At first glance, Kate's standing akimbo, mildly disinterested in what's currently going on. However, take a closer look and you'll see her hand is not on her waist, but resting on the grip of her gun. Not with intent to use it — not yet, anyhow — but simply to comfort her. She's keenly interested, in fact; it just so happens her interest is less with the judge, and more with the townsfolk.

There's a lot you can learn from a mob.

"Shh."

She knows Gene is behind her before he ever opens his mouth. Her hand just barely brushes his breast.

Don't talk; listen.


"... another incident of cattle rustlin' last night. I understand no less than three separate complaints have been lodged by you cattlemen, not the least of which comes from Mr. McCormick here who, just last night, lost three head of cattle after surprisin' the bandits."

"They beat him over the head with a shovel!" Mr. Cooper is inclined to add, and another outburst works its way through the crowd.


"Things'r gonna get interestin'."


Kate doesn't just mean presently, but for the rest of their time in Oakville — which might end up being a lot shorter than she anticipated. Already her mind is working. It's usually best to get out of town once tempers start roiling, not even taking into account Gene's tourist status and her self-imposed responsibility to look out for him.

"Listen ... listen," Judge Parker continues, and a sharp whistle from an official at his right gets the gathering to quiet. "The point of this here meetin' is this, gentlemen. We're lookin' for deputies."

Suddenly, things are very quiet indeed.