Crow was in the bedroom, sitting cross-legged in front of the smaller of two sea chests. The larger chest held clothes, books, and items he would need for the business side of his trip. Stacked behind the smaller chest was a pair of riding boots, several shirts, and a brown horsehide vest that had pockets sewn on the inside. The pockets fit the dimensions of the two small pistols lying on the floor. Crow held an Army Colt .45 in his hand; the bluing having been rubbed off at the muzzle from years of holster wear. The wooden grips, darkened by sweat, were smooth from use. Crow thumbed the hammer back to half c**k and then opened the loading gate. Raising the gun to eye level, Crow, spinning the cylinder, could see it was unloaded. Satisfied that it was empty, he closed the gate, and then lo
