“I told you, we will investigate the sudden death of your cattle as soon as possible, Mr. James.
I’m sure it is nothing.” Standish steeled himself for the eruption he knew was coming.

“NOTHING! I’ve lost ten of my best cattle and you call that nothing. They were shot and left for
the buzzards. I know its that damn sheepherder thats behind this and I want him arrested.”
Stewart stepped closer.

“You got any proof.” Chris’s cold voice sliced up the rancher’s spine.

“I should have known you wouldn’t do your job, Larabee.” James whirled to face the leader.

“I am doing my job. I asked if you had any proof, do you?” The gunslinger cast the man a
sardonic smile.

“No, but I will.” The cattleman gave each man a hard glare before heading toward his carriage.

“It appears we have upset one of the town’s patrons, Mr. Larabee.” Ezra smiled as he caught the
twinkle of evil in his partner’s eye.

“Looks that way.” Chris slapped the gambler lightly on the shoulder. “It also looks as though a
war is about to start. Go get Josiah and meet me at the clinic. Seems we’re gonna have to try and
control this situation before somebody else gets hurt.”

Standish caught the end of the gunslinger’s sentence. “Do you think these miscreants had some
hand in the unforntunate injury to our friends’?” The southerner’s voice rang with an underlying
fury.

“Yeah, from what Vin just told me, somebody poisoned the water. The only person who had
anything to gain was James.” Larabee paused as he thought more about what he was afraid was
happening. “If he did have that water poisoned, knowing it would kill those sheep, then
Stratmore won’t let this go.”

*****************

“So, whats up, pard?” Buck leaned back in the chair he still occupied by JD’s bed and stared at
his oldest friend. The kid was still sleeping, having had to endure twice the suffering of his
partner and according to the healer, he wouldn’t be waking anytime soon.

“The feud’s growing and I think its time we showed some force. Thats why starting now, we
patrol the line between Stratmore and James’ property. Specifically, Beggar’s Canyon.” Chris
propped his hands on Vin’s bedstand and continued. “Josiah and I will take first watch, then
Buck and Ezra.” Larabee stopped when he saw the stubborn look cross his best friend’s face.

“Forget Vin. Until Nathan says otherwise, your not leaving that bed.”

Tanner sighed heavily. When the gunslinger was in one of his moods, it was best to save the
fight for another day, so the tracker conceded and let the older man finish.

“Alright. Nate, you stay here and keep an eye on those two. As soon as their both released, you’ll
help out on the patrol. Any questions?”

“Just one, Mr. Larabee.” Ezra raised his eyes from his deck of cards. “How are we to handle any
‘disagreements’, for lack of a better word, from any of the two parties.”

Chris let a half grin crease his lips. “Teach ‘em the ways of the law, of course.”

**************

Two days later...

“So, what do you think are the odds this thing is gonna end soon, Ezra?” Wilmington was
propped against one of the cell doors in the jailhouse, watching Standish play solitare.

It was early morning and they were waiting for Chris and Josiah to return from patrol, so they
could start theirs.

“It would seem that the past two days has fueled the already short tempers of the parties
involved. Take into count Stratmore’s barn burning, the unfortunate loss of Mr. James remuda,
couple that with both men’s disappearance of certain required machinary and you have about
100 to 1 it will be over within the next week.” The gambler never raised his gaze from his game.

“Damn, I was afraid you were gonna say that.” Buck reached over and grabbed the chair sitting
next to Vin.

The tracker had been the model patient for the past two days and this worried the ladies man.
Tanner was usually quiet by nature, but Wilmington had this feeling something else was behind
it. He was about to voice this to, what he thought, was a sleeping Vin, when the jail door opened.

Chris walked inside wearily. He was dirty, tired, and hungry. He greeted the two men with a nod
and glanced at the prone form propped behind the sheriff’s desk. He too thought the younger
man asleep and didn’t want to wake him.

“You boys ready?”

Ezra picked up a black Queen and placed it on a black Jack before answering. “One more card,
Mr. Larabee.”

The leader rolled his eyes and glanced to Buck.

“Don’t worry, pard we’re ready. Anything happening?” The ladies man stood and walked over to
Larabee.

“No, seems quiet.” The black-clad man reached up and patted his oldest friend’s shoulder before
turning back toward the door. “Be careful.”

“You got it.” Wilmington watched him walk out and was about to turn and hurry Ezra along,
when a sudden movement caught his eye.

Vin had jumped to his feet, grabbing his sawed-off carbine and placing it in the holster. “Lets go,
Bucklin.” Tanner smiled sweetly at the gunslinger.

“Where the hell do you think your going?” Wilmington raised an eyebrow at the innocent
looking tracker.

“On patrol.”

“I’m afraid you are mistaken, Mr. Tanner. Our leader informed me of accompanying Mr.
Wilmington, not you.” Standish stood, placing his cards in his jacket pocket.

“Ah, hell. Look, I’m going crazy here. You heard him say nothing was happening. Besides Ezra,”
An unusually evil twinkle entered the sharpshooter’s gaze. “I seem to recall when Chris’s saddle
disappeared a couple weeks ago, you had no idea where it could have gone.” Tanner watched the
gambler’s face began to turn red.

“Whats he talking about Ez?” Buck was enjoying the flabbergasted look on Standish’s face.

“I’m sure he’s still suffering from his illness and talking out of his head.” The conman tried to
glare the ex-bounty hunter down, but knew it was a losing battle. He was caught. “However, if he
is feeling up to a ride, who am I to stand in his way.” Ezra nodded his head in defeat.

“Boy, whatever he’s got on you, I sure wish I knew.” Wilmington just laughed and followed the
sharpshooter out the door as he felt the cold gaze peircing his back.

The two men mounted their horses and headed out of town, never noticing the man tailing them.

***************

“Damn, Vin. You wanna slow down.” Buck chuckled, as he saw the look thrown back at him.

“Sorry, Buck. I just wanted to get away as fast as I could before Chris found out.” Tanner slowed
and let the gunslinger catch up.

“No problem, pard. I understand, especially since JD threatened to shoot me if I didn’t leave him
alone for at least two hours.” The two exchanged knowing smiles and just sat back to enjoy the
beautiful countryside and the company.

**********

Wedge Parker watched the two men get deeper into the canyon. He had a special surprise
planned for the regulators, without any instruction from his BOSSES. He pulled his horse to a
halt about 30 yards in front and above the two riders’.

He dismounted and opened his saddlebag. Slowly he extracted six bound sticks of dynamite and
walked to the edge of the canyon. Finding a hole underneath a big boulder, he placed the t-n-t
neatly inside it and began unwinding the fuse. He made sure he was at least 10 yards from the
explosive before hooking it up to the detonater.

He broke cover briefly to double check the progress of Buck and Vin. As he saw they were still
on course, he resumed his position and began counting down.

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, he began easing the handle down, 5, 4, 3, 2, he glanced one last time at the
dynamite, 1! He shoved the handle down hard into the box and was rewarded with the
earthshaking explosion, along with the sound of rocks tumbling toward the bottom.

“Perfect.” Parker quickly gathered his stuff and remounted. He knew it wouldn’t be long until
they found the pass blocked and didn’t want to be anywhere nearby, in case someone started
asking questions.

Little did the man know, he was being watched. Hank Stratmore had been out for a ride when he
had spotted his father’s hired hand. He saw him crouched behind a tree, so had decided to wait
and see what he was up too. The blast had knocked him off his feet.

As he scrambled to the edge of the cliff, he realized exactly what Wedge had just done. It was
only after the boy spotted the two horses running away, riderless, did he fully understand the
situation.

Hank’s first thought was his father had ordered this done, but he quickly dismissed that, knowing
his pa had a short temper, but wasn’t a violent man by nature.

Stratmore grabbed his horse and headed back to tell his dad what was happening and hope the
two men trapped below where still alive.

*************

“What the hell was that?” Stewart stood up from his place on the porch and looked toward
Beggar’s Canyon.

“Sounded like something blew up.” Sam Dockery was just about to join his boss on the porch,
when he too had heard the noise.

“Saddle my horse, Sam. I’m gonna go check it out.”

“I’ll go with you.” Dockery hurried off to the stables.

“Stratmore, I sure as hell hope you ain’t behind this.” James left the porch and went to get his
mount, wondering what the sheepherder was up too.

*************

“He blew it UP!” Patrick’s voice echoed around the courtyard.

“Yeah, pa. I saw him do it and thats not all.” Hank waited until he had his father’s full attention
again.

“What else?”

“There was somebody in the canyon. I saw two horses galloping away. I recognized the gray, it
belongs to one of Mr. Larabee’s men.” The youth flinched as he saw the stark terror cross the
older man’s features.

“What the hell has James done. If one of those men is dead or even injured, we’re both dead
men.” Stratmore took a long breath before looking at his son. “Saddle my horse and show me
exactly where this happened.”

Hank nodded and rushed to do as he was told.

“Dear God, help us all.” The red-headed man looked toward the east, noticing the dust still rising
from the fallen rock.

****************

Everything hurt, thats one thing Buck knew. The other was, he couldn’t move. His legs anyway.
The gunslinger raised his head slightly and looked down. A boulder was laying on top of his
right leg, pinning his left against the rock wall.

He remembered Vin yelling to take cover and....VIN!! Wilmington jerked upright and
immediately regretted it. The nausea sent him back to the floor. “Oh God..” He waited for it to
subside, before attempting to rise again, this time slower. He glanced around the dimly lit cave,
finally finding the tracker about 10 feet away against the other wall.

His body was covered with bits of debris but nothing like Buck’s. The gunslinger tried to see if
there was any blood, but the light wasn’t bright enough. A sudden dizzy spell had him laying
back once more.

“Okay, stay calm. Its gonna be alright.” He turned his head without moving his body and
prepared himself. “VIN!” The shout echoed around them, causing Wilmington’s already aching
head to pound harder.

After a few minutes and no answer, he tried again. “VIN!!” This time a slight moan was the
reply. “Thats it pard. Come on, talk to old Buck.” He watched as the tracker began to stir slowly.
For what seemed like forever, the familiar blue eyes met his.

“What happened?” Tanner’s voice was weak and a little harsh.

“I don’t know, but what ever it is, ain’t good.” Buck had noticed the blood streaming alongside
the younger man’s forehead and tried to quell the rising fear. “You alright?”

Vin closed his eyes and attempted to figure that out. His legs moved, so did his arms. His ribs
felt bruised but not broken. The only thing that really hurt was his head. “Yeah. Nothings
broken, but my head hurts.”

The gunslinger could tell the injury had to be severe for the sharpshooter to be talking so openly.
“Well, I wouldn’t worry none. You and Chris have the two hardest heads I know.” He tried to
sound upbeat, but he could hear the weakness in his own voice.

Tanner rolled over and got to his knees, fighting back the dizziness and blackness trying to take
over. “Hold on, Buck. I’m on my way.”

Wilmington stared at the young man, hoping to will some strength his way. After about 5
minutes, the tracker reached the gunslinger’s side. “Where you hurt, Buck?” Vin panted
uncontrollably as he dropped beside his friend.

“I’m okay except for my right leg. Its pinned under this boulder and it feels broke.”

The ex-bounty hunter waited until his breathing had evened out and the room had stopped
spinning, before checking the gunslinger’s leg. “I don’t see any blood, so I don’t think it broke
the skin. I’ll see if I can...” Tanner sat down heavily, grabbing his head.

“Damnit, Vin. You just get somewhere and stay put. The boys will be here soon and we’ll let
them worry about it, alright?!” Buck raised up and grasped his friend’s arm.

“Okay.” The tracker allowed Wilmington to pull him down beside him. “I’ll rest for a few
minutes.”

Buck watched as Vin drifted off into unconsciousness. He swiped some of the blood soaked hair
from his friend’s face, noticing how young he looked. “He don’t look no older than JD. No
wonder Chris is such a mother hen.” The gunslinger laughed as he pictured the reaming out they
were gonna get from the leader. “I don’t care how much he yells, just as long as he gets here,
quick.”

He let his hand rest on the younger man’s chest and began drifting off himself.

****************

Patrick Stratmore stared at the destruction below him with a huge sense of grief. He had only
been trying to make a living and protect what was his, he hadn’t wanted anything of this
magnitude to happen. Not in a hundred years.

An approaching horse caused him to break his gaze. He looked up sharply and felt his fury come
back full force as he spotted Stewart James.

“Damn you to hell, James. This is your fault.” Patrick started to advance on the cattle rancher,
but a hand on his arm stopped him.

“What the hell are you talking about?” Stewart dismounted and came to stand face to face with
the herder.

“Two of Larabee’s men are trapped down there because of your stupidity.”

“What do you mean, two of Larabee’s men?” James stepped near the edge and glanced down.
The sight of debris made his heart skip a beat.

“My man Parker took his job a little too far. He decided to blow up the pass to keep you out.”
Stratmore sighed wearily.

“Did you say Parker? That wouldn’t be Wedge Parker, would it?” The rancher had the sudden
feeling of betrayal.

“Yeah, so?” Patrick saw the unusual palor on the other man’s face.

“It seems we’ve both been had, Stratmore. I hired a man named Parker after my cattle turned up
dead to get even with you.”

“I hired him after my sheep were found by the springs.” The red-headed man also felt the strings
pulling against him. “We were used.”

“Yeah, looks that way. I guess this guy gets some kind of pleasure and a hell of a lot of money by
doing this.” James ran a hand over his beard. “What are we gonna do?”

“The first thing I suggest we do, is get them boys out of that canyon.” Patrick turned to his son.
“Hank, ride into to town and tell Larabee whats happened and get back here quick.”

The boy nodded his head and remounted.

The two men watched him ride away, then mounted themselves.

“Where should we start digging?” Stratmore swung his gaze to James.

“Right below us.” Stewart glanced at Dockery. “Head back to the ranch and get the other boys
and some shovels.” As he watched his man ride away, he turned back to his rival. “The last thing
we need is to bring Chris Larabee and the wrath of the seven down on our heads. Lets go.”

They rode towards the entrance and then to the slide sight. They had no idea what they would
find, but they had to try.

***************

Hank slid his horse to a stop outside the saloon. It was mid-afternoon and the place was
somewhat empty, except for the remaining seven. He hurried inside and quickly spotted Larabee
at the back table.

“Mr. Larabee!” Stratmore rushed over and began reciting the happenings before any of them had
a chance to talk. The five men watched the boy, first with amazement, then anger.

“Where are they now?” Chris’s voice had dropped to a deadly growl.

“James and my pa are at the canyon trying to dig them out.”

As one, the five men stood and ran to their mounts tied outside the tavern. JD started to
saddle-up, but Nathan put a hand on his arm.

“Your still too weak, son. I think you should stay here.” Jackson knew his protest was probably a
waste of time, but he had to try.

“No way, Nate. Buck’s hurt and needs me. I’m going.” He swiftly swung into the saddle and
turned to follow the now retreating forms of Ezra and Chris, with Nate and Josiah close behind.

***************

James, Stratmore and the majority of hands from the cattle ranch had moved the brunt of the
debris by the time the other of the seven had arrived.

Chris felt his heart plunge to his throat as he took in the sight. He heard JD gasp beside him and
Ezra’s ‘Dear Lord’ echo along with it.

“Lets get to work.” Larabee jumped from his horse, throwing his hat and jacket over the saddle
and then joined in the effort.

It was almost dark when the men uncovered what looked to be the entrance to a cave. Josiah was
the first to find the opening.

“Chris, I found something.” Sanchez doubled his efforts as he felt the leader begin to dig beside
him.

Nathan had forced JD to rest after he collapsed under the intense sun. The youth had protested
but finally relented when the healer pointed out he wouldn’t be much help once they found
Buck.

Ezra was pulling at some rocks near the left side of the cave when he felt the shift. “Its moving!”
Standish threw himself against the rock outcropping and waited for the debris to settle once
more. He glanced around him and was happy to see his friends’ had been able to get clear as
well. As he was about to start digging, he noticed a hole.

“I’ve broke through.” The gambler didn’t hide his joy as he began making the opening wider.

“Can you see anything, Ezra?” Larabee began pulling at the rocks alongside Standish.

“No, wait. I see..” The conman leaned his upper body inside the hole and almost yelled with joy
as his eyes fell on the forms of Buck and Vin. He slid back out and turned a dirty, sweat soaked
grin to the others. “They’re in there.”

Chris could feel his legs almost giveway, but fought the relief as he resumed excavating the
opening. “Lets get them outta there.”

Fifteen more minutes of digging finally rewarded them with a hole large enough to walk through.
The leader was the first inside. He made his way to the two men and dropped to his knees. He
placed one hand on Vin and the other on Buck, shutting his eyes when he felt the tell-tale
heartbeats under his palms.

“Thank God.” Larabee whispered a silent prayer of thanks, afraid his emotions would get the
better of him.

“Chris?” Wilmington’s hoarse whisper, caused the gunslinger to jerk his head to his oldest
friend.

“Yeah, Buck?”

The ladies man opened his tired eyes and fixed a famous Buck grin on his face. “What the hell
took ya so long?”

The two men began chuckling.

“Can’t a man get any rest around here.” Vin blinked slowly and had never felt as much joy as
when his eyes locked with his best friend. “Hey, cowboy.”

“Hey, yourself. Looks like you and me are gonna have to have a little talk.” Chris tried to put as
much anger in his voice as he could muster, but the relief of finding them alive was still coursing
through him.

“BUCK!!” Dunne ran past the others and fell to the floor near the gunslinger’s head. “You okay,
Buck?” The boy looked his friend up and down, revelling in the sight of him.

“I’ll be fine, kid, as soon as you all get this ton of rock off of me.”

“Rest assured, Mr. Wilmington, we are correcting that problem poste haste.” Ezra grinned down
at the two men.

“Good, I need to be around some noise. Vin just ain’t the best conversationalist.” The seven
chuckled at the brotherly banter before continuing their effort to extract the injured partners’.

***************

After an hour, they finally brought Buck out on a stretcher and put him in the back of the wagon
along with Vin. The two men looked like two lumps of rock, they had so much debris on them,
but to the rest of the seven, they looked heavenly.

Chris turned briefly from his best friend and faced James and Stratmore. “You boys wanna tell
me why the hell this happened?” His deadly tone brooked no argument.

“Seems we were both horn-swaggled by a man named Wedge Parker. He was causing all the
accidents to make us fight one another. I sent some of my men to hunt for him, but they had no
luck.” Stewart couldn’t seem to break the ice blue gaze.

“Oh, I wouldn’t worry about him. I’ll find him.” Larabee dropped his voice a couple of octaves.
“You two about done with this nonsense.”

Patrick nodded and then so did James. They had found out from these seven men that life was
more important than land or money.

“Good.” The leader turned from the men and back to his own. “You boys ready to go?”

“Only if it means getting the hell out of this desert.” Buck grumbled softly as Josiah jostled the
wagon.

“Hey Vin?” JD was staring at the starry sky.

“Yeah kid?” The tracker’s voice was still full of pain, but a little stronger.

“What kind of clouds are those?”

The seven glanced up to see what the youth was pointing at.

“Them’s rain clouds, JD.” Tanner smiled slowly as he heard the distant rumble of thunder.

***************

Epilogue: