In eply to Travis Sunday (msg # 22):

Cole shakes his head.

I figured I'd give him a moment.

In reply to Cole Trayne (msg # 23):

If you'd rather collect in the Flat I think that would be fine.  Otherwise why don't I wait a few paces that away.

Travis steps away from Cole and positions himself allowing the free passage of the hunter and room to do business.  If he has a few seconds he'll replace his cylinder.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 24):

The hunter mumbles something over his pard while Travis and Cole stand aside and talk. ENS watches from close by the victim, silently, looking for any sign of life from the man riddled with lead from Travis Sunday's revolver. He finds none.

The hunter pries the Peacemaker from the Keogh's grip. He reaches into his pard's pockets and begins to collect various items, moving them into his own pockets.

Without looking directly at ENS, the hunter speaks. "You tied to Sunday?"

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 25):

ENS looked over at Travis when he gave his advice, but dawdled to look over the fallen man from where he stood. Seeing no sign of life, he was about to leave when the other man spoke again.

Yes sir, I am. He seems an honorable man, I doubt we would be here if it wasn't warranted. My offer still stands, though from here it seems as though your friend is far past my meager skills. I'm sorry for your loss.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:33, Thu 06 Dec 2012.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 26):

The hunter listens to ENS, turning his head to face him.

"I thought on asking you to help me carry Myles, but if you are tied to Sunday . . . " he trails off, returning his attention to his dead pard. The professor detects an accent; he cannot quite place it.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 24):

Cole observes the hunter relieving his 'pard of his belongings, and glances at Travis.

Reckon now is a good a time as any.

The Wrangler then returns his attention to the hunter.

Time to settle up.

In reply to Cole Trayne (msg # 28):

The hunter, still on his knee next to his pard, looks up. "You will get your cassa. I will not welch. Anyhow, what is the hurry? Sunday has other men to kill today?"

In reply to Uncle Billy (msg # 21):

Uncle Billy's slap doesn't phase Randy's stance or excitement.

"I'm ready, yep, ready as I'll ever be."

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 18):

JEB continues the walk south, as the two men proceed north. They are still a few hundred yards away. The flat landscape provides easy lines of sight, but details are still limited at this distance. He reckons the men can see him as well, even though it's likely they have no better idea about his identity than JEB has about theirs.

In reply to Randy Oldman (msg # 30):

Uncle Billy laughs. "As you say, Mr. Oldman." Billy calls out instructions to the performers for beginning the run-through of the first act.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 29):

ENS is still considering the hunter's accent when the man replies to Cole, but then he speaks.

Well your friend is either receiving his reward or his judgement now, but that should not affect our respect for the dead... I will help you if you'd like.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 29):

Cole shrugs.

Just trying to  conclude our business. I'm sure we all have places to be.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 31):

JEB continues to walk south.

In reply to Uncle Billy (msg # 32):

Stepping a lively pace, Randy crosses the floor of the grand entry hall of the famed Frontier House.  With one strong push with one strong arm, he opens the tall sturdy door.

"Mr. Xu, will you come in?"  Randy holds the door open while the Asian-immigrant makes his way in.

The Chinaman steps inside and Randy pulls the door closed.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 33):

The hunter listens to ENS and Cole. He ignores the latter, at least for the moment, considering the professor's statement. "I do need help," he says, with a reluctant tone, "and since you are offering, I accept."

He stands, fishing in his pockets for some coins. Without counting them, but he drops a mass of coins onto the rain-soaked earth. "That should cover the bet."

Moving to stand over his pard's head, the hunter reaches down and lifts the corpse under the arms, looking at ENS.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 37):

Travis removes his hat as they pass.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 37):

Cole takes a look at ENS, then the hunter, then the coins on the ground. His gazes then returns to the professor.  With a slight frown on his face, the Wrangler appears a though he is about to say something to his new 'pard, but at the last moment, he swallows his words.

Cole simply watches the hunter as he vacates the area.

After a spell, he retrieves the coins and subsequently gives Travis his money, including his winnings.

In reply to Randy Oldman (msg # 36):

The Chinaman lifts himself up, gracefully, and enters the Frontier House at Randy Oldman's invitation.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 37):

ENS sets down his kit and steps over to the downed man.

Cole, if you would not mind, please carry my kit there?

He then helps the hunter with the body.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 41):

Cole nods and retrieves the medical kit.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 41):

The professor from back east provides aid to the hunter carrying the dead body of Myles Keogh. It is slow going, but they manage to heave the man up the slope, toward Jake Richardson.

The rifleman has been watching the departure of the two bearded hunters, and witnessing the approach of ENS and the young hunter. He can tell that it will be a slow walk back to town, if he stays with the professor--and presumably Travis and Cole, who now lag slightly behind the corpse.

JEB treads on through the rain, closing the distance between himself and the two figures walking north. Neither JEB nor the two men, probably buffalo hunters he reckons now that they are less than 100 yards away, have diverted course. The deputy and the two men reach speaking distance. The hunters slow down and stop to talk..

"Myles Keogh is dead," says one of them.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 43):

"I reckon so. Tell me what happened."

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 44):

The same hunter responds. "Both of 'em stood there, making declarations. Then Travis Sunday drew and emptied his hogleg into the feller."

EDIT: poor word choice
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:09, Mon 10 Dec 2012.

Seemingly nothing else remained to be done other than the walk back into town. None of Keogh's acquaintances had been inclined to further dispute the difference of opinions between the dead man and Travis, which had been Jake's primary concern.

The Texan had no real desire to walk in the company of the two hunters who were the earliest to leave the scene of the showdown, so he matched his speed to that of the men who were carrying Keogh's body.

Jake saw no further need to keep his carbine ready for action, so he slipped it back inside his fish. It was a little awkward carrying a long-arm inside his raincoat, but with the right combination of buttons either buttoned or unbuttoned, it was manageable. An' it's a helluva lot better'n havin' it get drenched by the rain, he thought to himself.

He turned to ENS. "You get arm-weary, let me know an' I'll take over. I seen plenty o' deaders durin' the War, so's it won't bother me none."

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 46):

ENS carries his load of the dead man. He is no weakling, and he's not unfamiliar to this sort of task (working in a university with a medical school gives one this sort of opportunity), but he hasn't done it in a while, and never over a hill! He nods when Jake speaks.

I am good for now my friend, but I may yet take you up on it!

He trudges on for a bit before speaking to the hunter.

Your other compatriots did not appear willing to help you... were you his only friend around here?