Kid Curry sat alone at the only table in the Wabash, Montana saloon that provided a clear view of the street. He had been there most of the afternoon, nursing his third beer and waiting. His partner had been due to arrive yesterday, but Kid wasn't particularly worried as the early season snowfall the past few days had been heavy at that elevation. No, Kid wasn't worried, but he was growing impatient and the afternoon beer helped ebb that irritation..
Kid heard the stagecoach arriving long before he saw the spokes of the wheels come to a stop across the street. When he saw two thin legs with dirty yellow pants tucked into tan boots step down from the coach, he knew his partner had arrived.
Kid stood up and turned the sheepskin collar of his heavily worn jacket up over his ears. Then he pushed through the bat-wing doors and crossed the snow covered street.
"It's about time you got here. Have any trouble?" Kid asked Hannibal Heyes.
Heyes smiled. "Good to see you, too, Kid. No, no trouble. Anybody else here yet?"
Kid shook his head. "Ain't heard from anybody either. Starting to get a little concerned, Heyes."
"We'll give them a couple of more days. This snow likely delayed em."
"The next stage arrives in two days. If Big Mac's not on it , we're heading south," Kid said. "Never have been fond of snow," he added.
"Agreed. Let's drop my things off in the room and get some supper. I'm starving."
Once in the hotel room Kid removed his coat and shook the snow on to the floor. "Tell me again why we agreed to do this, Heyes," Kid said as he moved to the window and pulled the edge of the curtain back for a clear view of the activities on the street, below.
"Cause Big Mac seems to form a grudge with every business associate he encounters and you and I ain't wise enough to ever say no to Big Mac."
"Don't sound like good enough reasons to risk getting kilt."
"Then how about because Lom says if we don't help Big Mac, the governor will cancel our deal for amnesty."
Kid let the curtain fall back into place. He pulled his gun from its holster and checked the chamber, then slid the gun back into the holster.
"Big Mac is like us, barely on the right side of the law. I just don't see how he has so much influence with the governor," Kid said.
"All a matter of money, Kid. Big Mac's got money and the governor wants some of it.
"Big Mac's not going to be happy if he finds out we brought in outside help."
"Well, so long as Wheat and Kyle don't arrive on the same stage as Big Mac, I don't see why Big Mac has to know. And it ain't likely Wheat and Kyle will be coming in on a stage. They can't afford that kind of travel. Besides, even if we do tell Big Mac, he ain't likely to say no to two more guns."
"I still don't know why you had to involve Kyle."
"Kid, Kyle might be a little on the stupid side..."
"A little?"
"Alright, a lot, but you have to admit he's better with dynamite than the rest of us."
"No, he just uses more dynamite than the rest of us, that's all."
Heyes laughed. "Can we just go eat, now, Kid?"
"Saloon's got a better steak than the cafe," Kid said as he grabbed his coat and they headed out the door and down the stairs.
"Any poker?"
"None worth getting involved in. This is a pretty small town, Heyes."
They crossed the snow covered street and pushed open the bat-wing doors to the saloon. Instinctively Kid scanned the room, although even he wondered why when there were only two other patrons in the bar.
"Any women?" Heyes asked as he sat down at a table.
Kid shook his head. "Again, pretty small town. They got one soiled dove here and she's pushing the high side of forty."
Heyes sighed. "Kid, I'm afraid this is going to be a pretty tedious job."
Kid glanced up when he saw the movement of the bat-wing doors. He nudged Heyes and nodded toward the door as Wheat and Kyle walked in. Wheat spied them and broke into a smile. "Hi, Hey.."
Kid stood up and quickly cut Wheat off, walking over to him and putting his arm around Wheat's shoulder. "Wheat!, Good to see you," Kid exclaimed and ushered Wheat to the table. Kyle followed behind.
"Wheat, it's Smith and Jones. Don't forget that," Heyes scolded.
Wheat nodded his head. "Sorry boys. Forgot."
Good to see you, Kid," Kyle said. "Are you Smith or Jones?"
"Jones!" Kid snarled with a loud whisper.
Kyle nodded and turned to Heyes. "Good to see you, too Mr. Smith."
The bartender brought the steaks for Heyes and Kid. Wheat and Kyle stared longingly at their plates.
Heyes sighed. "Two more," he told the bartender and both Wheat and Kyle smiled happily."
"So what's this all about?" Wheat asked.
"Can't tell you, yet," Heyes said. "Kid got you two a room at the hotel."
Wheat looked at Kid. "Well thank you, Kid."
Kid nodded once and put a forkful of steak in his mouth. "Don't mention it," he mumbled.
"Have any trouble getting here?" Heyes asked.
"Had to hold up in a cave last night because of the snow and wind, which seems a might early even for Montana," Kyle said.
The bartender returned with two more plates of steaks.
"A couple of beers would be nice," Wheat said, not offering to to pay for even a beer for Heyes and Kid who noticed and exchanged exasperated glances.
"When we're done eating we'll go back to the hotel, let you boys get settled in, and then Kid and me will explain what's going on."
"Sure... Smith," Wheat mumbled, with a mouth full of chewed steak.
Kid glanced up at Kyle and immediately wished he hadn't. "Kyle, close your mouth when you eat," Kid grumbled.
Kyle self consciously closed his mouth. "Sorry, Kid," he said though pursed lips.
After dinner, Wheat and Kyle took their horses to the livery, then dropped their things off in their hotel room before going to Heyes and Kid's room.
Kid stood by the window, assuming his sentry position. Heyes sat on the edge of his bed.
"Have a seat," Heyes said and Wheat sat in the leather padded chair near the window while Kyle started to sit on Kid's bed.
"Not there," Kid snapped and Kyle immediately stood up. "Use the other chair," Kid said, trying to sound less agitated.
Kyle slunk into the straight back chair near Wheat.
Heyes ignored Kid's obvious nervousness. "Ever hear of a man named Big Mac McCreedy?" Heyes asked.
Both Wheat and Kyle shook their heads.
"Well Big Mac is a very wealthy rancher who lives near the Mexican boarder. Kid and I have done a couple of jobs for Big Mac and he trusts us, well, as much as he trusts anybody."
Heyes paused as he decided how to explain the plan to Wheat and Kyle.
"That's it?" Kyle asked.
"Kyle, shut up and listen," Kid said while keeping his eyes on the street
"Big Mac owns a lot of property, including some here in Montana. A neighboring ranch called the Double K has been using a lot of Big Mac's property to let their cattle graze there. Big Mac has been trying to stop them for over a year, but he's not out here to oversee it, and the Montana law just keeps looking the other way, so the Double K just keeps on doing it. The Double K is claiming Free Range rights, but Big Mac says that don't apply to land that's owned, even if it isn't land that's being used."
"Why don't he just sell the land to the Double K?" Wheat asked
"Double K don't want to buy it. They already got free use of it," Kid explained.
"So the four of us have got to convince the Double K to quit using it?" Wheat asked.
"Sounds like bullets will be flying," Kyle added with a wide grin on his face.
"Not exactly," Heyes said. "The four of us do have to convince the Double K to stop using the land, but Big Mac wants us to use other means of persuasion."
"Like what?" Kyle asked.
"Dynamite," Kid replied and a huge smile spread across Kyle's face. Kyle liked dynamite."
"Wheat was still confused. "You mean this Big Mac fella wants us to dynamite his ranch?"
"Not the whole ranch, Wheat. Just parts of it." Heyes said.
"What parts?"
"Big Mac is going to meet us here and we'll all ride out to survey the land. He wants us to blast a wide ditch all along the line separating the two properties," Heyes said.
"Says he wants to build a mote," Kid added, shaking his head at the absurdity of the plan.
"What's a mote?" Kyle asked.
"It's like a river. Kings and Queens build motes all around their castles in England," Kid said. Heyes glanced at Kid and Kid just shrugged.
"Why would somebody build a river all around their house?" Kyle asked. "You'd have to row a boat every time you wanted to leave or come home."
"They do a lot of funny things in England," Kid explained.
"Like what?" Kyle asked
"Like they eat liver pudding and challenge people to duels," Kid said.
"Kid. Stop it," Heyes said and Kid turned turned his head to look back outside.
"If you don't mind my asking, Heyes, wouldn't a fence be a lot easier than blasting a mote? Wheat asked.
"You'll understand when you meet Big Mac. He don't do nothin the easy way," Kid replied before Heyes got a chance to answer..
When's this Big Mac going to be here?" Wheat asked.
"Next stage is in two days, but Big Mac is rich enough to travel on a private stage, so he'll be here any day now," Heyes said.
"What do we do in the mean time?" Kyle asked.
"Kid's bought up all the dynamite and blasting caps and wire that was in town. There's more on order. When it gets here we'll take it out to Big Mac's place," Heyes explained. "Other than that, we just wait."
"That all sounds like a lot of trouble," Wheat said.
"Trouble that could be avoided," Kid added and Heyes shot him another stern look.
"Well, I'm sorry, Heyes," Kid snapped. "But this whole thing just sounds like a situation where one or more of use could get hurt!"
"Or kilt!" Wheat added.
"Kid, you were told the risks and you still agreed to do it, so stop complaining. Your scaring Wheat and Kyle."
"I ain't scared, Heyes," Kyle said. "I like dynamite."
Kid gave Heyes a knowing see what I mean smirk."
"We getting paid for this job, Heyes?" Wheat asked.
Heyes nodded. Once Big Mac gets here, if we can get this job done in a week, you'll each get one thousand dollars.
Kyle's eyes lit up. He had never had that much in honest money before.
"And how much are you and the Kid getting?" Wheat asked skeptically.
"The same," Kid replied.
"Plus a possible amnesty from the Wyoming governor," Heyes added.
"You two still trying to get that amnesty?" Wheat asked. "How long you been working on that?"
"Too long," Kid grumbled.
"Kid, you're not helping here," Heyes said.
"Fine," Kid said and again turned to look out the window.
"Since we rode all the way up here, Kyle and me will stick around and hear what this Big Mac has to say, Heyes. But we ain't committing till after we know what kind of troubles could arise." Wheat said.
"Wish I'd thought of that," Kid mumbled.
Wheat smiled. "When you get to be leader of a gang, Kid, you learn to think like one," Wheat said proudly.
Kid rolled his eyes.
The next morning Kid and Heyes woke, dressed, and headed for the cafe for breakfast.
"You know, Wheat's got a point about that fence," Kid said
"Problem is, can't build a fence in the winter. Grounds to hard to dig posts. But you can blast in the winter. Plus, the Double K won't be bringing any cattle up that way to graze in the snow."
Kid nodded and drank some coffee. "I sure hope Big Mac gets here today. I just don't have a good feeling about this, Heyes."
"I kind of detected that, Kid. You have been a little proddy."
"Proddy?"
Heyes smiled innocently. "With Wheat and especially Kyle yesterday. Back at Devil's Hole you never seemed to minded that Kyle ate with his mouth open."
"Back at Devil's Hole I never had to eat with him. I ate in the Leader's cabin with you, remember?"
"Just don't be so hard on Kyle. He looks up to you, Kid."
"Yea, I'll try," Kid conceded.
Half way through their breakfast, Wheat and Kyle showed up. The waitress came over to take their orders.
"We'll have what they had," Wheat told her.
"Separate checks," Kid added.
"So, anything to do in this town while we wait for Big Mac?" Wheat asked.
"Nothing to speak of," Kid replied.
"Any women in the saloon?" Kyle asked.
Kid smiled. "One," he replied and watched the smile spread across Kyle's face.
"How far out is this ranch of his?" Wheat asked.
"Bout fifteen miles," Kid said. "I ain't riding out there in this cold till I have to," he added.
"You getting soft, Kid?" Kyle asked
"Nope, getting smart, Kyle." Kid replied.
"This town got a sheriff?" Wheat asked.
"Nope. Got a jail, though. Run by volunteers when they got somebody in it. Little brick building with one door and one window," Kid told them.
The waitress returned with the two breakfast plates and coffee and warmed Kid's and Heyes' coffee. Kid smiled sweetly at the waitress and she batted her eyelashes at him as she walked away.
Having nothing else to do, they all headed over to the saloon after breakfast for four handed poker. Since it was still morning, they ordered a pot of coffee.
"You tell all your friends what a nice little resort town this is?" the bartender chided with Kid when he returned with the pot of coffee and four cups.
"Sure did. Told em it's void of every man's pleasures," Kid joked back to him.
"Don't count Sadie short, young fella. She might be a little past her prime, but you might learn a thing or two from that woman.
Kid smiled. "I'll pass," he said politely.
"I won't," Kyle added.
The bartender smiled. "She don't come in till suppertime. I'll point you out to her."
Kyle nodded and Kid rolled his eyes.
Around two in the afternoon Kid suddenly looked up from his cards. "There's a stage coming in," he told Heyes as he got up and walked over to the swinging doors. "It's a private stage," he announced.
"Wheat, Kyle, you stay here," Heyes instructed as he joined Kid at the doors.
The stage pulled up to the hotel and stopped. Kid and Heyes passed through the doors and headed across the street to greet Big. Mac.
"Good to see you two again,!" Big Mac exclaimed as he lumbered out of the stage. "How's my favorite nephew?"
Kid smiled. "We're good, Big Mac. How about you?"
"A bit cold in this weather. Let's get inside."
Kid and Heyes each picked up one of Big Mac's two luggage bags and followed him into the hotel. Big Mac looked around the lobby as he approached the desk.
"Not much in the way of luxury," he said as he rang the desk bell.
"Do you have anything in the way of a suite?" Big Mac asked the clerk.
"Our largest room is available. It comes equipped with a bath."
"Then that'll be fine," Big Mac said.
Kid and Heyes carried the bags and followed Big Mac to his room. Big Mac put the key in the keyhole and stopped. "You can leave the bags here, fellows. That was a cold, difficult ride. I think I'll rest a while and meet you two for dinner."
Curry and Heyes exchanged glances.
"Ah, there's something we'd like to talk to you about before we go, Big Mac," Heyes said.
"It can't wait till dinner?"
"Probably ought to prepare you," Kid said nervously.
"Very well. Come in. But make it brief.
They followed Big Mac into the room and set the bags down on the bed.
"Well what is it?"
"Well, we kind of invited a couple of other men to help us," Heyes explained.
"What other men?"
"Wheat Carlson and Kyle Murtry," Kid said.
Big Mac looked first at Kid and then at Heyes. "How do you knows these men? Are they outlaws?"
Heyes laughed nervously. "No... well, yes. They're part of the Devil's Hole gang."
"Is that the gang you two are part of?"
"Were part of, Were," Kid explained.
"You can trust them?"
"Oh yes, Big Mac. … Kyle might not appear to bright, but he's very good with dynamite."
"I see. And the other?"
"Good with a gun?" Kid said.
"As good as you?"
"Ah...almost," Kid exaggerated.
"I see. You expect me to pay them or is it coming out of what I'm paying you?"
"We'll pay them," Heyes said.
"Just don't let it slip about what you're paying us," Kid said.
"Will I be meeting them at supper?"
Heyes nodded.
"Very well. I will see you at six at the saloon." Big Mac said and ushered Kid and Heyes out of the room. From the hallway they heard the door lock.
"Heyes, why do I get the feeling that whenever Big Mac tells us of some plan he's got, there's always some sub-plan he won't tell us about?" Kid asked as they crossed the street to the saloon.
"Because he usually has some sub-plan that he doesn't tell us about, Kid."
"Which is why all his plans end up with some sort of crisis."
Heyes sighed. "That's right."
"Think he as a sub-plan this time?"
"He's already being secretive, Kid. Holed up in his room all afternoon."
"I don't like this, Heyes."
"I know."
"You like this?"
"Not especially. The trick is to find out the sub-plan."
"How you gonna do that?"
"I don't know yet, Kid. I gotta think on it."
"Saw him going into the hotel. He sure is a big fella," Wheat said when Kid and Heyes returned to the table. "Ain't gonna be no physical help, is he?"
"Big Mac wouldn't be any physical help even if he was a hundred and sixty pounds. That's not how he operates," Kid explained.
"Smart is he?" Kyle asked.
"He likes to think of himself as smart," Heyes replied. "His plans usually require a little honing," Heyes explained.
"Well, you and me can work on honing the plan," Wheat said boastfully.
Heyes smiled and looked at Kid. "If Wheat was a peacock, his feathers would be splayed right now." Heyes said to Kid.
"Damn straight," Wheat said, uncertain of Heyes' meaning, but assuming it was a compliment.
Seeing the other three smiling, Kyle smiled as well, although he had no clue what had just been said.
Big Mac walked in to the saloon promptly at six. Kid saw him first and pushed his chair back and stood up. The three others turned and followed suit when the saw Big Mac approach the table.
"Sit boys. Sit," Big Mac instructed and they all slowly sat back down.
"Big Mac, this is Wheat Carlson and Kyle Murtry," Heyes said. "Boys, this is Big Mac McCreedy."
Kyle and Wheat both nodded.
"Heyes, I mean Smith tells us you need some blasting help up at your place," Wheat said.
Big Mac looked at Heyes. "Sharp man, caught that name thing right away, didn't he?" Big Mac said.
Heyes smiled and uttered a nervous laugh. "Kyle's good with dynamite. He'll help us get the job done," Heyes said.
Big Mac looked at Kyle who shifted nervously in his chair. "So you're the dynamite expert?"
"I've done my share of blastin," Kyle said.
Kid smiled and patted Kyle on the back. "Kyle's being modest Mr. McCreedy."
"Hope so. A lot of people have done their share of blasting. Don't mean they know what their doing."
"Kyle did all the safe blasting for the Devil's Hole gang," Heyes added. "He still does."
"Well, he appears to still be all in one piece," Big Mac said.
"So, what do we do first?" Heyes asked.
"I have a surveyor arriving tomorrow on the morning stage. Once he is here, we will ride out to my property tomorrow so he can determine the property lines between my land and the Double K. The day after tomorrow my nephew here and I will ride out to the Double K to try to discuss things rationally."
"Your nephew?" Kyle asked.
"Me," Kid responded with a frown.
"You're Big Mac's nephew, Kid?"
"No Kyle, he's not. It's just one of Big Mac's jokes," Heyes explained.
Kyle smiled, then frowned. "I don't get it, Heyes."
"You probably never will, Kyle, so let it be," Kid said.
"What happens if you and the owner of the Double K can't reach a negotiable agreement?" Wheat asked.
"Then the day after that, we'll start blasting," Big Mac said.
"Isn't Heyes better at negotiating than Kid? No offense Kid," Wheat said.
"None taken, Wheat."
"Kid's not there to negotiate, Wheat. He's there to keep Big Mac safe," Heyes explained.
"Like a hired gun," Kyle added.
"No Kyle, not like a hired gun," Kid said irritably. "I would never hire out my gun."
"Big Mac's paying you to protect him. That's not hiring out your gun, Kid?' Kyle asked without any hint of challenge in his voice.
"No it's not, Kyle!" Kid protested loudly. "He's not paying me to go kill somebody."
"But if you had to shoot somebody..."
Kyle, that's enough! Kid warned sternly.
"Kid, keep your voice down," Heyes cautioned. "Kid's right Kyle, it's not the same thing.
"Who owns the Double K ranch?" Wheat asked. "Might be nice to know who we might be up against."
"A man by the name of Rex Hollister," Big Mac said.
The quick exchange of glances between Kid and Heyes did not go unnoticed by Big Mac.
"One or both of you know Rex Hollister?" he asked.
"No," Heyes and Kid said in unison.
"We might know of him, but we've never met."
"What do you know of him?" Big Mac asked.
"We heard of a man named Rex Hollister when we were kids back in Kansas. He was an army captain during the Border Wars. We never encountered him. Besides, it ain't likely that this is the same man." Heyes said.
After dinner Wheat and Kyle decided to stay at the saloon for a while, but Kid, Heyes, and Big Mac returned to the hotel.
"Are you two sure there is nothing to tell me about Rex Hollister?" Big Mac said as they approached Kid's and Heyes' room.
"In all honesty, neither Kid nor I have ever even laid eyes on Rex Hollister," Heyes assured him and Kid nodded his agreement.
"Alright then, I'll see you boys in the morning.
Heyes and Kid went into their room and locked the door behind them.
Heyes and Kid knew each other well so it came as no surprise to Heyes that Kid immediately sat down at the small table and began disassembling his gun to give it another cleaning. And it came as no surprise to Kid that Heyes immediately began pacing the room and thinking out loud, giving Kid a dozen reasons why the Double K owner was likely not the same Rex Hollister that had led a regiment of soldiers that pillaged their parents homes and murdered their families.
"Hollister is not an uncommon name. There's probably a hundred Rex Hollisters roaming around the country. After all, there's at least that many Joshua Smiths and Thaddeus Jones.
Kid reached for the gun oil and cloth and remained silent.
"And this rancher would have to be what? Forty-five to fifty? We have no idea how old this rancher is yet, so we shouldn't go setting our minds that it's him."
Kid added a drop of oil to the cloth.
"And even if it is him, that was fifteen years ago. People change."
Kid rubbed the barrel of the gun with the cloth.
"Hollister was an officer following orders. We can't hold just one man responsible..."
Kid began reassembling his gun.
"Kid, are you listening to me? Do you have anything to add?
Kid snapped the chamber into place and examined his work. He held the gun in his hand, the barrel pointing to the ceiling and he looked at Heyes.
"If it is him... I'm going to kill him," Kid said flatly, without a hint of emotion.
Heyes sat down on the foot of his bed and looked at Kid.
"If it is him, I'm going to help you."
"It will mean an end to any chance at amnesty," Kid said.
"It will mean we'll both be hanged," Heyes added.
The next morning, Big Mac met the incoming stage and, after the surveyor had dropped his things in his room, they all met in the hotel dining room where it was agreed that they would all ride out to get a lay of the property while the surveyor determined the property dividing line.
Big Mac and the surveyor rode in Big Mac's private stage to Big Mac's ranch. Big Mac waited in the stage, covered in blankets while Heyes, Kid, Wheat and Kyle trudged their horses though the snow covered fields, getting acquainted with the lay of the land and the surveyor plotted the property lines..
They returned to the hotel after six and agreed to meet in an hour in the dining room.
"We found four or five places that would provide good protection if this escalates into a private range war," Heyes told Big Mac.
"The property line runs just a mile west of the stream we saw. I placed markers every half mile for ten miles," the surveyor added.
"We'll take my stage again tomorrow," Big Mac told Kid.. "It'll show an air prosperity."
"Let me drive the stage," Heyes suggested. "Kid should ride in the coach with you. He's supposed to be your guard, not your driver."
Big Mac agreed. "But you wait outside when we go in to talk to this Hollister fellow."
The following morning, Kid and Heyes walked to the livery stable and harnessed the horses to the stagecoach. Then they drove the coach back to the hotel where Big Mac was waiting. Kid climbed down off the driver seat and opened the coach door for Big Mac. Once Big Mac was seated, Kid climbed in and sat opposite Big Mac.
Heyes gave the reins a shake and they started out for the Double K ranch.
"Maxwell McCreedy to see Mr. Hollister," Big Mac announced when Hollister's wife answered the door.
"Come in," she said and lead Big Mac and Kid into a large office, sparsely furnished but with a large, warm fire burning in the fireplace.
"I'll get Rex for you."
Big Mac sat down in a large leather chair in front of the desk. Kid remained standing but positioned himself in the room so that he had a good view of the door, as well as the entire of the room.
Rex Hollister walked into the room and over to his chair behind the desk. He extended his hand but Big Mac did not. Hollister withdrew his hand and glanced at Kid who cast stone cold blue eyes at him.
"I'll get right to the point," Hollister," Big Mac said. "You're trespassing on my property with your cattle and I want it to stop now."
Hollister smiled at Big Mac while keeping a glancing eye on Kid.
"Mr. McCreedy, I understand that you are not from Montana and likely are not terribly familiar with Open Range laws..."
"I have made myself quite familiar with Open Range laws and they apply solely to government owned property, not, Mr. Hollister, to privately owned property."
"Privately owned properties require two or more buildings, a home, a barn in order to qualify as private property. Establish a homestead, Mr. McCreedy and the Free Range laws will protect you."
"My lawyers say that buildings are not a requirement, provided a legal deed is in possession of the owner. I have such a deed."
Hollister again glanced at Kid who casually folded the right side of his jacket behind his back, revealing his still holstered Colt. Kid's eyes never moved from Hollister.
"Perhaps Mr. McCreedy you and I should take up this matter with the Montana courts."
"I have no intention to waste money, not to mention years of appeals, with the Montana court system. I have given you fair warning to keep your cattle and your men off my property."
Big Mac pulled himself out of his chair and walked to the door. Kid slowly followed but stopped in the doorway and turned back to Hollister.
"Mr. Hollister, you ever been in the army?" Kid asked.
Hollister looked taken aback. "Yes, why?"
"Where did you fight?" Kid asked.
"Along the North-South borders. Why are you asking?"
"You an officer?"
"Have you a particular interest in my Army career, sir?"
Kid looked directly into Hollister's eyes and Hollister saw cold, unabated fearlessness looking him in the face. Kid then turned and followed Big Mac out of the house.
Heyes saw Big Mac and Kid leaving the house and scooted out of the coach where he had huddled beneath blankets to stay warm. He quickly opened the door for Big Mac to climb in.
Kid followed Big Mac into the coach, stopping momentarily beside Heyes. "It's him," Kid said quietly and stepped up into the coach. Heyes shut the door and looked up toward the house. He sighed heavily before climbing into the driver's seat.
The next morning Heyes, Kid, Wheat, Kyle, and Big Mac rode again out to McCreedy's land and Kid and Heyes moved the wagon of dynamite and supplies to the site where they planned to begin blasting. Wheat and Kyle build a strong fire that the men could use to warm themselves throughout the day. Heyes had brought a coffee pot and coffee so they would have something hot available throughout the day as well.
Big Mac seated himself close to the fire so he could oversee the work while staying warm. They spent the better part of the day blasting the beginnings of a mote along the property line.
"Tell me again Heyes, why this is such a good idea," Wheat grumbled
"Nobody said it was a good idea, Wheat. Just that it's Big Mac's idea."
Wheat gave a quick glance toward the fire where Big Mac sat huddled in blankets.
"You might want to consider choosing more sensible friends, Heyes," Wheat replied. "I ain't sure this job is worth doing for a thousand dollars."
Hollister heard several blasts coming from Big Mac's property and sent three of his hands out to see what was going on.
"Heyes, we got company," Kid said giving a casual nod in the direction of the ridge where the three Hollister hands were huddled close to the ground with telescopes.
"I see that, Kid. Seem to be just trying to figure out what we're doing."
"Yes, for now anyway," Kid replied.
Late afternoon they loaded up the wagon and Wheat and Kyle harnessed their horses to the wagon. Then Wheat, Kyle, and Big Mac climbed into the back of the wagon and huddled close together, wrapped in blanks as there was no sense in everyone being cold on the ride back to town. Kid tied Big Mac's horse to the back of wagon as well as his own and Heyes'. Kid and Heyes climbed into the wagon seat and covered themselves with blankets and Kid drove the wagon back to town.
Kid and Heyes dropped the others at the hotel and then headed to the mercantile where they loaded the wagon with the dynamite and other supplies Kid had ordered days earlier. They secured a tarp tightly over the supplies before heading to the livery to drop off the horses and wagon.
When they got back to their room, both men shed their boots, wet socks, and coats and climbed under the covers of their beds to get warm again before heading downstairs for dinner.
"Heyes."
"Yea?"
"For the first time in my life...I'm too tired and cold to eat."
Heyes smiled lazily. "Just eat two breakfasts in the morning, Kid."
"The next morning the Devil's Hole members and ex-members convinced Big Mac to remain in town rather that going out and sitting in the cold and snow for the day. Then they picked up the wagon and drove back to Big Mac's land and resumed their blasting.
"There's more of them today," Kid remarked to Heyes as they were unloading more dynamite.
"I see that."
"Think we ought to ride up there and talk to them?"
"Nope," Heyes replied. "I think we make very sure we stay on Big Mack's land."
"What about Rex Hollister?"
"What about him?"
"I can't just walk away when we're done here, Heyes."
"Well we've got another week's worth of blasting, Kid. We'll figure out what to do about him."
Late in the afternoon, two riders came down from the ridge. They were careful to stay on Double K land but approached close enough for conversation. Heyes and Kid approached on foot.
"You fellas wanting something?" Heyes asked
"Want to know what you're doing with all this blasting," one of the riders said.
"Digging holes," Kid replied.
"Mighty wide holes."
"Thanks," Heyes said smiling.
"Planning to reroute the river?"
"Planning to build a mote," Heyes said.
"Mr. Hollister would like to talk to you."
"Sorry, we're kind of busy," Heyes said.
"Not you... You," he said looking at Kid.
"I'm a little busy, too," Kid replied.
"If Hollister wants to talk to Kid, tell him to ride down here," Heyes suggested
"You two know if you don't stop doing this there's going to be trouble."
"What kind of trouble?" Kid asked.
"You know damn well what kind of trouble."
"Look," Heyes said. "We're on Mr. McCreedy's land. He can do what he wants to his land. He don't have to ask Hollister for permission."
The cowboy reached for his gun but Kid had his drawn and pointed at the cowboy before his hand reached the gun. The cowboy froze, impressed and intimidated with Kid's speed.
"Now, why don't you two just turn and ride back to where you came from," Kid said while still pointing the gun at the two men.
"Alright, but I'm sure Mr. Hollister ain't done with this."
"Neither are we," Heyes said, again smiling.
"There were just four of them here today, working in teams, Mr. Hollister," the cowboy reported to his boss when he returned to the Double K. "They're blasting a deep trench the length of the property line."
"They tell you why?" Hollister asked.
"Yea. Said they were planning to build a mote."
"To keep the cattle from crossing over onto McCreedy's land," Hollister said.
"The one that was here with McCreedy must be a gunslinger. Fastest draw I've ever seen, Mr. Hollister. The other one called him Kid."
"A gunslinger named Kid?"
"Yes sir."
"How many gunslingers you know named Kid?"
"Just one, Mr. Hollister."
"I need you to find a way to bring the gunslinger here. I don't want him hurt. I don't want any of them hurt. They are just working for McCreedy. You understand?"
"Yes Sir."
"Tomorrow. Find a way."
"We're eating supper as soon as we get back," Kid announced. "Otherwise I'm going to miss it again," Kid announced as they drove the wagon back to town.
"I have to tell you, Heyes, I'll be damn glad when this is done," Wheat said from the back of the wagon. "Look at that, Kyle's already asleep."
"Probably froze to death," Kid said.
Wheat put another blanket over Kyle. "You got more dynamite ordered, Kid?" Wheat asked.
"Yep. Should be here the day after tomorrow."
"Three or four more days should take care of it, then," Wheat said.
Over supper they told McCreedy of their conversation with the cowboys.
"Sounds like Hollister is getting nervous," McCreedy said.
"Nervous or determined," Heyes said.
"He hasn't done anything but keep an eye on you boys. I doubt he'll change his ways at this point."
"Hope you're right Mr. McCreedy," Kid said. "I'm done. I'm going to bed."
"You know, if we worked alone instead of in pairs, we could work at one mile intervals and get twice as much done in a day," Wheat said as they drove to the ranch the next morning.
"Makes sense," Kid said. "No more than a mile apart so we'd know if one of us was to get injured if the blasting was to stop in that section."
Heyes thought about the idea. It would be nice to get the job done early and they could probably cut at least a day, maybe two days off the job. "Okay, we'll try it today," he said.
They stopped at the first site and Wheat got out and took the necessary supplies. Then they drove another mile and dropped Kyle off with supplies. Next Heyes was dropped off.
"I'll start heading back around three," Kid said "That should get us back to town by six."
"Okay. You be careful, Kid."
You too, Heyes."
At three, Heyes noticed that the blasting had stopped in Kid's direction, so he began collecting his supplies, knowing Kid should be picking him up within half an hour. An hour later, Kid had not arrived, so Heyes began walking the mile through the snow to the site where Kid had been working. He spied the wagon and saw that the horses were gone. When he reached the wagon, he saw hoof prints running off in two directions. He also saw a pair of boot prints following one of the horses.
Heyes continued to follow the footprints. A half mile more of walking, Heyes spied one of the horses. As he neared the horse, he saw several sets of hoof prints, but the boot prints stopped.
"Damn," Heyes said, knowing Hollister's men had kidnapped Kid.
Heyes jumped on to the horse bareback and returned to the wagon. He hitched the horse to the wagon and moved on to pick up Kyle and Wheat.
"They got Kid," Heyes told them.
"We going after them?"
"With just one horse, we've got no chance. We can't go back to town for more horses, it would take too long."
"So what are we going to do?" Kyle asked.
"Go back to the spot where they got him and follow the tracks to see where they took him."
"So we go after him even though you say we got no chance?"
"Yes. That's the plan. It's Kid."
"Ain't that going to make us sitting ducks, Heyes?" Wheat asked.
"I didn't say it was a good plan, Wheat. It's the only plan."
Kid sat in the saddle of the horse he had managed to track down just before the five Double K hands had surrounded him with guns pointed directly at him. His gun had been quickly confiscated and his hands tied behind his back. His fingers clung to the back of the saddle and he worked at keeping himself balanced as the horse trod through the deep snow.
"Mind telling me where you're taking me?" Kid asked
"To the Double K. Mr. Hollister wants to talk to you.'
"What about?"
"He don't tell me his business."
Once they reached the ranch, Kid, with wrists still tethered, was led into the study in Mr. Hollister's house. Kid was led directly in front of the desk. Hollister was seated behind his desk. One of the hands gave Kid's gun to Mr. Hollister.
"You can go now," Hollister told the hands. "And when I'm ready, this man is free to leave."
"Please, have a seat," Hollister said.
"I'll stand if you don't mind. You could untie me, though."
"Of course," Hollister said. He put Kid's gun in a desk drawer and then walked around and untied Kid's wrists.
"Now will you sit Mr..."
"Jones, Thaddeus Jones," Kid replied and slowly sat down in the chair.
"One of the med you were with called you Kid?"
That's right. A lot of people call me that."
"Why is McCreedy having you men blast a mote?"
"He told you, he don't want your cattle on his property."
"But the land is not being used. My cattle aren't harming his land."
"You'll have to take that up with Mr. McCreedy."
"Are you a hired gun Mr. Jones?"
"NO... I don't hire out my gun to nobody."
"Why did you ask me about the war?"
"You're just full of questions, ain't you?"
"But you're not full of answers, I see."
There was a knock on the door of the study.
"Come in," Hollister said.
The door opened and in walked Heyes, followed by one of the hands who was holding Heyes's gun. The hand gave the gun to Hollister.
"Thank you. That will be all.
"And you are?" the hand asked and Hollister nodded.
"Alright, Mr. Hollister. I'll be just outside."
"Joshua Smith," Heyes said, pulling up a chair and sitting down beside Kid.
Heyes reached down and pulled off a boot and shook it upside down. "Sorry, got pebbles in my boots."
Heyes slid the boot back on and reached for the other boot. But, rather than pulling the boot off, Heyes reached in and pulled out his derringer and pointed it at Hollister.
Kid reached over and got Heyes' gun and then walked over to the desk drawer and retrieved his own. He then moved to the door and locked it before turning back to Hollister.
"Mr. Hollister, all of this could have been avoided if you had just stopped trespassing on Mr. McCreedy's property. But now it seems you have two completely unrelated problems: Mr. McCreedy is one. Joshua and I are another. I think Joshua and I are the most pressing, and the most dangerous," Kid said holding his gun near his chest and pointed to the ceiling.
"And what makes the two of you such a pressing problem?"
"Let me tell you a little story," Heyes said to Hollister as he eased himself into the red leather chair and crossed his right leg over his left knee. Kid remained near the door, his arms folded across his chest, his gun still in his right hand. His blue eyes fixed on Hollister who stood behind his desk.
"August 17, 1965, Kid and I went fishing that day. It was a nice, warm, sunny day and we spent the whole afternoon down by the river, having the kind of fun that two boys have when they are kids. Kid and me are cousins and we lived on neighboring farms in Kansas. When we got home that afternoon, we found our folks dead in the yards. Kid's two brothers and three sisters were also dead. My older brother was dead. Seems an army regiment came onto our land and pillaged them both and killed all the people living there, except me and Kid of course. Kid was ten years old. I was thirteen. We were up till midnight burying our families. We got sent to an orphanage that was, well, it was like the stories you hear about orphanages. We ran away and fended for ourselves growing up. Eventually all that lead to us joining the Devil's Hole gang."
Hollister looked terrified as he turned to look at the Kid who was void of all emotion. "Then you're Kid Curry?"
Kid slowly, deliberately nodded his head.
"And you're..."
Heyes smiled. "Hannibal Heyes. And you are Captain Rex Hollister who lead the regiment to both our family's farms"
"I... I was following orders," Hollister tried to explain.
"We figure that," Heyes said. "But you see, the thing Kid and me can't get past is that even a soldier in battle knows right from wrong. Most every soldier understands that there's an even higher law. Some might think of it as a Godly law, others might call it a moral law. Either way, it helps people know right from wrong. Now I bet everyone in this room agrees that murdering innocent people ain't the same as killing the enemy in a battle... and is just plain wrong. Kid and me have been outlaws for quite a while and so far we ain't never murdered anyone. "
"Always a first time," Kid said coldly.
Heyes nodded. "Every fight Kid has ever been in was a fair fight, and called out by the other fellow. Kid knows right from wrong. So do I... But I have to tell you Mr. Hollister, this don't really seem wrong."
"You don't understand Mr. Curry," Hollister said
It won't do you no good, Mr. Hollister. When a situation gets to this point, Kid don't hear nothing but what he needs to hear. He don't see nothing but what he needs to see. You can talk till you're blue in the face. Kid won't hear a word of it."
Kid watched Hollister as he frantically tried to think how to react. In an instant, Hollister reached for his gun. In half that same instant, Kid drew and fired, shooting Hollister in the right wrist and sending Hollister's gun careening across the room.
The cowboy outside the room tried the doorknob and, finding the door locked, began banging on the door.
"He ain't hurt," Heyes shouted to the cowboy.
Kid gave a nod to Hollister."
"I'm fine," Hollister shouted and the banging on the door stopped.
Kid holstered his own gun. "Mr. Hollister, my family... Joshua's family were good people. I know that, despite what you did, what your regiment did, my folks were God fearing and would not want me to kill you, especially out of revenge. And I respect my parents enough to abide by their wishes. But if you, or any of your men, or any of your cattle cross into Mr. McCreedy's land again, I personally will come back, and you will not like the consequences. Do you understand?"
Hollister nodded. Kid saw that Hollister's eyes were wet, that he really did have remorse for things he did during the war.
"Neither of you may believe me," Hollister said quietly. "But I ask God's forgiveness every day for the atrocities of that war... for the part I played in those atrocities."
Kid looked at Heyes and both men sighed.
"Let's go, Kid," Heyes said.
Heyes and Curry walked out of the room and out of the house. As they passed though the door, Hollister's hired hand rushed past them and into the room. Kyle and Wheat were waiting out front with both horses hitched to the wagon. Kid and Heyes climbed into the back of the wagon and sat leaning against the driver's seat. They wrapped blankets around them both and Wheat snapped the reins and the horses began moving.
Neither Kid nor Heyes spoke during the long trip back to town.
McCreedy was waiting for them in the hotel lobby.
"We're done here, Mr. McCreedy," Heyes said. "Hollister won't be infringing on your land anymore. The four of us will be heading out in the morning"
"How did you accomplish that?"
"Had a talk with Hollister," Kid said "Convinced him to come to our way of thinking."
"If we're pulling out in the morning, there's a little matter of payment," Wheat said to McCreedy.
"Stop by my room. I'll have the money for you," McCreedy said.
Heyes and Kid excused themselves and retreated to the solitude of their room. Each man sat down on the edge of their bed, reflecting on that horrible day so many years ago.
"You know, Kid. You only had your parents for the first ten years of your life... But they did a good job raising you."
Kid's head slowly nodded. He raised his eyes to look at Heyes. "So did you, Han... Thank you," Kid said and gave Heyes a warm, loving smile.