There was trouble in the air. Ben could smell it on the wind as trouble was the keyword to trigger his senses. He narrowed his eyes and looked back over his shoulder towards the sounds. Those were definitely gunshots. He had heard plenty during his life as an outlaw to mistake it for anything else but that. A gunfight. Another gang that had ran into a posse of lawmen? The shots were too many to be those of hunters.

Suddenly he remembered that some of the gang had gone out to hunt and had not returned when Ben and the others had left for McKinley, one of them being John Blackthorne.

[i]Damn. Damn. DAMN![/i]

"Check if your guns are loaded, ladies." He said as he took his rifle from his lap and cocked the lever. He was sitting shotgun next to Gus who was driving the wagon and he shifted on his seat with every shot that rang. He felt torn to what he should do. He was aching to go and take a look but Elijah had said that he had to keep an eye on the women. He cursed once again but louder this time. His eyes went to Kira while he wondered if she was thinking what he was thinking or rather feared. They had barely left camp and now this. If he had known the day would start like that...

Finally he made up his mind and jumped down from the wagon, gritting his teeth. His blood was pumping in his veins and he could feel the pounding of his heart in anticipation for what was going to come.

"Miss Blackthorne! Let me borrow yer horse for a moment and get into the wagon. No complainin'. Jus' do what I say!" He held out his hand to help her down as quick as she was able to. "Miss Annabelle! You take my place next to Gus! Keep the wagon going but do not rush. I'm sure even you can manage that Gus. I'll be back soon."