Jessica pulled Bellisario to a snorting, pawing halt on the rise at the edge of Jed's claim. Jed?! She called, scanning the area before her cautiously. She didn't want to just ride right in and meet up with a bullet from Jedidiah's shot gun. Jed? Its Sheriff Danvers.

She urged the snorting, fidgeting stallion forward and rode into Jed's claim. She halted the stallion in front of the minor's shack. The door was wide open and she could see that he wasn't inside. Maybe he's down at the stream, she thought turning the stallion in that direction. As she neared the stream she was relieved to see the kneeling figure of the minor. Bellisario snorted and Jed whirled, shot gun coming up.

You wouldn't shoot me or this big goof, Jessica said dismounting and leading the horse towards the old man.

Sheriff Danvers, didn't hear ya come up? What are you doing here? He asked leaning the shot gun up against a nearby tree.

Guthrie was worried about you. Said you hadn't been by for a couple of weeks.