A FRESH START 17

two days later slaugter s buggy rolled into the yard. behind him rode a arizona ranger. when viola pulled the team to a stop slaughter stepped down from the buggy and standing the long tom against the buggy began brushing the dust from his clothes. the arizona ranger sat his apron faced horse back a bit. bill took in the extra quality of the horse as any good horseman of the day would. he was a blood bay of stocky build and a quiet disposition. slaughter pointed to the ranger " thats the ranger for our part of the state braxton starr. he ranches up in the chirichua mountains when he isnt helping me." bill stepped over and shook hands with starr. then tipped his hat to viola. " we need to talk jeffrys, clear the air. we dont believe that the kearneys had anything to do with killing bryce or shooting this place up. the body brouht in was of a young man who was looking to collect a reward off that hand bill. he came from nebraska all this way. why?" slaughter laid it all out. " its a long story, you want to sit in the shade while i tell it?" bill pointed to the porch on the house. after every one was seated bill began " i took a herd of cattle into nebraska . it was everything i had in the world. when i got there i sold out for much more money than i ever hoped for. i bought a saloon with a faro set up . i was doing well. the next year a trail drive came into town and sold out. the boss was a big blustery kind of guy but he brought the crew into my saloon and the party went on for a couple of days.the bosses name was black bob wilson. loud and profane. i was at the faro table when he set down. he lost a lot of money right off and became beligerent. then he placed a bet with every bit of the money he had from the sale of his cattle i covered the bet, he lost. he proceeded to try and take my saloon apart but a local law man stopped him and sent him packing.i put the money in the local bank. for two days bob roared around town cussing me , calling me a crook. i tried to ignore him. finally on the morning of the third day as i was opening the saloon bob came at me with a drawen gun. i was forced to kill him. it was ruled justifyable and i was released. i put the saloon in the hands of a good man and went to the bank to with draw my money. i wanted to move on. the bank presedent said if i withdreww all my money the bank wouldnt be able to operate. i insisted. i went in to his vault, counted out my money put it in a canvas bag and left the presedent screaming he would have me killed. i came here looking for a quiet life. ive had nothing but. "bill told his story . " we think the bank put the hand bill out on you. and maybe bryce was killed by that youngster whose gun blew up on him thinking he was you. as far as ime concerned you hae been a improvement to the community unless braxton has something to say, we will move on" slaughter looked over to starr who simply shook his head. bill took his rake and started back to the barn. in the distance he could see a couple of riders comming. he nturned to see if slaughter was still in sight. he wasnt. bill leaned his rake against the barn and reached inside for his rifle.