The Book of Common

Savannah

Norm was a feeling real good by Savannah, lan
sakes he was a ball fire. I am tellin ya. We checked
in told to wait a day or two. Gots a room in the
Savannah Inn. They told us may have a special
job for us. Cap said further south and west.

That peeked my ears, sounds rather ominous to me. Well said they'd send word in the morning.
Norm said they have games of chance here,
smile like when we first met. Norm was a feelin better. Don't care much for games of chance,
told Norm have fun I was goin to eat and rest.
Maybe an ale or corn whisky later.

Next mornin they sent word, we are to head
out to Valadosta Bama way. Several Rangers killed
think we may have a few rouge Rangers about.
Sad man swore to up hold the Law and protect the
people start killin they own. Bad part we won't know who is good nor Bad. Be least four or five of
us lookin into it.

Makes me worry some Norm said hey Common
we'll figure out who is who. I'll know always do.
Ya know he is right, knows most of the time.
Think he has what some call the Feelin knows
what's a happen. Like he just senses it.

We gets to Valadosta we the first to arrive, five
dead Rangers all killed two on the same day the
other three day apart. Norm says any strangers in
town sense the killin began? The Constable nope
none I've seen, could be in town though after ten
at night, town pretty much shuts down.

Only one Saloon in town, live next door to it.
I goes to sleep about ten. Any trouble they fetch
me. Norm says fine thank you Constable, oh how they killed saber knife gun?

Ranger saber and gun, four with a gun last a saber
or large knife. Norm nodded, did you check for a camp near town? Yes couldn't find any, lot empty
houses and farms out that way. Can't get them all.
Stay close to town. Norm smiled me and Common
can do that. Just put them  on a map we'll check them.

Well he did, Norm and I rode out just outside of town we stopped. Norm looked at the map said
you know Common only need to stop at one place.
I know where they are, three of them Common.
Think we plan this out right, get all three.

I said Norm just how do you know? Trying to get
him to fess up to having the feelin.

Common damn it all, you know for a fact I know
things. Most of the time I am right. That is what Norm said. I say Norm I know that won't mention
it any more, so what's the plan Norm.

Common I won't know that till I see the place.
Well I shook my head, what ever you say.

We gets on this hill side place just below. Almost dark mind ya. See smoke a rising out the chimney
window lit up with a lamp or candle.

Well I'm waiting on this plan to come into play.

Finally Norm says shit, Common I don't know can't
Feel a thing. Guess we just go down giver hell.

What! I says go down giver hell? What kinda blame plan is that? Common he says it a work
trust me, follow my lead.

Well we gets close Norm starts to singing, like a bridge over troubled waters. Slurring his voice.
Well I follow a long, he reaches back in his saddle
bag. Pulls out some corn licker,now that's how its
spelled on the bottle mind ya. Sorry on track
again. He takes a swig passes it to me I take one.
Norm drinks the poorest tastin whisky, lan sake
I about toss my innards. Think that helped though
with this plan, made me seem more drunk.

Well now ifin you don't believe me, just to blame
bad. Those three came out not ready for a fight
one bit. Norm says Common that bott bottle pleaseees. I hands it back, Norm says well how ya
doin y'all. That feller on the horse nec ta me is
Common. Wesa here to ses hel lo. Norm took a drink.

I am um a Norm, I noticed Norm was moving for
his pistol real slow and awkward like. I did the same. Na-n-now, bam, bam Norm done shot two of them I didn't even clear leather.

The third threw up his hands, hey I'm unarmed
don't shoot! Well thought it was a he, hat pulled
down couldn't tell. Dear no I thought Tam that
you? I says. No you fool she replied. Rangers I
Know the Law, I prefer to be hung as shot.

If it matters my name is Anna Talan. Ex Ranger
wanted in four Lands for murder and theft.
Rape also, that one I contest he was a full growed
man. He wanted me, I'll not have that charge against me.

Norm looks at me, says Common shoot her or hang
her? Well I know I said drownin was harsh, well
this one, wanted in four Lands. Murder theft possibly rape. I said ain't they a nice deep pound
back in town. She shouted drownin no don't.
Shoot me I'll not die that way. 

Don't like hangin either might cruel ifin it ain't done right. So I blew her head off. Well just a part
of it. Damn might nasty that was. Norm said
you could of just hung her.

Norm I says we didn't get it right she just choke
to death or pull her head plum off. Figured that
way was cleaner and faster. Norm said faster not
cleaner. I didn't smile nor laugh, he knew what I meant. Well next time, I don't know what ever comes to mind.