Following the trail of the bank robbers, the Oak Hill Boys ride out to the long abandoned Dog’s Head Mine, so named because the mine entrance looks like the head of a large dog.
Near one of the buildings, Jack and Royce see a man leaning back in a chair, his feet on a barrel, whittling. Jack and Royce sneak up behind him and with a loud click, the man is only too happy to tell his tale.
The man with the gun pointed at his head is Billy Ranton. He, his brothers and some other men robbed the bank in Winslow. But were surprised when after blowing open the safe, they discovered NO money in the bank! In frustration, the Ranton Gang killed a guard, and hightailed it to the mine.
Ultimately, much to the chagrin of Deputy Jacob Munz, the Oak Hill Boys ended up letting some of the Ranton gang escape. As they rode into Winston with Billy, a train was arriving. And curiously, the boys see the bank president, Russell Sherwood, leaving the hotel and walking to the train station, carrying two large, full satchels. Hmmm…
Upon seeing Jack, Louis, Royce, Ezra, the banker loudly proclaimed that THEY were the robbers. And immediately offered a $500 bounty to anyone for killing the Oak Hill Boys.
This got the attention of several passersby. People began taking cover. And things were tense for a moment or two. Sherwood ran back into the Grand Winslow Hotel.
Jack and the rest of the OHB suggested that they were working with the law to apprehend the true robbers. And it was curious that the bank president was suddenly trying to leave town.
Looking down the barrel of his rifle, Ezra warned potential bounty hunters that there were going to be consequences should anyone get any ideas.
But greed got the best of a few Winslow citizens. And they paid with their lives as the Oak Hill Boys defended themselves. Once the smoke cleared, three citizens were dead. And while Royce, Jack and Ezra were wounded, it wasn’t too bad.
After searching the Grand Winslow, Louis found Sherwood hiding under a bed, along with the bank’s money. Well, and the boy’s $12,500. Sherwood is taken into custody. Sheriff Caruthers gets the real story from his deputy.
And as the Oak Hill Boys reflect on their most recent adventures over a whiskey or three, a telegram arrives for Jack…
(NOTE: this adventure is a version of Grindoctor’s A Series of Unfortunate Events)
Dry Gulch Bugle 