Jimmy barely managed to leap out of harm’s way before his opponent fired. Before Jimmy could reach cover behind an old wagon, another bullet was fired, missing its target. In fact, the bullet didn’t even graze the wagon.
Jimmy, drew his other gun, hoping for a miracle. He got none. The other gun played the same cruel trick. Things were looking bad. His opponent was drawing near, looking to end the fight.
“Drop your gun!” Teaspoon ordered after arriving at the scene. The riders were with him, guns drawn.
“About time you got here,” Jimmy exclaimed. After his opponent’s gun had been confiscated, Jimmy left his shelter.
“What the hell did you think you were doing?” Teaspoon demanded of his prisoner. “You just don’t go shooting at people!”
“We was gunfightin’,” Cassidy threw back.
You cocky son of a... Before his friends could restrain him, Jimmy introduced his fist to the young man’s face, knocking him roughly to the ground. “Now we’re fist fightin’. Get up!”
“Jimmy!” Teaspoon scolded. “Let me handle this.”
Jimmy reluctantly agreed and stepped back from young man. He allowed the riders to haul the fame seeking boy off to jail. Once there, he had full intentions of interrogating the prisoner.
LATE EVENING, BACK AT THE STATION
After gathering in the bunk house, the express crew tried to put the recent puzzle together. Jimmy, because of the night’s excitement, no longer doubted his theory. Ty was their mysterious prankster. He was also the only one that could have removed all the bullets from Jimmy’s guns. But, to reinforce his suspicions, Jimmy told the riders his little secret.
While he was at Fort Laramie, he heard a man discussing pranks that were played on the citizens of Blue Creek. The man gave a brief description that matched Ty, and also announced the young fellow was run out of town.
“How come you never told anybody?” Teaspoon asked.
“There was no way to be sure,” Jimmy answered. “Figured I’d talk to him, maybe keep a real close eye on him.” He deeply regretted his actions. The trigger happy boy confessed to knowing Ty. He also stated that Ty encouraged him to go after Jimmy the night of the fair because there would be a big audience.
“What are we gonna do?” Lou asked, feeling responsible for all the trouble. She also felt guilty for accusing Kid of being a journal thief. To make up for it, Louise gently squeezed his hand, apologizing with her eyes. His gentle blue eyes accepted.
“I say we turn him over to that mob in Blue Creek,” Cody said.
“Sounds good to me,” Jimmy answered. “But, maybe we should give him to the folks of Sweetwater first?”
“Now boys, he deserves a fair trial,” Teaspoon announced. He silenced the rising protests by raising his hand. The riders knew the law would never be able to convict him of a crime worth more than a few days in jail. They wanted the prankster to suffer. “And we’re gonna give him one,” he told the boys with a mischievous grin. “It’s time this prankster got a taste of his own medicine.”
POLE CREEK, TWO DAYS LATER
The black horse that arrived at the station was a sight for sore eyes. So was his rider! Ty eagerly left his lounging place to greet Louise. The lady rider gave him a big, warm smile.
“What brings you here?” Ty asked.
“Just thought I’d check up on ya,” Louise admitted. And maybe shoot you while I’m here. “So, how have you been?”
“Not too bad,” he answered. That was a lie. He hated his home station. “Want me to take your horse?”
“Actually, I was hoping we could go off on our own,” Lou said. “Somewhere more private.”
“Give me a few minutes to saddle up,” Ty insisted. He ran for the barn, eager to spend some time alone with Lou. He had won out! The other gents couldn’t with stand the competition.
Hurry Ty. We wouldn’t want to keep the others waiting. She couldn’t wait to spring their trap on the unsuspecting prankster. ~*~*~
Louise had guided Ty to a beautiful pond, less than a mile from his home station. The prankster had enjoyed the journey, happy to be in her company. Mostly, they conversed about casual things like the weather.
“It’s real pretty here,” Ty declared. He dismounted only after Lou did. “Kind of romantic.”
“Uh huh,” Louise said, drawing closer to her companion. “That’s why I picked this spot.” She began lightly tracing her fingers along his chest. “Now that we’re here, I think there is something you should know.”
“What’s that?” Ty asked as butterflies dancing within him. She smiled, before unhooking his gunbelt. The item fell to the floor, but that didn’t bother Ty.
“We’re not alone,” she whispered.
“What?” Ty asked in confusion. His mind was on other things besides words.
“She said you’re not alone,” Kid answered.
After spotting the riders surrounding him, Ty realized he had been tricked. Their guns were drawn, looking for an excuse to shoot him. He would give them none. The silver badges pinned to their coats would make his execution all too legal.
“You’re under arrest,” Jimmy announced before slapping the iron cuffs around his wrists. “It’s time to pay for your crimes.”
BACK AT THE SWEETWATER STATION
Instead of taking Ty to the town’s jail, the riders brought him back to the station. Their actions gave little comfort to the restrained man. He was immediately locked in a windowless room for the night, while a guard kept watch outside the door.
But hey, he didn’t have to worry. Marshal Hunter promised him a fair trial. Nothing bad would happen to him. Right?
LET THE TRIAL BEGIN!
The Next Day, Mid Afternoon....
The house’s biggest room was all ready for the trial. Three tables occupied the room. One for the defense, one for the prosecution, and one for the judge. There was also plenty of chairs for the witnesses and jurors.
Each rider had an assigned role. Jurors: Noah, Buck, Ike, Rachel, and Teaspoon. Ty’s defense lawyer was none other than William F. Cody. The prosecuting attorney was James Butler Hickok, while Louise was given the task of swearing in the witnesses. And Kid well....
“All rise,” Lou ordered of the room’s inhabitants. “The honorable Judge Kid is presiding.” After Kid took his position, Lou directed the group to be seated.
“This doesn’t look good,” Cody admitted to Ty, who’s hands were still handcuffed.
“Ty Morales, you have been accused of robbery, theft, and attempted murder. The penalty for such crimes is death,” Kid explained to the accused man. “Let his execution- uh, I mean fair trial- begin.”
“This really doesn’t look good,” Cody whispered. A sinking feeling began to consume Ty. Fair? How can this possible be fair? They all have it in for me!
“Please call the first witness,” Kid ordered. He was loving the nervous look plastered over the prankster’s face. He wanted Ty to suffer!
“The court orders me to the stand,” Lou said. She took her place in the designated witness chair.
“Louise!” Ty cried in protest. She responded with her friendliest smile and a wave. Oh, now I feel soooo much better. Thanks Louise. “This trial is a mockery of-”
“One more outburst, and I’ll find you in contempt of court!” Kid warned, pounding the table several times with an old hammer.
“Sorry your honor,” Cody said in his client’s behalf. “Don’t do that again,” he scolded a fretting Ty.
Lou placed her left hand on the bible and proclaimed, “I swear to tell the truth and nothing but, so help-”
“Objection!” Cody called from across the court room. All eyes turned to him. “The witness is swearing in with the wrong hand!”
Buck, Noah, and Ike muzzled their laughter as they watched from the juror section. Their fellow bunk mate was playing the lawyer role for all its worth. Unfortunately, Louise didn’t appreciate the interruption. She glared at the defense team.
“Over ruled,” Kid announced after briefly debating the situation. Cody just rolled his eyes. “Prosecution’s witness.”
Jimmy left his table to stand beside the witness. “Miss McCloud, you first met the accused in Blue Creek, is that correct?”
“It is,” Louise answered. “He was in an awful hurry to leave.” If only she had known about the mob after Ty. She would have gladly returned him to their angry clutches.
“And didn’t he attempt to steal your horse?” Jimmy interrogated.
“Objection,” Cody yelled before the witness could answer. “My client was merely attempting to hitch a ride.”
“Over ruled!” Kid answered, pounding the table again. He was really liking this judge thing. “Answer the question.”
“He did,” the witness answered.
“Thank you,” Jimmy said. “Your witness,” he announced to Cody on his way back to his seat. Ty eyed him nervously across the room. You’re lucky the others won out. I wanted to shoot you. It would’ve have been a lot easier, and a lot less time consuming. Still, seeing you squirm’s almost as rewarding.
“Miss McCloud,” Cody called from behind the defense table. “Did you or did you not willing give Ty a ride to Sweetwater?” His question gave his client hope. Well until Hickok’s voice rang out.
“Objection your honor,” the gunfighter cried. “That knowledge is irrelevant since he originally planned on stealing the horse.”
“Sustained!” Kid declared. Yep, he could really get use to this. Maybe I should considering judging for a living? I’m a fair, reasonable man. Well, usually! Watching the defendant sweat profusely was enjoyable.
Cody buried his face in his hands. “Defense has no further questions!”
Before leaving the stand, Louise announce the next witness. As Cody left the defense table to be sworn in, a horrified look crossed Ty’s face. His reaction made the jurors as well as the judge fight to disguise their amusement.
“This has got to be a joke!” Ty exclaimed nervously.
“Enforcing the law is no laughing matter,” Kid scolded. “Now be silent.”
Lou held the bible up to the witness. “You know what to do,” she said as Cody took the oath.
“Mr. Cody, have you been wronged by your client?” Jimmy asked.
“I believe so,” Cody answered. “Everyone at the station has fell victim to his dangerous pranks.”
“Objection!” Ty cried. “My lawyer can’t testify against me!” Can he? This is unconstitutional! “Besides there is no proof linking me to these crimes!”
“Well, that’s what’s so great about our little trial,” Lou called from across the room. “We don’t need proof, only speculation.” Ty continued to sport a horrified look. Oh what’s the matter? Does your own medicine taste a little bitter?
“No further questions,” the prosecuting attorney declared. “Your witness.”
“The defense has no questions,” Cody answered on his way back to his seat. “The witness’ credibility cannot be challenged. He’s obviously perfect!” Confusion surfaced over Cody’s face as groans rose from the stands. What?
Now it was time for a new witness. “The court would like to call Ty to the stand,” Lou said.
“Not on your life!” Ty hollered back. They can’t make me testify against myself. I won’t do it! “This trial is unjust!”
The room fell silent as all eyes focused on Ty. The accused was growing out of control. Finally, the judge took pity on him.
“Since the trial isn’t to your satisfaction, we’ll end it,” Kid stated to the young man. A mischievous smile crept into his eyes as he asked, “Jurors, have you reached a verdict?”
“We have,” Buck announced. “We find the defendant-”
“Wait!” Ty cried desperately. “I’ll admit, I pulled a few harmless pranks but -”
“You call removing bullets from my gun and then sending a man to kill me a harmless prank?” Jimmy questioned angrily. Ty had a lot of nerve!
“You were never in danger,” Ty shot back. “Cassidy’s gun was full of blanks- like the theater uses!”
“And you know that for a fact?” Jimmy interrogated.
“Put ‘em there myself,” Ty informed the group. “Check his gun!” Ty had used the same trick he played on Jimmy to do it.
Surprisingly, none of the riders had noticed him trailing them to town that eventful day. He arrived just slightly after twelve o’clock, and immediately met up with Cassidy. After the fame seeking boy finished cleaning and loading his weapon for the big show down later, Ty offered to take him to lunch. His plan fell into action moments later. Once Cassidy was soundly snoozing, the bullets were switched, and Ty high- tailed it back to the station to greet Jimmy. Just goes to show, you shouldn’t always accept food and drink from those you know. “I’m not a killer!”
“You were still taking an awful chance somethin’ could’ve gone wrong,” Kid pointed out. The others quickly agreed. The glances exchanged proved one thing. Ty still deserved to be punished. “The verdict please.”
“Guilty!” The jurors declared with their voices blending in perfect harmony.
“Then it’s settled,” Kid announced. “You’ll hang at dawn.”
“Nooo!” Ty hollered as strong hands grabbed him, dragging him back to his cell. “You can’t do this!” No one listened. He was being forced back to his prison to await death.
Ty’s Cell, Midnight....
Why haven’t I learned? After all the lynch mobs that have chased me down, threatening to end my life, why haven’t I learned? Ty cursed his foolish behavior hour after excruciating hour. A little voice answered him every time, mocking him. Because you’re cocky. You think you can pull anything off. Usually, you can. How he wanted it to shut up! But, it wouldn’t. You just had to play one more prank! Did you really think it wouldn’t lead them to you? You’ve gotten sloppy in your older years.
A loud thud along with a groan saved him from his torturous inner voice. A light could be seen shining from outside the door, where the guard should have been. He could hear the key sliding into the lock, forcing the door open. His guest wandered quickly inside.
“Louise? What are you doing here?” Ty asked before she could silence him.
“I’m gonna get you outta here,” she said. Immediately Louise freed him from the restraining cuffs.
“Why are you doing this?” The prankster inquired. Earlier she had seemed intent on punishing him just like the others.
“Ty, the things you did were wrong,” Louise stated firmly. “But, they ain’t worth dying over.” She grabbed his hand and lead him out of his cell.
One the way out, Ty spied Buck unconscious on the floor. Louise was taking a big chance for him. That had him worried. “Wait,” he said, stopping dead in his tracks. “I can’t let you do this. When they find out you helped me-”
“They won’t hurt me Ty,” Louise assured him. “But they will hurt you, and I won’t be able to stop them, now come on!”
Luckily, he submitted and allowed her to guide him to the barn. Inside the barn, a horse was already saddled for the escapee. The spirited filly, Prairie Fire, waited for her rider with tested patience.
“I can’t ride her!” Ty declared. He had tasted more dirt than he cared to by working with the filly.
“She’s real fast,” Lou told him. “Besides, I think she kinda likes you.”
“Prairie Fire doesn’t like me any more than I like her,” Ty exclaimed. “I’d prefer a slower, gentler horse.”
Louise rolled her eyes, but complied. “Fine, take the horse you came on.”
“Much obliged,” Ty declared, immediately fetching the horse. As he saddled his new mount, Louise unsaddled Prairie Fire.
“Oh just one thing,” Lou said as he tightened the cinch. “I need twenty-five dollars for the horse.”
“What?” Ty cried. He spun around in surprise.
“Otherwise it would stealing!” Louise pointed out. “Come on! I know the company gave you up front pay for signing on!”
“I spent some of it already,” Ty informed her. At Lou’s unhappy glare he stated, “I only got fifteen.” That was a lie. He had twenty.
“Guess that’ll have to do,” she answered, retrieving the money. She held the horse while Ty mounted up. “Stay out of trouble!” She warned.
“Believe me, I’ve learned my lesson,” he confessed. Wisely, he planned on riding hard the next couple of days. If the boys ever caught up with him, he’d meet the end of a rope for sure! Maybe it was time to change his prankster ways. Before riding off he stated, “Thanks Louise. I owe you!”
“Good-bye trouble!” Louise called as a naughty smile surfaced. It was time to report back to the others. They were eagerly waiting in the bunk house to hear how their scheme went. Smooth as silk! They had tricked the prankster right out of their lives. Hopefully their trickery would reform the Prince of Pranks! Hopefully!
