“You sure he’s in there?” said Jeffus. He squinted at the cabin. “Don’t see no smoke from the chimbly.”
The marshal slid another cartridge into his Henry, then ran his wipe along the brass side. “Warm night,” he said. “And appearances to the contrary, Happy Jack is nobody’s fool.”
“So what you got in mind?”
“Go find his horse.”
“Maybe he brung it inside with him.”
“Doorway is too narrow. He’ll have it staked nearby. Find it and walk it around front.”
“Hell, Marshal,” said Jeffus. “What’s to keep him from plugging me?”
“Keep the horse between you and the doorway. Keep your head down.”
Shaking his head, Jeffus checked his revolver, then set out into the woods. Soon he came out of the trees, walking slowly alongside the big sorrel, ludicrously ducking and bobbing.
The marshal drew a bead on the horse’s head and yelled out the bandit’s name.
A scene right out of a John Ford movie! I like the way the Marshall’s mind works – he’s a smart guy. Enjoying your inlinkz photo too – that really suits you :)
thanks! we did a western group photo last year while on vacation
You should be an extra in westerns ☺️
Eli Wallach, maybe!
Good thinking on the marshall’s part. The dialogue truly suits the story.
Thanks! I have been reading some of Elmore Leonard’s westerns. Rubbed off on me, I guess.
Happy Jack won’t be so happy when his horse has been shot. Neither, I suspect, will Jeffus…
Dear Josh,
I almost went the Happy Jack the outlaw route. You hit the target better than I would have. Love the title. Straight out an old B&W Western.
Shalom, Kimosabe
Rochelle
Great dialogue. I agree with the others, it’s straight out of a western movie. That picture on the inLinks is right on-theme!
Thanks so much. I do like writing westerns.
Chiming in to also praise the dialogue and the authentic western flair. And I do love the idea of a bandit named Happy Jack.
Thanks!