In reply to Randy Oldman (msg # 23):

ENS shakes his head at Randy's statement.

I know you are all angry and frustrated, but I beg you not to take it out on this town! If you must start a fire pick an abandoned building or a trash heap.

In reply to Randy Oldman (msg # 23):

"Thanks, but it's too dark to read it out here," Jake replied when Randy handed him the newspaper.

"An' with this wind a-blowin', be a waste of time tryin' to strike matches to read by."

"You want it back, or want me to keep it 'til I can find some light to read by?"

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 25):

So what happens when Cole gets on the road first thing tomorrow? Do we ride? 

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 24):

"I ain't mad, not a bit--I is resolute. We gots two trails we might have to chose: one ain't got no danger, th'other gots peril o'plenty." Randy blows warm breath in his chilled hands. "We'll just have to see how things span out come time for action."

In general, the big man marks his opinion on the matter. In doing so, it's obvious why he puts his stakes in with the lot. "They is but one thing to keep in mind, and that is Cole done the right thing. I don't make no diff'rence how the job gets done, long as it gets done--the Major and Rojas taught me that. But, them peoples what thinks they is big bugs want him to come and stand trial for that. I guesses they gots a right to ask for that, but we gots a right to ask it not to happen.

"I thought I heard that judge what sat in that court today wants Cole to sit for Travis' trial, seein' as how he's a witness and all. If I'm wrong, things might be for naught. But, I dunno if a judge would send off a witness to what is said to be murder, if'n that be the case." Randy realizes he, too, is repeating himself now. His perturbation is perhaps due to that or due to apparent inaction. "I figgured you fellers woulda gotten that all worked out today."

Tapping the paper Jake now holds, Mr. Big'un says, "hold on to it. They is a part what said that Weasel feller is plea'ded to mischief whatnot 'stead of horse thievery. I don't speck he's gonna hang."

In reply to Randy Oldman (msg # 27):

ENS listens to Travis and Randy, rubbing his chin.

Do you think Rasmin will try to leave tomorrow Travis? or have you heard something more concrete? I'm with Randy in that I thought the powers that be want Cole here as a witness. If you've heard different then we need to get Rojas to petition the judge.

Regardless, it may be prudent to post a watch on the jail... Lord knows Rasmin has with his gang of hunters!

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 28):

If I were Rasmin I'd be trying to get Cole out tonight.  I just assume he'd be trying his best to get out of town cleanly without anyone knowing. 

Travis shifts his weight and rubs his hands keeping them warm.

I'd like to make any decisions we can before we go back to bed tonight.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 29):

Gentlemen, you're over complicating the situation. We have but two choices. Break Cole out of jail tonight or wait until Rasmin takes him out on the trail to attempt a rescue. We don't know when or how that will occur since the sheriff wouldn't tell me anything before I gave up the badge. Therefore, the second option has too many unknown variables to be a viable choice. Travis and Randy, we go way back with Cole so we owe him our lives if necessary to get him out of this predicament. Jake and Ringgenberg, we would greatly appreciate your assistance but understand if this is beyond your comfort level. Make no mistake, what we are about to do is dangerous and men will die. The plan is simple. We saddle up, ride to the jailhouse, demand Cole be released or we start shooting. This ends now.

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 30):

"JEB, that there is just reckless." The light of the moon is plenty to show the trailmate's concern.

"'Sides, I don't think the meetin' with Soledad in the morning is gonna be a waste of anybody's time. She gots something on her mind for ENS over here, and I betcha it's worth a hear."

Turning back to JEB, "anyways, I can guaran-damn-tee you, Rasmin ain't takin' Cole back by horse. He's gonna hop the nearest train to Frisco."

Then looking Travis dead in the eye, Randy instructs, "if I do get back to that town, boy, you best keep one hand on my shoulder, else I ain't gonna be found for week or two."

In reply to Randy Oldman (msg # 31):

Jake stuck the newspaper that Randy had given him into a pocket of his jacket, planning to take a look at it later, when he had more light to read by.

The ex-Wells Fargo man stayed silent while JEB, Travis, and Randy continued their discussion as to the best way to rescue Cole. Once they had settled upon a course of action, Jake figured that he would have a difficult decision to make.

OOC: Edited to add missing word.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:15, Sun 02 Mar 2014.

In reply to Randy Oldman (msg # 31):

ENS looks over to Randy

You think she has some information that might help our situation? Now I am intrigued.

Travis, do you think Rasmin would try to break out Cole? Because I don't believe the sheriff would just let him take Cole before other legal matters are settled. But that brings back an earlier question... if Rasmin is that desperate to get Cole, could he just be an assassin for the corrupt San Francisco government?

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

No Rasmin will get him from the sheriff official like.  He would be wise to arrange it for a time when we're not likely to be ready, but he'll take him legally.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 34):

This is all the more reason to break Cole out of jail tonight. All I'm hearing is that any other time and the chance of getting him free is slim to nonexistent. We must take the small window of opportunity now.

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 35):

"JEB, I don't think you gots your wits about you. I'm 'fraid you're gonna shoot your own foot afore you gots your gun out the holster. You do any damned fool thing now, you puts every last one of us in peril, most of all Cole. You'd be stringin' him up for certain. Even if'n you think tonight's our only chance, ain't a one of us ready to go on the lam. Ever since we met up in this spittoon of a town, you been doing the backwards of everything I said. I ain't held my tongue, but sure as Betsy held my dukes. If I gotta wallop you to knock some sense into you, I sure will." Randy expels steamy air from his nostrils with the effect as that of a bull doing the same.

The big man turns directly to JEB at this time. His frustration is growing into fury. "What's more, e'ry moment since leavin' that court today, that Rasmin's been ready to scrap, so don't think you is gonna catch anybody with their pants down."

Randy turns away from the former lawman.

"Travis, Jake, and ENS, it's time to shite or get off the pot--pick a side."

In reply to Randy Oldman (msg # 36):

Jake had yet to hear how Travis, JEB, and Randy proposed to proceed. As near as he could tell, no agreement had yet been reached.

"I got no idea how y'all are plannin' to go about what ye're proposin'. Truth be told, I don't hear that no kind of agreement has been reached betwixt y'all."

Jake glanced over at Randy. "Iff'n ye're sayin' I got to choose now, I ain't agreein' to no pig in a poke. I ain't gonna be railroaded. Sorry, but I'm out."

In reply to Randy Oldman (msg # 36):

JEB it sure would have been nice for you to turn outlaw when you had the keys to the damn jail.

How many men will be on Cole come the middle of the night?

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 38):

ENS looks between Randy and Jake.

Jake is right, no action has been decided... I'm not ready to say I'm out until that point, unless the issue is forced. I propose we set our own watch on the jailhouse to preclude Travis' concern of an overnight release to Rasmin and then see if Soledad has any news on this issue tomorrow morning.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 39):

What is Soledad going to tell us?

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 38):

I never had the keys but I reckon two will keep watch.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 40):

"I ain't got an idea what Miss Sanchez is gonna talk about. I just says she don't just talk 'bout the weather. If'n she asks for meet, it's gonna be something in your interest. That's all I is sayin'."

Shifting concerns back to the issue of Cole's incarceration, Randy says, "I'm just askin' y'all to pitch behind rash behavior or sensible planning. I didn't ask you to pick a plan--I ain't never said one, ain't never heard one. What I has offered is ideas we can start building on as a plan. What JEB is offerin' is a sure fired way to snap your neck in a noose.

"I cain't believe anybody is even thinkin' bustin' Cole out is a good idea, least of all an option."

In reply to Randy Oldman (msg # 42):

Randy, while Cole is where we can get to him, with a clear view of the opposition we have a great option.  I'm leaning towards it.

Not tonight though.  We got no horses and no idea what's ahead.  It was stupid to let Cole lock himself up and stupid to retire a tin star while he was in there.  Now matters are worse.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 43):

The badge made no difference. It was forfeit the moment I stood up for you in court and my resignation was merely a formality.  The sheriff would see to that and would never let me near Cole regardless. In fact, the badge put me at a disadvantage since I was sworn to uphold the law. Now I'm free to do whatever it takes. But that's water under the bridge and we have Cole's incarceration to remedy. Waiting past tonight may be too late. He could be in Rasmin's custody by tomorrow.

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

Once again gentlemen, I find it hard to believe the town sheriff would let Cole go when he's involved with legal issues here. That tangled web works both ways. But if you truly believe that then we'd best get back to at least keep watch soon.

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

Travis nods his head towards JEB.  Fair enough.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 46):

Alright, it seems the consensus is to see what tomorrow brings. In the morning we retain Señor Rojas to represent Cole. He can at least determine the timing of Cole's extradition as a starting point for our planning.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:36, Sat 08 Mar 2014.

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 47):

Okay then.  We'll see what tomorrow brings.