Jitter saw Arley and Bowie coming up the street, and he jogged toward them laughing.

"Hey, boys. You made it. Look what I won!" He held up a hand sewn, stuffed doll.

Arley grabbed him by the arm and quick-stepped him across to an alley between two buildings.

"You didn't come here to play games at some carnival, you moron. Where are the horses?"

"Take it easy, Arley." He yanked his arm free and puffed his chest a little. "They're behind the bank near the livery which, by the way, is where the assayer'll be."

"We know about the livery," Bowie snarled.

"Where's your gun?"

"I had to turn it in, they don't allow--"

"I know what they don't allow." Arley shoved him against the wall. "What about our carbines?"

"They're with the horses still. Shucks, I don't get why yer so riled up. Where's the assayer anyway?"

"With the sheriff. I need a drink." Arley pushed his way past them and out into the street, looking for the saloon.

Jitter scurried after him with Bowie. "What's he mean, with the sheriff?"

"Whattaya think he means. Sheriff met us at the train and took Waites." Bowie picked up his step.

"So what are we gonna do?"

Bowie stopped and turned on him. "Whatever it is, I hope it won't be with you snivellin' around with your stupid questions and- and that- that doll. Jesus wept!"

A pair of passing ladies gave the two men shocked looks and hurried on.

******

Colt found Casey near the livery, and he rounded up Waite and Jeremy, bringing them all up to date on what had happened.

"They came to my claim a few weeks back and tried to get me to sign it over." Casey said. "I sent 'em scuttlin', but they did threaten me."

"Well they threatened me alright," Troy groused. "Even punched me in the nose. Told me I was not to register your claim."

"Okay, well we know what they're up to. You get set up, Mr. Waites, and we'll get Casey registered first." Colt responded. "Jeremy, you stay here and see it gets done without a fuss. I'm going to find our friends and have a little chat."

Jeremy pulled Colt away to talk. "What if you deputize Casey for now. Let him have his gun. Maybe the others won't get worked up about him jumpin' the line . . . and I might need some help."

"You just want another gun here in case my chat don't work out." Colt grinned.

"Darn right. There's three, Colt. You're just one."

"Don't you worry about me, Jer, you just see to this business here. But I will deputize Casey. That was good thinking."

******

Blue finished her song and waved to the clapping crowd. They started calling for more, and she grinned happily, assuring them she'd be back a little later. She wanted to be inside to make sure the three men that went in weren't there for trouble. Slant was pouring shots, and she walked past them at the bar and over to the stairs, where she had a little table of her own.

"Figured a sassy bit of stock like that might have said hello." Bowie spoke after her, watching her walk.

"I'd be careful how you speak about Miss Freegate, pardner." Slant leaned on the bar behind Bowie.

"Oh, yeah? And why's that?" Bowie set his drink down and stood slightly away from the bar.

"Leave it, Bowie." Arley said.

"No, I wanna know why I should be careful."

"Bowie."

"Because she owns this establishment, and she is a lady - and because I said so." Slant interrupted Arley's plea.

Bowie looked at the others in mock surprise. "Because he said so!"

"And I say so too."

They all turned to see Colt leaning on the end of the bar. The room fell silent, and a few chairs scraped as the occupants chose, hopefully, safer ground.

"This is a celebration we're having in Sunrise. Don't need any foolishness spoilin'that."

"Won't be any, Sheriff." Arley shoved Bowie, and gave him a death look.

"Good . . . 'cause I wanted to have a chat with you fellas."

"We ain't done nothin'" Jitter complained.

"Good again, it'll make our chat easier. Blue? You mind if we use your back stoop for a talk?"

She rose from her chair and joined him at the bar. I don't want a mess out there now." Her look was one of concern for Colt.

"It's a talk, a chat. No mess."

"Fine."

"Let's go boys. Right down that hallway and out the door."

"I don't see why we need to--"

Arley grabbed Jitter by the arm and dragged him down the hall. "Shut up."

On the stoop, three men spread out as much as room allowed, and Colt stood in the doorway. He looked at each of them in turn, calculating the most dangerous, and the most foolhardy.

"Now I know you boys aren't guards from Mr. Waites company. You were all here in town a few weeks ago - right here in this saloon. So, what's the story?"

They could hear shots fired at the end of town; the men's target shooting contest was under way, and the dance band was in full swing.

"I'm going to get answers, boys, or I'm gonna stick you in my jail until I do."

"Like to see you try." Jitter pulled his shoulders back.

"Jitter . . ." Arley warned.

"We ain't done nuthin'. He ain't stickin' me in his jail."

"Not only you, son, but your doll too." Colt added.

"If I was packin' you wouldn't talk so tough."

"Neither would you, son. Look, I know you boys were sent by Landsman, and I know why."

"So why ask then?" Bowie snarled.

"Because, If I am right, it needs settlin' right now."

Arley took his hat off and turned it around in his hands by the brim. "I reckon that's really our business, and none of yours, Sheriff."

Colt watched the action and guessed what was about to happen. The derringer came out of the hat, aimed straight at him, and he stepped quickly onto the stoop, drawing and firing in one motion.

******

Jeremy kept order among the grumbling prospectors, explaining that it was needed because of an investigation that was taking place, and they would only be a few minutes. Casey eagerly signed the registration and watched bright-eyed as Troy added his official stamp to both copies.

"It's exclusively and officially yours now, Mr. Casey." Troy shook the calloused hand, smiling. And the assay indicates you've found yourself a pretty good vein. I'll give you a paper for the bank for this sample you brought. You should treat yourself to a good steak and a tall drink."

Casey thanked him and read the paper and the amount of money it was worth, and he just shook his head.

"Old Mule ain't gonna believe this. All them years hikin' up and down those mountains." He looked at Troy, concerned. "You'll file that now for sure with your office, right?"

"I promise it will be done as soon as I get back. You'll get a wire from the company confirming that in a week or two. Now I better see to these other fellas or we'll have a riot."

Jeremy started letting the men in and directing them to seats by the table. His little nest in the loft forgotten - thankfully. His head cocked suddenly, and he listened for a moment. That was a shot, and not from the contest across the street. He told Casey to remember he was a lawful deputy and to stay put.

"Make sure things stay orderly, I gotta check on something." Then he took off at a jog up the main street.