Chapter 16

'Come on, let's get moving-'

Ben was at the campfire, drinking his cup of coffee as Roy shouted orders to the other posse members to get ready to leave. The day hadn't broken yet, only a slight thin glow on the horizon bringing with it the promise of sunrise. They'd gone over the plan the night before they'd retired. Get up early and get moving before the kidnappers even thought of breaking camp. They hopped to rush in and surprise them before they moved on again. It meant hard riding, they'd gone as far as they could the day previous but they still had a few miles to cover before they caught up to them.

'Let's get moving, hurry up now!'

Roy's shouting stirred him from his thoughts and he got back to business. Standing up he extinguished the fire with the rest of the water in the kettle and made his way over to where his sons were tacking up their horses. He placed the kettle back in his saddlebag then proceeded to tack up his gelding.

'We're burning daylight, let's move it.'

He glanced around at the other searchers, the men hurrying to finish tacking their horses and mounting up. He finished with Buck at the same time Hoss and Joe had theirs ready, the three of them mounting up to fall into line with Roy. The rest of the men were scrambling to mount, the horses snorting with impatience. Finally, they were ready to go.

The sound of the horses hooves on the ground rumbled like thunder as they galloped on after the trail. The sun began to rise in the distance, spurring the men to go faster. The goal, catch the men before they broke camp.

Hoss in front as the tracker threw his hand up for everyone to halt, dismounting while his horse was still moving to look at the tracks.

'What have you got?' Roy asked, his horse tossing his head.

'Five riders splittin off from the main group with a mob of unridden horses.'

'There's a horse auction in Sacramento at the end of the week.' Ben exclaimed while Hoss remounted. 'Missie said her family had horses that were stolen, it wouldn't be those with how much time has passed but they might have stolen other horses elsewhere with the intent to sell them.'

'It's possible that's where this group was headed.' He mused for a moment then came up with a plan. 'Deputy, you and Timothy head on after that group. I want you four-' He pointed to a group of men off to the side. 'To go with them. The rest of us continue on after the main group. Let's go.'

Adam woke before sun up, breaking camp as quickly as he'd set it up the night before. Breakfast was eaten while tacking Sport up and then he was ready to be back on the trail again.

Cautiously he rode closer to the camp again, watching them from the safety of the trees. A man appeared to be shouting orders but he couldn't hear what they were from where he was. He couldn't see Missie either but that didn't mean she wasn't there. He was too far away to get an accurate look if she was there or not.

The sun rose slowly as he watched, only three men saddling up and breaking camp with the rest staying behind. He wondered what they were doing as they raced off and disappeared quickly amongst the trees. Something appeared to be the matter from the way they were riding out of camp, he just wondered what.

He glanced nervously at the sky, waiting for the others to catch up. He'd marked a trail for them to follow to find him, just hoping that the posse hurried up and arrived. It was only the knowledge that rushing down there by himself would put Missie in more danger that kept him where he was. Just hold on Missie, we are coming for you.

Finally the faint sound of many hoofbeats in the distance met his ears and he raced Sport away to meet them. The group halted as they saw him, Ben and Roy continuing on to meet him. 'Their camp is a mile West from here, they're still there so far.'

'Did you see Missie?' Ben questioned earnestly.

He shook his head. 'I didn't want to risk getting closer and have them see me. I saw three riders leave this morning, the rest didn't appear to be going anywhere in a hurry.'

'We best take it slow and easy then.' Roy replied, looking behind Adam at the landscape. 'We don't want them knowing we're onto them. What's the camp like?'

'In a hollow near a creek, like the last one. We've got the higher ground on them, there's plenty of cover.'

'I'd like to avoid a gun fight if possible, especially for Missie's sake.'

'Understood.'

'Lead on, I'll check it out then decide what we should do.'

Adam waited with his father, watching the camp below while the others got into position. They'd decided for him and Ben to go down into the camp and distract them so the rest of the group could go in and surround them. The wait was making him nervous, he just wanted to get down and rescue Missie.

'Right, that's us.' Ben announced, seeing the signal from Roy stationed over in the trees. 'Let's go Adam.'

The two of them started forward, the camp instantly becoming active at the sight of them. Ben glanced at his son, seeing the set look on his face. Adam was controlling his anger, barely. It was no surprise to him his son was worried and furious at what had happened, he'd seen how much he'd taken to the girl.

A man stepped forward to meet them, rifle in hand and they came to a stop. 'What's your business here?'

'We'd like to have a word with whoever runs this camp.' Ben replied, his tone smooth but forceful. 'Where is he?'

'Mike, these two big notes want to have a word with you.'

Adam's jaw tightened upon finishing his survey of the camp. Missie was nowhere to be seen. Maybe he'd been wrong, maybe the other group had her and he'd been following the wrong people.

'And just who exactly are you two?' Mike asked as he looked them over, insulted by the lack of respect they showed to him. Didn't they know who he was?

'Ben and Adam Cartwright.' He didn't break his gaze with the man. 'We're here for Missie Denning.'

'Who? I ain't got no idea who you're talking about Mister.'

'Look here-' Adam interrupted angrily. 'I've had enough of games already. You have two choices. Hand over the girl or end up six feet under.'

'Oh tough words coming from just two of you-'

'Drop your guns Donnington!' Roy barked as he and his men walked in on the camp with their guns drawn. 'Your all under arrest. Drop your weapons nice and easy, anyone thinking to do anything funny is going to find himself with a hole in his head.'

Mike looked around, realising he was surrounded and slowly took his gun from its holster and tossed it on the ground. 'Nice trick Cartwright. Too bad you're too late.'

Adam dismounted, closing the distance between him and the man in one step, picking him by the front of his shirt. 'My patience is gone Donnington, where is the girl?'

'She ain't here-'

A punch to the stomach sent the man reeling to the ground and he gave him a couple more for good measure. 'I'll ask again. Where is the girl?'

'I don't know.' He finally cracked under the gaze from the man, his split lip and throbbing ribs helping convince him to talk. 'She got away last night.'

'You don't expect me to believe that do you?'

'It's the truth-'

He raised his fist to pound it into the man's face again but a hand stopped him. His father's. 'He's not worth it Adam. Let's just focus on finding Missie.'

Adam glared at the man, tossing him back on the ground and followed after his father while Joe and Hoss took charge of tying him up. The other members of the search party were in the process of securing the weapons of the men and tying them up, a couple of the men deciding to try and fight but quickly convinced to give up with a little persuasion from Hoss. There were bed rolls and tack strewn out about the camp, a fire in the middle with a simmering pot of coffee still on. He looked around again to be certain. There was no sign of the girl. 'She's not here.'

'We'll find her.' His father affirmed. 'I'll go speak to Roy, you start looking for any signs she might have been here.'

He nodded as his father walked off and he walked over to the edge of the clearing. At the last camp they'd kept her away from the fire, he guessed they'd probably done the same here. It was freezing at night, keeping her out in the cold was another torture that further angered him.

'Psssst!'

He jumped at the sound, looking around but saw no one amongst the bushes. His hand reached for his pistol, cautiously stepping further into the brush.

'Over here.'

He knew it wasn't Missie's voice as he stepped closer. 'Who's there? Show yourself.'

A young boy emerged from the bushes, glancing nervously at the camp then mentioned for him to follow him. 'Your Adam, aren't you?'

'Yes, how'd you know-'

'Missie said you were her favorite and that you always wore black.'

'Missie?' His heart skipped a beat. At least she was alive if she'd spoken to this kid- 'Where is she?'

'She escaped last night.' He replied softly. 'I ran after her and gave her food and water to take. They didn't know she was gone until much later.'

So the man had been speaking the truth when he said that the girl had escaped. 'Where did she go?'

'I don't know, she was headed North when I caught up to her. My Pa and two other men went after her this morning.'

Adam looked at the boy closely. 'Why are you telling me this?'

'Because I like her and I didn't like how they were treating her.' Blake replied, holding the man's gaze. 'Big Mike whipped her yesterday and beat her badly too. They didn't give her food or water either, they left her tied up. I gave her water when I could, she didn't look too good.'

No, he imagined she wouldn't not if her scars were anything to go off. 'Thank you for telling me this-'

'Blake.' He added. 'Mister Adam, Missie promised you wouldn't hurt me.' He glanced back at the camp where the other men were tied up with other men standing guard over them with guns. 'What are you going to do with me?'

'For the moment nothing, I've got to go after Missie before something happens to her. Don't you worry though, I'll let them know not to harm you. Those adults did some bad things, they're going to be in trouble with the law.'

'And me? Am I in trouble?'

'No, you helped Missie. I'll let the sheriff know you aren't in trouble.' He glanced back then placed his hand on the boy's shoulder. 'Can you show me where they had Missie tied up?'

He nodded. 'You going to find her?'

'I hope to.'

'I hope you find her before my Pa and the other men do, they sounded really mad.' Blake exclaimed as he led the way across the clearing to where the girl had been. 'I didn't tell them I gave her water or knew she'd gotten away. Was that bad?'

'No, you kept her safe by not telling them she was gone. You did the right thing.'

'Good. Ma always said it was best to do the right thing.' They stopped and he pointed at the ground where the ropes still lay. 'She was here.'

Adam knelt down, picking up a rope with a leather peice in the middle. Dried blood was crusted onto the rope they'd used to gag her and he felt that anger her fought to maintain control of boiling up inside.

'Find anything Adam?'

He stood as Roy and his father walked over. 'She got away alright, somehow. Blake here followed her after she got away and gave her some food and water.'

'Is that right Son?' Ben asked and the boy nodded. 'Where was she going?'

'North.'

'Ben, I'm afraid we need to get back to Virginia City.' Roy started as he turned to him. 'We've only got supplies to last us getting back and we need to get these men to jail.'

'I understand Roy, you and the rest of the men have done more than enough. My son's and I will go on after Missie.' He looked down at the boy. 'Why are you here son?'

'My father works for Mike.' He replied, looking down at the ground. 'Are you going to put me in jail?'

'No son but you can't stay here.' The sheriff replied kindly. 'I'll take you back to town with me and put you up in the boarding house until we can decide what we should do.'

'Thanks mister.' He looked up at Adam. 'I hope you find Missie Mister Cartwright.'

'I hope we do too.'

The scorching heat was what woke Missie from her slumber, opening tired eyes to look upon the dry landscape. Flies were buzzing around her, attracted to the smell of the dried blood on her back. She was thirsty, so thirsty. Remembering the canteen she propped herself up on her elbow, taking a sip of the water. The canteen was full, for now at least but with the intense heat she knew she needed to find water someplace and soon before what she had ran out.

She could feel the wounds on her back opening again as she tried to sit up and move closer to the rock to be in the shade. She bit her lip. The pain was enough to make a saint swear but she wouldn't scream. She couldn't risk anyone hearing her. With the adrenaline worn off she was painfully aware of every wound and every hurting part of her body. It seemed like her whole body was in agony, which it was.

Resting her head down on the ground again she touched her cheek gently. They were swollen and painful, it didn't leave much to the imagination of how she looked. Dreadful was the word she was looking for. She felt it and knew she most certainly looked like it.

Taking a few minutes to rest and gain strength she then reached for the bag the boy had given her. Untying the leather string from around the material she opened the cloth. Biscuits and jerky were inside, not a large amount but enough for one decent meal. It wasn't much but it was something. Her stomach complained loudly upon swallowing some of the dry biscuit, she hadn't eaten a decent meal since the night she'd been taken. Slowly she ate then washed it down with another sip of water then turned her attention to her feet.

It took everything she had to not scream as she sat up and looked at her feet. They were swollen and painful to touch, her soles torn and bleeding from the rough ground she'd run across. Her legs were scratched and cut too and she wondered what had happened. She didn't remember how she came to have them.

Lying back down she knew she needed to make plans. Her leg still wasn't fully healed from the trap, running on it when she wasn't even supposed to be walking was certainly not going to help. Vaguely she wondered if she'd even be able to walk but pushed that out of her thoughts. She needed to be able to find water, that was the main problem. If she could find water she would be fine.

Another sip from her canteen helped soothe her dried throat and mouth. It really was too hot to be out or was it just her? She felt so warm, too warm. The shade of the rock she was under felt good but it was like her body was on fire. I'll deal with this later. She thought, her eyes starting to close on her in exhaustion. I'll just have a little nap.

It was late in the afternoon when Ben and his sons caught up with the men who were after Missie. They pulled their horses to a stop after they'd spotted them down below, figuring out what to do. Missie didn't appear to be with them, the men looking like they were trying to find the girls trail. 'We'll circle 'round in front of them.' He pointed. 'Take them by surprise.'

Adam nodded soberly. 'Let's go.'

The four of them rode on along the ridge then changed course and went down into the valley. The men looked up at their approach, going for their guns but Adam had already drawn on them when they pulled up. 'I wouldn't bother if I were you.'

'What do you want Mister?'

'It's quite plain. You see, I have an obligation to look after Missie Denning, the girl your boss had kidnapped from my father's ranch. Where is she?'

'Why'd I tell you?'

Ben cocked his rifle, holding it on the man. 'I'd answer the question if I were you mister. My son has been awful worried about her, it'd be best for you three to cooperate. Joe, take their weapons.'

'Gladly Pa.' He dismounted, holding his own pistol on them while he took their weapons from them.

The men knew their game was up, holding their hands above their heads. The girl wasn't worth themselves being killed over. 'We found a bit of her trail back there, some blood and a footprint. Go easy on us, will you? We were only following orders.'

'We'll leave that to a court to decide.' Ben took some rope off the front of his saddle and tossed it to Joe. 'Tie them up, we're taking them in.'

'And Missie?' Hoss questioned. 'What about her?'

'Adam and I'll keep looking while you and Joe take these three to join their buddies in the Virginia City jail.'

'We're losing light Pa, it's going to be dark soon.'

'I'd set up camp and stay here the night then take them back in the morning.'

'Pa, we need to find Missie.'

'I know Adam-' He replied, looking at Hoss and Joe. 'Take care.'

'Looks like she's still headed North.' Adam exclaimed as he stood from looking at a footprint they'd found. It was almost night, the sun sinking over the horizon as they continued their search. He mounted again, pointing forwards in the direction she'd headed. 'She must have been running all night, these tracks are hours old.'

Ben started his horse forward after Adam's again, glancing at the sky. 'It's going to be night soon-'

'I know Pa, I know.' He looked around for any more signs of her but there were none. 'She's not making it any easier.'

'She's frightened Adam, she's not going to risk leaving a trail for her father to follow her by.' He frowned, recognising the country ahead as they came atop a rise. 'There's nothing but rocks and dirt out there. There's no water.'

'You think she'd have gone into the canyons?'

'I don't know, they're further on but it's hard to say how far she's run.' He stopped his horse, placing his hand on Adam's shoulder. 'We're going to have to stop for the night.'

'Can't we go on further? We've got the lanterns-'

'We both want to find her but Adam, if we run the horses to death we won't find her. They're exhausted, we're exhausted. We'll start looking again at first light.'