Joey stood beside Salem watching the gang ride out in a cloud of dust on their way to make a withdrawal from the bank in Shady Pines.

"How long will they be gone?"

"Reckon they'll be back tomorrow evenin' in time for supper…if all goes well."

Joey jerked his head around to look at the older man. "They'll be all right won't they?"

"Heyes plans everything out real good son."

"Yeah but…"

"Joey they rob the bank at night when there ain't nobody around. Most times nobody even knows they bin robbed 'til the next day. By then they've put a lot of miles between them and the town. Now come on let's get the work done."

They worked side by side with Joey peppering Salem with questions.

"How do they get inside the bank if it's closed? How do they decide which bank to rob? How do they get the safe open? What's everybody else doin' if only the Kid and Heyes go inside? What happens if somebody sees them and recognizes them? How come Kyle takes dynamite, wouldn't everybody in town hear it?"

This was the most Salem had heard the boy talk and he patiently tried to answer all his questions, but after a couple hours of nonstop questions his head was spinning so he finally straightened up and smiled at the boy.

"You know what Joey? This'd be a good day to clean the bunkhouse what with all the fellas gone. You go work on that and I'll finish up out here."

He chuckled watching Joey make his way to the bunkhouse dragging his feet, obviously not looking forward to the job…not that he could blame him, the place was a mess. Now all he had to do was come up with enough things to keep the youngster busy until the boys got back tomorrow night.

XXX

They were sitting outside the bunkhouse the next day just as the sun was setting, having decided to wait for the gang before eating supper. Hearing the three shots Joey jumped to his feet excitedly, Salem standing more slowly. The men of the Devil's Hole Gang rode into sight, dusty, tired but smiling happily.

"Joey take care of their horses. Boys there's a batch of stew simmerin' if you're hungry."

Joey's face fell…he wanted to hear all about the robbery. He watched as the outlaws headed into the bunkhouse…all but Kyle. Wheat stopped at the door, frowning when he saw his partner still with the horses.

"Ya comin' Kyle?"

"I'm gonna help Joey with the horses first," Kyle said leading four of the seven horses to the corral. Wheat shrugged as he headed in for some supper.

"How was it Kyle?"

"How was what?"

"The bank… was there any problems?"

"Nah, Heyes and the Kid had things planned out real good. Didn't even get to use my dynamite." Kyle filled the boy in on what had happened in Shady Pines. "Rode outta town and never seen a soul chasin' us the whole way back."

"Wish I coulda gone with ya."

"You'll get ta go with us next time prob'ly." He turned the last horse into the corral and slapped Joey on the shoulder. "Now c'mon before there's no stew left."

XXX

It was sunup a couple days later when Joey and Kyle were finishing up feeding the horses that the distant sound of shots could be heard. Six shots, pause, six shots, pause.

"Sure wish I could see him shoot."

"C'mon I'll take ya up there," Kyle said giving the last horse a scoop of oats.

"He won't get mad?"

"He don't mind ya watchin' as long as yer quiet."

The Kid heard the rustle of leaves and twigs cracking, recognizing Kyle's footsteps and realizing he wasn't alone figured it would be Joey that was with him. The noise behind him stopped. He waited a few seconds before drawing and firing six shots hitting the six cans dead center. Hearing the gasp behind him he turned to see Kyle grinning and Joey with his mouth hanging open.

"Mornin' boys," he said reloading his Colt before spinning in into the holster.

"Howdy Kid."

"Wow! I ain't never seen nothin' like that."

"Takes lots of practice."

"Would you teach me?"

The Kid took a deep breath. "I won't teach ya to fast draw, but since you're in the gang I guess I need to teach you to shoot. But not today, I'm hungry and hopin' Heyes's got breakfast ready."

The three headed back down and as they got closer they could see Wheat looking around with his hands on his hips and a scowl on his face. Seeing them he strode angrily toward the group, stopping directly in front of Kyle poking a finger into his chest. Kyle's eyes widened as he looked at his friend, Joey taking a fearful step back.

"Dammit Kyle, you were supposed ta see to the horses this mornin'," he said loudly.

"But I…"

"Everybody's got their own chores to do Kyle…they don't need ta be doin' yours too."

"I'm right sorry Wheat, I was figurin' on doin' it when we got back."

"Hank done it already.

The Kid had veered toward the leaders' cabin having no desire to deal with Wheat…especially before breakfast. Heyes met him at the door, having opened it to see what all the ruckus was about.

"What's got Wheat so riled this early?"

The Kid grinned. "Seems Kyle brought Joey to watch me practice instead of doin' his chores this mornin'."

Heyes chuckled as the Kid entered and shut the door. Plates of ham and scrambled eggs were placed on the table and both men started eating.

"You don't suppose ol' Wheat's a bit jealous what with Kyle spending so much time with young Joey," Heyes asked, a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

The Kid snorted in amusement, a forkful of eggs halfway to his mouth. "Dunno Heyes, reckon that's his business. Just hope he don't take it out on the boy."

They fell silent as they finished eating. Heyes could tell the Kid had something on his mind and waited patiently knowing he would talk when ready.

"I'm gonna go into town today."

"Oh?"

"The boy needs a gun if he's gonna be a member of the gang," he sighed. "Told 'im I'd teach 'im to shoot."

Heyes looked at him with raised eyebrows.

"Ain't no cause for ya to look at me like that. Not teachin' him to fast draw, just to shoot and be able to hit what he's aimin' at."

"Gotta admit Kid, never gave it much thought, but you're right. Think I'll tag along, I need a new book."

The Kid chuckled, drained his coffee, got to his feet and grabbed his hat, plunking it on his head. His hand on the door he turned to look at his partner who was still sitting at the table a wide grin on his face.

"Ya in a hurry are ya Kid?"

The Kid just rolled his eyes and went out, Heyes laughing as he grabbed his hat and hurried after his cousin.

XXX

Kyle and Joey were chopping wood when three distant shots announced the return of Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry. They straightened up to watch the two men ride in and turn their horses into the corral. Kyle and Joey had turned back to the woodpile not realizing that the two men were heading in their direction.

"Hey Joey, got somethin' for ya."

Heyes held out a package tied up in plain brown paper. The boy looked from it to Heyes, confusion on his face. Heyes grinned as he pushed the bundle into the boy's hands.

"What is it?"

Heyes laughed "guess you need to open it to find out."

Joey took the package untying the string to open it carefully. He looked up at Heyes his eyes glistening when he saw the new shirt, pants, socks and longjohns.

"Figured you were in need of some new clothes. Gotta have you properly attired if you're gonna be ridin' with us."

"Thanks," he said so softly that they barely heard him.

"How be you put your new clothes in the bunkhouse. Then hurry on back 'cause you and me got somethin' to do."

Joey spun on his heels running as fast as he could to the bunkhouse, leaving three laughing men behind them.

"I'm takin' him up to where I practice Kyle and I don't want nobody followin' us."

"Ya gonna teach him how ta shoot Kid?"

The Kid didn't answer, just adjusted the package he was carrying under his arm, watching as Joey rushed back out of the bunkhouse. They made their way to the spot where the gunfighter practiced every morning, the young man beginning to get excited thinking that Kid Curry was going to let him shoot his gun. But when they arrived he was somewhat disappointed when the Kid sat on a fallen tree and indicated that Joey should sit beside him. The boy did as he was told, sitting to look curiously at the man beside him, wondering why he'd been brought here. They sat for almost three full minutes with neither of them speaking. Finally the Kid held out the parcel he had been carrying, Joey taking it and unwrapping it even more slowly than the one Heyes had given him. He sat looking in awe at what was revealed, running his hands gently over the leather. The Kid put a hand over his, stopping him from pulling the Colt free.

"Before I teach ya to shoot, you need to learn how to take care of it. It needs to be kept clean…a clean gun is more accurate and ya don't want it misfirin' because it's dirty. You could lose a hand…or worse."

Joey was shown how to break the gun down as well as the proper way to thoroughly clean it. He was shown the best way to wear the holster…after a couple more holes had been poked into the belt so it wouldn't fall off him.

"Now draw and point."

Joey stood and nervously took a deep breath. He took the same stance he had seen the gunfighter use, lowering his right hand and grabbing at the gun…and almost dropping it. He heard the man behind him sigh. He hung his head. Feeling a hand settle gently on his shoulder he looked up into the understanding face of the Kid.

"Do it again only this time do it slow. Remember if possible it's better to be slow and accurate than to be fast and miss…could be the difference between livin' or dyin'."

XXX

Heyes was sitting outside the leaders' cabin when the two came walking back, smiling when he saw the younger man standing tall, his shoulders back, proudly wearing the gun and holster. He raised a hand to cover his mouth, his smile widening when he saw his partner hold his hand out. Joey's face fell, his shoulders slumping as he unbuckled the holster and handed it to the Kid. He saw his cousin put his hand on the boys shoulder saying something that had him nodding almost miserably as he turned to go to the bunkhouse. Heyes was still grinning as his partner stopped in front of him.

"Well I ain't about to leave it with him yet, he's like to shoot himself in the foot."

"Didn't think you'd give him any bullets."

"I didn't Heyes but you know as well as I do that one o' them idiots over there would likely give 'im some if he asked. I just hope he don't convince one of 'em to let 'im borrow a gun."

"You don't hafta worry about that none Kid, I already told them all not to…or they'd be answerin' to you," he added with a laugh.

Joey continued his lessons with the Kid every morning carefully following every instruction he was given, pleasing his teacher with how he always cleaned the gun after their practice. But after almost a month the boy was frustrated that he could never seem to hit more than three of six targets.

"What am I doin' wrong?" he sighed miserably.

"I keep tellin' ya you're firin' too fast," the Kid said patiently. "Next time try this…after each shot count to five before firing again. Don't worry, the accuracy will come, it just takes practice."

Two months later several members of the gang, minus Kyle and Joey, were outside listening to a yarn Heyes was spinning, a smiling Kid standing beside him, arms crossed. Heyes stopped talking, all of them turning when they heard someone laughing helplessly. They were shocked to see Joey bent double laughing at Kyle who was laying on the ground having obviously tripped over something. The men had treated the boy the same as they did each other and had watched him slowly relax in their company, only starting if someone came up behind him. Laughter was a sound none of them had heard from the young man and they couldn't help but smile hearing it…even Wheat smiled before he could hide it. They watched Kyle get to his feet, kicking the rock that had tripped him before giving Joey a friendly shove. Heyes finished his tale as the pair reached them.

"All right boys remember we hit the bank in Hartville Saturday night. Joey come with us, we wanna talk to you."

Heyes had brought the young boy into the leaders' cabin so he could talk to him not only about what part he wanted him to take part in on the job but also to decide if he thought he was ready. The Kid sat silently, watching the boys' reactions closely, content to let his cousin do the talking.

"You know that our next job is in Hartville and we're gonna be leavin' day after tomorrow at sunup. You'll be goin' with us but you're gonna do exactly what you're told…no less and no more. I'm partnerin' you with Kyle to hold our horses while me and the Kid are inside the bank. It'll be after midnight so I'm not expecting any trouble. You think you're gonna be able to handle that?"

Joey nodded eagerly, his eyes alight. Heyes eyed him momentarily not sure if he liked what he was seeing. He turned to his partner.

"Got anything to add Kid?"

"Yeah… there shouldn't be no cause for any gunplay, but even if there is, I don't want you involved in it."

Seeing the boy frown at him he added "You ain't accurate enough yet Joey…once you shoot someone you can't take it back and killin' will stay with you for the rest of your life…or get ya hung."

"There's no shame in admitting it if you don't think you can abide by these rules but we need you to be honest with us. We have to be able to count on every single member of the gang to do their job," Heyes added.

"I can do it."

"All right then, get lots of rest you're gonna need it."

XXX

It was dusk on Saturday when the gang split up and made their way, a couple at a time, into Hartville, a sleepy little town with one redeeming feature…a bank that had, just that afternoon, received a large payroll for a nearby mine. The men were scattered throughout the town, calmly and casually keeping an eye on the goings on but constantly alert for any possible trouble. Shortly after midnight Heyes and Curry handed the reins to Kyle and Joey, making their way down the alley and disappearing quickly through a side window. Kyle had been instructed more than once to keep an eye on the newest member of the gang and he took his job seriously, knowing the horses could mean the difference between getting away or being caught if anything was to go wrong.

The partners had been in the bank for several minutes when the horses picked up on Joey's increasing nervousness. They began getting more and more uneasy, jostling into one another and snorting.

"Joey ya gotta settle down we need ta keep the horses calm," Kyle warned him quietly.

"But…"

"Ain't no but about it… yer gonna have the law down on us," he warned.

Kyle breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the two men crawling out of the window heading quickly back in their direction. Taking the reins they were able to mount the animals that were so skittish they were ready to bolt. They headed out of town making their way back to the safety of Devil's Hole. They rode in silence throughout the night wanting to put as much distance between them and town as possible. They stopped as the sun rose, needing to water and rest the animals.

"Hank make some coffee will ya, and maybe heat some beans. Lobo and Preacher you boys keep watch."

"Sure Heyes." They weren't about to argue, all the men knew that something had happened in town to upset their leaders.

"Kyle a word."

Kyle sure didn't like the sound of that, but followed the two men away from the group.

"What happened with the horses?"

Kyle looked down, not wanting to get anyone in trouble, least of all Joey.

"Answer him," the Kid growled.

"Well, Joey…aww Heyes he didn't do nothin' wrong, was just a mite nervous with it bein' his first robbery 'n' all and well the horses picked up on it. I tried to calm 'im down…"

"All right Kyle, thanks. You can go on back, get somethin' to eat."

"Ya ain't gonna kick 'im outta the gang are ya?"

"Go Kyle."

Kyle's shoulders drooped, but did as he was told. Heyes and the Kid stood shoulder to shoulder watching him get coffee and sit beside Joey, shaking his head when the boy spoke to him.

"What d'ya think Kid?"

"I think when we get back I'm gonna get some sleep, then me and Joey are goin' to have a long talk…then I'll tell ya what I think."

Heyes nodded. "Fair enough, let's get some of Hank's coffee and get home."