A shot rang out from the west and Sheriff Doody let out a yelp as the gun was torn from his grip. It sailed through the air and fell at Corporal Orwig's feet, the impact sending
the hammer forward. The gun barked and the errant round raced through the air plowing into the still laughing Mr. Jeffy, and sending him to the ground. He cried out once, then lay very still.
Orwig's eyes flew from the gun to Jeffy, then back again. He grabbed the weapon hastily, and pointed it at Doody. "On the ground.", the corporal commanded menacingly.
The sheriff dropped to the ground, face down, his arms stretched out to the sides. "I didn't mean ta'...", he whined pitifully, "he jes' wouldn't listen..."
Reed scrambled forward to where the engineering officer lay in the dry soil. "Jeffy!", he cried out, "Jeffy, are you alright?!?"
But Mr. Jeffy did not respond.
"You bastard!", the commander screamed at the deposed sheriff, "you killed him!"
"I'm sorry.", Doody retorted tearfully, "He wouldn't listen!! It was down right frustratin'!!"
Orwig turned his gaze on his grief stricken commander. "Want me to kill him, sir?"
Reed shook his head. "No corporal", he replied, slowly coming to a standing position, "I'll do it."
Doody whimpered quietly into the dirt as Reed drew his gun.
