THE TRAIL TO TOMBSTONE 18

the next morning just as the sun was comming up the three were shareing a pot of coffee at the ok hostlers offoce across the stree a man was alking along fast . he was obviously in a hurry. dale pointed to the man" there goes the surveyor who clouted me!" all three set their cups down and followed the man shug was in the lead.. just as the man was going to open the door to a coffee shop shug caught up with him and put his hand on the door to keep it from being opened. the man spun on shug" do i need to call the law on you blanked butt?" shug grabbed the man by the shirt front" i am the law! your under arrest for horse stealing and assualt lets go!" he jerked the man around and started back up the street. as he passed dale and billy he said"stay at the ok until i get back. " shug dragged and jerked the smaller man down the middle of the street to the jail. when inside of the jail he shoved the man into a cell then took the keys from a hook in the office and locked the door. then returned the keys. the man behind the desk sat in shocked silence through the whole procedure. shug went to the deputy and leaned on the desk both hands flat on the desk. he looked the deputy right in the face."i just made a citicens arrest.. horse stealing and assualt. make out the papers and ill be back after breakfast. dont drag your feet. i used to have your job so i know whats what." the deputy gulped a throat full and nodded. " it will be done in a half hour." " good man ill be back dont let that scum out no matter what i have some questions for him." shug stood up and turned for the door.outside he turned for the ok to meet up with dale and billy.. when he got there billy was standing by the little match race horses stall. dale was sitting near by looking sick. "ill watch here. you two go get breakfast. maybe bring something when you come back.he dont look so good, maybe put him back in bed or go see the doctor." shug pointed at dale who was struggling to his feet. billy nodded in agreement. " ill for sure get back" he hustled dale out into the street. shug took dales seat and pulled his hat down in front over his eyes.. a hour later billy came back to the stable, he had two breakfast burros wrapped in a clean white towel. shug thanked him and asked about dale. "he s in bed over at cashmans waitting for doc good fellow.when he ate breakfast it wouldnt stay down he didnt argue much when i put him in bed." billy explained. " he will have to swear to some court documents in a bit. do you think some one else is involved?"shug said between bites of burrito. " maybe one more but ime not sure. that darn judd wilkins has threatened dale a time or two.. about the ranch and his life. so maybe him."billy spoke shakeing his head. " can you stay here for a while? i need to go have a talk with out jail bird" shug asked. " i dont think the doc will be there in a while , i can sit here right now for a while."billy agreed. shug got up and marched out the door headed toward the jail. billy watched him and shook his head. "i wouldnt want to be that jail bird right now!" he said under his breath.