The Bounty Hunters'

[Tibxo]

Keith

(OOC: Didn't know that Chester was an ancestor of Peter Parker, THK (deputy senses???)

Falling alongside Joe and Chester as they ride up into the hills, stopping every now and then to look for the tracks before going on.

Now in a mountain pass, something has caught his friend's attention. Looking around, he can't see anything but their long years on the trail together has taught him to trust Chester's instincts.

"Stay sharp people. Somethings up."

"Okay. " Replies Keith. "We will go in real slow. Keep your eyes peeled."

After doing another check to see if anyone is out there, they slowly start to move forward, their eyes scanning the ridges above them.

Nothing!

It takes them a while but they finally reach the other side but still no gun shot, no ambush. Chester gives them a shrug.

Having lost valuable time, they speed up...

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

We halted for a moment and I rolled my eyes.
"Chester dammit! We re losing time over a bunny rabbit or a squirrel. Now lets go!" I kicked Thunder and took off again, there was no one in this area, sheesh.
I left a very careful trail for red to follow, I just hoped she caught up soon. I was wearing thin on patients and needed a mediator of some kind before blowing a fuse.
"Let's stop for some food and then go on.." I pulled up in a flat clearing area, and checked around.
"No prints, nada. You know I am begining to think we lost the trail somewhere...What about you keith?" I bit into some dried meat and chewed while he sat thinking.

 

[Tibxo]

Keith

"These hills are big! Could take us forever to look fer them and even not find anything. " Keith says, taking a swig from his canteen.

"Dang! It's hot today." He says, peering up at the burning sun.

"I reckon we oughta backtrack and go up that other trail we passed an hour ago. Joe the old prospector lives up there. Mebbe he's seen something."...

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

I nodded my head, "Sounds good to me Keith.. And lord knows this sun is beating down on me, trying to make me boil over!" i sighed, wiping my brow with my sleeve.
I turned Thunder around and started slowly back. "We need some shade, some cool water, and something to eat. Isnt the spring near by??"
I glanced around, it did look like the terrain for the area around the hotsprings. But as hot as it was out today, the hotsprings would be cooler than it was now. I felt beads of persperation running down my back, made me feel sticky and itchy at the same time. I grimaced, this was deffinately not my day.

 

[Tibxo]

Keith

"Yeah!" He replies. "There's one by old Joe's place."

He finds himself starting at Joe's back as she leads the way, noticing how her damp shirt is clinging to her upper body. In his mind's eye, he can see her cooling herself off in that spring and for a moment wishes Chester wasn't around.

Dang! The heat is getting the better of you! He thinks to himself.

But as they move, he finds himself looking at her from time to time...

 

[The_high_king]

Chester

I thought they would know better. Even I could hear faint scrapping noises, and I knew something was up. In fact, the pebble that fell, was not caused be wind. Hell, it wasn't even windy. I put on my angry face, and thought, "I'll show them".
Galloping in another direction, I spotted I group of boulders at the top of a cliff. I then saw a glint, or a sparkle if you will. Boulders had none reflective surfaces. I took an aim at the sparkle, and BANG! I got Keith, and Joes attention. From the sparkle I heard grunt, then it fell. The figure was visible now as it fell from the cliff. It got larger, and it screamed as it fell. Then it hit the ground, and died. It was man with a very dark poncho, and a very shiny rifle. I pointed towards the corpse, and said, "see! I told you, and Keith, you should know better than to doubt my words".

 

[Tibxo]

Keith

"Apologies, Pardner. You were right." Keith says, scanning the horizon for any other marksman.

"Now I got two questions." He continues, getting off his horse. Joe joins him, her body very close to his. "One is he the man we are after? And two, why didn't open fire on us earlier?"

Giving the body a kick, Keith roles it onto its back.

"Well, Joe. I ain't never got a good look at him. Is he your man?"...

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

I glanced down at the dead body, and shook my head.
"Nope, thats not Micheals or even a Dalton.. Might work for Dupree though. Not too sure.." I chewed on the meat and glanced around again up higher. No more signs of anything or anyone. I turned to Chester and tipped my hat to him.
"Excellent call Deputy, how did you get so smart?" I smiled at him, "Thanks Chester, might have saved all our hides with that shot.."

 

[Tibxo]

Keith

Keith can't but notice Chester's smug as Joe praises him.

He deserves it!

But he doesn't let his guard down.

"I don't know about you two, but I don't feel none too comfortable out here. Let's git moving."

The others agree and quickly mount their horses and get underway.

Taking the other trail, it take them a good couple of hours but they finally arrive at the shack belonging to Old Joe...

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

I glanced at Keith and then over to Chester.
"We should head into town during the heat of the day and rest up. Then reconvien back here later to pick up Micheals trail." Plus I wanted a long hot soak in the hotsprings. My shoulder was starting to bother me now that my temper had gone away. Not to mention the damned thing itched like hell! I hated scabs, they tended to drive one insane instantly.
Aside from all this, I needed to higher a building contractor to rebuild the saloon within a few days. Would take man power and money. And the saloon was insured. So why not rebuild it? Needed the income from it, before Dupree tried to buy it from red or I.
I followed the trail with Keith and Chester, apparently we were going to Old Joe's place. The ride took some time and was a little hazardly with the steepness of the trail but we made it safely.
"HEY JOE! Come on out here and say hi to my friends.." I heard Chester call out. I smiled, waiting for the old coot to come out of hiding. Perhaps He knew Kieth and Chester, but I never met the man.

 

[The_high_king]

Chester

"Lets just say that I'd never trust a mountain pass that a known criminal has been through. Especially a mountain pass thats all too silent, and gives any deputy a gut feeling", I said, as I rode off. The only reason that the sniper hadn't shot any of us was probably because he made some bad calculations, and couldn't aim right from the the cold mountain air above. At least that was my theory. As we rode along, I couldn't help, but notice the way Keith, and Joe were so close together. I couldn't help, but smile.

 

[Tibxo]

Keith

Tired, Keith pulled himself off his horse.

Feeling something brush his leg, he looks down and sees Luke standing next to him, almost looking as tired as he is.

"Don't worry, boy. Old Joe'll fix us up." He says and then chuckles to himself, remember that the old guy is one of the worst cooks in all the territories.

Say? Where is the old timer?

Suddenly, Luke barks and runs to the side of the shack.

"What's the matter, boy?" Keith asks, seeing Luke sniff some bracken. By now, the others had dismounted as well.

Getting closer, he finds his answer. Lying in the bracken his Old Joe's dog, Jesse.

And it's wounded!...

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

I halted in my tracks behind Keith, seeing the wounded dog gave me pause for worry. Drawing my gun I turned back to Chester and Motioned him with my hands to dismount and get his gun out.
"Keith?" I whispered in his ear, "Somethings not right here.. Where is this Joe fella at?"

 

[Shoty98]

Red

After rounding up fresh supplies, and loading them up I made a few harmless inquiries about Cathrine, then I was off and back on the trail. Riding Diablo hard over top of the tracks that had been left behind by the sheriff and the four of us. I stopped at a few places where the trail split off, noticing that there were no tracks I continued on.

A little bit later I found a split in the trail, stopping my horse I climbed down and looked carefully in both directions. There they were standing out amungst all the other prints. I knew very well how to track my partner. Sometimes she left a dangerous trail behind her, but I knew why she hadn't covered her tracks. I looked and walked a few feet down the trail, it seemed as though there were two sets of her tracks...one heading south and one heading north. They must have gone south and come back...right? I thought silently as I walked back to where the trail split off. Crouching down I looked at the trail, there was only one set of "T's" and they headed west....

I mounted up once more and headed west following the trail at quite a rapid speed, that is were I could take it at a rapid speed anyway. To say the least it was a bit of a harsh trail to have to ride, but Diablo and I had handled worse on our first faithful ride together. We pressed on until we came to a ramshackle little place, there were three horses out front but no sign of anybody around. What the hell was three horses doin out front with no riders? I knew one of the horses was Thunder, he was an unmistakable horse, but where was Joe? I was cautious as I climbed down and retreived my revolver from it's holster. Gently pulling back the hammer I peered around the place, taking notice of how eerily quiet it was at mid-day.

My glance fell to the ground there were footprints there, several sets to be exact. I followed them quietly rounding the corner of a structure, it was then I saw the three of them huddled down checking out something. Stepping up behind them quietly I whispered... "Why is it so quiet around here?" It was then my gaze fell upon the poor dog, lying there laboring for each breath it took.

 

[The_high_king]

Chester

I quickly jumped off my horse, with guns in hand. I then went over to have a look at the dog. Its leg was wounded pretty badly, but it would live. But not without immediate medical attention. I looked towards Joe, and said, "you guys go look for this Joe fella. I'll tend to the dog".
With those words, I then went towards my horse to get some stuff. When I got back, I was surprised that Red had gotten here. "Hey Red, back already?", I gave her a smile. I then proceeded to help the dog. First I gave the dog some of my canteen water. I could tell it was thirsty. I then looked towards Red, and said, "you wouldn't happen to know anything about dogs do you?".

 

[Tibxo]

Keith

"We'll worry about the dog later." Says Keith, standing up. A small whine from Luke gets his attention.

"It's okay, boy. We will help Jesse but we should find Old Joe first and make sure there ain't any unwanted guests around. "

Gun in hand, he and Joe search around the shack but there is no of Old Joe or anyone else.

"Mebbe he's down by the water." He suggests and takes the path that he knows Old Joe used to get down to the spring, his eyes scouring the countryside for any movement or glint of a gun barrell.

That is where they find Old Joe, lying face down by the bank.

"Joe!" Keith rushes to his side and gently turn the old man over. He is breathing but barely, his face badly beaten, blood erupting from his mouth. A quick examination tells him that he hasn't been shot but it is obvious that he is dying.

Those bastards!

Rage suddenly overwhelms him.

He had known Old Joe since coming to Tumbleweed. An unassuming man who interfered with no-one though it didn't stop him offering friendship to a complete stranger who had staggered into his shack after been attacked on the trail. Seriously wounded, Joe nursed him back to health. Since then, they had been firm friends, in some ways even replacing Keith's father that he had left behind.

Now some bastards had beaten the kindly old man nearly to death.

Is it the same man that they are after?

Old Joe's eyes then opens. Seeing Keith looking down at him, he gives a brave smile.

"Keith!" He whispers, coughing more blood.

"Joe! What happened? Who did this?" Keith asks, fighting hard against the murderous rage that is threatening to consume him.

The old man whispers a name. Keith glances up at Joe. He can see that she had heard it too. He turns back to the old man only to find him completely still, staring up at the sky.

He is dead.

The rest of his face set like stone, tears start flowing down his face...

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

"B-Brad..." his dying breath left his body and my mind shut down. Oh god! brad Micheal's had done this?! But why!!!? I wished I knew, I felt a tear slip down my face watching the emotions play over Keith's face as he held a dear friend.
I bent down and closed the old man's eyes and looked at keith.
"Keith? Are.. are you alright?" I felt so much pain wash over me and rage from his body. I stepped back a few steps. A little unsure what to do now. I was lost to this whole thing. There was no reason behind this? None I could think of. What could an old man do to someone like Micheals??

 

[Shoty98]

Red

I crouched down beside Chester and Jesse, My hand scratching behind Jesse's ears. "It's alright boy, we'll have you up and chasing critters in no time." I glanced at Chester.. "I don't know much about dogs, but I think I can help. Take your handkercheif and put it over that cut...see if you can stop the bleeding. I'll be right back." With that I stood and went to Diablo. I pulled from his back the new saddle bags I had bought and gently caressed and talked to the horse as I pulled one single hair from his tail.

A few moments later I was back beside chester and the dog, opening my saddle bags and withdrawing a whiskey bottle and a small pouch. "Chester come sit here by his head and help keep him calm and held still." While I waited for him to do so I opened the pouch and pulled from it a sewing needle. Threading the horse hair through the end of it. I hoped that the poor animal was to weak to fight during this, but a quick look at him lying there I was reassured that there wasn't much fight in him...he had lost too much blood from the wound.

I placed a frim hand on the dogs belly and preceeded to pour the whiskey over the wound. I felt the dog jerk a bit and whimper but soon he was still again. Taking the needle in hand I was ready to begin. My hand was unsteady, I hadn't done any kind of sewing in so long I was a bit nervous. I sat down on the ground and threw one leg over the dogs body to help hold him, then began one small stitch after another until the wound was finally closed.

"There we go Jesse, all sewn up, now if we can just keep it clean you will be fine." I spoke softly to the animal and rubbed his ears. A soft sigh and I began putting things back where they belonged, after that was finished I pulled the handkercheif from my own pocket and carefully wrapped it around the wound. It had to be a littel tight to keep the the wound from bleeding and to keep out any infection....hopefully. I looked at Chester.. "I think he will make it. I wonder if Joe and Keith found the man?"

 

[The_high_king]

Chester

"Well, looks like we did it Red. Hes looking better already", I scratched behing his ear as he panted. I then looked at Red for a couple of seconds. Without thinking, I gave Red a big hug, which in turn, surprised her. After a little while, I let go, and sighed. "Woah... sorry about that. I guess I just umm... missed you, thats all... C'mon, I geuss we better look for Joe, and Keith". I picked up the dog, and carried him in my arms.
Keith, and Joe were easily found at a spring, huddled around something. I spoke to them, "hey, I've been looking for all of you. Reds here, and look, the dogs alright now!". Thats when I noticed that they were huddled around a body. "Oh my god", I qiuetly said.

 

[Tibxo]

Keith

Taking the body in his arms, Keith gets up. A small portion of his mind noticing how light it is.

Why?

His eyes meet Chester as he carries the body back up to the shack. His friend knew how much the old man means... had meant to him.

"I am going to bury him." He says simply.

No words are spoken as he and Chester buries Old Joe next to his little patch of vegetables that he had always tended. After laying the last stone, Chester says a few simple words.

By now, dusk is settling.

"Getting late! We'll camp here and make a early start tomorrow. Old Joe's place is just big enough for the four of us I reckon."

Putting on his hat, Keith goes over to his horse and pulls off his saddle before leading it to the small corral that is by some trees away from the shack itself...

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

I helped gather a few private possestions of the old man's and gathered a few flowers with Red. Setting everything inside the ground with him, I wated along side Red as they buried him. Bowing our heads we all said a silent prayer and moved towards the shack.
Keith spoke up that we should camp here for the night then move on. Looking over at Red, I wasn't sure if that was a good idea. She looked ready to shoot someone. Namely Chester from the looks he was getting.
"Sure Keith, sounds good." I didn't really want to sleep in the old man's bed, just seemed the wrong place to be so I moved over by Red and nudged her attention towards me instead of daggers at Chester.
"Shall we bunk together on the floor or ground?" She said where ever I wanted and I nodded. Grabbing our things off of Diablo and Thunder, I walked them to the corral and tied them up there. I would take care of them later once I got the bed put down.
"Chester? Why dont you go see if you can find a fishin' pole and get us some trout from the river? If you would please?" I asked nicely. I watched Keith make a fire after gettign his horse settled for the night. Putting down our bedding, I moved outside to stretch out and think a little about what Micheals was doing and why he did this to an old man?
Whatever the reason, that man would swing by his neck once he was caught. No, there would be ni nice easy bullet wound and quick death. He would know pain, fear and piss himself before it was over.

 

[Shoty98]

Red

I still felt a little tense, Chester's hug catching me completely off guard. I couldn't help but be angry, after all Dwayne had done, it was beyond my control for now. I wondered if I would ever be free of the pain he caused. I could talk to Joe but what good would it do? Time healed all wounds I was told once and that was what I needed.

Before tossing my saddle bag to the ground near the bedding I retreived from it the bottle of whiskey. My eyes met Chester's for but a moment before I turned on my heel and let the shack. I passed Joe without a word and went to find Diablo. He needed to be relieved of that saddle and was probably itching for a good brushing and I myself was in need of a few minutes to compose myself. I found a brush, unsaddled my horse and went about drinking and brushing the mighty steed.

I normally would have spoke to him as I did so, but there were so many ears within range I didn't feel it would be good tonight. My thoughts turned from the pain to anger as I tried to figure out a reason for Michaels to do this to this old man who had probably never harmed a soul in his life. It was beyond me, Michaels was though, one off sort of outlaw, doing the least expected things and the most dangerous... at times. I sighed thinking about how far the son-of-a-bitch would get befor the Marshall's office even go his wanted poster out in circulation once again...and how many more people he would hurt in his treck.

 

[The_high_king]

Chester

"Don't worry, I'll be back with some fish", I said to Joe as I went towards the river. Still embarresed about hugging Red, I couldn't bring myself to look at her. So I simply made a makeshift rod, got some bait, and went for it. I did fish before, I really sucked at it. I didn't get a single bite.
When no one was looking, I rolled up my sleeves. It was time to bring my "ghost hands", into action. I went up towards the river, and crouched down. Then I stood still, not moving an inch. Then I saw a trout swim along. I then swooped my hand down, and grabbed it before it could get away. I threw it onto to shore, in a small basket. I then caught another one with the same speed. I caught two more, and that was the end of it. I then dragged the basket on to shore. The last trout was tricky, and strong so I guess you could say I was soaked. I called towards them, "I hope you have a fire going, I got the fish".

 

[Tibxo]

Keith

Taking the last mouthful from his plate, Keith pushes his chair back and gets up.

"Nice fish." He simply says to Chester.

Grabbing his saddle, he goes to leave.

"Where you going?" Asks Chester.

Keith stops at the door.

"Don't feel comfortable staying in Old Joe's place now that he is not here. Going to bed out by the spring. I fancy a night under the stars."

His eyes catches Joe's before he turns and walks out...

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

I caught his eye, he looked a little haunted. I thanked Chester for the fish and moved towards my bed roll. Picking it up, I walked outside and saddled Thunder. I loaded everything up, told Red I would be with Keith and left.
I arrived at the Hotsprings, but didn't see him. Stepping down, I put out my bedroll and stripped down to bath off the trail dust. Somewhere along the way I must have gotten ahead of Keith or he went to another place. I doubted he would be hiding, unless he took another trail here? I took the shortest one myself.
Slipping into the hotsprings, I could barely make out anything in the darkness. I sank in up to my shoulders and let out a long sigh. This was heaven, and would help relieve some tension.