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"“Fast is fine, but accuracy is everything. In a gun fight … You need to take your time in a hurry", Wyatt Earp

"Fame is like a shaved pig with a greased tail, and it is only after it has slipped through the hands of some thousands, that some fellow, by mere chance, holds on to it!", Davy Crockett

] It had been a long ride from Abilene to south to New Mexico. Jason and Crowe had made several stops on the way. Once they reached the San Acoma area, they had to ask around, but eventually they were able to arrange a meeting with Choctaw and his partners. The meeting place was a nearly abandoned church, at noon…

Certain news spread quickly. From saloon to saloon, from hacienda to hacienda, from town to town. A wealthy cattle baron from Arizona had suffered attacks from thieves. He was looking for hired guns, and he had sent someone to meet the gang. The meeting was arranged by a friend to take place in a church that was empty nowadays.

The four approached the church from the east early in the morning. They knew the place well, and wanted to check it beforehand. The front of the church was of white lime plaster, and it had small windows and four torch handles. The bell was still in place, and it was not possible to access the interior. However, the tower was accessible by a rope ladder hanging from the side. The well had fresh water to overcome the heat that made the air shimmer.

Choctaw and the others stop in front of the church. Choctaw looks around.
- We must take positions. Jack, take the bell tower. Your rifle will be deathly from there. Alacran, you and me go to check the place, looking for something odd, and places to hide. Meanwhile, you chica, you can take the horses, and hide them. After that 
Choctaw dismounts and walks. 
-When they come, you stay hide, I talk to them. There's no need to expose all of us. Or you can stay with me Alacran, as you wish. They are here to meet us, but who knows what is gonna happen? We can use the well as cover. .... What do you think pals?

- It seems fine for me.I will be at the shadows when the sun rise - 

Jack moves toward the rope ladder to check it before trying to climb.

- Bien amigos, maybe I can stack a barrel near the fence and hide behind there. Choctaw If you have any problem, run behind the well, I´ll be shooting like evil.

- Cielo, get my Griswold. I prefer you get it and don´t need it, that you need it and don´t get it.

Alacran gives a passionate kiss to Rosanna, and help her to hide de horses. Once they finish, he goes to take the barrels.

- Ok then, come on amigos, let's do this.

Choctaw looks around looking for something odd, and takes a look of the place.

When he finish goes to the well and waits

Dekker climbed to the bell tower with the aid of the old rope ladder, and carrying his rifle. Rosanna stayed with the horses at the back. Alacran found cover close the fence on the other side of the church from Dekker, and Choctaw was standing close to the well looking around.

In the heat of the New Mexico desert, they waited for what seemed like a long time …

Jason and Crowe rode the narrow path towards the church, and soon enough they could see the white lime plastered building that shimmered in the heat of the desert. The front of the church had small windows and torch handles. There was a bell tower, and a well in the front.

As the two approached the meeting place, they could see four horses tied to a fence on the side, and a woman leaning against the wall. Close to the well there were a few barrels, and a blond man was standing next to it protecting his eyes from the sunlight. From the description, it must have been the infamous Choctaw Lee. He was considered the leader of the gang. The other members were Jack Dekker, a sharpshooter that knew Choctaw from their time in Delaware, and two new acquitances: Jose “Alacran” Luciano from San Acoma and a Mexican woman named Rosanna who rode with him.

The four had been riding together for several months know, and have made earned some fame in the area. However, Jason had already said he was not keen on hiring any Mexicans…

Two cowboys rode towards the church just before noon. Their horses seemed thirsty and tired as they approached slowly. The man riding ahead had a fancy shirt and in general was better dressed then his companion, who was some thirty feet behind and looked around with his hand close to the gun holster.

They could see Choctaw next to the well, and Rosanna with the horses at the back. And there was a shadow of a man up in the, and Crowe could see the reflection of metal. A rifleman, most likely Jack Dekker.

In an eerie silence broken only by the wind and the sound of tumble weeds, Choctaw Lee and his gang met Jason Bronson and Crowe Wheelwright at the abandoned church…

Jason Bronson rode forward slowly but without hesitation. He did not utter a word, but greeted Choctaw by touching his sombrero before he unmounted the horse. –I´m Jason Bronson, he stated with a firm voice as if this was something obvious and at the same time something extremely important.

He was, afterall, the son of the cattle baron Vincent Bronson. Jason had a trimmed moustache, nice red shirt that looked almost like a jacket, and a tired look on his face.

Behind him, Crowe was still on his horse, looking around ready to act if things were to go badly.

Jack looks the sorroundings looking for any hidden cowboy.

Choctaw looks the two men slowly.

- I'm Choctaw Lee, those are my compadres. What are we doing here? I don't wast my time, let's talk about business.

Jack had a clear view of the well and the men around it. Jason Bronson was talking to Choctaw, and behind him, the other cowboy looked up and his eyes met Jack´s. All was still and quiet, and there was no indication of anyone else around.

Behind the fence, Alacran took a step wide to have a good angle. He was leaning left, and under the poncho he might have been holding a gun. Just in case.

Jason stared at Choctaw for a moment before he broke the silence. -OK, Choctaw. Let´s talk business then. I´ve come lookin´ for a gun man. Or two. My pa´owns some land and a big ranch in Arizona, and as of late there´s been some trouble. He wants to hire some guns. The pay is good, and you ain´t gonna get into no trouble with the law where I come from, if ya know what I mean. 

Choctaw smiles.

- We are tree men, and a woman. If anyone touches her, Alacran will make a change purse with his cojones. Do you undestand... compadre?

Choctaw points to Alacran

- The pay is good, you say,.. how much?

Choctaw was defending his pals. This was something Jason Bronson respected. And also he cut to the chase without any bosh and nonsense. Jason smiled. He had seen too many wannabe gunslingers with a big mouth and small cojones that ran away like a coward when the going got tough. Choctaw was not like that, he thought.

-I get it, he said calmly. –We´ll sort out somethin´, OK? Why don´t ya ask your pal on the bell tower to come down, and Alacran and the woman can come out also. And the six of us can have a little palaver. This here is Crowe. Com´ on. Get off your horse Crowe!

In the meantime, Alacran walked a few steps wide from the barrels. There was no reason to bring out Rosanna just yet, so he signaled her to wait close by, behind the barrels. The Mexican then walked towards Jason and Choctaw, still hiding his hands under the poncho.