The Wall Brothers and Joe reached the main street during the late afternoon and headed for one of the local eating spots. Joe had already decided to treat his new friends to a meal and drinks. After all, they had saved his life.

And much to Joe’s relief, the two brothers had not found his stash of money hidden in the lining of his heavy mackinaw.

John and Bill had been eating out one or two nights a week since their return from a long summer’s work in the bush. Their mill shack was just a short distance from Tête Jaune Cache. 

On that particular evening the street was crawling with gandy dancers, gypo contractors, scow drivers and “ladies of the night.” Joe and the Wall brothers moved across the street towards Dad’s Restaurant. 

As they approached the building, they saw the silhouette of a short, stocky woman just in front of the alleyway. Upon closer inspection, they discovered it was none other than ‘Swamp Sally,’ one of the resident natives from up near Sand Creek. Bill pointed her out to Joe.

“Hey, you boys got a match?” asked the girl as she staggered toward the group of men.  

She reached out to grab John’s coat as he passed, but only managed to fall flat on her face. Joe extended his arm to help her up.

When she was standing upright once again, Sally threw her arms around Joe’s waist. Cold, muddy water was dripping off the rim of her hat and her chin.

Joe looked around calmly, then in terror, in the direction of the restaurant door. John and Bill had gone inside.

In the next episode, The Hat Came Back, Joe locates his lost hat and will eventually have to work his magic to retrieve it.

llfrazer@telus.net