Ch 7

Buck had been riding hard. He had cut a four day trip down to two and a half. Tomorrow he would ride hard again. As long as he could keep up this pace, he should reach the station day after next. He had to.

Jimmy, Lou, and Noah actually slept some. They were startled awake again by the sounds of guns being fired. They heard the sounds of chains being pulled. They didn't know if they would ever get used to hearing it. They rose to their feet, stiff and sore from all the work yesterday. Jimmy and Noah helped Lou to her feet. They began to shuffle their way into line. The guard smiled at them as they made their way out. Again they were fastened to the line of men on the pick axes. Hours crept by and Lou began to feel the burn after the first one. She tried to lift the axe and found she couldn't as it fell back to the ground. She saw the guard turn in her direction. Jimmy saw the look on her face as the guard came their way. Noah didn't know what to do. As the guard approached, Jimmy did the only thing that came to mind, he stuck out his axe on the ground. The man tripped and fell to the hard dirt. Jimmy laughed. The man stood up and got in Jimmy's face. All the axes stopped and the men were looking.

"I hope for your sake that was an accident."

"Can't say that it was."

The guard snatched the axe from Jimmy. He threw it across from him out of reach. Lou froze. She knew why he did what he did and she knew what was going to happen.

"Got us a lively one, Bart. Want to help me out."

"Love to." Bart said as he came and stood next to the other man.

Jimmy stood up straighter and stared at them. Bart tried to hit Jimmy but Jimmy grabbed his arm. While this was happening, the other man swung his shotgun around and hit Jimmy on the side of his head. He fell onto his hands. They then kicked and punched him while he was on the ground. They stopped after the longest time out of breath. Jimmy just lay there clutching his midsection trying to get control of the pain.

"Alright now git up and back to work or I'll let Trevor know you are falling behind."

Jimmy wove unsteadily but got to his feet. Bart threw the axe on the ground in front of him.

"Pick it up."

Jimmy tried but fell onto his knees clutching his stomach. Lou made a move to go over but Noah grabbed her arm, shaking his head. The men laughed at Jimmy struggling to stand.

"He ain't gonna get back up."

"Smart ass is done for now."

Jimmy put his hand around the axe handle and used it to push himself to his feet. He stood staring at the two guards.

"Well ya got that far, now back to work!"

Jimmy took a deep breath and swung the axe albeit slowly. The guards turned and walked away forgetting about Lou. The sound of axes hitting rocks started sounding along the chain line again. They worked until lunchtime. The guards yelled for break. They gave each a biscuit except Jimmy. They gave him nothing. He didn't flinch or show any pain, he just stared them down as they went along.

Lou ate half of her biscuit and put the other half in her pants pocket. Noah did the same knowing they would get another that night. They didn't know if or when Jimmy would get another. Lou watched him the rest of the afternoon. He swung his axe shakily. She could tell he was in pain. The blood on his face still looking fresh. The guards came up to him on and off just to taunt him. He kept his mouth shut but Lou knew it killed him to do so. She also knew that he brought all the attention on himself and not to her. She was basically ignored as the day went on. She knew she wasn't keeping up with the rest of the men but the guards didn't seem to care about her anymore.

"Axes down! Time to head in!" Yelled a guard.

As they shuffled into the holding area, Jimmy started feel dizzy. He just had to make it inside. He could make it. Lou saw him start to falter. She reached out and touched his back. He caught himself and stood back up straight. The men lined up at the gate having their shackles removed. They came to Jimmy, Noah, and Lou. The man bent down and unlocked them.

"Figured after today, you know how things work round here."

Jimmy didn't acknowledge him. He pushed him inside where he stumbled and fell onto the ground. Lou and Noah came in behind. Each got on one side and helped him to their spot by the wall. They helped him sit down.

"Jimmy, let me see you." Said Lou

He turned his head to look at her. She looked into his face. His nose was bloodied, his lip split. The spot on his head still seeping. She didn't know what to do. They had nothing. She felt someone touch her elbow as she jerked around.

"It's just me, Eric."

"Sorry, I don't ever know how to react here."

Noah was looking Jimmy over as well.

"Looks like he made some friends today." Said Eric.

"You could say that." Said Noah.

"I ain't got nothing to help him, I feel so bad. This is my fault." Said Lou trying not to tear up.

"Lou it couldn't be helped. He was coming for you." Said Jimmy.

"He's right Lou, if he didn't do something, he would have got to you and that would not have been good." Said Noah.

"Here let me help y'all." Said Eric as he pulled two old rags out his pocket and gave them to Lou.

"How do you have all this?" Asked Lou.

"I have my ways. Been here a while. I also have this." He turned to show them a hole he had dug at the base of the fence. It had water in it.

"How did you manage that?" Asked Noah

"Again I know things most men don't. Ain't fit for drinking, but you can clean him up some. Don't tell the others here. Our secret."

Lou and Noah nodded. This man was truly a blessing in disguise. Lou took the rags and cleaned Jimmy's face. After all the blood gone, he had some bruising but it didn't look so bad. He tried to move and sucked in a gasp of air. Noah went to him.

"Let me see what they have gone and done Jimmy."

"It's fine Noah. Just get some rest and don't worry about me."

"I'm gonna have a see before I do. Easy way or the hard way."

Jimmy grunted and nodded. Noah pulled his shirt up to reveal several bruises.

"How the hell are you gonna work like this Jimmy?"

"I can and I will."

"If you fall, then they got your ass."

"I have to Noah."

"I know."

The trio settled in for another long cold night. Lou watched Jimmy in his sleep wondering how he would ever keep up tomorrow.