Play to lose.

"2 please." Lisa said as she discarded the pair of queens.

Her replacement cards were the 7 and 8 of diamonds. Lisa slotted the new cards in her hand and waited for everyone else to change their cards. Billy discarded 3 cards.

"Ok show 'em." called John Delvers from his central position.

Lisa placed her cards face up on the table, watching closely what Billy's cards were. Lisa breathed a sigh of relief to see that Billy had a 10 high.

Billy was surprised to find that he hadn't lost. Seeing that he had 1 card from 3 suits and 2 from the other plus his reaction led Lisa to beleive that he had tried to lose.

The bald spectacled Lyncher went around and identified the winner and loser at each table. The winners collected their winnings and returned to the crowd. The losers stayed sitting until all the other players had rejoined the crowd.

"Ok." Delvers called out. "You 4 will meet me outside for another showdown."

One of the losers vomitted and a second was crying. The third seemed resigned to his fate.

Lisa looked at the Connors kids. Billy was looking at Lisa with hatred. Beth was holding on tightly to her brother. She was still crying. Beth then looked at Lisa and mouthed a thank you.

John Delvers headed out to the street.

"Anyone need guns see one of my men." he called out from the saloons entrance.

Lisa looked over the other losers. She realized that she was the only one who was armed. Lisa went out into the street and took up position between the 2 saloons and turned to face Delvers.

Lisa was soon joined by the other losers, each now with a gunbelt on. The 4 winchester wielding Lynchers took up position to cover Lisa and the others.

The bald spectacled Lyncher stood off to one side. He had an empty bottle in his hand.

"Rules are simple." he called out. "Wait for the bottle to break before you draw. Anyone draws before that gets cut down."

He looked at each loser to ensure that they understood.

"Make yourselves ready." he called out.

Lisa released the retaining strap on her colt and then waited.