A Surprise For Heyes
By Heyes's Girl
As dawn broke over the mountains encircling Devil’s Hole, Kyle Murtry stood watch, shivering and grumbling about always being assigned guard duty. He resolved that next year, Heyes would take his place. When Lobo arrived to relieve him, Kyle headed down for breakfast, determined to confront Heyes about the unfairness.
Outside the leader’s cabin, Kyle greeted Heyes and launched into his complaint.
“Heyes, I got a complaint”
“Oh, and what’s that?
“It’s that I’m always the one on guard duty well next year, it'll be you up there all the time, not me."
"Really?"
"Absolutely. I'm done being the one up there."
"Kyle, remember that Heyes is the leader, so he doesn't have to take a turn on guard duty, right?" said a voice from the doorway. The speaker was none other than the tall, broad-shouldered Kid Curry.
"Morning, Kid. But it ain’t fair. I’m always the one up there."
Heyes, ever the smooth talker, reassured him,
“You’re the best at what you do. I trust your keen eyes to spot any lawman near here.”
Kyle paused, then grinned.
"Thanks, Heyes. Now I get it—I'm good at this."
"That's right, Kyle. Go grab your breakfast, because I need to discuss tomorrow’s plan with the Kid."
The Kid hid a grin as Kyle left for his meal. Once Kyle was out of earshot, Kid remarked
“I can’t believe he bought it.” Heyes smiled, already thinking ahead to tomorrow’s plans. He remarked,
“I can”
As the wind picked up, they went inside to have their own breakfast and found Kid’s dog, Soldier, had already found the warmest spot by the hearth.
“Border collies are smart,” Heyes observed.
“That’s why he’s not outside.” Kid grinned, “Smarter than some folks I know—he never volunteers for extra chores and always finds the comfiest spot.”
Heyes spent the morning drafting a plan for the gang’s next job. By lunchtime, he announced,
“Kid, I’ve finished the plan.”
Kid replied,
“You have now, but by the time you explain it to Kyle, it might not be quite so complete.”
Heyes rolled his eyes, and said dryly
“Oh, go ahead and deflate my enthusiasm,”.
“Apologies, Heyes,” Kid replied.
“You will be if you keep that up. Come on, let’s go tell the others.”
Kid sighed. “Do we have to, Heyes? It’s warm in here”
“Kid, you’re supposed to be a tough gunfighter. Shall we go that includes your furry companion”
Soldier looked up, yawned, and lay back down.
“Kid, a word?”
“Soldier, if I have to go out, so do you. Let’s go.
He whistled for him, together they went to the boy's cabin.
In the boys’ cabin, Heyes drew everyone’s attention.
“Listen up, boys. We need this plan to work—otherwise, we won’t have money for Christmas. Clear?”
The gang nodded, eager for details. Heyes outlined the plan: everyone would be up at six, breakfasted and ready by half past, then ride out to intercept the 8:30 train to Santa Fe, which was rumoured to be carrying $100,000 for the Southern Pacific Railroad Company directors. The money would ensure a good Christmas and New Year for the gang.
Heyes assigned roles: Lobo, Wheat, and Hank would remove the rails; Kid and Soldier would keep watch for the train; himself and Kyle would handle the dynamite; Shields and Lean would take care of the telegraph wires. Wheat, ever cautious, asked about the train guards.
“Heyes, I have one question. What about the guards on the train? They’re not just going to leave $100,000 to the sole care of the baggage car guard, are they?”
Heyes sighed, expecting that someone—probably Wheat—would ask the question.
“Well, if you’ll let me finish, I was about to explain that when the train stops, Kid and Soldier will go first and deal with the two deputies assigned to guard the money.”
Wheat remained silent, slumping in his chair; Heyes had outwitted him once more, much to his annoyance. Kyle then asked:
"Heyes, why are both of us working with the dynamite instead of just me? Don't you trust me anymore?"
“No, Kyle, it’s not that. It will simply be faster with both of us working together, and I’d rather not stay out in the cold any longer than necessary. Do you see my point?”
Kyle nodded it made sense even to him why be out in the cold longer than you need to be. So, everyone agreed to Heyes’s plan then he and Kid with Soldier following on left the boys to get things ready for tomorrow.
Morning arrived sooner than Kid would have liked. He roused Soldier from his basket and began his morning routine. Soldier, eager as ever, scratched at Heyes’s door, only to be told to go back to Kid. After breakfast, the gang mounted up and rode out, Heyes keeping a close eye on the time. Everything was on schedule as they reached the tracks. The boys set to work: rails were removed, telegraph wires cut, and Kid and Soldier went further down the track to listen for the train.
Kid said to Soldier,
"Soldier, I am considering getting Heyes a Christmas gift from town. However, I am uncertain whether you will approve of it."
Soldier tilted his head, listening to Kid.
"I'm thinking about getting Heyes a cat. He likes cats, and I have you—so why shouldn't Heyes have a pet too? What do you think?"
Soldier barked twice.
"Don’t like it huh?"
He barked again,
"Alright, it was a bad idea—no need to continue."
Then Kid saw the reason for the barking: a plume of black smoke signalling the train's arrival.
“That’s a good boy—come on, let’s go tell Heyes.”
They ran over to him.
"Heyes, she's coming! Soldier spotted her before I did."
"Good boy, Soldier," Heyes said.
"Alright, boys, clear the tracks—she's coming."
Everyone took cover and mounted their horses, waiting for Heyes' signal.
The train screeched to a halt and stopped.
"Let's move, boys."
They rode down to the train, where everyone leaned out the windows to watch. As Heyes and the others appeared, the crowd quickly understood the situation.
Heyes did his usual stand and deliver, Wheat and Kyle got the passengers off the train while Soldier and Kid got on the train and went through to the baggage car. One deputy let off a wild shot as Kid entered with Soldier just behind him.
“Soldier, hold him”
Soldier stepped forward, teeth bared and a low growl rumbling from his throat. The second deputy dropped his gun and retreated into the corner of the car. With the first deputy being awkward and refusing to back down, Kid spoke up,
“Deputy, please put down your gun. I’d rather not give the next command, as it won’t be pleasant for you. Be sensible and drop the weapon.”
The Deputy understood what the alternative command would be and eventually dropped his gun. Kid quickly tied up and gagged the deputies while Soldier continued to guard them. Once they were secured, Kid said,
"Soldier, stand down."
He immediately sat, appearing remarkably calm and gentle—a stark contrast to the aggressive demeanour he had exhibited moments earlier. The Kid then opened the door to allow Heyes and Kyle inside. Heyes and Kyle set up the dynamite, and everyone took cover. Kid covered Soldier’s ears as the explosion echoed through the valley.
Inside the safe was the money box. Heyes opened it, grinning at the sight of $100,000.
“Come on, boys, let’s get out of here,” he called, mounting his horse. As they rode away, Heyes turned to the crowd and announced,
“I, Hannibal Heyes, wish you all a very merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year on behalf of Kid Curry, Soldier, and the rest of the Devil’s Hole gang.”
That night, as the gang sat around in the larger of the two cabins, the air was thick with the satisfaction of a successful job and the warmth of camaraderie. Soldier curled up by Kid’s feet, finally at ease, while Heyes nursed a cup of coffee and retold the day’s events with a sparkle in his eye.
Kyle and Wheat exchanged knowing grins, both relieved and quietly proud. Lobo looked out of the window and up at the night sky. The stars above Devil’s Hole seemed unusually bright, and for a moment, the world felt safe and full of promise—Christmas was coming, and this year at least, the Devil’s Hole gang could afford to enjoy it in peace.
Kid was still considering buying Heyes a cat—since he liked cats, it seemed like a good idea. Soldier would simply have to get used to it. So, as they left the boys who were still celebrating a job well done, Kid subtly hinted at what he had in mind.
"Heyes, do you want a pet? I’ve got Soldier. Wouldn’t you like someone to cuddle with?"
"Nice idea, Kid, but Soldier wouldn't get along with a cat—and the feeling would be mutual."
When they arrived at the leader’s cabin, everyone shed their coats, hats, and gun belts. Kid moved over to the hearth to light a fire, then headed into the kitchen to brew a pot of coffee. Soldier settled down in his basket by the warmth of the flames. Meanwhile, Heyes kicked off his boots and relaxed in his favourite armchair.
With the fire crackling in the grate and the aroma of fresh coffee drifting through the cabin, Heyes looked across at Kid, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. The good fortune of the day's adventure still lingered, and for a while, the two men sat quietly, letting the sense of peace settle.
Outside, Soldier’s ears twitched as he dozed, and every so often, a gust rattled the windowpanes, reminding them of the wintry night beyond. Inside, however, it was warm and safe, and for the first time in a long while,
Heyes felt as though he could truly relax, grateful for friends, a roaring fire, and the promise of a festive season unmarred by worry.
Heyes announced that it was time for bed, noting that they’d had a long—and, indeed, successful—day but he was feeling tired. Kid agreed with him.
“Come on, Soldier, time for bed,” said Kid.
Soldier yawned, climbed out of his basket, and followed Kid into his room. Heyes put out the fire, locked both the front and back doors, and then headed to his own room after saying goodnight to Kid and Soldier.
The next morning, Kid woke up to find Soldier nestled under his chin on the bed. He laughed and said,
“You get cold last night buddy” Soldier licked his hand as he brought it up to give a stroke and remove him from his chest. He then got up and went to do his morning ablutions, but the water in the jug was frozen. So would have to wait until later but the first thing was to go and light the fire and make Heyes some coffee
Heyes was considering getting up, but when he stuck his leg out of bed and felt the freezing air, he quickly pulled it back under the covers. Instead, he reached to the end of the bed, grabbed his pants from the chair where he'd left them the night before, put them on while still in bed, and only then got up.
He went out to Kid and Soldier in the front room, he noticed Kid hadn’t shaved, so, he said,
“Kid, are you considering growing a beard, or did you just forget?”
“No, Heyes, the water in the jug was frozen this morning
“Oh, I see,”
Heyes watched as Kid put a warm cloth around the jug to melt the ice inside without cracking the jug.
“Kid, that was genius”
“Thanks, Heyes”
After breakfast he went into town to buy Heyes, his cat
“Mornin’ what can I do for ya?”
“I would like that little black kitten in the window”
“You want a black cat?”
“Yeah, I ain’t suspicious, and besides which it’s for a friend and he ain’t suspicious either”
“Oh, alright” he went to get the little kitten.
“Here you are sir that’ll be $10.00 dollars”
He paid the ten dollars and then took the little kitten and popped him in his saddle bag and then he went to the leather shop and asked could he make a collar for a little kitten and showed him what he wanted on it.
“Yes, sir I can make that no problem, take me about twenty minutes,”
“I’ll go and have a drink in the saloon while I wait”
So, Kid went and waited in the saloon for the collar to be made. Back in Devil’s Hole Heyes wondered where he could have got to. He went and asked Kyle,
“Kyle, have you seen Kid?”
“Yep, he went into town, I don’t know what for I just know he went into town”.
“Oh, ok” said Heyes as he went back inside.
In town Kid went back to the leather shop and the man produced the collar.
“It’s perfect thank you”
“That will be $8.00 Dollars”
Kid paid the man and went on his way he checked on the kitten and then went home.
Ten days after that was Christmas day Kid went and put the Kitten in a little box and closed the lid, then he presented it to Heyes.
“Heyes, Happy Christmas”
“Oh, Kid you shouldn’t have”
“I wanted to it’s a surprise for you open it”
So Heyes opened it and pop out came a little black head, so Heyes picked it up and then noticed the collar it was an exact replica of his own hat band.
“Oh, Kid He’s gorgeous thank you”
Soldier didn’t bark he just sniffed at the new arrival and after he discovered it wasn’t threatening, he gave it a lick,
“Well, Soldier likes him, but the thing is Heyes do you?”
Heyes looked at Kid with tears in his eyes and said,
“Yes, Kid I do thank you”
He took the kitten over to show the boys and the instant they saw the collar the decided to call him Little Heyes. Then it was time for lunch, they ate, drank and sang to their hearts content.
When night fell it was time to go home and bed while for Heyes and Kid anyways, they stumbled in the door happy and rather drunk not that they cared. They went to bed. As Heyes got into bed he saw junior sitting on the chair.
“Come on come and snuggle with me” he said as he lifted him into the bed with him. Kid was happy that he had ignored Heyes’s misconceptions about having a cat with Soldier around and given him a Christmas gift he would cherish for a long while, and it was a complete surprise. A surprise for Heyes.
