Gunsmoke Western #34

Oct 5

Oct 5 Gunsmoke Western #34

Badman's Bluff!

YACReader - Gunsmoke Western V1 #34 (1956).cbz 2019-10-05 14.47.34.png

When Kid Colt's friend Mr. Warren is roughed up by a gunny under the employ of Jedd Clayton, the Kid jumps him and beats him senseless before telling him to get out of town. Returning to Mr. Warren's shack and learns that Clayton has been forcing his influence on local ranchers and taking their herds and other than himself, nobody will stand up to him. Kid Colt decides to have a talk with Mr. Warren despite the warnings that Jedd only talks with his guns.

Kid Colt rides into town where he finds Jedd Clayton and his gang in the local saloon. There the Kid calls Clayton a coward and challenges him to a fight. When Clayton draws his gun, Kid Colt shoots it out of his hands and then beats him in a fist fight. The Kid then tells Jedd and his men to get out of town, but knows that they will plan some kind of revenge.

As Kid Colt predicted, Jedd and his men decide to get revenge against Mr. Warren and race to his shack. However when they arrive they find Kid Colt and a posse of town folk waiting for them. While the townspeople deal with the gang, Kid Colt delivers another humiliating thrashing to Jedd Clayton, ending the fight. In the aftermath of the battle, the locals have decided to vote Kid Colt at their new sheriff. The Kid politely declines, telling them that they must vote for one of their own and always stand up to men the likes of Jed Clayton.

Recurring Characters

Kid Colt
Steel

Forbidden Soil!

Billy Buckskin and his pal Soapy have just helped a group of settlers set up their new home when suddenly they are approached by a band of Native Americans. Billy tells everyone to stay calm and goes to speak with their leader chief Kowatti. Kowatti welcomes the new settlers but warns them from taking what belongs to his people. When one of the settlers named Darby tries to take a shot at Kowatti, Billy knocks the gun out of the way and knocks him out with a punch and assures Kowatti that they will follow his wishes. Kowatti continues by telling them not to hunt in the woods nearby as that is where Kowatti's people hunt and the soil is forbidden to outsiders to hunt on. Billy assures Kowatti that they will comply and the Native Americans go on their way.

Darby however still thinks that Natives are thieves and savages and tries to convince the other settlers, but his protests fall on deaf ears. After being thanked for their help, Billy and Soapy head on their way when they suddenly hear a rifle shot from the forbidden hunting grounds. Going to investigate they find Darby who had just shot a deer. They try to stop him when they are interrupted by a Native American warrior who has caught them at the scene. Darby shoots the warrior and then knocks out Soapy and escapes. Billy leaves Soapy to treat the warrior and bring him back to his tribe while he seeks out Darby for punishment.

Billy chases after Darby who tries to seek shelter in a nearby cave where he is mauled to death by a bear. Billy kills the bear and finds the remains of Darby. He then returns to Kowatti to explain what happened and assures him there will be no further trouble before he and Soapy depart again.