I first encountered this creature in a folk song about twenty years ago now - and recently I started thinking about how it would fit in Deadlands...

The Murder Bull
It was at the great roundup, in 1844
Two riders spied a stray bull calf by the old Red River shore
It wasn’t much to fight for, but Jillson’s hate was black
He fired a shot through Graham’s chest, and it came out the back
Then Graham drew his Bowie knife, and plunged it in Jillson’s side
And both fell down and no one knew, which was the first that died

Well the others at that roundup they gathered ‘round and said
There’s none of us will claim that calf, now both of them are dead
So a runnin’ iron they heated, the calf they roped and tied
And in big burnin’ letters branded MURDER on it’s hide
And drove it out to roam the hills, and when its time was full
It grew up mean and terrible, the maverick MURDER bull

Now many a years been born and died, yet still it roams at night
With MURDER branded on its flank, in letters red and bright
If you live in Eastern Texas be always on tour guard
Or the MURDER bull will find you, walk right into your yard
As you sit at home watchin’ the fire that fades and dies
It’ll come up to your window, with MURDER in its eyes

Then turn and look the other way, and hold your frightened breath,
For if you face the MURDER bull, its eyes will give you death

A quick bit of research turnrd up the following . Of course one thing I noticed right off was that the names had changed, but hey, that's folk music!

Anyhow, just wondering what other folks would make of it.

The Auld Grump

Great story, Grump - thanks!

I'd like to see what other people can come up with, and maybe a few more story seeds, like this one, using actual folklore and/or folk music for the story.

There aren't too many songs about tramping through dungeons outside of fantasy novels though...

If I do another it will be The Witch's Reel from Scotland. Gods I hate King James!

The Auld Grump

*EDIT* Heck, even period Country Western will work, as long as it is contemporary with the story...