HOME | DD

Description
Well, here the next chapter. Enjoy.

33. It's him!

Some hearts beat faster when they stood few meters in front of the big wooden building.
In the 19 century, it was more a depot place for human things. Now it lay empty and forgotten in the hill landscape of the South Mojave Desert. Hidden between hills, which were for humans small, it was big for little animals.
"Not very spectacular," Stump muttered when he eyed the big wooden shed, without special equipments. There were just a few little windows in the walls, but there was nothing, which looks like defensive works or guards.
"Don't be fooled by this," Tonca warned. "This place is watched very carefully."
"Really?" Chorizo asked bored. "And where are the watchmen?"
"Hidden, what else," Bill muttered annoyed.
"Are you sure that it is this place?" Rango asked.
Tonca rolled his eyes. "Yes, it is. You will see."
He gave Danny a confirm glance and nodded. "Let's get it over with."
"Uh, let me speak," Danny said and rode first. "I'm the main person."
He climbed down the roadrunner and walked to the big wooden gate. The others also climbed down and watched him. He knocked against it. Few seconds there were silence.
Suddenly around the group appeared rodents and other animals with guns who had hidden behind the hills.
All raised their hands. "Hold!" Danny screamed. "We are invited!"
At this moment, the gate opened. A badger with dirty clothes and ugly face came out and eyed them mistrustfully.
"What do you want here?" he asked curtly.
"Ehm," Danny cleaned his throat. "We are here because of an auction."
The badger snorted and levelled his gun at him, still looking at the others. "Can you prove it?"
"Uh… eh…" Danny looked at Tonca. "Did we have a written invitation?"
"I can't remember."
They raised their hands higher when the armed rodents came closer and surrounded them.
"Hold on!" a voice shouted and pushed the badger away. "This is the mine man, you stupid idiot!" Math the racoon grumbled.
The badger narrowed his eyes. "How should I know that you aren't also a wrong guy like Greg?"
"Shut your trap Dig and disappear."
Dig snorted annoyed and walked inside the building back.
"Sorry for my partner's behaviour," Math apologized. "We had some disagreements this morning."
The group knew what he meant but they didn't ask more.
"Yes, that's a difficult world," Danny said easily. "Well, are we allowed to enter?"
Math raised his hand. "Wait, wait, second. I know you and him, but what are these guys?"
He pointed at Bill, Rango and the three others.
"Well, if we have to transport something, we need some help," Danny answered.
Math scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Mmh, you seem to be sure of victory, alright. But we keep an eye on you."
Danny nodded. "Of course."
Math waved his hand and turned around. "Come in."
They passed the gate and entered a big hall. The gate closed with a rumbling crash.
Suddenly Math stopped.
"You have to leave your weapons here."
He pointed with his hand on a table where two rodents stood behind and the Asia red bear looking guy stood next to them.
The first rodent knocked on the table. "Put your guns here."
Danny and Tonca had no weapons, but the others. Bill wasn't happy about that. With grumpy face he gave his two revolvers. Also Rango, Kinski, Stump and Chorizo.
While they did, Rango looked around. Bridges and stairs were built above them and reached until the last floor. Muffled sounds filled the atmosphere of silent voices and footsteps.
"Also your knifes," Math continued.
Bill growled and pulled out his knife.
Math nodded. "Hung? Control whether our guests followed all our orders."
Hung came closer, frisked all, and reached into their pockets. When he controlled Stump's hat, he pulled out his stuffed rabbit.
"No, not agai…" Stump protested when the giant put it to the other weapons, but Kinski held his mouth. "Keep quiet," he hissed. "You are so embarrassing."
When Math could be sure that nobody had more weapons he nodded and went first.
Bill wasn't amused. "Nice, what should we do without guns?" he hissed at Tonca.
"Don't worry. We will reclaim them."
Suddenly someone grabbed his pair of braces.
"Bill?" Kinski hissed. "You still didn't say something. What is it now? Are you going to do nothing?"
Bill tore himself away from him. "Keep your trap. I know what I'm doing."
Kinski watched him sceptically. "I hope so."
They went deeper into the building. On a free room hall area, there stood chairs. In front of them a rostrum and in the background…
Rango stopped when he realized Jake in the cage. In a position, which he had never seen. The big strong rattlesnake had tied with chains and ropes. It was impossible to move. And his mouth was gagged with a cloth and a tape. A big neck chain wrapped his neck and another one on his tail.
In front of the cage stood a wolverine with crossed arms and looked down at him with hateful eyes. His belt, his shoes and his hat had made of reptile skin. Pieces of teeth adorned his hatband.
"Holly shit…," Tonca hissed quietly. "It's Nathan Kingsley, a famous rattlesnake hunter. He hates rattlesnakes like no other creature in this world. He killed so many rattlesnakes that some people call him "The Hawk".
Bill was unimpressed. "Very nice. And who is that fat guy?"
He pointed at the lynx which stood not far away.
"That's Mister Goldman. He is a collector of dead animal bodies and he likes the trade of a peltmonger. By the way, his ways to get these bodies aren't very legal. He should murder unsuspecting citizens by someone illegal hunters. Jake would be a coronation in his collection."
"Welcome," someone said behind them. But the words weren't for them. A red bear looking person, who looked similar like Hung, came in. He was a little slimmer and wore black pants, black shirt. His hair had plait to a short braid. He exchanged some words with Hung and made a little bow.
Rango seemed a bit suspicious to that guy and went closer to Tonca.
"Who's that?" he whispered.
"His name is Hong, a bounty hunter. Also without empty money pockets. He is a rich man who get his money with illegal business and illegal slave workers. Bounty hunting is more a hobby for him." The gecko scratched his chin. "He seems to be related with that big guy. Maybe his brother or cousin."
Danny nodded acknowledging. "Castigo chose his clients for his auction very well. Every one of them would pay every price to get Jake."
"The big question is who is in the position to pay the highest price. Jake's reward money is very high."
They winced when they heard hard lashes of a whip. Nathan Kingsley had pulled out his roadrunner whip and gave Jake several a hard slaps on the face.
"That's enough," Castigo appeared and pushed the wolverine aside. "You can whip him soon enough."
"He will be mine!" Mister Goldman protested. "He won't do it."
"Of course, Mister Goldman, of course."
When Castigo was appearing, Rango winced. His body flinched, his eyes grew wide.
He ducked his head as if he had headache. He fell few steps back, hyperventilated several times, still staring ahead.
Bill realized it first one and looked at the chameleon with surprise which was pale like a ghost.
"What's up with you? Are you feeling bad?"
Rango didn't reply and stared ahead like in trance.
Bill waved with his hand over his face. "Hey, are you deaf?"
"It's him," the chameleon said hoarsely.
Bill rolled his eyes. "Who?"
"H-him." With trembling fingers, the chameleon pointed on Castigo. "That's the guy who attacked me."
Bill still didn't understand.
"When? What?" the Gila lizard asked impatiently.
"That's the guy who wanted to kill me months ago. The robber, who attacked me before I gave Jake my promise."*
Bill opened his mouth. "That one? This is the one who wanted to kill you? That's one, who we have to thank for all this damn action?"
Rango's lips were like dead. He just nodded weakly.
It was like his nightmare came back to live. All memories came back. The pain, the voices, the helplessness. The knife in his side, he felt it again. The night when he left Beans's home. The fresh cold air. The hard grabs of the fox's hands, ropes, gag.
"Your money or your life!"
The words echoed through his head. Rango blinked.
No! Why him? Why him? Why here? Why now?
"What are you talking about?" Tonca asked with whispering voice.
"He knows him," Bill growled quietly.
Tonca's eyes grew wide. "Why didn't you tell us…"
"I never knew that he is the one who…" Rango cut but his words got lost.
"Shit, he is coming!" Stump hissed, who had listened all. "What now?"
"Hide him," Kinski suggested.
"Too late," Danny commented dryly. "He is moving in our direction."
Bill growled and grabbed Rango's shoulders. "I knew it! It was a mistake to take you with us."
Rango was still like paralyzed, that he was unable to speak a word.
Stump wrapped Kinski's arm. "I don't wanna die."
"Hey, you green figure!" Kinski hissed. "I thought you are a smart guy."
At last, Rango moved his lips. "W-what should – I- I do?"
"Let grow you a beard," Kinski mocked.
Bill winced and looked at Kinski. Then he snapped his fingers. "Yes, you are right."
"Hey!"
Kinski had no time to fight back. Bill grabbed him and Rango, and threw them behind a wooden box.
"Don't move," the Gila monster hissed at Rango. Then he pointed at Kinski. "And you not, too."
"What are you going to do Bill?" Kinski asked unsurely.
But Bill didn't answer and looked around in another wooden box with tools. He cursed something of "Damn that they have my knife… Something other…"
Suddenly he seemed he had found what he was searching. He pulled it out and inspected the object in his hand. It looked like a file with sharp edges.
"This could work," Bill muttered quietly.
The eyes of the both others grew wide.
"Uh, Bill? What should…"
Again Bill didn't answer and walked to Kinski.
"Ehh… Bill!"
The rabbit winced when Bill grabbed his hair. "Don't take it amiss. It is for our own safety and for the good of all."
Kinski's eyes grew wider. He covered his head. "No! You wouldn't dare! No, no, no!"
Bill grabbed him tighter. "Oh yes, I will do."
"BILL!"
All peoples' glances moved to their direction behind the box.
"What's that disturbing noise?" Castigo asked annoyed and surprised.
Danny waved his hands apologizing. "Uh, my companions have just a little argument."
Suddenly Rango was pushed away behind the box. Chorizo and Stump looked at him with wide eyes. Around the lizard's mouth lay hairs.
Castigo growled and came closer. Rango stood as straight as a die. His heart beat. The blood rushed into his the head and his mind became empty. He could think nothing just staring at his "almost-murderer".
"I don't like guys who are too loud," the fox said angrily.
"So-rry," was all what Rango was able to bring himself to say. Still standing there like a stature.
Castigo narrowed his eyes. "You are looking familiar for me. Did we meet before?"
"No—," Rango whispered hoarsely.
Castigo petted over his chin.
"Could we take a closer look?" Danny interrupted and pointed at the snake.
Castigo looked away and spent his attention back to his "client". "There you are."
"That sounds ample. Thank you."
Tonca grabbed Rango's hand and pulled him away. Castigo looked after them sceptically. He never forgot a face and this lizard was suspect for him. His thoughts were interrupted when he heard how Mister Goldman and Mister Kingsley had an argument about the snake.
When he was gone, Stump and Chorizo exchanged glances.
"Where did he got the beard so fast?"
Their question got an answer when Kinski appeared, his hands on his head.
"My hair…," he wailed.
A part of his erstwhile-combed hair were cut off.
Stump doubled up with laughter and pressed his hand on his mouth to hide his wide grin.
"Better a lost scalp than to lose his head," Bill argued and followed the others.
Kinski petted over his almost baldness. "That's could be true, but despite… my hair."
"Oh, come on buddy," Chorizo consoled and slapped on his shoulder. "It will grow again."
"Indeed," Stump agreed and bit his lips to avoid laughing.
They walked to the others. Rango had recovered from the shock again.
"Don't talk much and nothing will happen more," Tonca whispered.
The body of the rattlesnake had cramped and tensed. His breath moved with stress and anger. When Jake's eyes realized the movements of the group, he moved his head in their direction.
He realized Rango, Bill and his gang and seemed to be irritated.
For a moment, his breath became faster, but he calmed down again.
Rango tried to read something in this snake's eyes. A hint about Beans, or something else. But all what he could find was anger, fury, rage and hate.
"Are you convinced?" Castigo asked.
They winced.
"Oh, indeed, we are," Danny answered.
"A shame that I have to share that thing with these other creatures," Mister Goldman muttered.
Rango narrowed his eyes. He didn't like such guys like him.
"Could we start now?" the lynx asked impatiently.
Castigo looked around. "I think yes. All are here. I think we can start."
He clapped in his hands. "Sit down."
All auction members walked to the chairs and took a seat.
Mister Goldman chose a chair in the middle of the seat row. Next to him Mister Kingsley and very left the bounty hunter Hong.
The group with Rango and the others took their seats more on the right site. Bill and his men placed their chairs behind Danny, Tonca and Rango.
Castigo placed himself behind the table and took an auction hammer.
"Gentlemen, this is a private auction for a single object. For this auction for sell lies the following object. A living rattlesnake titled with the famous name "Rattlesnake Jake"."
A rattling hissing threateningly sound echoed eerily through the hall.
All in the room got goose pimples with a cold shiver.
The fox shrugged his shoulders. "Well, you hear our object wants to find his new owner very soon. In this case, may the highest bidder be the winner. By the way, hat and gun belt is extra."
"What?!" Mister Goldman jumped up from his chair. "That's new for me!"
"You get what you pay for, Mister Goldman. Also a little chance for the one who will not the happy main winner today. Please, sit down."
With growling, the lynx sat back.
"To be real, we will start with his reward money of 100 000 Dollars."
He looked around to call the first offer.
"110 000 Dollars?" he asked when he saw the first hand.
Kinski winced. "Me? No, sorry, my mistake."
"120 000," Hong interrupted.
Castigo accepted. "I heard 120 000 Dollars, gentlemen. Will anyone offer more?"
"I was just touching for my lost hair," Kinski whined.
"You make me sick with your damn headdress," Bill cursed quietly. "Should I cut you a baldness?"
"Sssshh!" Tonca hissed. Mister Goldman had made another offer.
"Oh come on! That's Rattlesnake Jake," Castigo said loudly. "I think he is more valuable than miserly 200 000 Dollars from Mister Goldman."
"300 000," Kingsley shouted with lifted hand.
"300 000 from Mister Kingsley, anyone…"
"500 000," Mister Goldman interrupted.
"600 000," Danny offered.
"Sounds better," Castigo said. "Anyone more…"
"700 000!" Kingsley screamed.
The fox petted his ear. "Alright. 700 000. We have an offer of 700 000."
Danny bent aside to Tonca. "I think it's time."
Tonca nodded. "Alright."
With slowly movements, he left his chair.
"Where do you want to go?" A rodent asked.
"I must go to the toilet. Where are they?"
When he got the info, he walked away.
Rango looked after him. Suddenly he stopped when he saw, how Bill talked with Kinski.
Kinski nodded, but he seemed to be unsurely.
After that Bill stood up and walked away, too. Rango wanted to stand up, but Kinski held him back. "You stay here."
Bill looked around, until a rodent grabbed his arm.
"Toilet," he said shortly.
The rodent sighed deeply. "First floor upstairs."
Bill nodded and walked away with a little grin.
What a simple trick.

* The promise, Chapter 1, 2

To be continued... Next chapter comes this week.

By the way, Mister Goldman is a similar character like Alexander Falko from the movie "MouseHunt".

;) (Wink) — Description
Well, here the next chapter. Enjoy.

33. It's him!

Some hearts beat faster when they stood few meters in front of the big wooden building.
In the 19 century, it was more a depot place for human things. Now it lay empty and forgotten in the hill landscape of the South Mojave Desert. Hidden between hills, which were for humans small, it was big for little animals.
"Not very spectacular," Stump muttered when he eyed the big wooden shed, without special equipments. There were just a few little windows in the walls, but there was nothing, which looks like defensive works or guards.
"Don't be fooled by this," Tonca warned. "This place is watched very carefully."
"Really?" Chorizo asked bored. "And where are the watchmen?"
"Hidden, what else," Bill muttered annoyed.
"Are you sure that it is this place?" Rango asked.
Tonca rolled his eyes. "Yes, it is. You will see."
He gave Danny a confirm glance and nodded. "Let's get it over with."
"Uh, let me speak," Danny said and rode first. "I'm the main person."
He climbed down the roadrunner and walked to the big wooden gate. The others also climbed down and watched him. He knocked against it. Few seconds there were silence.
Suddenly around the group appeared rodents and other animals with guns who had hidden behind the hills.
All raised their hands. "Hold!" Danny screamed. "We are invited!"
At this moment, the gate opened. A badger with dirty clothes and ugly face came out and eyed them mistrustfully.
"What do you want here?" he asked curtly.
"Ehm," Danny cleaned his throat. "We are here because of an auction."
The badger snorted and levelled his gun at him, still looking at the others. "Can you prove it?"
"Uh… eh…" Danny looked at Tonca. "Did we have a written invitation?"
"I can't remember."
They raised their hands higher when the armed rodents came closer and surrounded them.
"Hold on!" a voice shouted and pushed the badger away. "This is the mine man, you stupid idiot!" Math the racoon grumbled.
The badger narrowed his eyes. "How should I know that you aren't also a wrong guy like Greg?"
"Shut your trap Dig and disappear."
Dig snorted annoyed and walked inside the building back.
"Sorry for my partner's behaviour," Math apologized. "We had some disagreements this morning."
The group knew what he meant but they didn't ask more.
"Yes, that's a difficult world," Danny said easily. "Well, are we allowed to enter?"
Math raised his hand. "Wait, wait, second. I know you and him, but what are these guys?"
He pointed at Bill, Rango and the three others.
"Well, if we have to transport something, we need some help," Danny answered.
Math scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Mmh, you seem to be sure of victory, alright. But we keep an eye on you."
Danny nodded. "Of course."
Math waved his hand and turned around. "Come in."
They passed the gate and entered a big hall. The gate closed with a rumbling crash.
Suddenly Math stopped.
"You have to leave your weapons here."
He pointed with his hand on a table where two rodents stood behind and the Asia red bear looking guy stood next to them.
The first rodent knocked on the table. "Put your guns here."
Danny and Tonca had no weapons, but the others. Bill wasn't happy about that. With grumpy face he gave his two revolvers. Also Rango, Kinski, Stump and Chorizo.
While they did, Rango looked around. Bridges and stairs were built above them and reached until the last floor. Muffled sounds filled the atmosphere of silent voices and footsteps.
"Also your knifes," Math continued.
Bill growled and pulled out his knife.
Math nodded. "Hung? Control whether our guests followed all our orders."
Hung came closer, frisked all, and reached into their pockets. When he controlled Stump's hat, he pulled out his stuffed rabbit.
"No, not agai…" Stump protested when the giant put it to the other weapons, but Kinski held his mouth. "Keep quiet," he hissed. "You are so embarrassing."
When Math could be sure that nobody had more weapons he nodded and went first.
Bill wasn't amused. "Nice, what should we do without guns?" he hissed at Tonca.
"Don't worry. We will reclaim them."
Suddenly someone grabbed his pair of braces.
"Bill?" Kinski hissed. "You still didn't say something. What is it now? Are you going to do nothing?"
Bill tore himself away from him. "Keep your trap. I know what I'm doing."
Kinski watched him sceptically. "I hope so."
They went deeper into the building. On a free room hall area, there stood chairs. In front of them a rostrum and in the background…
Rango stopped when he realized Jake in the cage. In a position, which he had never seen. The big strong rattlesnake had tied with chains and ropes. It was impossible to move. And his mouth was gagged with a cloth and a tape. A big neck chain wrapped his neck and another one on his tail.
In front of the cage stood a wolverine with crossed arms and looked down at him with hateful eyes. His belt, his shoes and his hat had made of reptile skin. Pieces of teeth adorned his hatband.
"Holly shit…," Tonca hissed quietly. "It's Nathan Kingsley, a famous rattlesnake hunter. He hates rattlesnakes like no other creature in this world. He killed so many rattlesnakes that some people call him "The Hawk".
Bill was unimpressed. "Very nice. And who is that fat guy?"
He pointed at the lynx which stood not far away.
"That's Mister Goldman. He is a collector of dead animal bodies and he likes the trade of a peltmonger. By the way, his ways to get these bodies aren't very legal. He should murder unsuspecting citizens by someone illegal hunters. Jake would be a coronation in his collection."
"Welcome," someone said behind them. But the words weren't for them. A red bear looking person, who looked similar like Hung, came in. He was a little slimmer and wore black pants, black shirt. His hair had plait to a short braid. He exchanged some words with Hung and made a little bow.
Rango seemed a bit suspicious to that guy and went closer to Tonca.
"Who's that?" he whispered.
"His name is Hong, a bounty hunter. Also without empty money pockets. He is a rich man who get his money with illegal business and illegal slave workers. Bounty hunting is more a hobby for him." The gecko scratched his chin. "He seems to be related with that big guy. Maybe his brother or cousin."
Danny nodded acknowledging. "Castigo chose his clients for his auction very well. Every one of them would pay every price to get Jake."
"The big question is who is in the position to pay the highest price. Jake's reward money is very high."
They winced when they heard hard lashes of a whip. Nathan Kingsley had pulled out his roadrunner whip and gave Jake several a hard slaps on the face.
"That's enough," Castigo appeared and pushed the wolverine aside. "You can whip him soon enough."
"He will be mine!" Mister Goldman protested. "He won't do it."
"Of course, Mister Goldman, of course."
When Castigo was appearing, Rango winced. His body flinched, his eyes grew wide.
He ducked his head as if he had headache. He fell few steps back, hyperventilated several times, still staring ahead.
Bill realized it first one and looked at the chameleon with surprise which was pale like a ghost.
"What's up with you? Are you feeling bad?"
Rango didn't reply and stared ahead like in trance.
Bill waved with his hand over his face. "Hey, are you deaf?"
"It's him," the chameleon said hoarsely.
Bill rolled his eyes. "Who?"
"H-him." With trembling fingers, the chameleon pointed on Castigo. "That's the guy who attacked me."
Bill still didn't understand.
"When? What?" the Gila lizard asked impatiently.
"That's the guy who wanted to kill me months ago. The robber, who attacked me before I gave Jake my promise."*
Bill opened his mouth. "That one? This is the one who wanted to kill you? That's one, who we have to thank for all this damn action?"
Rango's lips were like dead. He just nodded weakly.
It was like his nightmare came back to live. All memories came back. The pain, the voices, the helplessness. The knife in his side, he felt it again. The night when he left Beans's home. The fresh cold air. The hard grabs of the fox's hands, ropes, gag.
"Your money or your life!"
The words echoed through his head. Rango blinked.
No! Why him? Why him? Why here? Why now?
"What are you talking about?" Tonca asked with whispering voice.
"He knows him," Bill growled quietly.
Tonca's eyes grew wide. "Why didn't you tell us…"
"I never knew that he is the one who…" Rango cut but his words got lost.
"Shit, he is coming!" Stump hissed, who had listened all. "What now?"
"Hide him," Kinski suggested.
"Too late," Danny commented dryly. "He is moving in our direction."
Bill growled and grabbed Rango's shoulders. "I knew it! It was a mistake to take you with us."
Rango was still like paralyzed, that he was unable to speak a word.
Stump wrapped Kinski's arm. "I don't wanna die."
"Hey, you green figure!" Kinski hissed. "I thought you are a smart guy."
At last, Rango moved his lips. "W-what should – I- I do?"
"Let grow you a beard," Kinski mocked.
Bill winced and looked at Kinski. Then he snapped his fingers. "Yes, you are right."
"Hey!"
Kinski had no time to fight back. Bill grabbed him and Rango, and threw them behind a wooden box.
"Don't move," the Gila monster hissed at Rango. Then he pointed at Kinski. "And you not, too."
"What are you going to do Bill?" Kinski asked unsurely.
But Bill didn't answer and looked around in another wooden box with tools. He cursed something of "Damn that they have my knife… Something other…"
Suddenly he seemed he had found what he was searching. He pulled it out and inspected the object in his hand. It looked like a file with sharp edges.
"This could work," Bill muttered quietly.
The eyes of the both others grew wide.
"Uh, Bill? What should…"
Again Bill didn't answer and walked to Kinski.
"Ehh… Bill!"
The rabbit winced when Bill grabbed his hair. "Don't take it amiss. It is for our own safety and for the good of all."
Kinski's eyes grew wider. He covered his head. "No! You wouldn't dare! No, no, no!"
Bill grabbed him tighter. "Oh yes, I will do."
"BILL!"
All peoples' glances moved to their direction behind the box.
"What's that disturbing noise?" Castigo asked annoyed and surprised.
Danny waved his hands apologizing. "Uh, my companions have just a little argument."
Suddenly Rango was pushed away behind the box. Chorizo and Stump looked at him with wide eyes. Around the lizard's mouth lay hairs.
Castigo growled and came closer. Rango stood as straight as a die. His heart beat. The blood rushed into his the head and his mind became empty. He could think nothing just staring at his "almost-murderer".
"I don't like guys who are too loud," the fox said angrily.
"So-rry," was all what Rango was able to bring himself to say. Still standing there like a stature.
Castigo narrowed his eyes. "You are looking familiar for me. Did we meet before?"
"No—," Rango whispered hoarsely.
Castigo petted over his chin.
"Could we take a closer look?" Danny interrupted and pointed at the snake.
Castigo looked away and spent his attention back to his "client". "There you are."
"That sounds ample. Thank you."
Tonca grabbed Rango's hand and pulled him away. Castigo looked after them sceptically. He never forgot a face and this lizard was suspect for him. His thoughts were interrupted when he heard how Mister Goldman and Mister Kingsley had an argument about the snake.
When he was gone, Stump and Chorizo exchanged glances.
"Where did he got the beard so fast?"
Their question got an answer when Kinski appeared, his hands on his head.
"My hair…," he wailed.
A part of his erstwhile-combed hair were cut off.
Stump doubled up with laughter and pressed his hand on his mouth to hide his wide grin.
"Better a lost scalp than to lose his head," Bill argued and followed the others.
Kinski petted over his almost baldness. "That's could be true, but despite… my hair."
"Oh, come on buddy," Chorizo consoled and slapped on his shoulder. "It will grow again."
"Indeed," Stump agreed and bit his lips to avoid laughing.
They walked to the others. Rango had recovered from the shock again.
"Don't talk much and nothing will happen more," Tonca whispered.
The body of the rattlesnake had cramped and tensed. His breath moved with stress and anger. When Jake's eyes realized the movements of the group, he moved his head in their direction.
He realized Rango, Bill and his gang and seemed to be irritated.
For a moment, his breath became faster, but he calmed down again.
Rango tried to read something in this snake's eyes. A hint about Beans, or something else. But all what he could find was anger, fury, rage and hate.
"Are you convinced?" Castigo asked.
They winced.
"Oh, indeed, we are," Danny answered.
"A shame that I have to share that thing with these other creatures," Mister Goldman muttered.
Rango narrowed his eyes. He didn't like such guys like him.
"Could we start now?" the lynx asked impatiently.
Castigo looked around. "I think yes. All are here. I think we can start."
He clapped in his hands. "Sit down."
All auction members walked to the chairs and took a seat.
Mister Goldman chose a chair in the middle of the seat row. Next to him Mister Kingsley and very left the bounty hunter Hong.
The group with Rango and the others took their seats more on the right site. Bill and his men placed their chairs behind Danny, Tonca and Rango.
Castigo placed himself behind the table and took an auction hammer.
"Gentlemen, this is a private auction for a single object. For this auction for sell lies the following object. A living rattlesnake titled with the famous name "Rattlesnake Jake"."
A rattling hissing threateningly sound echoed eerily through the hall.
All in the room got goose pimples with a cold shiver.
The fox shrugged his shoulders. "Well, you hear our object wants to find his new owner very soon. In this case, may the highest bidder be the winner. By the way, hat and gun belt is extra."
"What?!" Mister Goldman jumped up from his chair. "That's new for me!"
"You get what you pay for, Mister Goldman. Also a little chance for the one who will not the happy main winner today. Please, sit down."
With growling, the lynx sat back.
"To be real, we will start with his reward money of 100 000 Dollars."
He looked around to call the first offer.
"110 000 Dollars?" he asked when he saw the first hand.
Kinski winced. "Me? No, sorry, my mistake."
"120 000," Hong interrupted.
Castigo accepted. "I heard 120 000 Dollars, gentlemen. Will anyone offer more?"
"I was just touching for my lost hair," Kinski whined.
"You make me sick with your damn headdress," Bill cursed quietly. "Should I cut you a baldness?"
"Sssshh!" Tonca hissed. Mister Goldman had made another offer.
"Oh come on! That's Rattlesnake Jake," Castigo said loudly. "I think he is more valuable than miserly 200 000 Dollars from Mister Goldman."
"300 000," Kingsley shouted with lifted hand.
"300 000 from Mister Kingsley, anyone…"
"500 000," Mister Goldman interrupted.
"600 000," Danny offered.
"Sounds better," Castigo said. "Anyone more…"
"700 000!" Kingsley screamed.
The fox petted his ear. "Alright. 700 000. We have an offer of 700 000."
Danny bent aside to Tonca. "I think it's time."
Tonca nodded. "Alright."
With slowly movements, he left his chair.
"Where do you want to go?" A rodent asked.
"I must go to the toilet. Where are they?"
When he got the info, he walked away.
Rango looked after him. Suddenly he stopped when he saw, how Bill talked with Kinski.
Kinski nodded, but he seemed to be unsurely.
After that Bill stood up and walked away, too. Rango wanted to stand up, but Kinski held him back. "You stay here."
Bill looked around, until a rodent grabbed his arm.
"Toilet," he said shortly.
The rodent sighed deeply. "First floor upstairs."
Bill nodded and walked away with a little grin.
What a simple trick.

* The promise, Chapter 1, 2

To be continued... Next chapter comes this week.

By the way, Mister Goldman is a similar character like Alexander Falko from the movie "MouseHunt".