Lucas was sitting there and sleeping soundly.  The guy had the desire to protect us, but his will just wasn’t strong enough to keep him awake.  Fortunate for all of us, nothing happened.  I picked him up and placed him on the pallet. then I went over and stirred up the coals and stoked the fire.  This was late October and the nights were quite chilly.  I figured while I was up I might as well put on a cup of coffee.
While waiting for the water to boil, I lit the oil lamp and pulled out my Bible.  I had thought much over the years about the amount of evil that there seems to be in the world.  If it is true, like some of those folks back in the East are expounding, that man is basically a good person at heart, then why does it seem that there is more and more evil?  And not just evil, but cruelty and barbarity.  Nah, I’ll stick to what God has spoken, that man is a sinner and needs a Redeemer.
I have heard people cry about showing mercy to those renegades that bring hurt and sorrow upon people.  There is a time for mercy, but I also have had to come to grips with the idea that there must also be justice.  If there is no justice, then mercy becomes an excuse and a meaningless phrase and justice itself becomes a laughingstock.  It made me think of Elias down there in the Territory working for Judge Parker.  Now, there were evil men there.
Looking over at the pallet with Lucas and Molly lying there sleeping, not hearing the sounds of the night, but resting in peaceful slumber.  What will be the future for Lucas’ generation?  If evil is allowed to persist, then what?  From what I see in God’s Word is the fact that men are to help those in need, the less fortunate, and the children.
The sizzling of water boiling over in the pot, brought me back to my senses.  Time to get the coffee boiling and ready to face the day.  As soon as it was light I reckoned I would take a walk in the direction of where Lucas said he saw the man run and get on his horse.  Molly would be getting up soon and heading down to the restaurant.  I’d escort her this morning after our little ordeal last night.
“Miles,” I heard her voice.
“Coffee’s ready,” I replied.  She got up, put on her wrapper, and came to the table.  By now the fire had taken the deep chill out of the room.  I got up and pulled the pot from the fire and poured coffee in the two tin cups we kept by the fireplace.
“Gray-light be approaching pretty soon,” I said.
She reached out and put her hand on my arm.  Amazing, I thought how soothing and comforting little things can be.
“You going to look for him today?” she asked.
“I’ll look around.  Maybe I find some clues.”  I sipped the coffee, it was steaming.
“I need to get ready.  Need to get down to the restaurant and get the stove warmed up.  I want to have some pies made this morning.”
We left Lucas sleeping and headed out while it was still dark.  The town would soon be stirring and Molly liked to have the place warm and going before the sun came up over the mountains.  When we arrived, we found Marta and her mother already at work.
Marta came over to us.  “You both okay?  Lucas told us about the shot.”
“We’re fine.  I left him sleeping.  He stood guard during the night.”
About that time the front door opened.  The first customers of the day…

You okay?” I whispered to Molly.
“If you get off me,” she replied.
“Quiet, stay low, and move over to the other side of the pallet.”
I was laying there, and I needed to listen.  Things were quiet.  Was the shooter still out there?  There was only one shot.  Did he think he hit me?  Was he trying to sneak up on the cabin?
Then I heard a noise, moving slowly and softly.  I moved to my knees and over to the darkened corner.
“Senor,” came the whisper.  “Senor, it is Lucas.”  Lucas was Marta’s little brother.  “He is gone.  He vamoosed.”
“Come slowly, Lucas.”  I was concerned that the man doing the shooting might be right behind him.
He entered alone.  “He is gone.  I heard the shot and came, saw him mount a horse and ride away.”
“What color was the horse?” I asked.
“It was in the shadows, too dark to tell.  It was a dark horse though.”  He paused, looking at me.  “Senor, you’ve been shot.”
I didn’t figure it was bad since I didn’t feel a thud and it didn’t knock me down.  Looking where Molly was, “Light up the lamp and take a look at this.”
“Lucas, think you can get a fire started in the fireplace?  I might want a cup of coffee after this.”
I sat down and Molly began to check me over.  It was only a graze along the shoulder.  At least no hole, but there was some blood.  I thought she might feel some compassion, but all she said was, “Miles, you’ve ruined another shirt.”  Now I figured it could have been my arm, but no, my shirt was what she was concerned over.
She was cleaning me up and getting the bleeding to stop and asked, “Do you think it was the same gang that robbed the train?”
“Could be.  But there was only one person.  If it was the gang I reckoned they would have made sure the job was done.”
I saw Lucas run out with the coffeepot.  “Hey!” I yelled.  But he was only gone for a few minutes.  “Water, senor.  I will make the coffee for you.”
Within minutes the water was boiling.  I was wondering what type of coffee I might get.  But he wanted to help so I didn’t say more.  After the shot, it seemed to get real quiet, but night was completely on us now, and I could now hear the sounds of the night.
“I stay with you tonight,” said Lucas.  I’ll keep guard so you and the Senora can get your rest.”
“No, you go home.”
“Senor, I insist.  Please let me help you.”
Maybe I shouldn’t have given in but I was tired.  The coffee was ready and I reached for the pot.  “Okay, you go home and tell your mother and then come back if you wish.”
He was gone in a flash.  Molly sat there with me.  She was used to my life by now.  “The Lord was looking after you Miles,” she said.  “You could be dead.”
I nodded.  “You’re right.  My time will come only when He says it is time, but this was close.”
We sat there and drank our coffee.  It wasn’t long when I heard the sound of feet running.  “I am back.  I will watch.”
“Okay Lucas, let’s take a walk so Molly can get ready for bed.”
We both turned in with Lucas sitting by the door.  I woke up later, something or someone disturbed me.  Plus the fact that my shoulder was hurting.  I looked over at Lucas and…

I left Windy with the doc; he should be alright. It was touch and go for a while as one of the wounds wouldn’t quit bleeding, but now he was resting and doing fine. Before I left the car and helped him to the doc’s office I asked a boy if he could find a good horse for me. The train back to Durango wouldn’t leave until the next day and I needed to get back.
“Sure, Mr. Marshal,” he said. “I’ll find you a good one. He’ll be here in an hour or so, all ready for to go.”
I didn’t think of it then, but walking back to the station I started thinking that I hoped he didn’t go steal one. As I walked up he stood there with Star. The kid was beaming like he pulled one over on me.
“How’d he get here?” I asked.
“Your friends in Durango thought it was a good idea. Said I could ride free, if I’d look after this horse.” He was really smiling. “He’s been grained, and now ready for the trail.”  I’m glad it was Star. He was the runner being part thoroughbred; Hawk was the stayer. I flipped him a whole dollar.  “Don’t have to do that Mr. Marshal. Wells Fargo paid for my trip.”
“Get yourself somethin’ to eat, and maybe somethin’ for the sweet tooth.” Then I mounted and took off.  I figured those outlaws have found out by now that they’d been set up and most likely weren’t too happy about it. Ridin’ hard I reckoned I could get back to Durango before they showed up. I did have a concern that I might run into them on the trail; hopefully they had gone south and that would give me a little more time. There was quite a bit of movement along the trail as miners not working with a company began to come down from the high country. Only a hearty-soul likes to winter up there. I had my share of winters like that, one only a few years back.
As I rode into Durango I went straight to the eatery. The place was bustling. It was good that Molly had hired Marta and her mother, for the place was full. I went to the back to find Molly and gave her a hug.
“Not now, Miles. We’re too busy. Go sit down and I’ll bring you something.”
I wasn’t about to argue that. My table is usually reserved for myself or Doc Jones and I ambled over to it. Putting the Greener on the table I poured a cup of coffee and sat down.
It was only a minute when Marta came over with a steaming plate of something. “Senor, wonderful to have you back. The Senora said for you to try this.” Then she bent down to whisper. “I think maybe there is some pie in the back, too.”
I recognized the beans, but wasn’t sure of what else I was eating. Putting a fork to it I brought it up and smelled it. It smelled good; that always a good sign. So I ventured further and put it in my mouth. Now, where had Molly been hiding this meal? It made my ol’ gizzard smile in delight. I was just finishing up when Molly came over to me with a giant piece of apple pie.
“Like them?” she asked.
“Delicious, but why haven’t you made them before?”
“Marta’s mother–Eliana. She calls them enchiladas. I hired her and Marta’s brother. He has been real handy, especially cutting the wood for the stove.”
I stayed until they closed and cleaned up and then Molly and I walked on home.  It was nigh unto dark when we arrived at the little shack we called home.  I was just opening the door when the shot rang out.  I felt the tug of the bullet and pushed Molly inside the shack, and then I fell…

The only thing bad about this plan was that someone could get killed.  Windy Dawson, a good man, was up in the Express Car with the regular railroad guard along with the two guards hired to see this shipment through.  I was in the car next to the Express.  Hopefully the guise would work, and hopefully when the outlaws appeared they would not do any shooting, but just grab the “ore” and leave.
With the heavy load I didn’t figure the attack would happen in the mountains, but down on the flat where they could have a wagon waiting.  I sat in the car, waiting, wishing for the old days when they had a stove in the car and a coffeepot.  Sitting there I began to think that the first thing I need to do when I get home was work on the cabin.  We had a table and couple of chairs with a pallet by a good fireplace.  But that was all; there needed to be improvements made.  Who knows, maybe some day Molly and I would have a family.
The slowing of the train brought me out of my thoughts.  This was it.  The train stopped; I could hear talking but not what was being said.  So far, so good.  I moved to the back of the car where I could get a look without giving myself away.  There was a wagon being brought up for the bullion.  Then it came…
“Where’s Forrest?”
I saw the man talking start back to my car with another man.
“Forrest come out!  I have a few things to settle with you!”
I recognized the voice from the eatery.  There was no way I was going to go out there.  Looking around I went out the back door and climbed to the top of the car and quietly began to move toward the Express Car.
“Forrest, this is the last warning!  No use getting anyone else hurt.”
I was about half-way over the top when I heard a shot.  Then a couple more, and then it sounded like a small battle had ensued.  I hurried and saw men behind the wagon firing into the car.  I pulled the Schofield and fired hitting one man at the wagon.  One of the men below looked up and fired, but he was too hasty.  The angle was poor, but I fired anyway.  There was a yelp, so I must have hit him somewhere.
Then shots came up through the rooftop.  Someone was inside.  I jumped across to the top of the Express Car.  The shooting had quieted down, so I laid down on top of the car and tried to push my belly into the wood.
There were more shots from the car I just came from and then a man hollered.  “Get that wagon moving!  Toland, get my horse over here!”
I had open shots, but figured it was best to just stay hunkered and let them ride off.  I would go for them later, but now I was concerned about what was happened inside the car.  One man leaped out; one of the guards jumped on the wagon with the bullion.  Guess that meant that one didn’t make it.
After they were completely gone from sight I climbed down and went to the open door of the Express.  The conductor and engineer were coming my way as well.  Windy was down as were the railroad guard and the outlaw. Outside, one outlaw was dead.
“Bout time you got here, Forrest,” Windy sputtered.
He was bleeding from a wound in the leg, arm, and it looked like the neck.  “Don’t think any of these will kill you,” I said.  “Unless you bleed out.  I need to get the blood stopped.”  Best I could, I began to patch him.  The neck was just a graze, and I was soon able to get the bleeding stopped.
“That fool railroad guard started it.  He couldn’t relax, and one of those outlaw guards pushed him and he reached for his shotgun.  That’s when he was shot.  Then those outside started shooting.  I didn’t have much of a chance.  I shot one of the guards and just emptied my gun on those outside when I finally when down.  They must have been fired blindly like I was just hoping.”
The engineer and conductor were listening.  Dawson looked up, “Any way I could get a drink?”
The conductor went to get a canteen.  “Miles, when they find they’ve been hoodwinked, they’re not going to be happy.  When we get to Pagosa, you better high-tail it back to Durango.  He’ll be wantin’ you.”
I was thinking the same thing.