By: Chris Gilman
Chapter 1
“Hey, Jeff,” someone yelled, attracting the attention of the young coyote drinking at the bar. He turns his head to see who is calling him. His brown eyes go wide as he sees a bundle being carried into the bar by a large tan horse.
“Mortimer, what the heck is that?” he asks as the horse hefts the small bundle onto the counter of the bar. “Not another of your inventions is it?”
Mortimer gives an encouraging smile as he starts to un-wrap the parcel, “My latest invention of course. What else could it possibly be?”
He continues un-wrapping the package as several other patrons at the bar start to slowly back away from the pair of men. Many of them are whispering in fear while others run entirely out of the bar and are heard to be yelling warnings out to everyone.
Jeff rests his chin in his propped up hand and watches, “Mortimer, you do know that whenever you say that half the town remembers that incident about a year ago.”
Mortimer gives him a glance and a scowl as he continues the unwrapping. “Please, stop calling me that Jeff. And I didn’t intend to blow up that stable. Just one of my combinations got just a little too hot while it was cooking”
The coyote gives a quiet chuckle. “I wouldn’t say you blew-up that stable, it was much worse. In fact I think the newspapers said it left the planet, something about it landing on the moon.” He leans over to get a better view of the object Morty is un-wrapping, “Okay Morty, now what ya got here?” Jeff seems un-concerned about what’s being uncovered.
“Oh, just a model for something I’m working on,” Morty says with a hint of pride in his voice.
“Don’t tell me you’re trying to fly again. Why don’t you just leave the flying to the birds?” Jeff shakes his head in disbelief at his friend.
Morty gives a laugh, “Why not, it’s possible. Heck, the birds do it every day.”
Jeff shakes his head, “But the birds were born to fly.”
Morty finishes un-wrapping the item and holds it out for the coyote to see. “Just look at this, it is an exact model copied out of a book that a great inventor used to copy down his designs. He had it down to the calculations even, but he never actually tried to make it. Just think, with a full sized version of this I could fly through the air like a bird.”
The model he holds in his hands is a strange contraption. Made from thin pieces of wood and light canvas, it could briefly be described as a bird with its wings outstretched. A very thin bird at least.
“Morty, you are a dreamer,” says a feminine voice from the doorway. The two men turn to see a female cougar walk into the bar. She walks up and nudges Jeff in the ribs, “Isn’t he Jeff?”
“Yeah, sure, whatever you say Kelly,” Jeff replied as he wraps his arm around her waist. Together they looked over the contraption Morty holds in his hands.
“You know Morty,” says Kelly as she scratches her chin idly in thought. “It looks almost delicate enough that it could fly.”
“Could fly?” asks Morty with a shocked expression on his face. “Watch this,” he takes the object and almost gently throws it.
It sails gracefully for ten feet, and then suddenly dives into the ground and breaks. Those still watching give quiet giggles as Morty walks over to pick up the remains. None of them are rude enough to laugh loudly though. Standing again he looks at his friends with a downcast face full of sorrow. “You know, there is only one problem. I still haven’t figured out yet, how to land it safely.”
Kelly walks up and rests her hand against his cheek, “I’m sure you’ll figure it out someday. Just keep trying.”
Suddenly there is a commotion at the entrance to the bar and a grey wolf Indian with brown points on her ears and tail runs in the doors. “Sheriff, we got a problem,” she yells.
Jeff steps away from the bar and starts walking towards her, “What wrong Lightpaw?”
She points out the door and down the street. “It’s the Crimson Banditos, they’ve been spotted coming towards town.”
“Crap, I figured they would just pass us by, guess not,” he looks over at his big friend with a steely gaze. Morty has a very serious look on his face now and gives him a nod. “Come on, time to earn our pay Morty.”
Morty places the remains of his model on the bar and snaps his fingers at the bartender. The old arctic fox stops washing a glass and reaches under the bar. He comes up with a strange looking gun and hands it to Morty. “You two take care out there. That gang has already killed several lawmen.”
Morty gives him a grin, “Don’t worry Jim, we’ll be okay.” He takes the four barreled gun and breaks it open like a normal shotgun. He slips one shell into each barrel and snaps it shut. Holding the gun by the stock he rests it on his right shoulder and nods at Jeff, “Let’s go Sheriff, we got a job to do.”
Jeff flips back his duster to reveal the large gun on his hip and the silver-star on his vest becomes clearly visible. He places his hand on the revolver on his hip and looks back to the young wolf girl, “Lead on Light.”
She motions for them to follow and they step out onto the walkway bordering the street in front of the saloon and points towards a dust cloud on the horizon. “That’s them, they should be here soon.”
Jeff nods his head as he gazes at the growing dust cloud. He looks around the street and sees the few residents of the town running into shops and doorways. They’re taking cover wherever they can find it.
“Okay Lightpaw,” he says as he pats her on the cheek, “get out of here and take cover. Morty, take up position on the balcony of the hotel, I’ll be here to challenge them.”
Morty doesn’t even say a word. He just runs for the hotel a short distance down the road and disappears into it.
Kelly comes up with her
He looks down at her, “You sure you want to get involved in this? I’m sure it’s going to get ugly with this bunch.”
She gives him a nod with a determined look on her face, “Yes, this is for the good of the town.” She pats the handgun on her hip, “Besides, I got plenty of firepower to bring to the party.”
He gazes at her for a minute in worry, but he knows there is no way he can win an argument with her, especially right now. “Ok, take up a position in that alleyway,” he points across the street towards a shadowed alley. “But remember, don’t fire till we do and stay out of sight.”
She gives him a nod and runs off. Soon as she gets into position the dark forms of riders appear at the base of the dust cloud. Jeff thumbs the strap holding his gun in place loose and cocks the hammer. Then he crosses his arms over his chest and leans against the wooden pillar that is holing up one corner of the balcony over him, a tiny grin on his muzzle.
He watches as faces look carefully from widows and doorways. Trying to stay hidden but wondering why the sheriff and his friends are getting ready around the street. They know the answer though, because trouble is coming to town.
A few minutes later a group of various men pull up to a halt in front of the lone figure. They grin and sneer at him. “Hey, look,” says the badger in the lead. “This town has a guard puppy.” This brings a laugh from the rest of the gang. But the coyote standing there with the silver-star on his chest doesn’t even twitch a muscle. But he does keep the sly grin on his muzzle.
There is a piercing whistle from the hotel down the street and the horsemen all turn to look at it. There they see the large horse with an equally large gun in his hands, the muzzles of its barrels pointing straight at them. “You boys should learn to respect the law, especially in this town.”
One of the wolves in the group growls at the horse, “We don’t got to show no respect to no one, least of all no law.”
There is a loud and ominous click as the horse’s thumb pulls back a lever on the top of his gun. “Ya might want to be reconsidering those words partner.”
Jeff sees one of the gang members who isn’t in clear view of Morty reaching his hand towards his gun, but he forgot about the coyote standing so close. With a quick hand movement Jeff pulls his gun and fires off a round that hits the gun of the bobcat.
The entire gang turns to look at him as the bobcat raises his hand away from his gun in shock. “Don’t try that again my friend or we’re going to have trouble.”
The badger who had spoken first glares at the bobcat then looks back at the coyote. “We’re just passing through sheriff. What’s the harm in that?”
Jeff thumbs back the hammer again, “The harm is in the trail of lawmen your gang has left in its wake.”
“Yeah, so,” says a weasel, “what you going to do about it puppy?”
Jeff calmly lets the grin on his muzzle grow into a toothy smile. “Well, I guess that you’re all under arrest then aren’t you?”
The gang starts laughing, the weasel saying, “By who, you and that over sized horse up there.”
The smile stays on the coyote’s face, “Plus a few friends in the windows of various buildings. Trust me, if any of you draw, you’ll be dead before you can clear leather.”
The gang starts to look around nervously. Jeff motions them to put up their hands with a flick of the muzzle of his gun. Half of them slowly raise their hands, those who don’t have panicky looks on their faces as they look around.
Too low to be heard by almost anyone Jeff whispers to himself, “Oh no. Not again.”
Four of the mounted men reach for their revolvers and rifles. Jeff raises his pistol and plugs one. A loud boom from down the street and one of the men flying out of his saddle signals that Morty has fired one of his barrels into the group. Puffs of smoke from the alleyway and another man falling signify that Kelly has joined in the shootout.
Those who didn’t reach for their guns jump from their horses to avoid the hail of gunfire. On the ground they cover their heads in hope that they won’t be shot too like the true cowards they are.
Jeff swings his gun around to point at the last one who reached for his gun he finds himself looking right down the barrel of a Colt .44. “Shit!” he drops to the ground as the gun fires. The bullet misses its intended target, but manages to graze his shoulder. Another loud boom and the last gunman flies from his horse to land in the dirt some distance away.
Jeff looks up at the horse on the balcony and gives him a smile. Morty gives him a thumb’s up and continues to cover the remaining gang members from his perch. Jeff slowly stands and motions for the men on the ground to stand up.
Kelly comes out of her alleyway and starts taking the guns of the men who slowly stand with their hands in the air. After all the guns have been collected Morty comes down from his perch and walks over to them reloading the two shells he fired. “They never do learn, huh Jeff?”
Jeff shakes his head where he sits, “Nope, but they’re going to learn soon enough.”
Lightpaw runs out of one of the shops down the road and checks on the shot men. After checking each of the fallen men she stands and shakes her head sadly at Jeff. He returns a nod and she stands out of the way.
Morty levels his gun at the group and with a jerk motions towards the jail down the street. “Me and Kelly will lock these guys up, you go send the telegram sheriff.”
“Sure Morty, make sure they don’t have anything on them before you lock them up though. Oh, and if any of them make a move to run, shoot ‘em.”
Morty gets the group heading towards the jail and Jeff gives them a wave with his left hand while he holsters his gun with his right. A look of pain crosses his face as his left arm moves though, and the young wolf girl sees it.
She walks up in front of him as he turns to walk down the street and he sees the look of worry on her face. “What?”
Her gaze focuses on his left shoulder and he looks at it, “Don’t worry, it’s just a flesh wound. I’ll get it looked at in a minute, need to send that telegram now.”
“No, you will get it looked at now,” she says with a force in her voice that doesn’t leave any room for an argument. She pushes him back into a chair that happens to be on the walkway in front of the bar and he sits as it hits his legs.
“Look Lightpaw, I know you want to take care of this, but it’s not bad, it’s nothing.”
She doesn’t listen to him though. She pulls the coat away from his shoulder and sees where it grazed him. She frowns and reaches into a pouch on her belt and pulls out a couple of herbs. She puts them into her mouth and starts to chew them as she pulls her bowie knife and cuts away the shirt from around the wound. When she has the wound exposed she takes the herbs out of her mouth and places the now pasty substance on the wound, smearing it so it entirely covers the wound.
“Flex,” she says and he raises his arm expecting a sharp pain, but the herbs are doing their job already and there is none.
She pulls out a strip of cloth and starts wrapping his shoulder. After just a few minutes she pats his shoulder and slides his jacket over it again. Poking her finger through the hole she smiles, “Going to have to get that fixed again.”
“I know,” Jeff responds as he stands up and moves his arm around, seeing if the bandage restricts his movement any. “Good job Lightpaw, now can I go send that telegram since your done playing doctor?”
She gives a chuckle and gives him a playful shove down the road. “Check with me later tonight, I might have to put some more herbs on that. I’ll get the undertaker to start taking care of those that were killed.”
Jeff gives her a wave and walks down the street, the faces of the residents of the town smiling at him from the windows and doorways as he passes. A few step out into the street and wave at him. He responds with waves and nods of his own as he passes. Soon he reaches the telegraph office. With a quick look around he sees the people coming out of their hiding and going about a normal day as if there had not been a gunfight only minutes ago.
Walking in the door there is a jingle of a bell that hangs over the door. The old badger behind the counter looks up and smiles. “Heard the gunfire, wouldn’t happen to be that gang you thought was heading this way would it?”
Jeff gives him a smile and a nod, “Yep, it was them. Four tried their luck and tried to draw, the other six decided it was smarter to not try it.”
“Want me to send a ‘gram to the rangers saying you got ‘em?”
“If you would Oscar, and include that they should come get them soon as possible. Our jail is kind of small to hold six, but no place else to hold ‘em.” He scratches his chin as a grin crosses his face, “Going to be crowded in that jail till they do.”
“Sure thing sheriff,” says the old badger as he turns to the equipment behind the counter and starts to tap out the message. A few minutes later he is done and turns back to Jeff. “I’ll send a boy with the reply soon as it comes in.”
Jeff gives him a smile, “Thanks Oscar, I’ll be at the saloon till then, see ya later.”
He leaves the telegraph office and starts walking back down the street towards the jail. Before he gets there Kelly exits the jail and starts walking towards him. “Hey Jeff,” she says as they draw close. She stops suddenly as she sees at the hole in the shoulder of his coat.
Slowly reaching up to it she feels the wetness of the blood that is on the material. “You were hit?”
He gives her a grin and wraps his left arm around her as he steers her towards the bar. “Just a scratch really, Lightpaw already fixed it up good as new.”
She gives him a worried look, “You sure? Maybe we should have a doctor look at it.”
He gives her a squeeze with his arm and smiles down at her, “Yep, everything is fine for now. Besides, Lightpaw is better then most doctors I know around these parts.”
Together they enter the saloon. The fox behind the bar gives a smile and a nod and pulls out two mugs and fills them. “On the house sheriff,” he says as Jeff and Kelly come up to the bar beside the bartender’s daughter.
“Thanks Jim,” Jeff says as he raises the mug in salute to the bartender.
“Sheriff, you ok?” asks the lovely young arctic fox.
“Never been better, why Thea?”
“Well, there is a hole in your coat,” she says with a hint of worry in her voice. AS she places her hand on it, feeling something wet she pulls her hand back and sees the red on her white fur. “And you have some blood there.”
“Nothing to worry about Thea, just a scratch, already had it looked at and it’s all bandaged up,” he says as he brings the mug up to take a swig. “I’ve had far worse.”
Thea accepts a wet rag from her father and wipes the blood off her hand. “Why don’t you give me that coat Sheriff? I can get it cleaned up for you and mend it.”
Jeff shrugs off the coat and hands it to her. She accepts it and stares at the remains of his shirt over that shoulder. He looks at it and grimaces, “Got to say one thing about Lightpaw’s healing, she is hard on the shirts.”
Kelly laughs, “That’s cause she knows how to get you fixed up fast.” Kelly gives him a kiss and a pat on the cheek, “Why don’t you head upstairs and get a clean shirt and trash that one.”
“Okay, okay, fine, here,” he says as he strips off the shirt and tosses it at Kelly. She catches it and whistles at him as he walks over to the stairs and heads upstairs. Once he’s out of view of the bar she turns back and sips her beer.
“Damn, got to love that coyote without his shirt.” Her and Thea have a good laugh and chat at the bar while the bartender tones them out and continues straightening the bar.
‘What a town we live in,’ he thinks to himself as he places the glass he just finished washing on the rank under the bar.