Cowboys finish eating at the buffet tent, beginning to depart. Truly, the crowd thins like an old main's hair and maybe a dozen or so cowboys remain, including the men from the No Buffalo Outfit.

Meanwhile, JEB rests on the Marshal's porch, smoking and speaking to Deeds.

The afternoon sun dips toward the horizon. A few hours of daylight left now.

"Where's JEB?" asks the Major, sitting down at the table with Travis and Randy.

"They're almost out, Randy," he adds.

In reply to Major Gray (msg #2):

Cole looks up from his meal and glances around....

Hmmm.... He can't be too far. I'm sure he'll show up soon enough.

Cole enjoys his food like a cowboy who has been on the trail for many weeks.

When he is done, he rises from the table and says to the Travis and Randy,...

Hopefully, you two were able to get a feel for what we might be running into up north? Tell me about it in a few. Right now, I want to see someone about rooms. Be right back...

Cole then moves off to find the innkeeper.

Deeds gave Jeb another nod "Diplomacy is the best option, in this I agree. So when can I speak with Mr. Trayne & will Mr. Carson be joining us, if he can that is? How long before you leave?"


The priest's near black eyes stared back into the jail where Maegher & Art were still doing business...

In reply to Major Gray (msg #2):

"Mmmpf."  Randy starts to speak while his mouth is still full.  He stops himself and swallows with a big gulp.  "Thank you, Major.  I'm finishin' my second plate, so I'm good."

When he's done with his plate, he drops the spoon on it and pushes it away.  "We found us a place what gots root beer."  Realizing he can say just a little more, "I didn't makes a fool of myself, neither."

In reply to Randy Oldman (msg #5):

The Major looks up over his plate, acknowledging Cole's departure and then responding to Randy.

"You're off to a good start, then, son." Like the other men, the Major seems to enjoy the beanless contents of his meal.

In reply to Cole Trayne (msg #3):

Cole crosses the street and enters the Drovers Inn. The old man is awake this time.

"Needin' a bath, cowboy?" he says, before Cole can compose two words.

In reply to Nathaniel Deeds (msg #4):

JEB peers squinty eyed at the setting sun as he answers Father Deeds: I'm hopin' we can go find Cole soon before dark. You can speak with him then. It's Carson's choice whether to join us, but I'm guessin' he aint gainfully employed right now. We leave for Snake Creek Ranch in the mornin'.

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg #8):

As if on cue, after JEB's statement, the outer door to the Marshal's office opens and Artemus Carson steps out, carrying saddlebags and shielding his eyes against the sun.