Convergence

There was a swirl of dust on the horizon

It was a lone rider

The rider's butt must have been on fire

It was tearing in from the west

Who was clearly intent on intercepting the posse

A one-horse rider going at that pace was destined for disaster

Even so, but not without regard

The posse charged on in blind faith

Hoping that it would converge with the rabble

In time to save the fearless Petra

And Shadow her Nubian sister

Who was hell-bent on chasing her sister into disaster

Dragging their kid brother with her

"Damn our luck, this wind is making tracking difficult."

"Don't lose faith now Grand Ma, you're our best chance of finding that crazy bitch sister of ours."

"Watch it Junior, or I'll wash your mouth out with soap."

"Right now, that would be an improvement on this mouth full of dust I'm chewing."

"Well do us both a favour and pull that bandana a little tighter and shut your mouth."

"Nice and tetchy, that's more like the spunky Sis I've come to know and love."

______________

"What's the news Missy are the kids making progress?"

"Not good, but not bad, their tracking is slowing."

"Why is that?"

"A shift in the desert breeze is making it difficult to see."

"Oh well, kitten let's hope the lone rider, is a bearer of glad tidings."

"Looks like we might make a believer out of you yet, not a sign of despair in your words."

"God, I swear if I get scratted by one more cactus, I'll fill the next one full of holes."

"I wouldn't do that."

"Why is that?"

"You don't want to get on the bad side of the Sherriff."

"Yeh."

"I hear he's partial to a fresh Dessert Salad and I'm sure he wouldn't want to see any of it go to waste, ha-ha."

Tirelessly the lone rider closed on the posse

And Denver's mind was busy clutching at straws

In desperation to ensure his offspring's safety

He began praying for divine intervention

Perhaps this lone rider was a heavenly messenger

Where had this doubting Thomas gone

The lone rider made a frantic last-minute surge

The surge had brought him across the path of the approaching posse

It was gut wincing moment, the steed's legs gave way

It was brought crashing to its knee's

The lone rider was thrown into the air

And the steed flipped into a life-ending forward roll

The lone rider was flying like a flag

He hit the ground like a sack of rags

It was an amazing sight to behold, he bounced a couple of times

Landed on his feet and was up and running

And began screaming out to Denver

Who was shocked to see it was Jacob

Like the horns of a buffalo, the posse curved around

The battered but not broken rider

Forming a circle of panting horses

He'd never seen an angrier crowd of fearsome-looking men and women

Even at this moment, Jacob still couldn't resist gaping open-mouthed at one of the Amazonians

She quickly cocked her rifle, he nearly choked.

"I thought I'd told you to say on the boat and protect Josie."

"Come on Denver give me a break, I'm a man just like you

I ain't no fortune teller like we had at the circus. I never got any message from you."

"That may well be true Son, but ain't you got any brains?"

"Look, old man, what makes you think you can talk to me like that."

In a flash, Denver was off his mount

In a rage, he took Jacob by the throat

And squeezed until he choked

"Look, Son, if you want to live to see another day, I'd keep that mouth shut."

"But, but."

"You not listening, I said shut."

"You've put everyone at risk, chasing after this posse for a bit of glory."

"Any delay could be critical to the survival of my children and your kin."

"Not that, that trouble-making sister of yours is top of my priority list."

Denver took a breath and relaxed his grip.

"Denver I was chasing the posse with a message."

"I'm telling you, boy, this better be good, I'm about as sick of you and your fancies as a man can be."

"You, got me?"

"Not really. But that's a talk for another day. Right now I got something important to tell you."

Denver pointed at the Amazonian

And she raised the barrel of her rifle

It was still cocked, chamber loaded

Finger ready to squeeze the trigger

"She's waiting, spit it out."

"Alright, alright! I've got the message, loud and clear. But I ain't your enemy here Denver.

I know, where they've taken Buck."