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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2949969" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter Fifty-four, “Looking out for a pair of young men”, Tuesday, May 30th, 1882, 12:30 P.M.After finishing her lunch runs Ginnie heads back to the school. She pulls Kate aside "Ma'am Kate the word is that Adair is sentenced to three years and the non-humans are pulling their money out of the bank that voted no for the nonhuman vote and putting it in the one where the head clerk voted yes and they are making no small voice about that being why they are changing."Kate says, "Three years?  Judge Isby didn't give him the option of a fine I take it, and he usually does.  This is wonderful news, Ginnie.  He deserves every day. There's no hint of a run on the bank, is there?  That's always a danger when so many make the change at once.  It could get ugly if the Condons run out of ready cash."Kate cleaned up the dishes from their lunch as she talked to Ginnie about Adair.  She returned to teaching humming a bit under her breath.  This afternoon would start with history with some of the older students, a subject that she was well versed in.  The children's faces were all fresh and revived after their lunches and Kate smiled as they jumped back in."If we are going to employee half the town we will need to expand again."  Jake replies deadpan after hearing that Job plans to hire on his cousin.   Job is a bit startled by his reply but before he can respond Jake smirks, "Only joshing with you partner.  I am sure we have a spot for Alison.  I think we could use an extra hand at the doors right now.  Jeff's been working himself thin with the Fire Marshall duties.  Big Thom may look menacing enough but he only has half a brain, maybe less.  Do you think she could help out there?  I am not sure that a woman will be imposing enough, but she has Thom to back her up."Jake sees Stanley and Helen Barker enter the room.  Jake's gaze wonders over to Helen Barker,   "Fine Job, we’ll try out your cousin, although most women would not be imposing enough."  Job replies, "You must not be remembering Alison very well.  She can be as tough as any two guys combined."  Jake replies,  "No, I do not really know her.  I will take your word for it, you have taken mine plenty of times."The Barkers wave to the men at the table and then walk across the room and take a seat at a far table.  Minerva, Nakomo, Burt and Senor Kilgore enter the Lucky Lady and make their way to the back of the room where the Barker's are seated.  "Buenas Dias" Minerva says and makes introductions all around "But of course, Deputy Barker and Nakomo have already met.." They all take their seats and Minerva takes it upon herself to order lunch for all of them.Priestess Minerva can already sense that Stanley Barker is beaming with delight so it comes to no surprise when Helen says to young Burt "Well young man, you are welcome to spend the summer with us if that is your desire."    He replies, "It is Ma'am, I will not be any trouble."   Stanley says, "I am sure that you will not.   You'll have to sleep on the couch, but it's rather comfortable.  Helen's cousin George spent a week there in March and had no trouble."   Burt says, "That would be fine, my brother Tad and I slept in worse when my folks first had us."Minerva is also beaming knowing that not only will Burt's life be enriched, but the Barker's lives also. She makes her way around the table and  hugs both the Barkers. "The gods will surely bless  such generosity! And Burt seems like a fine young man. I am sure that you will all have a wonderful summer! " The group eats lunch and chats about their plans for the summer.When the meal has ended Minerva excuses herself. She stands crouches down to hug Burt. "I am pleased for you, Burt. The Barker's are good people. I am hoping that you will visit Nakomo and me also while you are here. She straightens back up and shake's hands all around. "If you will excuse me, I must speak to Senor Jake." She motions for Nakomo to follow her and makes her way over to the group of men sitting around the table.  "Buenas Dias, Gentlemen. If it is not an imposition I would like to speak to Sr. Jake for a moment."Jake rises, "I will see you gentlemen later."  He follows the Spanish priestess and her charge to the other side of the room. "Senor Jake," she says moving her hand towards the boy, "This is Nakomo.  He is the cousin of Nanuet."  Jake offers the boy a handshake, "My pleasure." "Nanuet has gone away to speak with his tribe and left Nakomo in my care.  I was -"  "Nanuet is gone?" Jake interrupts. Minerva answers, "Yes, but do not worry yourself Senor.  We can discuss that later.  Por favor, would you accompany Nakomo and me this afternoon?  I would like you to see how the young man handles a gun and perhaps offer some wisdom and training in its use?" She gives him a disarming smile. "For Nanuet's cousin?  Certainly, it is the least that I could do."  Jake scratches the stubbly side of his face and looks around.  "Scrounge up some food from the kitchen that we can take with us and we will ride out.  I will gather my gear and meet you at the El Parador.  My horse is stabled there."Over at the Marshall’s Office Chester says to Marshall Berg. "So any idea on who's going to replace you? Even with Adair in jail, he can still pull strings.   Berg replies, "Well I know that Colin Hunter is running but he's way too close to Adair and Fisk for my liking.   Many folks would never accept Eduardo too, making him Marshall would be a death sentence for him.   I'm sure that Helen wouldn't mind but quite frankly I question whether she's mentally stable enough for the job."   He pauses and then continues, "Honestly Chet, I don't believe for one minute that her shot that took down Nick Karp was an accident, she doesn't make mistakes like that at a ten-foot range.  That's why I had Attorney Upton do all of the talking for us yesterday against Adair's charges instead of either myself or Helen testifying, I didn't want either of us to have to discuss that.    So I guess that of the five of us that leaves both Neal Cassidy and you to think about running for it.   I would support either one of you."Chester stares at Berg in surprise. "Me? But, I haven't worn the badge for long. I don't know if I can do the job." Berg laughs. "You forget that I wasn't a lawman at all when the Committee gave me the job. Either one of you could do the job, but Neil also has his lumberyard to mind." "Well, Mitch, if you believe I can do it, then I'll throw my hat in the ring. It's a big jump from Deputy to being the boss. By the way, is Helen going to be able to continue being a deputy? Sounds like you have some doubts."Berg replies, "That's not my decision, it will be up to the new Marshall, neither her or Neil have any type of time frame set so could be dismissed at any point.   For that matter, the 90-day terms that you and Eddie were voted to will be ending just a few days after this election, so the new Marshall could choose to let the both of you go too at that point." Chester says, "Even more reason to run. I don't like the idea of Adair putting his flunkies in here. I'm not too sure about having Vigilance Committee people either. Eduardo and Helen wearing badges is a powerful symbol. It'd be a shame to sweep them out for people who don't have the town's best interests at heart. Will the next Marshall have full hiring and firing power? Or will the deputies still be picked by the Association?"Berg replies, "I believe that the way the State Charter outlines Incorporated Towns, the Marshall will have full discretion to hire and fire although he would have to go before the Town Council to get final approval."    Chester nods. "Sounds like it'll be hard to put deputies in place without the Marshall's say-so. That's good to hear. Is there some sort of paperwork to file to run?"  Berg says, "First things first, until they reach agreement on who can vote and run for office nobody can sign up.   According to Isby that will then begin a five-day voter registration period followed by a five day candidate and party registration period.   So there's plenty of time to get to that.  To form a political party you need at least two candidates running for office so if you can think of somebody you'd like to run with for Mayor or one of the Councilman slots you may want to go that route." "Hmm. I'll need to ask around to see who's interested. Thanks, Mitch. I'll see you tonight."   "Bye Chet. Get some rest." He replies, "Will do." Jake gathers his weapons, extra rounds for target practice and three bottles of whiskey.  He meets Minerva and Nakomo at the El Parador.  They mount up and head out towards the desert on the other side of the hill away from Promise City.  Jake gives the reins to Nakomo and instructs the boy to hobble the horses, "I'll lay out the weapons." Minerva watches the two with interest.  Although he seems much older, when the troubles of the world are not weighing heavily upon him Jake Cook looks to be the young man of his years.  There cannot be more than five or six years between them, she thinks, and yet there is no innocence left about him and so much still of that innocence that radiates from Nakomo. Jake has laid out three rifles; a Swiss Vetterli rifle that Minerva does not recognize, a Spencer Carbine and a Remington-Whitman 10 Gauge double-barrel shotgun.  Jake has two gun belts strapped about his waist and a third pistol in his hands.  He has deposited several small piles of rounds on a rock.   When the young half Indian finishes Jake says to him, "Have you ever fired a pistol?" "No sir," Nakomo answers timidly.   "My name is Jake," he replies rather forcefully.  "My father was sir."  Minerva, cringes when Nakomo draws back at Jake's harsh tone, but instead of intervening she backs off a few steps out of Nakomo's line of sight.  "The boy must learn for himself that we mean him no harm."Jake offers the gun to him, held by the barrel.  "If you are going to shoot it, you are also going to load it and clean it."  Nakomo accepts the weapon that Minerva can see is a Colt Peacemaker, but not one of Jakes weapons.  While Jake shows the boy how to load the weapon he tells him, "This gun was owned by a man who had a strong faith and dedicated his life to the hunting down and desecration of evil.  Treat it with dignity today."  Jake glances at Minerva but continues to speak to Nakomo.  "I will leave it up to the priestess here if she wants you to take this weapon as your own."Puzzled, Minerva looks closely at the colt peace maker and wonders who the gun's previous owner could be.  She thinks back to their horrific experience in Thomaswell and wonders if it could belong to Nolan Edwards.  Not wanting to interrupt, she makes a note to herself to ask Jake about it later.Jake makes no attempt to coddle Nakomo or take the loaded weapon from the boy.  "Never draw a weapon on a man unless you are willing to kill him.  Once you have a gun pointed at someone, they believe you would kill them.  It changes everything.  Always talk or walk away if you can.  Once you point a weapon at a man, you can only be sure that he will try to kill you before you kill him if he has the chance."  He spends a few minutes showing the boy how to rotate the cylinder, pull back the hammer and how to properly pull the trigger. "No trick shooting Nakomo.  No disarming, no wounding, no warning shots should be fired.  If you decide to shoot you shoot to kill.  You shoot to hit a man square in the chest, right in the heart."  Jake points at a large saguaro cactus.  "Imagine that to be a man who means you harm."  Jake watches the expression on the boys face before he cross draws his own long barreled Colt, the one Ruby recently gave him for his birthday. "Draw your weapon, pull back the hammer, aim at the center of your opponent and squeeze the trigger like," Jake almost chuckles to himself at what he was going to say not being sure that the boy has ever had a lover, "...like a delicate flower." With a loud bang, the boys weapon fires but there is no mark on the cactus.  The boy seems a bit surprised at the recoil.   "Pull back that hammer again, now."  Jake says in a commanding tone.  Then quickly he adds, "That man is going to shoot the priestess!" A second round explodes from the revolver in the boy's hand and a bit of the cactus flies off from the rear where his shot exits.  "Much better," Jake says to him.Minerva laughs in delight and steps forward. "You are a quick study, Nakomo. It would appear that I need not worry with you to guard my back." "I.. I.. I ..told my cousin that I would take care of you, pries.. Senorita Minerva." the red faced boy stutters. She pats him on the shoulder which causes him to flinch. She leaves her hand there for a moment to accustom him to her touch and then gently lifts his face so that he is forced to make eye contact with her.” I, and you are doing a fine job of it." she reaches over to the rock and picks up an old battered rifle.  Now I would like you to try my rifle. It will have a greater range than the pistol." she caresses the stock before handing it to him. "This too is a very special gun. It was my papa's." "Sr. Jake, since you are giving the lessons today. I will let you take over from here." she turns and strides  into the background where she can observe the interaction without distracting them. Jake is speaking animatedly pointing out the various parts of the rifle and how they operate. Nakomo pays close attention absorbing Jakes every word. Minerva watches as the boy's fear melts off his shoulders and his posture straightens and relaxes.Jake walks to his horse and takes a long drink from his water skin.  The late spring Arizona sun is warm.  "Minerva, this would be a good time for some of that food.  I have not really eaten today."  Jake then proceeds to remove the three whiskey bottles from his saddle bags.  He hands the two empty ones to Nakomo, instructing him to walk out fifty or so feet and place them securely in the branches of a mesquite tree.  Jake takes a drink from the third bottle and places it on a nearby rock, "Minerva, help yourself if you are so inclined."   "Gracias, It is a mite hot out here," she says with a grin as she picks up the bottle and takes a swig.He lets Nakomo use the old single shot hunting rifle a number of times and eventually the boy cracks one of the bottles.  Jake then lets him try the Spencer and finally the shotgun, while Jake practices with the Vetterli.  Satisfied that he at least has some basic skill with all three, they go back to the pistol.  After firing and reloading the Colt a couple of times Nakomo says,” Sir?" Jake gives him a scowl and the boy stammers, "Er, Mr. Jake I mean... should I not have a holster for this gun as well?"  Jake then points to a mound of prickly pear cactus fifteen feet away that is still covered with spring blooms.  "See that highest piece of cactus with the pink flower on it?"  The boy nods yes.  "Pull the hammer back on that gun and shoot it before I do." Nakomo quickly points his pistol towards the target but before he can pull the trigger he is startled by three rapid eruptions from his right.  His own shot misses.  He only sees Jake holstering his weapon, he did not even see him draw it.  There is one hole nearly perfect in the center of the cactus leaf and two chunks missing from the edge. "Nakomo," Jake says in a soothing tone, "with some folks around Promise City just looking for an excuse to shoot anyone not like they are, you walking round showing a side arm is just asking to be shot.  Somebody would trick you to draw it, and you would be dead before it cleared the leather.  Best if you are not seen carrying a gun.  If the Priestess wants you to have a holster to hold a pistol when you are riding that is up to her." Wide eyed Nakomo spits out, "Sir... er, Mr. Jake, you must be the fastest man with a gun anywhere!" Jake gets a good laugh out of that.  "Not hardly, Nakomo.  Just fast enough to keep most folks from wanting to test me.  If I was, and I am NOT, I would not wish to be known as such.  That kind of notoriety is just asking for a challenge.  I already have plenty of trouble without that kind.  There are many hours of practice needed before you should dare to wear that on you side."  Jake pauses and adds, "If ever." Jake then draws his long barreled Colt and carefully fires off one shot after another until after four rounds the pink flower falls off the cactus.  He twists off the residual cactus leaf avoiding the needles.  Presenting it to Minerva he says, "Senorita, for you."   Minerva watches on in admiration as Jake shoots the flower off the cactus and laughs in delight as he hands her the flower."Now," he says turning back to Nakomo, "you learn to clean a weapon properly."  Jake eats while supervising the cleaning, capping his meal with another long pull from the whiskey bottle.  "You have done well today Nakomo.  You learn quickly.  Just remember what I told you at the beginning.  It is no easy thing to shoot a man."Satisfied that the purpose of this trip to the desert has been accomplished, that Nakomo is more comfortable with her and Jake and also more comfortable with a gun as well,  Minerva announces that it is time to get back home.    "Gracias Jake. It means a lot to me that you have taken the time out of your day to help Nakomo. I am in your debt."   "No, Senorita no debts any more.  Jake Cook stands by his friends."  She mounts Shadow and the three make their way back to town.</blockquote>

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