The man looked at Sam and saw the Marshal badge. " I believe I am looking for you. I am Hayes Cooper, Texas Ranger." He extended his hand to Sam who shook it and introduced himself.

"Marshal Sam Cain, and this is Emma Shannon. How can I help you?" Sam asked with a bit of curiosity.

Cooper tipped his hat to Emma and said " I was curious to know if you have had any trouble here, with three men."

Sam nodded and motioned toward the jail. "I had three men causing problems in my saloon this afternoon; I have them in my jail now." He said walking into the jail.

He froze when he saw Barnett lying lifeless on the floor. Emma gasped as Sam reached down and felt for a pulse just as Barnett moaned and moved his hand to his throbbing head. Sam helped him up and sat him in the chair at the desk. "What happened, Barnett?"

Barnett blinked a few times trying to focus. Cooper and Emma got closer so they could hear him.

"A-All I remember is drinking my coffee and…" Barnett looked at the empty cell and knew he had been attacked.

Sam stood up and looked at Cooper, "This is my Deputy Barnett Hamilton. He was watching the prisoners." Cooper looked at the Wanted posters on Sam's desk.

Sam noticed and asked "Are these the men you're looking for?"

Cooper nodded. "They are suspected of working for the south, they are after a set of maps that the General has sent to Ft. Laramie." He stated.

Sam watched as Emma's eyes registered the information. " Oh no Sam, Ike and Lou are on their way to Cheyenne with Government papers for Ft. Laramie." She spoke with panic in her voice. Sam realized the trouble the boys were in and looked at Cooper. "We need to mount up and find them, I know of some boys that can help. Emma, I will send Teaspoon back for you." Emma nodded as she tended to Barnett's injury.

Lou liked these long runs and the cool night air was good for keeping her awake. She had time to think. She looked at Ike and he seemed to be lost in thought too. She envied him at times. He was such a peaceful soul. She smiled at the thought and asked her silent companion "Whatcha thinkin' about Ike?"

Ike shrugged and flashed her one of his amazing smiles. She smiled back at him. How could she not? Ike started to sign to her but stopped when he saw movement in the distance over her shoulder. He signed "Trouble comin'"

She turned to see the same men that they had encountered that afternoon at the saloon. They were supposed to be in jail. She reached for her gun and noticed that Ike already had his in his hand.

Brady saw the young boys on the trail and smiled "Aren't those two of the boys from Sweetwater?" he asked. His friend, Randal nodded.

Ike and Lou continued on their way hoping the trouble would ride on by, but knowing they wouldn't. As they approached, Ike raised his gun at them.

"Boy you really don't want to do that," Brady said as he looked at Lou. "What you got in the pouches Boy?" he asked

Lou swallowed her fear and thought a little honesty would go along way; she deepened her voice a bit and said "We work for the Pony Express, its just mail going to the Cheyenne station."

Brady looked at Randal and his cousin and smiled "We're in luck boys" He smiled at the small boys in front of him. "The Pony Express sure does hire them young, what are you, about thirteen, boy?" He asked knowing his job just got easier. A couple of boys aren't going to cause him any trouble.

Lou only smiled back, as long as they didn't know she was a girl, this could be easy to get away from. Randal got off his horse and reached for the pouch on Ike's horse. Ike kicked at him, but Randal jumped out of the way in time and pulled Ike to the ground. Ike dropped his gun as Randal hit him in the head with the butt of his gun. Ike's limp body fell to the ground. Lou aimed her cocked pistol at the man that had hit Ike.

"Leave him alone" she screamed.

Brady raised his rifle to her. "Put the gun down boy, or you're both dead."

Lou reluctantly dropped her gun to the ground. She watched as Randal picked her gun up with Ike's gun and handed them to Brady. Then he picked up Ike's unconscious body and tossed him across the saddle of Ike's horse; he then grabbed the reins to Ike's and Lou's horses and handed them to Brady before pulling a length of rope out of his saddle bag. He bound Lou's hands in front of her. She didn't know where they were going but she knew it was off the trail. She knew they were in trouble and no one would know they were missing until they didn't show at the next station. She paid attention to her surroundings. She wouldn't make a run for it without Ike. She made the decision to let them keep thinking she was a boy and use it to her advantage.

A/N: Well hope you are enjoying it don't forget to read and review. Thanks.