Second Harvest

"Did your old man do the same thing when you left home, Roy?"

"Not one bit. In Fact, he was quite respectful and kind."

"Well, my mom did enough fretting for the two of us."

"That's true. You know, Pop was going hunting for antelope today."

"You're kidding? Why didn't you go with him?"

"He promised to take me another time. He even insisted I meet up with you today. He gave me some silver and a list of things we have to buy in town."

"That's great. We'll have fun. I'm glad you decided to come get me, but I would have understood if you had decided to go hunting."

"Pop had other plans. He urged me to take you to town. Said he wouldn't be home, 'til after supper."

"Well then, we have all day to play and have fun. You know, they're having a hanging in town this afternoon. We might make it in time."

"Is that right? Who?"

"Some guy by the name of Two-gun Smitty."

"How do you know all this Stanley?"

"I overheard Papa and Mama talking quietly after dinner last night. I heard he's killed over a hundred men."

"A hundred men? That's impossible."

"That's what Papa said. Train and stage robber, plus he shot four men in the town saloon last week."

"In our saloon, where we drink root beer with Sheriff Dawson?"

"Yup. Sheriff Dawson made the arrest himself."

The two boys rode in silence as they pondered these thoughts. Roy looked up at the sun and squinted.

"We better get moving if we're going to make it to town by noon. I guess it's a little after eleven now."

Both boys slapped their reins and dug heels into their horses, prodding them into a full gallop.

As they entered the town, many of the townsfolk gathered near the sheriff's office. Quickly tying their horses to the nearest open hitch, Stanley and Roy ran toward the middle of town. A newly constructed gallows stood near the jail. A fresh hangman's noose and rope were being adjusted by two deputies. The noisy gathering was giddy with excitement.

"Pull!" yelled one of the deputies, and abruptly everyone stopped talking.

The people looked up at the gallows as one deputy pulled a large handle. A trap door in the raised floor swung open with a loud bang. A burlap bag full of potatoes attached to the end of the rope dropped straight down jerking it tight. The hemp rope made squeaking noises as it gripped the sack of potatoes. One of the deputies loosened the noose and removed the burlap potato sack, then lifted the trap door up into a closed position. The other deputy locked the release handle, which kept the trap door in place. Both deputies readjusted the rope and tied the end to the supporting post.