No Less Than the Journey (34 page)

Wes and David Connolly were still talking together when Aaron returned some time later. Greeting Wes, he said, ‘Well, have you thought over what David has had to say to you Wes?’

‘I’m still thinking good and hard, Aaron – but you’ll remember I was never keen on taking a deputy marshal’s badge.’

Aaron’s expression showed disbelief, ‘You’re turning down Governor Schuster’s offer?’

Aware of Aaron’s very real dismay, Wes said, ‘Well I must admit a full marshal’s badge is more tempting than that of a deputy – and this leg of mine is never going to be well enough to let me climb up and down a mine shaft ladder … so I reckon I might give it a try….’

During the celebrations that followed his announcement Wes let it be known that he had no intention of forgetting his mining roots, nor the memory of the uncle who had brought him to America from England. He would ensure that the man who had taught him his skill with a handgun would be remembered too. The United States Marshal’s badge that he would wear was to be specially made for him from silver ore he himself took from the Rocky Mountain mining claim that had once belonged to Peter Rowse, and was now owned by Old Charlie.

It was an item he would wear close to his heart in the years that lay ahead.

E.V. Thompson was born in the East End of London, but after his family home was destroyed during the Second World War, moved to Oxfordshire. E.V. Thompson has been a sailor, policeman, airline detective, chief of Civil Aviation Security, floor sweeper, hotel detective and a civil servant. He now writes full time. E.V. Thompson has had a vast number of short stories and articles published in newspapers and magazines and broadcast on radio in many countries and he has presented numerous radio series on BBC Radio Cornwall and overseas. E.V. Thompson currently lives at Trebartha on Bodmin Moor.

THE MUSIC MAKERS

THE DREAM TRADERS

CRY ONCE ALONE

BECKY

GOD’S HIGHLANDER

CASSIE

WYCHWOOD

BLUE DRESS GIRL

TOLPUDDLE WOMAN

LEWIN’S MEAD

MOONTIDE

CAST NO SHADOWS

SOMEWHERE A BIRD IS SINGING

WINDS OF FORTUNE

SEEK A NEW DAWN

THE LOST YEARS

PATHS OF DESTINY

TOMORROW IS FOR EVER

THE VAGRANT KING

THOUGH THE HEAVENS MAY FALL

The Retallick Saga

BEN RETALLICK

CHASE THE WIND

HARVEST OF THE SUN

SINGING SPEARS

THE STRICKEN LAND

LOTTIE TRAGO

RUDDLEMOOR

FIRES OF EVENING

BROTHERS IN WAR

The Jagos of Cornwall

THE RESTLESS SEA

POLRUDDEN

MISTRESS OF POLRUDDEN

As James Munro

HOMELAND