Westward Ho Page #2

Did you ever ride the

Buckhorn Trail? No. Never.

Did you ever hear of a gang that

did ride it about 12 years ago?

No, never did.

Take these men in and turn 'em

over to the townspeople, Carter,

and see that that stolen money is

returned to the express company.

What news? The Gordon herd

is movin' up the Dalton Trail.

Crossed the Snake River

yesterday.

Should be in Paiute Meadows

in a few days. Well, good.

And I'll try and join up with 'em. I

can use a herd like that for outlaw bait.

Now, you'll take the men and wait for

me at the north end of Paiute Meadows.

We'll be pullin' out in

the morning. Good enough.

We just trapped

Black Bart's gang.

All right, men.

Herd 'em into town.

Howdy.

You Lafe Gordon?

Yes, sir.

Who be you? Well, I

might be some help to you.

I know this trail backwards. Heard

you were trailin' shorthanded.

Thought I might tie up with

you. Where y'all been workin'?

Well, the other side of the Snake,

mostly. Rand and Richard's outfit.

Trail boss over there. Well,

I can use a good trail boss.

You know this country well, huh?

Yes, sir.

What's your name?

Uh, John Allen.

You're hired, Allen.

Thirty per and a bonus if there

ain't no losses. Well, thanks, Lafe.

How's the herd holdin'

up so far? Pretty good,

considerin' the weather.

Well, I reckon I'll drop back and

tell the boys we got a new hand.

Be seein' ya.

Hey, stupid!

Where do you think

you're goin'?

Get back there with the

herd, you muttonhead!

Just who do you think you're talking

to? And who are you calling "muttonhead"?

Well, I, uh-

That is, uh-

- And just what are you doing here,

if I may ask?

- Well, I'm the new trail boss.

Well, my name's Mary Gordon,

and my father owns this outfit.

So from now on

it's "Miss Gordon" to you,

not "muttonhead," you-

you dumbbell!

Where'd you get

the new maverick, Dad?

Just dropped out

of a clear sky.

He looks like a good hand

to have around.

Good morning,

Miss Gordon.

Oh, good morning,

Mister... Muttonhead.

Can I saddle up

for you?

Oh, I've been doing it for years.

I guess once more won't hurt me.

Well, that's right.

I agree with you. A girl

that rides a trail herd...

should be made to do

her own work.

There we are.

All ready to go.

Any more orders? A good trail boss

always rides at the head of his outfit.

Yes, Miss Gordon.

Well,

Plug Lewis just rode in. Said the

Gordon herd's movin' up the Dalton Trail.

That's what I've been waitin' to

hear. Where's the kid? Outside.

Blackie, get Jim in here.

- Hey, Jim!

- Well, what is it?

Ballard wants

to see ya.

What's up?

Don't know.

All right.

Well, what is it? The Gordon

herd is out on the flat.

I've got 'em as good as sold. Bring 'em

in. Do ya understand? Sure. Don't worry.

Say, I hear that Singin' Rider outfit is making

it plenty hot for the boys down Sonora way.

Keep your eyes open.

I ain't worried none.

Don't be too sure

o' yourself.

I hear they're tough-

mighty tough.

Ah, forget 'em. I'll take the

boys and figure things out.

Come on, men.

It's funny what a great outlaw

that Wyatt kid turned out to be.

Shut up, you fool. Don't ever mention his real

name again. I don't want him to remember it.

He doesn't know yet it was us

that killed his folks.

Early start, Lafe. If it keeps cool,

we oughta cover a lot o' ground.

Yeah, we did

right well yesterday.

That's because

of our new trail boss.

Allen!

Look yonder.

Come on.

Let's go.

Easy, pardner.

There.

What happened?

Held up. They stole my

horse and left me to die.

Where'd they get ya?

About five miles backtrail.

I got this far, but couldn't

get much further without a horse.

John, have the boys bring the

chuck wagon. We'll fix him up.

Guess we'll go through Paiute Meadows

sometime tomorrow, won't we, Allen?

About noon, I judge, if it's of any

interest to you. Oh, no. Just wonderin'.

I thought you would be.

This Allen fella been

with ya long? No. Why?

Oh, nothin'.

Thought I'd seen him

someplace before.

No, he just joined up with us on

this trip. He's all right. I know.

Don't be too sure, Miss Gordon.

Of course,

I ain't accusin' Allen.

But that's an old trick

in trail jumpin'.

You put a man with an outfit so's

he steers you right into the trap.

But John isn't that kind.

You can't tell, Mary. We

don't know much about him.

Your father's right.

You don't know him.

We know him as well as we know you.

Yeah?

But I didn't come looking

for a job, did I?

Say, maybe

you're right.

I'm gonna keep my eye on him anyway.

Good.

You're the girl that I loved

Long ago

The girl that I held

In my dreams

When e'er castles high

I built in the sky

You were my queen

Of queens

You've the eyes?

The lips

and the hair

Of my girl in my castles

Of air

Since they've faded away

I've been longing each day

For the girl that I loved

In my dreams

Oh, please

sing it again.

All right, boss.

Anything you say, goes.

What's up, Jim?

Boys, we gotta

change our plans.

I run into a stranger with the

outfit, and I don't like his looks.

But I'll have that herd

at Paiute Meadows by sunup.

Be ready to crack down on 'em.

Well, I've gotta get back

so they don't get suspicious.

Well, if you'll excuse me, Mary,

I think I'll hit the hay.

I'm kinda tired.

Thanks so much.

I enjoyed your music.

Well, good night,

muttonhead.

Good night, stupid.

Dad, I think you're

wrong about John.

Don't worry, Mary.

We'll know better tomorrow.

Where's John Allen? Why,

he's turned in for the night.

I thought so.

It's a trick.

Ain't he in camp?

I can't find him. And his

horse ain't here neither.

Just as I figured. Gone to get

his gang. I don't believe it.

Let's drive on tonight.

We can beat him to it.

Why, we can be

in Paiute Meadows by sunup.

It's a good idea.

Tell the boys

to roll the herd.

We're shoving out tonight. Right.

I think you're making

a mistake, Dad.

Just the same, I'm not

taking any chances.

All right, men,

go get 'em!

I got the guy

that plugged you, Lafe.

Good work, son.

Take care of 'em, boys!

Are you all right?

Yes, thanks to you.

You get 'em all?

Didn't miss a one.

Held this fellow for you

and sweated him.

Admits he rode

the Buckhorn Trail.

You used to ride

the Buckhorn Trail, eh?

What of it? Do you know who

trail-jumped the Wyatt family?

What's it worth to ya?

Plenty, if you know.

Just how much?

Your life.

I ain't tellin'.

Whit Ballard did it. Whit

Ballard? Well, where's he?

I don't know. Don't lie! Where is he?

You'll find him over

in around Grass Valley.

All right, Carter.

You can let this man go.

Our bargain is that you clear out of the

country and stay away from Grass Valley.

Now, get goin'.

Carter, you take the herd

on into Grass Valley...

and wait for us

at the south end of town.

All right, Cap.

Why didn't you tell us who

you were when you joined us?

I didn't see

any reason to tell.

I thought there might be trouble

and I'd lend you a hand.

Oh, I see.

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