The Search

"Where do you think we should take him for this?" Mr. Crusher asked mysteriously catching on quickly to the game. "Let's take him out-of-town for it," replied Chance darkly not letting on as he walked towards the stables dragging the kid along. The boy wasn't begging for his life. He knew he was scared. But he just kept his head lowered. When they got to the stable they rented a horse and placed the boy on it after tying his hands snugly to the saddle horn. Retrieving their horses, they headed out-of-town. "Where are you taking me mister?" the kid asked with as brave a voice as he could muster. "I know a place up the road here with lots of trees," Chance said matter of factly staring straight ahead. That did it! The boy turned as white as a sheet as he gulped for air. Chance and Mr. Crusher both reached to steady him. "Hold on their pard," Mr. Crusher said encouragingly in a sarcastic manner, "we're almost there." Reaching down he pulled Chance his rope from the side of his saddle and started making a noose in it as he eyed the tree limbs. Seeming to find the one he wanted he threw the rope over it, placing the other end around the boy's neck. That cinched it. "Listen misters," mewed the boy pitifully "I'll talk, I'll tell you whatever you want to know."