As told by Jack Kollath…
The blood was not even dry in the boxcar when Col. Willcox and the U.S. cavalry arrived to inquire about the payroll we were hired to guard. We got the assignment details from Austin Sellmeyer, via Thom Pullman of Central Pacific Railroad.
Louis, Ezra, and I explained the strange events to the Colonel: a spectral bandit could be heard and was then dealt massive damage from Colt Peacemakers and sawed-off shotguns. The bandit was heard to say ‘home’ and was gone. Wilcox and his men were pleased to hear the payroll was safe. And the Colonel offered to hire our crew as additional guns on the way to Fort Apache.
Austin suggested we go speak with the local law, Sheriff Selbridge. All things considered Louis and I thought this was a terrible idea and decided to pass. Ezra and I took the opportunity to talk to a juggler who had distracted the crowd, suspecting that he was in on the attempted heist. Royce recalled his all-seeing bird and met us on the train station platform. I read somewhere when I was attending the University of Wisconsin that in the middle ages people called these “familiars.” But I may be mistaken.
As we were leaving the train station, we saw a notice tacked onto the wall for a shooting contest.
Turns out the blessed event was that next day. And Wilcox was going to stay in town to give some of his men a chance to participate. More on all that later.
We had a drink and spent the night at Big Jim’s. During that time, Ezra bewitched the juggler, Alverado Garmon, to learn more about how he got to being on the train platform. We suspected him to be involved in the robbery scheme. But he was innocent. Alverado said he was asked to show up there by a man Alverado considered to be his friend.
The next day after breakfast, the shooting contest was set up just outside Big Jim’s. It seemed to turn out the whole town.
Louis went to check on the shooting contest. Royce went to check out a big top that advertised ‘Gentleman Bill’s Oddities of the World.”
I recognized Pharis and Mayberry as the two vultures who were selling seats to Shady’s hanging. I do not like those guys.
Ezra saw the juggler had situated himself nearby. Ezra asked Alverado to point out the friend that suggested he juggle on the train platform the day before. But Alverado had no luck.
While walking back to meet up with the group me and Erza ran into Burt Devore, from the vampire saloon. He was doing well and was pleased to see us, thanking us again for saving his life.
So, the boys met up at the entry tent. Louis and I entered the contest. We decided Louis was a shoe-in and we all bet on him to win. The format was three shooters per round, the highest scoring shooter making it to the next round. I watched Louis shoot in the first round and then moved to the fence by the payroll wagon, fearing another robbery attempt. Erza moved to the copse of trees to the north of the big top. Royce stayed close.
During the third round of the contest, all hell broke loose. Up on the firing line, the crazy wench next to Louis turned and shot him in the face. One of her hayseeds winged me, shooting from the crowd. At least six bastards then drew and commenced to firing specifically at me and Louis. The crowd scattered as the U.S. Cavalry guards moved to secure the payroll.
God love them, these shooters really should have known better. Ezra, the master of the hunting rifle, showed his mettle and skill, repeatedly hitting the overmatched foes. Royce, almost as good with his pistols as I am, dealt some crucial hurt. Louis had his revenge. After taking serious injury from the woman who shot him, he used his skills as a scofflaw to deal her deadly damage.
Less than two minutes later there were six corpses in the dust. We were a bit beat up. But we’ve had worse.
Sheriff Selbridge was looking to blame someone for the ruckus, and since we were new in town, he was looking at us. Burt Devore and Col. Willcox soon disabused him of that notion, vouching for us.
Ezra and Royce confronted Pharis and Mayberry, demanding their bets be returned. Soon after, everyone else demanded their bets be returned. The gunslingers entering the contest soon demanded their fees back. Amazingly, the sheriff had to get involved before Pharis and Mayberry got their just desserts.
We hired on to escort the payroll to Fort Apache. I do not care much for Hoosiers or Apaches but at least you know where they stand.
I’m sure Louis will fill us in if he has any idea why he got shot in the face.
Dry Gulch Bugle 