by Mark Stewart
DAN DAYTON, his brother Barry, their tag-along mate Robert Masters were drinking at the local hotel ten miles from where they robbed the train. Dan busied himself admiring the blue diamond ring he stole from off Jessica’s finger. The other two were whipping up a disturbance. Verbal diarrhea volleyed between the bushrangers and a few patrons. The argument flowed faster than a river in flood. The dozen or so miners who came for a quiet drink either to celebrate their lucky gold find or to drown their sorrows on striking out looked angry enough to fight the bushrangers.
The tall bearded man behind the bar pouring whisky shots appeared to be disgusted at their drunken demeanor. He leaned forward giving the three men a steel-eyed look. Under his breath, through clamped teeth he whispered.
“You’ve downed your last drink in this establishment.” He raised an eyebrow to help hammer the warning home. “Understand what I’m talkin’ about?”
Staring the man in the eyes, Dan pushed the diamond ring deep into his pocket. Raising his fist, he shoved it under his nose.
“Bartender, another round for the three of us and make it snappy.”
“You’re upsetting the cliental,” spat the barman. “It’s time for you to move on. Go find a nice quiet corner somewhere out of town to sleep it off.”
“You’ll need a lot of mates to tell me what to do. I listen to no one especially a barman in this two-bit pub in this out of the way town,” taunted Barry, slurring his words.
“I have a friend sunder the bar, sitting on the top shelf begging for me to use it. After I’ve thrown the three of you out of this place, I’ll use my sawn-off shotgun. If you open your eyes in the morning, you’ll be limping for a very long time.”
Dan slid off the stool he’d been perched on, nodded at Masters and tugged at his brother’s arm, pulling him to the side of the room out of earshot.
“Before you two get us into a fight I think we should heed the barman’s warning. We need to stay un-noticed. We’ve bought a few drinks so let’s go finalize our plans in robbing the bank across the road.”
“Brother, you’re right we should be on our way.” Barry waved his hand in the air. Yelling in a slurred tone of voice, he announced to the men in the room. “Thank you, everyone, for your entertaining hospitality. My brother has convinced me it’s time to go. Nobody get up. We’ll find our way out.” Slamming money on the counter, he snarled at the barman. “Six bottles of whisky will help us to be gone.”
The moment the bottles were on the counter Barry swiped them up and led the way out of the building. When the outside air hit their face, the group of three stood swaying in the middle of the dirt road. Barry bowed at a few women who were hurrying past.
“I’m sure happy those lovely ladies weren’t about to shoot,” complained Masters. “The way they were glaring at us anyone would think they were our wives.”
The three bushrangers stored the bottles of whisky in their saddle bags. They were still chuckling when they rode their horses off into the night.
At the southern end of town, the three riders discovered an undulating landscape covered in tall grass. They rode along a well-worn trail for five minutes before a larger hill loomed out of the dark. The men made camp on the crest.
“This is the life,” snorted Dan, settling his head down on his saddle. “The stars are out, our saddlebags are full of money and jewellery from the train robbery, and I have in my possession the rumored solid silver colt .45’s we’ve been searching for.”
“Not forgetting to mention the blue diamond,” added Robert Masters.
Dan pulled the ring from his pocket. Lifting it to eye level, he started drooling over the stone.
“The ring must be worth a fortune,” whispered Barry.
“You’re not wrong brother.” Dan kissed the ring before placing it back into his pocket.
“I’ve been thinking,” snarled Masters. “Maybe we should keep the diamond ring Forland asked us to find. We could sell the stone, split the money three ways and head north to Sydney or Queensland. I’ve heard the weather is good up there. Countless ladies are looking for tough, rugged men.”
Dan sat bolt upright, staring at Masters. “What are you saying?”
“Forland hasn’t a hope in finding us. We have enough loot from the train robbery to live a happy life.”
Barry focused on his brother. “Maybe he’s right.”
“No, he’s not. I’ve planned to rob the bank. I’m not giving up a chance to be filthy rich. If you want out, go.”
“What’s this idea of the bank job?” Masters grilled. “I thought we were good mates. You two have never said a word about robbing a bank. In my opinion, it’s a bad idea. Let’s take what we have and count ourselves lucky.”
“We are good mates,” shrieked Dan.
“So why didn’t you confide in me?”
“Up to last week, the idea was only in the planning stage. I informed my brother a few days ago about the plan. He agreed it sounded great. The gold miners in this part of the country dig the gold out of the ground. They bring it to the bank. They exchange the gold for crisp new pound notes. I know for a fact the money comes to the bank by train. It’s no coincidence we’re here at this time. Instead of another train robbery which nets us a good amount of money why don’t we rob the bank which will give us a lot more?”
“When were you going to tell me the details?” jeered Masters.
“I just have,” taunted Dan. “What do you think?”
“I reckon you’re holding small amounts of information from me.”
“Why would I?”
“You two are blood brothers. I’m the third man in this trio.”
“Why should your statement alter my plans?”
“I have my suspicions. I believe we need to vote on whether your idea is in the best interest of the gang. If something were to go wrong; I don’t want to be in jail for the rest of my life or waiting to be hanged.”
“If I’m not mistaken, I reckon you don’t trust me,” quizzed Dan.
“I don’t.”
“We’ve been best mates from the moment we could walk.”
“I still don’t understand why I was kept in the dark?” questioned Masters. He shook his head in disgust at his so-called mates.
“I told you. Up until recently, the plan has been sketchy. I didn’t want to say anything till I knew every detail,” explained Dan.
“How do you know the money will be on the train?” asked Masters.
“I know people in high places.”
“What people?”
“Hold it right there, Masters,” snarled Barry. “He doesn’t have to tell you. Hell, he hasn’t even told me.”
“The whole plan sounds dirty,” grumbled Masters.
Barry looked at his brother. “I have to admit holding any information from us might be disastrous. I think you should let us in on who you’ve been talking to?”
“Are you taking his side?”
“I’m not on anyone’s side. If this bank job goes ahead, I want to know I’m going to live.”
“Trust me, nothing will go wrong,” insisted Dan.
“I’ve heard those words too many times before from other men. They’re six feet under,” growled Masters. “To put my mind and your brother’s, at ease why don’t you tell us more details? What time is the money due to arrive?”
“Tomorrow morning at exactly ten o’clock,” Dan explained. “The safe at the bank is full of gold. There will be only one lawman to escort the money from the train to the bank. We’ll be waiting inside the building. A quick clean robbery will set us up for the rest of our lives. Masters, after the robbery you’re more than welcome to disappear to do whatever you want.”
“If I’m not mistaken isn’t the law office close to the bank?” questioned Masters in a condescending voice. He smelt a trap and wanted to prove it. “If there is any noise the lawman will hear. Is it your grand idea to go up against the law? Barry and I will be too busy shooting to realize you have stolen the
money and the gold right from under our noses. You’ll be gone, leaving us to die.”
Barry gave his brother a dirty look.
Dan showed a sinister grin. “Don’t worry about what Master’s has just said; it is all lies.”
Masters stood hovering over Dan. His hand swiftly pulled his gun from the holster. Menacingly he pointed it at Dan.
“You should quickly explain yourself, or the next bullet I shoot from my gun will bore a hole through your heart.”
“You want more details; here they are. The all-important high-ranking police brass is due to arrive tomorrow afternoon. The lawman in charge of the new police station will be too busy cleaning and making fuss over paperwork to worry about the bank. I’ve already spoken to the man. He admitted he’s budding for a promotion. It’s the reason why the robbery must be first thing tomorrow morning.”
“You’ve spoken directly to a lawman?” questioned Masters.
“Of course, I have. He was quite chatty. He didn’t know I pumped him for information. The man wants to be remembered for being the best police officer in this part of the state.”
“Impressive,” mumbled Masters. “I wondered where you were for three weeks. Barry, what I want to know is why you didn’t say where your brother went? I always thought we were a good gang.”
“The way you said, ‘were’ doesn’t give me any confidence.”
“How do you think I feel? You could have at least confided in me.”
Dan directed his gaze straight at Masters. “I didn’t want anyone to know. If the law got even a smell of my idea they could easily change their routine at the last minute. Come on, don’t be too upset. It’s an easy robbery. While everyone else lives in a dream world hoping to strike it rich finding a large gold nugget, we three will be sitting in the sun on the beach living it up.”
Masters stroked the stubble on his chin brooding over the idea before pushing his gun back into his holster.
“Okay, I’m in. If the plan works and I’m not part of it I’ll be kicking myself for the rest of my life.”
Closing his eyes, Dan settled himself down for the night.
Masters, Dan, and Barry, fell asleep under the stars dreaming about how the next day might pan out and how to spend their share of the money.
CHAPTER EIGHT
