Snippet #959018

Colton pulled back on Ricochet’s reins, nearing a campfire, dusk soon approaching the timeless land. He drew near to the three men who sat before the campfire, one smoking a cigar. He tipped his hat in greeting. “G’evening, partner” he greeted, dismounting his horse as he tied the reins to a dead tree. “Mind if I join you?” he enquired, taking a cigarette from his duster coat pocket, lighting a splint on his boot.
The stranger glanced slowly up at Colton, putting his cigar out. “Not at all” he replied coolly, gesturing for him to sit down.
Colton nodded in thank-you, taking a seat beside a drunken man who was loudly snoring.
“Don’t mind old Bill there, just had a few too many” he joked.
Colton puffed on his cigarette before throwing it into the blazing fire.
“What y’all doing all the way out here, only bandits and thieves around this way” he said in a slight Mexican accent.
“Running away from old problems” Colton answered, not making eye contact.
“Aren’t we all…aren’t we all” the stranger commented, pulling out a bottle of whiskey, taking a swig.
“Not much of a talkative fellow, are ya?” a man with a red bandanna around his neck remarked.
“Never been” Colton retorted.
“No need to get snappy mister, only making a statement”
Colton sighed, they sat in silent for a few hours, when the others had finally fallen asleep, he stole their ammo, daggers and around twenty dollars from their saddle bags, before mounting onto his horse,
“Foolish old timers” he whispered aloud, kicking Ricochet on as they trotted briskly away, towards the mountains.