Chapter Twelve
A short time after ten that night, the seven brothers left their enclosure for the last time. All had bathed; had their hair was slicked back, and were wearing the new clothing and boots Ezra had picked out for them. Even little JD was decked out in a new outfit. Josiah, Nathan, Ezra, and Buck were wearing their new guns and holsters. Each of the five older brothers had practiced often with Chris's Colt, and while none of them were as fast their blond brother, they were all accurate and efficient in their shooting.
"Goodbye alley," Josiah said softly, "You've been a good home to all of us."
Their eldest brother's words summed up what they were all feeling. The alley and the enclosure might not have been much, but it was theirs, and it had provided protection and comfort to them while they lived in it.
"Come on brothers," Nathan lifted JD's basket off the ground, "We've got a train to catch."
Together they turned and walked away, all eager to get to the station and catch the train that would start them on their journey to a new life in the west.