Two confederate outlaws, Hargrave thought, Bass...and Coltrane, one of the most ruthless enforcers Dixie Rails kept on their payroll.

Like as not, he stood to end up dead. But he couldn't leave an honest man like Carmichael to the mercy of such killers.

He lowered his rifle, letting the boot slide off of it to the ground. Shifting the weapon to his right hand, he called out to the gathering, "Excuse me! What seems to be the trouble here?"

Belle's mind was awash with theorems and profundities concerning mental illnesses, contamination, and government bureaucracies.

She cocked an eyebrow and looked at the scene.  What she was able to recall amidst all of this would color her forthcoming action.

19:58, Today: Belle Ivers rolled 7,5 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,5.  CK.

Also I'm going to go on charsheet and adjust potions since A) Belle had her chemistry set and B) she already made the roll for same.

The more dapper gentleman looks over at his buddies, and shrugs. "There's a dangerous bandit on the loose in town by the name of Darius Carter." He says. "And a brand new horse out in Carmichael's yard. Finding the horse Carter rode in on would make it much easier to track him down. Assuming it is his." He shoots Coltrane a glare. "Which we aren't 100% on, are we? Christ, Marty, do you really need to shout at the poor darkie?"

Coltrane scowls. "You stay out of this, Fish. The nigger's holdin' out on us."

"But I ain't, suh!" Comes a plaintive voice from within the blacksmithy. "I swayers it! The fella who brought this here horse...you talkin' to him right naow! I ain't never seen no Carter!"

In reply to Sam Bass (msg # 8):

"Sounds like you got your answer." Zek says, not thinking they could just go ahead with Katy's no doubt far more sensible plan. He glances over at Trace, not sure how the stranger figures in to all this.

"Why don't you just let him go now? After all, I doubt he will make your bounty,  right? " He gestures at the young black man, still out of sight. He decides if he can give Katy a distraction, maybe she can get the drop on them...or she can distract and he gets be he drop.

He does move towards the black smith shop. His hands in the air and he is clearly unarmed.

And the surprises just kept continuing. That was the voice of one Trace Hargrave, a man that Katy was quite happy to see again. "I can vouch for that. If this cowboy had been in town 'fore today, I'm sure I'da known about it."

She looked over toward Trace. "Hey, Trace, remember what sorta condition we found Bill Johnson in back in the day?" Her head tipped slightly in the direction of the outlaws.

Yay Overconfident Hindrance.

Belle wasted no time, this was an enemy of the sacred rail itself.  Though he seemed to be the more reasonable one here, this couldn't go unchallenged.  Hurriedly interjecting herself in the situation between the hapless stablekeep (?) referred to by terminology Belle herself didn't care to use, she accosted the infamous outlaw with the fiercest weapon in her diverse arsenal:

French.

"Arrive comme un chevue sur la soupe."  Belle introduced herself.  French idioms were the best idioms.  "Puis-je me permettre de vous demander votre nom? Mais attendez que vous soyez célèbre!"

Forgive me I obviously don't speak French and had to Google that last bit, hopefully it's conjugated correctly and the formal tense is sufficently sarcastic, and this next bit I didn't even bother...

"Monsieur Bass! [Language unknown: Adha anyss i tedicalatmen ncrour ei sherating.  Aswil adevho strthuted ac t laisch evetinman u sa ivall ev i somicaing ad e weno no to ovesetere ar ntssanai wer evacse. ]Vous êtes raclure de bidet."  She then quickly added with a shrug, elixir in hand.  "Il faut appeler un chat un chat."  Belle smiled as if apologizing.  Her voice was upbeat and cheerful as if asking for an autograph.

What a long way to go for a Smarts Trick!

Bass nods. "Sure sounds like it. And ain't you the fella who was pullin' people out of the Bella Union earlier?"

The fellow with the beard blinks, and lowers his shotgun. "Oh, that wuz you?" he says, then coughs and spits on the ground. His ugly face splits into a grin. "Hey, good on ya! You gunna join uz runnin' that bastard down?"

Coltrane, on the other hand, glares at the approaching group. "This ain't none of your fuckin' affair." He grumbles, but he steps back away from the smithy.

Bass looks utterly bewildered at Belle as she approaches. "Er, yes, Ma'am. I suppose so." He says, obviously not understanding a word she's saying.

((OOC: roll me Smarts, then, and add a +2 bonus, as he has no idea what's going on.))

Hargrave took a pair of steps forward, addressing Coltrane with a calm, neutral tone. "Mr. Carmichael, he's telling you the truth," he said, "That paint stallion is mine. Has been for four years. He answers to Rio. Has a deep nick on his left ear. He's a good animal, if a little on the stubborn side."

Glancing over when Cox addressed the miners, he blinked in earnest surprise. "Katy? Is that you?"

In reply to Sam Bass (msg # 12):

"Yeah-that was me. And I saw the direction Carter hauled off to-and it was not this way." Zek lowered his hands-which still remained unarmed. He walked causally into the smithy-as it seemed the gang would not be trying to stop him. Zek does glance over at Belle and stare-seemingly a casualty in the confusion blast she had just released via her french. He further relaxes as the stranger is clearly familiar with Katy.

However, he need to be sure the man inside the smithy is safe before he can fully relax.

"Si mon tonton tond ton tonton, ton tonton sera tondu."  Belle replied.  She was just screwing with him now.

"If my uncle shaves your uncle, your uncle will be shaved."  One of the greatest sentences in French.

10:15, Today: Belle Ivers rolled 11,3 using d10+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 9,1.  Smarts Tricks Ought to be Called Derp Offs.

Katy nodded at Trace's question and couldn't help but smile at the sight of him. "It sure is me, cowboy. Awful nice ta see ya 'gain." She again wished there were more time for pleasantries, but unpleasantness always seemed to get in the way.

Her gaze went back over to the hardcases. "Now what's this 'bout Carter? Y'all lookin' ta collect on the bounty he's got on his head?"

Zeke sees a balding black man crouching behind the anvil, a hammer raised defensively. The man stares at him with wide, frightened eyes, but he seems alright.

Sam nods at that. "Reckon so. But he got to town somehow, and I don't think he walked. If we can keep him from his horse, that'll make it easier for the others to flush him out. I hear that's how they caught Jack McCall back in the day...he couldn't get to his horse, so he tried to steal one, and wound up snatching one that didn't have the harness on proper and slid right off into the mob's hands." He looks at Coltrane. "But I reckon that horse ain't the one we're looking for. Look, Marty, let's just leave Mad Dog here. If Carter comes by, he can blast off a round and we can come running."

"Sounds gud ta me." The bearded man says.

Coltrane scowls. "Would rather just shoot all the horses. Make damn sure he can't get away."

Sam just stares at him, horrified. He shakes his head as Belle speaks. "Uh...yeah...sure..." he mutters, attention clearly not on her.

The fellow with the shotgun shakes his head at Katy's question. "Bazterd's bounty iz high an all," He says, then hacks up another lungful of phlegm, which he spits to the side. "'scuze me. Anyhow, bounty's nice, but this here iz o-fishal DMA bidnezz. Carter's been bird-doggin' uz fer months, he and hiz Wild Bunch, and we reckon he knowz where they iz hid out in Spearfish. We find 'em, we can clean them claim jumpin', bushwhackin' bazterds out o' the Black Hillz ferever."

((OOC: 08:57, Today: Sam Bass rolled 3,3 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,3.  Smarts Trick. Yup, that is a fail, and Belle gets a Raise as well.))

In reply to Sam Bass (msg # 17):

Zek shows his unarmed nature to the blacksmith-so at least he can be at ease around him. He heads back outside. "If Mad dog is gonna watch everywhere Carter might be, maybe he might watch it off the man's property-and out of shotgun range. Put everyone's minds at ease, right?" He wondered if the whole gang was here to rob the blacksmith-but what the hell would they steal? Only the horses, and they had already been seen by multiple witnesses.



"Maybe you would like to burn the town down too, just in case he is hiding in one of the buildings?" Zek said, staring at the man.

Katy's eyebrows raised a little at the response. "I have reasons fer tryin' ta find the Wild Bunch as well. 'Course it just might be they'll show up ta try'n help Carter. Ya say they're holed up in Spearfish?" Being new to the area, she didn't understand the Spearfish reference.

"That'd solve a whole mess of other problems." Coltrane mumbles, but he seems to be backing off.

Mad Dog shrugs and looks around. "Watch from where? Ain't gonna set no foot in no nigger bar, and if ya go into the Green Front without wantin' nothin' ta buy, the whorez get tetchy."

Sam nods points off to the west. "Spearfish Canyon, six miles that-a-way. Very rough terrain, and the Wild Bunch move all over the creek chasing pan miners. They've even gone as far north as that Sioux village, which pisses them off no end and gets them riled enough to send more patrols out to harass miners who ain't done nothing."

Belle's ears perked up at that.  Now this was really getting hairy.

She had to stop and pinch the bridge of her nose at the incredible (apparent) stupidity of some people.  One job.  They had one job.

"My my Sam Bass.  That's awfully convenient you'd show up here looking for the Wild Bunch.  Considering you're a notorious plague on the rail industry yourself, and I have half a mind to remand you into the custody of the nearest authorities this very instant.  How does it go, Monsieur Bass, did they cut you out of the action and you conned the DMA into getting your share, and then some, back?"

Going to use my Smarts Raise to startle him by suddenly speaking English to make him reveal something!

The outlaw laughs. "Would you believe it was a religious experience that sent me to the DMA? Sure, I robbed the Deadwood Stage, but the Wild Bunch were competition for my crew. And about nigh on a week ago, we had the strangest experience ever. We held up the stage, but out come this big black fella, preaching at us. We shot at him, but the bullets missed. This was at point blank range, mind you. A genuine miracle. Along with him was one o' them brokers -- you know, voodoo witch doctor types. Bullets didn't hit him, either. My crew skipped out on me, and the stage folk took me prisoner. But the big preachin' darkey convinced them to let me go. I've sort of lost my taste for hold ups, and decided to try out the straight and narrow for a change. Frank Bryant decided to overlook my sordid past."

Big preaching negro? Now, that sounds oddly familiar...

((OOC: hee...if you want the details, see The Deadwood Stage thread. This happened a looooong time ago IRL, and is fun to reference now.))

Hargrave remained where he was, but didn't say anything further, as it appeared that the DMA men were backing down, no longer pressing Carmichael so badly.

He glanced at Carver, studying the man for a moment. He needed to approach him, to serve Bearclaw's notice, but wisdom stayed his hand for the moment. He didn't want to do anything that would inflame the current situation further. But once the group began to disperse, he would speak to the miner.

He kept his rifle in hand, but lowered it, pointing it at the ground, adopting a stance that was plainly non-aggressive.

Zek turned to the blacksmith-as the ladies had the gang well in hand for the moment. "You want these fellas off your property?" He asked the man. "Are you worried about them coming back?" He asked quietly, as he did not want another hostage situation breaking out again.

Belle looked at the outlaw with a cocked eyebrow.

"Be that recollection as it may, and point blank shooting against a resisting opponent is notoriously difficult, it does not inspire confidence to hear your reaction to feelings of remorse is to run off to a paramilitary group of a provincial authority rather than turn yourself in to the authorities in those jurisdictions wherein you have offended.  No that casts a rather dark pallor on your proclamations of reform.

"How good is this information, I must wonder.  Huang Li would appreciate my delivering the titular 'wild bunch' a certain message."

Katy pondered what Sam said for a moment. She nodded at his suggestion that a religious experience caused him to change his ways. "So what've ya done ta try'n get ta the wild bunch? I'm wonderin' if mebbe some of us that're lookin' fer them might pose as simple miners - pannin' fer gold and whatnot. And mebbe if they come tryin' ta harass us, we try'n turn the tables on 'em?" Katy shrugged. Going in to root folk like that out of their hidey-holes was tough. If they happened to come out, though, they might end up being surprised themselves.

In reply to Ezekiel Starkweather (msg # 24):

Charmichael nods at Zeke. "Yes suh, I reckon I do, and I is powerful scared, suh."

At the mention of Huang Li, Coltrane and Mad Dog scowl deeper. "So you're with the Kangers, then?" Coltrane says.

Mad Dog meanwhile, scratches himself. "I dunno if dat'd wurk. You iz mighty purty fer a miner gal. They might not bite. And we think they'z got some kinda spy in Deadwood, feedin' 'em info on whoze got a good claim goin'. Yu'd have to spread some gold 'r rock around town to bait 'em."

Katy smiled at Mad Dog's compliment. At least someone still thought she was pretty. She knew that underneath her clothes were all manner of scars. Many had faded, but a few were still freshly healing. It was part of being a Ranger - or at least it was for her. Lucky for Katy, she didn't need to win a swimsuit competition any time soon to contribute to society. "That is mighty kind of ya ta say. Ain't so many miner gals out there I s'pose? So mebbe my part in it ain't actually doin' the minin'." Her face still had few enough marks of battle, thankfully.

In reply to DMA Thug (msg # 27):

Zek nods to the man. "Let's see if we can't send them on their way."

He nods and heads outside. Looking for the leader, he walks over to the man. "I think it's clear that Carter ain't here. You wanna get your men off this fella's land already? I think he's been scared enough don't you?"

Coltrane glares at Zeke. "You want to make me, boy?" He says, slowly and not subtly turning his gun on the man. "If not, then get out of my Goddamn business."

"Coltrane, we ain't here to fight." Sam says, his hand resting lightly on his pistol grip. "Unless you want one. With me." He levels a cool gaze at the Rail warrior.

At last, Marty slips his gun back into its holster. "Reckon we have better things to do anyhow." He glares at Zeke. "But I'm gonna remember this." He storms off down the street.

Mad Dog, oblivious to the tension, scratches his beard. "They'z a few. Pluz that lady what gamblez at Hobbeson'z Hole." he shrugs.

Sam Bass steps back from the confrontation and smiles at Mad Dog. "You mean Sibley? She's a miner."

"Ain't never seen her with no pick." Mad Dog grumbles. "Just a smile as she cleanz ya out."

Sam chuckles. "No, see, she mines the miners."

Mad Dog chuckles. "Guezz she doez, at thet. I'll keep watch here, then yeh? I wann hear more about thiz here plan."

((OOC: Marty attempts to Intimidate Zeke!

12:23, Today: Bloody Marty Coltrane rolled 1,2 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,2.  Intimidation.

It's ineffective!

Sam Bass attempts to Intimidate Marty.

12:25, Today: Sam Bass rolled 13,3 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (10+3)13,3.  Intimidation. This is before I add in his Reputation and Strong Willed bonuses, which means he actually gets a 17.

12:26, Today: Bloody Marty Coltrane rolled 5,5 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,5.  Resisting ToW.

It's super effective!

Mad Dog, meanwhile, doesn't notice any of this.))