As Buck continued his careful trek along the creek, the voices grew. He was getting close and could even make out a few sounds under the steady rain and the peals of thunder. It wasn't Kiowa or English but it sounded urgent.
As he rode up over the rise, he saw a group of cattle wranglers, perhaps 12 riders, and a small herd trying to cross the creek. It was shallower from what Buck could see but it was clearly a struggle getting the animals, around a hundred from his quick count, to keep moving.
Buck paused at the top of the rise to catch his breath. He could probably cross there but his horse might spook the animals and his sudden arrival would certainly startle the riders who had enough on their hands. He could go around them and look for another spot further upstream. The rain seemed to be slowing and he knew the area on the other side would be a flat run for several miles. Perfect for picking up time.
Without warning, a bolt of lighting shot out of the dim sky, striking the ground only a few yards from the cattle herd. Buck watched in horror as several animals panicked and began to run. The sudden movement startled a pony, causing it to rear up and accidentally toss one of its young riders. The horse then bolted towards the water. On instinct, Buck began to ride for the chaos, his mind on the two riders.
There was a cacophony of sound as shouts in the strange language went out. Buck pushed his pony hard, fighting to reach the rider who had somehow managed to roll out of the way of part of the stampede and was struggling to get to his feet and run out of the path of the frightened herd.
"Hey" Buck shouted as he approached. The rider, a mere boy, hearing the sound turned towards him. Buck leaned down carefully and extended an arm to pull the boy up onto the back of his horse. "You okay?"
"Ay." The boy gasped, "Where's Jaime?"
"Jaime?"
"He was on the horse with me."
Buck quickly scanned the area and saw the horse, riderless, climbing up the bank on the other side of the creek.
The boy stiffened as he too saw the horse. "He can't swim."
Buck urged his horse to run faster, searching the water for any sign of the missing boy.
"There." Buck spotted a small form struggling in the water. He pulled his horse to a stop and carefully dismounted. "Stay here." Buck said, stripping off his hat, poncho, gun belt and knife in record time. He said a quick prayer, tucking his medicine bag under his shirt, and waded into the water.
The current was strong and icy and Buck had to struggle to keep his head above water. He swam as hard as he could against the rushing water, feeling himself knock into rocks and debris. He felt bits of warmth against his skin and knew he was bleeding but the icy cold numbed the stinging and he pressed on. He heard shouting and to his relief, Jaime had managed to grab a hold of a rock that was just above the water's surface. Buck made his way there as fast as he could, winded from the struggle.
"It's alright." Buck said as he reached the boy. "I'm here to help."
"Are you an angel?" Jaime, who looked to be no more than eight, stared wide eyed at the stranger who appeared suddenly beside him.
"No." Buck laughed lightly. "I'm an Indian. My name is Buck."
Buck heard voices and looked up to see a pair of riders on the far bank. One of them held up a rope and gestured that he would toss it out across the way and he and his partner would pull them in. Buck waved to them to throw it. After several tries, he was able to grab the rope, trying it in a crude knot around the boy's waist.
"Put your arms around my neck." Buck grabbed the rope, twisting it around his wrist. When he was sure Jaime had a firm hold he swam for the shore, the men pulling them in.
