Chapter 2
"Fellas I got one question," Nathan said as he washed up.
"What's that Nate?" Buck asked.
"How are we getting Peso OUT of my clinic?" the bemused healer asked. Stupefied looks were exchanged, they studied the door and landing and then the large horse.
"Hell if I know Buck muttered. Dev and Beau exchanged disgusted looks.
"Betht move," Beau called. Dev reached up and unsnapped the lead from Peso's halter. "Go home Petho," Beau ordered.
The big horse moved through the open door and out onto the landing. Tucking his legs up under himself until he was almost sitting he shifted until he faced down the stairs. Lowering his head he seemed to sniff each stair as he slowly made his way down.
Traffic had stopped in the street to watch. A drunken miner stumbled into the street in time to see the proceedings. Shaking his head he held up his bottle and poured it out. Nathan stood on the landing watching till his most recent patient made his way to the boardwalk. "I'll send you my bill," Nathan called calmly. Peso seemed to nod before sauntering back to the livery.
Nathan turned and reentered his clinic before collapsing against the wall as he lost control. Helpless laughter finally stopped. "Oh yah shoulda seen their faces," he chortled.
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Nathan stormed into the saloon fuming about not leaving the bandages alone and being more mule headed than any living thing had a right to be.
"Is Vin giving you problems?" JD asked.
"No every since I set the twins to watching him I haven't had the first bit of trouble," Nathan grinned evilly. "Of course stealing his britches helps too." Nathan mused. "It's that black monster in the stable. He keeps picking at the bandages. I keep telling him it's gonna get infected. If he don't leave it be. Doesn't listen any better than the rest of ya," Nathan scowled.
"Nate it's a horse," JD reminded cautiously.
"Of course he's a horse," Nathan growled. "Just thought he was smarter than the lot of you".
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Ezra rushed into the saloon. His complexion was a deep crimson. Garbled sounds came for the man's throat. Unable to support himself he collapsed into a chair close to the doors. Cautiously the regulators approached the afflicted man.
"Nate yah think it's the apoloxy?" Buck hissed in horror.
"I got no idea," Nathan stared.
Ezra shook his head and pounded his hands on the table. A clear giggle erupted and the hands jerked up to cover his mouth. Choked grunts exploded and Ezra began thumping his head gently on the table. Quickly Nathan moved to restrain him from harming himself. "
"Stable," Ezra squeaked and waved towards the door.
Vin silently slunk out of the saloon. Tha twins been wit' Peso fer a spell now. Cain't believe we's stupid enough ta go off and leave 'em after the last time. Taking a deep breath at the door before entering Vin braced himself for what ever would come.
Ah HELL! I weren't never gonna be ready fer this. Vin backed out of the livery. Turning he put his back against the wall and slid down into the dust. Snickers over came him and he fell over onto his side.
"Chris it's contagious it's got Vin too," Buck pointed uneasily from the saloon's batwing doors.
"Nathan said it's not a sickness, Buck," Chris reminded.
"Then we best send Josiah 'cause Vin's been possessed. Josiah can preform an exorcism," Buck said seriously.
Josiah frowned took a large drink of his beer and walked out heading towards the livery.
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Reaching the door Josiah disappeared into the dim building. "Fools and children," he smiled faintly as he stood looking in the box stall at Peso.
"Unca Nathan thaid he had ta keep hith bandageth clean," Beau whispered softly looking in. Peso stood head down and rump turned towards them. His ears seemed to hang down the sides of his head in misery. If ever an animal was embarrassed this one was it.
"Nathan has got to see this," Josiah grinned. Picking up a lead rein he approached. Peso never even twitched. Josiah flinched as the big dark eyes looked at him in betrayal.
Peso didn't put up a fight and followed along behind Josiah with his head down to his knees. Everyone stopped and stared. Josiah was certain he heard the other horses snickering. Peso shuffled along behind till they reached the saloon. The few times the horse started to balk Josiah let him see the pleased twins. Giving a deep sigh the horse would continue.
"I don't need a drink after all," Wilbur the telegraph clerk turned around and went home, when he spotted the horse.
"Hey Nathan! The boys have taken care of your bandage problem," Josiah called. The regulators came to the doors and stared.
"What in the hell?" Buck stepped out to look closer. Chris sighed and turned back to the bar. JD's mouth worked but nothing came out.
"Why's Peso wearing pants?" Billy Travis demanded.
"Ta keep him from gettin' hith bandage dirty," Beau responded.
"OK, Do you want to play?" Billy asked.
"Thure," Beau answered and the twins took off.
Peso showed dignity as he ignored the gawkers. His front legs were covered by a pair of trousers. The suspenders crossed over his withers keeping them in place.
"Reckon Ez is gonna want a pair for Chaucer," Buck whistled.
"Why do you think that?" Nathan asked curiously.
"Peso looks plumb stylish don't yah think?" Buck grinned.
Everyone but JD entered the saloon. JD walked over to Peso and glared. "Take care of my pants you hear me." he growled.
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Horse can and will go up and down stairs.
A pig on the other hand will not go back down a hardwood stair case. That is another story.
I had a mare one time that I feed cookies this way while she was shoed.
I really did put a pair of bib overalls on a horse once to keep it from picking at a sore.
