Bo and Luke climbed out of the windows of their powerful stock car and glanced back to see how close the pursuing patrol car.
     “Figures we would get a flat.” Bo said.
Rosco came to a stop behind the General, bumping against the orange car’s back bummer. Rosco jumped out of his car, giggling happily that he had caught the Duke boys, thinking of how happy Boss was going to be.
     “Watch the paint would ya, Rosco.” Bo said.
     “Oh hush, I scuffed my car to.” Rosco said, as he pulled his pearl handled gun out of the holster. “Now just freeze it right there.”
     “Oh c’mon Rosco you know full well that we didn’t rob the Boar’s Nest.” Luke said.
     “Oh tidily, I’m gonna cuff ya and stuff ya.” Rosco said, waving his gun back and firth between the boys and his patrol car.
     “Would you put that thing away before you shoot your dang foot off.” Luke said.
     “I ain’t gonna shoot myself I got a hair trigger, best shot in these parts.” Rosco said.
     “Yeah oh…kay.” Luke said.
     “Now get into back of my car.” Rosco said.
     “Can’t you said to freeze.” Bo said, with a wide smile on his face.
     “Oh good grief, unfreeze.” Rosco said.
     “Yes sir.” Both boys said at the same time, figuring on making a getaway.
However the plan failed, before they could even turn around to make a break for it. Rosco’s finger accidentally closed around the trigger of his gun, the bullet whizzed through the air and became embedded in Bo’s left shoulder. Bo stumbled backward upon impact and collapsed to the ground, in complete shock by the turn of events. Luke dropped down beside Bo, peeling off his jean jacket and pressing it tightly against the bullet wound.  Bo’s eyes were wide and glassed with pain.
    “Just hold on cousin.” Luke said and glanced up at Rosco. “We have to get him to the hospital.”
    “I’ll call an ambulance.” Rosco said, his voice sounding distant.
    “No time, we have to get him there ourselves.” Luke said.
    “How?”
Luke thought for a moment, he knew the General was faster, however it would be hard to get Bo in and out through the windows, and with the patrol car they could run with the siren and not be harassed by the Capitol City police for speeding.
     “Your car, help me get him into the backseat.” Luke said.
Rosco nodded and stepped closer, he couldn’t believe what had happened, he had just shot Bo Duke, who was innocent it all had been a frame up thought up by Boss Hogg. Luke turned his attention back to Bo, who was laying completely still his eyes closed and breathing deeply, in obvious pain.
     “Open your eyes Bo, look at me, you have to stay awake.” Luke said.
Bo opened his eyes partway and looked at his older cousin with pain filled eyes.
     “That’s it, just stay with me, okay kiddo?”
Bo mumbled some kind of incoherent response. Rosco knelt down beside Bo, his face was pale his thoughts seeming to be a blur.
     “I’m sorry . . . very sorry.” Rosco said.
Luke glanced at Rosco. “It was just an accident.”
     “I didn’t . . . didn’t mean . . .I wouldn’t . . .” Rosco stammered not really knowing what else to say.
     “I know Rosco, I know that you didn’t mean to shot Bo.” Luke said.
The two men carefully lifted Bo from the ground. Bo flinched and a small moan of pain escaped him.
     “Sorry about that cuz, just hold on, we’re going to get you to a doctor.” Luke said.
They carefully laid Bo down on the backseat, Luke sat next to him, holding Bo’s head in his lap, keeping Bo’s shoulder elevated, while apply constant pressure against the wound.
     “Just drive fast as you can Rosco . . . and please be careful.” Luke said, his eyes never leaving his younger cousin.
Rosco just nodded not knowing what else to say, he climbed into the car and sped off down the road.
     Luke kept his jacket pressed tightly against the wound in attempt to slow the bleeding, his denim jacket changing to an almost purple colour as it became saturated in blood.  Luke kept continuously talking to Bo, trying to keep his younger cousin alert, who kept drifting towards unconsciousness.
     “How’s he doin?” Rosco asked, with a touch of nervousness, expecting nothing but anger and blame from Luke.
     “He’s still holding on.” Luke replied.
     Moments before they reached the Capitol City Hospital Bo fell into unconsciousness.
     “Wake up Bo . . . please cousin wake up.” Luke said his voice fraught with worry.
Rosco felt his stomach tighten, he knew if Bo were to die that he would have nobody to blame but himself.
     “We’re almost to the hospital.” Rosco said.
Luke didn’t reply he was intent on trying to get Bo to regain consciousness.
     The patrol car came to a screeching halt in front of the main doors of the hospital.  Two ambulance attendent, who had been standing by their ambulance walked over to see what the problem was.
     “What seems to be the problem officer?”
     “He’s been shot.” Rosco said, motioning into the backseat of the car, he felt at total loss for word.
     “Mickey, go get a stretcher and Doc Freely.”
Mickey nodded and ran into the hospital, reemerging moments later, with a stretcher, along with Dr. Freely and two nurses. Luke aided them into get Bo onto the stretcher, never letting go off his cousin’s hand.
     “Sir, you are going to have to wait here.” One of the nurses said.
     “But . . . that’s my cousin.” Luke said, not wanting to leave Bo’s side.
     “You have to wait here though so the doctor can do his job.”
Luke relented, releasing Bo’s hand and taking a step backwards. He watched as the wheeled Bo out of sight, already hard at work trying to save his life. Rosco walked over and stood next to Luke.
     “You’ll probably want to wash up.” Rosco said.
     “Wha . . .” Luke started to say then noticed the blood on his hand. “Oh yeah.”
     “Do you want me to call your uncle while you wash up?” Rosco asked.
     “No . . . I will after I get cleaned up.” Luke said.
Rosco nodded understandingly and went and sat down in the waiting room as Luke went into the washroom to clean up. Rosco found his thoughts to be a jumble, more so then usual as he thought about what had happened.
     ‘How could I have shot Bo . . . I didn’t mean to shoot him. He didn’t do nothing wrong . . . if Boss and me hadn’t been trying to frame the boys Bo’s life wouldn’t be in danger now. If he dies . . .’ Rosco thought, trying to shake the last thought from his mind. Rosco took a deep breath and slow released it. ‘Everyone always says I couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn with a machine gun . . . but that is when aiming I wasn’t aiming . . .'
Rosco’s thoughts trailed off when Luke walked back into the waiting room.
     Luke could feel his hands trembling as he dialed the number for the Duke farm, he had no idea of what to even tell Jesse, not sure if it was something that should be said over the phone. As he listened to the phone ring he took a deep breath to try to calm himself, wanting to hide his worry from showing in his voice.
     “Hello.” Jesse said, answering the phone on the fourth ring.
     “Uncle Jesse, its Luke.”
     “Luke, what are you doing calling is there a problem?” Jesse asked, feeling a twinge of worry, he knew how easily his nephews could get into trouble and even though Luke was trying to hide his worry he could hear the distress in Luke’s voice.
     “Yeah . . . a big problem really.” Luke said.
     “What’s happened?” Jesse asked, growing more worried by the minute.
     “I can’t really tell you over the phone . . . just get Daisy and come to the Capitol City Hospital.” Luke said.
     “Are you hurt?” Jesse asked.
     “No it’s not me . . . it’s Bo.” Luke said.
     “Well be right there Luke.” Jesse said and hung up the phone.
Luke hung up and sat down beside Rosco, he ran his hands over his face he was trying hard not to allow his worry to show, but it seemed impossible.
     “I am sorry Luke, I never meant for it to happen.” Rosco said.
     “I know Rosco, accidents happen.” Luke said.
     “If Boss and me hadn’t been trying to frame you boys .  . .” Rosco said.
     “You’ve been trying to for years.” Luke said.
     “I know.” Rosco said, thinking perhaps it was time to bring an end to these frame up. “This time was different though.”
     Silence seemed to consume the waiting room, not a word was said until Jesse and Daisy arrived.
     “What’s happened?” Jesse asked, then looked at Rosco. “What are you doin here Rosco? You had better not be here to try to arrest my boys.”
     “I’m not here to arrest ‘em.” Rosco said.
     “Is Bo okay?’ Daisy asked.
     “I think you both had better sit down.” Luke said.
Jesse and Daisy sat down and waited for Luke to tell them what had happened.
     “This all did start out with Rosco trying to arrest me and Bo and falsified charges of robbing the Boar’s Nest.” Luke said.
     “I thought you said you weren’t here to arrest Bo and Luke.” Daisy said accusingly.
     “I’m not.” Rosco said.
     “So how come you ended up here?” Jesse asked.
     “Rosco shot Bo.” Luke said.
     “What?” both Daisy and Jesse questioned at the same time.
     “It was an accident I didn’t mean to.” Rosco said.
     “Is Bo going to be okay?” Jesse asked.
     “The doctors haven’t said anything yet.” Luke said. “All we can do is sit here and wait.”
     “I didn’t mean to shoot him, honest Jesse.” Rosco said.
     “It’s okay Rosco, none of us are holding this against you, it was an accident. I know that you never meant to shoot Bo.” Jesse said.
     Dr. Freely walked over to where the dukes and Rosco sat in the waiting room Luke recognized the doctor from earlier and was the first one to get up.
     “How’s Bo?” Luke asked.
     “He’s in stable condition. There was no major nerve or tissue damage, he had lost a fair bit of blood, but he will be okay.” Dr. Freely said. “he is very lucky that the bullet wasn’t a fraction of an inch more the right or he most likely would have been killed.”
     “Is he awake?” Luke asked.
     “He is just starting to wake up.” Dr. Freely said.
     “Can we go see him now?” Jesse asked.
Dr. Freely nodded. “He is in room twelve.”
     Bo groggily opened his eyes when the door, of the small hospital room, opened. He was partially sitting up, his left arm crossed over his chest, and held in place with a sling, his chest was bare.
     “How you feelin’?” Luke asked, as he walked over to stand next to the hospital bed.
     “Kind tried and stiff.” Bo replied, his voice still sounding sleepy.
Jesse and Daisy stood by the bed, while Rosco stood back a couple feet. Daisy leaned over the bed and gave her youngest cousin a kiss on the cheek.
     “You had us all worried, sugar.” Daisy said.
     “Sorry.”
     “Does it hurt much?” Jesse asked.
     “Nah, not really it is a little stiff but don’t hurt bad, painkillers I guess.” Bo said.
     “I’m really sorry that I shot you Bo.” Rosco said earnestly.
     “It was an accident.” Bo said.
     “An accident that never should’ve happened.” Rosco said.
     “Just forget about it Rosco.” Bo said.
Before anything further could be said Dr. Freely came into the room.
     “When can I go home?” Bo asked.
     “You can go home now.” Dr. Freely said. “There is just a few rules that you are going to have to follow.”
     “Like what?” Bo asked.
     “You can’t use your arm for at least the next four weeks, I will set up an appointment for you in four weeks so I can have a look at your shoulder. Also, you have to keep it dry. You’ll have to have someone help you change the bandaging regularly, if there is any sign of infection I want you to come see me immediately, also if there if the pain gets to be to bad come see me.” Dr. Freely said, and handed Bo a bottle of painkillers. "Whenever your shoulder starts hurting take one of these.”
     “Yes sir.” Bo said.
Dr. Freely left the room, and Luke gave Bo a hand getting out of the bed. Bo realized that he didn’t have any shirt on, the one he had been wearing haven been ruined.
     “You can use my jacket.” Rosco said, handing his jacket to Luke. “I cam get it back from ya later. I have to go tell Boss what’s been happening.”
     “Thanks Rosco.” Bo said.
Rosco gave a nod and then turned and quickly left. Luke helped Bo put Rosco’s jacket on over his uninjured arm, and carefully wrap it around himself.
     “C’mon, let’s get you home.” Jesse said.
     Rosco pulled his patrol car to a stop in front of the courthouse and went inside, he figured that he would find Boss in his office, and he was correct.
     “Just where have you been you lamebrain, I have been trying to reach you for over an hour.” Boss said, his voice held an obvious anger, as he chompped angrily at the end of his cigar.
     “Now just simmer down lil fat buddy I can explain.” Rosco said.
     “And why haven’t you arrested them Duke boys yet?”  Boss questioned, with obvious intentions of calming down. “Let me guess they gave you the slip, as usual.”
     “Well you just hush.” Rosco said.
     “How dare you tell me to hush.” Boss said, with flabbergasted expression.
     “If you hush I can tell you what happened.” Rosco said.
     “Well, this had better be good for the way that you are carrying on.” Boss said.
     “It is anything but good.” Rosco said.
     “Oh?” Boss questioned, raising his eyebrows. “So what is your reason for not having them boys in custody and not replying when I was a calling you?”
     “I shot Bo.” Rosco said.
     “What?” Boss asked, not believing what he had heard. “You couldn’t even hit the broad side of a barn.”
     “Not if I was aiming I wasn’t aiming and I shot Bo, it was an accident.  I have been at the hospital the past hour with the Dukes.” Rosco said.
     “Is he okay?” Boss asked, with a hint of concern in his voice.
     “He’ll be fine.” Rosco said. “Though a little bit more to the right and he would’ve been killed.” Rosco said, holding his thumb and index finger close to together, for Boss to see.
     “Well that’s not excuse for not arresting Luke.” Boss said.
     “Why should I have? Neither of them boys did anything wrong.” Rosco said.
 Boss looked at Rosco with a comically stunned expression. “Are you kidding me?”
     “I ain’t kidding you Boss. What happened today got me to thinking, it ain’t right to keep trying to frame Bo and Luke. What happened today could happen again only with fatal results.” Rosco said.
     “Well you had just better come to your senses or you won’t be Sheriff much longer.” Boss threatened.
Rosco shook his head. “I can’t do it no more. Not now that I have seen the consequences. I could’ve killed Bo today and he was innocent. I am not gonna allow that to happen again.”
     “You had better change your mind Rosco or you’re fired.” Boss said, then mumbled under his breath. “Already got an honest deputy last thing I need is an honest sheriff.”
     “I ain’t gonna have no part in trying to frame Bo and Luke no more it ain’t right and it ain’t legal . . . and I am starting to sound to Enos.” Rosco said.
     “Well if you don’t shape up in two days you’re fired.” Boss said.
Rosco decided that he wasn’t he the mood to argue with Boss, so he instead turned around and left, saying nothing further.
     The next day Rosco drove over to the Duke’s farm, parking in front of the old farmhouse. He still felt extremely guilty about what had happen and was still expecting them to blame him, he took a deep breath, slowly releasing it before knocking on the door. A moment later the door was answered by Jesse.
     “Hello Rosco.” Jesse said.
     “Hey Jesse.” Rosco said. “How’s Bo doin’?”
     “He’s doin fine.” Jesse said, opening the door further as to invite Rosco in.
Rosco took the invitation and stepped into the house, he could see the three cousins sitting out in the front room, talking and laughing.
     “Here’s your jacket back.” Jesse said, handing the sheriff the neatly folded jacket.
Rosco took it with a nod and before stepping out into the front room. Bo and Luke were sitting on the couch talking, while Daisy sat at the sewing machine, fixing a few of Bo’s shirts so he could easily get them on, since he only had the use of one arm.
     “Hey. How you feeling Bo?” Rosco asked.
     “I’m fine, got everyone waiting on me hand and foot.” Bo said.
     “Don’t go getting to use to it, I think if you are doing so fine it should soon be time for you to get back to doin your chores.” Jesse said, his voice sounded gruff, but underlying caring and concern could be heard in it.
     “Well on second thought . . . it is too late to change my answer?” Bo questioned, with a laugh.
     “I want you to know just how sorry I am for shooting you Bo.” Rosco said.
     “It’s okay Rosco.” Bo said. “Nobody here blames you.”
     ‘I do.' Rosco thought to himself.
     “Would you like a cup of coffee?” Jesse offered.
Rosco shook his head. “I just came by to see how Bo was doing, and to ask if there was anything I could do to help?”
     “You could drop them “charges” against me and Luke.” Bo said.
     “That’s taken care of, much to Boss’s disgust.” Rosco said.
All of the Dukes chuckled they could only imagine what Boss’s reaction had been.
     “And I know I am starting to sound like that dipstick deputy of mine but, I ain’t gonna have no part in Boss’s schemes no more.” Rosco said.
     “Are you serious?” both Bo and Luke asked at the same time.
Rosco nodded. “The consequences are too high, I see that now because of the frame up I could’ve accidentally killed Bo . . . I shot an innocent man. I am suppose to protect the innocent not harm ‘em.”
There was a moment of silence nobody could find the words to comment on what Rosco had just said.
     “Did you tell JD yet?” Jesse asked.
     “Yeah, he told me if I don’t change my mind in two days I’m fired.” Rosco said.
     “He can’t do that.” Daisy said.
     “She’s right, Boss can’t fire you, and we will see to it that he don’t.” Luke said.
     “You’d stick up for me? After everything I did?” Rosco questioned disbelievingly.
     “Yeah we would. Boss can’t fire you for being honest. You were elected he can’t fire you.” Luke said.
     “What if he calls for an election to get a new sheriff?” Rosco asked.
     “We’ll make sure that you get elected again.” Bo said. “After all it wouldn’t be the first time.”
     “As long as you keep your word and don’t go back to working with Boss.” Luke added.
     “I started out being honest . . . until my pension got defeated in that bonds election . . . I can end my career being a the best sheriff around.” Rosco said.
     “Well if Boss demands another election we’ll see what we can do about getting you your pension back.” Luke said.
     “Really? You Dukes are just too much. To do all this after I shot Bo.” Rosco said.
     “It was an accident, we know that you didn’t mean to.” Jesse said.
     “You just need to work on your aim.” Bo said. “If you want we could help you with that.”
     “But you boys can’t use no guns.” Rosco said, matter-o- factly.
     “That don’t mean we can’t teach you to use one.” Luke said.
     It was Enos’s lunch break, so he stopped by the farm to see how Bo was doing.
     “What are you doing here you dipstick?” Rosco asked.
     “I came to see how Bo was feeling.” Enos said.
     “I’m feeling fine.” Bo said.
     “That’s good.” Enos said with a wide smile.
     “Shouldn’t you be out on patrol?” Rosco asked.
     “It’s my lunch hour sheriff.” Enos said. “What are you doing here?”
     “What’s it look like I am doing here? I came to check on Bo.” Rosco said.
     “Oh.” Enos said. “I thought that you’d be out on patrol.”
     “I won’t be much on “patrol” much longer if Boss has his way.” Rosco said.
     “Unh?” Enos questioned.
     “Boss might fire Rosco.” Luke said.
     “Possum on a gumbush, whatever for?”
     “Because I don’t want to take part in his schemes no more, the cost is too high, I don’t know who said it but it has been said, nothing is obvious as what is lost, nothing is painful as the cost.” Rosco said.
     “Really sheriff?” Enos asked.
     “Of course you dipstick.” Rosco said.
     “Boss can’t fire you for being honest.” Enos said.
     “We plan on making sure of that.” Jesse said.
     “Anything I can do to help?” Enos asked.
     “We have to wait for Boss to make he first move, maybe he’ll change his mind.” Luke said.
     “Ha, I doubt that, it ain’t like my lil fat buddy to change his mind, when he makes a threat he means it.” Rosco said.
     “Don’t worry about it Rosco, we won’t let Boss fire you.” Luke said.
     “After all we always stop Boss crooked plans, don’t we?” Bo added.
     “True.” Rosco said.
They talked for while longer before Enos stood up to leave.
     “I gotta get back out on patrol, you comin’ sheriff?”
     “Just go on ahead Enos, I’ll catch up in a few minutes.” Rosco said.
     “Yes sir sheriff.” Enos said, and left.
     “I just want to thank you Dukes again, it’s might kind ya to forgive and forget.” Rosco said. “I am still really sorry.”
     “Just forget about it Rosco.” Bo said.
     “So when are you boys gonna teach me how to become a better shot . . . so I don’t have no more misfires?”
     “Come by tomorrow on your lunch hour.” Luke said.
     “Okay, I just hope Boss don’t fire me before then.” Rosco said, then left the farm to go back out on patrol.
     The next morning, when Rosco arrived at the police station, ready to begin another day’s work, Boss was already there, waiting for him. Boss was sitting at the desk, in the police station, eating his breakfast, coffee and raw liver.
     “Well it’s about time you got here.” Boss said.
Rosco took his hat off as he approached Boss. “I’m here on time.”
     “You are ten seconds late.” Boss stated, looking down at his gold watch.
     “Sorry Boss.”
     “You had better be.” Boss said, then took a large bite of raw liver. “So tell me Rosco have you changed your mind on this whole “honest” sheriff thing?”
Rosco shook his head. “No I ain’t.”
     “Well you have you three p.m. today to change your mind or you’re fired.”
     “You can’t fire me. I am an elected official.” Rosco said.
     “I can do anything I want to, I am in charge.” Boss said, shocked that Rosco would dare talk back to him.
     “You can’t fire me for being honest.” Rosco said.
     “Well then I’ll call for an election. If you don’t change your mind about being an honest sheriff by this time next week you won’t be sheriff at all.” Boss said.
     Bo and Luke were the only ones home when Rosco arrived there for his first target practice lesson.
     “So how’d it go with Boss today?” Bo asked, as Luke set up a row of tin cans along the fence.
     “Not too good.” Rosco said.
     “He still threatening to fire you?” Luke asked walking back over to the sheriff and his younger cousin stood.
     “Yep, I told him he couldn’t because I was elected so he said he’ll call an election. He said by this time next week I won’t be sheriff.” Rosco said, there was a touch of sadness to his voice, his whole life he had always wanted to be sheriff and considered police work to be his life.
     “Well don’t worry, we’ll see to it that you get reelected.” Luke said.
     “But Boss will rig the election.” Rosco stated as though it was some great unknown fact that Boss would do such a thing.
     “We’ll see to it that he don’t. We stopped him from rigging other elections we can stop him from rigging this one.” Bo said.
     “Now what do you say we get on with this.” Luke said.
Rosco nodded and drew his pearl handled gun from the holster. “Now what?”
     “Try to shoot those cans.” Luke said, motioning to the cans on the fence.
Rosco aimed his gun and fired three shots, none even coming close to hit any of the cans.
     “Dang it, I don’t see how this is suppose to help any, I never hit any of them cans.”  Rosco said.
     “That’s because you are firing blindly.” Luke said.
     “No I ain’t I’m lookin at them cans when I fire.” Rosco said.
     “But you aren’t really aiming at them.” Luke said.
Rosco looked at Luke with a puzzled expression.
     “You can’t just look at what it is you are shooting at, you actually have to aim.”
     “I WAS aiming.” Rosco said, becoming irritated.
Luke sighed and ran his hands over his face, this was a lot harder then he had thought it was going to be. Bo was leaning against the hood of the General, a few feet behind Rosco and Luke, seemingly amused by the going ons.
     “Okay, aim at the cans, but DON’T pull the trigger.” Luke said.
Rosco aimed his gun at the cans, sure that his aim was dead on. Luke shook his head, you’ll never hit any of the cans with that aim.
     “Oh tiddely, I would to.” Rosco said.
     “Well go ahead, try.” Luke said.
Rosco fired his gun, again, missing all of the cans.
     “Are you gonna start listening to me now?” Luke asked.
     “Nobody ever listens to you.” Bo said, jokingly.
Luke just smiled at his cousin. “Well then why don’t you help out here.”
Bo shook his head. “Nah, I think I would rather just watch. You should be able to teach Rosco how to aim, you taught me how to aim with a BB gun when I was seven.”
     “True, if I could get it through your thick skull I should be able to teach anyone.”
     “Cute.”
     “Will you quit your feuding and get back to my problem.” Rosco said.
Both boys chuckled, at Rosco’s comment, neither considering their conversation to be feuding, it was more just friendly banter.
     “Okay first off hold your gun higher, not down so low, you get line up at what you are aiming for . . . you are not that could of a shot, it take more practice before you can get into doing trick shots.” Luke said.
     “But if I hold it higher I won’t be lined up with the cans.” Rosco stated.
     “You don’t always have to keep the gun completely horizontal.” Bo said.
     “Hold the gun up so the sight is at eye level.” Luke instructed.
     “Like this?” Rosco asked, holding the gun up.
     “Can you see down the barrel of the gun, in a nice straight line?” Luke asked.
     “Yeah kinda.” Rosco said.
     “You have to find which is your dominant eye.” Luke said.
     “I have 20/20 vision.” Rosco said.
     “I’m sure you do, but everyone focuses better with one eye then the other. Look down the sight, with your left eye close, then switch and look down the sight with the right eye closed.” Luke said.
     “Well I’ll be, you’re right, it does look more clearer looking with my right eye.” Rosco said.
     “Well then that’s your dominant eye.” Bo said.
     “Okay. Now close your left eye and look down the barrel of the gun with your right eye. Line one of the cans up in the sight. Just slowly move the barrel of the gun until it becomes perfectly lined up.” Luke said.
Rosco followed his instructions, and Luke waited until he had one of the cans lined up.
     “Okay pull the trigger.” Luke said.
Rosco pulled the trigger, the bullet sped threw the air, connecting with the first can on the fence, knocking it to the ground.
     “I HIT IT!” Rosco said.
     “Alright, now try it again without me telling you what to do.” Luke said.
Rosco aimed and fired at the next can, striking it as well.
     “Alright Rosco, way to go.” Bo said.
Rosco loaded his gun with another round of bullets, and Luke stepped back to join his cousin.
     “Alrighty you can you’re all goin down now.” Rosco said, and took aim and fired six shots, managing to hit all but two.
     “With practice your aim will get a lot better, four out of six is good.” Luke said.
     “What about moving targets, like when I’m in hot pursuit”
     “I think it’s best to just wait on that ‘til your aim gets a little better. Once you get the feel for it it’ll be no problem.” Luke said.
     “Thanks a lot. I gotta get back on patrol. Police work is my life.” Rosco said.
     Three o’clock seemed to come all too quickly to Rosco, he parked his patrol car in its usual place in front of the courthouse and went inside. He had no more stepped one foot into the police station when Boss Hogg appeared in the doorway of his office.
     “Get in here.” Boss said, his voice demanding.
Rosco followed Boss into the office, standing in front of the desk, which Boss sat behind. Boss lit a cigar and then stared across the table at Rosco as he smoked it.
     “So have you gotten over this fool notion of yours to go back to being a straight sheriff?” Boss said.
     “No Boss.”
     “Well then I guess I’ll just have to find me another sheriff that will and that will get all “your” cut of all my deals.” Boss said.
     “What little I ever got was never really worth the price I had to pay.” Rosco said.
     “Mph, I paid you plenty, your gonna get even less when you start collecting your unemployment check.” Boss said.
     “I don’t plan on collecting unemployment Boss, I’m still gonna be sheriff.” Rosco said.
     “That’s what you think. Not after an election.” Boss said, already haven planned how to make the election work in his favour.
     “The Dukes are gonna help make sure the election stays fair.” Rosco said. “And until the election I am still Sheriff.”
     “No you ain’t.” Boss said.
     “What do you mean I ain’t?” Rosco questioned. “You can’t bring nobody new in as sheriff.”
     “I ain’t until the election, which is gonna be in one week, you are suspended from duty and Enos will be acting sheriff.” Boss said.
     “You can’t do that.” Rosco said.
     “Yes I can, it is all very legal.” Boss said. “Now get on outta here I got work to do.”
Rosco left the office mumbling under his breath. “Why you little meadow muffin  . . .” though he couldn’t find the words to even finish his own irate mumbling.
     “And don’t you going wearing that uniform you are a civilian.” Boss called out to Rosco.
     Rosco returned home, noticing how quiet it seemed, since his mama was off visiting kin in Florida. He changed out of his sheriff’s uniform, praying that it would not be the last time that he ever wore it. He made himself a light dinner and sat down in front of his small black and white television, watching some old show as he ate.
     “I can’t believe that my lil fat buddy wants to replace me.” Rosco said, talking to nobody but himself. “But I just can’t carry through with that scheming no more.”
Rosco sighed as he sat pushing the food around his plate eating very little, his appetite had been very small lately. He was grateful that the Dukes didn’t blame him for accidentally shooting Bo, though he couldn’t let go of his guilt. He thought that Dukes were good people to forgive him so easily and to actually be helping him despite all the grief he had ever caused them.
     “Oh good grief.” Rosco said, looking down at his half-finished dinner. He picked the plate up and took it to the kitchen, knowing that he wouldn’t be eating any more that night.
     The next day Rosco called the Dukes to tell them about when the election was. Luke was the one to answer the phone.
     “Boss said the election is one week . . . from yesterday, but until then I am suspend, can he do that?”
     “Yeah he can.” Luke said.
     “Enos is sheriff ‘til then.” Rosco said.
     “Who is going to try to bring to run against you?” Luke asked.
     “I don’t know.” Rosco said.
     “Why don’t you meet us over at Cooter’s we can figure out how we are gonna go about this.” Luke said.
     “Okay see ya there.” Rosco said, almost laughing at how he was making plans with the Dukes boys out of everyone in Hazzard, and despite the seriousness of the situation he could see the comical side to it.
     Rosco stood, with Cooter, outside the garage, staring over at the courthouse, longing to be in the Sheriff’s office working at the job he loved. A short time later the General pulled to a stop in front of the garage, and Rosco and Cooter both looked mildly surprised to see Bo, carefully, climbing out of the driver’s side window.
     “You actually let him drive?” Cooter asked.
     “I had to, it was the only way to get him to shut up about it.” Luke said. “Though I wish I hadn’t after that ride.”
     “Cute.” Bo said. “Not like my driving was that bad with only one arm.”
     “No more so then usual.” Luke said.
     “I didn’t run us off the road or nothing.” Bo said.
     “You can actually drive with just one arm?” Rosco asked.
     “Weren’t that hard, not with Luke along to do all the shifting.” Bo said. “I am not about to sit around for four weeks not driving.”
     “Well y’all let’s just get down to the problem at hand.” Luke said, and filled Cooter in on everything that he hadn’t already heard.
     There was a moment of silence after Luke was done talking before Cooter spoke up.
     “So in other words what we got to do is get everyone to vote for Rosco, improve his public image.” Cooter said.
     “Yeah, we have our work cut out for us.” Bo said.
     “My public image ain’t that bad.” Rosco said, jumping to his own defense.
     “Rosco, even if nobody was running against you you’d still lose.” Luke said.
     “All we got to do is make everyone see that you are serious about going back to being an honest sheriff.” Bo said.
     “I think people will be quick to believe it with you boys helping him out.” Cooter said.
     “But how do we keep Boss from rigging the election?” Rosco asked.
     “The election will be at the Boar’s Nest, so we’ll make the votes be counted there.” Luke said.
     “And we’ll be there the whole time so he can’t get no fake votes in or change the ballots.” Bo said.
     The man Boss had hired to run against Rosco showed up later that day. Roy Biggins, a man who was anything but a sheriff, in fact he had been in jail several times for a long list of crimes, including, arm robbery and fraud, though Boss planned on telling everyone just the opposite.
     The running for the election was quiet, as it was most other times in Hazzard. Boss wanted to rush it along and get it over with, figuring he would “win” it one way or another, and teach Rosco a lesson for trying to go honest. Boss was glad that his wife, Rosco’s older sister, Lulu was out of town at a “fat farm” all the way up in the mountains of Colorado, so there was no way she could force him into not getting rid of Rosco as sheriff. Boss kept ripping down all of Rosco’s election posters, even though it didn’t matter. Everyone in Hazzard was shocked that Boss Hogg was trying to bring in a new sheriff and wondered if it were true that Rosco had indeed gone back to being honest, and figured with the Dukes supporting him it was most likely true. Soon the day of the election arrived.
     The polls were sitting up in the Boar’s Nest, and Emery Potter sat checking the list as everyone came in to vote. The Dukes had went there for the time the polls had opened, and cast their votes, all voting for Rosco. Rosco sat fidgeting nervously at the bar.
     “Just calm down Rosco.” Jesse said.
     “I can’t calm down Jesse . . . what if I ain’t sheriff after this?”
     “Don’t worry you will still be sheriff.” Daisy said, handing Rosco a mug of beer.
     “That Roy Biggin’s fellow looks like a crook if you ask me.” Bo said.
     “Knowing Boss, he is a crook.” Luke said.
     “True.” Bo said.
     The hours slowed ticked past and the polls closed.
     “Well that does it, I’ll get these votes over to the courthouse and count ‘em” Boss said.
     “No you don’t JD them votes is being counted right here with all of us watching.” Jesse said.
     “Jesse you old goat.” Boss mumbled, and sat back down. “Well alright then start counting.
Enos walked over and stood beside Rosco.
     “Best of luck sheri . . .er Rosco.” Enos said.
     “Thank you Enos.” Rosco said sincerely.
     “Mph, luck ain’t gonna help none, there is no way a knucklehead like you could win, not with your image.” Boss said.
     “Yeah well his image has changed a lot this past week.” Bo said.
Boss didn’t reply, he knew that he had no chance to rig the election now and had to rely on luck.
     It took half and hour for the votes to be counted, and everyone looked at Emery, waiting to hear the results.
     “One hundred votes for Roy Biggins.” Emery said.
Boss smiled smugly, sure that was enough to have won the election.
     “And one hundred and one for Rosco.” Emery said.
     “YEEHAW!” Bo cheered.
Boss mumbled and stormed back to his office, with Roy following close behind.
     “Congratulations Sheriff.” Enos said, shaking Rosco said.
     “Thank you all I couldn’t have done with out ya.” Rosco said, shaking each of the Duke’s hands.
     “I don’t think Boss was too happy.” Daisy said.
     “He’ll get over it . . . maybe.” Rosco said.
     “Guess this means no more phony speed traps.” Bo said.
     “I can still get you boys for speeding though.” Rosco said. “I love hot pursuit.”
     “As long as we are really speeding.” Luke said.
     “Nine times out of ten before we weren’t.” Bo said.
     “Things are gonna change here in Hazzard from now on.” Rosco said.
     Things did change in Hazzard, without having the law in his back pocket Boss Hogg had a harder time getting any of his schemes to work out. Rosco kept his word and spent the rest of his days as Sheriff, being an honest lawman. The Dukes made sure that he did the pension he was entitled to, thinking of how odd it was that the loss of it in the first place was what had turned him crooked. Bo shoulder healed to be as good as new in four and half weeks, and Rosco eventually let go of the guilt he had been carrying. Rosco would still chase the boys for speeding, only if they really were speeding, no switching the speed limit signs. With practice Rosco’s aim grew better, until he could actually handle the gun in a very professional manor, though he would never forget how his bad aim had forever changed his life.