The Tale of Billy Flynn
The Tale of Billy Flynn
Billy Flynn looked skyward
As the fire slowly died
The embers dancing gaily
They had a hard days ride
He looked down at the fire
At the coals and their red glow
"Better get them horses covered"
"The clouds are bringing snow"
From the back a voice was heard
"You sure, you crazy coot"
He looked to where the voice had come
And he lit up a cheroot
"As sure as we're all sitting here"
"Tomorrow, we'll see snow"
"So, get them horses covered"
"We'll want them warm when we must go"
They'd been out on the trail for months
Now, home was in their thoughts
They'd been hunting down some rustlers
Now, all but two were caught
The two were shot in Texas
In a shoot out first week in
The others caught in Reno
Nearly 21 weeks in
Billy poked the fire
And he said "best keep it hot"
"someone get some wood here"
"I suggest you get a lot"
They finished up their dinners
Billy said we'll leave 'fore dawn
There's someone out there watching
A quick rest, and we'll be gone
He set two cowpokes watching
Tending fire in the night
Watching for intruders
And keeping out of sight
Billy Flynn was old school
A Texas Ranger long ago
If anyone was closing in
Old Billy Flynn would know
"I'm resting now" old Billy said
"I'd suggest you do the same"
"Get the prisoners to the side there"
"To lose them now would be a shame"
He checked on all the horses
Made sure their blankets were pulled tight
Then Billy, grabbed his blanket
And he laid down for the night
In the morning, the ground was covered
It had snowed, three inches plus
The others all were watching
Billy Flynn....he made no fuss
"I could feel it in the air boys"
"The sky was screaming snow"
"I've been out here more than you have"
"That's all you gotta know"
They ate and broke camp quickly
They heard some noises to their right
The men that they had captured
Had friends show up late last night
They were keeping back a distance
Watching, waiting for their chance
While Billy Flynn showed nothing
And helped prolong the dance
"Boys, you'd best get ready"
"There'll be a shoot out sometime soon"
"I figure they'll be coming at us"
"In the open...round 'bout noon"
"Keep an eye around you"
"Move the prisoners to the flank"
"Protect yourself from whatever"
"These men have left in their dry tank"
Billy called it perfect
About five hours on the ride
Six gunmen came upon them
Three came in from either side
Billy took the first one,
Shot him dead, between the eyes
The youngster back behind him
Had never seen a grown man die
It only took two minutes
Thirty seven shots in all
And in the end there was old Billy
Off his horse and standing tall
The six were dead and bleeding
"We'll leave them to the birds"
Two of Billy's men were wounded
And he'd almost lost a third
Two hours on they came to town
Billy Flynn was in the lead
He stopped to get some water
That was all Billy would need
He took his prisoners to the Jailhouse
And his charges to the Doc
Then he went on to the tavern
Ordered drinks from barkeep Jock
This talks of Billy Flynn
And true old western tale
Just hope you never ever
Have old Billy on your trail
Billy drank his beer and walked away
He said "It's time for me to go"
"the clouds are saying one thing"
"But, watch out....we're in for snow".
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