Outlaw For a Week - by Mary Posey

We were told there would be more food and water at the supply camps where we could restock. We were finally ready and the Outlaws headed out onto the range by noon. We eased along checking our loads and resetting a few as we went, we were told as a few miles went by it all would settle into place.
The country was awesome, open grasslands, deep canyons, thick forests, it amazed me there could be such a variety. Two hours out we were near one of the loot locations and decided to look for it. We looked for over an hour and found this was not going to be as easy as we thought. We felt we had the right area but finding the bag was a different story. The guides were of no help. They would get you from point A to point B and help fight but clue solving and loot bag hunting was left up to us.
The afternoon was growing long and it was decided that we should find a place to camp and try to find the loot again in the morning. Preston and Lyndsey took us up a long canyon stopping in a grove of pines. As we started to unpack our gear Preston told us that we would only be cooking here. He told us it is not a good idea to sleep where you ate. One of the many tips of living on the trail he shared with us throughout the week. He quickly built a small fire using only a few twigs, and heated a couple cans of chili eaten with tortillas and for desert we shared some canned pears. It was not something I would have whipped up at home but here it was mighty tasty. He burned the remains out of the cans, crushed and packed them away. The men then put out the fire as only men can and covered and cleaned the area leaving no sign. We then moved up canyon a half mile farther, past a small pond and into another thick stand of trees. Here we unloaded and tended to our horses then settled back comfortably with our backs against our saddles. We were discussing plans for the next day when suddenly Preston told us to hush. He stood listening for something I couldn’t hear. Leaving on foot with a few of the others they went to investigate. They were soon back with the news that the posse was camped at the pond less than an 1/8  of a mile away. Not only this but that they were between us and the exit of the canyon. It was discussed and decided that we should ambush them now so maybe we could cut their numbers some making it easier to get out. We left our horses at camp under the eye of Frank, one of the Florida boys. The rest of us followed Preston and Lyndsey sneaking through the trees with guns drawn.  
The Posse camp was in a small arroyo {draw} leading to the pond. The horses where picketed at one end and they were all gathered around the fire about 30 yards away. We quietly discussed stealing their horses but decided that we really did not want the burden of having them along with us. The sun had just set and it was decided we should attack, we moved closer. My heart was pounding in my ears and the gun slick from sweaty palms. I got to the position Preston had directed me to and I could hear the posse talking and see them around the fire. I waited for what seemed an eternity for Preston to fire his first shot announcing the attack.
Finally! BANG!  I saw one Posse Ranger go down as the rest scattered like quail up the other side of the canyon. I concentrated on the deputy who was hit; he was dragging a leg as he tried to make it to the cover on top. It was more dark than light at this point so it was hard to see where my rounds were going. Also I was shaking so much with excitement I know my aim was none to good.
There were shots going off all around me. I emptied my gun and fumbled while reloading. I just could not get my hands to work properly; it had seemed so easy during practice. Finally I was set to go again. I fired and my shot was answered by several sent my way breaking tree branches around me. I saw Preston moving down the bank toward the campfire with Lyndsey laying out steady hail of balls covering him. I moved from my now known position over to where she was. She whispered that he hoped they had dropped their map at the fire when they scattered and was going to look. Both teams were spread out on each side of the draw, a steady round of fire from both sides crossed the narrow space. We watched as Preston slid down the bank further. In the near dark it was hard for me to see. We held our breath as we saw him enter the firelight. Suddenly someone opened up on him, the first shot made him drop and roll, before the second we all were triggering rounds into the brush. We saw someone break and run, I drew a bead on them and we heard a solid hit made as they disappeared into the darkness. There was steady gunfire at the other end of the canyon but it was quiet now at our end as he poked around the fire. I grinned as I saw him take up a coffee cup and enjoy a drink. Then he held up something in his hand he gave a loud Indian yell and headed back our way. It was the map!
It was dark but soon a full moon was to rise. Earlier we had decided on a retreat call, which we now hollered and went back to our rendezvous point. The others showed up within a few minutes and we took a tally of the fight. No one on our side had been hit, we were sure that two good hits had been made on the other team, and we had the map!
  We were exhilarated in our victory and we wanted to show our bravado so we went to the rim of the canyon this taking a few minuets of hard climbing, which made us appreciate our horses. We stood on the rim across from the posse camp with a full moon behind us and let out a bloodcurdling Indian scream that would have made any Apache ghost in the canyon proud. We were exhausted when we finally got back to camp but it was a long while before the adrenalin wore off. We told detailed stories of our own experiences, laughing our selves silly. We rose before dawn and saddled and packed up. We then decided in the name of the game we would return the map to the posse. But not before we noted the loot location we were missing on our map. This information would become crucial later in the week. It was just getting light as we rode past their camp. They had a fire going and it sure was inviting in the morning chill but Preston was the only one to go into the camp under a flag of true. He returned to us some time later after a cup of coffee I’m sure and gave us the report. The posse was mad! They had one wounded, the one in the brush near the fire I had hit and John our German fella had killed another.   We decided not to try to find the loot bag we had looked for the day before as it was too close to the Posse and we wanted to put some distance between us. We headed for what Preston and Lyndsey called Incognito Camp about a four-hour ride. There we would resupply our water and ammo and make a new plan.
We rode through more great country seeing more Elk and the ranch band of broodmares and foals running free in the huge country. Preston announced we were almost there but I could not see where there was. He then turned into a canyon and around a few bends we were suddenly in a beautiful camp. A thick grove of oak trees surrounded the stone corrals, a stream that just started right there gurgled past a cozy wall tent. We unsaddled and in the tent found feed for our horses and plenty for ourselves. It was not going to be as bad as they had told us! Besides two boxes full of canned goods there was also a cooler of fresh food such as eggs, a small amount of beef, plenty of bacon and some milk. Even with the sun hot overhead we cooked up a stack of pancakes and bacon and boiled up some coffee. The team was starting to work well together. Everyone took a chore and did it, and if something needed doing Preston and Lyndsey were never shy to tell someone to do it.
Full and tired from a long night and long ride we worked out guard shifts and the rest of us crawled up into the shade of the trees and slept the afternoon away.
As the sun of our second day slipped away we all rose and stretched out the kinks. The fire was rekindled and another canned dinner heated up, as we wanted to save the fresh food. As night fell we all were feeling good and refreshed and a new plan was made. Lyndsey left with the German couple John and Marie, and also Sherry from Boston. They were going to head for the loot bag, which was farthest away, about six hours up to the top of a distant mountain.
The rest of us would go over to the other supply camp and see if the posse was there. We didn’t like not knowing where they were. The full moon rose, we saddled up and bid the others safe travels as we went our way.
The ride to the other camp was a bit over two hours, and it was beautiful. The moon shadows cast strange shapes across the land. I looked ahead at my compadres, wearing dark dusters with dust rising into the moon light, a billion and one stars hanging just above us, the smells of the night, “this is so cool” I thought.   Along the way Preston told us the ultimate thrill was counting coup on the enemy. Sneaking into camp and touching them before they knew you were there. We all had a six inch orange ribbon that had to stay pinned to your chest at all times, even in the sleeping bag. Pulling this was a kill. Counting coup was the highest honor.
By the time we neared the camp we all wanted to count coup. Preston had us picket our horses in some trees about a quarter mile out and we approached on foot. To our pleasure the posse was there. Sounds of conversation drifted to us, but we dared not get too close. We waited and listened for a while then withdrew. After some discussion we decided we would wait until all were turned in then try to count coup.
We got in a place a few hundred yards away where we could still see the fire and shadows moving around it. Less than an hour later we saw them start to drift off. They played it smart and all went to different areas to spread out their bedrolls. Preston suggested we all watch and see if we could spot a guard. I saw someone move up the hill from the draw and pointed him out to the rest. He carried no bedroll so it was a good bet that this was indeed the guard. We gave them another hour, the fire died down to embers and the moon moved across the Milky Way. Finally word was passed to move in, we approached from behind the guard and successfully slipped by. We Followed Preston who lived up to his posse name of Ghost. I felt so clumsy as I stumbled behind his silent movement. We got to within twenty feet of the coals of their fire, paused a moment then moved in closer, helmets in place guns out waiting for someone to see us. At the fire Preston again reached for the coffee, still warm he whispered and took a long slug straight off the pot and passed it around. The night air was cold and the warm coffee sure tasted good even without my usual cream and sugar. There was a body not 30 feet away and we giggled as we enjoyed their brew.  Frank and Jack the Florida boys were anxious to count coup, Preston nodded them to it and we watched as they moved to the still form on the ground. Frank slowly dropped to his knees and slipped his hand over the person’s mouth. They awoke with a jerk. Frank whispered for them to be quiet, the person knew they were had and stopped struggling. Frank then drew back the sleeping bag, found and pulled their life ribbon. It was Dean from Michigan. The biggest person on the posse and the one I had been dreading coming up against and here these two had just counted coup on him. He took it well and played by the rules and never made a sound. I turned around and again the Ghost... Preston... had done his thing and was nowhere to be seen. We looked around and saw no one. The shadows had changed and we could see no other posse members, they had really spread out to sleep.
We were a bit confused as to what to do. We waited a few minuets silently wishing for Preston to return. He didn’t. We knew we should not just stand there so we drew out of camp. On the way out Jack picked up their coffee pot and brought it with him. I was on edge expecting to hear Dean yell but he was true to the rule that dead men do not talk. When we were far enough away to talk we stopped. What had happened to Preston? Killed? We had heard nothing. We passed the coffee pot around taking turns drinking from the spout, then we left the pot there in the middle of the meadow as we walked on.
We went back to our horses and waited and speculated on what had happened and what to do. We wavered as to whether we should stay put or ride back to camp. Then out of the darkness a soft whistle came, relived we whistled back and Preston appeared. A six-inch life ribbon dangled from his hand, it was not his. He reported he had checked the corrals and found only three horses. Not good. We had never gotten close enough before going in to distinguish people and we had never though they had split up as we had. Another lesson learned, not only does the guide not cook for you; he also does not do all your thinking for you. When asked about the ribbon in his hand he just said he had stumbled over the guard. I was really wishing I could have seen that.
Our concern now was our camp; we had left all our gear there just lying out unguarded. Another dumb move. For all we knew the other posse rangers were at our camp eating our food and resting on our sleeping bags, and we would have to fight our way back in.
We mounted up, putting our horses into an easy lope we headed back to our camp. The ride back was one of the best I have ever had in my life. The cool night air, the moonlight, dusters blowing in the wind as the wonderful horses eased through the moonlight.
We made great time getting back stopping a ways out of camp to look things over. We decided to go in on horseback if they were there we would make a quick exit and replan. We rode in and saw nor heard anything. At the corral gate we sat silent and listened for several minutes. Then agreed the area was empty and we went in.
After settling the horses in we built up a fire and discussed the events of the night. Things were really getting interesting. There were four groups of riders now, each wondering where the other was and what they were up to. It was an uncomfortable feeling that I might at that moment be watched. The stress and tension which Preston had mention Sunday evening as being one of the hardest parts of the week was now starting to build. One of our biggest worries was that Lyndsey and our other Outlaw friends were riding thinking they had nothing to worry about and the other Posse Rangers might very well be headed to the same place or already there. We discussed going there and finding them and helping if need be but then Preston brought up the fact that if we missed them in the dark we could go the rest of the week and never see them again. It was decided that we would stay in camp till dawn. Which by this time was not too long in coming. A guard was posted and I fell easily to sleep. When I woke it was light, it seemed just a moment before that I had stretched out beneath my blanket on my saddle pad bed. I heard a moan and saw movement from the other three, and realized they wanted to get out of their warm bag no more than I did. But we all managed to within a few minuets. Frank went up on the rim to have a look around and stand watch. The rest of us pitched in and soon had coffee on and bacon and eggs frying. We all wondered about our friends and knew they were not enjoying fare such as this. If they were even still alive. We discussed what to do over breakfast and decided we should head in the general direction the others went and see what happened. If we could not find them we would check a loot location on the way back. We packed up all our gear, refilled canteens, grabbed some food and ammo and headed out. the sun was full up by this time. About a mile from camp we stopped and hid our gear in some rocks so we could travel lighter. also so if camp was otherwise occupied when we came back we could just move on. Another lesson learned. 
We headed across a wide-open basin of grassland as the sun rose higher. It was about four miles across and we knew we could be seen for many miles. Preston had us spread out so as not to be so easy to spot.
Finally as the sun was getting a bit too warm we hit the trees at the base of the mountains on the far side. The shadows were cool as we headed into the evergreens. We were soon on a trail through the trees angling up the slope. Preston stopped and motioned us around pointing at the trail ahead of him. It was obvious that other horses had just been along here and he said it was more than three. The posse was tracking the other outlaws and we were tracking them all.
We rode on in silence. I spotted a dozen elk in the trees just standing watching us go by. About a half hour later we broke from the trees into a small meadow with a pond in the middle. We went to water our horses and there we saw tracks of other horses all around the waters edge. We asked how old they were and Preston showed us how the sun had started drying the edges of the prints in the mud. He figured about four hours at least. That came as depressing news I had thought we were closer than that.
We rode on, but just up from the pond he stopped again and pointed out where three horses had been picketed. There was no fire sign but he then pointed out three places where the grass was matted down from beds. He told us by the amount of ground the horses had roughed up who ever it had been was not here long, two hours at the most.
Continuing along the trail we followed the tracks of six horses through the pines. Another hour went by as we anticipated them around every turn and rise. Nerves on edge all the while. It got to mid afternoon and we had swung around back toward the East and down the mountain. We were just coming through the last big stand of ponderosa pines before the land opened up into the basin again. Preston stopped and again pointed into the trees. The trees all around us were spotted with paint. (It washes off or the sun dissolves it in a matter of a few days.) We dismounted and looked around. We all saw signs of a major gun battle.
Preston called us together and told us what he read here. He was pleased to see that it was Lyndsey and the other Outlaws who had chosen the place and started the fight. He could tell where they had tied their horses and the first position they took. He showed us where the posse had ridden right into them and the fight started. From there he could not really tell anything other than it had lasted a long time, lots of paintballs fired and the fight did not move much. We all could see that our other gang members had been in great positions behind some huge fallen trees and he did not think they had moved from it till they left. That could be good or bad. He also mention that whoever had been fighting here did not have much ammo left.  
We mounted up again and headed on. As we cleared the trees the sun was low and shadows were long. In a moment Frank pointed out something way off in the distance. I wished I had binoculars. We watched and all agreed it was the dust of riders about three miles distant near the far side of the basin. We figured if one group was that close then the other group must be also. After looking hard for a long while we could spot no one. We decided to try and catch up to who ever it was and find out. Asking our horses for a nice lope we cruised across the smooth grasslands as if we were floating. The miles fell away and we soon eased our horses up less than a half-mile behind the other riders.  
It was the Posse, as we had no white horse in our group. The terrain we were now headed into was spotted with cedars and junipers, making it easy to stay covered as we followed behind at a good distance. Preston told us people rarely look behind them when they ride anyway. Especially at the end of a long day. We were not real sure why we were following them, just to see what they were up to. A mile from our camp Preston motioned us down a draw. “Lets swing around and try to get in front of them” was his suggestion. We concurred and put our horses into lope again. We rode a few minuets then drew up under a huge Juniper tree. From here we could see the canyon where our camp was and we all noticed smoke spreading into the evening light. We could also see the posse riders and watched as they swung west away from the canyon. It was obvious they had no more fight left in them. We waited till they were a long way past then rode down into camp slowly making sure it was our riders who were there. Indeed they were, everyone lying around except Marie who was busy with the beginings of dinner and the end of some coffee. After making derogatory remarks about the lack of a guard out we got the story of the last 24 hours.  
All had gone well, they had made good time getting across the basin and up the mountain. It was still dark when they arrived at the meadow and pond that were marked on the map. The plan was to rest for a few hours till there was enough light to look for the loot.
As they slept soundly with no guard posted the Posse arrived. Having known the outlaws were ahead of them they had played it smart and left their horses well away in the trees. We were told later that one Ranger stayed and watched the sleeping outlaws while the others looked for and found the loot in the dim light of dawn.
As the Rangers moved back to their horses one of the Outlaw horses alerted a just rousing Outlaw that something was not right. In a flurry of activity the Outlaws were up and mounted in a matter of moments. It was a clear case of fear and flight. They had no plan for this situation and were coming up with one on the run. They looked for and finally found a good ambush spot and waited hoping it would work and they could recover the loot bag.
The surprise was theirs this time as the Posse rode right into the set up. Being a bit over confident after the morning of good hunting they’d had, the Posse left their horses and went on the offensive.
Lyndsey and a couple of the others were well positioned among the trunks of some huge fallen ponderosa pines. Our other Outlaw, John had hidden where they hoped the Posse would stop. It had all worked like a charm as he was able to watch them dismount and hide the bag of loot. Waiting until they moved away he went and got the loot bag. By this time the gun battle was hot and furious. The Posse finding themselves up against a well positioned bunch of Outlaws. John eased up behind the Posse and started a battlefront of his own. Lyndsey and her bunch hearing what was going on really poured the rounds into the Posse. The cross fire was deadly. John killed one Ranger and another was wounded. The Posse pulled back towards their horses but covered the retreat well, wounding Outlaw Marie along the way who had pressed them too closely.
They finally made it to the safety of the horses and made a quick retreat. Needless to say our fellow Outlaws were very pleased by the way they had turned the day around. and after hearing the story we all were feeling great about out team and where we stood.
A lookout was posted as we cleaned up the dinner fixings. It was decided that the lookout would be changed every 2 hours and never again would we be without one. I drew the 3 to 5 am shift and headed off to a dark shadow to get a long stretch of sleep. It seemed like just moments before I had been gazing up into the blur of the Milky Way when a nudge brought me quickly awake. The night air was cold, making it hard to get out of my warm bag. Frank nodded as he moved away. I had to get up and keep an eye over my fellow outlaws.
I was soon so glad I had.  The lookout spot gave a great view of the valley, it looked so different in the moonlight. It was an experience I will never forget. You soon become tuned in to the night sounds and colors. Yes, actually colors are out there if you spend time out quiet in the wee hours of the night. The coyotes would yip a chorus every now and then just to let me know I was not the only one awake. The movement of a group of elk a mile off made me sit up and take notice awhile thinking they were horses. Close to five the sky showed thoughts of some light, also it was the coldest hour. My legs were stiff and needed movement. Just as I thought to shift I heard it again. I had not realized I had already heard something being too preoccupied with my discomfort.  
There was a noise down near the dry creek bed. I heard a rock, and then I thought I saw movement. The brush was thick along the drop banks of the creek and it was still dark in the canyon bottom. I strained my eyes and ears and waited. Minuets went by...nothing. I relaxed some and realized the whole time I had not touched my weapon. I must be more aware and prepared I thought to myself.
Then again a rock grated and I would have sworn I heard a whisper. There was now enough dim watery light that I could see a horse in the corral looking towards the creek bed also. I pulled my weapon and waited. Then I could see something move. Not if I looked right at it but kinda of out of the corner of my eye the way Lyndsey had told me to look at something in the dark. It was a person! Shoulders and head appeared and vanished behind the bushes along the banks of the creek.   My mind raced through all I should do. I had not really expected to be dealing with this. I had to warn my teammates before it was too late while they still had some time. How? I looked at the gun in my hand and realized it was time. I raised the gun in the general direction I had seen the shadow person. I eased back on the trigger, harder and harder. Nothing! My gun was not working! Then remembered the safety. Of course the safety! I clicked it off and eased on the trigger again. Then in that corner of my eye vision again I saw something to my left. I twisted fast and there not 30 feet away silhouetted against the stars stood a tall figure in a long duster pointing a pistol right at me. I pulled my trigger and at the same moment felt a heavy impact on my thigh and it started to sting and tingle. I levered another round in my gun and looked to aim again. There was nothing there, just the stars. I heard running feet and brush crashing in the creek bed. I heard yelling in camp. Well, at least they were awake now I thought. Within a moment it was silent. My heartbeat was in my ears, I was sure anyone within a mile could hear it. I felt vulnerable realizing I was exposed out on the rocks.
There were some Oaks less than 20 yards away. But do I dare move? Where was the person I shot at? The one who had shot me. I remembered the rules; I could not get up and run off with a leg wound like I had. I started to drag myself towards the trees the sound loud in the quiet canyon. Every minuet it was getting a little lighter and I felt time was running out for me to get off the rocks.
Suddenly there was gunfire and yelling all around. I hurried along expecting at any instant another round to arrive with a stinging slap. It arrived just as I made it to the trees but spread its self across the rock near my hand. I moved farther into the trees as more rounds came busting all around me. In the center of this copse of oak was a good size boulder I was able to get behind and lean against. I felt pretty safe and knew my opponents did not see the rock as the balls were still flying, hearing them hit the other side of the rock. “Go ahead” I thought, “Waste those shots”. I got my breath back and started to enjoy the buzz I was on. The adrenalin was pumping. I was on edge, every sense on alert! I was tuned into the country. I was ready for anything and I was loving it!  
It was really getting light fast now, and it seemed I was the center of attention out here as there were at least three weapons shooting at me all from the same general direction. The creek bed or the steep cliff beyond it. I knew I could really give my team some time if I kept these three Rangers busy. I could not go anywhere with my leg and maybe someone could come help me. I checked my gun and peeked around the rock. I saw two rangers close together in the dry creek bed hiding below the cut bank. I did not see the other but had heard three. If my leg were not hit I would have moved up the tree line and crossed the creek above them to the other side and gotten high. Preston had told us several times to get high ground in a gun battle. But I was pretty much stuck where I was.
I had not returned any fire and I could see they were getting restless. I got in a good relaxed spot and waited. They were losing their patience, each telling the other to be the one to move up. Finally one jumped up over the bank heading my way. The other one came along not too far behind. My rock was 15 feet into the trees; I waited till the first one was just into the trees. Then I fired. The red showing brightly on his belly as he yelled. The second Ranger was shocked and indecisive. I decided it for her as I fired again hitting a leg. She was down and crawling as I fired again several more times hitting nothing but dirt before she made it over the creek bank.
There was still gunfire all up and down the canyon it seemed. My little battle was suddenly silent. I looked at the figure slumped against the trees. I felt a little giddy. I decided to just sit tight and wait things out.
It was fun trying to figure out what was going on listening to the sounds as they drifted up the canyon. After at least an hour things slowed down and I decided to move out and see what was up. I got to the edge of the trees and stepped out, all quiet. The sage in the bottom was thick offering a lot of cover. I took my time and made my way towards the camp. Suddenly just to my right in the creek bed shots are fired. I dropped then realized they are not for me as a gun battle ensued. I moved towards the sounds keeping low in the tall sage. I saw a Ranger, his side to me shooting at someone else. I raise my gun and fire. The round exploded on his ribs and he goes down. I hear my teams password and answer. It is Marie, she tells me that was the only one in the area she knew of and we should head back closer to the camp.  
It was over. We watched the dead arise and walk, soon followed by the sounds of horses. Our team all drifted in and we took a tally. I was the only one wounded and no one was killed. Lyndsey had wounded one posse rider and so had Frank. They dropped jaws when I told them I had killed two and wounded one. I was soon encouraged to tell how I had first seen the posse and my whole tale. When I was done I was congratulated on saving the day. That was when Preston mentioned he had talked to Frank the Posse leader briefly before they left and that it had been Frank I had seen and took shot at starting it all. Everyone speculated over this a moment before he added I had hit him dead center of the chest. Three kills and one a veteran Posse rider! Not bad for a girl.  I was given hero status around that Outlaw camp!
It was by now past 9am. I hadn’t realized it had been such a long gunfight.
We had a big breakfast and took the Outlaw attitude deciding we would let the Posse go find the loot bags while we enjoyed the day, figuring we would just steal the loot from them later. I bathed in a pool in the stream close to camp, first time I had skinny dipped in years. Then went up on the canyon rim spending the rest of the day reading, snoozing a bit between watching the landscape change as the day got longer. Getting back to camp I found everyone had about as lazy a day and I think the horses enjoyed it as much as we did.
I was excused from watch that night thanks to my reputation as a killer.
We all were up early the next day, breakfast finished and horses saddled by late light. Preston said we were getting good. There had been one Outlaw bunch that had been ten minuets from catching to mounting, we weren’t that fast but close.
It was the last day, we only had one loot bag but we were way ahead in the number of kills. If no team gets all six bags the winner is decided by who has the most kills. So we knew if we could get back to the ranch with our one bag and no more kills we would be the winners.
It was a six-hour ride to the ranch and we had to pass through the gates between noon and three p.m. We all knew that would be the dangerous area, the last mile in. We rode in high spirits enjoying the feel of victory. Along the way we did stop by one loot bag location and looked for it. After over an hour the Florida boys hollered they had found the spot but the bag was gone. A paintball having been left by the Posse announcing they had found the bag.
An hour later we dropped into a narrow canyon our horses sliding down the last ten feet. Just as we hit the bottom gunfire broke out all around us! We scrambled to tie our horses, grab our gear and jump to the nearest cover, which were some big boulders in the bottom. We all were there, several of us behind each stone. Balls came slicing thru the air with amazing speed and frequency. There was just not enough cover! Within a minuet one of the Florida boys got hit in a foot that was sticking out too much. Not a moment later I felt a blow to my arm and a tingling numbness. Looking down there was red smeared over it. We flattened ourselves further against the rock but it was no good as Preston took a hit in the hip. We could not return fire, the slightest movement was met with a hail of balls. We were pinned down and good.
The sun was right overhead and it was hot. Sweat was pouring off us all as we discussed options. The first order of business was our one loot bag. Marie had grabbed it as she came off her horse and we now set to burying it in the sand under the rock. We were in a fix. Florida Frank and Preston were both wounded which keep them from moving much. My wound would not slow me down running at least and that’s what we all were thinking. If we stayed where we were we would all be eventually cut to pieces. Down canyon was the only way to go and Preston told us to try to get up out of the canyon and get some high ground. John was the first to make a dash as we all fired our guns blindly around the rock. He moved fast with balls flying all around but slid safely behind a good group of rocks 30 yard away. Jack and Marie decided to go together and run different directions and lessen the chances of being hit. It worked they both made it to safe cover.
It was my turn next. My heart pounded as I took a deep breath and sprinted away from the rocks toward some trees. I had hardly taken a step before I was hit in the arm again, grabbing it I ran on. A few steps more and I was hit hard in the thigh. I knew I had to go down. Staggering I turned looking for something to shoot at. The impact of rounds hitting my helmet and chest stunned me. I slowly dropped to the ground in the shade of a rock and died.
The rule is if killed you have to stay put so someone can get your ammo. Once stripped you can leave the battle area. The battle went on around me. Lyndsey dashed out and made it to the trees I had tried for. I was silently cheering her on the whole way. It was an interesting perspective to be watching the battle.
I now could see the posse locations in the rocks. They were well set with people along both sides of the canyon. I felt sorry for Frank and Preston wounded, stuck in the hot sun with no options. At least I died in the shade. I saw one of the Posse start to move along the canyon and knew he was trying to get a better on angle on our wounded, but I was dead and couldn’t warn them. John saw the Ranger too and started angling up the side to head him off. Marie and Lyndsey and Jack were all returning fire now. The sound of the guns echoing off the canyon walls. I watched shots pop on the rocks around the Rangers but it was a long way up and many were falling short. The Posse fire however was really accurate and kept them ducking.
John was closing on the Ranger and so far was not seen by him. Just when he was getting within range another Ranger I had not seen before rose out of the rocks and drilled john right in the chest. What a disappointment it was to see him go down! But the burst of fire alerted Frank and Preston to the posse’s plan and they got ready. Our other three tried to slow the approach of the Ranger but he moved ever on getting closer to a better shot. He slipped behind a bush then jumped out and opened up on them. In camp one day Preston had showed us how fast you could fire once you practiced a bit. He showed it again as he rolled from behind the rock and while under heavy fire ripped off five shots in the time it took me to do one. I saw three red spots appear on the Rangers body and he fell out of sight behind the bushes. Preston was fast on the fire but not fast enough getting back behind the rock and took two more hits, one in each leg. Things got quiet for a while, just a few sporadic shots. The sun blazed down, I looked up and saw a buzzard circle over head. Appropriate I thought.  
I saw Ranger Tanya at our horses looking them over obviously trying to find the loot bag. Then Preston started hollering in a pained way for water. They asked if he was hit and he told them yes, they asked if he was going to die and he told them probably. A moment later a canteen flew from the rocks landing just short of the rock they were behind. Frank slid out to grab it and a single ball blazed hitting him in the head.
That was a cheap shot I thought, throw a man some water then kill him when he tries to get it!
He lay sprawled in the sand. Jack made a move up the slope with Lyndsey right behind. I watched for ten minuets as they moved from rock to rock getting higher all the time. They soon started drawing fire but they were now high enough to fire some good shots too.  
Marie started up the other side and was cut down within 20 yards by Tanya and lay still. Just those two left now except Preston shot up behind his rock.  
Jack made a push a bit higher as Lyndsey covered him then Lyndsey moved up as Jack covered her. They were working well. They got to where John was and I saw them stop and get his ammo. More posse riders were on the move now heading to get Lyndsey and Jack. A long shot got Lyndsey in the arm. They kept moving and getting higher finally getting above all the Posse. They chose a spot that was high on the rim rock and they now commanded the field.  
The Posse gathered behind some rocks a little below and to the left of them and exchanged fire. As this was going on I saw Tanya head to where Preston was. He lay as tho sleeping behind his rock. I didn’t know if he knew she was there or not. I saw her watch him for a few minuets then with her gun on him she asked if he was dead. There was no sound out of him. She waited then asked again. No answer. She moved closer and knelt next to Frank and started getting his ammo, setting her gun down as she did. Preston suddenly launched himself and grabbed her. Twisting her around he grabbed her ribbon and pulled it off. As she moaned and he smiled I saw Ranger Frank stand up from behind a rock not 20 feet away, take careful aim and shoot Preston in the head.  
The battle still raged up on the rim, Lyndsey and Jack were sitting in good shape and the Posse was wasting a lot of shots trying to get them. Ranger Frank gathered ammo off me, then went and got it off Outlaw Frank, Preston and Tanya. He then headed up to his fellow Rangers with a lot of ammo. Tanya, Frank, Preston and I all went to get some water now that we had been stripped and then found some shade, we joked we were in the cemetery. John soon came off the hill and joined us as well as the other two dead posse riders. We watched for over an hour as shots were traded back and forth up top. Every time a posse rider tried to circle they were beaten back. Finally another hour later the Posse gave up trying to get them as the day was running short. They collected their dead and disappeared up canyon to where the horses must have been.
Eventually Jack and Lyndsey came down off the rim and we regrouped. We had taken a terrible beating. But still had our bag and might still have the lead in kills. We mounted up and headed to the ranch. Lyndsey led us in a round about way until we were in the safe zone.
The posse riders were all ready in the corral and we rode in all shouting remarks and poking fun as we unsaddled the horses. Then we all dashed for hot showers as the team leaders checked tallies.
As we consumed a delicious steak dinner it was announced that the week was a tie! neither team getting all six bags and both teams getting the same number of kills. So the decision was down to the amount of loot that was printed on the bags. Ours was only worth $25,000. The posse had four bags totaling $140,000 so they were the winners! We were disappointed we didn’t have bragging rights but we all took it with honor. What a week it was! challenging, exciting, terrifying, exhilarating. One hell of an adventure!
After breakfast the next day we headed back to the airport and the real world. It had been a great week we all agreed and we all want to do it again!