- After selling a herd of cattle for his boss, Jason goes into town to cash the check for $10,000 only to meet a damsel in distress. Then the bank is held up while he, the damsel, and the sheriff are in the bank. Jason rides out after the outlaws to get his $10,000 back and rides into more trouble.—Michelle
- Jason just finished a cattle drive. It was a good looking herd! Of course, Ed Duggans beef always brings top dollar, at least thats what Mr. Ross said. He gave Jason a check for $10,000.00 and assured him he could cash it at the local bank. Jason was on his way out, and wondered how long it would take the bank to raise that much money. Mr. Ross assured him it would only take a minute since $30,000 more was coming in as well. The way the beefs been coming through, you better get yours while it lasts.
Im on my way, Jason assured Mr. Ross. Jason assured him that that hed ask Mr. Duggan to send more beef his way.
When Jason arrived in town, he was a bit leery at how quiet the town was. He watched a woman slowly leave a house and walk into the street. On the other side, a man left a building and started across the street. The man approached the woman and grabbed her. Hey there, pretty lady She ordered the man to take his hands off her. Jason, being the wonderful protector he is, thought it was his duty to intervene in such a scene. He grabbed the man and gave him a hard shove in the water trough. Then he lifted him out and punched him before shoving him back into the building he had just exited. The lady thanked him and introduced herself as Callie Clay.
I guess you were the only one who could help me, Callie pointed out.
Strange, isnt it? An empty street and nobody around
Sure is, Callie commented. Its eerie. She said she hated to go to the bank, but she had to make a deposit before noon.
Jason smiled. Well, Ill walk with you. She hated to impose on him anymore, and tried to assure him shed be alright. Youre not imposing. I was headed for the bank myself, Jason assured her with a smile.
As they started toward the bank, Jason noticed men hiding with guns trained on them. Callie sensed his hesitation and asked him what was wrong. The street may be empty, but theres plenty of men aroundwith guns pointed right at us. Callie wondered what could be happening. I dont know.
Suddenly, the Sheriff was standing in front of them with his gun drawn. You! Over here, he ordered. We approached cautiously. What are you doing here? I told him I was just going to the bank. Why?
I just delivered a herd to the stock yard, Sheriff. Whats going on here? I asked.
Thats my question. Lets hear your answer first, the Sheriff ordered.
I took the check out of my pocket. I just want to cash this draft, then head back to Durango to give it to the man I work for.
I just came in on the train this morning, and I have to make a deposit of over $500, Callie explained.
The Sheriff read the bank draft. You THE Jason McCord?
Im Jason McCord, I answered with an unsmiling nod.
You mean that fella Duncan trusted you with ten thousand of his money? Jason cast a sideways glance at Callie, then answered. He knows me.
Alright, the sheriff said. I guess you wouldnt have the nerve for it anyway.
The nerve for what? Jason asked as he stepped forward.
The banks going to be held up any minute.
This is the first time Ive heard of bank robbers giving advanced noticed, Jason commented. He said they received a letter. He had ever gun in this town deputized and more on the way from Pearl River.
I uhI wouldnt deposit that right now, maam, the sheriff advised Callie. And you better pick your money up quick, McCord, and ride on out of here!
Ill walk you back to the hotel after I cash my draft, Jason assured Callie. She thanked me.
Jason went into the bank to cash it. Jason had his bag already for the money and a pair of handcuffs besides. The deputies kept a close eye out while Jason worked on cashing his draft. Four men wearing deputy badges rode into town. One of the deputies held a rifle on them. Were from Pearl River, one of the incoming deputies assured him.
Jason was just putting the last of his money in the bag when the sheriff deputy came in with the four new deputies claiming to be from Pearl River. It didnt take long to figure out that they werent from deputies from Pearl River. They drew their guns and held them on us. They had apparently met up with the deputies. We needed their badges. They ordered everyones gunbelts. The leader ordered his men to start scooping the money up.
The banker was hit over the head. I just stood there holding my money bag. The Sheriff stepped forward. You wont pull this off. Theres fifty guns outside!
Thats when things went from bad to worse. The one named Ross grabbed Callie. Ill blow up the little lady here! he threatened.
Morgan pointed a gun at me. Okay Mister, lets have the money you have in that case.
I snapped the handcuffs shut. The case is locked.
Open it, he ordered. Jason just looked at him. I said open it!
Jason held up his hand and let the case dangle from his wrist. Sure, Jason promised him. If youll ride three hundred miles to Durango with me. Thats where the key is.
Shoot that thing off his wrist! Ross ordered. Instead, Morgan hit Jason over the head with the gun. He collapsed on the floor. He shot the chain of the handcuffs and took the money bag. Now Sheriff, youre going to let those guns out there know the problem. If one of them so much as sneezesshe gets it. And nobody tries to follow us for twenty-four hours.
The bank robbers made their way to the door. The sheriff hurried out with his hands up. Ross followed holding Callie in front of him with a gun trained on her. Dont anybody shoot! The sheriff yelled out on the street. Theyre holding the girl a hostage. If you try anything, theyll kill her! Ross dragged Callie out onto the wagon. The men got on the wagon, and more followed behind. Then they rode out of town.
Jason came to after they rode out. He strapped on his gun belt and asked the banker to find somebody to cut the handcuffs off his wrist. What are you going to do now? The sheriff asked him.
Im going after ten thousand dollars.
You cant! Theyll kill that girl! The sheriff argued.
Theyll kill her anyway when theyre through with her, Jason stated. Maybe I can stop that.
I gave my word nobody would follow for twenty-four hours! The sheriff declared.
Theyve got ten thousand dollars Im responsible for, Sheriff. And I didnt give them my word! The sheriff nodded in agreement. I picked up my hat and took off.
As the robbers made their getaway, there were three men watching. One of the men was mad because he felt he was being cut out of a lot of money. Hed worked that bank job for Frank Ross a month ago. One of the men suggested they go after them now. No noI know were theyre going. Theyre heading for that shack up the gully. Well just let them get settled, then well pick them off like sitting ducks!
When Jason showed up at the shack, one of the three men started to shoot him. Tiny stopped him. He decided that Jason could start the shooting. Maybe hed end up helping them. Tiny told his other man to ride on up the hill and cover them in the back.
Jason drew his gun and ran toward the shack. He kicked in the door and ordered for the men to Drop them. They were all surprised. None of them had a chance to reach for their guns. He told Miss Clay to pick them up and step over there. Jason immediately went to collect the money.
Unbeknownst to him, however, Callie Clay was on the wrong side of the law. She pulled a gun on him. Drop it, Mr. McCord!
Jason was shocked. McCordJason McCord Ross said then. Old yellow tail? Well, you went through a lot of bother, mister. Shes part of the plan. Part of a real good plan. Callie walked up to Ross. He put his arm around her. I sent a letter to the sheriff to make sure hed be there to see Callie. You know, solid citizens like him go all soft and hollow when he says a frail little female in danger.
Why are you telling him everything? Morgan asked angrily.
Why not? Hes not going to spread it around, Ross declared. Hes in more trouble than anybody when he doesnt show up with that money. Her folks may even think that he planned the whole thing. Callie asked him what he was going to do with Jason. What do you care what I do with a coward?
Oh, hes not a coward! Callie declared. If he hadnt saved me from that drunk, your well-though out hold up might have ended you up in a well-planned jail!
Alright, then hes a hero, Ross said. What do you want me to do? Split the money with him? She told him to show Jason a little gratitude. Well, youre the one he saved. Maybe youll want to show him a little gratitude, Ross commented as he glared at her.
Come onLet me put a bullet in him! Morgan begged. Ross told him to shut up. Ross told him to shut up.
Suddenly, bullets sounded from outside. The men immediately thought it was the law. Ross was a bit upset that his plan had backfired. Maybe he figures we let Callie go.
Ross grabbed Callie, Well, well show him different! Ross realized it was Bradford out there. Lets make a deal! he yelled. Well give you half of what we gotFive thousand!
I got a better deal, Bradford declared. You give us halfand well take the rest! Bradford laughed.
Morgan grabbed the money off the table and ran out the door. Bradford, dont shoot! Ive got the money! Morgan ran out into the yard. Dont shoot! Ive got the BANG!
Ross shot him in the back. Morgan fell in the dirt, money flying all around him. Ross turned and looked at the rest of the men in the house. Anybody else feeling generous?
The men were beginning to panic. One of them commented that he just wanted to get out of there. They had the horses around back. Ross thought they should try to get Bradford the slip. Bradford will shoot you down before you can get to the horses! Callie declared.
Well Ross said as he glared at Jason. Weve got nothing to lose if we let that hero try it.
If he makes it to those horses, hell hightail it out of here!
No he wont, Ross assured them. Not if we promised him his ten thousand. Ross ordered Jason to give him his gun belt. Jason just stared at him. Come on! Ross ordered.
You know he hasnt got a chance! Callie argued.
Now, you bring us all those horsesMaybe well talk about giving you back your ten thousand.
Its suicide! Callie argued. He hasnt got a gun!
Yes he has. Ross had thrown me three bullets, then threw the gun out the front door. He told me to get out there. He shoved me out the door.
Of course, the minute Jason stepped out the door, the men started shooting. Jason dodged the bullets, grabbed the empty gun, and jumped behind the wagon. He loaded the gun behind the wagon.
Thats not one of Franks regular gang, Bradford commented. We gotta get our hands on that money! He ordered his man to go on top of the shed and take a shot at the big guy behind the wagon.
Ross sent Taylor out the door next. Taylor argued. He didnt want to be shot. Out you go! Ross ordered. He didnt get very far before they shot him dead.
They got Taylor!
And McCord got one of them. The odds are getting better, Ross stated.
Ross sent out another man. He died just as quickly. As for the man on top of the shedwell, he made a little noise, and Jasons keen senses heard it. Jason shot him, and he fell dead.
Tiny Bradford was the only man left outside. But in another second, Jason shot him and he was dead. Ross was happy. Thats it! That worked out just right! Ross felt like he was on top of the world. We got the money and no partners! He started throwing the money in the bag. He opened the door, led Callie outside, and started across the yard, a happy smile on his face.
Apparently, hed forgotten about dear ol Jason. Jason leapt out from behind the wagon. Hold it, Ross. He held the gun on Ross. The three of us and that money are taking a little ride back to town.
Youre bluffing, McCord, Ross declared. I kept a close count. I gave you only three bullets and you fired them all.
Jason looked down at the gun and knew he was beat. He grabbed the barrel of the pistol and acted like he was about to beat Ross with it. But Ross had his gun drawn and pointed it at Jason. Drop it! Jason obeyed. Ross cocked the pistol and started to pull the trigger.
But suddenly, Callie grabbed his gun. They started struggling with it. Jason sure wasnt going to stand by and let him fight the girl, so he tacked Ross and they started fighting. The gun went off, but they still fought.
BANG!
Ross had been on top of Jason when the gun went off. Ross fell back onto the grounddead.
Callie immediately threw her arms around Jason. Oh Jason, Im so glad youre alright! she declared breathlessly.
Forgotten him already? Jason asked softly as he pushed her away.
I never really saw him for what he was until today. Im sorry I got you mixed up in this, Jason.
You didnt, Jason assured her. I would have walked into that bank anyway. Jason picked up the case of money and asked her if that was all the money. Callie told him it was.
Jason went to pick up the rest of the money still laying on the ground. Its all ours now, Jason, Callie said. Enough to last for a lifetime. Theyll never suspect us. We were innocent victoms. We can hide the money and
Jason interrupted her dreaming. No. It all goes back except the ten thousand dollars that goes to the man I work for.
Alright, Jason. Whatever you say. Just let mebe the woman you work for. She begged Jason, the kissed him.
I took the money back. The sheriff counted the money, and I assured him it was all there, except for the ten thousand dollars. I would like to apologize to you, McCord. I was thinking you were part of the gang.
I can assure you he wasnt, sheriff, Callie smiled at Jason. If it wasnt for Mr. McCord, I wouldnt be here now. The sheriff told her her word was good enough for him.
Jason looked straight at her. It shouldnt be. She wasnt a hostage. She was part of the gang.
Oh no, Jason! Callie begged.
Thats why they wanted to make sure youd be at the bank. She was their ticket to a safe ride out. But she did stand up for me against the gang and she kept Frank Ross from killing me.
And we did get all the money back, the sheriff added. I guess the law wont be too hard on her, seeing as how shes a woman and all
Shes a woman alright. Jason smiled at her. And every man has a soft spot for a woman. She knew Jason didnt. She wished he did.
Think what we could have had.
I did think about it, Callie, Jason assured her. Long and hard. Jason shook his head as he watched Callie try to seduce the sheriff. Jason walked out and rode out of town.
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