In the saloon, one of the deputies, a lop eared rabbit called Asia, all clad in denim, stood in the corner by the entrance. Watching the violence unfold, he walked over to the dragon's side.
"Hey feller," he said with a calm and untainted voice. "We've already put two men in the cells, and we're not averse to doing the same to you. Simmer down and don't be causin' trouble, okay?" He looked up at the dragon, showing his large chestnut brown eyes. In the distance, the soft echo of the mine explosion floated through the town.
The rabbit looked out the window towards the sound, until Spike drew his guns. Asia pulled out his own. "Anythin' the matter, gentlemen?
On the outskirts of town, a young loitering kitten kicked dust up and sent stones rolling across the ground, while his mother worked the night. He heard the explosion, loud and clear. He looked towards the sound, seeing the dustcloud rise from the mine and Without hesitation, ran straight for it, passing unseen under the shadow of night. By the time he reached it, he could see clearly what had happened. The mine had caved in. He bolted to the fallen rocks, and put his ear close to them. Faintly, he couldhear muffled moans of the few still alive. He pulled back, stumbling away.
"Oh God," he whispered, his eyes wide, memories flashing in his head. He knew the miners well. Everyone knew them. Without another wasted second he ran as fast as he could, stumbling and yelling. "Help! Help! The mine caved in!"
The men returned from chasing Reno, walking to the sheriff's office with tired eyes and aching thighs. One of them, a wolf with an oversized hat, planted himself into the Sheriff's chair. He opened a draw and attached the Sheriff's badge to himself. The other lawman, a coyote, winced. The new sheriff pulled out a blank piece of paper, handing it over to his new deputy.
"Take this to the printers, the bounty is five hundred dollars," said the sheriff.
"But Davey, it's the middle of the night."
"Then wake him up if you have to. We need to catch this kid. He has a habit of disappearing." The wolf pulled from the cupboard, a bottle of bourbon, and put his feet up on the desk, drinking. "When they're don, get that messenger boy to hand them out to all the towns."
"Can't do that, on account of him already out there handin' out them Korius posters." The coyote took off his hat and scratched his ears. The sheriff sighed and shook his head.
"I've only been at this job a few days and I've already got two killers on the loose." He looked out the window, then to his drink. The deputy raised an eyebrow.
"Nobody asked you to be sheriff."
"Yeah but I'm the best candidate for it." The deputy winced again. "If that messenger boy ain't back by the time the posters are finished, then you can go take them."
"Yes sir."
Over in Will's Town, the train spewed steam over itself. In the cloud, two young skunks darted along the side of the train, until they reached the cargo carriage. They both pushed the door open, then leapt inside, closing it shut behind them.