Ch 9

Teaspoon and the family had been riding hard for a few days. He was thankful as he saw Laramie come into view. They stopped about a mile outside of town and made camp.

"Buck, son. We can't be seen with you. If the man you talked about is still here, he is gonna notice you and know that we have come for them."

"I know."

"So you and Kid are gonna go in first. Get a room at the hotel just like you told the clerk that you would be back. We will come in a coupla hours later and check into the boarding house. Emma, me and you will pose as husband and wife. Ike and Cody will come in after us. They will be just like y'all were. Passin through. Buck, we will appear to have no connection to you at all."

"Sounds like a plan to me."

"Watch yourself Buck. I'm sure he will notice you right off. That's why I want Kid with you."

"I'll know who to look for. I'll find out what I can."

"Hopefully we can get him to approach Ike and Cody. See where it takes us. Ike and Cody can meet up with us at the boarding house."

"Gotcha." Said Cody as Ike nodded.

"We head into town in the morning."

The sun rose on another day. Jimmy pulled himself off the dirt. Lou and Noah were already rising.

"Better today." Asked Lou.

"Yeah I guess. Not as stiff." He said as he stood.

"My back is killing me." Said Noah.

"Quit yapping and get your asses out here! Times wastin!"

They lined up and waited like always. It had been a week. Lou didn't know how much more she could take. She was black from all the dirt and grime. Her entire body hurt. Her hands were a mess. She honestly knew deep down that she wasn't going to be able to keep up today. She felt weak and sick to her stomach. They came to the gate. The snarling man chained their ankles again. Lou's ankles had been rubbed raw for days. She had noticed swelling the last few days but had managed to keep it to herself. She hoped that was not why she was feeling sick.

"Y'all been doing a great job so get back in the mine today. Have fun." Smiled the guard.

Jimmy and Noah started hauling the cart down the track. Noah thought along the way. He had seen the cages strewn about. He had seen the boys and men that had tried to stand up against these people. They were beaten and locked into the small cages. They were given no food or water until they would break and fall back in line. He had managed to keep himself out of that loop but he worried for his friend. Jimmy acted like he could snap at any minute. If he ended up there, he might not make it back out. Noah worried for Lou. She had taken on a sickly pallor as of late. He was going to approach her about it tonight. They made their way down into the mine for the third time. Hopefully they would take a break soon. They came to a staggering stop at the bottom. Noah saw Lou to the side. She lifted the shovel and lost her balance. She leaned into the wall. The guard took notice and went to her.

"Get ya fuckin ass off the wall! It ain't break time!"

Noah saw Lou try but she fell back again. The guard lifted his cane to swing it at her. Lou reflexively put her hands up to block the blow. It all happened so fast. Jimmy's anger seemed to explode as he lunged forward. Noah tried to lean across the car but missed grabbing his shirt. He jumped until the chains snapped his legs out from under him. He fell but managed to snag the man's arm pulling him down with him. The man jumped back to his feet and turned with the look of pure hatred toward Jimmy. Jimmy still laid on the ground. The chains making it hard to get back to his feet. The man started screaming over him. Jimmy rolled and looked him straight in the eyes.

"I heard you had an attitude needin adjustin! You stupid fuck! Think you can make a fool outta me! I'm the meanest bastard here!"

"Bring it you son of a bitch!"

Jimmy as usual let his anger speak before he used common sense. The man started belting him with the cane. All Jimmy could do was try to roll away from the blows. Noah started yelling. Lou began screaming at the top of her lungs. This brought the other guard down from the top. He hit Noah across his back causing him to stumble forward against the rail car. Lou covered her mouth with her hand.

"What the hell is all the damn noise!"

He saw the man continuously beating Jimmy. He stumbled away out of breath. Jimmy lay on the ground groaning curled in a ball.

"What the fuck is this?" He yelled

"Little fucker knocked me down. Made a fool of me. I ain't takin his shit!" Panted the other man.

"Really this one here." He said as he kicked Jimmy on the side of his head causing him to roll onto his other side.

"Yeah his ass done got this once before but it appeared it ain't done no good. He thinks he is Mr. Hero and can help these poor pieces of shit."

"Well time to get it through his thick skull. He will break or he will die." Growled the man as he started belting Jimmy again with the thick cane.

Lou held back tears and turned her head as it went on for a while. Noah never took his eyes away. They finally stopped when Jimmy lay unconscious in his own blood. Lou looked at him knowing this was all caused by her. She should have been stronger. She shouldn't have faltered. The men went to Noah and unchained him from the rail car.

"Drag him up top. I'll let Trevor know."

Noah stared at the man in anger.

"Do it now ya dumb fuck or it is your turn next."

Noah went to Jimmy. He had cuts all over him from the cane lashing. His arms, back, and chest was torn up. His shirt now tattered, Noah grabbed him under his arms and began the daunting task of pulling him up the mine shaft. Lou watched them go. She saw his beaten body. This was because of her. She turned and threw up. The man walked over to her.

"You are a puny little feller. Better get over yourself. If'n I see you stagger again, won't be no one around to help you."

"Yes, yes sir." Stuttered Lou.

"Now that's a good boy. Git back to work."

Lou turned and picked up her shovel. Noah got Jimmy to the top of the hill. He laid him on the ground and knelt beside him. Noah looked at his battered friend. He could see him breathing. Suddenly he was jerked away by two men. He looked over over and saw Trevor nudging Jimmy with his boot.

"A shame. This was a good strong boy."

"Sorry he got out of line."

"You done right Bart. If one gets away with it, it gives the others courage. Put him in a cage. We'll see what happens next few days."

Noah fought to turn around.

"Please he won't fight no more! I will make sure of it!" Yelled Noah.

The men hit him in the gut, sending him to the ground.

"Shut up! What Trevor says goes!"

They hauled Noah back up. Trevor walked over to him.

"He's right. My rules, my law here. Don't speak out of line again or I might just kill him as he lays."

Noah stopped fighting and stood still.

"That's better boy. Back to work!"

They pulled another young man into the mine. Noah saw them drag Jimmy by his feet over to one of the empty cages. He heard the door slam as he was pushed back down inside the darkness.