Chapter 7

Jimmy Hickok stepped gingerly down the steps, at the front of the way station house. He could hear Rachel humming a tune, as she hung out freshly laundered sheets. He knew she'd be annoyed at his getting out of bed but he'd had more than his fair share of lying there, with nothing much to do. It wasn't as if he could even lose himself in a book like Cody would.

As he took the last step, he slightly misjudged the drop and jarred himself. His hand went protectively to his side.

"James Hickok, what do you think you're doin'?" Rachel's voice traveled clearly across the yard stopping him in his tracks.

Before he turned to face her, he inhaled deeply and planted a smile on his face, to mask the discomfort he was feeling. "Aw, Rachel, I'm goin' stir crazy, laid up in there. Just needed some fresh air."

Rachel frowned at him but the twinkle in her eyes belied her true mood. She was pleased to see Jimmy up and about again and knew Noah would be delighted to learn his estimation, of the mid morning, had won him the wager as to how soon Jimmy would be up and about.

"Well, you just make sure you take it easy, Jimmy, ya hear?" she called over before turning her attention back to the washing. She watched surreptitiously as he walked stiffly towards the bunkhouse, taking the steps up to the door with care. She only relaxed when he disappeared inside the door.

The other riders greeted Jimmy warmly. Kid got quickly to his feet and offered him a seat. Lou clasped her hands, holding them to her mouth and grinned happily at him.

"Damn it, Jimmy. You could have stayed in bed until lunch time," Cody scolded. Noah just smiled triumphantly.

Jimmy frowned questioningly at the pair.

"Take no notice," Kid told him. "He's just sore at losing out on our little bet."

Lou explained the riders' wager and, at first, Jimmy scowled, as if annoyed at their antics but soon he was laughing along, whole-heartedly, with the others. He was mid belly laugh, at one of Cody's well observed impersonation of Teaspoon, when Ike walked through the door. The atmosphere in the bunkhouse instantly changed. Ike's expression was stony. He looked at the other riders, sighed, shook his head and slunk over to his bunk.

"What's up with him?" Jimmy asked.

"He's just worried about Buck," Kid replied.

"Why? What's up with Buck?'

"He rode out before breakfast and hasn't come back," Cody told him.

Jimmy looked at the others, his face etched with concern. "Why ain't the rest of you worried like Ike?"

The others didn't instantly respond but exchanged looks, unsure of what they wanted to say.

Cody spoke up. "After what you said we thought he probably had some thinking to do and has just taken off for the day. He hasn't got a run until day after tomorrow so no reason for him to come back today."

"And just what exactly d'you think I said to make him take off like that?" Jimmy asked.

"Well, you said he didn't help you out when that Indian boy jumped you. He hasn't really told us why, like he's got something to hide."

Ike suddenly started gesticulating angrily from his bunk.

"Slow down Ike," Kid told him. "We can't follow what you're saying."

"Hold on," Jimmy interjected. "What exactly did I say and when, 'cos I don't have a problem with Buck so I don't see why the rest of you should."

"But you said he didn't help you out and that's why you got knifed, so why do you think that is, Jimmy?" Cody said animatedly.

"Hell, I don't know but what I do know is I'd trust Buck with my life. What I said was because I was hurt and angry, but not at Buck."

The others looked furtively about.

"Perhaps we were a bit hasty …" Kid started.

"Hasty! Sounds like you all jumped the gun to me," Jimmy said tersely.

Ike's arms moved rapidly once more.

"What's he sayin'?" Jimmy asked.

Kid's brow furrowed as he concentrated on Ike's arm movements. "He says we shouldn't have doubted Buck."

"You know something Ike?" Jimmy enquired.

Ike shrugged and signed, *It's not my place to tell you.*

"Meanin' it's Buck's?" asked Cody.

Ike just looked at Cody but said nothing.

"So where's Buck?" Jimmy still wasn't sure what was going on.

Ike shrugged his shoulders. *I went to the place he goes to pray but there was no sign of him.*

"You think we should go look for him?" Kid asked worriedly.

"Where would we start?"

The group fell quiet as none of them had any answers, knowing full well that if Buck didn't want to be found then he wouldn't.

"Guess all we can do for now is wait," Kid said finally.

The heat of the day had made Buck lethargic and eventually lulled him to sleep. It was short lived however, due to the uncomfortable position he was in, with his hands still tied behind his back and gag in mouth. His head still throbbed from the blow he had received and, in his dozing state it rolled forward causing him to lose balance. The falling motion jerked him back to full consciousness. Bracing his legs, he managed to stop himself from falling and maneuvre into a more upright position. He tried to alleviate some of the aches he was feeling by stretching his back and rolling his shoulders. There was a brief respite but the soreness soon returned.

The interior of the tent was shrouded in a dim light, provided by a single lantern, turned down low. Through a slit in the tent entrance, he could see that it was now dark outside. He had no idea exactly what time it was but he guessed it to be late evening. At least it was feeling a little cooler.

He contemplated his situation once more but found no new answers. If the other riders hadn't found him by now there was little chance that they would. Teaspoon had clearly been unaware of his predicament and there was little chance of his returning again. His thoughts turned to Red Bear. There were times he desperately wanted to see him again but not like this. The shame would be great, he knew – for both of them.

Frustration and anger welled inside of him and he tugged furiously at the bindings about his wrists and kicked out with his feet but they did not give way. He did manage to catch one of the crates with his foot, sending the lantern to the floor and smashing the glass with a loud crash.

The soldier, stationed outside to guard him came bursting in, rifle in hand. Seeing the broken lantern, he stamped out the small fire and regarded Buck with disdain. "You'd better keep it down, iffen you don't want another smack on the head and want to see morning, injun."

Buck's shoulders rose and fell with each deep breath, brought on by his fervent activity. His eyes were wide, dark and threatening, his native heritage clearly reflected in them.

The soldier stood his ground for a moment but there was discomfort in his demeanor and he quickly retreated back outside.

Closing his eyes, Buck lay back as best he could and calmed himself, coming to the conclusion all he could do now was wait.

Soft, malleable lips pouted outwards and wrapped themselves about the offered carrot. Ike scratched Samson's ears distractedly, his eyes flitting to the horizon from time to time. It was nearing evening and the sun was skimming the far off hills. His attention was drawn to the Kid who had emerged from the bunkhouse and also looked off into the distance, keeping his own private vigil. Ike watched as he stood with hunched shoulders, hands in pockets for a while before shuffling towards the barn.

As he approached, Ike caught his eye and gave a halfhearted smile of acknowledgment. Kid looked discomfited for moment but then came striding over to him.

A soft smile creased his lips as he tickled Samson's forelock.

"Nice evening," Kid commented, unconvincingly.

Ike nodded and offered Samson another carrot.

"Still no sign of Buck?"

Ike shook his head.

"Lou was due in a while back too." Kid tried to sound casual but worry permeated his words.

Ike gave him a small smile of understanding. *She'll show up.*

"So will Buck," Kid said, assuredly.

They stood in silence for a while, watching as the sun sank lower in the sky and the shadows stretched and crawled their way across the yard. The sharp clang of the metal triangle, as Rachel called everyone to supper, made them jolt. Both smiled sheepishly at one another before making their way across the yard towards the bunkhouse.

"Rider comin'." Cody's call rang out across the yard and two pairs of eyes looked in the direction of the approaching rider.

"It's Lou!" Kid exclaimed joyfully. Ike's shoulders sank a little but he pasted a smile on his face and slapped his friend happily on the back as Kid ran forward to greet her.

"Where have you been?" he demanded. "You should'a been back hours ago."

Lou frowned as she swung her leg over the front of the saddle and slipped to the ground. "Had some errands that needed seein' to so I stopped over in town. Ended up visitin' with Teaspoon for a while – not that it's any concern of yours," she added scornfully.

"I was just a little worried. What with Buck disappearin' an all. I mean I …" Kid's words trailed off when he realized he was doing what Lou hated most of all – fussing and worrying over her. At the sight of his forlorn face, Lou crumbled a little and looked at him coyly from beneath the brim of her hat before a perplexed look crossed her face. "Hasn't Buck showed up yet?"

Kid shook his head.

"That's strange. When I went to the store, to pick up a few things, Tompkins said he'd been told someone had seen him ridin' in with an army troop early this mornin'. Made some comment about Buck doin' the right thing at last, helping out the army. I reckoned he must've changed his mind about helpin' them but seems strange he hasn't let anyone know. Teaspoon was gonna go talk to the Lieutenant before comin' home to find out what's happenin'."

"Let's go tell Ike and the others," Kid said, taking the reins of Lou's horse in his right hand and gently holding her hand with his left. Lou gave him a happy smile and fell into step alongside him.

Supper was a strained affair, as all the riders waited anxiously for Teaspoon's return. Even Cody didn't eat with his usual gusto. Rachel was just about to cut into the pie, she had prepared for dessert, when the rhythmical drum of hoof beats was heard. All the riders were instantly on their feet and heading for the door, leaving Rachel standing at the table, knife in hand but only briefly. She too was eager to hear Teaspoon's news and quickly joined the others, on the porch as they watched him ride in.

Ike was the first to approach, stepping down the steps and going to the side of Teaspoon's horse. His arms moved frantically but the concern in his face was all that the older man needed to see to understand what he was asking.

"Hold on, son. Let me get off this here horse and tell you all that I've found out. Seems to me the others seem kinda anxious to find out too," he added, flicking a look at the assembled group.

Ike looked at them also and nodded in resignation knowing he'd have to be patient just a while longer. Teaspoon stepped down from his horse and looped the reins over the hitching post.

"Is that pie I smell, Rachel?" he said, his eyes twinkling in anticipation.

"Sure is," she smiled back. "I'll go cut you a piece."

The riders parted, letting Teaspoon through and into the bunkhouse, where he took his seat at the head of the table. Rachel dutifully placed a piece of apple pie in front of him before doling out portions to the others. Teaspoon lifted a forkful of pie to his mouth and realised six pairs of eyes were intently watching his every move, waiting for him to say something but respectful enough not to push it by interrupting his eating.

Teaspoon let the fork clatter back onto the plate and gave a look of exasperation.

"Guess you ain't gonna let me eat in peace until I tell you what that lieutenant said, are you?" He tried to sound stern but the creases around his eyes betrayed his good nature.

The riders exchanged looks and then returned their attention to the older man.

"So what did the lieutenant say?" Cody demanded, for them all.

"Not a whole lot," Teaspoon told them, before putting a forkful of pie in his mouth.

"What did you find out, Teaspoon?" Lou enquired.

"Well, seems your information was right. Buck did ride in with a troop this morning. He went to talk with Lieutenant Warner but was not prepared to go talk to the Kiowa, so left."

"Where'd he go?" asked Kid.

"The lieutenant didn't know that but at least we know Buck was fine this morning. He's probably just taken his-self off for a while and I wouldn't be surprised if he came ridin' in any minute now, especially if he knew how good this here pie was," Teaspoon answered and popped another piece of pie into his mouth and smiled his compliments to Rachel.

The riders responded by sitting back and relaxing their stance a little, reassured by what they'd been told – except for Ike. The mute rider frowned and shook his head. He hadn't been convinced by Teaspoon's words.

*Why hasn't he come back? He knows we'd be worried,* he signed.

"Well, there could be a lotta reasons, Ike. Seems to me he wasn't be made to feel too welcome around here after he brought Jimmy back. Perhaps he feels he's not wanted around for a while." Teaspoon took another bite of pie and cast a glance at the riders to assess how they were taking his words. Each wore a certain amount of shame, knowing they had been a little rough on Buck.

"We was just worried about Jimmy," Lou pleaded.

Jimmy raised his eyebrows and gave her a smile and an appreciative nod. "Still not sure why you was so hard on Buck but I don't think he'd take off like this just because of it. He knows we're his friends and that no one meant nothin' by it."

"You sure about that, Jimmy?" Teaspoon asked.

Jimmy hesitated before answering, "I guess not."

"What we gonna do, Teaspoon?" Kid asked.

The older man wiped his mouth and sat back in his chair. "Well, don't seem to be much we can do for now. We'll give him another day and if Buck ain't back by then we'd better go look for him. Besides, he's got a run that day so I'm sure he'll be back to do his job."

*That's another day. We should go look for him tomorrow,* Ike signed furiously.

"I know you're worried, son, but let's give it one more day. If Buck has taken himself off he won't appreciate us interferin'. He just needs a little time. Besides, he's probably wantin' to avoid the army for a while." Teaspoon's countenance was reassuring to all but Ike, who looked decidedly unconvinced.

"Now, Rachel, you got any more of that pie?" Teaspoon asked happily.