Topie: Ridin' Down the Sunset Trail by Ruth R Rockafield

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January 26th, 2007 03:09 PM RoyRogersFan Here is one of my newest stories. Ridin' Down the Sunset Trail Ruth R Rockafield January 26th, 2007 03:12 PM RoyRogersFan Chapeter One: The Roan Out in Nevada there was a strawberry roan that was hated by all the rancheres far and wide. He had stollen many mares, and if a man was lucky enough to catch him no one could throw a saddle on him. One rancher walked with a permanant limp from an encounter with the roan, and otheres had heard of his reputation to be vicious. All of them had lost at least two or three mares due to the stallion. One rancher in particular was angry with him, because he had lost twelve mares over a period of eight years. "After awhile it just gets old." he was known to say after he lost another mare. What was even worse was that within the last year the stallion had been not only stealing mares but killing valuble geldings. There was a three week chase, and one rancher by the name of Winson Luck brought him home, and put him in a corral that he had prepared for just such and ocation. His men thought that he had gone over-board on it, for the rails were nine feet up. But Winson Luck wasn't about to loose his prize. And he imediatly started looking for bronc riders to try and ride the outlaw. ~~~ Nobody doubted that Patrick Brady was the funniest bronc rider in the Reston Rodeo, but some doubted his actual riding abilities. Shortly after the rodeo lost several contracts for performances the owner, George Reston, called Pat in. "Pat," He began as Pat stood before him in a ridiculous western cowboy outfit. It was a lime-green rodeo shirt with blaze-orange collar and cuffs with pounds of rhinestones. He wore a ridiculous pair of bat-wing-chaps, and cowboy boots, also orange and lime green and covered with rhinestones, and with six-inch heels. His hat was a huge black stetson with an orange and lime-green band. But Reston took no notice of his apearance, for it was normal for him to be dressed so ridiculously. So Reston continued, "As you know, we've not been getting alot of buisiness lately. It's wearing on our money, and I have to cut out some of the staff." "Ahuh." Pat confirmed with a jolly grin. It was evident that he didn't think that he was going to be one that lost a job. "You're humorous, I know, but I already have a rodeo clown, and seeing as I don't need a man that isn't real good, I'm going to keep all the really good riders, and the rest have to go. And you're included in 'the rest'." "What?" Pat squaked in dismay. "Not me! Why I'm the best bronc-rider you have!" "I'm sorry, Pat, you're fired." Reston said firmly. "You have an hour to get out." and with that he escorted a wildly kicking Pat out the door, closing it soundly behind him. ~~~ Gail Luck, the daughter of Winson Luck, was one of the most beautiful and atheltic people in the area of the strawberry roan, and most all the young men and ladies alike admired her skill and strenth. On the day that Pat got fired she was just returning from a long, liesurely ride. "Foy, please take care of this horse for me." She requested politley of one of the ranch help as she dismounted gracefully. "Sure, Gail." The man responded, leading the beautiful horse off. Gail stood for a moment looking as Foy walked the horse tword the barn. It was a palameneo, with a white blaze and one white sock. It stood a little over sixteen hands and was very powerful looking. Just then Gail heard a voice by her side. "So what do you think of him, Gail?" Gail turned to face the tall, handsome man in a buisiness suit that stood beside her. "He's great, dad." Gail replied. "Hey, Winson, what do you want me to do with Garret, he's been smoking in the bunkhouse again!" Al Sloey, one of the ranch hands, called up from by where he stood by the bunkhouse. "Tell him to come to me." Winson Luck, Gail's father, called back. "I'm sorry dear, but I have to go. Garret doesn't understand that we don't smoke here on this ranch." And Winson Luck walked briskly off. Gail stood for a moment, tapping her leg nervously with her crop. She didn't like Garret, and would feel much better and more easy without him around. ~~~ In a small clearing with a rustic log cabin in the middle a man and his step-son worked. Gray-haired, heavily whiskered Gabby Whitikar was stacking the wood that his step son, Roy Rogers was chopping. Roy was singing along with his choping. There is a river, called the River of No Return, Sometimes it's peaceful, and sometimes wild and free, Love is a travler, on the river of no return, Swept on forever, to be lost in the stormy sea. Wailaree! Wailaree! I can hear the water call, No return, no return, Wher the roaring waters fall, Wailaree! Wailaree! I can hear the river call, Come to me. I lost my way on the river, And forever my heart will yearn, Gone, gone forever, Down the River of No Return There is a river, called the River of No Return, No Return! Sometimes it's peaceful, and sometimes wild and free, No Return! Love is a travler, on the river of no return, No Return! Swept on forever, to be lost in the stormy sea. Wailaree! Wailaree! I can hear the water call, No return, no return, Wher the roaring waters fall, Wailaree! Wailaree! I can hear the river call, Come to me. I lost my way on the river, And forever my heart will yearn, Gone, gone forever, Down the River of No Return Wailaree! Wailaree! Wailaree! She'll never return to me, Wailaree! Wailaree! Wailaree! When Roy had finished Gabby turned to him. "That's shore nice singin' young feller." he said with certain pride in his voice. "I'd tell ye that you ought to go and sing in town, cept there's too many fee-males." Roy laughed good naturedly. "Glad you think so, Pappy. But I still don't see what's wrong with girls." "Always trouble, every one o' dem. Take it from me young feller, I've lived a long time. And though I've been married I wouldn't do it again, not on my life!" Gabby thought again of his wife that had died when Roy was only five. Roy had been the son of her first husband, and it hadn't been long after Gabby got married to her before she died. ~~~ That morning that would bring an end to their quiet lives for awhile dawned on a beautiful morning in mid August. It all started when the ten-o-clock train came into Redstone Nevada. Off the train climbed Pat Brady. Today his outfit was just as ridiculous, just this was black, orange, and yellow. After straitening his hat and chaps he proceeded to hobble down the main street of the town. It wasn't long before he bumped into Winson Luck, who was just returning from the bank. "Excuse me sir, may I get past?" Winson requested sleekly. "No way! You get out of my way!" Pat squaked. "Evidently you don't know who I am!" "I'm afraid I don't." Winson replied smoothly. "Why, I'm the best bronc buster in the WHOLE WORLD!" Pat told him brilliantly. "Is that so? I have a horse that no man can ride at home." Winson told him cooly. "Maybe you can ride him." "I can ride anything!" Pat bragged, although his stomach churned at the thought of a horse that no man could ride. "I'll pay you ten dollars to ride him for several days." Winson told him. "It's a deal." Pat told him, picking up his suitcases and hobbling after him as he walked quickly over to the buck-board. ~~~ Gail swung nimbly off Trigger. Grabbing up his reins she started to walk to the barn, but stoped mid-stride when she heard a frightened, high pitched, scream! "HELP!!!!! SOMEBODY, HELP! I'M GETTING KILLED! I'LL BE DEAD BY TOMORROW! HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" "Dear me." Gail said under her breath. "This might be serious." And serious it seemed when a buck-board careened into the yard a moment later. No one could be seen in it, so Gail ran out and grabbed the horses bridles. The horses, who were terribly spooked, jerked her up, and tossed her off to the side, continueing their mad race for the barn. Gail stood up rather gingerly, rubbing herself where she had gotten knocked all around in her fall. Then she looked after the buckboard. Or rather what used to be the buckboard. The horses had ran through the door, smashing the buck-board to a million pieces on the door of the barn. Luckily they had tried the larger door, and the horses themselves were unhurt. Gail walked stiffly over to the buckboard, expecting to see Winson Luck climbing out of the ruins. But instead there was nothing. Or at least so she thought at first. But as she lifted up the seat from it's mangled position, the removal of that article brought a very knocked out Pat into view. "Well." Gail said, placing her hands on her hips. "And I wonder who this could be?" "What who could be?" A voice said behind her, and Gail spun to face Al Sloey, who had come to investigate also. "This, shall I say, mass of flesh and bones?" Gail said with exaggerated dignity. "Hmmm, I dunno, but he seems in a mighty sorry state!" Al said. "I'll take him to the bunkhouse until he comes back to the reality of things. Where's Winson?" "I don't know, but I find myself VERY suspicious!" Gail said. "He never seemed right, not like the dad that everybody describes him as. But that's imaterial right now." Gail brought herself back to the reality of things. "I'm going to go and try to find him. "Great!" Al said in his half kocky manner. "I'll see after getting this fellow a very cold face washing." "Al," Gail said as she started to mount Trigger, "No more than five gallons, okay?" "Aw, okay. If you insist." Al muttered, and Gail sighed hopelessly. Gail rode out the drive and down the road for several miles without a sign of Winson Luck. After the fifth mile, finding herself halfway to town, she stopped, and puckered her brow. She hadn't seen a sign of Winson yet, and this was about all the farther the horses could have run, they weren't that sweaty. She finnally decided to go on another mile or so, and then turn back. She did so, and was soon on her way home, still not having seen anything. She was cantering along, relaxing in her saddle, when Trigger suddenly reared sky high, and took off. Taken completely by suprise Gail tumbled down and landed in the ditch. She had just rolled over, prepatory to getting up, when she heard hoofbeats, and a Roy slid down beside her. He grabbed her hand, and said, Can I help you, miss? "Can I help you up, miss? I saw your horse rear, you took a pretty hard fall." "Yeah, I seem to be making a habit of it." Gail said dryly. "Second time today." "Were you looking for trouble?" "No. Just trying to catch some runnaways, and now being throne." "I don't think that he threw you intentionally, I think something spooked him." Roy said. "Oh? You're a stranger, how could you know?" "I'm not as much of a stranger as you think." Roy said. "I have lived here all my life. My pappy and I live about, oh, twenty miles from here." "I bet. Prove it. I bet you spooked Trigger." Gail told him. "You got me all wrong, miss, I didn't spook your horse, I was just ridin' along this road here, and I saw you get tossed." "Sure. Just like all you other young city slickers Won't admit to a thing." "If that's what you think then it's fine with me, I'll be going now." And Roy stood up and leaping on his bay galloped off down the road. "Well you could have caught my horse for me!" Gail called after him. "Oh no." Roy called back. "City slickers never catch spoiled girls horses for them!" "Well, the nerve of that scoundrel!" Gail exclaimed impatiently. She started stalking stiffly along the road, her nose up in the air. Four miles later Gail was still walking. She finnally sat down on a rock and rubbed her sore feet. "That guy!" she stormed to herself. "Why, he wouldn't even catch my horse for me. He was sure some gentleman." Just as she finished there was a thundering of hoofbeats, and a wagon rattled around the corner going in the direction of the ranch. "Hey! Hey! Wait up! May I have a ride?!?!" Gail shouted, running out into the road. The driver slammed down the brake and the wagon shreiked to a stop. "Miss Gail!" The driver exclaimed. It was Johnny, one of the help from the Flying L ranch. "What are you doing here?" "Trigger threw me when I was out looking for dad. I think some maniac knocked him out of the buck-board when the horses ran away." Gail told him wryly. "Sorry state of things, huh? Well I'm just on my way back so climb on in." Johnny told her. "Thanks." Gail said gratefully. "I've already been walking quite aways." "Did you find Winson?" Johnny wanted to know as he drove off. "No. He doesn't seem to be anywhere. I just don't know what to think!" Gail told him. "Well, don't think too hard. After that fall you might bust your skull." Johnny told her with a grin. "Don't be funny. You wouldn't be laughing if you had just landed in a ditch and been slandered by a smart-mouthed man!" Gail told him indignatly. "Who was it?" Johnny wanted to know, and Gail recounted the whole story. "Hmm, I never met him before." Johnny said, rubbing his chin. "Me either." Gail said, climbing down off the wagon as Johnny pulled it to a stop. "Gail!" Al called out from where he was by the barn. "I was really worried about you when Trigger came careening in here an hour ago riderless!" "I just fell off." Gail told him. "Just? You already landed pretty flat already." Al told her. "I know." Gail acnowledged. "But who was that fellow?" "Oh, I got the strait scoop on that while you were gone, he's a bronc-buster that Winson hired to ride that roan. Now isn't that a joke?" "No kidding!" Gail said with a roll of her eyes. "I'm going to go and clean up now, though. I'll let dad find his own way back here." Gail walked up the slope to the house, and entered. ~~~ Several hours later Winson Luck walked into the Flying L. "Where have you been?" Gail asked him when he showed up at the door. "I fell out of that fool buckboard." Winson told her. "Where? I went and looked for you." Gail told him. "Barely a mile out of town. Excuse me please, I'd like to get cleaned up if you please." Winson told her briskly. "Oh." Gail stepped aside. After Winson entered the house she stood, tapping her fingers on the railing, a troubled look on her face. "What's up, Gail?" Foy wanted to know as he swung off his horse as he entered the yard. "Nothing much, but I've got a mighty big hunch." Gail went on to tell about the runnaway and then what Winson had told her about where the horses had spooked. "They weren't nearly lathered enough to have run that far. They were about as lathered as they would have been had they run four or five miles." she finished. "Hmm. That guy is mighty queer sometimes." Foy said. "But I really need to go unsaddle Dynamite, so I'll see you later." "Sure." Gail said absentmindedly. She was just about to go down to the bunkhouse to talk to Pat when the maid came out onto the portch. "Cook says de grub is ready. Shesa ringin' fer the boys, wild ya come on in a wash up, missa Gail?" "I'm coming Drinna. Thanks for telling me." Gail told her with a smile. "Oh it's no problem, missa Gail. I just doin' my job!" Drinna said, turning and re-entering the house. Gail smiled. Drinna and the Riders of the Purple Sage and the cook were the few people that she really trusted on the ranch. Dinner was a loud afair, with all the help trying to talk at once. Despite all the differant conversations it was decided that Pat should try to ride the roan first thing in the morning. "I'll be ready when you are!" Pat promised. It wasn't until late that night as Gail leaned again up against the porch railing that she decided that she'd better have Trigger saddled and ready should Pat decide to keep his idea of riding the roan. This decided she went to bed January 26th, 2007 03:13 PM RoyRogersFan Chapter Two: A Wild Ride "Yoodle-oodle-oo!!!!!" Gail awoke with a start and jumped out of bed, hurrying to the window to figure out what that frightful noise was. Drawing back the curnatins she saw Al Sloey sitting on the roof of a small shed down bellow her. "Yoodle-oodle-oo!!!!!!" He crowed again, as Gail plugged her ears. "Yoodle-oodle-oo!!!!!" Al crowed as loud as he posibly could, leaning back farther, and farther, and farther as he did so, until... SMASH! Al tumbled right off the roof. Gail rolled her eyes boredly, turning and dressing as quickly as she could in riding clothes. Then she ran to the head of the stairs and glanced about before she jumped onto the banister to slide down it. She wasn't quite sure what her father would say if he caught her in the act. But that day calamity struck, for when she was halfway down her father walked out of his room. "Gail!" He exclaimed, and Gail spun around so quickly that she tumbled right off the banister, tumbling in a very un-dignified manner down the rest of the stairs. She stood up, shaking the stray curls out of her eyes. "Yes?" she said. "Gail! I am ashamed of you!" Winson reproved her. "A fine young lady like you, sliding down a banister!" "So, what does me being a young lady have to do with not sliding down banisters?" "Young ladies don't slide down banisters." Winson reproved her sternly. "Well this is one young lady that does." Gail snorted, spinning on her heel and stomping off. Winson shook his head hopelessly and followed her. Breakfast that day was a gay afair, everyone being charged up about Pat's 'victory ride' as he called it. After breakfast and the table had been cleared they all flocked out to the high-railed coral where the strawberry roan stood. Gail showed up a few moments after everyone else, after being sure that Trigger was saddled and ready in the barn isle. By the time that she arived the rails were very full, so she clambered up into a near-by tree, and perched on a low limb. Pat hobbled into the ring with his saddle just a moment after Gail got into her position, and Gail winced at the sight of his outfit. Today it was lemon yellow and hot pink! Pat proceeded to saddle up the roan, and it stood perfectly still while he did so. "Some bronc." Pat muttered to himself. "I thought that I was going to get a good ride, not just sitting on an old horse!" "Well he does look like an outlaw." Winson replied cooly. "Yeah, I could tell that with one eye!" Pat exclaimed. "But he sure doesn't act like one! Now watch this!" And Pat swung confidently onto the roan. He had barely gotten hold when that horse started such a pitching that Pat could hardly stay in one piece. First he was up on his neck, than barely hanging onto his tail, than back up on his neck agian. After three seconds Pat hit the dust. He stood up spitting dirt and blood and cursing the day that the horse was born. Then he hobbled over to Winson. "Now looke here, Winson. I got somethin' to ask you." "Ask away, I'm listining." Winson said. "I think that the trouble is this coral, I could ride him, I'm sure, if I were in a normal breaking coral." "Alright, I'll give you a chance." Winson agreed, and soon the roan was standing cantankerously in the breaking coral. Gail just had to switch to the other side of her tree to see, the two corals being near together. This time when Pat hit the saddle, amid the cheers of all the on-lookers, the result was not as satisfactory as before. The roan did one buck, jumped the fence, and raced off for the woods. Gail quickly grabbed the branch and swung herself to the ground. In less than a minute she was on Trigger, galloping out after the disapearing outlaw. "I knew this was going to happen!" Winson said angrilly. "Hey Winson," Garret said slyly, slinking over beside him. "I don't like to inturupt, but maybe this'll get Gail out of our way without us having to interfere." "Hmm, not at all bad." Winson said thoughtfully. "Comeon boys, to your work! Gail will soon give up the chase, and that roan isn't too valuble." "What about Pat?" Foy wanted to know. "He's not particularly valuble either." Winson said. "Now get to work!" "I'm goin', I'm goin'." Al muttered, glaring darkly at Winson, who was walking back up to the house. ~~~ While Pat was taking his wild ride across the praries Roy and Gabby were doing the dishes in their little cabin in the woods. Roy was singing as he absent-mindedly dried the soapy dishes that Gabby kept on forgetting to rinse. Somewhere, out there, on the prarie alone, My guardian angel divine, Is there at rest, somewhere in the west, That pioneer mother of mine. I'd give all I own today, If someone could guide my way, To that hallowed spot where she's sleepin' That pioneer mother of mine. Deep in the heart of the prarie, Alone in a hidden shrine, With a whispered prayer, they left her there, That pioneer mother of mine. I'd give all I own today, If someone could guide my way, To that hallowed spot where she's sleepin' That pioneer mother of mine. No sooner had Roy finished then there was hoofbeats, and a the strawberry roan thundered by. "I gotta catch that horse, Pappy! It looks like a runaway!" Roy exclaimed. "Yeah. But how? You don't have time to saddle one of our horses!" Gabby shot back. "I dono," Roy hesitated, then caught sight of Gail galloping through the woods. "I got it, Pappy!" Roy said, grabbing his lasso and Gabby's off the wall. He ran out side, and after a few twirls, dropped one lasso neatly over Gail, pulling her off her horse. "You rude movie cowboy!" Gail spluttered as she stood up. "You shouldn't go talking to your elders like that." Roy told her, pointing a finger at her. You shouldn't talk to your elders like that. "Well why did you do it?" "I need to borrow your horse for a little, mam." Roy told her, letting go of the lasso that was around Gail and jumping up on Trigger, dropping the other lasso over the horn as he did so. Then he galloped off. Gail stood, hands on hips, practicly steaming. Gabby, who had stepped out onto the portch, now reached down, and patted her on the head with one of his sudsy hands. "It's okay, little lady, he's a nice feller and'll bring your horsey right back." He said in his most soothing tone. However, much to Gabby's suprise, it didn't work. "You keep your nose out of this, mister!" Gail snapped. "I plan to get that guy. He took my horse, and he won't get away with it!" "He jist borrowed it fer a few minutes." Gabby assured her. Gail just snorted inhis face, and stamped off. But Gabby was quicker, he cut her off. "Now look, you can't go stompin' off, you gotta wait here for your horse." "Yeah, but what if he doesn't bring my horse back?" Gail wanted to know. "Weel, now listen here, I'm so sure that he'll bring your horse back that I'll, I'll, I'll give you all three of my horses if he doesn't." "Okay." Gail agreed. "I'll stay." Gabby then escorted her back to the house, and then seated himself in the rocker. "Why, aren't you going to finish the dishes?" Gail asked. "Nope. I'll let Roy do it when he comes back." "You will?!" Gail exclaimed. "Aren't you the nicest fellow?" "Yep. Always leave the work for others. Isn't that the best way to do it?" Gabby replied, missing the sarcasim in her voice. "I'm going to make you do them!" Gail threatened. "No ye won't. Nobody makes me do nuthin' that I don't want to." Gabby said, leaning back in his rocker until it tipped percariously. Gail saw her chance, and running over stamped down hard on the back of the chair, which now lay almost parallel with the floor. The rocker tipped, and Gabby flew back, landing in a startled heap. "Hey, you're messin' up my sunnin'!" Gabby exclaimed. "Well, here's the dishwater, you can sun while you wash." Gail said, gabbing the dishpan and walking tword him. Suddenly she tripped over a crack in the floor and the whole dishpan went flying, all over Gabby's head. "Hey, look, now I'm all wet!" Gabby said in dismay. "You'll dry." Gail told him, then vehmentantly added, "While you do the dishes!" "But how can I, all the water's gone!" Gabby protested. "Sorry, that doesn't work." Gail told him with an air of triumph, "You can always draw up more." "Aw, why do ye always have to think of such dad-blamed good idees?" Gabby said. "But I stil don't feel like it." Suddenly Gail got an idea. Running over to a gun-rack in the corner she pulled out a revolver. "Do the dishes or I'll shoot!" She threatened. Gabby jumped up and grabbed anothe revolver. "Put that durned war-matchine down or I'll shoot!" He threatened. ~~~ Roy galloped quickly along through the woods. "You're really a good horse." he murmured to the beautiful palameneo. Suddenly, he drew up Trigger at the top of a tall bank. Halfway down the steep accent a hot pink and lemon yellow blob was hanging from a tree. Down below the roan outlaw cropped grass. Roy slid Trigger down the bank, and had him stop on his haunches when he got to the blob. Roy grabbed it, and with a tug freed the back of it's chaps from the stubborn branch. Then, still holding it by the back of it's belt, slid Trigger the rest of the way down. "I think I'm going to die!" Moaned the blob as Roy set it down in a noodle-like pile at the bottom of the hill. Roy turned in the saddle as he loosed the rope from it's place on his horn and turned to the blob. "That's just great, but it'll have to wait until I get back." And with a grin Roy turned, and spinning his lasso snagged it around the roan's saddle horn quite by accident. You see, he'd been heading for the roan's head, but the roan had spun his head so the laso just slid down his neck, and snagged on the saddle horn. The horse let out a few wild bucks, but did not get anywhere by it. Roy rode Trigger up beside the roan, and slid the other end of the rope around his neck, and fastened it with a strong knot. Then he undid the other end of the lasso and fastened it around Trigger's saddle horn. "Don't let him get away, Boy." Roy admonished the stallion. Trigger snorted and shook his head up and down. Roy then proceeded back to the blob, which was just starting to stir. Roy flopped it over on it's back, then let out an exclamation of suprise. "Pat! What are you doing here?! Why I haven't seen you since I graduated from twelvth grade when you were still stuck in first!" "Don't rub it in." Pat muttered standing up and rubbing himself all over. "So I'll never make a schooleristiate." "Oh Pat, might you mean a scholar?" Roy asked, highly amused. "Yeah, a schoolermastic, that's what I meant." Pat said. Roy choked with laughter. "Somethin' wrong with you?" Pat wanted to know. "No, nothin'." Roy said, composing himself with dificulty. "All I want to know is what you're doing on that roan outlaw." "Well, it's a pretty long story. You see, after I finnaly got out of the first grade," "And how old were you?" Roy interupted. "Well, only twenty-one." Pat said ashamedly. "And since I'm twenty-six now that means that was, um, um, well, lemme see, forty seven years ago!" Roy choked again. "Pat, do you mean five years ago?" "How'd you come up with that number?" Pat asked. "I subtracted, not added." Roy told him with the sick-of-side-kicks look. "Aw, all you educationeded people." Pat muttered. "You mean educated?" Roy corected Pat again. "Yeah. That's what I mean." Pat said. "Edufrated." Roy again had to fight back the laughter that wanted to come. "But Pat, you never finished telling how you ended up on that roan outlaw." "Oh, yeah, where was I? Oh yes, just out of school. Well, you see, Roy, remember those fellas that had the singing group in highschool that you were part of for awhile? Well, you see, I, ah, just joined up with them the first summer when they went on a singing tour. After that I wanted to do some thing exciting, daring, dangerous, and brave, so I decided that riding lofo horses was the best way to do it." "You mean loco?" Roy asked. "Yeah, lotro." Pat corected himself, saying the word wrong, again. "Anyway, I hooked up with theis rodeo that was owned by a real meanie." "What'd he do that you think that?" Roy asked. "He FIRED me, that's what!" Pat said. "Why, to fire Charles Patrick Alawish Brady is an oferance of the worst kind!" "Do you mean offence?" Roy asked with a grin. "Yeah, oderence. Well, anyhow, he hired me, and I rode broncs of all sizes. Why one was so tall that I about banged my head on the ring spotlights, and another was so small that it was barely as tall as my boot!" "Are those exaggerations?" Roy asked, eyeing Pat, arms crossed. "Well, just leetle exasperations." "Exaggerations you mean?" "Yeah, enflatterations. Now, what was I gonna say? Oh yes, anyhow, finnaly that awful jerk fired me, so I came out here. And who'd I run into but this guy who was in town, and he offered me a job. So here I am." "That was a mighty long story." Roy told him sarcasticly. "Well," Pat said, leaning forward contemtuiously "It would have been alot shorter, had you not kept interupturington me." This time Roy didn't even bother to corect him. "I was just joking, Pat." Roy told him comfortingly. "Oh you cheat!" Pat spluttered. "Oh, no, I'm just a guy who doesn't do what's quite right." Roy said with a grin. "Oh, well that's differant." Pat said, consoled at his statement. Roy choked back another burst of laughter at this, but only said, "I think that we'd better get back to Pappy's. I left him there with a female, and I wouldn't trust them to be together too long." "Do, do, do I have to, to, to, ride t-t-that-t-t-t thing?" Pat stuttered. "Well, I think it might be best. It just might jounce some brains into you." Roy told him calmly. "Oh no! I'm doooooomed!" Pat wailed. "Of course," Roy added, "You could ride double on my horse with me if you'd perfer that." "Oh thank you, thank you!" Pat gasped. "You're perfectly welcome, Pat." Roy told him with a teasing grin. "Get off it." Pat spluttered. "Sorry, I can't. I haven't even gotten on yet." Roy said, running his hand down Trigger's reins. "Oh, you know what I mean." Pat said. "Maybe I do." Roy said swinging on and pulling his foot out of the stirrup so Pat could slide up behind him. Then he fastened the rope more securely around his horn and spun Trigger around, taking off in the direction of Gabby's cabin. After cantering along for only a few moments Roy drew up Trigger infront of the cabin. He had just stopped Trigger right infront of the door, and was ready to jump off, when two simaltanious shots rang out. A bullet shot through the crown of Roy's hat, knocking it off. At the same time there was a tickling of shattering glass. Roy swung liesurely off Trigger, and picked up his hat. He examined it for a minute, feeling around the hole for a moment. Then he put the hat on and sauntered into the cabin. He walked non-shalauntly over to the window and examined it for a moment. Then he turned around. "So Pappy, did you shoot that window?" "Now, it was that dang-galls fault." Gabby said. Roy eyed Gail, who had her back to the window and was still glaring at Gabby. "Hmm." He mused. "Then you must have been the one who sent that bullet through the crown of my hat." Roy took off his hat and showed the hole to Gabby. "Uh, Uh, no, that was that gal's fault too!" Gabby spluttered guitily. "She's got a pretty amazing gun." Roy comented calmly, raising his eye-brows. Roy raised his eye brows at Gabby "Huh? Oh, yeah, yeah." Gabby said, guiltily shifting his weight nervously. "Oh, hey, Pappy, why is your gun still smoking? Where did your bullet go?" "Um, well, ah, mine didn't shoot at all!" Gabby said, shuffling his feet. "Oh? Lemme see that? I happened to have cleaned all the guns last night and filled them up, so, hey, why is one of the bullets missing?" Roy had taken the gun from Gabby's shaking hands, and proceeded to look in the magazine. Before Gabby could stutter a reply Gail piped up. When he had taken the gun she had, for the first time, really gotten a good look at his face. The moment she had really looked at it a flash of recognition shot through her eyes for a moment, then was replaced by a look that ment, you'd better watch out. "Gabby shot the window, and I shot your hat, city slicker. I just wish the bullet would have been a little lower." Gail said calmly. Roy darted a look at her, and his brow puckered woridly for a moment then cleared. "Oh, hello again." He said with a grin. "Hey, do you two know eachother?" Gabby asked suspiciously. "Briefly, and not favorably." Gail said, giving Roy a cutting look. "Oh, I thought it was kinda amusing." Roy told her cooly. "If you think getting thrown off a horse and tumbling down a bank, then being insulted by a rude, city slicker and movie cowboy, then you should try it yourself." Gail snapped. "Only I suppose that my insulter would be a sharp-tounged, firey tempered, spoiled little girl." Roy told her calmly. "For that you will try it!" Gail shot back firely. "It just so happens that Trigger is trained to rear on comand, and I suppose that I could get him to throw his rider too. Now all I need is a steep bank. Are there any around?" "Weel, there's one by cyotee pass, one by wolves flat, one by rattle-snake gulch, and anoder one by cactus canyon." "Are there all those things around those places?" Gail asked nervously. "Shore, shore. Lot's o' em." Gabby told her. "Then I think that we'd better go to Cactus Canyon, it sounds the safest." "Oh, I don't know about that!" Pat squacked. He had walked in the door just in time to hear the names of the places. "I think cactuses can be as dangerous as a hundred rattle-snakes, or fifty wolves, or sixty cyotes! Why, I've had them atack me over three times! And they bite hard." "A biting cacus, humph." Gail snorted. "We're just wasting time here, go out and get on Trigger, Roy. Gabby, get me a horse." "Hey, who's king of the coop here?" Gabby spluttered. "Me. Only I'm queen. Now get going." "Do as she say's, Gabby, I'm with her." Roy said. Gail looked at him suprised, but the minute that she had said that he was to fall off down a bank he had gotten an idea to out-do her. And now he just needed things to go Gail's way. And, to his pleasure, they did. Gabby walked out, muttering something about which horse to get, and Gail escorted Roy coldly out to Trigger. In a moment Gabby brought the bay that Roy had been riding the day before, and Gail mounted. Gabby jumped on another horse that he had saddled, and showed her the way to the canyon. The wall of the canyon was pretty steep, but the bottom was covered with patches of moss here and there, but most of it was just, cactus. Huge, towering Saguaro Cactus. Down the middle of the narrow canyon ran a roaring river. Gail took in the landscape with satisfaction. Then she dismounted. Leading Trigger over to the very edge she shouted and made all sorts of noises. It didn't work, so finnaly she shouted, "Rear Trigger, comeon boy, throw him!" And Trigger did just that. Roy tumbled down the thirty feet to the bottom, landing on one of the few patches of moss. He didn't move. Gail's eyes got bigger, and bigger. Then she turned to Gabby, who was also peering over the edge. "What's wrong, Gabby?" she asked worridly. "I dunno, but he looks mighty dead." Gabby said. "Dead?!? Oh Gabby, I wish I wouldn't have! I'd do anything he said if only he wouldn't be. Ooh, I wouldn't even call him a city slicker!" Gail said as she slid down the bank after Gabby. Gabby got to the bottom, and not knowing how to feel a heart-beat or check a pulse, just saw that Roy wasn't breathing. "I think he's dead." Gabby anounced. "Oh, what'll we do?!?" Gail asked, deeply distresed. "Take him back to the cabin. I'll take him in this afternoon to town in the wagon." "Oh, could I go with you?" "Shore, I just want you to know something, young lady. You could be facing murder charges." Gabby told her sollomly. Gail looked perfectly horified, but didn't have a chance to say anything, because Gabby began again. "We gotta get Roy out now." "How?" "It's real easy." Gabby asured her. He got a roll of her eyes which ment that she thought that it would probably be not as easy as it sounded. "You just scramble back up there and toss down my lasso. You put the loop over one of the horse's horns, and I'll tie the other end around Roy. When I say go, you just walk the horse forward." "Sure, Gabby." Gail said. She was getting exausted, but climbed back up to the top and did as Gabby said. Soon Roy was tossed over one of the saddles, and they were on their way home. The whole way Roy was considering whether this had been a good idea or not. But soon they were home, and Gabby caried Roy into the room and put him on his bed. Then he joined Gail in the main room. Just as he did so, Pat came in. "That horse pushed me right into the watering trough!" Pat squaked. "You can wear some of Roy's clothes, seein' as I don't think that he'll be needin' 'em anymore." Gabby said. "You'll have to get the clothes out of Roy's room, but if you want you could dress in Gabby's room, so as not to be by a dead man." Gail said. Pat thanked her and darted off while Gabby glared at her. "Who's authority do you have so as to say that?" Gabby spluttered. "My own." Gail said calmly. Gabby glared, but didn't have time to say anything, because just then Pat passed on his way to Gabby's room grumbling under his breath. "What's wrong, sonny?" Gabby asked. "Aw, Roy doesn't have anything but normal clothes!" Pat said. Gabby looked offended, and Gail said, "I don't think that I'll ever understand you, Pat." Pat just glared and slammed the door. Then Gabby turned to Gail. "Gail, would you rustle up us hungry men-folk a leetle bit o' some dinner while I hitch up the wagon?" "Sure." Gail agreed with a grin. "Thank ye." Gabby told her, bowing so low that there was a tearing noise, and a small rent apeared in the back of Gabby's pants. "Yumpin' hop-toads! This is meetee dangerous stuff!" And he dashed out the door, leaving Dale laughing in the main room of the house. Her laughter only lasted for a few moments, then she sobered. Gail laughed as Gabby walked out Soon Gail had put together some sandwhiches, and was waiting for Gabby to return. He returned about the same time as Pat came out of Gabby's room. He didn't look perfect in Roy's clothes, the pants were a little short, but altogether he looked better than Gail had ever seen him, even when he considered himself, well groomed. "You look great, Pat." Gail told him. "For once you look like a person and not a maniac." She added loftily. "Hey!" Pat protested, but Gabby interupted him before he could get any further. "Sit down and have a sandwhich, we gotta hurry." "Oh, okay." Pat said, consoled at the thought of food. Gail had to grin at this. Soon all the sandwhiches, thanks to Pat, were gone, and Gabby turned to Pat. "Sonny," He began. "I'm not as young as I used to be, and I think that I'll need a leetle help caryin' Roy out to the wagon." "Sure, as long as I can stay for supper." Pat bargined. "You're welcome any time, young feller." Gabby told him as he swiped the crumbs off the table and onto the floor. "Really?" "Shore!" Pat let out a yelp of joy and started to do a joyful jig around the room. "Well, comeon, we gotta go get 'im!" Gabby called to Pat, and Pat, with one last yelp of joy, followed Gabby into the room. There was a terific crash, and Gail ran to the door. "Gabby! Pat! What are you doing laying there on the floor?" She gasped. "Well, he stopped, and ran into him, like this!" Pat scrambled up, and smashed into Gail. "Hey!" Gail said, standing up. "What's the deal?" "Haveen't ye looked at the bed yet?" Gabby asked. Gail's and Pat's faces went white as a sheet, both at the same time. Pat revived first. "He's gone!" He anounced in his most brilliant voice. Gabby gave him a whithering look. "Where is he?" Pat coninued, staring hard into the dusty crack at the bottom of the dresser. "Do you think that he'd fit in there?" Gail asked. "Well, you never know." Pat told her. "Hey! Look! I found a scrap o' paper, right here on top o' that durned dresser!" Gabby exclaimed. Gail ran over quickly. She squinted at the paper. "It's Roy's handwriting, sure as shootin'." "Well, what does it say?" Pat asked as he looked over Gabby's shoulder. "You got your nose right in it, read it!" Gabby comanded. Gail caught the look on Pat's face and took it from Gabby. "It says," she began, "My body is gone, but my ghost remains." "Do you know what this means?" Gabby asked in a low, horror stricken voice. "No." Gail and Pat said at the same time. "It means" Gabby said, lowering his voice for emphasis, "It means, this house, is, haunted." "Haunted?" Pat said in a shrieky voice. "I'm not afraid of any ghost." Gail said. "And I'll stay here tonight to prove it." "Well, if a girl is going to stay then I can too." Pat said. "Thanks, ye young whippersnappers, I don't know what I'd do if I had to be stuck in a house with a ghost for a whole night, all by myself." Gabby said in a shakey voice. "I'm not afraid o' hardly anythin', but I don't like tanglin' with ghosts!" "Me either." Pat agreed. "But I'm as brave as any girl, particularly this one!" "Patrick Brady!" Gail exploded. "The name's Charles Patrick Alawish Brady, mam." Pat said in a dignified tone. Gail glared at him contemptously. Pat just grinned back. "Weel, I think I'll go undo the horses." Gabby anounced at last. He walked out, his boots thumping on the floor in the complete silence that reigned. January 26th, 2007 03:14 PM RoyRogersFan Chapter Three: Ghostly Happenings Gabby woke up and sat up bolt upright in his bed. Bump. Gabby heard a slight noise from the front room. There was a creaking noise, and then silence again. Gabby got up, and opened the door a crack. He couldn't see anything, so he opened it all the way, and stepped out. At the self same moment the door to Roy's room opened, and out walked Gail. Pat snored loudly on the couch, obviously undisturbed. As Gabby peered into the darkness a dark shadow moved, and stepped into a shaft of moonlight. It was Roy. "Um, mister g-g-h-h-o-o-s-s-t-t" Gabby stammered, "What are you d-doing?" "I got hungry." Was the muffled reply. "I thought ghost's didn't eat." Gail said boldly. "They do." Roy said in a low voice, "They eat your money." "Hmm, I wonder who's haunting our place, then." Said Gail, and her voice sounded unconvinced. However, Gabby was more vaunerable. "Uh, uh, mister ghost, please don't et too much, ahem, I mean, could you just leave for a bit, and eat somebody else's?" "I'll be around, but I'll see you later." Said Roy, and he disapeared into the shadows. There was a small clunk, and everything was quiet. "I wish he wouldn't hang around." Gabby said to Gail. "An' I don't feel like seeing him again." "Well, do you have a plan to drive him away?" Gail asked cooly. "No, but I think I'm gettin' one. I'll shoot that ghost next time he shows up." Gabby purposed. "But fer now I'm goin' back to bed. And you'd better too." "I'm going, slave driver." Gail said with a grin. "Fee-males, don't know why there wasn't a law made against them." Gabby muttered as he climbed back in bed. ~~~ Gabby rolled over in bed. THUMP. Gabby rolled over again. BUMP. Gabby opened one eye, then shut it again. A flurry of footsteps was heard. Gabby, moved his beard some, then, CREAK. Gabby rolled over again. Suddenly there was a terific CRASH!!!!!!! Gabby's eyes flew open. With a loud thump he jumped out of bed and grabbed his rifle from where it was laying against the foot of his bed, ready should he need it. Quickly he threw open the door, aimed at a white object that wavered uncertainly in the middle of the room, and fired. There was a tinkling crash, and a loud wail. "Gabby, you shot my milk!" "Weel, did I get it dead?" Gabby asked whiskerily. "I dunno, I can't see, but you got me milky!" Pat moaned. Gabby turned on a light, and burst out in loud guffaws. Pat stood in the middle of the room in a ridiculous white night-gown that Gabby had lent him. He held in his hand the glass, and the milk was obviously dead, because it was streaming out over the edges of shattered glass. Just then Gail apeared. "What's going on here?" She wanted to know. "Aw, I just thought poor Pat's glass o' milk was the ghost, and I shot it." "Yeah, the whole thing!" Pat wailed. "Well get some more, Silly." Gail told him. "There is no more! This was the very, very, last glass!" "Maybe you can do without it then." Gail remarked dryly. "I would like to just go back to bed." "Me too." Gabby agreed. "We'll clean up in the morning." "Fine." Gail agreed. Gabby flipped off the light, and everything was again dark. ~~~ Gail awoke in the morning with a yawn. She sat up and looked about her. Where am I? She wondered. The sun was streaming in through a simple window onto the patchwork quilt that covered the bed. Suddenly she remembered. She sprang out of bed and pulled on her clothes. Then she looked at the simple clock that sat on the dresser. "Eight o' clock!" Gail exclaimed. "How could I ever have slept so long!" She threw open the door, and a pitiful sight met her eyes. The whole kitchen was a mass of dirty dishes, and the mess from the night before was still on the floor. She walked across to the table, and pulled a very sticky piece of paper out of a blob of spilled honey. The paper read, Gail me and that what's his name feller went to fidlesticks I can't think od the name of it town Me had to speek to the serif somebody stoel, or maybee aat too hunnded buks durded my whiskers Pats caling me I gotta go Gabby ps, dint furget to cleen up the hoose Gail looked about her, and her eyes flashed angrily for a moment. Then, working her way between the huge messes that covered the house, made herself some breakfast. Then she set to work cleaning up. She piled all the dishes by the sink, and scrubbed the table off. She was just starting to scrub the floor when she heard some singing coming from abover her. Well, the rich man's got a house in a neighborhood, Where every house is fifty thousand plus. A poor man's got a shack, and a morgage on his back, But his little bunglow's built on love. A rich man buys anything he wants. The poor man never seems to have enough. But he's got one thing that a rich man wants to buy so bad, 'Cause all of his money can't buy love. Gail stood up as the person, who's voice sounded like Roy's, started to sing the refrain. She looked about, and spotting a ladder up to the atic, ran over to the gun rack, grabbed a revolver, and scrambled up the ladder pushing back the hatch when she got to the top. The whole time the singing had continued. Money can't buy love! Money can't buy love! It can buy a whole lot of stuff, but money can't buy love. Money can't buy love! Money can't buy love! It just ain't enough, 'cause money can't buy love. "Roy!" Gail exclaimed reproachfully, because there was Roy, sitting cross-legged on the dusty floor, polishing his gun. The wealth of a man is not his money, It's happiness and peace of mind alone. I'd rather work my fingers, down to the bone, Than to loose the kind of love I have at home. "Roy." Gail said again, a slight lilt in her voice this time. Money can't buy love! Money can't buy love! It can buy a whole lot of stuff, but money can't buy love. "Roy." This time there was a definate lilt to Gail's voice. Money can't buy love! Money can't buy love! It just ain't enough, 'cause money can't buy love "Oh Mr. Rogers!" Gail said very litlingly. Oh Mr. Rogers! It can buy a whole lot of stuff, but money can't buy love, Money can't buy love! Money can't buy love! It just ain't enough, cause money can't... BANG!!!!! "Hey!" Roy said, picking up his hat and examining the fresh hole in it. "Aren't you kinda makin' a habit of un-waterproofing my hat?" "Well, I had to get your attention." Gail said saucily. "You're kinda drastic about getting it, aren't you?" Roy asked her quizikly. "I said your name four times." Gail replied. "And so I guess that I'm perfectly justified. Besides, I had to get back at you for that mean trick about being dead. I never saw anything so not nice in my whole life!" "Hmm, you must not have lived very long." Roy said, calmly loading his gun. "You are a rude move cowboy, aren't you?" "I thought you said you weren't going to call me that anymore." "Oh, you!" Gail exploded. "You trickster!" "I'm also a pretty good dishwasher, and if I heard right this morning, there should be quite a mess down in the kitchen. If you'll step aside, miss, I'll go down and clean up the house some." "There is quite a mess." Gail admited, soffened by the idea of help. "But why did you take Gabby's money? Did you do that just to scare him" "Why, is there some gone?" Roy asked, alarmed. "Yes. Two hundred dollars. He and Pat went to town to talk to the sherrif." "Listen, Gail. I ment that statement last night as a joke, I wasn't serious! I wonder who did take it." Roy added mussingly as he ran dishwater. "I---don't---know---but---maybe---we---should---go---to---town---today---too." Gail said in time with her scrubbing. "We'll leave as soon as we're done here." Roy decided, washing quickly. Gail paused in her scrubbing. "You can ride Trigger if I can ride that darling bay that I rode yesterday." She bargained. "It's a deal. That's my normal mount so Gabby probably left her behind. I really do like Trigger, he's a special horse." "So's the bay!" Gail said with a grin. "Perfect for me!" ~~~ Gabby, I went to town. I have a 'ghostly escort' so don't worry, I'll be fine. If all goes well I'd like to stay with you for awhile. My escort say's it'd be fine, so I'll be bringing back some clothes. I like living out in a cabin for a change. I probably won't stay too long, somebody needs to hang around the ranch and keep things in line. My escort seems to think, though, that we might be able to get some more good help at the ranch, and then I could go away for longer periods of time without worrying so much. But my escort just arived with the horses, so I must go. Gail P.S. Please don't make too much of a mess. "Jumpin' peas! Whatdya know about that?!?" Gabby exclaimed as he finished reading Gail's note. "I don't know, but do you suppose that her esport is Roy's gh-gh-gh-osth?" Pat stammered. "I dunno." Gabby said. "But I'm hungry." "Just don't make a mess!" Pat told him with a grin. "Aw, we'll clean up after it." Gabby said. "I feelt kinda guilty today when I thought about all the work that we leeft her with." "I didn't." Pat said. "You have no consience!" Gabby reproved him. "Well, I do have a stomach, and it's rumbling right about now!" Pat said. "Well get in here and help then!" Gabby said, whipping out some bread and butter. "How does chicken sandwiches sound?" "It's food, isn't it?" Pat asked. "Shore! Shore!" "Then it's just great!" Pat said, and soon was trying to be helpful, amidst Gabby's protests of, 'don't do that', 'do this', and 'keep your fingers outta the butter'! ~~~ Roy cantered across the prarie easily. Trigger carried him effortlessly, as the small, cute, bay mare cantered alongside. "So how is she behaving?" Roy asked. "She's being great!" Gail exclaimed with pleasure. "Good. Where are we headed first?" Roy asked. "Well, I'd like to stop at Mr. Wilson's place first. He's a good friend of dad's, and a really nice guy. He might have heard of some robberies around that might give us some clues, he's really into the news." "Fine." Roy agreed. "Is it near here?" "Ahuh, about a mile and a half to the east. I'll show you the way!" And Gail cantered off, Roy following. In a seemingly short time Gail pulled up before a white picket fence surounding a large house. She tied Chica, the mare, and then darted through the gate and up the path. Roy followed. He reached the door first, and as he did he heard some voices inside. "Don't worry, we'll help you out there." one voice said. Gail knocked loudly, and in a moment the door was opened by an older man. "Gail!" he exclaimed delightedly. "Your father is here, and he was just telling how you were missing! I'm certainly glad to see you in one piece." "Hello, Mr. Wilson. I'm fine, and I had a fine night's sleep at some friend's of mine's place." Here Roy had to clear his throat to keep from laughing. "Oh, and meet Roy Rogers, he's the son of the owner of the place, and a good friend of mine." Roy had to choke back another burst of laughter, and Gail looked at him reproachfully. "Oh do come in." Mr. Wilson said. "Your father is here, Gail, but he had just told me that he must be going, he has some buisiness in town. He's planning a good old fiesta for night after tommorow." "Really?" Gail asked "Oh that'll be fun! Maybe Dad'll let Roy sing some, he's really a good singer." "Thanks, but really I'm nothing to boast about." Roy said. "You are too!" Gail insisted. "Well, if he wants to try me out that's fine." Roy said. "I'll ask him, may I, Mr. Wilson?" "Certainly, certainly, my dear. I'd like to hear him myself. Come on in, young fellow." And he opened the door wide and they walked in. The moment they came in the door they were in the living room, and Winson Luck was in one of the chairs. As Gail explained her proposal, Roy took off his hat and set it on the coat tree. Then he entered the room. Winson looked at Roy. "I'll give you chance, young man. Do you play any insturment?" "I play guitar and banjo well." Roy replied. "I have a banjo, my son plays. But when he got a nicer one he left the old one with me. Let me go fetch it." And Mr. Wilson hurried off. Roy had looked him over from head to toe, and was sure that he would know this friendly man anywhere. Medium height and heavily built he had greying hair and small, quick, gray eyes. He walked in short brisk steps with just a trace of a waddle. Today he was dressed in ordinary cloth pants and a white button-up shirt. Roy suspected that he wore business suits, only he didn't wear the jacket around the house. Roy stowed all this in his mind, and turned to examine Winson Luck. Winson Luck was tall and heavy built with dark hair and sharp-cut features. He wore a small mustash, and a buisiness suit. He was wearing dark lace-up shoes, so Roy assumed that someone was comeing to pick him up later, and that he had not riden over. His eyes were dark and keen. As Roy finished stowing away this bit of memory Mr. Wilson came back. "Here young feller, it should be tuned." Roy strummed a few notes and found that it was. So he began. When the rooster starts a crowin', All the chickens jump for joy. But to me he's just a headache, The bunkhouse buegle boy. And so early in the morning, There's a neck I will destroy, If I ever catch that rooster, The bunkhouse buegle boy! Someday, we'll put him on the spot. Someday, he'll wind up in the cookin' pot, And we'll have him for our dinner, And the dumplins we'll enjoy, As we cook the cowboys trimmings, To the bunkhouse buegle boy. With a cock-a-doodle-do, You can tell he's doin' fine, When the day is breakin' on the prarie, Every cowboy in his bunkhouse bed, Is waitin' for the time, That our fine feathered friend, is buried. When the rooster starts a crowin', All the chickens jump for joy. But to me he's just a headache, The bunkhouse buegle boy. And so early in the morning, There's a neck I will destroy, If I ever catch that rooster, The bunkhouse buegle boy! Someday, we'll put him on the spot. Someday, he'll wind up in the cookin' pot, And we'll have him for our dinner, And the dumplins we'll enjoy, As we cook the cowboys trimmings, To the bunkhouse buegle boy. Bunkhouse buegle boy! Roy finished the song and all three of the others aplauded. "That was just fine, Roy." Winson said. "Would you consider coming and singing at the fiesta?" If you're game so am I "If you're game, so am I." Roy replied. "I'm game." Winson said. "Shake hands?" "Sure. When'll you be expecting me?" "The fiesta starts at five at night, so if you can show up at four and help some, that would be fine. As a matter of fact, I am short singers for the fiesta. I have a singing group that works for me, but there's only four of them, and folks like some variety." "I think that I can help you with that. I used to sing with some fellas back in highschool, and I think I could search them up." "That would be just fine." Winson agreed. "I would like that very much." "I'll look them up today when I go into town." Roy told him. "Fine, fine. But now I must be going. I'll see you at the ranch, Gail?" "Sure." Gail said. As soon as he walked out she said good-bye to Mr. Wilson, and she and Roy also walked out. As Roy had suspected Winson was just climbing into a car beside a small, dark man. They drove off and Roy and Gail remounted. "That fiesta sorta changes our plans." Roy said as they walked out. "I think you'd better hang around the ranch for now." "That does sound like a good idea." Gail agreed. "You never know what sort of under-cover work they'll try to do durring the bussiness of preparing for the fiesta." "Well whatever you do, don't try to catch the theives yourself!" Roy admonished her. "And why not?" Gail asked. "Because it's not safe." Roy said. "Then why is it for you?" "It's not." Roy replied. "I'm just a man, so I can take it better." "I see." Gail said, in a way that said, 'I understand but understanding won't stop me'. "Would you like to go and clean up now, and meet me in Redstone in an hour. Be ready for anything, 'cause I'm not sure how far this is going to take us. I'll know when I talk to Bob." "Okay, I'll see you then." Gail said, and rode off in the direction of the Flying L. Roy turned Trigger and cantered off as fast as he could tword Redstone. ~~~ They cut down the old pine tree, And hauled it away to the mill, To make a cabin of pine, For this sweet-heart of mine, They cut down the old pine tree. So I'm far away from my love divine, It's there my heart will always be, So they took it apart, She is still in my heart, They c... RING! RING! RING! "Hold it boys." Bob Nolan said, standing up. He walked over and answered the phone. "Hello?" "Hey, is this Bob?" "Yes. That's me." "Well this is Roy Rogers." "Roy! It's been ages since I heard from you! What's up?" "A fiesta, what else?" "A fiesta?" "Yep. The father of a friend of mine just told me that he was short some singers for his fiesta. I told him I'd try to get ahold of you." "We could come down. We do singing when we can, but it sure makes a scanty living. We don't make alot of money, that's for sure. A job is always welcome." "Well, if you want it I might have another sort of job for you. Somebody took two hundred dollars of Pappy's money, and Pappy's pretty wrought up over it." "You thinkin' of doin' a little bit of villian chasin'?" "I was hopin' to." "We're with you Roy. When should we show up?" "The fiesta is night after tommorrow, so you could show up anytime between now and then." "We might even be able to come today. If there's empty places on the four o' clock train tonight we'll arive at quarter to five. It's not a long train ride." "I'll hang around the station and if you guys come off that train I'll know there was space, otherwise,..." "It'll be the ten tommorrow." "Fine. I'll see you then, okay?" "Sure! I sure hope this works." "Me too. You fellas can stay at our place. It's small, but watertight." "That's all that counts." "Good! Then I'll see you soon?" "You bet!" "Well, bye for now, then." "Yeah, bye for now!" CLICK. Bob hung up the reciever. "Boys." He anounced. "We have a job." ~~~ Roy rode Trigger out of town tword the ranch. Suddenly he saw a bay horse coming. "Roy!" Gail called out. "Any luck?" "Sure. Lots." Roy replied. "Well, where are they?" "Don't be so impatient." Roy admonished her. "They're either coming in on the four-forty-five tonight, or the ten-forty-five tommorrow morning." "Where are they staying?" "They'll stay at our place." "Whew, that'll be a tight fit!" "The tighter the better." Roy replied with a grin. "Well, I wouldn't be too sure of that." Gail said. "That's what comes from being a girl." "Oh you!" "Remember, I'm you're good friend." Roy told her. "Well I think that I'd better get home before I 'good friend' myself into any more trouble!" "Good idea." Roy comented. Gail glared, then softened. "Shall I meet you at the train station tonight at four-thirty?" "If you'd like." "Well I would, smarty." "Fine." "You are the hardest person to get mad." Gail said in frusteration. "I know." "I'll see you tonight. And you can keep Trigger for now if I can keep Chica." "Thanks, I'd like that a whole bunch." Roy told her. "Okay. I gotta go now, Dad said I had to hurry, because he wanted to go riding with me this afternoon. He said he'd meet me at Rodeo Rock in an hour. And now I've got exactly half an hour to get there." "You'd better hurry, then. That's not exactly close." "Oh, don't worry, I'll make it." "If you say. But I'd better let you go." "I'm going!" Gail called, cantering off. Roy turned Trigger tword home. He'd get some food and Pat and come back to meet the train. ~~~ WOOOOOOO, WOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! The train whistle blasted loudly as Roy jumped nimbly up onto the platform. Pat followed him. "I was wondering if you were going to show up!" Gail exclaimed. "We just met up with a little trouble on the way here." Roy explained. "Yeah! That guy Garret was askin' alot of snoopy questions! Isn't that mean?" "He's pretty funny sometimes." Gail replied slowly. "Well tonight was deffinatly sometimes!" Pat exclaimed. "Now, where are those guys?" "Calm down!" Roy comanded laughingly. "You have to let the train stop first!" "Oh, okay." Pat grunted. The train ground to a stop, and the conductor helped a blonde young lady off the train. "Gail!" she called out. "I was just going to look you up!" "Who's this?" Pat grunted. "I'm not totaly sure." Gail replied. "You don't reconize me?" The blonde laughed. "Well, I'm Brenda Hart, remember?" "Brenda,... Oh! Is it Brenda now, or Benny?" "Benny, silly!" The girl laughed. "Where'd you come from?" Gail wanted to know. "Fresh from Broadway. I always did want to be an actress, and so I was. I also worked as a magincians asistant for awhile. I know quite a few of his tricks. I also did dancing, and some performing." "Who is this gall?" Pat squalked. "She's a girl I knew a little in school." Gail told him. "She was a couple of years older than me, but she was always a good sport." "Shucks, you were the good sport, I just played along." Benny said. "Now what have you been doing all these years?" "Just living here since I came back from San-Fransisco." Gail replied. "Well I came out to seek you out, I just needed a vacation. I couldn't find anything about you, though, cept that you lived in Redstone Nevada, so here I am! I hope you don't think that I'm intruding." "No. Not at all. I'm glad to see you infact. I rode in, though, I didn't drive." "No bother. I can ride just fine. Hang on a sec until I change. If I can rent a horse here I'll just ride along to the ranch with you. My suitcase isn't too big, so I should be able to strap it to the back of the saddle." Here there was a moan of distress from Pat. "She's probably got about sixty!" He whispered loudly to Roy. Just then Benny grabbed off one small suitcase, and asked Gail, "Where can I find a bath-room to change in?" "There's changing rooms at the store." Gail replied. "Okay, I'll be back in a sec!" Benny said, trotting off. "She's okay." Roy told Gail. "Not a standard blonde." "You're telling me." Gail said. "She's just great. I'm glad she showed up. I was just wondering the other day if I would ever see her again." Just then there was racket as five men poured off the train. "Hey!" One bawled. "I thought I was supposed to look for them. How am I ever supposed to look when I'm stuck behind Hugh!" "Sorry Shug," A deep voice replied, "I'm just trying not to trod on you." "You're doing a great job." Was the sacastic reply. "Oh, will you guys just cool it?" The leader asked impatiently. "What'dya want us to cool it in, the watering trough?" Squaked the shortest one, and the top protester. Roy reconized him at once as Shug Fisher. There was also Carl and Hugh Far, who had actually been working at the sawmill when the group started. They were older than the rest. Then there was Tim Spencer, who was older than Roy and Bob by one year, and Shug by two. The leader of the singing gang was tall Bob Nolan. Suddenly he saw Roy. "Roy!" He exclaimed walking over and slapping him on the back, "Am I ever glad to see you!" "You too, Bob. Hi, fellas!" "Hi, Roy!" They all coursed. "What about me?!" Pat squaked. "You guys notice him and not me?" "You're not nearly as important." Shug said. "I'll have you know, Shug Fisher, that I'm a whole year older than you!" Pat protested. "Yeah? But you don't have a high-school diploma. I do!" "If you haven't lost it." Pat said sarcasticly. "I haven't!" Shug shouted, rummaging in his bulging pockets. "I always cary it in my pockets. Just hang on a second,..." But Shug couldn't find it so his over flowing pockets exploded. Out came tape, wire, thread, yarn, baling twine, needles, pins, leather(small pieces and lacing), saddle conchos, rubberbands, pens, pencils, pocket knives, a plastic drinking cup, a small book, glue(it was stuck and was difficult to get out), safety pins, rasins, penuts, chocolate chips, buttons, some pieces of paper, a horseshoe, some nails, a small hammer, and what was left of a piece of chocolate cake. In this rubbish Shug pawed around for a moment. Then he pulled out a very sticky, very chocolaty, and very crumpled piece of paper. He unfolded it, and shoved it in Pat's face. The lettering was nearly all gone, and in it's place was smuges of grease, oil, and chocolate. Some parts of it were powdered with flour. "See?" he said as he presented it to Pat. "Do you always carry that much junk in your pockets?" Pat wanted to know. "Oh no, this isn't very much." Shug said. "I just changed my pants this morning. And this doesn't even include my shirt pockets." He empied his two shirt pockets, and out flowed rocks, sticks, old stamps, and dried bugs in abundance. Then he showed Pat his jacket pockets. In those there was oats, barley, a left over chicken leg, glass beads, rhinestones, a boot concho, a crumpled movie poster, some popcorn, and TWELVE rabbit's feet! "For good luck." Shug explained. "You'll really have it in abundence, don't you?" Roy asked with a grin. "Is the horseshoe for luck too?" "No, that's in case I throw a shoe." Meanwhile Gail had been surveying Shug scepticly. "Are you all such pocket colectors?" She asked the others. "No." Bob said. "I've just got a little lacing and a pocket knife in my pants pockets, and gloves in my jacket pocket." "Same by me, just I've got baling twine instead." Tim said. "I've got a violin string in mine, plus my pocket knife, and gloves." Hugh added. "I've got a pocket knife, and my graduation ring." Carl said. "I can see you're not all crazy." Gail said, "How about you, Roy?" "I have a little wire, and a little lacing, a few clumps of suger for Trigger, and my pocket knife." "Okay, fess up to it Pat, what do you have?" Gail asked. "Well, not much, only eight sanwhiches." Pat said. "And four apples and my pocket knife." "What were you doing?" Gail asked. "Just preparing in case I got hungry." Pat said. "You never know when the train will be late. What do you have in your pockets?" Pat asked. "My gloves." Gail replied. "No pocket knife?" Roy asked. "No." "You never know when you need one." Shug said, pausing as he re-loaded his pockets. "Here, I've got five, so I think I can spare one." "Thanks." Gail said, gingerly taking the chocolately knife. "Here, I'll wash it off for you." Roy offered, walking into the station. As he walked tword the bathroom he bumped into Mr. Wilson. "Excuse me, I didn't mean to bump into you." Roy told him with a smile. "That's perfectly fine. I did a fair amount of bumping myself when I was younger. It was just as much my fault as yours." "Thanks. I'll be more careful next time." "Forget it." Mr. Winson smiled. "But I must go now, I've gotta get out to the ranch to help Winson with the fiesta preperations." "Okay, I'll see you again." "You too, young feller. Stay out of trouble!" "I will." Roy assured him, walking tword the wash room. January 26th, 2007 06:57 PM CowboyFan That's great RoyRogersFan! My favourate scene so far is the one about Gabby and the "ghost". January 27th, 2007 07:18 AM RoyRogersFan That one seems to be a favorite! January 27th, 2007 07:19 AM RoyRogersFan Chapter Four: In the Wake of a Shooting Roy and Pioneers singing Do-Si-Do You may all recal, The fun that we had at the old town hall, Ezra and they all recal, The square dance that gave us all new life. First couple out to the right, With Do-Si-Do 'til the break of day. Do-Si-Do, swing your partner, Do-Si-Do, by the hand, Do-Si-Do, swing your parnter, Bow to the rythm and clap your hands. Clap your hands, the beat gets better, Clap your hands till the beat gets meet, Clap your hands, stomp your feet, Every body's got it, now repeat. Do-Si-Do, swing your partner, Do-Si-Do, by the hand, Do-Si-Do, swing your parnter, Bow to the rythm and clap your hands. Clap your hands, the beat gets better, Clap your hands till the beat gets meet, Clap your hands, stomp your feet, Every body's got it, now repeat. Do-Si-Do, swing your partner, Do-Si-Do, by the hand, Do-Si-Do, swing your parnter, Bow to the rythm and clap your hands. Do-Si-Do 'til the break of day. There was loud aplause as Roy and the Pioneers finished. Roy set down his guitar and walked over by Winson Luck. "Good job, Roy." Winson said. "You and the Sons of the Pioneers are making this fiesta a real sucsess." "Thanks, we like doing it. If you'd be interested the fellas are looking for a ranch job." "I'll have to consider that." Winson said. Just then one of the young mexicans that worked in the house entered. "Senior Winson, there is a man here to see you. I'm not sure who it is, it getting too dark. He say he wait for you in office." "I'll go right away, Jose." "Si, Senior. I go help Marquetta now, that okay?" "Fine, Jose." The mexican dissapeared, and Winson turned to Roy, "I must go now, due to an inferior interuption." "That's okay, I'll be around." Winson walked off, and Roy turned to where the fellas were talking. "Well, I think that I'd better go and help get some food on the table." Pat sighed. "This wait is getting me." "I'll go and be Marquetta's food guard." Gabby said, following Pat into the kitchen. Roy lent on the mantle piece and joined in the talk. Suddenly there was a huge crack of thunder, and lightning lit up the room. "Oh!" A young Spanish girl screamed. "That was close." Bob comented. "I hope the cattle will be alright." Gail fretted, walking over by the pioneers just then. "This storm is rather unexpected." "Suddenly there was a thundering of hooves and everyone rushed over to the window. A dark-colored horse skittered up and shreiked to a stop. A small, lithe, girl jumped off and pounded imercifully on the door. Jose ran to answer it. "Is Gail Luck here by any chance, or has she deserted this here partyin' spot to find a nice peaceful, albiet wet, spot outside?" "Si, Seniorita. She is here. I'll get her." "An' by any chance does Marquetta still work here? I'm dyin' for some of her cookin'." "Seniora Marqueta is still the cook. You'd better come in and have some food, we don't want a murder on our hands." "Shucks, you're from overseas, huh?" "Mexico, si. But I don't know about the sea part. I don't like boats much." "Then you fly!" The girl exclaimed. "I don't know about that. I'm not a bird, Seniorita." The girl got a bit exasperated just then and turned on Jose. "Looky here, can you just get me to some folks who think decent like?" "Si. Jose go right now." and Jose hurried into the living room. "Senorita Gail, there is a girl here to talk to you. She speak right funny, Si." Gail, who had heard the whole interchange, thanked Jose and headed tword the entry-way. She already had a hunch who this girl was. One look confirmed her suspicions. "Cactus Cal, what in the world are you doing here?" "I was gonna ask you what in the blue blazes you was figurin' on doin' havin' your ranch hands out on a night like this!" Cactus Cal retorted. "They're out?" Gail asked, greatly suprised. "Shore. I saw some 'o em as I came in. They said you sent 'em out there!" "I didn't, but Garret probably did. They're probably watching the cattle so they don't stampede." "Makes heaps 'o sense. Now, would you mind if I put up with ye for awhile? I'm kinda bein' pursuede at the moment." "Sure. Put your horse in the barn and come on in!" Gail said. "Thanks!" Cactus Cal said. "I'll be in in a jiffy." "Okay!" Gail agreed. Cactus Cal jumped down the steps and trotted over to her horse. She lead it off through the pouring rain and Gail turned back to the fiesta. She walked over by Roy and the rest of the fellas. "Guess who just showed up?" She asked. "Who?" Roy asked her. "Cactus Cal!" Gail exclaimed. "Cactus Cal!" Bob echoed. All of the fellas knew about Cactus Cal, she had gone to the Redstone school. Gail had met her only after she returned from school in San Fransisco. The two girls were the same age, and Cactus Cal had moved on soon after Gail returned, so Gail didn't know her nearly as well as the fellas. As for the fellas, well, Gail had always been a favorite with them, at least most of them. She was what two of them could consider a nightmare. No sooner had Cactus Cal entered than Shug had exited stage right. He ran into the kitchen to inform Pat of the bad news. No sooner had he entered the door than there was a terific CRASH!!!!!!!!!!! Roy winced and then hurried after everyone else to the kitchen. There was a loud screaming being admited from the door, and as Roy darted in he saw Pat and Gabby both on the floor. Pat was having a VERY loud screaming fit. Roy reached out and grabbed a small bottle off the floor from beside Pat. It was nearly empty, and the label read, DRIED JALAPENO SEEDS. A small grin spread across Roy's face. Gabby had rolled Pat off himself and was now grumphing and humphing about the loud noise that Pat was making. "Don't worry, Pappy." Roy comforted him running the water 'til it was ice cold and then filling a pan. "Once I put out the fire I think he'll be fine." Armed with the dishpan of ice-cold water and a roll off the table, Roy aproached Pat. "He looks like he's havin' a fit, don't he?" Cactus Cal said to Bob. Bob nodded, his eyes never leaving Roy. Suddenly Roy dashed the whole dishpan of ice-cold water over Pat and shoved the roll into his mouth. Pat's screams subsided as he chewed the roll. "Oh boy, Roy," He moaned when he'd finished. "That was really hot!" Suddenly his eyes lit on Cactus Cal. "Yikes!" he howled. He lept up, ran across the room, shoved up the window and lept out, landing right in Marquetta's minature cactus. "YOW!!!" Pat yelled. He lay for a moment, sprawled out on that prickly bed. Suddenly he stood up and shouted through the window. "Help me back in, somebody!" "Go around to the door." Gabby muttered. A very forlorn Pat did so. As he came in the door he stopped beside Shug who was standing there, nervously eyeing Cactus Cal. Shug nevously eyes Cactus Cal "Seems like I'm haunted by cactus." Pat moaned to him. "Ahuh." Shug said nervously. Gail just then came over, Benny by her side. "You'd better go change, Pat." Benny said. "I didn't bring any extras!" Pat exclaimed. "I'll go down to the bunkhouse and see about some more. Some of the men might lend you some. Foy and his boys headed down there just a little while ago to check on things, so I should be able to catch them." Gail said. She pulled on a slicker and walked out the door. Cal was laughing and gigling with Roy and Gabby. Gabby was explaining the crash. "Marquetta walked inta the pantry, an' I sees Pat reach for a taco. So I just reached out and grabbed him by the back of the neck and jist gives a little tug. SMACK! We both falls over flatter'n a pancake right against that spice shelf. What was wrong with Pat anyhow, Roy?" Roy was about to explain about the Jalapeno seeds when there was a particularly loud blast of thunder, and the lights went out. Cal stopped gigling, and everybody else stopped talking. "What in the firey universe happened?" Cal squeeked. "Lights went" Roy began, but was interupted by a loud gun-shot. KA-BANG! Shug's eyes flew wide open, and he scrambled out the door, running for the barn. Pat hid under the bed screaming bloody murder, and a couple of girls fainted away, much to Cactus Cal's, Gail's, and Benny's disgust. Cactus Cal was the first out the door and running tword the office. Roy was hard on her heels, and Benny, and Marquetta were following as fast as their high-heels would alow them to go. Gail apeared from the barn running tword the office too. The pioneers were trying to calm everybody down and follow all at the same time. Cactus Cal was the first one if the door. She shreiked to a stop on her heels as she burst inside. "Oh boy." She breathed. "You'd better not look, Gail, it ain't a purty sight." Roy stepped gingerly in and knelt down beside Winson Luck's body. One feel told him what he needed to know. "He's dead." he anounced, his voice sounding like a death bell in the dark, smokey air. "You'd better call the sheriff, Cactus Cal." Cactus Cal reached for the phone, but just picking up the reciever told her that the phone was dead. "It's deader'n a door-nail!" She anounced. Gail was leaning up against Marquetta a bit dizzily. "Marquetta, you'd better get back up to the house. The pioneers, Cactus Cal, and myself will take care of this." Roy said, straitening up. But Gail snapped to attention just then. "No you won't, Roy Rogers." She said icily. "We've had nothing but trouble since you showed up. You'd better leave before I take you in! And take your pals with you." "I didn't do any of this!" Roy protested, but Gail was imovable. "Get out now." She said coldly. "And take Trigger with you. I'll trade him for the mare." Roy found himself walking out, and soon he and the pioneers were saddling up. Suddenly Cactus Cal apeared. "Roy, you still livin' on the same claim?" "Sure." Roy replied. "I'll ride out tommorrow with the news." Cactus Cal said, then disapeared. Roy and the pioneers loped out the drive, while lightning flashed around them. Suddenly Roy drew Trigger up quickly. "Look!" he exclaimed. Bob looke where he was pointing. "Do you see what I see?" He asked. "If what you see is some light shining up of that one rocky hill then you see the same thing I do." Hugh said slowly. "That's what I see alright." Roy agreed. "Well lets go check it out!" Pat said. "No, we'd just make ourselves grounding rods for this lightning." Roy said wisely. We'd just make ourselves grounding rods. "You're right." Bob agreed. There was a general nodding of heads by everyone but Pat, who was confused. "What is a rounding god?" Pat squaked. "What we are now just standing here in the open." Roy said, spurring Trigger on. ~~~ Half an hour later Roy and the Pioneers rode into Gabby's clearing. Gabby met them at the door after they'd put their horses away. "Weel, young fellers, how'd it go?" He inquired as they tramped inside dripping muddy water. "Not so good." Roy said, sitting down on a chair backwards and resting his arms on the back. "Winson Luck is dead." "Dead?" Gabby said. "Shot?" "Yep." Bob said tiredly. "And that girl got all cranked up about it and kicked us right off the place." "I don't know." Pat said. "I was kinda glad to get away. I don't like to hang around with Cactus Cal in the vicantity." "Cactus Cal?" Gabby inquired excitedly. "Why I hain't seen her since she left after school!" "Yep. She's gonna show up tomorrow to give us the news." Carl reported. "That's jist dandy!" Gabby exclaimed, greatly pleased. "Niver did like that Luck feller anyhow. But now we'd better turn in." "You're right, Pappy." Roy agreed. "You're durned tootin' I'm right!" Gabby exclaimed. "Now git!" "I'm gittin'." Roy said, standing up and walking into his room. Bob and the fellas flowed up the ladder to their sleeping quarters in the loft. ~~~ "GABBYY!!!!!!" A loud wail split the early morning air. "Whatdya want?" Gabby grouched, sitting up in bed. "I'm wet!" Pat shouted. Gabby snorted and started dressing. The smell of ham and eggs suddenly reached him. Obviously it had reached the fellas too, because they started to tumble down the ladder. Roy started to sing, and soon they all joined in. Come and get it, Come and get it, Come and get it, Come and get it, Come and get it. Get your cowboy ham and eggs, Gotta move that herd along, Get your cowboy ham and eggs, When you hear that come and get it gong. When the sun goes up on the cattle trail, The cowboys yip and yell, When they hear that come and get it gong, From the old chuckwagon bell. Get your cowboy ham and eggs, Come and get it Gotta move that herd along, Move along Get your cowboy ham and eggs, Come and get it When you hear that come and get it gong. When the sun goes down on the cattle trail, The cowboys lay around, Waitin' just to hear that noise again, When they're all chuchwagon bound. Get your cowboy ham and eggs, Gotta move that herd along, Get your cowboy ham and eggs, When you hear that come and get it gong. Come and get it, Come and get it, Come and get it, Come and get it, Come and get it. Come and get your cowboy ham and eggs! "Get 'em?" Pat said as the last note died away. "Why don't you eat 'em?" "'Cause you gotta get them afore you can eat them." Roy said. "Not here. You're going to bring them to me." Pat said, plopping down at the table and tying a large napkin around his neck. "Catch!" Roy said, spining a plate at Pat. "Boy, Roy, it's a good thing you're such a good aim." Bob said as the plate landed right infront of Pat at the table. Pat atacked his breakfast, and soon everyone was done. Roy washed the dishes and Bob dried while Gabby, Pat, and Shug told eachother what they were going to do that day. Okay, so they argued about what they were going to do that day. At last Pat said, "I think the roof needs fixing. I was wet this morning." "I was too a little." Carl said. "Me too." "Me too." "Me too." "Me too." "I told you, Pappy, that the roof was leaky." Roy said. "Aw, okay, have yeer way. Ye can fix it today." "It's a nice day for it." Bob said looking out the window. The storm had blown past and the sun was shining turning the spider webs to strings of sparkling pearls. "I think I'll go inta town and git that stuff that we needed, flour and the sort." Gabby said, standing up. "I think I'll hitch up now." "Fine." Roy agreed. "While you fellas mend the roof I have to hoe some in the garden. The ground is nice and soft today." "Okay." Bob said. "What's the garden, that piece of ground around the bottom of those four Sanguro Cactus out back of the house?" "No, the vegtable garden." Roy replied with a grin. "Those are just a hobby. I just wish that that smallest one would fall down or something. It's just not as nice as the others. Besides, three is a nicer number than four." Bob laughed, and Gabby stumped out the door. Soon the dishes were done, and everybody headed out into the bright sunshine. ~~~ CLIP-CLOP-CLIP-CLOP Roy looked up from his hoeing. "Gabby's back, fellas!" Bob shouted, pounding a shingle in vigorously. "I noticed." Pat agreed, then, "OWWWWWWWWWWW!!!! BOBBBB!!! This hammer just flew down and smaked me right here!!!!" Pat wailed, showing Bob his thumb. "Hmmm." Bob said, but couldn't say anymore because Shug interupted him just then. "It would have been alot worse if you would have really been pounding." "I was pounding!" Pat retorted, smaking Shug over the head with his hammer. Shug crumpled up and fell off the roof, landing in a heap at the feet of Roy, who was walking over to meet Gabby. "Hmm, Pat, you sure did a pretty good job!" Roy exclaimed, examining Shug. "He'll be out for a week!" "Really? Maybe I should try that more often!" Pat exclaimed happily. "I never did like the feasle anyhow." "Weasle, you mean?" Roy corrected. "Yeah, easle!" Pat exclaimed, pounding cheerfully again. Roy just shook his head and went and laid Shug in on his blanket up in the atic. "He'll wake up pretty soon with all that racket." Roy said to himself, looking at the ceiling above him as it shook with the impact of five hammers. "If the roof doesn't fall on him first." Roy added as he climbed back down the ladder. Roy had just stepped onto the porch when there was a galloping of hooves. Gabby grabbed up his shotgun, preparing to give the intruders a barrel full of buckshot. But he changed his mind when they galloped into the clearing. "Cactus Cal!" Gabby shouted, dropping his shotgun and swinging her off her horse. "Roy Rogers, why didn't you tell me she was around?!?" Roy started to try to explain that he had when he heard a loud, and very mournful wail from behind him. "CACTUS CAL?!?!?! I'm DDOOOOOOOOMEEEDDDD!!!!!" Roy spun around just in time to see Pat topple off the roof and land on the small, scrawny Sanguro Cactus! "HELP!!! I'M STUCK!!!!!" Pat wailed from atop the prickly tower. "So I noticed." Gabby comented. "Hey! Well get me down, would you?" Pat shouted. "Shore, shore, but what am I to do? All you have to do is jump." Gabby told him. "JUMP!!!!!" Pat screeched. "But it's too far DOWN!!!!!!" "Then I'll just run right to the tool shed and get an ax and cut you down." "Cut me down!!! Oh, I'm going to die!!!!!!" "I'll fell it tword the stream." Gabby assured him. "But I can't swim!" Pat protested again. "Fine time to learn, then." Gabby told him, heading tword the shed as Pat sent up a mournful wail. "I'M DOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!" He wailed again. Soon Gabby was back. "Here goes." he anounced, taking a huge wedge out of the cactus. He hacked away for awhile, making it so that the cactus would fall tword the river. Pat was still wailing from where he sat up ontop of the cactus. But, if there was one thing that Gabby was good at it was felling trees, and cactus worked just about as well. Suddenly there was a huge crash, and the cactus fell down, water streaming from where Gabby had cut it. Pat fell, CER-SPLASH, right in the middle of the river. "I CAN'T SWWWWWWWWWIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!" Pat wailed. Roy dove into the stream, and grabbed Pat by the collar. Swiming with long, powerful strokes he pulled himself and Pat to shore. "I've never been so scared in my whole life!" Pat moaned. "You must have been pretty scared." Roy comented. "I was." Pat said. "But now I want dry clothes." "You don't need them." Roy said over his shoulder as he walked tword Cactus Cal. "It's a nice warm day and you'll dry." "I bet." Pat muttered, sitting gloomily on the bank of the stream looking into the clear water. "Sorry about that, Cactus Cal." Roy apologized. "Pat get's into too much trouble it seems." "You shouldn't be sorry about Pat, you should be sorry you rendered me helpless." Cal said stoutly. "Rendered you helpless?" Roy asked quizicly. "Sure, what else happens when things are so durned funny?" Roy grinned. "I think I see now." "You'd better!" Cactus Cal exclaimed. "But that ain't why Benny an me came out here." "What's the news?" Roy asked anxiously, suddenly very curious. "News ain't good. That slab-faced Winson is dead'r 'n a doornail. And not that I mind so much neither, but somebody shot him, sure as my name's Carolyn Dorthy Patton. He had a pistol bullet right through him. One o' the windows, the one on the west side, was smashed by a chair. I suppose the feller got out that-a-way. Gail's madder'n a soakin' hornet, and twice as painful if you cross her." "That's bad." Roy said seriously. "Yer durned tootin' it's bad!" Gabby exploded. "Why I'll go grab that feller who fired that shot, and SMACK! BANG! SLAP! He'll be out as flat as the feller he shot, only not quite so dead." "You'd better be careful, Pappy." Roy told Gabby. "You wouldn't want to get stuck in jail, would you?" "Course, Huh? Why of all the yeller-livered tricks, Roy! There wouldn't be a jail strong 'nough to hold Gabby Whitiker! Why a Whitiker never did nuthin' wrong! And anybody that would try to stick one in jail had better be ready to recieve one hard smack, right in the middle o' his nose!" "How come Roy makes mistakes then?" Benny asked with a grin. "Or does he not make any either?" "Cosh he does!" Gabby exclaimed. "He's just a Rogers, not a Whitiker. I'm just his step-pop. It's a pitty he ain't o' my own flesh and blood, though, he mighta turned out a whole lot better of if he had." "Am I really all that bad, Pappy?" Roy asked. "Shore, shore, huh? I didn't say you was terrible! Cosh you're alright. I wouldn't have put up with ya so long if ye hadn't been." "I'm glad of that." Roy told him calmly. "Huh? Oh, you. I'll smack ye yet!" "I'd better not let that happen!" Roy said. "Comeon fellas, let's get these groceries into the house!" All the fellas came tumbling down the ladder, and Pat reluctantly apeared. They all grabbed something and trooped into the house. "I'm gonna have to get back now." Cactus Cal anounced. "Fine." Roy agreed. "I'll be by later, I want to go for a ride with Gail." "You'll be goin' for a ride with a hundred weight of dynamite if you do!" Cactus Cal exclaimed. "She's mad Roy, whatcha thinkin', ta git yirself shot?!?" "No, I just think I'll have to be careful. Dynamite isn't all that dangerous if treated right." "You're right, again." Cactus Cal muttered, swinging up into her saddle. "But don't say I didn't warn you!" "I won't." Roy agreed. "Okay." Cactus Cal agreed, spinning her horse and galloping off with Benny following. Roy and Gabby turned around as there was a yell. Pat was standing on the porch, covered in flour. The bag he had been carying had burst when it rubbed on his wet clothes. "You dad blasted idiot!" Gabby exploded. "I didn't mean to, Gabby!" Pat moaned. "Don't worry." Roy assured Gabby. "I'll get another bag when I go into town." "Alright, Alright." Gabby agreed. January 27th, 2007 07:22 AM RoyRogersFan Chapter Five: H2O2 Roy cantered Trigger down the country road tword Gail's ranch. He spun around a bend and the ranch house came into view. He casualy slid off Trigger and tied him at the door. With a bound he was up the steps and onto the porch. With another leap he was at the door, and knocked. "Oh, so it's you again." Roy winced a bit, it didn't look like this was going to be a very friendly ride from the way Gail was acting. "I came to ask you out for a ride." "A ride for where?" "Well, I was just thinking that we could ride out to that back corner that people didn't seem to want you to go by." I've been wanting to go for ages "In that case, I don't think I can refuse. Honestly, Roy, I've been wanting to go for ages. I'll be down in a minute." "Fine. Want me to saddle up for you?" "Yes please." "I'm on my way." Roy turned and darted tword the barn. In a few moments he had the bay all groomed, and ready for the saddle. He turend to walk into the tack room, and ran right into Al. Al looked very startled for a moment, then turned tail and ran as fast as he possibly could for the house. "GAIL! GAIL! Roy's back!" "I know." Gail replied tartly as she walked out the door in riding atire. You didn't need to shout it all over." "Well, do you want me to run him off?" "No, thank you. Just go do your work." "Okay." Al replied aimniably, loitering off. Gail walked down the hill to Roy. "You're fast." Roy told her. "I'm not quite done saddling up." "I'll help." Gail offered. With her help they were soon going out into the sunshine. With a running leap Roy was up on Trigger, and leading off over the prarie, with Gail following him, Chica cantering easily. ~~~ An hour later Roy walked Trigger down a hill into a small canyon. Just as Gail joined him, Roy heard an icy voice cut through the air. "Put you're hands up, Rogers, you too, gal." Roy slowly raised his hands above his head. "Now get off those horses, and don't try any funny stuff, this gun is loaded." Roy slid off Trigger, and could see Gail doing the same. The instant he hit the ground the masked man was by his side. "Drop those guns." Roy mutely did so. "Okay, now start walkin'. You two are just a little too dangerous for comfort." With a gun in his back Roy walked up the canyon. Then the man opened a small, hidden rock door in the canyon wall, and with one swift move was excorting Roy and Gail inside. The whole walk up the canyon Roy hadn't dared look at Gail, but now in the safety of the dark, with their captor only having the light of a weak flashlight, Roy glanced over. Gail's face was white, and her lips were set with what looked like a mix of fear and anger. Roy gave her an aproving glance, then looked strait ahead again. After what seemed like hours their captor stopped them in a medium sized chamber. Walking over to a pile of ropes in a corner he picked several out, and with them swiftly, and expertly, tied Roy and Gail hand and foot, and threw them on the floor. Then he walked out for a moment, and came back carefully carying a small bottle. He set it down, and carefully took off the lid, and set a fine, but long, string inside. As he did so, Roy saw the label of the bottle. He couldn't make out most of it, but he could see the letters and numbers, H2O2. Then the man lit the string's end, and walked off down the passage. Roy now had an idea of what the bottle was. It was probably high percentage Hydrogen Peroxide, which would be explosive. That would expain how carefully the man had been handling it, because high percentage Hydrogen Peroxide is more explosive than Nytro Glyceran. It didn't take Roy more than a second to come to these conclusions. If that fire reached the Hydrogen Peroxide, they'd be done for. With a swift twist Roy tried to turn over so he could talk to Gail. As he did so suddenly his wrist ropes slackened, and fell off. With one glace Roy realized a sharp rock had cut them. Whisking out his pocket knife Roy slashed his ankle ropes, and slashed Gails. Grabbing her arm he pulled her to her feet, and together they raced off down the nearest passage, which wasn't the one they'd came in through. Finnally Roy stopped, assured that they'd come far enough. He and Gail stood only a fraction of a second before there was a sound like a dynamite explosion, but only half as noisy. "What was that?" Gail asked Roy. "It was high percentage Hydrogen Peroxide." Roy replied. "They probably have something fishy going on here, and they're using that for an explosive 'cause it's not as noisy as dynamite." "Oh." Gail replied softly, then changed the subject. "How are we going to get out?" "The same way we got in." Roy replied. "We'll have to re-trace our steps back to that now slightly enlarged chamber, and follow the other passage from there." "You lead." Gail said. "I wouldn't know one passage from another in this dark." "Me either, if I didn't have a flashlight in my pocket." "You carry a flashlight?" "Umhum. You never know when you need one." Roy replied, flicking out a small flashlight. With the aid of the flashlight they soon were back in the chamber, which was, as Roy had suspected, a bit larger. He flashed the beam of the flashlight around the chamber. Just about strait across from them there was a bright flash. Roy walked over, his first thought being a fine metal. But when he got there he saw that he was wrong. "What's this liquid flowing down the wall?" Gail asked. Roy took one look and started. "Why, that's oil!" "Oil?" Gail said, obviously thinking Roy was nuts. "But dad had this land tested for oil two years ago, and there wasn't any around. They think there used to be oil, because of the old oil rig over on the west corner." "Old oil rig?" "Sure. It's all rusted now." "Wasn't it the West corner that people kept on chasing you away from?" Roy asked quickly. "Yes, most of the time. Sometimes nobody would show up though, and there it would be, all rusted and old." "Would you mind going out there? I want to see that rig." "Sure, if our horses haven't run away." "Trigger wouldn't." "What if that masked man took them?" "I don't think he would, it'd be too suspicious." "Oh, alright. But just hurry, I don't like it down here." "I'm hurrying, Boss." Roy replied with a teasing grin. Gail's eyes spit sparks for a few moments, then she kicked him in the seat of the pants. "Get moving, smarty-pants." She said threateningly. "Or else I'll...." "Make me regret I was ever born." Roy finished for her, walking calmly down the passage they had entered through. He could hear Gail growling meancingly behind him, and Roy feared another kick until she finnally stopped her growling. In what now seemed like a short time Roy and Gail were standing in the sun again. Roy whistled shrilly, and Trigger came at a canter, Chica trailing behind. Roy jumped up onto Trigger, and Gail called out, "The rig's this way!" With that she kicked Chica in the sides, and shot her off. Roy followed on Trigger. It didn't take them long to arive at the site. Gail rode Chica up a steep hill, and stoped her at the top. Roy pulled up Trigger in a fancy rear. Down bellow them the ground droped away for about fifty feet, and ended in a mediem sized hole, that, if it weren't for the towering oil rig which sat in the center, could have been a gravel quary. The oil rig was all rusty, just as gail had said. Rust covered the steel frame and the iron bolts, the whole thing. The great rusty tower towered above them for about another fifty feet. "That's a pretty big oil rig." Roy remarked to Gail. "I know. It seems a little big for shallow drilling." "Is that what they were using it for?" "Oh, don't be silly! If it's this rusty it'd have to be really old, and make it that old and---" "Ranchers didn't just go drilling deep." Roy finished. "I'm savy." "We can go down and look at it closer, if you'd like." Gail offered. "Sure." Roy agreed. Gail turned Chica and trotted her about half way around the big kettle hole, and then started decending the sides by a steep, narrow, trail. "This trail would sure be dangerous if it was raining." Roy shouted up to Gail. "No kidding!" Gail replied. Roy's mind thought back to the night of the storm, and the light on the horizon. It had been in this direction,... Roy glanced around, looking for something that looked like a light, but nothing met his eyes. Maybe this was just an old rig. It really did seem just like an old rig, Roy agknowleged as he looked around. The whole thing was covered by coarse rust, and the valley was full of debries and things. No one could get something in to get the oil out now if they wanted to. Finnally Roy gave up the search. "I don't see anything here for sure." He told Gail. "Shall we head back to the ranch?" Gail asked. "I have to go into town to get another bag of flour for Pappy." Roy answered. "I'll ride in with you. Benny and Cactus Cal rode in earlier this morning, I might meet them there if they decided to stay for awhile." "Fine." Roy agreed. This time he lead back up the steep trail. Soon they were out on the flat again, headed for town. ~~~ Forty-five minutes later Roy loped Trigger down the main street of town. Gail had met Benny and Cactus Cal and Romeno's Cafe, and now they were headed back to the ranch. Roy stopped at the jail just to have chat with the sherrif. He always did this when he came into town. Unfortionatly today the sheriff was gone down to the barber shop for a game or two of poker. Roy started to leave when he suddenly saw a note on the desk. Rogers, You'd better just mind you're own buissiness and quit snooping around, or you'll have something you won't like happen to you're girly friends. Roy bit his lip. Someone who knew that he stopped by to see the sherrif had seen the sherrif leave had left this note for him. Roy hesitated for only a moment, then dashed out and jumped on Trigger. Without a moments pause he galloped out of town, and down the dirt road that led to the Flying L. To The Flying L In a remarkably short time he was in the lane, and up to the house. He knocked quickly on the door. The older house keeper answered it. "What'dya want?" She asked cantankerously. "Did the girls get home?" Roy asked. "Sure. They're down unsaddling now." The housekeeper replied. Before she knew it Roy was down to the barn and inside. Shaking her head she closed the door. Meanwhile Roy had told the girls about the note he had found. "Then do you think that there might be something suspicious about that rig?" Gail asked. "I might think that." Roy replied. "But I'd say we'd better all steer clear of it for awhile, act like we just think what we always did about it, you know, that it's an old deserted thing. And just act like you also think it's an awfully boring place to go, and way too dangerous. Savy?" All the girls nodded, and Cactus Cal said, "But I'd have to leave off the scary part, or they'd all be suspicious!" "Right." Roy replied. "But I don't want to be caught around here after that note." "Okay." Gail agreed. "See you later!" Cactus Cal shouted as Roy galloped off tword Gabby's cabin. ~~~ Roy flung himself off Trigger, landing on the ground just as Trigger stopped infront of the cabin. "Weel, where's the flour?" Gabby asked. "I forgot all about it, Pappy!" Roy exclaimed. "Weel, you git right back up on that hoss and git right back ta town and git that flour!" Gabby exclaimed. "But Pappy, I gotta talk to you!" "You'll talk ta me afteer ye git the flour, now git! Ye're gittin' as bad as Pat!" Roy sighed, jumped back on Trigger and took off again. "Firgitin' the flour. What next?" Gabby muttered to himself as he stumped back inside the house. ~~~ For the second time that day Roy tore down the main street of town and drew Trigger up by the general store, which was packed with people. "Wonder what's going on, Trigger." Roy said to the stallion. "I'd better go see." "...and all 'o a sudden the whole train just blewed up, right out in the middle o' no-where, and it all burned up! Folks got out, but they're still pickin' 'em all up!" "What happened, Rusty?" Roy asked the short, wiry store owner. "Train blew up between Reno and Carson City." Rusty replied. "The things that exploded was a crate of sherry for The Trading Post, right here in Redstone. It's just like the other time that the train exploded, only that was a crate of fruit punch for Romeo's Cafe." "Queer." Roy said to himself. "Yeer tellin' me!" Rusty exclaimed. "But ye must have come into town for something." "Yeah, a bag of flour." Roy replied. "I'll get it right away." Rusty told him, walking off with his bow-legged gait. Roy furrowed his brow in thought. If his suspicions were right that wasn't sherry and fruit punch in those crates, it was H2O2. And if it was H2O2 James Russel, the owner of The Trading Post, and Romeo Constolo owner of Romeo's Cafe, were probably in on it. Roy's thoughts were interupted just then by Rusty returning with the flour, and with a quick thank you Roy was back out and on Trigger. It didn't take him long to cover the ground between town and Gabby's cabin, and as soon as he was in the yard he swung off Trigger. "Unsaddle him for me, would you, Hugh?" Roy requested. "I gotta get this flour inside." "Sure, Roy." Hugh agreed, leading the palameneo stallion off. Roy ran up the steps and inside the house, ploping the flour down on the kitchen table. "Bob, ride over to the Flying L and tell the girls to get here right away!" Roy exclaimed. Bob quickly dropped the gun he was cleaning and ran outside. "Where are the rest of the fellas?" Roy asked Gabby. "Weel, Shug's still sleepin' off that knock Pat gave him, and Pat's takin' a nap out in the sun under the old oak, and Carl an' Hugh are cleanin' the barn, or at least they was a bit ago, an' Tim's fixin' the uld plow, an' Bob was cleanin' his guns." "You go find them Gabby, I'm gonna get some dinner. It's getting pretty late." "Have it your way!" Gabby said, stumping out. Roy quickly threw together a casarole as the others came in, and Pat was awakened(though not without much difficulty), and Shug finnally got a face full of water. Everyone had just showed up in the kitchen when there was a galloping of hooves and in charged Bob with all three girls. "Let's go help them get those horses untacked!" Roy shouted, running out to the barn. As the old saying goes, 'Many hands make light work', it didn't take them all long to get the horses out of their tack and put away. Then they headed up to the house. Since the casarole wasn't done yet Roy asked everybody to find a seat in the living room. First he told them about the bottle of H2O2 in the cavern that almost was his and Gail's death, then told them about the note, and finnaly about the train trouble. When he was done Gabby started right off. "Weel of all the no good, ornry, theivin', stealin', yella livered, chicken hearted, cheatin', unfair playin, dirty, sons o' Saten!" He exploded. "Whatcha goin' ta do about them?" "I've gotta figure out who they are first." Roy replied. "Weel ya can firgure those store owners in on it!" Gabby exclaimed. "Yeah, but I'd like it better if they lead me to the leader." "Oh, I see. But how ye gonna do that?" "Somebody's gonna have to hang around those places." Roy replied cooly. "How da ya do that without being suspicious?" Gabby asked, his beard bristling. "Get a job." Roy replied. "What sort o' job you figurin' on?" Cactus Cal asked. "I saw a sign for a cook at Romeo's Cafe today." Roy replied. "And The Trading Post is always looking for singers, if one of you gals could figure out a way." "Everybody knows I don't like that sort o' jobs much." Cactus Cal said. "No, but I might!" Gail exclaimed. "And I got an excuse all planned out, too." "What is it?" Bob asked. "Well, if I said that I didn't like hanging around the ranch after my father's death..." "That's brilliant!" Tim encouraged her. "Count me in on it too." Benny said. "I'll come along." "Thanks Benny, I don't know what I'd do without you right about now." "Struggle along somehow, I suppose." Benny told her with a grin. Gail smilled too. "But what about the cooking job?" Hugh asked. "Well, they know that you fellas are all old freinds of mine, so that counts just about all of you out but Pat. They know he's a friend of mine, but it seems to be public opinion that he doesn't have any brains in his head." "Are you enfrusterating that I don't have any brains?" Pat squacked. "No, I jus think they're a little bit lacking." Roy replied. "Oh, that's differant." Pat said, consoled. Roy choked back laughter. "What he's hinting at, Pat." Bob said, "Is that if you got that job they wouldn't think that you'd be able to pick up any clues, while you could pick up plenty." "Oh, I see." Pat said. "So when do I start my defectacating?" "Tomorrow morning." Roy told him. "The moment the cafe opens." January 27th, 2007 07:23 AM RoyRogersFan Chapter Six: Rusty Evidance Roy trotted Trigger down the main street of town two days later. "Too bad nothing's shown up, huh boy?" Roy whispered to Trigger. "But maybe something will turn up today, right boy?" Trigger nodded his head and snorted. Roy stopped him by a hitching post. "You wait here Trigger, while I go around the back way to the sheriff's office and talk to Pat on the way." Roy said to the stallion. Trigger nodded his head up and down and then started nibbling the grass that grew by the side-walks. Roy walked down a back alley, and paused at a window. There was Pat, as usual, waiting to talk to him. No sooner did Roy get close than Pat moaned, "Oh, Roy, can't you think of better ways to get clues?" Can't you think of better ways to get clues? "Not really. Have you seen anything?" "No, but you really don't know what a horrible job this is. That Romeo fella is just, well, he's awful! He's so mean! And he yells alot, and isn't around half the time." "Isn't around half the time?" "Yeah. Is that a clue?" "You bet it might be!" Roy exclaimed. "Wish I would have told you yesterday." Pat moaned. "Don't worry Pat, you'll do better." "I sure hope so." Pat muttered under his breath. "I gotta go now so as not to arouse people's suspicions." "Okay." Roy walked off, leaving Pat as droopy as before. ~~~ About an hour later Roy rode back into the clearing. He told Gabby and the fellas about what Pat had told him. "That's funny." Bob remarked. "I wonder where he's gone to?" "I don't know, but at present I can't think of a good way to find out either." Roy replied. "Hmmm, Romeo and James, not very romantic, but pretty villianie." Gabby remarked, twitching his beard. "Yeah, but from what Gail says, James couldn't be the leader of the gang, he's just not quite smart enough." Tim said. "She told me that last night." "Romeo either." Hugh said. "Pat says he doesn't have many brains at all. He told me that yesterday when I stopped in for a sandwhich." "Well, how can you trust anything that Pat says?" Shug asked. "I think that he knows what he's talking about with Romeo." Carl told Shug. "I've known him, growing up in Redstone, and I wouldn't describe him as smart, deffinatly not smart enough to run a well run operation like this." "What sort of operation do you think it is anyway?" Bob asked Roy. "I'm not sure, but with all those explosives, gold or silver maybe?" "What about the oil rig, though, young feller?" Gabby asked. "I'm not sure. It looks old, it's all rusted and all, but there's something that keeps on tugging at my mind that I can't think of." "Weel, you'd better think! Er else we might have a little trouble on our hands!" Gabby exlaimed. "I've been trying to think what it is, but I haven't had any sucsess yet." Roy acnowledged. Suddenly he straitened. "I've got it!" "What is it?" Gabby and the fellas all asked at once. "The controler for how deep it drills! Aren't those normally made out of stainless steel?" "Sure, Roy. That's so they don't rust and they can still be read after the rig starts getting older." Bob told him. "Well this one was covered with rust, which means the rust is---" "Fake. You don't have to say it Roy, I think that what they are doing is drilling for oil." Tim said seriously. "But then why the explosives?" Gabby snorted. "I'm not sure..." "And what does the oil coming through the wall have to do with it?" "I'm not sure about that either. But that's a tall rig so they must be drilling deep. That would mean there wouldn't be oil on the surface..." "Which means that the oil couldn't have been coming from the source." Hugh finished. "What about that light that night?" Shug asked. "I've been thinking about that." Roy replied, "But it was a little too far to the south to be by the oil rig. Besides, I didn't see any lights there." "They could hide 'em!" Gabby snorted. "I know that Pappy, but also, what about the location? They must be piping the oil out, or else using large storage containers to hold it until they can haul it away." "That explains the explosives and the oil then." Hugh said. "How?" Bob asked. "They could explode stone chambers and then fill them with oil. If when that explosive went off it blasted the wall a little thin the presure of the oil could push small amounts out through tiny cracks." "That's genious, young feller! I think yeer right!" Gabby ejaculated. "He could be." Roy agreed. Suddenly Gabby started. "Look at the time! If I'm ever gonna be in town in time for Gail's number I'd better git a hurryin'!" "I'm comin' with you Pappy." Roy told him. "But you already went in once." "This could be a sorta father-son thing." "Good idee. Weel, come on then!" ~~~ "Hmm, The Tradin' Post's pretty full." Gabby said as he and Roy stepped inside. "That Gail gal is quite the rage!" "She sure is." Roy replied, looking around the large room. Just then a tall, dark haired, keen eyed man walked over to them. "Hello, Roy, Gabby." He said. "Hiya, Mr. Russel." Roy replied with a grin. "Howdy, James." Gabby said with a bristle of his beard. "Roy and I decided to come out father-son like and have a nice evnin' in town. Got any good singers round to give us some music?" "Why, Gail Luck and her friend, Brenda are singing here now." James Russel said. "Does they both have nice voices?" "Very nice." "Then I'll take a seat if you please." "Help yourself. I have some paperwork to do, so I might see you later." "Weel be around." Gabby replied sitting down. Then he watched James Russel until he dissapeared into his office. "If he leaves weel see him." Gabby told Roy confidently. Just then a man anounced that Gail Luck would be singing Ragtime Cowboy Joe. The audience aplauded as Gail walked up on the stage, and began to sing her number. Ragtime Cowboy Joe He.. Always sings raggy music to the cattle as he swings, Back and forward in a saddle on a horse, It's that centopated fingure and it's such a funny meter, To the roar of his repeater as they run, When they hear that fellas gun, Because the western folks all know, That he's a high gallootin', supper shooitn', Sun of a gun from Arizona Ragtime Cowboy Joe He.. Always sings raggy music to the cattle as he swings, Back and forward in a saddle on a horse, It's that centopated fingure and it's such a funny meter, To the roar of his repeater as they run, When they hear that fellas gun, Because the western folks all know, That he's a high gallootin', supper shooitn', Sun of a gun from Arizona Ragtime Cowboy Joe He's the man from the west, Who's got bullets in his vest, He's the ragtime, sagtime, ragtime cowboy Joe! The music ended with a crash, and Gabby grinned over at Roy again. "Yee know, I'm actually enjoyin' myself!" Gabby exclaimed. Roy grinned at Gabby. "That's pretty impressive, Gabby, considering all the females around." "Huh? Oh yeah. Umm, weel, ya see..." Just then, though, James Russel came to his aid. "Roy, I hear that you sing pretty well. We're short a singer today because he took sick, would you sing the next number?" "Sure, Mr. Russel." "I'll get a guitar---" But Russel's voice was drowned out by a loud stomping and shouting as all of the fellas, Pat(who had gotten off work)included. "Hey, Mr. Russel, would you mind if the fellas helped me sing my number? We sing best together." "Certainly." Russel replied with a smile. Soon Roy and the fellas were all equiped with insturments, and were up on the stage. If you're ever down in Texas look me up Look us up! If you're ever down in Texas look me up Drop around! (Carl) Where the men are men and love it, And the girls are sure glad of it, If you're ever down in Texas look me up Everybody's gonna holler, Howdy doody! Howdy doody! Everybody there's gonna ask, how are you? How ya all? (Shug) We raise corn for hot samalies, And grow dollies for the trollies, If you're ever down in Texas look me up (Bob) Ask anyone there for Rusty, Everyone there knows me, They'll tell you where I'm ridin' for, If A, B, C, or D If you're ever down in Texas look me up Come on down! We've got everything in Texas lookin' up Lookin' fine! (Shug) Every cowboy is a dandy, Though his legs are bowed and bandy, If you're ever down in Texas look me up (Hugh) My little partner Dusty, Always rides the range with me, His smile is as homey, As a Texas melodee If you're ever down in Texas look me up Hiya All! We've got everything in Texas lookin' up Oh ya! (Pat) Bronco Bustin' takes some practice, Or you'll end up on a cactus, If you're ever down in Texas look me up Just as they finished singing Roy suddenly saw the bar-tender come over and tap James Russel on the shoulder. Russel walked over and picked up the phone. A nod later he grabbed his hat and walked out the door. Gabby jumped up to follow, and Roy followed him. The fellas spread out through the room, but by use of the back door, and front door, and both side doors, were soon all outside. Along the way they collected Benny and Gail, both in riding aparel. Cactus Cal, who had also been hanging around The Trading Post, also showed up. "Spread out and find him, then follow in small bunches." Roy whispered. Everyone scrambled off to do as Roy said. ~~~ Five minutes later Roy looked cautiously around the corner of a building. He didn't see anything until... "We'd better hurry. All those men hanging around, they're making me nervous." Muttered James Russel. "What do you think about that fella hanging around your place?" "He's not smart enough to figure out anything." The mexican who Roy reconized as Romeo Constolo replied. "He even came into work today with his boots on the wrong feet." Roy winced at the thought of Pat showing up at work with his worst habbit showing. "You're right, he doesn't seem smart, but I still think we ought to be careful." James Russel argued. "I wasn't saying that we should be hasty." Romeo said, "I just think you're being a little too careful." "I'm just being cautious." James Russel told him. "Well, if we're supposed to be so cautious what are doing just standing here?" "Good point." James Russel said. In a moment he was back out with two horses, and he and Romeo galloped off out of town. Roy whistled lowly for Trigger, and in a minute the stallion was by his side. Roy lept up atop, and charged after them. The men galloped for awhile, and then they drew up infront of a house, Mr. Wilson's house! Roy jumped off, and followed them up the steps. The two men darted inside the house, and Roy followed. He paused at the door, taking the time to draw his gun and make sure it was loaded. Then he threw the door open. "Okay, boys, put 'em up." Romeo and Russel spun around, their hands up in the air. "You lookin' for trouble, Rogers?" Romeo leered. "No, I think it's you hombres who are." Roy replied calmly. "Now drop those guns." "We won't." Romeo said again. "You'll have to come get them." "If that's the way you want it that's the way I'll do it." Roy replied. Just as he got close enough Romeo jumped on him, and Russel snached up a gun. "Okay, Rogers, now you put 'em up." Russel demanded icily. Roy insead jumped tword him, and as his fist conected with Russel's jaw Russel crumpled into a heap on the floor. Roy paused for a moment, and in that split second Romeo jumped on his back. Roy twisted his body around, and the mexican flew off his back and landed on the floor. Before Roy could reach him he was back up again, throwing wild punches in Roy's direction. Very few of them conected, but they were coming so hard and fast that Roy couldn't return any of them. Roy just let Romeo punch away for awhile, then he made his move. With a lightning quick move he jumped up onto a chair, and from there onto Romeo, thus avoiding his flying fists. Both of them came crashing down onto the card table, as a paper fluttered away. Now Romeo was back up again, and rasied his gun above Roy's head. Roy braced himself for the impact, but just as he was thinking he was a goner a clear, sharp shot rang though the air. Roy took the moment when the gun fell from Romeo's hand to jump up and knock him out with a powerful upercut. "That was pretty good, Roy." Cactus Cal said, flipping through the window. "Pretty good your self." Roy replied with a grin. "Don't thank me." Cactus Cal replied. "Jist doin' my honourable duty. Say, what's this piece of paper?" she picked up the piece of paper that had fluttered away when Roy and Romeo and landed on the card table. "Hmm, Roy, this is pretty funny, listen to this. R&J, I'm heading out to the tanks with G to take a load when it storms. Meet me there. W." Roy's eyes flew wide open. "I know what that's about!" Roy exclaimed. Quickly he ran out the door and jumped on Trigger. With one touch of his spurs Trigger took off. Trigger took off Roy leaned over Trigger's neck, urging him faster and faster. He had to make it to the tanks in time to catch Mr. Wilson, the suprising head of the gang, and his acomplice, his henchman. Trigger ran faster and faster at Roy's urgings, and at last the towering oil rig came into view. "Be quiet, Boy." Roy whispered, as Trigger nimbly picked his way along the rocky ridge. A little farther down from the oil rig Roy suddenly stopped Trigger and jumped off. Landing on cat feet Roy darted over to the edge of a small canyon. Looking down he saw several large floodlights atached to the canyon walls, and a dark road winding down to the bottom of the canyon. On the floor of the canyon there were two dark shadows moving around. Roy slid softly down the canyon walls until he was near enough to hear. "Go get those trucks out here." The one person said. "Mr. Wilson." Roy muttered under his breath. "Yeah, boss." Said the other. Roy reconized the voice, but couldn't place it. Roy just then decided that this was the time to make his move. He stood up and aimed both guns. "Okay, gents, put 'em up." Roy said cooly. He saw both men do as they were told. Then Roy walked over and tugged their guns out. Then he backed up. "Start walkin'." Roy directed, shoving them up the canyon wall. Just as he reached the top the shorter man threw his shoulders back and landed on top of Roy. Roy rolled out from underneath of him, and tugged him up by the front of the shirt. It was then that he got a good look at his face. "Garret!" Roy exclaimed under his breath. He quickly took and slammed him a good punch in the face. Garret returned the punch swiftly, and Roy returned that one with another. Suddenly Mr. Wilson came sailing down and landed right on Garret. Roy grabbed him and crumpled him with his now seemingly famous uppercut. Garret jumped up at this and socked Roy a good one. Roy punched him twice hard in the nose, and then resorted to his uppercut, which, as usual, proved sucsessful. Roy stood up, panting. He wiped off his nose, and turned around. Just then Roy heard a huge thundering of hoofbeats. He picked up his gun and cocked it. Just as he did so all of the fellas, Gabby, Gail, Benny and Cactus Cal, galloped up and over the peak of the hill. "Hiya fellas!" Roy exclaimed. "Cactus Cal came and got us." Bob explained. "I figured that you might need a little help." Cactus Cal exclaimed. "I might have if you'd shown up a little sooner." Roy replied with a grin. "But you're just a little late." "Yeer durned tootin' we're too late to help ye deefeet dem bad guys, but we're not too late to help you haul 'em inta the sherriff!" Gabby exclaimed, examining Garret and Wilson. January 27th, 2007 07:25 AM RoyRogersFan Chapter Seven: Tying up the Loose Ends "It is the decition of the jury of this court that the sentence of the men involved in this here well run vialation of law will go as follows. First, and foremost, Wilson will be sentanced to sixty years, for illegally drilling oil and sending all the profits there of to a company that makes drugs instead of paying off the debts built up on the oil rig's purchase, and for ordering the death of a man, and lastly, sending out orders to ship one hundred percent Hydrogen Peroxide also illegally, which cost the lives of over twenty people. Garret will be sentenced to fourty years, for dealing in an illegal gang, and under charges of the murder of Winson Luck. Each of the acomplices will serve thirty years for being part of an illegal operation, and for shipping the H2O2 in their names. This is the decition of the court. Trial over." Roy and Gail stood up and walked out of the court house. Gail leaned up against the old alder and sighed. "It's so good to have all the loose ends tied up and all the money in the bank from all that oil, and the rig paid off, and, oh, everything." "There's one loose end that still needs to be tied off, but this one's a kinda personal one." "What is it?" "Would you---" Roy was interupted just then by a young man who came running up to them. "Urgent tellegram just came in for you, Miss Luck." He anounced, shoving the yellow paper into her hands and dashing off again. Gail read it twice through then handed it to Roy. "You read it." She said. "I'm too happy to read it right now." Roy unfolded the sheet of paper and started to read. Miss Gail Luck, Your true father has just been found. It seems that he was hit on the head years ago by an imposter who then took up his name, supposing him to be dead. Though not dead the knock on the head resulted in memeory loss, and he could not even remember who he was. That was just until today when he got into a fight with a man, and was severly pistol-whipped. Somehow that revived his memory, and he can remember all. He will start for Redstone in two weeks. A Friend "Why, Gail, that's just great!" Roy exclaimed. "Between your father, yourself and me, we'll make a really happy family." "You and me? Roy Rogers you wouldn't dare!" "Of course I would. Will you?" "Well, if you're going to be so gentlemanly about it I don't see how I can refuse." So whatcha gonna be doin' this evnin', When the shadows come a stealin' through the vale, Would you like to go with me, Sorta keep me company, Ridin' down the sunset trail? Breezes are sure to be whisprin', As the stars are winkin' over hill and vale, And we might stop to chat, About, well, this and that, Ridin' down the sunset trail. We'll see the moon burst over purple mountians, And the scent of desert flowers fills the air, And I have all the reliable information, That a syphony of cricets will be there. So whatcha gonna be doin', this ev'nin'? Such romantic situations never fail, And the scene will be complete, Only if by chance we meet, Ridin' down the sunset trail. Just a shady spot not over-run by people, With a musical acompnimant of birds, And for those who incline tword intimate conversation, Take my advise, it's much too nice for words. So whatcha gonna be doin', this ev'nin'? Such romantic situations never fail, And the scene will be complete, Only if by chance we meet, Ridin' down the sunset trail. THE END! January 27th, 2007 10:43 AM CowboyFan That was great, RoyRogersFan! I enjoyed it alot! Thanks for posting it and please post more of your stories! January 30th, 2007 06:17 PM RoyRogersFan Well, I'll post another story as soon as I have another to post. You see, I only think about half of my stories are good enough to post. I'm working on one now that will REALLY be good enough to post. Give me a week and I'll try to post it. It should be done by then. February 6th, 2007 05:22 PM Leah B. Great story RoyRogersFan. February 7th, 2007 03:16 PM RoyRogersFan Thanks. I know that my spelling is a little off-kilter, lets just say it isn't my best subject, but other than that I think I did a pretty good job. You'll find a lot more music in mine than in Roughriding Seniorita's storys. I like it alot better than she does. She doesn't really see it as an 'important' part of a movie, I do! February 7th, 2007 03:19 PM RoyRogersFan Hey, I just thought of something. I'm gonna post all the pictures out of the story on here. Sorry they weren't in the story themselves, but I'll get it right now. February 7th, 2007 03:31 PM RoyRogersFan Okay, here goes. Sorry if they aren't all the same size. Can I help you up miss? February 7th, 2007 03:33 PM RoyRogersFan You shouldn't talk to your elders like that February 7th, 2007 03:34 PM RoyRogersFan Roy raised his eyebrows at Gabby February 7th, 2007 03:36 PM RoyRogersFan Gail laughed as Gabby walked out February 7th, 2007 03:37 PM RoyRogersFan Oh Mr. Rogers! February 7th, 2007 03:39 PM RoyRogersFan I'm game if you are February 7th, 2007 03:40 PM RoyRogersFan Roy and the Pioneers sing Do Si Do February 7th, 2007 03:41 PM RoyRogersFan Shug nervously eyes Cactus Cal February 7th, 2007 03:43 PM RoyRogersFan I've been wanting to go for ages February 7th, 2007 03:45 PM RoyRogersFan To the Flying L February 7th, 2007 03:46 PM RoyRogersFan Can't you think of any better ways to get clues? February 7th, 2007 03:47 PM RoyRogersFan Ragtime Cowboy Joe February 7th, 2007 03:47 PM RoyRogersFan Trigger took off February 7th, 2007 03:51 PM RoyRogersFan That's all of them. The captions are in the story, but I don't think you're gonna need them. I bet you know where they all go just by what the pictures are and the titles. February 7th, 2007 05:15 PM Leah B. That's great RoyRogersFan! Thanks for posting those! :)

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