Jim Swill had left the camp, it was his day off and instead of doing his usual drinking he went to Corky to draw his pay. He needed to catch up to Jason and Tall Bear and explain who he was and why he was there. He too was investigating the recent events. He had taken the horse he rented from the livery stable and left early the next morning after Jason had left with the Swede and Jack and Tall Bear. He was only a day behind so he thought he would be able to find Jason within about a day or so.
Billy Bronson also drew his pay but decided instead of telling Corky, he just decided to leave. He took his pay out of the money box that Corky had carelessly left in the tent. Joshua saw him coming out of the tent.
"What are you doing Mr. Bronson?" Joshua asked.
Billy said nothing but nodded to the kid and hurried away on a horse that he decided to 'borrow.'
"Hey, that's not your horse!" said Joshua as he ran to stop Billy from stealing the camp horse! Corky heard Joshua yelling and ran up to Billy and tried to stop the horse, but Billy hit him over the head with a pistol. Corky fell, Joshua was running and would have caught him if he had not fallen over a log. Billy got away and Joshua went over to Corky and got a couple of the men to help him get Corky to the office tent. They put cold cloths on his head and waited.
Jason and Tall Bear had stopped by a spring to rest. They had traveled most of the day and night and were tired as well as their horses. The scouts had gone ahead and all they could do was to wait until they heard something. A rider was coming towards them. Jason stood up to see who it might be. Tall Bear was already standing, he had just received some information from his scouts and was going to tell Jason.
Jim Swill got up and got off his horse and went over to Jason.
"What has happened, is my brother all right?" Jason said he was worried for Joshua.
"Mr. Bolt, your brother was fine when I left yesterday."
"Okay, then why did you leave? I thought you were there to stay and work for me?" said Jason might be confused.
"Mr. Bolt sir, I am not your average worker, I am a detective and have been watching for any information about those riders who have been terrorizing the farms and families in this area as well as the Indian villages that are peaceful."
Jason looked at him and said: "I need to see some proof of that, Mr. Swill!" said Jason.
Jim pulled out his saddle bag and brought out the paper with the warrant for a Butch Gordon, Billy Bronson, and several others including some Indians who were with them. Jason read the papers and accepted them as true.
"So, Mr. Swill, I believe you, what can we do for you?" said Jason just as Tall Bear came up with the information he had from his scouts.
"Tall Bear, this is Mr. Swill, Jim, who is in search of those men who have been wreaking havoc around here. He is here to help us stop them.
Tall Bear nodded in assent and then said:
"I have known this man for some time. He has come to the village to find ways to help us. He has provided food and blankets for the children in some of the other villages. He tells the truth!"
Jim nodded and smiled at Tall Bear. Tall Bear continued:
"My scouts report that these people are at the caves. Your brother and my son are there with them. They have a large group of men who go out to raid the villages and farms in the surrounding area. My scouts say we must attack and rescue the boys!" he stopped and then said:
"There is one more thing, they have several little girls that have been kidnapped and are being held in the cave. There is also a woman with them who is caring for the children.
Jim looked at Jason, the kidnapping of the two boys was bad enough but if they could not rescue the girls they could be taken and sole to other tribes far away from their home and families. Jason was thinking, finally he said:
" I think we need to go and find out how big this camp is and see what we can do."
"I think that you are wise to go see what is happening, I can wire for the calvary to come to help if that is what is needed?" said Jim Swill as he stood near Jason.
"I think that would be a good idea, Jim!" said Tall Bear who made a gesture to one of his warriors. However, there is a chance that there will be a raid upon my village tonight and I need to be close at hand to help with my people!"
"Tall Bear, we can help if you need us and then we can rescue the boys and the other children!" said Jason Tall Bear did not look very happy when he spoke:
"Eagle Eye, I cannot let you do that. My scouts said that they had seen Laughing Stone tied to a tree and the leader wanted you brother Jeremy to shoot him. Jeremy wouldn't do it, so we are not sure if he is going to kill Jeremy or not. They will be raiding tonight, and my scouts said that should be a good time to get the boys and children out. There will be minimal watchers so that you may get them out without harming the children."
Jason listened and did not speak for a moment, then taking Swede and Jake aside he spoke to them. When he was done, he went back to Tall Bear and said:
"Tall Bear, you will need help for your village. So, I have a plan…" Tall Bear Listened and almost did not agree but Jason was very persuasive and Tall Bear appreciated the fact that Jason would help him. Tall Bear said that if they survived the raid, they would be able to rescue the boys and the other children without a problem.