Bosom Buddies--Cont.

The drovers' hearts were beating fast When our grueling drive was done. They'd had their fill of dust and beans, And the only thing they wanted now, Was a long, hot bath, and some cow town fun. They loaded up the holding pens With bawling, longhorn beef, Then spurred their horses into town, To seek out recreation-- And give their lonely hearts relief. Dark moods and headaches followed A long and lusty night. The cattle town was lifeless-- Billy Barnes was taut and mean, And the Kansas sun was blazing bright. The boys ducked into the general store Out of the noon-day sun. There, Billy saw his heart's desire-- Beneath the glass of the counter, Lay a blued steel, Colt, handgun. Against young Tom's wise counsel, Billy laid his money down. With the heavy Colt tucked beneath his belt, And feeling nearly ten feet tall, He stepped out on the streets of town. That evening found the bosom friends In a dimly lit saloon, Where the cost of rot-gut whisky, And painted good-time gals Left them busted much too soon. Out in the steaming, summer night, On the cattle town's boardwalk, Billy's mood was dark and somber-- While Tom McQueen, as usual, Was full of fun and nonsense talk. --continued...