Riders of Destiny

A cowboy sang his song of fate

as he wandered the desert wide...

his eyes were burning with flames of hate

and his guns were loaded with poison bait,

as they hung

and swung at his side.

An outlaw had stolen his gal away,

an outlaw bold and fly

so hot on the tail of the outlaw's trail,

this cowboy rode ready to die.

Grease up your guns, outlaw, and cinch them on tight,

there'll be blood a-running in town

before night,

there'll be guns a-blazing and singing with lead,

tonight you'll be drinking

your drinks with the dead.

Shot in the back, eh?

Yeah.

Now, don't try to talk, Sheriff.

That's a nasty wound.

Stopped bleeding, though.

That's something.

Aw, you're going to be all right.

I'll have you in Starbuck before night.

Just a swallow, now.

You can have more later.

Whoa, boys... whoa!

We got him.

Well, are you hurt, Miss?

I don't think so.

Are they coming?

They're almost here.

They mustn't take me.

Really, they mustn't.

Please don't let them.

I'm not a bandit.

Really I'm not.

You see...

Hey, hey... this is the best place here, Elmer.

Give me a push.

Hey... get off my neck!

Don't you understand?

It was our only way out.

Won't you please help me?

Well, I'll do what I can do for you, Miss.

But your horse is done for.

Well, you'll have to take mine.

Hey, why don't you stay up there?

I'll have your horse in town for you in an hour.

You've got his horse, Bert.

Yeah.

Too bad I didn't get the road agent.

Well, he can't get far.

We got him.

We lost him.

Yeah.

You go that way.

Oh.

Aw, come on, Bert.

This ain't getting us nowhere.

Dad... I got it.

You got what?

Where in the world have you been?

I beat the robbers to it.

I held up the stage, and I got our money.

You... you held up the stage?

Why, I never...

Pop, don't get excited.

It's all over, and I'm safe.

But I lost Prince.

They shot him from under me.

And if it hadn't been for a stranger lending me his horse,

well, I guess I'd be in jail by now.

A stranger?

Wha... well, who was he?

I don't know.

But he sure was swell.

I've got to change my clothes and get

his horse back into town.

I never heard of anything like that before in all my life.

Hie!

The boys are sure late.

I wonder if anything's happened?

Here she comes now.

Put down them irons.

There ain't no passengers.

Well, hand down the bag.

You're late now.

There ain't no bag.

A masked rider held us up about two miles back.

What'll the boss say?

We can't help what he says.

It ain't our fault.

Well, we'll see you in town.

All right.

Giddyup there... ha... ha!

Well, Pete, we got stucked up again.

Where did it happen?

Down by big Rock Canyon.

What kind of a horse was he riding?

A bay.

Uh, we shot the horse, but the rider got away.

Well, you might trace the brand and find the owner.

By George, we never thought to look at the brand.

We'll ride up there, and see what we can find.

Oh, how do you do, Miss Denton?

How's your father?

Better, thank you.

Oh, Pete... was there a package for me today?

There was.

But the stage was held up.

Again?

Where's the Sheriff?

He hasn't got back yet.

You know, he went out to try and break up this road agent gang.

We haven't been able to find him.

Can I be of any assistance?

Well, my horse and saddle were stolen last night.

I thought maybe he might be able to help me find them.

What color was your horse?

He was a sort of a bay, with a Double-O brand.

Well, there was a horse of that description just shot.

Oh.

I hope it wasn't mine.

If it was, Miss Denton, I'll bring your saddle to you.

Thank you.

Howdy, folks.

Could you tell me where the Sheriff is?

Well, I take charge when he isn't here.

Can I do anything for you?

Thanks.

I'll wait for him.

The Sheriff didn't care especially for this job.

He might not come back.

I'll take that chance.

I have an idea he will come back.

I don't like the way that fellow talks.

We'll watch him.

Meet me at the crossroads, and I'll take you home.

All right.

That masked bandit story was on the square, huh?

Yeah.

He got us two miles ahead of the boys here.

Well, he's afoot now.

The only place he can get water is at Denton's, or town.

We may get him.

Let's have a look at that horse.

We'd better put your horse in the barn.

That's a good idea.

I reckon he's pretty dry.

You were right.

He is thirsty.

Come on.

I want you to meet my dad.

Why, sure.

I'd be glad to.

Dad, I want you to meet Mr. Saunders.

I want to thank you, young fellow, for what

you done for my daughter.

Well, forget it, but, uh, what's happened to you?

Sit down.

I'll tell you all about it.

Thank you.

You see, Fay and me own half interest in the mine at Yucca.

Our partner sends us our share every couple of weeks.

Sometimes it's only a few dollars.

Other times, it's a few hundred.

He always writes us when to expect it.

And almost always, the stage was held up

when the shipment came through.

One day, we discovered our letters were being opened.

They knew just when the money was coming.

So I decided to follow the stage.

Heh.

I ran into the hold-up, and got a slug in my hip.

Today, Fay thought she'd beat them to it.

Hm.

That's when you happened into it.

It's Kincaid, with my saddle.

Wait here.

I'll get him on his way.

It was your horse, all right, Miss Denton.

Here's your saddle.

Thank you so much.

Not at all.

Bert... take it out to the barn.

Never mind.

Don't trouble.

When your father's feeling better,

I'd like to talk to him about buying your ranch.

He's too ill to talk now.

Give him my regards.

Thank you.

I will.

Hey, Chief.

You know that hombre what was looking for the Sheriff?

Yes.

Well, his horse is in Denton's barn.

I wonder what his game is?

Well, whatever it is, we'll put a stop to it right here.