The Journey to New Buckland (Part V)

Buckley slowly opened his eyes. It was a mornin’ like any other really, but somethin’ felt off. As he got up, he looked towards the horizon, surveyin’ everythin’ around him. Buckley had never been on a journey quite like this, and havin’ survived encounters with bandits, disembodied voices, strange creatures, and the mother of all dust storms, he really hoped that the worst of his troubles were behind him…

As Buck cooked his breakfast over a hot fire, he kept lookin’ up at the horizon. He couldn’t see anythin’ fer miles, and while he wasn’t the superstitious type or one fer paranoia, he kept sensin’ somethin’ was wrong - in fact, he could swear that somethin’, or someone, was watchin’ him. Buck looked over his right shoulder, then his left. He stood up and slowly turned, checkin’ everythin’ in his immediate vicinity and beyond that. After a little while, Buck reasoned he was just spooked from everythin’ that’d happened and that he just needed to relax.

Buckley calmed down a little and began eatin’ his breakfast. Other than the occasional gust of wind or the quiet crunch of a lizard scuttlin’ over the desert sands, there wasn’t a sound outside of his own breathin’. However, in spite of his best attempts, Buck was still mighty unsettled. He thought about standin’ up and hollerin’ that he knew someone was there, but just in case it really was him bein’ paranoid, and because he didn’t want to give away his position if any varmints were nearby, he decided against the idea.

After breakfast, Buck cleaned up, packed up his things and got back on track. After a little while, Buck came to a standstill and listened real closely. He could hear a few birds twitterin’ away as they flew overhead, but nothin’ else. Buck started walkin’ again, but after a few paces, he stopped dead in his tracks and swung around. Nothin’! Nobody behind him, no animals, not a peep. Buckley stood in place fer a little while before eventually swingin’ around and carryin’ on with his hikin’.

Somethin’ whizzed past Buckley’s right ear. No mistake about it - it was a bullet. Buckley dove behind a rock as another gunshot rung out and a bullet struck the sand behind him. Someone had been followin’ him! Buckley didn’t have any kind of weapon on him other than his shovel (if you could even consider that a weapon). He decided to stick the handle of his shovel out to see if the shooter would react and, sure enough, a bullet narrowly missed his most prized possession!

Buck could see another larger rock near him. He had no choice but to run fer it! Gatherin’ up all his courage, Buckley moved as fast as he could to the nearby rock as one bullet, then another, struck the sand beneath his feet. As he tumbled into his new hidin’ spot, Buck heard a maniacal laughter echoin’ across the plains - it was the gunman! While Buckley continued to hide, the gunman explained that his name was Cutthroat Pete, a notorious bandit that he had been followin’ Buckley since he had left the forest. He claimed that Buck had stolen some supplies he’d dropped while blunderin’ through the dust storm that they’d both unwittingly found themselves in. He also told Buck he’d killed a bunch of hombres and that this was where Buckley’s journey would come to an end…

Now you might think this would’ve deterred Buckley, but as always, he kept his cool and let the feller talk. Cutthroat Pete might’ve been a terrible bandit, but it was clear he loved the sound of his own voice more than anythin’ else in this world. The bandit continued blabberin’ on and on about how he was gonna kill Buck, but Buckley just kept quiet, listenin’ as his assailant drew nearer and nearer. Buckley crept around the side of the big rock just as Cutthroat Pete reached the other side.

Buck didn’t hesitate. He lifted up his shovel and leapt towards Cutthroat Pete who was suddenly confused that Buckley wasn’t hidin’ behind the rock cowerin’ in fear. With all his strength, Buckley brought the end of his trusty shovel down on Cutthroat Pete’s head! The bandit suddenly went quiet, stumbled forward a little, dropped to his knees and then fell facefirst into the dirt! He was completely knocked out! Buck saw the bandit was carryin’ two six-shooters as well as some rope and other supplies. He decided to take the weapons fer himself and use the rope to tie Cutthroat Pete to a rock.

When the bandit woke up, Buckley was standin’ in front of him with both six-shooters drawn. Cutthroat Pete let out a yelp and begged Buck to be merciful and that he was real sorry fer what he’d done. Buckley holstered his weapons and told the bandit that today was his lucky day. With that, Buck turned and left, continuing his journey. As he walked away, he could hear Cutthroat Pete swearin’ and ragin’, vowin’ to take revenge upon Buckley fer the humiliation he’d suffered at his paws…

Moral of this here story is: don’t always be so sure of yerself. While you may think you have the upper hand, yer opponent may be more capable than you think! And while it’s good to be proud of yerself, a little humility often goes a very, very long way, partners!