THE DAY THEY HANGED HANNIBAL HEYES - Chapter One

"You gents decide what you want yet?"

The bartender asked with more than a touch of impatience and irritation. Although the saloon wasn't crowded, he didn't like them hovering at the bar and not buying anything. If they didn't have enough money they needed to move along. He wasn't about to give them drinks out of the kindness of his heart, especially two men he had never seen before.

"Just a minute…" Hannibal Heyes held one finger up as quickly turned his pockets inside out, looking for any loose change. He turned his attention to his partner, searching with his eyes, but Kid Curry merely shook his head.

Heyes sighed.

Damn.

"Well if you boys aren't going to be–."

Heyes held his finger up again stopping the bartender, "One more try."

They continued to search a final time through their clothes for money. The dark haired one had even pulled his boots off.

They sadly shook their heads.

No luck.

Both could imagine the refreshing taste of a cold beer, washing the trail dust down their parched throats.

Heyes ran a tongue over his lips.

"Come on," Kid said, placing a hand on his partner's shoulder.

A hand from behind them tossed some money onto the bar, "Give them whatever they want."

Both Heyes and Kid turned in unison with surprised looks on their faces. Kid gave Heyes a questioning look but Heyes merely shrugged his shoulders. Neither knew the man.

"Go ahead boys. Hate to see anyone go thirsty. Especially on a hot day like this."

"Thanks, but we aint looking for charity." Kid said cautiously.

"Get yourself a couple beers and come over to my table. Might have some work, if you're interested. A couple free beers for listening don't seem like such a bad deal."

The man nodded for the bartender to get them the beers. Once they both had taken a deep drink, and wiped the foam off their lips with the back of their hands he motioned them towards a back table.

"Name's Sam. Sam Lovett."

"Umm..I'm Joshua and my partner is Thaddeus, " he said, nodding his head at Kid. The Governor of Wyoming had finally relented and given them their long sought amnesty only four months ago, but Heyes still preferred to use their aliases until word had spread.

"So what's this job?" Kid asked a little too quickly.

Heyes made a face at Kid, and rolled his eyes.

"Moving some cattle–."

Kid was immediately shaking his head, "Nope. We're not interested."

Heyes laid a hand on Kid's arm, "I think what my partner meant to say is we'd like some more details."

Kid turned to glare at Heyes, "I think I was pretty clear–."

"A word Thaddeus," Heyes said quickly, standing and nodding his head towards the bar.

Kid pushed away from the table and followed his partner. "Thaddeus…at least hear the man out." Heyes said, trying to keep his voice low, as it threatened to rise in anger.

"Cows…Joshua…Cows." Kid said in a hushed whisper.

The bartender hadn't missed the two men's increasing animated conversation. Always curious, he wiped the counter and dried glasses innocently putting them away until he was close enough to hear their conversation.

"What do you want to do? We're flat broke. I don't even have enough to throw into a game. All I'm asking is to hear what he has to say cuz we've got no prospects for work. Come on…You know how I hate droving too. Maybe we can work him for another couple beers before telling him no."

"Okay," Kid said reluctantly.

Returning to the table and taking a seat Heyes said "We'd appreciate some more information."

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The bartender noticed they were back by the bar, arguing again in hushed tones.

"Thaddeus, who pays that kind of money for a week's worth of work?"

"Exactly." Kid said, his look encouraging Heyes to come to the same conclusion.

"It's only a week. Be like Tenstrike. Appears Sam has a deadline…"

"I sure as hell hope it's not like Tenstrike!" Kid said, in a hushed whisper.

"Okay…bad example." Heyes admitted. "But…ain't you hungry?"

"Yeah " Kid said, not trying to hide his annoyance with Heyes stating the obvious.

"Wouldn't a hot bath sound pretty good right about now?"

Kid looked away, frustrated, "Of course!"

"If I can get Sam to front us some money…"

"I still don't like it."

"Come on Thaddeus. One week at the most. Seven days. It'll fly by."

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An exhausted Kid, threw himself on the ground next to his partner. "Seven days. It'll fly by" Kid said, imitating Heyes. "We've worked two and it feels like seven. I get that he has a deadline, but if Sam keeps pushing them cows at this pace, they ain't gonna be nothing but bones."

"Get some sleep, Kid. Sam wants to start moving them again in a couple hours."

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It was surreal.

Absolute chaos.

Men were yelling and swearing. Gunshots. Everything was happening too fast.

Kid?

Where was Kid?

It was clear what the men's intentions were as they rushed them with guns drawn and ropes.

He screamed,"KID!" desperately trying to warn his partner, as he grabbed for his gun. He pulled on his reins hard and tried to turn his horse, before someone snatched the reins and knocked the gun from his hand. Others grabbed him and threw him roughly out of his saddle onto the ground. A knee was driven into his back, while several sets of hands grabbed his arms and painfully yanked them backwards, binding them tightly with the strong rope.

"NO! NO! NONONONONO!"" Heyes' cries blended into one long wail of fear and panic, as he kicked and struggled

"I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING! WE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING!"

"I'm going to show you as much mercy as you showed the Turners before you slaughtered them all after stealing their cattle. The whole family, even the baby on her breast!" The man spit the words out, shaking with rage.

"YOU GOT TO BELIEVE ME!

"SHUT HIM UP!"

Someone hit Heyes with the stock of the rifle, snapping his head to one side. The left side of his head exploded in pain, as he fought to stay conscious. He could feel blood running down the side of his face.

Heyes was forcibly pulled to his feet. A noose was thrown over his head and pulled tight around his throat, before he was thrown back on his horse. He slumped in the saddle, trying to prevent the men from pulling the rope taut. The end of the rope was tossed over the tree branch, but before they secured it to the tree they jerked it tight, causing Heyes to sit ramrod straight. He tried to stand in the stirrups to ease the suffocating pressure of the rope. Heyes choked and his peripheral vision started to darken.

He heard Kid scream out his name and then gunshots.

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