Ch 16
Buck threw the rest of their things together on the horses. He ran over to Jimmy. He helped him up and over to his horse. He watched Jimmy with worry on his face.
"You should go, Buck. I ain't gonna be able to out run them. This is my punishment for what I have done in the past. Just ride home to your wife. I'll be fine."
"I know a place to hide. It's not far. Come on."
"Buck just go!"
"I ain't leaving you. It would kill Louise and I ain't doing that!"
Buck grabbed Jimmy's rein to make sure that he didn't turn away. He rode as fast as he could toward the canyons. The canyon floor would have water this time of year and make it hard for anyone to track them. Buck led them down a narrow way to the water. The water came half way up the horses legs. Buck slowed them but pushed forward. When they got to the end, Buck pushed the horses up a rocky incline leaving no tracks. He brought them to a small cave a good ways up. He jumped off his horse and pulled Jimmy down. He helped him into the back of the cave. He then led their horses inside. Jimmy fell back against the wall slowly sliding to the ground. Buck eased his way to the mouth of the cave in order to look outside.
"I don't see anyone. I think we lost them. They won't find us here. I don't know what we are gonna do tomorrow. Reckon I'll ride out and see if I see them then I'll come back for you." Buck said.
Jimmy didn't answer him. Buck looked over his shoulder but couldn't see him in the darkness. He walked back in. He saw him crumpled onto the hard rock in the back of the cave.
"Jimmy?!" Whispered Buck as he rushed over.
Jimmy still didn't answer. Buck got down in front of him. He had passed out. He was wet from sweat. Buck touched his head. He still had a fever. He opened his coat. The wound to his shoulder had started bleeding again from the hard riding. Buck grabbed Jimmy's bedroll and pulled him onto it. He took the bandage off the wound. He cleaned it with what little water they had left. He only had his extra shirt left so he used it to wrap it again. He stood and left Jimmy to sleep.
Jimmy opened his eyes to the darkly lit cave the following day. He was alone. He groaned as he pushed himself up. He sat for a minute before standing. He held onto the wall with his good arm as he made his way to the mouth of the cave. Buck's horse was gone. He wove unsteadily to the edge. The sunlight blinded him. He didn't see Buck or anyone else. Maybe he decided to go home. Jimmy made his way back inside. He saw his shirt tossed over his saddle. He carefully put it on. Just as he put his hat on, Buck came walking back in.
"Thought you decided to listen." Said Jimmy.
"I told you. I ain't leaving you. I wouldn't do Louise like that."
"If it weren't for her, you'd leave me huh."
"I'd at least think about it after what you did."
"I know."
"Move out the way."
Jimmy stepped to the side as Buck saddled his horse.
"Let's get going. We could be home by nightfall."
"Buck I shouldn't go there. I can't bring this trouble with me. My kids are there."
"Ya damn right. Your kids. If Lou didn't love you so much I'd kill you myself. Now mount up."
Jimmy tried to get in the saddle but Buck had to help him. Once on their horses, Buck started them home. They were only about two hours away from the station when Jimmy called out to Buck.
"Buck, I'm sick."
Buck swung his horse around and quickly got beside Jimmy. Jimmy vomited off the side of his horse. He wiped his mouth as Buck pulled him back straight by his sleeve. He looked at Buck. Buck saw his eyes begin to roll.
"Oh, no, no, no! Hickok!"
But Jimmy didn't respond, he just started sagging in the saddle. Buck jumped from his horse to behind Jimmy. He held him up in front as he kicked the horses faster toward home.