DENTON CROUCH 18

when denton stepped out side the bank dor he took in a big gulp of fresh air. he couldnt believe he had got the whole plan out to browning. a couple steps down the walk way was a wooden spoke back chair. he stepped over to it and eased himself down into the chair. that morning out of habit he straped on his pistol, he had to slide it around on his leg in order to get set. he thought to himself if the bank goes for his plan he can hang this pistol up out of the way some place. he sat back and enjoyed the fresh air and watched the traffic comming and going. slowley his mind settled into a relaxed mode. this was what he wanted sitting in front of his own house, sipping his own coffee watching his own cattle graze. the thought of all that almost put him to sleep. except,a bib overhauled farmer on a scrubby paint pony rode up in front of him" are you the law?" he yeled. denton sat up in the chair and looked the man over" today i am whats up?" down on the next street corner theres a fella beating a young woman right out in the street. couple of us tryed to stop him but he pulled a gun on us."the farmer explained. denton sat there a minute then heaved to his feet" next street corner you said?" as he started walking away the farmer followed along. as he reached the corner denton could see a crowd of ten or so people standing around. pushing through the crowd he found a you girl of maybe twelve to fifteen laying on the ground crying. a big burly man in a black coat stood over her with a long willow switch. "this aint none of the laws business you best git!" the big man slightly raised the willow switch. denton reached down and took the girl by the hand and helped her up. he could see blood seeping through the dress on her back it was nothing more than a rag. dentons temper was riseing" you go back up the street to dr. goodfellows office . tell him denton crouch sent you and show him your back. ill be along soon." the girl looked at denton then pushed through the crow in a hurry. denton turned to the big man."your under arrest. drop the switch and your hand gun right where you stand." "i told you to mind your own business law dog. i aint under arrest , not for tending to my business."the big man was letting his right hand sag with the switch. " that girl is my bond servant. i was just teaching her some manners like you need" with that he grabbed for his pistol. but as he brought it up denton was standing there with his drawn and cocked. " now drop it like i said" denton told him. but the man thumbed the hammer back on his pistoland started to raise it.there was a explosion and a cloud of gray gun smoke.the big man lay in the street, his pistol still in his hand. denton stepped up and took the pistol and stuck it in his waist band. the man rolled his head at denton and growled" you should have killed me, ill kill you some time. denton looked around the crowd "some of you get him up and walk him to the jail house. ill get the doctor. " when the men lifted the man off the street you could see a gush of blood from a hole in the left side of his chest.it was then denton realized he had intended to kill this man. it shook him to his core. as the crowd was dispersing will appeared. denton explained what happened and handed the mans pistol to will. "ill go check on the girl before i come write the report." will nodded " see you in a bit."