TRAGIC MISTAKE

by doc

Part 16

"After Vin?" Mary exclaimed in horror on hearing that Chris Larabee had ridden out after the tracker, "Oh my God, NO! You have to stop him! Nathan? Ezra? GO AFTER HIM!" demanded the young widow, nearly hysterical at the thought of an enraged Larabee pursuing Vin. "How could anyone think that Vin would - COULD hurt me?"
Three voices responded at once, reassuring and denying, attempting to calm the agitated woman.
"Now Mary, that's about enough from you. You ain't helping Vin by upsettin' yerself. Nathan and Ezra'll go after him. Everything's gonna be fine." Nettie tried to comfort the young woman.
"Mary, you calm down now. Don't be gettin' yerself all worked up. Vin'll be just fine, we'll go find him and set Chris straight." reassured Nathan
"Really, Mrs. Travis!" exclaimed Ezra, "Rest assured that I had no part in this obvious misunderstanding! I have been patrolling our lovely burg for miscreants! I certainly would have helped prevent Mr. Larabee's rash actions... wait... Did I hear correctly that you intend for me to go with Mr. Jackson and track down our impulsive leader? Need I remind you that I have been out all night patrolling and am in need of rest and sustenance? Surely Mr. Jackson can handle this dubious mission without me..." the conman protested in vain.
"You'll go with him and there's no more to be said!" stated Nettie firmly. "Now, young lady, you lay back down there and rest, everything is gonna be just fine."
+ + + + + + +
Cold. Vin Tanner woke abruptly realizing that he was very cold. Sun must be movin'. he thought bemusedly as he forced his eyes open. Indeed, he was now in the shadows and the sun, which had dawned as he rode out of town and provided the only warmth of the cold day, was not touching him. Best get my bedroll together, gonna be a cold night. his muddled brain tried to reason, What the hell? Why'm I tied up? Memories suddenly flooded back, Mary dead... My fault... failed Chris... gettin' away.... the stranger... killer...
"Oh God." he groaned, feeling the wave of hopelessness that his memories had stirred wash over him.
The sound caused Alby Savitch to turn in his direction. Crouching down in front of the dazed man, he slapped the tracker's face to get his attention. He was rewarded when the glare of two venomous blue slits was turned on him.
"So! Ya decided to live fer a bit longer, eh? Good. Thought fer a while there I's gonna hafta cart yer dead ass 'round. Still need ya, y'know." Reaching out, the outlaw grabbed a fistful of Vin's long hair and jerked his head violently back, "Let's git a look at ya. Boy, yer ‘friend’ shur did work ya over, didn' he? With friend's like that, ya shur don't need me!" he cackled wickedly.
Vin Tanner glared at his tormenter, the silent threat in the blue eyes loud and clear for the outlaw to read.
Giving Vin's head a shove, Alby released his hair. "Ya shur want a piece a'me, don't ya boy? Well, when I git done with yer friend, if yer still breathin', m'be I'll take ya on. Play with ya a little be'fer I kill ya. Might be kinda fun." Again, Alby Savitch erupted in evil laughter. "Yes'sir, might be fun..." He continued as he turned again to his lookout spot, high above the only trail leading in to Vin's rocky refuge.

Part 17

"Are you in possession of the least idea as to exactly where we should begin our, what is most assuredly, ill-fated journey?" Ezra Standish enquired patiently of Nathan Jackson.
"Vin likes to be high up so I figure he'll be heading for high ground... Chris'll go that way too. North'a town should be a good place to start." Nathan replied, as he continued with the task of tightening his saddle cinch.
"Truly, I do not understand why I must accompany you on this undoubtedly doomed expedition. Mr. Larabee certainly will not listen to my opinion on the subject of his relationship with Mr. Tanner." protested Ezra, "I am in dire need of a bath and my bed - not gadding about all over this God-forsaken dirty brown earth!" the gambler grumbled.
"Quit yer bitchin'!" ordered Nathan, fed up with the other man's griping. "Figure we'll prob'ly be needin' all the help we can git, the mood Chris's in!" said Nathan as he loaded medical supplies in his saddlebags. He feared this particular mission would end very badly.
Any protest Ezra may have considered making was eliminated by Nathan's harsh "Mount up, We're goin'!" as the black man turned his mount toward the north end of town and the forbidding landscape beyond.
With a couple of disdainful slaps at the dust covering his jacket, a still muttering Ezra mounted Chester and road out after the healer.
+ + + + + + +
The four lawmen had been riding hard for several miles and were approaching a small creek when Buck rode up beside the forbidding leader, "C'mon Chris, Let's walk som'a these cramps out and give the horses a drink." he urged, "He ain't traveling fast. We'll catch up to him soon enough."
The man in black didn't even hear his long-time friend, so lost was he in the misery of his thoughts. In spite of himself, he was vainly trying to rationalize the Vin Tanner he knew with the type of animal who would attack a woman. I just can't make it add up... he worried, There must be something I missed...
"Chris?" repeated Buck, trying to break through the air of isolated determination surrounding his friend. "CHRIS!" exclaimed Buck in exasperation.
"What?" demanded Larabee, turning his green-eyed glare on the ladies man. "Never mind." he said harshly, before Buck could speak.
Pulling Pony to a stop, for the first time since they rode out of Four Corners. Chris turned his attention on all of the men, "Let's take a 5 minute rest. There's a creek just ahead, horses need water."
"Hmpf." snorted Buck, "Wish I'd thought a'that!" He mumbled sarcastically as he dismounted and pulled out his canteen.
+ + + + + + +
Nathan and Ezra rode along silently. Each nursing their own troubled thoughts.
Nathan's concerns were for Vin. His experience during the war told him that a man losing as much blood as the tracker had lost would be getting awful weak. Add to that the beating Chris had given him and he'd be a hurtin' man. He expected the former bounty hunter probably had some cracked ribs, maybe a concussion, who knew what else. Yep. He's hurtin' alright.
The healer knew Vin Tanner well enough to be certain that his injuries would be the least of the young man's concerns. He'd keep goin' 'til he collapsed. Or ’someone’ collapsed him...
That brought the black man's thoughts to the enigmatic leader of the seven. He might be fine physically but Nathan doubted his spirit was undamaged. Had to be plagued with self-doubt. But once Chris Larabee set his mind on something, all the fires of Hell couldn't sway him.
Nathan half smiled to himself remembering Top Hat Bob Spikes. Like J.D. had pointed out when Spikes came looking to settle an old score with Larabee, the leader of the seven could avoid facing the vicious murderer by just not acknowledging he remembered him. But Chris wouldn't play that game. He accepted the challenge and no matter how distasteful, jumped in with both feet, actually with both fists... Just as he faced every obstacle.
Nathan only hoped Chris would survive this challenge with heart and soul in tact. This time was very different - he had talked himself believing the irrational, that his best friend could attack a woman. Not just any woman! Mary Travis!! Nathan had known in his heart that there had to be some explanation for Vin's actions. He found himself praying that Chris would listen to reason before disaster struck.
Ezra Standish chose to focus on his fatigue rather than on the upheaval facing the seven men.
Somehow the shrewd gambler felt closer to the unassuming tracker than to any of the other men. Like Vin, Ezra had lived a solitary life. He too had learned the hard way that most people were narcissistic. In his vast experience he'd found that mortals were only affable when they thought it would be to their own benefit. So he'd chosen to adopt that same attitude.
Until he paused in this backwater village.
Somehow he'd been admitted into this rag-tag band of men. It had taken some introspection on his part and some re-thinking of his priorities but in the end he had earned a place with them. And the gambler treasured that acceptance above all the money in the world.
Now, this mismatched circle he valued so highly was being torn asunder and he had yet to conceive of a scheme to save them.
So, he would instead concentrate on his physical aches, because allowing contemplation of the mental anguish would be his undoing.
"Ezra!" Nathan's harsh voice cut into the conman's pondering, causing his head to jerk up.
"Sir! Must you caterwaul?" enquired the dapper man sarcastically, "I am exhausted but not deaf!"
"Cain't you move any faster? Way you're sloggin along, we'll never catch up to 'em." complained Nathan.
"I believe that I have previously elucidated the details of my extreme fatigue for you. Be that as it may, I am only able to travel as quickly as this noble steed I am astride, and it appears that he is also is verging on collapse." explained Ezra reasonably. "Your constant verbal assault on our senses will not aid in our recovery!"
With a last glare at the cardsharp, Nathan kneed his mount into a canter, determined to catch up to Chris Larabee before he reached the injured tracker, even if it meant leaving Ezra behind.

Part 18

"Mount up!" Chris Larabee ordered. Not waiting to see if the other men would follow, he was in the saddle and headed up the trail before the grumbling men could clamber onto their horses.
"Awww Chris! Slow up a minute." protested Buck, "We're comin' with you, just give us a chance to get movin'!"
J.D. rode up beside Buck, shaking his head, "I never saw Chris like this, " he said, "you don't think he's really planning on killin' Vin, do you?" asked the worried young man. "I mean, I thought they were best friends and all..."
"Kid, I don't know what he'll do." replied the ladies man, "It's like some demon's possessin' him. Can't get him to listen to reason. All we can do is stick close and try to reign him in when the time comes."
"Buck's right J.D." said Josiah, as he rode up to join the two concerned men, "Devil's got a grip on that man's heart. He ain't thinkin' like he should. Don't think he's really reactin' to Mary bein' attacked. Seems to me he's convinced himself that Vin betrayed him. That's what's got him all fired up. If he was thinkin' clear, he'd know that no matter how things looked, Vin Tanner could never attack a woman, least of all Mrs. Travis. Unless, we've all misjudged him... Could be us joinin' up 'n fightin' has clouded our judgment. After all, we don't none of us know each other too well..." with a final sad glance, the big preacher slowed his horse to trail behind the two startled men.
J.D. turned confused eyes on his friend, "Josiah's just talkin' out his hat ain't he?" the young man's tone begged for reassurance from his best friend, "We all know each other pretty good, don't we? I mean, well enough! Don't you think so, Buck?"
"Sure kid," Buck replied, only wishing someone would reassure him.
+ + + + + + +
Alby Savitch could see riders in the far distance and an evil self-satisfied smile crossed his lips.
Turning from his look-out position, he grabbed the helpless tracker by the arm and yanked him to his feet.
"Let's go, injun-lover!" he chortled maliciously, "Show's 'bout to begin an' I don't want you missin' none of it! Don'ya want ta watch me kill th' bastard that murdered m'brother? Figure y'll enjoy it seein' the same sonovabitch beat yer ass all ta hell!"
Vin was wrenched from the hazy half-world where he'd drifted and hurled into agonized awareness of the cold fall night. While the excruciating pain had somehow intensified, by some quirk, his mind had cleared and he could remember the past 18 hours in vivid, terrifying detail.
As the events replayed themselves before his mind's eye, he'd realized that the man before him was hunting Chris and, to that end, was the man who had attacked Mary. With this realization came a horrible fear. Chris don't know about the killer... thinks he's trackin' me.... bastard's gonna ambush 'im...
Vin Tanner knew he could not allow the outlaw to succeed in his mission. The injured man desperately clung to consciousness as he was thrust further down the rough path and slammed into a large rock formation. Vin's mind registered more pain as he felt his ribs crack and his vision began to swim.
The criminal used his own body to wedge the tracker standing upright behind a large boulder facing the trail below. From this vantage point, the four approaching, unsuspecting riders were clearly visible and unprotected. Even through the fog of pain that blurred his vision, Vin's experienced eyes identified Buck, Josiah, J.D. Dunne and the leader, Chris Larabee. Vin realized that he, and the outlaw behind him, were not easily distinguishable from the rock landscape. Perfect place fer an ambush. the words echoed through his mind over and over. With each recitation, his spirits sank deeper into the abyss of despair, Mary's dead... my fault... didn't save her... now Chris an' th' boys... gotta stop this...
Vin felt movement by his right leg and his diminishing consciousness tried to make sense of it. He heard the outlaw snicker, just as he remembered his hog's leg and realized that it had just been pulled from its holster. The wounded sharpshooter's chin dropped to his chest, despair written on his strained features.
"Fergot 'bout this little toy, didn' ya? Gonna enjoy shootin' a fine piece like this. " Alby held up the sawed-off Winchester admiringly, "I's a pretty fair shot, ya know, but with this baby, I should be pretty dead on."
Pounding his hip back into the helpless tracker, forcing a groan from the abused man, Alby began to cackle maliciously, "'Dead on...' git it? Made a joke! How come ya ain't laughin' tracker?" the outlaw again slammed Vin against the rock, pleased at the cry of pain his assault elicited. "Jis stay upright, I still got need a' ya." ordered the cruel man, "Yer my pro-tec-shun!" he cackled.
Even through the haze of pain and clutching fingers of darkness crowding his senses, Vin knew that the would-be murderer had picked the perfect trap and that he was the only thing that stood between the assassin and his friends. And Vin Tanner feared that his rapidly weakening body would betray him when he needed his strength the most.

Part 19

Nathan Jackson's anxiety had steadily grown with each step of Weasel's hooves. He was worried that they'd left the town too late to catch up to the single-minded gunslinger, too late to prevent him from exacting undeserved revenge on the injured tracker, too late to help Vin if his injuries were as bad as the healer feared. Nathan pushed Weasel as hard as he could, all the time fighting the lagging gambler. He really should have left the exasperating man in the dust, would have if he hadn't thought his fast-talking might come in handy. Although, he might kill the infuriating cardsharp if he didn't get his ass in gear!
"Looks like four riders ahead." Nathan turned to the scarlet coated man riding behind him, "Me'be we got to 'em in time." the healer sighed in relief. "Ya think that nag'll make it a little further?"
"SIR! I'll have you know that this remarkable creature is showing amazing stamina! If the wretched brute is half as fatigued as I, he should be retired to a luxuriant meadow as reward for his efforts on behalf of the no doubt unappreciative Mr. Larabee! I only trust that, when we have concluded this dubious mission in which you have seen fit to include me, my noble steed and I will be left in peace to recuperate!
"Yea, sure, Ez, whatever ya' say... Let's git movin' before they git away from us!" pressured Nathan, ignoring the gambler's words as his attention fixed on the soon to be achieved goal. Once I catch him, how'm I gonna git him to listen to reason? he mused, knowing how determined the man in black could be. Shoot 'im if I have to, I guess...
Turning again to the gambler, Nathan Jackson vented some of his pent-up fear and frustration, "Will ya git your damn ass movin?!" he bellowed, "I'm gonna shoot you and yer lazy damn horse!" he roared, spurring his gelding forward.
"Well creature, I regret to inform you that we had best push ourselves ever harder. It appears that we shall have no respite until these barbaric men have been dealt with." Ezra kneed his tired mount to follow the anxious man.
+ + + + + + +
Chris Larabee, leading his three friends, slowed the gelding so he could, in the fading light, determine the best way to access the high rocks where he intuitively knew Vin would isolate himself. As his sharp eyes scrutinized the outcropping he heard a shout behind him. Instinct made him throw himself from his saddle just as he heard the unmistakable report of a sawed-off Winchester.
Slapping Pony on his rump to drive him away from the gunfire, Larabee rolled behind a rock and took stock of the men with him.
"Buck?" he called out, unable to see the ladies man.
"Right here, slick, to yer left and back, J.D. and Josiah 'r with me." came the reply, "Nobody's hit, how 'bout you?"
"I'm fine." snarled the gunslinger, "Still think the son-of-a-bitch's innocent? Can't tell me ya didn't recognize his goddamn hog' leg!" he cursed, "Where the hell's he at?"
"Caught a little glint of metal up to yer right, 'bout half-way up the outcroppin', behind a big tall rock, looks like a sweet potato." replied the mustachioed man, his keen eye scanning the rocky ridge. "Can't see nothin' now." He mumbled in frustration.
"Lay in some fire," Buck turned to the two men crouched low beside him, "I wanna git up with Chris."
Receiving a nod from each, as Josiah and J.D. began firing at the general area where Buck had reported seeing metal glint in the fast fading light, Buck hunkered down, prepared to break for Chris's location,.
Crouched low, the big man sprinted across the open ground and threw himself behind the rock protection beside his old friend.
"He's got himself a pretty good vantage on us." snarled Chris, without looking at the ladies man. "He can pick us off like rabbits if we try and move up on him. You know what kinda shot he is from up there."
"Gotta git behind him, Chris. It's the only way." replied Buck, " J.D. and Josiah can fire cover. Maybe it'll be enough to keep his head down."
Larabee nodded, "We'll both go right. See if we can flank him." he said firmly, a deadly calm infusing his voice. "Between us, we should be able to take the bastard down."

Part 20

The sound of gunfire and rapid movements of their friends spurred Nathan and Ezra into action. Kneeing their horses into a gallop, they drew their weapons and rode down on the crouching men.
A quick assessment told Ezra that the situation had turned ugly. He was easily able to recognize that the shots emanating from the rocky outcropping were coming from a sawed-off Winchester. While he expected better accuracy, he assumed that Vin was not really trying to kill his friends. Maybe he just wanted to warn them off.
Nathan had a different interpretation of why they had all been unscathed by the deadly-accurate sharpshooter. He worried that the man was dyin' up there and couldn't hit them. After all, Vin was only human and there was only so much his body could take. Doing a mental checklist, Nathan ran down the tracker's last 24 hours; probably goin’ on two days without sleep or food, bleedin' bad from a knife wound, and beat all to hell by Larabee. Shaking his head sadly, the healer knew that for Vin to survive, he'd need medical treatment right away.
Keeping low and hugging his saddle bag full of medical supplies close, Nathan made his way as near to Buck and Chris as he thought safe.
"Chris!" he hissed, trying to get the man in black's attention. "It’s me, Nate. Chris, we gotta get to him. He cain't go on much longer without carin' for... Let me call out to him and see iffen he'll let me see to 'im." he implored.
"No!" snarled the angry leader, "Ain't gonna take a chance on him killin' you. Just keep low." he ordered.
"But Chris..." began the healer,
"I said NO!" growled Chris, his tone brooking no argument. "You lay cover fire with the others. Buck and I are gonna try'n flank him. You can look to him after... if he still needs ya." said Larabee ominously.
+ + + + + + +
Vin Tanner was in hell. Nearly overwhelmed by pain, his head a throbbing agony, he was barely able to focus on the men below him. His friends. Men he trusted and who had trusted him. Now he was watching helplessly as they were about to be picked off by the ruthless man pinning his battered body against a rock.
The tracker watched in mute horror as the first shots rang out. A strangled cry caught in his throat as he saw the man in black fly from his horse. He didn't breath again until he saw the crouching man scramble for cover behind a rock.
Just when he thought it couldn't get any worse, the return fire began. Damn, he struggled to think clearly, didn't know they were such good shots. The bullets were hitting dangerously close, ricocheting metal throwing painful, cutting chips of rock into his already bruised face. Blood flowed freely from the numerous cuts and the laceration previously inflicted by Chris. Musta broke it open with all this slammin' 'round I'se gettin'. his thoughts becoming more confused; he began to lose touch with the situation surrounding him.
The distinctive sound of Chris's colt snapped him back to reality. Gotta help 'em, they need me... his thoughts focused as he fought against the tight bonds securing his hands, his struggles only succeeded in tearing the flesh from his wrists.
Alby Savitch was thoroughly enjoying himself. The sawed-off Winchester was every bit as accurate as he'd hoped it would be and he relished the power he had over the scrambling men. But his entertainment was interrupted by the sudden movements of the bound man he was using as a shield against the returned gunfire from the men below.
"DAMMIT!" he exclaimed, "Settle, ya sonofabitch!" the vicious man slammed the butt of the Winchester into the tracker's side, eliciting an agonized cry of pain. "Yer interferin' with m'shootin'!"
Vin's world erupted in a flash of light and he saw stars as the pain blasted through his body. The sharpshooter grasped desperately at consciousness. Gasping for air, Vin forced the black cloud of oblivion away from his brain. Gotta help 'em... God, pleez help me... he prayed, his total focused on the danger facing the peacekeepers below. I cain't hold out much longer... gotta act now.
As the gunfire exploded around him, Vin prayed that his failing body would obey. He knew he would have only one chance...

Part 21

Mary Travis was quickly recovering from the late night assault. Contrary to Nathan's concerns, it did not appear that she had a concussion, and although she'd slept for a short time after he and Ezra rode out, she'd already thrown back the covers and insisted on getting out of bed. Nettie Wells watched her carefully for any recurring symptoms, and was only slightly surprised when Mary's only complaint was a headache.
"How ya feelin' now, honey?" she asked the anxious young woman for the umpteenth time.
"I'm fine, Nettie." Mary sighed, as she paced about the small clinic, "but I'm worried sick." Stopping, she turned to look at the troubled face of the pioneer woman. "What do you think is happening?"
"I don't know, Mary." Nettie replied, she knew that the younger woman was asking her for reassurance that all of the men who had left town so abruptly that day would return safely. Reassurance that their wounds, internal and external, would heal. Nettie wished she could offer comfort to the young widow, but she couldn't even persuade herself that all would be well. "I just don't know."
"Nettie, I don't think I can stand this waiting." the impatient woman said, "I have to do something!"
"Now Mary, there ain't nothin' we can do..." replied Nettie, "and you really should be restin'." The older woman understood Mary's consternation and was failing miserably in her own battle to distract her worried thoughts from her fear for the young tracker she had come to think of as a son.
"Oh Nettie, I feel fine and I couldn't possibly rest!" Mary exclaimed purposefully, "Do you think other people in town believe Vin attacked me?" her eyes grew wide with horror, "Oh my God they do! I need to go home, get dressed, and put out my paper, it's the only thing I can do and may be the only way the foolish people of this town will know the truth about what happened!"
"Mary, you cain't be walkin' through the streets in yer nightdress, I'll go 'n get yer clothes for ya." said the older woman as she headed for the door. "You just stay right here." she insisted, concern over the young widows injury still lingering in her mind. "I'll be right back."
Mary Travis continued to pace the small clinic, worry and frustration etched in her fine features.
+ + + + + + +
Chris Larabee checked his colt, confirming that the chambers were full. Then gave a quick nod to his friend, who had done the same with his own weapons, "Ready?" he asked the ladies man.
"As I'll ever be." replied Buck Wilmington.
"Let's do it." said the grim faced gunslinger.
With the remaining peacekeepers providing cover fire, Chris and Buck slipped away from the boulder they were using as protection from the onslaught of fire from above them.
Crouching low, the two gunmen moved rapidly around the mountainous rock formation, searching for access to the attacker shielded by the rocks above.
Realizing too late that the others still didn't know that Mary was awake and that she'd told them about a second man in the alley, Nathan was nearly frantic with worry for the tracker. These men were all good shots, and with the amount of bullets flying, someone was sure to get hurt.
"Josiah! J.D! Ya'll gotta listen to me!" he hollered, trying to be heard above the gunfire, "Vin didn't attack Mary! Do ya here? Mary's awake; she told us ther'as another man in the alley!"
"I knew it!" cried J.D. relaxing his grip on his pistol, "I knew Vin would never attack Mary!"
"Gentlemen, we must stop this before someone is wounded!" urged Ezra, "Mr's Larabee and Wilmington are unaware of this enlightening information!"
"Well, brother," said the big preacher, noting the continuing gunfire aimed in their direction from above "Somebody best let Vin know, too. Seems he's still tryin' to kill us."
"That's just it Josiah! I figure Vin's prob'ly 'bout done in. Cain't be him keeping a position like that." Nathan's concern was growing by leaps and bounds.
"Then why's he still shootin' at us?" exclaimed J.D., ducking his head to avoid a ricocheting bullet.
"J.D! I don't think that's Vin shootin'." replied the frustrated healer, "I think whoever attacked Mary followed him out a'town."
"Well gentlemen, I sincerely hope that Mr. Larabee realizes his mistake before he gets to the unfortunate tracker." said Ezra, a sad finality in his tone.

Part 22

Nettie Wells hurried through the cold, afternoon air of Four Corners toward Mary's rooms above the Newspaper. The older woman was anxious to get clothes back to the widow before Mary did something foolish. Wouldn't put it past her to march right down the street in her nightdress! she thought, still concerned for the young woman's health. Gonna be tough keepin' her still...
Nettie's musings were suddenly interrupted when she walked head long into a man coming out of the hotel. To her dismay she realized that he was going to stop her to talk.
"S'cuse me Mr. Conklin, didn't see you there, I'm in a bit of a hurry..." she began, hoping to get past the loathsome man who'd treated her boys bad since they came to this town.
"Ahhh Mrs. Wells," Conklin said, a fake look of concern pasted on his face, "How is dear Mrs. Travis? Did that animal hurt her badly?"
Nettie bristled at his reference to Vin and she heartily regretted not having her Spencer carbine with her, blast that look right of yer smug face...
"She's fine," she responded, attempting to step around the infuriating man, "I'm in a bit of a rush to git back to her, if you'll excuse me..."
"Certainly! I do understand. I hope you did not leave the poor woman alone and unprotected. No telling if that heathen will come back. She might not be safe..." he said maliciously, "Oh, listen to me, of course he won't be back. I'm quite certain Mr. Larabee will ensure that the only way that savage-lover returns to our good town is across the back of a horse!"
"Mr. Conklin!" exclaimed the furious woman, "For you information, Vin Tanner did NOT attack Mary Travis! There was a stranger in the alley. Vin likely saved her life!"
"Dear Mrs. Wells, it is easy to see that you are overwrought by the events of the day and I didn't mean to upset you further." Conklin said condescendingly, "I know you have a fondness for Tanner, however misguided. I just hope you won't be too badly troubled when this is all said and done. Now if you'll excuse me..." Conklin touched his hat lightly and made a slight bow before turning and walking down the boardwalk, leaving the infuriated woman staring after him, hatred burning in her eyes.
"Well I never!" she finally exclaimed, and with a mental shake, continued on her errand only to be stopped many more times by concerned townspeople asking after Mary Travis.
When Nettie finally made it to the newspaper office, the weathered woman leaned on the inside of the door, her hands shaking and fear clutching her heart.
To a person, everyone who had expressed concern for Mary Travis had also declared hatred of - and the desire for vengeance against - Vin Tanner.
+ + + + + + +
The three men stared at the gambler in dismay, heedless of the bullets ricocheting around them.
J.D. was the first to break the tense silence,
"Ezra's right." he said, looking intently at the other men "we gotta stop Chris."
The young sheriff moved as if to follow after the gunslinger when Josiah slapped a large hand on his shoulder, pulling him back.
"Hold on boy, you can't go running out there after Chris and Buck, they're likely to blow yer head off." he told the impulsive young man. "We gotta think this through..."
"We don't have time to think it through Josiah!" exclaimed the easterner, "Chris could be drawin' down on Vin right now!"
"I regret to confess that I am inclined to agree with our young sheriff." said Ezra, "discussion, no matter how well intentioned, will not prevent Mr. Larabee from aerating poor Mr. Tanner..."
"Listen!" J.D. exclaimed suddenly, catching the attention of the other three men. As they hastily stopped talking, an eerie quiet descended over them.
Finally, the healer gave voice to the horrible realization,
"The shootin's stopped..."

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