Vaunda Nelson: Hello. This is Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, and I am the author of the book, Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U. S. Marshal. I was first introduced to the Old West by the television and movie westerns of my childhood. My siblings and I spend hours playing cowboys, eating beans from a can around a make believe campfire, and straddling whatever we could imagine was a horse.

When I grew older, I learned about the bravery of Buffalo Soldiers, and about black cowboys like Bill Pickett and Matt Love. Then one day, in 2003, my husband and admirer of the Old West introduced me to Bass Reeves, a black deputy U. S. Marshal. I immediately wanted to know more, and my search began. One of my main sources of information was the story of Art T. Burton, author of Black Gun, Silver Star; Black, Red and Deadly; and other writings about Bass. Thanks to him and others who are keeping Bass's story alive, I am able to pass it on.

Many of the Western heroes we idolized as children were fictional characters dramatized by Hollywood. But, Bass Reeves was real. Bass's story is so incredible, it comes close to sounding like a tall tale, but it isn't. It's true. And, I've done my best to tell it true. Now, I'll read to you from the book.

Showdown. Jim Webb's luck was running muddy when Bass Reeves rode into town. Webb had stayed one jump ahead of the lawman for two years. He wasn't about to be caught now. Packing both rifle and revolver, the desperado leaped out a window of Bywater's store. He made a break for his horse, but Reeves cut him off. Bass hollered from the saddle of his stallion, warning Webb to give up. The outlaw bolted. Bass shook his head. He hated bloodshed, but Webb might need killing.

As a Deputy U.S. Marshal, it was Bass's job to bring Webb in alive or dead. Bass had put Webb behind bars before. But, the outlaw was back on the run. That would end today. Webb couldn't outrun a horse, and he knew he'd hang for sure this time. In a last ditch effort to escape, Webb stopped in his tracks, turned, and let loose with his rifle. Webb's first shot grazed Bass's saddle horn. His second shot cut a button from the lawman's coat.

Webb's third pulled the reins right out of Bass's hands. Bass ducked his head, dove off his horse, and rolled to his feet just as a fourth bullet clipped his hat brim. That was Jim Webb's last shot ever. Marshal Reeves fired two rounds from his Winchester rifle, and the outlaw was done for. As he lay dying, Webb told Bass, "You are a brave, brave man. I have killed 11 men, and I expected to make you the 12th." Webb gave Bass his revolver out of respect. Bass buried Webb's body and turned in the outlaw's boots and gun belt as proof he'd gotten his man.