Chapter 2

It had been a trip worth making, Buck thought happily, as he led the two ponies he had purchased from the Indian traders. He had got the animals at a good, fair price and the Arapaho would be happy to do business with him again. For the first time in a while Buck felt things were really going his way. He had been accepted back into Rock Creek and even Tompkins had seemed not overly unhappy to see him. There had been a time when he thought he'd never be able to fit in anywhere but now he had a chance to really do something with his life. The livery business had the potential to do well and he had his adoptive family about him for support.

'Yes,' he thought cheerily, allowing himself a small smile, 'life is looking good.'

He reckoned on having nearly a full days ride back to Rock Creek and he hoped to make it by sundown. It had only taken him half a day to ride out and meet with the Arapaho but leading two ponies had slowed up his return journey.

Just as he was contemplating whether to push on and increase the pace a little, in an attempt to get home before dark he noticed his horse, as well as the other two ponies, had pricked their ears forward. He reined to a stop and sat and listened. It wasn't so much he heard the approaching rider but more sensed it, with his built in instinct, born of always being on the look out for potential trouble and continuous awareness.

He deftly steered his horse, and the ponies he was leading, off the trail and into a stand of trees, hiding him from who ever it was approaching but allowing him to see down the trail. Drawing his gun from his holster, he sat and waited, talking soothingly to the horses as they sensed his tension and began to fidget nervously.

Buck steadied his own breathing and waited. He had learned you could never be too careful, especially when you had something worth stealing and the new ponies he had acquired were certainly worth having.

The sound of hoof beats got louder. The rider was coming at a steady pace, keeping his horse at an easy lope. Buck caught sight of the movement down the trail and prepared himself for what ever the confrontation might bring. It was with some satisfaction that Buck realised the rider had passed the point where he had come off the trail and was going to carry on by. It came as a greater surprise when he recognised the palomino horse and the dark, longhaired rider.

"Hickok!" he called out.

Startled, Jimmy reined his horse to a stop and spun round in his saddle. He cursed himself inwardly for his lack of awareness but was relieved that it had been his friend who had got the drop on him.

"You're getting careless, Hickok," Buck jibed him as he holstered his gun. Jimmy gave him a sheepish look and Buck responded with a lopsided grin.

"What you doing out here? Thought you were in charge while Teaspoon was out of town."

"I was looking for you," Jimmy replied. Buck frowned and looked at him questioningly. Jimmy urged his horse towards the tree and stopped alongside Buck.

"What's happened?" Buck asked worriedly. "Someone hurt?"

"No. Nothing like that."

"Well, it must be something serious if it couldn't wait until I got back to town," Buck ventured, beginning to feel very uneasy. "Someone in trouble?"

"You," Jimmy replied.

"What?"

"You gonna tell me what happened after you left the Express? Where'd you go? Anything you think I need to know?"

Buck looked at him, perplexed as to this line of questioning. "I don't know what you mean. What's happened, Jimmy?"

"Was there something you forgot to mention. Some kinda trouble. I mean, what the hell happened while you were away?" Jimmy continued irritably.

Buck's jaw dropped open in confusion. "I don't understand. What are you talking about? What sort of trouble?"

"Murder, that's what. You kill someone and forget to mention it?" Jimmy's frustration was turning to anger now.

"Murder?" Buck was getting anxious, at a loss to what Jimmy could be referring. "I …. Jimmy, I have no idea what you're talking about," he said, his voice low and steady in counteraction to Jimmy's agitated state.

Jimmy looked at his friend and saw the confusion in the dark, expressive eyes. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes and composed himself and didn't waste any time to fill Buck in. "A man called Brody came lookin' for you. A bounty hunter. Said there was a $2,000 price on your head."

The stunned expression on Buck's face told Jimmy it was not a clear-cut situation.

"Wanna tell me what happened?"

"Nothing happened. Jimmy I …" Buck furrowed his brow and tried to think what this could all be about. "I have no idea why I'm wanted or why there's a price on my head. You sure it was me he was after?"

"Said he was looking for a man called Cross. A half-breed. That narrow it down for you a little?" Jimmy was getting increasingly uptight.

Buck looked baffled. "I swear, Jimmy, I have no idea what this is about "I've never heard of this Brody."

The sincerity in Buck's voice caused Jimmy to pause and take a moment to reflect. He'd known Buck long enough to appreciate when he was being candid and this was one of those times.

"Well, I guess we got us a problem then," he replied. "Look, we're not goin' to make Rock Creek until it's dark so what do you say to makin' camp and tryin' to figure what what's going on? Besides, the fella was leavin' town and it would be a good idea to put a little distance between you and him. But I'd sure like to know what this is all about about."

"That make two of us," a vexed Buck retorted.

They didn't have to ride too far before finding a suitable place to make camp for the evening. Buck tethered the horses while Jimmy set about making a fire, to cook the provisions he had managed to grab before leaving town. With the few rations Buck had they had a fairly reasonable supper to look forward to.

"So, wanna tell me what did happen after you left Rock Creek?" Jimmy asked, as he squatted besides the fire, stirring a pot of beans.

Buck shifted uncomfortably against the saddle, on which he was leaning back. "Nothing much to tell," he said, cautiously.

"And you're sure you didn't kill no one?"

"Yes!" Buck's voice was low and defensive. "Came pretty close to being killed once or twice," he added contritely.

Jimmy regarded his friend thoughtfully, as he settled himself onto the ground and poured them both a cup of coffee from the pot. "Wanna tell me some more about that?" he asked, passing over one of the cups.

"No," came the swift response.

Jimmy shrugged indifferently and sipped his coffee. He knew there was no point pressurising Buck. The more you pushed the more he clammed up.

Buck took a look at Jimmy out of the corner of his eye and caught his feigned disinterest. He felt a flash of guilt. His friend had ridden out to warn him of the danger, which may await him, showing his loyalty. Though he had questioned the reasons this bounty hunter was looking for him, it was fair enough, Buck reasoned. He hadn't exactly been forthcoming on his return to Rock Creek.

Buck stared into the dark, murky, steaming contents of the mug he held. "Let's just say I came to appreciate how lucky I'd been finding a place where I was accepted and had a few people I could call friend. The rest of the world doesn't seem to be as tolerant as you all were at the Express."

"That bad, huh?" Jimmy knew it would never have been easy for Buck. Heck, it wasn't that easy for him a lot of the time. But at least he could choose to unstrap his guns, where as Buck's heritage was constantly visible.

Buck gave him a resigned, half-hearted smile. "Worse! Met some folk that made the way Tompkins treated me look like kindness. Got run out of town once or twice and came close to being hung for something I didn't do but I guess I don't need to tell you how that feels."

It was Jimmy's turn to give a contrite smile this time. Although they were two very different characters, there were similarities in their lives. Perhaps that's why they had both ended back at Rock Creek, where they felt some sense of security.

"Guess we got a ways to go until we can just get on with our lives, huh?" Jimmy commented, taking a sip from his cup. "The livery's a good start for you though," he added.

Buck looked forlornly up at the now dark sky. "Yes. I thought things were finally working out and now this happens."

"We'll get it sorted, Buck. It ain't as if you're wanted by the law, as far as we know. Probably just some misunderstanding. Someone you upset in one of these here towns you got yourself run out of. Teaspoon will know what to do."

"When d'you think we'll stop needing Teaspoon's help?" Buck asked, good-naturedly.

Jimmy smirked, drained his cup and placed it on the ground. "I'll give it some thought while I'm answering a call of nature," he said, getting to his feet.

The flames from the small fire licked up to the sky as Buck tossed a couple more sticks on it, sending a flurry of sparks into the air. He drew his knees up to his chest and wrapped his arms about them, in defence against the cooling night. For the hundredth time he racked his memory as to why this bounty hunter would be chasing him. He'd had narrow escapes but they had never been any real law involvement, just that of overtly bigoted citizens.

He'd been looking forward to getting back to the livery, with his new ponies but now the threat of the bounty hunter returning would hang over him. He considered letting Jimmy taking the ponies while he disappeared for a while, until things settled again, although there was always the risk of this bounty hunter coming back, unless it could be proved it was all a mistake. Rubbing his face with his work worn hands, he took a deep breath and considered what to do for the best.

Jimmy frowned thoughtfully, as he re-fastened his pants. He too was considering the options of a way out of the present situation. There had to be a way of sorting out this predicament. He was so deep in thought, the feel of cold steel pressed against the back of his neck, took him a little by surprise, to say the least.

"Nice and easy. Don't want to make any sudden moves that might make my trigger finger itch," came a low, menacing voice from behind him. Jimmy instinctively raised his hands.

"Now, that's real smart. I'd like it better if you put them on top of your head," the voice instructed, maintaining a just audible volume. Jimmy obliged but grimaced as he felt his Colt being removed from the holster.

Brody allowed himself a smug grin. He'd been trailing the deputy all day, keeping his distance and moving cautiously, using skills he'd been taught during his trapping days. He was grateful for what he'd learnt during that time as it made his present profession so much easier, allowing him to get close to his quarry. He'd been worried about the Indian spotting him but he'd been able to get close without either of them knowing he was there. It was good to have been able to make his move – the initial capture was the part he liked most.

"Let's go join your friend, deputy," Brody ordered Jimmy, in hushed tones.

Jimmy began to make his way back to the camp, heading for the glow of the fire. As he came into the clearing his heart sank as he could see Buck's hunched figure, silhouetted against the light cast by the flames, as he hoped he had heard something of his capture and had made a bid to escape.

"Nice and easy," came the whispered instruction, as the barrel of a gun jabbed into his back, in warning. Jimmy complied, reluctantly.

At the sound of Jimmy's footsteps, Buck inclined his head over his shoulder. "So, did you decide when we'll stop needing Teaspoon's help?" he asked. When he didn't get a response he turned around more fully, to find Jimmy standing with his hands on his head, with a gun in his back, held by a tall, dark figure. He immediately got to his feet, his hand going instinctively to the gun, strapped to his thigh.

"Now, I wouldn't do that, not unless you want your friend here to get a hole in the back," the figure told him. Buck paused, his eyes locking on Jimmy's and could see the look of resignation all too clearly in them.

Jimmy had been pretty sure of the identity of his assailant and it was confirmed when Brody said, "It was real good of you to lead me to the half-breed, deputy. Makes my job a whole lot easier."

Jimmy's jaw clenched in frustration. "You got no right to do this," he growled.

"Well, that's your opinion. I happen to know a man who reckons I got every right to do this," the man drawled back. "Now, injun, I want you to just do what you're asked and no one's gonna get hurt. First I want you to take your gun out of the holster with your right hand, just with the tips of your fingers, if you'd please. Then you're gonna toss it over by that there tree," he said, inclining his head towards the edge of the clearing, to a dark and shadowed area. "Then you're gonna do the same with that there knife, strapped to your leg. Understand?"

Buck stared at him impassively.

"You ain't gonna give me no trouble are you, injun? 'Cos it would be a right shame if your friend here got a bullet in him on account of you." The threat was verified by the click of the hammer of the gun being drawn back.

Once again Buck looked to Jimmy, who gave a small shrug of acquiescence. Buck considered his options before complying.

"That's good," Brody said, as Buck's gun hit the dirt. For a brief moment Buck hesitated before throwing away the last vestige of his defiance, but seeing the resolve and determination, in his adversaries' face, made him slip his knife from the sheath and toss it in the same direction as the gun. Brody nodded his approval.

"We're gonna to get real comfortable now. On your belly, injun with your hands on the back of your head." The bounty hunter stood with his weight shifted onto one leg, in a relaxed posed, seemingly unconcerned, which was disconcerting in itself.

Jimmy's mind was in a whirl as to whether to try and off step Brody and attempt to over power him, but there was something in his demeanour, which told Jimmy it would probably be unsuccessful. This man oozed confidence and was obviously experienced at maintaining control. Jimmy could see no option but to go a long with him – for now, and hope that he'd eventually make a mistake, which would allow for some intervention to secure their release.

" I ain't got all day. On your belly – NOW!" Brody barked.

Buck dropped to his knees and waited.

"I said on your belly. Don't make me put you down there myself," Brody threatened, taking his gun from Jimmy's back and aiming it in Buck's direction. Putting his hands to the ground, Buck slowly lowered himself to the ground and then put his hands on the back of his head, lying face down in the dirt.

"That's good," Brody commented. "Now, deputy, if you would be so kind as to take these and tie the half-breed's hands behind his back for me, I'd be mighty obliged," he added, pulling a length of rawhide from a pocket and holding them out.

"I ain't doin' that," Jimmy spat back.

"Well that there's a shame because the alternative is for me to shoot him in the leg to make sure he ain't gonna try and run off on me," Brody replied calmly.

Snatching the strips of leather from Brody's hand, Jimmy walked over to Buck's prone body on the ground and squatted down besides him.

"Hell, Buck, I'm real sorry about this," he said taking one of the Kiowa's wrists and wrapping a length of rawhide about it. "I'm gonna figure a way out of this but we're just gonna have to go along with him for now," he said in a whispered voice.

Buck let out a sigh. "I know," he said resignedly, moving his other hand from his head and laying it alongside the one Jimmy still held. Jimmy reluctantly began to tie Buck's hands together.

"Make sure it's good and tight 'cos I'll be checking," Brody called over, clicking his gun provocatively. Jimmy sneered his displeasure at the man's words and actions. Once Buck's hands were secured, Jimmy sat back on his heels and looked over at Brody.

"That's real good, deputy. Now, I want you to come back over here, with your hands on your head, where I can see them."

Buck looked up at Jimmy and could see the conflict in his face and knew he was having to try real hard to control his mounting anger. "Do as he says, Hickok. Just get Teaspoon as quick as you can and get me out of this fix," he told him.

"I'll be sure to do that, Buck. Just hold on in there and we'll come and find you. Just don't do nothin' brave or stupid to provoke this bastard."

"You too, Hickok!" Buck responded.

Jimmy got to his feet, put his hands compliantly on his head and walked back towards Brody.

"Look, at least tell me who he's supposed to have killed. I at least got a right to know that," Jimmy said as he took another step towards Brody, trying to stall the man.

"Reckon you do," Brody answered, still holding his gun and pulling another strip of rawhide from his pocket. "Man who hired me was called Neville."

"Neville?" Both Buck and Jimmy repeated.

"Yep. Seemed he had a son. Not the best son in the world but the only one he got until you shot him, injun."

"He killed a man. One of our friends," Jimmy snarled.

"Heard he was shot in cold blood."

"That was never proven and Buck was never arrested for it so you've got nothin' on him."

"Not how the father sees it and he's offering $2,000 to whoever brings him in and see him hang."

"It ain't legal. It's murder!" Jimmy yelled.

"Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. Seems pretty straight forward to me," Brody replied casually.

Jimmy shot a look over his shoulder at Buck, still lying on his front but now with a pained expression. They couldn't deny that Brody spoke the truth but it still didn't mean it was right. Neville Jr. had been an outright troublemaker from the start. He got what he deserved, as far as the riders had been concerned. At no point did any of them question what Buck had done. To them it had seemed fair and just.

"Still don't make what you're doing right," Jimmy stated.

Brody smiled indulgently at him.

"Turn around, deputy and put your hands behind your back. Just gonna make sure you ain't in too much of a rush to follow us," Brody told him.

Jimmy obliged and waited for the man to tie his hands together. Hopefully it wouldn't take him too long to get out of the bindings and get back on their trail, he thought. He heard Brody come up behind him waited for him to tie his hands. Suddenly he felt a sharp pain in his head and then everything went black.

"Jimmy!" Buck gasped as he saw his friend's body crumple to the floor. "What the hell you do that for?" he yelled at Brody, who was returning the gun with which he'd hit Jimmy on the head, back to its holster, before rolling Jimmy's limp body over and getting ready to tie his hands together.

"In my experience it's always better to be safe than sorry and the Deputy here didn't seem to happy with me so I reckon he'll be pretty keen to try something. Now, nothin' personal but I got me a job to do, which is to turn you in for the reward and the sooner I can I can do that, without no trouble, the better it'll be for everyone."

"It doesn't look better for Jimmy," Buck retorted angrily, trying to wriggle himself into a more upright position.

"Now, you lay still there, injun until I get your friend here sorted and then I'll come and give you a hand."

Buck ignored him and managed to get onto his knees. "How bad you hurt him?" he asked.

Brody frowned in Buck's direction and shook his head but continued to tie Jimmy's hands together, behind his back. "Reckon he should wake up in a couple of hours. He'll have a bit of a bump on his head and a killer headache but a tough old lawman like him should be able to handle it," he said sardonically.

When he had finished, Brody left Jimmy lying on the ground and made his way over to Buck, who was still kneeling on the ground.

"Now, I told you to lay still, didn't I, injun? Hope you're not going to give me no trouble 'cos when I tell you to do something I expect you to do it and as far as I can make out you speak pretty good English."

Buck glared up at him defiantly.

"Now, you lay back down while I go saddle your horse. The sorrel ain't it?"

There was no vocal response from Buck, nor any movement.

"I TOLD YOU TO LAY DOWN!" Brody suddenly bellowed, kicking Buck sharply in the chest, sending him crashing to the ground, the air completely knocked out of him.

"Now, that's better," Brody commented, matter of factly, as he turned in the direction of the tethered horses.

Buck gasped for breath and fought the sharp pain, which shot through his chest. When he had regained some normality he looked over at the slumped form across the way.

"Jimmy?' he hissed. "Come on, Hickok. Wake up," but there was no response. He made an attempt at loosening the rawhide about his wrists, but Jimmy had done a good job and there was no give in the ties. Heavy footsteps warned of Brody's return and he lay still, resigning himself to whatever fate was in store for him.

Brody prodded Jimmy with his foot as he passed but got no response and a self-congratulatory smirk creased his lips.

He came to stand by Buck and stared down at him, hands on hip. "Glad to see you decided to be sensible and stay put," Brody acknowledged. All he got was a small grunt in response.

"Time we got movin', injun." Brody took hold of Buck's upper arm and pulled him upwards. When he was stood on his feet he went to make a move towards Jimmy.

"This way. The deputy will be fine. Now let's get movin'," he instructed.

With a yank Buck freed himself of his grasp. "You can't leave him like this. He might be seriously hurt."

Within an instant Brody had drawn his gun and pressed it against Buck's temple. "Don't give me no trouble, injun," he snarled. "I can always make sure that he ain't gonna give me no more trouble – ever," he said, swinging the gun in Jimmy's direction.

The bounty hunter's unpredictable behaviour made Buck nervous. He didn't need to cause an upset now. All he could hope was Hickok would come round and be able to go for help as soon as possible. For now, the most sensible thing to do was lay low and go along with Brody's demands.

Squaring his shoulders, Buck stood tall and proud and before Brody could tell him to do so, began to walk towards his horse.

Brody gave a satisfied sniff, re-holstered his gun and followed behind.

"I'll need some help," Buck said, as he waited patiently by the side of his horse. Brody stepped forward and took the stirrup and held it out. As Buck lifted his foot, Brody placed a steadying hand against the small of his back and helped shove him upwards into the saddle. Buck sat stoically, waiting for Brody to mount his own horse.

When the bounty hunter was ready, he took the reins of Buck's horse and began to ride away from the dim glow of the campfire, in the clearing. With one last glance over his shoulder at his friend, lying still on the ground, Buck was led into the darkness of the night.