Vin scanned the room and spotting all but Ezra at a table in the corner, he strolled across and dropped into one of the two vacant chairs.

“Vin,” Buck greeted, sliding a glass of whiskey to his friend.  “We weren’t expecting you back for another...what are you smiling about?”

Vin’s smile broadened, his blue eyes twinkling with mischief. “Met a fella on the trail.  Said he knew someone called Standish.”

“Do tell,” Buck encouraged, suddenly very interested.

“He knew Ezra?” J.D. asked curiously.

Vin took a swig of whiskey and shook his head.  “Nope, but Standish isn’t a common name so I reckon it’s got to be kin.  Ezra said he don’t have any brothers and sisters and his father’s name was Edmund... so it ain’t close kin.  But I reckon it has to be kin.”

“How do you know his father’s name?” Nathan asked, eyeing Vin.

Vin shrugged.  “Told me one night when we were playing cards.”

“None of which explains why you appear so pleased,” Josiah commented, curiously.

Vin leaned forward and lowered his voice. “Apparently Remus Standish was a horse thief.”  The other boys glanced around at each other and smiles spread across their faces.

“A common horse thief?” Nathan checked.

“A Standish.”  Buck grinned.  “A horse thief.”  His eyes flashed mischievously.  “Oh, I’m going to enjoy this.  Where the hell is Ezra?”

“There’s more,” Vin stated, holding out his glass for Buck to fill.   “Remus Standish was sent to Montana Territorial Prison in 85, escaped in 87 and robbed the Montana Flyer six times.”

“Six times,” Chris repeated with amusement.  “At least he was a successful bandit.”

“Not only a horse thief, but a train robber,” Buck chuckled.  “This is gettin’ better and better.”

“He was caught by the Pinkerton Detectives, convicted and hanged in 89 at the age of 58... so I reckon it’s got to be an uncle or cousin.”

“I doubt they were close.  Can’t see Maude allowing Ezra to associate with a horse thief and train robber,” Josiah reflected.

The men sat in silence and the mirth between them bubbled and grew.

“A horse thief and train robber who was hanged.  Not a story Ezra tells often, I’m sure,” Josiah commented.

“I can’t wait to see his face when he knows we know,” Buck laughed.  “Speak of the Devil.  Here he comes.”

The six occupants of the table covered their looks of amusement with vailed innocence.  J.D. removed his bowler and began fiddling with it.  Buck started whistling tunelessly.  

“Ezra,” Vin greeted as Ezra took a seat next to him. 

“You are back earlier than anticipated, Vin.”  Ezra accepted a glass of whiskey from Buck.  “Thank you.”

“Ez, when Vin was riding back from Eagle Bend he heard someone mention your name,” J.D. stated.

Ezra glanced at the tracker who was covered in dust.  “They knew me?”

“Nahh.  Said he knew a guy called Standish, but his first name was Remus.”

All studied their friend, but Ezra didn’t batter an eyelid.  “My uncle,” Ezra drained the shot and placed the glass in front of Buck to be refilled.  “Uncle Remus was a fine man.  A man of some fame in the Montana Territory.  His business empire grew to include acquisition of valuable equestrian assets and he had intimate dealings with the Montana railroad.  Beginning in 1885, he devoted several years of his life to government service, finally taking leave to resume his dealings with the railroad.  In 87, he was a key player in a vital investigation run by the renowned Pinkerton Detective Agency.  Alas, Uncle Remus passed away during an important civic function held in his honour when the platform upon which he was standing collapsed.”

The other men at the table blinked, looked around at each other and then burst out laughing.

Vin patted Ezra’s back.  “Ezra, you really know how to spin a yarn.”

“From horse thief to important member of the community,” Josiah chuckled.

“It is all in the phrasing, my friends,” Ezra stated with a grin.  He lifted his glass to toast his companions.  “All in the phrasing.”

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© July 2006 Aussie Lass. : This relates only to the creative property in this story. The distinctive way the story unfolds, the specific dialogue and unique situations are mine. I acknowledge that some of the characters and settings belong to MGM and Trilogy Entertainment and thank them sincerely for turning a blind eye so I can borrow them. (g) No infrigement of copyright was intended and no profit has been made from this story... so, please don't sue me. It wouldn't be worth your while.