* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *’

     I stepped up on the steps of the last passenger car and walked into the car.  There was a rough-looking character sitting where I had planned to plot McGinnis.  “Sir, you need to move to another seat,” I said politely.

     He ignored me.  By now McGinnis and Charlie had come in the door.

     Heaving a deep sigh, I again addressed the man.  “Sir, you need to move to another seat.”  This time with more emphasis.  He still didn’t respond.  Either he was hard of hearing or he was trying to prove how tough he was.

    With the barrel of the Greener I poked him in the ribs, sort of gentle like.  That finally got a response.

     He snarled, “This is my seat, you go find another seat!”

     Glaring at me, I just returned with a smile.  “This will be the last time I will ask.  If you don’t move I’ll have to move you.”

     He stood up with a sneer, dropped his hand to his gun.  With the barrel of the Greener I thrust it at his kneecap and at the same time of hearing it pop came a yelp from the man.  “Cuff him Charlie, whilst I get McGinnis settled in.”

     The man I just hit fell to the seat groaning.  I don’t know whether I broke his kneecap or not, but something sure popped when I hit him.  Charlie quickly cuffed him to the bar on the back of the seat.  I did the same with McGinnis across the aisle.

     “It hurts,” moaned the man.  “I need a doctor.”

     “It’s okay big boy, we’ll be sure and get you one…” Charlie paused, then added, “in about four hours.”

     With a groan, the man asked, “What’s the charge?”

     “Impeding an office of the law in the discharge of his duties,” I replied, taking a seat in front of the man leaning back against the side of the car.  “One, maybe two years in jail.”

     His eyes widened, “But…”

     “Mister, I asked you, then gave you a choice.  You took it, however poor it was.”

     McGinnis hadn’t said a word.  I could tell that the walk wore him out.  Then when I glanced at Charlie I saw that he was as pale as those fluffy clouds I could see up along the peaks.

     By the time the train pulled out of the station, McGinnis was sleeping, Charlie was on his way to slumberland, and the man I cracked on the knee was silently moaning.  I found out that his name was Walt Craig, occupation–unemployed.  There had been no eye contact between him and McGinnis so I didn’t know if he was part of McGinnis’ gang.

I wanted to talk with Charlie regarding the rest of the passengers, but he had already succumbed to slumber.

     I looked over the passengers and of the fourteen aboard, half of which were women, I saw only one man that may be of concern.  He sat up front and only once turned to look back at us.  That could be a clue, or it could mean nothing at all.

     It seemed to be a long, boring ride for which I was glad.  I didn’t bother to wake Charlie until the train was pulling into the station in Durango.  From the window I saw Marta with young Micah in her arms.  I figured Molly must have stayed in the diner so Marta could meet Charlie.  She knew that he had been shot, so I expected she had some frets in her system.  I had to smile, for Lucas was standing there with her.”

     “Charlie!” blurted Marta when the train stopped and Charlie took a step out with McGinnis in tow.  Lucas ran up to take charge of the prisoner from Charlie so he could hug Marta.  There was some blubbering between them, tears flowing from Marta’s eyes, with poor little Micah crushed between them.

     I was pulling a limping Walt Craig from the car.  After I helped him to the platform, I took off the handcuffs.  “Get out of here!  I reckon that ride was enough punishment for you.  But let me tell you this, if I see or hear that you are helping McGinnis I will hunt you down.”

     He didn’t say anything, just nodded and limped away.  I saw Lucas walking McGinnis towards the jail so I turned to Charlie.  “Go on home with Marta.  I’ll go with Lucas to get the prisoner settled, then mosey on down to the diner.”

     Twenty minutes later, after a long hug from Molly, I found myself sitting in the diner with a cup of coffee and a piece of apple pie in front of me.  Ahh, sure was nice to be home.  In between bites and swallows I told Molly that I’d be here for a couple of days but then had to go back to Silverton to check on Beavins and his deputies.

     As I emptied the cup, I looked at her with a large grin on my face.  “What would you say if we went on a picnic tomorrow?”

     There was no audible reply, but I received a smile and she stood up from her chair to embrace me.  Did I say it was sure nice to be home?

A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer.  Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”

–Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NLT)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

     Beavin stood there with eyes wide open.  Then he blurted, “I don’t know nothing about marshaling.  I’m a miner!”

     I eyeballed him, “You know right from wrong, don’t you?”

     “Yes, but…”

     “But nothing, you can handle this.  Just use common sense, be firm.  Your job is to keep the peace and the people safe.  Do that and you don’t need to know all the details of the law,” I paused letting that sink in.  “The fine points of the law will come, but right now we need peace in this town.”

     He ducked his head, then lifted it speaking, “I’m not much good with a pistol…”

     I held up my hand to stop his talking then went over to the wall where there were rifles and shotguns.  Grabbing one of them, I brought it over to him.  “All you need is this.”  I held out a Baker Three-Barrel Gun.  It had two 12-gauge barrels with the third barrel chambered for a .44-40 cartridge.  If I didn’t have the Greener it would be my gun of choice.

“You don’t have to know how to use a pistol with this.  It works simply–point and fire.”

     Glancing at his arm, “Take off that sling.  If you don’t need it tomorrow, you don’t need it today.  Take hold of this fine weapon, get a feel of it,” I smiled, “you’ll do all right.  I’ll be back within the week to check on you.”

     Charlie started to object, but I glared at him and he quickly stifled his objections.

     Osain was starting to come around.  “Can I hire my own deputies?”

     I looked at Charlie, then answered, “As long as they understand they work for the law, and that either Sheriff Gold or myself can fire them at any time.  I don’t want any high-minded men thinking that a star gives them the right to bully.  Understand?”

     He nodded.  “I’ve some Welsh brothers who are down on their luck.  Good men, mind you.”

     “They’ll listen to you?” I snapped.  “I told you I don’t want no bullies!”

     “They’ll listen,” then he smiled.  “The pay will help feed their bellies.  Plus Rhodri has a family, it will be a welcome sight for him to bring some bacon home.”

     Glancing over at Charlie, he gave a little nod.  Then he added to the conversation, “Tanner’s a nervous sort.  Keep him as the jailer and he’ll be okay.”

     “Sheriff, you want to swear him in?” When Charlie was doing the honors I went over to the desk where I found one badge in a drawer.  Placing it on the desk I went to the back office where I found several more.  “Plenty of badges,” I told him, but remember, you have a budget.”

     “Beavins, fines collected go to the town treasury, however, your office will also get a percentage of them,” Charlie paused, “Just don’t overdo it.”

     “Marshal, Sheriff, I got the message.  All I can tell you is that I’ll do my best.”

     I nodded, “That’s all anyone can do.”  Then I added, “If you’re a prayin’ man do it, if not I’d start.”

     Turning my attention to Charlie, “Well, Sheriff, do you think you can manage to walk to the train station?  I’ll guard the prisoner while we amble down.”

     “We’ll leave as soon as Tanner gets back.  I want to tell him the situation.  What about Smith?”

     “It is my thinkin’ that we’ll leave Smith here until I return.  Hopefully Judge Klaser will have the trial and hangin’ before the week’s out.”

     We left within the hour, giving the reins to Osain Beavins and his men.  Hopefully they could keep the lid on the town.  McGinnis complained from the start until we boarded the train.  He complained that he couldn’t walk that far, then he complained about the hard seats on the train.  He hollered once that he was bleeding and when I replied that maybe he’d bleed out on the way down and we could just pitch his body over into the canyon he quieted down.

     So far, neither Sheriff Gold nor myself had seen anyone who looked like they might be one of McGinnis’ men.  Charlie was holding up good, but there was that feeling…

And on a cold night, two under the same blanket can gain warmth from each other.  But how can one be warm alone?”  –Ecclesiastes 4:11 (NLT)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

     “Miles, we can’t leave Silverton without a marshal,” he paused, looking towards the front office.  “Lucius is an all right jailer, but he can’t handle the likes of Silverton,” he paused again, then added, “so far no one has been able to.”

      I looked out to the office, Tanner was gone to fetch breakfast for the prisoners.  He had calmed down quite a bit unless he had to come feed McGinnis or our guest, Mr. Smith.  “Worst comes to worst, I can stay here if you think you’re able to get McGinnis down to Durango.”

     Charlie had only been sitting up for a couple of days, and McGinnis began yesterday.  Smith would be the problem.  “I could stay until McGinnis is tried and hung an’ keep Smith here with me.  Then after the hangin’ you could come back and I’ll take Smith to Durango.  That way at least one of us would be in town.”

     “Marshal, I ain’t gonna hang!  You wait and see!” yelled McGinnis from his cell.  “Where’s my food, I’m hungry!”

     Doc Minton had been in and said that the prisoner was capable of traveling by train or wagon, and that Charlie should be able to handle the ride as well.  If McGinnis was chained to a seat, Charlie could rest.  Doc said he was coming along fine considering all the blood he lost.

     “Charlie, what say we take our situation upstairs to the One who has the answer for us?”  He nodded and we said a prayer there for God’s guidance and help in needing a marshal for Silverton.

     “Hey!  What’s that you’re doing?” Praying?  You best be doing plenty of that, you’ll need it!” McGinnis scoffed.  “I’ll be spitting on your corpses before long.”  

     I didn’t pay any attention to McGinnis, but he had the ability to grate on my nerves some.  However, I noticed that Smith took notice of what we were doing, leaning forward, attempting to listen.  “You guys really believe that stuff?” he asked in a sincere tone.

     Standing I went across the aisle to stand by Smith’s cell.  “The Lord’s the only hope we have in this life, and for sure the only hope we have for eternity,” I paused looking over at McGinnis where seemed to be carrying a perpetual sneer.  Turning back, I continued speaking to Smith.  “Life is short, shorter than others for some, and it is a comfort knowin’ that the Lord is on your side.”

     While in the midst of my talk with Smith, I heard pounding on the office door.  It was too early for Tanner to return.  I quickly drew my pistol then headed for the door.  Peeking through the shades on the window I saw that it was Osain Beavin, the miner who was in the way of Kid Malloy’s bullet.  Without holstering my gun I unlocked the door inviting Beavin inside then stepped out looking up and down the street.  Up on the corner I saw a man standing that gave rise to suspicion, but I decided to ignore him.

     After locking the door, I put my gun away and turned to Beavin.  “What can I do for you, Mr. Beavin?” I inquired observing that his arm was in a sling.

     He gave a half-smile, then said, “Goin’ down tah Durango with yuh.”

     A thought rushed through my mind.  “How’s the arm?”

     “Doc said I could take the sling off today or tomorrow.  It’s some sore, and I have to be careful movin’ it too quick, but it’ll be alright,” he hesitated, then smiled continuing.  “Ol’ Heinie at the “Iowa” said if I couldn’t sling a hammer he had no need for me.  I will give him credit, he did say that when the arm was better to come see him, there may be an opening.  Well, Marshal, I’ve got to eat between now and then.”

     For some reason, I blurted, “Have you ever considered bein’ a marshal?”  His eyes widened, and he started to speak but no words came.  “You know the people, you know Silverton, and,” I looked at him, “you’re tough.”

     “Well, now, I…”

     Charlie heard me talking and came walking from the cell area.  He nodded at Beavin.  “So you’re our new marshal…glad to have you aboard…”

     “I let them take me!” he cried.  “Just like a greenhorn, I let them take me.”  He moaned, grabbing for his badge.

     As soon as his hand touched it, I thrust mine forward to hold it against his and the badge.  “Don’t,” I commanded, “let it there for a moment.  Feel the heart beat under the badge.  That’s Charlie Gold, Sheriff.  That’s who you are Charlie, and at this point in time that’s where the Lord wants you.  Feel the beatin’.”

     His eyes caught mine and I could see them watering up.  “Charlie, you couldn’t have stopped it.  There were too many and they were waitin’ for you.”  I removed my hand when he took a big sigh.  

     “You did it,” he murmured.  “You put them away.”

     “I had the surprise effect on my side.  Plus the Lord wasn’t ready to call me home yet.  He still has some rough edges He wants to work off of me.  And while I’m a preachifyin’ I’ll tell you this.  He knew what was happenin’ and for some reason He allowed it.  Now it’s up to you to sort through all of that and try to come up with some kind of conclusion.  Why did He leave you alive?  I’ll tell you, Sheriff, you’ve still got work to do!”

     I looked over in the cell where McGinnis was lying unconscious, then glanced at John Smith who was on his side facing the wall.  I couldn’t tell if he was sleeping or ignoring our conversation.  “Tanner!” I hollered.  “You have any coffee made?”

     There was some kind of comment from the outer office that I couldn’t make out.  “Tanner!”

     He poked his head in the doorway, “I’m makin’ some now Marshal.  It’ll be ready soon.”

     Turning my attention back to Charlie I asked, “You hungry?”

     He shook his head, which I didn’t pay any attention to.  “I am.  Sure wish I had a piece of Molly’s pie.  It wouldn’t make any difference what kind.”  That got a little chuckle from Charlie.  “An’ I reckon you’d like Marta to serve you a piece.”

     “I could eat a piece of pie,” he muttered.

     “You rest, I’ll be back in a few minutes.”  I got up and went out where Tanner was busy with the coffeepot. 

     “Any place close to get something to eat?”

     Tanner said there was a greasy kitchen across the street.  That usually appeals to my gizzard.  He said he’d have the coffee ready by the time I got back.  I needed to send a telegram to Molly, but that would have to wait until the morning.  I’m sure Marta wanted to know something about Charlie as he hasn’t contacted her in a couple of days.  I ordered up three bowls of chili, one for Tanner and one for Charlie in case he changed his mind about eating.  

     When I came back Tanner looked grateful.  He seemed the sort that lived on grease.  The chili wasn’t bad, somewhat on the hot side, but that was all right.  I enjoyed the peppers that the cook used, but I wasn’t too sure as to what kind of meat was in it and I knew better from past experiences not to ask.  The eatery was kind enough to let me take three small buckets of food out as I assured them I would bring them back in the morning.

     Charlie at least tried to eat a few bites, but then handed me the bucket telling me that he was tired.  I knew he needed his rest, and when Tanner asked if he could have the rest of Charlie’s chili I handed it over to him thinking that Charlie wouldn’t eat cold chili.  I’d get breakfast down at the hotel where I usually stayed when I went out to send the telegram in the morning.

     The rest of the night, Tanner slept in the only open cell, while I leaned back in the chair propping my feet on the desk.  I pulled my Bible from my saddlebags reading one of my favorite chapters from Psalms, that being 91.  After reading it quietly to myself, I thanked the Lord for His protection from my enemies and that no harm befell me in the performance of my duties.  It wasn’t arrows flying at me, but there was plenty of lead.