,,! ,,RIFLE

            ,,0,,G>Y ,,PAULS5

              ,PUBLI%$ BY
      ,BANTAM ,D\#"D ,DELL ,BOOKS
                = ,"Y ,P
         ,NEW ,YORK1 ,NEW ,YORK
            ,COPY"R #AIIE BY
              ,G>Y ,PAULS5

     ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N
      9 O!R ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT
             IS PROHIBIT$4

          ,,ISBN #J-DDJ-BAIBJ-E

         ,TRANSCRIB$1 #BJJC1 BY
              ,LADYBUG ,BRL
            ,PORTL&1 ,OREGON

             ,9 ,"O ,VOLUME

       ,BRL PAGES P#A-P#C & #A-HG
           ,PR9T PAGES #A-AJG        P#A
              ,,! ,,RIFLE










              ,D$ICAT$ 6!
                MEMORY (
             ,SCOTT ,B>RETT










                                     P#B
              ,,! ,,RIFLE

           ,,SPECIAL ,,SYMBOLS
         ,,US$ ,,9 ,,? ,,VOLUME

. 7#DF7 ,DECIMAL SIGN


















                                     P#C
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           #A-C

                ,! ,W1PON

  ,X IS NEC 6"K ? RIFLE4
  ,9 #AGFH1 WE/ ( ,PHILADELPHIA1 A MAN
"ND ,CORNI% ,MC,MANUS E/ABLI%$ A NEW
GUNSMI?+ BUSI;S4 ,HE 0 ?IRTY-FIVE YE>S
OLD & _H BE5 AN APPR5TICE & !N AN
ASSI/ANT 6A MA/] GUNSMI? "ND ,JOHN
,WAYNEW"R = NE>LY F\RTE5 YE>S4 ,WAYNEW"R
_H SP5T M* ( 8 LIFE P]FECT+ ! 3CEPT (
RIFL+--PUTT+ A SET ( SPIRAL GROOVES D[N
! BORE (A RIFLE 6SP9 & "!BY /ABILIZE !
PAT*$ BALL Z X
--------------------------------------#D
SP$ ON XS WAY--& X 0 SD T 8 RIFL+ 0
UNIQUE4 ,HE US$ A TWI/ ( "O TURN 9 =TY
9*ES1 SLI<TLY FA/] ?AN O!RS :O MADE
RIFL$ B>RELS1 & ? SLI<T 9CR1SE MADE !
BALL SP9 FA/] & 2COME M /A#1 OR FIX$1 ON
XS TRAJECTORY4
  ,2C RIFL+ (A BORE WAS1 HI/ORIC,Y
SP1K+1 A RELATIVELY NEW 3CEPT--LESS ?AN
A C5TURY OLD--MO/ RIFLES 7 N Z        #A
              ,,! ,,RIFLE            A#D
A3URATE Z !Y CD BE4 ,B -P>$ 6SMOO?BORE
GUNS1 : 7 MO/ DECID$LY .N A3URATE &
ALL[$ BALLS 6WOB# 6! SIDE & ACTU,Y TAKE
(F 9 A CURV$ TRAJECTORY1 RIFLES 7 AN
ENORM\S IMPROVE;T4
  ,B )9 ! FIELD ( RIFL+ "! 0 WIDE V>I.E4
,"S RIFLES 7 N Z A3URATE Z O!RS2 _!
A3URACY 0 BAS$ ON H[ !Y 7 MADE & :O MADE
!M4 ,_M 7 SIMPLY UTIL;Y RIFLES1 GD \
6FIFTY OR SIXTY Y>DS--/ M* BETT] ?AN !
SMOO?BORES--& M5 7 HAPPY ) T1 B N[ & !N
'''
  ,N[ & !N1 ) GRT R>;Y1 "! CAME A BL5D+
( /EEL & WOOD & BRASS &A MAN'S
--------------------------------------#E
K 96"O RIFLE1 :5 X ALL CAME TGR J '''
EXACTLY ''' "R &A W1PON ( S* B1UTY &
A3URACY 0 BORN T X MI<T 2 ACTU,Y
WOR%IP$4
  ,S* RIFLES 7 CALL$ 8SWEET0 & W]E1 ALM
LIT],Y1 PRICE.S4 ,9 T "T W1PONS 7 M* M
IMPORTANT ?AN !Y >E N[--W]E1 9DE$1 VITAL
6SURVIVAL1 = PUTT+ FOOD ON ! TA#1 =
DEF5SE1 = LIFE--&A SWEET RIFLE 0      #B
              ,,! ,,RIFLE            A#E
REV]$ & ADOR$4
  ,:AT MADE S* A RIFLE1 A SWEET RIFLE1 S
R>E IS T EV5 IF A GUNSMI? MADE "O1
A*IEV$ S* A P9NACLE ( >T1 "! 0
ABSOLUTELY NO GU>ANTEE T HE WD "E 2 A#
6D X AG4 ,X 0 SD T A BAD GUNSMI? CD N"E
MAKE A SWEET RIFLE B T EV5 A GRT SMI?
MI<T MAKE ONLY "O 9 8 LIFE4
  ,WAYNEW"R 0 A -PET5T GUNSMI? & CD MAKE
S]VICEA# W1PONS1 B HE LACK$ ! SP>K (
G5IUS T WD MAKE HM BRILLIANT4 ,8 RIFLES
7 PLA91 FUNC;NAL1 DEP5DA#1 & WD N"E 2
SWEET4
--------------------------------------#F
  ,CORNI% ,MC,MANUS 0 "S?+ ELSE AG4
,WAYNEW"R (T5 *A/5$ HM = "DDR1M+1 =
SP5D+ TOO M* "T ON A RIFLE'S =M OR F9I%1
= WA/+ M "T ON SILLY SKET*ES ( NEW %APES
= /OCKS OR TRI7] GU>DS--IN O!R ^WS1 = 2+
>TI/IC4
  ,! TRU? IS T ,CORNI% 0 AN >TI/1 PURE &
SIMPLE2 HE 0 T P]FECT BL5D+ ( >TI/IC
?9K+ & =CE ( H& T X TOOK 6MAKE A SWEET
RIFLE4                                #C
              ,,! ,,RIFLE            A#F
  ,/1 X DID N -E SOON4 ,WAYNEWRI<T HELD
,CORNI% BACK Z L;G Z ! MAN "W$ = HM4
,CORNI% N"E GOT A *.E 6EXPRESS HMF1 &!
SP>K WD H DI$ EXCEPT T 9 ! EV5+S HE SP5T
"T DRAW+ ON SCRAPS ( PAP] T HE HID F
,WAYNEW"R 6AVOID RIDICULE4 ,"! 7 NEW
%APES = RIFLES1 NEW L9ES1 DELICATE
FILIGREE--ALL ! B1UTY HE WANT$ 6PUT
96HIS "W T ,WAYNEW"R HELD BACK SURVIV$ 9
,CORNI%'S DRAW+S1 & :5 X CAME "T = HM
6L1VE & 2 A J\RNEYMAN GUNSMI?1 HE TOOK !
DRAW+S ) HM4
--------------------------------------#G
  ,:5 HE />T$ 8 NEW %OP NE>
,PHILADELPHIA1 ,CORNI% 0 NE> P5NI.S1 &=
NE>LY TWO YE>S HE "W$ ONLY ON BR1D-&-
BUTT] ITEMS--REPAIR1 RETUN+ RIFLES &
%OTGUNS = HUNT]S1 MAK+ *1P TRADE RIFLES
= B>T] )! ,9DIANS--J 6GET BY4 ,Z X WAS1
HE B>ELY KEPT 8 H1D ABV WAT] & 8 >TI/IC
ABILITIES 7 FAD+1 P]H WD H G"O ALT
EXCEPT =A PIECE ( WOOD4
  ,X CAME )A /ACK ( R\<-SAWN 8BLANKS0--
DRY PIECES ( GUN-/OCK WOOD CRUDELY    #D
              ,,! ,,RIFLE            A#G
H& SAWN 0A C>P5T] "ND ,DAVIS SPECIFIC,Y
6SELL 6,CORNI% = USE 9 MAK+ RIFLE /OCKS4
,^! 7 BLOCKY PIECES ( WOOD ONLY J
RECOGNIZA# Z 2+ = GUN /OCKS1 & USU,Y !Y
7 ( PLA9 *]RY OR WALNUT & SUITA# ONLY =
R\< TRADE GUNS4
  ,EXCEPT TI$ 9 ! MI4LE (! BUNDLE 0 A
SPECIAL PIECE ( WOOD4 ,X 0 SIX FEET L;G1
)! GRA9 CURV$ D[N NATUR,Y ": ! BUTT1 OR
%\LD] PIECE1 CAME BACK1 & :5 HE PULL$ X
F ! BUNDLE X SEEM$ 6-E ALIVE 9 8
--------------------------------------#H
H&S4 ,! FEEL+ 0 S />TL+ T HE DROPP$ !
BLANK BACK ON ! PILE4 ,Z HE PICK$ X UP
AG HE SAW T X 0 A SLAB ( WELL-DRI$
MAPLE1 B ? 0 N UNCOMMON1 & X 0 N UNTIL
HE LOOK$ CLOS] T HE SAW ! SMALL M>KS
SCATT]$ OV] ! SURFACE (! WOOD & KNEW X 0
A PIECE ( /RIP$ OR 8CURLY0 MAPLE4 ,9 !
R\<-SAWN TEXTURE !Y LOOK$ ALM L
BLEMI%ES1 SC>S1 B HE KNEW !M AT ONCE Z
ALM CLASSIC 8BIRD'S EYES0--T9Y KNOTS T
WD MAKE ! WOOD SEEM SPOTT$ & TIG] /RIP$
:5 X 0 SMOO?-F9I%$ & OIL$4            #E
              ,,! ,,RIFLE            A#H
  ,HE _H N"E SE5 S _M (! SPOTS & /RIPES1
N"E SE5 S* A POT5TI,Y B1UTI;L GUN /OCK1
& HE DECID$ 9 T 9/ANT HE WD MAKE A RIFLE
6MAT* ! /OCK1 WD MAKE ! RIFLE ( 8 DR1MS
& DRAW+S4
  ,& YET X DID N HAPP5 FA/4 ,HE / _H
6LIVE1 6EAT1 & DUR+ ! "DS HE MADE TRADE
GUNS & DID REPAIRS & DID N "W ON 8
SPECIAL RIFLE UNTIL AF ! EV5+ M1L4
,USU,Y X 0 D>K 0!N & HE _H 6"W 9
C&LELI<T1 :
--------------------------------------#I
SL[$ HM / M1 & X 0 P]H ? R1SON1 ! SL[;S
( 8 "W1 T CAUS$ HM 6TAKE EV5 M C>E ?AN
HE WD NORM,Y H TAK54
  ,:AT"E ! R1SON1 HE L+]$ OV] EA* "P (!
RIFLE )A K9D ( LOVE4
  ,MAK+ ! B>REL XF TOOK HM ALM SIX MON?S
( NI<T "W4 ,HE US$ 8 BE/ /EEL /RAP &
HOT-=G$ X >.D A #.CJ-CALIB] TUBE S T X 0
=TY-TWO 9*ES L;G1 !N BOR$ X \
6#.DJ-CALIB] )A L;G DRILL BIT4 ,US+ S* A
SMALL BORE--#.DJ 9*ES 9 DIAMET]--:5 _M
RIFLES & GUNS 7 MADE AT #.EH & EV5    #F
              ,,! ,,RIFLE            A#I
#.GE 9*ES 0 A *ANGE1 B 9 8 EXP]I;E !
SMALL] BORE SEEM$ 6?R[ BALLS ) M
A3URACY1 & HE WANT$ ? RIFLE 6BE N J
B1UTI;L B Z CLOSE 6P]FECTLY A3URATE Z HE
CD MAKE X4 ,:5 ! BLANK B>REL 0 =M$ &
HAMM]-WELD$ >.D ! BORE TUBE1 HE REMOV$ !
TUBE & TRU$ ! B>REL )A ?9 ?R1D L9$ ON
ALL SIDES & D[N ! C5T] (! BORE 6MAKE
C]TA9 X 0 /RAI<T4 ,TRUE+ AL"O TOOK
-------------------------------------#AJ
WEEKS1 "W+ LATE1 & :5 HE R1*$ T /AGE HE
/ DID N H A F9I%$ B>REL B RE,Y ONLY "O T
_H />T$4
  ,0H& HE DRAW-FIL$ ! \TSIDE (! B>REL 6H
SIX FLAT SIDES1 TRUE+ )! ?R1D Z HE "W$ S
! FLATS 7 P]FECT & EQUAL1 & ANO!R TWO
MON?S _H G"O1 "W+ 9 ! EV5+S 9 ! YELL[
LI<T F ! C&LES4
  ,FALL CAME & HE %D H G"O HUNT+ 6/OCK
UP ON V5ISON =! W9T]1 B "W [N$ HM N[ &
EA* "D HE AWAK5$ ?9K+ N ( :AT HE WD D 9
! "D B LAT]1 9 ! YELL[ LI<T F ! TALL[
C&LES4
  ,)! B>REL =M$ &! \TSIDE FIL$ &      #G
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#AJ
H&-BU6$1 HE "W$ AT ! RIFL+1 & "H AG FATE
/EPP$ IN4 ,HE _H BE5 "W+ ) SL[] TWI/S1 &
HE DECID$ ) ? NEW RIFLE HE WD G )
,WAYNEW"R'S FA/] TWI/ ( "O TURN 9
?IRTY-FIVE 9*ES4 ,HE DID N "K X B X 0 !
P]FECT TWI/ =A #.DJ-CALIB] BORE %OOT+ A
PAT*$ BALL ) BLACK P[D]4
  ,! RIFL+ 0 D"O )A L;G WOOD5 ROD
-------------------------------------#AA
T _H ADJU/A# %>P5$ /EEL TEE? 9 A FIXTURE
AT "O 5D4 ,! ROD _H A SPIRAL GROVE D[N
"O SIDE T FIT 96A CIRCUL> HOLD]1 & Z !
ROD 0 PU%$ D[N 96! B>REL1 A SMALL METAL
PEG 5GAG$ ! GROOVE & CAUS$ ! ROD 6ROTATE
Z X 0 PU%$4
  ,T5 PU%ES1 UNTIL ! /EEL TEE? ON ! ROD
_H MADE ! 2G9N+S ( F\R RIFL+ GROOVES 9 !
BORE (! B>REL4 ,!N ! TEE? 7 ADJU/$ 6CUT
A T9Y BIT DEEP]--LL M ?AN SCRAT*ES AT
F/--& T5 M PU%ES1 !N ADJU/1 & T5 M2 TWO
:OLE WEEKS ( EV5+S UNTIL HE HELD ! B>REL
UP 6! C&LE & LOOK$ D[N 6SEE ! CL1N L&S &
GROOVES ( F9I%$ RIFL+4 ,B N Q1 N Q D"O
YET4 ,! METAL (! RIFL+ 0 / SLI<TLY    #H
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#AA
R\<1 ) T9Y SCRAT*ES F ! CUTT+ TEE?1 &
,CORNI% US$ A RAMROD & RAG SOAK$ 9 L>D &
V F9E /RA9$ S& US$ = BLOTT+ 9K1 & HE
POLI%$ ! BORE UNTIL X %"O L SILV]--A
WEEK'S "W4
  ,)! BORE D"O1 HE ?R1D$ "O 5D & SCREW$
9 A BREE* PLUG )A TANG /ICK+ BACK
-------------------------------------#AB
6ATTA* 6! WOOD & !N F>!R UP1 AL;G !
BOTTOM (! B>REL1 HE MADE ?REE CROSS
GROOVES ) WID5$ BOTTOMS 6HOLD ! METAL
KEYS T WD A6IX ! RIFLE 6! WOOD (! /OCK4
  ,/ ! "W ON ! B>REL 0 N F9I%$4 ,CORNI%
BU6$ ! /EEL )! F9E S& & !N F9] S&--Z F9E
Z FL\R--RUNN+ A RAG FILL$ )! S&-DU/ BACK
& =? ON ! B>REL UNTIL ! FLATS SEEM$ 6BE
SMALL MIRRORS T CAU<T ! LI<T Z HE TURN$
! RIFLE NE> ! C&LE4
  ,:5 ! /EEL 0 %9$ & CL1N$1 HE SET X
ASIDE & W5T 6HIS NEI<BOR1 :O _H A C[ =
MILK1 & CAPTUR$ TWO QU>TS (! C['S UR9E 9
A WOOD5 BUCKET4 ,2C (! SMELL ! NEXT /EP
_H 6BE D"O \TSIDE1 & HE DID X ! FOLL[+
"D1 TAK+ A R>E "D AWAY F 8 NORMAL     #I
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#AB
"W "T4
  ,HE H1T$ ! B>REL UNTIL X 0 NE>LY R$1
!N SOAK$ X )A RAG DIPP$ 9 ! UR9E4 ,! /1M
T CAME UP ALM MADE HM GAG1 B HE
-------------------------------------#AC
KNEW :AT F9I% HE WANT$ & HE REP1T$ !
PROCESS EI<T "TS1 REH1T+ ! B>REL EA* "T
=A FRE% COAT ( UR9E1 WIP+ X ON )! /1M+1
/9K+1 SMOK+ RAG1 MOV+ X ALW )! L;G
DIREC;N (! B>REL UNTIL ! ACIDS & -P.DS 9
! UR9E _H REACT$ )! HOT /EEL 6OXIDIZE X
& MAKE X A DEEP PLUM-BR[N COLOR4
,SATISFI$ Z LA/ T ! B>REL 0 D>K 5\<1 HE
LET X COOL1 WIP$ X )A CL1N S(T RAG & !N
ANO!R RAG IMPREGNAT$ ) REF9$ COOK+
GR1SE4
  ,! B>REL 0 B1UTI;L4 ,! GR1SE COAT$ &
SOAK$ 96! COLOR (! /EEL 6MAKE X SEEM
DEEP & RI*1 S T HE CD LOOK 96! /EEL XF1
& HE WRAPP$ ! B>REL 9 A PIECE ( %EEPSK9
)! WOOL 9W>D & SET X ON A TOP %ELF ( 8
SMALL %OP :ILE HE "W$ ON R\<+ \ ! /OCK4
  ,HE US$ SMALL H&SAWS & *ISELS 6C>VE !
R\< %APE (! /OCK4 ,X 0 ! FA%ION !N   #AJ
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#AC
6H ! BUTT1 ! "P T W5T BACK 6! %\LD]1
DROP A GRT D1L 6GIVE ! /OCK
-------------------------------------#AD
A M ELEGANT CURVE D[NW>D4 ,? 0 ! ME?OD
US$ 9 ,EUROPE ) GUNS1 & _M SMI?S 9 !
COLONY COPI$ X1 ?9K+ X MADE =A BETT]
W1PON4 ,9 TRU? ,CORNI% _H F.D ! EXTRA
DROP 6! /OCK GAVE ! /OCK A SORT ( L"EAGE
T CAUS$ A RIFLE 6B\NCE SLI<TLY UP :5 X 0
FIR$1 : DIM9I%$ A3URACY1 &! RECOIL
SLAMM$ BACKW>D H>D] 2C (! ANGLE4
  ,= ? R1SON HE REV]S$ ! PR9CIPLE & _H !
/OCK ONLY DROP HALF Z M* Z USUAL4 ,?
M9IMIZ$ ! KICK (! RIFLE & AT ! SAME "T
HELD ! B>REL M /1DY1 & :ILE 9 XF X WD
P]H N H MADE A DI6];E1 ? A4$ 6! EXTRAL;G
B>REL1 SMALL BORE1 & FA/-TWI/ RIFL+ ALL
CAME TGR 6MAKE A UNIQUE FIRE>M4
  ,X 0 / F> F F9I%$4 ,! WOOD _H 6BE
GROOV$ 6LET ! ?REE FLATS (! B>REL SETTLE
9 PROP]LY1 & HE /RUCK A C5T]L9E & US$ A
CORRECTLY %AP$ BURR--A K9D ( PU%-PULL
*ISEL--6MAKE ! GROOVE4 ,"H HE RAN
96TR\#4 ,!                           #AA
              ,,! ,,RIFLE            #AE
MAPLE 0 S1SON$ 6A ROCK H>D;S--"S MAPLE 0
ACTU,Y CALL$ ROCK MAPLE--& HE RE%>P5$ !
BURR _M "TS :ILE CUTT+4 ,AL !
BIRD'S-EYES 7 SMALL KNOTS & KNOTS 7 ALW
H>D] ?AN ! SURR.D+ WOOD & T5D$ 6SPLIT AT
ODD ANGLES4 ,2C X 0 S DI6ICULT HE "W$ M
SL[LY1 & 2C ( ?1 :5 HE AT LA/ _H !
GROOVE 6MAT* ! B>REL1 HE _H N"E _H S* AN
A3URATE FIT4 ,! B>REL SEEM$ W$D$ 6!
WOOD4
  ,%AP+ ! RE/ (! /OCK 0 M DI6ICULT YET4
,! RIGID;S (! WOOD &! HUNDR$S ( SMALL
KNOTS F"\ HM ALL ! WAY1 =C$ HM 6USE H&
RASPS & FILES 6GET ! CURVES & %APES HE
WANT$1 & :5 ! /OCK 0 AT LA/ R\<$ 96%APE
& X 0 "T 6FIT ! LOCK & TRI7] 6! /OCK &
B>REL1 HE _H -E 6NE>LY HATE ! WOOD = XS
/U2ORN;S4
  ,! FUNC;N (A FL9TLOCK RIFLE 0 SIMPLE4
,P[D] WD 2 PUT D[N ! BORE1 A PAT*$ BALL
ON TOP ( X PRESS$ FIRMLY 96POSI;N1 !N 9
A LL PLACE ON ! LOCK ANO!R SMALL AM.T (
-------------------------------------#AF
P[D] GR.D M* F9] ?AN ! P[D] 9 !      #AB
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#AF
MA9 *>GE WD 2 PLAC$ 2L A /RIK+ PLATE 9 A
SMALL CUP CALL$ ! PAN4 ,! HAMM] HELD A
PIECE ( FL9T 9 A SMALL VISE1 & "! 0 A
T9Y HOLE DRILL$ F ! PAN "? ! SIDE (!
B>REL 96! *AMB] ": ! MA9 *>GE WAIT$4 ,:5
! HAMM] 0 COCK$ &! /RIK+ PLATE 7CALL$ A
FRIZZ57 0 PLAC$ OV] ! P[D]1 ! PIECE 0
R1DY 6FIRE4 ,PULL+ ! TRI7] DROPP$ !
HAMM]1 ! FL9T /RUCK ! FRIZZ51 %[]+ SP>KS
D[N 96! F9ELY GR.D P[D]1 : DETONAT$ &
%OT A PI]C+ JET ( 9T5SELY HOT FLAME "? !
LL HOLE 96! MA9 *>GE1 : 9 TURN SET X (F
& PROPELL$ ! BALL \ (! B>REL4
  ,X ALL S.DS V SL[-FIR+ B 9 R1L;Y1 IF X
IS ALL D"O CORRECTLY--IF ! P[D] IS DRY &
9 GD %APE1 IF ! FL9T IS CL1N &)A NEW %>P
$GE1 IF ! FRIZZ5 IS WIP$ DRY )! ?UMB J
2F FIR+1 IF ! SPR+ ON ! HAMM] IS /R;G &
SLAMS ! FL9T H>D AG/ ! FRIZZ51 & IF !
P[D] IS POSI;N$ CORRECTLY 9
-------------------------------------#AG
! PAN--X IS NE>LY 9/ANTANE\S4 ,"! IS NO
4C]NI# PAUSE F :5 ! TRI7] IS PULL$ &!
RIFLE FIRES4                         #AC
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#AG
  ,B )A FL9TLOCK "! >E NO UNIMPORTANT
"PS4 ,! LOCK1 ! TRI7]1 ! POSI;N (! LOCK
&! PAN AG/ ! B>REL1 ! /R5G? (! SPR+S1 !
SPE$ (! HAMM] FALL1 ! CRISP;S (! LET-(F
(! TRI7]--E S+LE ?+ MATT]S OR ! RIFLE W
N FIRE CORRECTLY &1 EV5 IF X "SH[ DOES1
X W MISS4
  ,S9CE MISS+ C M1N />V+ OR EV5 D1?1 NO
%ORTCUTS C 2 TAK51 & ,CORNI% W5T 6"W EA*
NI<T )A QUIET 9T5S;Y T (T5 LEFT HM )A
H1DA*E & PA9 9 BACK ( 8 EYES F SQU9T+ 9
! DIM LI<T F ! C&LES4
  ,HE "W$ ON ! LOCK1 H& FIL+ ! %APE &
TEMP]+ ! SPR+S1 NI<T AF NI<T UNTIL X FIT
P]FECTLY 9 ! 9LETT$ SIDE (! /OCK & NE/L$
SNUGLY AG/ ! B>REL4
  ,! HAMM] HE %AP$ )A S]P5T9E JAW AT !
5D 6HOLD ! FL9T & POSI;N$ !
-------------------------------------#AH
JAW S T X HELD ! FL9T AT A SLI<T BACK
ANGLE F ! FRIZZ51 S T :5 X /RUCK X AL
SCRAP$ & A4$ 6! NUMB] ( SP>KS4
  ,0%AP+ ! TOP (! TRI7] 9 A FLATT5$
MANN]1 HE MADE X N 6H MOVE;T4 ,:5    #AD
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#AH
! TRI7] 0 PULL$ "! 0 AN EV5 H>D;S 6X--HE
E/IMAT$ ?REE P.DS--& !N SU45LY X LET (F
&! HAMM] DROPP$ ) NO?+ SEEM+ 6H MOV$ AT
ALL4
  ,HE US$ F9ELY POLI%$ BRASS =! BUTT
PLATE--ORNATELY CURV$ 6CUP ! %\LD]--&!
PAT* BOX ON ! SIDE (! BUTT & ON ! KEYS T
HELD ! B>REL 6! WOOD Z WELL Z ! CAP AT !
5D (! WOOD & B>REL 6JO9 !M ) AN OP5+ =!
HOLE T RAN 2N ! B>REL GROOVE 6HOLD !
HICKORY RAMROD4 ,:5 X 0 ALL FITT$ &
JO9$1 HE SP5T A MON? ( NI<TS SMOO?+ !
WOOD 6A M># F9I% & POLI%+ ! BRASS UNTIL
X %"O L GOLD1 & F9,Y HE RU2$ W>M$
BEESWAX 96! WOOD (! /OCK UNTIL ! GRA9 &!
BIRD'S-EYES SEEM$ 6JUMP \ (! WOOD4
-------------------------------------#AI
  ,! LA/ ?+ HE DID 0 6DRILL ! T9Y HOLE F
! PAN "? ! SIDE (! B>REL =! JET ( FLAME
6LI<T ! MA9 *>GE4
  ,&! RIFLE 0 D"O4 ,X 0 EASILY ! MO/
B1UTI;L RIFLE HE _H "E MADE & HE ?"\1
TRY+ 6BE OBJECTIVE1 T X MI<T 2 ! MO/
B1UTI;L RIFLE HE _H "E SE54 ,HE      #AE
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#AI
C>E;LLY PLAC$ X ON WOOD5 PEGS COV]$ )
BITS ( LAMB'S WOOL OV] 8 "WB5* S HE CD
SEE X Z HE "W$ ON TRADE GUNS & REPAIRS4
,_M :O CAME 6! %OP SAW ! RIFLE & ADMIR$
X & (F]$ 6BUY X1 B HE 0 TOO CLOSE 6X &
?"\ X WD 2 L SELL+ AN 9FANT OR "SBODY HE
LOV$1 S HE HELD BACK--?\< HE CD USE !
M"OY 2C HE _H DECID$ X 0 "T 6TAKE A
WIFE4
  ,2SS1 "! REMA9$ ! F9AL TE/1 ! FIR+ (!
RIFLE1 & /RANGELY HE 0 RELUCTANT 6D ?1
HESITAT$ ALM 9 A K9D ( FE> T HE WD F9D
"S FLAW4 ,IF X DID N %OOT /RAI<T1 !N X
DID N MATT] H[ B1UTI;L X WAS--A RIFLE
-------------------------------------#BJ
M/ "W1 M/ DELIV] ! BALL 6! "R PLACE OR X
0 WOR?.S4
  ,B "! CAME A "D1 AN AFN :5 8 "W 0
CAU<T UP Z M* Z X WD "E 2 &! SUN 0 HI< &
"! 0 NO W9D1 A B1UTI;L SUMM] "D1 & HE
DECID$ 6TRY ! RIFLE4
  ,HE TOOK X F ! PEGS & RAN A CL1N PAT*
D[N ! BORE 6REMOVE ANY RESIDUE ( GR1SE4
,HE SELECT$ A PIECE ( BLACK FL9T F   #AF
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#BJ
,5GL&--! BE/ FL9T / CAME F "!--& %AP$ X
C>E;LLY 6FIT ! JAWS (! HAMM] & TI<T5$ X
96PLACE1 HELD 9 ! JAWS )A S(T PIECE (
BUCKSK94
  ,HE _H N"E /RUCK ! FRIZZ5 & HE DID S
N[1 COCK+ & LETT+ ! HAMM] FALL ON !
UNLOAD$ RIFLE1 & 0 GRATIFI$ 6SEE T 8
ID1S _H BE5 "R &! EMPTY PAN 0 VIRTU,Y
%[]$ 9 SP>KS4
  ,HE _H BURR$ \ A #.DJ MOLD = BALLS--
ACTU,Y MAK+ X SLI<TLY SMALL] S "! WD 2
ROOM =A MATTRESS-TICK+ PAT*--& TWO EV5+S
-------------------------------------#BA
E>LI] _H RUN A HUNDR$ BALLS ( PURE S(T
L1D4 ,HE _H KEPT !M 9 A SMALL BOX FULL (
RAG WA/E S !Y WD N ROLL AG/ EA* O!R &
GET FLAT-SID$1 & HE TOOK ! BALLS1 !
RIFLE1 8 MA9 *>GE P[D] HORN & SMALL]
HORN = PRIM+ OR PAN P[D]1 & MOV$ 96!
BACK ( 8 %OP4
  ,8 SMI?Y 0 SET ON ! $GE (
,PHILADELPHIA & "! 7 NO CAB9S F>!R \ ?AN
8 YET4 ,"! 0 A CLE>+ AB SIXTY Y>DS ACR1
": HE KEPT A SMALL G>D51 & HE MOV$   #AG
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#BA
6! F> SIDE ( X1 ": HE _H SET A PO/ =
T>GETS4 ,ON A HAT*ET-FLATT5$ PIECE ( LOG
HE DREW A ;,V--EA* LEG FIVE 9*ES HI<--)A
/UB ( *>COAL & TI$ ! LOG V]TIC,Y 6HIS
T>GET PO/1 & !N HE PAC$ (F ?IRTY L;G
/EPS4
  ,X 0 CLOSE 6%OOT1 B HE KNEW IF ANY
]RORS 7 6%[ !Y WD 2 EASI] 6SEE AT CLOSE
RANGE4
  ,HE 0 O4LY--3SID]+ H[ M* HE LOV$
FIRE>MS--A BAD %OT4 ,HE _H "W$ AT X =
YE>S1 B HE / WAV]$ & CDN'T GET !
-------------------------------------#BB
TIM+ "R 6SQUEEZE ! TRI7] :5 ! SI<TS 7 J
"R1 S HE DIDN'T TRU/ HMF & ALW %OT (F A
RE/ 6MAKE SURE 8 [N MOVE;T DIDN'T A6ECT
! WAY A RIFLE P]=M$4
  ,HE SET UP A /OOL )A CRUDE TA# &A L1!R
BAG FULL ( DIRT 6RE/ ! B>REL (! RIFLE ON
& *>G$ ! BORE )A BRASS M1SURE & DRY P[D]
F 8 HORN4
  ,HE 0 N C]TA9 H[ M* P[D] 6USE 2C X 0
S* A SMALL BORE1 B HE _H X 9 8 M9D T !
BALL %D SP9 FA/] ?AN NORM,Y1 : WD    #AH
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#BB
RET>D X SLI<TLY & REQUIRE M P[D]1 S HE
PUT 9 :AT WD 2 A USUAL *>GE =A #.EJ-9*
BALL4
  ,!N HE US$ A PAT* GR1S$ 9 BE> GR1SE1
PUT X ACR ! BORE1 & PU%$ ! BALL D[N--2+
C>E;L 6KEEP ! 8SPRUE10 OR ": ! MOLD _H
LEFT A M>K F P\R+1 /RAI<T UP--6/>T X ) 8
?UMB1 J 6": X D5T$ ! PAT* 96! B>REL
SLI<TLY4
  ,HE US$ ! RAMROD 6PU% ! BALL SMOO?LY
D[N ! BORE 6RE/ ON ! P[D]1 SETT+ X
-------------------------------------#BC
)A FIRM PU%--N JAMM+ X OR SLAMM+ ! ROD
96X1 : WD UPSET ! BALL OR GIVE X A FLAT
SIDE & *ANGE ! WAY X FLEW4
  ,9 ALL ( ? HE TOOK 8 "T1 ?\< HE 0
ANXI\S1 & X 0 A FULL FIVE M9UTES 2F HE
_H ! RIFLE *>G$ ) P[D] 9 ! PAN &! HAMM]
DRAWN BACK4
  ,HE _H US$ CURV$-UP SIDES1 CALL$
HORNS1 =! RE> SI<T &A SMALL ,G]MAN SILV]
BLADE =! FRONT1 & HE RE/$ ! B>REL (!
RIFLE ON ! DIRT BAG & SETTL$ ! SI<TS ON
! ;,V T /OOD ?IRTY Y>DS AWAY4 ,HE    #AI
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#BC
TOOK A BR1?1 LET HALF ( X SL[LY \1 HELD
X1 & SQUEEZ$ ! TRI7]4
  ,! RIFLE CRACK$--R ?AN ! M ?UMP+ BOOM
(! L>G] BORES--& HE 0 GLAD 6NOTE T
IGNI;N 0 9/ANTANE\S &! RECOIL /RAI<T
BACK 96HIS %\LD]4
  ,HE CD N SEE ": ! BALL HIT4 ,X 0 TOO
SMALL 6%[ ! HOLE 9 ! GRE5 WOOD ? F>
AWAY1 B HE KNEW T "O %OT DIDN'T M1N
ANY?+4 ,X TOOK ?REE %OTS 6/RIKE A
PATT]N1 6%[ H[ A W1PON WD "W1 & HE LOAD$
!
-------------------------------------#BD
RIFLE EXACTLY ! SAME WAY TWO M "TS1 HELD
! SI<T EXACTLY ! SAME1 & %OT EXACTLY !
WAY HE _H FIR$ 2F4
  ,)! ?IRD %OT HE SET ! W1PON C>E;LLY
D[N & WALK$ 6! T>GET & 0 CRU%$ 6SEE T "!
0 ONLY "O HOLE AT ! PO9T (! ;,V ": HE _H
AIM$4 ,X DID N SEEM 3CEIVA# T ! O!R TWO
BALLS _H -PLETELY MISS$ ! LOG & HE _H A
MO;T ( ALM CRIPPL+ 4APPO9T;T1 A BRIEF
?"\ ( ALL ! MON?S & MON?S ( "W = "S?+ T
0 NO M ?AN A PRETTY TOY4 ,A RIFLE    #BJ
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#BD
T WD N %OOT4
  ,!N HE SAW T ! SIDE (! BULLET HOLE
SEEM$ ODD1 SMUDG$ & PULL$ SLI<TLY 6!
SIDE1 N ! N1T R.D HOLE T A BALL %D MAKE4
  ,CD X 2 POSSI#1 HE ?"\--CD M ?AN "O
BALL H G"O 9 ! SAME HOLE8 ,) TREMBL+
F+]S--HE _H N"E HE>D ( S* A ?+1 A RIFLE
S 3SI/5T & A3URATE T X %OT 9 ! SAME
HOLE--HE US$ A SMALL *ISEL 6CLE>
-------------------------------------#BE
AWAY WOOD & BITS ( SPL9T]$ L1D1 & :5 HE
0 D"O HE F.D N TWO B ?REE BALLS SMA%$1
SWAG$ 96! LOG "O ALM EXACTLY ON TOP (!
NEXT4
  ,HE CDN'T 2LIEVE X1 ?"\ X M/ 2 "S K9D
( FLUKE4 ,P]H HE _H US$ A BIT ( LOG )
BALLS ALR FIR$ 96X--?\< HE KNEW HE
_HN'T1 HE / CD N 2LIEVE :AT _H HAPP5$4
,HE DECID$ 6TRY X AG )A FRE% PIECE (
WOOD & HE DID S1 TAK+ C>E 6AIM
DELIB]ATELY & SQUEEZE ! TRI7] SL[LY1 & ?
"T "! 0 NO D\BT4
  ,! HOLE 0 N Q TRUE1 ALM TWO BALLS
WIDE1 B ALL ?REE (! BALLS _H G"O 9   #BA
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#BE
VIRTU,Y ! SAME PLACE & HE KNEW T HE _H
D"O "S?+ V GR& 9 MAK+ ? RIFLE1 & T EV5+
:ILE HE CL1N$ X ) W>M WAT] & REGR1S$ !
BORE ) /RA9$ BE> GR1SE 6KEEP RU/ F
HAPP5+1 T NI<T HE KNEW HE WD N"E 2 A#
6SELL X4
  ,B ! RIFLE 0 N ! ONLY ?+ 65T]
-------------------------------------#BF
,CORNI%'S LIFE !N4 ,! "D AF HE F.D H[
SWEET ! RIFLE WAS--%OOT+ ?REE BALLS 9 !
SAME SPOT--! NEXT "D HE MET ,CL>A4
  ,X 0 N LOVE AT F/ SI<T4 ,CL>A 0 TOO
PRACTICAL = T4 ,%E CAME ) H] "F 6PICK UP
8 F[L+ PIECE T ,CORNI% _H REPAIR$4
,CORNI% CD N TAKE 8 EYES (F ,CL>A & :5
HE SMIL$ AT H] & NO4$1 %E SMIL$ BACK 9 A
WAY T M1NT S M*4
  ,CORNI% CAME 6CALL1 & !N CAME 6C\RT &
SIT ON A B5* & WAT* ! EV5+ SUN SET )
,CL>A1 & :5 HE ASK$ = H] H& %E SD YES &
H] "F SD YES & ,CORNI% KNEW HE WD NE$
M"OY 6/>T A FAMILY4
  ,HE _H NO?+ 6SELL EXCEPT ! RIFLE4
  ,AT ! BACK ( 8 "WB5* ON ! WALL     #BB
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#BF
HE _H PE7$ ! TWO T>GET LOGS )! HOLES %[+
& _H ! RIFLE LY+ ACR !M & HE _H /OPP$
C.T+ ! M5 :O CAME & WANT$ 6BUY X4 ,ALW
HE FELT A PANG--Z IF !Y WANT$ 6BUY 8 SON
OR DAU<T]--& ALW HE SD NO1 NO1 HE WD
KEEP X A :ILE4
-------------------------------------#BG
  ,B N[ X 0 DI6]5T4 ,N[ "! 0 ,CL>A & _!
NEW LIFE1 & HE DECID$ 6SELL ! RIFLE4 ,/
HE FELT X %D N J 2 A "W GUN1 N A GUN 6H
NE>BY :5 Y PL[4 ,? RIFLE1 HE ?"\1 0
DE/9$ = "S?+ M1 "S GRT ?+1 & HE 0 ?9K+ ?
"O MORN+1 ONLY ?REE "DS 2F !Y PO/$ !
W$D+ BANNS1 :5 ,JOHN ,BYAM CAME 96HIS
%OP4 ,\TSIDE1 ,CORNI% CD SEE TWO HORSES1
"O )A SA4LE & "O ) PACKS BUNDL$ & COV]$
) H1VY1 GR1S$ CANVAS4
  ,BYAM _H A RIFLE B X 0 AN OLD
,P5NSYLVANIA--L>GE BORE--&! RIFL+ 0
NE>LY G"O F 3/ANT RU2+ )! RAMROD4 ,M ?AN
_M M51 ,JOHN LIV$ 2C ( 8 RIFLE4 ,HE 0 A
"Y MAN1 UNSETTL$ & GIV5 6RUNN+ ! RIDGES
& C.TRY (! WE/--96WE/]N ,P5NSYLVANIA &
EV5 2Y4 ,HE DID N SP1K M*1 WORE      #BC
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#BG
BUCKSK9S T SMELL$ ( WOOD SMOKE & DE]
BLOOD1 & WALK$ 9 MO3AS9S S WORN 8 FEET
CD NE>LY 2 SE5 "? !M4 ,HE DIDN'T SP1K M*
B :5 HE H&$ 8 RIFLE
-------------------------------------#BH
OV] 6,CORNI% 6GET ! RIFL+ REBOR$ 6A L>G]
SIZE1 HE LOOK$ UP & SAW ! SWEET RIFLE ON
! TWO T>GET LOGS4
  8,MADE ) YR H&S80 HE ASK$4
  ,CORNI% NO4$4
  8,IS X A GD PIECE80
  8,X'S A SWEET %OOT]1 V SWEET40
  8,IS X (F]$80
  ,CORNI% NO4$ SL[LY1 AG/ 8 W4 8,X
DEP5DS4 ,:AT C Y (F]80
  ,HE :ISP]$1 ALM A HISS4 8,ANY?+ ,I H40
  ,CORNI% _H BE5 LOOK+ D[N AT ,BYAM'S
RIFLE &! 9T5S;Y 9 8 VOICE MADE ,CORNI%
LOOK UP SU45LY4 8,Y "K RIFLES80
  ,BYAM IGNOR$ HM4 8,MI<T ,I SEE '''
HOLD X80
  ,=A MO;T ,CORNI% HESITAT$1 !N TOOK !
RIFLE D[N & H&$ X 6,BYAM4 ,BYAM LOOK$ AT
! B>REL4 8,X'S SMALL '''0            #BD
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#BH
  8,2C X'S M1NT 6BE SMALL4 ,! SIZE (!
BALL IS BAL.ED '''0
  8''' 0! SPE$ & A3URACY40 ,BYAM NO4$4
-------------------------------------#BI
8,I H ?"\ A SMALL] BORE IS BETT]1 B
NOBODY MAKES !M4 ,OR DID4 ,DOES X %OOT Z
PURE Z X LOOKS80
  ,CORNI% PO9T$ 6! TWO T>GET LOGS4
8,?REE BALLS 9 EA* HOLE40
  8,H[ F>80
  8,?IRTY PACES40
  8,C ,I %OOT X80
  ,AG ,CORNI% HESITAT$1 B HE ?"\ ( ,CL>A
&! NE$ 6SELL ! RIFLE--& !N TOO "! 0 "S?+
AB ? "Y MAN1 ? ,BYAM4 ,HE DIDN'T J HOLD
! RIFLE S M* Z FIT ) X 9 "S WAY1 Z IF !
W1PON 7 SIMPLY AN EXT5.N ( 8 >MS1 8
BODY4
  ,CORNI% NO4$4 ,BYAM EXP]TLY RAN A DRY
PAT* D[N ! BORE (! RIFLE1 P\R$ P[D] F 8
[N HORN 96! CUPP$ PALM ( 8 H& =A M1SURE1
P\R$ X D[N ! B>REL1 TOOK A PAT* F 8
BULLET P\* &A BALL F ,CORNI%1 S1T$ !
BALL1 TURN$ ! RIFLE AWAY1 /EPP$      #BE
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#BI
\TSIDE1 & AIM$ 96! WOODS & OP5$ !
-------------------------------------#CJ
FRIZZ51 TAPP$ A FEW GRA9S ( F9E P[D] 96!
PAN1 & RAIS$ ! RIFLE1 AIM$ ACR ! CLE>+4
8,! :ITE LIMB1 T D1D "O4 ,I'LL CUT X40
  ,CORNI% SQU9T$1 !N SAW X--X _H 6BE
EI<TY PACES4 ,EV5 F A RE/ HE CDN'T HIT X
& HE D\BT$ ? ,BYAM CD4 8,%OOT CLOS]--0
  ,2F HE CD F9I%1 ! RIFLE CRACK$ &
,CORNI% SAW ! LIMB J]K & FALL 6! GR.D4
  8,SWEET10 ,BYAM SD1 NO4+4 8,L H"OY F A
TREE AF A L;G1 D1D W9T]4 8,I'LL BUY X40
  8,WE HAV5'T 4CUSS$ WOR?10 ,CORNI% SD4
8,N[ ! WAY ,I VIEW X '''0
  8,ON MY PACKHORSE ,I H ALL MY CUR$
HIDES F LA/ S1SON4 ,A YE>'S "W4 ,! PACK
IS YRS =! RIFLE4 ,& ,I'LL GIVE Y MY OLD
"O40
  ,CORNI% ?"\ A MO;T4 ,T 0 EASILY TWICE
:AT ! RIFLE WD BR+ F ANYBODY ELSE1 &
,BYAM TOOK ! HESIT,N WR;G1 TOOK X Z A
NEGATIVE ANSW] & A4$1 8,I'LL ?R[ 9 !
PACKHORSE Z WELL4 ,! RIFLE M/ 2 M9E40
  ,CORNI% SI<$4 8,X ISN'T ! PRICE1   #BF
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#CJ
X'S ! RIFLE4 ,I'M FOND ( X40
-------------------------------------#CA
  8,Y C MAKE ANO!R40
  8,N L ? "O4 ,NO1 ,I _C40
  ,& ,BYAM GREW QUIET 2C !Y BO? KNEW X 0
TRUE4 ,IF HE LIV$ 6BE A HUNDR$1 ,CORNI%
WD N"E AG -E CLOSE 6! SWEET;S ( ? RIFLE4
,/1 HE 0 6M>RY ,CL>A & HE NE$$ A />T4
8,D"O4 ,Y KEEP ! HORSE40
  8,NO1 ,I SD X & ,I M1NT X40
  8,T WD N 2 FAIR4 ,Y KEEP ! HORSE &
,I'LL TAKE ! PACK1 Z Y SD F/4 ,T W 2 5 &
M ?AN 5\<40
  ,&! BUSI;S 0 D"O4 ,BYAM UNLOAD$ !
PACKHORSE & TOOK ! RIFLE & BALL MOLD1 A
SMALL KEG ( P[D]1 & TW5TY PIECES ( BLACK
FL9T1 & LEFT2 & N ONCE DUR+ ! TRANSAC;N
DID ,CORNI% TAKE 8 EYES (F ! RIFLE & EV5
:5 ,BYAM LEFT1 RODE (F 96! WOODS L1D+ !
PACKHORSE )! RIFLE ACR 8 LAP1 EV5 !N
,CORNI% WAT*$ X1 WAT*$ ! RIFLE UNTIL !
TREES CLOS$ 9 & HE CD N SEE X ANY L;G]4
,NOR 0 X D"O YET4 ,HE MISS$ ! RIFLE &
OV] ! NEXT "DS F.D HMF LOOK+ UP ":   #BG
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#CA
X _H HUNG1
-------------------------------------#CB
EXPECT+ 6SEE X & 4APPO9T$1 ALM GRIEV+ :5
HE DIDN'T4 ,AT LA/ HE SD 6HMF1 HALF
AL\D4 8,5\<4 ,HE'S G"O 9 ! WOODS &
PROBABLY DROPP$ ! RIFLE (F A CLIFF 0N[40
  ,HE 0 WR;G4 ,NO?+ HAPP5S 9 A VACUUM4
,:ILE HE "W$ ON ! RIFLE ,CORNI% 0 9 FACT
DE/9$ 6MEET ,CL>A & FALL 9 LOVE1 & :ILE
HE "W$ ON ! RIFLE1 ,5GL&--RI4L$ 9 FE> T
! COLONIES 9 ,AM]ICA WD GR[ 6DOM9ATE &
\TPRODUCE & TAKE OV] ! _W1 : 9 FACT IS
EXACTLY :AT HAPP5$--2GAN 6ADD TAXES
6,COLONIAL PRODUCE & PRODUCTS 6TRY 6HOLD
!M D[N4 ,) ? !Y =BADE ! ,AM]ICANS 6SELL
ANY": B 6C]TA9 M>KETS 9 ,5GL& ": !
PRICES 7 KEPT VICI\SLY L[1 & -P.D+ !
PRO#M !Y ?REW AN A4$ TAX ON TEA T 0 LL M
?AN C\PL+ 9SULT 69JURY4
  ,:ILE ,CORNI% "W$ ON ! RIFLE "S M5 9 !
,AM]ICAN COLONIES RIOT$1 "S DI$1 %OT D[N
0,BRITI% SOLDI]S2 "S M5 MET 9 A HOT1
MU7Y MEET+ HALL 9 ,PHILADELPHIA & 4CUSS$
                                     #BH
              ,,! ,,RIFLE            #CC
A DECL>,N "O ( !M1 A MAN "ND ,JE6]SON1
_H P5N$ PROCLAIM+ 9DEP5D;E F ,5GL& OR
ANY =M ( TYRANNY4
  ,ALL ( ? L$ 6A W>4 ,! ,AM]ICANS CALL$
X A ,W> ( ,9DEP5D;E1 A ,REVOLU;N>Y ,W>1
B 6,5GL& X 0 SIMPLY A REVOLT4
  ,_H ,JOHN ,BYAM 3T9U$ MOV+ BACK 96!
WOODS1 N"O ( ? WD H A6ECT$ HM1 NOR !
RIFLE4 ,B Z HE LEFT ,CORNI%1 "K+ ALM
NO?+ ( :AT _H BE5 TRANSPIR+ =! PA/ TWO
YE>S1 HAV+ LIV$ 9 ! WILD];S Z HE _H1 HE
CAME 6A =K 9 ! TRAIL T L$ 6! "R1 & EV5 ?
MAY N H MATT]$ EXCEPT T X 0 ON ? SAME "D
T ! ,BRITI% SOLDI]S F.D /OR$ P[D] & L1D
ON ! ,BA9BRIDGE F>M4
  ,BYAM'S TRAIL L$ 6! ,BA9BRIDGE F>M &
HE KNEW ! ,BA9BRIDGES SLI<TLY Z A QUIET
C\PLE :O SPOKE LL & "W$ H>D4 ,HE _H
/OPP$ "! & BE5 GIV5 A HOT M1L ON ! WAY
IN--Z1 9DE$1 ! ,BA9BRIDGES PROVID$ = ALL
TRAVEL]S :O PASS$ BY4 ,BA9BRIDGE 0 A
NICE MAN1 &
-------------------------------------#CD
9 FACT X 0 ? NICE;S T L$ HM 6TR\#4   #BI
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#CD
,M5 _H -E 9 ! NI<T1 M5 ) TIR$ HORSES &A
WAGON ) %RUNK5 & LOOS5$ SPOKES1 & ASK$
6BURY _! C>GO--S"EAL HUNDR$WEI<T ( L1D &
CO>SE-GR.D CANNON P[D]--AT ! ,BA9BRIDGE
F>M UNTIL !Y CD -E BACK = X4 ,BA9BRIDGE
CD H GUESS$ ! P[D] 0 = CANNON1 CD H "KN
X 0 6BE US$ 6FI<T ! ,BRITI%1 B HE IGNOR$
X & SIMPLY NO4$4 ,HE WAS1 AF ALL1
,AM]ICAN 2F HE 0 ,BRITI%--:Y %DN'T HE
HELP8
  ,B "SBODY TALK$ &A 3T+5T ( ,BRITI%
SOLDI]S CAME J AN H\R 2F ,BYAM & F.D !
/ORE ( MUNI;NS4
  ,_! LAWS 7 /RICT & PLA93 ANYBODY CAU<T
HELP+ ! REBELS ) FOOD1 HORSES1 %ELT]1 &
ESPECI,Y >MS 0 SUBJECT 6SUMM>Y JU/ICE
)\T TRIAL & IMM EXECU;N 0HANG+4
  ,Z ,BYAM />T$ 96! CLE>+1 R\<LY TWO
HUNDR$ Y>DS F ! H\SE1 HE SAW TWO SOLDI]S
SETT+ ,BA9BRIDGE ON TOP (A HORSE )A ROPE
>.D 8 NECK & 8 >MS TI$ 6! RE>4 ,8
-------------------------------------#CE
WIFE 0 /&+ 6! SIDE1 H] H&S CLASP$ 9
FRONT ( H] M\? 9 A D\# FI/1 TWO      #CJ
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#CE
SOLDI]S 9 R$ COATS HOLD+ H]4
  ,BYAM DID N ?9K AB :AT HE 0 DO+ EXCEPT
6"K T "SH[ HE CD N LET ,BA9BRIDGE 2
HANG$4 ,! RIFLE SNAPP$ UP1 ALM 0XF2 !
T9Y BLADE (! FRONT SI<T SETTL$ ON !
(FIC] SITT+ ON 8 HORSE NE>BY1 ! SI<T
RAIS$ SLI<TLY 6-P5SATE = 4T.E1 &! RIFLE
CRACK$--"O CL1N1 SMACK+ SLAP ( S.D ACR !
CLE>+4
  ,! BALL TOOK ! (FIC] 9 ! ?ROAT1 J 2L !
,ADAM'S APPLE1 CUTT+ "? AT A TRANSV]SE
ANGLE 6SNAP ! SP9E & :IP ! MAN F 8 HORSE
Z IF HIT 0A GIANT H&4 ,HE 0 D1D 2F HE
HIT ! GR.D4
  ,! AC;N DID N SAVE ,BA9BRIDGE4 ,! S.D
(! RIFLE />TL$ ! HORSE HE 0 SITT+ ON & X
JUMP$ =W>D1 \ F 2N ,BA9BRIDGE1 :O PIT*$
AT AN ANGLE & BROKE 8 NECK & HUNG "! DY+
:ILE =A /UNN$ SECOND A HALF-DOZ5 ,BRITI%
SOLDI]S LOOK$ F ,BA9BRIDGE
-------------------------------------#CF
KICK+ & DY+ 6_! (FIC]1 :O 0 ALR D1D &
BROK5 ON ! GR.D1 & !N UP 6! CL\D ( SMOKE
T HUNG ": ! RIFLE _H FIR$4           #CA
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#CF
  ,B ! SURPRISE 0 ONLY = AN 9/ANT4 ,!Y
W]E1 AF ALL1 SOLDI]S & US$ 6REACT+
6DANG]1 & QKLY ! S]G1NT ASSUM$ -M& &
PO9T$ AT ! SMOKE4 ,BYAM 0 HOPE.SLY \ (
RANGE =! SMOO?BORE W1PONS (! SOLDI]S 6H
ANY A3URACY1 B !Y RAIS$ & FIR$ ON -M& &
HE HE>D ! BALLS :I/L+ Z !Y W5T PA/ HM1
OV] HM1 TWO SKIPP+ 9 ! DIRT WELL \ 9
FRONT ( HM1 & HE AL HE>D A GRUNT Z "O (!
BALLS HIT 8 HORSE HI< 9 ! *E/4
  ,! W.D 0 MORTAL4 ,BYAM CD FEEL ! HORSE
SA7+ & HE JUMP$ FREE (! SA4LE Z ! ANIMAL
HIT ! GR.D & !N ?+S 2GAN 6HAPP5 V FA/4
,! SOLDI]S ALL _H HORSES & !Y M.T$1 H1D$
\ ACR ! FIELD T[>D ,BYAM4
  ,HE CD RELOAD1 HE KNEW1 & P]H GET TWO
( !M 2F !Y CLOS$ ON HM B T WD
-------------------------------------#CG
L1VE F\R & !Y WD GET HM4 ,HE PULL$ A
L;G-BLAD$ KNIFE F 8 BELT & SLA%$ ! EMPTY
PACKSA4LE F ! PACKHORSE1 GRA2$ ! MANE )
"O H&1 & SWUNG UP B>EBACK4 ,"! 0 NO "T
6*ANGE ! SA4LE F ! DY+ HORSE 6!
PACKHORSE4 ,NO "T N[ = ANY?+ B       #CB
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#CG
RUNN+4 ,HE ?REW "O QK LOOK AT ! F>M/1D
": ,BA9BRIDGE'S WIFE--N[ A WID[--WAS
TRY+ 6UNTIE ! ROPE HOLD+ H] HUSB&1 !N 6!
SIX M.T$ SOLDI]S GALLOP+ AT HM ACR !
FIELD1 & HE :EEL$ ! PACKHORSE1 /E]+ ) 8
KNEES1 & TORE (F DIRECTLY 96! WOODS1 (F
! TRAILS4
  ,Z X 0 !Y NE>LY TOOK HM4 ,BYAM _HN'T
"T 6RELOAD1 NOR D ANY?+ B RUN1 HOLD+ !
RIFLE ) "O H& &! HORSE'S MANE )! O!R1
SLAMM+ ! HORSE'S RIBS ) 8 HEELS1 WI%+ HE
_H SPURS4
  ,! ,5GLI% SOLDI]S DID H SPURS & RAK$
_! HORSES 6M SPE$ & WD H CAU<T ,BYAM
EXCEPT T HE SU45LY FELT ! HORSE DROP \ F
2N HM 96A T5-FOOT-DEEP RAV9E4
-------------------------------------#CH
,! PACKHORSE 0 SUREFOOT$ AF ALL ! M.TA9
"W HE _H D"O TRAPP+ & HE L&$ CL1NLY1
PIVOT$1 & RAN (F D[N ! FLOOR (! RAV9E Z
IF HE'D BE5 DO+ X ALL 8 LIFE4
  ,! ,5GLI% HORSES 7 N S GD &! RAV9E
PROV$ A 4A/] = ?REE ( !M1 BR1K+ _! LEGS
ON IMPACT4 ,"O O!R HORSE 0 BADLY     #CC
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#CH
SPRA9$ & MO/ (! RID]S 7 KNOCK$ S5SE.S4
,TWO ( !M 7 ALL "R1 ! S]G1NT & "O
PRIVATE1 B ! S]G1NT %OOK 8 H1D & KILL$ !
*ASE4 X 0 J Z WELL1 =! PRIVATE REMEMB]$
! %OT ,BYAM _H TAK5 ACR ! FIELD & _H
ABSOLUTELY NO DESIRE 6TE> (F AF HM )
ONLY "O MAN4
  ,BYAM W5T FREE4
  ,& ONCE M FATE TOOK OV]4 ,_H HE SIMPLY
MELT$ BACK 96! WOODS HE WD H BE5 F9E4 ,!
SOLDI]S 7 N"E CLOSE 5 6ID5TIFY HM1 7 F
ANO!R SECTOR & ON TEMPOR>Y DUTY4 ,BYAM
WD H VANI%$ 96OBSCUR;Y4
  ,B :5 HE'D RI45 H>D = AN H\R--HE
-------------------------------------#CI
?"\ SIX OR EI<T MILES--HE BUR/ 96A
SMALL] CLE>+1 P]H EI<TY Y>DS ACR1 & F.D
HMF ! C5T] ( ATT5;N = NE>LY A HUNDR$
WELL->M$ M5 ALL DRESS$ 9 GRE5 ) FR+$
COATS1 :O ALL SEEM$ 6BE AIM+ RIFLES AT
,BYAM4
  ,HE :EEL$ ! HORSE 6A /OP & SLID (F4
,:O"E !Y W]E1 !Y W]5'T ,BRITI%1 & :5 "O
( !M /EPP$ =W>D ,BYAM FAC$ HM        #CD
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#CI
OP5LY4
  8,D Y H A "N80 ! GRE5-COAT$ MAN ASK$4
  8,D Y80 ,BYAM SD 0WAY ( AN ANSW]4 ,HE
RELOAD$ :ILE HE SPOKE1 S1T+ ! BALL4 ,HE
0 N YET C]TA9 ! ,BRITI% SOLDI]S W]5'T -+
& HE WANT$ 6BE R1DY IF !Y %D SU45LY BUR/
^U ! SC5E4
  8,I AM ,JOHN10 ! MAN SD & ,BYAM GR9N$4
  8,I AM Z WELL40
  8,>E Y A LOYALI/80
  ,BYAM %RU7$4 8,I DON'T "K4 ,I'VE BE5 9
! =E/ & DON'T "K ! "NS40
-------------------------------------#DJ
  8,D Y FAVOR ! ,BRITI% OR ! FI<T =
9DEP5D;E80
  8,I "K "K+ ( ? 9DEP5D;E Y SP1K (1 B ,I
D N FAVOR ! ,BRITI%40 ,BYAM LOOK$ BACK !
DIREC;N HE'D -E4 8,"! >E "S AF ME40
  ,? CAUS$ A /IR 9 ! M54 ,!Y QKLY L$ _!
HORSES \ (! CLE>+ 96! BRU% AT ! SIDES
EXCEPT =! L1D]1 :O /AY$ ) ,BYAM & ASK$
_M "QS AB ! ,BRITI%--H[ _M1 H[ !Y 7 >M$1
H[ M.T$1 :Y !Y 7 AF ,BYAM4 ,& "H ,BYAM
DECID$ X 0 ALL "R 6TELL ! TRU?4      #CE
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#DJ
  8,I %OT AN (FIC]1 T'S :Y !Y *ASE ME40
,HE QKLY TOLD ! /ORY ( ,BA9BRIDGE 2+
HANG$ & H[ HE _H FIR$4
  8,H[ F>80 ! L1D] ASK$4 8,I "K--KNEW
,BA9BRIDGE WELL4 ,HE 0 A GD FR :O F$ ME
(T5 & ,I "K 8 PLACE4 ,": 7 Y & ": 0 !
(FIC] :5 Y FIR$80
  ,BYAM TOLD HM4
-------------------------------------#DA
  8,T'S TWO HUNDR$ PACES IF X'S A FOOT10
! L1D] SD4 8,>E Y C]TA980
  8,I H _H ! RIFLE B "O "D & D N "K X
WELL YET1 B ,I C TELL Y T ,I H N"E SE5
OR HE>D (A SWEET] "O40
  8,MAY ,I SEE X80
  ,BYAM HELD =A B1T & !N NO4$4 ,HE 0
-PLETELY SURR.D$ 0M5 ) RIFLES & GUNS4
,IF !Y *OSE 6TAKE HM X WD 2 OV] 9 A
SECOND4 ,HE H&$ ! RIFLE OV]4
  ,! MAN NO4$1 HELD ! RIFLE =A MO;T1 &
!N H&$ X BACK )\T LOOK+ AT X4 ,HE _HN'T
C>$ AB ! RIFLE S M* Z ! FACT T ,BYAM WD
H& X 6HM--A K9D ( TE/4
  8,:O >E Y80 ,BYAM ASK$1 TAK+ !     #CF
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#DA
RIFLE BACK 96HIS H&S4 8,& :Y D Y FI<T !
,BRITI%80
  8,WE >E VOLUNTE]S--,MC,N>Y'S ,RANG]S4
,I AM ,MC,N>Y4 ,& WE FI<T ! ,BRITI% =
9DEP5D;E--=A FREE ,AM]ICA40
  ,BYAM 0 SURPRIS$4 8,H[ DID ? -E
-------------------------------------#DB
AB8 ,AM]ICA )\T ,5GL&8 ,H[ C T BE80
  8,H[ L;G 7 Y 9 ! WE/]N =E/S80
  ,BYAM FR[N$1 ?9K+4 8,TWO YE>S &A BIT
M4 ,I CAME \ ONCE 6G 6A TRAD]1 B "! 0 NO
TALK ( FI<T+ ! ,BRITI%40
  8,WELL "! IS N[4 ,& L X OR N Y'RE 9 !
?ICK ( X--KILL+ A ,BRITI% (FIC]4 ,!Y'LL
2 HUNT+ Y H>D40
  ,BYAM LOOK$ BACK ! WAY HE _H -E4 8,I'M
N AN EASY MAN 6CAT*40
  8,/1 !Y'LL -E = Y4 ,:Y N RIDE ) U80
  8,Y80
  8,:AT'S AG/ X8 ,WE EAT :5 WE C1 FI<T
:5 WE C--& "!'S SAFETY 9 NUMB]S4 ,WE'RE
A H>D-MOV+1 H>D-FI<T+ SET ( VOLUNTE]S40
  8,": >E Y B.D =80
  8,S\?4 ,G5]AL ,WA%+TON IS D[N      #CG
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#DB
0,NEW ,YORK & WE ?"\ 6JO9 HM "! & HELP
-------------------------------------#DC
! CAUSE4 ,WE CD USE ANO!R RIFLE1
ESPECI,Y IF Y C %OOT ! WAY Y SAY Y C40
  8,IS "! A SA4LE = ME8 ,I _H 6L1VE M9E
:5 !Y %OT MY HORSE40
  8,A SA4LE1 CUP1 SPOON1 & B[L--& ALL !
DRY P[D] & PURE L1D Y'LL NE$40
  8,WELL !N1 D"O & D"O10 ,BYAM SD4 8,X
S.DS "R40
  ,& S X PROV$ 6BE1 AT L1/ =A "T4 ,BYAM
TOOK ! SA4LE !Y GAVE HM--&! SPOON1 CUP1
& B[L--& JO9$ !M ON ! RIDE 6,NEW ,YORK4
  ,_H !Y RI45 /RAI<T "? &! ROADS BE5 GD
!Y MI<T H D"O X 9 T5 "DS 6TWO WEEKS4
  ,B X RA9$ &! ROADS 7 LL M ?AN MUD
TRAILS & !Y 3/ANTLY RAN 96,BRITI%
PATROLS4 ,USU,Y ! PATROLS 7 SMALL & !Y
BRU%$ !M ASIDE AF BRIEF FI<T+--LL M ?AN
HIT-&-RUN SKIRMI%ES--& ALW ! RIFLE (
,BYAM SPOKE & ALW "O OR TWO ,BRITI%
-------------------------------------#DD
(FIC]S W5T D[N1 TAK5 CL1NLY & (T5 AT L;G
RANGES4                              #CH
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#DD
  ,ONCE !Y 5C.T]$ A FULL -PANY ( ,BRITI%
REGUL>S :O GAVE !M A /IFF FI<T & WD H
D"O M DAMAGE--! RANG]S LO/ ?REE M5 KILL$
& SIX M W.D$--B ! ,BRITI% 7 ON FOOT &!
RANG]S ESCAP$ ON _! HORSES 2F !Y CD 2
P9N$ D[N4
  ,Z X WAS1 ! TRIP 6,NEW ,YORK TOOK
CLOSE 6SIX WEEKS--RA91 MUD1 & FI<T+ ALL
! WAY--& :5 !Y >RIV$ !Y F.D ,WA%+TON
LOCK$ 9 A /ALEMATE T 0 LL M ?AN TR5*
FI<T+4
  ,SITT+ 9 MUD TR5*ES 6FI<T A L;G-SU6]+
W> ": AN 5EMY Y CDN'T SEE LO2$ MORT> &
CANNON %OT 96Y AT ODD 9T]VALS DID N SUIT
! FREE-ROV+ _S (! VOLUNTE]S & !Y *AF$ AT
! BIT 6BE LOOS$ 6FI<T _! [N WAY4
  ,ALL1 T IS1 B ,BYAM4 ,! SITU,N 0 ALM
P]FECT = 8 ABILITIES4 ,! ,BRITI% &
,COLONIAL
-------------------------------------#DE
L9ES 7 ?REE HUNDR$ Y>DS A"P1 GIVE OR
TAKE A BIT ( WOB# 9 TR5*ES1 &! /ATIC
FI<T+ M1NT T M5 GREW C>E.S4 ,! ,5GLI%
SIMPLY CDN'T 2LIEVE X POSSI# 6%OOT   #CI
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#DE
A RIFLE--OR :AT !Y CALL$ A GUN--M ?AN
EI<TY OR N9ETY Y>DS & !Y VIEW$ ! 4T.E 2T
! TR5*ES Z 2+ ?REE "TS Z F> Z A GUN CD
%OOT4 ,3SEQU5TLY1 !Y (T5 /OOD & EXPOS$
!MVS 6POSSI# FIRE1 2LIEV+ !Y 7 SAFE4
  ,! (FIC]S SEEM$ 6BE "PICUL>LY >ROGANT
& WD SIT _! HORSES WELL ABV ! TR5*ES1
SEEM+LY 2LIEV+ !Y 7 BULLETPRO(1 & ,BYAM1
Z "O (! ,COLONIAL MILITIAM5 PUT X1 8M[$
!M D[N L SUMM] GRASS 2F ! SCY!40
  ,T !Y DID N LE>N AMAZ$ HM4 ,ALM DAILY
HE TOOK AN (FIC] OR S]G1NT1 ,BYAM MOV+
AL;G 8 [N TR5*ES1 WAIT+ QUIETLY1 SIPP+
FRE% WAT]1 & *EW+ ON A PIECE ( BR1D
UNTIL AT LA/ ! P]FECT %OT CAME 6HM1 ?REE
-------------------------------------#DF
HUNDR$--ONCE J "U F\R HUNDR$--Y>DS AWAY1
AN (FIC] SITT+ ON A HORSE1 LOOK+ "? A
BRASS TELESCOPE OR SCANN+ A MAP4
  ,! RIFLE WD -E UP1 SETTLE ON ! LOG
BULW>K AT ! FRONT (! TR5*1 & POISE :ILE
,BYAM AIM$ & SQUEEZ$4 ,!N ! CRACK--HI<-
PIT*$1 KE5+--&! JET ( SMOKE &A SECOND
LAT] ! (FIC] SLUMP$ OR FELL OR 0     #DJ
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#DF
PU%$ BACK 0! BALL HITT+ A B"O ON XS WAY
"?4
  ,ONCE ?REE (FIC]S4 ,! F/ "O D[N1 !N HE
WD RELOAD :ILE !Y /AY$ 6HELP ! D1D "O1
&A SECOND "O D[N1 & F9,Y ! ?IRD "O1 TAK5
Z HE SWUNG 6LOOK AT ! ,AM]ICAN L9ES1 "K+
T X WASN'T AN A3ID5TAL %OT1 T HE 0 !
NEXT1 & !N HE 0 D[N Z WELL4
  ,BYAM WAS1 -PLETELY1 D1DLY--S M* S T A
PRISON] TAK5 9 0A PATROL SD T ! ,BRITI%
HI< -M& 0 TOLD 69/RUCT (FIC]S H1D+ =!
FRONT 6MAKE C]TA9 _! WILLS 7 D"O & ALL
?+S 7 9 ORD] ) _! FAMILIES = SURELY !Y
WD DIE 2C ! 8RU6IAN
-------------------------------------#DG
,AM]ICANS0 DID N "K H[ 6FI<T PROP]LY & 7
CRUDELY AIM+ _! FIRE AT ! (FIC]S 8)
TELL+ E6ECT40
  ,& "! 0 TRU? 9 ! /ATE;T4 ,MILITIAM5
FI<T+ 9 ! ,3T95TAL >MY RECOGNIZ$ T !
,BRITI% F"\ RIGIDLY1 FOLL[+ ! -M&S ( _!
(FIC]S S CLOSELY T "O MAN JOK+LY SD IF !
FRONT RANK WALK$ (F A CLIFF ! :OLE
REGI;T WD FOLL[ !M4 ,X 0 P]H N T     #DA
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#DG
BAD1 B !Y 7 V ATTUN$ 6:AT _! (FIC]S TOLD
!M 6D1 &! ,AM]ICANS QKLY F.D T IF !
(FIC]S 7 G"O ! M5 ACT$ 9 "S 3FU.N4
  ,N ALL ! ,AM]ICANS _H RIFLES--AL? A GD
_M DID--&(! "OS :O _H RIFLES N "O 9 A
?\S& %OT Z SWEET Z ,BYAM'S4 ,B !Y 7 ALL1
ALM 6A MAN1 A3U/OM$ 6LIV+ )A GUN & _!
W1PONS 7 /A7]+LY M A3URATE ?AN ^? (!
,BRITI%4 ,9 FACT _M (! ,BRITI% SOLDI]S
?"\ "! 0 "S?+ UNNATURAL AB X1 "S /RANGE
& SAVAGE ?+ T ALL[$ ,AM]ICANS 6HIT S
WELL4
-------------------------------------#DH
  ,& HIT !Y DID4 ,BYAM 0 PROBABLY ! BE/
B "! 7 _M--HUNDR$S--:O 7 AL %>P%OOT]S1 &
!Y AIM$ F/ AT (FIC]S--ALW AT (FIC]S4
  8,X IS D1? = AN (FIC] 6RAISE 8 H1D10
"O LIEUT5ANT WROTE HOME4 8,BALLS -E ?ICK
Z BEES40
  ,SOON ,BYAM'S ABIL;Y--& 8 RIFLE--W]E
LEG5D>Y4 ,HE 0 FA/ 2COM+ A FOLK H]O &
"EYBODY WANT$ 6"K ! GUNSMI? :O MADE !
RIFLE4 ,BYAM TOLD !M B 0? "T ! ,BRITI%
_H F.D ,CORNI%1 DECID$ HE 0 A        #DB
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#DH
TRAITOR 6! ,CR[N & MAK+ RIFLES =!
,REVOLU;N1 & MADE ,CL>A A WID[ 0HANG+ HM
6! TREE \TSIDE 8 GUN %OP4
  ,NOR WD ,BYAM F>E M* BETT]4 ,MO/
SOLDI]S DI$ N ( W.DS F BATTLE B F
DYS5T]Y &! RESULT+ DEHYDR,N F DI>RHEA4
7,? 0 TRUE LAT] 9 ! ,CIVIL ,W> Z WELL &
0 ONLY /OPP$ :5 ! WOM5--"MS (
SOLDI]S--OBJECT$ & MADE ! >MY 84COV]0
HYGI5E & SANIT>Y FOOD PREP>,N47
  ,BYAM DRANK DIRTY WAT] & 3TRACT$
DYS5T]Y4
-------------------------------------#DI
,TWO M5 HELP$ HM 6! RE> ": A DUG\T _H
BE5 FA%ION$ =! SICK4 ,HE LAY FEV]$ &
DIRTY = ?REE "DS--! RIFLE NE> HM1 HELD
0HM = ALM ! 5TIRE "T--& !N DI$ :ILE
SU6]+ AGONIZ+ CRAMPS4
  ,BYAM 0 BURI$ 9 A GRAVE ) SEV5 O!R "Y
M5 :O _H DI$ ( ILL;S1 COV]$ ) QKLIME
64SOLVE ! BODY--! ?9K+ 0 X KEPT ! 41SE F
SPR1D+--& 8 HI/ORY 5DS "!4
  ,B ! RIFLE 3T9U$4 ,"O (! M5 :O HELP$
HM 6! DUG\T CAME BACK :5 HE HE>D     #DC
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#DI
,BYAM 0 D1D & ASK$ AF ! RIFLE4 ,A MI4LE-
AG$ LADY "ND ,S>AH TOLD HM X 0 G"O B %E
LI$4
  ,%E KNEW "S?+ ( RIFLES4 ,H] HUSB&--2F
8 D1? "S YE>S E>LI]--_H RUN ! WOODS L
,BYAM1 & %E _H HE>D ( ,BYAM'S RIFLE &
:AT HE _H D"O4
  ,%E _H TWO SONS :O _H J JO9$ !
,3T95TAL >MY & _H TAK5 ! RIFLE = "O (
!M4 ,B !Y N"E SAW ! RIFLE 2C !Y
-------------------------------------#EJ
7 BO? KILL$ 0AN EXPLOD+ >TILL]Y %ELL !
"D 2F %E 0 6MEET !M4
  ,9 GRIEF %E W5T HOME 6H] N[ EMPTY F>M
9 :AT WD 2COME ,3NECTICUT4 ,%E TOOK !
RIFLE ) H] & )\T M* ?"\ PUT X 2T TIMB]S
9 H] ATTIC & PROMPTLY =GOT X4
  ,%E DID N D WELL4 ,! D1? ( H] SONS
LEFT H] 9 A P]MAN5T AIR ( DESPOND5CY &
)9 ! YE> %E DI$--X 0 SD (A BROK5 HE>T--&
)\T ANY HEIRS 7NEI ( H] SONS _H M>RI$ &
%E _H NO DAU<T]S72 ! H\SE 0 SOLD AT
PUBLIC AUC;N4
  ,A W1L?Y BA*ELOR B"\ X1 MOV$ IN1   #DD
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#EJ
& LIV$ 8 LIFE )\T "E LOOK+ 9 ! ATTIC4
,HE DI$ 9 #AHDC1 & LEFT NO HEIRS Z WELL4
,AG ! H\SE 0 SOLD AT AUC;N1 ? "T GO+ 6AN
ELD]LY C\PLE :O AL DID N LOOK 2T !
RAFT]S 9 ! ATTIC1 & AF !N ANO!R MI4LE-
AG$ C\PLE1 !N X 2CAME A PLAY COTTAGE =A
W1L?Y ,NEW ,YORK FAMILY1 :O HELD X =
?REE G5],NS--N"E *ECK+ ! ATTIC--UNTIL X
-------------------------------------#EA
0 SOLD 6AN $ITOR F A ,NEW ,YORK PUBLI%+
FIRM4
  ,X 0 N[ #AIIC1 &! $ITOR _H TWO *N--A
BOY &A GIRL1 ! GIRL EI<T &! BOY T5-- & X
0 !Y :O EV5TU,Y SN1K$ 96! ATTIC & 4COV]$
! RIFLE4
  ,X _H SURPRIS+LY LL DAMAGE = S L;G A
"T4 ,BYAM _H KEPT X GR1S$1 RU2+ ! GR1SE
WELL 96! WOOD & /EEL4 ,S _M "TS _H HE
D"O ? T ! METAL & WOOD BO? ABSORB$ !
GR1SE & MADE X IMP]VI\S 6\TSIDE DAMAGE4
,! GR1SE _H DRI$ B / PROTECT$1 & :5 !
$ITOR WIP$ ! RIFLE )A DAMP RAG ! /EEL &
BIRD'S-EYE PATT]N 9 ! WOOD %"O 9 ! LI<T4
  ,HE WANT$ 6HANG ! RIFLE OV] !      #DE
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#EA
*>M+ /"O FIREPLACE--8X LOOKS S ''' S
,AM]ICAN10 HE SD--B 8 WIFE HAT$ GUNS1
EV5 OLD GUNS1 EV5 OLD GUNS T %E AGRE$
MI<T 2 ANTIQUE & SEEM$ 6BE PRETTY1 & AT
LA/ HE AGRE$4
  8,GET RID ( X10 %E SD4 8,"R AWAY4 ,I
DON'T WANT A GUN 9 ? H\SE40
-------------------------------------#EB
  ,HE F.D X H>D 6MAKE ! GUN G AWAY4 ,HE
?"\ ( SELL+ X B DIDN'T "K :O WD BUY X &
SUSPECT$ X MI<T 2 ILLEGAL ANYWAY4 ,F9,Y
HE W5T 6AN ANTIQUE /ORE & SOLD X "! =
TW5TY-FIVE DOLL>S--8,X'S J A PIECE (
JUNK10 ! /ORE [N] SD1 8N WOR? M '''0
  ,B HE LI$4 ,HE SOLD ! RIFLE TWO "DS
LAT] = TWO HUNDR$ DOLL>S 6A MAN F
,KANSAS ,C;Y :O 0 ON A TRIP & :O 0 A
COLLECTOR ( FIRE>MS4 ,! ,KANSAS ,C;Y MAN
KNEW "S?+ ( GUNS & SUSPECT$ ? MI<T 2 A
GD RIFLE B DIDN'T "K = SURE Z "! 0 NO
DATE ON ! W1PON4
  ,X DIDN'T MATT] 2C HE FULLY 9T5D$
6SELL ! RIFLE AT A GUN %[ 9 ,>KANSAS ON
8 WAY HOME = ?REE OR F\R HUNDR$      #DF
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#EB
DOLL>S & TAKE 8 PR(IT & T WAS1
PRECISELY1 :AT HE DID4 ,HE ALL[$ HMF 6BE
HA7L$ D[N 64#CEJ & C.T$ X A GD SALE1
SELL+ ! RIFLE 6A MAN APPROXIMATELY
?IRTY-FIVE YE>S OLD1 :O _H HAIR CUT V
%ORT & 0 WE>+ A BASEBALL CAP )A ,N,NAL
,RIFLE ,ASSOCI,N EM#M ON X &A
-------------------------------------#EC
VE/ ) SLOGANS SEWN ON ! BACK D1L+ )
S"EAL ASPECTS ( GUN [N]%IP4
  ..,I'LL GIVE UP MY GUNS :5 Y PRY !M F
MY COLD1 D1D .F+]S4
  ,&3
  ..,IF GUNS >E \TLAW$ ONLY \TLAWS W H
.GUNS4
  ,&3
  ..,REGI/] CRIM9ALS1 N .GUNS4
  ,8 "N 0 ,TIM ,H>R[4 ,HE 0 ?9 )A SLI<T
GUT F DR9K+ BE]1 & HE ATE1 SMELL$1 &
LIV$ = GUNS--BUY+ & SELL+ !M1 [N+ !M1
%OOT+ !M1 REPAIR+ !M1 & 5D.SLY1 5D.SLY
4CUSS+ !M ) O!R GUN [N]S & 5?USIA/S :O
KNEW Z M* & AL TALK$4 ,TIM POSSESS$ AN
EXTRAORD9>Y AM.T ( K AB GUNS &       #DG
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#EC
BALLI/ICS--BULLET WEI<TS1 MUZZLE
VELOCITIES1 5]GY ON T>GET1 PUN*1
E6ECTIVE RANGE V]SUS A3URATE RANGE1 :AT
! CURVE (A BULLET'S NOSE 0 CALL$ 7!
.SECANT .OGIVE71 H[ M* A BULLET ( :
RIFLE DROPP$ 9 A HUNDR$ Y>DS1 *AMB]
PRESSURES1 H[ M* A BULLET EXP&$ ON
IMPACT ) FLE%1 ) B"O1
-------------------------------------#ED
:AT SIZE W1PON X TOOK 6/OP :AT SIZE GAME
79CLUD+ MAN1 : HE ?"\ ( TE*NIC,Y Z ANO!R
=M ( GAME3 8,A N9E-MILLIMET] IS K9D (
LI<T =A BIG MAN--X'LL KILL HM B N PUT HM
D[N L A MAGNUM074
  ,/A7]+ AM.TS ( 9=M,N 3C]N+ W1PONS & _!
USE SWIRL$ "? 8 H1D1 &) X "! 7 C]TA9
ASPECTS (! ,3/ITU;N & HI/ORY &A L>GE
M1SURE ( ,*RI/ & ,*RI/IAN;Y Z HE ?"\ ( X
S T X ALL ROLL$ 96"O PHILOSOPHY 9 "S WAY
HE CD N DEF9E B KNEW1 0 ABSOLUTELY
C]TA91 0 ! ONLY "R WAY 6VIEW ?+S4
  ,X WAS1 = 9/.E1 5TIRELY POSSI# & 9 8
[N M9D -PLETELY LOGICAL = ,TIM 6EQUATE
KILL+ AN 9TRUD]--HE WD CALL X 8US+   #DH
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#ED
JU/IFIA# D1DLY =CE0--) FREEDOM ( SPEE*1
,*RI/'S T1*+S1 & AN "U/&+ (! TE*NICAL
ASPECTS (! W1PON 2+ US$ 6KILL ! 9TRUD]1
9CLUD+ ": ! BULLET WD HIT & :AT ! E6ECT
7! 8HYDRAULIC %OCK07 ( IMPACT
-------------------------------------#EE
WD BE1 MIX$ 9 )A DOSE ( S5T;ES F !
,3/ITU;N P]TA9+ 6"RS 6PRIVACY &! "R
6KEEP & BE> >MS4
  ,NOR 0 ANY ( ? 9 ! L1/ 3FUS+ 6,TIM OR
ANY (! ?\S&S ( M5--& "S WOM5--HE TALK$
6AT GUN %[S & SWAP MEETS4
  ,TIM VIEW$ HMF Z A 3S]VATIVE :O 2LIEV$
9 ! ,FLAG &! ,C.TRY1 HAT$ TAXES--6!
EXT5T T HE WANT$ 6/OP 9COME TAXES & _H
ACTU,Y ONCE SD1 8,JESUS WD N WANT U 6PAY
TAXES0--& WANT$ 6/OP WELF>E -PLETELY
8EXCEPT1 ( C\RSE1 =! OLD P40 ,) ?
3S]VATIVE VIEW HE AL HELD ! 2LIEF T HE
WD USE 8 GUNS--! NUMB] & TYPE FLUCTUAT$
3/ANTLY B HE N"E _H LESS ?AN TW5TY-FIVE
OR ?IRTY RIFLES1 %OTGUNS1 H&GUNS1 &
SURPLUS MILIT>Y W1PONS--6DEF5D ! C.TRY &
DIE DO+ S IF NE$ BE4 ,HE VIEW$ !     #DI
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#EE
GOV]N;T 9 "S OBSCURE WAY Z AN 5EMY (!
P--ESPECI,Y ,BIG ,GOV]N;T1 Z HE ?"\
-------------------------------------#EF
( X1 "SH[ IGNOR+ T X 0 MADE ( P--& SP5T
A LOT ( "T TRY+ 6AVOID 2+ 3TROLL$ OR
WAT*$ OR EV5 "KN 0! GOV]N;T4
  ,= T R1SON HE LIV$ 5TIRELY ON ! MOVE1
9 A L>GE MOTOR HOME1 N"E CLAIM$ ANY ( 8
9COME1 N"E PD TAXES1 & OP]AT$ Z A K9D (
"UGR.D GYPSY1 SELL+ & BUY+ GUNS & "S"TS
KNIVES--: HE CALL$ 8$G$ W1PONS40
  ,Z F> Z ! GOV]N;T 0 3C]N$1 ONCE HE
SEP>AT$ F ! >MY--) AN HONORA# 4*>GE AF
S]V+ ?REE YE>S AT ,=T ,BLISS1 ,TEXAS1 Z
A CL]K--HE C1S$ 6EXI/4
  ,_H HE "KN ! HI/ORY (! RIFLE--H[ X _H
BE5 "P (! ,REVOLU;N>Y ,W>1 H[ ,BYAM _H
US$ X--HE CD EASILY H WOR%IP$ X4 ,9 8
LIFE1 9 ALL 8 LIFE--OR VIRTU,Y ALL !
LIVES ( ALL ! ?\S&S & EV5 MILLIONS ( M5
:O 7 W1PONS 5?USIA/S1 :O 2LIEV$ 9 ! "R
6KEEP & BE> >MS1 :O SWORE T !Y WD 2
UNSAFE )\T A W1PON1 9 ALL 8 LIFE
                                     #EJ
              ,,! ,,RIFLE            #EG
HE WD N"E NE$ A GUN NOR USE A GUN 6DEF5D
HMF OR 8 PROP]TY4 ,EV5 POLICE (FIC]S1
3/ANTLY "W+ 9 ! >EA ( CRIME & DANG]1 ALM
N"E FIR$ _! W1PONS AG/ M54 ,TIM 0 AT F>
M RISK--X WD 9DE$ KILL HM :5 HE 0
=TY-SIX 9 A HORRIBLY SL[ & PA9;L D1?--F
/OMA* C.ER F ! C>C9OG5S 9 ! BE] HE DRANK
EA* EV5+ AF HE P>K$ 6CAMP2 ! C.ER
VIRUSES 7 M* M AN ACTUAL 5EMY ?AN ANY
SUSPECT$ 9TRUD] & X 0 IRONIC T ,TIM SP5T
S M* 5]GY ON DEF5D+ HMF ) W1PONS &
IGNOR$ ! L>G] DANG] ( DR9K+1 : WD KILL
HM4
  ,6ACTU,Y [N A W1PON1 6HOLD A RIFLE 9 8
H&S T _H BE5 US$ 6HELP MAKE ! C.TRY WD H
BE5 ALM TOO M* = ,TIM 6/&--AK9 6MEET+
,GEORGE ,WA%+TON4
  ,B ,TIM KNEW LL ( ACTUAL HI/ORY EXCEPT
= AN EXTREMELY FOCUS$ IDEA ( H[ GUNS
FIGUR$ 9 X4 ,HE KNEW :AT W1PONS ,CU/] &
8 TROOP]S C>RI$1 = 9/.E1 B N H[ !Y FIT
HI/ORIC,Y--T ! TROOP]S' RIFLES FREQU5TLY
JAMM$
                                     #EA
              ,,! ,,RIFLE            #EH
AF "O OR TWO %OTS &! H&GUNS 7 HOPE.SLY
9A3URATE PA/ TW5TY OR S Y>DS1 OR T A
L>GE NUMB] (! ,9DIANS 7 BETT] >M$ ?AN !
TROOP]S & T _M (! TROOP]S TRI$ 6SURR5D]
& H&$ _! W1PONS 6! ,9DIANS1 OR T ALL !
TROOP]S W5T 96BATTLE WE>+ /RAW BOAT]
HATS 7B>B]%OP QU>TET HATS7 2C _! ISSUE
HATS 7 9ADEQUATELY MANUFACTUR$ 0CROOK$
-PANIES & !Y _H 6BUY _! [N &! /RAW
BOAT]S ONLY CO/ A DIME & KEPT ! SUN \ (
_! EYES1 OR T ALL ( !M 7 V SMALL M51
SELECT$ T WAY S Z 6N TIRE HORSES--N"O (
? 0 "KN 6,TIM4 ,HE KNEW ONLY T ! TROOP]S
C>RI$ #.DE-#.GJ C>B9ES & S+LE-AC;N ,COLT
REVOLV]S &--IN 8 ?9K+--!Y _H ALL DI$
BRAVELY 8) _! BOOTS ON0 DEF5D+ ,TIM'S
SPECIFIC IDEA (! ,AM]ICAN ID1L4
  ,_H HE "KN ! TRUE ID5T;Y (! RIFLE B !N
BE5 TOLD T ! ORIG9AL [N]--A TRUE
,REVOLU;N>Y ,W> H]O--DI$ ( DYS5T]Y ON
DIRTY /RAW SPR1D ON AN E>? FLOOR1 ,TIM
WD
-------------------------------------#EI
SIMPLY H REMEMB]$ ! F/ "P & PUT !    #EB
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#EI
K (! SECOND "P 9 ! BACK ( 8 M9D & =GOTT5
X4
  ,B HE DIDN'T "K :AT ! RIFLE 0 OR ": X
CAME F1 KNEW NO?+ ( ,JOHN ,BYAM OR H[
SWEET ! RIFLE %OT OR H[ _M ,BRITI%
(FIC]S X S5T D[N4
  ,HE J KNEW X 0 OLD & MI<T H "S VALUE1
& HE ?"\ HE WD KEEP X1 AT L1/ =A :ILE4
,S HE SPRAY$ X LI<TLY ) PRES]VATIVE OIL1
9CLUD+ A SQUIRT D[N ! BORE1 WRAPP$ X 9 A
MOI/URE-ABSORB5T CLO?1 TAP$ X ALL TGR1 &
PROPP$ X 9 ! BACK CLOSET ( 8 MOTOR HOME1
& 0! "T HE'D G"O A HUNDR$ MILES D[N !
ROAD H1D+ WE/ 8 ?"\S 7 (F ! RIFLE & ON
6! "D'S NEWS1 ": HE HE>D T A L>GE
RELIGI\S 5CAMP;T 9 ,TEXAS _H BE5 RAID$ &
BURN$ & ALL ! P KILL$ 9 ! AC;N4 ,HE KNEW
NO?+ EXCEPT T !Y _H BE5 RELIGI\S
FUNDA;TALI/S & _H /OR$ L>GE NUMB]S (
W1PONS1 & HE CD N SEE H[ T 0 GR.DS = AN
ATTACK 0! GOV]N;T--HE
-------------------------------------#FJ
VIEW$ HMF ALM EXACTLY ! SAME Z ! ,WACO
P--& MADE A M5TAL NOTE T X 0 J       #EC
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#FJ
ANO!R R1SON 6HATE ! GOV]N;T & :AT !Y 7
DO+ 6P4
  ,HE _H =GOTT5 ! RIFLE -PLETELY 0! "T !
NEWS SPECIAL 0 OV] & AG ! RIFLE SEEM$
6BE DE/9$ 6SP5D A L;G "T 9 D>K /ORAGE4
  ,B "EY?+ C.TS 9 ! "TL9E ( HI/ORY4 ,E
LL ?+ 2COMES ABSOLUTELY VITAL 6! FUTURE4
,S X 0 T IF ,JOHN ,BYAM _H N SWALL[$
DIRTY WAT] HE MI<T H LIV$ _M M YE>S1 OR
HE MI<T H DI$ 9 -BAT1 OR ( TUB]CULOSIS--
: KILL$ HUNDR$S--OR EV5 DI$ ON A LAT] "D
& T WD H *ANG$ ! "T FL[ (! RIFLE & MADE
XS HI/ORY TOT,Y DI6]5T4
  ,J Z N[ ANO!R SLI<T B5D 9 FATE O3URR$4
,Z HE MOV$ "? A SMALL T[N 9 ,MISS\RI !
FUEL PUMP ON 8 MOTOR HOME DECID$ 6GIVE
UP ! <O/ &! HUGE MA*9E /OPP$ D1D AT AN
9T]SEC;N NEXT 6A GAS /,N4
-------------------------------------#FA
  ,X CD H HAPP5$ ANY":1 ANY"T1 B X
DIDN'T4 ,X HAPP5$ ALM 9 ! DRIVEWAY (!
GAS /,N &! MAN :O [N$ ! /,N 0 AL AN
EXCELL5T ME*ANIC4 ,8 "N 0 ,H>VEY ,KL9E B
"EYBODY :O LIK$ HM CALL$ HM ,H>V1    #ED
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#FA
& S9CE "EYBODY :O KNEW HM SEEM$ 6L HM1 T
_H 2COME 8 "N4
  ,HE US$ A T[ TRUCK 6PULL ! MOTOR HOME
UP 96! /,N P>K+ >EA & SOON F.D ! PRO#M 0
! FUEL PUMP4
  8,H[ M* 6FIX X80 ,TIM ASK$1 & 0 /UNN$
:51 AF CALL+ ! "PS /ORES1 ,H>VEY SD1 8,)
LABOR X W -E 6CLOSE ON F\R HUNDR$
DOLL>S40
  8,T'S TOO HI<40
  8,! PUMP IS OV] ?REE4 ,I'M N MAK+ M*
ON LABOR40
  8,I C'T AF=D X40
  ,? 0 A BLATANT LIE4 ,TIM _H OV] TW5TY
?\S& DOLL>S 9 CA% & GOLD 9 ! MOTOR HOME1
HI45 9 SMALL BUNDLES4 ,B HE LIV$ 9 CA% &
HE HAT$ 6SP5D X & HE J KNEW T HE
-------------------------------------#FB
CD "SH[ DICK] ! PRICE D[N OR D A LL
B>T]+4 8,WD Y TAKE A TRADE80
  8,:AT H Y GOT 6TRADE80 ,H>V ASK$1
OP5LY SKEPTICAL4
  ,=A SECOND ,TIM HESITAT$1 B !Y 7 /&+
9SIDE ! /,N & HE SAW A PICTURE ON    #EE
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#FB
! WALL %[+ A FRE%-SCRU2$ ,H>V ) 8 WIFE &
TWO *N1 A BOY ELEV5 OR S &! GIRL P]H SIX
OR SEV54
  8,NICE FAMILY10 ,TIM SD4 8,T'S :AT
MAKES ,AM]ICA GRT--FAMILIES40 ,& !N !
RIFLE POPP$ 96HIS H1D4 ,HE F"\ =!
3NEC;N4 ,FAMILIES1 ,AM]ICAN1 RIFLE--& HE
_H X4 8,FAMILY L T1 Y "\ 6H "S?+ =!
FUTURE1 "S?+ T W GR[ 9 VALUE40
  8,:AT H Y GOT80
  8,J A M9UTE1 ,I'LL GET X40 ,HE W5T 6!
MOTOR HOME & F.D ! RIFLE 9 ! BACK
CLOSET1 TOOK ! RAG (F1 & WIP$ X UNTIL X
%"O & C>RI$ X BACK 96! G>AGE4
  8,? IS A TRUE ANTIQUE1 A COLLECTOR'S
ITEM4 ,X'S
-------------------------------------#FC
WOR? OV] SEV5 HUNDR$ DOLL>S N[ & W 3T9UE
6GR[--"! J >5'T ANY M 2+ MADE40
  8,X'S J AN OLD GUN10 ,H>V SD1 %RU7+4
8,HECK1 !Y'RE ALL OV] ! PLACE40
  8,? "O0--,TIM TOOK A BR1? & LI$1 OR
?"\ HE 0 LY+--8WAS C>RI$ 0A SOLDI] 9 !
,REVOLU;N>Y ,W>40                    #EF
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#FC
  8,NO--Y'RE KI4+40
  8,X'S A FACT4 ,I'VE _H X = YE>S1 PASS$
D[N 9 MY FAMILY40 ,ALL LIES1 ONLY BAS$
ON A TRU? ,TIM DIDN'T "K1 Z HE DIDN'T "K
T ! TRUE WOR? (! RIFLE1 IF X 7 DOCU;T$ &
2+ 9 ! GD %APE X 0 IN1 MI<T 2 9 !
NEI<BORHOOD ( T5 OR FIFTE5 ?\S& DOLL>S4
  ,B IF ,TIM 0 IGNORANT (! VALUE (!
RIFLE1 ,H>V WASN'T4 ,9 A BACKW>D K9D (
WAY HE "U/OOD ! WOR? (! RIFLE1 OR AT L1/
HOP$ ! RIFLE _H WOR? T WD GR[4 ,9 TRU?1
HE 0 LOOK+ = "S?+1 ANY?+ T HE CD PUT
M"OY OR "W 96T WD GR[ & MAYBE
-------------------------------------#FD
HELP 6SAVE FUNDS = 8 *N :5 !Y W5T
6S*OOL4 ,T'S H[ HE ?"\ X3 ,I NE$ FUNDS
=! *N'S COLLEGE4
  ,B HE 0 A PRACTICAL BUSI;SMAN Z WELL &
WASN'T AB 6TAKE A LOSS1 & HE DIDN'T ?9K
! RIFLE 0 WOR? F\R HUNDR$4 8,! RIFLE
ISN'T 5\<--,I H 6LAY \ M"OY =! NEW
PUMP40
  ,TIM WA6L$4 8,I DON'T H ANY?+ ELSE
6TRADE40                             #EG
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#FD
  8,H[ AB A LL CA% &! RIFLE80
  ,TIM HESITAT$ Z IF ?9K+ X OV]--IN TRU?
HE WD SOON] "P ) BLOOD ?AN CA%--& :ILE
HE 0 PAUS+ HE REMEMB]$ ! PA9T+4 ,X 0 ON
BLACK VELVET1 A PA9T+ ( ,ELVIS RID+ A
:ITE WILD HORSE4 ,HE _H TAK5 X 9 ON
TRADE ?9K+ X MI<T 2 WOR? "S?+4
  8,I H AN ORIG9AL OIL PA9T+40
  8,( :AT0
  8,X'S ,ELVIS1 K9D ( RID+ A _S HORSE1
PA9T$ ON BLACK VELVET S X J GL[S4 ,I
TOOK X \ (!
-------------------------------------#FE
FRAME & ROLL$ X UP1 B Y C TACK X 9 A NEW
FRAME40
  ,& T1 WOND];LLY1 /RANGELY1 IS :AT DID
X4 ,H>V1 X TURN$ \1 0 A RABID ,ELVIS FAN
& :5 HE SAW ! PA9T+ HE FAIRLY JUMP$ AT
X4
  ,0#AJ3AE T NI<T HE _H ! NEW FUEL PUMP
9 ! MOTOR HOME & ,TIM 0 ON ! WAY \ (
T[N4
  ,H>V SET ! RIFLE ASIDE & LOOK$ AT !
PA9T+ & WOND]$ H[ X CD 2 T ANYBODY   #EH
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#FE
CD CAPTURE ! ,K+--! D>K1 BROOD+ EYES1 !
HALF-SMILE--S P]FECTLY ON BLACK VELVET 9
COLORS T SEEM$ 6JUMP (F ! PA9T+1 & NO
MATT] : WAY HE TURN$ X ! EYES / FOLL[$
HM4
  ,HE CLOS$ ! /,N AT ELEV5 & 0 NE>LY \ !
DOOR )! PA9T+ ROLL$ UP R"E5TLY "U 8 >M
:5 HE REMEMB]$ ! RIFLE4
  ,HE TOOK X F ! CORN]1 RELOCK$ ! DOOR1
& WALK$ F\R DOORS D[N ! SIDE /REET 6":
HE LIV$ 9 AN OLD WOOD5-FRAME H\SE1
-------------------------------------#FF
": HE HUNG ! RIFLE OV] ! FIREPLACE4 ,8
WIFE DIDN'T ?9K M* ( X EV5 :5 TOLD T
,TIM _H SD X 0 A ,REVOLU;N>Y ,W> W1PON &
%E ?"\ LESS (! PA9T+ ( ,ELVIS T HE WANT$
6HANG ABV ! RIFLE OV] ! FIREPLACE4
  ,B ,H>V DIDN'T C>E4 ,HE LEFT ! RIFLE
ON ! NAILS HE'D PUT 9 ! WALL ABV !
MANTLE & /UCK ! ROLL$-UP ,ELVIS PA9T+ 9
! TOP ( 8 B$ROOM CLOSET UNTIL HE CD GET
A FRAME & W5T 6SLEEP "K+ 9 8 HE>T T HE'D
D"O A GD BUSI;S =! "D1 & "H ! HI/ORY (!
RIFLE1 9 ! PRES5T1 WD H 5D$ AG1 !    #EI
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#FF
RIFLE LY+ ON ! NAILS WAIT+ =! FUTURE
EXCEPT = "O ?+ M4
  ,EXCEPT =! BOY4
----------------------------------#FG-FI
                ,! ,BOY

  ,X IS NEC 6"K ? BOY4
  ,BORN ON A CRISP FALL MORN+1 ON
,OCTOB] #AC1 HE _H "S SMALL SICK;S T
MADE HM KEEP GETT+ E> 9FEC;NS4 ,HE SEEM$
6BE BORN PULL+ AT 8 E> & RUNN+ A FEV]1 &
8 P>5TS NE>LY DI$ ( WORRY :5 HE DEVELOP$
FEV]S F ! E> 9FEC;N & _H 6BE SOAK$ 9 A
TUB ( COOL WAT] 6BR+ 8 TEMP]ATURE D[N
6KEEP ! 3VUL.NS AWAY DUR+ ! F/ TWO YE>S
( 8 LIFE4 ,EV5 !N HE 0 QUIET & R>ELY
-------------------------------------#GJ
CRI$ UN.S "! 0 A GD R1SON1 L ! ENORM\S
NE$LES !Y US$ = GIV+ HM %OTS 6BR+ !
FEV]S D[N F ! E> 9FEC;NS4
  ,RI*>D1 !Y "ND HM--,RI*>D ,ALL5
,MESS+TON1 8 F/ TWO "NS AF 8 "M'S "F1 :O
_H N"E _H A SON & ALW WANT$ "O4 ,HE 0
F\RTE54                              #FJ
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#GJ
  ,RI*>D _H N ALW LIV$ 9 ,MISS\RI4 ,HE'D
BE5 BORN 9 ,COLORADO1 ": 8 P>5TS LIV$
:ILE 8 "F "W$ AT 3/RUC;N1 BUILD+ H\SES
6SELL 6! RI* P :O NO L;G] WANT$ 6LIVE 9
! CITIES & MOV$ 6! M.TA9S4
  ,= 8 F/ SIX YE>S HE LIV$ 9 A LL T[N
"ND ,WILL[ 9 ! M.TA9S WE/ ( ,D5V] :ILE 8
"F "W$ ON H\SES T LOOK$ L !Y 2L;G$ 9 !
,SWISS ,ALPS4
  ,8 *ILDHOOD 0 /RANGE =A "T 2C ! C\PLE
_H A SMALL ,BORD] COLLIE "ND ,SISSY &!
BOY BOND$ 6! ,BORD] COLLIE M ?AN HE DID
6! P>5TS4
  ,SISSY 2CAME 8 BABY-SITT] & 9 "S WAYS
-------------------------------------#GA
8 "M1 &! BOY SP5T _M "DS 9 ! SUMM] W&]+
>.D _! H\SE CLUT*+ ! %\LD] FUR ON !
COLLIE :ILE %E L$ HM 69SPECT ?+S T DOGS
9SPECT--SMELLY PLACES1 9T]E/+ HOLES 9 !
GR.D1 SC5TS ON ! W9D4
  ,HE 2GAN 6?9K DOG 9 ^? "DS & "S"TS1
EV5 UNTIL HE 0 F\R1 IF HE 0 9 ! Y>D &
SMELL$ A NEW ODOR OR "O T MI<T 2 F A GD
TA/E1 HE WD /OP & TURN 8 H1D 6CAT*   #FA
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#GA
! SMELL ON ! W9D ! WAY A DOG DOES X1
TRY+ 6SEE 9 ! DIREC;N (! ODOR1 US+ !
SMELL L A B1CON4 ,HE1 ( C\RSE1 CD N
SMELL Z WELL Z ,SISSY B HE DIDN'T "K T1
& :5 %E WD /OP 6SMELL HE WD TRY Z WELL1
TOTT]+ AL;GSIDE ! DOG1 MOV+ 8 NOSE ? WAY
& T 6CAT* ! SMELL4
  ,:AT MADE X ALL /RANG] 0 ! DOG DID N
TRULY L ! BOY4 ,%E _H BE5 )! C\PLE = TWO
YE>S 2F ! BIR? (! BOY & 0 J1L\S (!
ATT5;N !Y GAVE 6! *4 ,(T5 :5 HE _H 8 E>
9FEC;NS & !Y WD G 6HM 9 8 CRIB AT NI<T1
,SISSY WD /&
-------------------------------------#GB
9 _! WAY & TRY 6USE H] %\LD] 6KEEP !M F
! BOY S !Y WD PAY ATT5;N 6H] 9/1D4
  ,%E WD -E 6LOVE ! BOY :5 HE 0 OLD] &
%E "U/OOD T HE 0 SIMPLY AN EXT5.N (!
C\PLE1 -E 6LOVE HM S M* %E WD H LAID D[N
H] LIFE = HM1 B N E>LY1 N :5 HE 0 "Y4
,%E TOL]AT$ ! BOY AL;G H] SIDE1 CLUT*+
AT H] HAIR1 & "S"TS GR[L$ L[LY AT HM :5
HE GRA2$ TOO H>D & EV5 LIFT$ H] LIP 6HM
N[ & !N :5 HE 0 TOO R\<--?\< %E WD   #FB
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#GB
N"E1 "E BITE HM--& )\T ?9K+ L$ HM \ (!
Y>D & 96! SURR.D+ =E/ S"EAL "TS4
  ,^! LL TRIPS T]RIFI$ ! P>5TS1 EV5 ?\<
,SISSY N"E TOOK HM OV] A HUNDR$ Y>DS &
HE 0 N"E G"O = OV] T5 M9UTES4 ,!Y LIV$
\TSIDE ( T[N 9 ! M.TA9S1 ON ! $GE ( P9E
=E/S1 & ,SISSY LOV$ 6EXPLORE & NATUR,Y
PULL$ ,RI*>D AL;G UNTIL HE GREW TIR$ &
/OPP$1 HOLD+ H>D 6H] FUR & /OPP+ H]4
-------------------------------------#GC
,! P>5TS ALW F.D !M T WAY1 ! BOY /&+ OR
SITT+1 TIR$ B QUIET1 N CRY+1 LOOK+ AT !
WOODS >.D !M )! DOG /&+ NEXT 6HM1 ,SISSY
N LIK+ X1 WANT+ 6BE FREE B CAU<T 0! BOND
( OBLIG,N T 3NECTS DOGS--& ESPECI,Y
COLLIES--6HUMANS4
  ,ONCE %E _H TAK5 HM AL;G A SMALL BROOK
& :5 ! "F CAME ^U !M1 "! 0 ! TRACK (A
BE> 9 ! MUD NEXT 6! BROOK &! DOG _H H]
HAIR UP &! BOY 0 LOOK+ AT ! GRE5 WALL (!
=E/ SMELL+1 8 NO/RILS FL>$ & 8 EYES BIG1
B HE DIDN'T TALK AB :AT HE'D SE5 OR
SMELL$ UNTIL LAT] T NI<T 9 8 CRIB4
  8,BIG DOG10 HE SD1 2C HE DIDN'T    #FC
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#GC
"K YET H[ ALL ^WS "W$4 8,IN WOODS--BIIIG
DOG '''0
  ,:5 ! C\PLE MOV$ 6A DI6]5T H\SE--/ 9
,COLORADO--"! 7 M *N AB & HE 2GAN 6H FRS
O!R ?AN ! DOG1 & :5 HE /OPP$ HANG+ ON
H]1 ! DOG _H 2COME A3U/OM$ 6! * 2+ "!
ALL ! "T & /AY$ ) HM J ! SAME4 ,_M
-------------------------------------#GD
"TS ! P>5TS WD LOOK \ ! W9D[ 6SEE ! BOY
&A SMALL FR PLAY+ ) _! TOYS 9 ! S& AT !
SIDE (! DRIVEWAY &! ,BORD] COLLIE SITT+
"!1 WAT*+ !M 9T5TLY1 Z IF TRY+ 6HELP !M
PLAY4
  ,"O "D "S H1VY EQUIP;T MOV$ 96! LOT
NEXT 6!M1 UP ! SIDE (A HILL1 & 2GAN PU%+
\ DIRT 6BUILD A H\SE4 ,"! 0 A SMALL
BULLDOZ] &A BACKHOE &A L>GE TRUCK 6HAUL
!M1 &! BOY SEEM$ MESM]IZ$1 ALM SMITT5 )
LOVE =! H1VY EQUIP;T4 ,Z SOON Z HE
AWAK5$ EA* MORN+ HE WD RUN \TSIDE & SIT
ON ! $GE (! PROP]TY )! COLLIE NEXT 6HM &
WAT* ! M5 DRIVE ! MA*9]Y & PU% ! E>?4
  ,"O MORN+ "O (! M5 CAME 6! H\SE & ASK$
6USE ! PH"O 6CALL A 3CRETE TRUCK     #FD
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#GD
6KEEP X F -+ 2C !Y W]5'T R1DY = X4 ,HE 0
A HUSKY MAN )A TEE %IRT T B>ELY COV]$ 8
MUSCLES & 0 9DESCRIBABLY1 6! BOY1
WOND];LLY DIRTY4 ,! MAN _H SE5 ,RI*>D
WAT*+ !M "W & HE LIK$
-------------------------------------#GE
*N--_H TWO ( 8 [N--& HE ASK$ ! BOY'S "M
IF ! BOY CD -E UP & RIDE ! MA*9]Y4
  ,%E HESITAT$ AT F/ B SAW ! EXCITE;T 9
,RI*>D'S EYES & DECID$ X WD 2 ALL "R IF
%E W5T ) HM & /OOD 6! SIDE 6MAKE SURE HE
0 ALL "R4
  ,! BOY RODE BO? ! ,CAT &! BACKHOE1 &!
MAN LET HM PULL "O (! L"ES ON ! BACKHOE
6DUMP ! E>? F ! BUCKET1 & T NI<T :5 8 "F
CAME HOME F "W HE TRI$ 6TELL (! EXCITE;T
(! "D B X ALL JUM#D 9 8 M9D & M\? & ALL
HE CD MANAGE 0 "O S5T;E4
  8,:5 ,I GET BIG ,I WANT A BUGHOE40
  ,& :ILE HE / CD N =MULATE ! ^WS1 HE
KNEW !N T :5 HE GREW IF HE CD J 2 A
DRIV] ( H1VY EQUIP;T & MOVE E>? & FLATT5
M.DS1 "! CD & WD 2 NO?+ F9]4 ,T
,*RI/MAS1 ,SANTA--HE / 2LIEV$ 9      #FE
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#GE
,SANTA & WD UNTIL HE 0 NE>LY SIX & SAW
TWO ,SANTAS1 "O RELIEV+ ! O!R 9 A %OPP+
-------------------------------------#GF
MALL--BR"\ HM H1VY METAL TOYS1 A TRUCK
&A BACKHOE T PICK$ UP DIRT 6DUMP 9 !
TRUCK1 &= TWO -PLETE SUMM]S HE CD 2 F.D
AT ! $GE (! DRIVEWAY EA* "D1 ! COLLIE
SITT+ NEXT 6HM :ILE HE MADE ROADS1 & ?
WD LA/ UNTIL HE 0 TAK5 6A D9OSAUR MUSEUM
0HIS GR&"F1 :O LOV$ HM S M* X 0 NE>LY A
VISI# GL[4 ,!N ! BOY WANT$ 6BE AN
>*AEOLOGI/1 : LA/$ UNTIL HE 0 N9E & TOOK
A FLI<T 9 A LI<T PLANE & DECID$ 6BE A
PILOT1 & T LA/$ UNTIL HE SAW A %[ ON
TELEVI.N--!Y DID N H A TELEVI.N UNTIL !
BOY 0 T5--AB "UWAT] OC1N DIV+ & !N HE
WANT$ 6BE A SCUBA DIV]1 & T LA/$ UNTIL
HE RODE A GD HORSE & DECID$ 6G 6A RAN* 9
,MONTANA & 2 A C[BOY1 & T LA/$ UNTIL '''
  ,HE 0 M* L 8 "F1 :O "W$ H>D ALL ! "T B
MOV$ F "O ?+ 6! NEXT Z HE LE>N$ ( !M & 0
DEVOT$ & 9T5SELY LOYAL 6EA* (! ?+S Z HE
DID !M 2F MOV+ ON 6! NEXT "O4
                                     #FF
              ,,! ,,RIFLE            #GG
  ,X 0 N UNTIL ! BOY 0 SEV5 T ! FAMILY
MOV$ 6,MISS\RI1 ": ! "F _H A JOB (F]
BUILD+ CAB9ETS & WANT$ 6LE>N H[ 6BE A
MA/] C>P5T]4
  ,9 "S RESPECTS ! BOY'S LIFE 9 ,MISS\RI
0 ! SAME Z X _H BE5 9 ,COLORADO4 ,!Y _H
A NICE H\SE 9 A NICE NEI<BORHOOD1 & HE
_H A Y>D 6PLAY 9 T 0 SAFE &! COLLIE CAME
) !M4 ,0N[ HE _H1 ( C\RSE1 QUIT HOLD+ ON
6,SISSY B %E _H *ANG$ DRA/IC,Y & LOV$ HM
-PLETELY--POSSIBLY M EV5 ?AN 8 GR&"F--&
SP5T E WAK+ H\R WAT*+ HM1 WAIT+ = HM
6MOVE S %E CD 2 ) HM4 ,%E SLEPT NEXT 6HM
ON 8 B$1 EV5 W5T 96! BA?ROOM ) HM1 &
MADE HM FEEL AT HOME EV5 ?\< HE 0 9 A
/RANGE NEI<BORHOOD ": HE DIDN'T "K
ANY"O4
  ,ON ! "R ( _! H\SE "! 0 A SMALL FRAME
DWELL+ PA9T$ A SPOT.S :ITE & O3UPI$ 0AN
ELD]LY C\PLE4 ,! BOY HE>D T ! MAN _H BE5
A FI<T] PILOT 9 ! ,SECOND ,_W
-------------------------------------#GH
,W> B DIDN'T TALK 6HM UNTIL HE 0 ( AN
AGE 6MAKE MODELS1 &! MAN CAME        #FG
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#GH
96HIS BACKY>D & SAW ,RI*>D HOLD+ A
PLA/IC MODEL (A ;,P-#EA FI<T] NE> ! L[
F;E4
  8,I FLEW "O ( ^?10 ! MAN TOLD HM1
LOOK+ OV] ! F;E4 8,Y _H 6BE C>E;L 9 A
DIVE 2C IF ! AIRSPE$ EXCE$$ ! LIMITS !
ALUM9UM WD />T PEEL+ (F ! UPP] W+4 ,T'S
:AT HAPP5$ 6,JOHNNIE '''0
  ,&! MAN TOLD ,RI*>D /ORIES ( FLY+ 9 !
W>1 TALK+ 6,RI*>D N Z IF HE 0 A BOY B A
MAN1 TELL+ HM ?+S 2C HE SEEM$ 6NE$ 6TELL
^! "PS ( 8 LIFE 6"SBODY4 ,RI*>D 0
FASC9AT$ & LI/5$ RAPTLY1 & F T "T ON ALW
SD HELLO 6! MAN :5 HE SAW HM4
  ,ON ! O!R SIDE ( ,RI*>D'S H\SE LIV$
,H>V ,KL9E4 ,H>V 0 Z NICE 6,RI*>D Z HE 0
6"EYBODY & ,RI*>D LIK$ HM Z M* Z "EYBODY
L HM4 ,HE _H TWO *N1 A BOY &A GIRL1 B !
BOY 0 ?REE YE>S "Y] ?AN ,RI*>D--! GIRL /
"Y]--& :5 ,RI*>D
-------------------------------------#GI
0 EI<T ! O!R BOY 0 ONLY FIVE1 TOO "Y =
GD PLAY+4 ,! F;E 2T _! TWO Y>DS 0 ONLY A
FOOT HI<1 A WOOD5 RAIL1 & ANY"T %E   #FH
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#GI
CDN'T 2 ) ,RI*>D1 ,SISSY--:O AF ! YE>S )
,RI*>D _H DECID$ %E 0 SUPPOS$ 6WAT* .ALL
"Y P--CD 2 F.D 9 ! ,KL9E'S Y>D PLAY+ )&
WAT*+ ,H>V'S TWO *N4
  ,"! 7 O!R *N ON ! BLOCK & ,RI*>D MET
!M & CAME 6"K !M & "O ( !M 2CAME 8 BE/
FR1 A BOY "ND ,D5NIS1 & ANO!R ( !M 2CAME
8 F/ GIRLFR :5 HE 0 N9E YE>S OLD4 ,H] "N
0 ,PE7Y1 & X WASN'T ! SAME Z :5 HE 2CAME
OLD]1 TWELVE & !N ?IRTE5 :5 %E 2CAME 8
R1L GIRLFR B EV5 S1 EV5 S ? F/ GIRLFR
BUSI;S 0 V S]I\S & HE SP5T H\RS TALK+
6,D5NIS AB X1 TELL+ ,D5NIS H[ M* HE LOV$
,PE7Y ?\< HE _HN'T TOLD ,PE7Y & 9DE$ WD
N TELL H] ( 8 LOVE4
  ,X 0 ALL V -PLICAT$ & ,RI*>D ?"\ TWICE
T X WD L1D 6BR1K+ 8
-------------------------------------#HJ
HE>T 2C ,PE7Y DIDN'T SEEM 6NOTICE HM &
HE CD N1 =! LIFE ( HM1 BR+ HMF 6TALK
6H]4 ,HE _H F.D T UNTIL !Y MOV$
6,MISS\RI1 8 LIFE )\T GIRLS 6PLAY )1 8
LIFE ) ,SISSY ! COLLIE _H LEFT HM ALM
DEBILITAT+LY %Y :5 X CAME 6TALK+     #FI
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#HJ
6GIRLS4
  ,X IS IMPOSSI# 6GUESS H[ L;G X WD H
TAK5 HM 6TELL ,PE7Y H[ HE FELT B ,D5NIS
0 A GD FR & T1S+LY TOLD ,PE7Y T ,RI*>D
LOV$ H] & %E BROKE ! ICE 0TALK+ 6,RI*>D4
,%E 0 ?9 & _H A SPRAY ( FRECKLES ACR H]
NOSE & /RAI<T BR[N HAIR T HUNG D[N
AL;GSIDE H] FACE1 & ,RI*>D'S T;GUE /UCK
6! RO( ( 8 M\? :5"E %E 0 NE>4
  8,HI10 %E SD4 8,D5NIS SD Y WANT 6BE MY
BOYFR40
  ,RI*>D />$ AT H]4
  8,IS T "R80
  ,HE NO4$4 8,I GUESS S4 ,I M1N '''0
  8,,OK10 %E SD1 %RU7+1 & X 0 D"O4
  ,RI*>D _H WAIT$ = "S *ANGE1 B Z F>
-------------------------------------#HA
Z HE 0 3C]N$ "! 0 NO DI6];E 2T :5 HE 0 N
,PE7Y'S BOYFR & :5 HE 2CAME H] BOYFR1
EXCEPT A LL T1S+ AT S*OOL &! FACT T HE
TRI$ 6MAKE 8 %\LD]S /RAI<T] :5 %E 0
NE>BY4
  ,& S HE GREW T WAY1 F N9E 6T5 & !N
ELEV5 & TWELVE &! *ANGES CAME T -E   #GJ
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#HA
) GR[+4 ,SOON HE DID N PLAY ) SMALL
TRUCKS OR TRACTORS & 9/1D "W$ AT MODELS
UNTIL 8 ROOM 0 FULL ( PLANES & C>S &
BOATS1 HANG+ F ! CEIL+ & ON %ELVES1 & T
L$ 6PO/]S1 & HE FELL 9 LOVE ) BASEBALL &
FOOTBALL & BASKETBALL ALL AT AB ! SAME
"T4 ,0! "T HE 0 F\RTE5 8 M9D 0 FULL (
/ATS AB PLAY]S & 9JURIES & PLANES & C>S
& MOTORS & Y>DS GA9$ & ,PE7Y'S EYES &
LIPS & HAIR & S*OOL--": HE TURN$ \ 6BE A
SLI<TLY ABV AV]AGE /UD5T--& P]=M.E
/ATI/ICS ( C>S &A DR1M 6[N A ,H>LEY & H[
6?R[ A CL1N DROPP+ CURVE & : T1M WD
DRAFT : PLAY] ! NEXT S1SON & H[ SPECIAL
E6ECTS "W
-------------------------------------#HB
9 MOVIES & :O 0 RE,Y1 RE,Y COOL & :O 0
N1 & 8 VOICE _H BROK5 & *ANG$ & HE LOOK$
AT ,PE7Y DI6]5TLY YET AG1 WOND]$ AT NI<T
AB H]1 DR1M$ AB H]1 & 0 />T+ 6?9K T HE
LIK$ SCI;E & WD MAYBE 2 A DOCTOR OR A
T1*] IF HE DIDN'T 2COME A MAJOR-L1GUE
PIT*] :5 HE 0 R1DY = X1 & _H -E 6"U/& &
"K 9 8 HE>T T "! >E NO1 ABSOLUTELY   #GA
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#HB
NO GOALS T HE CD N A*IEVE IF HE PUT 8
M9D 6X & "W$ H>D AT X1 & HE KNEW T ?\< !
"T _H G"O S SL[ X SEEM$ 6/OP1 HE 0 J
GETT+ />T$1 T NEW ?+S WD -E Z ! OLD "OS
W5T & HE WD GR[ M & "K M1 & "S"TS X MADE
HM SMILE QUIETLY1 J "K+ T X 0 ALL -+ 6HM
& AT HM1 ! NEXT "D &! NEXT "D4
----------------------------------#HC-HE
                ,! ,JO9+

  ,X IS /RANGE T 9 ALL ! "T (! RIFLE AF
,JOHN ,BYAM'S D1? & "? ALL ! P :O LOOK$
AT X & T\*$ X & H&L$ X1 & ACTU,Y HELD X
6_! %\LD] Z ,BYAM _H D"O1 D[N "? ! YE>S
& YE>S1 & EV5 ) ,TIM ,H>R[1 :O ?"\ HE
KNEW & 0 AN EXP]T AT GUNS & RIFLES ?\<
HE DID N "U/& _! TRUE PLACE1 T NOBODY1 N
ONCE 9 ! LIFE (! RIFLE1 DID ANYBODY "E
?9K 6*ECK 6SEE IF X 0 LOAD$4
-------------------------------------#HF
  ,6BE SURE1 X 0 H>D 6*ECK4 ,"! IS N A
BREE* 6! RIFLE1 NO?+ 6OP5 6SEE IF "! IS
A C>TRIDGE1 & 9 FACT "! IS NO C>TRIDGE4
,P[D] IS P\R$ D[N ! BORE &! BALL     #GB
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#HF
SET FIRMLY ON TOP ( X4 ,"! IS NO WAY
6SIMPLE LOOK & SEE IF ! RIFLE IS LOAD$1
&! ONLY WAY 6MAKE C]TA9 IS 6TAKE !
RAMROD F XS BRACKET 2N ! B>REL1 SLIDE X
D[N ! BORE UNTIL X /OPS1 M>K ! RAMROD ":
X /OPS )A P5CIL1 !N PULL X \ & HOLD X
AL;GSIDE ! B>REL & SEE IF X GOES ALL !
WAY 6! 5D4 ,IF "! IS A LOAD 9 ! RIFLE !
ROD W H /OPP$ WELL %ORT--UP 6TWO
9*ES--(! TRUE BOTTOM (! BORE4 ,! ME?OD
IS N WIDELY "KN 6P :O H NO EXP]I;E )
MUZZLE-LOAD+ W1PONS & S (T5 X IS N "KN
IF !Y >E LOAD$ OR N4
  ,! RIFLE 0 LOAD$4
  ,:5 MUZZLE-LOAD+ RIFLES 7 9 WIDE USE1
SAFETY 0 L>GELY A SECOND>Y 3SID],N & "!
7 _M A3ID5TS4 ,Z LATE Z ! MI4LE (!
N9ETE5? C5TURY1 DUR+ ! ,OREGON
-------------------------------------#HG
,TRAIL P]IOD1 GUN A3ID5TS AL;G ! TRAIL 7
A L1D+ CAUSE ( D1? & 9JURY4 ,X WAS1
SCORN;LLY1 ?"\ T AN EMPTY RIFLE 0 WORSE
?AN USE.S IF X 0 NE$$--2C X TOOK S L;G
6LOAD -P>$ 6MOD]N W1PONS--WDN'T      #GC
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#HG
EV5 MAKE A GD CLUB1 & S GUNS 7 KEPT
LOAD$4
  ,BLACK P[D] IS A /RANGE MAT]IAL4 ,X IS
EASILY MADE 9 L>GE QUANTITIES B IS
EXTREMELY EXPLOSIVE :5 EXPOS$ 6SP>KS OR
FLAME OR H1T4 ,S DANG]\S IS X 6/ORE &
H&LE T 9 ! SAIL+ %IPS (! ,REVOLU;N>Y
,W>1 : US$ BLACK P[D] = _! CANNON1 !
P[D] MAGAZ9E 0 A SMALL ROOM TI<TLY BUILT
DEEP 9 ! C5T] (! %IP & NO LANT]NS 7
ALL[$ 9 ! ROOM ?\< X 0 ALW PIT* D>K4
,9/1D "! 7 S1L$ W9D[S L1D+ 6A SECOND
ROOM ": ! LANT]NS 7 KEPT &! W9D[S ALL[$
! LI<T 6-E "? S ! 8P[D] MONKEYS10 SMALL
BOYS :O RAN F ! CANNON D[N 6! MAGAZ9E =
P[D] BAGS1 CD -E 9 & "W4 ,EV5 !N "! 7
WET BLANKETS
-------------------------------------#HH
HUNG OV] ! P[D] ROOM DOOR &! BOYS _H
6RUN 2N ! WET BLANKET--KEPT WET ) 3/ANT
BUCKETS ( S1WAT]--EA* "T !Y 5T]$ OR LEFT
! MAGAZ9E4 ,ANY?+ & "EY?+ 0 D"O 6KEEP A
SP>K OR H1T F ! P[D]4
  ,XS "O SAV+ GRACE F A /&PO9T (     #GD
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#HH
"T IS T IF BLACK P[D] IS EXPOS$ 6! AIR X
T5DS 6ABSORB MOI/URE & WAT] NEUTRALIZES
& RU9S X4 ,S9CE X IS MADE L>GELY (
*>COAL1 :5 X ABSORBS MOI/URE X CAKES &
2COMES 9]T4
  ,_M ?+S 5T] 96LOAD+ A RIFLE & :5 ,JOHN
,BYAM LA/ LOAD$ ? RIFLE HE CD H D"O ANY
NUMB] ( ?+S & !Y WD H 9SUR$ ! P[D] WD
CAKE OV] ! 9T]V5+ #BAG YE>S & TURN 96A
SOLID LUMP 9SIDE ! BORE4 ,_H HE US$ A
LOOSE PAT* >.D ! BALL1 : WD ALL[ AIR 6-E
>.D ! SIDES1 OR LEFT ! RIFLE WIP$ DRY (
GR1SE S AIR WD "W "? ! T9Y HOLE F !
PAN--IN EI CASE X WD H RU9$ ! P[D] OV] !
L;G "T S9CE HE _H LOAD$ X4
-------------------------------------#HI
  ,B ,JOHN 0 AN EXP]T1 & V1 V C>E;L4 ,HE
_H US$ GR1S$ MATTRESS TICK+ =! PAT* &!
GR1SE 9 ! CLO? SWAG$ \ & MADE AN ALM
P]FECT GASKET (! CLO?4 ,! LA/ ,BRITI%
(FIC] HE _H KILL$ 2F L1V+ ! FRONT L9ES
_H DI$ J Z X />T$ 6RA91 & AF LOAD+ !
RIFLE ,JOHN _H DA2$ J ! T9IE/ AM.T (
GR1SE 9 ! HOLE F ! PAN 6! *>GE LE/   #GE
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#HI
A DROP ( RA9 GET 9 ! HOLE4 ,HE C>RI$ A
SMALL SEW+ NE$LE 9 8 RIFLE P\* & :5 HE
NEXT %OT HE WD F/ USE ! NE$LE 6CL1N \ !
HOLE S ! JET ( FLAME WD GET "? 6! *>GE4
  ,B HE N"E FIR$ AG &! GR1SE H>D5$ &
SOLIDIFI$ 9 ! HOLE1 E6ECTIVELY MAK+ AN
AIRTI<T PLUG4
  ,& S ! P[D] LAY = OV] TWO HUNDR$ YE>S1
DRY1 / 9 GRANUL> =M1 / R1DY4
  ,& M B5DS & TWI/S1 TURNS 9 "T 6MAKE X
CLE> :5 X 0 D"O B N 2F2 EASY1 S EASY
6SEE BACKW>D B Z SOON Z ! VI.N IS MOV$
6! PRES5T & !N J SLI<TLY 6!
-------------------------------------#IJ
FUTURE X FOGS & BLURS & 2COMES IMPOSSI#4
  ,! ,*RI/MAS S1SON CAME &) X DECOR,NS1
& ,H>V _H GOTT5 A BOX ( ,*RI/MAS ?+S =!
/,N F 8 4TRIBUTOR Z A PROMO;NAL GIFT &
HE PUT "S 9 ! W9D[S AT ! /,N B HE BR"\
"S HOME4 ,HE 0 ALW ?"\;L & 8 WIFE LIK$
C&LES & 9 ! BOX "! 7 TWO ELEGANTLY TALL
C&LES1 R$ & MADE ( S(T WAX1 SET 9 FE/IVE
HOLI"D HOLD]S1 & HE BR"\ !M HOME = H] Z
A GIFT4                              #GF
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#IJ
  8,!Y'RE P]FECT =! MANTLE10 %E SD & PUT
!M UP OV] ! FIREPLACE 9 FRONT (! RIFLE1
WI%+ %E _H F.D A WAY 6HIDE ! ,ELVIS
PA9T+1 : ,H>V _H AL HUNG UP OV] ! MANTLE
ON ! SPACE 2T ! RIFLE &! CEIL+4
  8,"!10 %E SD1 8DON'T !Y MAKE ! H\SE H
A ,*RI/MAS FEEL+80
  8,AL;G )! TREE & PRES5TS & TWO SCR1M+
KIDS--!Y SURE D40 ,& ,H>V SMIL$
-------------------------------------#IA
2C HE M1NT X & LOV$ ? "T (! YE> M ?AN
ANY O!R4
  8,I'LL LI<T !M ,*RI/MAS ,EVE10 %E SD1
8:5 WE LI<T ! FIREPLACE40

  ,*RI/MAS ,EVE CAME TWO "DS LAT] &!
:OLE BLOCK SEEM$ 6LI<T UP4 ,_M (! H\SES
_H BE5 DECORAT$ & "S W]5'T TURN$ ON
UNTIL ,*RI/MAS ,EVE1 & ,RI*>D & 8 P>5TS
WALK$ >.D ! BLOCK LOOK+ AT ALL ! LI<TS4
  8,X'S COLD10 ,RI*>D SD1 8 BR1? \ AH1D
( HM4
  8,N Z COLD Z ,COLORADO WAS10 8 "F SD1
SMIL+1 & HE RU6L$ ,RI*>D'S HAIR &    #GG
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#IA
PUT 8 >M >.D 8 %\LD]S4 8,WE'LL N"E 2 T
COLD AG40
  ,!Y F9I%$ _! WALK & RETURN$ 6! H\SE ":
8 P>5TS SAT 9 ! KIT*5 6DR9K A CUP (
C(FEE4 ,=A MO;T ,RI*>D /OOD ) !M B HE
?"\ (! TREE T 0 9 ! SMALL ROOM NEXT 6!
KIT*5 & HE W5T 9
-------------------------------------#IB
"! 6SEE IF ANY PACKAGES _H BE5 A4$ 6!
PILE S9CE HE LA/ LOOK$ AT ! TREE4

  8,LET'S LI<T ! FIRE40 ,H>V MOV$ 6!
FIREPLACE1 TOOK A BOX ( MAT*ES F !
MANTLE1 & SCRAT*$ "O1 PUTT+ X 6! PAP] &
PRESS$ WOOD LOGS 9 ! FIREPLACE4
  8,! C&LES10 8 WIFE SD4 8,LI<T !M1
TOO40
  ,HE NO4$ & BR"\ ! MAT* UP & PUT X 6!
C&LEWICK4 ,X SPUTT]$ & ALM W5T \1 !N
FL>$ 96LIFE4 ,X 0 PLAC$ DIRECTLY 9 FRONT
(! PAN ON ! RIFLE1 : 0 HANG+ OV] !
MANTLE1 & Z ! FLAME SPUTT]$ A SMALL
BREEZE MOV$ X 6! SIDE & CLOS] 6! PAN4 ,X
DID N GET CLOSE 5 =! FLAME 6R1* !    #GH
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#IB
METAL B A SLIV] ( H1T1 ALM OP5 FLAME1
CAME NE> ! T\*HOLE T L$ 6! P[D]4 ,"! 0 !
T9IE/ BIT ( OLD1 OV] TWO HUNDR$ YE>S
OLD1 ALM MUMMIFI$ GR1SE "! BLOCK+ ! HOLE
&! SLI<T BRU% ( H1T 0 5 64SOLVE X & OP5
! WAY 6! P[D]1 B ! FLAME MOV$ AWAY 2F X
CD IGNITE !
-------------------------------------#IC
*>GE4 ,! FLAME SETTL$1 ! FLICK]+ /OPP$1
& X ROSE 9 A CL1N B"R;S T[>D ! CEIL+1
A4+ XS W>M? 6! ,*RI/MAS *E] 9 ! ROOM4

  ,RI*>D MOV$ "O FOOT CLOS] 6! TREE1
TURN$ SLI<TLY 6! "R1 & RAIS$ 8 "R H&
6REHOOK A ,*RI/MAS TREE BULB T SEEM$ 6BE
-+ LOOSE4

  ,! FIRE 9 ,H>V'S FIREPLACE 0 N DO+
WELL4 ,! PAP] & LOGS LIT ALL "R B !Y 7
TOO F> =W>D 96! ROOM &! FIREPLACE WASN'T
DRAW+ WELL4 ,SMOKE DRIFT$ \ & ,H>V TOOK
A POK] F ! /& 6! SIDE 6PU% ! LOGS BACK
F>!R 96! FIREPLACE1 B Z HE />T$ 6D X HE
/UM#D ON ! CORN] (! C>PET & _H       #GI
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#IC
6MOVE =W>D SU45LY 6KEEP F FALL+4 ,! MOVE
?REW 8 COORD9,N (F &! POK] HOOK$ 9 !
BACK (! LOGS & J]K$ ! TOP "O \ ONTO !
FLOOR4
  ,A %[] ( SP>KS W5T UP 9 ! AIR4 ,MO/ (
-------------------------------------#ID
!M MOV$ UP & AWAY F ! WALL1 B\NC$ (F !
CEIL+1 & FELL 6! FLOOR4 ,A HALF-DOZ5 (
!M CAU<T A H1T $DY & SWUNG 9W>D OV] !
MANTLE4 ,(! SIX SP>KS1 F\R ( !M M]ELY
B\NC$ (F ! WALL & FELL ON ! MANTLE 6DIE
"!4
  ,TWO ( !M GOT FUR!R CAU<T 9 ! H1T
$DIES F ! C&LE FLAME1 &( ^? TWO A S+LE
"O SWUNG 9 & SKIPP$ H>M.SLY (F ! B>REL
(! RIFLE4
  ,! LA/ SP>K1 ALM -PLETELY \1 COOL+ FA/
& NO BI7] ?AN HALF ! H1D (A P91 SLID (F
! PAN & SPE>$ DIRECTLY 96! T\*HOLE (!
RIFLE1 ": X RAN 96! %>P $GE (A GRANULE (
BLACK P[D]4 ,X NE>LY DI$ "!4 ,=A
MILLION? (A SECOND NO?+ HAPP5$ 2C !
P[D]1 S CLOSE 6! T\*HOLE1 _H LO/ "S ( XS
EXPLOSIVE PROP]TIES4 ,!N ! SP>K      #HJ
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#ID
MOV$ ! T9IE/ "P (A 4T.E1 NO M ?AN A
MICRON1 6! LEFT1 & F.D A CL1N]1 %>P] $GE
( P[D]4 ,X IGNIT$1 IF ONLY SLI<TLY1 B X
-------------------------------------#IE
0 5 6D\# ! ORIG9AL SP>K & T L$ 6O!R
GRA9S ( P[D] & !N / M1 TRAVEL+ AT A SPE$
S FA/ X CD N 2 SE51 TRAVEL+ SP>K 6SP>K
AT BETT] ?AN TW5TY-FIVE ?\S& FEET P]
SECOND1 9 E6ECT SETT+ ! 5TIRE *>GE 9 !
RIFLE 96AN 9/ANTANE\S EXPLO.N4
  ,! E6ECT 0 IMM & /UNN+4 ,"! 0 AN
ENORM\SLY L\D CRACK ( S.D &! 5TIRE LIV+
ROOM FILL$ ) SMOKE4 ,H>V LOOK$ UP1 ?9K+
! CEIL+ _H COLLAPS$ OR T ! FIREPLACE _H
EXPLOD$1 8 WIFE PAUS$ 0! DOOR 6! KIT*51
H] EYES WIDE1 BO? *N 7 FROZ5 ON ! C\*4
  8,:AT--10 ,H>V _H "T 6SAY4
  ,9 ! M1N"T ! *>GE1 EXPLOD+ 9 ! 3F9$
SPACE (! LOAD$ BORE1 BR"\ XS FULL =CE
6BE> ON ! ONLY MOVA# OBJECT4
  ,! BALL _H BE5 SITT+ = OV] TWO HUNDR$
YE>S1 WAIT+ = J ? EV5T4 ,! PAT* _H DRI$1
( C\RSE1 & S DIDN'T PROVIDE ! LUBRIC,N
REQUIR$ =A PROP] %OT1 B X DIDN'T     #HA
              ,,! ,,RIFLE           A#IE
MATT]4
-------------------------------------#IF
,) S M* PRESSURE--SU45LY -+ CLOSE 6ELEV5
?\S& P.DS P] SQU>E 9*--"S?+ _H 6GIVE & X
0 ! BALL4
  ,X LEFT ! BORE1 TRAVEL+ AT A SPE$ ( J
OV] TWELVE HUNDR$ FEET P] SECOND4 ,!
FRONT (! BALL 0 PITT$ 0AGE B T ONLY SL[$
X SLI<TLY & ON A L;G] %OT WD H MADE X
9A3URATE4 ,T DID N MATT] 2C AF TRAVEL+
ONLY SEV5 FEET ! BALL HIT ! $GE (! W9D[
FRAME 9 BACK (! TREE1 CLIPP+ S CLOSE 6!
W9D[ XF T X BROKE ! GLASS 9 A JA7$
SPID]-WEB PATT]N Z X LEFT ! H\SE4
  ,/RIK+ ! GLASS & FRAME DE=M$ ! BALL4
,_H X RUN TRUE X WD H /R1K$ ACR ! SPACE
2T ,H>V'S H\SE &! NEXT "O--": ,RI*>D
LIV$--& BURI$ XF 9 ! WALL1 -+ 6RE/ 9 A
TWO-BY-F\R /UD HOLD+ ! W9D[ FRAME 9 BACK
( ,RI*>D'S TREE 9 PLACE4
  ,B 2+ MIS%AP$ CAUS$ ! BALL 6CURVE 6!
SIDE Z X FLEW1 HITT+ ALM F\R 9*ES 6! "R
(! TWO-BY-F\R1 9 ! GLASS (! W9D[ XF4
                                     #HB
              ,,! ,,RIFLE            #IG
  ,! GLASS MOV$ X A QU>T] ( AN 9* / M 6!
"R4 ,X CLIPP$ "? ! ,*RI/MAS TREE1 CUTT+
F\R SMALL LIMBS1 GRAZ$ ! BACK ( ,RI*>D'S
H& Z HE R1*$ UP 96! TREE 6/RAI<T5 !
ORNA;T & /RUCK HM 9 ! =EH1D "O 9* OV] 8
"R EYE4
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