I heard the voice behind me, but I saw movement in front of me.  That put a whole new light on the situation.  I reckoned that I could have handled the Scorpion, but with two of them and from what I see in front of me at least one of them was very unstable.  
    “Kill him, Raf!” yelled Ramon.
    I could hear Rafael moving up behind me.  “Patience little brother,” he suggested.  “A little pain, a little wonder, makes it all the more satisfying.”
    Rafael was beside me; he flicked at the edge of my collar with the knife he was holding.  I didn’t move, still holding the Greener trying to be patient, waiting for his friend to step out from behind the stone wall.
    “You did well, Ramon.  Those are fine horses,” congratulated Rafael as he moved from me to stand beside Hawk.
    I took a chance to move my eyes from the outlaw to look at Lucas.  He had his head bowed.  “Lucas,” I said softly.
    “Shut up, Gringo!” yelled the Scorpion or you’ll feel my sting early.
    “I’m sorry, Senor Miles,” whispered Lucas.
    A small smile appeared on my face.  Finally, the other man walked out, but I couldn’t take a chance with the Scorpion standing next to Hawk.  I had thought at first that between myself, Judge Klaser, and Charlie that we could put a good scare into the boys, but with the appearance of Ramon’s brother that changed things.
    The man that now appeared was odd-looking.  By that he was quite short, almost dwarfish.  He was very skinny, and I noticed that he had either been burned or scalped for one side of his head was severely scared.  
    Rafael must have seen me looking at him for he stated, “Meet your master, senor.”  A shrieking laugh came from Rafael, similar to one the Pale Rider would give.  “This is Pepe, and do not mind his appearance, but think of what he will do to you.  Maybe start with your eyes.  No, that would not be good, for then you could not see what he would be doing.”  
    I spit to the ground, then turned my attention to Rafael.  “He’ll never be my master.  I have only one Master–the Lord.”
    That brought another laugh.  “Ha, I was raised to believe, but found my desires to be, let me say, not in accordance with this Jesus.”
    “You still have a chance,” I suggested.
    He paused to look at Lucas.  “Ramon, the kid.  Can he cut it?”
    I had to do something.  First, to get him away from the horses.  I spit on the ground hopefully to anger him.  “Leave the kid alone!”
    “Git!” I hollered to which Hawk and Star responded by taking off.
    That did it; he rushed toward me.  I don’t know why he didn’t disarm me, especially after Pepe appeared.  When Rafael was a yard away I stepped in his direction,  which he was not expecting and swung the Greener catching him on the jaw stunning him and dropping him to the ground.  Both Ramon and Pepe charged me.  There was not much I could do.  I brought the Greener up and fired both barrels.  I wasn’t able to get it leveled and the shot hit them from the belly to the upper thighs cutting them down.  They lay there, bleeding and moaning.
    Immediately I dropped the shotgun then drew my pistol.  I was ready for Fernando to do something but I saw that Lucas had rushed him and they were grappling on the ground.  My movement toward them saved me.  I thought I’d hit Rafael hard enough but as I stepped he threw his knife at me.  That step caused the hilt of the knife to hit me not the blade, I fired at him, the bullet catching him in the middle of his breast.
    The older boy was on top of Lucas pounding him in the face.  Since my pistol was already out I gave him a curt thump over his ear knocking him out.  I reached down to pull Lucas out from under him.
    He was part scared, part angry and was bleeding from his nose and lips.  “Senor Miles, am I a kid?” he asked…
    I didn’t answer, but went to check on Ramon and Pepe.  Ramon had already bled out, but there was still life in Pepe.  Kneeling beside him, he tried to talk, but I could hear his voice it was so low and so weak.  Finally, I heard him ask, “Is it true?”
    “Yes, Jesus is…” was all I could get out before he gave up the ghost and crossed over to meet the judgment.  Did he have time to make it right–I don’t know.
    Going to the unconscious Fernando, I picked him up and tied him on Two-Bits.  “Go see if you can find their horses,” I ordered Lucas, then I whistled and soon Star and Hawk came back to the campsite.  Not long after Lucas came in with the outlaw’s horses.  Grabbing the bodies I tossed them over their horses, then added the body of Ramon with his brother.  I wasn’t about to taint Hawk or Star with one.
    “Mount up on Hawk,” I ordered brusquely.  A dilemma was still before me.  How could I keep Lucas from prison with Fernando still alive?  
    It was a long ride back to Durango…

Moses Vexler was just shaking his head when I asked to borrow a horse.  “Fool younguns!” he exclaimed, then proceeded to ask, “Are you payin’ fer this or the government?  That’s a good horse, made for endurance.  Don’t yuh be tryin’ to run it against that thoroughbred of yurs though.”
    Star could beat almost any horse around, I said most, because I haven’t seen all the horses, for a short distance.  However, Hawk would beat this horse hands down, anytime.  If I could get close enough to see them, I could get them to me.  Two-Bits, well, I haven’t trained him to be a law officer’s horse.
    After saying goodbye to Molly, and picking up the horse, I went to get my gear from the house.  I was half-hoping that the horses would be there and that the boys just took them out for a joy ride.  The weather was nice right now, jacket weather during the day, but it would be cold at night and there was a chance of spring snow.
    Mort Cooper said that he had seen them riding to the south.  There was only one road out of Durango to the south and it was traveled fairly well, but I knew the tracks of those horses, and reckoned I’d pick them up out on the road somewhere; that is, if they traveled the road.  I’d try that way first and if I didn’t come upon the tracks I’d take off cross country.
    Farmington was the only community of any size, but there were a small number of Indian or Mexican settlements in the area.  I’d head in that direction as there was a trading post in a place they were calling Aztec located near some ancient Indian ruins that were claimed to be built by the Aztecs of Mexico.  The boys might be there, or at least passed by.
    It was on top of the hill that came out of Durango that I first saw the tracks of Hawk.  I would keep close watch to make sure they didn’t turn off the road.  The land was covered with shrubs, mostly sagebrush, and sparse grass.  Here and there I could see patches of pinon pines and juniper.  I camped the first night in a grove of cottonwoods growing along the Animas River.
    After making camp I was sitting in camp drinking the last of the coffee.  The sky was clear and slowly stars began to emerge filling a vast canopy over me.  I guess I began getting nostalgic for a bit for to my mind came many other such nights around a lonely campfire, only at the time I didn’t realize I was lonely.  Molly surely had brought many changes to my life.  
    Sipping my coffee I remembered times I was visited by the Pale Rider.  Fear did not come to my mind, only disgust.  Looking at him, smelling him when he was near would make me nauseous.  I also remembered the times when  I had the heavenly Visitor in camp.  Strange times, mystical times, however, since I had more or less settled down some I had few of those visits.  I surely didn’t miss those by the Pale Rider.
    Looking up after I finished my coffee, the stars were bright and the coals from the fire were glowing.  Surely, I thought, no one could deny there was a Creator.  I whispered out loud, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”  Sobering, magnificent, awe-inspiring were emotions that went through my mind.  My last thoughts before sleep overtook my was that the great-God, the Creator, was at this point in time looking down at me.
    Back on the trail the next morning after a breakfast of day-old biscuits filled with bacon, and a pot of coffee I followed the tracks to where they turned off the road.  I could see the tracks clearly now of all three horses as they moved along the trail.  As I came up on a small rise, off in the distance I could see the ruins and the tracks seem to run in that direction.
    It was mid-afternoon when I came to a stand of pinons.  I was about a hundred yards from the ruins and figured that I might walk up to them in case the boys were in the ruins.  Dismounting I loosely tied the horse I was riding to a branch and began to move slowly trying to stay under cover as much as possible.  I’m not sure how much cover sagebrush gives, but it was all I had along with patches of cactus.
    I easily found the boys and standing behind a broken down wall I listened.  Lucas began to complain, “I’m hungry.  We should have taken the time to get some food.”
    “You are such a babee,” mocked one of the boys.  “We brought these fine horses to my brother, and all you’ve done is cry about it.  You want to be part of our gang you have to turn your back on that old life, right Nando?”
    Stepping out from behind the wall I spoke, “That’s right, and be ready to live in old ruins or worse in your new one.”
    One of the boys went for a gun he had stuck in his pants.  I drew and fired hitting the dirt in front of him.  “Not a good idea.  Now get those horses saddled up.  At least the jail in Durango serves better food.”
    “Jail!” exclaimed Lucas.
    “What did you think?” I responded.  “Horse-stealing is a hangin’ offense in Colorado.  But I’m sure Sheriff Gold will make sure you’re well fed before you’re hung.”
    “My brother, he weel keel you!” sneered the one that I figured was Ramon.  “You will never get away from the Scorpion.”
    I had heard of the Scorpion only in sketchy terms.  “And who is the Scorpion?” I asked.
    “Rafael Garcia,” he said then spitting at me.
    “Son, you do that again and I reckon I’ll have to spank you.”
    He laughed, then sneered answering me, “Come and try it.”
    I took a step toward him when I heard a voice, “Not another step, Gringo…”

Spring is on the way,” declared Molly as she sat down with Doc, Mateo, Charlie, and me. 
    Doc looked at her scratching at his chin.  “Hmpf, don’t you be putting away your winter clothes yet.  We’re still due for one maybe two good blasts this year.”
    Molly smiled, “Doc, how hard do you think it’ll be for me to get them out again?  Why, there’s not even a closet in that cabin.”
    “That’s right, Miles,” said Doc, pushing on my shoulder.  “Why don’t you get busy and,” he glanced at Molly, “build her a closet.”
    There was some more banter between us, Mateo only listening and smiling.  “Well, you boys enjoy your coffee, I need to go help Marta as more customers are starting to show up,” muttered Molly as she stood then moved off toward the kitchen.
    “Well, thanks to you and Mateo, I’m bound for Silverton within the hour,” informed Charlie with mock disgust.  
    “Stay warm, Charlie, it’ll be colder up there than here in Durango,” stated Doc.
    Charlie drained his cup.  “I need to see Marta before leaving.  You say Mike Dewey is the new marshal?”  I nodded.  “You know anything about him?”
    “Only met him once,” I hesitated, “from what Langston told me he sorts of lets the town go their own way.  Doesn’t do much in the enforcement of the law.”
    A deep sigh came from Charlie, “If I’m not back by the end of the day on Sunday, come looking for me.”  He started for the kitchen but stopped, “By chance you haven’t seen Lucas around?   Marta is some worried as she hasn’t seen him in a day or so,” he stopped again pointing a finger at Mateo, “You get to work!” he said mocking anger, then laughed.
    With that the group broke up, each of us going our separate ways knowing that we’d be seeing each other again.  We often take that for granted, I thought as I left the diner, for three of the four sitting at that table were in hazardous work that could end our lives in a moment.  It’s just that each of us have a trust in the Lord.
    I walked up to the cabin thinking about a closet.  The only place I could build a closet that didn’t take up space was outside the main door.  Molly was right, spring was on the way, but I also knew that Doc was right as well.  I’d be completely surprised if we didn’t have one more major snow.
    Mort Cooper was out chopping wood and waved as I went by.  It gave him a chance to put down his axe as he meandered toward me.  “Hey there, Miles.  I see your young wrangler has some friends helping him.  I guess he’s plumb forgot he’s supposed to be cutting wood for the missus.”
    That wasn’t like Lucas.  He had always been dependable in the past even thought he was a youngster.  I had to remind him once to keep the wood filled for the diner; after that it was never a problem.  
    “If I see Lucas, I’ll remind him,” I promised Mort.  
    He gave a little laugh.  “You’ll not be finding him today, I fear.  He and those other two were riding hard toward the south.”
    “Thanks Mort,” I said, now quite concerned.  I hurried on up to the cabin and out toward the stalls.  I glanced toward the pasture and didn’t see any horses.  Lucas should have had them out of the stalls.  Upon reaching them, I found that he did indeed have them out of the stalls.  All three horses were missing.  I let out a whistle.  If either Star or Hawk were close enough to hear it they’d come a-running.
    I looked at the tracks on the ground.  Now I was quite perturbed!  Lucas knew better than that.  I was a bit surprised that Hawk let someone else ride him.  One thing for sure, I knew their tracks.  I headed back to the diner to see if Marta knew the names of Lucas’ friends, then over to the livery to borrow a horse.
    “Do you think he’s in trouble?” asked Marta upon my questioning.  She had told me that she told Lucas not to be hanging around Fernando Garcia and his cousin Ramon.  They were a couple of years older than Lucas.  Ramon had an older brother who was known to be a trouble-maker.
    While I was there I told Molly that I wouldn’t be back tonight.  “Find Lucas,” she said, “Don’t let him get into trouble.”
    “I think he’s already there…”

You don’t look any worse for the wear, Langston,” I said when he finally came up to us.  “You know Mateo, he’s now deputy sheriff.”
    He grunted a laugh, “Yeah, and a how-do-you-do to you too, Forrest.”  He nodded at Mateo, “Coming up in the world.  What happened to the deputy marshal job?”
    Langston didn’t offer his hand to either of us, but we took it in stride.  His kind wasn’t a hand-shaking sort as he wanted to protect his fingers.
    “The new marshal and I didn’t get along,” came Mateo’s response causing Langston to raise an eyebrow.  
    “Who is this new marshal?” he inquired.  “Forrest, why don’t you buy us supper and I’ll listen to your story,” suggested Langston opening the door to the restaurant.
    I nodded my head at Mateo and went inside though we were a little early for the Parson.  “We were waiting for Parson Chapman, but it won’t hurt to start with some coffee.”
    We moseyed over to a table and after the waitress brought each of us coffee, Langston spoke, “The preacher-man will be along.  Though I have my thoughts about him as I saw him go into the Empty Diggings Saloon,” he paused.  “He’s not one of those who tear into saloons preaching from atop the bar?”
    I laughed, even Mateo smiled, “Nah, he’s tryin’ to get Frank Black, the owner straightened out.  He met him on a trip a few weeks back,” I informed him.
    “Saw you’re limping, how’s the leg, Deputy?” asked Langston with anger flashing through his eyes.
    “I’m making it, thank you for your concern.  I can at least walk without crutches now,” replied Mateo.  Mateo had been shot along with Conrad Keim who worked for Langston’s employer, Cecil Thompson.
    The waitress made her way back and gave each of us a refill.  I saw the anger on Langston’s face.  “Conrad is doin’ fine.  He’s up and ridin’, but not wranglin’ any broncs yet.  I take it you didn’t find Shaw?”
    Kyle Langston looked over the rim of his cup then after taking a deep swallow he answered.  “Forrest, he’s here, at least in the vicinity.  I thought that Doc Webb might tell me, but it was hard to find him sober,” he uttered, then finished his coffee.  “That’s right, you were here when the doctor killed himself.”  He wiped his unshaved face, “Of course you do know it wasn’t suicide.”
    I waved at the waitress to bring another refill, then continued the conversation regarding Doc Webb.  “I couldn’t stay around to investigate.  I thought that Marshal Stokes would do a thorough investigation.”
    Langston nodded and smiled at the waitress as she filled his cup.  “I thought you knew,” he muttered.
    “Knew what?”
    “Week or so after Webb’s suicide, some gunny shot the marshal from an alleyway.  Dewey is now marshal, and” he stopped to take a swallow, “he’s not worth much.  He’ll let the town run wild, or if he’ll run from trouble.  If he would happen to face it, well, let me say, he doesn’t have the gumption.”
    I glanced over at Mateo.  “Looks like either you or Charlie will be spending some time up here.
    Langston finished his cup.  I think he drinks more coffee than me. “Now, tell me about the new marshal in Durango,” he ordered.
    “Name’s Mike Queens, the…”
    “Queens!” exclaimed Langston.  “Why would they choose a hardcase like him?  He’s handy with a gun,” he said, then wiped his mouth.  
    “You know him?” asked Mateo.
    “Saw him shoot down a couple of miners in Leadville once.  Nice and legal it was; ha, those jaspers didn’t stand a chance.  Heard he had some trouble in Denver until Masterson ran him out of his place, sorta shamed him and he lit out of Denver sudden like.”
    That reminded me that as soon as I returned to Durango to check at the telegraph office.  In fact, I had a thought to send the same messages out of the office here just in case Offut was playing games with me.
    While I was thinking of those telegrams, Rev. Chapman came in the door.  “Gentlemen,” he said nodding at us, “I hope you don’t mind me bringing along a guest…”