Chapter 13

'Wakey wakey.'

Missie was abruptly woken with a boot to her ribs, spluttering to breath through the gag from the sharp pain coursing up her side. She was wide awake now, wishing to find it were some nightmare but it wasn't. This was reality. The pain subsided a little as the men gathered around her father, laughing at her expense. Oh where was Adam? Why hadn't he come to help her? What about Hoss or Little Joe-

'Hello Missie-' He grinned, picking her up by the front of her nightgown. 'Did you miss me?'

Movement caused more pain and wishing for help to arrive was quickly extinguished by the realization she had to get out of this situation alone. She couldn't rely on them to rescue her. She looked up at her father standing over her. If I didn't have this gag in my mouth I'd bite your filthy hand off. She thought, glaring at him with flaming eyes. I hate you.

'Oh, seems like the cat has your tongue girl.' He laughed, roughly taking the gag out off her mouth. The girl glared at him as she swallowed hard then spat in his face. He wiped the spit off then punched her in the face hard. 'There'll be none of that from you.'

Her cheek was smarting from the blow but she couldn't keep the hate out of her tone any longer. 'What do you want?'

'My dear Missie, can't a father spend time with his daughter?' He chuckled. 'Its been too long my dear, you've been spoilt with those blasted Cartwrights for so long you've forgotten all about your dear old father.'

'I wish.'

'Now now dear, we can't have my men thinking you don't respect your own flesh and blood.'

'I don't and they can think what they Damn well please. They mustn't have the brains to think either if they're with you. The Cartwrights will be out looking for me by now, unless you have a death wish you might just want to get whatever idea it is you've got out of your head.'

'Sounds like you put a lotta stock by these folk. Let me just say this. They find you, it won't be alive.'

'And if that happens you'd best be prepared to meet the devil because they'll be giving you a one way ticket to hell.' She held her glare at him fiercely. 'Adam has one hell of a temper, all of them do matterafact.'

'That so?' He teased. ''I don't see them around here right now? Do you? It's such a shame we meet under these strained circumstances, you sound like you don't like coming to visit me.'

'Bout as much as I'd like to have scarlet fever you filthy pig.' She growled, wishing her hands were free so she could give him a good punch right in the middle of the nose. She'd just be returning the favor, her own cheek still stinging. 'I hate you.'

'Oh that's harsh words, harsh harsh words. You wound me Missie. Didn't your Ma ever teach you that you shouldn't hate a person?'

She rolled her eyes, pretending to be bored already of the whole thing. 'Whatever.'

'Aren't you going to answer my question?'

The girl yawned loudly and defiantly right in his face, her eyes locked onto his.

'So this is the game we're going to play is it? I was planning on saving this for later-' One of his men handed him a whip. 'But since you decided to insult me infront of my men and forget your rightful place I think it's time I remind you. Oh I've waited so long for this-'

She bit her lip as he rolled her onto her stomach, not even bothering to take her nightgown off before the lash was was brought down in her back. Her eyes stung with tears but she didn't have much time to think on it before the next one came down on her skin. Don't scream. Don't scream. She bit her lip, clenching her fists together as tightly as she could. Another blow landed, tears running down her cheeks but she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of hearing her scream. Just hold on, hold on. Someone will come for you soon. Her eyes were closed shut but she couldn't get the sound of the whip going through the air before it hit her back out of her mind. Stroke after stroke was brought down on her back, the girl feeling blood starting to run down her skin. Just hold on, hold on.

Finally he stopped, the girl not making so much as a whimper the entire time. Her back felt numb now, she was numb to the pain, her mind going into a far away place where pain didn't exist. It was like she was floating, floating on some kind of cloud-

Someone picked her up, trying to force the gag back into her mouth but she wouldn't let them. Dazed, she tried to get away but couldn't, someone holding her nose so she had to take a breath through her mouth then the gag was shoved back in. She didn't open her eyes, too spent and exhausted from trying not to scream and the pain. She could hear faintly her father yelling orders but it sounded echoey and so far away- The next thing she knew she was tossed back onto the back of a horse, unconsciousness taking her fully in her grasp as the men broke camp…

The sun was rising in the sky when Adam walked down the stairs, surprised to see his father sitting in his chair beside the fireplace. 'When did you get back Pa?'

'Spent the night in Virgina City then got an early start to be in time for breakfast.' He replied, placing aside the contract he'd been reading over. 'How's things been here while I've been away?'

'Just the usual though I am glad your back, we might have a problem on our hands.'

'Oh?'

'The foreman hired on a man the other day without consulting me first, I didn't even know he was here until I went out to see how a fence repair was going and there he was. Missie was with me too, she recognized him as being with her father when her family was murdered.'

Ben raised his eyebrows in surprise. 'Is she sure?'

'She's sure Pa. She was still shaking from seeing him when we got back here, she knows it's him.'

'Well that puts a spin on things.'

'How'd you mean Pa?'

'I mean it means we'd better get some information on him-'

'Already spoke to the sheriff, there's nothing under the name he gave. However, I'm already one step ahead. I found where they're camped.'

He paled. 'They're already here?'

'I went into town last night to speak to Roy, afterwards I went to the saloon and he came in and spoke with another man. That man left and I followed him right to their camp near Settler's Creek.'

'Settler's Creek? That's Ponderosa land.'

He nodded. 'There was a fair ammount of them there too, probably about twelve or so from what I could see.'

'Are you sure it's his camp?'

'I'm almost positive Pa. Either way, they're on our land.'

'Something will have to be done about that.' He muesed quietly, thinking. 'There's a bounty out for Donnington, he's free game for anyone to capture but with that many men with him we'd need a small army.'

'I was going to go in and tell Roy, see if we could get a possee together and surprise them. Maybe if we get to them before they do something stupid we can stop something worse from happening.'.

'I'll ride in and speak with him right after breakfast.' Ben decided after a moment. 'I was able to find credit for Missie's story, land sale records and a few other odds and ends. I don't think we need to worry about the law with her, once I speak with Roy we should be able to get the charges and bounty dropped. Our focus now should be on catching the men who did do it.'

'Agreed. I for one will feel a lot happier when her father isnt running around anymore.'

'How has she been lately?'

'Alright, I think. The doc came by the other day and said she's almost ready to start walking again.'

'Oh that's good to hear. It'll be good for her to be up and about again.'

Adam nodded. 'I think we need to think of getting her some more clothes however, she's only got the dress I've gotten her and that nightgown.'

'Once we've taken care of more urgent business, yes, I'll organise to get her some more things.'

'Good, I think she'll like that.'

'Has she mentioned anything about her decision yet?'

'Not yet, I haven't asked either. She'll let us know when she's ready. Why?'

'Roy will probably want an answer so he can do the legal side of things when I see him, that's all.' Footsteps coming down the stairs caught his attention and Hoss and Joe came into the living room. 'Morning boys.'

'Pa, I didn't expect to see you home this early.' Hoss exclaimed with surprise. 'How'd it go?'

'Well enough. I'll have to go to town later and tell Roy what I found but Missie's story checks out better then that Sherriff's from Tenersvile.'

'Oh that's good.'

'Joe-' Adam turned to him. 'Why don't you go see if Missie's awake. I'll be up shortly to bring her down.'

'Sure Adam.'

'Thanks.' His little brother headed back upstairs and he looked back at his father. 'When you get back we'll go over how things went while you were-'

'Hey Pa! Adam! You best get up here!'

Ben, Adam and Hoss exchanged a look at Little Joe's shouting then the three of them hurried up the stairs. Adam was there first hurrying into the room and found Joe standing at the open window. 'Where's Missie?'

'That's what I'd like to know.' He replied, looking out the open window for a moment then pointed to the architrave as they came up behind him. 'And look.'

Adam wet a finger and ran it over the dried red on the nail and wood. He already knew what it was but the crtitc side of him made him check to be certain. 'That's blood alright. Quite a few hours old too I'll add.'

'You don't think Missie might have run away?' Hoss questioned in the awkward silence as it dawned on them what had taken place.

'She's in no shape to be out of bed let alone running anywhere.' Adam replied angrily, hitting his palm against the window. 'Damn it! Someone came in here while we were asleep. Took her right under our noses.'

'Adam, we'll find her.' Ben quickly and calmly took charge of the situation. 'Joe, ride into town, get the Sheriff and organise a search party. Get them to meet us on the trail a mile from Settler's creek.'

'Right Pa.'

'Hoss-' Joe was already out the door as he turned to his second son. 'You go see Josh, find out when the last time he saw that hand he hired on, the one Missie recognized.'

'On it Pa.'

He looked back at Adam as Hoss left, his son standing with his hands on the window sill looking out at the yard below. 'You and I will start looking for tracks, see if we can find a trail.'

Adam nodded. 'Right.' He looked around, forcing himself to stop thinking of the scenarious in his mind and focus on the task at hand. There was a dark spot on one of the shingles down from the window and he climbed through. 'More blood.'

'I think she did that on purpose, there's no blood on the floor inside the room or on the bed.'

'No, your right. At least she wasn't hurt when whoever it was took her, that we know of.' He spotted another spot. 'I'll follow this and meet you in the yard.'

'Right.'

Adam followed the trail to the edge of the roof, it wasn't hard since the drops were frequent. He wondered how bad she had cut herself on that exposed nail, she'd left a decent trail behind. Half of him was proud she'd thought of something like that, the other half was worried about how bad she might be hurt. She was only just over her injuries she'd had when she'd gotten here. She was in no condition to be trying to get away from whoever kidnapped her and he had a feeling he knew who had done it.

There were no footprints on the ground when he climbed down but there were still drops of blood. Following the trail he heard his father coming up behind. The trail stopped at a set of hoofprints out behind the barn. 'Looks like he tied his horse here for his getaway.'

'If that's right then I think we know where he's headed.'

'Settler's Creek.'

Ben nodded. 'We'd better hurry, there's no telling what he might do to her.'

'Pa, Pa.' Hoss interrupted, jogging over to them with the foreman in tow. 'Tell him Josh.'

Josh looked up at Ben, not wanting to be in Rubens shoes when they caught up with him. 'He took his things and his pay yesterday after fixing the fence and left. Said he wasn't cut out for ranching and he had businesses to attend to.'

'Looks like he's our man then.'

'I'm sorry Ben, if I'd have known what was going on-'

'It's not your fault. What's done is done, we just need to find Missie before it's too late.'

Ben looked over at his son as they rode towards Settler's Creek, Adam with his face hard and set with determination. They hadn't exchanged a word since starting out, riding the horses as hard as they dared towards where the men had been camped. He could see the look in his eyes, anger. Raw and pure anger. It wasn't often he was like that, he'd only seen that happen a couple times but it wasn't like him at all to be hotheaded. That was Joe, Adam was always the calm, calculating type.

The horses were getting tired, the trees ahead looking like a good place to stop for a quick rest. 'We'll rest at that grove ahead.'

'Pa, the more time we waste the further ahead they'll be. I doubt they'll still be in that camp, they know we'll be coming for them.'

'We'll do no good to anyone if we run our horses into the ground.'

'Pa's right Adam.' Hoss agreed as they slowed down. 'We'll be no good on foot if the horses give out on us.'

He knew that, he just didn't want to waste time. Time was precious, every minute that passed was another that might be the end of the girl. Her father had no problems murdering the rest of her family, his family. It didnt look good for her but he refused to think of that. All that mattered was they found her as quickly as they could.

'Alright, let's go.' Ben exclaimed after they'd had a drink and quick rest. They started on again, the horses eating up the miles in their strides.

The location they'd agreed to meet the search party at was empty as they rode up, Adam glancing around to see if he could see them. He couldn't. 'Pa, I'm going on ahead to see if they're still there. I'll be back shortly.'

'Be careful Adam.' He knew it was useless to protest when his son was as worked up as he was. 'If they're there come straight back, don't do anything foolish.'

'Understood.' He spurred Sport back into a canter, turning him towards where he'd found the camp last night. It wasn't long before he arrived, slowing his horse down and dismounting to continue on foot.

The valley was bare, no life stirred down on the plain beside the creek. He wasn't surprised, he'd guessed they'd have moved on but at the same time had hoped they'd be there. He'd had this fantasy in his mind where they'd find them here, they'd go in and rescue Missie and it'd be all over before dinner. No. It wasn't going to be that easy.

He went back to his horse and mounted, riding down into the valley and started to look around. Camp was deserted alright, dismounting and leading his horse to the campfire. He knelt, checking the coals. They were barely warm, the fire had been left a few hours previous. Looking around it was clear to see the amount of tracks in the dirt there'd been quite a few men and horses ride out.

The sound of a stick breaking caught his attention, his hand going to his holster as he turned around. His father appeared out of the trees, riding his buckskin down towards him. He relaxed, returning to looking for clues. 'They left early, they've only got a few hours start on us.'

Ben glanced around as he pulled his horse to a stop. There appeared to be no sign of the girl as far as he could tell. 'Any sign of Missie?'

'Not yet.' He was kneeling beside another set of tracks then stood up. 'This horse has a broken shoe, that one should be easy enough to follow.'

A piece of material near a tree caught his eye and he pointed towards it. 'What's that Adam?'

He saw where he was pointing out, making his way over to it with his father following on horseback. It was a strip of white cloth with blue flowers on it that had been torn, speckled with blood. He picked it up then handed it to his father. 'It's from Missie's nightgown.'

Ben's expression sobered as he handed it back, his son kneeling on the ground again. 'She was here at least then.'

'Pa, there's blood on the grass here.'

He dismounted, holding onto the reins as he knelt by his son. There was an impression on the grass where it'd been laid flat from someone lying on it, flecks of blood sprinkled here and there. He looked at it for a few moments then looked around the surrounding area. 'She was here alright, they must have placed her here for the night then picked her up again since there's no tracks her size.'

'You think they might have killed her?'

'If they did that they'd have left the body here, they've got no reason to take a dead person with them. Missie's alive-' He remounted his horse. 'At least for now and we need to find her. We should go back and wait for the rest of the search party, I left Hoss behind in case they arrived.'

'You go back, I'm going on ahead.' Adam declared, mounting Sport. The gelding shook his head, stamping his hooves in impatience. 'I don't want them getting any further ahead then they already are.'

'Just be careful son-'

'I will be Pa.' He slapped the horse with the reins, Sport jumping into a canter and he started to follow the tracks. The scrap of cloth from Missie's nightgown was in his pocket, a feeling of dread in his heart. There was no doubt now that the men camped there had the girl but there was no telling what they were planning to do with her. His blood ran cold remembering what the girl had said her fathers plan had been for her before. He knew there wasn't anything stopping them from carrying out what they wished with her, there was no way of knowing what they'd already done to her except for the blood back at the camp site. She was hurt, that much he knew but how badly was the question. Just hold on sweetheart, we are coming for you.

Hoss looked around at the sound of hoofbeats, his father returning alone from amongst the trees. 'Where's Adam Pa?'

'He's gone on ahead, the men pulled up camp early this morning. He wants to keep on their trail.'

'Any sign of Missie?'

'Some material from her clothing and some blood, no tracks.' He took a drink from his canteen then hung it back from the saddle horn. 'Nothing more.'

'At least you didn't find a body Pa.' His father nodded in grim agreement. 'That means she's alive so far.'

'Or they've taken her somewhere to dispose of her.' Ben sighed. 'If I had gotten home earlier maybe the whole thing wouldn't have happened.'

Hoss patted his father on the shoulder. 'Pa, it ain't your fault. It ain't anyone's. We had no idea they were goin to do this. We need to be thinkin of findin Missie.'

'You're right son.'

They waited on in silence, watching towards the South where they expected the search party to be coming from. Then, in the distance, the shape of riders could be seen. 'Look Pa, they're here.'

The riders came to a stop near them, Roy and Joe continuing on to meet them. 'What's the news Ben?'

'Adam's gone on ahead, they broke camp early this morning.' Ben replied, the other riders taking the opportunity to get a drink. 'We found some cloth from Missie's nightgown, they've got her alright.'

'We're going to have to ride hard to catch up with them.' Roy mused. 'I told the men to pack provisions for a couple days, we've got three days out here to search at the most. '

'Pa, why don't we keep on their tail and wait till they make camp? If we keep riding after they'd have stopped for the night we'll have a chance at catching up to them.'

'That's a good idea Joe, what do you think Roy?'

'It might work.' He nodded then turned towards the other men. 'Alright, let's move out!'