Chapter 10

It had been two weeks since Face was released from the punishment that the stranger rode up. He stopped at the first wagon he came to and asked to see the Wagon master and was directed to Wooster's wagon, where he found Chris Hale.

"Mr. Hale, my name is Carl Davis, and I received a wire from Robert Stevenson concerning a runaway...my nephew ...Davy Davis. He said that the boy is here and I'm here to retrieve him. His father is my brother, and with his father killed during the Civil War and his mother died, I'm the only kin he has."

"Mr. Davis, Mr. Stevenson should have told you that the boy is living with his Uncle John, who has adopted him, making him his son. So you have made the journey for nothing." Replied Chris.

"His uncle?"

"Who isó the brother of the boy's mother," replied Chris.

"I see," he said as he mounted and rode away. Chris watched him as he left the horizon before turning to Barney and saying. "Barney asked Mr. Stevenson to come and see me."

"Once he had gone, Chris turned to Coop and said, "Go tell Hannibal about this and keep a close eye on his son."

"You think he's up to something, don't you?"

Chris nodded, "he gave up too quickly!"

Coop left as he saw Stevenson arrive.

"You wanted to see me?" Stevenson asked Chris.

"A Mr. Davis came by. He said that you sent him a wire about the Smith boy."

Stevenson nodded.

"What are you up to? You know that his Uncle, a blood relative, has adopted him."

"Mr. Davis came looking for him after the boy ran away, and I just sent him a wire stating that he is living with a blood relative now and he can stop looking," explained Stevenson innocently.

"That's not the expression he gave. He was intending on taking the boy with him."

"If he misread the message, then that is his fault. Was there anything else?"

Chris shook his head before issuing a warning, "If something happens to that boy and I find that you had anything to do with it, I will kick you off this train!"

Stevenson only glared at him before he left.

XXXXXX

"You say that this uncle of Face's came by and wanted to take him with him," repeated Hannibal, so he could understand what Coop had said.

Coop nodded.

"Chris also said to watch out for your boy; he thinks that Stevenson and this uncle of Face's are up to something that will ultimately hurt the boy.

"Thanks, Coop."

"Has anyone seen Face?" Hannibal addressed his extended family.

"I think he was going to help Barney with his chores. Why, what's up, Hannibal?"

"He may be in danger...I don't want him alone until we figure out what is going on."

"I'll find him and bring him back," volunteered BA.

XXXXXXX

Face was walking past the Stevenson wagon when all of a sudden he was grabbed. A hand was placed on his mouth and he was pulled behind the wagon. "You thought you could escape me, boy," Carl said as he shook him.

When Face saw who held him he froze, too terrified to even move much less fight to get away.

"We are going to take up where I left off and when I finish, you won't be able to tell what you saw that night. If your mother hadn't come back when she did, I could have finished my job. But first I'm going to have some fun with you," Carl promised as he pinched Face savagely on his bottom. It was that pinch that woke Face up and he bit down on the hand over his mouth.

"Owww, your little brat," and let him go out of reflex. Face lost little time in running away and fortunately, he ran right into BA.

BA grabbed the terrified boy before turning to meet his pursuer. Carl stopped at once realizing that he had lost this time and ran away.

Face was going into shock, trembling and crying with fright. "It's okay, little brother, I got you," and picked him up and ran back to their wagons. "Hannibal!" he shouted when he came to their wagons.

Hannibal came running, as did the rest of the family. "What happened?" as BA came closer carrying their youngest.

"He was attacked. He got away and ran straight into me. A man was following but stopped and left when he saw me, " explained BA as he handed the boy to his father.

"Do you know who the man was?"

BA shook his head, but Face answered, "Uncle Carl!"

"Bring him into our wagon, John so Mama B and I can treat him."

It was about an hour later that Maggie came out. "He's sleeping, I gave him a mild sedative to calm him down. Mama B is sitting with him."

"Did he say anything?"

"Nothing that makes much sense. He was babbling about something his uncle thinks he saw but claims that he didn't and that his uncle is going to have fun with him. I also found a bad bruise on his bottom...maybe a harsh pinch."

Hannibal exchanged a glance with his friends with the remark "have fun" with the boy and then found that bruise on his bottom. "Hannibal we have to take shifts watching Facey. We can't let that brute get his hands on him!"

"What do you think Face meant?"

"I think his uncle thinks his nephew saw something. Probably something illegal and wants to make sure that he doesn't talk!"

Face was in the throes of a nightmare. He was playing in the front room of their house. His mother was fixing something for supper when his Uncle Carl came staggering in. He was drunk, and Face had learned at an early age to stay out of his way when he was drunk, but he wasn't fast enough and was grabbed by the man. He was about to put his hand down his...And Face woke up screaming.

Hannibal was there within seconds. "It's okay, son. I have you; you are safe," repeating himself several times before Face was able to open his eyes and burrow his face into his father's chest, crying hysterically. Mama B appeared with a cup of chamomile tea to calm him down. Finally, Face was able to lie back down and sleep. Hannibal stayed with him until he was relieved an hour later by Murdock. Four hours later, BA relieved him. Fortunately, Face didn't have any more nightmares that night.

Hannibal reported the attack to Chris, who appraised his men. "The man called Carl Davis should not be allowed in our encampment. He attacked and almost got away with Face yesterday. He is a dangerous man. Coop, you and Barney know what he looks like besides me. I have concerns that he is working with Robert Stevenson to kidnap the boy. I do not understand why this man is after the boy or why Stevenson is helping him but do not allow any stranger to come within a quarter of a mile of our wagons without checking with me first."

After three weeks with no sign of Carl Davis, everyone figured that he had given up, and security relaxed somewhat around the wagon train, although Face went nowhere without a shadow. One of his brothers followed at a distance, ensuring their little brother was safe. Even though he never said anything, Face knew he was being watched, leaving him feeling secure.

Then one day, Face was left in the custody of his mother and grandmother.

Hannibal and his friends had joined several of the men from the train on a hunting trip. Fresh meat was needed, and a herd of buffalo was nearby. Hannibal had talked it over with Maggie and Mama B, and they assured him that the boy would be safe with them; after all, their wagons were located amid the train and afforded them some security...or so they thought.

Face was helping the ladies when he saw Mama B fall in front of him and Robert Stevenson standing behind her. "Mama B," cried Face as he rushed to her side.

His cries brought Maggie out of her wagon to see the older lady on the ground and her son gone. She rushed to see him being dragged away.

"Stop!" she cried as she rushed towards him, only to see Carl Davis aim his revolver at her.

"No! Don't hurt her. I'll go with you, just don't shoot," pleaded Face.

Carl motioned for her to turn around, and when she reluctantly did, he knocked her out. Face's last view was of his mother lying motionless on the ground.

"Mama," he cried as he was lifted to sit in front of Davis on his horse. He was crying as they rode away.