| Big Bad Ed had been living on the outskirts
of Tieltown for a long time, but none of the
townspeople knew him well. He had a small
house in the wilderness, where he grew most
of his own food, so he seldom came in to town
even for supplies. He was sometimes spotted
lurking around Tieltown, but seldom spoke to
the people there, and was hence considered
by them to be a bit "odd." Loopy Lynn and
Rumba Russ lived some distance from town;
Big Bad Ed's place was several hours from
theirs, in the remotest of areas. | 
|
Military Michael was pretty sure that Big Bad Ed was the tielnapper. The
wagon tracks led in the direction of his house, and he was the only person
living for miles in that direction. When he told Loopy Lynn and the members
of the posse, after they arrived back at the house, of his theory, they were all
terribly frightened. What would Big Bad Ed have done to sweet Beeker?
Why had he tielnapped him from his loving home?
The sure-footed pied ponies carried Military
Michael and the rest of the posse up the rough,
desolate track to where Big Bad Ed's tiny house
stood. The trail was so rugged, and difficult to
traverse, that it was twilight by the time the posse
reached it. The cover of half light made it easier for
Military Michael to dismount and slip unheard and
unseen to the window on the side of Big Bad Ed's
house. What horrors would he observe in there?
What sort of hideous tortures was Big Bad Ed
subjecting innocent little Beeker to? He shuddered,
then steeled himself, and looked inside.
What he saw was more unbelievable than he would ever have thought
possible. Beeker was sitting on top of his play gym, head bowed, and Big Bad
Ed was... skritching his crest??? Then he held his finger out, and Beeker
hopped onto it, and the two of them played the ladder game! Was this
possible? Was Big Bad Ed perhaps not so big and bad after all- was he just a
lonely man who wanted the warmth and comfort of a 'tiel?
| Military Michael moved to the front
porch and let himself silently into the
house. "Ed," he said quietly, "it's time
for Beeker to go home." | 
|
Big Bad Ed whirled to face Military Michael. Beeker hopped happily to his
shoulder. "I didn't hurt him," he protested. "I would never do that. I've
wanted a 'tiel forever, but Lutino Pete won't sell me one! This was the only
way..."
| Military Michael laughed. "Sheriff
Cindy drove Lutino Pete out of
Tieltown months ago," he said.
"Normal Gray Gus owns the 'Tiel
Emporium now. He will be happy to
sell you a bird if you want one. But
Beeker belongs with his family." |
Big Bad Ed sorrowfully agreed to give Beeker to Military Michael, and to
return the cage and toys with his wagon the next day, providing Military
Michael was willing to speak to Rumba Russ and Loopy Lynn about not
pressing charges. Military Michael promised that he would, then tucked the
now- protesting Beeker inside his shirt and galloped off 
toward the
clearing where he had left the posse. The group of them, triumphant in their
victory, headed carefully through the dark to Rumba Russ and Loopy Lynn's
house.