"You sent him where?"

Hannibal Heyes knew it was probably not a good idea to raise his voice to his benefactor, but having just been informed that his cousin was out roaming the streets of Denver with only Billy for company, he was finding it difficult to remain calm.

"You're too protective of that boy," chided Silky. "He's old enough to take care of himself."

"With busted ribs?"

Silky waved a hand, dismissively. "Horsefeathers! He's pretty much healed, Gus said so. Besides, from what he tells me, he's quite a boxer."

"He might be good, but that's against one opponent. Not a whole street gang! A bunch of them kids followed us this morning."

"He's fourteen years old, Hannibal. It's about time you let him find his own way in this world — and find it he will. That boy's confident and knows his own mind. He's gonna be a 'somebody' one day."

At these words Hannibal felt a chill run down his spine. During their time in Serenity the town deputy, Danny Whitman, had been teaching Jed to shoot a revolver. According to Danny, Jed was a 'natural', a statement which had prompted the youngster to voice a desire to become a 'somebody'. Unfortunately, Han knew exactly what he meant by that. Jed wanted to be a gunman, like the ones he'd read about; a profession which could ultimately cost him his life.

Making for the door he said, "I should go look for him."

Now it was Silky's turn to raise his voice. "You'll do no such thing! You've got work to do."

"But—"

"Don't even think about arguing with me you young squirt, or could be I'll see my way to changin' my mind about your employ."

Regardless of whether Jed was growing up faster than he'd noticed Han still needed to keep this job because with it came a home... a home he knew his cousin deserved, so he did his best to look suitably contrite. "Yes, sir."

"Well, don't just stand there! Get to work!"

ooooo-OOO-ooooo

"We're here." Jed indicated the X on the hand-drawn map before cramming what remained of one of Irma's freshly baked cookies into his mouth.

"So, the Denver Pike is that way." Billy pointed to the right,

Both boys stared down the shadowy street, half expecting to see the gang that had matched their steps on The Row this morning, but there was no sign of life, and after a short discussion they agreed on an initial route across town.

Stopping frequently to update the map, they then decided to retrace their steps a short way before venturing along a yet unexplored alley. The dark, narrow passage emerged onto a wide, sun-filled street, which they remembered from about fifteen minutes ago. It was here that, out of the corner of his eye, Jed detected a movement.

"Well, look who's showed up," he said as, a few yards to their left, one of the street gang emerged from another alley.

"You wanna turn back?" asked Billy.

"Nope. I think we should find out what they want."

Concerned, Billy frowned. "What if they're lookin' for a fight, Kid? You ain't fully healed up."

Jed folded the map and carefully tucked it in his pocket. "I'm more'n a match for one of them chuckleheads," he said, confidently striding in the direction of the urchin. Billy trotted along beside him, unsure if it was a good idea, but willing to back up his friend whatever happened.

As they approached, five more boys of differing ages emerged from the shadows and lined up across the street, blocking their path.

Jed stopped, folded his arms across his chest, and searched each of the dirty faces for a clue as to who might be the leader. "Why are you followin' us?" he asked.

A lanky, ginger-haired youth, about the same age as Han and dressed in a faded green shirt and brown pants too short for his growing frame, cockily hooked his thumbs in his suspenders and stepped forward. He answered Jed's question with one of his own.

"Whatcha doin' here?"

"That's my business," answered Jed.

The youth squared up to him. "Everythin' 'round here is our business."

Jed shook his head. "Not mine."

Billy leaned toward his friend and whispered, "Maybe we oughta go. We don't need no trouble."

Ignoring this suggestion Jed looked the group's leader straight in the eye. "You'd best get outta our way."

Deeming this to be his territory, the youth stepped forward and taunted, "Make me."

The cool demeanour Jed had managed to maintain up to that moment disappeared in a flash and his right fist darted out at lightning speed toward the snub nose in front of him. Upon impact there was a sickening crunch. Somewhat stunned at the sudden attack, and with blood streaming from his nose the youth swung his own fist in response, but unable to see much through his watering eyes he hit nothing.

Recalling all he had been taught by Fox Flanagan, Jed dodged out of the way then lunged forward again to unleash a very effective punch to his opponent's solar plexus. As the youth fell to his knees gasping for air, the other boys all ran forward as one, fists flailing, and a brawl began in earnest.

Due to the level of abuse Flanagan had inflicted upon him, Billy had been given little opportunity to demonstrate his own boxing skills, but here, fighting alongside his friend, he finally came into his own. The fight didn't go all their own way, but the two young boxers proved themselves to be more than a match for anyone untrained, and it wasn't long before a couple more of the gang lay groaning in the dirt. The remaining three circled menacingly as Jed and Billy stood with their backs almost touching and their fists raised, a look of determination to win no matter what, etched on their faces.

"That'll do, boys!"

Recognizing the voice as that of the gang's leader Jed took his eyes away from the others for a fraction of a second to see the youth back on his feet, but still holding his nose. To his surprise the remaining boys dropped their fists and backed off. Wary of another attack, he and Billy stayed where they were.

"We ain't gonna fight you no more," the youth said.

"Oh, yeah?" Jed scoffed.

"It's the truth."

Jed quickly dropped his chin to his shoulder and murmured to Billy, "Whaddya think? He tellin' the truth?"

"Could be," Billy murmured back. "We flattened a couple of 'em pretty good."

After a moment's consideration Jed said, "Okay, but stay on your guard in case they try to jump us." Lowering his fists he instantly pointed to the youth's nose and observed, "That's broke."

Experience of tending to other peoples injuries after boxing matches gave Billy the confidence to advise, "Pinch it hard and put your head back. That'll stop the bleedin'."

Somewhat reluctantly the youth followed these instructions, and it was not long before the scarlet flow reduced to one or two drips. He wiped them away with his sleeve.

"That's some punch you got there," he admitted. "I'm Tucker, by the way." He introduced the other members of the gang in turn. "This is Slip, Digger, Snowy, Tolly and Tat."

"I'm called Kid and my friend here is Billy."

"What kinda name is Kid?"

"It's a boxer's name. It was given me by a bona fide boxing manager," stated Jed proudly. "Me and Billy fought in his troop."

Tucker winced as he tentatively felt his nose. "Pains me to say it, but yous are good. Wanna join our gang?"

"No thanks. We're workin' for Mister O'Sullivan."

"That old buzzard! Doin' what?"

Before Jed could stop him, Billy answered, "Don't know, but he says it's real important we know every alleyway."

"Aahh, so you're the new runners."

"What's one o' them?" asked Billy.

Tucker turned and grinned at his gang. "They don't even know what they're doin'!"

The boys all laughed but Tucker couldn't help but notice a flash of anger cross Jed's face at being made fun of.

"It's real simple," he explained. "You take the money O'Sullivan gives ya to another saloon and come back with little pieces of paper. Them's called receipts," he declared, proud of this piece of knowledge.

"You hafta run real fast too," added Snowy. "Where you gotta take it?"

While Jed was wondering whether he was actually fit enough to run anywhere fast, Billy answered again, "The Denver Pike."

Tucker gave a low whistle. "That's the Flyte's place. Them two ain't the sort to mess with, no siree. Word is, the last pair doin' that run was stealin' some of the money. Can't say what happened to 'em. All I know is they ain't been heard of in a while; so you best be sure and do what yer told."

ooooo-OOO-ooooo

"Let me get this straight. This fella, Tucker, showed you all the shortcuts to the other saloon?" Han asked, while he undressed for bed that night. Although it was late, his cousin was only just filling him in on the part of the day's exploits that he suspected ought not to be revealed over the supper table. "And he still did this after you broke his nose?"

"Yep." Jed climbed into bed, followed by Billy.

Han frowned. As far as he was concerned Tucker and his gang were trouble, and the more he thought about it the deeper his frown became.

Jed, however, interpreted the frown as a sign that Han didn't think he could do the job.

"There's no need to look like that. Sure, there's a lot of alleyways to learn, but me and Billy can do this. We won't get lost, if that's what you're worried about. We drew everythin' on our map just like Mister O'Sullivan told us."

Han groaned. "Please tell me you didn't tell Tucker what you were doing." He was certain that the gang's sole intention was to wait down one of the shortcuts they had so generously pointed out and steal the money Jed and Billy would be carrying.

Two blue eyes glanced at Billy, then blinked innocently at Han before their owner replied, "Not in so many words..."

"Jeez, Kid, all that boxing musta knocked any sense you were born with clean outta your head! You've made yourself one heck of an easy target!"

The shared bed rocked as, both exasperated and worried, Han flung himself between the covers and began vigorously plumping up his pillow.

A finger poked him in the back. "Han."

Looking over his shoulder to see Jed smiling at him did not improve Han's mood. "Think the idea of getting beat up again is funny do you?" he growled.

"No."

"'Cause you know I won't be there next time to save your sorry ass."

"I know."

"So whatcha smiling for?"

Jed's smile expanded to a full-blown grin. "You just called me Kid."