Colt heard the shots and knew they weren't from any target shooting. He ran behind the buildings so he could hurry without attracting attention or giving cause for concern. A few visitors had made their way behind the buildings, some for a shortcut, others for more personal reasons. All shuffled about quickly when Colt came by, nodding and smiling.

As he got close he caught a glimpse of the horses behind the bank and the single rider, then he saw Jeremy and he called out. The deputy ducked and scurried back to cover, and Colt arrived beside him seconds later.

"There's the two of them . . . Casey knows as well. I told him to stand down but . . ."

"I saw the rider taking his mule. I hope we can stop them before he does."

Colt sent Jeremy after the rider and he swung around the bank to the front. Nigel was resting against the wall, his large shotgun across his lap.

"You okay?"

The old man nodded. "Just forgot what a kick old Doris here had."

"You named your gun Doris."

"Yup, reminded me of my passed wife."

"Where's Casey?"

"The feller that was at the corner took off across the street after Jeremy left. Don't know where he is now."

"You sit tight, Nigel," Colt patted his leg. "No more shooting." Then he crept across the front of the bank.

******

Casey crossed the street and around the back of the livery. He managed to get Waites' attention and told him to keep the prospectors inside. The assayer tried to object but seeing the barrel of Casey's gun had him thinking he'd better just do it.

Colt suddenly saw Bowie making a run for the livery, and cursed because he couldn't shoot. There was a roar from the prospectors, and a shot that silenced them. Casey came around to the front of the livery, and Colt made a dash across the street.

"Casey, wait!" His call was wasted as the prospector pushed his way through the crowd of stunned miners.

Bowie was surprised to find Casey after him, and he bulled his way through to the desk in the corner, grabbing Waites and holding him as a shield.

"Just like a low dirty snake," Casey challenged.

"Come on. old man. See what it costs to hang on to yer claim."

"His claim is no good!" Waites cried out, struggling in Bowies grasp.

Everything seemed to stop. Casey jerked back, looking at the assayer.

Bowie tightened his grip. "Whatta ya talkin' about?"

"It was iron pyrite. Fool's gold."

"Yer lyin'"

"No! It's true! I'm sorry, Mr. Casey. I just couldn't tell you to your face."

"It's a lie! I know real gold when I see it."

"Nice try, Waites." Bowie brought up his pistol.

******

Jeremy had followed Jitter and the horses around the end of the corral and back to the rear of the livery. They both heard the shot and Jeremy halted, staying back out of sight. He worried about what it meant, then he saw the rider getting down and sneaking toward the back wall.

"Hold it right there, Mister. Drop that rifle."

Jitter turned in surprise, firing his rifle as he did. Jeremy reacted immediately, and Jitter slammed back against the wall with a painful shout. His young face locked in disbelief over the blood seeping out of his sunken chest. Jeremy came over carefully, picking up the rifle and watching the light leave the young man's eyes. He swallowed hard, seeing the rag doll stuffed in his belt.

The shots and the banging against the livery wall startled him into turning toward the noise, and Bowie's shot went wild into the crowd of miners. There was a startled cry, then Waites struggled to get free, and was shoved hard against the wall, pulling at Bowie's sleeve as he fell. Colt yelled for Casey to stop, watching the old man raise his shotgun. The warning was drowned out by the roar of the gun, and Bowie crashed down into the corner behind the table.

******

Mayor Beamis stood well back from the livery as the bodies of the two outlaws were loaded onto a wagon and driven, unobserved, to the undertakers. Doc Staples patched up the wounded miner and tended to a shocked Troy Waites. Colt was in a deep conversation with Casey over his actions, and Jeremy was calming the gathering crowd.

"Just some excitement over the assays, folks. Fellas findin' out what all their hard work was worth."

Some jamboree attendees, closer to the trouble and not fooled by the explanation, were mumbling and discussing the merits of staying or leaving. The mayor finally stepped forward, urged by his council members, and began to chastise Colt for his handling of the events.

"I warned you, Treblehorn. You have done irreparable damage to the jamboree, the money spent to stage this entire celebration--"

"It's always about the money, isn't it, Edgar? The fact those men were sent here to stop legal government business, or kill Mr. Casey here if they couldn't, is just a nuisance to your coin countin' isn't it."

"Well- I- that's not fair . . ."

"Sheriff's right" a voice called out from the crowd. "His job is to protect the town, and he did."

Agreement built in a swell of voices, leaving the mayor and his council red-faced.

"Well we got somethin' else to celebrate now," another voice joined. "Let's get to it!"

Several people still decided to leave, their enthusiasm for the celebration dissipated. The bulk of the crowd moved back up the street, answering questions from unaware attendees with exaggerated drama, and stories of the shoot-out became an exciting addition to jamboree folklore. Colt stayed behind with Jeremy and Casey to see the assay session could finish without any more interruptions.

"That prospector gonna be okay, Doc?"

"Yeah, he was more surprised than hurt. Lucky though, just nicked his cheek."

"What about Mr. Waites?"

Doc gave a laugh and pulled his chin. "Reckon he might make an error or two 'til the shock wears off, but he's okay. What about you?"

"What do you mean, this?" Colt held up his arm.

"No, with Casey. I heard Waites told him his claim was a fake. Iron Pyrite."

"That was just a distraction - and it worked. Made Casey pause, and Bowie just got madder and fired wild."

"From what I hear, Casey really is sitting on a gold mine. He struck a mother lode."

"Been at it long enough. Maybe he can sit back now and enjoy some of that hard work he put in." Colt tipped his hat. "Gotta check on my prisoner, Doc. See you later." He waved to Jeremy, pointing up the street, and veered toward Nigel, who was now on his feet, propped on the big shotgun.

"You sure you're okay there, Nigel?"

"yep, had me some help."

Daisy stepped out of the alley beside where Nigel was standing. "Are you going to speak to Landsman now?"

"I thought I told you to stay out of this." Colt's look was stormy, and he started to go back up the street.

"Do you want what happened reported responsibly, or do you want a batch of speculative rumours spreading all over the county?"

"What I want, Daisy Post, is people to do what I ask so's I don't have to worry about them while I'm workin'."

"You didn't know where I was so you weren't worried, Colt Treblehorn." She shot back, scurrying after him.

"Look here, Daisy . . . what are you snickerin' at, Nigel? Just you get yourself and Doris back and keep an eye on that gun wagon."

Daisy's eyes popped. "Who's Doris?"

"This is her--"

"Never mind." Colt grabbed Daisy by the arm and steered her up the street.

"He calls his gun Doris?"

"I said never mind." Colt turned into an alley beside the barber shop. "You could have been hurt playin' snoop, daisy."

She planted her hands on her hips and stared back at him. "I'm not stupid, Colt."

"Still, if something had happened . . ."

"I don't just walk blindly into situations."

A grin formed on his face and he watched her trying to puzzle why. "You walked into this one." Before she could respond, he pulled her close and kissed her, holding tight until the brief resistance ended.

"That's cheating." She drew her head back and looked in his eyes.

"I could arrest you for mischief if you'd rather."

"And I could write an exposé on the behaviour of the Sheriff of Sunrise."

"Oh, now wait a minute there. Daisy? Daisy, hold on there."

She smiled all the way back out to the street.