“No, but I’m hoping.”

PREVIOUSLY: “If you wish to live another day—yes,” Mac laughed. It was not a pleasant laugh.

“However,” Ralph smiled, “If you wish to join us on our next adventure—THEN you can share in the profits.”

“Wal,” the group’s leader replied, “We hafta talk to the boss about that. By the way, I’m Rufus Smith, straw-boss of this outfit.”

“Who’s the boss?” Mac asked.

“Her name is Christine Clark,” Rufus replied, “Toughest woman I ever met.”

“She is,” Miles Slater whispered to Linda, “She’s ruthless—I seen her kill a fella for just asking a question she didn’t like.”

“More ruthless than Lacy?”

“Absolutely,” he replied, “Lacy has a good reason when she acts, and usually feels bad if she has to kill—Christine acts without remorse. Lacy’s biggest problem is men. She just broke-up with my brother, Edward, and Arturo Morales. I reckon she couldn’t decide between the two.”

Ralph Halvorson made the decision—for good or ill, “Let’s ride and offer our services to Christine Clark.”

Season 12—Adventure 7—Saskatchewan Part Deux! Episode 11… As they headed towards Dalton, Saskatchewan, Linda spoke first with both Ralph and Big Mac, the senior members of their gang, “Do you think we can NOT bring Miles to trial? He’s helping us now—at risk of his own life. Perhaps make a deal for either a reduced charge—or no charges at all?”

“Hmmm…” Big Mac pondered this a few minutes, “It may be worth our while to consider this—what do you think, Ralph?”

“I like it!” Ralph replied, “Yes—depending upon how much he helps us. Linda, tell him if he does enough for us, we’ll drop all charges.”

Linda drifted back to Miles Slater and explained the deal, “Well—what do you think about or offer?”

“I think the opportunity not to be hanged—is too good to pass-up,” Slater grinned, “My loyalty is yours.”

“Does Lacy know of your—(a-hem)—attempt at mutiny?”

“No,” he replied, “I’d have had no chance of leaving town if she did.”

“Very well, then, welcome to our little band of troublemakers. Now, how do we cover our being together?”

“That’s easy enough,” Slater smiled, “I was out looking for recruits for our operation and found you. That is part of my job.”

“Well, then, I reckon we’re recruits!”

Meanwhile, Mac and Ralph drifted back in line to speak quietly together, “Aren’t you worried that Lacy might recognize you from the station?”

“No Carl, she was standing further back—I don’t believe she got a good look at me. Besides, I was wearing an eye-shade visor I borrowed from the ticket-agent.”

“You’re sure she didn’t get a good look, then?”

“No, but I’m hoping.”

To be CONTINUED…