Gunhawk #15
The Train that Never Arrived
The Gunhawk spots a man dying of thirst in the desert and comes to his aid. Reviving the old man with water, Red learns that the man is a prospector named Panhandle Potter and that he was ambushed by outlaws who robbed him and stole his mule before leaving him in the Arizona desert to die. Gunhawk leaves the old man with his flask and tells him he will be back with his stolen gear.
Following the thieves back trail, he identifies the outlaws as Charro Gage, Frenchy Purvis, Bat Mosley, and Nate Lowell. Gunhawk gets the drop on the outlaws and forces them to give back Potter's stolen goods and sends them on their way. After returning to the stolen property to Potter, Red rides into the town of Smoke City a town that has sprung up and is anticipating the opening of their first bank as soon as the money arrives by train. However, when the train does not arrive on time, the festivities are marred. Finding the missing train suspicious, Gunhawk rides out to find it. Location the locomotive he finds the entire crew dead and the money stolen.
Gunhawk follows the thieves backtrail leading him to another town known as Coronado another town trying to establish itself with a new bank opening. The local bank is run by Charro and his men who have stolen the money from Smoke City and intend to clean out the Coronado bank once all the local miners make their deposits with them. Soon enough the locals realize what is happening and find out too late to stop Charro and his men escape. The Gunhawk enters a local saloon where the Corondao natives are meeting to figure out what to do. Red advises those gathered that he will get back their stolen money.
Gunhawk tracks down Charro and his men and gun them all down, recovering the stolen money and giving the stolen valuables to the people of both Coronado and Smoke City. In thanks, the people of Smoke City name their bank after Gunhawk.
Recurring Characters
Gunhawk
Blaze
Revolt in Cartridge City!
Two outlaws named Hogjaw Moser and Mesa Sam spot Gunhawk riding along a trail and try to gun him down. The hero is too fast for the outlaws and he sends them fleeing. Gunhawk rushes after them, following their trail into Cartridge City.
What Gunhawk soon finds is that the women of Cartridge City have forced all the men to stop carrying gun, an idea that Gunhawk finds hilarious. Not heeding the warnings of the local men not to carry guns in town, Gunhawk continues his hunt for Moser and Sam. As Gunhawk walks through town he finds that the women have all the men in town whipped. Gunhawk ignores this to continue his hunt and catches the two outlaws at the local saloon. Seeing Red Larabee after them, Hogjaw and Mesa Sam make a run for it and seek cover at a meeting of the Women's League for Peace and Order. Following in after them, Gunhawk is mistaken for the League's special guest speaker.
Gunhawk takes the opportunity to point out their folly for banning guns in town pointing out the two outlaws in the crowd. When Hojgaw and Mesa try to shoot Gunhawk, the hero is a faster draw, shooting the guns out of their hands. The local woman then swarm the two men and beat them to a pulp. Finding this a fitting end for his enemies, Gunhawk rides out of town and leaves them to the mercies of the women of Cartridge City.
Recurring Characters
Gunhawk
Blaze
Escape from Torture!
As a freezing winter grips the range, the Gunhawk rides through the frozen range until he is ambushed by some Native American renegades. He gives them a good fight, cutting down their numbers, but is knocked unconscious by a blow to the head. They take Red prisoner, intending him to take him down river in their canoe to torture later. They decide to leave Red's horse Blaze behind, but Gunhawk orders his faithful horse to follow them down river.
However, the raging water and chunks of ice threaten to capsize them and the canoe runs out of control. Gunhawk convinces the Natives to cut him loose. Calling Blaze, Red uses a lasso tosses a rope to his faithful steed pulls the canoe to shore. With their lives saved, the Native Americans make peace with Gunhawk, who has convinced them that white man and the Native people can live together in peace.
Recurring Characters
Gunhawk
Blaze
