The Showdown

Posted on 8/31/2009 at 7:02:29 PM

by Michael Fahrion

On Saturday, Aug, 29, the Seth Gang came ridin’ into town. Seth, Slim, Rattlesnake and Dog started up the main street causin’ trouble, disturbing the shopkeepers, citizen and visitors. The general rowdy ruckus soon brought Marshal Payne, Marshal Odie And newly deputized, Miss Vycke a runnin’.

The lawmen quickly cut the gang’s trail and threw up a blockade on their shenanigans. The Law told them they were supposed to stay out of town. Seth threw in a protest saying they ain’t done nothin’, but the law insisted they knew otherwise. Sharp words flew and six-guns were drawn, with a few Colts tossin’ some lead in the general direction of their adversaries. In order to prevent too much lead flyin’ around town it was agreed that Marshal Payne would go one-on-one with the gangs best gun hand. The outlaws quickly pushed Rattlesnake forward advertising him as the fastest gun in the Wichitas. Rattlesnake walked over to the Marshal and said; “I can out gun you with one ear tied behind my head.” To which Odie offered a rebuttal: “Can I shoot him now.”

It was decided to start this here lead slingin’ on the count of three. Seth told Slim to git over along side the road and do the countin’. The two contestants faced off in the middle of the street awaitin’ the count while a large crowd of gawkers lined both sides. The law protested the fairness of Slim countin’ being he was siding with Rattlesnake. And Miss Vycke said he couldn’t count that fer anyway. So it was decided that in order to get a fair and impartial start to this shindig they’d have to pick someone from out of town. Slim coerced a feller from the audience to come on out and count. But since the shooters couldn’t count and wouldn’t know if he was countin’ right it was decided to have the feller drop his hat and the shootin’ would commence as soon as the hat hit the ground. Odie came over and handed over the loan of his hat.

While the details were bein’ ironed out Marshal Payne dropped his hat, and when it hit the ground he drew and cut loose at Rattlesnake. The outlaws protested, but the Marshal stated: “Ain’t no body clarified which hat.” Which brought an agreement from Miss Vycke and Odie, but was disagreeable to the opsin’ party. It was pointed out that it would be the hat dropped by the starter, and no other hat.

But before things got underway Rattlesnake said; “Rein this dance in a minute. How can I watch the hat over yonder and watch the Marshal over there at the same time sos he don’t cheat again?” To wit the Marshal replied: “Me cheat! You dirty Sidewinder! But he’s got a point. I needs to to able to watch both at the same time too.”

After a bit of figurin’ they decided by placein’ the starter right plum in the middle between Rattlesnake & the Marshal they could both observe the hat droppin’ and each other. With much protest from the hat dropper he was pushed into positioned and told if he stood sideways they might be able to shoot around him. Odie inquired if he was right quick at duckin’.

Now I ain’t certain if hat was dropped intentionally or just kinda slipped out of nervous hands, but when it hit the ground both adversaries drew and fired. Them two Colts .45s both spoke so quick it was hard to tell who’s six-gun barked first. The sound of the twin shots hadn’t quit bouncin’ around town when both sides proclaim victory. With no clear winner the argument soon proceeded to fill the air with lead and gun smoke, and send people divin’ for cover. The shootin’ was soon over as both sides ran out of bullets and the Seth gang made a clean get away.