Six-Gun Heroes #12

When Smiley Burnette, editor of the Burnette's Bugle, pursues the notorious Desert Rat into the desert, he finds himself chasing the outlaw toward what appears to be a mirage—but a well-placed blow to the head scrambles his vision just enough to reveal the hide-out's true location. Now Smiley has stumbled onto the secret base where the Desert Rat and his gang have been hiding in plain sight, and the desperados must decide whether to stand and fight the fearless editor or flee.

Lash LaRue, a roving marshal, must track down a frightened eyewitness named Zack to a murder committed by the ruthless Ace Diggens—but Zack is so terrified of Diggens' reputation that he'd rather hide in the hills than testify. When Lash finally convinces Zack to take shelter under guard at a local hotel while Ace awaits trial, the marshal grows suspicious of his opponent's confident laughter and hurries back to check on his prize witness. The Silent Watch is a tense race against time where Lash must outwit a killer determined to silence the one man who can hang him.

Rocky Lane attends the wedding of Margaret Sue Miller as her late father's old friend, only to discover that the groom, Ted Bruce, has dangerous secrets from his past—and uninvited guests intent on stopping the ceremony by any means necessary. As threats escalate from mysterious notes to kidnapping on the wedding day itself, Rocky must use his marshal's badge and fists to uncover the true identities of those who want Ted dead and protect the couple's future together.

A young boy named Tod and his mother are vacationing out West, and the curious kid spots what he thinks is a suspicious bit of horse construction—convinced he's witnessed something that doesn't add up. His innocent misunderstanding leads to a comical mix-up that plays on a child's literal way of seeing the world around him.