welcome to the story Miham - glad to have you along for the ride :)

The men set a fast pace, all three urging on their mounts despite the heat of the day and the many miles to cover.

Approaching Mesquite Canyon several hours later, David pointed to a smaller canyon off to the left. "That's the one, there. It's about half a mile to the camp and there's another exit, a narrow canyon, about half a mile further on again. It's their escape route."

Moving more cautiously, they made their way up the canyon but it soon became clear they had arrived too late. The clatter of hooves echoed off the canyon walls as the Mexicans made a hasty withdrawal. Rounding a final bend, they spied a fire smoking under the shade of a large Mesquite, an Indian suspended over it, still swinging slowly on the hangman's rope.

Relieved to see by the short hair it wasn't Wolf, Johnny noticed his feet were blistered from the fire, the Mexicans had been torturing him. His bare chest had cuts and bruising, he wondered what information they could have wanted. He moved closer for a better look and he caught a flash of blue eyes... Wolf?

"Tony!" he yelled as he whipped out his knife to cut the rope. The falling body lay heavy in his arms, almost dragging him off his horse, but Tony was there to help and he gently laid him out on the ground, loosening the tight noose. Shaking his head, Tony said, "Christ Johnny, he's dead."

But he had to repeat himself when Johnny knelt beside him and began to turn Wolf's head. Taking no notice of Tony, Johnny bent and placed his mouth over Wolf's, careful to hold the nose closed. Breathing deeply he watched intently before trying again.

Truly shocked, Tony had had enough. Pulling at his friend's arm, he yelled, "What the hell are you doing? He's dead, leave him be."

Giving another breath, Johnny panted, "I read it in the 'Western Sheriff's Gazette'. Sometimes if they haven't been dead long, you can bring them back." Trying again, and again, he was rewarded with a spasm from Wolf, and he sat back in satisfaction as he watched him take a breath on his own.

Opening his eyes wide in panic, not sure where he was, Wolf lashed out with his legs but there was no strength to the attack. Easily holding him down, Johnny said, "Wolf, it's me Johnny, and Tony's here too. You're going to be fine, the Mexican's have left."

Still thrashing weakly, Wolf tried to talk but his throat was too swollen and painful to get the words out. Guessing at the question, Johnny added, "Kimberly's fine. She's safe at Erin's, waiting for our return."

Rolling over onto his front, Wolf's shoulders were heaving and Johnny went to help him up again, to ease his breathing, when he realised he wasn't struggling for breath, but was weeping. Suddenly unsure of what to do, he hesitantly gave Wolf's shoulder a pat and murmured "Thank you," before starting to untwist the wire so cruelly biting into his wrists.

David had been busy toiling over a pot of something on the fire. Johnny hoped it wasn't supper as it really didn't smell appetising. Approaching with a cloth in his hands, David explained, "I made a poultice for his neck. It'll help with the pain and swelling. I've also got some lard for the burns."

Grateful, Johnny asked, "Are you a doctor?"

"No, my mother was a healer and she taught me some remedies."

"We're glad for your help David."

"Wolf saved my life, I owe him more than just some help. And Sir, what you did for Wolf... you have the gift of life." David was clearly impressed.

Moving away, Johnny found Wolf's shirt and moccasins thrown in a heap. The shirt was bloody and torn but the moccasins would be fine, the soft kid leather kind to his injured feet. Going to Moon, he was grateful once again for Tony's attention to detail. Johnny had been in such a fury leaving Erin's, it had fallen on Tony to arrange food and to think of bringing Wolf's horse.

Opening the blanket roll, a clean shirt was neatly stowed inside. He was nonplussed to see it was the shirt he had noticed Kimberly attempting to make without his knowledge, he had happily assumed it was for his birthday. Made of fine lawn cotton it was a handsome deep blue in colour and now he realised it was the same colour as Wolf's eyes. "Sonofabitch!" he fumed. Taking the blanket and shirt to David, he handed them over, Wolf nodding his thanks.

Talking with Tony, they agreed it was best to spend the night here. Wolf wasn't in any shape to travel and the horses had been pushed enough. The two men went down the line of horses, removing the saddles and brushing them with twists of sweet grass to remove the sweat. Brushing Moon, Johnny noticed a folded sheet of paper, it must have slipped from the bed roll earlier. Absently slipping it into his pocket, he went to fetch some grasses to feed the mounts. Finally, with nothing else to do and finding Wolf and Tony already sleeping in the shade, with David on guard, he found a spot near the creek, removed his boots and stretched out for a nap.

It was several hours later that he awoke, the sun much lower in the sky. He could see Wolf and David working on something further down the creek, with Tony watching them. He was still laughing when he wandered over to Johnny, "What's so funny?"

"Those two. They're building an Indian sweat lodge and tonight we're expected to get naked and join them."

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