Kid Colt Outlaw #81
Jail-Break!
While walking through the streets of Stampede, Montana, Kid Colt is recognized by the local sheriff who orders him to surrender. Deciding he can’t draw on this lawman for doing his job, Kid Colt surrenders without incident. As he is being taken to jail the locals think that Kid Colt must not be the man he’s made out to be. At the jail, Kid Colt learns that he’ll have to share a cell with two other outlaws, Squint Morgan and Bull Nester. Unaware of who their new cellmate is, the two men try to start a fight but Kid Colt easily defends himself. That’s when the sheriff orders the Kid to stop fighting. Learning that they are sharing a cell with the legendary Kid Colt they decide to let him in on their escape plan. Squint reveals that the sheriff didn’t search him well enough and he managed to smuggle in a gun with him. They offer Kid Colt to join their gang, but the Kid isn’t interested.
Still, the two outlaws plan their breakout and trick the sheriff to come close to the cell. However, when Squint tries to shoot the sheriff, Kid Colt ruins his shot. Although the sheriff is hit, he’ll live but is at risk of bleeding out. When Squint and Bull grab the keys they take Kid Colt hostage so they can complete their escape. However, Kid Colt jumps Squint outside and wrestles the gun-free. He then uses it to wing Bull as he tries to escape. The ruckus alerts some of the locals who try to rush Kid Colt. With the sheriff’s life in jeopardy, Kid Colt lures them back into the jail where they find the injured sheriff. While they are busy dealing with him, Kid Colt manages to slip out and escape. While the locals are glad to have Squint and Bull back in custody they are disappointed they weren’t able to recapture Kid Colt.
Recurring Characters
Kid Colt, Steel
The Brute of Copper County!
Kid Colt’s meal at a local saloon is interrupted by Blackie Cragg who orders him to get out of his seat because he wants that table. Kid Colt refuses, angering Blackie who challenges him to a draw. Kid Colt worries that if he complies people will figure out who he is and decides to give up the table to avoid trouble. However, Cragg pushes things by kicking Kid Colt to the floor when he doesn’t move out of the way fast enough.
That’s when a man named Big Ben Sawyer comes in as Blackie Cragg ordered him to. When the pair go into the back room, Kid Colt asks why such a large set man would take orders from Cragg. He learns that Sawyer used to be the town blacksmith until a blow to the head diminished his intelligence and Blackie Cragg has used Sawyer’s strength to intimidate people when his guns can’t. When he asks why the sheriff allows this to continue he is told that the town hasn’t had a sheriff in over five years. Kid Colt figures that since this town doesn’t have a sheriff it might be a good place to hole up for a while.
As he goes back to his horse, Kid Colt is approached by Blackie Cragg again who likes the look of Steel and offers to buy the horse. Kid Colt refuses to sell the horse, Cragg decides to take the horse anyway. Kid Colt tries to fight back but he is restrained by Big Ben Sawyer. Blackie then beats up Kid Colt and rides off with his horse. With his money in his saddlebag, Kid Colt tries to get a job but learns that there is no employment available anywhere in town and decides to pay Blackie Cragg a visit.
Once he arrives at Blackie Cragg’s cabin, Kid Colt easily disarms the guards stationed outside. Going in, he is ambushed by Big Ben Sawyer while Blackie Cragg tries to escape on Steel. Kid Colt manages to knock out Big Ben and then orders Steel to buck his passenger. The two get into a brawl but the fight is eventually stopped when Big Ben shoots Blackie in the side of the arm. As it turns out, the blows from Kid Colt managed to return Sawyer’s memories and he no longer wants to be Blackie’s henchman. With his horse recovered, Kid Colt assists Big Ben in bringing Blackie Cragg back to town. Along the way, he convinces Ben to become the town sheriff before departing.
Recurring Characters
Kid Colt, Steel
The Coward!
While getting a hotel room in a state where he isn’t wanted by the authorities, Kid Colt is relieved to be able to use his real name. However, as he signs for his room a local gunslinger named Krull tries to goad him into a gunfight. Kid Colt isn’t the least bit interested and this leads Jim to think he’s a coward, boasting that he’s the fastest gun in the whole state, next to Lightning Jim Larrime that is. When the Kid goes up to his room, Krull begins boasting how he’s going to try again when he comes back downstairs. That’s when Lightning Jim enters the hotel looking for Krull. Jim is tired of hearing Krull boast that he’s a fast gunfighter and wants to prove that he’s the best in the state.
Kid Colt comes downstairs at this point and tells Larrime to leave Krull alone, saying nobody will gun down a youngster while he’s around, even a loudmouth like Krull. Lightning Jim doesn’t like being told what to do but instantly changes his tune when he learns that this man is Kid Colt. Lightning Jim once saw Kid Colt in action down in Abeline and he’s afraid to duel against him. That’s when the sheriff arrives and is glad to hear that Larrime is not causing trouble and tells him to get out of town. Seeing how afraid Lightning Jim is of Kid Colt makes Krull realize how close he came to courting death. Kid Colt tells the lad that if there is a lesson to be learned here it’s that a man who tries to avoid a fight is not a coward, it’s the man who tries to goad someone into unnecessary violence.
Recurring Characters
Kid Colt,
