Haslam Jackman regarded the stagecoach with a glum expression as the sun came up. "Moss, I think we should just give up on this. The marshal is gonna be out here if that stage don't come in and them fellers look like they're fixin' to wait forever."

His brother Moss huffed. "They don't got no water and no food to wait much longer. They'll give in."

"No, they won't!"

Haslam, Moss, and Bo whipped around, gaping up in astonishment. Luke McCain was at the top of the rock, staring down at them with a face like a thundercloud. Bo pulled on Moss' sleeve. "How'd he get up there?"

"I flew up!" shouted Luke. "Now you three start climbing down or I'll shoot you off!"

The brothers traded glances, shuffling their feet irresolutely, then slunk off down the dizzy goat track that led up to the ledge. Luke waved to the others down below and Cole came forward to take charge of the Jackfords as they reached the bottom. The big man looked back at the way he had come up and shuddered, then studied the rock leading down to the ledge. The goat track came almost all the way to the top and it was easy enough to slide down to it. Luke picked his way down, watched the whole way by his fellow travelers, and was almost knocked off his feet by Mark when he reached the ground.

He held his son tightly, the horror of the climb in the dark washed away by the arms around him. "I don't ever want to do that again."

Mark stood back. "Was it bad?"

"Bad enough." Luke glared at the Jackmans. They were standing by the stagecoach, watched closely by Sullivan and Denver. "Of all the stupid ideas you boys have ever had, this was the worst!"

"It warn't stupid!" flared Moss. "It's in the town charter! Pa said it's in the town charter that there can be a toll road."

Luke rolled his eyes. "Did you get to the part where it's the town that decides if there can be a toll road?"

"Oh." Moss looked crestfallen. His brothers pulled at him and started whispering. "Hush up!"

"How are we going to get them to town?" asked Mark.

Cole eyed the stagecoach. "I guess we can pile them on top. I hate to leave them up there without a guard, though."

"I can guard them," said Denver.

Sullivan smiled. "Didn't you say you were looking for work?"

"I did."

"You ride herd on these men on the way in and I'll hire you permanent." The inspector handed over his gun.

"Yes, sir!" Denver smiled widely. "Thank you, sir!"