It was a crisp fall day, Bo and Luke Duke were heading to a race over in Chocktaw County. Their bright orange stock car, General Lee, glistened in the mid day sun. Bo and Luke were joking around and laughing. They were unaware of the events were soon going to take place that could end up destroying their lives forever.
     In a small cottage deep in Chocktaw, Sheriff Brent Karlen, sat talking to two of his deputies, Edward Turner and Jacob Bracken. On the table was a large pile of cash. Edward sat flipping through a pile, smiling widely as he counted it.
     “We have us a small problem.” Brent said.
     “And what’s that, Brent?” Jacob asked.
     “There is a couple of federal agents snooping around. They could stumble on to our operation. We have to take them out of action.” Brent said, then tossed a folder onto the table. “And I have a plan on how to keep the heat off us.”
Jacob and Edward looked at him with very puzzled expressions.
     “How?” Edward asked.
     “By laying all this and the federal agent’s murder off on, other people.” Brent said and opened the folder to reveal Bo and Luke Duke’s picture. “I trust you two know of the Duke boys?”
     “Yeah.” Edward said.
     “Yeah that’s them boys from over in Hazzard.” Jacob said.
Brent nodded. “Well who better to take the fall than them. They are always in trouble with the law, have been since they day they was born.”
Jacob and Edward smiled.
     “They’ll be in town for the big race. After that we can set them boys up really good and then take them down.” Brent said.
     “Okay what is the plan?” Edward said.
     “Quite simple. First Edward you keep them from getting to that race, but don’t let them see your face. Then we take that orange car of theirs and find the federal agents and kill them. Hide the guns and some of this money in their car. Then “let” them escape.” Brent said.
     “And then catch them right away?” Edward asked.
     “Yes. We were suspicions of the car, and stopped it, and discovered the evidence.” Brent said, smiling with a smug satisfaction at his plan.
     “Brilliant plan Brent.” Jacob said.
     “Yeah absolutely brilliant. Them boys go away for our crimes and we are free to keep running our operation.” Edward said.
     “Of course we’ll have to lay low for a while after they are sentenced, so nobody get suspicious that it wasn’t them.” Brent said
     “That’s fine we got enough money for now.” Jacob said.
     “Yeah.” Edward said in agreement.
     “Well boys let’s get to work.” Brent said.
    Bo glanced in the rearview mirror and saw black Sedan fast approaching. The car seemed to be weaving all over the road.
     “That guy seems to want all the road.” Bo commented.
Luke glanced out the back window. “Yeah. He seems to be coming on strong too.”
A couple moments later the black car slammed into the back end of the General, jolting Bo and Luke.
     “What’s that guy’s problem?” Bo questioned.
Luke just shrugged, as the car rammed them again. “I don’t know, just try to keep it on the road cousin.”
The black car pulled up alongside the General. Bo and Luke noticed the driver was wearing a black ski mask, as was the passenger. Bo glanced questioningly at Luke, who just shrugged. The car the slammed into the side of the General. Bo swerved almost going off the edge of the road.
     “What the heck is that guy’s problem?” Bo asked.
     “How should I know?” Luke asked.
     “Cause you’re older.” Bo said, with a smiled.
     “Not much.” Luke said
     “Enough.” Bo said as he swerved to avoid being hit again by the car.
     “Just try to lose him.” Luke said.
     “I am. Must have some engine in that car.” Bo said.
     “Maybe it’s someone who don’t want us in the race, figures to take out the competition.” Luke said.
     “Yeah maybe.” Bo agreed.
The driver of the car then tossed a smoking canister into the General.
     “What was that?” Bo asked.
     “I don’t know just keep it steady, and I’ll get rid of it.” Luke said.
Smoke started to quickly fill the General. The canister contained a knock out gas, that started to quickly knock out both Bo and Luke. Bo felt himself falling asleep and pulled over to the side of the road. Within moments they were both sound asleep.
     Edward stopped the car behind the General, and he and Jacob waited for the smoke to clear out. After a couple minutes the smoke and cleared out of the car. Edward walked up to the General. Jacob stood back by the car waiting for Edward to bring the boys back to the car. Edward looked in and smiled as he saw Bo and Luke were sound asleep. He went to open the door then he remembered about hearing the Duke’s car doors were welded shut. He leaned into the car and drug Bo out through the window, silent cursing under his breath. He carried Bo over his shoulder to his car and tossed him into the back seat, then returned to the General to get Luke out. He frowned slightly, because Luke was in the back seat, he had went back to try to get the canister to toss it out.
     “Damn it.” Edward cursed loudly. “Hey Jacob get over here and help me get this one out of the car.”
Jacob nodded. “Yeah okay.” Jacob said and went over to help Edward get Luke out of the General.
Edward climbed into the General. It took them a couple minutes to get Luke out of the General, all the while they were mumbling under their breath. Edward carried Luke to his car, and tossed him in the back seat with Bo. Edward got into the black car and started to drive back to their hideout, and Jacob got into the General and followed after him.
    Edward carried Luke in the cottage and Jacob carried Bo. Brent smiled to see how easy things were going.
     “There’s part one of the plan taken care of. Tie them up and lock them in the supply room.” Brent said.
Edward and Jacob did what Brent said, being sure to tie Bo and Luke tight enough that they couldn’t escape.
     “Now let’s go get rid of them fed’s.” Brent said. “Jacob you stay here to be sure our guests don’t escape.”
Jacob nodded, and Brent and Edward left to find and kill the Federal agents.
     It took Brent and Edward only twenty minutes to find the federal agents. The agents were standing outside their car looking at a map. Brent cut the engine of the car and coasted to a stop a few hundred yards from the other car. Brent and Edward smiled sinisterly as they slipped on their black ski masks. The two men climbed out of the General and approached the federal agents, whose backs were to them. They moved quickly and quietly like a cat hunting down its prey. Brent and Edward aimed their guns at the agents. The two agents turned around quickly when they heard the click of the gun barrels, their hands going to their guns.
     “Hold it right there. Throw your guns over to me.” Brent said.
The agents complied with Brent’s demand, tossing there guns towards him.
     “Get down on your knees and put your hands behind your head.” Edward said.
The two agents had a defiant look in their eyes, but they complied to the demand. They slowly got down on their knees, and latched their hands around the back of the their heads. Brent turned slightly and smiled at Edward, and nodded. Then turned back to face the agents, and without saying another word,  Brent and Edward simultaneously pulled the trigger of their guns, both shooting one agent, in the head. The agents slumped backwards to the ground dead, blood quickly pooled around their heads, being killed in what would be considered execution fashion.  Brent laughed evilly and turned and walked back to the General, Edward followed closely behind him. Brent drove back towards the hideout, while Edward wiped the prints from the guns with a cloth, then put them in the glove box, on top of the money that had already been planted there.
 Brent and Edward walked into the cottage, both with wide smiles on their face.
     “Any problems?” Jacob asked.
Brent shook his head. “Nope none at all. Now let’s let our guests escape so we can catch them.”
Edward and Jacob nodded and laughed. Jacob went into the supply room and loosened the rope that bound Bo and Luke. Jacob said nothing as he approached the two young men, who watched him carefully, their blue eyes, shimmered with anger. Being gagged, neither Bo nor Luke could ask Jacob what he doing as he loosened the ropes and then left the room.
     After the ropes were loosened it only took Bo and Luke a few minutes to free themselves, something they had done many times in the past, untying each others hands. Bo looked at Luke, as he slid off the gag.
     “Why do you think they loosened the ropes?” Bo asked.
Luke shrugged. “I don’t know, and let’s not stick around to find out.”
     “Do you think that they are still here?” Bo asked.
     “How should I know?”
     “Because you are older.” Bo said.
     “Not by much.”
Bo shrugged. “Don’t matter you’re still older.”
     “Let’s just get out of here.” Luke said.
     “And if they are still sitting there watching?” Bo asked. “Maybe they want us to “try” to escape.”
     “Never know until we try.” Luke said.
     “Too bad there ain’t no window here.” Bo said.
     “That would make things too easy.” Luke said, jokingly.
Bo smiled. “True.”
They walked over to the door and opened it quietly. They both poked their heads out from around the partially opened door and looked around the room.
     “Looks like they’ve all left.” Bo said happily.
     “Yeah.” Luke agreed.
Bo could hear something else in Luke’s voice. “What is it?”
     “This really is too easy. I got a bad feeling.” Luke said.
     “Well like you said before, ‘let’s just get out of here.’” Bo said, mimicking Luke’s voice for the words his older cousin had so recently spoken. “We can worry about it, after we get out of here.”
Luke nodded in agreement. The two of them rushed out of the supply room and ran outside.
     “There’s the General.” Bo said pointing to where the General was parked.
They ran over to the car, wanting to get away as quickly as possible before the got caught. Luke slid across the hood of the General, in a single fluid movement. Bo hoped in on the driver’s side and Luke jumped into the car through the passenger window. Bo started the car, the keys still in the ignition and sped off down the road in a cloud of dust. There weren’t more then a mile down the road when the sound of police sirens filled the air.
Luke glanced out the back window. “It’s the Choctaw sheriff.”
Suddenly, before Bo even had time to react to start some evasive action to the lose the sheriff another Chocktaw patrol came down the road in front of them it stopped crossways across the road.
     “Dang it.” Bo cursed, and slammed on the brakes, and turned the wheel hard to keep from hitting the patrol, he managed to stop the General a few feet from the other car.
     “Alright you boys, get out of the car.” Brent demanded.
Bo and sighed then climbed out of the car, Luke climbed out at the exact same time.
     “Jacob search the car.” Brent said.
     “Yes sir.” Jacob said, leaning in and opening the glove box, he carefully took out the guns. “I found two guns sir.”
     “Those ain’t ours, never seen them before.” Bo protested.
Brent gave him a look to be silent. “Anything else Jacob?”
Jacob then took out the money. “Yeah a whole pile of money.”
     “That definitely ain’t ours.” Bo said.
     “Shut your mouth boy before I close it for you.” Brent warned.
Anger flashed across Bo’s eyes, but he did nothing to act upon his anger.
     “Alright let’s run these two boys in.” Brent said.
Edward shoved Bo towards Brent’s car. While, Jacob grabbed Luke
     “That stuff ain’t ours, we’ve been set up.” Bo protested.
     “That is enough out of you boy.” Brent said sternly.
     “This is all a misunderstand . . .” Bo continued to protest.
Brent glared coldly at Bo, then in a quick movement he punched Bo in the ribs. Bo flinched in pain, he grabbed his ribs and dropped to his knees and gasped to catch his breath. “I told you to shut up.” Brent said flatly.
Luke glared at Brent. “You can’t do that.”
Brent smiled nastily at Luke. “Yes I can. I can do whatever I want.” he said and then kicked Bo.
Luke, broke free from Jacob’s hold and charged at Brent and punched him in the jaw, causing Brent to stumble back a couple paces. Brent glared at Luke. Edward grabbed Luke, and flung his roughly against the car. He pulled Luke’s hands behind his back and closed the handcuffs tightly around his wrists. He grabbed Luke by the shoulder and led him to the patrol car, he slammed Luke against the side of the car. Luke could do noting but watch as the sheriff manhandled his younger cousin. Brent had a much larger, more muscular build then Bo, who was easily out matched against the sheriff, the sheriff would be a hard match even for Luke. Brent grabbed Bo by the back of the neck, and hauled him to his feet. Bo tried to pull away but his struggles were in vain and Brent’s fingers only tightened around his neck. Bo flinched as Brent shoved him over to the car. Brent slammed Bo down against the hood of the car. Bo bit his bottom lip to keep from crying out in pain, as a fresh hot pain shot through his ribs. Brent roughly pulled Bo’s arms behind his back and handcuffed him. Luke wanted to break away from Edward’s hold to help Bo, to cause Brent pain for hurting his younger cousin, but realized there was nothing he could do. Edward shoved Luke into the backseat of the patrol car. Brent then shoved Bo in the backseat with Luke Bo practically fell on top of his older cousin. Bo righted himself to sit upright on the backseat of the patrol car.
Luke looked over at Bo, concern, in his soft blue eyes.. “You okay?”
     “Yeah. I’ll be even better once I can breathe again.” Bo said.
    Bo and Luke were taken down to the basement of the Choctaw jail. Brent removed Luke’s handcuffs and shoved him into the cell. He grabbed Bo, to remove his handcuffs, considering inflict more pain on the insolent young man but decided not to take things too far, if the set up was going to work. So he instead undid Bo’s handcuffs and shoved him into the cell with his cousin. Bo sat down on the bed and leaned against the wall.
     “We are entitled to one phone call.” Luke said, standing by the bars.
     “You’ll get it later.” Brent said as he walked back up the stairs.
Luke sighed and went and sat down on the bed next to Bo.
     “You feeling any better?” Luke asked.
     “Yeah.” Bo said, not stating that he still felt like he had been run over by a car.
     “You know I got the feeling that the sheriff and his deputies have something to do with the fellas that had us tied up at that cottage.” Luke said.
     “Why do you say that?” Bo asked.
     “They found that “evidence” kinda quickly and . . . I don’t know just something about them just don’t sit right.” Luke said.
     “Yeah.” Bo said giving a small nod in agreement. “I wonder what we’re being framed for this time.”
Luke smiled and laughed. “Yeah well, we are gonna have to wait and see I guess.”
     “And then find a way outta this mess to clear ourselves. Typical day.” Bo said.
Bo and Luke sat waiting in the jail cell, to find out what they had been framed for, unaware it was more serious then anything Boss Hogg and Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane had ever tried to frame them for.
     A couple hours later the murdered federal agents bodies were found, believed to have been killed in an execution fashion. Three more federal agents came to the Choctaw jail.
     “We might have the boys downstairs that killed your agents.” Brent said.
Agent Turner raised an eyebrow questioningly, as to why the sheriff thought that.
     “We picked them up a couple hours back. We had suspicions about the car, and then we searched the car and found two guns and a wad of cash.” Brent said.
     “We’ll check the guns to see if the bullets match.” Agent Turner said.
Brent nodded and handed the plastic bag, that had the guns in it to Agent Turner, who handed the bag to forensic Agent Mayer. Agent Mayer took the evidence out to the portal forensic lab in their van. He came back in about thirty minutes later.
     “The bullets match.” Agent Mayer said.
     “Looks we got the scum bags then that killed our agents.” Agent Levac said.
     “Where are these boys begin held?” Agent Turner asked.
     “In the cell downstairs.” Brent said.
Agent Turner went downstairs to see the Duke boys, followed by Brent.
     “These are the boys that shot your agents.” Brent said.
     “We didn’t shoot anybody.” Bo said.
     “Those weren’t our guns, we don’t have any guns.” Luke added.
Agent Turner was surprised to see how young Bo and Luke looked, he was expecting to see someone older, these boys looked to be only in their early twenties.
     “Save it for your trial before a federal judge.” Brent said.
     “When are we gonna get our phone call?” Luke asked.
     “You can have it now.” Brent said, flatly. Brent unlocked the door and stepped into the cell. “Okay which one of you wants to make the call?”
Luke looked at Bo for a moment then, Bo gave Luke a look to make the call. Luke stepped forward, and allowed Brent to take him out of the cell and to the phone.
     Luke dialled the number for the Duke farm. The phone rang four times before it was answered by Jesse Duke.
     “Hello Duke residence, Jesse speaking.”
     “Uncle Jesse, me and Bo is in big trouble.” Luke said.
     “What? Where are you?” Jesse questioned, there was a note of concern in his voice.
     “We are in the Choctaw jail. I can’t really tell you over the phone, Uncle Jesse. It’s bad this time.” Luke said, trying to hide the fear he felt from showing in his voice, fear of what would happen to him and Bo.
     “Okay you boys just sit tight. I’ll be right there to bail you out.” Jesse said.
     “I doubt there is any bail.” Luke said.
     “WHAT?” Jesse questioned loudly.
     “I can’t say it over the phone.” Luke said.
     “Okay. I’ll be right there.” Jesse said.
Luke hung up and Brent took him back to the cell. Agent Levac sat guarding the cell. Bo and Luke sat quietly talking.
     “What do you have on these boys?” Agent Turner asked.
Brent handed him the folder he had on Bo and Luke. Agent Turner opened it and looked the files over.
     “Beauregard Duke age twenty-one, and Lukas Keefer Duke age twenty-three. On probation for running moonshine. Various small charges, none have really stuck except some speeding ticket.” Agent Turner said, aloud as he read the files.         “Looks like these boys have avoided prison for a few years, looks like they are gonna go away now for the rest of their natural born days.”
     Jesse and Daisy arrived at the jail about forty minutes later. They went downstairs to the cell to talk to Bo and Luke.
     “What happened?” Daisy asked, rushing over to the cell, followed up by Jesse.
     “It’s kinda a long story.” Luke said.
     “We was heading to the race when this car tried to run us off the road, and they threw this smoking canister into the General.” Bo said.
     “I guess it was some kind of knock gas, considering it knocked us out cold.” Luke added.
     “Did you get a good look at the car, or the people driving it?” Jesse asked.
     “No sir, they were wearing ski masks.” Bo said.
     “So what are you being framed from?” Jesse asked.
     “The murder of two federal agents.” Luke said
     “What?” both Jesse and Daisy questioned at the same time.
     “They say we killed two federal agents.” Bo said, repeating what his cousin had told them.
     “Well why do they think that?” Jesse asked.
     “Because someone planted the guns and a whole wad of cash in the General.” Bo said.
     “I think the sheriff’s department here as something to do with it . . . because it took only a second to find all this so called evidence.” Luke said.
     “What are we going to do?” Daisy asked.
     “We have to get out of here so we can clear ourselves.” Bo said.
     “I doubt that will happen. I heard them say that those agents were killed execution style. Since they are blaming us, we will be considered too much a danger to be let out on bail.” Luke said.
     “Yeah but we didn’t do it.” Bo said.
     “Daisy and me can try to find something out.” Jesse said.
     “I don’t think it’ll do any good this time. We are going to have to wait until the trial to prove our innocence.” Luke said.
Before anything further could be said, Agent Turner and Sheriff Brent Karlen, came down the stairs.
     “How much is bail to get my boys out?” Jesse asked.
     “There is no bail for them. Those boys killed two federal agents, in cold blooded execution style.” Agent Turner said.
     “We didn’t kill anyone. We was framed.” Bo said.
     “Yeah right.” Brent said.
     “You gotta set bail, you can’t keep them locked up for nothing, they wouldn’t kill anyone.” Daisy said.
     “Well they did. There is no bail. In two days they will be appearing before a federal judge then sent off to a federal state prison for the rest of the natural born days.” Agent Turner said, anger and hatred of Bo and Luke was apparent in his voice, the two murdered agents had been his friends.. “And no more visitors, except your lawyer.”
     “We can’t afford no lawyer.” Bo said.
     “Well then the court will appointed one to you. I am sure you boys have heard your right enough times you should know that.” Brent said.
Agent Turner led Jesse and Daisy back upstairs. Brent followed behind him, a smile of satisfaction spread widely across his face.
     After the agents, and Jesse and Daisy had left, Edward Turner took the black Sedan, that they used to capture Bo and Luke to the police impound yard. The impound yard also doubled as a junkyard. He had the crushed into a small cube, and hid the remains deep with the yard, where it could never be found. Thus removing the one clue, that Bo and Luke had to prove their innocence.
     The next couple days passed quickly and the day of the trial arrived. Bo and Luke were shackled, in handcuffs and leg irons, and brought to the court room, wearing pale green prisoner uniforms. Jesse and Daisy sat behind where Bo and Luke were for the trial. Bo and Luke turned around the best they could to see Jesse and Daisy. Bo and Luke tried to hide their worry from Jesse and Daisy and smiled at them. Jesse and Daisy returned the smile although inside they were eat up worry and could tell that Bo and Luke were just trying to hid their worry and their fear.
     “Don’t worry Uncle Jesse. They can’t lock us up for something we didn’t do. Me and Bo’s innocent. We were framed the judge will be able to see that.” Luke said.
The prosecuting lawyer then walked and the boys lawyer motioned for them to turn around and face the front of the court room.
 Judge Rinshed walked out into the courtroom, everyone stood as he entered and sat down when he did. Judge Rinshed looked over the case on the papers in front of him, frowning, then he looked at Bo and Luke.
     “What is your plea?” Judge Rinshed asked.
The boys lawyer,  Benjamin Truax, stood up to say the boys plea. “Innocent.”
 The prosecution lawyer Sandra Mellot stepped forward to give an opening statement.
     “The prosecution will prove to this court that Beauregard And Lukas Keefer Duke, didn’t in fact murder federal agents Thomas Fairbanks and James Eldridge, by a single gunshot to the head, execution style.” Sandra stated.
     “I will prove to this court that my clients, were framed for the murder of the two mentioned federal agents.” Benjamin said.
     Sheriff Brent Karlen was the first to take the stand. He testified about seeing the General Lee racing along the Pike Creek Road, and that he had became suspicious and CB’ed his deputies for back-up when, they tried to out run him. He said that Deputy Jacob Bracken searched the car and found the guns and the money.
     “Then we arrested them and they resisted and then Lukas Duke hit me.”Brent said.
     “You hit Bo first.” Luke interjected.
     “He resisted arrested, I had to stop him from attempting to escape.” Brent said.
     “You had no call to hit Bo.” Luke said angrily starting to stand up, Benjamin grabbed Luke firmly by the arm and pulled back down into his seat.
     Deputy Jacob Bracken testified next and backed up Brent’s story, and said about finding the evidence. Next to testify for the prosecution was Deputy Edward Turner, who backed up the story about arresting Bo and Luke, that Brent and Jacob had told.
     Bo was the first to testify for the defence. He told about being headed to the race and the black car that had tried to force them off the road, then had tossed a canister into the car. He said that it must have been knock out gas because he and Luke had woke up in a small supply room. He said then that someone loosened the ropes, and they escaped, and then were stopped by Sheriff Bracken. Luke testified next, telling the judge the same thing that Bo had. The boys lawyer called Jesse, Daisy and the boys friend Cooter Davenport to the stand as character witnesses to prove that Bo and Luke were not capable of committing cold blooded murder.
     The trial wore on for several hours. Judge Rinshed adjourned, while he went back to reach his verdict. Only twenty minutes later he came into the courtroom. Bo and Luke stood up as the judge prepared to read his verdict. Judge Rinshed looked sternly at Bo and Luke.
     “On the charge of murder of the Federal agents, this court finds, Beauregard Duke and Lukas Keefer Duke guilty.” Judge Rinshed said.
Luke stared in complete shock at the Judge and glanced over at Bo, who had gone extremely pale.
     “Also guilty on charge of resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer.” Judge Rinshed said. “You are both sentenced to two life sentences to be served in the Atlanta State Prison in Atlanta.” Judge Rinshed said, continuing to read the verdict.
Jesse, Daisy and Cooter couldn’t believe what was happening, and had the same dazed kind of expressions that Bo and Luke had. Luke kept glancing worriedly at Bo, he looked so pale and as though he was going to pass out at any moment.
     “You will be shipped to taken the Federal Prison tomorrow at nine am.” Judge Rinshed said, and banged his gavel, to close the trial.
Bo and Luke were taken back to the Choctaw jail, to await being sent to the federal prison.
     Bo sat down on the bed in the cell with his head hung down, staring at the floor. Luke stood across from him, leaning on the wall.
     “You okay Bo?” Luke asked.
Bo looked up at Luke. “Oh yeah sure I’m fine. I’m just gonna be spending the rest of my days behind bars.”
     “Well perhaps we’ll at least be roommates.” Luke said jokingly.
Bo gave a small smile. “I sure hope so.”
     “Don’t worry about it Bo. Sooner or later the truth will come out and we will get out of this.” Luke said, trying to comfort his younger cousin even though he was far from calm himself. Luke figured it was best to hid his worry from Bo to keep Bo from getting more upset. He went and sat on the bed next to Bo, and put his arm around his shoulders.
     “Don’t worry Bo, everything will be okay, I promise.” Luke said “Have I ever lied or let you down before?”
Bo shook his head. “No. Fine if you say everything will be okay, I’ll believe you.” Bo said and smiled.
He felt some of his worry lift from him. Luke always seemed to be able to do that. Bo knew he could always trust Luke and that no matter what Luke was always there for him when he needed him the most.
     Neither Bo nor Luke slept that night, they say awake talking about everything except what was happening, and tried to keep themselves from thinking about it. The next morning seemed to come all to quickly.
     At nine the next morning Agent Mayer and  Agent Levac came down the cell Bo and Luke were. Agent Levac opened the cell and stood by the door with his hand on his gun. Agent Mayer went into the cell and put leg irons on both Bo and Luke.
     “Alright let’s get a move on it.” Agent Mayer said flatly.
Bo and Luke stood up saying nothing, and walked out of the jail and to a deep blue van, in which they were being transported to the Federal prison in. Bo and Luke sat across from each other in the back of the van. Agent Levac was driving the van, and Agent Mayer was keeping a watchful eye on Bo and Luke, with his hand on the handle of his gun.
     They were just about three quarters the way to Atlanta when Agent Levac lost control of the van. The engine burst into flames, which burned up and over the hood of the van, blocking Levac’s view of the road. Agent Levac turned the wheel hard and the van went into a spin. A speeding semi was coming down the highway from the other direction, it round the curve and saw the out of control van, the driver slammed on the brake, but it was already too late. The truck slammed into the front driver’s side, pushing the van, off the edge of the road, and instantly killing Agent Levac. The driver off the truck hit his head against the steering wheel and slipped into unconsciousness. As the wheels hit the edge of the embankment and the van started to roll side over side. Bo and Luke braced themselves the best could on the bench like seats, that they sat on. Agent Mayer braced himself in the front seat. The van slammed to stop, the back door of the van burst open. Smoke was starting to slowly fill the van. The impact had momentarily stunned everyone. Luke was the first to wake up, he coughed slightly as he inhaled the smoke. He looked across at Bo, who was still not awake. He got up and bent in front of Bo, and gently shook him
     “Are you okay Bo?” Luke asked his voice fraught with worry.
Bo slowly opened his eyes, and coughed as the smoke began to fill his lungs.
     “Yeah . . . I think so.” Bo said after he had finished coughing.
     “C’mon let’s get outta here.” Luke said.
Bo nodded and followed Luke out the back door of the van.
Agent Mayer woke up and got out of the van and saw Bo and Luke running for the woods.
     “FREEZE!” Agent Mayer said, pointing his gun towards Bo and Luke.
Bo turned slightly, Luke kept moving away for the scene of the accident.
Agent Mayer squeezed the trigger of his gun, shooting Bo. Bo felt a hot stabbing pain shot through his whole body as the bullet pierced through his skin, in his left side, and became imbedded. Bo clenched his hand over the gun shot wound, his hand becoming coated with the  warm stickiness of blood. He stumbled, and Luke caught him. Agent Mayer prepared to shoot again when the van exploded and he became engulfed by a ball of fire, the explosion knocking him to the ground. Luke helped Bo into the woods, moving as quick as they could, considering they still had on the leg irons and that Bo had been shot. They just kept moving, not knowing that Agent Mayer had been killed by the force of the explosion. Bo and Luke knew that they were now fugitives but didn’t care, they figured as long as they were free they would attempt to clear their names by proving that they had been framed for killing the two Federal agents.
     US Marshal Sam Gerard, and three of his four deputies, Robert Biggs, Cosmo Renfro, and Noah Newman, were in Atlanta. News of the accident involving the prisoner’s Bo and Luke Duke, had came in a few moments ago and they were sent to investigate. Biggs was listening to the truck driver’s statement. Cosmo and Newman were looking over the scene of the accident. Sam was talking to the Sheriff of Lakton County, which is where the accident occurred.
     “Looks like we got two fugitives, who have a thirty minute lead on us.” Sam said, his voice was firm and held an air of power to it. “Does anyone here have a map of the area?”
     “Yes sir.” Deputy Carlerson said, handing a map to Sam.
Sam looked at the map intently for a couple moments. “I want road blocks set up for in a twenty mile radius.” Sam said, circling the area on the map with his finger. “As well as I want as many men as possible searching through the woods.”
Agent Turner came walking over, after hearing Sam’s orders. “These two boys can’t have gotten that far.”
Sam turned and looked at Agent Turner. “They have been running for thirty minutes.”
     “They were in leg irons.” Agent Turner said, as though stating some surprising fact in the case.
Sam shrugged and turned and walked away to see what his deputies had discovered.
     “Find out anything?” Sam asked, his deputies who all stood before them.
     “The truck driver don’t remember much of what happened.” Robert said.
     “We didn’t find anything in the van, either.” Cosmo said.
     Meanwhile, Bo and Luke moved through the woods. Bo’s deep blue eyes were filled with pain, his shirt was stained with blood. They weren’t making too good of time with the leg irons and Bo’s injury. They couldn’t really run, they were about a thirty minute fast walk from the accident. They had heard the sound of the sirens filling the air. They both knew they had to keep moving or they would be caught.  Luke glanced over concernedly at Bo.
     “How ya feeling?” Luke asked, his voice full of concern.
     “I’ve been better.” Bo said.
Luke noticed an old hunting shack in the wood, he hoped they could find something in there to get the leg irons off. He knew they wouldn’t have time to stop, so that he could tend to Bo’s gunshot wound, he prayed that Bo would be okay until they had time to stop. The door to the shack was locked. Bo leaned against the shack and Luke kicked the door open. The door creaked as it swung open. Luke went inside first. Bo followed close behind him, he stumbled as he went in and steady himself by grabbing the door frame, leaving a smear of blood.  Luke noticed an old tool box sitting in the corner, he smiled and went over, hoping there was still tools inside it. Bo leaned against the wall, his eyes clenched shut in pain. He could feel tears of pain burning his eyes, he bit his bottom lip to keep from crying, he refused to cry.
     Luke opened the tool box and gave a sigh of relief when he noticed a pair of metal clippers, laying right on top of all the other tools. He picked them up and went back over to Bo, he cut of both of their leg irons.
     “Let’s get outta here. We are gonna really have to make up some time. We need to get a lot of distance between us and that searching party.
     “Yeah. Although I don’t think that I’ll be able to move that quick, considering . . .” Bo said and nodded down at the gunshot wound.
     “You’re gonna have to Bo. We need to get a lot of distance between us and them.” Luke said firmly.
Bo just nodded and diverted his gaze from Luke.
     “This ain’t like running from Rosco, I think these guys got a lot more brains.” Luke said jokingly, trying to ease the tension that had filled the room.
Bo smiled. “Yeah, I think you’re right cousin, most people are smarter then Rosco after all.”
They ran quick as they could away from the shack, trying to make up for lost time, and to put a greater distance between them and those that were on the search for them.
     About twenty minutes later one of the search parties, which consisted of Sam, Noah, Agent Turner and a local deputy, found the hunting shack. One of the deputies went inside and came back out carrying the leg irons. He handed them to Sam.
     “Why look here. We are always endlessly fascinated when we find leg irons with no legs in them.” Sam said.
Noah smiled, and chuckled. Agent Turner said nothing. Sam looked at the leg irons and saw where they had been cut.
     “Looks like they found some tools in the cabin and cut them off.” Sam said, motioning to where they had.
Noah noticed the  smear of fresh blood of the wall of the cabin by the door.
     “Looks like one of them is hurt.” Noah said pointing out the blood.
Sam looked at the blood. “Good work kid.”
Noah smiled, and ran his fingers through his thick, curly auburn hair, that just barely reached his shoulders.
     Bo and Luke were now quite a far distance ahead of the search party. Bo’s pace had started to lag. Luke stopped and looked back at him. Bo had stopped for a minute and leaned against a tree, and was trying to catch his breath. He held his hand tight over the gunshot wound. Luke walked back over and stood inches in front of Bo.
     “C’mon we gotta keep moving.” Luke said.
Bo nodded and went to take a step forward and stumbled. He would’ve fallen to the ground but Luke caught him.
     “Are you okay?” Luke asked.
Bo tried to say he wasn’t okay but couldn’t find his voice, so he just shook his head no instead. Luke tried to think of what to do. He knew that he had to get the bullet out of Bo soon, but he had no way of getting it out and keeping it from being infected. He looked around the woods that surrounded them and noticed a camper trailer a few metres through the woods. Luke prayed that there was stuff in there that could help Bo.
     “Think you can just walk a little ways?” Luke asked. “It think that I will be able to get that bullet out in trailer that is just over there.” Luke said and motioned towards the trailer.
Bo shrugged. “I don’t know.” Bo said.
     “Just try.” Luke said, offering him encouragement.
Bo nodded. Bo leaned on Luke for support as the slowly started to move through the woods to the trailer. Luke careful had his arm around Bo, keeping them both moving at a slow, yet steady pace.
     It was a large old trailer, that sat nestled in a small clearing in the woods. Luke said a silent prayer for it to not be and old abandoned trailer. He knew this could be the only chance they had to get the bullet out. Luke knew that if he didn’t get the bullet out soon that Bo could die. As they grew closer to the trailer Luke noticed a light shining in one window of the trailer.
     They reached the trailer after about five minutes after Luke had first seen it. Luke took and deep breath and slowly released it as he opened the door. The trailer door opening startling the occupants of the trailer. The elderly couple in the trailer looked to be in their late sixties, and started with scared expressions at Luke. They had just heard the bulletin on the radio about a couple of escaped fugitives. Luke glanced at them, then helped Bo inside. Luke carefully helped Bo  lay down on the bed. Luke turned to face the couple again, who where sitting perfectly still, watching the boys.
     “Look if you want to run and try to warn someone that we are here you can, but please just wait till I got time to help my cousin.” Luke said, trying to keep his voice calm sounding, though the couple could still hear the worry in his voice.
The man looked at Bo, who was laying on the bed, his clothes stained with blood, his eyes seem to soften for the injured young man. He stood up and approached them. “I am a doctor, perhaps I can help.” he said softly. “What happened?”
Luke looked up at him. “He got shot. I have to get the bullet out.”
The old man nodded then motioned to his wife to get his medical supplies from the cupboard. “I will help you get the bullet out.”
Luke wasn’t sure what to say so he only nodded.
     “I am Dr. Philp Marlow. That is my wife Edna.” Philp said, and nodded to his wife as he spoke her name.
     “I’m Luke Duke and this is my cousin Bo.”  Luke said.
Edna handed Philp his medical supplies. “Are you the two fugitives that were mentioned on the radio?” she asked Luke.
Luke nodded. “Yes. But we didn’t do what they say we did.”
     “You don’t look like you are very old.” Edna said, her voice was soft and kind and didn’t sound like she was being judgmental about their age.
     “I am twenty-three and Bo is twenty-one.” Luke said.
Edna only nodded as though that was around the ages that she had thought them to be.
Philp pulled back Bo’s shirt from the bullet wound. He flinched at the pain, and bit his lip to keep from crying out in pain. Luke put his hand on Bo’s shoulder, to offer comfort to his cousin. Edna went and got a glass of water. Luke carefully held Bo’s head up and gave him two painkillers, and let him sip at the glass of water. Philp looked the wound over and frowned. “How long ago did this happen?” Philp asked.
     “I don’t know . . . an hour and a half . . . maybe two hours ago.” Luke responded. “It hasn’t been too long . . . as it?”
Philp shook his head and  frowned again. “Go around to the other side.” he said. “How much do you know about how to get a bullet out?”
     “I know all about it. I learned how in the Marines.” Luke said as he moved around to the other side of the bed.
Bo was only about half conscious he lay on the bed watching and listening to what was going on but felt to weak to talk. His deep blue eyes were filled with pain. Luke looked at Bo and forced a smile.
     “Don’t worry cuz everything is going to be okay.” Luke said.
Edna sat down on the bed, by Bo’s head. She looked down at him with kind eyes. Philp took out his scalpel and moved it against the wound to start to get the bullet. Bo flinched and tried to pull away.
     “It’s gonna be okay boy, just don’t move.” Philp said, his voice was firm, but kind.
Edna gently stroked the hair along the side of his head, in a very motherly fashion, and softly hushed him. Luke glanced up at Bo, he could see the tears of pain that swam in Bo’s eyes. He started to help Philp get the bullet out. Luke could feel Bo’s body slightly trembling beneath his hands. Luke could sense Bo’s pain as he looked at the bleeding wound. Looking at the blood, Luke felt slightly queasy. He had seen blood many times when he had been in the Marines, he thought he could handle it, but this was something different, because it was Bo seeing the blood bothered him. Edna kept softly talking to him, to keep him awake. She pitied the poor young boy, laying there in such pain. He was so young, she doubted that the radio was right about what they had been accused of, her gut told her that they were good boys and seeing the two boys she knew they couldn’t kill anyone in an execution fashion. Philp continued to go about digging the bullet out of Bo, with Luke’s help.
     After fifteen minutes Philp got the bullet out, and began to carefully stich up the wound. It took him about five minutes. He covered the area with gauze. Luke and Philp went to clean up. Edna gave Bo another painkiller.
 Luke and Philp washed their hands of the blood.
     “Thank you very much for your help.” Luke said.
     “It was nothing.” Philp said.
     “Yes it was. If anything had happened to Bo I don’t know what I would’ve done. He is more a brother then a cousin to me.” Luke said.
Philp nodded and nodded his head in understanding. “Even though I am retired I am still a doctor. I feel it is my job to help the injured.”
Luke smiled. “I just want you to know how grateful I am that you helped. I don’t think most people would’ve helped . . . considering the circumstances.”
     “You said you are innocent, and I am inclined to believe that you are. You do not seem like the murderous type.” Philp said.
Luke just smiled, and the two of them walked back to where Bo and Edna were.
 Bo was sitting up on the bed, by the time that Luke and Philp had finished cleaning up.
     “How ya feeling?” Luke asked.
     “Better. I don’t hurt as much now.” Bo said.
Luke handed the cleaned bullet to Bo. Bo rolled the bullet around in his hand.
     “The wound has to heal yet so it will be sore for a couple of days.” Philp said then handed Bo a bottle of pain killers. “These will help stop the pain.”
     “Thanks . . . for everything.” Bo said.
     “You’re welcome.” Philp said.
Bo stood up and him and Luke started to move towards the door.
     “One moment.” Edna said.
Bo and Luke stopped and turned back to face her.
     “Take this money.” She said extending a small batch of money towards them.
     “We can’t take that.” Luke said.
     “I insist. You boys will need some money.” Edna said. “I believe that you are innocent. You need money so you can escape prison.”
Luke took the money. “Much obliged for all of your help.”
     “We won’t tell anyone which way you went if they come asking and we will tell them that we think you are innocent.” Philp said.
     “Thanks.” Bo said.
Bo and Luke then left the trailer and ran off into the woods.
     About twenty minutes after Bo and Luke had left, part of the people searching for Bo and Luke arrived. The party now just consisted of Sam and Noah. Sam knocked on the trailer door. Philp opened the door.
     “US Marshals.” Sam said showing the badge, which he had clipped to his belt. Noah, held up his which was on a chain around his neck.
     “Have you seen these boys?” Sam asked, holding up a picture of Bo and Luke.
Philp nodded. “Yeah they left here about twenty or  thirty minutes ago.” Philp responded.
Sam looked at Philp questioningly. Philp noticed the questioning look and then told him about everything that had happened. Edna stood behind him, watching the US Marshals very closely. Sam and Noah stood listening to them closely. After he finished Sam spoke up.
     “Are you aware it is a crime to aid fugitives?” Sam asked.
     “They are not criminals, they are innocent.” Edna said.
     “Which way did they go?” Noah asked.
Both Edna and Philp remained silent.
     “You know you can be sent to prison for aiding them?” Sam questioned.
     “Never saw which way they went.” Philp responded flatly.
Sam sighed, and started to walk away from the trailer, Noah followed him.
     Darkness fell and the search was called off until morning. The US Marshals sat in a make shift office.
     “Do you have the files on the fugitives?” Sam asked.
Noah nodded and handed him the files on Bo and Luke Duke. Sam sat down at the table and opened each file. Sam thought to himself that these boys seemed young to be up on such serious charges. Being as the oldest Luke, was only twenty-three, and Bo was twenty-one. He read that they were both on probation for running moonshine, they had made a deal with government to stay out of prison if they never made or ran moonshine again. He saw they had several minor suspected violations, against their probation but none of the charges had ever stuck. He also noticed some other small crimes they had been accused of, but like the violations against their probation, no charges were ever brought forth and that any charges had always been dropped. Sam thought to himself “These boys are good at getting into trouble, and out of it.” He then read how they had several accommodations for good citizenship and things like that. He saw that Luke had gotten a purple heart for bravery when he had been a sergeant in the Marines. As he read over the files, he started to get a suspicion that there was more to the case then what met the eye, and he planned on finding out the truth, because he always won.
     Sam looked up from the files, and at his deputies. “We are going to Hazzard County, first thing tomorrow.”
     “What a fun sounding place with a name like that.” Cosmo commented softly. Noah and Biggs chuckled softly, but Sam just narrowed his eyes.
     “Why are we going there?” Biggs asked.
     “That’s where our fugitives are from. I got the feeling that they will try to be in contact with their family.” Sam said.
     Bo and Luke were continuing to walk through the woods, it was clear crisp night, though there still wasn’t too much light for them to see where they were going. They had found a change of clothes, when they walked by an old farmhouse that sat nestled in the hills practically in the middle of nowhere. Luke wore a pair of tight blue jeans, and a deep green, long sleeve shirt. Bo had on a pair of black jeans. They were a little too big for him, but not overly. He was gratefully that they were too big, because that way the jeans didn’t rub against where he had been shot. He also was wearing a dark brown, shirt, he had a little trouble getting the shirt on and had to have Luke help him. They still had on their prisoner’s shoes, which weren’t very comfortable for long distance walking, but they at least protected their feet. Luke was walking several feet ahead of Bo.
     “Can’t we just stop for a few minutes?” Bo asked. “I’m getting too tired to keep going.”
Luke sighed. “If we stop we get caught.”
     “Well, I am too tired to keep going, besides we haven’t had anything to eat all day. I am tired and I am hungry.” Bo said.      “Can’t we just stop for a few minutes?”
     “Fine.” Luke replied bluntly.
Bo ignored the shortness in his older cousin’s voice and sat down underneath a large old oak tree. He closed his eyes and leaned against the wide trunk of the tree, and rubbed softly at the gunshot wound, which had began to start dully aching again. Luke sighed as he looked down at his cousin. He knew that Bo needed some time to rest to allow the injury to heal, but he also knew that they didn’t have much time to stay in one place, or they would get caught.
     “How ya feelin’?” Luke asked, there was deep concern in his voice.
     “It don’t hurt as bad now. Just a little.” Bo said.
Luke knew that it hurt more then Bo was letting on. Bo took of the bottle of  pain killers, from his pocket, and took one. They were silent while Luke started a small fire to keep them warm, it had started to grow quite cold.
     “I think we’ll be fine as long as we don’t wait around here for anymore then a couple hours. I figure that they have called off the search till morning.” Luke said.
     “Yeah well then I’m gonna get some sleep, cause I am exhausted.” Bo said a gave a big yawn. “Starvin’ too, wish we had some food.”
     “Okay why don’t you just stay awake, and keep your eye on the fire for a few minutes, I’ll see if I can find some food.” Luke said.
Bo nodded. Luke walked off into the woods.
     A few minutes later Luke returned carrying a dead rabbit. He sat down by the fire.
     “I think we should cook it first, before we eat it.” Luke said.
     “The way you cook, it’ll be nothing but charred remains.” Bo said jokingly.
     “Well then you cook it.” Luke said.
     “I am too tired. Beside right now I am too hungry to care how bad it tastes.” Bo said.
Bo leaned against the tree with his eyes shut, as Luke cooked the rabbit over the small campfire. Bo had just drifted into a light sleep when Luke had finished cooking the rabbit.  Bo woke up and they ate their dinner in silence. After they were done Bo fell back asleep, within minutes he was in a deep sleep. Luke sat awake, watching his younger cousin sleep. He wanted to be awake in case anything happened, he knew that Bo needed the sleep more then he did. He sighed and silently prayed to himself that they would get out of with their lives, and be cleared of the false charges. There was no way he was going to spend the rest of his life in prison for something he didn’t do, and there was absolutely no way that he was going to let his younger cousin, his best friend, who he loved like a brother, go to prison for the rest of his life, when he was innocent.
     Early the next morning the US Marshals headed for Hazzard County. It didn’t take them to long to find the Duke farm. Cosmo pulled his deep green GMC Jimmy, to a stop in front of the old farmhouse. The Marshals got out of the car and knocked on the door. After a couple of moments the door was answered by an old farmer in blue overalls.
     “Mr. Duke?” Sam questioned.
Jesse nodded. “And you?”
     “United States Marshal Sam Gerard.” Sam said. “These are my deputies Noah, Cosmo, and Robert.” he said, motioning to each as he spoke their name.
     “What do you want?” Jesse asked, giving no indication that he was going to allow them into the house.
     “I’d like to ask you a few questions.” Sam said.
Jesse stood silently for a moment as though thinking about Sam’s request. Finally he nodded and stepped aside and motioned for them to come inside. They walked into the house. They saw it looked in no better shape inside then it did from the outside, though it did have a warm and cozy feeling. There was a small fire burning in the fireplace. Sam noticed a young girl sitting in the chair by the fire. She turned around when she heard them come in, her long brown hair falling across her eyes. Sam figured that she was Daisy Duke, the fugitive’s cousin. She looked at them with an accusing eye, though Sam noticed that her eyes were watery with tears. They all sat down in the front room. Jesse turned to Daisy.
     “Daisy, why don’t you go make some coffee, while I talk to these US Marshals.” Jesse said.
Daisy nodded and stood up, walking out into the kitchen to do as her uncle had asked.
     “Have they contacted you?” Sam asked.
     “No.” Jesse said.
Sam could tell by the tone of Jesse’s voice that he wasn’t lying. He was a good judge of character and could sense that Jesse was good person, and that when he spoke he only spoke the truth.
     “Do you have any idea where they are heading?” Sam asked.
     “Hopefully far away from the likes of you.” Daisy said as she walked into the room carrying a tray with the coffee.
Sam turned to look at Daisy he could see fire burning in her eyes, hatred towards those who were after her cousins. Jesse gave a stern look to silence her.
     “No, I don’t know where they are or where they are going.” Jesse said.
Daisy sat the coffee down on the table and then sat down on the couch beside Jesse.
     “My cousin’s didn’t kill anyone. They are not killers.” Daisy said.
Each of the marshals and Jesse took a cup of coffee. Sam asked a few more questions, then stood up to leave. The others stood up after him.
     “Thank you for the coffee Mr. Duke.” Sam said and headed towards the door.
Daisy watched them leave and smiled as the door shut. “They finally left. About time.”
     The Marshals got into the car.
     “Do you really think that those boys haven’t called?” Biggs asked.
     “Yeah I do. They haven’t called, yet. I want a tap put on to their phone.” Sam said.
     “I’ll have Henry Poole come out an monitor the line.” Cosmo said.
     “Now where is that friend of theirs, what was his name . . . Cooter Davenport?” Sam asked.
     “At the garage in town.” Noah said.
     “Do you think he’ll be any more help then their family?” Cosmo asked.
     “Maybe. Maybe not.” Sam said.
    They pulled to a stop in front of the Hazzard County Garage. Cooter looked up from under the hood of a car that he was working on. He stepped away from the car, wiping his hands on a rag, and approached the strangers.
     “What can I do for ya?” Cooter asked, as they got out of the car.
     “US Marshals, I would like to ask you a few questions concerning Bo and Luke Duke.” Sam said.
     “Yeah, like what?” Cooter asked, sounding annoyed by the presence.
     “Have they contacted you?” Sam asked.
Cooter shook his head. “No, they haven’t.”
     “Do you have any idea where they are headed?” Sam asked.
     “No sir.” Cooter said.
Sam asked a couple more questions, which Cooter answered with short and simple, yet to the point, answers.
     “Well if that is all the questions you have I have to get back to work.” Cooter said.
Sam nodded. “That is it.”
     “Good.” Cooter said and walked back over to the car he was working on.
    The Marshals got into the car and started to drive away.
     “Do you think he was telling the truth?” Biggs asked.
Sam nodded, saying nothing.
     “Want his line tapped too?” Cosmo asked.
Sam shook his head. “I doubt that they will try to contact him. I have the feeling they won’t involve him in this at all. If they are going to call anyone it is going to be their kin.”
     Later that day, the Marshals got a call that Bo and Luke had been spotted in Landton County, the remains of the small fire had been discovered, and they were being tracked from there, and had been spotted near the river. Sam and Cosmo went to check it out. They meet the sheriff of Landton, Sheriff Denken,  out near the river.
     “They was spotted cutting through the woods. We haven’t found them again.” Sheriff Denken said.
     “Which way were they headed?” Cosmo asked.
     “We think east.” Sheriff Denken said.
Sam frowned at the seemingly amateur police work, and reminded himself that this was just a small southern little county and he shouldn’t expect too much help from the police there.
    Sam and Cosmo headed into the deep woods that surrounded the river. A few minutes later Sam caught a quick glance of two people moving quickly through the woods, not dressed in police uniform. Thinking it may be the fugitives Sam started to hurry after them, Cosmo followed after him. As Cosmo moved quickly through the woods, his shirt got caught on some brabble. He stopped to free himself from it, losing distance between him and Sam.
     Luke heard someone approaching quickly from behind them, and his heart started to race as he thought it could only be the police that were after them.
     “Hurry it up Bo, we got company.” Luke said, as he increased his speed.
Bo just nodded and started to run faster, even though it pulled at the stiches and sent a hot stabbing pain through his whole body.
     Bo and Luke raced through the woods, Sam Gerard was close behind him as was Cosmo Renfro. Bo and Luke could hear the sound of rushing water coming from a few yards ahead of them.
     “Luke, what do we do if there is no way across that river?” Bo asked.
     “I don’t know we can worry about that when we get there.” Luke said. “We can’t actually turn around can we?” he questioned sarcastically.
     “No. I just meant if there is no way across the river we . . .” Bo started to say but Luke cut his sentence off.
     “Just don’t worry about it Bo. We are not going to get caught.”
They reached the river, which was slightly over flowing it banks, the fast moving water rushed over the small rickety bridge that crossed the river.
     “See there is a way across.” Luke said.
     “Think it’s safe?” Bo asked.
     “Would you stop worrying about everything.” Luke said though not unkindly. “Let’s just get across this river.”
Bo and Luke started to crossed the bridge. The old boards of the bridge creaked under their weight.
     Sam reached the river and saw that Bo and Luke were crossing the bridge, he aimed his gun at them.
     “Hold it right there boys.” Sam said, his voice low and demanding.
Bo and Luke stopped and turned to face him. Luke stood defensively in front of Bo, he was worried that Bo could get shot again.
     “We ain’t going to prison, we didn’t kill anybody.” Luke said.
     “I don’t care.” Sam said. “Get your hands up and get off that bridge and back over to this side.”
Before Bo or Luke could even respond to Sam’s demand, the bridge creaked and a loud snapping of off splintering wood filled the air. Bo and Luke were swept into the water, and dragged under the water’s surface.
     “Damn it.” Sam cursed loudly, just as Cosmo came running up behind him.
He looked at the bridge and figured what had happened. They followed the stream to see if Bo and Luke had resurfaced. They couldn’t see either of them. They found were the river led to, a large waterfall that plummeted fifty feet to the river below. The police came in from the east and walked up behind them.
     “Well if them boys went over that there is no way they made it. We can dredge the river for their bodies. I guess the search for them fugitives is off.” Sheriff Denken said with a smug little smile.
Sam shook his head. “No sir, I think those boys made it out of that and are still on the loose. I want all the bridges for ten miles down this river to be blocked, and for search teams to search a along the river.”
     “There is no way they could’ve survived a fall like that.” Sheriff Denken argued.
Sam just glared coldly at him. “I have learned that nothing is impossible. You are to quick to underestimate these boys sheriff.”
The sheriff just huffed in disbelief that anyone dared to talk to him in such a tone. He turned to face his deputies. “All right men, you heard the marshal let’s get to work.”
     They searched for a couple hours but found no sign of Bo and Luke.  Dark clouds had started to gather and were blocking out the afternoon light. It started to pour rain, reducing visibility to mere inches at times, thunder and lightened cracked overhead. The search was postponed until the rain subsided. Sam and Cosmo headed to meet backup with Robert and Noah.
     A few miles down the river, Bo and Luke were tossed ashore by the ragging water. Bo sat up, coughing slightly on the water that had gone in to his lungs and tried to look around at where they came ashore but couldn’t see much through the pouring rain. He looked to see where Luke was and noticed him just sitting up, a few inches away. Luke coughed, and then looked over at Bo.
     “How you doing?” Luke asked.
     “Been better.” Bo said, as he started to fumble through his pocket for the pain killers, praying he had not lost them during the fall. He smiled as he felt his fingers close around the bottle. He took out the bottle, and took one pill, and put the rest back into his pocket.
     “Is it very sore?” Luke asked, his voice genuinely concerned.
     “Yeah. It’ll be fine once the pain killer kicks in.” Bo said.
Luke stood up and offered Bo a hand to help him stand. Bo got up to his feet wincing at the pain as he did. They walked for a few minutes trough the pouring rain, which made no difference in how wet they were as they were already soaked from being swept down the river.
     “Luke.” Bo said.
     “Yeah, what is it Bo?” Luke asked.
     “Can we stop?” Bo asked. “I can’t walk any further I am to tired.”
     “We can’t stop here, it is not safe. So just keep moving.” Luke said, his voice was firm, and Bo knew he wouldn’t be able to argue to stop.
They continued walking for about two minutes. Bo grew more tired with each step that he took. He could feel sleeps darkness threatening to over take his mind several times, but each time he just shook it off and kept walking. Finally though it became too much and the darkness consumed Bo’s mind and he collapsed to the ground. Luke heard Bo fall to the ground and turned around and rushed to Bo’s side.
     “Wake up Bo.” Luke said, his voice was firm, but held a hint of worry.
No response came for Bo. Luke could tell that Bo had fallen into a deep sleep, brought on by the combination of the strenuous exercise and the pain killer. Bo was breathing in a slow and steady pace. Luke sighed and carefully picked up Bo. He started to carry him through the woods, the rain continued to pour down, making the ground slick and hard to walk. Luke noticed a rocky out cropping and headed towards it. Underneath it they were out of the rain. Luke carefully laid Bo down and then sat down against the rocky wall. He held Bo’s head in his lap. He could feel sleep trying to overtake him as well but tried to fight it off. After a few minutes though of listening to the rain and Bo’s rhythmic breathing Luke fell asleep.
     After meeting back up with Noah and Robert the US Marshals went to question the Chocktaw to police. They walked into the small police station, Sheriff Brent Karlen, sat talking to two of his deputies, Edward Turner and Jacob Bracken. The three of them were laughing about something, and stopped when they heard people come in.
     “What do you want?” Brent questioned harshly, then noticed the badge that each one of the strangers, that had entered, was wearing.
     “I’d like to ask a few question concerning the fugitives Bo and Luke Duke. After all it was all of you that apprehended them.” Sam said, eyeing the three officers suspiciously, there was something about them that he didn’t like.
     “Yeah. Okay.” Brent said.
     “What exactly happened on that day that you caught them?” Sam asked.
     “We had a call about this orange car that was racing along the back roads.” Brent started to say.
Sam listened intently and immediately noticed that was not what he had testified to, but Sam said nothing to see how much else Brent changed.
     “So then we all went out to investigate the call. And we went to pull them over and they ran. We finally ran them off the road. And they came out got out and took a couple shots at us.” Brent said.
Noah went to say something but Sam silenced with a look.
Sam asked a few more questions hiding the fact that he knew that Brent was telling a different story then he had testified.
     After they left the building Noah looked at Sam.
     “You know that is totally different than what they testified to.” Noah said.
     “Yeah I know. I just wanted to see how much else he would change.” Sam said.
     “Changed a lot. I mean nothing was said about those boys shooting at them before. They said the guns were found in the glove box.” Cosmo said.
     “Maybe those boys aren’t guilty and were set up.” Noah said.
     “Wouldn’t be the first case we’ve had like that.” Cosmo said.
     “Yeah well I don’t really care. Either way I plan on catching those boys.” Sam said. “Though Robert, I want you to stay here and watch the sheriff. See why he changed his story.”
     Darkness had settled across the rain had subsided some what. Bo opened his eyes and sat up slowly. All the pain had left his body, except for a small knick in his back from the way he had been laying. Bo stretched to work it out. Luke woke up when he heard Bo moving around. They sat silently for a couple moments, the sound that could be heard was the steady patter of the rain.
     “We should get moving. It is not a good idea to stay in one place too long.” Luke said.
Bo nodded, and followed Luke out into the darkness of the wet night.
     Just before dawn the rain had stopped. Bo and Luke moved through the woods, trying to stay away from any roads to avoid being spotted by anyone. They moved in silence not speaking a single word to each other. Luke walked a few feet ahead of Bo. Bo kept looking around the woods, his eyes looked lost in deep thought. Every small little sound seemed to startle him from his thoughts. Luke glanced back at Bo, and noticed he had fallen even further behind. He stopped and leaned against a tree as he waited for Bo to catch up. Luke noticed the deep lines of worry the surrounded Bo’s eyes, and the sadness that filled them. Once Bo had caught up Luke started to walk again. The ground was still muddy from the heavy rain, and the stones and twigs that lay on the ground were all slippery.
     Early in the afternoon the came to back road, Luke noticed there was a phone at the small bus stop. He thought they should give a quick call home too keep Jesse from worrying, the road didn’t look like it was used to often, and the way the phone was they could stand behind the wall of the covered bench, that served as the bus stop.
     “Let’s call home.” Luke said.
     “Is that safe?” Bo asked
     “If we only talk for a short time they can’t trace the call.” Luke said.
Luke picked up the phone and dialled the number for the Duke farm.
     Outside on the rise above the house Henry Poole sat in a truck monitor the Duke’s phone line. He sat ready to trace the call the second the phone rang.
Jesse picked the phone up on the second ring. “Hello?”
     “Hey Uncle Jesse, it’s Luke.”
Henry started to try to trace the call as he recorded the conversation.
     “Luke where are you boys? Are you both okay?” Jesse asked his voice was fraught with worry.
     “I can’t tell you where we are. They’ve more then likely got the phone tapped by now. We are both fine.” Luke said. Not wanting to tell Jesse that Bo had been shot, to keep him from worrying. Luke handed the phone to Bo so he could see hello.
     “Hey Uncle Jesse.” Bo said, trying to hide the upsetness in his voice, though Jesse could still hear it.
     “How you holding up, Bo?” Jesse asked.
     “I am fine.” Bo said.
     “I pray that you both will be able to come home soon.” Jesse said.
     “Yeah if we can ever clear ourselves.” Bo said.
Luke knew that they had to hang up or the police would be able to trace the call.
     “Hang up now Bo.” Luke said.
Bo nodded. “We got to go now, give Daisy our love.”
Luke pressed the button to hang up.
     “We love both you too.” Jesse said softly into the sound of the dial tone, with a heavy heart he hung up the phone.
     Henry sighed realizing there had not been enough time to trace the call. He called Sam to tell him. Sam and Noah went to get the recording of the telephone conversation.
     Sam listened to the recording very carefully, several times, for any clue as to where they might be. Any small sound that would give away their location, but there was nothing.
     “I doubt that those boys are going to call again for a while. They seemed to know that the call would be traced.” Sam said.
     “Do you think that those boys might be innocent?” Henry asked.
     “I don’t know, and don’t really care either.” Sam said.
     “Some stuff makes them look innocent.” Noah said.
     “Yeah and other stuff, like the fact they have been in trouble with the law makes them look guilty.” Sam said.
     “But they were only in trouble for running moonshine.” Noah said.
     “It is against the law.” Sam said.
     “Yeah but it is not as though they ever killed anyone, or before they supposedly killed the agents.” Noah said.
Sam shrugged. “As I said I don’t care. Either way I plan on catching these boys.”
     Sam and Noah started to head back with the tape. Along the way Sam spotted two men moving quickly through the woods, and pulled over to the side of the road. The two of them got out and went after who Sam had saw, not sure if it was Bo and Luke Duke or not. They caught sight of the two men, seeing that it was indeed Bo and Luke.
     “Freeze it right there.” Sam said, and aimed his gun at them.
Bo and Luke started to run from Sam and Noah. Since they already had a head start advantage they quickly lost the Marshals in the thick forest. Sam and Noah spilt up to find the Duke boys again.
     The last light of the day was slowly slipping behind the distant horizon, and darkness was quickly settling through the deep woods. Bo and Luke ran through the woods, they could hear US Marshal Noah Newman close behind them. Buried beneath a pile of dead leaves was a small animal trap, which Noah didn’t notice. He stepped on the trap which closed tightly around his ankle, he gave a shocked cry of pain as he fell to the ground. He dropped his gun which landed a couple of feet away hid by a pile of dead leaves. Bo stopped running and turn around to see what had happened.
     “C’mon on Bo.” Luke said turning to face his cousin.
     “Just hold it a minute.” Bo said, starting to walk back to where Noah was.
     “Bo just . . .” Luke said but Bo ignored him and went back to help Noah.
Noah was trying in vain to get the trap off of his foot, he heard someone approach and looked up. Bo bent down in front of him, and took Noah’s other gun. Noah began to worry about his intentions, he didn’t really believe that either of the Duke boys were killers, they were just kids, but he wasn’t too sure. Bo could see the distrust in Noah’s eyes.
     “Don’t worry I ain’t gonna shoot you. I need something to pry the trap open with.” Bo said.
Bo carefully pried open the trap, being careful not to apply any undue pressure on Noah’s ankle. Noah looked at Bo and saw into his deep blue eyes, and saw that they held a look of fear. He thought that this twenty-one year old kid, who was eleven years younger then himself at thirty-two, seemed to be nothing more then a scared kid gotten in a violent grow-up’s game.
     “It don’t appear to have broke the skin and I doubt your ankle’s broken, but if I were you I’d get to a doctor to be sure it ain’t sprained.” Bo said, as he stood up.
Bo then tossed Noah’s gun deep in the woods. Noah was just going to tell him to stay where he was when he heard a crashing sound coming from the woods behind them. He turned to see what was going on, and when he turned Bo, ran away through the woods. Noah turned back just in time to see him disappearing in the thick woods. Noah called Sam on his walkie talkie to tell him he’s found and lost the Duke boys. Sam headed for where Noah was.
     Bo caught up with Luke. Luke looked sternly at his younger cousin.
     “You dang fool. Why’d you go and pull and stunt like that?” Luke asked.
     “I couldn’t exactly just leave him there like that.” Bo said.
     “And if he had another gun, he could’ve shot you.” Luke said.
     “I doubt he’d just flat out shot me. Besides Luke I couldn’t just walk off when he was hurt, Uncle Jesse . . .” Bo started his voice trailed off, Luke knew what he meant though.
Luke nodded. “Yeah I know Bo.”
     Sam reached where Noah sat on the ground, rubbing his sore ankle. Noah told him then of how he had stepped into an animal trap and how Bo had turned back to help him.
     “I really doubt those kids are killers. I mean he didn’t have to stop and help.” Noah said.
Sam only nodded, he really doubted Bo and Luke were killers too many things were starting to point away from them as being killers. Sam helped Noah to his feet. Noah limped back to where their vehicles were parked. They went to a hospital and found Noah’s ankle was only bruised, and the doctor told him to stay off it for a few hours and it would be better.
     Noah sat in the small office looking through a pile of files, he had his injured foot, resting on a nearby chair, on a pillow. The file he had already looked through lay discard on the floor by his chair. Everyone else was off searching for the two fugitives, Bo and Luke. They seem to know the territory quite well and had remained hidden from sight ninety percent of the time. Noah sipped at a cup of coffee as he read the files, he began to grow more sure that Bo and Luke Duke’s innocence. They had numerous accommodations even some from the president. He thought to himself. ‘Sure they have been in minor trouble with the law, but nothing at all points towards these boys being the murder type.’ Noah had a gut feeling that they should be looking deeper into the police that had supposedly caught these criminals, they had already changed their story once and Noah was positive that there was a lot more to this case.
     Cosmo and Sam walked into the room, both drinking a coffee, preparing for the long night ahead, during fugitive case such as this one, none of them barely got two minutes sleep.
     “How’s your ankle?” Cosmo asked.
     “It’s feeling better.” Noah responded.
     “You’re just lucky that fugitive didn’t kill you.” Cosmo said.
     “I doubt that he would’ve. The more I read the files on this case the more it looks like a set up . . . or something.” Noah said. “Is there any more leads on where they might be?”
     “Not yet.” Cosmo said.
     “If you’re ankle is doing better, why don’t you get up and do something a little more constructive then just sitting there and reading over the files.” Sam said, his voice was gruff and commanding, though both Noah and Cosmo knew that Sam was concerned about Noah’s well being.
Noah only nodded and stood up, his foot felt as though it had fallen asleep, and it took a couple minutes for Noah to walk it off. Noah looked up at the clock that hung on the far wall, it was only ten fifteen, there was no doubt going to be a long night ahead, he followed Sam and Cosmo into a smaller office to discuss the case, as Sam called Robert on the phone. Robert talked to Sam on his car phone, saying there was nothing going on at the Sheriff station, nobody had come or gone from the building and that he doubted the sheriff and deputies were even going home that night.
     The night seemed to last forever as Bo and Luke made their way through the darkness. They only stopped to rest for minutes at a time, never really long enough to truly get any much needed sleep. The first light of the day began to break over the horizon, painting the sky in a beautiful sunrise, though its beauty went unnoticed by Bo and Luke. Bo stopped walking and leaned against a tree, he was tired and his spirit was broken.
     “I don’t want to go any further.” Bo said.
Luke stopped walking and turned to face his younger cousin. “There isn’t much choice, we have to keep moving.”
     “Well I don’t want to. I quit.” Bo said.
Luke walked over and stood inches in front of Bo. “You can’t quit.”
     “Yes I can.” Bo said.
     “No you can’t. Just keep moving.” Luke said firmly.
Bo shook his head. “I can’t, I don’t want to bother. You can go right on ahead, you have all your Marine training to keep you going . . . and guess what cousin, I don’t have that training and I can’t handle this.”
     “You are going to keep moving, or do you want to spend the rest of your life in prison?”
     “I don’t care anymore. I can’t keep running forever . . . I quit. You can do whatever you want . . . I can’t take this anymore.” Bo said, the sound of defeat clear in his voice.
Luke felt anger building inside of him, for no real reason other then a lack of sleep that was putting him in a bad mood. “I don’t care if you can handle it or not you are going to keep moving. I am older then you so you’d better damn well listen to me.”
     “You can’t tell me what to do.” Bo said.
     “I can and I am.” Luke said.
     “Well I ain’t listening. I quit.” Bo said.
    Without warning Luke smacked Bo across the face. Bo flinched at the pain and closed his eyes and just allowed his body to drop to the ground. Luke exhaled slowly, he hadn’t meant to strike Bo, he was just trying to keep Bo going, there was no way that he was going to allow his younger cousin to spend the rest of his life in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Luke knelt down and put a hand on Bo’s shoulder.
     “Bo, I am sorry. I didn’t mean to.” Luke said.
Bo looked up at Luke saying nothing.
     “I am sorry Bo, but I am not going to allow you to quit. We are going to get out of this mess, I promise you. I promise that I will take care of you.” Luke said.
     “I don’t think I can carry on . . . I just . . . I don’t think that I am strong enough.” Bo said.
     “Yes you are Bo, you don’t give yourself enough credit . . . besides that I know how stubborn you can be so you’ll get through this.” Luke said.
Bo bite back the tears he felt in his eyes, the last thing he wanted was for Luke to see him cry. “I can’t go on. You just go ahead, you can finish trying to clear us. I don’t have the strength to carry on.”
     “You listen to me Bo Duke, you are going to get up on your feet and you are going to carry on, you are not going to be a quitter and there is no way I am allowing you to go to prison.” Luke said, his voice was firm but full of caring.
Bo looked away from Luke and cursed himself for being so weak while his cousin was so strong, Luke could handle anything and never quit.
     “Bo, you have to carry on, please don’t quit on me, I can’t handle this on my own.” Luke said, and Bo turned to look at him. "I am just as scared as you Bo, but we can’t quit.”
Bo nodded, slightly, in agreement with Luke. Luke smiled.
     “That’s better. About time you listened to me.” Luke said.
Bo gave a small smile, a smile that never touched his eyes. Luke stood up and gave Bo and hand to stand.
     “Luke?”
     “Yeah what?” Luke asked.
     “Thanks.” Bo said.
     “Anytime cousin.” Luke said, and the two cousins exchanged a brotherly hug, before continuing on their way.
     As the first light of the new day broke over the horizon, Bo and Luke were a couple counties away from reaching Chocktaw, when an old junkyard came into sight.
     “Maybe we could find an old car in there that actually works. We could make a lot better time.” Luke said.
     “Anything would be better then walking. Too bad we don’t have the General.” Bo said.
     “Yeah, let’s go find us a car.” Luke said.
The two young men entered into the junkyard, since both had a keen eye for cars they would know quickly if they found a car that they could actually use.
     “Would be nice if we could find something that has as much power as the General.”
     “Wishful thinking cousin.” Luke said.
     “I know, all that does matter is the car works.” Bo said.
They wandered through the junkyard for nearly an hour, before one car caught both their attention.
     “Look at that car.” Bo said, pointing to an old dark blue Road Runner, most the paint was chipped and the body was rusted, just like all the cars around it.
     “It’d be a good car . . . if it works.” Luke said.
     “There’s only one way to find out.” Bo said.
Luke nodded and followed his younger cousin over to the car. They opened the hood, that squeaked on it’s hinges.
     “The engine looks fine.” Luke said. “I’ll get in and hot wire it to see if it’ll start.”
It only took Luke a couple moments to start the car, its engine roaring to life. Luke smiled, glad that the car worked. He got out of the car and stepped over to where Bo stood.
     “Just let it run a couple minutes to be sure it really does work.” Luke said.
     “Got my fingers crossed.” Bo said.
     “Now we just got to find some gas, there wasn’t much left in the tank.” Luke said.
     “I saw a gas tank back when we first came in.” Bo said.
     “Great.” Luke said.
After a couple moments Luke shut the hood and the two of them got into the car. Luke drove the car towards the exit of the junkyard, stopping by the gas tank. He cut the engine, so he could fill the tank. A few moments later they were back on the road, driving towards Chocktaw.
     Early that morning Sheriff Brent Karlen and his two deputies left the Chocktaw County Sheriff Station, all in the same vehicle, a dark green Sedan. Robert started to follow after them, calling Sam.
     “Hey Sam they are on the move.” Robert said.
     “Stay with them Bobby. I want to know exactly where they go.” Sam order
     “Yes sir.”
 He followed the car, hoping that after sitting outside in the car all night that was actually something going on. Bo and Luke arrived in Choctaw during this time and spotted the car that the sheriff was in.
     “Let’s follow them.” Luke said.
     “When they stop we can beat the truth out of them.” Bo said.
     “Wouldn’t stand up in court. We have to wait for them to mess up.” Luke said.
     “And if they don’t? They seem to have this all well planned.”
     “Sooner or later they will make a mistake.” Luke said.
     “Can’t we just go back to the farm?” Bo asked.
Luke shook his head, as he followed the Sedan, unaware of the other car that was also following the exact same car.
     “Why not?”
     “Because they no doubt got the place staked out, and I don’t mean by Rosco or Enos. We’d be caught the minute we stepped one foot on the farm.” Luke said.
Bo sighed. “Guess we ain’t gonna call for no help either, are we?”
     “No we are on our own. There is no sense in involving them anyway, if anything went wrong they would be in serious trouble.” Luke said.
     “Don’t want that.” Bo said.
Robert realized that the sheriff had picked up another tail and called Sam with the news.
     “Where are they at Biggs?” Sam asked, assuming that Robert was calling with their whereabouts.
     “They haven’t stopped yet, but they picked up another tail.” Robert said.
     “Who?” Sam asked.
     “I don’t know. It’s an old car and there is no plate.” Robert said.
     “If I don’t miss my guess that would be our fugitives.” Sam said.
     “Are you sure Sam? Why would they show up here?”
     “That don’t matter, just stick with them.” Sam said.
Robert hung up the phone and continued to follow the two cars.
     Jacob glanced out the back window, seeing that the same two cars were still behind them, that had been back there for several minutes.
     “Hey guys, them two cars are still back there. I think they are following us.” Jacob said.
     “Who are they?” Edward asked.
     “No idea.” Jacob said.
Brent, who was driving, slowed down a little, and as he did Jacob caught site of the passengers in the blue car.
     “You ain’t gonna believe this, them Duke boys are back there.” Jacob said.
Brent cursed under his breath and speed up.
     “We’ve been spotted Luke, you better step on it or we are gonna lose them.”
     “So much for the element of surprise.” Luke said, wishing he had the General, this old car wasn’t as near as fast as their powerful car.
Robert kept up with chase, trying hard not to lose the two cars as the chase took off across the countryside, leaving the road. He fumbled with the phone to call Sam.
     “They spotted the other car and are running.” Robert said and mumbled something under his breath. “They took off across the countryside, this chase isn’t even on any road.”
     “Just stay with them. We are heading over to Choctaw, just keep us informed of your whereabouts.” Sam said.
The chase moved onto an old dirt road, that was lined with large puddles from all the recent rains. Luke followed the other car as closely as he could, with a determination that burned like fire in his eyes. The old car wasn’t near as quick or agile as the General, but with all circumstances considered it worked just fine, he knew they stood a better chance then they had walking, and knew it was better for Bo who was still recovering from the gunshot wound.
     “Do you plan on catching them or are you gonna lose ‘em?” Bo asked.
     “This car ain’t exactly the General, I have it to the floor and can’t find no more.”
Bo glanced in the side mirror.
     “We aren’t the only ones in the chase here.” Bo said.
     “What?” Luke asked.
     “Look behind us.” Bo said.
Luke gave a quick glance out the back window, and saw the vehicle that was following them.
     “Who do you think it is?” Bo asked.
     “I don’t know, maybe they had two cars.” Luke said.
     “With our luck it is a federal agent or something.” Bo said.
Though the back road was practically in the middle of nowhere, seeing a car maybe once every three hours, it just happen that another vehicle was on the road, heading in the opposite direction. The driver of the other car panicked when he saw the three speeding cars heading towards him. He turned the wheel hard, and slammed on the brakes sending his car into a spin. Brent reacted quickly and managed to manoeuvre his car around the out of control car, speeding off down the road. Luke turned the wheel sharply and sent the old car crashing into the woods, that ran along the right side of the road, losing sight of the car with the Chocktaw sheriff and his deputies. Robert, however, didn’t see the car in time to react, his car slammed into the side of the spinning car, sending his own car skidding. Robert cursed as he felt the wheels of the car go off the edge of the road, catching on the deep ditch that ran down the right side of the road. He closed his eyes as he felt the car go into a roll. The car rolled one and a half times, landing upside down in the ditch, the water slowly seeping into the car.
     Luke managed to pull the car to a stop in a small clearing.
     “Do you think we should go back and check and see if everyone is okay?” Bo asked.
Luke shook his head. “I know normally Uncle Jesse would say it is the right thing to do, but in this case . . . I don’t think so.”
     “But they could be hurt.” Bo said.
     “I know but . . .we don’t know who was in that car, for all we know whoever it is could shoot us the second we showed our faces back there. It isn’t safe.” Luke said.
     “I guess you’re right.” Bo said.
     “Ain’t I always?” Luke questioned jokingly.
     “No, not normally.” Bo responded in the same joking tone.
     Meanwhile, Robert had been knocked unconscious, when his head had struck the steering wheel, causing a small trickle of blood to drip down the side of his face, a large bruise already forming around the cut. His left arm was visibly broken, to the point the bone showed through the skin. He also suffered several injures during the accident that could not been seen, including three broken ribs and a bruised kidney. The driver of the other car Albert Jones, had only suffered from minor bruises during the accident, he quickly called on the CB for help, after his car finally stopped spinning, after slamming to a stop against a tree. Albert stepped out of his car, going over to check on the driver of the other car, he stepped to the edge of the deep ditch.
     “Hey buddy you okay down there?” Albert called out, waiting for a response, but none came.
Albert stood quietly for a moment pondering on what he should do, finally he decided that he would have to check on the condition of the driver of the other car, and he slowly made his way down the embankment. He was relieved to find the driver was still alive, when he checked for a pulse, though he appeared to be quite injured. Albert didn’t really know how to tend to any of the injures, and knew that he would have to wait for the ambulance, he knew it wouldn’t take too long, there was an ambulance station ten minutes away from their location.
     Bo and Luke slowly made their way back onto the road, with no idea of what direction to go now. It wasn’t very long until they heard the siren of the ambulance piercing through the silence of the day.
     “Sounds to me like help has arrived at the accident, so they’ll be okay.” Luke said.
     “Yeah. I guess they are better off then us, because of the accident we lost the only people that can clear us.” Bo said sullenly.
     “I know, but we will find them again, Chocktaw ain’t that big.” Luke said.
     “Yeah but it is like Hazzard, a lot of places to hide, and we don’t know all of them.”
     “Don’t worry about it, we always mange to get out of everything that comes along.” Luke said, trying to ease his cousin’s mind.
     “But we’ve never been in this bad of situation.” Bo said.
     “Everything will be fine, trust me.” Luke said.
     “If you say so.” Bo said.
     “I do.”
     “Then fine, I’ll believe you.” Bo said. “Now how are we going to find them?”
     “Just drive down every back road around here until we find some clue that can lead us to them.” Luke said.
     “Just like finding a needle in a haystack.” Bo said, and then yawned.
     “Why don’t you just get some rest.” Luke said.
     “No, I ain’t tired.” Bo said, fighting back another yawn but losing.
     “Just get some sleep Bo. I can keep my eyes open for clues.” Luke said.
     “But we’d have more luck with both of us watching.” Bo reasoned.
     “Not with you sitting there half asleep.” Luke said.
     “Whatever.” Bo said, finding it hard to stop yawning ever since his first yawn.
Bo moved to get more comfortable, and flinched at the pain in his side.
     “Hurt much?” Luke asked.
     “Only when I move.” Bo said.
     “Do you have any pain killers left?” Luke asked.
     “I think, maybe one.” Bo said.
     “Maybe you should take it, you’d get better sleep.” Luke said.
     “Yeah, riding in the car ain’t too much better then walking, especially after that accident.” Bo said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out the last pill. “Last one.”
Bo wondered if he should take the pill now or wait until the pain was worse, but decided if he took it now the pain wouldn’t have a chance to get worse and the medicine would take less time to take effect, so he put the pill in his mouth and swallowed it. Bo closed his eyes, and withing minutes Luke could hear his breathing slow slightly showing that he was asleep. Luke glanced at his younger cousin, and even in sleep he could see Bo’s worry and pain etched on his face. Luke turned his eyes back to the road, desperately searching for even one small clue, he prayed that his cousin would have dreams that were better then their current situation, and not having nightmares similar to the ones he, himself, had been having what few times he actually slept.
     Sam, Noah and Cosmo stood impatiently in the large waiting room of the Capitol City Hospital waiting for word on Robert, it had been a little over an hour and there was still no news from the doctors on his condition. Both Noah and Cosmo looked upset, their worry for their injured friend was visibly etched on their faces. However, Sam didn’t allow his worry to show and kept a very professional exterior, if one didn’t know they would not realize how much he actually cared about his deputies. He cared deeply about all his deputies, all of them easily saw through his gruff exterior, he often refereed to the members of his warrant squad as his “kids.” He was just as worried about Robert as Noah and Cosmo were, he recalled the last time one of his “kids” had been in the hospital, it had been the youngest member of the team, Noah Newman. Noah was the one that had been injured, he had been shot twice in the chest, and had almost died, Sam tracked the shooter down and after a brief struggle shot and killed Noah’s shooter, Royce. These thoughts continued to spin through Sam’s mind, when finally, after several more minutes a doctor came out, he walked over to Sam and shook hands with the marshal.
     “I am Dr. Gordon Myers.” the middle age doctor introduced himself.
     “What is Robert Biggs condition?” Sam asked, wanting to just skip the formalities of introducing himself.
     “He is out of danger, for now, however he is still in serious condition.” Dr. Myers said, glancing down at Robert’s chart, which he held in his hands, and told Sam about Robert’s injuries. “He is still in a comma, and I can’t allow any of you to see him at this time.”
     “That’s fine doctor, we have work to do. You have a number to reach me at, call me if there is any change.” Sam said, and turned and walked out of the waiting room ,with Noah and Cosmo following close behind.
     “What do we do now boss?” Noah asked, as they stepped out into the parking lot.
     “Same thing that we have been doing, track down those boys and bring them in.”
     “Who do you think caused the accident?” Cosmo asked.
     “Our witness said there was two other cars on the road. If I don’t miss my guess, our fugitives were in one and the Chocktaw officers were in the other.” Sam said.
The three men climbed into their car.
     “So do you think one of them caused the accident?” Cosmo asked.
     “From what our witness told it was merely an accident, which was caused by the high speed chase. I doubt anyone caused it to happen.” Sam said.
     Luke drove around for several hours, then realized that his attempts to find the other car were futile, the trail had gone cold. He pulled over to the side of the road, and hid the car behind a large bush so that it couldn’t be seen from the road. Luke decided that he would take a short nap, he was tired and he felt like his body was starting to shut down from exhaustion, he decided that a short sleep wouldn’t hurt. He glanced over at his younger cousin and frowned, something didn’t seem right, Bo’s complexion looked quite pale.
     “Bo?” Luke said, his voice held a touch of concern.
Luke swallowed hard, suddenly feeling fully awake, Bo had always been a light sleeper.
     “Bo?” Luke said again, speaking a little louder this time, refraining from screaming his cousin’s name, there was still no response, and he became fraught with worry.
Luke grabbed Bo by the shoulder’s and gave him a gentle shake.
     “C’mon wake up cousin.” Luke said.
Bo moaned softly but didn’t open his eyes, or give any sign that he had really woken up. Luke pressed the back of his hand against Bo’s forehead, and gave a flustered sigh, Bo was burning up with a fever. Luke gave Bo a firm shake, and this time Bo slowly opened his eyes and looked at his cousin, Luke saw his dark blue eyes were clouded with pain.
     “You’re giving me more gray hair then I got already.” Luke said.
     “I don’t feel so good. My side really hurts.” Bo said.
     “Let me take a look at it.” Luke said.
Bo nodded, and lifted his shirt so that Luke could check out his injury. Luke noticed that blood had seeped through the bandaging, with a shaking hand he reached out to remove the bandage. Bo inhaled sharply as Luke’s fingers touched the area around where the bullet had gone into his body.
     “Sorry.” Luke said, sincerely.
     “It’s okay . . . it just hurts like it did when I first got shot.” Bo said.
Luke peeled the bandaging back, and paled slightly.
     “Oh . . .” Luke said, not being able to find the words.
     “What . . . What’s wrong?” Bo asked.
     “The stitching let lose . ..  And I think it had became infected.” Luke said.
He actually knew for a fact that it was infected, the skin around the bullet wound had started to change colour, and Luke worried just what Bo was now infected with, he knew Bo needed medical attention, but there was no way to get him to a doctor. Luke glanced up to face Bo, and saw his younger cousin was starting to fall back asleep.
     “C’mon Bo, you got to stay awake.” Luke said.
     “I’m tired.” Bo mumbled.
     “I know you are kiddo but just stay awake, okay?”
     “Yeah . . . okay.” Bo said, fighting off the sleep that was creeping over his mind like a blanket.
     “I’m going to have to go to a drug store or something. We have to get this cleaned up and stitch it back up.” Luke said.
     “Can’t do that, we go anywhere and we’ll be caught.” Bo said.
Luke knew Bo was right, but he knew he had to find a way, Bo’s life depended on it, he found he had no idea of what to do. Luke carefully pondered the pro’s and con’s of each of his options, to take Bo with him, or leave him hid there. If he left Bo alone, and his condition worsened or he fell asleep, he could die, however he would be hidden and safe from those that were hunting them down. He could take Bo with him, so he could keep an eye on his condition, but if they car broke down they’d have to go on foot and Bo was in condition to make a run for it, or to stand up to being jostled around in the car from another high speed chase.
      “I’m going to head into town and try to find a drug store.” Luke said.
     “You can’t you’ll get caught.” Bo said.
     “There isn’t much choice Bo.” Luke said. “I am going to leave you here. I don’t think you could stand another car ride, especially not a car chase. I’ll find somewheres for you to hide out here were you will be safe.”
     “But . . .” Bo started to protest.
     “Don’t argue with me Bo, I’ve already made up my mind on this issue.” Luke said, not telling Bo how hard of a decision it had been to make.
Bo looked like he wanted to argue further but he said nothing, he didn’t feel like he had the strength to argue the fact that he didn’t like this plan, so he decided to just go along with it, the way he always had with all of Luke’s plans. Luke stepped out of the car and looked around the dense wooded area fora safe place to leave Bo. Finally, he decided the place looked to be a small grove of maple trees that sat by a rocky ledge. Luke walked around the car and opened the passenger door. Bo ignored the pain in his side, and reached up to slid his arm around Luke’s neck. Luke carefully slid his arm around Bo, and gently pulled him from the car. Bo leaned most his weight on Luke, as he tried to remain upright, pain seemed to flare through his body.
     “Just going to have to walk a little ways, to what looks like the best spot.” Luke said.
Walking very slowly, almost slower than a turtle, they made their way over to the maple trees. Bo was hobbling slowly, his step sending a new wave of pain over his body, the only reason that he remained standing was that Luke was supporting his weight. Luke gently set Bo down on the ground, he stood looking down at his younger cousin for a moment praying that he was doing that right thing. Bo moved slightly to find a more comfortable position, but quickly discovered there was no truly comfortable way to sit, so he just remained sitting the way he was.
     “Remember what I said before Bo, you’ve got to stay awake.” Luke said.
Bo nodded, wiping the sleep from his eyes. “Yeah, I know.”
Luke worried about leaving Bo alone, but he knew he had no choice.
     “I should be back in around thirty minutes.” Luke said.
     “Just be careful.” Bo said, his voice was edged with worry about his older cousin, he was terrified that something would happen and that Luke would get caught, all because of him.
     “Ain’t I always?” Luke asked, jokingly, trying to break the tension that hung in the air.
     “No, but you can try to be this time.” Bo said, in the same joking voice.
Luke smiled. “See ya in bit cuz.”
     “Take care Luke.”
Luke nodded, he turned and rushed back over to the car. Bo listened as the car engine roared to life, and drove away, the sound quickly fading, he was now alone in the woods. Bo sighed deeply fighting of the feeling of fear that closed around him. He felt like a little child who was afraid of the dark as he sat there alone, feeling that at any minute someone would jump out and grab him, every noise in the woods seemed to hold an eerie quality.
     Luke wanted to just push the car as fast as he could make it go, however he thought that it was best that he obey all vehicular laws, especially the speed, so he didn’t stand out and get caught over some trivial thing such as going too fast over the speed limit. He was wearing an old hat, and pair of dark sunglasses, to try to conceal his identity  He pulled into town just over ten minutes later, he glanced nervously around at the other cars and people that were walking up and down the road, praying that nobody noticed him, and recognized him, knowing that one slip up could be costly. He wondered what he would do if someone in the drug store recognized him, but decided there was nothing he could do, so it was best not to worry about it, as he had to appear calm and normal and not cause any undo suspicion.
     Luke pulled to a stop, along the curb, outside the drug store. He took a deep breath and slowly released it as he stepped out the car. He grabbed a small basket from beside the door, to put the things he needed to purchase into, and moved quickly through the store. He gathered what he would need to tend to Bo, grateful for the medical training he had received in the Marines. Luke walked up to the cash register. The cashier had been watching Luke, who was the only customer in the store, and he had a feeling that he knew him from somewhere, and when Luke grew closer he recognized him as one of the fugitives. The cashier tried to remain calm, afraid of what the murderous fugitive would do to him if he tried anything.
     “Will that be all, sir?”
Luke nodded.”Yeah that’s everything.”
The cashier rang up all the purchases on the register. “That will be ten dollars and fifty three cents.”
Luke handed him a ten and a one dollar bill, getting back the small bit of change. The cashier put everything into a bag and handed it to Luke, desperately waiting for him to leave so he could call the number that was on the wanted poster. Unaware that he had been recognized Luke left the store and got back into the car, heading back to where he had left Bo.
     The cashier, Paul Kolwalski, pulled out the wanted poster and dialled the number for the united states marshals. The phone was answered by Noah.
     “Is this the right number to call about them fugitives?” Paul asked.
     “Yes sir, it is.” Noah said.
     “I saw them, or actually one of them, that older one Luke Duke.” Paul said.
     “Okay sir, if you give me your location we will be right there to further discuss this with you.” Noah said.
     “I work at the Chocktaw pharmacy, it is at forty-one, east Main Street.” Paul said.
     “Okay just stay where you are at.” Noah said, and hung up the open. “Hey Sam we have a lead on one of the fugitives, he showed up at the pharmacy.”
     “Okay kids, let’s get over there and see what we got.” Sam said.
Noah and Cosmo nodded, as they followed their commanding officer out the door.
     A few moments later, Luke arrived back at their hiding place in the woods. He quickly got out of the car and ran to where he had left Bo, praying that he was okay and had not fallen asleep. Bo was sitting with his head leaned back against a rock, he had managed to stay awake, by quietly singing a few of his favourite songs.
Bo smiled at Luke. “Hey cousin, took you long enough.”
     “I was only about a half hour.” Luke said.
     “I know . . . it just felt longer than that.” Bo said.
     “Yeah I know what you mean, longest thirty minutes of my life.” Luke said.
Bo nodded. “Everything go okay?”
     “Yeah, I don’t think anyone recognized me.” Luke said.
     “That’s good.” Bo said.
Luke knelt down beside his younger cousin. “Now let’s see how you are doing.”
Bo winced in pain as Luke helped him pull the shirt he was wearing off, Luke was considered about the blood that stained the shirt, knowing it meant that Bo was still bleeding. The bandaging was soaked with blood, and Luke carefully pulled it off, Bo bit his bottom lip as it pulled at his skin. Luke discarded the bandage to one side, as it dripped with blood. The mere sight of Bo’s injury made Luke flinch, it almost appeared worse then it had before. Luke took the supplies he had bought out of the bag, and carefully poured some antiseptic unto a clean piece of gauze. Bo closed his eyes tightly against the fiery pain as Luke cleansed the wound, the antiseptic burning as it fought against the infection.
     “Sorry, I know it hurts a little.” Luke said, noticing Bo’s reaction.
     “A little? It hurts a lot.”
     “Sorry, but you know that old saying ‘it has to hurt if it’s to heal.’” Luke said.
     “Yeah right.” Bo said, and bit his bottom lip as Luke wiped the gauze over top of the wound itself sending fresh pain coursing through his body.
     “Here take one of these.” Luke said, handing Bo a bottle of over the counter pain killers with his free hand. “They ain’t as good as the ones you had before but they should help a little.”
Bo took the bottle, and fumbled to open the seal and the childproof lid. “I hate these stupid childproof lids, line up the little near invisible arrows.”
     “Not only are they childproof they are also idiotproof.” Luke said.
     “Cute.” Bo retorted. “It don’t help when you feel like you are half asleep and some one is torturing you.”
     “Only just begun to.” Luke said, obviously joking.
Bo gave a small laugh, and then wished it hadn’t as it only made the pain seem worse. “Okay bad idea to laugh.”
Finally Bo managed to open to lid and took one of the painkillers, at the same time that Luke was finished cleansing the area. Luke threaded a needle, then took a lighter. He held the tip of the needle in the flame, until it glowed red.
     “I ain’t gonna lie to you Bo, this is gonna hurt like the devil.” Luke said. “Maybe you should find something to hold on to.”
Bo nodded, and picked a thick, short, stick off the ground, holding between his hands. With a steady hand Luke pressed the tip of the needle against Bo’s side. Bo flinched slightly and grasped the stick tightly, closing his eyes against the the pain. The pain seemed to tear through his whole body as Luke restitched the wound, and he felt as though he was going to pass out. It took Luke nearly ten minutes to finish.
     “How you holding up?” Luke asked.
     “I’m surviving . . . I guess.” Bo said, his voice a mumble, tossing the stick to one side, think it did little good, but he figured without it he most likely would cut his hands with his nails, as he balled his hands into fists.
     “Just let me get this bandaged up and then you can take a rest, okay?”
     “Yeah okay.”
Luke carefully bandaged Bo’s side, being careful not to bump the injury too much to cause his cousin any undue pain. Luke took out a clean shirt for Bo, a blue light weight, long sleeved cotton shirt.  He helped Bo pull it on over his head, knowing it was hard for Bo to raise his arms very high. The shirt was large on Bo, the sleeves hung down over his hands, making him look much like a little boy who had gotten into his father’s closet. Bo laid over on his uninjured side, closing his eyes, sleep quickly starting to over take him, despite the pain.
     “Just try to get some sleep Bo, I’ll keep an eye on things.” Luke said.
Bo mumbled something in response, but Luke couldn’t make it out. Luke began to clean things up, while he tried to decide what their next move should be.
     Meanwhile, Sam, Noah, and Cosmo arrived at the drug store fifteen minutes after receiving the call, and began to question Paul Kolwalski.
     “Are you sure that it was indeed the fugitive, Luke Duke, that you saw?” Sam asked.
     “Yeah it sure was.” Paul said.
     “Did he say or do anything to let you know who he was?” Cosmo asked.
Paul shook his head. “No I just recognized him. I didn’t let him know that I knew because I was afraid what he’d do to me. I think he was trying to conceal his identity.”
     “What all did he purchase?” Sam asked.
     “Some gauze, bandaging, a lighter and . . . needle and thread.” Paul said.
     “Did you see which way he went after he left?” Sam asked.
Paul shook his head. “No, but I saw the car he was driving, an old beat up blue Road Runner.”
The US Marshals asked him a few more questions, then thanked him for his cooperation and left the building.
     “Sounds like one of our fugitives is injured, most likely it’s Bo.” Sam said.
     “Could be the same injury as before.” Noah said.
     “Could be. My guess it is the younger one that is injured.” Sam said.
     “We should put a notice into the doctor’s and such, if it gets serious they may try going there.” Cosmo said.
     “I doubt that, they know they’d be caught if they did. Let’s not forget one of them has Marine training so he’d know what to do.” Sam said. “My guess is that our fugitives are somewhere in this area. I doubt that Luke would go very far away from his younger cousin when he is injured.”
     “So we start searching the woods?” Cosmo asked.
Sam nodded, saying nothing as he got into the car.
     Bo woke up a couple of hours later, even with the pain he managed to get a good rest. As he woke up his side reminded him of the pain he was in. Bo sat up slowly, and stretched carefully to work to knot out his back, that occurred from the position he had slept in.
     “Feeling any better?” Luke asked.
     “A little. It still hurts but not as bad as it did for a while.” Bo said, reaching for the bottle of pain killers that sat nearby.
     “That’s good.” Luke said, watching Bo try to open the bottle, having no more luck then before, the long sleeves of the shirt falling over his hands.
Luke stepped over to Bo. “Give ‘em to me.”
Bo handed the bottle up to Luke, who opened it and handed it back to Bo, without commenting. Bo took one of the pain killers and snapped the lid back onto the bottle.
     “So, what do we do now?” Bo asked.
     “I think our best bet is to find the ones that framed us, Sheriff Karlen and his two deputies.” Luke said.
     “They could be anywhere by now. Who knows where they went after we lost them.”
     “I know but, my guess is they are somewheres here in the county. I figure they will be lying low for a while.” Luke said.
     “I guess we’d better start looking then.” Bo said, pushing the long sleeves back to almost his elbow.
Luke nodded, and gave Bo a hand to stand up, pulling him to his feet.
     “Let’s do it to it.” Luke said.
Bo nodded. “You can even drive, I ain’t quite feeling up to it.”
The two young men went and got into the old blue car, and drove off down the road. There was a moment of silence before either of the said anything, when Bo spoke up breaking the silence.
     “Luke.”
     “Yeah?”
     “What if we don’t find them?” Bo asked.
     “We will.” Luke said.
     “But what if we don’t? They are the only ones that can clear our names. If we don’t find them . . .”
     “Don’t go thinking that way Bo. We are going to find them just keep the faith.”
     “If we don’t?”
     “Then I’ll think of something else . . . but we are NOT going to prison I won’t let that happen, so just don’t worry about it, okay?”
Bo made a noncommital sound, and turned to look out the side window, he hoped that Luke was right and they would find the true bad guys, just like they had so many times in the past, however he found it very hard to keep the faith this time. Luke wished the car had a CB so they could hear anything on the police stations, but there wasn’t, there was only an old radio. Luke turned on the radio, to a local station, an old song that Luke didn’t recognize was playing, he hoped to hear news of any updates on their “fugitive” case. Bo turned and looked at Luke.
     “Sorry about before . . . I don’t want you to be mad at me.” Bo said.
     “I ain’t mad Bo. Just don’t worry about anything I will make sure that we don’t go to prison.”
     “I believe that. I guess I am just . . . scared is all.” Bo said.
     “So am I.” Luke said.
     “Couldn’t tell.” Bo said.
     “Well I am.” Luke said.
     “Hoping to hear something on the radio?” Bo asked, changing the subject.
     “Yeah, there might be some news on there. I wish we had a CB so we could listen to the police channel, but I guess this is the next best thing.” Luke said.
     “Yeah, that and the music helps to break the silence.” Bo said.
Luke nodded in agreement, and they went back to watching for a clue Chocktaw sheriff and his deputies whereabouts.
     Just as Bo and Luke were searching, the three US Marshals were also searching, driving up and down all the back roads. Noah sat in the passenger seat looking at a map of the county, trying to figure out where anybody, who didn’t want to be found, could be hiding.
     “You know, this is a lot like trying to find a needle in a haystack. There is lots of places that they could be hiding.” Noah said.
     “Well we are just going to have to search all of them.” Sam said.
     “Yeah but Sam, if they are keeping on the move, the odds of actually finding them are quite slim.” Cosmo said.
Sam didn’t respond and neither Noah, nor Cosmo said anything further, they knew Sam was not in the mood to discuss the situation as he had only thing on his mind, to find Bo and Luke. A tense silence filled the car, as the three men continued to watch for any sign of the two fugitives or the Chocktaw sheriff’s department.
     Three hours past and darkness had begun to settle on the land, still Luke continued to drive down the winding dirt road. There hadn’t been any news on the radio, Luke figured it was save to assume he hadn’t been recognized when he had gone into town, having no idea how wrong that assumption was. Luke glanced over at Bo and noticed that he was quite pale and his eyes seemed to be filled with pain.
     “You okay, Bo?”
Bo mumbled some kind of a response that Luke couldn’t make out, his voice seemingly slurred with pain. Luke pulled the car to a stop along the edge of the road, and slid across the seat to sit next to Bo.
     “Are you okay?” Luke asked, his voice fraught with worry.
     “No.” Bo said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Luke pressed the back of his hand against Bo’s forehead, and quickly pulled his hand away. Bo’s fever felt like it was hotter then before.
     “You’re burning up.” Luke said, his voice held genuine concern and worry.
     “I feel cold.” Bo said.
     “You’re anything but cold..” Luke said. “How’s your side?”
     “Hurts really bad.” Bo said.
     “Let me take a look at it.” Luke said, and lifted Bo’s shirt.
Luke could tell the infection had grown worse, and he could see the discolouration from around the bandage.
     “I’m going to have to take you to the hospital. It’s really got infected bad.”
     “No. We’ll be caught.” Bo argued.
     “You have to see a doctor.” Luke said. “I’ll take you there and then I’ll keep on looking for the sheriff.”
     “No, I’m fine. I don’t need no doctor.” Bo said.
     “Yes you do Bo, don’t argue with me on this.” Luke said.
     “But . . . we’ll get caught and have to go to prison.” Bo said.
Luke knew that Bo was right, but he also knew if Bo didn’t get medical attention soon that he could die. Luke carefully thought everything over, and came up with a plan.
     “Okay, I’m taking to the hospital, and that’s finally. Then I’ll leave and keep looking for the sheriff. You’ll be okay, they’ll keep in the hospital and I’ll have time to clear us.” Luke said, pulling back onto the road and heading towards the hospital.
     “What if you can’t?”Bo asked.
     “If I don’t find them after a few days I’ll turn myself in. But that is not going to happen. I promised you that we ain’t going to prison and I always keep my promises, don’t I?”
     “Yeah.” Bo said.
     “Don’t worry everything will be fine. We ain’t going to prison, I promise you that I will get us out of this mess.” Luke said.
     “If you say so.” Bo said, closing his eyes.
As the old blue car raced along the road to the hospital, Bo gave into the beckoning darkness, falling into a deep sleep.
     Twenty minutes later they pulled to a stop in the hospital’s parking lot. Luke noticed that Bo was asleep, and he stepped out of the car and walked around to the passenger side, and opened the door.
     “We’re here Bo.” Luke said, gently placing a hand on his cousin’s shoulder.
Bo’s eyes fluttered open and looked up at his older cousin, Luke could clearly see all the pain in his dark blue eyes.
     “C’mon.” Luke said, reaching in the car to slip his arm around his cousin.
Luke carefully help Bo out of the car and to his feet. Bo leaned heavily on Luke, his legs feeling as though they could barely hold his weight. Slowly the two young men made their way to the hospital, the short distance feeling like a ten mile hike to Bo.
     The hospital was basically deserted, a middle aged doctor was standing near the doors when Bo and Luke walked in, and rushed over to them, noticing how sickly one looked, as Luke helped Bo to sit down in a wheelchair.
     “What happened?” The doctor asked, then recognized Bo and Luke as being the fugitives as all of the nearby hospitals had been put on alert. “You’re those fugitives aren’t you?”
Luke nodded, noticing the doctors name tag, Dr. Don Kelley. “Please you have to help my cousin, he’s hurt bad.”
     “What happened?” Don asked.
     “He was shot . . . a few days ago. We got the bullet out and all but . . . the stitching let loose and it was staring to become infected. So I got some stuff and tried to stitch him back up . . . I thought we’d caught the infection soon enough but it’s got infected bad.” Luke said, talking very quickly. “We haven’t got much sleep and Bo is exhausted . . . we haven’t exactly had a lot to eat. I know that is not a good thing with him being injured but . . . I couldn’t let Bo go to jail we didn’t do anything.”
Don nodded, as he listened to everything Luke said. “Don’t worry, I will take care of him. We need to get him into a room right now.”
     “I am not staying. I promised Bo that I was going clear us.” Luke said, crouching down beside Bo. “I”m going to go now Bo. Just try to get better, okay?”
Bo nodded slightly. “Please be careful Luke . . . I don’t want to lose you.”
     “Me neither.” Luke said, he gave Bo a quick brotherly hug and stood up.
     “I can’t allow you to leave.” Don said.
     “I have to, I made a promise, which I never break.” Luke said, taking a step backwards towards the door. “Just please take care of Bo for me.”
Before the doctor could say anything further Luke turned and made a dash for the door and was gone off into the darkness of the night seconds later. Don sighed, then turned his attention back to the young man.
     “Now let’s get you some medical attention.” Don said, as he began to push the chair down one of the many, long corridors in the hospital.
     It was a dark night, the moon was hidden behind large black clouds blocking it from view. The darkness seemed like a blanket covering the landing, restricting visibility. Luke stopped for the night, knowing that he would get no further, no matter how hard he tried to push himself, it was just plain too dark to see anything. He sat in the car staring into the darkness of the night trying to decide what to do when the sun broke over the horizon. He vowed to keep his promise to Bo no matter what the cost.
     The US Marshals had also given up on the hunt for the night, as it proved to be too dark to continue. Sam was still working through the night, though Noah and Cosmo had both fallen asleep in the chairs they were sitting in, often with fugitive cases they didn’t get too much sleep, sometimes it was days, weeks or even months without one really good nights sleep, so they slept when they could. It was just shortly after two in the morning when the phone rang, waking Noah and Cosmo. Cosmo, who was nearest to the phone, picked up the phone on the third ring. He talked for a couple minutes and then hung up the phone.
     “We have another lead on the fugitives.” Cosmo said. “It seems one of the fugitives, Bo Duke, was checked into the local hospital a few hours back.”
     “He must be injured badly for them to chance something like that.” Noah said.
Sam nodded in agreement. “Well, let’s go find out.”
     They arrived at the hospital twenty minutes later, and were greeted by Dr. Don Kelley.
     “Can help you gentlemen?” Don asked.
     “United States Marshals, we would like to see Bo Duke.” Sam said.
     “I’m afraid I can’t allow that.” Don said.
     “And why not? You are aware that he is a fugitive?” Sam asked.
     “Yes, I am fully aware of that, however he is no condition to be taken from this hospital.” Don said.
     “Where is his cousin then?” Cosmo asked.
     “He left. He brought Bo here and quickly left, saying he was leaving to prove their innocence.” Don said.
     “I would like to ask Bo a few questions.” Sam said.
     “I can not allow that either, it would be bad for his health.” Don said.
     “Why was he admitted to the hospital?” Sam asked.
     “He had been shot. The wound had been stitched but it reopened and became highly infected. He is suffering from exhaustion and dehydration as well. He is asleep now, but earlier he could barely retain consciousness, he needs his rest.” Don said. “And correct me if I am wrong, but even he is entitled to medical care.”
Sam said nothing, he only gave a slight nod of his head to acknowledge that what the doctor had said was correct.
     “How severe was the infection?” Noah asked, there was a touch of genuine concern in his voice, he recalled how Bo had stopped to help him when he had stepped into the animal trap.
     “Quite, he would have most likely died within twenty four hours, if had he not come in for medical attention.” Don said.
     “That explains why Luke would risk the chance of bring Bo to the hospital.” Noah said.
     “Now, if you are all done with your questions I have patients to attend to.” Don said.
Sam nodded and turned to leave the hospital, Noah and Cosmo followed after him, while Don turned and walked the other way.
     The sun broke over the horizon, the light of a new day shining down on the land. Luke yawned and stretched, many of his muscles complaining from the way he had been sitting in car all night.
     ‘Where do I even begin to look?’ Luke thought to himself, a question he realized that he didn’t have the answer to.
Luke started the car and drove across the rugged terrain until he reached the road. He drove along the winding dirt road until he reached a fork in the road, where he stopped. There was no other cars for miles around and Luke sat at the crossroad, looking both roads over trying to decided to which to take. Luke sighed deeply, and ran his hands over his face, he realized that he didn’t have time to waste sitting thinking about which road to take, so he decided to just took the road to the left. As he drove along, the deserted back road, he found that the car seemed far too quiet without Bo’s presence. Even when they weren’t talking the car was never quiet, just his younger cousin’s mere presence, had made him never notice the silence. Now he felt utterly alone, he knew he had done the right thing in taking Bo to the hospital but he missed having him there, this all seemed a lot harder without him. The loneliness seemed to almost consume, and without Bo around he didn’t bother to put on a brave front, his fear could easily be seen in his eyes.  He flipped aimlessly through the radio stations until he found one that was playing a song he knew and liked, and he sang along with radio. His mind thinking of all the places that someone could be hiding and worrying about Bo, praying that his young cousin was okay and that he had got him to the hospital in time before the infection had raged out of control. All these thoughts spun through his mind, in an almost incoherent manner, thoughts not always finishing before the next one started. Luke took a deep breath and slowly released it, trying to clear his mind, knowing that he’d have to keep his head on straight if was to keep the promise he made to Bo, to clear their names and not spend the rest of their lives in prison.
     At about the same time Luke had started his quest to find the really criminals, the Chocktaw sheriff and his deputy’s, that had killed the two federal agents in cold blood, another car set out on a search, this car containing US Marshal Sam Gerard and two members of his warrant squad, Noah Newman and Cosmo Renfro. Cosmo was driving this time, while Sam sat in passenger seat looking over the map. Noah sat in the backseat talking a cell phone, trying to find any leads on the fugitive’s or the Chocktaw sheriff departments whereabouts.
     “Are we sure that he is even still in this county?” Cosmo asked, refereeing to the fugitive, Luke Duke.
     “Without a doubt. Like the doctor said he left saying he was tyring to clear himself, so he would still be in this area.” Sam said.
Noah, had just got off the phone, and sat forward, leaning on the back of the seat.
     “I think he is going after to find the Chocktaw sheriff department, thing point towards them as being the real killers.” Noah said.
     “I don’t care if our fugitive is guilty or not I am still going to catch him.” Sam said.
Both Noah and Cosmo knew Sam well enough to know that statement was correct, they knew that Sam wouldn’t stop the search, they knew that he always had to win. The old proverb that was used about the RCMP also seemed to ring true about Sam Gerard, he always got his man.
     “Do you think that he will attempt going back to the hospital to see his cousin?” Cosmo asked.
     “I doubt it. I think he’d stay away until he finds those he is looking for. He’d figure his cousin is save at the hospital, and there would be nothing he could by returning there at this point, except getting caught.” Sam said.
     Bo drifted in and out of sleep all night long, the painkillers taking away all the pain, at least all physical pain, it cold do nothing for his fear or his worry about Luke’s safety. It was still early morning, and a stream of light shone through the window, shining on Bo’s face, giving him a warm, peaceful feeling for a few short moments. Bo yawned and blinked his eyes as he tried to clear the sleep from them. He looked around the small hospital room, glancing at the phone part of him wanting to call he farm, wanting to have his uncle Jesse and cousin Daisy come to the hospital, but he deciding against even asking to call, he doubted that he would be allowed any visitor’s and decided that he still far too exhausted to even worry about it. His stomach growled hungrily, even though an IV dripped steadily into his arm, providing with the nourishments his body need his stomach still desired something of substance. Bo yawned as he felt sleep trying to overtake him once again, but he wanted to stay awake at least until someone came around with something for breakfast, or at least with some water he could drink. Bo could feel himself drifting toward sleep for several minutes, when Dr. Don Kelley walked into the room.
     “How are you feeling?” Don asked, his voice held a professional concern.
     “Exhausted . . . starving.” Bo said. “Kinda stiff and sore.”
     “It is just time for your medicine.” Don said, as he stepped over to the bed and looked over the IV.
Don took out a needle, and Bo flinched at the mere sit out it, his hatred of needles could actually be concerned a phobia. Don smiled sympathetically, he had seen the same fear in many of his patients.
     “Don’t worry, I am just going to inject it in with the IV so you have nothing to worry about.” Don said, and did exactly what he had said.
     “Can I get something to actually eat? Or at least drink?” Bo asked.
Don nodded. “I’ll get you a pitcher of water and something light to eat.”
     “Thank you very much.” Bo said, adjusting his position on the bed, the medication already taken effect and making fighting the sleep that had been threatening to over take him fir te past several minutes nearly impossible.
Bo decided to close his eyes just for a few minutes until the doctor returned with the water and food.
     Dr. Kelley walked back into the room five minutes later, carrying a tray with a pitcher of ice water, a glass and a plate with two slices of buttered toast and a bowl of mixed fruit, deciding if Bo’s stomach could handle a light meal, he could have more for lunch and dinner, but he didn’t want to push the young boy’s stomach too far. He noticed that the young boy appeared to be asleep, he sit the tray down on the table and stepped over to the bed. He placed and hand on Bo’s arm, Bo’s eyes fluttered but didn’t open.
     “Luke?” Bo questioned softly, and opened his eyes, disappointment apparent in his dark blue eyes as he remembered he was alone in the hospital.
     “I brought you some food and water.” Don said, pushing the table to be across the bed, so Bo could easily access it.
     “Thank you.” Bo said, sitting up slightly on the bed, and grabbing a grape, quickly eating it, finding it tasted better then any had before, of course he knew he only thought that way because he had been so starving.
     “You’re welcome. Just eat as much as you want and try to get some sleep, you need your rest.” Don said.
     “I am too tired to stay awake for very long anyways.” Bo said, between eating the pieces of fruit from the bowl.
Don nodded his head slightly, and turned and left the room. After Bo had finished the fruit and toast and drank a glass of water, he laid back down on the bed, closing his eyes and within seconds was in a deep sleep.
     Luke pulled to a stop beside a small lake, to get some water to drink, as he was begin to feel quite thirsty, knowing that he was starting to suffer from dehydration. He parked the car out of sight from the road, behind a tall pine tree, so nobody going down the road could spot him. He walked down to the water’s edge, stretching his muscles that complained about having been sitting so long in the car, and driving hours with no break. Luke knelt down beside the water and cupped his hands, drinking several handfuls of water from the lake. Luke splashed some water on his face, finding that it felt cooling and refreshing. He stood up and looked out across the sparkling water, that seemed to glimmer in the midday sun. As he stared across the water he started thinking of how finding these guys seemed like an impossible deed, Bo had been right, they didn’t know all the places in Chocktaw that somebody could hide. Suddenly a wide smile spread across Luke’s face, as he looked across the lake, seeing one place he hadn’t searched and would be perfect for the like’s of the Chocktaw sheriff’s department, Silver Wolf Ridge.
     “Why didn’t I think of it sooner?” Luke asked himself, and gave a small laugh. “It is the perfect place to hide and never be found.”
Luke ran back over and jumped into the car, with a new hope of clearing his and Bo’s names. He knew the ridge was about a twenty minute drive from where he was, as he would have to drive around the lake to reach the ridge, and the one and only road that led to the top of the ridge. Luke raced towards the ridge in a cloud of dust, reaching the turnoff road in just under twenty minutes.
      Luke drove along the steep and narrow dirt road that led to the top of Silver Wolf Ridge. He knew that it was a perfect place to hide if you didn’t want to be found, on account there was several old cabins up there that hadn’t been used in at least ten years. There had been a small camping resort there, but after one year the owners had gone bankrupt and the cabins sat unused ever since. It was a beautiful location, the nine cabins sat nestled in the thick woods, looking out over the far side of the ridge, the sight from which was said to be breath taking though Luke had never seen it, he had only heard about it. You could see for miles when you looked out across ridge, the rocky ledge dropping hundreds of feet down to a winding, fast moving river below. But through all it’s beauty it was never used because of the rumours that Silver Wolf Ridge was indeed haunted. Luke recalled the story that he had heard several times before, a brutal murder had taken place at the small resort, scaring everyone away from ever returning, forcing the owners to declare bankruptcy. A young woman had been thrown off the ridge, falling to her death in the river below. She had been there on her honeymoon, and it was her insanely jealous husband who had committed the murder all because she had spoke to another man, who worked at the resort, in a completely innocent manner. As he stood on the edge of the ridge looking down, below, with only the light of a full moon to see by he suddenly slipped on the damp rocks along the ridge of the ridge, and plummeted to his death on the jagged rocks below. Some claim it was her spirit who had returned to extract revenge for her death. People claimed to have seen both spirts wandering through the resort after that and were all scared away. Luke shivered as he recalled the tale, telling himself that there was no such things as ghosts. The only thing he hoped on finding there was there low life criminals that had framed him and Bo, and to make them pay.
     Meanwhile, it was almost the exact same time that Luke had thought to go to Silver Wolf Ridge that Sam spotted it on the map.
     “We should check here, next.” Sam said, circling the place on the map, with a red marker.
The map was covered in circles that had been crossed out, marking off everywhere they had searched, and came up with nothing.
     “Why there Sammy? It is at least a half hour from where we are.” Cosmo asked.
     “Call it a hunch.” Sam said. “Noah, I want you to get on the phone and find out what there is to know about Silver Wolf Ridge.”
Noah nodded, he sat back against the back seat of the car and made the call. Noah talked on the phone for several minutes that sat forward to tell Sam and Cosmo what he had found out.
     “I think you might have something with going up there to check. It used to be a camping resort and the cabins are still standing, nobody has been up there in ten years.” Noah said.
     “Wonder why it don’t mention it was a camping resort or anything.” Cosmo wondered out loud.
     “Seems there was a murder suicide there a year after it first opened. There is a whole story surrounding it, quite an interesting one actually. Everyone is sure the place is haunted, that is why it has been sitting unused, the owners went bankrupt and couldn’t sell the land because of all the rumours of it being haunted, and the nature of the tragic event. I guess most people want to forget anything like that happened in their little town so nothing about it is said about it.” Noah said.
     “Perfect place to hide when you don’t want to be found.” Sam said.
     “I’d say so.” Cosmo said in agreement.
     “Yeah, it is in a remote area, with only a single road to access it, straight up the side of the ridge, and nobody goes there so one would figure there is little chance of anyone accidentally stumbling upon their location.” Noah said.
     “How many cabins are there?” Sam asked.
     “Nine, all of which are still standing . . . or were still standing the last time anyone checked, nobody’s exactly been up to check in quite a few years.” Noah said.
     “Lot of places to hide, and stay hid up there then.” Sam said. “What about the far side?”
     “It’s few hundred feet drop, down the rocky ledge to a raging river below. It is impassable, so nobody could get in or escape down that side. That is where the murder suicide took place. The cabins are closer to that side then the road, to look out across, so if someone is there and we catch them by surprise they’d be easy to corner.” Noah said.
     “Would there be a clear view of he road from the cabins?” Sam asked.
     “No, they are quite hidden from the road.” Noah said.
     “Unless there was a lookout, we could easily sneak in then.” Cosmo said. “I mean if there is even anyone there, we still don’t know for sure.”
     “We won’t know until we go there, so why don’t you drive a little faster.” Sam said, his voice sounding slightly annoyed and very commanding.
     “Do you think Luke is hiding there of the Chocktaw sheriff’s department?” Noah asked.
     “Don’t know, don’t care. My guess is at least one of the two is up there hiding, and I plan on catching them.” Sam said.
     “Well we should be there is about thirty minutes.” Cosmo said.
Both Luke and Sam were correct, someone was indeed hiding at Silver Wolf Ridge, the Chocktaw Sheriff’s department.
     Luke parked the car a short distance from the cabins, making the rest of the way to the old abandoned resort on foot. He snuck along quietly, moving with the speed and stealth that he had learned in the Marines. Luke spotted something, camouflaged by several large branches, and quietly approached. As he grew closer he could tell that it was in fact a car, and he shoved some of the branches to one side. He immediately recognized it to be the car that he and Bo had been following only a short time ago, a car belong to the Chocktaw sheriff, Brent Karlen. Luke gave a sigh relief that he found them, knowing now he could clear his and his cousin’s name.  He approached the cabins, wondering which one to start the search at, even though there was only nine it suddenly seemed to be so many more to Luke.
     ‘Where are you hiding?’ Luke questioned to himself.
After a moment of careful thought Luke decided that he would just have to search all of the cabins if that is what it would took. After all he would walk bare foot across hot coals, for miles in order to track those down that framed him and Bo, vowing to keep his promise to Bo no matter the cost, even if he hd to sacrifice his own life.
     Edward stood up from the chair, where he had been sitting. “I think that I am going to go outside and take a look around. I thought I heard something.”
     “You are paranoid man, it was probably just a deer, ain’t nobody gonna look for us up here.” Jacob said.
     “I ain’t paranoid Jacob, just because this place ain’t been used in ten years, don’t mean that somebody ain’t gonna come around . . . or think to look here.” Edward said.
     “Maybe it was a ghost.” Jacob said.
     “Really funny.” Edward said.
     “Nobody is going to find us here.” Brent said.
     “How can you be so sure?” Edward asked. “You heard on the radio that Bo Duke is in the hospital. You know them Duke boys, his older cousin is no doubt hell bent on proven their innocence, especially with Bo being injured.”
     “He’s got a point there. Everybody knows how protective Luke is of Bo, and if his younger cousin is as injured as they say . . . well he’ll be out for blood.” Jacob said.
     “Go check it out then.” Brent said.
Edward nodded and left the cabin.
     Edward walked slowly through the abandoned resort, his eyes quickly moving from side to side scanning for any movement. The only reason he didn’t spot Luke, was he was in one of the cabins, so neither Edward nor Luke spotted the each other. Edward noticed that several of the branches that had been on their car and been knocked to the ground, and the feeling in the pit of his stomach told him that his suspicions were correct. Edward took a few steps away from the car, and suddenly noticed another car parked a few feet way, he recognized it from the other day and knew someone was there, he knew who too, Luke Duke. Edward ran back to the cabin to break the news to the others.
     This time Luke spotted Edward, and followed him discretely. Luke stood crouched beside a partially open window to try to overhear their conversation.
     “Hey fellas, we got a problem.” Edward said. “Remember hat blue car that was following us the other day?”
     “Yeah, what about it?” Brent asked.
     “Well it is HERE, and I am positive that it Luke, though I didn’t actually see him, but he is here and he is looking for us.” Edward said.
     “Let’s find him, before he finds us then.” Brent said.
     “And when we do?” Jacob asked.
Brent picked up his gun and aimed it at an empty bottle that was sitting on the table. “Then we kill him.” Brent said and fired the gun, hitting the bottle, sending tiny shards of glass flying across the room.
     Luke pulled away from the window, he had no way to defend himself, and if he stayed where he was the second they stepped out the door they would find him, and he would be dead. He knew that he couldn’t take all three on at once, and knew he’d have to play a little game of cat a mouse with them, waiting until he could get on of them alone. Luke ran into the thick of the woods, tyring not to get too close to the edge of the ridge, knowing if he did there would be no escape.
     “Come out come out wherever you are.” Brent chimed in an almost playful voice, though the game was cold and twisted, and his true nature could still be heard in his voce.
     The car containing the three US Marshals pulled to a stop near the old blue car that Luke had been driving.
     “Looks like you were right Sam, somebody is here.” Cosmo said.
They all stepped out of the car, and walked along the path that led to the cabins, noticing the other car, that was still partially covered.
     “Looks like everyone is here.” Noah said.
As they approached the cabins they could muted voices drifting from the woods, that surrounded the cabins. They couldn’t make out what was being said, they could hear that the voices were there.
     “Sounds like we don’t have to search every cabin.” Cosmo said.
     “Would be easier then having to search through the woods.” Noah said.
Sam gave a slightly nodded of the head. “Cosmo, you go that way, Noah that way.” Sam said, pointing the direction out that he wanted each of his deputies to go.
The three of them set off in different directions, each with their gun drawn, moving quickly and quietly.
     Cosmo Renfro wished that the people they were tracking had stayed in the cabins, he didn’t much care for the outdoors he was a city boy through and through. He had a more expensive taste in clothes, then any of the other Marshals, and cursed to himself that his fine Italian leather shoes were now becoming coated in mud. Suddenly he caught sight of someone moving through the woods.
     “United States Marshal, hold it right there.” Cosmo said.
The person turned to look at him for a brief moment, then took off running at full speed through the woods. Cosmo recognized the man as being one of the Chocktaw deputies Edward Turner. Cosmo took cash after the fleeing man, finding himself quickly short on breath, telling himself that he really had to quit smoking the cigars he always smoked.
     ‘I really need to get into shape.” Cosmo told himself, it was not the first time that he had told himself that, he recalled one time Sam old time that he was just getting old.
Edward kept constantly throwing glances over his shoulder to see how close the pursuing US marshal was, and was not really paying close attention to where he was running. Edward gave a shout of surprise as his foot became entangled in the protruding root of an old tree, and he fell forward, landing hard on the ground. Cosmo caught up to the fallen man, and stood in front of Edward, his gun aimed down at the Chocktaw deputy.
     “Alright, get up nice and slow.” Cosmo ordered.
Edward frowned at his own clumsiness, and slowly stood up.
     “Why are you after me, Marshal, shouldn’t you be after the fugitive?” Edward said.
     “If you are so innocent why did you run?” Cosmo questioned.
Edward scowled, saying nothing. Cosmo placed his gun back int the holster  and approached Edward. Edward knew that he couldn’t flee the marshal now, he was caught, he wondered if someone had discovered the Duke boys were innocent and that him, Jacob and Brent would now go to prison. Cosmo led Edward back to the car, and placed him in the back seat.
     Meanwhile, Noah Newman moved quickly through the woods, his previously injured ankle reminding him that it was sore, but he ignored the pain and pressed on. Noah was the youngest member of the team and was the most relaxed, he wore his usual pair of jeans, and a dark red t-shirt. He loved the outdoors compared to the big city, but he loved his job even more and he put all his heart into it. Many people said that he would become the next “Sam Gerard” saying that Noah looked to Sam as almost a father figure and not just as a boss. Noh stopped for a moment to lean against a tree, momentarily taking the weight of his sore ankle. The sound of a snapping twig caught Noah’s attention, and he saw Jacob Bracken, only a few feet away from him, looking in the opposite direction.
     “US Marshal, hold it right there.” Noah said, aiming his gun at the older man.
Jacob turned around, drawing his own gun, and firing a single shot at Noah. The shot rang out through the woods, causing everyone to stop what they were doing and look around, everyone wondering who, if anyone, had been shot. The bullet missed Noah, who was had just taken a step away from the tree when Jacob had pulled the trigger, the bullet became deeply embedded in the tree.
     “Drop your gun now.” Noah said.
Jacob seemed to debate the order for several seconds, then thought better about it, tossing his gun to the ground. Noah advanced on Jacob, quickly handcuffing the Chocktaw deputy.
     “I thought you were the fugitive, that is why I fired the gun.” Jacob lied, hoping the young marshal would believe him, hoping this kid was really just a rookie with no idea of what he was really doing.
     “Yeah and I suppose you didn’t hear me, is that right?” Noah asked, his voice sarcastic, as he picked up the dropped gun, placing it in the waistband of his jeans.
Jacob frowned. “No . . .I . . .” Jacob started to say, then realized he could not come up with a good lie, he cursed himself for his bad aim.
     “Shouldn’t you be after the fugitive and not me?” Jacob asked.
Noah shook his head. “I think you are more guilty then he is, isn’t that right?”
     “I’m not saying anything. I have the right to remain silent.” Jacob said.
Noah said nothing further, as he led Jacob to the car.
     Cosmo was leaning against the car and looked up when he heard Noah approaching.
     “Heard the gunshot, are you okay?” Cosmo asked, his voice held genuine concern.
Noah nodded as he shoved Jacob into the backseat of the car, with Edward. “Yeah luckily his aim wasn’t all that good, though if I hadn’t moved when I did, the bullet would be in me and not in the tree.”
     “I think these boys are guilty, considering he shot at you and the other one tried to run from me.” Cosmo said.
Noah nodded. “Exactly what I thought. Hear anything from Sam yet?”
Cosmo shook his head. “Nothing yet.”
     “Wonder if he’ll find Luke or the Sheriff.” Noah said, more to himself then to Cosmo.
     “Hard to say.” Cosmo said, having been wondering the exact same thing as Noah.
    Luke stood near the edge of the ridge, face to face with the Chocktaw Sheriff, cursing himself from coming too close to the edge, for now there was no escape. He had heard the gunshot and wondered if others had appeared, thinking perhaps it was the US Marshals that had been perusing him since he and Bo had first escaped.
     “This game of cat and mouse is over boy.” Brent said, aiming his gun at Luke.
     “You ain’t gonna get away with this.” Luke said.
     “I already have boy.” Brent said. “After I put a bullet in you, and send you off the edge, I am going to go pay your little cousin a visit, and put a bullet into him.”
Anger flashed in Luke’s light blue eyes, and he wanted to lunge at the older man and lay a beating on him that he’d forget. He knew though that before he could make a move on the sheriff that he’d have a bullet passing through him, and that his promise to Bo would be broken, and he wouldn’t be able to save his younger cousin’s life.
 Sam Gerard, made his way quietly through the woods, moving with a quiet stealth that came from years of experience, he still loved his job as much as he had the first day he started, even though at times he felt too old be running down the criminals. He hoped that neither of his “kids” had been shot when he heard the gunfire, thinking that if anyone had shot Noah or Cosmo that he’d have to shoot the shooter. Sam heard voices a short distance ahead of him, and could overhear the conversation, and knew he had found not only the fugitive but the sheriff as well. Sam followed the voices paying close attention to the conversation, from what he heard he knew the fugitive was actually innocent, before anything was even said.
     “Why did you frame me and Bo?” Luke asked.
     “Because nobody would believe a couple of country boys, especially not two that have always been in trouble with the law.” Brent said.
     “Only with law like yours.” Luke said.
Brent chuckled. “It don’t matter much, because in the end I am the winner.”
     “Somebody will discover the truth eventually, you will not get away with framing me and Bo.” Luke said.
     “And you will not live to see another day.” Brent said and prepared to close his finger around the trigger.
At that moment Sam emerged through the woods, and aimed his gun at Brent.
     “United States Marshal, drop your weapon.” Sam said.
Brent turned around, and smiled at Sam. “I caught the fugitive, marshal.”
     “I said drop your weapon.” Sam repeated.
Brent did not follow Sam’s demand, his gun still held firmly in his hand. Luke stood quietly watching both of the older men, his heart racing with fear.
     “I apprehended the fugitive marshal, I was just trying to get this dangerous felon under control, at great risk to my own life, considering the cold blooded murder he committed.” Brent said.
     “That is why you were going to shoot him?” Sam question, giving no indiction that he had heard the conversation between the sheriff and Luke.
     “He was resisting arrest.” Brent said.
     “What was he going to do, jump off the cliff to get away?” Sam asked.
     “Well . . . he is a cold blooded killer, he could have a weapon.” Brent said.
     “If he did we’d both be dead by now.” Sam said.
Brent narrowed his eyes, and realized the truth the US Marshal had overheard him talking to Luke and knew who the true murders were.
     “The only one of us who is going to die today marshal, is you.” Brent said, rasing his gun to shoot Sam, planning to lay this murder off on Luke as well.
Everything seemed to happen in slow motion, Sam aimed his gun at Brent, with a sharpshooter skill, and pulled the trigger, at nearly the same time Brent had. Sam felt the bullet fly past his head narrowly missing him. Sam’s aim was a lot better then the Chocktaw sheriff’s, the bullet became embedded in Brent’s stomach.
     Brent’s eyes widened with pain, his gun slipping from his hand and landing on the ground. Brent pressed his other hand, tightly against the injury and stumbled backwards towards the edge of the ridge, his mind focussed only on the pain and not where he was going.  Brent’s feet hit the loose rocky edge and he could feel himself start to fall. His eyes were wide with terror and he reached out with flailing arms to try to right himself. His hand closed around Luke’s left arm, Luke tried to brace himself as he felt himself being pulled towards the edge. The rocky ledge gave away, and Luke screamed in panic as he felt himself begin to fall. Luke grabbed hold of the rocky wall of the ridge, holding on for his life, his knuckles turning white, from how tight his grip was. Sam moved carefully over to the edge, to see if Brent and Luke had fallen to their deaths far below, or if by some chance had managed to keep from plummeting to their deaths. He looked down and saw Luke Duke, hanging for dear life on to a small rocky outcropping along the face of the rocky wall, Brent still clinging to him. Sam tried to think of a way to pull both of them up though he knew there was no way. Luke struggled to maintain his hold as he felt Brent weigh him down. Brent was slowly losing his grip and knew that he would no doubt soon fall to his death, but he was determined to take Luke down with him.
     “I am taking you with me boy.” Brent said.
Luke tried to shake Brent off, knowing the older man would indeed pull him to his death.
     “At least before I die it is known who the true murders are and my cousin will go free.” Luke said.
Sam laid down on his stomach, thinking he could at least keep Luke Duke from falling if he got a hold of him, though he couldn’t pull both men up. Brent and Luke had both forgetting about Sam’s presence. Sam reached as far down as he could to reach the younger man, and Luke flinched when he felt a hand close around his wrist. Luke looked up and locked eyes with the US Marshal.
     “Just hang on kid, you aren’t going to fall, I always catch who I am after.” Sam said, though his voice spoke that he knew Luke was innocent.
Luke said nothing, but Sam could clearly see the gratitude in his light blue eyes. Brent cursed, wondering if he could take both men down with him, thinking only this US marshal knew the Duke boys were innocent, if he did Bo duke would still go to prison.
     “Now I will take you both down with me. And there will be nobody to clear your name Duke so you dear little cousin will still be going to prison for the rest of his life.” Brent said.
Even though Luke didn’t want to see the crooked sheriff be killed, only wanted the man to spend the rest of his days behind bars, he knew if he didn’t shake the older man loose he would be pulled to his death and also quite possible pull the marshal over with them. Luke gathered all his courage and strength and landed a solid kick against Brent’s injured stomach. Brent coughed in pain his hold on Luke’s arm weakening, but not letting go.
     ‘This one is for Bo.’ Luke thought to himself and lashed out again with the foot, landing another solid blow against Brent’s stomach.
This time Brent lost his hold and began to drop like a rock. Luke turned his head, finding himself unable to watch. Luke looked up at Sam, whose eyes weren’t accusing, only understanding. Sam extended his other hand down to Luke, who reached up and took it with complete trust. He knew the US Marshal had only been doing his job tracking down him and Bo and didn’t blame him for that, he could sense that underneath the rough exterior that Sam was truly a good man. Sam pulled Luke back up, moving the both of them away from the edge of cliff.
     “You going to run?” Sam asked.
     “I am through running, now that the truth is out.” Luke said. “Thank you for saving my life.”
Sam only nodded saying nothing. Sam glanced over the edge of the ridge, looking down he could see where Brent’s body had been impaled on the rocks, a few feet from the river. Luke didn’t bother to look, he knew that the Chocktaw sheriff was dead and that was all he wanted to know. Sam didn’t handcuff Luke as he led him back towards the car. There would still have to be an investigation, to clear Bo and Luke’s names but the case was for the most part closed. Sam knew that Luke was innocent and not a cold blooded murderer. He figured the young man had been through enough and decided not to give him too hard of a time with placing him in custody.
     “That’s the cabin they were staying in.” Luke told Sam, as they walked past the cabin.
Sam nodded, it was a question he had been going to ask Luke, knowing there no doubt would be more evidence there to prove the Duke boys innocence.
     Noah and Cosmo were standing beside the car talking, while keeping an eye on the two prisoners, they turned and looked when they heard Sam and Luke approaching.
     “Hey Sammy, what happened?” Cosmo asked.
     “Oh nothing much., I shot the sheriff . . .” Sam started to say, and Cosmo cut in.
     “But let me guess you did not shot the deputy.” Cosmo said jokingly, and Sam gave him a look to show that he was not amused with Cosmo’s joke, though Noah chuckled softly.
     “Sorry Sam.” Cosmo said, trying to hide a smile.
     “The were two gunshots though, at the same time.” Noah said.
     “He shot at me first, after I overheard his conversation with Luke, basically the short of it he the sheriff confessed to the two murders, while trying to commit two more.” Sam said.
     “Yeah and laying another one off on me.” Luke said.
Sam gave a slight nodded. “After I shot him he went off the cliff, and tried to take Luke over with him, too make a long story short sheriff Karlen fell to his death.”
     “Wow, why did we have to miss out on all the fun?” Cosmo questioned jokingly.
     “I think being shot at once is more then enough fun for one day.” Noah said.
Sam looked at Noah with questioning eyes that held a concern.
     “I’m fine, luckily he wasn’t a very good shot and missed.” Noah said.
     “Good, I don’t want to have waste another bullet today by having to shoot someone else.” Sam said. “Cosmo I want you to come with me and check out the cabin that these boys were staying in, and Noah call for the coroner to come scrap the sheriff off those rocks, oh and stay here with the prisoners.”
Noah knew that Sam was referring to the two Chocktaw deputies in the back seat of the car, and the Luke Duke was more just in protective custody, he had no more intention of handcuffing the younger man then Sam had. Noah was glad to learn that his earlier suspicions had in fact been correct about the Duke boys. Cosmo and Sam walked away, heading towards the cabin, leaving Noah and Luke alone with the two contained prisoners. Luke sat down on the ground and leaned against the car as Noah made the call. After finishing making the phone call to the coroner he leaned against the car, next to where Luke was sitting.
     “We heard about your cousin, I hope that he is okay.” Noah said.
Luke could hear the genuine concern in Noah’s voice and he knew the young marshal’s concern was sincere.
     “He’s tough, he’ll be fine.” Luke said. “I hope that your ankle is better.”
     “Yeah, it is, thanks to your cousin for stopping to help.” Noah said.
     “How long until I can go to the hospital and see my cousin?” Luke asked. “I have to tell him I kept my promise and that we wouldn’t be spending the rest of our lives on the inside looking out.”
     “I don’t know, you’ll have to discuss that with Sam, technically you are still under arrest as being a fugitive, until after a trial.” Noah said.
     “Oh.” Luke said, looking very sullen.
     “Though it is more like . . . protective custody now, after all we know the truth, so I am sure that Sam will let you see your cousin before waiting for any kind of a trial to clear the both of you.”
     “I hope so. I don’t really want to stay away much longer . . . it was hard enough leaving him there in the first place, and I don’t want to worry him anymore, then I have already by being gone.” Luke said.
     Sam and Cosmo reached the cabin moments later, the front door still partly open as they had left quickly when the had gone to hunt down Luke.
     “Do you think there will be any evidence here?” Cosmo asked. “Wouldn’t they have gotten rid of anything that could connect them to the murders?”
     “I think that the sheriff seemed bold enough to leave evidence behind.” Sam said.
     “Don’t need much evidence, since the sheriff confessed the truth.” Cosmo said.
     “It is best to have evidence when the main “suspect” is dead. After all we have to bring those two deputies down as well.” Sam said.
     “Think they will admit to it?” Cosmo asked.
Sam shrugged. “That is why we need evidence.”
They began their search in the main room of the large cabin. None of the evidence had been hidden very well, as the Chocktaw sheriff had never planned on getting caught, and had been so cocky to believe that nobody would find them, that nothing was hidden. Cosmo found three large duffle bags, full of equal shares of money.
     “Would you look at all this money . . . with all this they could’ve afford better accommodations.” Cosmo said.
     “My guess is that they were waiting for everything to die down, and for the Duke boys to be recaptured.” Sam said.
Sam picked up two file folders off a small end table beside the couch, and flipped through them, seeing that they were the same files he had seen on Bo and Luke Duke. Only certain violations had been highlighted, and as almost a joke on top of the main page, of each file the words “Framed for murder one” were written along with a happy face, written in Jacob’s hand written. Sam tossed the files down on top of the bags of money. After several more moments of searching they found two unused canisters of knock out gas, which is what the boys had claimed had happened to them. The only other things in the house were personal items and food. Sam and Cosmo took the evidence they had gathered, and headed back towards the car.
     Luke and Noah looked up when they heard Sam and Cosmo approaching, Luke jumped to his feet.
     “Did you find enough evidence?” Noah asked.
Sam nodded. “Enough to send those two away, whether they admit to they murders or not.” Sam said. “Noah, I want you to take Luke in the other car and follow us.”
Luke stepped forward. “Sir, could I please go and see my cousin at the hospital first? I want to let Bo know that everything is okay.”
Sam thought about Luke’s request for a moment, and then nodded. “Just don’t take too long.”
     “Thank you.” Luke said, and followed Noah to blue car.
The two cars headed down the road at the same time, but turned in opposite directions once they reached the bottom of the ridge.
     Silence consumed the old blue car as Noah drove towards the hospital. Luke suddenly remembered about the accident that had occurred the other day.
     “Was anybody hurt in that car accident the other day?” I know the sheriff’s car took off, but I assume the car that was following was one of you.”
     “Yeah Robert was injured in the accident.” Noah said.
     “I’m sorry to hear that. We saw the car crash, but since the car that had been going the other way stopped to help . . . figured if we stopped we’d be caught and never have had a chance to clear ourselves.” Luke said. “How’s he doing?”
     “He just woke up from the comma late last night. The doctor said he was healing quickly and should be able to be released in a couple days.” Noah said.
     “That’s good.” Luke said, his voice sincere.
 A few moments later they pulled to a stop in front of the hospital, and the two young men stepped out of the car. They walked down the long corridors of the hospital in silence, taking a couple moments to reach the room Bo was in.
     “I’ll wait outside the door.” Noah said.
Luke nodded and stepped into the room.
     Bo was sleeping and didn’t hear Luke come in. Luke walked over and stood beside the bed. He brushed back a long, lock of Bo’s hair that had fallen across his face.
     “Hey kiddo, time to wake up.” Luke said.
Bo gave a sleepy moan. “Luke?”
     “Yeah it’s me cuz.” Luke said.
Bo opened his eyes and smiled at his older cousin. “I’ve been worried sick about you.”
     “I’m fine.” Luke said. “How about you, how are you doing?”
     “Kinda stiff and sore, and still always tired, the doc says that is partly from the medicine and the infection.” Bo said, then his eyes grew serious. “Did you find any proof?”
Luke nodded. “I found enough to clear us, just like I promised we ain’t going to spending the rest of our lives behind bars.”
     “What happened?” Bo asked.
     “It is kind of a long story. I don’t have too much time to talk right now, I am still technically under . . . protective custody.” Luke said.
Bo looked at Luke with questioning eyes.
     “They know I am innocent so it is a formality that I am really under arrest until after a trial, which will probably be tomorrow. I was allowed to come here and tell that everything is okay.” Luke said.
     “Oh.” Bo said.
Luke glanced at the door, expecting that Noah would come into the room at any moment and tell him that he had to leave. “I really should be going, but you have nothing to worry about now, everything has been taken care of.”
     “I wish you could stay here . . . I hate being here alone.” Bo said.
     “I wish I could too cuz . . . but I can’t.” Luke said.
Noah opened the door and stepped into the room.
     “We have to be leaving now.” Noah said.
Luke nodded. “Just get some rest Bo.”
Bo nodded, saying nothing further as he watched Luke leave, it wasn’t long after Luke had left that Bo fell back asleep.
     That night, for the first time in a long time Luke had a decent night’s sleep. The judge was to look at the new evidence early the next morning, to clear Bo and Luke of all the false charges, and to set a date for a new trial to convect the real murders.
     The next morning Luke sat at a table drinking a cup of coffee, his mind just seeming to float away, with memories of all that had happened.  Luke heard someone come into the room and looked up to see Noah standing by the door.
     “There is someone here that wants to talk to you.” Noah said.
Luke looked puzzled, then a wide smile spread across his face when he saw Bo, wheel into the room, in a wheelchair. Luke jumped to his feet and ran over to his younger cousin.
     “They let you out?”
     “Yeah, as long as I take it easy and stay in this thing.” Bo said motioning to the wheelchair. “Doc said I ain’t to be up running around.”
Luke smiled, and leaned down to give Bo a brotherly hug, which Bo returned. Before anything else could said there was a knock on the door, and Jesse and daisy stepped into the room. Bo and Luke’s smiles widened with joy to see their family.
     “I’ll leave and all of you visit.” Noah said, stepping out of the room.
Nobody seemed to know what to say first. Jesse looked at his youngest nephew sitting in a wheelchair.
     “Are you okay? What happened?” Jesse asked.
     “I’m fine uncle Jesse, just a little infection is all, no damage done.” Bo said.
     “I’m just so glad that our family is back together again.” Daisy said.
     “That’s for sure.” Bo and Luke said at the same time and Jesse nodded in agreement.
     “So are you going to tell me about everything that happened after you ditched me at the hospital?” Bo asked.
Jesse and Daisy only stood there looking confused, which the boys noticed.
     “It’s a long story about that, I took Bo there after the infection started to get worse . . . and there was nothing I could do.” Luke said.
     “Oh.” Daisy said, having many questions she wanted to ask her cousins but figured those questions could wait, all she cared now was that Bo and Luke were coming home.
     “So are you going to answer my question or not?” Bo said.
     “I don’t know why I didn’t think of it sooner but . . . they were hiding out at Silver Wolf Ridge.” Luke said.
     “That places gives me the shivers to just think about.” Daisy said.
     “Yeah, the perfect place for the likes of the Chocktaw sheriff’s department.” Luke said. “Anyways . . . they found out I was there and started chasing me down. The US Marshals arrived and caught the two deputies. Then Sheriff Karlen caught me, and Sam, one of the Marshals, overheard us talking and he flat out confessed. The sheriff was going to lay another murder off on me by shooting Sam but Sam shot him first . . . and to make the rest short, sheriff Karlen fell to his death.” Luke said.
     “What are you leaving out?” Bo asked.
     "Um . . .” Luke said, not really wanting to tell what had happened, figuring there was no sense in it because everything had turned out fine.
     “What?” Bo asked.
     “He tried to take me over with him. I manage to grab hold of a rocky ledge before I fell too far.” Luke said.
Daisy gasped. “You could’ve been killed.”
     “But I wasn’t, everything turned out fine.” Luke said.
     “What are you leaving out?” Bo said, knowing that Luke was avoiding the actually issue.
     “There was no way Sam could pull the two us up, and the sheriff was determined to take me down with him . . . and Sam too if he could.” Luke said, stopping to take a deep breath which he slowly released. “He had a tight hold . . . I couldn’t just shake him loose . . . and I knew I couldn’t hold on much longer . . . I had to . . . I had to kick him off, I caused him to fall to his death.”
     “It was self defence, he was going to take your life, and possible the life of that marshal.” Jesse said.
     “I know I just . . .I didn’t want to see him die . . .only spend the rest of his days behind bars . . . not responsible for his death.” Luke said.
     “You are not responsible Luke.” Bo said. “It was a result of his own actions.”
     “I know . . . there is no charges pressed, his death was ruled accidental.” Luke said.
     “Then just don’t worry about it, everything is fine.” Bo said.
     “I think he actually deserved to die, after everything he did, all the lives he has destroyed.” Daisy said.
Before anything further was said Sam stepped into the room.
     “Time for the trial.” Sam said, and the four Dukes followed him to the court room.
     The trial barely seemed to last two minutes, Bo and Luke were cleared of all the charges that they had been framed for and were released. As the Duke family and the US Marshals stepped out onto the steps of the courthouse, they were greeted by the media.
     “How does it feel to be cleared of the charges?” one reporter asked, holding the microphone in front of Luke.
     “It feels great. I’m just glad everything worked out okay and that we can finally go home.” Luke said.
The reporter held the microphone down in front of Bo, to get his opinion on the question.
     “I just got one thing say about it, YEE-HAW!” Bo said, giving a loud rebel yell, ignoring the pain in his side the yell had caused.
     Things quickly began to returned to normal for Bo and Luke. The saved as article, in a old scrape book, that told how they had been cleared of the charges of first degree murder, that was accompanied by a photo in which, all the Dukes and Marshals could be seen. It was on week later, Bo and Luke were sitting at the kitchen table eating a lunch. Daisy came into the house, and walked up behind Bo and Luke, who were sitting at the same side of the table next to each other. She leaned on their shoulders and tossed a paper down on the table between them, they immediately noticed the headline.

Chocktaw Deputies Receive Three Consecutive Life Sentences

 Chocktaw Deputies Jacob Bracken and Edward Turner, plead  guilty to first degree murder. Bracken and Turner, had been involved in the framing of Bo and Luke Duke, of Hazzard, for the murder of two federal agents, earlier this month. Bo and Luke’s innocence had been proven, and United States Marshal, Sam Gerard, discovered who the true cold blooded murderers were. The two deputy’s claimed the whole scheme had been concocted by the sheriff of Chocktaw County, Brent Karlen. Karlen, had been killed in a struggle, on Silver Wolf Ridge, with the US Marshal and Luke Duke. Bracken and Turner received two life sentences for the murders of the federal agents, and a third life sentence for perjury, and framing the two Duke boys for murder.

     “Who says that there is never any good news in the paper anymore?” Luke questioned jokingly.
     “Yeah that is the best news I’ve heard in days.” Bo said.
     “Well, not as good as the news that you were cleared and coming home.” Daisy said.
     “Nothing is better news then that.” Bo said.
Luke nodded in agreement. “Though this does come close.”
Jesse arrived home from picking up some supplies from in town.
     “Comes close to what?” Jesse asked, not having heard the rest of the conversation, or haven seen the newspaper.
     “This comes close to be good as good of news as me and Bo being cleared and coming home.” Luke said handing the paper up to his uncle.
Jesse glanced through the article. “Well not quite. I don’t think I will ever hear news as good as you two being cleared.”
     “Well at least now the ones who caused that whole problem, framing me and Luke, are behind bars were they belong.” Bo said.
     “That’s true.” Jesse said.
     Everything returned to what passes for normal in Hazzard County, and the whole ordeal seemed to be forgotten. Bo and Luke didn’t talk much about the days they had spent as fugitives and didn’t tell Jesse and Daisy everything that had happened. Jesse and Daisy didn’t ask too many questions, wanting to forget, just as much as Bo and Luke did, that it had ever happened. Bo and Luke went back to their normal way of living, racing the General Lee along the back roads of Hazzard while trying to avoid Boss Hogg and Sheriff Rosco, and all of Boss’s lame attempts at framing them, for minor violations.  Luke wondered occasionally if they would ever see the US Marshals  ever again, he figured since it was Hazzard County, anything was possible.