Western

 Reddington is so small it only has two dusty roads that form the cross-road in the centre of town. its train station is the main link to the outside world but it’s hardly used. A few shops are alongside the road and the rest of the buildings are old scrappy houses. Gold mining is the reason the town exists. The 400 people who live there are under the leadership of Duff McGruff, the biggest, baddest, strongest scoundrel there was. Only one man would be able to stop him, Fred Redwood… Todd S.

__ Western __ “Yeehaw!” screamed the most rootin’, tootin’ cowboy in the whole wide west. He rode down the dusty street on his horse, a fierce caramel-coloured creature called Fluffy. “Wait a minute John,” Fluffy said to his rider. “We forgot our cowboy hats!!!!” “Aaawww shucks!! We’ll have to go back an’ get ‘em, we can’t go nowhere without our ten gallon hats!!!” John turned around and started to ride back to his house, when he was stopped by another cowboy, also on a horse. Their eyes met, and they sat perfectly still as a tumbleweed rolled past. Penny <3

It was a race, and the outcome? Life or death. My new found young partner rode steadily in his saddle beside me, only his grim sweat betraying the pressure of our predicament. We rounded the corner, our horse’s hooves pounding only to see five more men racing down the steep embankment towards us firing their guns. I’d never been stuck somewhere before and I hoped with all my heart that this wouldn’t be the first. Kirsty P. **__Short. __** It was a race, and the outcome? Life or death. Davy Short and his new young partner rode steadily in their saddles side by side, only their grim sweat betraying the pressure of their predicament. They rounded the corner, their horses’ hooves pounded loud only to see five more men racing down the steep embankment towards them firing their guns. Never had the great Davy Short-a tall, strong and determined man been stuck somewhere before and he hoped with all his heart that this wouldn’t be the first time. Davy nodded suggestively towards a rocky ledge nearby. Dismounting, with guns in hand, they used their horses for cover as they ran, diving onto the ground inside the small indent of a rock that was just big enough for the two of them. Short kept a steady flow of lead in the direction of the five men coming down the embankment causing them to dive into cover while his partner waited for the three men behind them to round the corner. To deal with those three men quickly was a necessity. The first man came around, only to catch a bullet in his head. Just a metre behind came another who suffered the same fate but the third seeing this, had tried to slow down and when he rounded the corner it was slowly, causing the man next to Short to fire early. It was a deadly mistake and he knew it. Especially when he had only empty cartridges left. The man on the horse had spotted him and was raising his rifle to his shoulder when all of a sudden he slumped in his saddle and the smell of gunpowder lingered in the air. “Thanks.” Davy grunted in response. Relieved, the man turned to see how Short had faired with the five men.

It was quiet with a noticeable tension in the air. They looked about keenly for movement and Davy, tired of waiting, pulled out his second gun-a colt. With the first gun he put his finger on the trigger and pulled it, squeezing off a shot just as he threw it into a bush some four metres away. A volley of lead erupted from two places, ripping the unfortunate bush to pieces. Short followed up by shooting into the closest place whilst his partner took the other. There was a yelp of pain and then a silence that ripped through the forest like a knife. They remained there for ten extra minutes-Davy, for caution and the other out of shock. Short nudged the man who now appeared not much more than a boy with light blonde sandy hair and a young man’s strong build. On being asked his age he answered “19 sir. The name’s Jemmy Carter and you sir?” “Davy Short.” Seeing the awe and admiration on Jemmy’s face, Short drawled in his easy but rough manner “You gotta judge a man for yourself, boy, or else you might just find yourself taken in by opinion. My reputation is for nothing worthy, killing people ain’t nothin’ to be proud of, I certainly ain’t.” He turned away to gather some firewood. Jemmy Carter crossed his arms and lent on a nearby tree. “You think I’m an ignorant young fool don’t you? Back at the pub I was going to kill that man and I would have if his men weren’t there, but you think that I was trying to build myself a name don’t you??” By now Short’s attention was fairly caught, “Well what were you doing then if not that?” he asked. Jemmy took a deep breath. “You know what?? That pig of a man was my guardian until when I turned eighteen last year. He told me that he was my father and that my mother and my twin died when I was real young of some unknown disease.” He breathed in deeply, then continued calmy, “I found out last night that he murdered my mother and my father just so he could get their ranch. He kidnapped my twin sister Callie and hid her somewhere I don’t know. I think she’s alive but Sylvio is the only man who knows of her whereabouts. So after living with the great Sylvio Vanhallen for 19 years I know his skill well and I have no need to build a reputation. Just because he was a father to me though doesn’t mean he doesn’t deserve to be 6 feet under.’’ Respect showed in Davy Short’s eyes. “Look I’m sorry, I don’t know anythin’ about you except you’re a decent man, but I do know Sylvio. In fact, I had a run in with him a couple years ago when he shot my partner in the back. Now that’s one thing I don’t stand for and on Dan’s dying words he told me to give up my guns and take to the wild while I’m still alive. I will too but I owe you one. What do ya think of becoming my pardner until we get this sorted out?” He held out his hand and Jemmy, grinning boyishly, took his hand and shook it. “Well there’s one good thing about living with Sylvio for 19 years.” Laughed Davy. “Yeah? What’s that ?” “You didn’t live with one of the greatest gunmen for nothing-you’re not too bad yourself!” They laughed and the ice being broken, they made a small fire under a tree to disperse the smoke and slept the night through peacefully.

They rose early with the birds and rode off to pay Mr Vanhallen a morning call. Davy wasn’t too sure how they would fair but they needed to discover the whereabouts of Callie Carter, presuming she was still alive. Tethering their horses they approached the house stealthily, not knowing what to expect. It was early so everyone would still be in bed, which suited them fine. Following Carter’s lead, Short entered through the back door and into Vanhallen’s bedroom. The man could be heard more than seen sleeping soundly. His spurs jingling gently, Short approached quietly, gun drawn. The mans eyes opened in horror as he felt the cold butt of a gun pressed against his throat. “Sorry to disturb your sleep, I hesitated because it was refreshing to see you so unaware of your surroundings.” Davy whispered in his ear. “Don’t be so surprised!” he said while the man’s eyes seethed with hatred. “ You can’t expect that seeing a man’s close friend and partner shot in the back is easy to forget.” Within minutes Sylvio knew which side his bread was buttered on. Suitably equipped with the needed information together they began to bind Sylvio. “You wont get as much as a mile away from here without being caught by my men,” Silvio threatened, then looking at Jemmy said, “You better appreciate all I did for you-I could have easily killed you and your twin. You’ll find yourself dead soon as a result of switching sides to this man, believe me.” Leaving the ungracious and dangerous man bound and gagged in bed, Short reminded him that he deserved to be dead and went to the horses. Jemmy thought the race had already been and past but it was now that he realised that it had just begun. Through trees they rose steadily uphill, barely pausing for breaks. On these rare occasions, the great man who could move with the agility of an Indian would climb up trees and watch the progression of dust following them. At their third stop he called down, “Looks like no more breaks for us –they’re gaining.” Mounting up they began the journey that would forever linger in their minds. This was their one chance to reach Callie Carter. If they were beaten there or killed, she would be lost forever. Their horses, rested, felt the race, lengthened their strides and were well and truly on their way. They were to reach what Short gathered to be a remotely situated cabin by nightfall or a bit before. Davy felt a bullet come searing above his head, forcing him to ride in and out of trees, dodging and turning through great boulders as he sought the most cover possible. It was the hardest ride in a lifetime, occasional bullets hissed through the air, never too close to their targets. It was slightly comforting because they were on the right track if the men followed them. They were miles from town, their tired horses strained to keep the pace but in the distance smoke could be seen rising from a cottage. This was good news except there was no entrance. On the edge of a cliff, an access point was not easily found. From the top of the mountain the view was breathtaking. Leaving Carter behind staring, Davy rode near to the edge, dismounted and looked at the cliff. With keen eyes he searched for a small obscure trail, pathway, anything that could miraculously lead them to the cottage that was so close but so far. Then he saw it. It was wonderfully hidden and only betrayed by the glint of the sun reflecting off the barrel of a gun which was aimed straight at them.

He immediately dropped to the ground and began to squirm his way down the hidden track like an Apache Indian. He realised the track couldn’t be seen from the top because of the great rocks surrounding it, their immense height and mass providing good cover. A bullet could only touch them from ricocheting off the rocks beside them. Although weary, they made steady progress across the face of the cliff. Short scanned the area for a place where they could stand during the inevitable gun fight that loomed against the rifleman and possibly others. Up ahead there was a rocky pillar under a ledge surrounded by trees. He swiftly ran, bent over double. The heavy breathing behind told him Jemmy wasn’t far away. Crouching, they scanned the fascia and all around the small cottage, searching for movement. All of a sudden Short stiffened and silently pointed to a man who thought he was out of sight creeping up above to their left near the ledge. Restraining themselves, they allowed him to come close and indicate to another man where Davy and Jemmy were hidden. It was obvious that these two men were arrogant and impatient, neglecting their better judgement and had made a rash decision as the outcome. Davy began to raise his gun to shoulder height as did Jemmy beside him. He winced as he thought of what he was going to have to do and with all his heart, hoped it would be the last time.

Davy heaved, rolling a great rock across the exit of the secret track so no one could enter, especially Sylvio’s men, but they could leave. For all his life he had never wanted to be a gunman but the young fools going around would always draw on him to try to gain a reputation because he was an impeccable shot. Ever since, family and friends would try to avenge, and swear claim to his blood. He stood a few metres from the edge of the cliff and stared out at the vast expanse of forest, so wild and untouched by man. This is what he loved, not his guns. He wished he’d gone to the mountains when he was a young man-away from men and their terrible ways. He would have made a home, lived off his surroundings and enjoyed the serenity and beauty of the Wild West. Was it too late for that after killing so many? Helping Jemmy and saving his twin and her older friend who had been trapped with Callie Carter was the greatest thing he’d ever done in his life. Maybe it could get better. The lady who was with Callie, her name was Fay. Davy thought about her. Her dark brown curly hair, her speaking eyes and her radiantly beautiful skin was the first thing he had noticed. While Jemmy and Callie had gone off to make up for lost time he’d spoken to her, finding himself tongue-tied just when he looked at her. She was maybe five years younger than him and her smile enchanted him like never before. A soft voice from behind him disturbed his thoughts. “Hi,” he turned around and there she was, as beautiful as ever, her eyes dancing with laughter. “I was wondering-would you like to stay for a couple days? Just to rest up and allow your horse to recuperate?” Davy laughed and finding his tongue again said, “I reckon, but my horse seems pretty tired so I’m afraid you might have to put up with me for a few months or even years.” Their laughter sailed through the trees, their smiling faces lit up by the late day sun, slowly beginning to set behind the distant trees.

Kirsty P continuation... =p

Cranky Cornelius the Crackpot Cowboy stood there, sweating in the sun as he held his arms up by his side. He eyed his enemy closely, matching his every move. And just as the sunlight hit his opponents face, Cornelius drew. Bang. Right between the eyes. Cornelius approached his enemy’s body. His hat had fallen over his eyes when he had fallen. Cornelius bent down and removed it. He gasped loudly. “Oh no!” he shouted “What have I done?” Samuel S. It was a dark and gloomy night and the ambush was set up and reedy for action. The enemy was over the anther side of the hill and riding there houses over the hill. You cold hare the horse’s coming to words us……….. Daniel f

It was the hottest day in the world and there was no one outside they were all inside the bar having a drink and they did care if it was hot they were having fun and two people came in and they fired two guns in to the roof. Brayden.w


 * It was between me and Frederik furies we were standing 10 meters apart, facing each other as we were standing there some tumble weed rolled past. The windows were flapping in the wind doors were opening and shutting squeakily, there was no one too been seen but Frederik and me. I looked up he was clearing at me with his dark eyes and just above a dark mono brow, it was around 40 degrees with a cool breeze sweat dripping of me, hands getting sweaty ...Chelsey.B **