A slight look of disappointment appears on Cole's face. He remarks to no one in particular...

Long way to walk, in the rain no less, to teach a man a lesson in good manners. Travis would have been a good teacher.

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 891):

Jake snorted in amusement at JEB's answer to his question. "Waal," he answered, his south Texas drawl drawing the word out into two syllables, "shootin' Travis warn't zackly up thaere towards the top o' my list, nohow."

This feller either thinks I'm dumb as a stump, or he's got a devilish-sly sense of humor, the Texan thought to himself. Jake couldn't remember meeting any other lawmen who had shown him a sense of humor, but he reckoned that there was always s first time for just about everything.

Jake stayed up on the porch of the saloon after JEB stepped off. He figured that it might give him a slightly better vantage point to keep an eye on the crowd than if he were down there among the men who had spilled out into the street. He was pretty sure that if push came to shove, Travis could take care of the man named Keogh. The Texan was more concerned about someone in the crowd pulling a hogleg. Jake scanned the men lining the street, looking for the one named Johnny Marino, who was apparently Keogh's pard . . .

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 891):

The hunter named Keogh shakes his head when the deputy steps between the two men standing in the center of Fifth Street, just outside Doney's saloon and not far from the AME Church.

"At least you are consistent, Deputy," he says. Keogh's circumspect reply goes no further. He stands in the rain, waiting. A rumble from the north portends, perhaps, another downpour.

In reply to Cole Trayne (msg # 892):

A man near Cole Trayne grunts at the wrangler's comment. He spits a wad of brown juice into the mud. It lands about one yard from Cole's boots.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 895):

Cole doesn't allow the man to distract him from his primary objective - covering his Travis' back. However, if an opportunity presents itself, he will take a moment to glance at the man who spit in his vicinity. Just to place a face with the spittle.

In reply to Cole Trayne (msg # 896):

Deputy maybe you can bend the rules just a bit.  This isn't Baltimore you know, and we're all getting wet.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 897):

JEB turns to face Travis and answer him directly, "You know I can't do that, Sunday. Let's all get out of the rain and go about our business."

JEB winks.

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 898):

Travis' eyes stay fied on his opponent.

Deputy it's my intention to kill this vermin before he backshoots me like the coward he has shown himself to be.  The only reason we're out here is because he knew you'd break it up.  Let that be his last mistake.

He pauses a second.

This needs to happen.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 899):

The hunter pays attention to JEB and Travis as they exchange words. Like Travis, his gaze has remained intent on his opponent.

"How far out of town?" he asks, apparently addressing the deputy.

Cole continues to keep a close eye on the crowd, still refusing to allow himself to be distracted.

However, he does allow one of his eyebrows to rise slightly at the hunter's apparent willingness to die outside of town.

All about this time, Randy is passing by Earl's Shave and Bathe.  The thought runs through his mind that his pards ought to clean up a bit before the show.  They've become rather ripe these days and he'd take it as a personal kindness if they would show up neat and tidy.

In reply to Cole Trayne (msg # 901):

Cole Trayne takes note of the spectators. They all have the look of the trail, in one way or another. Any of them could be Keogh's pard, Cole figures. The man who spit wears a matted beard and buffalo skin clothing. He wouldn't be hard to recognize, except perhaps around a campfire with other grizzled and bearded buffalo hunters.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 903):

ENS stays at the edge of the crowd by his kit, listening to the dialog but watching the crowd.

This is the first standoff that he has witnessed so his nerviousness for his new friend has him joking internally to try to calm himself: This tension is very unnerving! Much worse than waiting to present a thesis... well, maybe not for a thesis to professor Jenkins!
This message was last edited by the player at 16:09, Mon 26 Nov 2012.

In reply to Myles Keogh (msg # 900):

Far enough so I can't see you.

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 905):

Keogh nods at JEB's reply. "All right." Tilting his head to let some moisture drain from the brim of his hat, the bold hunter continues to stare at Travis Sunday.

"I will wait for you to get your cane, old man. Then we can take a walk."

In reply to Myles Keogh (msg # 906):

Well since you haven't learned to respect your elders, you'll at least have this one chance to respect your betters.  I'll get my Fish and join you.

Travis backs up the porch, never turning his back.  Collects his coat.  Knocks the rain off and heads outside.

When he passes Cole...

Take bets.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 907):

JEB walks back to the porch and confers a blessing as he passes Travis Sunday, "God be with you."

JEB stands beside Jake and speaks quietly while keeping his eye on the gunfighters, "You seem handy with that rifle. What's your best range?

Cole confidently nods to Travis.

Got it covered.

The Wrangler then walks with Travis into the street. As they walk, he looks for folks who might be starting to take bets.

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 908):

Vaya con dios.

Travis walks out of town.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 910):

Turning to leave when Sunday does, Keogh matches the gunslinger's pace. "I reckon we need a witness after your lies about me being a coward and a backshooter. Someone without a stake in this affair."

In reply to Cole Trayne (msg # 909):

Cole identifies a group of several men speaking about wagering. It seems there is little enthusiasm for any straight-up betting; rather, the men are discussing the odds. As the wrangler approaches, he hears one of them say "Ain't worth the trouble."

Meanwhile the spectators, including the men speaking of wagers, quickly debate whether to follow the contestants or return to the bar. "I ain't ponyin'-up any coins without a witness to the contest," states one of the hunters.

EDIT: fixing formatting; no content changed
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:36, Wed 28 Nov 2012.

In reply to Myles Keogh (msg # 911):

Seeing the two contestants starting to walk, ENS looks over at JEB and Jake momentarily, then picks up his kit and begins to follow the men. He pulls his slicker closed, but still keeps an eye on the group that follows while walking. He picks up his pace a bit to catch up with Travis; once close enough, he speaks in low tones.

Travis, is this really necessary?
This message was last edited by the player at 16:14, Wed 28 Nov 2012.

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 908):

"'Bout two feet," Jake replied, quite truthfully, to JEB's question as to what his "best" range was. Of course, that's pretty near everyone's best range.

The Texan glanced at Travis and Keogh as the two men began their walk out of town. "Actually, anywhere out to 30 feet or so is all 'bout the same for me. Thirty to 'round 200 feet or so is near as good, an' I start losin' a scootch of accuracy outside of 'bout 200 feet."

OOC: Judge, does the Far Shot feat (which increases weapons ranges by 1.5) also increase the range for the Point-Blank Shot feat from 30 to 45 feet? I have assumed that it does in Jake's IC post, but if that is not the case, please let me know, and I'll edit Jake's 45-foot reference in the above post to 30 feet.

P.S. Edited ranges per the Judge's OOC clarifications.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:01, Thu 29 Nov 2012.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 913):

Travis has no problem with the company.

What do you mean professor?  Philosophically, spiritually, personally, professionally?

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 912):

Cole approaches the men debating the betting.

If anyone is betting, I'll take some of that action. And, if anyone is interested, any one of you can be a witness, as far as I'm concerned.

Who's in?