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Many men of the vigilante mob looked at each other, and hesitated. Most of them did not really want to be there to begin with. As Maddox got up from his chair, a few took a step back.

-I'm not leaving until what I came for is done. So if you plan to do anything about it, do it now or go home, Maddox said looking at each and every one of the armed men. One by one, the vigilante looked down or away when the cold blue eyes of the lawman stared at them.

-He wants to know what we're going to do, Hersham said to the Mayor.

Mayer´s words, and the badge he had shown, had calmed things down, and one after the other the men left the saloon without saying a word.

The last of the vigilante was Luther Harris. He gave a stern look to Mayer and Maddox, and then turned around and walked out.

-Jesus, I thought for sure they..., the barman said wiping the cold sweat off his forehead.

The lawman left two bits on the counter as payment for the meal, and looked at Mayer. –So it´s Deputy Mayer now, huh? The badge suits you, I reckon Ryan made a good choice.

He tipped his hat as he prepared to walk out. –I´ll be leavin´ town for a day or two, he said as he looked out. He was holding a few rolled maps he had been looking. On these maps, he had located Hurd Price´s farm and Vernon Adam´s ranch. Two more men on his list…

-They will have the blood they want -I answered the barman who couldn't finish the sentence-. Sooner or later... -I didn't say a word, but now it could be my blood too.

-Wait, Maddox -I tried to stop him before he left, I had to tell him something. When he turned around, I continued-. God knows I ain't no lawman, and so you do, feller. I'm just trying to do the right thing here, the best for me, for the people I love and for all the townfolks, even taking this kind of stupid risks like I just did.

It wouldn't have mattered what I said, I think. There was no chance of him changin' his mind, so I just begged for it to be quick.

-Guessin' you'll be payin' a visit to Price and Adams. It's ok, do your thing, Maddox, I won't try to stop you: I know it's useless - just do everyone a favor and do it quick. I ain't a better man than Cotten is, and no better sheriff. I can't hold Sabbath for long. I did it now, but I'm afraid next time I'll get a bullet on my back as gratitude -I stopped for a second. I was really hoping this to be the last time Maddox and me see each other-. I respect you, Maddox, since we first met. I hope you respect me too and do as I say. Do what you have to do and then leave these lands forever.

Maddox listened to Mayer and nodded. –I´ve been a lawman for twenty years. Now I carry the law in Bannock. You could ask how many more for one old man. But I don´t call the numbers. The men on the list have had their chances, I didn´t come here to kill ´em. It´s always the same. You post a man, he has to come into town to prove he's a man. Nobody wins. Mayer, I never drew first on a man in my life. That's the only way to stay clean.

The veteran lawman looked worn out and tired, almost as he was convincing himself. Mayer had not really asked if he reckoned killing so many for one accidental killing of an old man was justice. But he followed the rules, upheld the law above everything. Yet the truth of the matter was that on days like this he felt he was nothing but a killer of men. The Widow-Maker.

-Cotten wasn´t always like he is now, he said remembering the sheriff in his prime in Fort Bliss.-He has taken a different path, I guess. And maybe his way is the right way, Mayer. Sit out the years, in a nice quiet town, one that pays a better house toll. But I don´t see it such, from where I stand. Anyway, soon there'll be no more towns like Bannock, towns that need a gun like mine.

He opened the door to walk out, and added: -I ain´t planning to stay, I never have did stay in one place for too long.

Maddox left the saloon, and headed towards the stables. No one in town was sad to see him ride away. He carried the law, but no one in Sabbath wanted to see him ride back. Yet, the town knew this was not over…