Noose Chapter 2 ~ May 15.

The stage coach swayed precariously on two wheels as Charlie, the new stage driver tried to outrun the would-be robber. Mike grabbed hold of the seat and the door frame as he was tossed from side to side. Dust flew everywhere. He wondered what would happen if they crashed. They were miles from home. Suddenly he heard gun shots and realized that they were caught. He was the only passenger. He had nothing of value on him and he doubted that the robber wanted his school books or his candy.

'If only I hadn't decided to help Johnny with his spelling,' he thought. Slim and Jess were so proud of him. The award for best speller in school still sat on his dresser and when his school mate needed his help, he naturally wanted to be of assistance. Now, in the face of danger, he wasn't so sure.

"Throw down the box! " The robber growled.

"There's nothing in it," Charlie's voice shook.

"We'll see about that!" The robber shot the lock off the box and looked inside the empty box. "Well, let's see what else we can find," he continued.

He yanked the door open and hauled Mike out by his jacket. Mike stood quaking in fear besides Charlie.

"Who are you?" The robber asked. He was dressed in black from his head to his boots. Even the bandana that covered his face was black. There was nothing remarkable about him. Mike remained silent.

"I said, who are you?" the man shook Mike again.

"Look here, Mister," Charlie said, "he's just a kid. He doesn't have anything on him except his school books."

"My name is Mike, Mike Williams, " Mike finally answered. Jess had often told him to remain calm in the face of danger and so he stood upright, well, mostly upright, in a position that Slim would have praised him for.

"And where do you live, Mike Williams? "

"Laramie, " Mike answered as calmly as he could. 'Slim, Jess,' he called inwardly.

"How come your Pa lets you ride alone?"

Mike could almost hear Jess in his ear. 'Careful what you say, Mike,' "I'm 12. I'm old enough."

"What do you have in there? "

"Just my school books and some candy," answered Mike.

The man stepped up into the stage and rummaged through Mike's bag. Mike saw him rip up his composition book and rifle through his bag of candy. The candy sticks broke and scattered onto the floor. The man stepped down, clearly upset that he didn't find anything of value. Right about then, Mike started to get angry. Forgetting Slim and Jess' warnings, he suddenly lowered his head and charged into the robber.

His small fists did no harm to the robber. The robber shook Mike like a piece of paper and then slapped him so hard that Mike saw stars.

"Don't move, " he warned Charlie. He cocked his gun and aimed it at Mike. " You think you're smart, kid!"

Mike gently touched his cheek. He worked his jaw. 'You're gonna pay for this,' he thought. 'Slim and Jess will have your neck!'

"I got a message you need to deliver for me, kid. You want me to write it down?"

Mike shook his head, afraid to speak.

"You tell Slim Sherman, he's gonna pay when I'm ready to dish out his punishment, you got it, kid?" he sneered.

Mike's eyes narrowed. 'He knows my name, he knows where I live, he knew all along!' Realization hit him smack dab in the face. 'This whole thing was a set up so this, this evil man could hurt Slim.' He sucked in his breath.

With a flourish, the robber suddenly stalked to his horse, mounted and rode away leaving a relieved stage driver and a frightened boy.

"Did he hurt you, Mike?" Charlie bent down to study Mike's face.

Mike shook his head. " Not really. I guess I'm just plain mad!"

"Well, just the same, I think we'll drive into town and have the doctor check you out and then tell the sheriff what happened."

Mike nodded wearily and climbed back into the coach. He curled up on the seat, wrapped his arms around himself and cried. He thought about his family and Sheriff Mort and more than anything he needed their arms around him. He hadn't felt this scared since his Ma and Pa died right in front of him.

Doctor Hansen examined his face and after washing it, applied a paste that was soothing. He left Mike lying on the exam table to let Sheriff Mort Corey into the office. Upon hearing what happened, Mort immediately went into the exam room and scooped his godson into his arms. Mike shook and started to cry.

"We'll find him, Mike. Slim and Jess will keep you safe."

Mike snuggled into Sheriff Mort's arms. " Who will take care of Slim? I'm so scared for him."

"Slim can take care of himself, you know. And, I bet you know who has his back?"

Mike nodded and wiped his eyes on his sleeve, " Jess," was all he said.

"Exactly, and they both will take care of you. You have to remember Mike, both Slim and Jess adopted you and then appointed me in case something happened to one of them. You are always going to have someone taking care of you. I know you're a young man now, but would you mind if I took you home?"

Mike's smile said it all and presently the two rode towards the ranch and home together.