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Five strangers rode into Bodie, a small gold mining town They didn't look at anybody and kept their heads down At the Citizens bank they halted, it had been a long ride Four then entered the bank and one kept watch outside. The sheriff heard shots and came running, but they got away Bar one who was badly wounded and on the dust he lay But the bank teller and two townsfolk were now lying dead The sheriff called on the townsfolk, "We need a posse" he said. The Sheriff was concerned that the gang would come back To rescue the robber who'd been wounded in the attack He deputised a posse to pursue them, to pick up their trail But stayed behind in town, to ensure any rescue would fail. A posse and deputy assembled then rode out of town And took the trail due west as the sun was going down After about three hours riding they saw a flicker of light They all checked their weapons ; ready for a gunfight. They dismounted their horses and walked half a mile "We've got them" said the deputy who gave a big smile "They'll be doing no more thieving we'll make sure of that" Around a roaring camp fire three men and a boy sat. The deputy ran forward and drew his colt forty five Ready to take the outlaws; either dead or alive The posse then joined him told the men to keep still Told them if they moved, they wouldn't hesitate to kill. One of men said" Whats going on ?,we're just camping here " A posse member lashed out and drew blood from his ear The deputy asked them "Where's the money from the bank ?" They looked at each other bewildered, all their faces a blank. One of the posse saw something that caught his eye He kicked it away from the fire and let out a loud cry "It's a money bag from the bank; I think we've got our men" "That's not ours" said one of the men" you are mistaken". The young boy then spoke up said "I found it a way back There was nothing in it ; it was just an empty sack " One of the posse said "Let's hang em, there's a tree over there" They protested their innocence, but the posse didn't care. They tied the men up and marched them, over to the tree One brought over four ropes to hang them, no trial or mercy One of the posse protested "What we're doing ain't right If they were the outlaws they'd have put up a good fight". The others all ignored him and they got the nooses ready Then sat them on their horses whilst two held them steady The deputy drew his pistol and fired two shots in the air Their horses bolted forward and they were left hanging there. The deputy said " We'll leave em, be to others a warning We'll camp here tonight and head back in the morning" At sunrise they got up and made their way back to town Two riders approached them; the posse slowed down. It was the sheriff and a deputy who drew alongside Sheriff said "They came back but their partner had died But they're all safely in jail now we took em by surprise The circuit judge is coming, they'll all hang I surmise". There was a eerie silence as the sheriffs words sank in They'd got the wrong folk who hadn't done anything They told the sheriff everything who listened in silence They'd hung four people who'd committed no offence. He said "We'll get a wagon and cut their bodies down And give them a decent burial in the cemetery in town You'll all have to go before the judge, we'll let him decide Whether you acted within the law or committed homicide". Written 4th September 2020
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