I was up early, got a blaze going for coffee.  I didn’t sleep much during the night as I was a mite concerned over our company.  Greylight was just appearing when I had Lucas up and saddling our horses.  We ate some bacon, drank our coffee and were ready to head out.
    “Say!  Ain’t yuh gonna leave us any coffee?” grumbled the one called Framm.
    “Sorry boys, yur the ones who are sleepin’ in,” I said walking over to Hawk.
    He began to reach for his gunbelt.  “Mister, is a big piece of lead worth a cup of coffee?”  He relaxed then moving his hand back.  
    I nodded to Lucas to get moving up the trail.  We would be up and over Molas Pass and down into Silverton by noon.  I’d get Lucas settled and then go on with my business.
    When we reached the summit the sun had just cleared the horizon.  I glanced toward my backtrail and then watched Lucas as he stopped to gaze at the sight.  “Senor Miles, it is beautiful!” he exclaimed.
    I pulled Hawk up beside him.  “The Lord sure does know how to paint a sunrise.  Enjoy them for you don’t know how many is allotted for you.”
    Glancing to the northwest I wondered if the sun would be hidden before with those dark clouds I could see gathering.  All of a sudden a gust sweep through.  “Senor, it is cold!” shuddered Lucas.
    “Then we best be gettin’ on down from here,” I replied and gave Hawk a nudge.  I took the lead, not worrying much about our camp visitors at this point.
    We didn’t hurry, but we made good time on the road leading from the summit.  Before noon we were in Silverton.  I took Lucas to one of the nicer hotels and got us a room.  This hotel had their own livery so we left Hawk and Two-Bits there.  After getting the room, we went to lunch.  I had to smile as Lucas ordered coffee and was pleased to see there was sugar.
    “No more’n a spoon.  Yuh don’t want to get addicted to that stuff in yur coffee,” I admonished.
    After eating we stood outside.  “I’d prefer you stayed in the hotel, but most likely you’re wantin’ to see some of the town.  All I’m askin’ is that you don’t go north of this street or travel to the east.  This town is rough,” I stated, then continued.  “The train leaves in the mornin’ and we want to get the horses loaded–don’t want to miss Thanksgiving back at Molly’s.”
    He nodded and smiled.  I moved on down the street to my meeting.  Passing the Wells Fargo office I opened the door and waved.  I knew one of the clerks when I worked for Wells Fargo.  Then down to one of the banks.
    Upon entering a clerk came to me.  “I’m here for the meetin’.”
    Giving me a sneer he asked, “And who might you be?”
    “Deputy United States Marshal Miles Forrest, that’s who,” and I pushed past him to the room on the right.  
    “Hey, you just can’t go in there!” he exclaimed.  “I have to check first.”  By that time I was already opening the door.
    These were the owners or the managers of the mining companies in Silverton.  The ones who lost the payroll with the train robbery.  I recognized a few of them.  Then Jakub Brewliski saw me and waved.  I moved in his direction and was standing by him when the meeting was called to order.  I didn’t see why I had to be there, but Blasco had ordered me so there must be a reason.  They had received money that they lost to pay their employees and miners.  The missing money was none of their to-do anymore.
    Shaking Jakub’s hand I leaned to him and whispered.  “We caught two of the outlaws.”
    He raised his eyebrows, “Hmm, is that so?”
    There was one man, tall, older fellow who began, “I think it’s time to hire our own guards.  We hire them to deliver the gold to the train, why not all the way to Denver?  Then they can guard the payroll back.”
    An oafish-looking man, balding and smoking a fat cigar began to disagree.  “Let the government take care of it.”
    “Who’s the tall man?” I questioned Jakub in whispered tone.
    He was quiet with his answer.  “Marlow Bartkopf.”
    With that he looked our way.  I didn’t know him, but he must have recognized me from somewhere.  “There’s the marshal!  What do you say?”
    I scratched at my head, being caught by surprise then pulled at my moustache.  “That’s your business.  But remember the more people involved the more will know about shipments.”
    They argued back and forth about that and other topics.  The room was becoming hot and smoke-filled when they finally called it a day.  As we were walking out I asked Jakub, “Who was the other man that kept badgerin’ Bartkopf?”
    “Samuel Weinstein,” he paused, “he’s relatively new here.  I think he represents the company back in Philadelphia.”
    I shook his hand and went to find Lucas…

Lucas was having a good time.  He had taken care of my horses, ridden them almost everyday, but about mid-afternoon the ride began to catch up with him.  Gone were the smiles and we were just beginning to really climb.  I can normally make it to Silverton with only one night on the trail, but with the grim features on his face I reckoned that we’d spend two nights on the trail.
    The first night’s camp was just south of Columbine Lake.  There was a small meadow off the road a piece.  We crossed it and camped on the far side of the meadow where the timber began.  There was a small stream running through the meadow and skirting our camp to the west.  I decided to hobble the horses so they could graze in the grass and have access to water.
    I watched as Lucas dismounted.  There was no way I couldn’t smile as I saw him walk stiffly to pick up firewood.  At least he wasn’t complaining and started doing chores without being asked.  I didn’t know how much outdoors experience he’d had.  After I unloaded the mule I went to the stream to fill up the coffeepot and a small pot for beans.
    As soon as Lucas had the fire started I put the pots on the fire.  Lucas watched me as I placed my bedroll down and then he followed suit.  We were in shadows, but the sun was still shining on the tops of the peaks in the distance.  The coffee had come to a boil and I poured each of us a cup.  It would be a while before the beans would be ready.  Molly had a piece of ham placed in with our food supplies.
    “Want that I cut up the ham an’ throw it in with the beans or keep it out?” I inquired of him.
    “Keep it separate, por favor,” he replied then took a taste of the coffee and grimaced.  “Senor Miles, do you have any sweetener for the coffee?”
    Smiling I replied, “No, the only luxury I bring on the trail is this.”  I reached in my saddlebag for a little pouch I always kept in there.  “Friend of mine, back in Texas, always kept some of this around to help flavor the beans.”
    I put a few pinches of it in the beans.  “Have to be careful not to get too much or it’ll make the beans too bitter.”  
    Showing him the pouch, he gave a smile, the stated, “Chili powder.”
    While waiting, I checked over my guns, wiped them off.  “Always a good idea to check your guns after a day’s ride,” I hinted.  He got up from where he was sitting to get his rifle.
                                        ***
    The next morning I was up early, before graylight.  I had to roust Lucas up.  He was stiff and sore.  “Come on, Pard.  We’ve got a day riding.  The horses will get a workout today.  I want to camp this side of Molas Pass.  It’s only about a dozen miles, but it’s a steep grade.
    He went up to stand by the fire that I had started earlier.  “Coffee’ll be ready by the time you bring the horses in.”  I could tell he didn’t want to leave the fire as it was fairly cold this morning.
    So far the weather had been good.  There were clouds in the sky but the sun was also shining.  I kept a watch, for the weather can change almost instantly in the high country.  Tonight I imagined we would find snow.  I hoped to make it to a group of boulders that had trees intermixed within them.  There was a small place in there that I had camped several times before.
    Lucas was chilled as we settled in for camp that evening.  “Hurry up, son, get that fire started.”  This was a good place to camp as there were boulders on all sides that would reflect the heat from the fire.  Tonight I would give the animals a bit of oats that I carried and picket them in camp.  
    We had seen several wagons coming and going.  The ore wagons coming from smaller claim sites going into Silverton where there was a smelter.  There were a few supply wagons going down to Durango…not many of those anymore since the railroad came.
    “Lucas, get over there by your bedroll.  Be relaxed, but I want you holdin’ your rifle.”  I switched my cup to my left hand.
    “Hello, the camp!” came a voice from the darkness.  “Mind if we come in?”
    “Come on–easy like,” I replied.
    There were three of them, rugged looking.  From my glance I reckoned they were miners down on their luck, but they were riding good horses.  Miners either traveled with a burro, mule, or shanks mare.
    “Saw the fire…say, that coffee looks mighty invitin’,” he declared.
    “Go ahead, help yourselves,” I replied.
    They fetched cups from their gear then gathered around the fire appreciating the warmth.  The one who had been talking ordered, “Ioway, pour us some coffee.”  As the man was pouring, I was introduced.  “The one doin’ the pourin’ is Ioway Jenks, this feller to my right is Glen Framm.  I’m a-bein’ Micah Teeter, and we’re obliged for the hospitality.”
    “I’ll not begrudge a traveler coffee nor the warmth of a fire on a chilly night,” I responded.  “Why you traveling so late?”
    “Framm’s horse began limpin’, so we had to walk some of the way.  We’re hopin’ a night of rest will solve the problem and we can ride on into Silverton tomorrow.”
    I saw him glance over at Lucas.  He smiled then reached up to wipe his mouth.  “Hopin’ yuh wouldn’t mind us stayin’ here for the night.”
    He had given me no reason to suspect him of everything.  I didn’t recognize the names as being wanted.  However, there was something nagging at me.  “Go ahead.  You won’t be able to bring your horses inside the rocks.”
    That brought a little frown.  “Okay, Glen, go and secure them soon as yuh finish that cup,” he ordered again.  Then turning his attention back to me.  “We’re thankin’ yuh.  By the way, yuh didn’t tell me yur name.”
    Without looking I said, “My pard over there is Lucas.  I’m Miles Forrest.”
    He put out his hand, I ignored it pretending I didn’t see the gesture and went to my bedroll.  “Reckon one of you boys could thrown some more wood on the fire?  I reckon it’ll get cold before mornin’.”
    Leaning back against my saddle I reckoned…

James Lamb blocked the doorway forcing Lucas to step back into the room.  “What’re doing here kid?” snarled Lamb.  “Coming to finish off my brother?”  He reached for Lucas forgetting his bandaged hand.  Lucas jumped grabbing the edge of the door swinging it as Lamb lunged for him.  The door struck the arm that was amputated.  Lamb let out a scream like a wounded cougar.
    That brought Doc Jones running in a hurry.  Lucas was back against the wall.  The pain had driven Lamb to his knees, also waking his brother.  He was in that position when Doc arrived.
    “What’s happened here?” asked Doc, then he saw Lucas.  “Lucas, what are you doing here?”
    From the bed, John Lamb groaned.  “Leave the kid alone,” groaned Lamb.  “He came to pray for me.  James tried to seize him forgetting his arms.”
    Doc stooped down by James Lamb.  “If I help, do you think you can get to your feet?  You need to get back to your own bed.  I don’t want any infection to get in that arm,” then he turned his attention toward Lucas scolding him.  “Lucas, you get on out of here.”
    Lucas ducked his head and hurried out of the room.
                                            ****
    I had told Lucas to be at the diner early the next morning.  I saddled Two-Bits and Hawk and were leading them along with a pack mule, walking beside Molly down to the diner.  She liked to be the first one there but often Elena beat her.  I had convinced her to start carrying her pistol in the pocket of the dress she wore to work.  At least it made me feel a little easier leaving her.
    Lucas and I had worked hard the day before filling up the wood box.  I wanted to leave enough for ten days.  The plan was to ride up, meet with the mine owners and then we’d come back on the train.  There was already some snow on the pass, but it was clear this morning.  After what Lucas had been through, I wanted to give him time to ride in the high country, it always seems to help sooth the soul.
    Elena was there already, getting things prepared for the coming morning rush.  Lucas was there waiting with a coffee cup in front of him.  I noticed that he was scowling.  
    “Are you drinkin’ that or just staring it down?” I questioned as I came up to the table.
    “Senor Miles, this is bitter.”  
    That brought a laugh from Molly.  “Here, Lucas, put a little sugar in it, then try it.”
    I watched him add the sugar and stir the brew shaking my head all the while.  He sipped it, then gave a little smile.
    “Sientate!” came the voice of Elena as she appeared from the kitchen with two plates of eggs, bacon, frijoles, and tortillas.  “Comer!” he ordered then struck off for the kitchen.
    “You’ve got your orders men, now get to it,” laughed Molly as she poured coffee for the two of us.  “I’ll have a cup with yo, then need to get busy helping.”
    We began to stuff the food in our mouths when Marta and Charlie came in.  She had a small frown on her face.  “Senor Miles, you will take good care of him, no?” she asked.  Charlie put his hand on her shoulder to give some comfort.
    “More’n’ likely he’ll be takin’ care of me,” I pulled at my moustache and gave a little wink.  “He’s good at that if you remember.”
    “Come on, partner we need to be hittin’ the trail,” I nudged him on the shoulder then drank down the rest of my coffee.  “See you in a few days.”
    Lucas followed me to the door then on out to the horses.  I checked my cinch before mounting then stepped up and into the saddle.  Lucas started to mount.  “Son!  Always check your cinch!”
    He had a startled look with me barking at him.  “I know, Senor Miles, I just forgot.”
    I nodded and continued to watch him.  As he settled in the saddle all of a sudden his eyes widened.  “Senor Miles, there’s a rifle in the scabbard.”
    “Well, why shouldn’t there be?  You’ve showed you could handle one, an’ you never know when I might need the help.  If you’re goin’ to ride a man’s trail, you need to be carryin’ a man’s gun.”
    He reached out to touch the butt of the rifle.  “You through gawkin’, we really need to be ridin’.  If so, remove your hat.  Lord, be keepin’ your hand on Lucas and I as we travel.  We’re trustin’ in You.  Amen.”
    Before putting my hat back on I waved it at Molly and the rest then gave Hawk a kick and headed off down the road giving out a loud, “Yeehaw!”
    I didn’t look behind me, but heard a higher pitched voice with a “Yeehaw” and the hooves of Two-Bits coming behind me.

Sheriff, what are you doing about these young hoodlums?  Those young Mexicans are nothing but trouble and there you are eating with one at your table!” ranted Martin Olson.  “One of which just shot a man!”
    “Now, just…” Charlie started to reply, but Olson continued his rant.
    Pointing a finger at Charlie, he boomed, “You know Sheriff, there’s an election coming up!  I’ll do my best to see you’re defeated at the polls!”
    I reckoned it was time for me to get involved.  One thing I can’t stand is a self-righteous rant from a bureaucrat.  I stood,  
    “You stay out of this Forrest!” he barked.
    “It’s time for you to leave, Olson,” I said as calmly as I could.  “And it might do you good to remember, that an election is comin’ up.  Remember, you have only been appointed to fill the term.”
    His face turned bright red, I thought it was going to explode.  “I don’t have to leave here!  I know my rights!” he yelled.
    I looked back at Wilson Foster and John Newcombe.  They ducked their heads trying to avoid my eyes.  “Are you two part of this?” I asked.  There was no reply.
    Turning my attention back to Olson.  “You can leave now,” I said as I reached back for my Greener, “or I can thump you on the head and drag you out to the street.”
    “Threats!  Sheriff, you heard him threatening me!”
    “Why don’t you just shut up and leave,” offered Charlie.
    Olson clenched his fists bringing them up chest level.
    He started to turn, then looked at his companions.  “Are you coming?”  Then he strode toward the door.
    Newcombe and Foster lingered for a few seconds.  “Miles, I’ve contacted McCall.  He says he’s interested and is coming down to visit.”
    “He’s a good man,” I replied.  “He’d be a great marshal for Durango.  But what will Olson say?  When he barks, you two jump.  Time for some backbone, gentlemen.”
    There was some mumbling under their breath that I didn’t catch as they turned to leave.
    Placing the Greener back against the wall, I poured another cup of coffee before sitting.  I looked at Marta, “Will your people vote?”
    Her eyes widened slightly.  “They are scared.”
    “If Charlie and I were with them, would they vote?” I asked in earnest.  “We need to get Olson off that council.”
    Marta pondered for a few seconds, “Si, they will vote.  But who is going against him?”
    I looked at Charlie and he shrugged.  “Listen, I have to make a run to Silverton because of the train holdup.  Why don’t you mention it to Ooverholm?”
    Then I turned my attention to Lucas and Marta.  “I need a man to accompany me up to Silverton,” I said putting my hand on his shoulder.  “Think you’d like to take on the job?”
    “Senor Miles!” exclaimed Marta.  “He’s only a boy.”
    “Seems to me he took on a man’s responsibility when he protected you,” I replied then glanced at Molly who was smiling.
    “Really?” responded Lucas in delight.  “You really want my help, Senor Miles?”
    “We would leave in the mornin’, so that means that you’d have to get the woodbox filled with at least a week’s supply.  You can ride Two-Bits,” I stated then turned my attention to Marta.  “I’ll be with him.”
                                ****
    Several hours later, Lucas sneaked into the room where John Lamb was lying.  “Senor, Senor,” he whispered.
    He opened his eyes and looked at Lucas groggily.  “You’re the boy that shot me,” he mumbled.
    “Si, Senor.  I am sorry, but I could not let you hurt my sister.”
    That brought a slight grin from Lamb.  “You’ll do, boy,” he said, then started to close his eyes.
    “Senor, I wanted you to know that I will pray for you.”
    Noise from the other room gathered Lucas’ attention.  He started out and bumped into James Lamb…
______________________
**Don’t forget to order your copy of the exciting adventures of Miles Forrest in my book, Return From Tincup.  It is available from Amazon.