Trail notes from Royce Hyatt…
Having just learned their dynamite-loving friend Shady McCoy had been poisoned, with just days to live, The Oak Hill Boys knew they had to get an antidote from a nearby Mormon settlement.
But how had Shady been poisoned?
The group began comparing their activities and couldn’t figure out any differences. Until they searched Shady’s saddlebags and found some sausages. Food no one but Shady had eaten. From his deathbed in the doc’s office, Shady confirmed The Boys suspicion: that he picked up the food from Hensley Meats for the ride to Winslow.
With this news, they quickly talk with Deputy Bosock and then with him in tow, confront Ma Hensley. She claims not to know anything. Thinking quickly, Jack asks her to eat one of the sausages. And under everyone’s watchful eyes, Ma eats one. Louis notices she’s not so keen on the snack.
The Boys leave town for the Mormon Settlement, two days away.
There, they meet with Caleb Young, the leader of the religious pioneers. Caleb and his brother, Brigham, had travelled west from Nebraska, separating in Utah Territory. Caleb headed south and ended up near Clearwater, Arizona Territory.
Caleb had, in fact, some antidote. And was happy to give it to the Oak Hill Boys. But could they help the settlement out first? Caleb’s boy, Joshua, was missing. He was last seen just southeast of the settlement.
The Boys saddle up and ride in that direction. Eventually, they hear the howls of something – or some things – seemingly unnatural. Snarls echo and bounce from the rock pillars around them as they see what’s become of young Joshua…
The child is surrounded by five deadly chupacabra. They’re moderately sized, canine-like creatures with leathery skin and a row of spikes that run from the back of their heads to a tail. With sharp teeth and claws, they’re no match for a man, let alone a ten-year-old boy.
But the combined firepower and tactics of the Oak Hill Boys is another matter entirely. The beasts are dispatched. The boy is returned to the settlement. And Ezra, Royce, Jack and Louis get their antidote for Shady.
They race back to Clearwater to find not one, put now two patients in Doc O’Leary’s care. Shady. And it turns out Ma Hensley is now sick, too. With the understanding she may also have some of the antidote, Hensley admits that Zach did, in fact, kill Gus Stanton. Bludgeoned him with a shovel that can be found in the cartwright’s workyard. But Ma Hensley has no idea where Zach has gone.
Where is that murdering bastard?
Dry Gulch Bugle 