<div class="floatleft">(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KL7Uf3vdz0A/UDr2PAfW3xI/AAAAAAAAmBc/EIYJpjy2SI8/s1600/post5.jpg)</div><br/><strong>Name:</strong>Matthew Ford<br/><strong>Faction:</strong>Unknown<br/><strong>Date:</strong>May 11, 1876<br/><strong>Time of Day:</strong>Afternoon<br/><strong>Location:</strong>Sheriff's Office->Outside<br/><strong>Tagged:</strong>Sheriff Bilton,Unknown Man<br/><hr/><br/>Usually Ford's face stayed neutral but both of the men's tirade left a amused smile on his face. No doubt these frontier men had earned their keep but they didn't think that Ford had earned his keep for twenty life times. Not that such simple men of dirt,sweat and gunpowder would understand that. Such things most likely feel out of their purview of philosophy. Placing the hat on his head Matthew let the smile fade as he addressed both men in a voice that seemed confident and unfazed,<br/><br/>"I appreciate you taking the time out of your obviously busy day to parley with me. As for your little spiel, I find it necessary to enlighten you that I was a man much like yourself. Clawing my own little hovel in this unforgiving nation. The notion of earning my keep is not unknown to me nor is it unwelcome in many cases. This case is not such a case as extenuating circumstances complicate the matter, you see. Nevertheless I will sort out my lodgings for the day then maybe I will reconsider your extremely generous offer."<br/><br/>Stepping as he began to walk away,<br/><br/>"Regards to the boots and hat, I don't take you as the marrying kind Sheriff. However if you were in my boots you would realize that free clothing is a blessing, not taken out of love for the Stars and Stripes. Not that I would expect you to understand my circumstances of course. Good day Sheriff Bilton, here's to your day and Deputy Townsend's. I hope to be seeing you again." Stepping through the door he took a deep breath. Catching Winona's eye Matthew simply shook his head and watched her face fall. Bilton mentioned the church and sadly without the funds to buy a hotel that would be his next stop. Smells of victuals from across the way wafted into the open hot air, making Matthew lick his chapped lips.<br/><br/>Then he heard his name and<em>rank</em>which set him on a knife edge. No one here should know his rank, he had made damn sure of that. That was a past he wanted to escape from. Hundreds of miles were traveled to avoid this exact situation. Rough hand darted down to his Smith & Wesson as he regarded the man. Who was he? Where did he come from? or most importantly for Matthew was how did he know his rank? This was a longshot for both of them, there was no going back or traveling to another town. Only enough food for the trip then some for the first few days here. The wagon couldn't take much more so with a cautious voice Ford answered the query,<br/><br/>"Who's asking?" Brown eyes hardened instantly then narrowed at the man. His hand never left the vicinity of his pistol while his nerves were on a hair trigger.