Boot Hill: Pima County

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Dumarest said:
Based on everyone's responses (or lack thereof), I'm assuming you've all decided to try following the bandidos.

By the time you saddle up and move along the trail to the location of the abandoned camp, a good deal of time has passed. However, since minimal, if any, effort was made to cover their tracks or hide their passage, the horsemen are not difficult to follow. The greatest difficulty is merely the rough ground you have to ride across, which means slow going as you follow southeast. After a while the trailside scrub diminishes and the land slopes downward into a narrow gully at the foothills of the Santa Rita Mountains. Looking around, you see indications that the gully would be better described as an arroyo, as it looks to have been formed by fluvial processes and has obvious sediment deposits. Fortunately no rain is expected for the nonce and the odds of a flash flood washing down the gully seem slim-to-none. As the dirt walls on either side of the wash are just slightly taller than the height of an average man on horseback, you reckon the route was selected to avoid visibility to any nearby eyes that might casually glance in this direction. A couple of carelessly discarded cigarrillo butts provide ample evidence that you're on the right track.
The arroyo is only wide enough for two horses to travel side-by-side, and due to the way it winds you cannot see too far along, nor tell how far it goes. Additionally, gauging by the position of the sun in the afternoon sky, you estimate you have about three hours before sunset makes it impossible to continue tracking the bandidos until morning light.
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OOC very clever Dumarest I tip my hat to you. No, I will not let the party walk into a deathtrap for my need for action. This sort of of riverbed was a magnet for killing cattle and horses. flashflood was only flashiest kind of death (which the local weather doesn't mean that the heavy reains forty miles away aren't rushing to meet you). the loose sediment from the last flood might not yet be compacted and is a great way for cattle and horses to break a leg. The high edges of the riverbed high enough to cover a man on a horse are ripe for a landslide large enough to bury the party. And let us not forget a two by two with limited visibility is great for being counter ambushed by our quarry.

IC
Tybalt face goes pale "Though it pains me greatly to let villians roam free I can feel a trap being set and not by us". I've seen too many innocent cattle die in one of these riverbeds too let our posse enter" Tybalt turns and faces the party "The bandits live another day and so do we. now let us hurry to the J bar ranch before nightfall".
 
"C'mon Eugene we have to see Betsy safe to J bar ranch" Tybalt lead his horse back towards the ranch "That much we can do" Tybalt says softly.
 
Eugene saddles up, and again offers Mary a ride. "You look like you don't need much lookin' after, miss," he says to her. "Keep your eyes on the sides of the trail, if'n ya don't mind.", he says to her. "You see anything looks peculiar, you let us know - without makin' too much ruckus. Ya got that, girl?"
 
Dumarest said:
Nothing appears to be out of the ordinary. They look to be about 30 to 35 and prosperous.
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As Cisco wanders the store, pretending to be engrossed in dry goods and sundries, he listens to the conversation between the merchant and the customer. Once Mr Parsons turns his way, Cisco steps up with a hand extended. 'Samuel Kidd, representing Tybalt Crenshaw of the Seven Up outfit, and this is Jesús, one of the Seven Up vaqueros. Pleased to make your acquaintance, sir, ma'am.'
 
Black Vulmea said:
As Cisco wanders the store, pretending to be engrossed in dry goods and sundries, he listens to the conversation between the merchant and the customer. Once Mr Parsons turns his way, Cisco steps up with a hand extended. 'Samuel Kidd, representing Tybalt Crenshaw of the Seven Up outfit, and this is Jesús, one of the Seven Up vaqueros. Pleased to make your acquaintance, sir, ma'am.'
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"Seven Up, you say? Can't say I know that brand," answers Mr. Parsons, "but there's newcomers in these parts seems like every day now. Wasn't but half an hour ago I sold some beans and jerky, along with a couple soogans and some .44 cartridges, to some boys just in from Alabama. Just between you and me, I think that younger one was the Tuskaloosa Kid. Now, what can I do for you?"
 
FeralToaster said:
"C'mon Eugene we have to see Betsy safe to J bar ranch" Tybalt lead his horse back towards the ranch "That much we can do" Tybalt says softly.
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Gringnr said:
Eugene saddles up, and again offers Mary a ride. "You look like you don't need much lookin' after, miss," he says to her. "Keep your eyes on the sides of the trail, if'n ya don't mind.", he says to her. "You see anything looks peculiar, you let us know - without makin' too much ruckus. Ya got that, girl?"
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Unless the others ( Séadna Séadna, Doc Sammy Doc Sammy, and Supervisor194 Supervisor194) object, I'll assume heading to the Big J Ranch is the new plan. Are you leaving the arroyo now (which may be difficult for your horses) or retracing your steps to find an easier exit point in the direction whence you came? Or continuing forward to find an easier way out?
 
OOC: I agree that heading to the ranch is a good idea
 
Dumarest said:
"I'm just sportin' with you, kid. Keep your nose clean and the food hot and you won't have any trouble." Big Jim turns to the hands in the mess hall and asks, "How's the grub, boys?" Without waiting for an answer, he turns back to Lars, "How you fixed for money? Here's twenty dollars' advance on your thirty per month." He hands you cash and notes, "Anything the kitchen needs, tally it up and Slim or Redford or one o' the men'll take a wagon into Saguaro or Tucson to restock. We got good credit at all the stores but don't abuse it none on account of it'll reflect poorly on me and Lord knows there's enough dirty lies been spread about me in these parts to butter a whole loaf let alone a slice o' bread."
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"That's mighty kind of you, Mister Wayne," Lars says. He points with this thumb over his shoulder at the kitchen. "I'll go get to work on your dinner."

He tries to retreat quickly before he gets a specific meal order for something he doesn't actually know how to make.
 
OOC: Tybalt is carefully retracing the route he came in on and going to JBar Ranch

IC

"Everyone follow me the path maybe unstable and I don't want us to have an accident this close to nightfall" Tybalt says leading the way out.
 
Dumarest said:
"They just took the man upstairs to see," says Pa Sommer. "You seen my daughter? Betsy's been missing ever since you and your friends turned up and I'm just about ready to go to the marshal about you lot."
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"The town marshall? I was just there to talk with him for a bounty!", Juan smiles. "As for your daughter, I only saw her here twice - when she brought us a meal, and a flower for our table. I guess she liked having so many paying customers", he shruggs.
"If you would like me to repeat any of that to the marshall, I would. Don't know that it would be of any help, though."
 
FeralToaster said:
OOC: Tybalt is carefully retracing the route he came in on and going to JBar Ranch

IC

"Everyone follow me the path maybe unstable and I don't want us to have an accident this close to nightfall" Tybalt says leading the way out.
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The dice say nothing eventful transpires while you retrace the way back to where the trail forked off one way to Tucson and the other way to the Big J Ranch. Fast forward about an hour and a half and you're back on the trail to the Big J Ranch, your horses tired and thirsty.

It's about 6:30 in the evening as you approach the open ranch gate guarded by two fence-sitting, leather-faced sentinels toting rifles. "Ho there, riders!" calls one of them. "What's your business?"

Baeraad said:
"That's mighty kind of you, Mister Wayne," Lars says. He points with this thumb over his shoulder at the kitchen. "I'll go get to work on your dinner."

He tries to retreat quickly before he gets a specific meal order for something he doesn't actually know how to make.
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By this time Lars has cooked the evening meal for men turning in while other hands go on night duty. Your time is your own now to survey the ranch or get some rest in the bunkhouse. Presumably you might see or hear the others riding in if you're outside.
 
AsenRG said:
"The town marshall? I was just there to talk with him for a bounty!", Juan smiles. "As for your daughter, I only saw her here twice - when she brought us a meal, and a flower for our table. I guess she liked having so many paying customers", he shruggs.
"If you would like me to repeat any of that to the marshall, I would. Don't know that it would be of any help, though."
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"I know your type, señor," says Pa Sommer. "Eager to use a gun, happy to kill for money! Your type ain't good for a town that wants to be something more than just a bunch of saloons and casinos and dancehalls and bordellos for cowboys just passin' through on their way to Hell. Don't you be leadin' my girls astray!"
 
Dumarest said:
"I know your type, señor," says Pa Sommer. "Eager to use a gun, happy to kill for money! Your type ain't good for a town that wants to be something more than just a bunch of saloons and casinos and dancehalls and bordellos for cowboys just passin' through on their way to Hell. Don't you be leadin' my girls astray!"
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Juan looks Pa Sommer in the eyes.
"You don't think highly of me, señor, and I've never been eager to use a gun...but you spoke frankly - and I shall return the favor! I can swear that I've never tried to lead any of your girls astray - and even were I so inclined, I wouldn't have had the opportunity. But it seems one of them has left your home - which you rule according to your own vision of what is best - and she had done so by her own volition. Tell me, señor, what does that tell us about your vision of this town? You seem to want a place that would have no dancehalls, no casinos, no saloons, nor any other place to actually have fun - but how many people, other than you, would remain to live in it?"
 
AsenRG said:
Juan looks Pa Sommer in the eyes.
"You don't think highly of me, señor, and I've never been eager to use a gun...but you spoke frankly - and I shall return the favor! I can swear that I've never tried to lead any of your girls astray - and even were I so inclined, I wouldn't have had the opportunity. But it seems one of them has left your home - which you rule according to your own vision of what is best - and she had done so by her own volition. Tell me, señor, what does that tell us about your vision of this town? You seem to want a place that would have no dancehalls, no casinos, no saloons, nor any other place to actually have fun - but how many people, other than you, would remain to live in it?"
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Pa Sommer spits in the dirt and replies, "Bah! I'm sure Sodom and Gomorrah were swarming with your type!" He stalks away upstairs, presumably to check on Doc Haney.
 
Dumarest said:
"Seven Up, you say? Can't say I know that brand," answers Mr. Parsons, "but there's newcomers in these parts seems like every day now. Wasn't but half an hour ago I sold some beans and jerky, along with a couple soogans and some .44 cartridges, to some boys just in from Alabama. Just between you and me, I think that younger one was the Tuskaloosa Kid. Now, what can I do for you?"
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'The Seven Up outfit is new to the Rio Santa Cruz country,' Cisco replies, 'and seeing your fine establishment reminded me that we will, sooner rather than later, I hope, be in need of supplies, from beans to bullets and tarps to tobacco. With that in mind, we stopped in to make your acquaintance, but now I must ask, is this Tuskaloosa Kid an outlaw? Seems we can't walk around town without hearing tell of one bad man or another - why, just this morning it was a man named Jackson, who killed the J-Bar's cook.' He looks quizzically at the storekeeper.
 
Dumarest said:
It's about 6:30 in the evening as you approach the open ranch gate guarded by two fence-sitting, leather-faced sentinels toting rifles. "Ho there, riders!" calls one of them. "What's your business?"
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Corbin waits for Crenshaw to speak. People tend to respond better to folks with a touch of class.
 
Dumarest said:
Pa Sommer spits in the dirt and replies, "Bah! I'm sure Sodom and Gomorrah were swarming with your type!" He stalks away upstairs, presumably to check on Doc Haney.
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Juan just shrugs and tips his hat at Becca.
"Miss Sommers...", he says, turning to leave. And nodding sharply towards the corner of the building.

Are there people in earshot? If no, Juan would continue.
"Miss Becca, your sister seemed fine, but she's running from home - by her own volition, I assure you. She was really eager not to be seen. After trying to talk with your father, may the Pharisees adopt him as one of their own, I can see why".
 
Black Vulmea said:
'The Seven Up outfit is new to the Rio Santa Cruz country,' Cisco replies, 'and seeing your fine establishment reminded me that we will, sooner rather than later, I hope, be in need of supplies, from beans to bullets and tarps to tobacco. With that in mind, we stopped in to make your acquaintance, but now I must ask, is this Tuskaloosa Kid an outlaw? Seems we can't walk around town without hearing tell of one bad man or another - why, just this morning it was a man named Jackson, who killed the J-Bar's cook.' He looks quizzically at the storekeeper.
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"Oh, his friend just said Tuskaloosa and I put two and two together," Parsons replies, shifty-eyed and nervous. "There's plenty of money in them hills and ranches, and bad men follow like a hound to a wounded fawn. I don't ask too many questions of cash-paying customers. Don't stand to profit by antagonizing someone even accidental-like. Jackson's cash is good as Jim Wayne's cash far as I'm concerned."
 
AsenRG said:
Juan just shrugs and tips his hat at Becca.
"Miss Sommers...", he says, turning to leave. And nodding sharply towards the corner of the building.

Are there people in earshot? If no, Juan would continue.
"Miss Becca, your sister seemed fine, but she's running from home - by her own volition, I assure you. She was really eager not to be seen. After trying to talk with your father, may the Pharisees adopt him as one of their own, I can see why".
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No one is in earshot.

Almost immediately upon Juan relaying this information, Becca calls up to her father, "Pa! This man knows where Betsy went! You better get down here; I think he's gonna try 'n run off!"
 
Dumarest said:
No one is in earshot.

Almost immediately upon Juan relaying this information, Becca calls up to her father, "Pa! This man knows where Betsy went! You better get down here; I think he's gonna try 'n run off!"
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"I think youre mistaken, 'cuz I never said that. I don't know where she went, not my job! I just know she wasn't kidnapped, as you feared", he corrected Becca. "I just told you I saw her in the city. Noticed nobody was threatining her, and that was good enough for me, so I didn't follow. Did you have to hurt your Pa telling him that she was trying to hide, probably from him?"
 
"Hail there and well met dear sirs" Corbin says as he dismounts his horse. He turns to face the armed men with his hands open. "We are peacable travelers come to pay our respects to my dear friend the Cook" Tybalt raises one hand to his brow "we would have come at a more socialable hour but tragically on our way here we encountered some poor victims of bandits. As is our moral duty we tracked and hunted the scoundrels for some time but they gave chase rather then face our stout hearted party of mourners." Now Tybalt uses all his charisma "we ask only for some small hospitality for the night, a chance to pay our respects for a fallen friend and a helping hand in bringing ne'er do wells to justice".
 
AsenRG said:
"I think youre mistaken, 'cuz I never said that. I don't know where she went, not my job! I just know she wasn't kidnapped, as you feared", he corrected Becca. "I just told you I saw her in the city. Noticed nobody was threatining her, and that was good enough for me, so I didn't follow. Did you have to hurt your Pa telling him that she was trying to hide, probably from him?"
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"Pa, this man's abusin' me!" shouts Becca.

You hear Pa call down, "Get away from there, Becca! I'm gettin' the shotgun!"
 
FeralToaster said:
"Hail there and well met dear sirs" Corbin says as he dismounts his horse. He turns to face the armed men with his hands open. "We are peacable travelers come to pay our respects to my dear friend the Cook" Tybalt raises one hand to his brow "we would have come at a more socialable hour but tragically on our way here we encountered some poor victims of bandits. As is our moral duty we tracked and hunted the scoundrels for some time but they gave chase rather then face our stout hearted party of mourners." Now Tybalt uses all his charisma "we ask only for some small hospitality for the night, a chance to pay our respects for a fallen friend and a helping hand in bringing ne'er do wells to justice".
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"Friends of the Swede, eh?" says the first gunman.

"Let's trot the Swede out here and see if he wants to confirm that," suggests the second gunman.

"Sounds like a pretty tall tale," says the first.

"Just you-all hold your horses a minute while I go see if our new cook can vouch for you," says the second. "If he does, I'll apologize for our inhospitality. There's been some dirty doings 'round these parts of late and we got to be careful." He moseys off toward what looks to be a ramshackle bunkhouse not far away.

Once Baeraad Baeraad posts we'll have a better idea of what happens as it's not clear where Lars is at the moment.
 
"Abusing?", Juan gasped.
He retreated as fast as he could. Dealing with an angry Mormon with a shotgun wasn't in his plans for the day. Meeting with the other two members of the posse, however, was.
 
AsenRG said:
"Abusing?", Juan gasped.
He retreated as fast as he could. Dealing with an angry Mormon with a shotgun wasn't in his plans for the day. Meeting with the other two members of the posse, however, was.
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The last thing Juan sees before turning the corner is Pa Sommer starting to come down the back steps looking madder than an old wet hen and loading shells into a 10 gauge side-by-side double-barreled shotgun.
 
Jack rides into town and looks for the general store. He's low on pipe tobacco, and wants to buy some soap so he can shave. When he finds one he will go in. Before entering, he will stop at the door and carefully look around noting everyone that he can see inside. He will then go up to the counter and then once he gets the owner or counter attendant's attention he will make his purchase.
 
Shemek hiTankolel said:
Jack rides into town and looks for the general store. He's low on pipe tobacco, and wants to buy some soap so he can shave. When he finds one he will go in. Before entering, he will stop at the door and carefully look around noting everyone that he can see inside. He will then go up to the counter and then once he gets the owner or counter attendant's attention he will make his purchase.
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Through the large, dusty display window at the front of the Wagon Wheel General Store, Jack sees two men conversing or dickering with a young shopkeeper as the latter's wife busies herself sweeping a bit of traildust off the floor. The store is obviously well-stocked, its shelves just about bowing at the middle due to the weight of the goods and sundries for sale. When Jack enters, it becomes apparent the two men aren't buying anything as he overhears what seems to be the tail-end of a chat about an outlaw called Jackson having been in town recently and the shopkeeper's disinterest in morality when it conflicts with commerce.

See post #349 for more detail of the store's wares and layout.

The shopkeeper, noting a possible paying customer, politely excuses himself from Cisco and Jesús and addresses the newcomer: "Good afternoon, sir. I'm Parsons, proprietor of the Wagon Wheel."

Assuming you inquire after soap and tobacco as indicated, he'll offer you tobacco at 10¢ a bag and a good-sized block of white Castile soap for another 10¢.

"Need a flannel for drying off after washing up? Also got some nice California spurs in the other day if you're interested," Parsons suggests.
 
While Parsons deals with Jack, Cisco and Jesús see on the other side of the display window the grey-bearded prospector Cougar Rydell sullenly tramping alongside his mule-drawn stone-boat, headed south on Arizona Street. His stone-boat is still covered by his moth-eaten old Confederate Army blanket, but it doesn't pile nearly as high as it did before he visited the assayer's office this morning.
 
Lars has been idly exploring the ranch. He isn't exactly sure what he's looking for, but knowing the layout of the land is surely a good thing. When he hears the sound of people arriving, he heads for it.
 
Dumarest said:
While Parsons deals with Jack, Cisco and Jesús see on the other side of the display window the grey-bearded prospector Cougar Rydell sullenly tramping alongside his mule-drawn stone-boat, headed south on Arizona Street. His stone-boat is still covered by his moth-eaten old Confederate Army blanket, but it doesn't pile nearly as high as it did before he visited the assayer's office this morning.
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'Jesús, ahí está el buscador,' says Cisco, tilting his head toward the prospector outside the store window. 'Ofrecerle comprarle una bebida. I'll be along as soon as I conclude Mr Crenshaw's business with Mr Parsons, here,' he adds, turning with a smile to the storekeeper once more.

Cisco listens discreetly to the newcomer's conversation with Parsons, then, when the opportunity presents itself, Cisco addresses the storekeeper once more. 'I am told Big Jim's place is north of town; I'm to meet Mr Crenshaw there, and I hoped you might tell me how long the ride is from here in town. I also would like to let Mr Crenshaw know if you extend credit to the local ranchers, and on what terms.'
 
Dumarest said:
The last thing Juan sees before turning the corner is Pa Sommer starting to come down the back steps looking madder than an old wet hen and loading shells into a 10 gauge side-by-side double-barreled shotgun.
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Juan continues resolutely towards the general store.
 
Black Vulmea said:
'Jesús, ahí está el buscador,' says Cisco, tilting his head toward the prospector outside the store window. 'Ofrecerle comprarle una bebida. I'll be along as soon as I conclude Mr Crenshaw's business with Mr Parsons, here,' he adds, turning with a smile to the storekeeper once more.

Cisco listens discreetly to the newcomer's conversation with Parsons, then, when the opportunity presents itself, Cisco addresses the storekeeper once more. 'I am told Big Jim's place is north of town; I'm to meet Mr Crenshaw there, and I hoped you might tell me how long the ride is from here in town. I also would like to let Mr Crenshaw know if you extend credit to the local ranchers, and on what terms.'
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"Well...," begins Mr. Parsons, glancing at his wife who tries to discreetly signal no with a shake of her head, "I don't rightly know this Crenshaw or Seven Up outfit, but I reckon I can give a man a chance, maybe extend a hundred dollars credit, but I'd want to see cash on the barrelhead within thirty days before I'd go any further with it. From there, if he can make good, prob'ly more." Mrs. Parsons rolls her eyes and shakes her head disapprovingly. "He makes off with it," adds Mr. Parsons, "I'll make sure word gets around the Territory that he's a welsher. As for the Big J, I reckon you could ride out there in an hour or so without wearing out your horse. Trail isn't too bad but neither is it a straight line here to there. Be sure you don't miss the fork or you'll end up in Tucson with a thirsty horse."
 
AsenRG said:
Juan continues resolutely towards the general store.
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As Juan turns the corner onto northbound Arizona Street, he sees coming the opposite way the unmistakable sight of Cougar Rydell trudging beside his mule-drawn stone-boat, looking weatherbeaten and worn out. His mule looks like buzzard bait as Rydell stops out front of the hardware store to let it rest and drink from a sap-sealed piñon pine trough. Rydell gets out a knife and a short, thick stick of Gambel oak branch and sets to whittling while he waits.
 
Dumarest said:
As Juan turns the corner onto northbound Arizona Street, he sees coming the opposite way the unmistakable sight of Cougar Rydell trudging beside his mule-drawn stone-boat, looking weatherbeaten and worn out. His mule looks like buzzard bait as Rydell stops out front of the hardware store to let it rest and drink from a sap-sealed piñon pine trough. Rydell gets out a knife and a short, thick stick of Gambel oak branch and sets to whittling while he waits.
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Juan waves at the man. He has seen him around town before.
"Hey, Rydell? Care for a drink? I'm just going to the general store, to see some friends. I think they'd like to buy you a drink, too".
 
Dumarest said:
Through the large, dusty display window at the front of the Wagon Wheel General Store, Jack sees two men conversing or dickering with a young shopkeeper as the latter's wife busies herself sweeping a bit of traildust off the floor. The store is obviously well-stocked, its shelves just about bowing at the middle due to the weight of the goods and sundries for sale. When Jack enters, it becomes apparent the two men aren't buying anything as he overhears what seems to be the tail-end of a chat about an outlaw called Jackson having been in town recently and the shopkeeper's disinterest in morality when it conflicts with commerce.

See post #349 for more detail of the store's wares and layout.

The shopkeeper, noting a possible paying customer, politely excuses himself from Cisco and Jesús and addresses the newcomer: "Good afternoon, sir. I'm Parsons, proprietor of the Wagon Wheel."

Assuming you inquire after soap and tobacco as indicated, he'll offer you tobacco at 10¢ a bag and a good-sized block of white Castile soap for another 10¢.

"Need a flannel for drying off after washing up? Also got some nice California spurs in the other day if you're interested," Parsons suggests.
Click to expand...

"Just the soap and tobacco. Do you folks have a marshall or sheriff in this town?"

(Ooc: Once he hears Parson's response)

"If someone were to try and sell some horses, and didn't want too many questions asked, where would he go in these parts?"
 
Baeraad said:
Lars has been idly exploring the ranch. He isn't exactly sure what he's looking for, but knowing the layout of the land is surely a good thing. When he hears the sound of people arriving, he heads for it.
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Tybalt, Eugene, Quinn, Corbin, and Mary see their compadre Lars wandering apparently aimlessly near the ranch house until such time as he hears their arrival. The second gate guard sticks a chaw of tobacco in his cheek and moseys over to Lars. "Swede," he says to Lars, "them jackeroos claim as they know you. That so?" Lars immediately recognizing his companions despite their being covered in trail dust that has caked into their dried sweat after hours of fruitless riding in the Arizona sun.
 
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