*** Two later in Coyote Springs ***

Seven dust clad riders rode into town. Stopping in front of the saloon they tethered their horses and sauntered inside. Gabe LaRoche stood at the bar sipping on a glass of whiskey. His eyes straight ahead he had not seen the men enter. Suddenly he felt a gun barrel at his side and a familiar voice came from the man standing next to him holding the handle of the gun keeping it inconspicuously hidden from view.

“Where’s Cheyenne?,” he sneered.

Gabe turned to see Josiah glaring at him. He felt the presence of another on the other side of him and saw Chris Larabee ordering a drink from the bartender as if he didn’t know him. Vin Tanner stood next to Chris.

“She’s in jail.” Gabe told him in a low voice. “'Bout damn time you got here.”

“Let's talk about this someplace else.” Chris insisted speaking low then taking a gulp from his glass as if he were paying no attention to them. He set the glass down and left the saloon nonchalantly. Buck and Vin followed, also trying to keep and inconspicuous air. The others kept there positions should anyone else follow them out and also to see if they could find out any other information.

Josiah motioned with his head toward the door and he and Gabe made their way out of the saloon few seconds later. The men met up in an alley way next to the saloon. Gabe was edgy and anxious.

“What the hell you waiting for, eh? They gonna hang Cheyenne in a couple hours we got to get her out jail now.” He told them angrily.

Josiah stepped up to him his gun now in its holster. Leaning close to him Josiah took hold of the younger man's shirt roughly.

“And what the hell is she doin' there? You were suppose to take care of her!” He growled, his eyes flashing with anger.

“We had to come in to town for supplies.” Gabe explained unthreatened by the big man's gruffness. He shoved Josiah away before he finished. Vin stepped up to Josiah and put a hand on his shoulder before the preacher could again grab hold of Gabe. “Deputy seen her and recognized ‘er wasn’t nothing I could do. They din’t even hold a trial. Seems Lancer's widow and her boy owns this town. Ain’t no way she’d get a fair one here anyhow. I figered you’d be her best hope.”

Chris blew out a heavy breath. “Any chance a talkin' the sheriff into lettin' us take her back to Four Corners for a trial?” He asked.

Gabe shook his head no. “He’s run by the woman.”

“Well then,” Chris sighed “looks like we interrupt a hangin'.”

Buck looked at his friend. Something in his tone told him Chris had something in up his sleeve. “You got a plan there ol’ buddy?” he asked suspiciously.

Chris’s answer was a wink and a short nod.

***A couple of hours later***

Cheyenne stood on the wooden gallows, her hands tied behind her back. The noose was put around her neck and tightened. A preacher dressed in a hooded black robe, stepped in front of her with bible in hand.

“Your sins have been forgiven my child,” he paused “as have mine.”

Cheyenne looked at him suspiciously. That voice, she knew that voice. As the preacher began giving her his blessing she tried carefully, so no one would notice, to see the preacher’s face under the hood.

The preacher continued his blessing then in a whisper spoke in French.

“Get ready,” then cautiously looking up at her he winked.

Cheyenne’s heart raced but she kept her expression emotionless. Her eyes met Josiah’s for only a brief moment. She knew without a doubt that today she would not hang. Josiah was here, and she was certain he had brought with him the other six peacekeepers of Four Corners.

Josiah walked down the gallows steps and stood just under the gallows. The wagon holding the pine box that would carry Cheyenne to her final resting-place was still, next to the gallows. Josiah glanced at the driver. Ezra gave him a short and barely noticeable nod signaling he was ready.

The sheriff took a step forward standing in front of Cheyenne and spoke loudly for the crowd that had gathered to hear.

“Cheyenne Beaujuex you have been sentenced to hang for murder. By the authority invested in me as sheriff of Coyote Springs I deem it my responsibility to carry out this sentence. May the lord have mercy on your soul.”

For one brief moment before she felt herself fall she caught sight of an older woman clad in a black dress and sheer black veil standing behind the crowd. A younger man stood next to her. Then the events that followed next became a blur.

The sheriff pulled the lever. Instantaneously at the same moment a shot rang out threw the air. The crowd scattered. Screams were heard from some of the women that ran. Cheyenne fell to the ground, the rope still dangling from her neck.

Vin raced from his hiding spot on the roof of the saloon as soon as the bullet left his rifle and ran for his horse.

The sheriff wasted no time pulling his side arm and took aim as he ran down the stairs intent on shooting Cheyenne.

Like lighting Nathan, who’d been hiding in the crowd, pulled a knife and threw it hitting the sheriff's gun hand. His aim went wild as the gun fell from his wounded hand.

Cheyenne had barely felt the ground beneath her when two strong arms quickly lifted her and tossed her into the waiting wagon with the pine box that was to be her coffin.

Ezra disguised as the wagon's driver glanced back to see Cheyenne had made it into the wagon as Josiah tore off his robes and jumped in the driver’s seat next to him. Ezra slapped the reins commanding the horses to go.

As the wagon raced off JD raised up from under blankets in the wagon and began shooting as gun fire filled the air from deputies and townsmen bent on stopping the impending escape. Ezra whipped the horses urging them on more quickly and the wagon rolled on faster. Bullets flew from every direction. Josiah grabbed the rifle from under the seat and began firing as well.

Vin and Chris rode from one side of town firing as they raced out of Coyote Springs laying down cover fire as Buck did the same from the other side of town while Nathan ran to, mounted his horse, and took his place beside Buck. The four men rode off hell bent for leather after the wagon.

“Cut her loose!” Josiah yelled to JD as he flung his knife landing it on the floorboard next to the boy. In no time JD had done as Josiah had ordered slicing the ropes that bound Cheyenne’s hands. As soon as her hands were free Cheyenne jerked the rope from around her neck and flung it out of the wagon.

The boys raced to catch up with the wagon as the sheriff quickly gathered a posse and pursued them.

Gabe waited nervously until he saw the wagon and riders approaching. He kicked his horse and leading four other horses raced to meet the wagon. Ezra kept his team at a steady pace as Gabe caught up to them keeping his horse’s stride matching that of the wagon. JD quickly holstered his guns stood keeping his balance in the fast moving wagon he easily jumped from the edge on to his horse racing off but still staying close waiting for the others to catch up.

Cheyenne took JD’s lead and leapt on to Black Wind. She hesitated while waiting for Josiah to jump to his horse.

“Ride Cheyenne!" Josiah shouted as he barely made the jump to his mount.

Ezra loosely tied the reins to a board in front of him. Then stood as Gabe brought his horse closer to the moving wagon. As Ezra made his jump onto his mount Gabe threw him the reins. The wagon raced onward. Chris, Vin, Nathan and Buck joined the others.

“Now!” Chris bellowed. “Split up like we planned.”

The riders all broke into different directions as the wagon continued on its path. Chris, Vin, Nathan going one way. Ezra, JD and Buck yet another, leaving Josiah, Cheyenne and Gabe heading in an opposite direction as well.