Rancher John O'Connor enjoyed quiet evenings on the front porch with his wife Martha.  An occasional cowhand would stop by for a chat.  Tonight music was filtering from the bunkhouse.  Tom Lacey (aka the Nevada Kid) was strumming his guitar and singing and the voice was plesant and restful to hear.  Just then the town sheriff walked his horse up to the porch.  "Howdy, John.  Evening Miss Martha."  "Howdy, sheriff.  What brings you out to the ranch this time of night?"  "Aw, I needed a change of pace, John.  But I'm combining business with pleasure."  "Is there some kind of trouble, Bob"? asked John.  The sheriff dismounted and came up onto the porch.  "John, last time you were in town, you asked me about a couple of drifters you hired on for the upcoming cattle drive.  Are they still working here?"  "Yeah, they're over at the bunkhouse.  You want me to get them?"  "No, John, not right now.  I suspect those boys might be running from the law but I can't prove anything yet.  There's been some reports coming from the north.  Somebody broke a murder suspect out of jail in Chloride and the description fits your two boys.  The territorial marshall is tracking the Younger Brothers Gang since the express robbery.  He believes they are headed this way towards the border.  He thinks some of the gang split up and may regroup near the Mexican border.  Your two boys could have been involved with all of this.  The timing of their arrival here is right.  John, keep quiet about this and keep a close watch on those two boys.  If they quit on you and make a run for the border, notify me."

Just as Woolly Bear the wrangler finished breaking a mustang the animal reared unexpectedly, throwing Woolly Bear right next to the coiling of the rattle snake that scared the horse.  Tom Lacey (aka the Nevada Kid) drew his gun and shot the striking snake in midair within an inch of Woolly Bear.  To the shock and praise of everyone there, "It was a lucky shot," said the kid.  He never meant for anyone to see his speed and marksmanship but he reacted without thinking.  "Lucky shot, hell," remarked Cappie the trapper.  "He would never have shot that close to Woolly Bear if he had the slightest doubt of confidence he could hit that rattler.  I have never seen fast and accurate shooting like that anywhere around here before."