let all the drama die down before he continued the investigation.

MC MC MC MC

Sara was spending her time between being by Mort's side and pacing the floor; she was worried sick about Katie, wondering why she had left the house and where she could have gone to.

Suddenly the door banged open and Katie ran crying into her mother's arms, "Mama, I'm sorry that I ran off and worried you, but I wanted to see Doctor Bob and get him to make Papa well."

Sara was close to tears also as she held Katie tight. "Sweetheart, your papa is going to be all right, it is just taking longer for him to get better than what we thought it would. We have to be strong and take care of him and each other, can you do that for me?"

Katie nodded her head, "Doctor Bob told me to have patience, but Mama I'm running out of that, I want Papa better now!" She pulled out of her mother's arms and ran to the bedroom.

Sandy and Gladys had to smile at Katie's comment, knowing how appropriate it was for the circumstances.

Standing at the bedside and staring at her father, Katie told him, "Papa, Doctor Bob and Mama say I have to be patient … that you will be all right, but that it's going to take a long time. But, I'm running out of patience and I want you to wake up now so we can talk. I miss you Papa." Katie watched him for a few moments longer then went to the window, sniffling and trying hard not to cry.

MC MC MC MC

In his subconscious Mort had heard his wife and daughter pleading and crying and even though he didn't want to face what had happened on the stagecoach, he knew he needed, and wanted, to return to his family, so pushing the bad memories aside he whispered, "Katie? Come over here Honey."

Katie thought she was hearing things, but when she turned towards her father she saw that his eyes were open and he was smiling. Overcome with joy, she shouted, "Papa!" Running to his side, she hugged him tightly, crying tears of joy.

He grimaced with pain as Katie hugged him, but tried to soothe her mind, "Sssshhh … don't cry, Honey. Everything will be all right, I promise."

Sara heard Katie cry out and fearing the worst, ran into the bedroom, but what she saw lit up her face and warmed her heart. Mort had his arm around Katie, gently rubbing her back as he assured her that he was going to be fine.

Mort saw Sara enter the room and noticed the look of relief and pleasure at seeing him awake. As he stared lovingly into her eyes, he wondered to himself why he had fought coming back to his family, they were his whole world, without them he was just a lonely man with nothing to live for.

He held his arm open for her, which she immediately entered, cherishing the feel of that arm around her once again. "Welcome back Sweetheart, I've been waiting for you."

Mort tilted her face up and told her, "I love you and I'm sorry you've had to go through this, I'll make it up to you, I promise." Then he gently kissed her.

Sandy and Gladys were standing in the doorway smiling, when they were joined by Lee who had just come into the house, "What's going on?" At which time the girls pointed to the scene in front of them. He too began smiling when he saw Mort and Sara kissing and Katie hugging them both … Lee whispered to no one in particular, "God is good."

MC MC MC MC

The three retreated to give the Cory family their privacy. Gladys immediately poured coffee for all of them and while they visited she began preparing dinner, she put on a little extra for the doctor and whoever was staying at the bunkhouse with him. She had been speculating on who it could be, but hadn't asked anyone, she figured that they would tell her when the time was right. She was also warming up some broth that she had made this morning in anticipation of Sheriff Cory regaining consciousness.

Just as Gladys was putting dinner on the table the doctor came in, following a very pretty blond haired young woman who preceded him through the door. The doctor led her into the kitchen, where he introduced her, "I'd like you to meet Bonnie Carter, she'll be staying with us for a few days." After introducing themselves everyone sat down to a meal of beef stew and warmed over biscuits left over from breakfast. The meal would be followed by peach cobbler.

"Doctor, you'll be happy to know that Sheriff Cory has finally regained consciousness, I'm sure you'll want to examine him after dinner. Right now he and his family are spending some quiet time together."

Lee was watching Bonnie as he informed them of Mort waking up. He saw her take a relieved breath and smile at the doctor, who patted the hand that was resting on her leg. Yep, Lee could see a relationship blossoming, now if he could just keep Mort from doing something drastic they would be able to have a wonderful life.

About half way through the meal there was a knock on the door. "Now I wonder who that could be?" Lee asked as he went to answer the summons. Upon opening the door he saw Ken Clifford standing outside.

"Ken! Come in, you're just in time for some dinner." Lee held the door open wider for him to enter.

Clifford hesitated, telling Lee, "There's tracks in the yard of the woman responsible for the prisoner's escape. What's she doing walking around free?"

Lee smiled, "Come in, I'll explain everything later."

MC MC MC MC

After dinner was finished Bonnie and Sandy told Gladys to sit and relax while they cleared the table and cleaned the kitchen, "You've been taking care of us for the last few days, so let us pamper you a little. Lee and I appreciate all you've done, I know you were on the way to live with your daughter in Cheyenne when all this happened, so I hope we can make it up to you and hopefully get together once in awhile."

Clifford and Tatlock went out to discuss what he had found when he searched the creek bed. Handing Lee the saddlebags, Ken told him, "I found these on one of the dead horses and I'm mighty glad to get them off my hands, too much temptation. My guess is that Slater is buried under debris further down the creek, we don't know of course, but I can't see how anyone could have survived that flood. I best be getting back home, I'll see you later." With that he mounted his horse and rode away.

Lee entered the house and while the ladies were chatting he and Dr. Crenshaw looked in on Mort. Sara smiled and giving Mort another quick kiss told them, "We'll leave you men to your business and I don't need to tell you to not tire him. He needs his rest." Taking Katie's hand, they left the room.

Dr. Crenshaw immediately began to examine Mort, asking him if this or that hurt, was his breathing labored, all the while pushing and poking here and there. Mort responded with the appropriate answers and the doctor proclaimed that he was healing quickly and should be able to get out of bed within the next day or so.

"Sheriff Cory, I don't need to tell you that you are a very lucky man. You came within a whisker of taking that bullet in the heart, but even so it killed you … I just happened to remember a new procedure that I had learned in medical school and luckily it worked. You will eventually get back to where you were before being shot, but it will take a lot of time and patience. When you return to Laramie have your regular doctor examine you and when he says it's all right, then return to your normal schedule. Good luck."

Mort struggled to sit up to better see the doctor and to shake his hand. "I can't thank you enough for all you've done, Doctor. I remember thinking that this was all she wrote when that bullet struck me, so as far as I'm concerned you're a miracle worker and I'll be forever in your debt."

He reached for the doctor's hand, but instead received a hug, "Thank you, Sheriff. If you hadn't survived I'm afraid I would have given up medicine. You were my first patient and our success will encourage me throughout my career." After another quick hug and a handshake the doctor hurriedly left the room; with tears threatening to fall, he hurried through the house and out the front door.

MC MC MC MC

Sara and Katie joined the women at the kitchen table who were all smiles as Sara told them that Mort was alert and she felt, was on his way to a full recovery.

Katie spoke up, "Mama, I'm hungry, when are we going to eat?" Laughing, Gladys got up and fixed a plate for her and Sara.

While the women were visiting, Bonnie saw the doctor rush from the bedroom and out the front door and excusing herself, she followed.

Watching Bonnie leave, Sandy smiled and commented, "I believe the doctor and Miss Carter are kind of sweet on each other."

MC MC MC MC

After the doctor left Lee proclaimed, "Mort, we gotta talk, no actually you have to listen. Let me tell you the whole story then you can decide what you want to do." So Lee proceeded to explain in detail what had transpired since Mort had been shot, he gave a running account of the pursuit, the flash flood and his investigation after returning to the ranch.

"After examining the stagecoach and talking with Dr. Crenshaw, we determined the bullet that struck you came from outside the coach. It was jagged after going through the door and the path of the bullet in your chest was not from a bullet that would have been fired from inside. I found the hole from the bullet that Bonnie fired in the seat between your legs." At that information Mort's eyebrows shot up and he sucked in a quick breath, thinking that things could certainly have been worse.

Lee ended by saying, "As for Bonnie, she turned herself in, along with half the payroll. She truly believed she had killed you, she didn't mean to fire the gun, she told me it went off when you grabbed her arm. She planned from that point forward to try and get away from Slater and turn herself in, which she did. She didn't know you were still alive until this morning. Mort, we have all of the payroll back now, Ken Clifford brought the rest of it in just a while ago, he found two dead horses and a hat, suggesting that Slater was killed in the flash flood, but he didn't find his body. You are going to make a full recovery, and to top it all off, Bonnie and the doctor have fallen in love. I'm going to walk out this door now and let you decide what you want to do. Let me know when you want to talk."

Lee turned and walked towards the door, suddenly stopping he told Mort one more bit of information, "By the way, Jake Slater's real name is Jack Carter and he was Bonnie's older brother, a brother she hadn't seen for fifteen years and who she thought was dead. She was overjoyed to learn he was still alive and she was enjoying getting to know him again. But this morning she told me that he was an evil man and she wishes she'd never seen him again and was glad he was dead." With a nod, he turned on his heel and left Mort with his own thoughts.

MC MC MC MC

Leaning back into my pillows, I thought, 'Was nothing ever easy?' I lay there trying to assimilate all the information that Lee had thrown at me and so far the only thing I was thankful for was that Slater was dead. I've very rarely ever felt this way about anyone and I know that it's wrong of me, but the man was evil and had no remorse, I could still hear his sinister laugh as he exited the stagecoach, it is a sound I will never forget as long as I live.

Bonnie had lived in Laramie about five years and had proven herself a hard working woman who was well liked by everyone. She was always available when someone was ill or needed a little helping hand. She had even helped Sara and me when we were all down sick with colds by cooking meals and delivering them on her way to work.

I wasn't sure what I should do, my heart was telling me to let Bonnie walk away, but the lawman in me held her accountable for helping a prisoner escape, regardless of my fate, she was guilty of that. And the fact that it happened on my watch was eating at me, I had never let a prisoner escape and it was really bothersome that I had lost this one.

But the prisoner was dead, no one knew she had anything to do with it except me … and Lee … so who would be hurt by letting her go free?

And she was in love, who am I to deny a pretty young woman a chance at a good life with a successful doctor. With my mind made up I called, "Lee! I'm ready to talk."

MC MC MC MC

Lee heard Mort call his name, but instead of going back in he turned to Sara, "I think you and Mort need to talk things over and decide together on what you want to do. Sara, this whole situation is weighing awfully heavy on Mort's mind and conscience, he needs to talk it out and you're the one who needs to help him through it."

Sara of course didn't know the whole story, but she knew a prisoner had gone free and she knew what that must be doing to her husband, hugging Lee, she told him, "Thank you."

Sara grabbed a couple of cups of coffee and headed for the bedroom. She stopped in the doorway when she saw that Mort looked like he was sleeping, she quietly whispered, "Mort?"

His eyes popped open and when he saw her in the doorway, he smiled and asked, "Is that coffee? How did you know I've been dying for a cup?" A look of sadness came over his face as he said, "I guess that wasn't exactly the right words to say, was it?"

She smiled at his play on words and setting the cups on the night stand, she retrieved another pillow and helping him sit up, she fluffed the ones behind him and added the other, so that he was sitting up straighter. She noticed that he winced when he sat up, "Does that hurt too much? What can I do to ease the pain?"

"No, I'm fine, just a little twinge, but it's gone now. Where's that coffee? I think I could drink a whole pot."

Laughing Sara handed him the now half cold cup, which he nearly inhaled! "You weren't joking, I'll get some more."

As she stood to go get more, Mort grabbed her arm and stopped her, "Not right now … I … I need to talk to you about what's happened, I want you to know the whole story and help me make some decisions. I'll tell you everything then we can discuss it, if that's all right." At Sara's nod he began explaining all that had transpired since leaving Laramie.

With a sad smile he finished the explanations with, "I guess I should have let the posse have their way that night after we caught up to the gang. They were ready to hang Slater, but I stopped them, even knowing in my heart that he was guilty of the robbery, as well as the murders." Looking deep into Sara's eyes, he admitted, "There are times when this badge weighs mighty heavy on my chest and gets in the way of what I know is ethically right, but not right in the eyes of the law. That night was one of them and my decision ruined a young woman's life, as well as getting a good man killed, not to mention nearly killing me." He leaned back into his pillows, looking up at the ceiling, "Now I have to decide the fate of a young woman who is partly to blame for this whole affair. According to what Lee has said, she feels remorse and shame for what has happened and now she's fallen in love and could have a long, happy life ahead of her ... if I make the right decision. Oh Sara … what do I do? My badge tells me to arrest her and charge her for the crimes, but my heart says to overlook all that."

Sara had listened quietly to Mort, knowing how much he loved his job and how he felt responsible for losing his prisoner. She also knew that he hated Slater for murdering two of their dear friends, and how he had tried to put his personal feelings aside and just do his job. She suddenly realized why he had not wanted to regain consciousness, he didn't want to have to face the reality of what he deemed was his failure to do his job. And now he was faced with what to do about Bonnie.

Taking his hand in hers she told him, "Sweetheart, you acted just like any good lawman would have done. You have always said that too many officers of the law think they are the judge, jury and executioner and you hoped you would never get to be like that. And you haven't, you stood by your convictions and beliefs, you didn't make a decision, you followed the law, therefore you were not wrong. Now concerning Bonnie, I agree what she did was wrong and for the wrong reasons, but they say 'love is blind' for a reason. It's obvious that she hates herself for what she believed she had done, and I feel she will continue to hate herself for a very long time. I wouldn't want to see you add to her self-loathing by charging her with a crime. But it's your decision, you wanted my opinion and I've given it, whatever you decide I will stand beside you all the way."

Mort squeezed Sara's hand, "Every day I see so many more reasons why I love you. You have always been my voice of reason and once again you have given me an unbiased opinion, one that I agree with one hundred percent. Thank you." At which time he pulled her into his embrace and sealed his love with a kiss. Pulling away, he happily declared, "I'm starved, do you suppose I could get a nice juicy steak for supper?"

Sara laughed and after one more kiss said, "I'll see what I can scrounge up. I doubt that the doctor will approve of a steak, but I'm sure some nice hot, beef broth could be on your menu."

"Sara," she turned with a question in her eyes, "could you ask Lee to step in, I need to tell him my decision so he can let Bonnie know."

Sara smiled and nodded, "I'll send him in. You're doing the right thing Sweetheart."

MC MC MC MC

After leaving the house Doctor Crenshaw walked to the corral, where he was leaning on the rail trying to compose himself. He wasn't one to show his emotions, especially to a stranger and why Sheriff Cory sparked those emotions he couldn't fathom, maybe it was the fact that he was so sincere in his thanks and the fact that the doctor had held out no hope for his survival. Regardless of the reasons he was very thankful that the sheriff had survived.

"Bob?" Bonnie placed her hand on the doctor's shoulder, "Are you all right? You left the house in such a hurry that I was afraid something had happened."

Turning to face her, he wondered just when it was that he fell in love with her … they had only known one another for twenty-four hours, how could it be possible? He felt as if he'd known her forever and wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, "Bonnie, I don't have much to my name right now, but I know that I will find somewhere I can hang my sign and then I will be able to provide for a wife … would you consent to being that wife? I know it's sudden and if you would rather not …" Bonnie's lips stilled his words as she hugged him to her.

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The next morning the doctor and Bonnie walked into the house arm in arm to find everyone at the breakfast table, even Sheriff Cory had been able to join them, with a little assistance.

"I have an announcement to make," clearing his throat nervously he blurted out, "Bonnie and I are getting married! We'd like to have the ceremony here with all of you in attendance. We don't know anyone else we would rather have and we would consider it an honor to have you all join us."

"That's wonderful news! We're so happy for both of you." Everyone was talking at once and congratulating the couple.

Bonnie called out, "Can I have your attention? Please, I have something I want to ask. Everyone has been so nice to me, even knowing what I have done and I want to thank you all, especially Sheriff Cory, I appreciate it. I want you all to be a part of our wedding, but I would especially like to ask …" she took a deep breath, afraid to ask the question for fear of rejection, but she summoned the courage and looking at Mort she proceeded, "I would like to ask Sheriff Cory if he would walk me down the aisle."

The question shocked Mort, to say the least. He had always liked Bonnie, she was an ambitious, hard working young woman who had a great sense of humor and he always thought that she would make some young man a wonderful wife. But walk her down the aisle, that's what a father's supposed to do and he wasn't supposed to do that for another eight or ten years, when Katie found her love. He glanced at Sara, wondering what she was thinking and what he saw was a smile and a slight nod of her head, giving him the answer he needed.

"Bonnie Jean, I would be honored to give the bride away!" He slowly stood and she rushed into his arms crying, as he whispered to her, "You will be a beautiful bride and Doctor Crenshaw is a very lucky man."

Crenshaw stated, "Well, now that we have that taken care of, I would like to ask Sheriff Tatlock if he would be my best man. I don't have a ring at this time, but I still need someone at my side. Would you consider doing this for me Sheriff?"

Sara noticed that Mrs. Pomeroy was dabbing at her eyes and quietly excused herself. She disappeared into her room, offering no explanations. Sara assumed that she was remembering a like event from her life and didn't give it any more thought at the time.

Like Mort, Lee was surprised at the request, but also honored, "Doctor, I will consider being your best man, on one condition."

"Anything, you just name it." The doctor replied quickly.

"As I remember a best man is usually a good friend of the groom's and good friends normally know each other's names, therefore in order for me to be your best man you will have to begin calling me by my name, which is Lee!"

The look of surprise that crossed Dr. Crenshaw's face caused everyone to start laughing, embarrassing the good doctor, who quickly recovered, offering the sheriff his hand, he replied, "Of course, you are correct and I do hope and believe that our friendship will continue to grow … Lee!"

During the laughter and congratulations Mort spoke up, "I believe we've all forgotten one important item." Everyone stopped and gave him their full attention. "Where's the preacher or minister? It's kinda difficult to have a wedding without one or the other."

Looking at his watch, Lee proclaimed, "The southbound stage should be going by in the next half hour or so, I'll give them a message to deliver to Father O'Brien. If that's all right with the bride and groom?"

After the affirmative answer, Lee hurried out the door to catch the stage.

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Sandy and Sara immediately began planning the wedding feast and Bob and Bonnie left hand in hand to 'get some fresh air', or so they said, which left Mort sitting at the kitchen table by himself. Staring into his now empty coffee cup, he was amazed at how the horrendous events of the last few days had led to such a wonderful ending. Smiling to himself, he carefully got to his feet and slowly made his way to the comfortable looking easy chair that rested in front of the fireplace, easing himself into it he found it just as comfortable as it looked and immediately fell asleep.

Even though Sandy and Sara were busy planning, Sara was keeping an eye on her husband. Watching him get up, she stifled the urge to run and help him, but she kept a watchful eye on him as he made his way to the chair and breathed a sigh of relief as he eased himself into it.

Sandy noticed her friend's attention was focused on Mort and she mused, "Why do we put up with it? How many times have we watched our husbands recuperate from a knife or bullet wound or a beating, just to watch them go right back out there to do it all over again?"

Sara smiled and looking intently at one of her best friends, she summed it all up with just one little word, "Love! We wouldn't want them to be any other way, because that is what makes them who they are, who we fell in love with."

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The morning dawned bright and sunny, it would be a beautiful day for a wedding. If the minister had gotten the message … if he wasn't busy and if he felt like riding out to the ranch. It was a lot of ifs and the bride and groom were very anxious, so much so that Lee took the doctor fishing and the ladies put Bonnie to work on her dress.

All the chatter and preparations going on made me nervous, so I silently snuck out of the house to try and get some peace and quiet. I was standing on the porch taking in the surroundings when I spied the stagecoach, releasing a flood of memories that I would just as soon forget. I was playing back in my mind all the events that had taken place in that coach, as unbidden my feet were taking me to its door, unconsciously my hand grasped the handle, opening the door to …

"Sheriff Cory!" The shout brought me back to the present, shaking my head to clear my thoughts I released the handle and turned to see who had called me. I spotted Bonnie jogging down from the house, saying as she continued towards me, "There you are, we suddenly realized that you had disappeared and have been looking for you." She glanced at the stage, then back to me, "You really don't want to look in there, do you? We would both be better off if we could forget what happened … I know I still have nightmares and I'm sure you are having awful memories. Let's try to put it all behind us, all right?"

Looking at her, I saw a beautiful young woman who was going to be married in the next few hours, but just as plainly I saw a desperate woman who had broken the law in order to live what she thought would be a life of ease. Would I ever be able to see only the beautiful young woman?

"I can almost read you mind, Sheriff Cory. And I can't blame you for those thought's, I have the same ones … I so wish I could turn back the clock so that none of us would have to live with what happened in that coach. But I can't, you can't, no one can, so we just have to go on with our lives the best we can. I have found a wonderful man, whom I love with all my heart and the best part is he feels the same about me … you have a lovely wife and a beautiful daughter who love you more than life itself and whom you love with all your being. So let's make a promise to each other right now to do our very best to forget that stagecoach ever existed and only remember the good things that have happened after."

She stood, staring at me, holding her breath. I stared back for the longest time, wondering if I could forget. Suddenly I knew that I could, maybe not forget everything, but I could forget that Bonnie was a part of it. I smiled as I took her hands in mine, "I promise … now there's one thing you have to get straight! My name is Mort, not Sheriff Cory, do you understand?" She released her held breath and nodded her head. We were both laughing as we walked back to the house arm in arm.

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Father O'Brien arrived that afternoon, bearing the surprise of a beautiful bouquet of flowers for the bride, her Maids of Honor and ring bearer, even though there was no ring, as well as a rose for the groom, best man and me. We were ready for a wedding, except Gladys and Katie were missing. Just about the time we were going to begin searching for them, they came out of Mrs. Pomeroy's room, each with a smug look on their face.

I walked Bonnie down the makeshift aisle between the kitchen table and the fireplace, where I delivered her to the groom, who was nervously waiting alongside his best man. The good Father began the wedding ceremony; everything went well until he got to the part where he asked if the doctor had a ring. The doc began to explain that he was going to buy one at a later date when Katie walked up to him carrying a small cushion with a ring lying in the middle of it. He and Bonnie both gasped when they saw the ring, a beautiful gold ring with a small diamond adorned the pillow.

"I don't understand," the doctor began, "I have no ring. Katie, where did you get this, did you find it here in the house?"

Gladys stepped forward, "Don't be accusing the child of pilfering Doctor. The ring 'tis mine, my dear husband slipped it on my finger nearly fifty years ago. He and I had a long talk the other night after I heard you say that you didn't have a ring and we both agreed that we want you to have it. It was a symbol of Derick's and my love for many years until he joined the Lord and we know that you will wear it for many more years as your symbol and hopefully you will bear a daughter who will cherish it as you will." All the women were crying by now and us men were a bit teary eyed also. "Now young man, put the ring on her finger!"

"But, what about your daughter, shouldn't it go to her?"

Gladys shook her head, "No, my daughter is already married and they cannot have children and I can't think of anyone I would rather see have my ring than you and Bonnie. Now get on with the service!"

The Father began again, "Do you, Robert Crenshaw take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife and do you Bonnie Jean Carter take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?" After an affirmative answer from both, he continued, "Please place the ring on her finger … you may now kiss the bride!"

After shaking the groom's hand and kissing the bride Lee and I headed for the snack and drink table. After taking a swallow of the punch, that to our joy had been spiked, Lee offered a comment, "That's one marriage I believe will last until death. It kind of reminds me of yours and Sara's wedding, kind of rushed!"

Laughing, I thought back to that day nearly twelve years ago. I had met and married Sara all in less than a month, "Yes, and our love is still just as sweet as the day I married her."

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The new Mr. and Mrs. Crenshaw left the next morning for Cheyenne, along with Mrs. Pomeroy and Father O'Brien. Lee and Sandy left later that day, leaving Sara, Katie and me alone at the ranch. Lee said he would have the northbound stage swing by and pick us up in the morning.

We spent the day resting up after the excitement of yesterday's wedding. I especially was worn out and was still tired, even after a good night's sleep, so I had made good use of the front porch swing and the chair in front of the fireplace for most of the day. Sara and Katie were cleaning and packing what little clothing and personal items we had and by the time supper rolled around, we were ready to go.

After supper I sat dozing in the chair in front of the fireplace when Katie walked up, "Papa?"

I opened my eyes to see a sad little girl standing before me. I opened my arms and she climbed onto my lap, "Why the long face? You look like you've lost your best friend."

She snuggled against my chest, her fingers playing with the buttons on my shirt then finally looking into my face told me, "When are we going home? I miss my friends."

Kissing her forehead, I hugged her tight, "Oh Sweetheart … we'll be home tomorrow night and the next day you can visit and play with all your friends. How does that sound?" She kissed my cheek and snuggling closer, we fell asleep together.

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The stage arrived mid morning, trailing four horses behind and an extra driver. Before loading our luggage, they pulled a set of harness out of the coach for each horse. As I was watching it dawned on me that they were going to take the other stage back to Cheyenne … I never had looked inside and true to my promise to Bonnie I never thought of it again …

BACK TO THE PRESENT

"I thought that killed ya."

I was rubbing the scar on my chest and looking at the prisoner in shock ... memories flashing through my head, memories I swore I would never think of again …

Jess put his hand on my shoulder and asked once again, "Mort … are you all right? Mort?"

Shaking off Jess' hand, I looked into the cold steel gray eyes of Jake Slater! A man who for twelve years I thought was dead, the man who had killed me … a man I swore I would watch hang …

"It did, twice … but I was bound and determined to live to find the man responsible. I told you at that time I would watch you hang and now, after all these years, I'll finally see it happen."

Slater should have been nervous, but he was as cool as an iceberg. The last time I received that look from him I nearly died, but I had the upper hand now and he wasn't going to escape the hangman this time.

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I walked into the back room and finished shaving and while I was dressing I thought back to that day twelve years ago, when I told Slater that I would see him hang one day. I thought I had been cheated out of it when all the evidence pointed to him having died in a flash flood, but now maybe my promise would come true.

Jess brought me a cup of coffee and once again asked me what was going on. It was an hour and a pot of coffee later when I finished telling him what had happened. "You wondered why I was so hostile towards this prisoner and at the time I really couldn't give you a reason, but there was something about him … something that I just couldn't put my finger on. His looks are totally different, he's clean shaven, his hair is nearly white and he's limping badly, I don't think his own kin would know him. The only thing that hasn't changed are his eyes, I've never seen such cruelty and loathing in anyone, and it still unnerves me." I got up to fill my cup, but found an empty pot on a cold stove, turning to Jess I said, "Let's go have some breakfast."

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After breakfast Jess bid me goodbye, telling me that no doubt Slim had let all the work go and he would have to catch it all up. Laughing at the look on his face, I slapped him on the shoulder and told him, "Just think of it as job security Son."

Jess looked into his good friend's eyes and told him, "If you need someone to cover for you, or help out in some way, just send word with Mose and I'll come running. I want to make sure Slater gets what's coming to him for what he's done to you, and his sister."

I was fighting my emotions, trying not to show how much Jess's offer affected me, "Thank you Son, I appreciate the offer, but I think that I can handle things until the judge gets here. If not, I'll send for you pronto. Give Slim and Daisy my best and tell them I appreciate them letting you ride posse with me." I shook his hand and bid him goodbye.

I grabbed the tray with the prisoner's breakfast on it and headed for the office, but on the way I stopped by the telegraph office and sent a wire to Judge Fisher, explaining to him that I had Slater in jail and needed him to set a date for a trial.

I delivered breakfast to Slater then sat in my office to wait for a reply from the judge and try to catch up on my reports. But I couldn't concentrate on my work, I kept remembering back to the day I was shot.

I hadn't given much thought about it until this morning when Slater mentioned my scar then the memories came flooding back. It was a month after being shot before I had gone back to work, granted I wasn't at a hundred percent, but I got the job done and I got stronger each day. Then it was a little over a year later that I lost my wife and daughter to the influenza epidemic … that was just about the undoing of me and if it hadn't been for good friends I'm not sure I would have recovered from it.

So much has happened since then that Slater had been the last thing on my mind and now all I could hope for was a speedy trial and execution. I'm not one to encourage executions, but in cases like Slater's I'm a strong advocate against life in prison, there's no sense in the public having to pay to keep some scum in prison when there's no chance of them leading a productive and law abiding life on the outside.

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I was just finishing up my last report when my deputy came in to relieve me so I could go have supper. Cal Peterson, my normal deputy and his wife were out of town visiting her folks, so Ben Littleton was filling in. Ben worked for the stage company and only filled in when I really needed someone and after the posse returned I had asked him to relieve me during meals so there would be someone at the jail at all times.

I signed the last report and closing the folder, I stood up and greeted the deputy, "Evening Ben, I'll be as quick as I can so you can get home to your family."

I grabbed my hat off the coat tree and started for the door. "Take your time Mort, I'm in no hurry. Seems as though Carol Ann has the women's club meeting at our house this evening and I'm in no hurry to get home to that!"

Laughing, I slapped him on the shoulder, "Can't say as I blame you Ben. Maybe we can play some checkers when I get back, so's you don't have to go home for a while."

"Thanks Mort, that'd be great. See you in an hour or so." I settled my hat and headed down the street to the café. If I wasn't mistaken the special tonight was fresh elk steak and I was hungry.

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I was enjoying my steak when Jason from the telegraph office stopped by my table, clearing his throat he said, "Excuse me Sheriff, but I have a telegram for you." Jason had been working for the telegraph office for better than twelve years and had been learning telegraphy in the hopes of replacing Mr. Graham, who had been talking about retiring so he could spend his time fishing.

He handed me a slip of paper with my name scribbled on the outside, "Thank you Jason." I pressed some coins into his hand and he thanked me as he turned and walked away.

I put the message in my pocket and proceeded to finish my steak, it was too good to let get cold. After I finished off my slice of apple pie and was enjoying another cup of coffee I pulled the telegram out of my pocket. Just as I opened it I heard gunshots, fearing the worst I jumped up and ran out the door. As my feet hit the boardwalk I saw the jailhouse door fly open and out ran Jake Slater, aka Jack Carter!

With gun in hand I hollered, "Slater! Drop the gun!" Instead of obeying he turned and fired in my direction, I had no choice but to fire back, the shot knocking him to the ground, where he lay unmoving.

I cautiously approached him, my gun ready to fire again if necessary. Using my foot, I turned him onto his back. He had a slug in his chest and was bleeding badly, but he smiled evilly and said, "I told you … that you'd never see … me hang." He coughed once and closed those cruel steel gray eyes for the last time.

I holstered my gun and turned to the jail just in time to see Ben stagger to the door, "I'm sorry Mort … Slater called out and when I went to see what was wrong he was lying on the floor. As soon as I unlocked the door and leaned over him he jumped me and wrestled my gun away, guess I was pretty lucky I was only wounded."

"Yes, you were very lucky Ben. Let's get you to the doctor, doesn't look bad, but we'll have it checked out." A crowd was gathering around Slater's body and on the way by I asked a couple of the men to haul his body to the undertakers.

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On the way back from the doctor's I stopped at the telegraph office and sent two messages, one was to Bonnie Jean informing her that her brother had survived the flash flood, but hadn't survived trying to escape from jail. I let her know that the county would bury him unless she wanted something done differently.

The other message was in answer to the one I had received at supper and it went to Carlton Fisher, the circuit judge: 'Your services no longer required. Stop. Prisoner killed while trying to escape. Stop. Case closed. Stop. Sheriff Mort Cory'

The End

Thank you for reading.

Notes:

1 - 1858 Henry Silvester, a London physician, creates the chest-pressure arm-lift method: raise the patient's arms up to expand the chest, then cross the arms over the chest to apply expiratory pressure.

2 - 1732 In Alloa, Scotland, local surgeon William Tossach uses mouth-to-mouth breaths to revive a suffocated coal-pit miner. Dr. Tossach documents the success 12 years later, in what may be the first clinical description of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation in medical literature.

3 - 1640s, from Latinized form of Greek kōma (genitive kōmatos) "deep sleep," which is of uncertain origin. A term for "coma" in Middle English was false sleep (late 14c.).