Chapter 2

A/n Little House on the Prairie was an excellent show with wonderful storylines and brilliant acting. This Fan Fic is not...

This is done just for fun, no offence intended.

~o~

They resumed their evening meal all the while worrying about Almanzo.

"Oh Pa, if anything happens to Manly I...I don't know what I'll do" Laura said as she buttered a thick slice of homemade bread and crammed some into her mouth.

"It won't come to that half pint, I'm going to town in the morning, get a posse together. We'll have him back in no time."

"But what of the letter you received?" Caroline asked.

Charles shook his head. "It was nothing."

"But Charles it might hold the key to this whole mess."

"It was nothing alright."

Caroline smiled. "You're right Charles, I love you."

Suddenly they heard a commotion outside. Charles grabbed his rifle and headed out the door.

"Get out the way for old Dan Tucker, he is one big fat f... Hay for God sakes Charles what ye doin pointing that rifle my ways."

"Mr Edwards, haven't you heard, Almanzo has been taken by bandits."

"Bandit, never did like that dog. Easiest thing. Jist follow him round. He's bound to dig him up..."

"Bandits, Edwards Bandits. They took Almanzo." Charles rattled off frustrated.

"Would you like some coffee Mr Edwards?" Caroline said as she squinted in the early morning sunlight. No she didn't cause it was actually night time.

"Don't mind if I do, I wouldn't mind some of that grub you is all chowing down on neither."

~o~

By the following morning they were all assembled, the posse!

Edwards was there.

There was John Garvey sitting high on his horse looking stern and determined, his son Andy was also trying to look stern and determined but couldn't, he just looked cute.

Charles was there of course looking tough and ready for action, beside him was Albert, trying not to yawn.

Laura had insisted on coming along, she was dressed as a man complete with a rifle strapped to her saddle. Since she was coming Caroline was going to come now too. She was dressed in her usual attire and brought with her a pack horse laden down with food supplies.

Nelly and Percival were also coming. Ah this is getting stupid now, stop the madness.

Before they set off Reverend Alden shuffled over carrying his large, weather beaten bible.

"Hi Reverend," Charles greeted him. "I hope you haven't come to talk us out of this. We have to do this Reverend, all I can promise is that we will only act in self defense."

"No Charles, one of your horses did his business just outside my church. I hope you plan on cleaning that up before you leave."

And so they all got down from their horses and began cleaning up the mess outside the church, Reverend Alden standing and pointing to spots they'd missed.

Soon they were all ready to leave.

"Edwards, you being the tracker of the group I think you should lead us out," Charles told him.

"I'm a tracker?. Oh ok. I think we should head...this way," Edwards scratched his beard and started walking off through the bushes. The rest followed him on horseback.