Busted Gulch vol 7

The Reckoning (3) lyttlejoe

The Reckoning (3)

The BG train chugged through the night

He reread the wire that had given him fright

After all this time how could it be

This was the last thing he wanted to see

So long ago, so many years

He figured time had erased his fears

Instead the time was used to fester

And had poisoned Hunter's brother, Chester

The fault was his, he spawned the greed

By revealing the existence of Alistair's deed

The trouble began with the death of Lean

Hunter's greed had made him mean

But his dastardly deed was seen by Raven

So he fled the town to find a haven

With rage controlled 3Gun followed

The death of his friend had left him hollowed

They met, they fought and both were hurt

But the Sheriff left him in the dirt

The engine slowed with a burst of steam

The memories vanished like a dream

He left his seat, reached the door and jumped down

Then hurried to find the Sheriff in town

3Gun had listened the memories returned

from a place inside his heart that burned

He knew his friend's tale was true

and he knew there was just one thing to do

3Gun tugged his hat and cleared his mind

then stepped outside only to find

instead of waiting in the street

the stranger was seated at his feet

'Pull up a step and join me, Sheriff.'

He chose the rail instead watching for mischief

'The boy inside said you wanted to talk.'

'I do- then can we take a walk?'

'How about you just state your piece.'

The stranger's face began to crease

'You know who I am and why I'm here?'

'Hunter Kanga's brother Chester, I hear.'

'

So you know we've got some business then.'

'If you say so - just say when.'

'Tomorrow's the anniversary of Hunter's death,

the day he took his final breath.'

'There's another date we remember well.

The day our friend Lean Copper Clover fell.

So if tomorrow is gonna do it for you,

say when and where and we'll see it through.'

'Just so you know, it ain't just you

it's that friend of yours inside there too.

Tell him after you and I are done

he won't have no place left to run.'

'You just name the time and place.

'Til then I don't wanna see your face.'

'Fine, by the graveside of your friend,

at dawn I'll get to see this end.'