,,BOOK ,,JACKET ,,9=M,N               #a
  ,A ,,WALK] ,,WE/]N
  ,J]ROD ,DANMY]'S FAMILY 0 AM;G ! F/ TO
MIGRATE 6,KANSAS1 E/ABLI% A RAN*1 & [N
M* (! RANGE NE> ! T[N ( ,$54 ,T5 YE>S
AGO ,/OV] ,GATES BR"\ 8 FAMILY 6,$5 F !
COAL M9ES ( ,OHIO1 B SOON AF _! >RIVAL
,/OV]'S BRO!R ,ZEB 0 KILL$ BY ,J]ROD'S
BRO!R4 ,F !N ON1 ,/OV] %UNN$ ! ,DANMY]S
& P]SUAD$ _M ( 8 NEI<BORS 6D ! SAME4
,OV] ! YE>S NATURE D1LT _M SETBACKS 6!M1
RAN*] & F>M] ALIKE1 RI* & POOR-- DR"\S1
BITT] W9T]S1 A MON?L;G RA9/ORM1 & N[ A
PLAGUE ( LOCU/S4 ,"S P SEE ! PE/IL;E Z A
SIGN F ,GOD1 A *.E 6REP5T & 2 M *>ITA#
T[>D _! NEI<BORS4 ,UN=TUNATELY1 A FEW
SEE X Z AN OPPORTUN;Y 6L9E _! [N
POCKETS1 FE$+ ON ! MIS=TUNES ( O!RS1 EV5
RESORT+ 6MURD] 6GET :AT !Y WANT4
  ,T]RELL ,L4 ,B[]S GOT ! 9SPIR,N 6WRITE
? NOVEL F ! H>D%IPS CAUS$ 2T #AHGD &
#AHGF :5 A PLAGUE ( LOCU/S DEVA/AT$ !
REGION F ,I[A 6,TEXAS4 ,B[]S GREW UP ON
SMALL F>MS & RAN*ES1 LE>N+ 6RIDE & BR1K
HORSES AT AN E>LY AGE4 ,8 PREVI\S ,WE/]N
= ,WALK] & ,-PANY 0 ,! ,SECRET (      #b
,SNAKE ,CANYON4 ,HE LIVES 9 ,WE/
,JORDAN1 ,UTAH4
  ,ALL ! "*S & EV5TS PORTRAY$ 9 ? "W >E
FICTITI\S4
  ,= ,PATRICIA1 MY WIFE1 LOV]1 & BE/ FR4
,,RIDE ,,AG/ ,,! ,,W9D
  ,,*APT] #A
  ,PAUS+ 6BRU% A DAMP LOCK ( AUBURN HAIR
F H] =EH1D1 EI<TE5-YE>-OLD ,M>IAN ,GATES
L1N$ AG/ ! H1VILY LAD5 WAGON 6CAT* H]
BR1?4 ,"DLI<T 0 ON ! WANE1 B ! "PI,Y
EXPOS$ SUN &! HUMID;Y F ! ?REE-"D
RA9/ORM CAUS$ ! E>? 6SWELT]4 ,H] HAIR
CLUNG 6H] MOI/ BR[1 & H] %\LD]S & UPP]
BODY 7 DAMP F P]SPIR,N4 ,TRY+ 6GET H]
T1M & WAGON \ (! MIRE 0 EXHAU/+ "W4 ,%E
SLO7$ "? ! MUD1 S9K+ 9 OV] H] ANKLES4 ,=
! DOZ5? "T1 %E TOOK UP ! LOOSE 5DS (!
RE9S & SWATT$ ! T1M ON ! RUMPS4 8,GIT60
%E CRI$4 8,-E ON1 Y B"OH1DS6 ,PULL60 ,!
TWO HORSES RESPOND$ HALFHE>T$LY1 SURG+
AG/ ! TRACES1 DI7+ 96! S(T GR.D4 ,M>IAN
GRA2$ HOLD (! SPOKES & US$ H] E \NCE (
/R5G?1 ATTEMPT+ 6=CE ! FRONT :EEL 6TURN4
,H["E1 ! WAGON 0 BURI$ 6! HUBS &!     #c
5TIRE EF=T1 BO? 0,M>IAN &! HORSES1 B>ELY
CAUS$ ! H1VY WAGON 6ROCK4 8,DAMN60 ,US+
PROFAN;Y 0 R>E = ,M>IAN1 B %E 0 -PLETELY
FRU/RAT$4 8,WE'LL N"E GET \60 ,! HORSES
C1S$ _! /RA9+ & %E LET G (! :EEL4 ,X 0
GR[+ LATE & ALL ( H] EF=TS _H BE5 WA/$4
,%E _H =C$ BRAN*ES & SAGEBRU% 96! MUCK 9
FRONT (! :EELS1 B !Y 7 EMB$D$ TOO
DEEPLY4 ,%E TOOK A /EP BACK 96A HOLE &
SANK 6H] KNEE 9 ! OOZ+ MUCK4 ,%E S"\ A
FIRM FOOT+ ) H] O!R FOOT & /RU7L$ 6PULL
FREE4 ,%E 0 SU3ESS;L--IN "P4 ,H] FOOT
SLIPP$ \ (! MUD1 & H] %OE AT ! SAME "T4
8,OH1 =! LOVE (--6WAS ,TEET]+ ON "O LEG1
%E R1*$ 96! BOG1 TOOK HOLD ( H] %OE1 &
PULL$4 ,! SUC;N 0 TREM5D\S4 ,%E ROCK$ H]
WEI<T BACK & APPLI$ ALL H] 5]GY 6! *ORE4
,! %OE GAVE A LL1 !N 4LODG$ SU45LY1
CAUS+ H] 6L& S1T-F/ 9 ! MUD6 ,TE>S (
DEF1T BURN$ H] EYES1 Z %E 0 9/ANTLY
ASSAIL$ 0! COLD LIQUID SEEP+ "? H]
CLO!S4 ,! WAGON 0 \ ( R1*1 S %E _H TO
ROTATE H] BODY & BURY H] H&S 9 ! SLIME
6GA9 5 L"EAGE 6GET H] KNEES "U H]4 ,!
H1VY SKIRT & PETTICOATS 7 P9N$ D[N    #d
0WEI<T1 PREV5T+ H] F /&+ BACK UP4 ,9 A
FIT ( EXASP],N1 ,M>IAN =GOT "EY?+ B RI4+
H]F (! CL++ MORASS4 ,%E PIT*$ =W>D ONTO
H] H&S & KNEES1 !N BATTL$ UP 6H] FEET4
,%E LIFT$ H] SKIRT \ (! SLOP & WAD$ 6!
BANK4 ,:5 %E R1*$ %ORE1 %E COLLAPS$ ON !
DAMP GR.D4 ,LY+ ON H] BACK1 %E CLOS$ H]
EYES & DREW 9 GRT GULPS ( AIR4 ,%E CD
FEEL ! MUD T 0 CAK$ 6H] CLO!S1 >MS1 &
LEGS 2G9N+ 6DRY4 ,P]H ,I'LL DIE "R "H1
%E ?"\ MORBIDLY4 ,H] PRES5T 3DI;N WD
SAVE ANY"O ! *ORE ( BURY+ H] 2C %E 0
COV]$ ) S M* MUCK ALR4 ,8,WELL1 TAKE A
G&] (F YOND]1 ,B+O10' A SNE]+ VOICE
%ATT]$ ! AFN /ILL;S4 ,8,LOOKS 6BE "S
SORT ( CR1TURE OV] "! T HAS CRAWL$ \ (!
CREEK B$40' ,M>IAN JUMP$1 H] EYES POPP+
OP54 ,%E SAT UP QKLY & SAW ,J]ROD
,DANMY] ON HORSEBACK1 ON ! O!R SIDE (!
/R1M1 N ?IRTY FEET AWAY4 ,8,H[ D>E Y SPY
ON ME1 ,DANMY]60' %E SD1 H] VOICE %RILL4
,J]ROD L1N$ BACK 9 ! SA4LE1 A/RIDE A
MAGNIFIC5T BLACK M>E4 ,HE *UCKL$ Z HE
DIRECT$ 8 ^WS 6HIS HORSE4 ,8,DURN$ IF T
MUD CR1TURE DON'T S.D HUMAN1 ,B+O4    #e
,Y SUPPOSE X'S "S K9D ( M]MAID80' ,HE
PURS$ 8 LIPS & GAVE A NEGATIVE %AKE ( 8
H1D4 ,8,NOPE1 T A9'T X40' ,8,>E Y Q "?
MAK+ FUN AT MY EXP5SE80' ,8,I'VE GOT
X60' HE SD1 3T9U+ 6T1SE H]4 ,8,I'LL BET
X'S "S K9D ( MUD CAT T USU,Y SPAWNS 9 !
,>KANSAS ,RIV]4 ,N[ X'S -E D[N ,RA3OON
,CREEK & GOT XF L&LOCK$40' ,M>IAN TOOK A
MO;T 6PULL ! HEM ( H] SKIRT D[N AB H]
ANKLES4 ,%E WIP$ AT A FLECK ( MUD ON H]
*EEK B MADE X A WIDE SME>4 ,IGNOR+ ! MAN
Z BE/ %E CD1 %E %OOK "S (! LOOSE MUCK F
H] H&S4 ,8,ONLY ! L[E/ SCUM ON E>?10' %E
REPLI$1 ,8WD LAU< AT "S"O ELSE'S 4TRESS4
,X'S PLA9 T ,/OV] 0 "R AB Y ,DANMY]S--"!
ISN'T A G5TLEMAN 9 ! :OLE FAMILY40'
,8,YR PA HAS U PE7$ "!4 ,8,C\RSE1 ,I
A9'T R1L SURE T "!'S A LADY "U ALL T MUD
Y'RE PACK+1 EI40' 8,G AWAY & L1VE ME
AL"O60 8,N TILL ,I FIGURE \ :AT Y'RE
DO+40 8,:AT AM ,I DO+80 %E SNAPP$4 8,I'M
TRY+ 6LE>N 6SWIM1 S ,I ?"\ ,I'D />T \ 9
A PU4LE & "W MY WAY UP 6A POND60 ,HE
*UCKL$ AG--? "T AT H] CYNICAL HUMOR4 ,Z
HE 4M.T$1 HE DROPP$ ! RE9S & 8 M>E    #f
/OOD OB$I5TLY IMMOBILE4 ,)\T LOOK+ 9 H]
DIREC;N1 ,J]ROD WALK$ 6! $GE (! MIRE &
/UDI$ ! M>OON$ WAGON4 ,X _H BE5 A GD _M
MON?S S9CE ,M>IAN _H LA/ SE5 ,J]ROD4 ,%E
0 UNSURE ( 8 EXACT AGE1 B GUESS$ HM 6BE
9 8 LATE TW5TIES4 ,HE _H A WIRY BUILD &
8 MAHOGANY-BR[N HAIR %[$ F "U 8
FLAT-CR[N$ HAT4 ,8 FACE 0 L1N & 8 EYES A
/ORMY GRAYI%-BLUE4 ,! WAY HE MOV$ REM9D$
H] (A TIMB] WOLF1 "O T _H /AV$ (F FAM9E
L;G 5 6R1* MATUR;Y4 ,HE TURN$ T[>D H] &
SD1 8,APPE>S Y GOT 9 BELLY-DEEP 2F Y
/OPP$ ! T1M1 MUD KITT54 ,RECKON Y "K T ?
%ORTCUT IS US$ MO/LY 0RID]S ON
HORSEBACK40 ,CLUMSILY RIS+ 6H] FEET1 %E
SQU>$ H] %\LD]S & MET 8 SMIRK BOLDLY4
8,I ?"\ MY T1M CD PULL "? ! BOG4 ,X
APPE>$ FIRM 5\<1 UNTIL ,I'D -MITT$ !
WAGON4 ,2SS T1 ,I CAME ACR ? V SPOT ?
MORN+40 8,? MORN+ 0 COOL1 S ! GR.D 0 M
SOLID10 HE SD MATT]-(-FACTLY4 8,& ,I
IMAG9E ! WAGON 0 EMPTY1 R ?AN PACK+ A
FULL LOAD ( WOOD40 ,M>IAN SWALL[$ H]
PRIDE1 = HE 0 ABSOLUTELY "R4 ,%E _H BE5
9 A HURRY 6GET HOME & _H RISK$ !      #g
SO7Y CROSS+4 ,N[ %E 0 HOPE.SLY /UCK4 ,9
A VOICE T 0 UN"*I/IC,Y MEEK & *ILDLIKE1
%E ASK$1 8,C Y HELP ME GET \80 8,Y'RE N
ASK+ A L[LY ,DANMY] 6ACTU,Y HELP Y8 ,:AT
WD YR PA SAY AB T80 8,/OV] W LIKELY TAKE
A /RAP 6ME = 2+ S LATE4 ,I'M SUPPOS$ 6BE
HOME 0D>K60 ,J]ROD LIFT$ 8 EYES SKYW>D &
GRUNT$4 8,UN.S Y'VE GOT A PAIR ( W+S1 Y
A9'T GO+ 6MAKE X 2F NI<TFALL4 ,X'S A GD
T5 MILES 6YR H\SE1 & T SUN IS S9K+
PRETTY FA/40 ,M>IAN %IELD$ H] EYES &
*ECK$ ! SUN'S POSI;N4 ,"! 0 N M ?AN AN
H\R ( "DLI<T LEFT4 ,EV5 IF %E CD />T !
T1M MOV+ "R N[1 X WD 2 IMPOSSI# 6R1*
HOME 2F DUSK4 ,%E CR+$1 ?9K+ ( ,/OV]'S
FLA%-FIRE TEMP]4 ,M ?AN T1 (! L1!R /RAP
HE KEPT HANG+ ON ! WALL (! WOOD%$4
8,PL1SE1 ,MR4 ,DANMY]1 ,I'M ASK+ = YR
HELP40 ,HE TIPP$ BACK 8 FLAT-CR[N$ HAT )
A S+LE SL5D] F+] & />$ AT H] 9 WOND]4
8,MI/] ,DANMY]80 HE REP1T$4 8,Y M/ 2
GETT+ DESP]ATE1 CALL+ ME ,MI/]40 8,>E Y
GO+ 6HELP OR N60 8,I'LL SEE :AT ,I C D40
,J]ROD /UDI$ ! T1M & WAGON =A FEW L;G
SECONDS4 ,!N HE HOOK$ A ?UMB UP/R1M4  #h
8,"!'S A POOL AT ! B5D ": Y C WA% "S ( T
MUD (F40 ,Z %E LOOK$ 9 T DIREC;N1 HE W5T
6HIS HORSE & SWUNG ABO>D4 ,CROSS+ 6H]
SIDE (! /R1M1 HE R1*$ 96HIS SA4LEBAGS &
)DREW A T[EL4 8,"H10 HE SD1 TOSS+ H] !
CLO?4 ,M>IAN TOOK ! T[EL & HURRI$ AL;G !
BANK1 C>RY+ "O DIRTY %OE4 ,%E HOP$ T
,J]ROD 0 N WAT*+ H]1 = %E C]TA9LY _H AN
UNGA9LY GAIT WE>+ ONLY "O %OE4 ,! CREEK
0 AB TW5TY FEET ACR & RAN F A FOOT DEEP
6D\# T 9 PLACES4 ,"S"O _H ONCE TOLD H] T
,RA3OON ,CREEK W.D ACR ,KANSAS UNTIL X
JO9$ ! ,>KANSAS ,RIV] "S":4 ,%E DIDN'T
"K AB T1 B %E DID "K ! WAT] 0 USU,Y
COLD4 ,:5 %E R1*$ ! $GE (! CREEK1 ,M>IAN
GL.ED BACK OV] H] %\LD]4 ,A B5D 9 !
TRAIL ALL[$ H] 6MOVE \ ( ,J]ROD'S SI<T4
,%E PLAC$ ! CL1N T[EL ON A GRASSY PAT* &
WAD$ 96! MI4LE (! /R1M4 ,%E SPLA%$ WAT]
ONTO H] SKIRT & "W$ ! MAT]IAL 2T H]
F+]S1 TRY+ 6REMOVE ! CAK$ MUD & CL1N !
SOIL$ SPOTS4 ,FE>;L ( H] "F'S WRA? %D !
DRESS 2 RU9$1 %E W5T 6! DEEPE/ "P (!
POOL & SAT "R D[N4 ,! ICY *ILL (! WAT]
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SUCK$ 9 H] BR1?1 Z ! LEVEL (! COLD /R1M
HIT H] WELL ABV ! WAI/4 ,%E EXHAL$ 9
%ORT GASPS1 %IV]+ VIOL5TLY1 Z %E SPLA%$
WAT] UP 96H] FACE & HURRI$ 6SCRUB H]
CLO!S & BA! AT ! SAME "T4 ,AF A FEW
M9UTES1 %E DECID$ T "! 0 NO NE$ = HALF
M1SURES4 ,%E DUCK$ H] H1D UNTIL %E CD
WA% ! DIRT \ ( H] HAIR4 ,! FREEZ+ WAT]
RAN D[N H] NECK & APP5D$ BUMPS ON H] ALR
RAIS$ GOOSEFLE%4 ,%E %U4]$ VIOL5TLY F !
COLD1 B 0 DET]M9$ 6RID H]F (! MUD4 8,:AT
9 BLAZES >E Y DO+1 LADY80 ,J]ROD'S H>%
^WS BUR/ 96H] PRIVACY4 8,>E Y PLUMB
LOCO80 ,M>IAN BL9K$ AT ! WAT] 9 H] EYES4
,2F %E CD MANAGE A REPLY1 ,J]ROD _H WAD$
\ 6H]4 ,HE GRA2$ HOLD ( H] >M & GAVE A
YANK4 ,%E SCRAM#D 6GET H] FOOT+1 Z HE
PRACTIC,Y DRA7$ H] \ (! CREEK4 8,I--,I 0
'''0 ,%E TREM#D1 CL5*+ H] TEE? 6KEEP !M
F *ATT]+4 8,I J WANT$ 6GET--0
8,PNEUMONIA1 Y CRAZY SODBU/]6 ,Y'LL CAT*
YR D1?6 ,I ?"\ Y'D DRY YRF (F1 N TAKE A
BA?6 ,TALK AB DO+ "S?+ /UPID40 8,I AM N
/UPID60 ,%E DEF5D$ H]F VEHE;TLY4 8,DON'T
CALL ME /UPID60 8,EV5 ! SM>TE/ P     #aj
"S"TS MAKE /UPID *OICES10 HE C.T]$1 8&
:AT Y J DID 0 PLA9 /UPID40 ,%E MI<T H
DEBAT$ ! PO9T1 B HE TOOK HOLD ( H] WRI/
ONCE M & L$ H] BACK 6": H] WAGON 0 /UCK4
,HE /OPP$ NEXT 6HIS HORSE1 REL1S$ 8 GRIP
ON H]1 & R1*$ UP 6UNTIE 8 B$ROLL4 ,%E
4PLAY$ A 3FUS$ LOOK :5 HE %OV$ A BLANKET
96H] >MS4 8,G 2H ! BRU% & GET ^? WET
DUDS (F4 ,I'LL R.D UP "S DRY T9D] =A
FIRE40 ,M>IAN />$ 9ANELY AT ! BLANKET4
8,Y C'T S]I\SLY EXPECT ME 6''' 64ROBE80
8,GET A MOVE ON60 ,HE FIR$ ! ^WS AT H]4
8,I'LL 2 HANG$ IF ,I TAKE ! BLAME = YR
DY+ F A *ILL40 ,%E BACK$ AWAY1 FE>;L T
,J]ROD MI<T DECIDE 6HELP H] UNDRESS4
,ONCE 2H ! BU%ES1 %E 2GAN 6"W ! FA/5]S
LOOSE ON H] BODICE4 ,TRY+ 6SEW UP A FL\R
SACK )A PIT*=K WD H BE5 A SIMPLE TASK
-P>$ 6%$D+ H] CLO?+4 8,": Y AT1 F>M]
GIRL80 ,J]ROD CALL$ \4 8,"T IS ;A-WA/+60
,M>IAN WRAPP$ H]F SECURELY 9 ! BLANKET &
GA!R$ UP H] WET CLO!S4 8,Y NE$ "S HELP80
HE ASK$4 8,I'M -+60 %E RETORT$ %>PLY1
PICK+ H] WAY C>E;LLY "? ! BRU%4 8,DID Y
"E TRY & WALK B>EFOOT "? ? /UFF80    #aa
,H] %[ ( TEMP] APPE>$ 6COOL ,J]ROD'S
IRE4 ,Z %E CAME 96SI<T1 HE NO4$ T[>D A
CAMPFIRE4 8,I'VE /RUNG A ROPE = YR ?+S4
,Y W>M YRF :ILE ,I HANG YR CLO!S 6DRY40
8,WE DON'T H "T = ?10 %E -PLA9$4 8,/OV]
IS GO+ 6-E LOOK+ = ME40 8,X WON'T TAKE
ANY L;G] 6DRY YR CLO!S ?AN X W = ME 6GET
YR WAGON UN/UCK40 ,M>IAN FELT A SP>K (
HOPE4 8,!N Y C GET X \80 ,J]ROD DID N
ANSW] =A "T4 ,HE _H BUILT 8 FIRE 2T ?REE
SAPL+S & =M$ A SEMICIRCLE CLO!SL9E BY
LOOP+ 8 ROPE 6EA* "O & BACK4 ,HE TOOK !
BUNDLE F H] & DRAP$ H] SKIRT OV] ! ROPE1
NE>E/ ! FLAMES1 !N H] BODICE4 ,! O!R
G>;TS 7 !N SPR1D 6EI SIDE1 ) H] %OES
PLAC$ ON ! GR.D A C\PLE ( FEET F ! FIRE
PIT4 ,M>IAN PA4$ OV] 6! SIDE (! FIRE &
PUT A H& \ 6W>M H] *ILL$ F+]S4
,SIMULTANE\SLY1 %E FELT ! H1T AG/ H]
FACE1 BO? F 9SIDE Z WELL Z \4 ,%E _H N"E
BE5 S SELF-3SCI\S 9 H] LIFE4 8,Y C SIT
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,M>IAN _H N NOTIC$ ! OILSK9 SLICK] T
HE'D SPR1D \ ON ! GR.D NEXT 6A PILE (
BRAN*ES4 ,%E KNELT ONTO X & CURL$    #ab
H] LEGS "U H] UNTIL %E 0 SITT+ D[N4 8,I
DON'T SUPPOSE Y BR"\ ANY GRUB ) Y1 MUD
KITT580 8,N-NO4 ,I EXPECT$ 6BE HOME 0?
"T40 8,J Y &! LOAD ( WOOD1 HUH80 8,WE
NE$ A NEW F;E 6KEEP \R C[ & T1M 9 AT
NI<TS4 ,! PO/S >E = BUILD+ A CORRAL40
,HE SNORT$4 8,!N Y HAV5'T EAT5 S9CE
BR1KFA/40 ,X 0 A /ATE;T4 8,"E ?9K T Y
MI<T GET CAU<T 9 ANO!R /ORM1 T Y MI<T H
A BR1KD[N ON ! TRAIL1 5D UP )A LAME
HORSE80 ,%E SORELY WI%$ %E _H 5C.T]$
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5JOY$ TELL+ ! HAU<TY1 SELF-"RE\S ,DANMY]
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SITU,N8 8,H[ DID Y HAPP5 BY80 %E SD1
*ANG+ ! SUBJECT4 8,W]E Y ON YR WAY 9TO
T[N80 ,HE COCK$ 8 H1D T[>D 8 SA4LE &
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RIFLE %1?4 8,I TOOK ! AFN (F 6D "S FI%+4
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6TAKE A BA?--T >E GD FI%+ HOLES4 ,I
CAU<T 5 = SUPP]1 B X LOOKS Z IF WE'LL 2
EAT+ !M "R "H40 8,RE,Y1 ,MR4 ,DANMY]1 ,I
DON'T WANT 6EAT YR FI%4 ,I M/ GET    #ac
HOME4 ,/OV]--0 8,Y1H1 ,I "K ALL AB YR
"F40 8,C Y GET ! WAGON \80 8,X'S GO+ TO
TAKE "S "T4 ,I'LL H 6UNLOAD ! PO/S F/4
,IF LI<T5+ ! WAGON / DOESN'T ALL[ !
HORSES 6G =W>D1 WE'LL H 6UNHIT* !M & TRY
& PULL ! WAGON \ ! WAY X W5T IN4 ,EI
WAY1 X'S GO+ 6TAKE A C\PLE H\RS40 ,M>IAN
LOOK$ AB N]V\SLY4 8,A C\PLE ( H\RS80
8,IF WE C GET X \ AT ALL10 HE REPLI$4
8,WE MI<T H 6WAIT UNTIL X GETS COLD 5 TO
FIRM UP ! GR.D4 ,T WD 2 CLOS] 6"DLI<T40
8,NO60 %E SD A BIT TOO EMPHATIC,Y4
,RECOV]+ AT ONCE1 %E S(T5$ H] VOICE4 8,I
M1N1 ,I H 6GET HOME4 ,/OV] HAS A '''0
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8,HE'LL WORRY AB ME40 8,WE'LL H "S?+ TO
EAT & DRY \ YR ?+S Z BE/ WE C4 ,!N ,I'LL
UNLOAD ! WAGON4 ,B+O "\ 6BE A# 6HELP !
T1M BACK ! WAGON UP A LL4 ,IF WE C GET A
RUN AT X1 YR HORSES MI<T H 5 MO;TUM 6/>T
! WAGON MOV+ =W>D4 ,ONCE !Y GET GO+1 !Y
%D 2 A# 6PULL \ (! BOG40 8,!N WE'LL H TO
RELOAD ! PO/S80 8,"R40 ,%E SI<$ DEEPLY4
,8 LOGIC & H] /UCK WAGON SEEM$ 6(F] NO
ALT]NATIVE4 8,ALL "R1 ,MR4 ,DANMY]4  #ad
,I WD LOVE 6%>E YR FI%40
  ,,*APT] #B
  ,"! 0 A /RA9$ SIL;E 2T ,M>IAN & ,J]ROD
DUR+ ! M1L4 ,HE _H FIX+S 9 8 SA4LEBAGS
2C HE FREQU5TLY ATE ON ! TRAIL4 ,HE US$
A H&;L ( FL\R &A LL SALT ON ! FI%4 ,HE
AL _H A T9 ( B1NS1 : HE W>M$ NEXT 6A
SMALL POT ( C(FEE4 ,M>IAN ATE QUIETLY1
GRACI\SLY A3EPT+ ! TWO FI% HE PREP>$ =
H] &A POR;N (! B1NS4 ,HE _H ONLY A S+LE
CUP =! C(FEE1 : HE GAVE 6H]4 ,HE HMF
DRANK F ! POT4 ,:5 !Y F9I%$ ! M1G] F1/1
HE OP5$ ANO!R T94 ,6H] SURPRISE1 X 0 AN
AIRTI<T ( P1*ES4 ,%E REFRA9$ F M5;N+ T
%E & H] FAMILY _H N 5JOY$ ! LUXURY (
CANN$ FRUIT 9 OV] TWO YE>S4 ,HE TOOK
ONLY A C\PLE ( BITES & !N H&$ ! 3TA9] TO
H]4 ,%E SAVOR$ E MORSEL1 EV5 DR9K+ !
JUICE 6EMPTY ! 3TA9]4 ,6H] *AGR91 ! AC;N
DID N PASS UNNOTIC$4 8,HATE 6WA/E !
SYRUP10 %E SD SELF-3SCI\SLY4 8,BE5 A DRY
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,TAT]S & B1NS >E LIKELY YR /1DY DIET40
8,WE H CORN & O!R VEGETA#S TOO4 ,WE'RE
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! 9TRU.N1 B 8 VOICE 0 MELL[ :5 HE SPOKE4
8,? T[N C GR[1 B Y ,DANMY]S 3TROL ! FL[
(! ,RA3OON ,CREEK 0VIRTUE ( YR PROP]TY40
8,WE A9'T (A M9D 6DAM UP ! /R1M10 ,JAKE
TOLD HM4 8,! WAT] IS "! = ANY"O AL;G XS
R\TE40 8,T'S ! PO9T4 ,)A DAM & IRRIG,N1
? -MUN;Y CD GR[ 6! SIZE ( ,DODGE OR EV5
,KANSAS ,C;Y4 ,WE CD GET A RAILROAD SPUR
F ! ,KANSAS ,PACIFIC ,RAILROAD & %IP \R
PRODUCE BACK EA/4 ,"!'S A C;Y WAIT+ 6BE
BORN 9 ,$540 8,IF WE _H WANT$ 6LIVE 9 A
C;Y1 WE'D H MOV$ 6"O 6/>T )1 ,L9K4 ,)
FREQU5T DR"\S & BITT]LY COLD W9T]S1 ! L&
>.D "H IS SUPPORT+ ALL ! P & LIVE/OCK X
C H&LE40 ,K5O PRODUC$ A SMALL FLASK F
9SIDE 8 %IRT & TOOK A %ORT SIP4 ,HE DID
N BL9K AT ! BURN+ LIQUID1 B SPOKE TO
,H>K]4 8,I TOLD Y T X WD 2 A WA/E ( "T
6RIDE \ "H1 ,MAYOR40 ,H>K] GAVE AN
A6IRMATIVE NOD1 B ,L9K DID N WI% 6LET
UP4 8,"! >E A DOZ5 BUY]S WAIT+1      #dd
,DANMY]1 BE7+ = L&4 ,H[ AB GIV+ U A LL
HELP "H40 ,JAKE 0 TIR$ (! 3V]S,N & LET X
%[ 9 8 REPLY4 8,IF Y NE$ HELP F9D+ YR
WAY BACK 6T[N1 WE C %[ Y ! ROAD4 ,O!R
?AN T1 ! ANSW] IS NO40 ,J]ROD MOV$ >.D
6/& NEXT 6HIS "F4 ,HE ALL[$ 8 H& TO
NATUR,Y RE/ ON ! BUTT ( 8 ,COLT4 ,! ?REE
M5 _H -E 6TALK BUSI;S1 B ,K5O CD TURN
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?AN "O FI<T 9 8 PLACE 0PI/OL-:IPP+ BO?
PATRONS4 ,L9K WAV$ 8 H& 9 AN 5COMPASS+
GE/URE4 8,:AT AB YR NOR? TWO P>CELS8 ,Y
ONLY USE T = W9T] FE$40 ,JAKE ANSW]$1
8,& :5 ! W9T] -ES1 WE'LL NE$ T /ORE (
CUT GRASS & WILD :1T40 8,MAYBE Y %D SEE
A DOCTOR AB YR HE>+ PRO#M1 ,L9K10 ,J]ROD
V5TUR$4 8,"S"TS X'S ONLY A BUILDUP (
WAX40 ,! /ORE [N] GL>$ AT HM4 8,Y ?REE
>E FE$+ ON PRIME /1K :ILE "EY"O ELSE 9 !
VALLEY IS FI<T+ OV] A FEW M1G] B"OS4 ,H[
M* L& D Y NE$80 8,! "Q IS1 H[ M* D Y
BOYS NE$80 ,J]ROD ASK$ 9 RETURN4 ,K5O 0
! "O 6REPLY4 8,I DON'T NE$ M ?AN MY
TAV]N &A FRLY BOTTLE40 ,HE GR9N$1 B "! 0
A /EELY GL9T 9 8 EYES4 8,B ,I D NE$  #de
CU/OM]S 6/AY 9 BUSI;S4 ,! BUN* ( Y "H
SURE DON'T BUY M* 9 MY PLACE40 8,GET A
DEC5T COOK10 ,J]ROD TOLD HM4 8,WE DON'T
D M* DR9K+1 B WE'D PAY =A GD M1L N[ &
AG40 8,X A9'T MY FAULT IF ! ,WID[
,HE9RI* MAKES ONLY ,G]MAN DI%ES4 ,%E'S !
ONLY "O :O W "W = :AT ,I C PAY40
8,G5TLEM510 ,H>K] 9T]RUPT$1 8,I ?9K \R
BUSI;S IS F9I%$ "H4 ,K5O1 ,L9K1 X IS
OBVI\S T ! ,DANMY]S H NO L& = SALE40
8,EASY = Y 6SAY T1 ,LYLE10 ,L9K GR[L$4
8,Y [N ! BANK4 ,Y C *>GE UPW>D TO
?IRTY-P]C5T 9T]E/ ON E DIME Y L5D \4 ,I
"W ON A TI<T P]C5TAGE & MO/LY ON CR$IT4
,I'M /RU7L+ 6KEEP F GO+ BROKE40 ,H>K]
FR[N$4 8,L9K1 Y WD F9D ! SAME 9T]E/ AT
ANY BANK 9 ! /ATE4 ,": "! IS A /R;G
POSSIBIL;Y ( DEFAULT1 ,I H 6*>GE M 6COV]
! GAM#40 8,& 0VIRTUE ( T HI<] RATE1 Y
=CE ^? P 96FOLD+4 ,!N Y C RESELL _!
PROP]TY =A BIG PR(IT4 ,Y1H1 ,I C SEE ":
,I %D H GOTT5 96! BANK+ BUSI;S 9/1D (
SETT+ UP A /ORE40 ,! MAYOR'S FACE GREW
D>K4 8,WE DIDN'T -E \ "H 6FUSS AM;G
\RVS4 ,WE'VE WA/$ A TRIP40 8,SORRY   #df
WE CDN'T HELP Y1 ,MAYOR10 ,JAKE (F]$
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MAYOR LIFT$ A H& 9 "P+4 8,I "U/&
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,J]ROD4 ,I'LL 2 SEE+ Y G5TLEM540 8,S
L;G1 ,LYLE10 ,JAKE REPLI$4 ,! MAYOR J]K$
8 HORSE >.D & KICK$ X 96A LOPE4 ,HE DID
N SIT A HORSE WELL1 EV5 :5 X 0 9 A SMOO?
GAIT4 ,A MAN 3F9$ MO/LY 6A DESK & *AIR1
HE 0 \ ( "T )! ANIMAL4 8,S M* = -MUN;Y
SUPPORT10 ,K5O QUIPP$4 8,I TOLD ! MAYOR
T Y ,DANMY]S WDN'T 2 ANY HELP40 8,TAKE 8
EXAMPLE10 ,J]ROD TOLD ,K5O1 8& RIDE \40
,K5O N>R[$ 8 GAZE4 8,BE/ WALK S(TLY1
,DANMY]10 HE W>N$4 8,Y DON'T WANT ME =
AN 5EMY40 8,NOR =A FR1 ,I'D WAG]10
,J]ROD RETORT$4 ,L9K EMITT$ A SI< (
RESIGN,N4 8,X'S BE5 A WA/E ( BR1? 6TALK
6Y P40 8,YR BR1? IS PRETTY WA/$ ALL "R1
,L9K10 ,J]ROD QUIPP$4 8,DID Y H SKUNK
/EW = LUN*80 ,JAKE SWATT$ ,J]ROD'S >M1
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MADE U AN (F] & WE D"O SD NO1 ,L9K4 ,I
RECKON WE'RE "? TALK+40 8,X WD SEEM S10
,K5O REPLI$1 B HE REMA9$ /,N>Y4 ,8   #dg
EYES 7 PALE GRE5 & Z LIFE.S Z ^? PA9T$
ON A DOLL4 ,HE FIX$ A />E ON ,J]ROD4 8,Y
GOT A R1L KE5 S5SE ( HUMOR1 ,J]RY10 HE
SD DRYLY4 8,Y "\A ?9K AB TRY+ YR LUCK ON
/AGE--! NEXT "O \ ( T[N40 ,J]ROD SMIL$4
8,N[ Y SURPRISE ME1 ,K5O4 ,I ALW ?"\ Y
_H ALL ! W>M? & *>M (A SACK ( SMALLPOX1
& "H Y >E1 MAK+ A JE/4 ,GOES 6%[ T WE H
"S?+ 9 -MON--WE BO? TELL BAD JOKES40
,K5O *UCKL$1 TOOK ANO!R SIP F 8 FLASK1 &
TUCK$ X AWAY4 ,HE HALT$ 8 MO;N & FLICK$
8 EYES D[N AT ,J]ROD'S GUN4 8,"O LA/ ?+1
,J]RY4 ,IF X CAME 6A FI<T1 Y WD 2 A MITE
SL[ GETT+ T SNAKE KILL] \ ( XS HOL/]4 ,!
?;G IS / 9 PLACE40 ,J]ROD MET ! MAN'S
GAZE1 M1SUR+ HM1 UNWILL+ 6%[ ANY FE>4
,6C.T] 8 /ATE;T1 HE SMIL$4 8,I
APPRECIATE YR TELL+ ME AB X1 ,K5O40 ,K5O
TURN$ 8 HORSE >.D ) SL[ DELIB],N4 ,HE &
,L9K />T$ BACK T[>D T[N4 ,)9 A FEW
M9UTES1 !Y _H CAU<T UP )! MAYOR & 7 G"O
F SI<T4 8,Y TIR$ ( LIV+80 ,JAKE SNAPP$4
8,:AT'S ! IDEA ( PU%+ ,K5O8 ,HE'S AB Z
D1DLY Z A BOOT FULL ( SCORPIONS60 8,:AT
D Y MAKE ( X1 ,PA80 ,J]ROD IGNOR$ 8  #dh
\TBUR/4 8,D Y ?9K ^? ?REE >E GO+ 6ALL !
NE>BY F>MS & TRY+ 6BUY !M \80 8,I WDN'T
D\BT X4 ,Y HE>D :AT !Y SD1 "!'S A -MIS.N
F E SALE--M ?AN T IF !Y C PICK UP "O (!
F>MS *1P & RESELL X !MVS40 8,?9K ,I'LL
SLIP 0"O (! NEI<BORS 9 A "D OR TWO & SEE
IF !Y MADE HM AN (F]4 ,Y N"E "K :5 ,L9K
& ,K5O MI<T />T PU%+ A LL TOO H>D4 ,IF
!Y D1 WE'LL D>N WELL WANT 6D "S?+ AB X40
8,! MAYOR WON'T /& = ANY?+ L T40 8,H>K]
[NS ! BANK1 B ,K5O & ,L9K C D :AT !Y
PL1SE )\T 8 3S5T4 ,I DON'T ?9K ! MAYOR
PULLS M* WEI<T AG/ ! TWO ( !M40 8,Y CD 2
"R1 SON40 8,L9K 0 "R AB ! 9T]E/ ,H>K]
*>GES4 ,HE HAS BU/$ A FEW F>M]S 9 ! PA/
C\PLE YE>S4 ,IF HE 0 (A M9D TO1 HE CD
BR1K HALF ! P 9 ! VALLEY40 8,! MAYOR
ONLY DOES :AT HE HAS 6IN ORD] 6/AY 9
BUSI;S4 ,K5O & ,L9K MI<T H >RIV$ AT !
SAME "T1 B ,I'VE N"E TRU/$ EI ( !M40
,J]ROD WAV$ A H& 6*ASE (F A BUZZ+ FLY4
8,I GUESS "!'S NO H>M 9 !M MAK+ ! F>M]S
AN (F] = _! L&40 ,8 "F AGRE$4 8,NOPE4
,NO?+ A'TALL4 ,LET'S GET 6"W1 2F ,V9CE
-ES 6-PLA9 T WE DES]T$ HM40          #di
  8,GET ! RIFLE RELOAD$1 ,BR&ON60 ,/OV]
%\T$ AT ! "YE/ MEMB] (! ,GATES FAMILY4
8,Y'LL GET U ALL KILL$1 /&+ >.D ) YR
F+]S 9 YR E>S6 ,T "! T>GET IS A MAN )A
GUN6 ,IF Y DON'T %OOT HM1 HE'LL D>N WELL
PUT A HOLE 9 YR GIZZ>D60 ,M>IAN GRIMAC$1
WAT*+ H] LL BRO!R4 ,HE 0 ! W1KL+ (!
FAMILY1 & N ONLY 2C ( 8 AGE4 ,SICKLY Z A
*1 HE _H GR[N UP )A PAS.N = MUSIC &
5JOY+ ! WOND]S ( NATURE4 ,HE (T5 PICK$ A
WILDFL[] 6%[ H] & WD /OP "W 6WAT* A BIRD
9 FLI<T OR ! *IPMUNKS *ASE "O ANO!R AB4
,HE 0 AN UNLIKELY SON 6A MAN RAIS$ Z H>D
Z A DRILL BIT4 8,= CRY+ \ L\D1 ,BR&ON60
,/OV] /OMP$ OV] 6! BOY & SNAT*$ ! W1PON
\ ( 8 H&S4 8,Y'VE GOT 6PULL BACK ! BOLT6
,Y C'T J %OVE ! R.D D[N ! B>REL60
8,SORRY1 SIR10 ,BR&ON :9$4 8,I A9'T N"E
LOAD$ ? GUN 2F40 8,! ONLY ?+ HE'S "E
FIR$ IS ! %OTGUN10 ,TOMMY SD1 /ICK+ UP =
,BR&ON4 8,ALL "R60 ,/OV] BELL[$1 PU%+
,BR&ON AWAY F ! RIFLE4 8,IF TR\# -ES1 Y
USE ! %OTGUN6 ,M>IAN60 HE SD1 TURN+ 8
IRE T[>D H]4 8,X'S YR TURN4 ,IF ,9DIANS
OR NI<T RAID]S -E 6\R H\SE LOOK+ =   #ej
TR\#1 WE'LL GIVE !M A DOSE ( L1D60
,M>IAN 0 GLAD T ,TOMMY _H SP5T "S "T %[+
H] ! "W+S (! RIFLE4 ,%E MISS$ ! BIG PO/
ON H] F/ TRY1 B SCOR$ A HIT ON BO? H]
SECOND & ?IRD %OTS4 ,X 0 5 6SATISFY
,/OV]4 8,T'S GD60 ,HE CALL$ AN 5D 6_!
PRACTICE4 8,DIG ! L1D \ (! PO/1 ,TOM4
,WE'LL PUT 9 A /ORE ( AMMUNI;N = BO?
GUNS40 ,HE PAUS$1 EXT5D+ A L;G F+] TO
9CLUDE ALL ?REE ( !M4 8,& NO "O MOVES AB
AL"O4 ,T "U/OOD80 8,HAS "! RE,Y BE5
,9DIANS SI<T$80 ,M>IAN ASK$4 8,NO TELL+
:O ! 5EMIES >E1 GAL4 ,"S"O SET FIRE 6"O
( ,&Y ,BR[N'S FIELDS ! O!R NI<T4 ,%OT AT
,TOBY1 TOO40 8,:Y WD ANY"O D T80 8,&Y
DIDN'T "K :AT ! R1SON CD BE10 ,/OV] SD
GRIMLY4 8,! IDEA IS = U 6BE R1DY = ANY?+
T -ES \R WAY4 ,N[ GET A MOVE ON60 ,ONCE
,/OV] 0 \ ( E>%OT1 ,TOMMY PUT A 3SOL+ H&
ON ,BR&ON'S %\LD]4 8,IF WE GET "S "T
LAT]1 ,I'LL GIVE Y A C\PLE LESSONS ON H[
6%OOT ! RIFLE4 ,N[ Y TAKE ! GUN 6! H\SE4
,I'LL DIG ! L1D \ (! PO/40 8,BET Y DON'T
F9D N"O ( M9E10 ,BR&ON SD S\RLY4 8,I N"E
-E CLOSE 6! PO/40 ,M>IAN WAT*$       #ea
,BR&ON HURRY T[>D ! H\SE )! RIFLE4 ,!
GUN LOOK$ L>G] ?AN HM4 8,"S"TS ,I FEEL S
SORRY = ,BR&ON10 %E SD4 ,TOMMY DID N
WAT* 8 BRO!R4 ,HE _H A CURI\S LOOK ON 8
FACE :5 HE SPOKE 6,M>IAN4 8,I HE>D Y -E
HOME LA/ NI<T10 HE SD4 8,:5 ,I HE>D
VOICES1 ,I PEEK$ \ ! %UTT]40 ,M>IAN DID
N (F] A ^W4 8,/OV] 0 9 A RAGE 0! "T X 0
D>K4 ,IF WE _H [N$ ANO!R HORSE1 HE WD H
SET \ 6LOOK = Y40 8,I TRI$ 6TAKE !
%ORTCUT ACR ,RA3OON ,CREEK & GOT /UCK 6!
HUBS40 8,I SAW ! DRI$ MUD CRU/$ ON !
:EELS ? MORN+4 ,:AT ELSE HAPP5$80
8,NO?+40 8,:O 0 ! GUY80 ,%E SI<$1
EXPECT+ ,TOMMY 6T1SE H]4 8,J]ROD
,DANMY]40 ,TOMMY1 H["E1 3T9U$ 64PLAY A
S]I\S MI54 8,WE _H -PANY LA/ NI<T1 :ILE
Y 7 G"O--,V]NON ,KRUG]4 ,I DIDN'T CAT*
ALL ! ^WS1 B HE & ,/OV] 7 4CUSS+ YR
FUTURE40 ,M>IAN'S HE>T /OPP$4 ,A CL\D (
DR1D SWEPT OV] H] L A %R\D ( DOOM4 ,%E
RAN H] T;GUE AL;G H] LIPS1 NE$+ !
MOI/URE 6ASK1 8,&80 8,V]NON SD T HE 0
GO+ 6ADD A SECOND H\SE 6HIS PLACE4 ,HE
HAS PL5TY ( ROOM1 :AT ) !M ONLY      #eb
RAIS+ FE$ = _! HOGS40 ,TOM SI<$4 8,I
EXPECT ,WOLFGANG W -E C\RT+ "O ( ^! NEXT
"DS40 ,"! X WAS1 LAID \ 2F H]4 ,M>IAN 0
UNA# 6FOCUS H] EYES1 />+ \ ACR ! FIELD (
NE>LY RIPE CORN4 ,A VA/ EMPTI;S SPR1D "?
H] *E/1 Z IF "S"O _H PULL$ H] LIFE PLUG
& LET ! AIR ESCAPE F H] LUNGS4
8,WOLFGANG A9'T S BAD10 ,TOMMY 3T9U$4
8,HE PLAYS AN A3ORDION Z GD Z ANY"O ,I
"E HE>D1 & HE A9'T UGLY OR NO?+40 ,AT H]
LACK ( 5?USIASM1 HE A4$1 8,2SS1 ,V]NON
IS AB Z RI* Z ANY"O 9 ! VALLEY4 ,Y WON'T
H 6WORRY AB YR KIDS GO+ HUNGRY OR N HAV+
A RO( OV] YR H1D40 ,M>IAN WRUNG H] H&S4
8,YES1 B ''' B ,I DON'T L HM1 ,TOMMY6
,HE HAS S* A SIMPLETON LAU<4 ,HE S.DS L
A HY5A )A F1!R UP 8 NOSE60 8,NO >GU;T
"!4 ,/1 ,V]NON "KS A GD ?+ = 8 SON :5 HE
SEES X1 & Y'RE X40 8,I'LL REFUSE6 ,I'LL
RUN AWAY4 ,I'LL G "S": & F9D "W6 ,IF X
M1NS />V+ \ ON ! OP5 PLA9S1 ,I'LL N 2
B.D 6HM40 8,/OV] WD F9D Y1 & HE WD B1T Y
BLACK & BLUE = GO+ AG/ 8 W40 8,:AT AB
Y80 %E ASK$1 *ALL5G+ HM4 8,:AT WD Y D IF
HE PO9T$ 8 F+] AT A GIRL & SD        #ec
,8,"!'S YR WIFE60'0 ,TOMMY GR9N$4
8,GUESS ,I'D DECIDE IF ,I WANT$ H] OR
N40 8,& IF Y DIDN'T80 ,HE TOOK A DEEP
BR1? & LET X \ SL[LY4 8,"! W -E A "D :5
,/OV] HAS 6A3EPT ME Z A MAN1 ON EV5
T]MS4 ,IF N1 ,I'LL L1VE4 ,IF HE WON'T
LET ME L1VE1 ,I'LL FI<T HM40 8,I C'T
PHYSIC,Y FI<T HM10 ,M>IAN REPLI$4 8,B X
ISN'T "R6 ,I %D H "S SAY 9 MY [N LIFE40
8,/OV] SEES F9D+ Y A HUSB& Z "P ( 8
RESPONSIBIL;Y4 ,IF Y REFUSE 6M>RY
,WOLFGANG '''0 ,HE LET ! ^WS HANG4 8,I
"K ! B1T+ Y GOT = GO+ ON T HAYRIDE4 ,I
HE>D YR SCR1MS F ! %$40 ,M>IAN FELT AN
9/ANT %AME4 ,X WASN'T T HE _H HE>D H]
9VOLUNT>Y CRIES1 = %E _H AL HE>D 8 WAILS
ON O3A.N1 SU6]+ "U ! BRUTAL L1!R /RAP4
,! %AME 0 2C %E _H BE5 =C$ 65DURE S*
DEGRAD,N AT H] AGE1 -P.D$ 0! FACT T %E
DIDN'T FEEL %E DES]V$ S* H>% PUNI%;T4
8,?ANKS = TELL+ ME AB ,V]NON1 ,TOMMY4 ,X
W HELP ME PREP>E = :AT"E LIES AH1D40
8,IF WE LEFT TGR1 WE MI<T MAKE X ON \R
[N1 SIS4 ,I'M OLD 5 6GET A JOB1 & Y'RE A
GD "W]4 ,WE CD GET BY40 ,%E (F]$ HM  #ed
A SMILE ( G5U9E A6EC;N4 8,?ANKS1 ,TOM1 B
,I'M N R1DY 6RUN--N YET40 8,I SUPPOSE YR
NEXT MOVE IS 6KEEP GETT+ ! WAGON /UCK
UNTIL ! "R GUY -ES AL;G 6GET Y \40 8,I
DIDN'T D S BADLY ? "T40 8,PULL$ \ 0A
,DANMY]80 ,HE LAU<$ AT ! IDEA4 8,Y'RE
LUCKY ,/OV] DIDN'T DRAG Y 96! WOOD%$ =
T40 8,J]ROD 0 A P]FECT G5TLEMAN4 ,I TOLD
,/OV] Z M*40 8,BET HE TOOK A SPOON (
CA/OR OIL 2F GO+ 6B$1 J 6GET ! BITT]
TA/E \ ( 8 M\?4 ,"! Y W]E1 WAIT+ =A %9+
KNI<T 6>RIVE ON 8 :ITE /ALLION & C>RY Y
(F 6HIS CA/LE1 & Y GET ! MO/ HAT$ MAN 9
! H\SEHOLD40 8,HIS HORSE 0 A M>E1 & %E 0
BLACK1 & H] "N 0 ,B+O40 ,TOMMY SNORT$4
8,A M>E "ND ,B+O4 ,T'S A R1L T\< "N =A
HORSE40 8,:AT D Y M1N80 8,Y'D EXPECT A
"Y MAN 6H A HORSE "ND ,DIABLO1 ,%AD[1
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UNTAM$40 8,2+ A MAN DOESN'T M1N ONLY 2+
T\< & H>D4 ,TAKE ,BR&ON1 = 9/.E4 ,HE'LL
N"E 2 H>D OR UNYIELD+ L ,/OV]1 B HE W /
2COME A MAN40 8,:AT'N ?"U Y DO+ OV] "!80
,/OV] BELL[$ F ! Y>D4 8,GET ! SLUGS \TTA
! PO/ & GET ON BACK "H6 ,WE'VE GOT   #ee
A F;E 6BUILD60 8,YES1 SIR60 ,TOM %\T$
BACK1 US+ 8 KNIFE 6DIG =! BULLETS4
,M>IAN /OOD NEXT 6HM1 H] H&S CUPP$ TGR
AG/ ! WOOD5 %AFT 6CAT* ! PIECES ( L1D4
,%E ALL[$ A SMIRK 6SURFACE4 8,T'S ! MAN
Y 9T5D 6/& UP TO80 ,TOMMY %[$ 8
GD-NATUR$ GR94 8,Y1H1 B N TD1 SIS4 ,N
TD40
  ,,*APT] #D
  ,JAKE ,DANMY] /OOD AT ! H1D (! TA#4
,V9CE'S WIFE1 ,M>IA1 :O AL 0 ! FAMILY
COOK & H\SEKEEP]1 P\R$ C(FEE ALL >.D &
!N TOOK H] PLACE NEXT 6,V9CE4 ,PACO &
,REUB5 ,SAN*EZ1 ,M>IA'S TWO BRO!RS1 :O
BO? "W$ =! ,DANMY]S1 SAT ON EI SIDE (
,J]ROD4 ,HE 0 ON A /OOL1 L1N+ AG/ !
WALL4 ,HE SIPP$ ! HOT BREW1 Z 8 "F TOOK
A *AIR & APPE>$ 6GA!R 8 ?"\S4 8,! ,BR[N
F>M 0 SET AFIRE ! O!R NI<T10 ,JAKE 2GAN4
8,X CD H BE5 A C\PLE ( R5EGADE ,9DIANS1
OR MAYBE "S"O GETT+ BACK AT ,TOBY = 2+ A
BULLY40 ,HE DID N ELABORATE ON T NO;N1 Z
,PACO ,SAN*EZ _H BE5 ,TOBY'S T>GET A FEW
WEEKS PA/4 ,! B1T+ _H LEFT ,PACO / TR\#D
0A LOOSE TOO? F 2+ HIT 9 ! M\?4      #ef
,V9CE ASK$1 8,!Y LOSE M*80 8,"O FIELD (
CORN 0 WIP$ \4 ,!Y >E GO+ 6H A "T ( X ?
YE>40 8,BE A %AME 6H !M FOLD & MOVE ON10
,J]ROD SD S>CA/IC,Y4 8,S* NICE FOLKS40
,T BR"\ A R.D ( SNICK]S1 B ,JAKE 0 N
AMUS$4 8,WE H 6WAT* \R /EP1 ,J]RY4 ,X WD
ONLY TAKE "O F>M] PO9T+ A F+] AT U &
WE'D H ! :OLE T[N UP "H 6RUN U \ (!
C.TRY40 8,IF X -ES 6SETTL+ ANY?+ )
,TOBY1 ,I'LL D X 9 P]SON10 ,V9CE DCLD4
8,HE ONLY PICK$ A FI<T ) ,PACO 2C HE 0
AL"O &! SMALLE/ GUY ON \R PLACE40 ,JAKE
DID N PURSUE T IDEA4 8,I RAN 96! MAYOR
YE/]"D 9 T[N4 ,MAX ,LOR+ HAS CALL$ A BIG
MEET+ 9 T[N -E ,SUN"D4 ,H>K] DIDN'T "K
:AT X 0 AB1 B X _H BE5 >RANG$ 2F ! FIRE4
,I GUESS WE %D H BE5 A LL NIC] 6! FOLKS
"HABS1 ,8CAUSE WE W]5'T 9VIT$40' ,8,WANT
"O ( U 6SN1K 96T[N & TRY 6EAVESDROP80'
,8,NO1 ,V9CE4 ,WE'LL LET !M H _! MEET+4
,IF X HAS ANY?+ 6D ) U1 ,H>K] PROMIS$ TO
PASS ! 9=M,N AL;G40' ,8,O!R ?AN ! RUN-IN
) ,TOBY1 WE HAV5'T _H ANY TR\# LATELY10'
,J]ROD OBS]V$4 ,8,Y'RE "R1 & ,I DON'T
?9K WE H 6BE 3C]N$ AB ! MEET+4       #eg
,H["E1 WE NE$ 6/>T KEEP+ AN EYE \ =
ANY"O SNOOP+ >.D OR ACT+ SUSPICI\S4 ,I
WANT Y ALL 6KEEP YR GUNS H&Y1 9 CASE "!
>E M ( ^! A3ID5TAL FIRES40' ,! GR\P
F9I%$ _! C(FEE & W5T AB _! RESPECTIVE
*ORES4 ,J]ROD CD N HELP B NOTICE T ,V9CE
FOLL[$ HM4 ,HE F9,Y /OPP$ 6SEE :AT 8
BRO!R WANT$4 ,8,Y 7 LATE GETT+ HOME NI<T
2F LA/10' ,V9CE SD4 ,8,& WE DIDN'T H FI%
= BR1KFA/ YE/]"D4 ,Y LOS+ YR T\* )A POLE
& HOOK80' ,8,I RAN ONTO A PILGRIM AT
,RA3OON ,CREEK4 ,_H 6HELP GET A WAGON
UN/UCK & 5D$ UP %>+ ! FI%40' ,8,Y ACTU,Y
MADE FRS ) "O (! F>M]S80' ,HE SI<$1 "K+
": ! 3V]S,N 0 H1D$4 ,8,X WASN'T EXACTLY
A F>M]40' ,8,OH40' ,8,:AT D Y M1N1 OH80'
,8,NO?+10' HE SD1 FEIGN+ -PLETE 9NOC;E4
,8,ONLY Y'VE BE5 K9D ( W&]+ >.D ) YR H1D
9 ! CL\DS "E S9CE40' ,8,:AT'S T SUPPOS$
6M1N80' ,8,OH1 ,I DON'T M1N ANY?+40'
,8,Y ALW M1N "S?+1 ,V9CE4 ,IF Y ?9K T
"S?+ HAPP5$ 2T U1 Y'RE D1D WR;G40' ,8,!N
? 0 A F>M] GAL80' ,)A SI< ( DEF1T1
,J]ROD SD1 ,8,YES40' ,8,I RECKON X 0 "O
(! HOMELY ,KRUG] GIRLS8 ,I M1N1 "!   #eh
A9'T B A C\PLE T >E R1L LOOK]S 9 ! :OLE
VALLEY40' ,8,X 0 ,M>IAN ,GATES40'
,8,M>IAN80' HE REP1T$4 ,8,%E M/ 2 CLOSE
6TW5TY 0? "T10' HE SD1 GR9N+1 ,8& CUTE Z
A BABY'S F/ SMILE40' ,8,&80' ,AG ,V9CE
%[$ AN 9NOC5T LOOK4 ,8,&8 ,:Y WD "! 2
ANY &8 ,Y &! LADY SP5T ! NI<T TGR4 ,T'S
ALL "! IS 6X40' ,8,WE DIDN'T SP5D ! NI<T
TGR40' ,8,Y %>$ YR FI% ) H]40' ,8,X 0 T
OR LET H] G HUNGRY4 ,X TOOK "S "T 6GET !
WAGON \40' ,8,Y SURE 7 LATE40' ,8,I SAW
H] HOME40' ,8,SILLY ME1 ( C\RSE Y DID4
,ANY G5TLEMAN WD SEE 8 FAIR LADY HOME40'
,8,I DIDN'T SAY %E 0 MY FAIR LADY40'
,V9CE LAU<$4 ,8,)A "F L ,/OV] ,GATES1 ,I
%D ?9K N4 ,BET HE 0 Z HAPPY Z A C[ 9
KNEE-HI< CLOV] 6SEE 8 GIRL -E RID+ 96!
Y>D )A ,DANMY] AT H] SIDE40' ,8,I LEFT
)\T %OOT+ ANY"O &) MY [N HIDE 9TACT40'
,8,Y 7 DURN LUCKY1 BIG BRO!R4 ,I WDN'T
TE/ MY FATE A SECOND "T1 N AG/ AN OLD
GRIZZLY L HM40' ,8,I'D L 6SEE H] AG40'
,V9CE GROAN$1 NO L;G] AMUS$ 0! TALE4
,8,I KNEW X40' ,8,I'VE A M9D 6C\RT H]40'
,8,T 0 QK4 ,"O NI<T AL"O1 A FEW      #ei
H\RS TGR1 & Y ?9K Y'RE 9 LOVE40' ,8,I
ALR TOLD ,PA40' ,8,Y DIDN'T60' ,8,I
DID40' ,8,Y GOT 6BE JO%+ ME6 ,I WD H
HE>D HM LAU<+40' ,8,X'S NO JOKE40' ,V9CE
EXT5D$ 8 H&4 ,8,BE5 "R NICE HAV+ Y Z MY
BIG BRO!R1 ,J]RY4 ,I'M GO+ 6MISS Y40'
,8,Y BE/ HOPE T :5 MY PATI;E R1*ES XS
LIMIT1 ,I MISS Y TOO--)! TOE ( MY
BOOT60'
  ,M>IAN B\NC$ AL;G 9 ! BACK (! WAGON )
H] TWO BRO!RS4 ,%E 0 SELF-3SCI\S AB H]
\TFIT4 ,%E _H ACQUIR$ X :5 %E 0 F\RTE54
,X ONCE _H BE5 TOO L>GE = H]1 B N[ X
HU7$ H] TI<TLY ACR ! *E/ & 0 TOO SNUG AT
! %\LD]S4 ,=! PA/ TWO YE>S1 X 0 ! ONLY
DRESS %E _H = ,SUN"D MEET+S4 ,X 0 A
SIMPLE /YLE MADE ( YELL[ COTTON1 N[
FAD$1 ) LACE AT ! COLL>4 ,H] POKE BONNET
0 :ITE1 TRIMM$ )A YELL[ RI2ON S X WD
MAT* ! DRESS4 ,TOMMY WORE ,/OV]'S OLD
SUIT1 EV5 ?\< HE _H N GR[N 96X YET4 ,X 0
! SAME SUIT ,/OV] _H WORN 6M>RY ,WILMA
TW5TY YE>S E>LI]4 ,BR&ON AL LOOK$ A BIT
AWKW>D1 WE>+ ,TOMMY'S H&-ME-D[N SUIT
PANTS & JACKET4 ,! BOTTOM (! TR\S]S  #fj
0 ABV 8 ANKLES &! COAT SLEEVE RODE HI<
UP ON 8 WRI/S4 ,ON ! WAGON S1T1 ,WILMA 0
ATTIR$ 9 A H1VY BLACK DRESS ADORN$ )A
S+LE LACE FL\NCE & SUPPORT$ 0S"EAL
PETTICOATS4 ,H] BONNET _H LO/ XS SUBTLE
BLOCK+1 LY+ R FLAT ON H] H1D4 ,ONLY
,/OV] LOOK$ WOR?Y 65T] AN ACTUAL *UR*4
,8 MODE/ SUIT ( BLACK & MAT*+ TIE _H BE5
A GIFT F ! 5TIRE FAMILY ! PA/ ,*RI/MAS4
,! DRESS & POV]TY ( H] FAMILY _H N"E
BO!R$ ,M>IAN 6ANY GRT DEGREE1 = %E KNEW
X 0 P'S HE>TS T MADE !M WOR?:ILE & N _!
CLO?+4 ,/1 %E 0 NO L;G] A *4 ,%E WI%$ TO
LOOK M MATURE1 M DIGNIFI$4 ,! MATUR;Y (
H] BUILD &! CL+ (! SACKLIKE CO/UME DID
LL 65H.E T IDEA4 ,$5 ROSE UP 2F !M1 A
T[N (A DOZ5 BUILD+S &A S+LE MA9 /REET4
,! /AGE PASS$ "? TWICE EA* WEEK1 B
,M>IAN _H N"E BE5 =TUNATE 5 6BE 9 T[N TO
WAT* XS >RIVAL OR DE"PURE4 ,! BUILD+S
3SI/$ (A G5]AL /ORE & TRAD+ PO/2 A
BLACKSMI? %OP & LIV]Y2 ! S+LE /RUCTURE T
0 BANK1 RECORD]'S (FICE1 C;Y HALL1 &!
MAYOR'S H\SE ALL 9 "O2 A L>GE HOME T
TOOK 9 BO>D]S & (F]$ BA?S1 %AVES1 &  #fa
HAIRCUTS2 &A TAV]N T (F]$ FOOD1 DR9K1
GAMBL+1 &! -PANION%IP ( AN OV]-!-HILL
S+]-D.ER4 ,SCATT]$ NE>BY 7 A FEW HOMES1
MO/LY ( SOD1 AL? "O OR TWO _H "S WOOD =
DURABIL;Y4 ,Z !Y NE>$ ,MAX ,LOR+'S LIV]Y
B>N1 ": ! ,SUN"D MEET+S 7 HELD1 ,TOMMY
LIFT$ A H& & WAV$ AT ,WOLFGANG ,KRUG]4
,M>IAN IMMLY LOOK$ (F 9 A DI6]5T
DIREC;N4 ,IF %E PRET5D$ N 6SEE HM1 %E WD
N 2 OBLIGAT$ 6WAVE4 ,"SH[1 %E _H TO
4C\RAGE HM4 ,H] "O *.E 0 6MAKE ,WOLFGANG
DECIDE T HE DID N WANT H] Z 8 WIFE4 ,IF
T CAME AB1 ,/OV] WD H 6A3EPT ,WOLFGANG'S
DECI.N AG/ ANY UNION 2T !M4 ,H["E1
IGNOR+ ,WOLFGANG 0 N AN EASY TASK4 ,HE
RU%$ OV] 6GREET ! WAGON1 Z ,/OV] RE9$ 9
! T1M4 ,EV5 Z ! T1M CAME 6A /OP1
,WOLFGANG HURRI$ >.D 6/& 9 FRONT (
,M>IAN4 ,8,AH-HAH1 AH-HAH60' HE LAU<$ 9
8 UNMI/AKA# MANN]1 %[+ A WIDE1 -=TA# GR9
ON 8 FACE4 ,9 8 ?ICK1 ,G]MAN A35T1 HE
GREET$ H]1 ,8,I BE5 WAIT+ ALL MORN+ 6H
MY EYES ON Y1 ,MISS ,M>IAN40' ,=C+ A
DEGREE ( CORDIAL;Y 96H] FACE1 ,M>IAN
%OOK H] H1D4 ,8,H[ H Y BE51          #fb
,WOLFGANG80' ,8,AH-HAH60' HE *ORTL$ ONCE
M4 ,8,I BE5 A LOT BETT] N[ T ,I SEE Y4
,EA* "T1 Y >E M B1UTI;L ?AN ! LA/40' ,%E
REW>D$ HM )A SMILE = 8 EF=TS4 ,8,?ANK Y1
,WOLFGANG4 ,T'S V SWEET40' ,/OV] SET !
BRAKE1 CLIMB$ D[N1 !N AID$ ,WILMA 6!
GR.D4 ,TOMMY & ,BR&ON JUMP$ OV] ! BACK (
! WAGON1 :ILE ,M>IAN FOLL[$ AF H] "M4
,%E HOP$ T ,WOLFGANG WD 2 LO/ 9 ! %U6LE1
B HE KEPT PACE ) !M4 ,WOLFGANG 0 FIVE OR
SIX 9*ES TALL] ?AN ,M>IAN'S FIVE-TWO4
,HE _H L>GE1 BONY H&S1 BIG FEET1 &A L>GE
M\? ) CROOK$ TEE?4 ,8 HAIR 0 TOO L;G TO
FIT 8 ?9 FACE1 N"E -B$1 &! ODOR ( 8
FAMILY BUSI;S USU,Y A3OMPANI$ 8 BOOTS &
CLO?+4 ,8,H['S ! PIG BUSI;S DO+80'
,TOMMY ASK$4 ,8,AH-HAH6 ,X 2 DURN GD4
,WE GOTS M S[S & W1N]S ?AN Y C ?R[ A
/ICK AT40' ,8,PL5TY ( HAM1 BACON1 & PORK
=! W9T]1 HUH80' ,8,Y BET10' HE SD4 ,8,WE
MAKE LOTS ( M"OY ? YE>40' ,TOMMY CAU<T
,M>IAN'S EYE & W9K$ AT H]4 ,%E KNEW :5
%E 0 2+ TAUNT$ & RETURN$ AN ICY />E4
,8,MR4 ,GATES10' ,WOLFGANG ASK$ H] "F1 Z
!Y APPROA*$ ! 5TR.E 6! B>N1 ,8WD X   #fc
2 F9E IF ,I SIT ) YR DAU<T]8 ,I PROMISE
6BE ! FLAW.S G5TLEMAN40' ,8,L;G Z "!
A9'T NO TALK+ DUR+ ! MEET+40' ,M>IAN
GROAN$ 9W>DLY AT ! IDEA4 ,%E WD H 6KEEP
H] H&S BUSY OR RISK ,WOLFGANG PUTT+ "O (
8 PAWS OV] H] [N4 ,WORSE1 HE WD SP5D !
5TIRE MEET+ />+ AT H]1 GR9N+ F E> 6E>1
EA* "T %E _H ! MIS=TUNE ( LOOK+ AT HM4
,X 0 GO+ 6BE A L;G1 DR1D;L "D4 ,A GD _M
P 7 GA!R$ AB4 ,"! 7 MAKE%IFT B5*ES =
,SUN"D S]VICE =! ADULTS2 ! *N SAT ON !
/RAW-COV]$ FLOOR4 ,A FEW O!RS L1N$ AG/ A
/ALL OR SAT ON BUCKETS4 ,/OV] L$ ! WAY
OV] 6,V]NON ,KRUG]'S FAMILY & SQUEEZ$
SPACE 5 = ALL ( !M 6SIT D[N4 ,MAX ,LOR+
0 M ?AN A BLACKSMI?4 ,HE 0 ! _SUAL L1D]
( ,$54 ,HE _H BE5 ! "O 9 *>GE S9CE !Y
MIGRAT$ F ,OHIO1 HOLD+ PRAY] MEET+S &
GIV+ S]VICE OV] ^? :O DI$ ON ! J\RNEY4
,MAYOR ,H>K] _H EMP[]$ HM Z MAGI/RATE (
,$5 S T HE CD P]=M O!R DUTIES 6S]VE !
-MUN;Y4 ,DUR+ ,SUN"D S]VICES1 ,MRS4
,LOR+ & H] HUSB& 7 L MAT*+ BOOK5DS4
,ONCE EA* MON?1 %E H&L$ ! GIV+ ( BR1D &
W9E1 :ILE ,MAX R1D F ,COR9?IANS1     #fd
RELAT+ ,PAUL'S DESCRIP;N (! ,LA/ ,SUPP]4
,%E 0 ALW "! 6HELP1 A SA9TLY WOMAN :O
ASSUM$ NO REW>D = H] EF=TS4 ,8,MY DE>
FRS10' ,MAX 2GAN 6SP1K4 ,8,MAY ,I H YR
ATT5;N1 PL1SE40' ,! HU% 0 IMM4 ,E EYE
TURN$ 6! /R;G1 RELIA# MAN4 ,MAX1 AL? N
AN ORDA9$ M9I/]1 0 A# 6SP1K P>A#S F !
,BI# ) AU?OR;Y4 ,HE 0 N A DOM9E]+ MAN L
,/OV]2 "! 0 A G5TLE CALM 9 8 F1TURES &
S9C];Y 9 8 VOICE4 ,8,WE W H \R REGUL>
MEET+ TD4 ,B F/1 "! IS ANO!R PIECE (
BUSI;S 6PUT 2F Y1 ! BUSI;S ( BUILD+ A
S*OOL40' ,"! 0 A SMATT]+ ( APPROVAL F !
CR[D1 B ,MAX HELD UP 8 H&S 6/OP ANY
4CUS.N4 ,8,MR4 & ,MRS4 ,CALV9 ,WILSON H
AGRE$ 6PROVIDE 9/RUC;N4 ,Z _M ( Y "K1
,CAL IS RETIR$ F ! >MY & ,RU? TAU<T
S*OOL AT A NUMB] ( >MY PO/S4 ,RU? CLAIMS
T H] TEMP] MI<T 2 A BIT %ORT] ?AN 9 H]
"Y] "DS1 B !Y RAIS$ EI<T *N ( _! [N1 &
%E IS EAG]LY LOOK+ =W>D 6TAK+ ON =TY
M40' ,T BR"\ A RIPPLE ( LAU<T]4 ,MAX
RELAX$1 SEE+ T "! 0 G5]AL A3EPT.E (!
PROPOSAL4 ,8,DORE5 & ,I H HELP$ T1* "S (
YR KIDS ! BASICS OV] ! PA/ FEW       #fe
YE>S1 B ? WD 2 A R1L S*OOL4 ,WE W 3/RUCT
A F9E WOOD BUILD+ AT ! $GE ( T[N1 ,I W
MAKE DESKS & /OOLS1 & WE % BUY BOOKS &
$UCATE \R *N PROP]LY40' ,8,": D WE GET !
M"OY = T80' "S"O ASK$4 ,8,V]NON HAS
DONAT$ T5 PIGS 6! EF=T4 ,WE W SELL !M =
:AT M"OY !Y W BR+4 ,A GD _M O!RS H (F]$
6DONATE "T & P]SONAL TR1SURES ( VALUE1 &
WE % H A *>;Y FUNC;N4 ,I SU7E/ WE S5D ^W
6! NE>BY T[NS AB \R SALE4 ,WE C H BUY]S
BID =! PIGS & O!R DONAT$ GDS4 ,WE'LL H A
BAKE-(F ) PRIZES & SELL CAKES1 PIES1 &
CRAFTS4 ,AL1 ,I SU7E/ WE H A PICNIC
BASKET AUC;N4 ,! S+LE LADIES F NE> & F>
C FIX A SPECIAL LUN*1 PUT X 9 A DECORAT$
BASKET1 &! ELIGI# M5 :O ATT5D ! SALE C
BID = _! LUN*ES40' ,M>IAN EXP]I;ED AN
9/ANT DELI<T AT ! ?"\4 ,! MO;T>Y
EXCITE;T 0 %ATT]$ AT ONCE1 Z ,WOLFGANG
L1N$ OV] & :ISP]$1 ,8,AH-HAH6 ,I BET Y
"K :O W BUY YR BASKET60' ,8,X'S SETTL$1
!N10' ,MAX 0 SAY+4 ,8,! F/ "D ( ,AUGU/
IS ! DATE--T DOESN'T GIVE Y S+LE LADIES
A LOT ( "T4 ,! BASKETS W 2 SOLD 0RI2ON
COLOR1 S ! M5 WON'T "K ! [N]4 ,D YR  #ff
BE/ & -E PREP>$ =A FUN "D ( *>;Y &
GDWILL40' ,MAX TURN$ 6*UR* FUNC;NS1 S++
PRAISE1 PR1*+ A %ORT S]MON1 & (F]+ A
PRAY] = P1CE & LOVE4 ,Z QKLY Z ! MEET+
5D$1 ,M>IAN 0 UP & \ ! DOOR4 ,H] EF=T TO
ESCAPE ,WOLFGANG 0 WA/$1 Z HE 0 PANT+ AT
H] SIDE1 REG>D+ H] ) 8 H.D-DOG EYES4
,8,MISS ,M>IAN10' HE SD1 TAK+ HOLD ( H]
>M4 ,8,I'VE "S?+ 6SAY 6Y40' ,HE CLE>$ 8
?ROAT1 Z IF HE _H REHE>S$ ! L9ES4 ,8,WD
Y 3S5T = ME 6ASK ( YR "F'S P]MIS.N T ,I
AM A# 6C\RT Y80' ,M>IAN'S HE>T SANK4 ,%E
HESITAT$1 !N A SP>K 5T]$ H] H1D4 ,8,I'M
FLATT]$1 ,WOLFGANG10' %E SD1 *OOS+ H]
^WS C>E;LLY4 ,8,B SURELY Y WDN'T EXPECT
ME 6AGREE 6ANY?+ YET40' ,8,:Y N80' ,8,!
*>;Y SALE6 ,Y HE>D :AT ,MAX SD AB RAIS+
M"OY =! S*OOL40' ,8,I SEE NO?+ T HAS 6D
) U40' ,%E IGNOR$ 8 AWKW>D;S )! ,5GLI%
LANGUAGE4 ,8,I WDN'T 2 A# 6PUT A BASKET
UP = BID1 IF "EY"O ?"\ T ,I 0 SPOK5 =40'
,8 EYES LIT UP4 ,8,AH-HAH1 AH-HAH60' HE
SD GLEE;LLY4 ,8,I SEE :AT Y SAY4 ,WE GOT
6WAIT TILL AF ! SALE60' ,8,YES40' ,HE AG
UTT]$ 8 9ANE *UCKLE4 ,8,X IS N A     #fg
PRO#M4 ,WE GOT 6WAIT TILL ! BIG "D4 ,!N1
:5 ,I BUY YR BASKET1 WE %[ "EYBODY T Y 2
MY GIRL60' ,%E 0 FULLY AW>E T :O"E
PUR*AS$ A LADY'S BASKET AUTOMATIC,Y _H !
PL1SURE ( H] -PANY =! PICNIC LUN*4 ,%E
=C$ A SMILE 6H] LIPS1 B H] HE>T 0 CRY+ \
9 AGONY4 ,Z ,WOLFGANG SKIPP$ AWAY
HAPPILY1 %E 0 CRU%$ 0! GRAV;Y ( H] FATE4
,IF ONLY ,I _H "S M"OY SAV$1 %E LA;T$ TO
H]F4 ,I CD H ,TOMMY HIRE "S"O 6BUY !
BASKET--ANY?+ 6/AVE (F ! C\RT%IP6 ,%E _H
MANAG$ A REPRIEVE1 B X 0 ONLY UNTIL ! F/
"D ( ,AUGU/4 ,AF T1 ,WOLFGANG WD N 2 PUT
(F6
  ,X 0 A "D LAT] T ,TOMMY PLOPP$ D[N "U
A SPRAWL+ JUNIP] & REMOV$ 8 FLOPPY HAT4
,8 HAIR 0 PA/$ 6HIS SCALP F ! P]SPIR,N &
AFN H1T4 ,M>IAN JO9$ 9 ! RE/1 B SAT 9 !
%ADE (! WAGON4 ,8,BE NICE 6G WAD+ & COOL
(F10' ,TOMMY SD1 ,89/1D ( ALW MAK+ ?
TRIP ONLY 6HAUL WAT]40' ,M>IAN NO4$1
GAZ+ AT ! 9VIT+ /R1M4 ,!Y _H FILL$ ?REE
(! F\R B>RELS1 C>T+ TWO BUCKETS A TRIP F
! CREEK 6! WAGON4 ,X SEEM$ 6TAKE H\RS TO
FILL A WAT] B>REL & ONLY M9UTES TO   #fh
EMPTY "O4 ,8,IF WE 7 SM>T1 WE'D BR+ ! C[
AL;G ) U4 ,T WD SAVE U HAV+ 6FILL H]
TR\< ONCE40' ,8,HANNA WD PROBABLY GET
?IR/Y F ! WALK HOME10' ,TOMMY ANSW]$4
,8,%E WD LIKELY EMPTY ! TR\< & WE WD H
WA/$ ! "T 9 BR++ H] AL;G40' ,8,I SUPPOSE
Y'RE "R40' ,TOMMY WAV$ 8 HAT BACK & =?
6FAN 8 FACE4 ,HE 0 />T+ 6FILL \1 B X WD
2 "S "T 2F HE 0 FULL-GR[N4 ,HE CAU<T H]
LOOK+ AT HM & GR9N$4 ,8,SAW Y &
,WOLFGANG AT ! BACK (! WAGON4 ,DID HE
HIT Y )! BIG "Q80' ,8,I MANAG$ 6PUT HM
(F =A FEW "DS4 ,AF T '''0' ,%E LIFT$ H]
%\LD]S 9 A HELP.S GE/URE4 ,8,Y GO+ TO
REFUSE 8 (F] ( C\RT%IP80' ,8,/OV] WD
WAIL ON ME UNTIL ,I CDN'T WALK40' ,8,:AT
AB ! PICNIC-BASKET SALE8 ,HE'LL 2 SURE
6BUY YRS40' ,8,ONLY IF HE "KS : "O X IS4
,I HOPE--0' ,%E /OPP$ 9 MIDS5T;E1 %OCK$
6SEE T A RID] 0 S1T$ AT ! /R1M1 N A
HUNDR$ FEET AWAY4 ,! RID] 0 ,J]ROD
,DANMY]6 ,TOMMY SAW ! SURPRISE ON H]
FACE4 ,HE JUMP$ UP & RU%$ 6! WAGON1 R1*+
"U ! S1T =! RIFLE4 ,8,X'S ALL "R60' %E
/OPP$ HM4 ,8,X'S ! MAN :O HELP$ GET  #fi
MY WAGON \ (! MUD40' ,J]ROD LET 8 HORSE
PICK H] WAY ACR ! CREEK4 ,HE 0 AG ON !
BLACK M>E1 DRESS$ 9 D5IM PANTS & COTTON
%IRT4 ,HE WORE A GUN ON 8 HIP1 & 8 HAT 0
TIPP$ L[ 6%IELD 8 FACE F ! AFN SUN4 ,HE
APPE>$ AT EASE1 3FID5T1 CAPA#4 ,8 POISE
ONLY A4$ 6H] 9SECUR;Y4 ,M>IAN ROSE 6H]
FEET1 C>E;LLY BRU%$ (F H] "W DRESS1 &
(F]$ HM A TIMID SMILE ( GREET+4 ,8,GD
"D1 ,MR4 ,DANMY]40' ,8,FUN *ORE10' HE SD
NON*ALANTLY1 ,8HAUL+ WAT]40' ,8,WE AIM
6DIG A WELL "O "D10' ,TOMMY SPOKE UP4
,J]ROD M1SUR$ ! BOY1 !N SWUNG 8 ATT5;N
6,M>IAN4 ,%E DETECT$ A GL1M 9 8 EYES Z !
CORN]S ( 8 M\? TURN$ UP SLI<TLY4 ,8,T Y1
MUD KITT580' HE ASK$4 ,8,Y'RE A SI<T
PRETTI] \ F "U ALL T MUD40' ,M>IAN
BRIDL$4 ,8,Y "K ! "N IS ,M>IAN ,GATES4
,? IS MY BRO!R1 ,TOM40' ,HE GL.ED BACK
AT ,TOMMY4 ,8,D Y TWO ALW TACKLE ! "W !
H>DE/ WAY POSSI#80' ,8,:AT D Y M1N 0T80'
,TOMMY ASK$4 ,8,IF Y BACK$ ! WAGON UP 6!
CREEK'S $GE1 Y WDN'T H 6C>RY ! WAT] S F>
6FILL ! B>RELS40' ,8,! GR.D IS TOO S(T4
,WE MI<T GET /UCK40' ,HE GAVE A TIP  #gj
( 8 H1D4 ,8,"!'S "S H>D-PACK D[N AT !
CREEK B5D4 ,X'S D[N 9 A WA%1 B ! GR.D IS
PL5TY SOLID4 ,Y CD DRIVE YR T1M "R 96!
MI4LE (! /R1M & LOAD UP 9 A MATT] (
M9UTES40' ,TOMMY LOOK$ AT ,M>IAN4 ,%E
%RU7$1 N "K+ :AT 6SAY4 ,HE PICK$ UP 8
RIFLE & PUT ON 8 HAT4 ,8,I'LL WALK D[N &
H A LOOK40' ,8,J 2Y ! KNOLL40' ,J]ROD
PO9T$ UP ! TRAIL4 ,8,X WD M1N DRIV+ !
T1M A LL F>!R1 B X WD SAVE Y A LOT (
/EPS40' ,8,WAIT "H1 SIS10' ,TOMMY SD4
,8,I'LL 2 "R BACK40' ,Z SOON Z HE 0 \ (
HE>+ 4T.E1 ,J]ROD PUT 8 EYES ON ,M>IAN4
,%E FELT A W>M? CREEP UP H] ?ROAT & 96H]
*EEKS1 :ILE A T+L+ S5S,N D.ED AL;G H]
SP9E4 ,8,I'VE BE5 DO+ "S ?9K+ AB Y1 MUD
KITT540' ,8,H[ FLATT]+10' %E ANSW]$
CURTLY4 ,8,S* A DEMURE "N =A GIRL Y L TO
?9K AB40' ,HE SMIL$4 ,8,I =GET1 Y ALL[$
T ,I CD CALL Y ,M>IAN40' ,8,ALL[$8 ,Y
BLACKMAIL$ ME60' ,8,I'VE BE5 WOND]+1
,M>IAN1 H Y BE5 PROMIS$ Z YET80' ,8,SAME
Z40' ,8,I DON'T SEE A R+ ON YR F+]1 & ,I
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CLOSE4 ,I D\BT HE W "E =GIVE Y = HAV+ !
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SELF-DEF5SE4 ,HE _H 6PROTECT HMF40' ,8,X
DOESN'T MAKE ANY DI6];E 6,/OV]4 ,IF Y -E
ONTO \R L& AG1 HE'LL FILL Y FULL (
BUCK%OT40' ,8,:AT AB Y80' HE ASK$4 ,8,WD
Y 2 WILL+ 6TAKE A RIDE ) ME8 ,H A PICNIC
( SORTS8 ,MAYBE 2 MY "PN] AT ! NEXT
D.E80' ,M>IAN'S HE>T L1PT HAPPILY & SD
,YES6 ,I'D LOVE TO6 B H] LIFE 0 N H] [N4
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KNIFE1 S"E+ 8 NATURAL 3FID;E 6%R$S4
,8,PROMIS$8 ,6:O80' ,8,I DON'T ?9K ,I %D
TELL Y40' ,8,AFRAID ,I WD G AF HM & RUN
! 9T]LOP] \ (! C.TRY80' ,%E FR[N$4 ,8,TO
\R FAMILY1 Y WD 2 ! 9T]LOP]40' ,8,WE
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,8,Y'RE *ANG+ ! SUBJECT6 ,Y DON'T "K
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,M>IAN LIFT$ H] GAZE ONCE M1 %E 0 /RUCK
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(A SO>+ HAWK4 ,8,SURE %D H -E UP )A
BETT] "N ?AN ,B+O10' ,TOMMY EXCLAIM$1
WAT*+ HM RIDE AWAY4 ,8,T M>E IS "S K9D (
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MANAGE4 ,H] ?ROAT 0 3/RICT$ & TE>S /UNG
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! CROSS+10' ,TOMMY 3T9U$4 ,8,X'S ON
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96! MI4LE (! CREEK & LOAD ! B>RELS 9 A
?IRD (! "T40' ,8,/OV] WON'T L U 2+ ON
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WON'T HURT N"O40' ,8,IF Y WANT 6RISK X1
,TOM4 ,I WON'T MISS ! EXTRA "W40' ,8,S
:AT'S ! MATT]1 MUD KITT580' ,TOMMY T1S$4
,8,Y LOOK L "S"O J /EPP$ ON YR TOES40'
,8,DON'T Y "E CALL ME T60' ,M>IAN SNAPP$
H>%LY4 ,8,I M1N X6 ,N "E60' ,! =CE ( H]
^WS BACK$ HM UP A /EP4 ,%E 0 IMMLY SORRY
= FL>+ UP1 B X PUT A LOOK ( G5U9E 3C]N
ON 8 FACE4 ,8,I'M SORRY1 ,M>IAN4 ,I
DIDN'T "K40' ,8,"K :AT80' ,8,Y RE,Y L T
GUY1 DON'T Y80' ,8,LET'S GET ! WAT]
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LOOK+ = U )A SWIT*60'
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,/OV] ,GATES1 H>D1 S]I\S1 ) AN IRON
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BULLY1 B N >.D 8 "F4 ,:5 ,&Y 0 PRES5T1
,TOBY 0 QUIET & RESPECT;L4           #gd
,8,DANMY]80' ,&Y GAVE HM A CORDIAL
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AB ! FIRE1 ,&Y10' ,J]ROD SD1 /EPP+ D[N F
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D[N ! AX & SQU>$ 8 BODY4 ,HE 0 N A TALL
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= WRE/L+ A BE>4 ,8,I SP5T A C\PLE H\RS
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": ! FIRE />T$40' ,8,WE HAV5'T _H ANY
LI<TN+ LATELY40' ,8,X 0 N ,NATURE T SET
MY FIELD AFIRE40' ,J]ROD "U/OOD4 ,8,F9D
ANY TRACKS8 ,ANY?+ WE MI<T 2 A# TO
FOLL[80' ,8,"! 7 "S IMPR9TS1 B N F "W
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MO3AS9S8 ,Y DON'T ?9K X 0 ,9DIANS80'
,8,NO1 B ! PR9TS MI<T H BE5 SUPPOS$ TO
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PO/1 TOO F> AWAY 6HE> _! ^WS4 ,8,I "K
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"S"O HAS X 9 = U 2C ,TOBY "S"TS HAS A
H1VY H&4 ,WELL1 ,I RIDE ! BOY H>D1 SEE8
,HE "WS TWELVE 6SIXTE5 H\RS A "D1 SEV5
"DS A WEEK4 ,:5 HE GETS A NI<T AWAY1 HE
NATUR,Y WANTS 6BU/ LOOSE4 ,I DON'T
COTTON 6HM PICK+ FI<TS1 B HE IS A
PHYSICAL SORT4 ,HE LIKES 6MIX X UP ON
O3A.N40' ,8,HE PU%ES TOO H>D "S"TS10'
,J]ROD SD4 ,8,PACO ,SAN*EZ WASN'T LOOK+
=A FI<T ) HM ! O!R "D4 ,HE TRI$ 6AVOID
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,:5 ,I 0 8 AGE1 ,I 0 A T\< SORT TOO40'
,8,B Y DON'T 2LIEVE HE CROSS$ "S"O :O
WANTS 6GET EV5 0BURN+ Y \80' ,8,NO1 ,I
DON'T40' ,8,ANY 3CLU.NS AT ALL80' ,8,I
EXPECT :O"E SET ! FIRE US$ COAL OIL4 ,"!
0 A D>K /A9 ON ! GR.D1 "R ": ,I F.D ^?
ODD PR9TS40' ,8,Y TELL ,K5O :AT Y F.D80'
,8,I WDN'T GIVE HM ! "T ( "D1 ,DANMY]4
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,KANSAS4 ,Y & ME 7 ,YANKEES1 & WE D"O "S
CRUEL ?+S 9 ! W>1 BURN+ CROPS1 DE/ROY+
F>MS1 & S*1 B WE N"E SLAU<T]$ A BUN* (
9NOC5T P4 ,WE N"E RAP$ WOM51 MURD]$ *N1
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,QUANTRILL80' ,8,HE>D X F A GUY :O 0
DR9K+ AT ,K5O'S--! LA/ NI<T ,I "E SET
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BULLET 2T ! EYES DOES T40' ,8,I HE>D AB
! GUNFI<T4 ,I DIDN'T "K :AT X 0 AB40'
,8,A9'T BE5 NO "O A3USE ,K5O1 ( RID+ )
,QUANTRILL S9CE40' ,8,WOND] IF T'S :Y HE
DR9KS ALL ! "T8 ,MAYBE HE HAS A GUILTY
3SCI;E40' ,&Y SPAT 96! DU/4 ,8,MAN L
,K5O1 DON'T H NO 3SCI;E40' ,8,) "P ( YR
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(F]$ 6L5D ME "S M"OY 6TIDE ME OV]40'
,8,AT TW5TY P]C5T80' ,8,ONLY T540' ,&Y
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,ANY O!R R1SON Y /OPP$ BY1 ,DANMY]80'
,8,6SEE H[ Y 7 DO+ & 6MAYBE PASS AL;G A
LL ADVICE40' ,HE GREW S]I\S4 ,8,IF ,TOBY
PICKS ON "S"O ELSE F \R PLACE1 ,I'LL 2
>.D 6SETTLE A3.TS ) HM40' ,/>+ H>D 9TO
,&Y'S FL9TLIKE EYES1 HE CD SEE ! MAN
TOOK HM S]I\SLY1 B HE 0 N AFRAID (
?R1TS4 ,&Y MA9TA9$ 8 RETURN LOOK =A L;G
MO;T1 !N NO4$4 ,8,I'LL MAKE M5;N ( X TO
,TOBY4 ,WE GOT NO FI<T ) Y           #gg
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A H& 9 "P+4 ,! ELD] ,BR[N (F]$ ! SAME
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ANSW]4
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/ORE ( SOAP 0 A "T-3SUM+ *ORE4 ,%E &
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OV] A BASE & SLANT+ !M T[>D ! BOTTOM4
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/ORE & GA!R$ ! A%ES4 ,6! L1*1 !Y A4$
/RAW1 !N BITS ( FAT & B"OS T _H BE5 SET
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LYE T SEEP$ F ! 3COC;N4 ,!N ! LYE 0
BOIL$ UNTIL X =M$ 96A H>D LUMP4 ,ONCE
REMOV$ F ! WAT]1 X 0 FA%ION$ & CUT 9TO
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6HELP ON ! F;E4 ,M>IAN "W$ AL;GSIDE
,WILMA1 DRAW+ />* \ ( "S POTATOES4 ,AF A
"T1 H] "M OBS]V$ H] TACITURN MOOD4
,8,:AT'S ! MATT]1 DE>8 ,>E Y FEEL+
POORLY80' ,8,I'M ALL "R40' ,8,I DON'T
?9K Y'VE SMIL$ 9 A WEEK1 & Y HAV5'T EV5
GIV5 ANY ?"\ 6FIX+ A SPECIAL LUN* =!
AUC;N4 ,>5'T Y EXCIT$ AB ! *>;Y FAIR80'
,8,I'VE GOT T CORN-HUSK BASKET ,I USE =
MY SEW+4 ,I SUPPOSE ,I C DECORATE X =!
SALE40' ,WILMA 0 ?"\;L4 ,8,X'S PRETTY
RA7$4 ,2SS1 "EY"O WD RECOGNIZE X Z
YRS40' ,8,:AT DOES X MATT]8 ,WOLFGANG IS
GO+ 6BUY MY BASKET40' ,8,WD T 2 S BAD80'
,%E PAUS$ F GRAT+ ! POTATOES "? ! P]=AT$
PIECE ( T94 ,8,I RE,Y DETE/ ! IDEA ( 2+
M>RI$ 6,WOLFGANG & LIV+ ON A PIG F>M4 ,I
DON'T L PIGS1 ,"M4 ,I "K "S"O HAS 6RAISE
HOGS1 & ,I LOVE ! TA/E ( HAM1 B      #gi
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WORSE ?AN RIS+ EA* MORN+ 6MILK A C[4
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RAISE A H& 6Y4 ,HE WD MAKE Y A GD
HUSB&40' ,8,I'VE HE>D X ALL 2F4 ,I H NO
*OICE4 ,WE WOM5 >E DE/9$ 6BE SLAVES &
S]VANTS ALL \R LIVES60' ,8,M>IAN60'
,WILMA SCOLD$ H]4 ,8,:AT HAS GOTT5 9TO
Y80' ,8,I WANT "S 3TROL OV] MY [N LIFE1
,"M4 ,I 2LIEVE ,I %D H A SAY 9 :O MY
HUSB& IS GO+ 6BE4 ,IS T S WR;G80'
,8,/OV] IS YR "F4 ,HE IS RESPONSI# =
SEE+ T Y >E TAK5 C>E (4 ,WOLFGANG C (F]
Y A HOME1 A LIFE ": Y WON'T WAT* YR *N
DIE ( HUNG] OR F LACK ( H1T 9 YR H\SE40'
,8,I "U/& ALL T1 B %DN'T ,I H A *OICE8
,IS ,WOLFGANG ! ONLY MAN ,/OV] ?9KS
CAPA# ( 2+ MY HUSB&8 ,\ ( ALL ! M5 9
,$51 HE C'T 2 ! ONLY MAN AVAILA#60'
,WILMA 0 QUIET =A MO;T4 ,:5 %E SPOKE1 H]
VOICE 0 HU%$1 Z IF %>+ "S?+ PRIVATE4
,8,I'VE GOT "S /RIPS ( BLACK A% /OR$
AWAY4 ,I 0 GO+ 6MAKE A NEW LAUNDRY
BASKET40' ,%E PAUS$4 ,8,:Y DON'T WE USE
"S ( X 6FA%ION Y A PICNIC BASKET     #hj
9/1D80' ,8,WOLFGANG W / BUY X40' ,8,P]H
HE WON'T "K T X IS YR BASKET40' ,8,WE H
6TIE A RI2ON ON ! H&LE4 ,HE "KS T ,I
ONLY H "O YELL[ RI2ON40' ,WILMA SMIL$4
,8,P]H WE C F9D ANO!R "O40' ,M>IAN SAW
"S?+ 9 H] "M'S EYES4 ,X 0 A SP>KLE %E _H
N"E NOTIC$ 2F1 A MIS*IEV\S GL9T T 2SPOKE
A SECRET PACT4 ,8,B ,/OV] '''80'
,8,LET'S N TR\# HM )! PROJECT10' ,WILMA
SD QUIETLY4 ,8,HE HAS S _M O!R WORRIES4
,WE %DN'T 3C]N HM ) "S?+ Z TRIVIAL Z YR
*>;Y BASKET40' ,8,Y M1N X80' ,8,WE'VE
GOT A H5 T HASN'T LAID AN EGG 9 A WEEK4
,)A BIT ( MY SPECIAL S1SON+1 %E WD FRY
UP Z T5D] Z MELT$ BUTT]4 ,) "S ROLLS1
BAK$ POTATOES1 & BR1D PU4+1 YR BASKET WD
2 ! F9E/ M1L 9 ! BI4+40' ,M>IAN WRAPP$
H] >MS >.D H] "M & HU7$ H] TI<TLY4 ,9 H]
5TIRE LIFE1 ,WILMA _H N"E OPPOS$ ,/OV]4
,? AC;N 0 Z CLOSE Z %E _H "E -E 6TAK+
,M>IAN'S SIDE4
  ,"! 7 RACES1 GAMES ( /ICKBALL1 &
HORSE%OE-PIT*+ 3TE/S4 ,! BAKE SALE AL
9CLUD$ A JUDG+1 ) RI2ONS =! BE/ 9 A DOZ5
CATEGORIES4 ,/OV] 0 A FAIR H& AT     #ha
TOSS+ HORSE%OES & 5T]$ T -PETI;N4 ,HE 0
9 ! MI4LE (A GAME :5 ,MAX ,LOR+ ANN\NC$
T X 0 "T 62G9 ! AUC;N =! BASKET SALE4
,MAX & 8 WIFE CALL$ = ALL (! UNATTA*$ "Y
LADIES1 WID[S1 & SP9/]S 6BR+ =? _!
BASKETS4 ,M9UTES LAT]1 ! BI4]S &A CR[D (
ONLOOK]S GA!R$ =! FUND-RAIS+ EV5T4
,M>IAN HELD \ A SLI<T HOPE T ,WOLFGANG
MI<T 2 9VOLV$ ELSE":1 B HE >RIV$ 2F ! F/
SALE4 ,%E /OOD )! O!R BASKET [N]S &
AWAIT$ H] FATE4 ,8,ALL "R1 G5TLEM560'
,MAX QUIET$ ! CR[D4 ,8,LOOKS L A F9E
TURN\T =! PICNIC LUN*ES40' ,HE 4PLAY$ A
W9N+ SMILE4 ,8,& ,I C TELL Y1 ,I'M GETT+
MI<TY HUNGRY1 SMELL+ ALL ( ? WOND];L
FOOD4 ,WI% ,DORE5 WD LET ME BID ON A
C\PLE ( ^! MYF40' ,! JE/ RELAX$ ! CR[D4
,M>IAN HELD H] BR1?1 Z ,MAX PICK$ UP !
F/ BASKET4 ,S"EAL BIDS LAT]1 X SOLD1 &
,MAX MOV$ ON 6! NEXT4 ,HE AUC;N$ (F A
HALF DOZ51 B HE PASS$ OV] H]S4 ,ANY HOPE
%E _H AB H] BASKET 2+ A SECRET 0 CRU%$4
,WOLFGANG _H N (F]$ A S+LE BID ON ANY (!
O!RS1 B :5 ,MAX F9,Y PICK$ UP H] PICNIC
LUN*1 ,WOLFGANG 2GAN 6DIG 96HIS      #hb
POCKET4 ,MAX PEEK$ "U ! CLO? COV]+ &
9HAL$ DEEPLY4 ,8,FRI$ *ICK560' HE
EXCLAIM$4 ,8,& X LOOKS MI<TY GD40'
,M>IAN SWALL[$2 H] HE>T SEEM$ LODG$ 9 H]
?ROAT & H] FUTURE SEEM$ BLACK Z A MOON.S
NI<T4 ,EV5 Z ,MAX LIFT$ 8 H& 6/>T !
BI4+1 ,WOLFGANG 0 LAU<+ 8 9ANE *ORTLE4
,8,AH-HAH6 ,I BID ON ? "O4 ,?REE DOLL>S1
,MR4 ,LOR+4 ,I BID ?REE DOLL>S60' ,X 0
OV]4 ,M>IAN'S PROSPECTS _H BE5 BRUT,Y
SLAPP$ D[N4 ,?REE DOLL>S 0 M ?AN ,/OV]
_H SP5T AT "O "T S9CE L1V+ ,OHIO4 ,Z N
"O (! O!R BASKETS _H SOLD = S* A HI<
PRICE1 "! 0 VIRTU,Y NO *.E T ANY"O WD--
,8,?REE & F\R-BITS60' A SECOND VOICE
(F]$4 ,WOLFGANG CRAN$ 8 NECK1 %OCK$ T
"S"O _H BID AG/ HM4 ,8,I SAY F\R
DOLL>S60' HE CRI$4 ,M>IAN SE>*$ ! CR[D B
0 UNA# 6SEE :O _H RAIS$ ! BID4 ,%E HELD
H] BR1?1 AFRAID 6LET OPTIMISM 5T] H] 2+4
,X 0 ONLY A S+LE BID4 ,:O"E _H MADE !
(F] SURELY WDN'T 2 A# 6-PETE )
,WOLFGANG4 ,8,& F\R-BITS60' ,! QUIET ^WS
R1*$ H] E>S ONCE M4 ,MAX %[$ A WIDE
SMILE & SD GLEE;LLY1 ,8,? IS M L X6  #hc
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CD N 3TA9 H] CURIOS;Y4 ,%E ROSE UP ONTO
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TOO F> BACK 9 ! CR[D4 ,MAX 0 ON A PLAT=M
( SORTS1 B HE GAVE NO 9DIC,N Z 6:O 0 DO+
! BI4+4 ,HE KEPT PO9T+ F "O MAN 6! O!R4
,"! 0 A FAMILI> R+ 9 ! SECOND VOICE4 ,H]
HE>T 0 SU45LY ACTIVE1 PALPITAT+ ) RENEW$
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SAME "T4 ,8,I AM BID T5 DOLL>S60'
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OV] 8 H1D1 WAV+ X TRIUMPHANTLY4 ,8,X IS
N[ T5 DOLL>S60' ,MAX REP1T$ ! SUM
EAG]LY4 ,8,D ,I H ANO!R BID80' ,M>IAN
WRUNG H] H&S4 ,! SIL;E 0 5 6%ATT] H]
/RA9+ E>S4 ,_H ! PRICE G"O TOO HI<8 ,0
%E DOOM$ 6%>E H] BASKET--& POSSIBLY H]
LIFE--) ,WOLFGANG8 ,8,T5 DOLL>S80' ,MAX
ANN\NC$ AG4 ,8,! PRICE IS T5 DOLL>S4 ,D
,I HE>--0' ,8,TW5TY DOLL>S60' CAME ! S(T
REPLY4 ,MAX /OPP$ ) 8 M\? OP54 ,! BID
PROMPT$ WIDE-EY$ SURPRISE & %OCK$
EXPRES.NS F ! CR[D4 ,X 0 !           #hd
EQUIVAL5T (A MON?'S WAGES =A S+LE LUN*
BASKET4 ,MAX ATTEMPT$ 6SP1K1 B F/ _H TO
CLE> 8 ?ROAT 6GET ! ^WS \4 ,8,TW5TY
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AT ! \TRAGE\S PRICE4 ,8,WE H TW5TY
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WAY \ (! ROOM1 8 FACE R$ & 3TORT$ ) RAGE
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! BULK ( ATT5;N 0 DIRECT$ 6! RE> (!
GR\P1 ALL SEEK+ 6GET A LOOK AT ! BIG
SP5D]4 ,8,X APPE>S T WE H A SALE10' ,MAX
S.D$ (F4 ,8,SOLD = TW5TY DOLL>S60'
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GAVE HM WIDE PASSAGE4 ,"O OR TWO EV5
PATT$ HM ON ! BACK Z HE PASS$4 ,HE R1*$
! TA# & DUG \ ! M"OY4 ,8,? IS V G5]\S (
Y1 SON40' ,MAX 0 JUBILANT4 ,8,TW5TY
DOLL>S W 2 A BIG HELP T[>D \R GOAL40'
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GR94 ,8,:5 Y SD X 0 FRI$ *ICK51 ,I KNEW
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W5T \ 96! ?RIV+ MULTITUDE ( HOPP]S4 ,8 E
/EP CRU%$ BODIES "UFOOT4 ,! "OS T TOOK
FLI<T CAUS$ A SMALL BLIZZ>D 9 ALL
DIREC;NS4 ,X 0 UNLIKE ANY?+ ,J]ROD CD H
3CVD 9 8 MO/ BIZ>RE NI<TM>ES4 ,X 0 A
BATTLE 6SA4LE ! HORSE4 ,B+O 0 A
WELL-TRA9$ HORSE1 B %E /OMP$ H]      #ii
FEET & D.ED AB1 TRY+ 6BE RID (! 9SECTS4
,! HOPP]S 7 "EY":1 *EW+ ON ! BLANKET1 !
BRIDLE1 &! SA4LE /RAPS4 ,J]ROD %OOK !M
(F1 ONLY 6H !M L& ON HM1 _! /ICKY FEET
CL++ 6HIS SLICK] & EV5 ON 8 EXPOS$ >MS &
FACE4 ,HE GRITT$ 8 TEE? & %\T$ ORD]S 6!
TWO ,SAN*EZ BOYS4 ,ONCE ATOP ,B+O1 HE
DIRECT$ ! O!R TWO RID]S4 ,PACO MANAG$ TO
GET ! T1M & WAGON R1DY & !Y />T$ \ 6!
H]D4 ,! MOV+ HOOVES (! HORSES 4TURB$ !
MULTITUDE ( HOPP]S1 CAUS+ !M 6TAKE
FLI<T4 ,! RESULT 0 A SWIRL+ TEMPE/ F :
"! 0 NO ESCAPE4 ,! HORSES DUCK$ AG/ !
BL9D+ /ORM & 3T9U,Y SWATT$ ) _! TAILS &
%OOK _! MANES 6RID !MVS (! PESKY 9SECTS4
,Z ,J]ROD RODE1 "! 0 A 3/ANT ?UD1 ?UD1
?UD Z ! LOCU/S B\NC$ (F 8 PROTECTIVE
CLO?+4 ,REUB5 CAME CLOSE 5 6SP1K4 ,8
SOMBR]O 0 COV]$ ) DOZ5S ( HOPP]S1 ALL
TRY+ 6DEV\R ! HAT "R ON 8 H1D4 8,X IS L
! 5D (! _W60 HE CRI$4 8,Y ?9K ? MI<T 2 !
WRA? ( ,GOD80 ,HE CROSS$ HMF4 8,I PRAY
N4 ,I H "S S9S 6AT"O = YET40 8,WE'LL PU%
! H]D ALL NI<T4 ,IF WE DON'T GET 2Y ^!
FIL?Y V]M9 9 TWO "DS1 ! CATTLE W    #ajj
DIE = LACK ( FOOD & WAT]40 8,! HOPP]S
CAME )! W9D4 ,:ILE !Y >E ON ! GR.D1 EAT+
"EY?+ 9 SI<T1 WE C GA9 "S 4T.E ON !M4
,IF !Y RISE UP 9 FLI<T1 WE MI<T 2 H1D$
"R 96_! PA?40 8,! ,COLORADO M.TA9S %D 2
A DET]5T 6!M4 ,Y SELDOM SEE A GRASSHOPP]
ABV ! TIMB]L9E40 ,REUB5'S H1D BO2$ UP &
D[N4 8,YES1 B C WE R1* P9E TREES 2F !
CATTLE DIE ( ?IR/ OR HUNG]80 ,J]ROD _H
NO ANSW] 6T4 ,ALL !Y CD D 0 TRY4
  ,M>IAN GRA2$ HOLD (A HOPP] T L&$ ON !
BACK ( H] NECK & ?REW X 6! FLOOR (! SOD
H\SE4 ,2F X CD ESCAPE1 %E /OMP$ ON X
H>D4 8,DAMN60 %E SWORE 9 FRU/R,N4
8,!Y'RE L ! BL[+ DU/ F A S&/ORM4 ,!
ROTT5 CUSSES FILL YR S5SES L ! SICK5+
ODOR (A SKUNK4 ,Y C SMELL !M1 !Y BL Y :5
Y TRY 6WALK1 _! BUZZ+ IS 5 6DRIVE Y MAD6
,I C EV5 TA/E ! FIL?Y P>ASITES 9 MY
M\?60 ,WILMA PATT$ H] >M4 8,"! IS NO?+
WE C D B HOLD \ UNTIL !Y MOVE ON40 8,X'S
BE5 ?REE "DS60 ,M>IAN CRI$4 8,H[ M* L;G]
IS X GO+ 6LA/8 ,:5 W !Y L1VE80 8,ONLY
,GOD "KS T40 8,:AT IS LEFT = !M 6EAT8 ,!
CORNFIELD IS A FEW NAK$ /ALKS &     #aja
B>E GR.D4 ,!Y'VE /RIPP$ ! B>K & BRAN*ES
F ! FEW TREES4 ,"! IS NO?+ T !Y HAV5'T
DEV\R$ OR DE/ROY$4 ,I C'T SLEEP AT NI<T1
AFRAID ! HOPP]S W -E 6FE$ ON ME60 8,WE H
6BE /R;G1 DE>40 8,H[ >E WE GO+ 6LIVE1
,"M8 ,WE W]5'T A# 6SAVE 5 PROVI.NS 6HOLD
U TILL NEXT H>VE/40 8,/OV] W F9D A WAY40
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AIR 0 OPPRESSIVE1 FILL$ )! N"E-5D+
LOCU/S4 ,! C ( AXLE GR1SE 0 G"O1 & !Y _H
BE5 =C$ 6USE _! [N CLO!S 6FILL ! CRACKS
2T ! DOORS & W9D[S4 ,!Y _H ONLY "O WAT]
B>REL T WASN'T TA9T$4 ,/OV] & ,TOMMY _H
G"O 6! /R1M = M WAT]1 B CAME BACK EMPTY4
,RA3OON ,CREEK 0 ?ICK & BR[N 9 COLOR F
HOPP] EXCRE;T & BODIES4 ,_! C[ &! T1M 7
SICK F TRY+ 6DR9K X4 ,! LAMP OIL 0 ALL
G"O1 HAV+ BE5 US$ 6KEEP A FIRE >.D !
FRUIT CELL>4 ,IF !Y LO/ T HOLD1 !Y 7
DE/9$ 6/>V,N4 8,"H -E YR BRO!RS4 ,GET !
BROOM & /& 0! DOOR4 ,I'LL BRU% ! BOYS &
Y KILL ! HOPP]S40 8,I'LL KILL !M10 %E
V[$4 8,I WI% ,I CD 2 A GIANT =A "D & _H
A SWATT] ! SIZE (A RAILROAD C>4 ,I'D
SMA% ! LIFE \ ( E LA/ "O (! FIL?Y   #ajb
LL DEVILS40 ,! DOOR 0 CRACK$ WIDE 5 TO
ALL[ ,TOMMY & ,BR&ON 65T]4 ,EV5 T OP5+
PROVID$ "T = DOZ5S ( 9SECTS 6P\R 96!
ROOM4 ,WILMA SLAMM$ ! DOOR %UT4 ,!
HOPP]S FLEW 6! CUPBO>DS1 T[>D ! FL\R
B>REL1 & S"\ ANY SCRAP ( FOOD4 ,ONCE !
BOYS 7 BRU%$ D[N1 ! F\R ( !M SP5T FIFTE5
M9UTES DE/ROY+ ! ELUSIVE 9SECTS4 8,/OV]
IS GO+ 6RIDE ! HORSE 96T[N & SEE IF "!
>E ANY AIRTI<TS HE C BUY AT ,MR4
,PET]S'S /ORE4 ,HE SD T IF WE WAIT UNTIL
! HOPP]S TAKE FLI<T1 "! MI<T 2 A RUN ON
! TRAD+ PO/ = FOOD40 8,IF ^! LOCU/S GOT
96! /ORE1 ,L9K MI<T N H ANY?+ 6SELL10
,WILMA REPLI$4 8,2SS :1 ,/OV] DON'T H B
A C\PLE DOLL>S SAV$4 ,HE C'T BUY M* )
T40 8,RECKON HE "KS T1 ,MA40 ,%E SI<$4
8,I HOPE HE HURRIES BACK4 ,HE'S ! /R;GE/
"O AM;G U4 ,WE NE$ HM40 ,M>IAN FELT A
TW+E ( 3SCI;E4 ,H] "M 0 "R AB T4 ,/OV] 0
A H>D MAN1 /RICT & REGI;T$1 B Z DEP5DA#
Z "DLI<T4 ,HE _H ALW PROVID$ = 8 FAMILY4
,:5 "TS 7 H>D1 HE (T5 "W$ SIXTE5 H\RS A
"D & !N WD GA!R WOOD1 HUNT1 & FI% ON
,SUN"D4 ,HE N"E RE/$ :ILE !Y NE$$   #ajc
FOOD OR H1T = _! %ELT]4 ,%E _H (T5
CRITICIZ$ 8 LACK ( -PAS.N OR A6EC;N1 B
HE %[$ 8 LOVE 0HIS [N SACRIFICE4 ,X MADE
H] A%AM$ T %E _H ?"\ OR SPOK5 POORLY (
HM4 8,GO+ 6BE T\< ON "S (! O!RS10 ,TOMMY
SD4 8,! ,BR[NS _H ALR LO/ "S ( _! CROP
6! FIRE4 ,I HE>D ,&Y SAY !Y 7 =C$ 6BORR[
AG/ NEXT YE>'S H>VE/40 ,WILMA NO4$ 9
AGREE;T4 8,A GD _M (! F>M]S H BORR[$
M"OY ON ? YE>'S CROP4 ,I DON'T ?9K
,MAYOR ,H>K] HAS 5 CAPITAL 63T9UE 6EXT5D
CR$IT ON B>E GR.D40 ,BR&ON'S FACE TWI/$
9 A FR[N4 8,Y ?9K HE WD CALL 9 ALL !
NOTES8 ,!M FOLKS WD LOSE _! HOME/1DS40
8,I DON'T "K4 ,"! >E BUY]S WAIT+ = GD
L&4 ,Y RECALL ,MR4 ,H>K] & ,L9K CAME 0)
AN (F] 6BUY \R L&4 ,I'D SAY ? W GIVE !M
! *.E 6GET A LOT ( PLACES = ROCK-BOTTOM
PRICES40 8,NICE 6"K T "S"O IS GO+ 6PR(IT
(F ( ^! SLIMY PE/S10 ,M>IAN SD
S>CA/IC,Y4 8,GUESS ! BLOODSUCK]S (! _W
/ICK TGR40 8,MR4 ,H>K] HAS ALW BE5 "! TO
HELP1 ,M>IAN10 ,WILMA REPLI$4 8,HE HAS
HELP$ PROMOTE GR[? & L5DS M"OY 6NE$Y P4
,A GD _M ( \R NEI<BORS WDN'T 2 "H   #ajd
EXCEPT = 8 HELP40 8,Y1H1 B :AT AB ,L9K
,PET]S80 ,TOMMY SD4 8,HE C'T GIVE 5D.S
CR$IT AT 8 /ORE OR HE WD G BROKE1 TOO40
8,Y C BET HE'LL 2 A RI* MAN ONCE ? IS
OV]4 ,ALL HE HAS 6D IS C1SE GIV+ CR$IT4
,) ,H>K] AB BROKE1 ! ONLY WAY =! F>M]S
6GET EV5 W 2 6GIVE UP ! DE$ 6_! PLACE &
MOVE4 ,HE C RESELL _! F>MS 6^? P BACK
EA/40 8,:AT R1L OP;N DOES HE H8 ,HE IS A
BUSI;SMAN4 ,EI HE GOES BROKE OR ! F>M]S
G BROKE4 ,X'S T SIMPLE40 8,MA1 IF ,SATAN
HMF WALK$ 96! ROOM1 Y'D LIKELY F9D A GD
TRAIT OR TWO AB HM40 ,%E SMIL$4 8,"EY"O
HAS _! GD SIDE1 ,TOMMY4 ,IF Y ONLY LOOK
=! BAD1 T'S ALL Y W SEE40 8,GUESS MY
EYES >5'T Z GD Z YR [N1 ,MA4 ,I DON'T
SEE ,L9K ,PET]S Z ANY BETT] ?AN ^?
HOPP]S \ "!1 GRA2+ ALL HE C GET1 NO
MATT] :O X HURTS40 ,WILMA 4MISS$ !
MATT]4 8,M>IAN1 PICK \ A C\PLE (!
WOR/-LOOK+ POTATOES F ! B94 ,I'LL PUT
TGR "S?+ = D9N] T W KEEP UNTIL ,/OV]
RETURNS40 8,SURE1 ,MA10 %E REPLI$4 ,!N
%E PAUS$ 6/EP ON A HALF-D1D HOPP]4
8,WANT 6FRY UP "S ( ^! CRITT]S      #aje
TOO80 8,NO40 ,%E 0 CURT4 8,I'D L 6BOIL E
LA/ "O (! WRET*$ LL BU7]S 9 OIL1 B ,I WD
N"E EAT "O40 8,GUESS Y 7 WR;G1 ,TOM10
,BR&ON QUIPP$4 8,EV5 ,MA DON'T SEE NO?+
GD AB ^! HOPP]S40 ,TOMMY GR9N$4 8,I /&
CORRECT$40
  ,,*APT] #G
  ,F>ON SAT ON ! BACK ( 8 CLAYBANK M>E &
LOOK$ OV] ! CATTLE4 ,!Y 7 CR[D$ >.D !
DRA9AGE POND1 DR9K+ Z IF !Y WD N"E SLAKE
_! ?IR/4 8,! REPORT 0 9 ! NEWSPAP]
YE/]"D1 ,J]RY10 HE SD4 8,! LOCU/S SEEM
6H UNIT$ F BACK 9 ! ,DAKOTAS & >E MOV+
ACR ,I[A & ,KANSAS4 ,!Y APPE> H1D$ 9 !
DIREC;N ( ,TEXAS4 ,! BODY (! MASS IS
REPORT$ 6BE A HUNDR$ MILES WIDE & ?REE
HUNDR$ MILES L;G4 ,"O A3.T M1SUR$ ! SW>M
AT NE>LY A MILE 9 HEI<T40 8,!Y SURE 5
>RIV$ L ! BI7E/ /ORM CL\D ,I "E SAW10
,J]ROD REPLI$4 8,!Y BLACK5$ ! SKY &
SWOOP$ D[N L A D[NP\R ( HAIL40 8,MO/ (!
NEWS >RIV$ 0TRA94 ,! 5G9E] REPORT$ T !
TRACKS GOT S SLICK )! D1D BODIES ( ^?
HOPP]S T ! CREW _H 6GET \ & ?R[ S& ON !
RAILS 6KEEP MOV+4 ,:5 ! TRA9 PULL$  #ajf
IN1 ! 9SECT REMA9S 7 A C\PLE 9*ES DEEP 9
"S (! C>S40 8,WE RODE SOLID =! BETT] "P
( TWO "DS 6GET AH1D ( !M10 ,J]ROD SD4
8,WE KEPT PU%+ = FE> !Y WD TAKE FLI<T &
OV]TAKE U40 8,BIT (A RA9 /ORM BUILD+ TD4
,MAYBE ! COOL AIR W =CE !M 6SW+ S\? (
U40 8,:AT AB ! H]D8 ,IS X GO+ 6BE A
PRO#M80 8,I "K A FELL[ EA/ ( "H T HAS
PL5TY ( GRASS = GRAZ+4 ,X W M1N BORR[+
AG/ MY PLACE 6PAY = USE ( 8 GR.D1 B
WE'LL GET BY40 8,?ANKS1 ,F>ON40 8,Y LOOK
B1T1 ,J]RY4 ,MY =EMAN C H&LE YR CATTLE4
,Y &! BOYS -E ) ME4 ,LAURA W FIX U "S?+
6EAT1 &! ?REE ( Y C GET "S RE/40 8,I
WON'T >GUE ) Y "!4 ,X'S BE5 A L;G1 H>D
DRIVE40 ,Z !Y RODE TGR1 ,F>ON APPRAIS$
,J]ROD4 8,Y LOOK GD1 LL BRO!R1 ALL GR[$
UP4 ,I HAV5'T SE5 Y S9CE Y W5T 6FI<T 9 !
W>4 ,Y 7 ONLY A KID ( SIXTE5 !N40 8,A
R1L WA/E ( HUMAN LIFE "!1 ,F>ON4 ,IF ,I
N"E SEE A MAN DIE AG1 ,I WON'T FEEL ,I
MISS$ ANY?+40 8,I 0 ! ELDE/4 ,X %D H BE5
ME40 8,Y 7 N"E A FI<T]10 ,J]ROD SD )\T
C5SURE4 8,! MAIM+ & KILL+ WD H DE/ROY$
Y4 ,I WAT*$ M5 DIE F E K9D ( AIL;T  #ajg
IMAG9A#40 8,S.DS PRETTY GRUE"S40 8,FEV]1
DYS5T]Y1 9FEC;N F ! SMALLE/ ( W.DS4 ,M
M5 DI$ ( T SORT ( ?+ ?AN 7 KILL$ 9 !
FI<T+4 ,I ONLY F"\ 9 TWO OR ?REE ACTUAL
BATTLES1 B FULLY A ?IRD (! M5 ,I S]V$ )
DI$40 8,HI< PRICE 6PAY 6GET U ALL "U "O
FLAG40 8,GUESS E C.TRY HAS 6SORT \ _! [N
PRO#MS T WAY ON O3A.N4 ,MAYBE WE'LL 2 A
/R;G] N,N 2C ( X40 ,F>ON GR9N$4 8,I
RECALL T Y 7 ALW AN OPTIMI/40 8,A :AT80
8,X M1NS Y H A POSITIVE \TLOOK1 ALW ?9K
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TAKE ANY M 5]GY 6?9K T WAY1 R ?AN ALW
LOOK+ =! D[NSIDE ( "S?+40 8,D Y SEE
ANY?+ POSITIVE 9 ? PLAGUE ( LOCU/S80 8,Y
GOT ME "!1 ,F>ON4 ,ALL ,I C SEE "! IS
MIS]Y1 DE/RUC;N1 & D1?40 ,!Y R1*$ !
,DANMY] HOME & PUT UP _! HORSES4 ,PACO &
,REUB5 ATE _! M1LS 9 RELATIVE SIL;E &
W5T 6! BUNKH\SE = "S RE/4 ,J]ROD REMA9$
AT ! TA# Z ,LAURA CLE>$ AWAY ! DI%ES4
8,H['S ,PA HOLD+ UP80 ,F>ON ASK$1 L1N+
BACK 9 8 *AIR4 8,HE / GO+ F "DLI<T TILL
D>K80 8,N"E RUNS \ ( 5]GY40 ,F>ON COCK$
8 H1D T[>D ! Y>D4 ,8 TWO *N 7       #ajh
PLAY+ AT ! WAT] TR\<1 FLOAT+ A MAKE%IFT
SAILBOAT BACK & =?4 8,I "K T FEEL+4 ,LL
,J]ROD & ,ELL]Y N"E SEEM 6RUN %ORT (
5]GY4 ,DID ,I TELL Y T !Y BO? C R1D &
WRITE80 8,ALR80 8,GOT A S*OOL A C\PLE
MILES F "H4 ,J]ROD IS EI<T & ,ELL]Y IS
GO+ ON SEV540 8,"T DOES FLY40 ,F>ON
SCRUT9IZ$ 8 BRO!R4 8,:AT AB Y1 ,J]RY8
,N[ T ,V9CE HAS F.D HMF A WIFE1 Y "\ 6BE
LOOK+ 6/>T YR [N FAMILY1 TOO40 ,J]ROD
SMIL$4 8,I ?9K ,I'VE F.D A PROSPECT1 B
X'S GO+ 6TAKE A :OLE LOT ( "W 6SNAG H]40
8,Y M1N 2C Y'RE ! UGLY "O (! FAMILY80
,J]ROD LAU<$4 8,NO ''' 2C ! GIRL IS
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DAU<T] & X WD N H CAUS$ A M 4TRESS$
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HM4 8,Y & ,M>IAN ,GATES80 ,LAURA
MURMUR$4 8,I'LL BET ,/OV] HAS "S *OICE
?"\S AB T40 8,I SD X WD 2 A *ORE40 8,N"E
HAPP510 ,F>ON DCLD4 8,/OV] W KILL Y F/40
8,HE DID ?R1T5 ME ) "S?+ 6T E6ECT40
,LAURA SAT D[N AT ! TA#4 ,X 0 N Z IF %E
WI%$ 63T9UE ! 3V]S,N1 M T H] LEGS WD NO
L;G] SUPPORT H]4 8,DE> ,GOD10 %E    #aji
:ISP]$4 ,F>ON'S EXPRES.N 0 "O ( DEEP
3C]N4 8,Y RECALL T ,V9CE MET ,M>IA :5 HE
CAME 6VISIT ) U A C\PLE YE>S BACK80 8,I
REMEMB]40 8,S LET ME 9TRODUCE Y >.D4 ,"!
>E "S R1L NICE "Y LADIES AB4 ,Y C'T RE,Y
?9K ,M>IAN IS ! ONLY GIRL = Y80 8,I'VE
MADE UP MY M9D40 8,/OV] WON'T H X10
,F>ON SD AG4 8,HE WON'T40 8,MAYBE HE'S
S(T5$ UP "S S9CE Y TWO LEFT40 ,LAURA
/RET*$ =? H] H& & PLAC$ X ON ,J]ROD'S
>M4 ,"! 0 A 4TURB+ EXPRES.N ON H] FACE1
"O ( AGONY & REGRET4 8,MAYBE WE %D TELL
HM1 ,LAURA10 ,F>ON 5C\RAG$ H]4 8,TELL ME
:AT80 ,J]ROD ASK$4 ,LAURA APPE>$ 6SORT
H] ^WS C>E;LLY1 Z IF X PA9$ H] 6?9K AB
:AT _H TRANSPIR$ YE>S E>LI]4 ,:5 %E
SPOKE1 H] VOICE 0 LL M ?AN A :ISP]4
8,/OV] 0 T5 YE>S OLD] ?AN ,ZEB4 ,HE 0 N
ONLY A BIG BRO!R1 HE 0 L ,ZEB'S [N "F4
,X 0 ,/OV] :O MADE >RANGE;TS = ME TO
TRAVEL )! ,GATES FAMILY 6,KANSAS4 ,HE
CAME 6MY AUNT & PROMIS$ 6WAT* OV] ME4
,HE DID N ACTU,Y SU7E/ T ,I 0 6M>RY
,ZEB1 B X 0 A /R;G 3SID],N40 ,%E PAUS$1
Z IF SWALL[+ H] GUILT4 8,HE KNEW    #aaj
"! WD 2 FEW WOM5 =! M5 \ ON ! NEW
HOME/1DS4 ,I 0 EAG] 6/>T MY [N LIFE &
JO9$ ! FAMILY 6-E WE/ ) !M4 ,/OV] 0
C>E;L 6ALL[ ME MY PRIVACY & LET ME FEEL
Z IF ,I ALW _H A *OICE AB ! >RANGE;T4
,8,ZEB 0 A QUIET SORT4 ,WE WD WALK 2H !
WAGON = H\RS )\T HM "E SAY+ A ^W4 ,I
DON'T ?9K HE 0 BA%;L OR UNSURE ( HMF4 ,X
0 M T HE SIMPLY DID N 5GAGE 9 IDLE
*ATT]4 ,X AB DROVE ME CRAZY4 ,I WD ASK A
"Q OR TRY & />T A L9E ( 3V]S,N & HE WD
GIVE ME A "O-^W ANSW]4 ,WORSE1 "S"TS HE
WD N EV5 AC"KL$GE MY "Q4 ,0! "T WE
SETTL$ 9 ,$51 ,I KNEW WE 7 N SUIT$ 6"O
ANO!R4 ,8,MAX ,LOR+ (T5 PLANN$ EV5TS TO
E>N M"OY = HYMNBOOKS OR O!R NE$$
SUPPLIES =! -MUN;Y4 ,I MET ,F>ON AF A
,SUN"D MEET+1 :5 ,MAX _H S* AN A6AIR
GO+4 ,!Y DREW "NS =A SCAV5G] HUNT &
,F>ON & ,I 5D$ UP "PN]S40' ,%E PAUS$ TO
LOOK AT HM4 ,EA* REG>D$ ! O!R )A FAMILI>
LOOK1 "O ( MUTUAL DEVO;N4 8,X 0 MAGIC 2T
U1 Z IF WE 7 DE/9$ 6BE TGR40 8,WE DID N
HIDE ANY?+10 ,F>ON 0 QK 6PO9T \4 8,I
ASK$ ,LAURA IF ,I CD SEE H] AG &    #aaa
WE 2GAN A C\RT%IP40 ,LAURA 3T9U$4 8,ZEB
CAME 6ME & DEM&$ T ,I /OP SEE+ ,F>ON4 ,I
REFUS$4 ,I TOLD HM T ,I 0 N B.D 6HM4 ,9
ALL (! 4CUS.NS & "?\T \R J\RNEY1 ,I N"E
ONCE AGRE$ 6M>RY ,ZEB4 ,MY TRAVEL+ ) !M
0 NO DI6]5T ?AN _M O!RS :O CAME 9 !
WAGON TRA94 ,"! 7 A NUMB] ( /RA7L]S1 P )
NO TIES 6ANY"O4 ,I DIDN'T FEEL T ,I %D 2
=C$ 96A M>RIAGE ,I DIDN'T WANT40 8,B
,ZEB DIDN'T A3EPT T10 ,J]ROD OBS]V$4
8,"O NI<T1 AF HE _H BE5 DR9K+1 HE CAME
6! RAN* 9 A RAGE10 ,F>ON SD1 TAK+ OV] !
/ORY4 8,:5 ,LAURA REFUS$ 6G ) HM1 HE
CALL$ H] A DIRTY "N & %OT H]4 ,IF ,I
_HN'T %OT BACK1 HE WD H KILL$ U BO?40
,J]ROD 0 /UNN$4 ,HE LOOK$ AT ,LAURA 9
%OCK4 8,HE %OT Y80 ,AT ,F>ON'S NOD1 %E
T\*$ H] "R SIDE4 8,! BULLET TORE A PA?
AL;G MY RIBS "H40 8,HE TRI$ 6KILL Y60
8,HE 0 GO+ 6KILL U BO?10 ,F>ON 3FIRM$4
8,! GUY 0 \ ( 8 H1D4 ,I DIDN'T WANT A
GUNFI<T ) HM1 ,J]RY4 ,I N"E DID A LOT (
PRACTIC+ )A PI/OL1 B :5 ,I HE>D ,LAURA
CRY \1 ,I KNEW ,I _H 6/OP HM4 ,I FIR$
BACK UNTIL MY GUN 0 EMPTY40 ,HE     #aab
%RU7$4 8,MISS$ FIVE (! SIX %OTS1 B ! "O
HIT 0 SQU>E40 ,LAURA TOOK OV] AG4 8,Z
LUCK WD H X1 ,MAX ,LOR+ _H G"O HUNT+ )
,JAKE T V MORN+4 ,DORE5 0 AT \R H\SE4
,%E B&AG$ MY W.D1 & ,MAX JO9$ U 9
M>RIAGE T V EV5+4 ,6PREV5T M BLOOD%$1 WE
LEFT ! VALLEY & CAME 6,COLORADO40 8,DID
,/OV] "K AB ?80 ,F>ON GAVE AN (FH&
GE/URE4 8,MAX KNEW H[ ,/OV] FELT AB 8
BRO!R4 ,WE LOAD$ ,ZEB 9TO ,MAX'S WAGON1
& HE & ,DORE5 TOOK ,ZEB'S BODY OV] TO
,/OV]'S PLACE4 ,6SP>E ! ,GATES FAMILY
PA9 & HUMILI,N1 ,MAX MADE \ T ! FI<T 0
SIMPLY 2T ,ZEB & ME40 ,LAURA WRUNG H]
H&S4 ,H] VOICE 0 FULL ( GUILT4 8,EV5 ?\<
"! 0 N"E AN ACTUAL PROMISE 2T ,ZEB & ME1
"! C 2 NO D\BT T ,/OV] 9T5D$ T WE WD
M>RY "O "D4 ,IF HE _H DEM&$ X 2F WE LEFT
,OHIO1 ,I WD H PROBABLY G"O AL;G )!
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0 N ATTRACT$ 6,ZEB40 8,NO WOND] HE HATES
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PACK$ _! 2L;G+S & H JO9$ _! RELATIVES
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LA/ ,MON"D4 ,! ,CRAGAN FAMILY PULL$ \
YE/]"D40 ,8 *E/ H1V$ )A SI<4 8,I BLAME
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"! W LIKELY 2 MILLIONS ( HOPP]S 6D1L )
AG40 8,MAYBE ^? LOCU/S 7 A SIGN F ,GOD10
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D"O GOT "S PIGS WE SELL1 TOO40 8,X WD
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SELL+ ! ANIMALS1 !Y WD MAKE ! ORD] &
AWAIT DELIV]Y (! GDS4 ,:5 !Y RETURN$1
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F9AL 8,AM50 ANN\NC$ ! 5D (! MEET+1 %E
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CD 4SUADE ,WOLFGANG4 ,H] M9D W5T BLANK4
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SETTL$4 ,W$NES"D1 ,I %D -E 6VISIT4 ,WE W
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7 NEC = HM 6RECOGNIZE H] MIS]Y4 8,I
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PUT A 3SOL+ H& ON H] %\LD]4 8,I'M SORRY1
SIS4 ,I DON'T "K H[ 6/OP X40 8,I WON'T D
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AB X =A SPELL4 ,/OV] IS / BOIL+ MAD OV]
Y 5D+ UP ) ,DANMY] AT ! PICNIC4 ,I ?9K
HE IS PU%+ ? ?+ 6PREV5T Y F "E HAV+ A
*.E 6SEE T RAN*] AG40 8,Y NOTICE T "! 0
NO ,DANMY] 9VIT$ TD40 ,TOMMY %RU7$4 8,!Y
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M ?AN A RELIGI\S GA!R+1 ,TOM4 ,!Y DECID$
! FATE (! VALLEY )\T ASK+ ! ,DANMY]S 6BE
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EI4 ,X DON'T M1N NO?+40 8,Y RECALL T AF
,F>ON KILL$ ,ZEB1 ! ,DANMY]S 7 %UNN$ F
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,D5V]40 8,S80 8,S ! FI<T 0 2T ,F>ON &
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HE>D ,TOBY BRA7+ AB H[ HE B1T UP "O (!
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BACK4 ,!Y'RE / 3SID]$ \TCA/S40 8,I WOND]
H[ M* ( T IS 5VY80 %E REPLI$4 8,_! RAN*
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7 T X WD 2 OV] 8 D1D BODY40 8,:AT AM ,I
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6,MR4 ,GATES AB YR DECI.N80 ,A /]N
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8,T WD 2 TAK+ AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE1
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HORSE P]K$ H] E>S AT HE>+ H] "N1 B %E
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  ,,*APT] #I
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8 EYES4 ,MAX 0 TOO C>+ A MAN 6ADEQUATELY
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RETURN F ,ELLIS4 ,&Y 0 KILL$ & ANO!R TWO
7 W.D$40 ,HE SWALL[$ AG/ ! EMO;N T
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ROOM4 8,DON'T =GET 6PACK YR %AV+ KIT1
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0 PICK+ UP A REPLACE;T H>;S =! T1M4 ,HE
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WANT-- "!'S A FAIR AM.T ( FO4] =! FIRE 9
? PA/URE4 ,WE ONLY KEPT A FEW H1D (
CATTLE "H ON ! PLACE4 ,I GUESS ,I DON'T
H 6TELL Y T ^? HOPP]S ATE MO/ (! GRASS
D[N 6! ROOTS40 8,\R PLACE TOO40 8,H[ IS
! FAMILY80 8,WE'RE GETT+ BY40       #aee
,V9CE TOOK A CLOS] LOOK AT H]4 8,I DON'T
"K IF X M1NS ANY?+ 6Y OR N1 B ,J]RY IS
-+ =A VISIT 9 A FEW "DS4 ,I IMAG9E HE'LL
BR+ "S SUPPLIES F ,D5V]4 ,MAYBE Y & YR
FAMILY WD L 6-E OV] = ,*RI/MAS D9N]80
,%E 0 SURPRIS$ 0HIS (F]4 ,NO?+ WD H
PL1S$ H] M ?AN 6A3EPT4 ,H["E1 T 0
IMPOSSI#4 8,MR4 ,GATES / HOLDS A GRUDGE
AG/ YR FAMILY =! D1? ( MY UNCLE4 ,I'M
SURE HE WD REFUSE40 8,TOO BAD AB T10
,V9CE SD4 8,Y >E ACTU,Y \R CLOSE/
NEI<BORS4 ,2 NICE IF WE 7 ON FRLY T]MS )
"O ANO!R40 8,I AGREE1 B ,/OV] IS N A
=GIV+ MAN40 8,WE H A /ORE ( COAL = \R
/OVES1 S FEEL FREE 6-E PICK UP ALL !
*IPS Y WANT10 ,V9CE (F]$4 8,T'S V DEC5T
( Y40 8,BE SEE+ Y40 ,!Y WAT*$ ,V9CE TURN
8 HORSE & RIDE AWAY4 ,TOMMY LET \ ! BR1?
HE _H BE5 HOLD+4 8,I ?"\ WE'D _H X "!40
8,I KEEP TELL+ Y1 ! ,DANMY]S >E N A BUN*
( COLD-BLOOD$ KILL]S4 ,J]ROD TOLD ME T
,ZEB 0 DRUNK :5 HE W5T 6! ,DANMY] RAN*4
,HE />T$ %OOT+ F/4 ,F>ON ONLY RETURN$
FIRE40 8,/OV] / BLAMES ,F>ON = /1L+
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,HE 0 TRY+ 6GET ,LAURA BACK40 8,IF T 7 !
-PLETE TRU?1 :Y DIDN'T ! 5TIRE VALLEY G
\ ) HM8 ,KIDNAPP+ IS AG/ ! LAW4 ,AL1 :Y
WD ,LAURA M>RY ,F>ON8 ,I M1N1 WD Y M>RY
"S"O :O KIDNAPP$ Y & KILL$ ! "O Y 7
PROMIS$ TO80 ,TOMMY GR9N$4 8,I DON'T "K4
,Y ?9K "S WILD WOMAN MI<T KIDNAP ME "O
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W9D SWIRL$ ! SN[ AB _! FACES4 ,X 0 A
GRIM REM9D] ( :Y !Y 7 /&+ \ ON ! FROZ5
GR.D4 8,LET'S GET HOME1 ,TOM4 ,MY H&S &
FEET >E BLOCKS ( ICE40 8,Y DON'T H 6TELL
ME TWICE4 ,I 2LIEVE MY E>S FELL (F AB AN
H\R AGO4 ,?9K WE C PA/E !M BACK ON80
,M>IAN DID N REPLY4 ,%E LIFT$ H] SACK &
HURRI$ T[>D ! HORSE4 ,EV5 Z H] TEE? 7
*ATT]+ F ! *ILL (! COLD1 %E 0 W>M$ AT "O
?"\4 ,J]ROD 0 -+ HOME =A VISIT4 ,)A GRT
D1L ( LUCK1 HE WD FIGURE A WAY 6SEE H]4
,%E DIDN'T "K H[ HE WD MANAGE S* A F1T1
B %E 0 SURE HE WD TRY4
  ,J]ROD /OOD 9 FRONT (! POTBELLI$ /OVE
& FLEX$ 8 NUMB F+]S4 ,!Y 7 2G9N+ 6/+ F
2+ W>M$4 ,! PRESSURE BUILT UNTIL 8  #aeg
H&S FELT R1DY 6EXPLODE1 S HE MOV$ BACK A
LL & WAIT$ =! PA9 6SUBSIDE4 8,FOOL /UNT1
SON40 ,JAKE %OOK 8 H1D4 8,Y MI<T H DI$ \
ON ! PRAIRIE -+ "H 9 ? K9D ( W1!R40 8,I
PUT UP A %ELT] & C>RI$ A LL WOOD =A
FIRE4 ,MY MA9 3C]N 0 T ,B+O MI<T FREEZE4
,_H 6KEEP ! PACE SL[ 5 T %E DIDN'T "W UP
A LA!R40 8,PACO IS RU2+ H] D[N AT ! B>N4
,LOTS ( W>M /RAW &A GD HELP+ ( OATS1 %E
"\ 6BE ALL "R40 8,H[ AB ?+S >.D "H8
,:AT'S BE5 HAPP5+80 8,RAN 96,MAX ,LOR+ !
O!R "D4 ,HE SAYS T ,TOBY ,BR[N PULL$
/AKES & LEFT ! VALLEY40 8,TOBY DID80
,J]ROD %OOK 8 H1D 9 WOND]4 8,HE 0 "O T
,I FIGUR$ WD N"E SELL4 ,BULLY T HE WAS1
HE & 8 DAD CD RAISE A B1UTI;L CROP40 8,)
,&Y G"O1 MAYBE HE DIDN'T H ! HE>T =
F>M+40 8,H[ M* D Y ?9K 8 PLACE BR"\80
8,NO "O SEEMS 6"K4 ,TOBY J PACK$ UP &
LEFT )\T A ^W 6ANY"O40 8,_! PLACE 0 GD
L&4 ,I'LL BET 8 DE$ IS PICK$ UP 0"S ( ^?
FOLKS BACK EA/4 ,B AF ! B\T ) ^? HOPP]S
? YE>1 ,I DON'T ?9K ,I'D 2 9 ANY HURRY
6BUY A F>M "H 9 ,$540 8,! ,G]MAN FAMILY
S\? (! ,KRUG] PLACE AL PACK$ UP &   #aeh
LEFT4 ,! WOMAN 0 D[N SICK1 & TWO ( _!
SIX KIDS _H DI$ F HUNG] &! COLD4 ,I
2LIEVE ,H>K] GAVE !M A FEW DOLL>S = _!
DE$4 ,ALL _! YE>S ( "W 0 = NAU<T40
8,GUESS AB "EY"O [ES ,H>K] M"OY80 8,EI
HM OR ,L9K OR BO?40 ,V9CE CAME 96! ROOM4
,HE _H TWO /1M+ CUPS ( C(FEE4 8,? "\ TO
W>M YR 9N>DS40 ,J]ROD TOOK ! C(FEE &
ALL[$ ! H1T F ! CUP 6SOO! ! A*E 9 8
F+]S4 ,HE CD MOVE ALL ( 8 TOES1 &!
GRAYI% T9T AB 8 FACE _H 4APPE>$4 ,"! 0
NO 9DIC,N ( FRO/BITE1 B HE _H BE5 V
CLOSE4 8,MAX SD ! COLD & LACK ( SUPPLIES
IS TAK+ A H1VY TOLL10 ,JAKE 3T9U$4 8,"!
HAS BE5 NO LESS ?AN A DOZ5 D1?S F EI
FREEZ+ 6D1? OR HUNG]4 ,\ ( ?REE NEWBORNS
9 ! PA/ F\R MON?S1 TWO DIDN'T MAKE X40
8,X'S A SORRY SITU,N10 ,V9CE AGRE$4
8,MO/ H BORR[$ F ,H>K] & RUN UP A BIG
TAB AT ,L9K ,PET]S'S /ORE4 ,! *OICE IS
6EI 5D UP DEEP 9 DEBT OR W9D UP />V+ &
DY+ F ! COLD4 ,I A9'T SE5 A SMILE S9CE
W9T] SET IN40 8,WOND] H[ ,L9K IS /AY+ 9
BUSI;S8 ,?9K HE HAS TAK5 A LOAN \ (!
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FLOAT$ "S K9D ( LOAN F ^? POT5TIAL
BUY]S40 8,ANY?+ ON ! B&ITS :O KILL$ ,&Y
,BR[N80 8,NO?+40 8,I C'T 2LIEVE ,TOBY WD
UP & L1VE :ILE 8 "F'S KILL] IS / RUNN+
LOOSE40 8,CUT 8 LOSSES & GOT \10 ,V9CE
SU7E/$4 8,GUESS HE WASN'T Z BULLH1D$ Z
WE ?"\40 8,:AT AB HELP F ! GOV]N;T8
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HOPP]S CUT A SWA? F ! ,DAKOTAS 6,TEXAS4
,P H PACK$ UP & MOV$ OR DI$ F ! COLD &
/>V,N ALL AL;G _! R\TE4 ,F> Z WE'VE
HE>D1 NO?+ IS 9 ! "WS = ANY ( !M40 8,"!
WON'T 2 ANY NOTICE =! PLI<T (! F>M]S
UNTIL ! P BACK EA/ GET HUNGRY40 8,I
RECKON40 ,J]ROD SAT D[N & SIPP$ AT ! HOT
LIQUID4 8,SURE AM GLAD ,I MADE ! TRIP4
,Y GUYS >E FULL ( GD NEWS40 8,I DID
HAPP5 ONTO YR GAL A :ILE BACK10 ,V9CE
9=M$ HM4 8,%E & H] BRO!R 7 D[N 9 ! EA/
PA/URE PICK+ UP C[ *IPS40 8,H['D %E
LOOK80 8,L A BE7> 9 RAGS1 ,J]RY4 ,%E 0 S
BUNDL$ UP1 ,I WASN'T SURE %E 0 EV5 A GAL
=A BIT40 8,!Y DO+ ALL "R80 8,I DON'T "K4
,/OV] IS A H1D/R;G SORT4 ,I'LL BET  #afj
HE ISN'T (A M9D 6CRAWL 6,H>K] = CR$IT40
8,!Y H 6EAT40 8,I CDN'T SEE !M = ALL !
CLO?+1 B BO? KIDS LOOK$ A LL GAUNT AB !
FACE4 ,I EXPECT !Y'RE MAK+ D )A H&;L (
B1NS EA* WEEK40 8,Y "K ^? KIDS 7
DESP]ATE = H1T+ FUEL IF !Y CAME ALL !
WAY \ 6\R EA/ PA/URE4 ,/OV] WD N"E
APPROVE ( _! -+ T F> ONTO \R PROP]TY40
8,H[ >E Y "E GO+ 6W9 ! GIRL'S H&80 ,V9CE
ASK$4 ,JAKE JO9$ IN4 8,/OV] WON'T "E
AGREE 6LET Y C\RT 8 DAU<T]1 SON4 ,I 0
HOP+ T ,F>ON WD 9TRODUCE Y 6"S GALS >.D
,D5V]40 8,HE TRI$1 B ,I'VE MADE UP MY
M9D40 8,H[ C Y MAKE UP "S?+ Y H S LL (80
,V9CE QUIPP$4 8,IF ,I WANT 6"K YR
OP9ION1 LL BRO!R1 ,I'LL ASK ,M>IA 6GIVE
X 6ME40 8,SP1K+ ( ,M>IA10 ,JAKE JUMP$ 9
6/OP ! BANT]+1 8,I'LL BET %E HAS D9N] ON
! TA#4 ,:Y DON'T Y TWO WA% UP1 :ILE ,I
*ECK ON X80 ,Z _! "F LEFT ! ROOM1 ,V9CE
GREW D1DLY S]I\S4 8,X A9'T GD1 ,J]RY4
,"! >E P DY+ ( HUNG] ALL >.D U40 8,:AT C
WE D AB X80 8,WE 7 HURT 0^? HOPP]S1 TOO4
,BUY+ & TRANSPORT+ GRA9 & SUPPLIES F
,D5V] 6FE$ ! /OCK WE KEPT "H ON !   #afa
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A BAD SPR+ & LOSE A NUMB] ( CALVES1 WE
MI<T 5D UP "W+ = WAGES AT "S O!R RAN*40
8,F>ON _H 6PAY \ GD M"OY 6GRAZE \R H]D1
TOO4 ,X DIDN'T HELP 8 SITU,N1 Z HE IS 9
DEBT ) 8 [N PLACE40 8,EV5 S1 WE >E A
?\S& "TS BETT] (F ?AN "S ( ^! F>M]S4 ,I
SPOKE 6,MAX AB X1 & HE SD "S ( !M >E
%OOT+ MAGPIES = FOOD OR BOIL+ OLD HIDES
= S\P4 ,!Y C'T HOLD ON M* L;G]40 8,I'LL
RIDE 0& SP1K 6,MAX4 ,"! M/ 2 "S?+ WE C
D40 8,RECKON ,I "K ! R\TE Y'LL TAKE 9TO
T[N40 ,HE W9K$4 8,M>IA MI<T FIX UP "S
TORTILLAS & CORNBR1D = ,MAX &! ,GATES
FAMILY--K9D (A ,*RI/MAS GE/URE1 IF Y GET
MY DRIFT80 8,?ANKS1 ,V9CE4 ,I'D
APPRECIATE X40 8,!N ,I'LL MAKE >RANGE;TS
= YR FUN]AL10 HE SD1 GR9N+4 8,AF ALL1
:AT >E BRO!RS =80 8,I'VE ASK$ MYF T A
NUMB] ( "TS1 ,V9CE4 ,I RE,Y H40
  ,! S.D (A RID] S5T ,M>IAN SCURRY+ 6!
W9D[4 ,%E LIFT$ ! CORN] (! C>DBO>D COV]+
& PEEK$ \4 ,! FIGURE SITT+ ATOP A HORSE
0 "O %E QKLY RECOGNIZ$4 ,/OV] OP5$ !
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8,DON'T GET YR BACK >*$ L A SPOOK$ CAT1
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,LOR+4 ,HE S5T ? BASKET = Y1 SD X 0 A
S1SON'S GREET+ 6YR FAMILY40 8,MAX8 ,HE
S5T U A BASKET80 8,I'D ADMIRE 6W>M UP A
BIT 2F H1D+ ON BACK 6! RAN*4 ,! W9D TD
IS COLD 5 6PUT FRO/ ON ! DEVIL'S W9D[S40
8,FIVE M9UTES10 ,/OV] ALL[$4 8,B X DON'T
M1N WE >E GO+ 6/>T SITT+ TGR AT ! ,SUN"D
MEET+40 ,J]ROD SWUNG D[N & REMOV$ A
BASKET F 2H ! SA4LE4 ,M>IAN QKLY FLU6$
H] HAIR ) BO? H&S & P9*$ H] *EEKS =
COLOR4 ,:5 ,J]ROD 5T]$ ! ROOM1 HE /OPP$1
ALL[+ 8 EYES 6ADJU/ 6! D>K;S4 8,"! 2 !
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GOT MY "TPIECE H&Y40 ,J]ROD /EPP$ OV] &
PLAC$ ! BASKET ON ! TA#4 ,HE PAUS$ TO
SMILE AT ,WILMA & REMOV$ 8 HAT4
8,APPRECIATE ! HOSPITAL;Y1 MA'AM40 8,Y
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MA'AM4 ,I RAN 96HM ? MORN+ & (F]$ 6SAVE
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6EXAM9E ! 3T5TS (! BASKET4 ,%E 0 W>Y (
,/OV]'S WAT*;L EYE4 ,C>E;LLY1 %E    #afc
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FOOD4 8,CORNBR1D1 TORTILLAS1 POTATO
CAKES1 &0--%E PICK$ UP A R.D ITEM &
LIFT$ X 6H] NOSE--0APPLE PIE60 8,W[60
,TOMMY CLAMOR$4 8,": D Y SUPPOSE ,MAX
GOT ANY APPLES80 8,S.DS GRT60 ,BR&ON SD
HO>SELY1 RIS+ UP F A B$ 0! FIRE4 ,M>IAN
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KNEW ! TRU? (! MATT]3 6H] K1 ,MRS4 ,LOR+
_H N"E PREP>$ TORTILLAS4 8,Y FOLKS MAK+
\ ALL "R80 ,J]ROD ASK$1 TURN+ ! ATT5;N
AWAY F ! FOOD4 8,WE GOT NO -PLA9TS10
,/OV] REPLI$4 8,Y C SEE T WE'RE ALL
A3.T$ =40 8,^? HOPP]S DIDN'T L1VE M*
2H40 8,!Y DIDN'T GET \R POTATO CROP1
EXCEPT 6EAT ! TOPS (F (! PLANTS4 ,WE'LL
/ 2 "H -E SPR+40 8,GLAD 6HE> X40 8,I'LL
WAG] Y >E10 ,/OV] SD S\RLY4 ,J]ROD
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HOLD A GRUDGE40 8,A MAN :AT'S D1D /AYS T
WAY A L;G "T1 ,DANMY]40 8,I _H NO?+ 6D )
YR BRO!R & ,F>ON1 ,MR4 ,GATES4 ,I 0 (F
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8,BLOOD IS ! SAME4 ,Y'RE A ,DANMY]40 8,I
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,8,LOVE ?9E 5EMY0' & ,8,=GIVE ^? :AT D"O
TRESPASS AG/ Y0'8 ,^? J S _M ^WS 6Y80
8,I AD"H M TO ,8,AN EYE = AN EYE0' &
,8,?\ %ALT N KILL10' ,DANMY]40 ,HE SI<$4
8,I'D ADMIRE 6BE FRS1 ,/OV]40 8,I D"O
SE5 ! FR%IP Y H--= MY DAU<T]40 8,WON'T
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AIR40 ,J]ROD *UCKL$ AT ! VEHEM;E 9 8
VOICE4 8,I C SEE Y HAV5'T YET MADE UP YR
M9D = C]TA940 ,/OV] DID N F9D HUMOR 9 8
^WS4 8,! CLOCK IS TICK+4 ,TWO M M9UTES40
8,DAG'GUM1 ,/OV]1 WE'RE NEI<BORS4 ,WE %D
2 HELP+ "O ANO!R40 8,YR FAMILY MURD]$ MY
BRO!R1 ,DANMY]4 ,DON'T "E ASK 6-E 96MY
H\SE AG40 ,J]ROD />$ AT ,/OV] =A L;G
M9UTE1 ! MEET+ ( TWO /R;G WILLS1 A SIL5T
BATTLE ( /R5G?4 ,/OV] 0 F/ 6LOOK
AWAY--ONLY 6*ECK 8 WAT*4 8,"T'S UP1
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BASKET10 ,MRS4 ,GATES MURMUR$4 ,M>IAN CD
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EV5 MAKE EYE 3TACT4 8,S L;G1 MUD KITT510
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MO;N1 X 0 N 9 ! DIREC;N (! ,DANMY] RAN*4
,/OV] _H 6H NOTIC$ HM H1D+ T[>D T[N1 B
HE KEPT 8 ?"\S 6HMF4 ,HE 0 AW>E (! JOY;L
ANTICIP,N 9 ! EYES ( 8 FAMILY OV] ! FOOD
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,LOR+S4 ,T ALL[$ HM 6A3EPT ! FOOD )\T
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D9N] AF ALL60 ,BR&ON SD4 8,I C'T WAIT60
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F \R B1NS-&-GRUEL DIET40 ,WILMA SMIL$ AT
8 5?USIASM4 8,GIVE ME A M9UTE 6H1T ?+S
UP A LL & FIX "S TEA40 ,M>IAN FELT A
*URN+ 9SIDE4 ,X 0 N ONLY HUNG] = FOOD4
,SEE+ ,J]ROD AG1 %E KNEW X 0 AL ! FLUTT]
( H] UNCONTROLLA# HE>T4 8,NICE ( ,DANMY]
6BR+ ! BASKET ALL ! WAY \ "H10 ,TOMMY
OBS]V$4 8,TOO BAD WE H 6BE 5EMIES40
,/OV] GL[]$ A W>N+4 8,HE KILL$ YR UNCLE
,ZEB1 SON40 8,F>ON KILL$ ,ZEB10 ,TOMMY
CORRECT$ HM C>E;LLY4 8,X 0 A FI<T 2T !
TWO ( !M4 ,L ,J]ROD SD1 HE 0 (F FI<T+ 9
! W> AT ! "T40 8,A MAN IS           #aff
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BRO!R4 ,8 K9 KILL$ HM 9 COLD BLOOD40 8,X
0 A GUNFI<T1 SIR4 ,ZEB W5T 6! ,DANMY]
RAN*4 ,HE CD Z EASILY H KILL$ ,F>ON40
8,T'S 5\<60 ,/OV] TOLD HM FIRMLY4 8,WE
A9'T GO+ 6TALK AB A ,DANMY] 9 ? H\SE4 ,Y
"U/& ME80 8,YES1 SIR40 ,TOMMY GAVE GR.D4
8,I 0 ONLY VOIC+ MY OP9ION40 ,M>IAN FELT
A W>M? 5T] H] 2+4 ,H] BRO!R _H TAK5 UP =
,J]ROD AG/ H] "F4 ,HE 0 QKLY 2COM+ A
MAN4 8,? ALL LOOKS & SMELLS DELICI\S10
,WILMA 9T]RUPT$1 SPR1D+ \ PLATES ON !
TA#4 8,-E & GET X40
  ,,*APT] #AA
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U40 8,I FIGURE HE WON'T M5;N X1 O!R ?AN
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IS T Y DON'T (F] 6CL>IFY ! GIFT UN.S HE
DIRECTLY PUTS ! "Q 6Y40 8,T ,I C D40 8,I
NOTIC$ T EV5 ,/OV] 0 LOOK+ A MITE ?940
8,/OV] IS A PR\D MAN4 ,HE WON'T ASK =
HELP1 & HE REFUS$ 6BORR[ AG/ 8 PLACE4
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ANO!R BAD YE>1 ,L9K OR ! MAYOR W 5D UP
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,L9K'S /ORE80 8,!Y'RE )9 R1SON1 B NO "O
HAS ANY M"OY LEFT4 ,ALL ( U PUT \R M"OY
96\R [N %IP;T ( GDS40 8,R1L /RANGE1 HAV+
YR WAGONS HIT L T4 ,IF ,I 0 A SUSPICI\S
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RO2]Y40 8,NO *.E ( HM 2+ 9 ON X4 ,HE 0 9
,D5V] AT ! "T4 ,T'S ": HE GETS ALL ( 8
SUPPLIES4 ,MAYOR ,H>K] GOT A WIRE F HM !
V "D ,&Y ,BR[N 0 KILL$4 ,! MAN CDN'T H
BE5 9 TWO PLACES AT "O "T40 8,& BO? !
MAYOR & ,K5O 7 9 T[N ! :OLE WEEK80
8,H>K] 0 "H4 ,HE USU,Y ATT5DS \R ,SUN"D
MEET+S & S+S PRAISE 6! ,"L AT \R SIDES4
,! MAN IS TRY+ 6RUN 8 BUSI;S Z BE/ HE C4
,I DON'T FAULT HM = T4 ,Z = ,K5O1 ,I'M
PRETTY SURE HE 0 "H ! 5TIRE "T1 TOO40
8,T L1VES NO SUSPECTS F ,$540 8,I C'T
2LIEVE ANY"O F ,$5 WD 2 9VOLV$ 9 ! RO2]Y
( \R SUPPLIES &! MURD] ( ,&Y ,BR[N40 8,Y
>E A SPECIAL SORT ( MAN1 ,MAX4 ,Y DON'T
?9K ANY"O IS CAPA# ( MURD]40 8,IF ,K5O
,D1N 7 R1P+ ! REW>DS ( RUNN+ P \ (  #afh
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,QUANTRILL AT ,LAWR;E4 ,HE'S ALW TIPP+ A
BOTTLE & HE /RIKES ME Z A MAN :O IS
LACK+ A S\L40 8,HE'S A COLD FI% ALL "R40
8,! "Q IS1 :AT >E WE GO+ 6D8 ,! SITU,N
IS DESP]ATE1 ,J]ROD4 ,"! >E P />V+ "H 9
,$54 ,9 FACT1 ,I'VE BE5 9 3TACT ) O!RS F
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FAM9E ALL ACR ,KANSAS4 ,^? HOPP]S /RIPP$
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8,I'VE SE5 A LL ( T MYF40 8,:AT >E Y GO+
6D AB X80 8,ME80 8,O!R ?AN A %ORT RIDE
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WEEKS4 ,I WD N D>E L1VE H] = ANY L5G? (
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8,:5 D ,I GET 6MAKE A DECI.N AB MY [N
LIFE80 8,A "F DOES :AT IS BE/ = 8   #ahc
DAU<T]40 8,) NO REG>D = H] FEEL+S80 ,MAX
GRIMAC$4 8,X IS ALW DESIRA# T A "F SEEK
QUALITIES 9 A FUTURE HUSB& T 8 DAU<T] C
ADMIRE4 ,SURVIVAL HAS 6BE 3SID]$1 !
ABIL;Y (A MAN 6PROVIDE =A FAMILY4 ,I'M
SURE ,/OV] IS TRY+ 6D :AT HE FEELS IS 9
YR BE/ 9T]E/40 ,2F %E CD SP1K AG1 ,L9K
,PET]S CAME PU%+ "? ! CR[D4 ,HE /OPP$
NEXT 6,MAX & PULL$ ON 8 >M4 8,K5O S5T ME
6FET* Y1 ,MR4 ,LOR+4 ,HE ASK$ T Y -E "R
N[40 8,:AT'S ! MATT]80 8,J]ROD ,DANMY]
RODE 96T[N A FEW M9UTES BACK--HE'S BRUNG
9 A BODY40 8,"S"O :O />V$ OR 0 FROZ5 F !
COLD80 8,N ? "T10 ,L9K REPLI$4 8,DANMY]
D"O KILT ? "O ALL 0HMF60 ,M>IAN FELT H]
HE>T /OP4 ,"EY"O :O 0 )9 HE>+ 4T.E GREW
SIL5T4 ,!Y ALL WAIT$ = ,MAX 6MAKE ! NEXT
MOVE4 ,HE DID S ^W.SLY1 HURRY+ 6GA!R UP
8 COAT4 8,DID Y HE> T80 ,TOMMY :ISP]$4
8,J]ROD KILL$ A MAN60 8,( C\RSE ,I
HE>D40 8,:AT D Y ?9K80 8,I DON'T "K4 ,I
WI% "! 0 "S WAY = ME 6G F9D \ :AT
HAPP5$40 8,/OV] WD TAKE A BELT 6Y40 8,:Y
D Y ?9K ,I'M / /&+ "H ) Y80 ,EV5 Z !Y
LI/5$ 6O!RS >.D !M 4CUSS ! NEWS1    #ahd
,/OV] CAME "? ! CR[D4 8,LET'S G10 HE
ORD]$4 8,X'S GETT+ LATE40 ,F ! GRIM LOOK
ON 8 FACE1 X W5T )\T SAY+ T HE WANT$ NO
"QS ASK$ 3C]N+ ,J]ROD4 ,EV5 Z ,M>IAN
/>T$ =! DOOR1 %E 0 AW>E ( ,WOLFGANG
HURRY+ \ 96! COLD4 ,%E TUCK$ H] H&S 96H]
COAT1 9/ANTLY ASSAIL$ 0! COLD AIR4 ,0!
"T %E & ,TOMMY 7 UP ON ! WAGON S1T1
,WOLFGANG APPE>$4 ,HE 0 C>RY+ A SACK OV]
"O %\LD]4 8,AH-HAH1 AH-HAH60 HE *ORTL$4
8,"! 2 "H A GIFT 6YR FAMILY F U40 ,HE
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! SIDE4 ,!N HE /EPP$ BACK & %[$ 8 CROOK$
TEE? 9 A WIDE GR94 8,I 2 LOOK+ =W>D 6-+
= 6VISIT Y AG1 ,MISS ,M>IAN40 ,HE GAVE A
NON*ALANT TIP ( 8 HAT4 8,YAH1 ,I'M SURE
6LOOK =W>D 6X40 ,M>IAN _H A S9K+ S5S,N4
,"! 0 A 4CONC]T+ 3FID;E 9 ,WOLFGANG'S
MANN]4 ,%E FLA%$ A WORRI$ LOOK AT ,/OV]1
B HE 0 ALL BUSI;S4 8,SEE Y LAT]1 SON10
HE SD CORDI,Y 6,WOLFGANG4 8,TELL ,V]NON
?ANKS AG40 8,AH-HAH6 ,:AT >E FRS =60
,/OV] FLIPP$ ! RE9S & />T$ ! T1M MOV+4
,M>IAN GL.ED BACK TWICE 9 ! DIREC;N (
,WOLFGANG4 ,HE 0 /&+ 9 ! MI4LE (!   #ahe
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=?4 ,"! 0 "S?+ V OM9\S 9 8 4PLAY1 Z IF
HE 0 SU45LY OV]JOY$ AB "S?+4 ,) GR[+
TREPID,N1 %E CA/ A SIDEWAYS LOOK AT
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D\BT T ,V]NON & ,/OV] _H BE5 4CUSS+ H]
FUTURE4 ,M>IAN'S 9N] COLD F> EXCE$$ !
*ILL (! AIR \TSIDE2 %E FELT Z IF H] HE>T
_H SU45LY TURN$ 6ICE4
  ,! MAYOR _H BE5 AT HOME4 ,AF HE>+
,J]ROD'S /ORY1 HE S5T = ,K5O4 ,! "S"TS
%]IFF _H ,L9K G FET* ,MAX ,LOR+4 ,!N !Y
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AMBU%] \ ON ! FLOOR4 ,K5O /OK$ !
POTBELLI$ /OVE & A4$ "S FUEL 6H1T !
ROOM4 ,L9K RETURN$ ) ,MAX A FEW M9UTES
LAT]4 ,AF "EY"O 0 9 ! ROOM1 ,H>K] PO9T$
6! CORPSE4 8,DANMY] CLAIMS ? MAN TRI$ TO
KILL HM A FEW MILES UP ! ROAD10 HE 2GAN4
8,ANY ( Y "E SE5 ? GUY 2F80 ,K5O US$ !
TOE ( 8 BOOT 6ROLL ! MAN'S H1D 6"O SIDE
S ! MAYOR CD TAKE A BETT] LOOK4 8,UGLY
CUSS10 HE SD4 8,CDN'T H>DLY =GET A PUSS
L T40 8,HE'S A /RANG] 6ME10 ,MAX    #ahf
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PIECES1 TWO D\# EAGLES1 & AN EAGLE4
8,FIFTY DOLL>S 9 GOLD CO9 0 9 ! MAN'S
POCKET10 HE SD4 8,X WD APPE> T "S"O HIR$
? FELL[ 6KILL ,DANMY]40 ,K5O1 PULL$ A
FLASK F 8 POCKET & TOOK A DR9K4 ,!N HE
LOOK$ AT ,J]ROD CURI\SLY4 8,:Y %D ANY"O
WANT Y D1D1 ,DANMY]80 8,I H NO IDEA40
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CROSS TRAILS )A H>D CASE LATELY80 8,NO40
8,:AT AB ,TOBY80 ,L9K ASK$4 8,Y %ORE
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%AKE4 ,8,I C'T 2LIEVE T ( ,TOBY40' ,L9K
0 9 AGREE;T4 ,8,2SS1 ,I B"\ \ ,TOBY )A
BANK NOTE4 ,HE WD H _H 6G Z F> Z ,ELLIS
6CA% ! NOTE4 ,!N HE WD H _H 6HIRE "S"O
6-E ALL ! WAY BACK "H =A KILL+4 ,I DON'T
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A FI<T40' ,8,TOBY WASN'T ! TYPE 6HIRE A
KILL]10' ,J]ROD 3CURR$4 ,8,S :O WD WANT
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,K5O TOOK ANO!R JOLT F 8 FLASK1 CAPP$ X1
& /UCK X 96HIS POCKET4 ,HE SP5T A FEW
MO;TS EXAM9+ ! BODY1 !N /OOD BACK   #ahg
& FOLD$ 8 >MS4 ,8,LUCKY %OT1 GETT+ HM "?
! JAW4 ,LOOKS Z IF ! BULLET W5T "R UP
96HIS BRA940' ,8,HE 0 /&+ "R OV] ME40'
,J]ROD %[$ ! HOLES 9 8 SLICK]4 ,8,! GUY
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,8,ONLY ASK$ IF ,I 0 ,J]ROD ,DANMY]40'
,8,GOT A BR& ON 8 HORSE80' ,8,NO M>K+S
AT ALL4 ,NO?+ 9 8 SA4LEBAGS EI40' ,K5O
SI<$4 ,8,WELL1 AB ALL ,I C D IS RIDE \ &
H A LOOK4 ,MI<T GET A DIREC;N F ": ? GUY
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,I C FOLL[ 8 TRAIL = ANY 4T.E40' ,8,I'LL
G ) Y10' ,L9K (F]$4 ,8,H[ DID HE "K Y WD
2 ON ! TRAIL80' ,H>K] ASK$4 ,8,I M1N1 !
GUY WD H _H 6SIT "! =A WEEK OR TWO1
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MY/]Y 6ME1 ,MAYOR40' ,8,I'LL H A LOOK =
8 CAMPSITE10' ,K5O (F]$4 ,8,MAYBE HE DID
J T4 ,IF S1 "! MI<T 2 A CLUE 6HIS ID5T;Y
AT ! CAMP40' ,8,:AT D WE D AB ! BODY
TILL !N1 ,MAX80' ,H>K] ASK$4 ,8,? IS K9D
(A F/ = ME40' ,8,ME TOO1 ,LYLE4 ,I'LL H
A C(F9 BR"\ OV]4 ,WE C /ORE ! BODY 9 YR
BACK ROOM UNTIL ,K5O RETURNS4 ,IF   #ahh
!Y DON'T F9D ANY?+1 AB ALL WE C D IS PUT
HM 9 ! GR.D Z AN UN"KN ASSAILANT40'
,H>K] APPROV$ ! IDEA1 !N GAVE ,J]ROD A
CLOSE LOOK4 ,8,H[ AB Y1 SON8 ,Y SD !
BULLET CR1S$ Y80' ,8,I'M OKAY4 ,X BL$ A
LL1 B X WASN'T M* M ?AN A SCRAT*40'
,8,WANT 6-E OV] & H ,DORE5 LOOK AT X80'
,MAX ASK$4 ,8,I'LL GET ,M>IA 6MAKE ME A
B&AGE :5 ,I GET \ 6! RAN*4 ,X'S N ANY
BIG D1L40' ,8,WE'LL 2 H1D+ \10' ,K5O SD4
,8,L9K1 H[ AB Y R1DY \R HORSES8 ,I'LL
GET A FEW ?+S TGR & MEET Y AT ! LIV]Y40'
,8,ALL "R40' ,8,Y SAY ! ATTACK 0 ON !
MA9 TRAIL1 AB FIVE MILES \1 ,DANMY]80'
,8,Y C'T MISS X4 ,%D 2 A# 6SEE !
BLOOD/A9 "R ": ,I %OT HM40' ,8,I'LL GET
BACK 6Y ON ANY?+ WE F9D40' ,K5O & ,L9K
BO? LEFT ! ROOM4 ,MAX FOLL[$ AF !M1 GO+
6R.D UP A WOOD5 CRATE =! WD-BE KILL]4 ,!
MAYOR PLAC$ ! ?REE GOLD CO9S ON ! NE>E/
TA# & SAT D[N4 ,8,AB FIVE DOLL>S W BURY
? "*4 ,:AT D Y ?9K WE "\ 6D )! REMA9+
M"OY80' ,8,X ISN'T M9E40' ,8,X %D G 6HIS
SURVIV+ FAMILY1 B )\T "K+ :O HE IS1 T IS
IMPOSSI#4 ,UN.S Y H A BETT] IDEA1   #ahi
,I PROPOSE US+ X T[>D BUY+ "S FOOD &
4TRIBUT+ X >.D40' ,HE DID "S QK -PUT,N 9
8 H1D4 ,8,I ?9K ,L9K HAS 5 FL\R1 SALT1 &
SUG> LEFT T WE CD GIVE \ A SMALL QUANT;Y
( EA* 6E FAMILY 9 ,$540' ,8,S.DS GD TO
ME40' ,H>K] APPE>$ PL1S$ )! IDEA B / _H
A WORRI$ FR[N ON 8 FACE4 ,8,:O CD H BE5
2H ?1 ,J]ROD8 ,:Y WD "S"O WANT Y KILL$8
,& :O CD H "KN Y WD 2 RETURN+ ON T ROAD
TD80' ,8,I H NO ANSW] 6^? "QS1 ,MAYOR40'
,8,Y _H NO TR\# 9 ,TOPEKA8 ,& 2F1 NO
RUN-9S :ILE Y 7 /AY+ 9 ,D5V]80' ,8,NO TO
BO?40' ,8,?9K1 MAN6 ,P DON'T G \ 9 ? K9D
( W1!R & LAY 9 WAIT 6AMBU% "S"O =! FUN (
X4 ,"! HAS 6BE A MOTIVE60' ,8,I C'T ?9K
( ANY40' ,H>K] F9,Y RELAX$4 ,8,MAYBE
"S"O ELSE HAS BE5 US+ YR "N4 ,CD 2 ? IS
ALL A MISTAKE4 ,EI T1 OR "S"O HAS X 9 =
YR FAMILY & DECID$ 6GET ! "O ,DANMY] :O
WASN'T PROTECT$ \ AT ! RAN*40' ,8,I C'T
HELP ON T C.T4 ,WE DON'T H ANY D1DLY
5EMIES T ,I'M AW>E (40' ,H>K] R1*$ \ &
PATT$ HM ON ! >M4 ,8,Y'RE ALL "R1 T'S
:AT MATT]S4 ,IF Y WANT 6H1D ON HOME1
,I'LL SEE 6? G5T & SEE AB DIVID+    #aij
UP ! SUPPLIES4 ,Z Y MI<T H NOTIC$1 !
%ELVES 9 "H >E PRETTY B>E4 ,L9K & ,I >E
BO? AB BROKE40' ,8,FIT "R 9 )! RE/ (! P
9 ,$54 ,WE'RE ALL D[N 6CUTT+ B1NS 9 HALF
6H 5 FOOD 6GET BY40' ,8,Y SPOKE 6!
GOV]NOR80' ,8,YES4 ,HE SD !Y >E EXPECT+
RELIEF F S"EAL GR\PS BACK EA/4 ,"! %D 2
A %IP;T ( SUPPLIES "H 0E>LY SPR+ 6HELP !
F>M]S GET "? TILL H>VE/40' ,HE SMIL$
BROADLY & CLAPP$ 8 H&S4 ,8,EXCELL5T6 ,GD
NEWS AT LA/40' ,J]ROD PULL$ 8 COAT
TI<TLY TGR & H1D$ =! DOOR4 ,HE _H KILL$
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?9K (4 ,X 0 AN UNSETTL+ FEEL+4 ,ESPECI,Y
S9CE HE _H N ! SLI<TE/ IDEA :Y HE _H BE5
! MAN'S T>GET4 ,6KILL 9 ANG]1 OR DUR+ !
W>1 SEEM$ 6H PURPOSE4 ,X 0 M TR\BL+ T "!
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,8,I'LL 2 SEE+ Y1 ,MAYOR40' ,8,IF ,K5O
TURNS UP ANY?+1 ,I'LL S5D ^W40' ,A GU/ (
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6FE$ & RE/ 8 HORSE =A C\PLE H\RS 2F MAK+
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GET "S?+ 6EAT4 ,HE FELT ! NE$ = "S?+ TO
W>M 8 9N>DS4 ,HE AL HOP$ ! %ORT     #aia
PAUSE WD REMOVE ! BAD TA/E F 8 M\?4 ,X
_H BE5 T5 YE>S S9CE HE'D F"\ 9 ! W>1 A
DECADE PA/ S9CE HE _H LA/ BE5 =C$ 6KILL
ANO!R HUMAN 2+4 ,X 0 N A MEMORY HE 5JOY$
RESURRECT+4
  ,,*APT] #AC
  ,M>IAN RODE BACK 6! F>M 9 SIL;E4 ,%E
SU6]$ ! MEMORY ( _! DE"PURE OV] & OV] 9
H] H1D4 ,WOLFGANG _H BE5 Z *E];L Z A KID
)A FI/L ( C&Y4 ,! R1SON = 8 2HAVIOR 0
PA9;LLY OBVI\S4 ,Z ! LI<T ( "D FAD$1 %E
WAIT$ =! AX 6FALL4 ,H] "M PREP>$ HAM &
CORNBR1D = D9N]4 ,X 0 ! F/ R1L M1L !Y _H
5JOY$ S9CE ,J]ROD'S BASKET DELIV]Y 9
,DECEMB]4 ,EV5 ,BR&ON1 :O _H GR[N TOO
W1K 6WALK M ?AN A FEW /EPS1 MANAG$ 6SIT
UP 6EAT4 ,M>IAN %D H BE5 ?ANK;L =A DEC5T
M1L1 B ! FOOD _H NO TA/E4 ,%E CD N RID
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MORSEL 0 3SUM$1 %E HELP$ ,WILMA )!
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FUTURE1 H] "M AVOID$ EYE 3TACT1 Z IF
A%AM$ 6LOOK AT H]4 ,EA* PLATE 0 DRI$
ME*ANIC,Y1 :ILE ,M>IAN'S M9D RAC$ 9 SE>*
( ALT]NATIVES4 ,X 0 -+4 ,"! 0 NO    #aib
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BOY = FEV]4 ,8 3C]N 0 "FLY1 B HE _H A
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%E OR "O (! BOYS GOT 96TR\#4 ,/OV] 0 !
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,HE _H A TEMP]1 B X 0 USU,Y "U 3TROL4
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TRIPS 6! %$ 7 N"E IMPULSIVE4 ,? "T1 X 0
SLI<TLY DI6]5T4 ,HE DID N H ANG] 9 8
EYES1 ONLY A GRIM DET]M9,N4 ,8,M>IAN40'
,%E JUMP$ AT 8 SP1K+ H] "N4 ,8,PUT ON YR
COAT & HELP ME )! FE$+ (! /OCK40' ,!
/OCK 3SI/$ (A HALF-DOZ5 *ICK5S1 TWO
NE>LY />V$ PL[ HORSES1 &A DRY MILK C[4
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,PROVID+ WAT] 0 ! R1L *ORE1 B !Y _H
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IF HE WD (F] 6JO9 !M1 B %E SAW 8 C\RAGE
FADE4 ,"! 0 NO?+ HE CD D4 ,/OV] 0 ! H1D
(! FAMILY4 ,X WD 2 S"EAL M YE>S 2F
,TOMMY CD OPPOSE 8 W4 ,! AIR 0 /2 !
D>K;S CLUNG OV] ! L&4 ,X 0 L 2+ SURR.D$
0GRT BLACK DRAPES T HUNG F A D>K    #aic
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COLD AIR T MADE ,M>IAN %IV]4 ,%E KNEW
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2GAN4 ,8,WE AGRE$ T Y & ,WOLFGANG %D 2
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FIRM H& /RIK+ H] ACR ! FACE4 ,%E W9C$ &
D\#D H] FI/S4 ,8,:AT IF ,I DON'T WANT TO
2 ,WOLFGANG'S WIFE80' ,8,! *OICE HAS BE5
MADE = Y1 ,M>IAN40' ,8 VOICE 0 RIGID4
,8,I D"O GIVE MY ^W40' ,M>IAN TOOK A /EP
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ALW RESPECT$ & OBEY$4 ,X MADE X
EXTREMELY DI6ICULT 6OPPOSE 8 W4 ,H["E1 ?
0 H] FUTURE1 H] V LIFE4 ,8,I'M SORRY1
SIR1 B ,I DON'T 9T5D 6H ,WOLFGANG = MY
HUSB&40' ,/OV]'S FACE "W$4 ,8 GAZE 2CAME
H>D & COLD4 ,8,Y'LL D Z ,I SAY1 GAL6 ,I
TOLD Y1 ,I D"O GIVE MY ^W60' ,) M C\RAGE
?AN %E _H "E ?"\ H]F CAPA# (1 %E %OOK H]
H1D BACK & =?4 ,8,Y MI<T =CE ME 6/& ) HM
2F AN ALT>1 B ,I W REFUSE MY V[S4 ,I AM
N GO+ 6M>RY ,WOLFGANG40' ,/OV]'S EYES
GREW WIDE4 ,HE _H ALW RUL$ ) AN IRON H&4
,X 0 9COMPREH5SI# T ,M>IAN WD DEFY  #aid
HM4 ,SL[LY1 ! %OCK TURN$ 96SEE?+ RAGE4
,HE SN>L$ 8 NEXT ^WS4 ,8,LI/5 6ME1 Y
SELFI% BRAT6 ,? UNION IS N ONLY = Y1 X
IS NEC 6SAVE \R F>M6 ,BR&ON IS TOO W1K
6GET \ ( B$4 ,YR "M & ,TOMMY >E BO? Z ?9
Z CORN/ALKS4 ,Y1 YRF1 H PROBABLY LO/ T5
P.DS4 ,WE'RE NO?+ M ?AN SKELETONS6 ,D Y
WANT "EY"O 9 ! FAMILY 6DIE F />V,N80'
,8,( C\RSE N40' ,8,WELL1 ! ,KRUG]S >E \R
ONLY HOPE 6/ICK ? "?4 ,I SPOKE 6,H>K]1 B
HE IS AB BROKE4 ,I C'T EV5 BORR[ AG/ \R
PLACE UN.S ,I G 6,L9K1 & HE IS DEM&+ TO
HOLD ANY"O'S DE$ =! FEW M1SLY SUPPLIES
HE PROVIDES F 8 /ORE40' ,/OV] 0 R1SON+ )
H]1 TRY+ 6=CE H] 6"U/&4 ,X 0 /RANGE 6HE>
! UNUSUAL PLEA 9 8 VOICE4 ,8,Y C'T ?9K
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,TE>S FILL$ H] EYES & %AME FLOOD$ "? H]4
,8,PL1SE1 SIR10' %E MURMUR$1 ,8X ISN'T
FAIR 6PUT ! SURVIVAL (! FAMILY ON MY
%\LD]S40' ,8,X IS ON YR %\LD]S1 GAL60'
,/OV] ANN\NC$4 ,8,Y'VE GOT 6D :AT IS BE/
= ALL ( U40' ,H] BRA9 5VI.N$ ,WOLFGANG4
,%E REMEMB]$ 8 ATTEMPT 6W9 H] OV] ) _!
"O KISS4 ,X _H BE5 L PRESS+ H]      #aie
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ABSURD LAU< E*O$ 9 H] E>S4 ,X 0 M ?AN %E
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9 A SALOON IF ,I H TO--B ,I C'T M>RY
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SAY60' ,8,NO6 ,I WON'T60' ,/OV] 0 "?
TALK+4 ,%E CD SEE X 9 ! D1D SET ( 8 EYES
& 8 CL5*$ TEE?4 ,! MUSCLES TWIT*$ 9 8
JAW4 ,8,I _H ?"\ Y GR[N UP1 TOO MATURE &
WOMANLIKE 6TAKE 6! %$ AG10' HE ?R1T5$4
,8,GUESS ,I 0 WR;G40' ,M>IAN _H ALW
A3EPT$ H] "F'S 4CIPL9E4 ,%E _H N"E
REFUS$ 6OBEY HM1 N EV5 ! LA/ "T :5 %E
KNEW ! PUNI%;T 0 N DES]V$4 ,X SURPRIS$
H]1 ALM Z M* Z ,/OV]1 :5 %E BACK$ AWAY F
HM4 ,8,NO1 SIR10' %E SD ADAMANTLY4 ,8,I
AM N GO+ 6! %$4 ,I W N"E G 6! %$ AG40'
,/OV]'S BASS VOICE BOOM$4 ,8,DON'T MAKE
? H>D] ?AN X ALR IS1 GAL4 ,GET YRF 6!
%$60' ,M>IAN SPUN AB & D>T$ \ 96! Y>D4
,/OV] 0 TOO SURPRIS$ 6GRAB H]4 ,%E LIFT$
H] SKIRT & RAN AWAY F ! H\SE4 ,8,/OP60'
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M9UTE60' ,B ,M>IAN _H H] LEGS       #aif
PUMP+4 ,%E RAC$ 96! NI<T1 TRY+ 6PUT 5
D>K;S 2T H]F & ,/OV] T HE CD N KEEP
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6! PANIC (! MO;T4 ,H] ONLY ?"\ 0 TO
ESCAPE4 ,%E V[$ 6DIE 2F %E "E LET ,/OV]
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  ,J]ROD _H N EXPECT$ 6RETURN S LATE4
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5D$ UP TALK+ UNTIL ,DORE5 _H SUPP]
PREP>$4 ,%E _H A4$ AN EXTRA PLATE1 S HE
_H SAT D[N 6A M1L ) !M4 ,0! "T HE GOT
AWAY1 X 0 D>K4 ,2+ S LATE1 & "K+ !
HO/ILE RECEP;N HE WD GET AT ! ,GATES
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,A %ORT WAY AF CROSS+ ,RA3OON ,CREEK1
,B+O P]K$ H] E>S & AL]T$ ,J]ROD4 ,HE
SL[$ ! HORSE IMMLY & PULL$ (F 8 "R-H&
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COAT 6RE/ ON 8 ,COLT4 ,AF "O ATTEMPT ON
8 LIFE1 HE 0 N GO+ 6BE CAU<T (F GU>D4 ,!
BLACK ( NI<T SURR.D$ HM EXCEPT =! :ITE;S
(! ?9 CRU/ ( SN[ T \TL9$ ! TRAIL4 ,"! 7
! %AD[S (A FEW /&S ( SCRUB OAK & AN
O3A.NAL SAGEBRU%4 ,AM;G ^? OBSCURE
%APES1 HE SPI$ ANO!R D>K =M4 ,HE    #aig
PULL$ BACK ON ! RE9S4 ,X LOOK$ 6BE A
BODY6 ,J]ROD'S HE>T RAC$4 ,8 N]VES 7
/RUNG Z TI<TLY Z ! /R+S ON A GUIT>4 ,HE
SCANN$ ! >EA & /RA9$ 8 E>S = S.D1 W>Y (
"S K9D ( TRICK4 ,SEE+ & HE>+ NO?+1 HE
/EPP$ D[N F ,B+O & MOV$ OV] 6! DUSKY
M.D4 ,HE US$ ! TOE ( 8 BOOT 6PROD ! RA7$
=M1 JA2+ ! LIFE.S BODY 9 ! RIBS4 ,8,HEY6
,Y OKAY80' ,"! CAME A S(T MOAN &! \TL9E
(A FACE APPE>$ F "U ! %A7Y WRAP4 ,A %OCK
SCOR*$ "? ,J]ROD1 Z IF HE _H BE5 /RUCK
0A BOLT ( LI<TN+6 ,8,M>IAN60' HE GASP$1
DROPP+ 6HIS KNEES AT H] SIDE4
,8,J-,J]ROD60' %E :ISP]$ HO>SELY4 ,8,I
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%IV] CUT (F H] ^WS4 ,8,GD ,"L6 ,YR CLO!S
>E WET60' ,8,I--,I WAD$ ! CREEK40' ,8,H[
L;G H Y BE5 LY+ "H80' ,8,I DON'T "K4 ,A
FEW M9UTES4 ,I CDN'T RUN ANY L;G] ''' ,I
0 S COLD ''' ,I /OPP$ 6CAT* MY BR1?40'
,J]ROD HURRI$ 6REMOVE H] DAMP %OES4 ,H]
FEET 7 TWO LUMPS ( ICE4 ,HE FE>$ X WD
ONLY 2 MO;TS 2F ! TOES WD 2 FROZ54  #aih
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TUCK$ H] FEET 6EI SIDE1 AG/ 8 RIBS1 US+
! W>M? ( 8 [N BODY 6?AW !M4 ,8,LUCKY X'S
N Z COLD TN4 ,IF X 0 D[N 2L Z]O1 Y WD
ALR 2 FROZ5 6D1?40' ,8,I--,I "K10' %E
MURMUR$4 ,8,I'M SORRY40' ,HE REMOV$ 8
O!R GLOVE & PRESS$ ! PALMS ( 8 H&S 6H]
*EEKS1 E>S1 & NOSE4 ,%E 0 COLD1 B "!
DIDN'T SEEM 6BE ANY FRO/BITE4 ,8,PUT YR
H&S 9SIDE YR COAT & W>M !M 9 YR
>MPITS10' HE 9/RUCT$4 ,8,C Y FEEL YR
F+]S80' ,8,YES0' 0 H] S(T REPLY Z %E DID
:AT %E 0 TOLD4 ,8,X'S MY FEET T >E
NUMB40' ,AF A MO;T1 HE TOOK "O ( H] FEET
& US$ 8 H&S 6G5TLY KN1D ! FLE%4 ,AF "W+
ON X = TWO OR ?REE M9UTES1 HE DID ! SAME
=! O!R "O4 ,8,X M/ 2 "W+10' %E SD "?
CL5*$ TEE?4 ,8,I ?9K MY FEET >E AB TO
EXPLODE40' ,8,T'S ! BLOOD 2G9N+ TO
CIRCULATE4 ,I DID ? SORT ( ?+ DUR+ ! W>4
,X'S :AT WE CALL A BU4Y SY/EM = KEEP+ YR
FEET F FREEZ+4 ,EA* MAN RUBS ! O!R
P]SON'S FEET & BO? 5D UP ) ALL _! TOES
9TACT40' ,8,D Y NE$ ME 6RUB YR FEET80'
,! IRE RETURN$ 6HIS VOICE4 ,8,I'M   #aii
N ! "O :O WAD$ ! CREEK4 ,:AT >E Y DO+
"H80' ,8,I RAN AWAY F HOME40' ,8,:Y DID
Y RUN AWAY80' ,8,I'D R N SAY40' ,8,I
IMAG9E ,/OV] IS \ LOOK+ = Y80'
,8,PROBABLY40' ,J]ROD DID "S QK ?9K+4
,8,WE'RE A LOT CLOS] 6MY PLACE ?AN YR
H\SE4 ,I'LL TAKE Y HOME ) ME4 ,!N WE'LL
SORT ? \40' ,8,I DON'T WANT 6BE ANY
TR\#40' ,HE *UCKL$ AT T4 ,8,KEEP YR FEET
DRY :ILE ,I GET MY BLANKET4 ,WE'VE GOT
6BUNDLE Y UP =! RIDE40' ,B+O 0 A DURA#
HORSE4 ,%E PACK$ D\# & _H !M BO? AT !
RAN* )9 AN H\R'S "T4 ,JAKE GOT UP :5 HE
HE>D !M -E 96! H\SE4 ,HE WOKE ,V9CE &
,M>IA AT ONCE4 ,M>IA PREP>$ "S HOT BRO?
= ,M>IAN & !N :ISK$ H] AWAY =A HOT BA? &
A W>M B$-- ,J]ROD'S B$4 ,JAKE1 ,V9CE1 &
,J]ROD REMA9$ 9 ! KIT*5 64CUSS _! OP;NS4
,8,WE H 6GET ^W 6,/OV]10' ,JAKE SD4
,V9CE 0 9 AGREE;T4 ,8,HE'LL 2 WORRI$ TO
D1?40' ,8,I'LL RIDE BACK T WAY10' ,J]ROD
SD1 ,8& SEE IF ,I C F9D HM40' ,8,NO1
SON4 ,NO NE$ TOSS+ FUEL 96! FIRE4 ,PACO
& ,REUB5 C G4 ,/OV] DON'T H A B"O 6PICK
) ^? TWO40' ,V9CE ROSE UP F ! TA#4  #bjj
,8,I'LL R\/ !M \ (! BUNKH\SE40' ,HE
PLUCK$ 8 COAT & HAT F ! NE>BY RACK & 0
QKLY \ ! DOOR4 ,JAKE GRUNT$4 ,8,BE5 A
/RANGE YE>1 A9'T X8 ,!M ,ROCKY ,M.TA9
,GRASSHOPP]S DEVA/ATE ! PLA9S1 ! F>M]S
IS ALL />V+1 ,&Y ,BR[N IS RO2$ & KILL$
0AN UN"KN ASSAILANT1 & N[ Y F9D A WOMAN
FROZ5 9 ! SN[4 ,MAKES A MAN WANT 6RIDE
(F 96! HILLS & 2COME A H]MIT40' ,8,"! IS
M TOO1 ,PA40' ,J]ROD OP5$ 8 %IRT 6REV1L
! UGLY BLUI%-R$ L9E "U 8 LEFT >M4 ,8,I 0
AMBU%$ ON ! WAY BACK 6,$540' ,8,:AT80'
,HE JUMP$ UP4 ,8,Y'VE BE5 %OT60' ,J]ROD
WAV$ A H& 64MISS 8 3C]N4 ,8,X'S ONLY A
SCRAT*1 B X SURE CD H BE5 ! 5D ( ME4 ,!
GUY _H ME LY+ ON ! GR.D1 /&+ OV] ME ) 8
RIFLE PO9T$ AT MY H1D4 ,HE CD H EASILY
KILL$ ME1 B HE /OPP$ 6MAKE C]TA9 T ,I 0
,J]ROD ,DANMY]40' ,JAKE'S BR[S GA!R$ 9 A
SC[L4 ,8,Y M1N ! FELL[ ASK$ YR "N80'
,8,HE 0 3C]N$ T HE 0 KILL+ ! "R MAN40'
,8,H[ D Y ?9K ? "* KNEW :5 Y WD 2 -+ 9TO
,$580' ,8,I DON'T "K40' ,8,H['D Y GET
AWAY8 ,DID Y TELL HM Y 7 "S"O ELSE80'
,8,I KILL$ HM40' ,JAKE SAT BACK4    #bja
,8,Y KILL$ HM8 ,:O S5T HM8 ,DID Y F9D \
ANY?+80' ,8,NO?+4 ,I TOOK 8 BODY 96T[N1
B NO "O RECOGNIZ$ HM4 ,HE _H FIFTY
DOLL>S 9 GOLD ON HM1 T 0 ALL40' ,8,:AT !
DEUCE IS GO+ ON8 ,:Y WD ANY"O WANT 6KILL
Y80' ,8,GOT ME "!40' ,M>IA 5T]$ ! ROOM
AT ! LA/ ^WS4 ,8,"S"O WANTS 6KILL
,J]RY80' ,JAKE GE/UR$ ) "O H&4 ,8,*ECK \
! NA/Y W.D ON 8 RIBS1 ,M>IA4 ,WE AB LO/
HM40' ,%E HURRI$ >.D 6PE] AT ! 9JURY4
,8,GD;S1 ,J]RY6 ,:Y DIDN'T Y SAY "S?+8
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,8,X ISN'T BAD10' HE SD1 4MISS+ H] 3C]N4
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4COLOR,N F ! COLD4 ,%E 0 LUCKY T Y F.D
H] 2F FRO/BITE CD SET IN4 ,! HOT BRO?1 A
SOO?+ BA?1 &! -=T ( YR B$--%E'S PROBABLY
ASLEEP ALR40' ,8,I C'T 2LIEVE %E WAD$ !
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ICICLE40' ,8,:Y 0 %E \ "! ? "T ( NI<T80'
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6B1T H]80' ,8,%E WDN'T TELL ME40' ,8,BET
! OLD BOY IS HAV+ SECOND ?"\S N[10'
,JAKE SD4 ,8,HE M/ 2 WORRI$         #bjb
SICK40' ,8,-E TM1 ,I'M GO+ 6SP1K TO
,/OV]10' ,J]ROD SD "? CL5*$ TEE?4 ,8,N
)\T "S -PANY1 SON4 ,I DON'T WANT Y KILL+
HM40' ,8,C Y IMAG9E1 TAK+ A /RAP 6A
WOMAN H] AGE80' ,8,%E DOES SEEM A LL
GR[N UP = S* TR1T;T40' ,M>IA BR"\ A PAN
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DOOR & WALK$ OV] 6! /OVE4 ,HE PUT 8 H&S
\ 6W>M !M 2F SP1K+4 ,8,I HELP$ SA4LE !
HORSES =! BOYS40' ,HE FR[N$1 SEE+ !
B&AGE >.D ,J]ROD'S *E/4 ,8,:AT HAPP5$ TO
Y80' ,8,X'S ONLY A PRECAU;N10' ,M>IA
QUIPP$1 ,8IN CASE HE GETS HMF A BROK5
HE>T40'
  ,,*APT] #AD
  ,X 0 =TUNATE T ,MAX ,LOR+ >RIV$ AT !
,DANMY] RAN* E>LY4 ,HE _H N _H "T 6F9I%
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/ORM+ UP 6! FRONT (! H\SE4 ,6PREV5T ANY
MIS"U/&+1 ,MAX 0 ! "O 6ANSW] ! DOOR4
,8,MAX80' ,/OV] 0 SURPRIS$4 ,8,:AT'N
T>N,N >E Y DO+ "H80' ,8,REUB5 & ,PACO
CAME 0LA/ NI<T AF !Y LEFT YR PLACE4 ,!Y
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EYE40' ,8,":'S MY GIRL80' ,MAX /EPP$ \
63FRONT ,/OV]4 ,EV5 /&+ ON ! POR*1 8
%ORT FRAME 0 N ON AN EQUAL PLANE )
,/OV]4 ,HE 0 =C$ 6LOOK UP 96! MAN'S
FACE4 ,H["E1 ,MAX _H ALW WIELD$ A C]TA9
AU?OR;Y4 ,/OV] _H A3EPT$ HM Z A L1D]
S9CE !Y LEFT ,OHIO & _H ALW %[N HM !
UTMO/ RESPECT4 ,8,M>IAN AB DI$ LA/ NI<T1
,/OV]10' ,MAX 2GAN4 ,8,%E _H CROSS$ !
CREEK & RUN H]F 6GR.D40' ,HE N>R[$ 8
GAZE4 ,8,Y "K :AT HAPP5S 6A BODY :5 X'S
FREEZ+ COLD1 AF ! P]SON "WS UP A SW1T OR
GETS WET8 ,:5 HE /OPS 6RE/1 HE 2COMES A
BLOCK ( ICE40' ,8,%E %DN'T H RUN F ME40'
,8,WANT 6EXPLA9 6ME :Y %E DID1 ,/OV]80'
,8,X'S A PRIVATE MATT]40' ,MAX WAV$ 8 H&
Z IF 4MISS+ ! SUBJECT4 ,8,! FACT IS1
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NE>LY FROZ5 6D1?4 ,ANO!R FEW        #bjd
M9UTES LA/ NI<T & Y WD 2 ASK+ = H]
LIFE.S BODY TD4 ,%E CAME T CLOSE 6DY+40'
,/OV] SWALL[$ ! 9=M,N & DUCK$ 8 H1D4
,8,I 0 ONLY TRY+ 6D :AT'S 9 ! GIRL'S BE/
9T]E/1 ,MAX4 ,I DON'T WANT MY DAU<T] TO
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ALL GO+ 6MAKE X TILL SPR+40' ,8,T'S ":
Y'RE WR;G60' ,MAX DCLD4 ,8,J]ROD BR"\ ^W
T A RELIEF EF=T IS 9 ! "WS4 ,HE HAS
VOLUNTE]$ 6G BACK EA/ & MAKE SURE "S (!
SUPPLIES GET 6,$540' ,8,&Y ,BR[N TRI$ T1
TOO4 ,HE ONLY GOT HMF KILL$40' ,MAX TOOK
A /EP =W>D & PUT 8 H& ON ,/OV]'S %\LD]4
,8,I C'T TELL Y :AT 6D AB ,M>IAN4 ,%E'S
YR DAU<T]1 N M9E4 ,B WE'VE BE5 FRS "E
S9CE YR PA DI$ 9 ! M9ES4 ,WE'VE %>$
H>D%IPS TGR1 WE'VE PRAY$ TGR1 WE'VE
BURI$ LOV$ "OS TGR4 ,I WD HOPE T MY
ADVICE M1NS "S?+ 6Y40' ,8,( C\RSE X
DOES40' ,8,!N HOLD (F ON ! ANN\NCE;T AB
,M>IAN'S 5GAGE;T4 ,IF ,J]ROD C BR+ 9 !
SUPPLIES1 WON'T T PROVE 8 WOR?80' ,8,MAX
'''0' ,8,TAKE H] HAPPI;S 96A3.T1 ,/OV]4
,%E LOVES ,J]ROD1 & HE LOVES H]40' ,/OV]
DID N ANSW]4 ,HE />$ AT ! GR.D &    #bje
TURN$ 8 H1D F SIDE 6SIDE4 ,8,HE'S A
,DANMY]40' ,8,I'M ONLY ASK+ Y 6HOLD (F
ON ! W$D+ UNTIL HE HAS "T 6RETURN40'
,/OV] DID N BUDGE4 ,8,HE'S GOT TILL ! F/
"D ( ,MAY4 ,T'S Z L;G Z ,I'M GO+ 6WAIT4
,I D"O GIVE MY ^W40' ,MAX LET ! MATT]
DROP4 ,8,X WD 2 BE/ 6LET YR GIRL RE/ UP
A "D OR TWO 2F HAV+ H] RETURN HOME4 ,%E
RAN A FEV] LA/ NI<T & IS PRETTY W1K4 ,X
WDN'T D 6H H] -E D[N SICK40' ,8,IF Y SAY
S40' ,8,I C BR+ ,DORE5 \ 6/AY "H1 IF Y
DON'T TRU/ ANY (! ,DANMY] FAMILY 6LOOK
AF H]4 ,DORE5 IS FEEL+ A LL BETT]1 ?\<
%E / HAS A BIT (A COLD40' ,8,I RECKON !Y
WON'T HURT H]40' ,8,?ANKS1 ,/OV]4 ,I'LL
ASK T !Y SEE H] HOME J Z SOON Z %E IS
/R;G 5 6MAKE ! TRIP40' ,! BIG F>M]
DIDN'T SP1K ANO!R ^W4 ,HE :IRL$ AB &
WALK$ OV] 6HIS PL[ HORSE4 ,ONCE M.T$1 HE
H1D$ X = HOME1 N"E LOOK+ BACK4 ,JAKE
CAME \ 6/& AT ,MAX'S SIDE4 ,8,I
APPRECIATE YR MAK+ ! TRIP \ "H1 ,MAX4 ,I
2LIEVE Y SAV$ U A FI<T40' ,8,NO D\BT AB
T1 ,JAKE4 ,/OV] 0 FIX$ 6TAKE Y ALL ON TO
GET 8 GIRL BACK40' ,8,Y ?9K HE'LL   #bjf
*ANGE 8 M9D AB GIV+ H] H& 6,WOLFGANG80'
,8,I DON'T "K1 ,JAKE4 ,I RE,Y DON'T
"K40'
  ,J]ROD SAT D[N NEXT 6! $GE ( 8 [N B$4
,M>IAN'S EYES FLUTT]$ MO;T>ILY1 !N OP5$
DR1MILY4 ,AT 4COV]+ HM AT H] B$SIDE1 A
LI<T SMILE =M$ ON H] LIPS4 ,8,H[ Y
FEEL+80' HE ASK$4 ,8,BETT]10' %E MURMUR$
S(TLY4 ,8,MY H1D / FEELS L ! BI7E/
PUMPK9 9 ! PAT*1 B ,I NO L;G] A*E ALL
OV]40' ,HE R1*$ \ & PLAC$ A COOL PALM ON
H] BR[4 ,! FEV] _H SUBSID$4 ,%E EV5 _H A
LL COLOR 9 H] *EEKS4 ,8,I'VE GOT 6L1VE
TM4 ,I WON'T 2 A# 6SEE Y =A SPELL40'
,8,X SEEMS T ,I H 6BE 9 DIRE MIS]Y = U
6"E 2 TGR4 ,EI ,I'M /UCK UP 6MY KNEES 9
MUD OR FROZ5 9 ! SN[40' ,8,YES10' HE SD1
GR9N+4 ,8,I'VE BE5 M1N+ 6SP1K 6Y AB !
L5G?S Y /OOP 6= GETT+ MY ATT5;N40' ,8,":
>E Y GO+80' ,8,I'M H1D+ 6! CAPITAL4
,"!'S AN EF=T GO+ ON 6S5D FOOD &
SUPPLIES 6! VICTIMS (! LOCU/ PLAGUE4 ,I
9T5D 6SEE T "S ( ^? GDS R1* ,$540'
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6"S"O4 ,TOM & ,I W5T OV] 6!         #bjg
,BR[NS0' PLACE ! O!R "D 6PICK UP *IPS4
,X 0 COLD 5 T WE W5T 96! VACANT H\SE &
/>T$ A FIRE40 8,S80 8,WE F.D ALL K9DS (
2L;G+S LEFT 2H4 ,"! 7 CLO!S1 DI%ES1
B$D+1 & EV5 A BIT ( FOOD4 ,M ?AN T0--%E
PE]$ 96HIS EYES 6JUDGE 8
REAC;N--0,TOBY'S RIFLE 0 "!40 ,J]ROD LET
T SOAK IN4 8,TOBY MI<T H LEFT 2H CLO?+1
EV5 A LL FOOD1 B N 8 RIFLE40 8,X SEEM$ V
/RANGE 6U1 TOO40 8,I'LL SP1K 6,K5O & H
HM LOOK 96X40 ,M>IAN R1*$ \ & PLAC$ H]
H& ON HIS4 ,HE SMIL$ AT ! SIGN ( A6EC;N1
B H] C.T5.E 0 D1DLY S]I\S4 8,I SUPPOSE
Y'VE GUESS$ ! R1SON ,I RAN AWAY LA/
NI<T80 8,A FEW ?+S H CROSS$ MY M9D40
8,/OV] HAS PROMIS$ ME 6,WOLFGANG40 8,I'M
"W+ ON T40 8,B '''0 ,HE DID N LET H]
F9I%1 L1N+ OV] 6PLANT A G5TLE KISS ON H]
LIPS4 ,:5 HE PULL$ BACK1 %E FLA%$ A
SMILE & T1S$1 8,D Y ?9K T MAKES "EY?+
BETT]80 8,DOES = ME40 8,:AT AB ,/OV] &
,V]NON'S PLAN 6H ME W$ ,WOLFGANG80
8,I'LL F9D A WAY 6*ANGE T4 ,ALL ,I H 6D
IS LOCATE ! RELIEF EF=T1 GA!R M51
WAGONS1 & SUPPLIES1 & -E BACK TO    #bjh
SAVE ! LIVES ( "EY"O 9 ,$54 ,IF ,I
MANAGE T1 ! P ( ,$5--& ,/OV] Z WELL--W H
6GRANT ME :AT"E ,I ASK =40 8,S.DS L "S?+
F A FAIRY TALE40 ,HE COCK$ AN EYEBR[4
8,I 2LIEVE ,I'LL ASK 6BE EI ! NEW MAYOR
OR MAYBE CR[N$ K+ ( ,$540 ,%E PLAY;LLY
SOCK$ HM 9 ! RIBS4 ,HE W9C$ & %E SAT UP
QKLY4 8,:AT IS X8 ,:AT'S ! MATT]80
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WAIT$ =! SE>+ PA9 6SUBSIDE4 ,HE TRI$ TO
%RUG (F 8 REAC;N4 8,GD PUN*1 KID40
,M>IAN R1*$ \ 6UNBUTTON 8 %IRT1 B HE
PULL$ BACK4 ,) 8 W9D RETURN$ &! PA9 "U
3TROL1 HE GAVE H] A NEGATIVE %AKE ( 8
H1D4 8,DON'T 2 S IMPETU\S1 LL LADY4
,WAIT UNTIL WE'RE M>RI$ = T40 ,%E 0 N
AMUS$4 8,Y'VE BE5 HURT6 ,DID Y H A FI<T
) ,/OV]80 8,NO40 8,!N :AT80 8,X'S NO?+10
HE MA9TA9$4 8,A LL SCRAT* ,I PICK$ UP
YE/]"D4 ,M>IA SAW 6X T ,I 0 ALL PAT*$
UP40 ,M>IAN OBVI\SLY DID N WANT 6LET !
MATT] DROP1 B %E F9,Y TURN$ BACK 6!
PRO#M AT H&4 8,:AT DID Y M1N--WAIT UNTIL
WE'RE M>RI$80 8,:AT ELSE0--HE W9K$ AT
H]--0= GETT+ 6"K "O ANO!R           #bji
9TIMATELY40 ,%E BLU%$ B 0 N PUT (F4 8,Y
"K T ISN'T :AT ,I M1NT4 ,H[ EXACTLY D Y
9T5D 6W9 ,/OV]'S APPROVAL80 8,L ,I TOLD
Y1 IF ,I GET ! RELIEF SUPPLIES BACK "H &
PREV5T A MAJOR FAM9E1 ,/OV] W H 63SID]
MY REQUE/ 6C\RT Y4 ,IF Y MAKE X "KN T Y
LOVE ME1 :O IS GO+ 6>GUE T ,I DIDN'T E>N
YR H&80 8,HE WON'T WAIT M* L;G]4 ,D Y H
5 "T80 8,I'LL MAKE X--IF ,I H 6C>RY !
WAGONS ON MY BACK ALL ! WAY60 ,%E /
APPE>$ UNC]TA94 8,S :AT IF ,/OV] DOESN'T
AGREE 6? IDEA ( YRS8 ,:AT IF HELP+ ALL (
U 9 ,$5 ISN'T 5 = HM 6BR1K (F MY 5GAGE;T
6,WOLFGANG80 8,MAX IS ON \R SIDE40 8,MR4
,LOR+ IS "H80 8,WE ?"\ X A GD PRECAU;N =
HM 6BE "H4 ,/OV] 0 WORRI$ SICK AB Y1
,M>IAN4 ,! MAN SE>*$ = Y ALL NI<T L;G4
,:5 HE >RIV$ "H1 ,MAX 0 "! 6GREET HM4
,K9D ( TOOK ! V5OM \ ( 8 BITE4 ,:5 ,I
RETURN1 YR "F W H 6LI/5 6ME40 ,%E RE/$ A
H& ON 8 >M4 8,BE C>E;L1 ,J]ROD40 ,HE
L1N$ OV] & KISS$ H]4 ,X 0 SUPPOS$ 6BE
ONLY A %[ ( A6EC;N1 A SIMPLE GD-BYE PECK
ON ! LIPS4 ,H["E1 ,M>IAN'S H& SLIPP$ UP
2H 8 NECK & %E HELD HM "!4 ,!       #baj
WONDR\S 3TACT ( H] M\? PRESS$ AG/ 8 0 5
6CURL 8 TOES4 ,X FILL$ HM ) 5]GY &A
RENEW$ DET]M9,N 6SU3E$4 ,X NO L;G]
MATT]$ :AT OB/ACLES 7 PLAC$ 2F HM2 HE WD
BR+ BACK ! SUPPLIES 6,$5 OR DIE TRY+4
  ,! AFN SUN _H MELT$ M* (! SN[ & S(T5$
! E>?'S FROZ5 CRU/4 ,K5O PULL$ 8 HORSE
6A /OP & PO9T$ 6! M.D ( DIRT ) "S?+
/ICK+ \4 8,TAKE A G&] AT T1 ,L9K40 8,X
LOOKS L ! TOE (A BOOT60 8,BET Y A BE]
X'S ,TOBY ,BR[N40 8,/RANGE T ! COYOTES
A9'T DUG UP ! BODY4 ,GUESS ! GR.D HAS
BE5 FROZ5 TILL N[40 ,X TOOK ONLY A FEW
M9UTES ( %OVEL+ 6UNCOV] ! CORPSE4 ,A
%ORT EXAM9,N %[$ T ,TOBY _H BE5 FELL$ 0A
S+LE BULLET4 8,RECKON ,DANMY] _H X "R1
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8,I'M N A *6 ,& ,I'M N AN OBJECT ( B>T]
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8,SOLD80 8,/OV] HAS TOLD ,V]NON T ,I W
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WON'T6 ,I C'T GIVE AWAY MY LIFE6 ,I WANT
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SAY60 ,/OV] BELL[$4 8,WAIT A M9UTE1
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  ,,! ,,5D                          #bch