I knew it wouldn't be long until the bandits would come after us.  I had to think of a way to get us out of here.  "Pa? What will those bandits do when they find the other one up on the hill?"  "They'll come after us and try and keep us from getting to our horses.....keep an eye out for them son."  Mark went to watch for the bandits.  "There comin' Pa!"  "This way?" I asked.  "No.....the other way like you said, where the horses are."  I told him to check out front.  Mark couldn't see thru the windows because of a stain glass film.  He took his pocket knife and scraped a section big enough for him to see out, but not too big for the bandits to notice him. 

I was watching the back of the saloon when Mark approached me.  He asked me what kind of men were they.  I told him they were bandits, the worst kind, dirt poor and stupid, there wasn't a brain of a coyote among them.  The best they can do is sneak around the country side.....find a man alone and knock him on the head for his horse or his gun or his boots. "Pa.....you didn't have to give them the rifle.....you didn't have too!"  "I couldn't start a fight with you in the middle Mark!"  Mark apologized.  I snapped at Mark....."You know, having you here is like having both hands tied behind me. You're not a child anymore, you must know that."  "We've already settled that Pa. I'm not goin'!  If we do get out of this it'll be together or.....or not at all."  "Pa, they cut up Micah something awful.....someone's got to take care of him!" Said Mark.  "You can't do it alone!  And even if you do send me off, I'll come right back and jump one of them with a rock.  I swear I will!"  "You never talked to me like that before son."  Mark replied....."I've never had to. We've never been in such a fix before."   "No.....(sigh).....I guess we haven't."

 The only weapons we had was two single shot rifles I took from the guard I had hit with the shovel.  I started to check around the saloon to see what resources I could find to help us fight those bandits.  I found a full length mirror, and a lantern. I had to get movin', I knew it wouldn't be long and the bandits would be closing in on us.

I could hear Micah moaning, he was starting to come to.  I asked him if he remember what happened.  He said he couldn't remember anything that happened.  I told him there was four bandits, they jumped him and took his horse and gun.  I told him they've got my rifle too.  I told him there were three of them now.  They were drunk; I was hoping this would give us an edge.  I told him about Alphonso's wife and she was about to deliver anytime now.  Micah was hurt bad.  I was hoping to be able to count on his help.  I asked him if he could see to shoot.  He said he could see.  I handed him a rifle and asked him if he could handle it.  He tried to hold the rifle but couldn't.  I told him I had a plan and that it was a little involved, but it just might work. 

I started to setup my plan.  I placed the mirror so that the first thing the bandits would see when they opened the back door was a reflection.  I then adjusted it so it reflects a table in the middle of the saloon.  I then had Mark set at the table and light the lamp while I checked out my setup.  Everything looked good, I then had him put out the lamp.  Mark was confused; he had no idea what I was up to. I had Mark place empty bottles on a chair in front of the back door so that they would fall to the floor when the door is opened. I told him to sit down and be ready to light the lamp when I told him.  Now all we had to do was wait. 

Micah had called Mark over.  He was hurtin' really bad.  He asked Mark if there was any Whiskey.  Mark told him there was nothing there but empties, but the bandits had some whiskey and we would get some of that later.  I could hear Mark talking to Micah about Margaret.  I overheard Mark say....."No I.....no I don't really remember her at all.  Sometimes I think I do, but what I think I'm remembering is just the photographs Pa has. I was only three."

Suddenly I saw movement outside; they were heading towards the saloon.  I told Mark to go to the table and get ready to light the lamp.  Two of the bandits entered through the back door.  I motioned for Mark to light the lantern; they saw his reflection and fire on the mirrors.  I had both rifles, one in each hand; I shot both of them with a shot from each rifle.  I took the handgun from one of the bandits.  I took some bullets out of the handgun, then squeezed the trigger, three times, hearing three clicks.  The gun sounded empty.  Alphonso yelled out....."No more bullets, Gringo?"  Then he entered the room.  I then shot into the air.  Alphonso dropped my rifle and started begging me for his life.  "Don't shoot.....I don't shoot.....my woman is going to have a son, just like yours!"  He just kept ramblin' on.  He was hoping to keep my attention while he pulled the small gun from his belt.  He turned and drew on me, I shot him.  I was upset, I did what had to be done, but I couldn't help but think of his woman and his baby.  I threw the gun onto the floor. 

Micah told me he was needin' some whiskey bad and asked me if I would get him some.  I told him I would and I headed over to the place where the bandits were living.  Before I got there I saw the old woman watching and waiting.  She turned and ran, leaving the other woman alone to deliver the baby.  As I entered the building I saw the pregnant woman was in labor.  You could see the disgust on her face when she saw it was me.  I grabbed a bottle of whiskey and headed back to the saloon.  I wanted to clean up Micah's wounds but he wouldn't hear of it.  He didn't want me to waste good liquor on the outside of him.  "I never could stand 'Waste.' That's all this whole day has been, a waste."  He told me to sit down with him.  I told him I couldn't because the girl was having her baby now and the old lady ran off and left her.  I didn't know if I could help her but I had to try.  I just got back to the girl in time, she was ready to deliver.  It was a boy! 

The next day I hitched up a wagon for the girl and her baby.  I tried to help her into the wagon but she wouldn't let me.  I handed her the reins to the horse.  She then slapped my face.  We just looked at each other, not a word said.  She then rode off.  I went back to the saloon to get Mark and Micah.  Micah was feeling much better.  We all saddled up and headed on to North Fork.                             

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 *If anybody has any information on any of the stars, and would like to share it, please get in touch with

 Waste ~ part 1            
      part 1 & 2 credits & piddlin' stuff.....

 Lou Mallory

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