Sorry that my "coming soon" was a little later than I expected! Thanks again to my reviewers!




It didn't take Vin long to pick up Chris and Buck's trail. Trouble was, he liked little where it lead. "Barlet's Pass," he breathed in angry, concern.

"I heard of a whole regiment wiped out trying to make it through that pass, "Nathan supplied.

"If that was made to assuage my anxiety," Ezra drawled and looked pointedly to Nathan, "it failed miserably."

"I say we stop worrying and start riding," Josiah cut in.

Vin's replied by jumping back onto his horse and spurring him into a run. Nathan, Ezra, Josiah and JD were right beside him as they tore down the trail, praying that they wouldn't arrive just in time for Josiah to offer last rites to their friends.






I'll a go to yonder holler
And build me a still
I'll give you a gallon
For a five dollar bill

One bullet sent Buck's hat flying even as another skimmed across his forearm. But Wilmington didn't shrink back under cover but stood firmly where he knew he belonged, at Chris Larabee's side.

Two more gang members dropped to the ground as Chris and Buck's bullets hit their marks. Chris tried hard to ignore the zing of bullets as they streaked by him, pinged off the canyon walls at their backs and rebounded for yet another attempt to steal their lives. He knew the odds of survival weren't great but having Buck at his side brought him comfort like little else could. He was even beginning to think they were singing in tune.

Rye Whiskey, Rye Whiskey
Whiskey I cry
If a tree don't fall on me
I'll live till I die








JD heard the gunfire first and yelled over the thundering of hooves, "Gunfire's coming from over the next valley!"

"May God protect them," Josiah prayed as the men pushed their mounts even harder.

They were about to crest the hill when Ezra incredulously inquired, "Have I completely lost my senses or do I hear singing? And bad singing at that?"

Before anyone replied to Ezra, Vin doled out orders, "Josiah, JD, go right. Nathan, Ezra, we're heading left." And without a parting word the "Larabee gang" tore off in opposite directions.




As a bullet embedded into Buck's leg, he stumbled and would have fallen had Chris not wrapped an arm around his waist. And still they continued to shoot, regardless that their remaining three attackers were boldly advancing on them. Long ago the two friends had vowed to go out of this world fighting at each other's side. Thing was, Chris hadn't planned on his last words being some drinking song. But somehow it seemed kinda fitting. Drinking was one thing he and Buck did almost better than fighting- almost.

If the ocean was whiskey

Suddenly more voices joined in the song even as Buck and Chris watched as their foes fell under a rain of bullets.

And I was a duck
I'ld dive to the bottom
And never come up

Rye Whiskey echoed in the valley as the last gunshot faded and slowly the back up singers became visible to the Chris and Buck. The two shootist broke into smiles as the Larabee gang, all alive and counted for, finished the song,

Now the ocean ain't whiskey
And I ain't a duck
I'll play Jack of Diamond
And trust to my luck

Whiskey, Rye Whiskey
Whiskey I cry
If the whiskey don't kill me
I'll live till I die


TBC