If it had not been for the green of the pines along the high ridge, the smoke never would have been seen against the snow covered mountains or the grey sky. It danced among the trees undecided, as gusts of wind swept down the pristine slopes. Teddy Wink took his rifle from the seat beside him and urged his mules up the difficult incline.
He looked with dismay at the smouldering remains of the trapper's cabin; the refuge and the business he had been anticipating on his long trek. The stone chimney stood like a blackened sentinel over the charred beams, and the roof had collapsed, leaning tiredly against the inside of the remaining wall.
Teddy climbed down from his wagon, looked carefully around the trees and trudged through the snow to the cabin. There were indents, almost refilled by the swirling snow, and he saw where they vanished toward the trees; two maybe three sets. He walked to the edge of the burned cabin and kicked at some of the debris. An involuntary grunt left his throat and he backed away quickly at the sight of what he had uncovered.
In the dense stand of pines Teddy hastily rigged a shelter from the canvass cover on his wagon, stoked his little fire and cooked the last of the rabbit from his pack. The mules were hobbled behind the wagon, fed, watered and resigned to a night of wind and cold. He swore aloud, burning his tongue on the hot coffee while he tried to decide his next moves.
The next cabin he knew about was several days away and staying in the high country without shelter was a fool's game. He would have to head down to the valley and make his way to Dog Flats, the nearest town. He dumped the rest of his coffee, built up the fire and climbed into his wagon. Settling down among his sale items and the lean harvest of pelts that he would need to get top dollar for if he was going to eat regularly. Teddy thought of the body in the ashes of the cabin.
***********
Dog Flats. A gut-sucking view of just how limited ambition could be. A rutted, puddle-filled street of mud flanked by filthy tent structures, some with actual board floors. Crude signs indicated the various services, none of which were remotely aimed at progress or development. Teddy steered his team to a space in front of what looked like it might be a jail, one of about three wooden buildings he could see, and picked his way through the muck to the front of the structure.
The tired looking older man looked from the desk and asked Teddy his name and business, learning about the trapper's cabin fire and the body in the ashes. Teddy told him about the tracks and how long ago he had seen them and suggested the sheriff post a notice so folks heading that way wouldn't be expecting shelter. The sheriff stood up and went with Teddy to the door, asking if there was anything else he wanted. Teddy told him he had goods in his wagon the sheriff might be interested in and noted the bullet crease on the tarnished star.
With no reaction to his offer, he asked about a place to stay and the sheriff told him about some rooms in the back of the saloon that might be cheaper than the hotel. Teddy thanked him and they walked outside together.
************
Lee Tyler stood the laundry basket by the back door, grabbed her shawl and handbag and started down the path to the road. Her father called from the house, asking where she was going and Lee told him she was going to the general store to see the new delivery of materials. She stopped and listened to her father complain about frittering away money and how she was to stay clear of 'that Gyro boy'. She objected, defending him as being polite and nice but her father told her that there were no nice boys named 3Gun.
Lee didn't know why folks were so mean about 3Gun. His pa was the sheriff and he'd always been real nice to her, even picked flowers for her once. He was a little wild but he didn't have a ma and his pa didn't have much truck with him either. She stepped up onto the boards that served as a sidewalk over the mud puddles and walked along, arms waving slightly for balance.
The voice surprised her even though she knew right away who it was, and she smiled brightly as 3Gun came from behind the covered wagon in front of the sheriff's office, returning the smile. He asked where she was going and she told him about the new arrival of material at Gibbon's general store. He said he wanted to get a lock box for his valuables so he helped her up onto the solid walk in front of the buildings and strolled with her. When she teased about him being so wealthy he needed a lock box, he told her that all wealth wasn't money and there were plenty of valuables needing protection.
Gibbon's store was fastened to the hotel building and in turn, the saloon and as they reached the door a man came up behind 3Gun and introduced himself, admitting he heard 3Gun's mention of a lock box. He told them he was the owner and operator of the only traveling store between Dry Wells and Rickety and that he did indeed have a lock box with nice big brass key. 3Gun told him to hang on as he opened the door for Lee. Just then shots were fired and three men came out of the saloon, one turning and firing his gun back through the swinging door. He pushed Lee inside and told her to get down and stay down while he and Teddy dropped down on their stomachs as more bullets flew.
A rough voice hollered from beside the wagon and the two men peered back to see the sheriff striding through the mud toward the ruckus. 3Gun watched the man he called father, holler at the men as he drew his gun. They all turned toward him and began firing. Calmly, he returned the fire and two of the men dropped where they were, the third grabbed an arm and dashed behind the saloon firing back as he did.
The window glass exploded above them and a scream echoed from inside. He ran inside and saw Lee collapsed against the counter, blood soaking into the neck of her pink dress. 3Gun lowered her to the floor and wiped a hand over her brow, yelling at the store owner to get the doctor. Gibbons refused to go out in the street while the shooting was going on. 3Gun grabbed a bolt of new material and placed it under Lee's head then stood and started out the door.
Teddy stopped him and told him to stay with the girl, he would get the doctor. He splashed through the mud to the doc's tent, shouting all the way, and not waiting to explain, dragged the man back across to the store, shoved him inside and told him to get busy looking after the girl. Gibbons was complaining about his new material getting covered in Lee's blood but he was ignored as 3Gun cradled Lee in his arms and mumbled assurances into her glazing eyes.
Through the shattered window he could see the sheriff swinging up onto the saddle of his horse and spurring the animal up the middle of the street, muddy water splashing in all directions.
That day was the last time 3Gun saw his father, Winston 'Quick Draw' Gyro.
