Mississippi – Alastair’s Photo Fiction

AnElephantCant always be serious
Sometimes he writes something light
This isn’t his best
Tale of the old West
But at least it does have a gunfight

This is a weekly invitation to write a short piece of fiction (c. 150 words) based on a photo prompt (below) provided by Alastair.
Follow the link to see some great stories by some great writers.
But please read AnElephant’s short piece first.
It is quite exciting, really!

Copyright Alastair Forbes

Mississippi

The fastest gun on the Mississippi.
That is how he is known, though he is actually a very successful gambler.
But he knows his time is almost up.
His reflexes are slowing, although no one else has seen this yet.
Or have they?
As he follows the youngster, barely twenty years old, onto deck in the pale moonlight, he knows this is his last fight.
The others scatter, giving the two protagonists plenty of room.
They face each other for ten seconds.
Hands move faster than the eye can follow.
Shots bark out.
He reels backwards and sideways, and pitches head first into the dark water, near the churning paddle-wheel.
The young victor is surrounded by hand-shaking well-wishers.
He is the new target for every gunman south of St Louis.
Meanwhile the little row-boat picks up a swimmer.
The woman embraces the dripping man.
It worked perfectly, he tells her.
They head west towards the ranch bought with his winnings.