forward to shake his hand. Spencer looked awestruck and asked, 'Is
your first name Cole? Are you that Clayborne brother? ' 'Yes, ' Cole
answered.
'I've heard all about you, sir.'
'Is that right? ' Cole asked, wondering what he had heard.
'Yes, sir, ' Spencer said. He looked at the other deputy and
whispered, 'Clayborne's a legend in Montana.' Cobb was dutifully
impressed. Cooper saw Cole roll his eyes in exasperation, and grinned
in reaction.
'Why don't you boys go on over to the hotel now and get cleaned up.
After you eat, take the watch from the sheriff and his men for a
while.
' 'Yes, sir, ' Spencer said. He nudged Cobb out the doorway but paused
to look at Cole. 'Marshal Clayborne, sir? Is it true what happened
down in Springfield? ' 'Don't believe everything you hear, ' Cole
replied.
'But it's true, isn't it? You shot all four of the Murphy gang before
any of them could get their guns out, didn't you, sir? ' 'Get going,
Spencer, ' Cooper ordered. 'You're embarrassing Marshal Clayborne. '
Cole laughed. As soon as the door closed behind the deputies, he said,
'They look awfully young.'
'They are young, ' Cooper agreed. 'But they're fast with a gun and
they want to be lawmen. They're both tougher than they look.' Daniel
spoke to Cole then. 'I've decided to change the plans. Cooper's going
to take Rebecca to Blackwater, and you and I will take Grace and
Jessica. We'll split up and all meet in Red Arrow on Thursday, barring
any unforeseen problems.'
'That's fine with me, ' Cole said.
'I thought we should all travel together, ' Cooper interjected. 'But
Daniel thinks it's safer if we take separate trains.'
'Three beautiful women are bound to draw a lot of attention, ' Cole
said.
'Cooper just told me there's a signed order from Judge Abbott, ' Daniel
said.
'Who's Abbott? ' 'A judge in Salt Lake, ' Daniel answered. 'The judge
in Blackwater wired Abbott asking for his help in getting our
