It sure was a hot day.  Mark and I was working outside when we saw a wagon approaching the ranch.  It was a prison wagon.  There were two guards, Croft and Taylor, they were drunk. They were escorting a prisoner, Rudy Croft, to Yuma.  The one called to me.  They wanted to know if I had supplies I could spare.  When I offered them food they declined. The supplies they had in mind were of a liquid nature, whiskey. I told them if they didn't go on their way I would tell the Marshal.  They left.

They went several miles.  Taylor couldn't take it anymore.  He needed a drink.  Potter blamed him for me not giving them any whiskey.  He told Taylor that if he would have handled that Sodbuster proper they might have a bottle now.  Taylor blamed Potter for drinking the most of their last bottle.  Croft laughed at them arguing.  "What are you guys scared? Can't get a drink when you need one?"  "You let me go.....I'll get it for you," said Croft."  He just kept laughing.  "Shut up Croft!"  "You shut up!"  "We'll hang us a few of those of horse blankets over those windows then we'll see who needs a drink," said Potter.

"You ever been to North Fork Taylor?"  Asked Potter.  "No why?" Asked Taylor.  "Well.....I've been there. There ain't nobody there that would know you." "We've got a long ways to go.....sure would make it easier," said Potter.  "Yeah," said Taylor until he remembered the two of them were supposed to stay with the prisoner at all times.  "Well what can he do.....he's all locked up."  "Look.....we'll camp by those trees. Come nightfall you take one of these horses.....go on into town.....get us a couple of bottles then come on back." "If Croft tries anything I'd like nothin' better then to put a bullet in him.....as sassy as he's been," said Potter.  "Well then let's get to them trees!" They drove off laughing.

Taylor had gone into town and Potter made them something to eat.  "Potter! Come on.....give me somethin', I'm half starved," yelled Croft banging his tin plate against the wagon.  "There ain't none for you.....what's left I gotta save for Taylor."  "You ain't feedin' me enough to keep me alive!" My middles achin' all over."  "So you go aches, they be gone in a few days.  They don't waste no time in Yuma on the likes of you," said Potter.  "Potter.....come on, huh? Just give me something.....huh?" Asked Croft. "I'm tellin' ya.....I'm hurtin'.  I'm half starved."  Potter walked up with his gun drawn to Croft.  He told Croft he was sick and tired of him.....he was gettin' on his nerves.  "I was just askin', that's all," said Croft.  "You wasn't askin'.....you was beggin," said Potter.  "Rudy Croft, beggin' for beans.....now ain't that a laugh!" 

Just then Taylor rode in.  He was happy.  He got several bottles.  He said nobody saw him or asked questions.  He said even the Marshal had gone to bed.  It was just him and the bartender.  Taylor was already drunk when he got back to camp.  Potter and Taylor proceed to drink.  Potter passed out, and Taylor tried to get him awake but he wouldn't budge.  Just then Croft started moaning.  Taylor went to see what was wrong.  When he got to the wagon Croft grabbed Taylor with an arm lock around his neck.  He managed to get the keys from Croft and unlock the door to the wagon and he escaped.  While running off Taylor manages to shoot and wound Croft.  Taylor ran over and woke up Potter.   They went lookin' for him.  They couldn't find him.   They couldn't go to Yuma with an empty wagon.  They would be facing five years in Yuma Prison.  Potter came up with the idea of getting someone to take his place.  "How about that big mouth Sodbuster yesterday. He's got yeller hair, about the same size as Croft. If we mess him up a bit no one would know the difference," said Taylor.  They planned on getting even with me.  Potter liked that idea.  They went back to the wagon and headed for my ranch.

I was working on the wheel to the buckboard when I heard them ride in.  They told me they got to thinkin' about yesterday and decided to come back to come back to see if I would still be willing to sell them some supplies.....not whiskey.  They said that Croft was a big eater.  They didn't figure on a man who was gonna get hung would have such an appetite.  I agreed to give them some supplies.  I started for the house when Potter hit me from behind and knocked me out.  They then locked me in the wagon.  The whole time Croft was hiding in the barn and saw what happened.  He laughed as they drove off. 

 When I came to in the wagon I saw Taylor and Potter by the creek getting a drink.  When I asked for a drink they said it was scarce and wouldn't give me any.  They told me about Croft escaping and what their plan was.  They told me they could hang me as easy as Croft and nobody would know the difference.  "You're out of your mind! You'll never get away with it!" I said.

When Mark got home from school he didn't see me anywhere.  He looked in the house and then went out to the barn.  As he entered the barn Croft surprised him.  He grabbed him by his shirt.  Mark knew who he was.  He told Mark I wasn't around, I was doin' something for him.  He wanted Mark to help him.  Mark refused.  He told Mark he'd leave him be if he got him a gun.  He said he'd take a horse out of the barn and then he'd be gone.  Croft was hurtin' really bad.  Mark managed to break free and run.  Croft started after him but collapsed.  Mark headed into town to get Micah.  Micah and Mark found Croft's body lying on the porch.  They looked for identification, but he had none.  Micah looked inside Croft's belt buckle.  It said Rudy Croft.  Mark remember him from the day before.  He told Micah who he was.  "He said that Pa's doin' a favor for him."        

Taylor's conscience was workin' overtime.  He couldn't even take a drink.  He started to bring me somethin' to eat but Potter wouldn't let him.  Taylor said this wasn't the right thing to do.  Potter laughed at him and told him he needed a drink.  He refused.  He was worrying about what would happen if they found out in Yuma what they had done.  Potter reminded him what would happen if they rode in with an empty wagon.  He wanted to make a deal with me.  If I kept my mouth shut they'd let me go.  Then they take what's comin' to them.  Potter didn't like his idea.  He couldn't take a chance on Taylor.  Potter then drew his gun and shot and killed Taylor.  He decided he would shoot me too and tell everyone I killed Taylor while I was trying to escape.  He unlocked the wagon and told me to get out.  When I got out of the wagon he told me to turn around.  I wouldn't.  A man escapin' would be shot in the back.  I wouldn't give him that.  "Turn around!" Yelled Potter.  I kept backin' up.  If he was gonna shoot me it would be from the front, then he would have a hard time explain' what happened.  As I got to the horses I hit one of them so it would run off.  Potter couldn't get a shot off.  Too much was going on.  I then jumped him and took his gun from him.  I locked him in the wagon.  Then I got me a drink!!!!!

I headed back towards the ranch when I saw Mark and Micah approaching the wagon.  "Pa.....where have you been? What are you doin' with that wagon?"  "I'll tell you all about it when we get back to the ranch son."  "You had your coffee yet Micah?"  "Now you don't think I'd miss my coffee just because you got yourself in a little trouble?"  I smiled at him, knowing better.  "No.....of course not."