Something woke him, but he wasn't sure what. Daylight was streaming in his window, and he felt surprised that he had slept so long. He wandered to the window, stretching and grunting, in time to see a man running beside his horse before leaping into the saddle, and galloping down the road. A few townspeople spilled into the street watching the rider, and Galen decided he should find out what was happening. The image of Preston's men a worrying thought.

The desk clerk had no information other than he saw the sheriff run out of the saloon, so Galen thanked him and headed for the saloon.

"Hello again. Find the folks you were lookin' for?" Seth polished a section of bar as Galen approached.

"I did, thanks, but I was wonderin' what the excitement was all about. Sheriff hightailin' down the road and all?"

Seth told him about the men and the confrontation, then a little sheepishly, told Galen he might have mentioned the Connor name he had given him. Galen closed his eyes and growled, then left as quickly as the sheriff had.

Stanley snorted at the haste with which Galen was saddling up, his head bucked a few times as the hackamore was pulled over his face. Stanley did not like the bit. Reluctantly he backed out of the stall, and gave Galen a rough time to show he wasn't pleased, then relaxed as the familiar weight hit the saddle, and he responded to the familiar signals.

➰➰➰➰➰

Abner pulled up a short distance from the Connor house as the three men waiting outside dismounted, and spread out on the street. He drew the rifle from its sling and climbed down from his own horse.

"I'm sure you boys know I have the advantage at this distance," he called. "S'pose we just set them irons down and avoid a lot of misery."

When they heard the scream from the house, everyone tensed, then the young man in the middle of the trio fired at Abner. Billy cursed at him and ducked to the side as Abner's rifle barked, sending the kid staggering backwards into a lifeless heap.

"Give it up, boys," the sheriff called again, watching the two men split wider apart. "Not goin' to say it again."

Billy dropped to his knees taking careful aim, allowing for the distance, and fired. Abner felt the tug of the bullet on his pant leg, and he swung the rifle, loosing off three quick shots. Billy yelped, straightening and clutching his stomach, before falling onto the dusty road. The rifle came around again, but the Indian had bolted for his horse and was flat against its back as it galloped rapidly away.

Galen heard the shots and saw the sheriff standing in the middle of the street. He rode up, leaping off Stanley and running to a halt beside him.

"Hold it right there." The rifle almost poked Galen's stomach and he raised his hands.

"Name's Galen Helliwell. I'm an acquaintance of the Connors. Had dinner with them last night."

"How come you're here now?" The rifle didn't move.

"Those men followed me here. We have some past business they wanted settled." Galen spoke again, quickly telling Abner about why he was there.

"They must be in the house, 'cause I heard a scream."

"They're after the money I brought to the family." Galen dropped his hands. "I'll help you get them."

Abner lowered the rifle. "Hold on, there, Son. I ain't stormin' a house with guns and hostages inside without a bigger force."

"There isn't time, Sheriff. Rance Cadey . . ." Galen looked at the body's on the street, "and the other one must be Rory. They are killers, hostages don't mean nothin' to them. They ain't lookin' to escape, they're lookin' to get the money. Period."

"And you plan to prevent that how?"

➰➰➰➰➰

Rance yanked the curtains back when he heard the shots, and swore aloud. He saw the sheriff with his rifle, and the two bodies on the road.

"The skin's rid off. Get the woman in the back." He snarled, bending down and shaking James awake. "Find out where the daughter is. "I'll deal with that sheriff."

Rory dragged June from the bench and shoved her roughly into the back of the house. Rance pulled James to his feet and twisted his arm up is back, ignoring the blood running from the punch he'd delivered.

"I'm openin' the door and you're gonna tell that sheriff to back off or your wife will learn some rough lessons."

"You won't get away with--" He cried out as his arm was yanked up.

"You better see I do. Now move."

When the door opened, Rance shoved James forward, but there was nobody outside - just the two dead men.

"What the- get back in here." He pulled James back and kicked the door shut. "Rory! They're around the back!" He knocked James to the floor again, giving him a disabling kick. "Be grateful I don't shoot yuh." He moved cautiously down the hall to the back of the house.

"Don't see nuthin'" Rory said as Rance entered the bedroom.

"Well they ain't out front." He moved to the window and saw the young woman crouched down at the end of the garden. "It's her, the daughter."

"No!" June screamed and struggled in Rory's arms.

"Get her over here. She's gonna call her baby inside for us."

"No! Never."

"Maybe if I put a bullet in your hubby, you'll sing a different tune."

"James! No! Please . . ."

"Then do as I say and call her in here now." Rance pulled her harshly to the hall and down to the rear door. He opened it and pushed June just outside, his gun still pressed against her back. "Call her in."

Galen and Abner crouched down behind a row of bushes, watching Lois and the house.

"They're both at the back. You keep watch here now."

"This is a fool plan, Mister. He's got her covered still."

"We told the daughter what was happening. She agreed to help. When I bang through the front door, it should distract him long enough for you to get off a shot with that rifle of yours."

"I don't like this at all."

"Me either." Galen took off at a run, unnoticed, around to the front and through the front door with a crash.

Abner heard the noise all the way outside and he saw Rance turn away from the woman. The trigger squeezed and Rance disappeared from the doorway. June screamed and ran to Lois, while Abner pushed through the row of bushes and charged the back door.

Rance was on the floor, blood oozing from a nasty wound near his neck, but the room was empty. The other man had gone after Galen. Abner picked up the pistol and crept into the hallway. He could hear voices and he paused out of sight, listening.

"Seems like I get to teach you a lesson after all, Helliwell."

"Any cowardly teacher that threatens to shoot an unconscious man, isn't any teacher I could learn from."

"You figure a better way?"

"Yeah, just you and your silver grips against me - one on one."

Rory wet his lips and looked at the figure of James on the floor. "Fine, one and one. Means we don't need him." He aimed his gun at James and poised his hand to draw his other gun.

"Still can't shed that yellow streak, eh, Rory?"

In a flash, the room was filled with the roar of guns. Abner stepped out from the hall and stopped, staring.