Jed walked into the saloon on Archie's heels. He immediately felt several eyes turn to them, well more accurately to the man in front and quickly became aware of a sudden increase in tension. Being so close to him, he also saw the gunslinger's shoulders tighten, though to the casual observer it would have appeared he'd not noticed anything amiss. Jed following his lead said quietly. "I ain't sure they're keen on you in here. Maybe we oughta find another place." It was hardly the only saloon in town and while Jed wasn't scared, he just wanted a quiet drink as they'd been riding for hours and he was stiff and tired.
Archie didn't look back at him, simply continued walking to the bar. "Well, I ain't looking for trouble, just wanting to wash some of that trail dust outta my mouth. You're welcome to go check into the hotel if you're worried, son."
Jed wasn't sure if he'd imagined the challenge in Beckman's tone, but he felt his neck stiffen in response to the comment and shrugged. "Like you say, we just want a beer."
They sat at the far end of the bar and Archie smiled personably at the bartender. "Now you've no need to be looking so nervous. My young friend and I are just wanting a drink to wash the taste of the trail off our tongues, then we'll be out of your hair!"
The barman glanced at them then at the four men at the other end of the bar, who were the ones obviously looking for trouble and awkwardly sloshed weak looking beer into two glasses. "That'll be twenty cents." Archie handed the money to the bartender who quickly took it, before moving back to the far wall well out of the way. Jed smothered a sigh as Archie winked at him. The ring leader of the motley crew was staring at them, bravado likely somewhat fuelled by excessive alcohol intake, the view was confirmed by the slight slur to his words. "I'm sure I know you from somewhere old man. You don't usually have no snot nosed kid tagging after ya though, so mebbe I'm mistaken, but I'm thinking you're Bullet Beckman, leastwise you used to be!"
Jed bristled and tensed, but when Archie laid a heavy hand on his shoulder, he blew out a heavy breath. "They're just walk-offs, Jed. It ain't worth letting them get ya all riled up."
"He's sure got you on a short lead boy, guess he don't want no greenhorn embarrassing him none. But I bet he ain't nowhere near as fast now as he was in his prime."
This was from another of the idiots, the tone arrogant enough that Jed pulled out of his mentor's grip without much thought and said fiercely. "I ain't no greenhorn and The Bullet can still outshoot the lot of you."
He heard Archie sigh and he looked up apologetically, knowing he'd hardly helped to calm things down, but the older man shook his head with a smile and said quietly. "Never mind Jed, these folk ain't gonna back down whatever we do or don't do." He squeezed Jed's shoulder and stepped in front of him and said more loudly. "Look boys, we're just wanting a quiet drink here." He turned to the barman who was watching them all with his eyes wide. "Don't seem fair bothering these folk with our little dispute."
"Well, we just ain't keen on your sorta people in our town." The man who was obviously appointed chief idiot spoke again, to general laughter from his companions.
Jed heard Archie take a breath and straighten into a stance that he'd become very familiar with. "Well son, you know what we got here. We got ourselves a walk-off."
The leader of the fool loudmouths who had shifted into a mirror image of Archie's stance glared, his voice even louder now. "You'd better explain yourself old man!"
"It'll be my pleasure!" Archie took another breath and cocked his head to one side as Jed too shifted to an on guard stance. "When the good Lord was making men, he got a whole bunch of 'em all whomped up together and then he decided to knock off for the rest of the day, thinking he'd put the brains in later. But guess what? A whole bunch of them critters just upped and walked off before he ever got back. And that's what we've got here. A few of 'em in fact, ain't that right?"
This was directed at Jed, who was unsuccessfully trying not to grin as he replied. "Sure seems that way!"
"You better be ready to back that up old man. If those rumours is true, I'm sure I can beat ya!"
"Well, there's only one way to put that view to the test. After you fellas." Archie waved towards the door.
XXX
Jed exited the saloon an hour or so after dark, a smile dancing on his lips, as he thought of the Lovely Lydia. Archie had turned in a couple of hours previously, but slightly too keyed up from the afternoon's events, Jed had lingered in the saloon to enjoy a couple of drinks and the company of the prettiest and sweetest girl in there. He turned towards the hotel, having to cross the mouth of an alley to do so. As he reached halfway he heard movement behind him and swirled round as four shadowy forms advanced on him. Before he could react beyond his hand going towards his gun, something heavy hit the side of his head with a thud and he stumbled against the wall as a fist landed painfully on his left cheek and before he could even land a punch, he found himself tightly held between two men unable to move as two others took turns to hit and kick him hard, until the only thing holding him up was the tight painful grip on his arms.
Then just as suddenly as it had begun, it was over and he was let go, only to fall to the ground in a bloodied, beaten heap. As he lay unable to move, hardly even aware enough to be angry, one of the men knelt next to his ear and growled into it. "Now I hope this is a message in a language The Bullet understands. It means get out of town and don't come back." The man then twisted the ear painfully, before standing up and moving away. Harsh fading laughter was the last thing Jed heard before losing his fight to stay conscious.
He woke to find himself lying on a soft bed, wondering where on earth he was, he sat up quickly to take in his surroundings, but then had to lie straight back down again as a sudden wave of nausea threatened to develop into full blown sickness as his body protested. He realised with some shock, that he was back in the hotel room, though he had no memory of getting there. Squinting round the room, he saw that he was alone, although it was clear that Archie too was still around too.
Jed blinked, turning his head to face the wall, as the sun streaming through the window was hurting his head. With a groan as the patterned wallpaper began to blur, he closed his eyes, thinking maybe he should just go back to sleep. Next time he woke, maybe he'd feel more like he was alive.
He was nearly asleep when a thought struck him hard. Where the hell was Archie? He knew that his absence, given what had happened to him, couldn't be a good thing. With a muffled groan he forced himself to sit back up. Slowly he moved to the edge of the bed and waited for the room to stop spinning, before taking stock. Someone had undressed him to his long-johns, he'd been cleaned up some and his gun was lying in it's usual place.
He spotted his clothes neatly folded on a chair and stumbled over to them, dressing as quickly as he could without falling over, before tying on his gun, noting that it was spotlessly clean as he did so. Taking a deep breath, he exited the room and then walked unsteadily down the stairs out into the street.
He hesitated unsure of what to do next, until he heard raised voices echoing from somewhere off to his left. He recognised one of them as Archie, so he followed the sound until he found the gunslinger and two of the men from the saloon facing off, yelling at each other. None of them had drawn their guns, but Jed knew full well that it was only a matter of time before they did.
Too caught up in their confrontation, the men had neither seen or heard him arrive, so taking advantage of their distraction, he leant carefully against the wall, with his hand resting on his gun. The position served two purposes, it gave him a good view and the wall meant he had something to hold, which hopefully might prevent an embarrassing and painful nosedive to the floor.
Blinking away dizziness and wiping his forehead to stop the sweat dripping into his eyes, he raised his voice. "Now there's two of us and two of you. Kinda evens things out some." Hoping his voice didn't sound as breathless as the ache in his chest suggested, he tried to look as intimidating as he could and the man facing Archie sniffed as he replied tersely. "Guess we just didn't beat ya hard enough kid, because it's clear that The Bullet here didn't get our message." Jed gritted his teeth and was about to reply when Archie's voice broke in.
He sounded calm enough, but his tone held a snap of anger that ramped the tension up another notch. "Weren't no need to involve the boy at all. You're not only a walk-off, you're also a coward."
"What did you call me?" Jed recognised the man as the main ring leader from the saloon and the one who'd been embarrassed the previous afternoon by having his holster shot off in front of most of the town. He also knew he'd been the man who'd hissed in his ear as he'd lain bleeding. He straightened the best he could and took a steadying breath as the world started to tilt. It took some effort but he was able to concentrate on the scene playing out in front of him, ready to provide whatever help Beckman might need.
"You heard me." Archie's voice was even and steady and he didn't look in the least bit worried, even to Jed's knowledgable gaze, but he still found himself taking a sharp breath when the man dropped his hand to his gun as he said angrily. "You care to repeat that?"
"What, you're hard of hearing too? But I sure ain't got no problem saying it again seeing as you're asking so nicely and all. You're a coward and a small man." Archie didn't even change his tone from it's even pitch as he repeated himself.
Jed tensed, ready to jump in, but it was all over in a flash, a dual crack of bullets and the man was on the floor clutching his arm, as Archie holstered his weapon.
Jed quickly drew his own gun and trained it on the fallen man's companion as he showed signs of being stupid. "I wouldn't. I think the best thing you can do is go pick your friend up and then just get out of here."
The man nodded and ran over to his prostrate and groaning companion, before helping him to his feet and guiding him towards what Jed assumed was the doctor's place.
Jed believing the crisis over was about to holster his own weapon, when he caught a flash of light out of the corner of his eye, he somehow knew it was a gun barrel and without needing to think simply fired a single shot, which brought the man hidden in the shadows, stumbling into view clutching his hand in pain with his gun hanging down.
Jed seeing the man was no longer a danger, looked away and towards Archie who was walking over to him. As Beckman came to his side, he managed to smile even as his legs began to shake from the pain shooting through his body. As their eyes met, Jed thought for a moment that The Bullet's face held something that looked close to admiration, but as the expression was so fleeting and the pain fierce enough that concentrating on anything was hard, he couldn't be sure.
Archie offered him a steadying arm which he leaned into gratefully, because now the excitement was over, he was definitely struggling to stay upright. As they walked carefully out onto the main street, Archie said softly. "I wish we could just ride out of this damned hell-town, Jed, but I gotta go square things with the sheriff, before those idiots get their lies believed."
Jed nodded as they continued their slow pace back towards the hotel, him leaning heavily on the older man, as he forced words out, fighting to stay conscious against the pounding in his head, which had increased to the point that it was drowning out just about anything else. "I'll just empty the room..." He never finished his sentence as everything started to go grey and fuzzy at the edges as his legs crumpled under him.
He was vaguely aware that Archie had caught him and that he was being lowered gently to the ground, and the last thing he heard before everything went black was."You ain't always wise, but there sure ain't no doubting your determination."
XXX
He came round again back in bed, but this time Archie was sitting in a chair by him reading a newspaper. Jed looked blearily round and realised with some disquiet that this was the same hotel room he'd woken up in the last time, and with a tight feeling in his stomach, he wondered just how much trouble they were in by still being in this nasty little town. He attempted to get out of bed, thinking they probably needed to be somewhere else fairly quickly, now that he was conscious. Archie's attention was drawn towards him by his movement and he put down the paper, his tone very dry as he said. "What do you think you're doing young man?"
"We oughta get outta here." Jed continued to struggle to untangle himself from the sheets, but was soon breathless and didn't resist when Archie laughed softly and gently pushed him back down, grateful for the softness on his still aching body. He felt no small relief as Beckman continued. "We ain't broken any laws son, in fact it was those troublemakers that did the breaking. Sheriff didn't have no problem with us- seems it's not the first time those jackasses have caused some trouble." He laughed as he added. "Maybe the last though!"
Jed closed his eyes in some relief that he didn't have to move as he whispered. " I sure hope we don't have too much of this kinda trouble. It's kinda painful."
Archie cleared his throat and squeezed his shoulder gently which caused him to reopen his eyes to see what was wrong. "When you're well, we're gonna have us a proper conversation about the future."
Jed despite his foggy brain, was caught by the serious tone and a thought struck him. Perhaps he'd accidentally insulted the gunfighter by stepping into his fight. He could even think Jed had believed he wasn't up to looking after himself, which was very far from the truth. Desperate to try and make sure Archie knew that hadn't been what he'd meant at all, he tried to prevent his eyes closing, but despite his best efforts he failed, although just before the fuzziness in his head spiked, making forming coherent words far too difficult, he managed a quiet. "I'm real sorry if I stepped over a line, Sir. I won't do it again."
On the edge of slipping back into sleep, he felt Archie lean over him, as a warm laugh was accompanied by a gentle pat on his cheek."I'd be no kind of man, if I were annoyed at someone for saving my life. No, you didn't step over no line, son. I just...don't worry about it yet Jed, we'll talk when you're more alert."
XXX
Heyes ran at full pelt, his horse had got loose somehow while they were robbing the bank in Carlton, which had left him no choice but to attempt an escape on foot. He kept as low as he could in the scrubby grass, his heart pounding in his ears as he struggled to catch his breath. Barely avoiding falling as his tired legs began to betray him and the loose stones under his feet threatened to prove his undoing.
The posse was nearly on him, when he finally reached the fast flowing river at the foot of the path that he'd been aiming for. Taking a deep breath he crossed his fingers and dived into the swirling mass.
As he swam quickly across the wide expanse of water, bullets came close to his ear, but he finally reached the other side safely, clambering up the steep bank, gasping for breath and shivering as his soaking clothes clung to him. As he sat against a rock, his composure slowly returning, the men's voices drifted towards him despite the rushing water and the pounding in his ears.
"No point risking crossing the river- he ain't important enough and it's obvious he ain't carrying no cash."
"Yeah, probably too far down the pecking order to be trusted with any of the take." The voices and the sound of hoof beats faded as the posse headed back to town.
The men's assessment could have stung, but instead Heyes felt nothing but relief that he was considered too minor an irritant to pursue.
He thought back over the job they'd just pulled and wondered how it'd gone so wrong. They'd escaped with thirty thousand dollars, but that was the only thing that had gone their way. Three of the gang had been taken by the law, his own horse had mysteriously vanished and of the remaining six men, only their leader had escaped with ease.
As Heyes mused over it, turning the whole thing in his head, he came to the conclusion that the piss poor planning had been deliberate and intended. Only blind luck had meant that even a few of them had got away from the irate townsfolk and their rapidly assembled posse. The speed with which it had formed had almost suggested that they'd been expecting some sort of attempt on the bank. And now Plummer was likely home free with thirty grand in his sticky little hands, which was, Heyes realised now, exactly what he'd hoped for.
Plummer's casual attitude to the safety of those he led, had made Heyes uneasy from the get go, and he'd clearly understood from the first job he'd been involved in, why the man was always in need of men. But he'd been too stubborn to walk away and honestly he'd enjoyed having money in his pocket. After the first time though, he'd always made sure that he had plans of his own, carefully only shared amongst a select few of his more friendly fellow gang members. He'd always made very sure that Jim Plummer never got wind of a single one of them too. The men he'd chosen to include in his plans, had been surprisingly willing to listen, at least some of time anyway. So he had real hope that perhaps he wasn't the only one to have escaped being captured or shot.
As Heyes sat shivering in the shade of a rock and listened to the rumbling of the river, he knew that that one day soon he was going to lead his own gang. And that decision was quickly followed by another one. In his gang, every effort would be made to ensure no one was left behind or put recklessly into danger. Good planning would be key and Heyes knew he was exceptional in that area. Yes, he'd make sure that no one would be left behind, unless it was completely unavoidable, and even then he'd attempt a retrieval before giving up completely. He would need men he could trust and he was certain that them knowing they'd not just be left to fend for themselves if things went wrong, would help with that.
He remembered with a sudden twinge of guilt, that all those months ago, he'd not worried too much about leaving Jed behind, but he'd honestly fully expected that the stubborn ass would follow. The memory of their last argument had carried him through, fuelling his determination to go it alone. But in the last few weeks, the anger had burned itself out and he'd come to the conclusion that he still missed his friend. A feeling that was only heightened now he was out on his own again. Heyes resolved that once this crisis was over, he'd go in search of his cousin, and even if Jed wasn't ready to give being partners another try, he'd find a way to talk him round to it. Heyes chuckled lightly to himself, obviously there was nothing as good as a near catastrophe for straightening out a person's priorities.
His soaked clothes had dried to an uncomfortable damp, chilling his skin, making his teeth chatter despite the heat of the day. With a sigh, Heyes reluctantly pushed himself up to his feet. It was an awful long walk to Dalton Springs, the nearest safe town, which was large enough for him to find a place to eat, sleep and somewhere to replenish his pockets.
Walking back over to the river, he drank heavily of the gloriously cool water, before carefully filling his canteen, that was still somehow miraculously attached to his belt.
He squinted up at the sun and getting his bearings, turned to head south. As he traipsed slowly through the barren country, with nothing else to do but put one foot in front of the other, the half formed plans in in his head began to solidify into something a lot more workable. Yes, he thought with a grin, watch out world, Hannibal Heyes is on his way!
XXX
Jed sat carefully up and for the first time in well over a week, his head didn't spin. Taking a chance he cautiously slid to sit on the edge of the bed, relieved to discover that his body barely protested the movement. Archie already awake and just finishing dressing, turned to him. "Well, you're looking better."
Jed smiled at the man and nodded in satisfaction. " I'm feeling pretty good and I'm kinda hungry too."
Archie laughed. "Now I know you're on the mend!"
XXX
Jed felt Archie watching him as he tucked into a hearty portion of ham and eggs and remembered that he'd wanted some kind of discussion, and after taking a final mouthful, he laid down his knife and fork and looked up. "You got something you want to say to me?" He knew his voice held an edge, not sure of what was coming, but Archie merely winked at him.
"Simmer down, Jed, it ain't nothing bad." He took a sip of coffee before folding his hands and sitting back. "You've learnt everything I can teach you. That shot you took winging the guy about to shoot me, was some of the best shooting I ever seen." Jed was surprised to see genuine heartfelt admiration in his mentor's gaze. "And you managed it when you were about to collapse. You're even better than I was at my peak and I don't say that idly, son."
Jed felt his cheeks warm, feeling both embarrassed and pleased at the unexpected compliment. "Couldn't have done it without you."
Archie grinned. "Boy, without me, you'd have been lucky to make it past that first week on your own. Sometimes you ain't got a lick of sense and as for stubborn..." There was some bite but no real heat to his words. Jed bit back on a reply as he reluctantly acknowledged that there was probably a lot of truth in that and his cheeks flushed from a different kind of embarrassment.
Archie smiled at his lack of reply and continued a little more gently. "But with all you've learnt, I think you're gonna do just fine." He paused and then added carefully. "But knowing you, I do believe you'll be better off pairing up with someone who's got a calmer, more measured outlook on life. So before we go our separate ways, we're gonna find this Heyes of yours." Beckman's tone suggested that this was not up for discussion, but Jed realised that he didn't want to argue the point anyway.
He swallowed hard against a sudden lump in his throat at the thought of moving on, but he too knew it was time. Archie was obviously eager for home and a quieter way of life and he now felt ready to find Heyes and try again, if his friend was willing of course. Jed had no wish to be on his own. But he'd be damned if he'd beg for it. "What if he ain't interested?"
Beckman chuckled. "This Heyes sounds like he's plenty smart, so he'll have realised it's always better to have someone watching your back. Especially when that someone is kin and is as handy with a gun as you are. But if he ain't, we'll talk again after we find him."