Mr. Hawes and Ben Minot, Bill had killed an outlaw named Arizona Wilson in a New Mexico gunfight. When two of Wilson's cohorts attempted to even the score with their six guns, Bill killed both of them with a shotgun.

I wondered what my mother would say if she knew that Bill had become a man killer.

As we neared the homestead, we could see that it was not deserted. A couple of horses were tied up outside the main five-room house, and about half a dozen more were in a nearby corral. We could see smoke coming from the cabin's stone chimney.

"You both best stay put while I ride on in and have a look-see," Bill said. "Why, do you think there will be trouble?" I asked.

"Well, they're squattin' on your land, ain't they? You both stay here till...

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