Ch 4

Buck and Ike rode into the station a day later. They put their horses away as Teaspoon was riding in.

"Glad to see you make it back Ike. We need to talk."

Ike nodded as he walked inside the bunkhouse. All the others seated themselves around the table.

"Ike, first off, where have ya been last few days?"

"He was out in the hills." Answered Buck.

Ike pushed his shoulder getting his attention.

'I can talk for myself!'

"Ok. Go ahead Ike."

'I needed to be alone. I needed time to think about things.'

"Buck tell you about the stage robbery witness?"

Ike nodded.

"Were you there the whole time? You go anywhere else?"

'You think I did it! You don't believe me!'

"Calm down Ike. I just need to know son. Ain't no one accusing you of anything. This is important."

'No. I was there the whole time.'

"Anyone see you?"

'No.'

"Ike. You can't leave this station til I sort this out. No one else knows what the man said but us right here and I'm gonna keep it that way for now. Anything we should know?"

Ike shook his head and looked at the table.

"Well you won't be alone. Buck, you first, then Kid, Lou, Jimmy, and Cody when he gets back. We'll figure this out. Just stay here Ike, I mean it."

Ike nodded as Teaspoon stood and walked out. Ike looked at everyone still sitting at the table. He got up and walked into the barn. Buck followed him. Ike stood in the dark back corner in the dark.

"Are you ok Ike?"

'Got a lot on my mind.'

"I know. Like Teaspoon said, we'll figure this out. Try not to worry."

Ike nodded and turned back against the wall.

Cody was making the ride back from Kearney when he saw smoke a little ways up the trail. He slowed his horse but rode on. He came up on a stagecoach. He saw several men packing things on their horses. Cody pulled his horse to a stop. He saw two men take aim and fire killing all the passengers. Cody counted around eight or nine men. He was too late to help anyone. A man caught his eye causing him to stare for a minute. One of the other men saw him in the distance and yelled to another. Cody turned his horse hell bent for the closest town. Three men charged behind him. Shots rang out and Cody felt a pain in his arm. He kept running. He knew this country better than they did. He cut through a small canyon and up into a rocky area with trees. He jumped from his horse and watched as they raced by laying flat in the underbrush. Cody and his horse laid there for a few hours. He stood and urged his horse up. He swung into the saddle and headed for the closest town.

Teaspoon and Jimmy stood on the porch watching for Cody who was late.

"If he ain't back by morning, we'll ride out and check." Said Teaspoon as the sun was beginning to set for the day.

Jimmy nodded still watching as Teaspoon turned to go back inside.

"Teaspoon! Here he comes now."

Teaspoon walked and met him over by the barn. Cody slid down. Teaspoon saw his arm in a sling.

"What happened out there?" Asked Teaspoon.

"I came across a stage robbery on the way here. They killed everyone. I saw them packing up. It must have eight or nine men. They saw me and I ran. I had to hide until they gave up. I went into the next town and let the sheriff know. Had the doc there patch this up so I could get home."

"This has been happening more and more around here. Did you see any of em?"

"One stuck out Teaspoon."

"And?"

"Where's Ike?"

"In the bunkhouse."

"What is it Cody?"

"If he was here then how was he there?"

"What do you mean?"

"He was there Teaspoon. I saw him, plain as day."

"He couldn't have been. He has been here with us."

"It was Ike. I'm telling ya."

Jimmy looked at Teaspoon frowning.

"Did they get a good look at ya?" Asked Teaspoon.

"I'm not sure. Possibly."

"Stay close. Ain't no one ever seen them before. Trouble could be headed your way. Go rest up and take care of that arm."

Cody turned and walked over to the bunkhouse. Jimmy took his horse into the barn. Teaspoon looked around the station yard.

Cody sat at the table and ate his food while telling the others about what he had seen.

"I'm telling ya. I saw Ike there."

Ike looked around at all the others. He looked at the table.

"Couldn't have been Cody. Ike has been here with me all day." Said Buck.

"Like I said. I wasn't seeing things. He looked right at me and if it wasn't Ike then he must have a twin out there."

"You seriously don't think it was him? Do ya Cody?" Asked Lou.

"He was here. We all seen him." Said Jimmy.

"Well he has a damn good look a like then."

Said Cody.

Ike jumped up and ran outside. Buck looked at everyone and went after him.

"Ike!"

Ike ran up into the hayloft. Buck climbed up behind him.

"Ike. They are just trying to figure all this out. No one thinks it is you. We know better."

'Just leave me alone for a few.'

"I'm telling ya. No one thinks it is you. We're not blaming you for this."

'I know. Just leave.'

"Is there something that you are not telling me?"

'No. Leave.'

Buck sighed and climbed back down leaving Ike to his thoughts.