Straight Shooting
There was a time,when the western plains belonged to no man. Those were the days when the cattlemen reigned supreme and their herds grazed without restriction.
Then came the homesteaders,and with them law and order. They introduced the barbed wire fence and took possession of thousands of acres of grazing lands.
Against these settlers the cattlemen waged a relentless, though losing warfare, which constitutes a crimson chapter in the history of the west.
"Thunder" Flint - The settlers had a no more sinister enemy than the leader of the cattlemen, in whose life the rights of others were habitually ignored. --Duke Lee
"Sweetwater" Sims - Because of his unconquerable spirit. he had become the leader of the settlers. -- George Borrell
Joan - The homesteader's daughter. -- Molly Malone
Ted Sims - "Sweetwater's" son. the idol of his heart. -- Ted Brooks
NOTICE This Spring is Private Property,Trespasses will Be Shot On Sight. J+RANCH
"Now we've fixed it so these settlers can't get to the water."
Danny Morgan - A puncher on Flint's ranch,but too fond of Joan Sims to take part in Flint's outrages. -- "Hoot" Gibson
Sims, We've fenced off the spring. Don't fool around there if you want to keep your health. This ain't all we ate going to do if you and the other settlers do not get out of this country. The Cattlemen
"Tell your boss, Flint, that we're here to stay, 'n that he or anybody else can't put us out."
"I'm sorry I'm mixed up with Flint's gang, but if it comes to a show down -- you can count on me."
"You boys wait for orders before you start anything. When I want you, I'll let you know."
"Has anybody heard of 'Cheyenne' Harry lately? He's the man I want for this job."
"Why, the last time I heard of him,he was wanted pretty bad."
"They say he's hanging 'round Buckhorn now -- keepin' pretty drunk."
"Go to Buckhorn, Danny,and tell 'Cheyenne' I've got important work for him. Promise him anything."
The Buckhorn Bar.
"Watch yourself. son. when dealin' with that bird."
"Cheyenne" Harry - A rolling stone, with many notches on his gun. -- Harry Carey
"Sure, I'l1 go. Te11 Flint I'll be in Diabolo tomorrow -- heeled."
Not far from the town of Diabolo was the retreat of Black Eyed Pete's gang of outlaws, accessible only through Gun Sight Pass.
Black Eyed Pete - Whose activities had brought a price upon his head. -- Milt Brown
"Cheyenne" Harry arrives at Diabolo, and stops for refreshments before going to the ranch.
"We've made another big clean-up,'Cheyenne'.Your share's hid up near the big rock -- high, dry and safe."
Connors - The sheriff of Diabolo,and a tool of Flint's. -- Wm. Gettinger
"Placer" Fremont - A killer of another sort,who also had been summoned by Flint, to act in an "official" capacity. -- Vester Pegg
Even at drinking, "Cheyenne" Harry and Fremont were men who worked fast.
"He's young Sims, one of the homesteaders -- but he's only kid -- and a friend of mine."
"I'm gunnin' for settlers -- so here's where I begin."
War on the settlers started next morning.
"Ted went down to the spring."
"Didn't you warn him not to go there?"
"One of Flint's killers did this."
The second day of hostilities.
"Most of the settlers are on the other side of the hill. Go over and take a look at their layout."
"I reckon you're one of Flint's killers, come to gloat over your dirty work."
"I've done some killin' miss, but I ain't the kind what makes war on kids an old men."
"I'm kind o'sick of this job, girl,since I seen all this."
"Tell Flint that him and me is through.There's some jobs too dirty even for me -- 'n this is one of 'em."
"'Cheyenne's' quit us cold, Boss."
"I got another job for you. Stop 'Cheyenne' Harry before he spills our scheme to the homesteaders."
"Go get him while he's in town, but be back early. We're goin' to raid the the settlers tonight."
"Fremont's comin' in to get you. An'they're goin' to make the drive tonight."
"If Fremont is comin' after me -- chances are, they'11 make their raid tonight without his help."
That night the cattlemen gathered for the raid on the settlers.
"You and Pop make things ready here.I'm going for the others."
"Flint and his men are coming tonight. Go to our house quick!"
"There's too many of 'em. I'11 go get Black Eyed Pete's gang."
"Pete, you and me have been pretty close - I need you 'n all your men,an' I need you bad."
"I reckon this is good-bye, Pete, somethin's happened inside o'me - so I'm goin' straight."
On the first day of a new freedom for the settlers.
"I ain't got no son no more, 'Cheyenne', so I want you to stay here, 'n take his place."
"You're a settler, old man, so you can't understand the little voices that are always callin' an' callin'."
"But the little voices ain't so loud now,an' I sure would like a home. I'll let you know what I'm goin' to do at sundown."
"I noticed the little girl lookin' kind o' wistful, Danny. You better go 'n cheer her up. Te11 the old man I'm comin' back after a bit."
"Oh it's you, Danny! I thought it was..."
Evening has come and his decision with it.
And at sunset, he gives her his answer.