THE COTTON IS IN BLOOM

"Looking for a man some call, the Arkansas Kid who rides a black Horse name Jet. You wouldn't happen to have heard of him would you mister?"

"I might have. Depends on who's asking," I answered after recognizing, Butch's voice. "If it's Butch Whitman asking, I would say you found your man. What did you do catch the pony express?"

"Something faster, the McIntyre express," answered Butch as I turned to face him.

"How are you doing, friend? Glad to see you made it in."

"Good, life is good and I'm here ready to help make life good for Ben again."

"I figured Snake would get here ahead of you considering the distance you had to travel compared to him. How did you get here as fast as you did?"

"First class all the way on the fastest train east bound out of San Francisco, The Luke McIntyre special. I told Luke I was coming here to meet with you on urgent business so he took it upon himself to see that I got here as fast as possible by way of his private train."

"Luke McIntyre, what do you know about that. I guess I figured him wrong thinking him to be selfishly rich."

"Tell you what else he done. He ordered the supplies you requested and they're in Wichita waiting at your disposal. Furthermore, he said, if there is anything else you need to get Ben home to let him know. He said if you didn't let him know that he would personally skin you alive and hang you out to dry like a Mexican chili pepper."

"He probably would, too. How did Luke know about the situation with Ben? I didn't mention it in the telegram to you?"

"Money talks and Luke's money speaks any language. There's nothing he can't find out when he wants to know. He sent his best wishes."

"How is Rita, Butch? I know you hated coming here and leaving her behind."

"Rita is fine, Stoney. Matter of fact, she insisted on picking up the tab for the cost of setting Ben free. She wouldn't have it any other way."

"I figured as much, which was one of the reasons I didn't mention the situation in the letter. Anyway, I'm glad you're here. We will assemble tomorrow when Snake gets in. He will be the last of the gang to arrive.

"How was your trip?" I asked Snake when he and his men rode into town.

"Not too bad. Would have been better if I had brought a couple of my girls along. But, being that I was coming to St. Louis, and what I've heard about the women here, it would have been like bringing a single piece of jerky to a Texas cook out."

"What you heard is true. There are more good looking women here than you can shake a stick at."

"Yeah, well, all the way up here all I could think of was Ben in that cage over in Kansas. You know that's really messed up. But if I know you, Stoney, you've got a plan to set this thing straight."

"I've got a plan, but it won't work without you, the rest of the TCG, and the men you brought with you."

"The men were not a problem. All I had to do was tell then you had a job to be done and needed their help. I told then they would get five thousand dollars each once the job was finished."

"I don't have a problem with that. Rita is financing the entire operation, whatever the price tag is."

"Rita Tolentina is putting up the cash? What do you know about that?"

"Yeah, when she found out the situation she insisted. But Snake, her name isn't Tolentina, anymore. It's Whitman. She and Butch are married."

"Well, I guess that's how the tumbleweed tumbles. That's too bad for you, Stoney. I think she would have made you a good wife."

"You'll probably right, but Rose was my choice, and I'm very happy with her. I can't believe one of those fine Mexican senoritas hasn't lassoed your rusty tail by now."

"It's like this. Every time one got close to bridling me, along comes that dog and scares them away."

"Don't tell me. Hard Tack. You've still got old Hard Tack?"

"He's still got me. Turned out to be all right for a half an ear old dog, what can I say."

"I say, a dog knows a dog when he sees one. No, but it's good to know you took him in. He couldn't have found a better master. Did you bring him with you?"

"No, I left him behind to help Pepe look after things. I've got nothing to worry about with those two covering for me while I'm away. Stoney, how long before we're ready to move out for Kansas?"

"Have your men ready day after tomorrow. We'll be set by then."

"OK, you got it. I'll just have Jerry Jones, my ranch foreman who came with me to inform the rest of the men. I brought along eighty-eight of the best guns in Texas. They are camped two miles outside of town waiting on the word from me."

"Thanks, Snake. I knew I could depend on you."

"Hey, I didn't forget my Apache friends. They didn't come with us, but they said whatever they could do to help, that they would. They'll be there for us if the need arises."

"Good job, old friend. Let's join the rest of the gang. They're all waiting inside to greet you. The Cotton is in Bloom."

"We're back together again, guys, but as you can see, we're not whole. There's a missing link in our chain and we're here to put it back. You men know Butch Whitman, and here are some other men I want you to meet who will be with us on this trip. These fellows standing here next to me are Jimmy Anderson, Billy Brown and Horace Webb. Gentlemen, say howdy to the Tall Cotton Gang."