Chapter 6

Chapter 6 - Meeting Billy
The next morning the four time travelers where having breakfast in the old officers mess Peter Maxwell used as a restaurant.
While looking at Link, Gene whispers, "We're catching some looks and gossip."
"After yesterday it's to be expected," replied Link while cutting a piece of steak. "You know this grass fed beef without all the
antibiotics should be much healthier."
"Here comes Jake," points out Jim.
Sure enough carrying a heaping plate Jake was headed right to their table. "Mornin everyone. Hey Link would you mind moving
down a bit so I can sit next to ya."
While standing to move his chair Link bumped Jake's tray with his belly. Somehow Jake managed to keep his tray full of food from
hitting the floor. "Link would ya be more…" when he noticed Link bending over and grimacing he stopped. "You going to try and
tell me your ulcer is acting up again Link? I know better." After setting down his plate Jake reached into a top pocket and pulled
out the smashed bullet. He put it on the table in front of Link's plate. "I sure wish you would explain this to me. I never seen anyone
stop a bullet and only have a sore belly to show for it. And don't try and tell me it hit your belt buckle because you're wearing the
same one and it's undamaged."
Not knowing what to say Link just stared at Jake. He then decided to change the subject, "Jake we're looking for someone and
wonder if you could help us out?"
"Maybe, who'd it be?"
"Uh, Billy…Bonnie."
Immediately a hush went around the room and all eyes were on Link and his friends, sizing them up. Link was beginning to feel
concerned. He knew these were Billy's friends. Actually the entire town liked Billy.
Even Jake looked nervous and stood up. "I'm moving to a different table."
"Wait Jake we're friends not the law." Link said it loud enough for the entire room to hear. "Please sit back down."
Not wanting to be anywhere near these four if bullets were going to fly Jake looked nervously around. Figuring everyone in the
room were more curious than anything else Jake sat back down.
Looking first to Link then the others, "There is no way you four know Billy. But then again you sure don't look like the law either."
Gene had a grin on his face when he said, "Go ahead Link tell him, I want to hear this too."
Link looked around the room and wasn't the least bit surprised to see all faces were on him, quietly listening.
"Well, ur uh we just want to talk to him…make him an offer. Yeah that's it we want to hire him to ride with us."
"Ride where," questioned Jake.
Cowboys who had been eating while listening now gave their full attention.
"To Chicago".
"Chicago! Billy would never go to Chicago!" exclaimed Jake.
After hearing some laughter and murmuring Link offered, "If it paid well enough he might."
"I think you'll be wasting your time, but I tell you what Billy got in early this morning, when he gets up I'll let him know."
"Thanks Jake. We'll wait in town."
"Hey Link lets go check out that general store. I'd like to see what their selling," suggested Jenny.
"Just like a woman, always looking to shop and spend money," laughed Jim.
"Jenny's right Jim it might be kinda interesting," agreed Gene.
"Ok let's go. Jake we appreciate your help." Link stood up and pushed his chair under the table.
The weather as they walked the half mile or so into town was a perfect seventy degrees or so. Link noticed how the few people in
the small town tended to stare at them. After entering the general store Gene spotted a small table with three wood chairs around it
and pointed it out to Link. While Link and Gene took seats Jim and Jenny looked around.
"Link things have been moving so fast I haven't had time to question you about what happened yesterday. That dust devil just
doesn't make any sense to me. Can you explain it, and are we stuck here or is there going to be a way for us to get back?"
"Possibly, I'll know more after we return."
"Possibly what? Possibly stuck here? How do we get back? Find another dust devil?"
Link was getting ready to answer when a young cowboy entered the store. He stopped after entering and did a quick gaze around
glancing at the two at the table. His eyes continued but stopped when he spotted Jenny. A big smile quickly spread across his
face and he immediately moved towards her. Hearing his boots on the wood floor Jenny looked up.
The cowboy doffed his hat with his left hand. "Howdy miss my name is Billy. The whole town is talking about you and I just had to
come see for myself." He paused while looking her up and down. "You sure are some kind of woman!"
Jenny's face turned red.
Jim spoke up, "Careful Billy she's my girlfriend."
Billy turned towards Jim, the smile had left his face. He looked Jim over almost the same as Jenny but his eyes stopped when they
came to the gun Jim was wearing.
"That's an interesting gun your wearing, are you any good with it?"
The day before in the saloon Jim responded to the situation without fear but now he felt the hairs on his neck standing up for
standing in front of him was Billy the Kid, known gunfighter and killer. Like Jenny, Billy was wearing two guns and his right hand
was close to one.
Coming to Jim's rescue Jenny reached out touching Billy's arm. "Pay him no attention Billy he just thinks I'm his girlfriend. I'm so
pleased to finally meet you I'm Jen…ah Barbie."
Looking back to Jenny Billy was putting his hat back on when Link spoke up from behind.
"Hello Billy we've been waiting for you."
Billy whirled half way while backing so all four were now in front of him. Somehow at the same time a gun was in each hand
pointed at the four.
"Whoa Billy were friends," Yelled Link loudly.
"I apologize you startled me. Jake said you were ok." Billy returned the six shooters to their holsters.
"Please Billy let's go sit down. Jim see if you can bum some more chairs from the owner."
"Bum?" Questions Billy.
"Borrow," answers Gene for Link.
After everyone was seated Link commenced. "Billy what would it take to get you to go to Chicago with us?"
"Chicago! Never."
"Billy things have changed for you. Pat's already caught you once, he'll get you again. I'm giving you a chance to do something
useful, to help some other people. Maybe it'll help square you with God."
"Square me with God?"
"Sure the life you lead you probably won't be around long and there's some people in Chicago that could sure use the help of you
and your pals," smiled Link. "And to sweeten the deal I'll pay you and your pals each $5 per day."
"Five dollars a day"! Exclaimed Billy. "Wow I can't pass that up. But what do we have to do?"
"Take out the Cleaver gang," answered Link.
"Another gang war, I just got over one and I'm not really looking to get into another."
"I can guarantee none of your friends will be hurt and you'll make good money."
"How can you guarantee no one will be hurt. No one getting hurt in a gang war is impossible."
"We have our ways," jumped in Gene.
"I guess you do at that. Jake told me you people can stop bullets."
Link couldn't help smiling at that.
"Will you be able to do that for me and my pals?"
Link looked at Gene then back to Billy and spoke quietly and very seriously. "Yes we can."
"And can I have a gun like yours?"
"No you'll do better with the ones you're used to," replied Link. "You've fired double action revolvers before."
"None that look like yours."
Link ignoring Billy, "Talk to your pals and get back to us."
"Wait, one more thing, how would we get there. It's too far to ride." Billy wants to know.
"You're right, it's too far to ride. We'll ride North to Las Vegas (NM) and take the train to Chicago."
Gene breaks in, "Link you know that'll take us right through Galesburg."
Link looked over at Gene."Yes I know, tempting isn't it? To see what the Quad Cities are like in the 19th century."
While standing Billy looked to Jenny and smiled. "I sure hope you'll be riding with us."
An embarrassed Jenny with a red face replied, "I will be, wouldn't miss it for the world." She then looked at Jim who was looking at
Billy with a deep frown.