We waited a couple of hours until we followed his trail. Though we were all experienced trackers and practically no skill was needed to follow his trail as Dragon was just as intelligent at hiding his tracks as ever. I think we somehow each knew that. Suzanne was the one that

placed a bet that she knew where our prey would be going to hide. Asking her just how she knew she said “maybe I’m psychic” Agreeing she might be more psycho than psychic we bet her a fin each. “Shelby is his destination” she said. Yeah right I thought why would he go back to where he was only too well known for his acts of bravery. He dared a man to hit him 3 times, at the third request The Big Galoot even said “OK” which was followed immediately with a swift left upper jab from the hip. I have never heard anything like it before. Dan broke the guys jaw and some bones in his face. To top the whole thing off Dragonqueen got arrested for instigating a fight and for being drunk on his tail. Gotta love that man!

To get back to my tale we followed him down the trail to Shelby where he first went to the livery stable. After he had gone over to the hotel we followed him to the stable. His horse looked all in and Whiskers gave the poor stud some of his dried peaches and grain. I told the stable worker to take extra good care of our horses including Dragons sad and apparently starving beast. Looking closely at the animal I noticed something strange about the brand. We couldn’t make out anything worth noting just that it was different from what lie beneath. Whiskers went in to the hotel alone to get us 2 rooms and also to find out which room our evil foe was in. Sue and I waited in the Pure Death Saloon while Whiskers did the necessary honors next door.

The Dragon wasn’t in the bar and we had a bottle of the good stuff and 3 glasses. Whiskers returned first and gave us some rather exciting news: Dragon is in room 9 and right next door to him is our two rooms. You won’t believe whose room is across the hall he said with his sly grin. Well who? Are you going to tell us or do we have to resort to Suzanne’s psychic abilities? “Kid Curry he blasted out, what do ya think a that? I said it’s a good thing Dragon doesn’t know the Kid’s in town! We couldn’t stop laughing and just held our sides. It seemed that funny and it certainly was contagious.

We ordered 3 steaks and settled in to enjoy ourselves. A few minutes after that a very big man walked in. He was at least 6’7” and looked as mean and lean as his eyes bloodshot eyes were pure meanness. We couldn’t help but start laughing and worked hard to be as silent as possible about it. I guess it didn’t work too well as we saw a lengthening shadow in the dim lights. “Now why don’t you 3 tell me just what is so damned funny”? Seeing Suzanne as the weakest link he gave a hard glance. “Now why don’t you let me know what it you’re laughing at“. “Why don’t I?” she snapped; Kid Curry then turned to me my being the smaller one at 5’8 “ and 175 pounds and repeated the same question with a much harder voice. I said we were laughing at a joke I had made. “Now why don’t you let me in on it“? Alright I said I joked that it would be funny if a certain person happened to insult another in the latter’s presence. “Who are they” I said Ike Clanton is always badmouthing Wyatt Earp and doesn’t know what the man looks like. Curry began laughing hysterically for a minute or so and then said “I know each of the gentlemen and appreciate the joke as I had heard something similar myself”. Having gained our curiosity we said “Now why don’t you tell us who the joke is on”? Again he had to stifle a laugh and said “I heard almost the same joke about a cowboy named The Dragon or something like that talking about a person he has never laid eyes upon”. Do you know the cowboys name? “Some joker named Sam Hyde, “say, isn’t he from around here somewhere”? Sticking out my hand I said yes he is very near at this moment. That is how we 3 became 4. Inviting him to join us he took a seat next to me and ordered another steak. While he was eating our friend came in and we all started cracking up.

Kid Curry is the meanest man I have ever known and the possessed an abundance or humor. He certainly could more than back up his reputation but he loved a joke or a prank as much as the rest of us, thank God for that as you will learn later. Looking at me expectantly he remained silent. I told him by way of explanation that we were having way too much fun just making the journey. He got into the spirit immediately and suggested I go bait the man. I explained to him my plan and made him give his solemn word that he would go along.

Sliding up to the bar drunkenly I began talking to myself gaining only a slight glance from my quarry. As planned Whiskers and Suzanne appeared to my right. I started hitting on her almost right away and I have to admit to being fairly belligerent. We listened as Dragon dug himself in deeper. I had a couple whiskeys and caught Curry’s eye not looking away. Our stare down lasted sufficiently long to get the attention of others which soon became unanimous. Silently he rose and moved to the center of the room as tables and chairs cleared quickly. He moved like lightning but I was faster. Acting defeated he pocketed his gun as I said “my friend you are lucky I am in a good mood”. I turned to the remaining customers and said “is anyone else feeling quick?”

As dead silence fell upon the room people began to leave including our slick friend.

© Sam Hyde

09-03-11

More later