[b]West Elizabeth
Tall Trees[/b]


The morning air was already hot as the sun raced into the sky.  There was a slight sound of critters hurrying to get a meal in before the heat became too much to bear.  Birds chased bugs and deer stepped cautiously through the thickets looking for the best seedlings to harvest.

This was a good spot to set up a home if one wanted to be away from society - or if they wanted to lay low and be hard to find.  There was plenty of game, grass enough to keep a pony fed and even a modest stream of fresh water from the mountains.  Trees broke the wind and provided shelter and wood while the land was fertile enough for a small garden.

Evidently, somebody had already come to this conclusion.  You would have to look hard for it but, tucked under a lovely set of trees, there was a small cottage.  An easy walk away from it was an outhouse.  Scattered about were tanning racks, lines for drying clothes and meat, a work station and even a small barn fit for only one horse and some tools - horse included.  In a clearing with good sunlight was even a modest patch tilled earth.  Nothing had sprouted yet but somebody seemed to be building a fence around it.  Already there were over a dozen posts sticking out of the ground and a stack of rough cut lumber laying next to it.

It was into this quaint clearing that Savage rode his horse.  He moved at a walking pace around some trees and thick brush, putting the building on his right, and moved slowly onward.  Although he was armed, both of his hands were in his lap holding lazily onto the reigns.  He made it about half way to the house when the front door opened and a man stepped out holding a double-barrel shotgun.

Quickly, Savage lifted his right hand and half looked over his shoulder.  "Woah," he called out, at the same time tugging on the reigns to bring his horse to a stop.  This action seemed to startle the man with the shotgun who began peering into the trees and brush behind the mounted man.

"Why'r you here," yelled the startled shotgunner.  He was clearly past his prime but still fit for his age.  A weathered leather hat rested upon his head and he was dressed normally for the time.  His brown hair flowed messily from the hat and a formidable beard grew from his face.

"There's a bounty on your head," Savage called back.  "Alive.  So for both of our sake, don't raise that shotgun.  I'm keen on getting paid and I wager you're keen on making bail unharmed."

Silence stretched between the two of them.  The man with the shotgun scanned the trees with narrowed eyes, occasionally clenching and relaxing his jaw.  He had recognized Savage's raised hand as a signal but couldn't find any evidence of more people.

"How many are ya?"

"Just a few," Savage replied.  After another moment of tension, he added, "Your crimes aren't that bad.  Give it a week and you'll be back out here.  I promise even not to tell anybody where I found you."  When the gunman still hesitated, Savage gave his hand a wave.  "My arm is getting tired, you know."

"Alright," the fugitive snapped.  He gripped the shotgun tighter for a moment then thumbed the hammer down gently and slowly put it on the ground.  "Now what?"

"Now walk forward with your hands up, please.  Nice and easy."

When the man complied, Savage dismounted and walked to him.  His rifle was still slung with his saddle and he made no move to go for his revolver.  Instead, he grabbed a short line of rope and made his way over to his soon-to-be captive.  Without a word between them, he firmly tied the man's hands in front of him then guided him to the stable to saddle up the horse there.  For the sake of safety, he tied his prize to one of the posts while he prepared the horse for riding.

After everything was ready, Savage checked the man for any extra weapons then grabbed his fallen shotgun and placed it back inside his cabin.  Then he helped him mount up and took the lead of his horse before mounting his own.

"You comfortable," he said to his captive.

"Yeah," he grumbled.

"You comfortable for a long ride?"

"Yeah..."

On the way out, the fugitive asked, "So, where are the rest of you?"

"Hmm?  Oh, they disbanded once I had you tied and mounted on your horse."  Savage grinned and half turned to face his man.  "Relax.  There is no way you would surrender to just one person."