DENTON CROUCH 14

the next day will and braxton starr had the prisoners loaded in braxtons wagon and was headed down the north side of the mountain toward san simone. there will would load his charges on a train and roll them into willcox. slaughter and chuy had returned to san bernadino. the day before as soon as they saw that will and denton had everything in hand.the wounded outlaw was beligerent to say the least. his friend charlie was constantly telling him to settle down. when braxton had returned with his wagon and team he had brought leg irons and hand cuffs. once loaded in the wagon will and braxton had taken the seat and started the team back toward paradise and san simone. denton rode along behind keeping a eye on the prisoners with his rifle resting across the front of his lap in the saddle. charlie was smiling and takeing in the trip with ease his friend jim belote not so much, he had a scowel on his face and fire in his eye. denton would have had no qualms if they stopped and hung belote at the first good pine tree. as they rode along dentons mind kept drifting back to jody at the hotel.he saw the relationship slaughter had with his wife, and how braxton acted and looked. the stress of law enforcement not weighing on them he decided he wanted that. but he had nothing to offer jody. not even a home of their own. he wasnt even sure if jody would have him. she was a bit youngeer than him and seemed pretty straight laced. she did show compassion when careing for him, but waould translate into something permanent? " denton! wake up and pay attention!" will calling out to him brought him back to the time at hand. belote had tried to stand up in the wagon but the leg irons and hand cuffs had hindered his excersise. charlie had jerked on belotes chains and told him to sit. when he looked at denton he got the impression denton would shoot first and not a bat a eye. the sad thing was denton realised that also. and he didnt liked knowing that about him self.he had never had that feeling before, and he wasnt proud of it. yep maybe time to quit.

DENTON CROUCH 13

TWO DAYS LATER CHUY AND SLAUGHTER RODE UP INTO RUSTLER BASIN. there was a tendril of smoke wafting from the stove pipe at braxtons cabin. out front of the cabin the horse that denton had rode away from the san bernadino ranch on grazed as they approached the cabin they saw two men sitting with their backs to the wall. their legs extended out in front of them. one of the men had a white bandage wrapped around his thigh. as the rode closer will stepped out of the door with a biscuit in hand and waved at the two horsemen. " i say, i say sherriff its good to see you. it looks like you have things well in hand."slaughter almost yelled.. will held the biscuit up " this is all i got in hand my deputy has these brigands in hand not me. coffee is hot , get down and we will tell you the details.." as they walked by the two men sitting along the wall slaughter could see they were tied together with piggin strings. but empty plates laid at their sides. contentment on their faces. inside after filling more cups will started explaining. the morning that denton had rode into the basin he had came face to face with the two healthy out laws. at almost the same time will had walked up on the wounded outlaw and charlie. both sound asleep.will had disarmed the crooks and shook them awake. neither put any resistence. but in the distance there was gun fire. will, himself to weak to travel much farther had fired off a couple of rounds hoping a friendly soul would come to help. it did in the body of denton crouch. they had spent the day moveing the prisoners to braxtons cabin. then cooking up a ample feed for all. while will was explaining the circumstances denton walked in from the pine forest surrounding the basin , a shovel over his shoulder and his rifle in the other hand. " i say, i say deputy, have you been prospecting?" slaughter questioned. " nope, covering the trail of the other two who left the country." denton was solom as a preacher on sunday morning. slaughter nodded. will nodded to three rifles and pistol belts in a corner of the cabin" they donated their belongings to atone for their mis deeds." " like hell you killed them you back shooters!" the wounded out law yelled . his partner elbowed him in the ribs to shut him up"you want to leave the country like they did? then shut up."charlie had had enough of gunsmoke and flight. he hadnt shot anyone and figured he might get off with a jail sentence. while the four possee members were visiting charlie looked across the basin and could see a lone horseman comming.once in a while the rider would turn aside and ride into a bunch of cattle and look them over.then continued his march toward the cabin. when braxton starr rode up to the front of his cabin he sat for a moment takeing in the view."what the hell? has the county turned my cabin into a annex for the jail?" he stepped down from his red roan horse and let the reins drag so the animal could graze" well the county owes you for a pack horse full of supplys anyway" will steped through the door and extended his hand." we are going to need a wagon to get these two outta here and down to the railroad at san simone." " lets let my saddle rest a moment, then we will see what we need to do. "