Copyright 1999

CHAPTER 1

Buck wiped the sweat from his forehead with the sleeve of his shirt and straightened himself up. A few feet away from him Kid was laboring away at the same task - placing new fence poles for the new corral.

"How about a break?" Buck asked leaning on the pole.

Kid straightened himself and looked at what they accomplished.

"You'll get no argument from me", he said, tossing the pole he'd been working with aside. They started to walk back to the bunkhouse, with the intention of getting something to drink, when a yell from behind made them turn around. Kid immediately reached for the rifle, when Buck put a restraining hand on his arm.

"Wait", he said tensely. The two riders stood still watching the Indian warrior on the rim of a hill not far from them. Too close for Kid's liking, but he threw a glance at Buck and decided to trust his friend's judgement. The warrior yelled something as he tried to calm his horse. Then as sudden as he had appeared he was gone.

"What the hell was that?" Kid wondered and looked at Buck. Buck still stared at the spot where the Indian had disappeared and ignored Kid's question. Then he started to walk towards the stable as Rachel came out of the house.

"What happened?" she asked. "I thought I heard somebody yell?"

"I don't know", Kid said a bit puzzled and ran after Buck.

When he came into the stable he saw his friend saddling his horse.

"What's this all about?" he demanded.

"I've got to go", Buck answered shortly as Rachel too entered the stable.

"Go where?" Rachel wanted to know as Buck prepared to mount up. Kid took a firm grip of the reins and held Buck's horse.

"Why don't you tell us what's happened?" he asked looking Buck straight in the eyes.

Buck looked at them, and then he sank down in the saddle.

"My brother needs me," he said.

"For what?" Kid wanted to know, not content with the answer.

"I don't know. Kid, I have to go." Buck pleaded, but Kid refused to let go of the reins.

"You're sure you should go?"

"He's my brother."

"Yeah, and I remember how he treated you the last time you went to see him", Kid stated, the memory of the terror he and Ike had endured while Buck had been going through some ritual or other in the Kiowa village still vivid in his mind.

Buck had never spoken about it, and they hadn't asked. But whatever it was, Kid still considered it to be torture, and if he could prevent Buck from going through anything like that again he would.

"That was different", Buck replied sternly. Rachel watched in astonishment the word battle that was going on. She had no idea what it was all about or to what Kid was referring, but one thing was clear; as determined as Buck was to go, Kid was equally determined not to let him. She wondered who would win.

"And how do you know that?" Kid wanted to know.

"I just know. Now let go of the reins."

"No."

"What do you mean, 'no'?"

"I'm not letting you go - not until Teaspoon's back anyway."

"Don't do this, Kid" Buck said seriously, looking at Kid with anger in his eyes. Kid met his eyes and stared back. Rachel stepped back, wondering what she could do. She could almost feel the tension the air.

Suddenly it all happened; Buck slammed his feet into his mount's side in order to try and break free, at the same time as Kid let go of the reins and instead grabbed a hold of Buck's arm pulling him down. With the movement of the horse it all ended in them both falling to the ground, wrestling. One desperate to get free, the other one holding on. The anger soon brought out the fists, and Rachel found her voice.

"Stop it! You hear me? You stop this right now!" Seeing that her words had no result she grabbed hold of the closest, which happened to be Buck.

"What do you think you're doing?" she yelled as she lost her grip on the

combatants, as the sound of hoofs announced an arrival. Soon Jimmy stood in the doorway with his gun in his hand. He stopped abruptly and looked at the scene before him.

"Jimmy, help me get these two off of each other!" Rachel asked, and Jimmy came to her aid. Soon they managed to get the two boys apart, Jimmy holding on to Kid, and Rachel standing between them.

"Now will you please explain to me what's going on?" she asked.

"Don't let him go!" Kid said, trying to get loose from Jimmy. Buck, who suddenly was free, saw his chance and started to run to his horse.

"Buck, where're you going?" Rachel called after him.

"Damn, Jimmy, let me go. We've got to stop him!" Kid pleaded and with one last effort he managed to get away from Jimmy and rushed out after Buck. Jimmy and Rachel followed in his heels, bewildered and trying to fathom the situation.

Buck was in the process to mount up, when Kid reached him. When Buck felt his hand on his shoulder he turned in anger only to meet Kid's fist coming the other way. Unprepared for the blow, his head went backwards and he fell unconscious to the ground. Kid pushed the horse away and then stood painting over him, when Jimmy and Rachel came up to him.

"What's going on?" Rachel asked in desperation.

"I couldn't let him go." Kid answered trying to catch his breath.

"Well, it looks like you managed that at least," Jimmy said bending over Buck.
"You've knocked him out. He wont be pleased when he wakes up."

"I don't care."

"Where was he going?" Rachel wanted to know.

"You remember the scream you heard? It was an Indian. He just showed himself and then he left. When he had left, Buck said he was going to see his brother."

"Then why not let him?"

Kid shook his head.

"Last time he was in the village they put him through some kind of torture. God knows what they want this time."

"I'm sure Buck knows what he's doing."

"Well, I ain't. At least I didn't want him to go until Teaspoon's back. What if the Kiowa are planning to kill him?"

Jimmy and Rachel looked at Kid.

"You think that might be the case?"

"Maybe", Kid mumbled.

"What do you suggest we do then?" Jimmy asked.

"We could lock him up."

Jimmy looked doubtfully on him.

"I'm not sure that's such a god idea," he said. "Look here, Kid, why don't you let Buck decide for himself?"

"And what shall we do if he doesn't come back? Just let him disappear?"

"It's his family, Kid."

"And he left them for some reason. I don't know about you, but I'm not sure he'll be safe if he returns to them. Until I'm sure, I say he stays."

"I still think it's up to Buck."

"If you had seen what I've seen you wouldn't be so sure," Kid insisted. "When the tribe put him through all that torture, he didn't even object! I don't know what kind of hold his brother got on him, but I want let him put Buck through hell again just because he can."

Jimmy looked at Rachel. Kid's word started to get through to them, and they knew that he was genuinely concerned for Buck, to risk his wrath in the way he had done.

"I suppose we can lock him in the shed until Teaspoon's back." Jimmy mumbled.

Rachel looked at the boys, unable to understand what had happened.

"All right," she sighed, "But as soon as Teaspoon gets back I want this sorted out. All of it."

Jimmy and Kid carried Buck over to the tool-shed, and making sure there was no way out, they made a temporary bed of hay and placed him on him. Buck moaned as they moved him, and they knew it wouldn't be many minutes until he was conscious.

"I'd sure hate to be in your clothes when he gets out," Jimmy stated as they bolted the door from outside.

"I'll deal with that then," Kid stated coldly, content with having preventing Buck from going. A slight tenderness made him touch his face.

"If that's the only bruise you'll get out of this, I'd say you're lucky," Jimmy smiled.
"Tell me, who hits the hardest, Buck or me?"

"You don't want to know." Kid answered as they returned to the bunkhouse.

A few miles from the station, Red Bear anxiously awaited his messenger at the temporary camp he had put up for himself and a few of his warriors. When he saw a rider approaching, he rose and walked over to meet him.

"Did you see him? Did you see my brother?"

"Yes. I gave him your message."

"Then he'll be here soon." Red Bear nodded his thanks and the warrior rode off.

Red Bear looked at the only tent at the camp and sighed. He hoped his brother would hurry.

Later in the afternoon there was still no sign of Running Buck. Red Bear's hart sank. He couldn't believe that his younger brother would let him down. Although he had told him never to look back, he had hoped that he could count on Running Buck if he ever would need him. And now he needed him, more than ever.

Buck woke up with a slight headache and in darkness. For a moment he wondered what had happened then it dawned on him. He looked around and realized that he was in the tool-shed. Why he was there he didn't understand, but instead of thinking he got up and went to the door. He tried to open it and for a moment he couldn't understand what was wrong until he realized that he was locked in. For a few seconds he just stood there, unable to believe that they actually had locked him in. Then he banged his fists on the door.

"Let me out, Kid!" There was no answer and angry he realized that there was no one around. With a bitter feeling he went back and sat down on the temporary bed, deep in thoughts. He guessed he had to wait until they would let him out.

CHAPTER 2

"Cody, Cody", Teaspoon looked sadly on the boy sitting next to him on the wagon. "If you insist on trying to impress girls I suggest you try and do it with some more finesse."

"What do you mean, Teaspoon?" the boy by his side looked with interest at the older man.

"Well, take this incident at Tompkins'. I couldn't help noticing how you were staring at young Ellen Curtis."

Cody sighed loudly.

"Now, don't interrupt me, son. Now, as I understand it you asked her out?"

"I asked if she wouldn't mind joining me on a picnic. What's wrong in that?"

"Nothing, absolutely nothing. But the way you asked it was wrong. I saw how you approached her in your ordinary blunt way."

Cody raised an eyebrow and waited for Teaspoon to continue.

"Now, where women are concerned you have to take it a bit slow, you see. I'll tell you about…."

Cody sank down on the bench. It was going to be a long road home, he pondered. He smiled to himself as he remembered Ellen Curtis. Her father, being the owner of the town's brokerage, had been able to send his only daughter away to some sort of girl school from which she recently had returned, now a blond beauty with a city charm that had been very appealing to Cody. He had noticed her only a week ago, and now he took every chance he had of getting into town. His worst fear would be that any one of the others would beat him to ask the girl out, and he cursed himself that Teaspoon had been witness to his first attempt. Now surely, the others would know about Ellen Curtis' presence, and he would have competition.

When they approached the station, Teaspoon was still telling him some story from his youth, but Cody has long ago seized to listen. Instead his interest was turned to Rachel, who at seeing them, walked out to meet them.

"Something must have happen, Teaspoon", he said, nodding towards Rachel.

Teaspoon stopped talking and held in the horse at the corral.

"What's wrong, Rachel?" he asked.

"I wish I knew," she mumbled. "Buck and Kid had this huge fight earlier, and, well, Kid sort of locked up Buck in the tool-shed."

"He did what?" Teaspoon jumped to the ground, followed by Cody, who was listening to the conversation with interest.

"Kid locked Buck up?" he asked as if he couldn't believe his ears.

Rachel ignored his question.

"There was an Indian here earlier, and Buck suddenly decided to leave, when Kid refused to let him go. I haven't got a clue what it's all about, but I've asked Kid to explain everything when you arrived."

"Where are they?" Teaspoon asked and then turned to Cody. "See to the horse will you, and get those merchandise unloaded."

Cody sighed with disappointment, but complied without any objections. If he was fast, he might be in time to find out what had happened. Whatever it was, he couldn't help feeling a bit happy for himself. With all this commotion, Teaspoon surely would forget to tell the others about Ellen Curtis, he thought to himself.

"Buck's still in the shed, and Kid's waiting for you in the bunkhouse with Jimmy."

"All right, then we better settle this then", Teaspoon said, walking briskly over to the bunkhouse. He wasn't pleased at all, that Rachel could see.

"Kid! What's this I hear that you've locked Buck up?"

Kid rose from his bunk, removing the cold compress he'd been holding to the bruise on his face.

"I didn't have any choice! He was going off to the Kiowa!"

"And that's why you locked him up?"

"No, not just that…"

Teaspoon held up his hands.

"All right. Just tell me everything from the beginning." Kid sat down by the table and told him what had happened.

"I couldn't let him go back there without knowing he'd be OK, Teaspoon" Kid concluded.

"And where did you get this idea that he might be in trouble going back?"

"I told you what they did to him in the village, when we went after Ike!"

"I understand your concern, son, but that doesn't give you the right to prevent Buck from doing what he wants."

"But this isn't what he wants! This has something to do with his brother calling him. He doesn't even know why they want him to come!"

"He said that?"

"Yes."

"Well, if Buck trusts his brother, don't you think we should?"

"He hasn't done anything to gain my trust." Kid objected stubbornly. "And before you say something", he continued, "I know that family can't always be what you want them to be. I've learnt that the hard way", he added bitterly.

Teaspoon rubbed his chin.

"I don't seem to be able to change your mind, son. But I'll have to let Buck out. And if he still wants to see his brother, we're going to let him. Is that clear?"

Kid nodded.

"I still think it's a bad idea", he mumbled, and remained sited as Teaspoon rose and left the bunkhouse. Jimmy looked at Kid as if he wanted to say something, but withheld whatever it was and followed Teaspoon out.

"He didn't mean any harm by it, Teaspoon", Jimmy said in defense of his friend.

"Then tell me, Jimmy, how you would feel in Buck's situation."

Jimmy looked down on the ground as they walked towards the tool-shed.

"I sure wouldn't be happy about it", he admitted.

"I worked hard to get you to work as a team, and to my joy, you've done better than I ever expected", Teaspoon said. "You're as good as family to me, and I don't want to see it ruined because you can't respect each other."

"He's just worried."

"Do you know why, Jimmy?" Teaspoon stopped and looked at the boy. Jimmy shook his head wondering what Teaspoon was aiming at.
"Because he's afraid. And don't to try and tell me that I don't know what I'm talking about. Kid has seen a part of Indian culture that he didn't understand and therefore it frightens him. He has to get over that, it's that simple." Teaspoon looked seriously at Jimmy. "Or one of them might be forced to leave", he added sternly. Jimmy remained in silence as Teaspoon continued to the shed. Without further hesitation he removed the lock and opened the door.

Buck took his hat in his hand and rose from the floor. Without a word he went past the stationmaster, out of the shed, only barely being able to contain his anger.

"Where you're going, son?" Teaspoon asked behind him, seeing that also Buck wore visible signs of being in a fight. It must have been some fight, he thought.

"To see my brother." Buck continued towards the stable without even looking back. As the door of the bunkhouse opened and Kid stepped out on the porch,

Buck threw an angry look over at him, but continued to the stable. Teaspoon sighed and walked after Buck.

Jimmy stood where he was, just watching, unable to decide what to do. Cody came out of the stable and smiled at Buck, but his smile disappeared when he saw the look on Buck's face and he quickly moved out of his way.

"I understand you're angry, son", Teaspoon said as he reached Buck.

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Kid only thought he was doing you a favor."

"Then he should stop thinking." Buck begun to saddle his horse.

"So what do you think your brother wants?"

"I don't know. But I won't find out by staying here." Buck took his horse by the reins and led it out of the stable, with Teaspoon following close behind.

"Have you ever considered that Kid might be right?"

Buck stopped and looked at Teaspoon.

"What do you mean?"

"You're sure this ain't a challenge? Or a way for your brother to get rid of you to secure his position as chief? Having a brother among the white can be a burden for a war chief", Teaspoon said meaningfully, seeing how Buck tensed. I seemed to have hit a sensitive point there, Teaspoon thought to himself; suddenly feeling worried about Buck.

"I'll risk that", Buck said and mounted his horse for the second time that day.

"Are you coming back?" Teaspoon asked finally.

Buck looked over the station, his gaze lingering for a moment at Kid, then he looked down at Teaspoon.

"I don't know", he mumbled and urged his horse forward, not wanting to stay any longer than necessary.

Jimmy and Cody strolled over to where Teaspoon stood watching the disappearing rider.

"You think he'll come back, Teaspoon?" Cody asked.

Teaspoon shook his head.

"I honestly don't know, Cody."

Red Bear stood watching the horizon when he heard soft footsteps behind him. He kept his eyes on the horizon, when the man behind him started to talk.

"He's not coming, my chief."

"There's still time."

"We should return. This is not a good place to spend the night."

"He'll come." Red Bear turned to face the older man. Black Hawk had been a friend of his father, and when his father had died, Black Hawk had been there to take his place.

"Your trust in your half brother is commendable, but it will not make him come."

"He'll come." Red Bear repeated stubbornly.

"You're as stubborn as your father." Black Hawk sighed. "Maybe Running Buck has changed. He has been living in the white man's world a long time now."

"He is still Kiowa."

"You don't know that."

"You were there when he proved it. No one but a Kiowa could have survived the test. The spirits chose his trial."

"But then he returned to the white world. You let him return."

"I couldn't ask him to go against his heart."

"So if his heart belong in the white world…"

"He's Kiowa." Red Bear interrupted the older man, well aware that he insulted the man. But right now he didn't care. Too much were at stake, too much that was precious to him.

Black Hawk frowned at looked at the younger man. Red Bear was like a son to him and the sudden outburst against tribe custom surprised him. But then he saw the tired and weary face of his chief and decided not to hold Red Bear's words against him. His chief was under a lot of strain, and it was up to him to ease it.

"My chief" he started, nodding towards the single tent. "We should get back to the village."

Red Bear closed his eyes and once more turned towards the horizon. But there was no rider in sight, nor did he hear any sounds of hoofs. Deeply disappointed and worried, he nodded.

"Let's get back."

CHAPTER 3

Buck rode as fast as he could, anger still steaming in him. He still couldn't believe what Kid had done. The realization that Kid didn't trust him hurt. He tried to tell himself that Kid was only trying to look out for him, but it didn't help. Kid had locked him up, and it would take him a long time before he could get over that, he knew that much. He pushed the thoughts of Kid out of his mind and concentrated on the task of finding his brother's camp. He had hoped that Red Bear would have a fire lit, but if there was any danger he wouldn't. Instead there would be tracks; unnoticed if you didn't know what to look for, but if he wasn't careful he might miss them. So when he drew nearer to where he thought his brother might be, he slowed down, carefully examining the ground.

Sighing with relief he finally found the signs. It wasn't far now, he thought, and urged his horse forward.

Red Bear reluctantly saw how his men gathered their things. The teepee was already down and he was beginning to realize that his brother wasn't going to show. His eyes went to the small travois behind one of the horses. A shout from one of his guard caught his attention and he felt a spark of hope. He looked towards the hill, reluctant to leave the travois.

Buck slowed down when he saw the warrior. He recognized him as one of red Bear's men. When another appeared on the hill, he began to feel uncertain. He had thought that his brother would be there, but there was no sign of him. With an eye on the braves he continued, hoping to see his brother. As he continued, he looked with surprise at the small camp before him. His eyes searched for his brother as they save familiar faces looking at him. Some he remembered and some were only vaguely familiar. But it had been a long time since he had lived in the village. Finally his searching eyes found his brother, walking briskly towards him. With a smile, he dismounted and walked to meet him.

"You made it." Red Bear smiled at his brother and placed a hand on his shoulder. Then he frowned and looked at the bruises in Buck's face.

"You had trouble?" he asked. Buck turned away his head.

"I came as soon as I could." Buck replied ignoring the question, startled over the strain and tiredness in his brother's face.
"What's wrong?"

Red Bear looked over to the travois.

"Come," he said and walked over to the travois. Buck followed him, wondering what it was that had caused the weariness in his brother. When they reached the travois, Red Bear kneeled and withdraw the hide that protected the face of a person. Buck swallowed hard as he saw the pale face. He knew what had caused his brother's distress. Lying on the travois, with beads of sweat trickling down her face, was his brother's only child, his daughter.

"What happened?" he asked kneeling next to Red Bear.

"We had made camp close to White Bluff. Two days ago, Prairie Dog saw dead fish in the water. We had another spring for water and it was a good place to hunt, so we stayed." Red Bear became silent for a few seconds before continuing.
"Yesterday Otter Woman found her by the water. She must have been thirsty and drunk, even if I had told her not to. She has been sick since."

"What do you want me to do?" Buck asked, not seeing how he could help.

"Crow Bonnet found this up the river." Red Bear held up a canvas-bag.
"He think that white men put something in the water that made her sick. The man of Dreams said that he could not do anything against the white man's bad medicine. Only the white man can do that." Red Bear looked at his brother.

"Do you think the white man's medicine could help her?"

Buck looked at the pale face. She looked very weak and very different from the girl that had given him a feather when he had left the village after his rite when Ike had been captured.

"I don't know," he confessed.
"Maybe."

"Will you take her back with you and ask?"

Buck looked at Red Bear.

"She could die." he said silently, bewildered at his brother's desperation. For him to send his only child to the white man must be an enormous sacrifice.

"She will die here."

"I can't promise anything."

"I know. But I trust you. She's all I've got."

Buck knew that. Red Bear's wife had been killed in a raid, and he had not yet taken another wife. Buck wondered if he ever would. His love for his wife had raised a few eyebrows in the village, not used to such affection shared between husband and wife. But then his brother always had stayed true to his heart no matter what others had been thinking. He nodded.

"I'll take her with me."

Red Bear sighed and placed his hand on his shoulder.

"I knew you would not let me down." A moan from the girl made him looked down. The girl had opened her eyes and was looking at her father with pain in her eyes. Buck swallowed hard when he saw the pain she was in. Who could do this to a child? he thought.

"My daughter, you remember your uncle, Running Buck", Red Bear said softly to the girl.
"He will take you with him to help you." The girl turned her eyes to Buck and smiled faintly at him. Buck tried to smile back and somehow he managed.

Red Bear wrapped his daughter in the buffalo hide and lifted her up.

"The travois...?" Buck looked questioningly at him.

"You will travel faster without it." Red Bear replied as he walked with him back to his horse. Buck mounted and Red Bear handed the girl over to him.

"Bring her back -- whatever happens." he pleaded.

"You have my word."

"Here, take this with you. It might help the white medicine man." Red Bear handed him the canvas-bag and Buck placed it in the saddlebag.

Red Bear rose his hand in goodbye and turned away; not able to see them leave. Buck looked after him for a few seconds before turning his horse and head back to the station as fast he could.

Lou sat on the fence watching Lightning. He had stumbled on her last run as she wanted to make sure he was OK before the next one. Ike stood beside her.

<There's nothing wrong with him.>

"I ain't so sure, Ike. He's never stumbled before." She looked up as she heard the sound of a horse coming in fast.

"Rider comin'!" she yelled and stood up balancing on the fence to see who it was. Rachel rose from the porch where she had been sitting trying to fix a rip in one of Jimmy's shirts. Noah and Teaspoon came out from the barn. Kid emerged from the bunkhouse.

"It's Buck!" Lou called out and jumped down to greet the rider. Buck rode straight up to Rachel, who immediately walked down to meet him. Lou ran up and took his horse, which was covered in sweat and looked as if it would fall to the ground at any second. Teaspoon's face darkened when he saw the animal.

"What do you mean by...", he begun when Buck interrupted him.

"I need for someone to get Doc," he said tensely. "And quickly."

"What's wrong, Buck? What's happened?" Rachel asked looking at the large bundle Buck held in his arms. Buck, who was panting from the hard ride, ignored her and looked around. Ike seeing his distress immediately went for his horse.

<I'll go.> he said and was up and gone in a second. Buck sighed and turned to Rachel.

"Rachel, I want to ask a favor of you", he pleaded and uncovered the girl's face.
"She's sick and I hoped she could stay..."

"My God", Rachel said as she saw the pale face. "Of course she can stay here. Who is she?"

"It's my brother's daughter. My niece."

"I'll see to it that she's all right until Doc arrives", Rachel said and held out her arms to relieve Buck of his burden. When Buck refused, she quickly turned and went up the stairs.

"You bring her in, and I'll fix her a bed", she said.

Doc walked out of the house followed by Rachel and a worried Buck. Teaspoon met them at the gate. Doc held the canvas-bag in his hand.

"I think you're brother was right, Buck", he said. "Somebody put poison in that water."

Teaspoon scratched his chin. That's the water that runs down by the Henderson's place right?" Buck nodded, irritated over the conversation.

"Will she be all right?" he asked.

Doc took a deep breath.

"Well, to be honest I don't know. She's got high fever, and she seems to have some difficulty keeping food and worse of all water. I want somebody to ride to Ft. Laramie for an analysis of what kind of poison it is. Then maybe I can tell you more."

"I can go", Noah offered. "I haven't any runs scheduled for some time."

"You better go right away then, son." Teaspoon agreed.

"Already on my way", Noah said and took the bag and headed to the stable.

"What can we do, Doc?" Rachel asked, seeing the worry in Buck's face. He had been handed over a great burden, she thought.

"Try and keep the fever down with cool compresses and try and feed her water. Don't give her too much, but try and give her water all the time. That's all I can say. I'm sorry."

"Thanks, Doc", Rachel mumbled as Doc seated himself in his wagon.

"I'll get back when we got the analysis from Laramie", he promised as he headed off.

Buck stood by the gate looking after Doc as Kid approached him.

"I'm sorry, Buck..." he started when Buck turned around in anger and grabbed hold of Kid's jacket.

"If she dies, so do you!" he hissed before letting go and walking back into the house.

"He didn't mean that Teaspoon, did he?" Lou asked and looked at Teaspoon.

"I'm sure he didn't", Teaspoon replied with more certainty than he felt.

Rachel filled the bowl with cold water and walked over to the bed by the window. Buck was trying to feed the girl some water, but it was with some difficulty. She had high fever and had drowsed into some state of unconsciousness. Rachel sat down on the other side and wiped her forehead.

"She's pretty", she said smiling at Buck, who simply nodded.
"What's her name?" Rachel asked trying to get him to lighten up a little.

"Wun-oan-to-mee." Rachel looked at him as he hadn't bothered to translate the name and he didn't look as if he would either.

"Wun-oan-te-me." she repeated with some difficulty.

 CHAPTER 4

The night went slowly. Buck didn't sleep, sitting the whole night by his niece's side, comforting her as she woke up in pain. Rachel stayed awake too, hoping to be of some support to the boy, but more often finding herself simply ignored. Not that it bothered her - it was obvious that Buck's main concern was that of the girl, and she couldn't argue with that. So she simply placed herself in one end of the room, getting fresh water and serving Buck coffee, listening to the soft words in a language unknown to her. Sometimes it sounded as if Buck was chanting, but the words were difficult to make out and she couldn't tell if he was simply humming or actually saying words. She sipped her coffee and looked over to where Buck was sitting next to the girl, Woun-an-tee-mee, or how her name was pronounced. She had never heard him speak his own language before and somehow it changed her view of him. She realised that he had become more Indian, whatever that meant. It was as if she suddenly saw the darker hue on his face, the features in his face that revealed a non-European ancestry and his dark eyes and hair.

Lou walked briskly across the yard, her eyes searching in wane for any sign of the one she was looking for. It was still early and she couldn't imagine that he had left the station. She had wanted to talk to him since yesterday, but there had always been someone around. And she needed this to be private. She went over to the stable but he wasn't there either. Where the hell could he be? she pondered as she continued to look. Finally she found him behind the old hen house, where he obviously had sought some refuge from the daily chores, sitting, lazily enjoying the sun, with his back against the wall.

"So there you are," she said disapprovingly, watching his hands moving quickly in forming his reply as he smiled at her.

"I don't care that you've already done your chores", she frowned and sat down next to him. "I need to talk to you, Ike."

Ike's smile faded when he saw the concern and worry in her face.

<What's wrong?> he asked.

Lou hesitated and suddenly felt stupid. Maybe she was wrong. Maybe all she would accomplish do was to upset Ike and even make him angry. But she had to know.

"Do you remember what Buck said yesterday?" she asked.

<What do you mean?>

"That stuff he said about --- you know --- that he would kill Kid if the girl died?"

Ike looked at her with a frown on his face.

<So?>

"Do you think he meant it? I mean, could he really kill Kid?" She blurted out the words as if they scared her. Please Ike, tell me that I'm foolish for even thinking it, she thought to herself. To her surprise Ike didn't answer her right away, and when he did, it wasn't the answer she had expected.

<I don't think so.> He shrugged and avoided looking at her. She sank down next to him. That what was she had feared too. True, he might have been acting just out of anger, she'd never seen Buck so angry before, but then on the other hand she'd known him long enough to know that he didn't say things if he didn't mean 'em.

"He was pretty angry. Maybe he just said it because he was so upset?"

<Maybe.>

Lou sat in silence for a couple of minutes, looking out over the morning sky, sun climbing higher, creating an impressive scenery. But she wasn't interested in the scenery. Her mind was occupied with the events the previous day. She couldn't believe that Buck actually would kill Kid, but there was something in Buck's voice yesterday that she'd never heard before, a determination and it had made her think. They grown into a family, but were that really true? she pondered. They were all so different, different backgrounds, different upbringings and different ways of thinking and acting. She didn't really know them, well, except for the Kid, she thought lightening up a bit. But then a dark cloud shadowed her face. Maybe she didn't know him either --- sometimes she could get so irritated on him and sometimes he was just the sweetest one around. No, maybe she didn't know him as well as she would like, she reflected on. Then her thoughts return to the threat. Even if she thought she knew Kid, she realised that she didn't know much about Buck. He never talked about his background much, and when he did it was because somebody asked. Like when they found out about his brother. Surely Buck wouldn't kill anyone in his family? If he considered them family. But then family members didn't lock each other up either , she meditated morosely, when an elbow nudged her in the side.

<What are you thinking?>

Lou shrugged.

"All and nothing."

<You're worried about Kid?>

"No. Well, yeah ---- maybe," she admitted. "I'm stupid, I know. Buck wouldn't kill Kid, right?" She still needed to hear that her fears were unfounded.

Ike shook his head.

<No, he wouldn't.>

But the feeling that something was wrong wouldn't leave them as they watched the sun climb higher on the sky.

Buck had spent a miserable night by his niece's side. Only once or twice had the girl woken up from her restless state and then she'd been scared and asked for her father. Buck's present had soothed her somewhat, but he'd never felt so helpless as he did during that night. Buck's anger had slowly given away to fear and concern. What if she died? He knew it wasn't his fault, but how would he face his brother to give him the news that his only child had died? He was subconsciously aware that Rachel had been around most of the night, trying to talk and to bring them water and cold compresses. He hadn't paid her any attention, just shut her out. He knew that it was wrong of him to take out his anger on her. Well, in some way he was angry with her too, at least that how he felt. He was angry at the white world for doing this to his niece. That it was a white man or men that had poisoned the well, that he was certain of. Indian tribes might wage war on each other and even steal women and children, but they would never use poison. Especially not in the water, since, during droughts, they all might depend on it. There was no honour in poisoning. So it had to be a white man. Buck frowned at the thought, when he heard a knock on the door. He ignored it as he had every other attempt during the night to talk to him. He looked up when the person who had entered sat down on the other side of the bed.

<How is she?> Ike signed, eyes full of concern, both for his friend and the girl.

"There's no change." Buck replied shortly. Ike looked sharply at him.

<How are you then?>

"I'm OK."

Ike looked at the girl and then back to Buck, trying to get his friend into a conversation.

<Noah should be back soon. If he have some news, then maybe the Doc can help her.>

"Maybe."

<You should get some sleep.>

"Ain't tired."

Ike shook his head slowly so to show his discontent with his friend's attitude. Then he became serious.

<You've got Lou worried.>

"What she's got to be worried about?"

<About what you said to Kid.>

Buck looked up at him, his anger returning.

"So?"

<You shouldn't upset her like that. She's worried that you actually could kill Kid.>

"He locked me in and stopped me from reaching my brother." Ike could her the anger in Buck's voice. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea, he thought. Maybe he should have waited. But then the girl could die at any moment and he surely liked to settle this now.

<So you were angry. That I understand. But the threat?>

Buck didn't answer.

<You just got everybody upset.>

"Why?" Buck looked coldly at him. "I didn't say anything I didn't mean. If Wun-oan-to-mee dies, and it's because I was too late, then he deserves to die too."

Ike looked terrified at him. He'd never seen his friend like this. He didn't recognise him. Then he frowned. It must be something else that was eating him, he thought. It couldn't be just the girl, he decided. It must be something else.

<What have Kid done to you?> he signed questionably.

"You saw what he did."

Ike frowned. He wasn't getting through to his friends and that made him worried. He rose. I better talk to Teaspoon, he decided as he left the room. There was something strange and sinister over the way Buck was acting. There must be a reason. He just had to find out what. If Buck wasn't going to help him he had to find another way. But I better not tell Lou, he thought grimly. She wouldn't like it, he reflected. She would definitely not like it.

Rachel saw Ike storm out of the room with a worried face. She wanted to stop him and ask what was going on, but decided not to when he disappeared in a hurry around the corner. She sighed and knocked on the door.

"Buck?" There was no reply, as there had been no reply the last time, so she simple opened the door and walked in.

"What did Ike want? she asked gently, wiping the brow of the girl with the cold water she had brought. Buck didn't reply, and she looked at him.

"What's wrong, Buck?" she asked with concern, realising the strain the boy was under. "Noah will be back any time now", she added, trying to comfort him. "I'm sure he will bring some good news."

"Look at her." The words, spoken so suddenly, startled her. "She will not make it," Buck added grimly, his jaws set in his stern face. Rachel looked at him with a frown, when he suddenly turned to her and looked at her with cold, dark eyes. Rachel was taken aback by the change. Only a day ago his eyes had been full of warmth and held gentleness, but now all she could see was bitterness and hatred. She swallowed and returned his gaze, knowing in her heart that "their" Buck still was there, behind this sudden faVade he now showed.

"You're being unfair", she stated. "I'm sure Doc can come up with something, if he get the information from the army surgeon in Ft. Laramie."

"I'm being unfair?" Only a month ago, my people was being killed by small pox brought by white and killed because of ridiculous charges by the Indian police, and now this - and you call me unfair?" Buck could barely hold back the anger.

"That wasn't Kid's fault", Rachel insisted, "and you can't blame everybody for one man's actions. If the Indian agent..."

"Why not? You seem to be able to pin one crime made by an Indian unto a whole tribe." Rachel looked at Buck and rose.

"If that's how you feel, I suppose I better leave you," she said, starting to feel angry with Buck. Buck shrugged and Rachel walked out of the room. Outside she calmed herself down. She hadn't realised the impact the last month's happenings had had on the boy. It was Cody she'd been concerned about, with the death of Hezekiel Horne and all, and had forgotten the tragedies that had hit the Kiowa due to the Indian agent's actions. Buck's tribe. She frowned at the thought. She couldn't remember Buck ever saying anything or letting anything show that he was worried over the Kiowa. Upset, yes, but nothing else. She shook her head and walked out on the porch. If she couldn't help the girl, she'd better see to the laundry, she decided. On the porch she ran into Teaspoon.

"How's the girl doing?" he asked.

"There's no change." Rachel hesitated. "I'm worried 'bout Buck," she admitted.

"Buck? Why?"

"He's different --- I don't know how to say this --- but he's seem very bitter. And he's got a huge responsibility placed upon him. Maybe you should talk to him, Teaspoon?"

Teaspoon nodded.

"All right. I'll talk to him when we get back."

"What are you doing?"

"I'm taking Jimmy with me over to the Henderson's place, to see if they've seen anything. Hopefully they haven't been affected by the poison in the water."

"Who could do such a thing, Teaspoon?"

"I don't know. Maybe we'll be able to find that out. By the way, don't tell anybody about the girl."

Rachel frowned.

"Is there some trouble?"

"I have a feeling that she ain't from the reservation."

"But where else should she be from?" Rachel looked at him questioningly.

"Not all of the Kiowa accepted the treaty", Teaspoon said slowly. "From what I've gathered Buck's brother might have been one of them."

"But --- then he's a renegade. Then the army must be looking for him."

Teaspoon nodded.

"And if the army want him, they might want to know the whereabouts of his daughter. That would give them a chance of catching him."

"But Teaspoon, I've heard stories about these renegades. They're attacking homesteads and killing women and children." Rachel looked in horror at the stationmaster.

"Even so, I think, we should keep this information under the hat. For the time being any way."

"Teaspoon," Rachel begun, "I hate to say this, but what if Buck's brother is involved in the attacks - then he should be arrested, right? And if we got a chance to stop the killing by seeing to that, shouldn't we---?"

CHAPTER 5

Teaspoon stared at Rachel for a moment until he realized that Rachel indeed was sincere in her question. He gently put a hand on her shoulder and smiled at her.

"I don't think we should do that," he said softly. "Remember, there's a child involved here."

"There have been children killed too, Teaspoon", Rachel reminded him, not willing to let go of her fear and trust him just yet. "And the girl wouldn't be in any danger, she is more than welcomed to stay here, you know that."

Teaspoon held up his hand before him.

"All right, Rachel, I won't discuss this with you know. I've got to get over to Henderson's to prevent this from getting any worse. In the meantime, we won't do a thing, OK?"

"I'm sorry Teaspoon," Rachel said remorsefully, "I don't know what I was thinking. This whole thing with Indian renegades just scares the daylight out of me." Rachel smiled faintly.

"Don't worry," Teaspoon smiled. "There is nothing to be scared of. The raids are scarce and we're too close to town to be in any danger any way. Besides, with the boys around, we're more than able to fight off any raiding party. Feeling better?"

"I'm fine. I'll tell Jimmy that he better hurry up," Rachel smiled and turned, not at all feeling any safer than before. Memories from an Indian attack of a wagon trail re-occurred in her memory and unsuccessfully she tried to shed them away. She had only been a teenager then, but she could still remember the horror of it all. She had tried to put it behind her, and she had thought she managed to forget, especially since she arrived at the station and got to know the riders and Teaspoon. Teaspoon had spent a lot of his time with Indians, and his stories had made her more at ease. Getting to know Buck had also changed her attitude, at least she thought so. But the way Buck had been behaving the last hours, she wasn't so sure anymore. As for Buck's

brother, she didn't know anything, and she had no wish to get to know him either. According to Cody he was some sort of war chief, and she was sure that the title wasn't earned without the killing of. The children was different though, she mused, as her thoughts went back to the girl others lying upstairs. She wasn't responsible for anything, and Rachel's heart almost broke at the thought of her plight. Teaspoon was probably right, she pondered, how could she cause this child more pain? And what would that mean to Buck? Rachel sighed as she reached the bunkhouse and opened the door.

"I don't know, Lou. It doesn't feel right ---"

"But there must be something! You saw what ---" she silenced as Rachel walked through the door.

"Jimmy! Teaspoon's waiting for you!" she called as she entered. Jimmy was sitting at the table, obviously engaged in a serious discussion about something with Lou. The two riders had silenced the moment Rachel walked in but Rachel had caught the last sentences said, and she frowned at the riders.

"What's going on here?" she asked suspiciously and looked from one to the other.

"Nothing, Rachel," Lou replied lightly and smiled at her. "What's for dinner?"

"Dinner? Girl, it's still morning and you're asking for dinner? Rachel raised an eyebrow in surprise. "There's no dinner until one of you have done some errands into town. I could use some more potatoes, at least until Cody's off on a run. Where is everybody by the way?"

"Don't know," Lou replied casually. "Except that Noah still on that run to ft. Laramie for the Doc, and Kid headed out of here an hour ago. He took Buck's run."

"Where's Cody and Ike?"

Lou shrugged and Jimmy shook his head.

"Haven't seen 'em for a while," Jimmy said uninterested as he draw circles on the table with his finger. He seemed to be deep in thoughts and Rachel decided to leave them to their conversation.

"Well, Lou I suggest you find at least one of them and get me those supplies from Thompkins before dinner, that's all I ask," she stated and walked out again. On the doorstep she turned.

"I thought I told you Teaspoon was waiting Jimmy!" Jimmy looked up as if she had disturbed him and raising his hands in an apologizing gesture towards Lou he reached for his hat and walked over to where Teaspoon was mounting his horse. Lou reluctantly followed and walked over to the barn in hope of finding either Cody or Ike. She hoped she would found Ike before Cody. She wasn't in the mood for his wise cracks. Not today.

Rachel stood on the porch and looked over the yard as Lou disappeared behind the barn and Jimmy and Teaspoon headed off towards Henderson's place. Suddenly she realized that she had no clue to what she would do now. The laundry was still drying from the lines behind the house. It was several hours until dinner was to be served. Jimmy and Teaspoon would be off to Henderson, a trip that would keep them away for at least four hours. The sun was still low on the horizon and she knew it would be a few hours before the heat would warm up the ground and the air. She watched how Lou and Ike took the wagon and headed off to Sweetwater, when her eyes wandered up to the house. A curtain was slowly moving in the slight morning breeze and she knew that Buck must have opened a window to let in some fresh air. She wondered when he had done that, when a thought struck her. If he had opened it when she had talked to Teaspoon then he might have heard what she said. Maybe she would try and explain what she had meant? If she could that was, since she wasn't even sure herself to her reaction. Hesitantly she walked over to the house and silently walked up to the room. She knocked quietly on the door.

"Buck?" she asked as she opened it only to find Buck asleep in the chair next to the bed. Slowly, as not to wake him, Rachel tiptoed over to the bed and saw that the girl was sleeping too, although her sleep was feverish and uneasy. Content that everything seemed fine, she went out and carefully closed the door. Both the girl and Buck needed the rest.

She went over to the barn but there wasn't a soul in sight. As she slowly passed the horses one of them turned and nudge her in hope of some treat. Gently she tapped the horse on the neck.

"Hungry, he?" she murmured as a thought struck her. She hadn't been away from the station for a long time, and this was a perfect opportunity. The weather was fine, and the more she thought about the more tempting it became. She could take the buggy out to the small lake over by the mountain. It was almost a two-hour trip out there, but then nobody would be back for at least four hours, unless Cody showed up. She couldn't understand where he had gone, but then Cody had proven himself a master of the task of disappearing if there were chores to be done. Making her mind up, Rachel took the horse out. She believed it was called Clodhopper, because it once had stumbled and thrown Jimmy off. The name Jimmy had given it at that particular moment wasn't exactly suitable, so Lou had altered it to Clodhopper. Quickly she hitched the horse to the buggy and climbed up. A pang of conscience hit her as she realized that Buck would be on his own. But then he'd made clear that he didn't need her help, she realized. But still? Rachel hesitated for a moment, before she shook her head. She wouldn't be gone for long and nothing could happen in that time, she decided and with a quick snap of her wrist she urged Clodhopper forward. She definitely needed the time off anyway.

CHAPTER 6

Buck slowly rose from the chair. He must have dozed off, he thought, and no wonder. He'd been up most of the night and under a lot of strain. At least he felt somewhat refreshed as he turned to his niece. She was breathing in short gasps and looking very pale. He knew she was suffering from the toxin and the lack of water. He tried to get a spoon of water through her mouth and although he wanted to give her more he remembered Doc's words about not overdoing it. He'd found that she could keep the water down if he gave her no more than a spoon and then waited for at least ten minutes. He'd been doing that most of the night, scared that if he fell asleep and forgot that she would be worse. He wonder how long he'd been sleeping, and threw a glance over to the clock on the wall. It was with relief he realized that it hadn't been for more than half an hour. At least she seemed to be sleeping more easily than before. Or maybe this was just another phase before death? He didn't know and had no means of finding out. So he leaned back in the chair and placed his feet on the small stool before him. Resting his elbows on his knees he placed his chin in his hand, pondering the situation. He wished Noah would be back soon. Every hour was important to Wun-oan-to-mee and although he knew that Noah might come back with a negative response the Doc's question, he couldn't resist grasping that straw of hope. If only Noah would be back.

Suddenly he realized that it was unusually quiet outside and he rose and walked over to the window. All he saw was the deserted yard. He realized that the wagon was gone and suspected that the others had gone into town. Not that it bothered him. It was nice to be on his own. Not that he hadn't appreciated Rachel's help during the night, but he preferred to handle this on his own. Although he felt completely accepted as a friend and family member among the riders, he suspected that his Indian friends and his brother was still something the others looked at with suspicion and he felt that they might be a bit wary concerning his Indian family. If he ever doubted how they felt he just had to remember what happened the day before. If Kid had trusted his Indian family he wouldn't have locked him, Buck, in the tool shed. The thought of Kid's, as Buck saw it, betrayal, made him frown and tighten his lips, when a sound from outside made him rise and walk over to the window.

What he saw made him froze for a few seconds. A gang of five riders where headed towards the station and they certainly didn't look friendly. His first thought was that of Wun-oan-to-mee. Whatever happened he had to protect her. And that meant he had to keep the men away from the house - no matter what. He gave Wun-oan-to-mee another spoon of water and then walked slowly out of the house as if there wasn't a worry in the world. The men that rode in at the station slowed down when they saw him. He nodded a greeting and continued his walk towards the bunkhouse. The further he got from the house before they would call him, as he knew they would, the more relieved he felt. Finally one of the men, who appeared to be the leader, called out to him and he stopped, standing so that he was hiding his gun from the men's sight.

"You alone, half-breed?"

"I expect that a rider will ride in at any moment," Buck replied calmly.

"This the Express Station?"

"Yes. I'm one of the riders."

"A half-breed?" The man sneered and his comment created a snigger among his men.

Buck clenched his fist, but remain where he was.

"You're sure there aren't anyone else around?" The question came from another man in the group. Buck didn't reply, hoping that the leader wouldn't get the idea of searching the premises. The leader watched him closely and Buck tried to make his face plain.

"You heard him - anyone else around?"

"No." Buck's reply was short. "What do you want?"

The man grinned at him.

"Well, at first we thought about changing our horses - they're a bit worked out. Right, men?"

The man turned and smiled at his companions before turning to Buck again. "Anything against that, half-breed?"

"Those are Pony Express horses. You can't take them."

"And who's gonna stop me?"

Buck realized that the men wouldn't leave without a fight, and he slowly overlooked the situation. They were five, and all of them heavily armed. He might be able to get one or even two of them before they had a chance to react, but that was all. If he could stay out of the fight, then they would leave and he could see to Wun-oan-to-mee. The thought of Wun-oan-to-mee made him decide. He could always track them after they had left and the others were back he thought as he looked at the leader.

"OK. Change horses."

The leader looked surprised at him. He hadn't expected that answer, that was certain.

"You're not objecting then?"

Buck shrugged. His only interest right now was to avoid a fight at any cost. His disinterest, however, seemed only to anger the man.

"You chicken?"

Buck stared back at him. He couldn't care less what the man thought, but it was beginning to look like he wasn't going to be able to avoid a fight any way. The man was clearly out for trouble. He turned and started to walk towards the bunkhouse again, every muscle in his body ready to act in case it would be necessary.

"How dare you turn your back to me! Do you hear me half-breed?"

Buck continued to walk as he heard somebody cock his gun behind him. Quickly, he turned, holding his gun and before the men had realized what was going on, one of them had fallen to the ground, with a surprised look on his face as he tried to stop the blood that was oozing from a wound in his shoulder. The others immediately reached for their guns, while Buck sprinted for cover by the bunkhouse. Before he reached the house, a shot ringed out, and he felt as if a hammer had struck him in his leg. He fell to the ground but he was up again in a second, running for cover. As he ran he felt the blood running down the leg and filling his boot, but he had no time to think about that.

Half turning, he fired two shots at the men, who had dismounted and dodging his shots tried to follow him. Only the leader was still in his saddle, shouting instructions to his men.

When he realized that Buck might get away he urged his horse forward and lunged towards Buck. Buck tried to get away but with a wounded leg he was too slow and he was knocked down by the horse. Rolling to avoid the hoofs he tried to get to his feet when he saw that the man had turned his horse and was heading towards him again, with the obvious intention of letting the horse trample on him. Buck raised his gun and fire two shots, but as soon as he had pulled the trigger he knew he had missed. He hadn't had enough time to take aim and the first shot went wide. The second was better, but he only managed to graze the man's arm, and did nothing to slow him down. Trying to roll away, he realized too late that he should have aimed at the horse. He knew that his hesitation of shooting the animal might be his downfall,

and he became acutely aware of this as the horse stepped on his injured leg. He let out a sound of pain and he could tell that stepping on him had frightened the horse, which was nervously stepping around him. The rider forced the horse forward with a cruel grin on his face and Buck raised his gun to fire his last shot. He hated to have to kill the frightened animal but he had no other choice.

Taking aim as he lay on the ground, he pulled the trigger. Nothing happened. With fear he realized that the gun had jammed. He had cleaned it recently, and he must have left a spot of oil somewhere. Dust or sand must have stuck to the oil, jamming it.

He knew he wouldn't have the time to get the jammed bullet out, so he did the only thing left to do. He flung the gun at the horse's head, hitting it above the eye. The horse shed and Buck got some time to get away. The rider cursed and tried to calm his upset animal and the terrified horse had nothing else to do than obey the rider and Buck once again found himself in the mix of hoofs and horse's legs on the ground. He raised his arms to protect his head from the hoofs. His elbow got a knock from one of the legs and made him drop his arm. At that moment the horse tried to kick itself free from the situation and a hoof hit him on the side of the head. Luckily for Buck, the kick hadn't been especially hard, had it been, it would have crushed his skull. As it was now, he could feel the edge of the hoof open up a wound and he could feel the blood oozing from it down on his temple. The force behind the kick made him see flashes before his eyes, and he feared that he would loose his consciousness.

Trying to get away, he tried again to roll away only to see the horse rise above him. When the animal came down again a hoof hit him on his chest and he heard a loud crack. The force behind the hoof knocked the air out of him and he gasped for air, unable to move. As in a fog he saw the horse above him and how the rider leaned over the animals side, aiming at him with his gun. Knowing that this was it, Buck hoped that killing him would be enough for the men. Don't let them find Wun-oan-to-mee, he thought before the pain and loss of blood wiped out the last of his consciousness.

Cody headed back to the station in a miserable mood. He had managed to slip away earlier and to his immense joy he had run into Ellen in town, just as he had hoped to. He was accompanying her around the town when Lou and Ike had pulled up behind them with the wagon. The big smiles on their faces had told him that his fun was over.

Lou had been the first of the wagon closely followed by Ike and had prompted that they would be introduced to the young lady. Reluctantly, Cody had to oblige, and to his dismay, Lou had played her part as a boy to the perfection, she and Ike flirting with girl. He knew this was just to annoy him, and finally he felt forced to say goodbye to Ellen and drag the others away from her as well. No, this was certainly not his day. And now he had to go back and meet Rachel's anger because he had slipped away from his chores. Deep in thoughts over how he could get even with Lou and Ike he didn't hear from where the first shots came. Alerted, however, he held in his horse and turned his attention to where he thought they had come from. When another shot shattered the silence he realized with horror that it came from the station.

With the recent Indian raids around Blue Creek in his mind, he picked up his rifle and urged his horse forward. Whatever was going on, he hoped he wouldn't be too late.

CHAPTER 7

Rachel sat on the buggy admiring the scenery before her. She had really needed this time away from the station. The small pond before her had created an oasis of greenery just below the imposing rock of the beginning of White Mesa. She had seen this place once before, when she had ran from the law of Blue Creek. She couldn't understand why she never thought of going back here before. She stepped down from the buggy and walked down to the pond, taking in the beautiful sight, relishing in it and feeling carelessly free. Seeing the flowers by the bank, she sat down, tracing the delicate stem of one with her hand, hesitant to break it, yet wishing to keep it.

Suddenly the serenity was shattered with the sounds of horses approaching. Rachel stood up, cursing herself for leaving the rifle in the buggy. How could she be so stupid, she thought, especially with the increased raids in the area. Hadn't she talked with Teaspoon about that earlier today? And still she had ventured away on her own, with only a rifle. A rifle that she had left in the buggy. I must have been crazy, she thought as the sound told her they were coming closer. She looked around for a hiding place, but seeing non she decided to head for the buggy. Maybe she would have a chance to get away. She was almost there when the riders came into view.

She saw that it was five white men, not Indians as she had feared. It was a rugged looking bunch, and her uneasiness grew. When they saw the buggy they turned and headed towards it. Soon enough they also discovered her, as she stood between the pond and the buggy, and she could tell from the grin on the first man that they were trouble. Straightening herself up, she stared back at him.

"What you're doin' out here, miss?" the man asked as his eyes scanned her body.

"I'm waitin' for my husband," Rachel replied coldly. "He should be here any time now."

"Husband, he?" The man turned to his comrades and grinned at them. "So where's he then?"

"He's forget something in town, and turned back. He should be here by now."

"Maybe something happened to him. A pretty lady like you shouldn't be out here alone." The man dismounted and handed the reins to one of his men. "Why don't we wait with you?"

"I can manage on my own, thank you." Rachel started to move towards the buggy, when the man blocked her way and she was forced to back of.

"I ensure you, we can make the waiting quite pleasant," he said as she felt him undress her with his eyes.

"I want you to leave," she replied trying to make her voice steady although she was trembling inside, both of fear and anger. "Get out of my way."

"Not so fast, my beauty," the man said mockingly and grabbed her by her arm pulling her into an embrace and placing his lips on hers. Rachel felt the stubble on the man's chin and the distinct smell from the man and she fought desperately to be free. She managed to get a hand free and slapped it with all her force across the man's face.

With a curse he let her go of the embrace, but he held on to her arm in a firm grip.

"Looks like you caught a wild one here, Frank." The men had dismounted and stood watching the scene, laughing harshly at the remark. Frank looked hard at the panting woman before him. Loose strings had fallen down from the loose hair-bun and there was anger in her eyes. He sniffed at the remark.

"There ain't a beast or a woman I can't tame," he stated as he slapped Rachel across her face and grabbing hold of her he forced another kiss upon her. Rachel fought desperately to be free, but wise from the lesson she'd given him, he held on to her arms, making it impossible for her to move.

"That wasn't so bad, he?" he grinned at her and held her at arms length. "Don't tell Frank that you don't want this as much as he---" Before he could finished the sentence, Rachel foot hit him in the knee. She had aimed higher, but was unable to reach her aim. But she had managed to put all her force behind the kick and the man let go off her and grasped his knee. Rachel turned and tried to reach the buggy and the rifle. Cursing the man halted forward and managed to get hold of her blouse.

Dragging her back she could hear the blouse tear, and she tried to get away when the man got hold of her arm again, swinging her around.

"How dare you," he sneered between his gritted teeth. He punched her hard in her stomach before his fist caught her face with such force that she fell backwards. Her head struck a stone and the world flashed before her eyes. Dizzy and hurt, she felt her nose bleeding and she tried to rise, when the man kneeled before her, forcing her legs apart with his knees as he grabbed her wrists with one hand.

"I'll show you how to behave," he mumbled as he fumbled with his belt with his free hand. Rachel tried desperately to get free and screamed when a hand hit her across the mouth.

"Shut up, bitch!" Rachel felt tears streaming down her cheeks, not so much of fear as of anger and frustration. Suddenly a shot hit up dirt a few yards from the man. Frank stopped his movements, as his men run for cover when more shot hit the ground around them.

"What the hell?" Frank called and scrambled to his feet when a shot struck the ground inches from his feet. Forgetting about Rachel he too run for cover.

"What the hell's goin' on?" he asked his men again.

"Hell if I know, but we better head out of here, Frank," one of the men replied, "before one of us get shot."

Frank cast an eye on Rachel that tried to get to her feet.

"Damn it, Frank, forget about her. There must be at least eight men out there!"

Finally Frank mounted and the men headed out in a dust of cloud. As soon as they were gone the shooting subsided. Rachel sobbed with relief as she finally managed to stagger to her feet. The world seemed to swirl before her eyes, but she managed to get over to the buggy and she took out the rifle, feeling more secure. She felt her nose and looked as if surprise at the blood on her hand. She felt sick and she feared she had a concussion. Fighting the panic she tried to examine her wounds when the sound of hoofs made her turn around her rifle ready. The pain in her head seemed to increase and it was as if there was a white mist before her eyes. All she could make out through that white mist was the image of a man on a horse. As he dismounted, she yelled at him.

"Don't come closer or I'll shoot!" She cocked the rifle but before she could carry out the threat the world went black on her and she fell to the ground.

Cody rode as fast as he could towards the station as he heard shots at uneven intervals, when suddenly the shots ended. He spurred his horse and arrived at the station just in time to see Buck lying unconscious or worse on the ground while a man to horse was aiming a gun at him. Without hesitation Cody held in his horse and

dismounted as he grabbed his rifle. Taking carefully aim he pulled the trigger. A slight movement of the man's horse made the bullet miss the man as Cody had intended, but the bullet hit him in the shoulder and he dropped the gun to the ground. Hiding behind the barn, Cody continued to fire into the men, satisfied to see one of them drop to the ground.

Panting, he steeped back into cover as he fervently reloaded his rifle. Buck hadn't moved since he arrived and he feared that he might be seriously wounded or worse. He wondered where Rachel was. Was she too wounded, lying somewhere? The thought made him move out of his cover and continue firing. His shots were returned and he could see splinters flying from the wall next to him. He didn't care about them.

He was forced to reload again, and he was worried that one of the bullets would hit Buck. There was a dark shadow beneath his friend's body, and he feared that it was blood. Besides, he hadn't many bullets left. He had to end this, one way or another.

The next time he left his cover he realized that some of the men had left and that his shots were not as eagerly returned. Struggling to understand why and fearing an ambush, he started to look around more carefully, when he saw them. They were in

the coral gathering the horses. Understanding what was happening he let out a yell and charged at the men, but he was too late. The men, seeing that the others had gathered the horses, all mounted and headed out from the station, the richer for the booty of six good Pony Express horses.

Cody stopped and fired a few more shots after them, until he realized that it was useless. Then he ran over to where Buck was lying. As he came closer he realized that he'd been right - Buck's left leg was lying in a pool of blood. Without hesitation Cody kneeled next to his friend and using Buck's knife, he got up his trousers to see the wound clearly. The bullet had gone clean through the leg, and except for the blood loss, it was of no danger to him. Cody removed his bandanna and tied it tightly around the wound to prevent Buck from loosing any more blood. Then he took a more careful look at hid friend. Buck had a wound at the side of his head that looked pretty nasty, but that had to wait. Blood was running from his nose, and a small stream tricked down his chin from the corner of his mouth. That worried him and he tore Buck's shirt open only to reveal a nasty bruise on his chest. The bruise had begun to swell slightly and Cody feared that Buck might have some internal damage.

"Buck?" he asked trying to get some response from his friend, but with no effect. I must get him inside, he thought, looking around, hoping to see Rachel emerge from somewhere. But she was nowhere to be seen, so with a sigh he tried to lift his friend up. Struggling under his weight, Cody realized that lifting an unconscious person was a lot more difficult than he had imagined. It ended with him more or less dragging Buck back into the bunkhouse and placing him on his bunk.

Then he went out and returned minutes later with a bucket of water and a small towel, with which he started to clean the wound on Buck's head. His reward for this was a soft moan from Buck.

Relieved, he splashed more water over his friend's face. He continued with this for a few minutes until Buck moaned feebly and opened his eyes. Slowly, from vague wonderment, recognition crept into them.

"Cody? Where did you come from?"

"From town, but never mind that. Where's Rachel?"

"I don't know," Buck replied weakly, touching his tender chest with a grimace of pain on his face.

"What do you mean you don't know? She ain't here?"

Buck just shook his head, and Cody feared that he would loose consciousness again.

"What happened?" Buck managed to ask.

"They robbed us of our horses. You sure you don't know where Rachel is?"

"Wun-oan-to-mee," Buck replied. How's Wun-oan-to-mee?"

"Wun-oan-to-mee?"

"My --- niece." Buck's voice faltered, but he still managed to continue. "See to my niece," he mumbled before he sank back into unconsciousness.

"Buck?" Cody tried to wake him up by simply tipping the bucket with water over the face, but this time it was no reply. Cody sat by the bunk, wondering what the hell he would do now. Buck needed a doctor, but he didn't dare leave him alone at the station in case the men returned. Trying to resolve the problem, he heard the sound of horses approaching. It was too early for Lou and Ike to be back, so his first thought was that the men had returned. Rushing out to the yard he picked up his rifle as he had left outside when he carried Buck into the bunkhouse, and headed for cover. If the men were returning, this time he would be prepared.

CHAPTER 8

Lou and Ike smiled at each other as Cody walked over to his horse. It hadn't been very nice of them to tease him the way they had, but they couldn't resist it. And Cody's face when they had showed up had been a sight to remember.

-He'll get even.- Ike signed with a big grin on his face.

"I fear you're right," Lou said with a sigh, trying to hide her smile. She had rather enjoyed playing boy for once. "But he deserved it," she added, "for dodging the chores."

-Rachel will give him a ticking off for it too.-

"Well, he deserves all he gets," Lou stated. "Come on, let's get these things from Thompkins and get back. I would like some rest before my run."

Lou picked up the list she'd received from Rachel and looked at it with dismay.

"Looks like Rachel is expecting a siege or something," she muttered and showed Ike the list. Ike pulled a face and handed it back to her, his expression clearly stating his thoughts on the subject.

"This will take us hours," Lou complained. "I guess we start with the stable then and then Thompkins." She looked at Ike, who nodded his approval.

They were lucky. The man in the stable promised them that he could have the things they needed delivered to them by midday the day after, and in a better mood they headed over to Thompkins. The storeowner greeted them, but when Lou handed over the list he frowned.

"What's this? You're out to ruin me? Rachel wants all of this on your credit?" Thompkins looked at the riders. "If I would allow this, I will go bankrupt one of these

day," he muttered as he begun to pick things of the shelves. Lou and Ike looked at each other and shrugged. They knew that Thompkins wouldn't refuse them any goods, but apparently it had become a habit of the man to complain whenever the riders where in his store. Since he rarely meant anything with it nowadays, they let it pass. Soon Lou and Ike were carrying boxes out to the wagon.

"Ike!" Lou called out as she felt her fingers slip under the heavy box. "Come on, don't just stand there, help me get this box into the wagon!" Ike was staring down the street and at Lou's call he came to her help, but his face told her that something was going on.

"What, Ike?" she asked when the box had been loaded on the wagon.

-Noah just rode in. He's at Doc's.- Ike looked pleadingly at her.

"You think---?" Lou looked at Ike and made a quick decision. "You go, I'll manage."

-You're sure?-

"Positive. Go!"

Ike starting running down the street, when he suddenly he turned and threw her a kiss. Lou frowned at him, angry that he dared, but soon she couldn't help but smile, as she watched around her to see if anyone had noticed. It wasn't exactly the behavior between two male riders, but she appreciated the gesture. Ike was the only one that knew that she was worried about Kid and Buck. And Jimmy of course. She hadn't meant to tell Jimmy, but when she had found him alone in the bunkhouse earlier, she just had to tell him the whole story from her side.

Ike walked briskly in to Doc's office, to see the man packing his bag.

"I suppose we better head over to the station then--" Doc looked up at Ike's entrance.

Noah nodded as he saw the question in Ike's face.

"The army surgeon recognized the content of the bag," he explained and wiped his weary face with his hand. "It took him some time to find a cure, but he think he managed. I came back as fast as I could. Is she ---?"

-She was alive when we left. I'll get back with you.-

"I'm ready, boys." Doc picked up the bag and looked at them. "Shall we go?"

Ike opened the door and walked over to Doc's wagon. Doc looked at him when he took the reins. Ike smiled at him and held out his hand to help him up. Doc looked hesitantly at the boy.

"Now take it easy," he said. "I would like to get to the station in one piece."

Ike nodded and urged the horses into a gallop, which set them off in a speed that made the Doc grabbed the side of the wagon with for all he was worth. Noah followed them on his horse.

They noticed something was wrong the moment they saw the station. It was too quiet.

It was Ike that noticed the missing horses and the open gate. He held in the horses and pointed to get Noah's attention, but Noah had already seen it.

"What's wrong?" Doc asked.

"Our horses are gone," Noah replied as he scanned the premises. Ike took up his gun and held it ready. He looked at Noah, who nodded.

"Better take it slow," he advised, getting his rifle ready. Ike nodded as Doc nervously eyed the two.

"Shouldn't we get the marshal, or something?" he asked.

"Don't worry, Doc, we can handle this," Noah assured the older man.

It was a cautious trio that rode into the station. As soon as they reached the edge of the station a figure emerged from the shadows of the barn and rushed towards them.

"Thank God you're here!" Cody greeted them. "We need you, Doc!"

"The girl?" Doc asked as he stepped down off the wagon, relieved that there seemed to be no danger lurking.

Cody shook his head.

"No, it's Buck. Some men stole our horses and they beat Buck up pretty badly. He's been shot too. I came back just in time, but he's in pretty bad shape. He's been trampled."

"How's Rachel and the girl?" Noah asked as he dismounted.

"Haven't seen Rachel and Buck don't seem to know where she is. I haven't been up to the girl yet."

Doc looked at the boys and seeing that this was more of his area than dealing with horse thieves, he decided to take command.

"Ike and Cody, you can help me see to Buck, it sounds as if he needs my help more than the girl right now. Noah, you heard what the army surgeon said about the cure. Why don't you see to the girl and see what you can do and I'll look at her later?"

Thankful for Doc's intervention the riders readily followed his suggestion. Cody lead the way over to the bunkhouse as Doc handed two small bottles over to Noah.

"Remember, only a little at a time," he advised before following the others to the bunkhouse.

Noah walked slowly up to the house and knocked gently at the door before entering. Seeing the small girl lying awake he smiled at her.

"Hello," he said gently and sat down next to the bed. He wondered what to do when he saw the tears running soundlessly down her cheeks and he realized that she must be terrified. She looked awfully pale and her breathing was labored. But she didn't say a word, just looked at him with eyes wide with terror.

"I ain't gonna hurt you," he said softly hoping that she would understand, realizing that she hadn't seen him before. With all the shooting that must have been going on outside, no wonder she was scared stiff, he thought.

"I'm a friend of your uncle, Buck," he continued hoping to gain her trust enough to be able to give her the medicine. But the fear still shone in her eyes, and Noah wondered how he should handle this. He couldn't force her to take the medicine, and he wasn't sure how to make her understand that he wasn't gong to hurt her. The only thing that came to his mind was an old story Sally had told him when he was little. Not knowing what else to do, he started to tell it to this girl, not sure she would understand a thing.

Soon he noticed that the girl had stopped crying and although fear still lurked in her eyes, she seemed to have calmed down some. He finished the tale and looked at her with a soft smile. She looked back and asked him something in Kiowa, her voice faltering a bit.

"Sorry, missy, I don't understand," Noah said apologizing. "I'm gonna give you something to drink, OK?" he asked and raised a spoon and before her he mimicked the movement for swallowing something. The girl repeated the last word of her sentence, but when she didn't get any reply, she nodded and reached out her hand towards his face. Uncertain of what she was wondering Noah moved closer only to have her small hand gently touch his face. He looked surprised at her as she withdrew her hand and looked at it with a frown when the truth struck him. She must never have seen a black man before and she must have thought he was painted. He shook his head when he saw the consternation on the girl's face.

"I was born like that," he said as he followed Doc's instruction and filled the spoon with some of the fluid from one of the bottles. "Here," he offered and held out the spoon. Hesitant at first the girl accepted the spoon and frowned at the taste. Noah smiled at her.

"Just one more and then a spoon of water and you'll see you feel better."

The girl looked at him and pointing at his hair she then held up her own and uttered a word in her language. This time there was no problem for Noah to understand.

"Yep, the same," he agreed as the girl smiled faintly at him before a cramp took hold of her. Noah let go of the spoon and took her in an embrace until she was breathing more easily. When he let her go again, she was holding his west in a tight grip and looking at him with scared eyes. But this time it wasn't his presence that scared her, this time it was the pain. Noah looked at her and hoped that the army surgeon's word would be true.

Doc shook his head sadly as he examined the young Indian rider.

"Is it bad?" Cody asked as he and Ike brought over some warm water.

"Well, the wound in his head is not so bad, except that he's probably got a concussion. Nor is there any danger concerning the gun wound. He lost a lot of blood, but nothing that a week's rest can't cure. I'm a bit worried about this though," Doc explained as he carefully examined the swelling on Buck's chest. "If he's lucky it's just a broken rib and a really bad bruise, but it might also be that he got some internal damage. It's hard to tell."

"Can you do anything?"

"No. Doesn't look as if his lung been damaged anyway. He would be bleeding from his mouth then."

"He was when I found him," Cody replied worried.

"A lot?"

"No, just a trickle from the corner of his mouth."

"Then I shouldn't worry. He probably bit himself when he was kicked in the head. It's not unusual. Well, I'll clean those wounds, and then we'll have to wait and see. I bandage his chest too, and you'll have to make sure he takes it real easy. He shouldn't leave this bed in a week, least. Then we'll see."

-He's gonna be all right?- Ike looked at Cody who passed the question on to Doc.

"If there's no internal bleeding, then, except from some bad headache, he's gonna be fine, Ike. Just make sure he rests and that he gets plenty to drink."

"Will do." Cody replied. "Thanks, Doc."

"I better walk over and have a look at the girl too. Where's Rachel and Teaspoon by the way?"

"Teaspoon and Jimmy is over by the Henderson's to see if they had any problem because of the poison. We don't know where Rachel is."

Doc's visit to the girl was short. There wasn't much he could do at this time, except for making sure that she had no problem keeping the cure down. When he was content that this was the case, he left with strict orders for the riders to hand over to Rachel when she returned. The girl was to be held on a strict diet until he was sure she would recover, and Buck was not to be moved for at least a week. The riders promised to see to it. Doc took the man Cody shot back into town to be buried.

As the Doc disappeared Noah turned to the others.

"Where do you think Rachel is?" he asked.

"No idea," Cody admitted, "she was here when I --" Cody noticed the look from Ike but decided to ignore it "--when I left for town."

-She told Lou and me to get the supplies-. Ike contributed.

"She didn't say anything?"

Ike shook his head.

-What about the horses?-

"We better wait 'til Teaspoon's back I suppose," Cody said. "Somebody have to stay here, and there's no use sending just two men after them."

"I wonder where Rachel is," Noah murmured as they stood in the yard, somewhat lost of what to do.

They were sitting on the porch outside the bunkhouse discussing Rachel's disappearance when Lou came back.

"Good you're all here", she smiled at them. "Then you can unload all these things," she motioned at the back of the wagon. "How's Buck's niece?"

"She's all right, but Buck's a bit worse," Cody answered as he walked up to help her. "And Rachel has disappeared as has six of our horses."

Lou looked at him and then turned to the others.

"Can anybody explain to me what he's talking about?"

Before she could get any answers, Jimmy and Teaspoon rode in.

"What's going on here?" Teaspoon asked harshly as he reached the group. "Where are our horses?"

Noah and Cody quickly told them the story.

"So we have no idea to Rachel's whereabouts. Buck might know, but he's still unconscious. Doc thought he'd wake up in a couple of hours." Noah concluded.

"How about the Henderson's?"

"Armed to their teeth, but hadn't had any problem with the poisoned water," Jimmy replied. "Claimed they were attacked by renegade Indians during the night."

"Same band that has been attacking farms around Blue Creek?" Lou asked.

"There's no way of knowing," Teaspoon stated. "But let us not waste our concerns about that. Right now I'm more worried about Rachel."

CHAPTER 9

When Rachel opened her eyes again she was lying in the shade of the trees by the pond with a blanket from the wagon around her. Her horse was grazing in a glade not far from her with the wagon still hitched to it. She still felt very groggy and she had a headache. She struggled into a sitting position, her hand going to her face at the same time. What's this? she thought as her fingers came in contact with a rough bandage that had been bound round her head. She wondered how long she had been unconscious, but she suspected it hadn't been for very long. She shivered as the memory of what had happened slowly came back to her. Slowly her thoughts cleared. The last she remembered was that she had been aiming her rifle at a man whom she hadn't been able to see clearly. As she sat up she felt the headache come back with increased force. I hope I haven't got a concussion, she thought, as she looked for her rifle. It was nowhere in sight, and suddenly she had to fight a feeling of fear. Swallowing hard she managed to suppress it when in the corner of her eye she saw a man approach her. She turned and suddenly she felt fear take a new grip on her, as she couldn't take her eyes of the newcomer.

The man approaching her was all clad in soft buckskin, from the boots, the fringed trousers to the long shirt. His hair was parted in the middle and on one side it was collected into a plait covered in fine fur. From the back of his head she could just make out two eagle-feathers protrude. The dark handsome face with it's sharp features showed no anger and had no paint as was the custom in case the tribe was at war. Rachel realized that this must be the man that had saved her and taken care of her wound. Still she could not let go of her fear. Anxiously she watched him come closer. The man watched her watch him and without hesitation he placed himself a bit away from her. Close enough to be able to give her a water canteen but far enough for her to feel a bit safer.

This surprised Rachel, as did the gentle calmness in the dark eyes that search her face. Strangely enough she had a feeling that it was something familiar about the face, something around the mouth and the nose. She accepted the water with a trembling hand as she swept the blanket tighter around her. She could feel the tear in her blouse and was thankful for the blanket. Taking a mouthful of water she handed the canteen back, waiting for what would happen next. She looked behind the Indian, expecting to see more warriors, but there were none. Again turning her eyes to the man before her, she wondered if he understood English. She didn't have to wonder for long.

"Are you feeling better?" The question was asked calmly as he search her face for signs of fear.

"Why --yes. Thank you," Rachel could hear how croaked she sounded. The man nodded his consent with her answer as he dabbed a rag with water and handed it over to her. Rachel accepted it thankfully. Dabbing it in her face made her feel a lot better. She looked hesitantly at the man.

"Was it you that shot at the men?" she asked finally.

"Yes."

Rachel hesitated, but then she realized that she had to ask.

"Why?"

"They were gonna hurt you." The reply was more a statement than an answer. Rachel shook her head, which caused her to frown from an intense headache at the movement.

"That was none of your concern," she insisted.

The man gazed out over the pond before he answered.

"You fought bravely." The answer did nothing to help her understand his actions.

"I don't understand."

"Is it important?"

The question caught her off guard. She looked at him. If it was important? She didn't know. She hadn't thought of it like that.

"I don't know. Maybe. Maybe not."

"You should rest before you return. You hit your head badly when you fell."

That's why she had a bandage around her head. She had forgotten the punch and her fall. Thinking about it she could feel a slight tenderness in her face and she touched it carefully. The man was still watching her and suddenly she had this strange feeling that he wanted something from her, and she looked up at him, staring him into the eyes. If there was something wrong she wanted to know it now. Eyes that seemed to have seen every heartache known to man gazed back at her, as deep wells, and suddenly she felt a bit strange and averted her eyes.

"You're from Sweetwater?"

There it was, she thought, there was something he wanted to know. Maybe she shouldn't answer? She looked at him again and decided she should. He'd save her from being raped, so she could very well answer his questions.

"Yes, sort of."

"You know the Pony Express Station?"

Now she was getting wary. What did he want? Although suspicious she couldn't help feeling there was honesty in the man's questions. She took a deep breath.

"I work there."

A faint smile passed over the man's face, and Rachel could help seeing how different he looked when the smile softened the otherwise stern countenance of the man.

"Then you know my brother, Running Buck. He rides for the Pony Express."

Rachel stared at the man. This was Buck's brother, Red Bear, the war chief? She tried to smile at him, suddenly feeling more at ease. Then he must be Wun-oan-to-mee's father, she pondered.

"I know him. He went to see you and came back with your daughter. You're Red Bear."

The man nodded and turned an anxious face towards her.

"How is she? How's my daughter?"

"She's doing fine. We've sent for help." She wondered how much he should tell him.

"Will she be well?"

"I--I don't know. There's hope though. Buck's been by her side all night."

Red Bear frowned.

"Running Buck had a bruise in his face - there's no trouble with her staying?"

"No." Rachel looked at him as if she couldn't believe that he had asked such a thing, when she realized that he was probably as wary of them as she was of Indians. "No," she repeated, "she's welcome. Nobody would hurt her." As she uttered the last words, she suddenly remembered what she had told Teaspoon only hours before and she felt ashamed. Red Bear sat in silence looking over the pond and a strange feeling that she had nothing to fear from this man made her ask more questions.

"Are your men with you?"

"Out here? No, I came alone."

She wondered why, but there was another question she wanted to have answered first.

"Are you or your men responsible for the raids around Blue Creek?" Rachel knew instantly that she'd crossed a line, though she wasn't sure what line it was. He turned his head and fired off a thunderbolt with his eyes that was like being hit with physical force. If Rachel staggered, it was inwardly. She understood that it had been her question that had triggered the reaction, but she was surprised of how it felt. Like a body slam. One look and he had taken the breath from her lungs, and she suddenly realized why he was a war chief. Rachel knew that she had insulted him with the question, but there was no way of taking it back.

"I didn't mean to--" she started when the anger subsided in Red Bear's face.

"There's not much trust between our people," he said with a sad voice. "My people have not raided those farms," he added sternly, "we're too few to start a war."

"I don't know why I asked," Rachel said, suddenly feeling an urge to explain herself. "My mother was killed in an Indian attack. I was only a teenager, but the fear seemed to linger on." She tried to smile, but failed miserably.

Red Bear looked at the young woman. She had a bruise in her face and loose strings of golden hair hang around her face. He wondered what it was that had prompted him to save her. When he first had seen the situation, his first thought had been to ride out of there, to leave matters of the white to the white. Then he had seen her readiness to fight and her brave appearance in front of the men and he had changed his mind.

Maybe it was the memory of his mother or simply the fact that there was something about this woman. He couldn't put his finger on it, yet. To discover that she was working at the Express Station had been a relief as the news that although his daughter wasn't well, she was no worse either. He wanted this woman to reassure him that his daughter was safe. He trusted his brother with his life, but one man could only do so much, and Running Buck couldn't stay awake forever. Red Bear knew that he should be on his way, leaving this woman to get back to her home, but something kept him by her side. He had never spoken to a white woman before like this and this one was intriguing. He couldn't remember speaking to white people like this before either. He could sense that there was a strong feeling of loyalty and love in this woman, and he begun to wonder about her. He wanted to know more of the world that his half-brother had chosen before the tribe and he had a feeling that Running Buck wouldn't tell him.

He loved his little brother with all his heart, but sometimes it where as if they were speaking on different levels. Maybe this woman held some of the answers, he pondered. So he stayed.

"Will my daughter be safe?"

"At the station? Yes." Suddenly Rachel realized how silly it sounded. Moments ago she'd accused Red Bear of murder and now she was trying to convince him that nothing would happen to Wun-oan-te-mee.

"If you say so, I will believe you."

Rachel felt herself blush with shame. She had done nothing for him to believe in her and yet he did.

"It must be hard on you and your wife," she said.

"My wife was killed three years ago." There was still pain in his voice. Rachel could hear that.

"I'm sorry. I lost my husband a year ago and ---" She silenced.

"Indians?" Red Bear looked at her with sympathy.

Rachel shook her head.

"No. White men."

Suddenly she felt that this was absurd. Here she was, sitting in the middle of nowhere, having small-talk with a war chief wanted by the army. She realized that she was tired and that her head hurt. She closed her eyes and bent her head forward. Suddenly she felt a hand beneath her chin and she looked up in the concerned eyes of Red Bear.

"You're tired. I'm sorry I have kept you from returning."

"No, it's OK," Rachel said as a mixture of feelings rushed through her. The touch, however gentle, had suddenly set her heart beating, and she had a feeling that she'd better leave.

"I need to get back," she murmured. "The riders will look for me."

"I must leave too." Red Bear's hand was still gently holding her chin. There's fire in this woman, he thought, looking into her eyes. Fire in her hair and in her eyes. He let his hand softly touch her cheek.

"Thank you for taking in my daughter."

"I'll look after her for you." Suddenly Rachel felt scared leaving the security of Red Bear's company. Red Bear saw her hesitation.

"The men are gone. They will not come back."

"How do you know?"

"I know. Trust me."

Red Bear rose with agility and held out his hand to help her to her feet. He helped her over to the wagon and handed her the reins after she had stepped up.

"You will be fine," he assured her.

"Thank you," Rachel said again and collected the reins. When she turned to say goodbye, Red Bear was gone. It was as if he'd never been there. She shook her head and urged Clodhopper forward. It was time she came home.

CHAPTER 10

Rachel was only half an hour from the station when she ran into Lou and Jimmy who had been sent out to look for her.

"Rachel!" Lou called out at the sight of her. When they came closer, Lou dismounted and rushed over to the buggy and climbed up to the older woman.

"Rachel? What has happened?" she cried as she saw the bruise and the tired face of Rachel.

Rachel looked at the rider and suddenly she felt totally spent, and how hard she tried to keep it away, she felt tears running down her cheeks. Lou looked at her before she embraced her.

"It's all right, Rachel, please tell us what happened?"

Jimmy stood by the buggy, uncertain of what to do. Lou looked at him also at a lost.

"I'm sorry," Rachel sobbed. "I'm gonna be all right, just let me have some time."

"Take all the time you need," Jimmy assured her.

A few minutes later Rachel had calmed down enough to be able to continue to the station. She still wasn't ready to tell them what had happened, so they settled on going back to the station. Lou took over the reins and Rachel gratefully handed them over.

The trip back had done nothing to ease the headache and she longed to get back at the station.

Two hours later Rachel was sitting in the bunkhouse listening to what had happened at the station, as they were drinking coffee. When they arrived at the station they found the rest of the riders, except Kid, waiting for Lou and Jimmy after their search for Rachel had failed. Rachel had been able to change her clothes and wash up before she had insisted on seeing Buck and the girl. Satisfied that they were as well as they could be, she had finally agreed to sit down and take it easy. Lou had rode out on a run and Kid wasn't back yet, so the rest of the riders sat silently not knowing what to say, when Rachel had been told what had happened at the station. Rachel swept her shawl around her and looked around. Buck was still out due to the blood loss.

Teaspoon had decided that there was no idea they tried to catch the horse thieves that day, so Ike and Jimmy had agreed to join him on an early morning search the following day. Cody was up for a run and Noah needed the rest. Rachel sipped her coffee, uncertain of where to begin. When she saw the concern of the riders, she smiled faintly.

"You don't have to tell all of us, Rachel," Teaspoon said softly to her. "We can talk later if you want to."

"It's OK, Teaspoon, but thanks anyway." Slowly, Rachel started to tell what had happened to her. When she came to the part when she's almost been raped, Teaspoon sat down beside her.

"Rachel, did they--?" he asked silently.

"No." She shook her head. "No, they didn't. I was saved by a by-passer. He started firing at them, and they took off." She wasn't sure of why, but suddenly something prevented her from telling the others exactly who had saved her.

"A by-passer? Who?" Jimmy asked.

"I don't know. He didn't tell me and I didn't ask." She said the lie without hesitation. She wanted to keep her meeting with Red Bear a secret, at least for now.

"How come you didn't ask?" Jimmy looked unbelievingly at her.

"I don't know, Jimmy. All I can think of is that I've must have been shocked. I just didn't think of it. Then I rested and started to head back here."

"What do you make of it Teaspoon?" Cody asked.

"Which way did you say they were headed after they attacked you?" Teaspoon asked and Rachel told him.

"And there was five of'em?"

Rachel nodded.

"You're thinking it was the same bunch that attacked the station?" Noah asked, suddenly realizing what Teaspoon was aiming at.

"Sound like it. If only Buck was awake we might get that confirmed."

"When did Doc say he would wake up?" Rachel wanted to know.

"He didn't. Just said it might be awhile." Jimmy replied and watched Teaspoon.

"We should be out looking for 'em," he challenged, "instead of sitting here."

"I understand that Jimmy, but I say we'll wait 'til morning." Teaspoon looked at the hothead next to him.

"And what if they get away? After all they've done? Attacking Rachel and Buck, stealing our horses?"

"Take it easy son. We'll get 'em."

Rachel watched the two men button head when she realized that her eyelids seemed to be falling down all the time. She brushed away hair from her face with a tired hand. Ike saw it and nudged Jimmy in the side.

"What?"

Ike nodded over to Rachel, and suddenly the bickering stopped.

"You're OK, Rachel?" Teaspoon's voice seemed to come from afar.

"I'm fine, just a little bit tired."

"You should be off to bed," Teaspoon suggested and rose. "I'll follow you to the house."

"I'll go too," Noah chipped in. At the surprised look of the others he continued.

"Thought I'd sit with the girl. Buck was there last night, and she might need somebody there."

Teaspoon raised an eyebrow in surprise. If it had been Ike that had volunteered to sit with the girl, he wouldn't have been surprised, but Noah? That boy was just full of surprises, he thought as he offered Rachel his arm. Noah walked away ahead of them, as they walked over to the house.

"You're sure you're all right? I mean, it wasn't just something you didn't wanna tell the boys about?" Teaspoon asked silently as walked next to her.

"I'm fine, Teaspoon, nothing happened." Rachel smiled at him. "But thank you for caring."

"We all do," Teaspoon assured her.

"Teaspoon, do you remember what I told you this morning? About Indian renegades?"

"Yes. Rachel--" he hesitated "--I know that the Henderson's claimed they had been attacked by Indians last night, but--"

"I was wrong, Teaspoon. You were right, we shouldn't tell anybody about the girl."

Teaspoon stopped in his tracks just by the porch and looked at her.

"You were quite certain this morning," he stated with a hint of suspicion in his voice. "What made you change your mind?"

"Maybe I learned something today." Rachel sighed. "Thank you for following me back, Teaspoon."

"I'll walk you in," Teaspoon offered.

"Teaspoon!"

"I wanna see how's the girl's doin', Rachel, that's all," Teaspoon explained with a devious smile. "You're a beautiful woman, Mrs. Dunne, but I've had my share of marriages."

Rachel laughed softly as they walked up the stairs.

"You're impossible, Teaspoon, and thanks for cheering me up."

"Well, you looked like you needed it, girl." Then Teaspoon turned serious. "Rachel, if anything happened out there that you haven't told me--"

"Please, Teaspoon, I've told you everything. I just need to be alone and get some rest."

"All right. Sweet dreams." Teaspoon said as Rachel walked up the stairs.

"Good nite."

Teaspoon looked after her as she disappeared into her room and shook his head. Somehow he doubted that she would have a good night. What she had experienced could get anybody nightmares, even a strong woman as Rachel. He looked in on the girl, but a whisper from Noah told him that she was sleeping and he silently withdrew.

As he walked across the yard to the tack-house he noticed that the light was out in the bunkhouse. A few horses stood in the coral, making it obvious that the station was missing a lot of animals. He sighed. It was going to be a busy day tomorrow, he mused as he shut the door of the tack-house behind him.

As the moon shone through her window, Rachel turned once again in her bed, seemingly unable to find a comfortable position to sleep. But not for the reasons that Teaspoon had suspected. Rachel had seen the worst side of life before arriving at the station and an assault could be easily shrugged off since no harm was actually done.

No, this was different. Finally, she gave up and wrapping her shawl around her she stepped over to the window. She stood there looking out over the plains before her, seeing the shadows and illusions created by the soft moonshine. The bunkhouse lay in darkness, and she knew the riders were sound asleep, apparently not a worry in the world, except for Buck perhaps. She wished that he would wake up. She knew Doc had said that there was probably nothing wrong with him that a week's rest wouldn't fix, but she would feel more at ease if he would wake up. She sighed, knowing that there was nothing she could do for Buck until the morning.

Her eyes wandered off into the distance. She wondered if Red Bear was out there somewhere. She doubted that he was sleeping. He must be worried sick about his daughter, she pondered, remembering the concern in his eyes and voice when he had spoken of his daughter.

She wished she could do something to comfort him, she wished for Wun-oan-tee-mee to get well. She wished she could tell him -- suddenly she caught herself letting her thoughts rush of with her.

"What am I doing?" she whispered out into the night. "What am I thinking? So he happened to save me - but I'll probably never see him again. You're crazy, Rachel," she murmured to herself. Must be the shock from the attack, she thought turning back into the room and crawling into bed. Deep inside she knew it had nothing to do with the men that attacked her. She had fallen for Buck's brother in a way she'd never fallen for anybody before, not even when she had met Henry. She just wasn't ready to accept it, not even to herself. Finally she fell asleep, with the memory of a pair of dark, mystery eyes looking gently at her.

CHAPTER 11

Buck woke up with a feeling that he was choking. Coughing and gasping for breath he tried to get up into a sitting position, when he heard somebody move next to him. Ike put a firm hand on his shoulder forcing him back into the bed. He tried to tell Ike he couldn't breathe in that position, but no words came out of his mouth. All he managed was some croaking sound. Pain came from his chest and he saw red clouds before his eyes. Desperately he tried to get some air into his lungs. Finally he managed and he took a few ragged breaths. His head felt as if it had been split into two and he had to concentrate to see the worried face of Ike before him.

"What's happened?" he whispered, trying to get his memories straight.

"You was attacked by horse thieves," Jimmy had woke up and had joined Ike by his side.

Buck closed his eyes, hoping that the headache would subside, but nothing happened. He looked at his friends.

"I remember," he said slowly. "I thought he was going to kill me." He looked at Jimmy and Ike with a question in his eyes.

"Cody showed up just in time. He tried to stop them, but they managed to get away with our horses."

At the mention of his name the blond rider sat up.

"What's going on?"

"Buck's awake."

"Buck? How is he?"

"Shhh," Jimmy hushed at him as Buck's face twisted in pain, as he had to fight for breath again.

"That doesn't sound good," Cody whispered and the look in Ike's face told them he felt the same.

-Maybe we should get Rachel?- Ike signed.

"She needs the rest," Jimmy objected. "I'll get Teaspoon." Quickly he put on his pants and slipped out. Panting, Buck grabbed the arm of Ike.

"What about Wun-oan-te-mee? Is she OK?"

-She's sleeping. Noah brought back some cure from Ft. Laramie, and it appears to work."

"I - should see - to her," Buck managed to say between his breathes.

"Noah's staying with her. Don't you worry, she'll be fine," Cody smiled at him.

Suddenly Buck was out of breath again and Ike grabbed Cody by the arm.

-We need to do something.- he signed desperately.

"What?" Cody whispered back, looking at Buck, who was fighting for breath, when the door opened and Jimmy arrived with Teaspoon at his heels.

"He just woke up, Teaspoon," he said as the stationmaster walked up to the boy.

"Buck?" he said as he looked at the boy, who appeared to be out of breath.

"Maybe we should ease the bandage," Jimmy suggested silently.

"I don't think so," Teaspoon replied, watching Buck closely. "Jimmy, Cody, go get the wagon ready! Now!"

The boys heard the urgency in Teaspoon's voice and together the rushed to the stable.

"Help me, Ike, we need to get him over into the wagon."

-Doc said he shouldn't be moved.- Ike hesitated.

"Well, we don't have the time to get Doc here," Teaspoon said crisply as he turned to Buck.

"Buck? We gonna lift you up. Think you'll be all right?"

Ike moved over to Buck's side and looked down at the pale face. It was obvious that Buck by now had trouble breathing, but at least he managed to nod. Buck opened his mouth in an effort to say something, but he didn't manage to get any words out.

"Take it easy, Buck, we're gonna get you to Doc. Just hang in there."

Jimmy rushed through the door, only clad in his trousers and boots.

"The wagon's ready, Teaspoon. What are you gonna do?"

"We need to get him over to Doc's. Give us a hand Jimmy."

With Ike and Jimmy's help they managed to get Buck tucked down in the wagon. He was still conscious but his breathing hadn't improved and suddenly Jimmy noticed what Teaspoon already had spotted, that Buck's lips had a strange shade of blue. Jimmy dragged Teaspoon aside and put his attention to it.

"I know, Jimmy," Teaspoon replied quietly, "but keep it to yourself."

"He's gonna be all right, ain't he?" Jimmy whispered back.

"Let's hope for the best." Teaspoon replied crisply. "You got everything Ike? Then we better go. Jimmy and Cody, you got a busy day tomorrow, so I suggest you hit the sack again. We'll be back as soon as we can."

Before they could leave, Rachel and Noah emerged from the house. When Rachel saw the wagon, she rushed over.

"What's wrong?" she asked panting, seeing Buck lying in the wagon. She bent over him and placed a hand on his forehead, seeing his condition. She looked desperately at Teaspoon.

"Ike and I are taking him over to Doc," Teaspoon said as Ike climbed up and seated himself next to Buck. Without further delays, Teaspoon urged the horses into a steady trot, not wanting to cause Buck more pain, but realizing that time was of highest importance.

Buck watched the dark sky above him as he gasped for air. He knew he was breathing although it felt as if he couldn't get enough air. The pain caused him to wince at every intake and he thought he was gonna die. His head was hurting too, but with the pain in his chest, it felt as a minor problem. His disability to breathe properly scared him and he could feel himself getting seized by panic. He wanted to know what was wrong, but he wasn't able to get out a single word. He knew Ike was sitting next to him, he had seen his friend's worried face hovering over him now and then. By the look on Ike's face, he could tell something was serious wrong.

Ike looked out over the dark plains. The road to Sweetwater had never seen so long as it did right now. Buck's breathing seemed to get worse by the minute, and although Teaspoon had told him not go get his hopes up too high, he hoped that Doc would knew what to do to get Buck well. Buck couldn't die. Not like this. Buck had always been the fighter of the two, and to see him like this scared Ike. Especially since there was nothing he could do. He never really knew what it was that had urged him to enter into the fight that day when he had noticed the men scorning the Indian from the mission school, but he had never regretted it. When the fight was over, he had more or less expected that they would go their separate ways, but instead Buck had stayed by his side. He had tried to get rid of him at first, afraid of the friendship. Or rather the fear of the pain of losing a friend or a family member had prevented him to accept Buck as a friend. Stubbornly, Buck had remained a friend, much to Ike's surprise. And Buck had given him a way to communicate. He couldn't loose him know. He'd already known too many losses in his young life.

Finally Teaspoon held in the horses outside Doc's house. In an instant Ike was out, banging fiercely on the door. His efforts were answered by an open window on the second floor.

"What's goin' on? Who's out there?" Doc's face and the end of a rifle were shown in the window.

"It's Teaspoon Hunter, Doc!" Teaspoon called out. "We need your help, Buck's worse!"

The window closed and seconds later a half-dressed Doc opened the door for them.

"What's wrong?" he asked as Teaspoon carried the by now semiconscious Buck into the office.

"He's not breathing properly," Teaspoon replied, as Doc held up the light so that he could see the boy's face. Doc took one look and then pointed into the examination room.

"Get him onto the table in there," he ordered and proceeded to a cabinet filled with bottles and instruments. "Ike, get some water boiling, will you?" Doc continued as his experience hands roamed the inside of his cabinet. Teaspoon placed Buck on the high table and walked over to Doc.

"What's wrong, Doc?"

"I feared this might happen - when he broke a rib or more, they must have damaged his lung and it has collapsed."

"Collapsed?"

"Yes, that's why he has difficulty breathing."

"Can you do something?"

"I'll try, but there are a lot of things involved here. What kind of damage we're dealing with for one thing. If the rib has caused an open wound on the pleura or the lung itself, the lung might collapse or is collapsing completely---"

"Then what?" Teaspoon kept his voices down so that Buck wouldn't hear the conversation.

"I have to fix the wound, but that's all I can do."

"And the lung?"

"There is a good chance of surviving with only one lung, although he might have impaired strength."

"And if it isn't a wound?"

"He might have pulmonary hemorrhage."

"Pulm---what?"

"He might have blood in his lungs. Or he might be suffering from more than one of these."

"Is there any way to know?"

"I'll have to look," Doc said and moved a small tray with a bottles and objects over to the table. "The trouble is that he's already lost a considerable amount of blood."

"Doc, when you say 'have a look', do you mean what I think you mean?" Teaspoon asked gravely.

"I'll have to open him up, yes."

Teaspoon scratched his chin as Ike reappeared with the boiling water. Doc tucked up the sleeves on his shirt and ordered Ike to put the boiling the by the table. Ike looked at Teaspoon and raised an eyebrow over what was going on.

"I'll need your help," Doc stated and looked at the others.

"Doc, we don't know anything about --- this you're gonna do," Teaspoon objected.

"I need assistance, that's all. All you have to do is follow my instructions." Doc had already begun to remove the bandages around Buck's chest as he examined the wound.

"Just tell us what to do, Doc," Teaspoon sighed and motioned to Ike to come closer.

"Ike, I want you to take this --" Doc held up something that looked like a strange cup made out of cotton. ---"and place it over his nose and mouth. Then I want you to take this bottle and drop two, three drops on the cotton when I tell you."

"What is it?" Teaspoon translated the worried hand movements of Ike.

"Ether. It will keep him asleep. Teaspoon, I need you to wash your hands, and hand me the instruments at my request." Doc looked at them. "I hope you aren't tired, gentlemen, cause this may take all night."

CHAPTER 12

The sun rose slowly over the horizon, finding two desolated riders sitting on the porch of the bunkhouse. They sat in silence, now and then gazing in the direction of Sweetwater, hoping to see the wagon return. Cody was up for the next run, and he reluctantly now and then checked the other direction, to see if Kid was going to return. He hated to leave without news about Buck, but he realized that if Kid returned before Teaspoon or Ike had returned he would have to wait two more days before he could find out about Buck.

Rachel appeared on the veranda of the house to see if there were any changes. When she noticed that nobody was seen, she returned into the house where Noah was showing Wun-oan-te-mee an old picture book that Rachel had found. The girl was still pale and weak, but she looked a lot better than before. When Rachel returned, Noah looked up at her and she softly shook her head.

An hour went, and nobody moved. Then, to Cody's dismay, the sound of hooves reached them. But it was from the wrong direction and soon Kid could be seen coming in to the station at full speed. Cody threw away some stones he'd been picking with and reluctantly walked over to his horse. Soon Kid had handed over the mochila, and as he halted Katy, he looked at the serious faces around him.

"What's happened?" he asked sternly, fearing that something was wrong with Lou.

"Buck's wounded," Jimmy explained and briefly told him the whole story.

Kid looked worried at him.

"And you don't know anything?" he asked when Jimmy finished.

"We won't know a thing until Teaspoon or Ike's back," Jimmy replied and returned to his place on the porch. "He didn't look good," he admitted slowly as if saying it could make matters worse.

"Bad enough that ---" Kid didn't finished the sentence.

Jimmy nodded.

"What about the horse thieves, the ones that did this to him?"

"Teaspoon had planned to go after them this morning. Now, I don't know."

Kid placed himself next to Jimmy. He sighed and placed his chin in his hands, resting his elbows on his knees.

"I guess we just have to wait then," he murmured.

Noah pointed out the pictures in the book and tried to understand what the girl was asking about. She was feeling a lot better, so much was obvious and the book had been a genius. She had turned and twisted it until she realized that she actually could turn the pages and see different pictures. She had chatted away in her own tongue at every picture, and he hadn't the heart to do anything else but nod at her efforts to make him understand. He couldn't concentrate anyway; he was too worried about Buck. Suddenly the girl's voice changed and he looked down at her, not aware that he had allowed himself to drift away in his own thoughts. Her face was worried and she was repeating a question that he didn't understand.

"I'm sorry," he said softly, "but I don't understand."

The girl repeated the last words again and suddenly tears formed in her eyes. Thinking that she was in pain, Noah called out to Rachel.

"What's wrong Noah?" she asked with concern.

"I ain't sure," Noah replied uncertain. "She keeps repeating something, but I haven't a clue to what she's meaning."

At the appearance of Rachel the girl hid herself as much as she could behind Noah. Rachel tried to make contact with her, but the girl refused to do more than throw scared glances at her. Rachel couldn't help but wondering what it was about Noah that had made the girl attach to him.

"Wun-oan-te-mee," she tried, "what's wrong?"

At the mention of her name, the girl shyly looked at her and repeated the same words as before, this time eagerly.

"I've heard her say those words before," Noah said.

"Well, I don't know either," Rachel sighed, "but I don't think she's in any pain."

Noises outside made them turn to the door. Jimmy's call could be heard through the window.

"Teaspoon's back!"

Taking one look at Rachel's face, Noah quickly opened his mouth.

"I'll stay with Wun-- ."Feeling a bit lost at her name he stopped there and looked at Rachel. "Let me know as soon as you can, OK?"

Rachel nodded and rushed out.

It was a tired Teaspoon and Ike that appeared at the station. When Jimmy went around the wagon, his heart stopped for a second when he realized that Buck wasn't with them.

"How's -- where's ---" he started before his voice faltered.

"Buck's at Doc's," came the tired reply.

"What's wrong with him?" Rachel asked desperately.

"His lung collapsed." Teaspoon climbed with stiff legs out of the wagon. Ike tumbled off after him.

"What does that mean?" Rachel insisted.

"I ain't sure. Doc said it was some sort of internal wound, so he performed some sort of surgery to fix it."

"And did he?"

"We don't know yet. Doc's keeping him for observation, but he said that the worst is over, and unless something happens--" Teaspoon threw his arms about in a gesture of despair "-- he should be somewhat all right."

"What?" Rachel insisted and stared Teaspoon in his eyes.

Teaspoon sighed.

"I ain't sure about all those medical terms Doc throws around him, but I think what he tried to tell us what that a rib had punctured Buck's lung and caused some sort of bleeding. Now he fixed the wound but he had no way of telling the size of the bleeding or how much of the lung that had been damaged. It might be just a small part and then Buck won't even know the difference. Then it might be worse, or Doc might have failed to stop the bleeding, and then the whole lung might collapse."

"The whole lung? Will he --"

"Doc said that a person can live with only one lung, but he might loose a great deal of strength. Then of course there's the risk of fever after the operation and the fact that he's lost a great deal of blood. The operation didn't exactly help there."

"So what happens now?"

"Doc said that he couldn't be moved, and he wanted him to stay for observation. So right now, he's resting in Doc's patient room. Doc told us to go home, since there was nothing we could do." Teaspoon looked around. "Cody's on his run?"

"Took off just before you came back. What do we do now, Teaspoon?" Jimmy asked. "If you want me to, I wouldn't mind going after those--"

"Hold on, Jimmy. You've got any coffee ready, Rachel? I need to think."

"I've got some in the bunkhouse. Why don't you help yourself, while I tell Noah what's happened. He's staying with Wun-oan-te-mee."

"That's fine." Teaspoon said and walked over to the bunkhouse, followed by Kid, Ike and Jimmy.

"Done thinking?" The impatience in Jimmy's voice was clear to everybody in the room. They were sitting around the table, except for Ike that was half-sitting, half-lying on his bunk.

"I know what you're thinking Jimmy," Teaspoon replied.

"You do? You know what I'm thinking after knowing that those bastards attacked Rachel, almost killed my friend and got away with our horses? Then why are you keeping us here? Damn it, Teaspoon, we should be out looking for them now! Or had you planned on letting them get away?"

"Nobody's getting away, Jimmy. We're gonna go after them. You're up for the next run aren't you?"

"You want me to take that run?"

"I wish I could say that, but I think I need you with me. If you can keep that gun of yours under control, that is. Ike's in no condition for taking the run, so why don't you head over to the house and ask Noah?"

Jimmy immediately rose and walked over to the house.

"Kid, I need you with me too. Ike, you can stay here. Get some rest and then you can head back into town if you like. Just make sure it's OK with Rachel and Lou before you head off. And if you notice anything unusual, I want you to stay with them, is that clear? Whatever happens, I want at least two people staying here at the station."

Ike nodded, although he hadn't mind being able to head into town as soon as possible.

Jimmy came striding back and pushed the door open.

"Noah's OK with it. Shall we leave?"

Teaspoon sighed and finished the last of the coffee.

"Then let's go."

CHAPTER 13

It was late evening when Jimmy, Kid and Teaspoon returned. They hadn't found a single track nor had they seen anything of the horses or the thieves. Jimmy was in a bad mood and made no secret of it. Teaspoon ignored him, and finally Lou took him aside to talk to him.

"What's wrong with you?" she asked angry. "There's nobody's fault that you didn't find 'em!"

"I'm sorry, Lou, but I'm not just the type that sit around and do nothing!" Jimmy replied angrily.

"And the rest of us are? That's what you're telling us?"

"Well what do you want me to say? It's not exactly like you been doin' anything."

"Maybe the rest of us realizes that revenge ain't all!" Lou replied and turned away.

She wasn't really being fair to Jimmy, but she was angry with him for pursuing Noah to take his run and forcing him to leave the girl. The girl had really been upset at Noah leaving her, no matter what Lou and Rachel tried to do.

Jimmy watched her leave and then he stubbornly walked over to the stable to think about the situation. He couldn't believe that the others didn't see it the way he did. Lou thought it was all about revenge, and maybe it was. But that was a hell of a lot better than sittin' on your ass doin' nothing, he murmured to himself.

Ike had made one more trip into town just to report that there were no changes. When he came back, Rachel had made them dinner, but nobody had much of an appetite. They were more or less exhausted, and with one man short there would be more rides for them to do. Rachel saw the tired faces around her and ordered them to get some rest. The riders were only too happy to comply and soon the lights were out in the bunkhouse.

Rachel had checked on Wun-oan-te-mee before she retired to her room, and

although the girl had seemed pretty upset when she had realized that Noah was gonna leave, she was sound asleep. The girl's condition had improved a lot and she had even managed to keep down some broth. She wished he could be more certain of Buck's condition. She hadn't mind being the one that went into town earlier, but she realized that Ike needed to see how his friend was doing. She sighed and slowly walked over to her room. With all the riders and Teaspoon sound asleep, the station seemed solitary and she shivered as she changed into her nightgown. She was worn out, just like the rest, and with the realization that tomorrow would be a busy day, she hoped that sleep would come quickly. She crept into bed and blew out the candle by the bed. She had refrained from drawing the curtains of the window and she watched the pale light from the setting sun create shadows in the room. She closed her eyes and tried to get some sleep. However, she couldn't sleep. Tired as she would she couldn't get comfortable, with the result that she was soon in that unhappy state when she knew that, far from sleeping, she was getting wider awake. The silence was trying on her nerves.

She sighed and knew that there was only one way to brake the spell, and that was to get up and have a walk around. Very quietly, therefor, she stepped up and swept the shawl around her and walked over to the window. She sat down in the rocking chair next to the window and tried to sort out all that had happened the last two days. It was so much and she felt as if she had trouble figuring it all out.

Sitting there in silence, gently rocking the chair and gazing out over the plains, she remembered her meeting with Red Bear. Such an impossible meeting, she pondered. What was the chance that it would happen? And yet it had. The thought of Red Bear made her suddenly feel uneasy. It was something about the man that kept her mind returning to him.

This is crazy, I could so easily fall in love with him, she thought. And then what would happen to me? What would he do? Love me back? Or make me regret the moment I first laid eyes on him, appearing as a shadow out of the forest? Impatient with herself she rose from the chair and started pacing the room. Why was she even thinking about a man she only met for less than one hour? What's wrong with me? she thought.

Not even Henry, her late husband had made her feel like this. But she knew what it was; Red Bear was nothing like the men she met before. There was strength to him. There was depth, or the appearance of it, and that was danger. Suddenly she stopped pacing and breathed deeply. An immediate sense of calm and purpose spread through her.

Two hours later she dismounted Clodhopper and looked around. There was no sound except the sound of small animals rustling in the shades. She swept her jacket closer around her and walked Clodhopper over to the small glade. It was darker than she had expected and she looked around for something to make a fire with. Luckily there was enough dry wood on the ground and soon she had a small fire burning. She sat down and stretched her hands out to warm them. Suddenly she wondered what on earth she was doing out here. "I'm really crazy," she murmured, as she gazed around at the dark shadows, suddenly feeling scared. It was as if she had sobered up from an insane idea. How could she ever have decided to head out here, with renegades and horse thieves in the area.

She grabbed the rifle with one hand and felt somewhat safer and she pondered her actions. How could she have been thinking that he would be here? And why should he? Your imagination gonna get you in trouble, she scolded herself, when a rustling in the bush behind her made her rose and get the rifle ready. She lowered it quickly when she saw who it was.

"Red Bear," she sighed with relief.

"What are you doing here?" he asked frowning at her. "You should not be here."

"What are you doing here?" she retorted, feeling taken back by the harshness in his voice.

"I saw your fire. You were easy to discover, too easy." Then the stern expression was replaced by one of worry. "Is there something wrong? Wun-oan-te-mee?"

"No, she's fine," Rachel smiled. "She actually was able to keep down some broth today. Doc's hopeful she'll be fine."

Red Bear closed his eyes for a second and sent a thankful thought to the spirits. He'd been right about asking Running Buck, he thought, as he returned to the woman before him.

"That's why you came?"

Rachel felt herself going weak in the knees. What should she answer to that? That was not the reason for her being there, but suddenly she didn't dare telling the truth.

"Sort of," she replied.

"Why did not my brother send me the message? If she is well ---"

"She's not fully recovered," Rachel replied, realizing that Red Bear wanted to take Wun-oan-te-mee with him. She had not intended to mislead him, and she feared that he would think she had lied to him. "She needs to stay a little longer."

"How long?"

"I don't know." Rachel looked down at her feet, her feelings in turmoil. Of course Red Bear's interest was with his daughter. How could she ever have hoped that he had paid her any attention, other as one who knew about his daughter?

"But you did not come to tell me this." There was a change in his voice that made her tremble. Did he know? She looked up at him, realizing that he had taken a step closer to her, searching her face with his eyes.

"I don't know why I came," she confessed. "I think I wanted to see you again."

Red Bear looked in surprise at her. What had the woman just said? She'd come out here for him? No Indian woman would go out of her way only to meet a man, he pondered. He didn't know much about white customs, but he had a feeling that this blonde beauty before wasn't following the white's ways either. He looked at the large beautiful green eyes, that gazed back at him, looked at her soft features and felt strangely drawn to this pale woman with the fire in her eyes.

A feeling in his head told him to turn around and go back to the village and forget all about this woman. He should be content that his daughter was all right. But he stayed. The last time he had stayed because he needed information, but not this time. This time it was the woman before him that prevented his heart from listening to his head.

He gave the impression of a wolf with his dark hair and his eyes so wintry and wild. A timber wolf, Rachel thought, or something equally fierce, as she could almost feel him scrutinizing her. Maybe she should walk away from this man now, before something happened that she might regret? That would be the smart thing to do, she realized as Red Bear stepped up to her. He took her chin in his hand and lifted up her face.

"Who are you?" Rachel knew that he was questioning her actions, but she stared him straight in the eyes.

"My name's Rachel Dunne," she replied.

"You came for me, Rachel Dunne?" His touch send chills down her spine and she took his hand in hers only to have his hands covering hers, brown fingers curling protectively into the moist warmth of her palm. Rachel could feel her heart beating faster. It was sprinting as fast as her mind. Her first reaction was to let go of everything and run away, but something wouldn't let her. He was too close, especially his mouth. It was as if they were connected by their senses and by a buzz of excitement that lit both their nerve endings. Their bodies were communicating better than words ever could. His fingers slid around hers, and she nearly stopped breathing. They were just holding hands but nothing compared with this moment. Nothing.

"You should be going back," he whispered to her.

"Yes," she whispered. But I will not be all right if you don't take me in your arms this very second. But he seemed fascinated by their intertwined hands, perhaps because of the contrast in size and skin tones. Or maybe it was something else. Longing. The vibrant need in their linked fingers.

She saw it, too, and when he raised his eyes to look at her, she could feel herself reaching across the space between them. And suddenly there was no space between them. It didn't seem real it happened so fast.

He pulled her into his arms without a sound, and Rachel felt herself walk willingly into the embrace. But when their bodies came together, everything began to slide out of control. Rachel felt as if she was sliding down a hill, and she couldn't stop, even if she had wanted to. Even if she had, it would have been too late. Too dangerous. She almost sighed when he finally placed his lips on hers.

"Red----"

"Shhh." His hands were lost in her hair, untangling the loose bun.

She shuddered softly and clung to him. She would die if they were torn apart now. At any other point in her life being hauled into the arms of such earthy, powerful man might have frightened her. He was safety and danger at the same time and she needed him. She kissed him back, hungry and passionately, hearing warning bells ringing frantically in her head. She felt his strong arms pick her up and gently lay her down on a buffalo hide. She had no idea where the hide came from, nor did she care. All she cared for was the man before her that in one single movement had removed his buckskin shirt and placed it behind her head. The soft light from the fire lightened up the taut muscles on his chest and she eagerly reached up and placed her arms around his neck, drawing him down to her again. As his hands gently caressed her arms and waist, she completely shut out all warning signals, listening only to her heart and soul. Nothing else mattered.

CHAPTER 14

The chill of the morning made her shiver and she edged herself closer into the warm embrace of the man sleeping next to her. She could feel his warm breath on her neck and she become wide awake at once. She was suddenly aware of the fact that she was only clad in a buffalo hide and so was the man next to her, who's arm was embracing her. What have I done? The thought crossed her mind and she shuddered. The movement, how slight it must have been, was immediately noticed and a hand caressed her arm and shoulder.

"You're sorry." It was not so much of a question as a statement. Rachel shook her head and turned to face Red Bear.

"No, I'm not sorry." The last night seemed so unreal until she gazed into the dark eyes of Red Bear. She knew that it was a crazy, insane and completely stupid thing she had done. She knew nothing of Red Bear, except that he was Buck's brother. And that he created a sensation in the pit of her stomach, that was like falling in a dream, a sheer drop that left her floating inside, weak. With him there was no future, only the moment of now. And she realized that there would never be a future, ever. But instead of saying this, she just looked at him.

"The sun will be up soon," she whispered, searching his face for support. His dark hair had dropped onto his forehead, concealing his eyes for a moment, and Rachel felt an odd tug. She wanted to brush it back, but she fought the feeling. Red Bear watched the sky for a second and nodded.

"You want to get back."

Suddenly she wanted to say no, and just simply stay in his arms, leaving the rest of the world behind, but if she weren't back before the boys woke up, they would start looking for her. And she didn't want them to find her here.

"I have to see to the riders, and -- Wun-oan-te-mee," she replied as she gave in and gently brushed his hair from his face. Red Bear smiled at her and let his eyes boldly caress her body.

"Running Buck can see to my daughter," he said with a smile and brushed her shoulder with his lips. The thought of Buck gave Rachel a bad conscience and she gently pushed Red Bear away.

"No, he can't," she said, her voice faltering. Red Bear sat up and looked at her with a frown. Rachel swallowed and wrapped the hide closer around her.

"Tell me," he ordered harshly and reached for his loincloth. Rachel sat up covering herself with the buffalo hide as Red Bear placed himself before her, dressed in his loincloth. Rachel hesitated as she looked at him. His hair was still tumbling into his eyes, a beautiful riptide of dark waves, and she still wanted to brush it away. But the stern expression in his face kept her from it.

"The men that attacked me, attacked the station too. Buck was the only one there. He tried to defend it, but they shot him." Rachel didn't tell him that Teaspoon had wondered what the boy had done in the yard, when he could have done a better job fighting them off from the house.

"Shot him?"

"In the leg. Then we don't know what happened, but Cody - one of our riders - arrived and he said the leader tried to ride him down. He got trampled." Rachel looked at Red Bear's face, wondering what he was thinking. His face showed no emotions at her story.

"How is he?" he asked after a few seconds silence.

"He had trouble breathing, but Doc thinks he will live. He just need time to heal."

"I should have killed them." There were no emotions in his voice as he put the statement.

"Why didn't you?" She had wondered about this earlier. Still believing the stories she had heard, she had thought Indians always killed when they attacked.

"We only kill when we're forced to," he replied matter-of-factly and rose. "You should get back." He held out a hand to help her up. Rachel stared back at him, uncertain of what to do. Suddenly Red Bear saw her distress.

"I'll leave you alone." He picked up his clothes and turned around and walked over to his horse. He didn't understand her sudden modesty, but he didn't pondered over this unexpected shyness. He needed to think anyway. He was worried about his brother and his daughter.

Rachel quickly dressed. This was not how she wanted this to end. When Red Bear came back with the horses, she was putting on her jacket as he led her horse over to her.

"I'm sorry, Red Bear," she said, "I should have told you earlier."

Red Bear shook his head.

"It does not matter."

They stood in silence before each other.

"Maybe you should bring Wun-oan-te-mee ---"

Rachel looked in horror at him.

"No," she interrupted, "Doc said he wanted to make sure she's all right before she goes back. If she leaves now, she might end up sick again." She touched his arm.

"Please trust me," she whispered eagerly.

"But somebody have to see to her."

"I'll take care of her."

"That is not what I mean. If there's danger --"

"The riders will se to it that she isn't harmed."

Red Bear looked at her with surprise.

"Why would they do that? She must mean nothing to them."

"She's Buck's niece. That's all they need to know."

A memory returned to Red Bear and he smiled and took her hand.

"They are as one," he said and pressed her hand.

"What?"

"Running Buck told me that once. 'We eat, sleep and fight together, we're as one' he said. I didn't understand then, perhaps I do now."

"Don't worry, she will be all right."

"I will trust you on that." Red Bear took her face between his hands and kissed her.

Rachel kissed him back, relieved that his anger seemed to have subsided. Then he helped her up in the saddle. He held on to her and looked her straight in the eyes.

"There is fire in you, Rachel Dunne" he said with a mischievous smile, which clearly indicated what he was thinking of and Rachel felt herself blush. She gathered the reins and turned her horse.

"I'll be back when I know more," she said, uncertain of he wanted to see her again and then she urged her horse forward, not daring to look back.

Red Bear saw after her with a faint smile. It was time he returned to the village. He had been gone longer than he had planned. In fact much had happened that he hadn't planned. He had not expected to find the woman there, although he had to admit that he might have been wishing for it. This beautiful woman, that had invaded his thoughts more than once during the day. Why had the spirits sent this woman along his path? he wondered. It made no sense. He sighed. Sometimes the spirits wasn't so clear in their actions, he thought.

Black Hawk met him when he returned.

"Where have you been?" The older man looked at Red Bear with a frown in his face.

"I needed to think."

"You have no time for thinking, unless you've been asking the spirits for help." The older man scolded. "You should concentrate on being chief. You should get a wife to give you comfort."

"We've been through this before, Black Hawk. Besides it's too early in the morning for this. I'm tired."

"Yellow Fox wants to call a council," Black Hawk said in earnest. Red Bear stopped.

"About what?"

"He's worried about the Pony soldiers." Black Hawk hesitated. "And he says that you're not the best chief for the tribe right now."

"He put forward a challenge?"

"Not yet. But he might. Red Bear, we need you. Your daughter is safe with your brother, you said so yourself, and we need you to act as a chief again."

"Is Yellow Fox holding my actions against me?" Black Hawk could see the tension in Red Bear.

"He claims that your bonds to the white world are too strong."

Red Bear spun around.

"He know that it is not so. I care about the tribe more than anybody else does. He knows I've sacrificed much for the tribe's welfare." I lost a brother because of it, he added in his mind.

"He might be asking for a test."

"A test or a challenge." Red Bear sighed. "Maybe he is right, Black Hawk. Maybe I should let somebody else be chief."

"You can't do that, my chief. We need you."

"No, you don't need me. You need a chief. I've got worries of my own, which makes me a bad chief. So I should stop being chief."

"Do you know why we need you and not Yellow Fox? The tribe would follow Yellow Fox because he will ask them to, but they follow you because they want to. You favour your father in strength and size, Red Bear, but you favour your mother in wisdom and spirit. That is what we need."

"Tell me, Black Hawk, what would my father have done?" Red Bear suddenly asked.

"He would have urged for war, you know that. But you are not your father."

"What do you think about the Pony soldiers?"

"We know they look for Indians that haven't accepted the treaty. I fear they are getting closer. We should consider moving, my chief."

Red Bear nodded.

"I thank you for your advice, Black Hawk. I shall think about it."

"Do that, my chief." Black Hawk said, slowly returning as Red Bear stumbled into his tent. He would be forced to deal with Yellow Fox soon. The tribe needed to stay together and a conflict could break them apart. His worries for Running Buck and Wun-oan-te-mee had to wait.

CHAPTER 15

Rachel returned as the first rays of sun touched the earth, and she quickly took care of Clodhopper before she headed over to the house. She had just time for a quick wash-up before she knew the boys would be up, looking for breakfast. Normally it was too early for them to be up, except for the designated rider, but with horse thieves around, and their worry for Buck, she knew they all would be up. She took a quick look at the schedule and realized that Jimmy was up for the run, and then Ike.

She knew that Ike would try to change with one of the others, wanting to be close to his friend. They needed new horses too; she pondered as she begun to make breakfast. And just in time too, as Teaspoon's head appeared in the door.

"Smells good, Rachel. Had a good night's sleep?"

Feeling just a bit guilty, she answered casually without looking at him.

"Not too well, I guess I'm still a bit shocked. And I'm worried about Buck."

"I know, we all are." Teaspoon agreed as he poured himself a cup of coffee. Rachel joined him at the table.

"What about the horse thieves?" she asked, changing the subject. Teaspoon looked at her.

"We didn't find anything. Rachel, if you're worried about them comin' back, after what they did to you, you don't have to ---"

"I'm not worried, Teaspoon, but thanks for your concern. I just hope you get 'em, that's all."

Teaspoon looked at her as he slowly sipped the coffee. He had a feeling there was something she wasn't telling him, but he had decided not to press her.

"Who's up for the next run?" he asked as a rumble revealed that the boys were on their way.

"Jimmy."

Teaspoon frowned.

"He's gonna try and change, I bet. Never seen anybody so eager to get those thieves as he is."

"That's his way to deal with things and you know it," Rachel reminded him.

"I know, and that's how he gets into trouble," Teaspoon replied as the subject of their talk opened the door.

"Are we going out again?"

"We have to. We need those horses, or we'll won't be a station worth the name."

"I should say we need to head to the north, bet that's were they're hiding."

"The mountains?" Teaspoon shook his head. "That's still Indian territory up there."

"So? If the thieves are hiding up there, that's all that matters."

"I'm not interested in starting more trouble than we already have."

"Still think we should head out there."

Teaspoon sighed and looked at the others.

"All right, we'll check for tracks. But we won't go to far, is that clear?"

Content, Jimmy nodded and reached over for the bread.

"Who will go with you Teaspoon?" Kid asked.

"I'll go." Jimmy replied quickly.

"You're scheduled for a run," Rachel reminded him. "You switched with Noah, remember?"

"Cody's not back until the afternoon. If we head out now, I'll be back in time."

<I'm staying. I want to see how's Buck's doing.> Ike signed.

"Lou, Kid?" Teaspoon turned to the others.

"We'll go," Lou replied frowning at Kid's look at her. "Both of us," she added at his glance. Kid knew better than to object and sat in silence.

"You gonna be OK on your own, Rachel?" Jimmy asked.

"I'll be fine." Rachel answered.

"Maybe you should stay with Rachel, Lou?" Kid tried.

"If you're worried, why don't you offer to stay?" Lou replied softly. Kid frowned at her and looked at Teaspoon for support.

"I really don't like for you to stay here on your own, Rachel," Teaspoon admitted.

"There's no danger," Rachel objected. "The thieves must know that we have no more horses, so there's nothing here for 'em to steal."

"I was more thinking in the line of revenge," Teaspoon said quietly, hoping that Rachel would know what he was meaning.

"I'll be fine, Teaspoon. I knew how to handle a rifle," Rachel replied, resenting the feeling that she was preventing the riders to do what they wanted.

"All right," Teaspoon concluded. "We need to get going."

When they got the horses ready, Teaspoon took Ike aside.

"Don't stay too long in town, Ike. Whatever Rachel says, I still want someone here with her."

Ike nodded and moved his hands rapidly.

"I know you're worried about Buck, but there's nothing you can do for him. Let Doc do what he can and get back here as soon as you can. Deal?"

Ike pulled a face on him, but then he nodded.

"Thanks, Ike." Teaspoon placed his arm on the boy's shoulder and smiled at him before he mounted his horse.

Rachel and Ike saw them head off, and Rachel turned to Ike.

"I need to see to Wun-oan-te-mee. I'm sure Buck wants to know how she is, so why don't you say hello before you head over to town?"

Ike nodded and smiled at her. His hand moved, slowly this time, since he knew that Rachel was not yet accustomed to the signs.

<I better or I'll have a big problem convincing Buck to stay in town.>

Together they walked over to the house and the small guestroom. When Rachel gently knocked on the door and opened she found that Wun-oan-te-mee was sitting up in the bed and watched them with eyes wide with suspicion. Ike stepped in and smiled at her as he made some signs. Rachel couldn't see what he was doing, but the girl apparently understood, because a faint smile showed on her face and she asked something in Kiowa. Ike responded with signs and walked over to her. Ike sat down by her bed and she touched his lips with a sad smile. Then she used her hands signing back at him. Rachel watched this silent communication for a while before she interrupted.

"She should be resting Ike. She's just started to drink water and she hadn't had enough to eat yet. She need to save her strength."

Ike looked up at her and nodded, and then he returned to Wun-oan-te-mee. The girl watched his hands and she nodded. She looked a lot better and she looked at them with some expectancy.

Ike smiled and turned to Rachel.

"She's hungry?" Rachel watched his hands. "You're hungry?" she asked the girl, who nodded happily at her.

"'Ungre," she repeated.

"Ike, ask her what that sentence she have been repeating means?" Rachel remembered and tried to repeat the foreign words. Ike looked at the girl, who quickly formed the response with her hands while a concerned frown appeared on her brow.

Ike watched her and then turned to Rachel, who had tried to follow the girl's hands, but without understanding. Ike, who was more familiar with the signs, had no problem, but he realized that he might not be able to explain it to Rachel, so he looked for a piece of paper. Rachel understood what he was looking for and fetched a paper and pen. Quickly Ike wrote down the girl's question. Rachel read while he wrote:

She asks about Buck. What should I tell her?

"Tell her that he's sick but that he will be back soon," Rachel suggested and Ike nodded before turning to the girl. Another silent conversation followed and Rachel could only stand by and watch. Then Ike turned to writing again.

She says she understands. I've explained we're his friends. Then she asks something that I don't understand. I told her all I know, but I think she's more interested in food right now.

He handed over the note with a big smile to Rachel.

"That hungry, he," Rachel smiled. "All right, I'll fix her some broth while you go into town. Don't forget to ask Doc if we can give her something real to eat soon."

<I will.> Ike waved his farewell to the girl and walked out. Rachel looked at the girl.

"Stay here and I'll bring you something to eat, OK?" she said. The girl nodded happily.

"Eat," she said, repeating the last word. Rachel smiled at her when she realized that the girl must have listened carefully to their words to repeat it with such accuracy.

Buck woke up feeling very thirsty. His head ached, but to his relief he had no problem to breathe, expect for a strange feeling on his chest that seemed to restrain his movements. He looked around the strange room, and for a second he couldn't remember where he was until it dawned on him. I must still be at Doc's, he pondered.

He wondered how long he'd been out, as he tenderly touched his chest only to find it wrapped in a tight bandage that prevented him to move too much. A sound by the door made him look up and he saw the face of Margaret, Doc's housekeeper peeked inside. When she saw that he was awake, she disappeared only to be replaced by Doc a few minutes later.

"Good to see you awake," he greeted. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm OK," Buck croaked. Doc noticed his difficulty and helped him to some water.

"Better?" Buck nodded as Doc continued.

"I want to check your wounds. If you feel tenderness or anything, let me know, OK?

Buck nodded again as Doc started to remove the bandages. Doc slowly examined the wound and the area around it. There were some swelling and tenderness, and he suspected a slight fever, but nothing to be worried about. He ended the examination by placing the bandage back on, as there was a knock on the door, and Ike stood in the doorway.

"Come on in, Ike, "Doc said, "I'm just ready."

Ike stepped in, relieved to see his friend, although pale and weak, awake.

<How are you doing?> he signed, but his face revealed his feelings and Doc answered instead.

"Well, you've been very lucky Buck. The wound seemed to have been closed, and you've only got a slight fever, which is nothing to worry about. However, since I can't guarantee that the wound actually is closed, I'd like to keep you here for a couple of days. That way I can keep an eye on your fever, too."

"I can't stay here, Doc," Buck objected, "I need to get back to the station."

<There's no need.> Ike assured him. <Everything is fine at the station.>

"I need to be back," Buck insisted, as he realized that he felt very tired.

"You don't understand, Buck," Doc said gently. "That wound in your chest might not be completely healed and if you're at the station, there might not be enough time for me to get out there."

<Listen to him.> Ike insisted.

"Well, I'll leave you. I've got other patients to see," Doc said. "Hope you can convince him to stay, Ike."

Ike nodded and pulled out a chair over to the bed.

<You look better.>

"I feel better. Ike, you know I have to be back."

<I don't know that.> Ike raised his eyebrows.

Buck sighed as he felt his eyelids getting heavier, and he had to fight to stay awake. Ike looked at him.

<Tired?>

"A little," Buck admitted, "Ike, I need to see to Wun-oan-te-mee."

<She's fine, no need to worry. I saw her before I came out here.>

"She's all right?"

<She's doin' fine. Noah have been sitting with her and she seemed to have taken a liking to him.> Ike smiled. <This morning she asked for something to eat, although I think Rachel's gonna keep her on broth a little longer to be sure.>

"The medicine worked?"

<So far. She's still taking it - Doc's orders. That's why Rachel wants to go slow with what she eats.>

Buck nodded.

<So you'll stay here?>

"What choice do I have?" Buck smiled faintly, knowing in his heart that Doc and Ike were right. In his condition there wasn't much he could do.

<Fine. I gotta be back.>

"Everything OK at the station?"

<So and so. We're a bit short-handed, since Teaspoon, Lou, Kid and Jimmy are out looking for the horse thieves. Noah took Jimmy's run and Cody ain't back yet.>

"So who's out there with Rachel and Wun-oan-te-mee?"

<They're OK, but I should be back. You gonna be OK, here?>

"I'll be fine - need to rest anyway, I suppose."

<You should, you lost a lot of blood. I'll see you tomorrow.>

Buck nodded and closed his eyes. He felt more tired than he'd ever done in his life before, and although he was grateful for Ike's visit, it had been tiring for him.

CHAPTER 16

Kid looked at the ground with a frown on his face. After a while, he rose and looked at the others.

"I can't find a thing," he stated. "Buck's a much better tracker than I am, Teaspoon. He should be here instead of me."

"Well, Buck's still sick, and wishing ain't gonna help us much."

"How 'bout my idea of goin' north now?" Jimmy asked and looked at him.

"You know what I think about that, Jimmy," Teaspoon replied.

"We could just look for tracks to see if they went in that direction," Kid said.

Teaspoon looked doubtfully at them.

"We need some kind of lead, Teaspoon," Lou pleaded. "Maybe we won't have to enter Kiowa land?"

"All right, let go and see then. But you'll do as you're told and no unnecessary risks, is that clear?"

"Crystal." Jimmy replied and mounted his horse. "Come on."

"Jimmy was right, they headed this way," Kid pointed out the tracks to the others.

"If we hurry, we might still catch them," Jimmy argued.

"Hold on, son," Teaspoon held him back. "Do you know what's out there in front of you?"

"Yeah, a couple of horse thieves and our horses."

"And sacred land. If the Kiowa finds you on it, they'll kill you."

"But the thieves went this way."

"And for all we know they might be dead. Besides, there is something wrong about this."

"How do you figure, Teaspoon?" Kid asked.

"I don't know, Kid," Teaspoon admitted, "But there's something odd here."

"What are we gonna do?" Lou wondered, looking at the tracks.

"We're gonna go back."

"Are you out of your mind, Teaspoon? We can get the thieves if we move now!" Jimmy turned to face the station manager.

"We're going back, Jimmy, and that's it."

Kid, Lou and Jimmy watched dumbstruck Teaspoon walk back to his horse and mount up.

"What are you waiting for?" he wondered. "Let's go."

"You can't be serious, Teaspoon," Jimmy objected while Kid and Lou returned to their horses.

"For once, Jimmy, do as I tell you. We're leaving, and that now!"

Muttering, Jimmy mounted his horse and followed the others. He couldn't understand why they had to give up the chase now when they finally had some tracks to follow.

It was a quiet group that returned to the station. Jimmy was still upset over Teaspoon's decision and he made no secret about it. Teaspoon explained briefly what they had found to Rachel and Ike.

"What happens now, Teaspoon?" Rachel asked when he had finished.

"There's something I need to find out in Blue Creek," Teaspoon replied and looked at the riders. "Until I'm back, I don't want any of you trying to do something about the thieves. When I say you're not supposed to do anything, I mean anything." He looked sternly at the faces around him and stopped at Jimmy.
"Jimmy?"

"I ain't gonna do anything," he muttered. "Beside, I'm up for a run today."

"Good. Then that's settled."

"You're leaving now?" Rachel looked at him.

"Yes."

"When will you be back?"

"If everything goes as I hope, I'll be back the day after tomorrow."

"What are you hoping on?"

"I'm not sure yet," Teaspoon mumbled, "But something ain't right here."

Kid and Lou followed him over to the stable. Jimmy had refused to see him off, still sour about Teaspoon's decision.

"Can't you tell us what you think is wrong?" Kid asked.

"Not yet. Kid, all I'm asking is that you stay calm for one more day. Now how hard can that be?"

"But what if Jimmy's right - if the thieves went north, we might have lost our chance of finding them!"

"Trust me on this, son, I've been around longer in this world than you."

Lou looked up as she heard the sound of a horse approaching.

"Rider comin'!" she called out as she climbed the fence around the corral to get a better view. "It's Cody!"

"Someone get Jimmy, this is his run," Teaspoon said before he headed out. He waved a greeting as he passed Cody, just as Jimmy came running out of the bunkhouse.

"You're back early," he mumbled as he accepted the mochila and mounted his horse.

"Couldn't miss all the excitement that goes on here!" Cody replied as Jimmy sprinted away from the station.

"Where was Teaspoon heading?" Cody asked as he simply dipped his head in the water trout to freshen up.

"Blue Creek, following up some lead on the horse thieves," Kid replied.

"What kind of leads?"

"Don't know. Teaspoon wouldn't tell."

"How's Buck?"

"He's fine. Ike went to see him this morning. Doc keeping him for observation a few days, but Ike says he looks all right," Lou informed him.

"That's a relief. Now, I really need bunk and a few hours sleep," Cody said and stretched.

"Hard ride?" Kid said as he took care of the horse.

"No worse than the others. Guess it's all the strain of not knowing what happens here when I'm not around."

"Thinking about Ellen?" Lou teased, only to receive an angry glance from Cody.

"Ellen? Who's Ellen?" Kid asked surprised.

"A girl in town that turned poor Cody's head around," Lou said casually. "Only that the last time, I believe ---"

"Oh, shut up," Cody snapped. "I'll get back at you, don't worry." He started to walk towards the bunkhouse while Lou was cracking up behind him. Kid looked at her.

"What was all that about?" Kid asked her.

"I'll tell you," Lou replied and briefly recounted the whole thing. Kid looked at her when she'd finished.

"You know, Cody is gonna try to get you and Ike good for that."

"Let him try," Lou grinned. Whatever Cody could come up with, it was gonna be worth the look on his face when she and Ike had showed up, she mused.

"Ike, can I borrow those crayons and some papers from you?" Rachel asked as they all sat down to have a small lunch.

<Sure. Why?>

"I thought I could give 'em to Wun-oan-te-mee for something to do when she's awake."

"Wun-oan-ti-me? What kind of name is that?" Cody rose his head from the bunk where he was resting.

"A Kiowa name, stupid," Lou replied.

"But what does it mean?" Cody insisted.

"I don't know, Cody." Rachel replied patiently.

"We should find something easier to call her," Cody suggested. "What about Winnie?"

"I'll ask her," Rachel smiled.

"How is she?" Lou asked.

"Much better. The medicine Noah brought back from Ft. Laramie seems to have done wonder. She's still very weak, but she have been awake for a long time today, and even sat up."

"Can she travel?" Lou asked and looked up at Rachel.

"Why? There's no need for her to go anywhere."

"Well, I just thought, we could go into town and pay Buck a visit and bring her with us, that's all."

"I think she'd appreciate that," Rachel smiled, "But I suggest you wait until tomorrow, chances are that both she and Buck will be better by then. It would be good if Doc had a look at her too."

"That's OK, we can wait until tomorrow. You're coming with me aren't you, Kid?" Lou looked at Kid with pleading eyes, knowing that Buck and Kid wasn't exactly on the best of terms at the moment.

"I don't know Lou, Buck ---"

"Come on, Kid, you can't go around avoiding each other when he comes back," Lou objected and Kid nodded his consent.

"All right, I'll come with you", he sighed as Ike and Lou exchange glances.

"Then that's settled," Rachel said. "What about you Ike, you're up next for a run?"

Ike nodded.

<It's OK, it's only a short run.>

"OK. Cody, lunch's ready or shall you lie in your bunk all day?" Cody quickly jumped to his feet and walked over to the table.

"Nothing but a meal could get you up so quickly," Kid mumbled as he passed him the potatoes. "Thought you said you needed to rest."

"I did. But then I've also been thinking," Cody added with a wink as he glanced at Ike and Lou.

"What are you up to, Cody?" Lou asked suspiciously.

"Nothing." Cody declared with a grin. "Nothing at all."

The rest of the day passed without any further disturbances. Lou kept an eye over her shoulder when doing her chores, sure that Cody would pop up in some sort of practical joke at every moment. Ike experienced the same thing and it was with relief that he spotted Noah heading into the station and he could leave the uncertain presence around Cody. Rachel noticed their strange behavior and in attempt to get her support Lou told her the story, but Rachel laughed at her and declared that the riders had to handle that themselves. A bit disappointed Lou kept close to Kid, hoping to avoid any prank with Kid close by. Kid realized what she was up to, but refrained from saying anything. Working close with her was too pleasant for him to ruin it by pointing out that she was scared of Cody.

They didn't talk much when they worked. Lou was too busy keeping an eye out for Cody, while Kid had concerns of his own. He wasn't looking forward to meeting Buck. They hadn't really spoken since Buck came back with his niece, and Buck had been very upset with him. He wasn't sure if Buck had changed his mind since then.

"Good night," Rachel said as she closed the door to the bunkhouse behind her and started to walk back to the house. Lou and Cody were sitting on their bunks glaring at each other, until Cody leaned back and picked up his book.

"Had a nice day today, Lou?" he asked innocently only to receive a pillow in his head.

"You think so?" she said.

"Hey, I haven't done anything," Cody complained.

"Not yet you haven't. You gonna let me hang in the air aren't you," Lou hissed and went for him, despite Kid's effort to stop her.

Cody saw her coming and leaped out of his bed a minute too late. Lou grabbed his arm and twisted it behind his back as Cody stumbled and fell to the ground.

"You're gonna stop this right now," Lou said as Cody squirmed beneath her.

"Let go of my arm, Lou! Kid, get her off me!"

"Leave 'em, Kid," Noah suggested with a grin. "I wanna know how he's gonna get out of this."

"It's only a joke, Lou, come on!" Cody realized that he was trapped as Lou twisted his arm. "Ouch, that hurt! Come on Lou!"

"No pranks then?"

"You started it! Aargh! All right, all right - no pranks!"

"Promise!"

"I promise. Now get off me," Cody said grudgingly as Lou complied and let go of his arm with a big smile on her face.

"That was unfair," he muttered as he tenderly touched his arm.

"So was you," Lou retorted.

"If you think you'll get away ---"

"Come on, Cody, she beat you fairly and you promised," Noah laughed and Kid grinned at the two combatants.

Cody muttered something and returned to his bunk.

"I doubt it's over," Kid whispered to Lou as she returned to her bunk.

"I know," she replied in the same low voice, "But I did get to beat him, and I can't wait 'til the others hear about this. Jimmy's gonna have a field day with this."

Noah chuckled in his bunk and Kid smiled at her as he blew out the candle by his bed.

Something told him that it would be some lively days ahead of them. None of the riders in the bunkhouse noticed the solitary rider that had headed out from the station during the tumult.

CHAPTER 17

Rachel slowly dismounted from Clodhopper. There wasn't a single soul in sight nor did she hear a sound. She grabbed Clodhopper by the reins and removed her hat while she looked around. Slowly she started to walk towards the glade, looking carefully around her. What if he wasn't here? she thought as she stopped where she had made the fire last night. Maybe she had got everything wrong? Suddenly she felt uncertain of what she should do. It was stupid of her to think that he might feel the way she did. After all they hadn't promised each other anything. In fact they hadn't said much at all, she thought miserably. What had got into her? She had never felt this way before, not even with Henry. Henry had been the love of her life, the solid rock, the ship on the stormy sea and he had given her everything she could have wished for - a home, safety, love and a child, at least until all had been shattered and she had lost everything. With Red Bear there was nothing, no promises of love, no future or safety. Maybe that was what attracted her, she pondered, as she slowly walked through the glade, looking for any signs that somebody had been there.

Suddenly her thoughts were interrupted by a voice behind her.

"You returned."

Rachel spun around and looked into the eyes of Red Bear. She smiled, unable to hide her relief and satisfaction to see him.

"I didn't think you were here," she replied. Red Bear looked at the forest behind her.

"This is a special place to me," Red Bear answered without specification to why.
"There's a small cave on the hillside, I've made camp there. The fire cannot be seen from here."

Rachel let him take care of the horse as she followed him up the hill. The view from the small hill was magnificent and for a moment she found herself standing still, just enjoying the sight while Red Bear saw to her horse.

"It's beautiful here," she mumbled as the sound of soft footstep approached her.

"It was even more beautiful before," he answered, and pointed out over the valley.

"My grandfather used to tell me about the buffalo herds that passed her in the summer. The small lake you see was deeper then, and there was a small river running in that gorge. The valley was greener too."

"What happened?" Rachel asked although she almost knew the answer.

"You happened," Red Bear replied shortly and walked over to put some more wood on the fire. "You have some news?"

Rachel walked over and sat down by the fire. Red Bear sat himself next to her, but keeping his distance, making Rachel uncertain if what had happened between them really mattered or not.

"I've got good news," she said, "Wun-oan-te-mee," she did an effort in pronouncing the name right and got an appreciating nod from Red Bear. "Is fine, and itlooks like she's gonna be all right. She's not eating yet, but the medicine works just fine.

"She has not eaten?" A worried frown showed in Red Bear's face and Rachel quickly added.

"It's all right, she's drinking water and I'm been giving her some broth. The doctor just want to make sure that all or most of the poison is gone before she eats anything."

Red Bear nodded in understanding.

"And Running Buck?"

"He's better, but he's still at the doctor's house. He lost a lot of blood." Rachel explained.

"But he will live?"

"If nothing unexpected happens, then yes."

"I'm relieved they are all right."

"Wun-oan-te-mee," Rachel hesitated, and changed what she had thought of saying. "What does her name mean?"

"Mean?"

"In English?"

"White Weasel. She was named after her grand mother. My wife and I was honored she let us."

"Honored?" Rachel asked, intrigued by the different custom.

"When an older gives her or his name away to a child, that child is honored. If the name is not given away, it will die with its owner," Red Bear explained softly.

"Oh," Rachel said, not knowing what to say. Suddenly she felt that there was so much to know, that she wanted to know, but she wasn't certain if she could ask.

"What will you get Wun-oan-te-mee to eat?" Red Bear suddenly asked.

"I don't know, I suppose the doctor will tell us. Why?"

"She can not eat fish or birds," Red Bear stated. "It's bad medicine."

"That's why Buck doesn't eat it," Rachel realized, remembering when Jimmy and Cody had proudly had brought back a large catch of fish and Buck simply had refused to eat it, much to Cody's dismay. "I'll see to it that she isn't served that," she continued as she cast a glance at the man sitting next to her.

"May I ask something?" she said silently.

Red Bear looked surprised but nodded.

"What were you doing out here when I was -- attacked?"

"This place is special to me," Red Bear admitted, knowing that it was not the answer the woman wanted. He sighed silently before continuing. "When I was a child, my grandfather used to tell me of this place. He had his first vision here and it was his intention that his son and grandson would seek the same place."

"So you did?"

"No. We had moved away. The village, your town, had grown too large, and the buffaloes no longer passed this valley. If we had stayed we would have starved. But I still remember his stories. This place is still a place of quiet, a place to let go of your worries."

"Do you miss it? The old days? Your wife?"

"She lives in my heart." Red Bear shook his head. "To dwell too much in the past is to die in the present," he stated and looked at her. "Are you happy despite your husband's death?"

Rachel sighed.

"I don't know. Sometimes I miss him, miss being with him, and other times there are just too much in life for me to grieve. I haven't looked at another, until ---" Rachel blushed slightly, not knowing how to end the question. Suddenly she decided to change the subject, and started to look in her pockets of the coat.

"By the way, I have something for you," she smiled, and handed Red Bear a single paper.

"What is this?" he asked perplexed.

"White Weasel drew this," Rachel laughed and moved closer to show him what it was. "I think this is you, and that might be a teepee. I think that might be --" she frowned, and the she smiled "--well, I ain't sure what that is."

"My horse," Red Bear smiled and turned to her and gently touched her face. At the touch Rachel felt a tingling sensation on her skin that sent a chill down her spine and she looked Red Bear in the eyes. As she gently caressed his hand she saw the passion and desire in his eyes, a desire that she knew was mirrored in hers.

"Can you stay?"

Rachel could just nod as she slipped into his embrace. For a while they sat in silence watching the fire, just enjoying the nearness of each other. Slowly they begun talking again, Rachel trying to describe the life at the way station as Red Bear enlightened her about Kiowa ways. The more Rachel got to know about this man the more she could imagine him whispering the words she wanted to hear when things seemed hopeless:

"Let me hold you and everything will be all right." She could imagine that so easily because he had that quality about him, too, the quiet power of a man who could make everything right just by taking her in his arms. As she was right now, she thought.

"What are you thinking about?" The question startled her, she had been too wrapped up in her own minds, and she hadn't realized that Red Bear had become silent.

"I don't know," she admitted, but then she continued; "Where are we going?" Rachel slipped out of his embrace and turned to face him. "Are we crazy, or is there something right in all this?"

Red Bear looked at her with a frown.

"We are here, now. That's all that matters."

"For you, maybe, but I --" she didn't know how to continue, "What about tomorrow?"

"It's not here yet. When tomorrow comes we'll know what to do." Looking at her, gently caressing her hair, loosening it up and following its fall down to her shoulders, he continued softly. "I can't give you more."

"I know. I'm not asking for more, I just had to know," she whispered as her jacket slowly was pulled from her shoulders and she slipped out of it with ease. They moved closer and their lips met in a tender kiss. Rachel felt Red Bear's hand caress her shoulders, hesitating at the edge of her blouse, then moving slowly along it until the first button. Feeling his hesitation Rachel kissed him again, this time with more passion as she returned the gesture by softly caressing his chest over his buckskin shirt.

They parted for a second as she felt her blouse slipped down her shoulder and she helped Red Bear out of his shirt. Clad in only her vest she saw Red Bear watching her.

"You're beautiful," he whispered as his hand traveled from her shoulder strap, gently caressing her neck, up to her face. Looking at him she took his hand in hers and moved it to her mouth, kissing it gently, caressing it before she let go and moved closer to him. He took her hand and urged her to her feet, kissing her as he moved further into the cave. Rachel already know where they were heading as she kissed him back. She had seen the simple bed of fur and hides when she entered the cave and although she knew that it wasn't as soft as her own bed, it wasn't a place on earth she rather wanted to be at this moment. She sank down on the soft fur as her shoulder strap slipped down her shoulder. Red Bear sat down next to her, softly placing his lips where the strap had been, caressing her back with his hands, undoing her skirt. Urged by a sudden stroke of impatience, surprising even herself, Rachel leaned backwards, dragging Red Bear with her, kissing him fervently.

Red Bear smiled at her and gently pushed her down, placing a finger on her mouth before he let it trace down her chin and her neck, and letting his hand tauntingly caress the area just below her neck.

"We've got all night," he whispered, as he fumbled with her vest.

"I want you," Rachel whispered back as she moved his hand away, realizing that she could do it so much faster. Slowly they removed the rest of their clothing, too slow for Rachel. Red Bear's hands and lips seemed to start fires all over her body and she had never needed somebody as much as she needed him right now. The world could stop turning for all she cared as long as she didn't have to leave this makeshift bed, this center of the world. What had been an intense act of passion the night before had turned into a slow discovery of who they were, taking their time, bringing each other to new heights with each moment.

Rachel woke up to the steady beat of a heart and she sighed as she let her hand slowly caress the chest she was resting her head on until a hand stopped her hand.

Rachel lifted her head and gazed into the eyes of Red Bear and she realized that he had been awake for some time.

"Why didn't you wake me?" she asked, intertwining his fingers in her fingers.

"I didn't have the heart to," he relied and kissed her gently on the top of her head.

Rachel moved up to kiss him. He removed the hair from her face and looked at her as he with one hand stroked her hair, then continuing down her back, caressing and taunting her as he let his fingers circle lower and lower, until Rachel softly moaned and placed herself on top of him, kissing his chest, neck and finally his mouth as they slowly and gently made love for the second time that night.

Slightly flushed, Rachel huddled up in Red Bear's arms, caressing his chest and let her finger slowly follow the visible scar on his right side. She was about to ask him how he had received it, when she realized that reason why she had noticed the scar first now. She could feel the warm rays of the sun on her back as they slowly found their way into the cave. It was with a slight feeling of despair she realized that the riders probably were up already, wondering where she was. Turning to release her from the gentle hug, she was surprised when Red Bear took a firmer grip of her.

"I have to get back," she whispered and looked at Red Bear with a frown.

He smiled back at her and in the next second she wound herself being carried out of the cave. Nervously, she placed her arms around his neck, wondering what was going on. Had she mistaken herself on him?

"Red Bear, I've got nothing on," she objected as he suddenly dropped her. Gasping in alarm, the next second she found herself under water. Her head immediately broke the surface.

"Why, you!" she called as he dived into the water next to her. Smiling he reappeared next to her.

"Thought we needed a bath," he said grinning, and suddenly Rachel felt much younger than she'd ever felt before. Not having the easiest of childhood, she had been forced to grow up fast, too fast in some ways. When she was with Red Bear, she had this strange feeling of freedom and not having to be responsible. There was lightness, almost recklessness, as if there would be no tomorrow, and today was all they had.

She frowned at him and splashed water at him, wondering what the boys would say if they could see her know. She was a fine example for them, she thought with a smile. When Red Bear returned her splashing by embrace her and kiss her, she kissed him back before she gently pushed him away.

"I really need to get back." She laughed at the obvious disappointment that shown in his face, but he made no movement to stop her as she headed for the shore and walked up, not being bothered for a second that she wasn't wearing a thing. She was well aware that Red Bear was watching her and she slyly turned her head and smiled at him. He responded with a frown and walked up to her.

"Never do that," he said sternly, before he smiled and let his lips touch her shoulder.
"You'll drive a man to insanity."

"I do?" Rachel replied tauntingly, looking for something to dry herself with. Red Bear held out a piece of wood and Rachel looked wonderingly at him.

"What this?" she asked.

"It helps you to dry. Try it," he said as he showed her how to use it. "I'll get your clothes."

Rachel looked at the small piece of wood and was amazed that it really seemed to work. She was almost done when Red Bear, already dressed, returned with her things. Rachel quickly dressed and placed a resolute kiss on Red Bear's cheek before she mounted Clodhopper who faithfully stood beside them watching the events with his big brown eyes.

CHAPTER 18

When she returned, she found the others worried and ready to go and look for her.

"Where have you been?" Lou looked at her trying to hide the fear she had felt when they had realized that Rachel was gone.

"I needed to go for a swim," Rachel replied casually, thankful that her explanation at least was half-true. "You don't have to worry about me, Lou, I'm fine."

"It's just that, with those thieves still on the loose," Lou mumbled, angry because she had been worried for nothing.

"I know, but I don't think they're around here any more," Rachel said. "Have you had breakfast yet?"

"No, we were looking for you," Cody grinned, relieved to see Rachel back and apparently in a very good mood. Not having to worry any more made him remember exactly how hungry he was.

"I'm sorry for making you worried," Rachel said friendly to the riders. "I had not intended to stay away for so long - how about if I make it up to you at dinner?"

"That's all right with me, Rachel." Cody was quick to reply. A special treat at dinner was not to be ignored. Lou was still a bit sore, but nodded her approval.

"Just don't do it again," she grumbled.

"I wont," Rachel smiled, not being able to let go of that wonderful feeling that still tingled in her body. Lou looked suspiciously at her. With Buck sick and Teaspoon off on some mysterious errand, how could Rachel act so lightheartedly, she pondered.

She followed Rachel back to the bunkhouse, where Rachel soon had a kettle on the stove.

"Ike, can you keep an eye on the kettle? And the rest of you might help with the breakfast too," she added. "I have to see if Wun-oan-te-mee is awake."

"I'll go with you," Lou said quickly, fearing that the boys would leave her to fix the breakfast if she stayed. Sometimes it was not so good that they know about her being a girl.

"You think we'll be able to take Winnie to see Buck today?" Lou asked as she followed Rachel to the house.

"Winnie?"

"Well it's easier to say than Wun-oan -," Lou begun, "and she sort of look like a Winnie, don't she?"

"Maybe," Rachel looked at Lou. "And I do hope that you can take --Winnie -- to see Buck. But there's another reason to this, ain't it?"

Lou hesitated.

"Well, sort of. You know Kid and Buck haven't exactly been on the best of terms since he came back, and I hoped that if we bring Winnie in to see him, they might -- well, --- sort things out?"

"How does Kid fell about this?"

"I haven't said anything to him. I don't think he look forward to it, but Buck will be back here tomorrow if Doc's right, and if they don't settle this, it will not be very funny staying in the bunkhouse."

"I'm sure it will all work out just fine."

Rachel knocked gently on the door to the guestroom before she opened. When her eyes went over to the bed, she froze and then she flung up the door wide open, looking around in the room. The bed was empty.

Rachel looked worried around the room. Behind her she could hear Lou gasp. It was with some relief that she saw the chair before the window and the small girl porched upon it. Winnie turned her head and smiled at them before she continued her scrutiny of the scenery outside her window. She was still very pale and thin, but there seemed to be nothing wrong with her mood.

"Good morning," Rachel greeted and walked into the room. "Wun-oan-te-mee?"

The girl readily left the chair and walked over to her. Saying something in her own language, she took Rachel's hand without any hesitation and walked her over to the window. Excited Winnie pointed to what have caught her attention. A few weeks earlier Ike had found a stray cat in town, and the poor animal had been skinny and unfriendly, but Ike had persisted and now the cat had settled into the stable.

Surprisingly, it had delivered three kittens two weeks later and it was this small family that had caught Winnie's attention. Rachel smiled and beckoned to Lou.

"See that?" she asked. Lou nodded in understanding.

"I'll get one for her," she said and disappeared. Rachel crouched next to Winnie.

"Cats," she stated and pointed, wondering if the Indians had cats. By Winnie's big eyes when she saw Lou walk over the yard, calling for the cat, Rachel didn't think they did. When Winnie realized that Lou was coming back with a kitten in her arms, the girl almost rushed to the door, standing in the doorway, eagerly awaiting Lou's return. Lou walked in with a big smile on her face and gently handed over the small kitten to an enchanted Winnie.

The girl looked in wonderment at the small cat that at first wasn't to content with its situation. Lou showed her how to hold it and how to pat it and soon the kitten settled somewhat and Winnie looked at them with shining eyes and a big smile on her face. She also looked very tired and Rachel told her to get back in bed. For a moment Winnie looked at her with a frown on her beautiful face.

"You need to get back into bed, honey," Rachel repeated patiently as she pointed to the bed, hoping that the girl would understand. Winnie looked at her for a second, and then, with a sigh, she handed the kitten back to Lou and obediently crawled back into bed. Lou and Rachel looked at each other and smiled.

"I think she understands more than we think," Lou said raising an eyebrow. "What do you think - can we bring her to see Buck?"

"I think so," Rachel smiled and looked at the girl who was looking back at them with disappointment written al over her face, until she yawned and had to blink her eye not to fall asleep.

"Just let her rest and get some broth before you head into town. And don't stay too long - just a short visit."

"That's fine," Lou said happily and walked over to Winnie and place the kitten beside her. The cat yawned and then it settled itself next to the girl. Rachel tucked her in and stroked her gently over the hair.

"Get some rest and then I'll bring you some broth," she said and the girl nodded.

Rachel had no idea if she had understood anything, but at least the girl closed her eyes after a final pat of the kitten. Rachel beckoned to Lou to follow her out.

"I think seeing Buck will do her good," Rachel said smilingly to Lou. "Let's go see if the boys managed to fix some breakfast.

Red Bear returned to a village already filled with activities, and he smiled at the sight of it. So far this had been a good place, with plenty of food and water, despite the first trouble. He hoped they wouldn't be forced to leave, but he knew it was only a matter of days before their village might be discovered by army scouts and they'd be forced to leave. If Winnie wasn't well by then, he'd be forced to leave her with his brother until they returned. He knew that they would return sooner all later, since part of Kiowa sacred land was here. They couldn't live too far away from their ancestor's land, that's the way it always had been and he hoped always should be.

As he rode in he could see Black Hawk watching him from his usual place, on a large stone close to a shadowing tree.

"Where have you been?" he asked sternly when Red Bear dismounted.

"I didn't think old men like you were up this early," Red Bear said jokingly.

"Bah, old men, you should choose your words with more concern," Black Hawk mumbled. "Answer my question instead."

"I'm not a boy or a young man any more, Black Hawk. I'm free to go as I please." Red Bear continued to tease the old man, being in a too good mood to be taken aback by the hard stare in the older man's eye.

"But you are a chief," Black Hawk muttered, although he was delighted to see the smile in Red Bear's eyes. It had been some time since he'd seen it.

"I know. But the village is safe, we have good guards and you know Yellow Fox is a good war chief."

"He's too young, too eager to fight. But he keeps a good guard," Black Hawk admitted.

"There you are." Red Bear started to walk to the fires. "Do you think there's any breakfast left?"

"Food? Yellow Fox might be looking for a reason for a challenge, blue coats are swarming at the edges of our land and you think of food," Black Hawk bantered, when suddenly a hint of suspicion showed in his eyes and he stopped in his pace.

Red Bear didn't seemed to notice, not until he'd managed to get a bowl of corn, when he suddenly realized Black Hawk's absence. He soon found him sitting on a large tree stump, pensively watching the children playing.

"Got tired of me so soon?" Red Bear asked as he placed himself next to him.

"It's a woman."

Red Bear almost choked on the corn.

"What?"

"You've been seeing a woman."

Red Bear sat in silence, watching the man, but not a sign was shown in his face.

"How did you know?" he asked silently.

"I've known you since you were a boy. Your father was like a brother to me. Your face can not hide any secrets from me."

"I should have known," Red Bear mumbled.

"So whose woman is it?"

"What do you mean?"

"Since you need to sneak off, only seeing her by night I assume that you want another's man's wife." The voice was as cold as ice.

Red Bear shook his head.

"She's nobody's woman, Black Hawk."

"Then what tribe is she?"

Red Bear turned away, not knowing what to say. But his action told Black Hawk what he already had suspected.

"She is white."

Red Bear sighed.

"Yes, she's white."

Still there was no sign of movement in Black Hawk's face.

"And you love her."

"Yes, I do."

"And does she love you?"

"I think she does."

"Who is she?"

"She works for the Pony Express with my brother. She is the one who helps him care for Wun-oan-te-mee."

Black Hawk shook his head.

"And what do you plan to do?"

"I don't plan anything. I take one day at a time, nothing more."

"And this woman have not asked any promises from you?"

"No, she hasn't."

"You're sure she hasn't?" Black Hawk asked as if such behavior was unthinkable of a woman.

"Yes, I'm sure."

"Then what do you want?"

"Honestly? I want to ask her to come back here with me."

Black Hawk frowned.

"You cannot have her as your wife."

"How can I ask her to share my life if not as a wife?" Red Bear asked with a hint of anger, when Black Hawk continued.

"Any children would not be Onde. They'd be as your half brother."

"My brother did fine."

"You're doing it again, my friend," Black Hawk sighed. "You're closing your eyes to parts of the world that you don't wish to see. Your half-brother was never happy here."

"Of course he was."

"You never saw, did you? Partly I suspect because he didn't wanted to show you, but mostly because you choose not to."

Red Bear was taken aback by the words. Running Buck had said the exact same words to him that evening when he had asked him to return. But he still refused to see the truth in the words.

"Running Buck was doing fine here, he could have been a great warrior."

"But never one of the Ondes, like you."

"It's not always something to be," Red Bear muttered, thinking of the Kiowa classes.

In truth, Black Hawk was right. It was ironic that Running Buck should be born into a family of the highest class, when he, as a half blood, never would reach the same status and therefore already from birth was excluded from a part of his family's life.

Only full-blooded Kiowa could be of the Ondes, the highest class. The system had always been like that and it had never been questioned. Except by Running Buck, he remembered. He had tried to explain it to his younger brother, and all he got back was the question why. He didn't know the reason why, and he'd been angry at Running Buck for asking all those questions. So Running Buck stopped asking. But he'd been right, Red Bear thought morosely. Now, when he was older he could give Running Buck that credit. If white were treating Indians different, so did Indians treat whites differently, no bending of the rules in any way. He knew that now, and even if he wanted to, he knew that he could never ask Rachel to be a part of that, as he never could live in the white world. Unless the rules changed. He wasn't so sure any more that they couldn't be changed. He sighed and Black Hawk looked at him.

"You already knew this," he stated.

"Yes. My brother told me."

"But you didn't listen."

"I didn't want to listen. I wanted him back. I still want him to be back."

"And the woman?"

"Have you never thought of changes, Black Hawk? Changing these rules that we don't know why they exist?"

Black Hawk looked in horror at his chief. What was he talking about? Changes?

The Kiowa hadn't change for centuries, it was just something you didn't do. The tradition called for stability. He didn't know what to say, when a rider appeared in the camp, calling for the braves.

"The scouts spotted a buffalo herd. The spirits are smiling upon us!" Red Bear smiled at the older man, who still was stunned by his chief's words. Slowly he found his tongue.

"Then go with them on the hunt, my chief."

"What?"

"Go and hunt. Do not think more of these questions of your brother and this woman. Go, and get your tribe food. We can talk when you come back!" Black Hawk looked desperately at his chief, hoping that a hunt might get these crazy ideas out of his head.

"Lead them. You're the chief!"

Red Bear looked at the braves who were getting ready to leave. It had been a long time since he'd been on a hunt, with the buffalo becoming scarcer every spring. Black Hawk was right, he should go with them. Patting the older man on the shoulder, he walked down to the riders, his arrival causing them to call out their joy with high shouts. It wasn't every day they could go on a hunt for buffalo.

CHAPTER 20

Winnie was sleeping when they returned and Rachel met them.

"Well, I suppose it was a bit too much for her," she smiled when she saw Winnie asleep in Lou's lap. Lou helped her get Winnie back in bed while Kid saw to the horses.

"So how did it go?" Rachel asked as they silently closed the door. Lou shook her head.

"It didn't work at all. At first I thought Buck was happy to see Winnie, but then he yelled at Kid, and Kid yelled back, and I honestly don't know if it's the same or if it's worse."

Rachel placed an arm around Lou.

"Don't worry, it will be all right. They'll sort it out sooner or later. Maybe you should leave 'em alone?"

"Probably, but it's eating at Kid. I know he doesn't show it, but he really cares about all of us, us sticking together as a family. I think that's why he wanted to stop Buck from going."

"I know, Lou. But still there's nothing you can do."

"But he hates it when he's having an argument with one of the boys. He feels bad about it even when he's right! And I love him too much not to care."

Rachel sighed.

"They will work it out, Lou."

"And if they don't? What's gonna happen then, Rachel? If Buck goes back to the Kiowa, Kid will feel as if he forced him to go, but then Kid might feel that he should leave, and---"

"Take it easy, Lou!" Rachel looked at the girl. "I think you're rushing away here. So there has been one, and only one, setback in getting them to speak with each other. Right?"

"Sorry, Rachel. It's just that everything changed since--" Lou blushed slightly. "Since Kid and I, you know---"

"I know. I hope it isn't a bad change?" she asked suddenly feeling responsible. After all, she was the one Lou had talked to at that time.

"No, it's not a bad change, it's just that now I really know that he's the one, and it's if I can feel, no, know what's he's feeling. I can't remember knowing that before."

She looked over to the barn.

"I better go and help him with the horses," she added. "I don't know if I ever thanked you for your advice back then, did I?"

"You're welcome," Rachel smiled and hugged her. Suddenly remembering her own situation, she couldn't help but smile. I'm not the right one to give advice, she thought. From the look of things, I'm the one needing advice.

The rest of the day passed slowly by. Lou was supposed to take the run when Jimmy returned, but apparently Jimmy was running a bit late. This had happened before so it was nothing to be worried about, at least not yet. Winnie seemed to be a lot better and after she had slept, Rachel allowed her to sit on the veranda. Rachel rather enjoyed sitting there with her, naming out different objects in English for her. Some things were familiar to Winnie and she returned the favor by trying to teach Rachel the Kiowa name for the same thing. Rachel did her best to try and pronounce them, but at the least it was a difficult language, and several times she managed to get the girl to keel over with laughter. As the day went by, Jimmy's absence became more obvious and the riders became to feel worried.

Ike came back from his run. At four o'clock there was still no sign of Jimmy.

"Something's happen to him," Noah stated as he and Kid looked at the horizon for the umpteenth time with no result.

Something had indeed happen to Jimmy. He had been making rather good time on his run out, and there was no mail to carry on the return, so he was in no hurry. Seeing as the others didn't expect him to be back so soon, he'd decided to check the place where they found the tracks just one more time. Maybe he could find some clue to the thieves' whereabouts. When he reached the place where they had turned back the day before, he noticed that the sky had turned grey at the horizon and he frowned at the sight. If there was to be rain every trace would be erased, and so would their chances of catching the thieves. Staring at it, he made a decision.. If he could secure more of the tracks before they were obliterated, then their chances might not be completely gone.

He was slightly aware that he might be disobeying Teaspoon's order, but he figured this was important enough for them to be set aside. Cautiously

he slowly moved forward, following the tracks, only now and then stop to get his directions straight. He needed to find this place again, so it was important he got all the landmarks right. He'd been following them for some time, when he suddenly stopped. From what he could tell the trail suddenly disappeared. He got off his horse and carefully searched the ground, and then he found it - traces heading back in the same direction as he had came from. Too late he realized that the trail had been false.

Cursing himself for his own stupidity and for not listening to Teaspoon, he prepared to mount up, when a sound made him turn around. Around him, standing in a circle covering him from every direction , stood a group of Indians with their guns ready.

From the look on their faces they weren't too friendly. Realizing that resistance was futile and would only get him killed, he raised his hands to show he meant no harm.

Immediately one of the warriors urged his horse forward and before Jimmy could react he was struck down with the but end of the spear. The blow sent him sprawling to the ground, and somewhat dizzy he tried to get to his feet. The warrior turned his horse and leaped off it, drawing his knife. None of the other riders moved. In the corner of his eye Jimmy saw the warrior return and he desperately tried to get to his feet, only to be a second to late and he felt the warrior's hand clasp around his hair pulling his head backwards. He caught a glimpse of the knife aimed at his throat.

Teaspoon never gonna forgive me for this, he thought as the knife moved down, when a shout was heard from the leader and the knife froze in its path. Still somewhat dizzy Jimmy was forced to his feet and his hands tied behind his back. His guns were taken from him. One of the warriors took care of his horse and he was forced to walk in front of them. Cursing himself for his stupidity he slowly started to walk, urged forward by the sharp points of the spears. Occasionally some warrior pushed harder and Jimmy could feel the point stab him in the back, causing a wound from which blood flooded. But there was nothing he could do. He thought it took them an eternity to reach a large glade in which the village was situated. He was forced into the camp as the leader called out something in Kiowa. Jimmy had no idea what he was saying, but he could imagine that it wasn't good news for him.

Exhausted he was dragged to something that looked like a ladder, raised against two poles, keeping it almost upright. His hands were freed only to be retied to the top of the ladder. He could feel the strain in his arms as they were forced above his head. He tried to lean back his head only to find that the sun was shining straight into his eyes, almost hurting them.

He saw an older Indian approach the leader of the group and a new discussion was started. Trying to keep his eyes away from the sun he vaguely wondered what was going on.

"What is this?" Black Hawk approached the young warrior.

"I found him on our sacred grounds," Yellow Fox exclaimed, "And tonight he will die! Where's Red Bear?"

"He is out on a hunt. You can not kill this boy."

"Why not? He desecrated our sacred land!"

"The spirits have been good to us, we do not want to upset them. They sent us a buffalo herd."

"They are good to us because we caught him!" Yellow Fox pointed angrily at Jimmy.

"We should let the council decide."

"He should die!"

"There might be dangers that you don't see clearly. Let the council decide."

Yellow Fox looked angrily at Black Hawk, but he knew the older man was right and he couldn't go on questioning his decision. Black Hawk was one of the older in the council and to go against his words would not be in his favor if he ever wanted to become chief.

"I'll wait for the council's decision," Yellow Fox nodded, sure that the council could be convinced of the necessity of killing this white for what he had done. "How soon can the council meet?"

"We have to wait for Red Bear."

"They might not be back until tomorrow!"

"We'll wait."

"So be it. But he stays there." Yellow Fox pointed at Jimmy.

"I don't understand this. Jimmy should have been back ages ago." Kid said as the riders gathered on the porch of the bunkhouse. Nobody answered him, feeling the same thing. A dust cloud made them look up only to see that it was from the wrong direction. This was someone approaching from Sweetwater.

"Wonder who that can be?" Lou said and rose to see better. "It's a wagon," she added with a frown and then she sank down. "It's the supplies from the stable," she stated.

"It's late," Noah added.

"Yeah," Lou confirmed disinterested.

Kid sat in silence looking thoughtfully at the horizon.

"What are you thinking about?" Lou asked as she watched Rachel tell the men from the stable where the goods should be.

"I just thought --no, not even Jimmy would do something like that."

"Do what?" Noah turned to them.

"Well, I ain't sure, but Jimmy was very disappointed when Teaspoon told us to turn back yesterday. I thought he might have gone back."

"Why should he do that? Teaspoon told us not to do it." Lou said with a frown.

"But still--"

"Jimmy wouldn't do that!" Lou explained.

"I ain't so sure, Lou," Noah said thoughtfully. "It might be just something Jimmy could do."

"Oh no, you're not seriously saying that you think that he went back? Why should he go back?"

"To find more tracks or to secure those we found." Kid said.

"Or to get the horse thieves," Noah added.

"You're nice friends--" Lou begun when the stable hands approached them.

"Mrs. Dunne said we could help us to some coffee?" one of them asked and Lou pointed inside the bunkhouse.

"It's on the stove, help yourself."

"Thanks."

When the two was inside Lou turned to the others again.

"You know that Jimmy wouldn't disobey Teaspoon!"

"Unless he had a damn good reason," Noah said. "You might be right, Kid."

"Then why hasn't he come back?" Lou insisted.

Noah and Kid looked at each other.

"What?" Lou demanded.

"You heard what Teaspoon said about sacred grounds out there. If Jimmy continued, he might have gone straight into them." Kid said slowly, letting the words sink in.

"You think he might have got into trouble?"

"I don't think the Kiowa takes lightly on people desecrating their sacred land," Noah said grimly.

"You don't think -- he'd been killed?"

"We don't know that Lou," Kid said comforting. "They might just have taken him captive."

"I ain't so sure I'd prefer that to killing," Noah said and shook his head. "Well, we can't find out anything by sitting here. I say we go and have a look. Maybe he never went back."

"You're right. Lou, you're coming?"

"Yeah, I'll just let Rachel know what we're doing."

Kid sighed as he rose from the ground.

"He was here, all right."

"Damn," Noah mumbled and looked at the tracks on the ground. "He must have continued."

"Looks like it."

"What was he thinking?" Kid said out loud.

"Should we continue?" Lou looked at the others.

"If Jimmy went that way, and he ain't back yet - hell if I know," Noah said. "It might be that none of us return."

"One of us should return and tell Teaspoon. The others can see if we can find him."

Kid suggested.

"I ain't turning back." Lou's reply came instantly.

"I didn't say that," Kid objected.

"Hush," Noah said sharply, then continued, "I think we all should return, and that now."

"What?" Kid asked.

"Over the hill to the left, just behind that rock," Noah said.

Kid searched the area.

"An Indian?"

"Looks like it."

"Then we have to go back."

"Yeah, and I don't think we should wait too long," Noah concluded and mounted his horse. They others followed and they rode out of the dangerous area. Safely out of reach they slowed down.

"I don't think we need to doubt what happened to Jimmy," Kid said slowly.

"The question is if they killed him or if he's still alive," Noah stated.

"You think he might be alive?" Lou asked.

"He might, but I don't know Lou. Never been around Indians that much."

"We have to tell Teaspoon."

"He's not back until tomorrow." Kid said with a sigh.

"Well, there ain't much we can do on our own."

Buck woke up from the sound of voices. Margaret had opened the window earlier in the evening to let in some fresh air, but Buck was unaccustomed to the sounds of the town and found himself waking up when people passed by on the street outside. He sighed and tried to get back to sleep when a word caught his attention and he strained to listen to the conversation.

"I told you I heard it with my own ears. One of the Express Riders!"

"You're crazy, there haven't been any Indian trouble along the Express routes for some time now."

"Well, who's to say it ain't started. I heard the riders discuss it when I delivered some merchandise out there."

"What did they say?"

"That one of them were missing and that he probably been taken by Indians!"

"What Indians would that be?"

"The Kiowa of course, they're the ones that wont sign that treaty."

"I don't know, Jake - you're sure you heard right?"

"As sure as I'm standing here - I'm telling you, with 'em raids around Blue Creek and that at Henderson's place and now this - it's time we called in the army!"

"I thought Henderson already sent them a rapport."

"Not Henderson - I mean the town should ---"

The voices trailed off, leaving a bewildered Buck. He sank back into the bed, thoughts whirling in his mind. What has happened at the station? Who could be missing? And why did the riders think that he'd been taken by Indians? He decided that he had to find out. He had to get back. Now. Fighting a slight feeling of nausea he sat up again, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. He rose and was forced to lean on one of the bedposts for support. His leg felt a bit funny, but he supposed it was because of the wound. His head swirled and he had to fight the dizziness. Soon he started to feel better and he got dressed. Still fighting the nausea and the tiredness he sneaked out of the house and over to the stable. When he looked around he remembered that his horse still was at the station. Well, I don't have much choice, he thought, grabbing the reins of the nearest horse. He'd have to explain to the owner later.

CHAPTER 21

Buck rode as hard as his weakened body allowed him, worried about his friends and his brother. He couldn't believe that the Kiowa had taken a rider captive - his brother would not allow it, not with Wun-oan-te-mee at the station. Unless he was forced to. Buck tried to find a reason for any of the riders to risk a confrontation with the Kiowa, but how hard he tried he couldn't find any. Worried he urged his mount forward as he tried to ignore the pain from his chest that seemed to force him to wince for every step the horse took. His first thought had been to head back to the

station, but then he begun to have second thoughts. Maybe it was better to try and get in touch with his brother. There was a place not far from the station that he knew his brother sometimes in times of trouble searched refuge. Or at least he had when they were younger. He remembered it clearly because he'd been trailing his brother to the place, and Red Bear had been very upset with him first, until he'd realised the effort Running Buck had gone through to keep track of him. Buck smiled faintly at the memory. He hadn't understood why his brother had been upset. He'd been very proud of his achievement back then, but now he realised and understood the need of a quiet place better than he had when he'd been young. Then he'd longed for company rather than solitude, he remembered, having enough time on his own.

The bitter memory caused the smile to disappear only to be quickly dismissed. There was no use getting caught in the past. He decided that he would check out his brother's hideout first, before he headed over to the station. Maybe he could get some rest there to, he pondered as he fought the pain in his chest before he urged his horse forward.

Rachel paced uneasily in her bedroom. She couldn't sleep; she was too worried about Jimmy. She wanted to head out to see Red Bear again, not only for her sake this time, but also because she knew that he probably held the answers to Jimmy's fate. But then she wanted to stay in case Jimmy came back, or just so she could be there for the others. She knew they weren't sleeping either as the light shone in the small window of the bunkhouse. Besides, she had no chance of sneaking out while they were awake. So she paced. Finally she sat down on her bed, deep in thoughts. The clock on the wall ticked away several minutes to the past. Suddenly Rachel realised that she was tired, too tired even to think of things that had happened and what might happen. She hadn't slept much the last days; she had to admit that, so she gave in to the sleep and slowly got back in bed. She closed her eyes and almost immediately she was caught in a nightmare in which Jimmy and Red Bear was trying to kill each other.

"We should do something," Kid murmured for the umpteenth times as he sat on his bunk. It was really late, but none of the riders seemed to be bothered with the hour.

"Then what will you have us do?" Noah wondered. "Raid the camp? That's a fine idea - I'm sure we'd manage a lot, us four against a whole tribe."

"He just means that we should do something now, while Lou's on a run," Cody suggested with a wink.

"That's not what I mean!"

< Stop that. > Ike looked angry at them. < That's not gonna help anything. >

"We got to do something," Kid insisted his words causing a moan from Cody.

"If you say that again, I'll swear I'll throw you outside."

"But what are we going to do?" Noah added.

< Wait. We'll wait for Teaspoon. >

"And what about Jimmy? The longer we wait, the bigger risk that they'll kill him!" Kid exclaimed.

"If he ain't dead already," Noah mumbled.

"Will you stop mentioning that," Cody said, "you're making me depressed."

"I just think that it's something we ought to remember before doing anything," Noah replied evenly. "If Jimmy's dead, then there's nothing we can do---"

"Talking won't help us much," Kid objected, "we need to know if he's alive or not. And there's only one way of doing that."

"What?" Cody and Noah said simultaneously.

"To have a look at the camp."

< You can't do that. You don't even know where the camp is. > Ike objected.

"I think I know where it might be."

< You'll get caught. >

"Not necessarily. I remember when I followed Buck when he went in the camp to get you out, Ike. If I remember correctly there should be a way to watch the camp from a distance without getting into any guards."

"You know this, or you only think?" Noah wanted to know.

"I think," Kid admitted. "But I can't see any reason why it shouldn't work. If a couple of us head out tonight ---"

"There's ain't a chance that we would see anything in the camp tonight even if we find it," Cody objected.

"Then we could find a suitable place and wait for daylight," Kid suggested.

"And then what?" Noah wanted to know. "Getting out of there in broad daylight is like asking for trouble."

"Well, have you got any other ideas?" Kid asked.

< We'll wait for Teaspoon. > Ike repeated and turned away. The others looked around the room.

"S'pose that's the only thing we can do," Noah mumbled and turned to his bunk.

"Yeah." Cody said and looked at Kid. "You're goin' to bed?"

Kid shook his head, but he too realised that there were very little they could do even if he hated staying at the station when they might do something to save Jimmy's life. Disappointed he moved over to his bunk and lay down to get some rest.

Buck held in the horse and looked around. It didn't appear to be anybody there, but he couldn't be sure. If his brother were somewhere near he wouldn't show himself until he was sure there weren't any danger. Buck slowly dismounted so not to make the wound in his chest open up again and bent down to the ground. To his surprise he saw tracks from several horses of which only one were unshod. So his brother might have been here but then so had others - white probably, since Indians didn't shoe their horses. The fact that others had been there worried him. Maybe there was more trouble than he had thought. He had always dreaded that something like this would happen again - that he would be forced to take side in a struggle between the Kiowa and his friends and family in the Express. And that it might be not resolved as it had when Ike had been captured. Silently he stood still watching the hill for any sign of life. When nothing was seen he softly called out his brother's name. Still there weren't any reply. Sighing he realised that Red Bear wasn't there and that it was better for him to return to the station. As he walked back to the horse, he felt his leg beginning to throb and he had to stop to loosen up the bandage a little. It made him feel somewhat better and soon he was on his way again, this time heading home.

Buck held in his horse as he realised that he was close to falling off. His ears were ringing and his chest hurt, and the nausea that had come and gone during the day was coming again. He knew he couldn't go on without a rest.

He closed is eyes in hope of feeling better but it was in vain. He sighed and tried to dismount. He more or less slid down the animal and leaned heavily on it when his feet reached the ground. He had to lie down, although he wished he could have chosen another space that was less open.

He felt uneasy about resting in an open area where enemies could come from any directions, but there was no option. If he didn't rest know he might fall off the horse on the way back and hurt himself more. Fighting dizziness he tied the horse to some nearby bushes and then he lay down on the ground. Shivering he closed his eyes when the sound of approaching horses made him sit up. From behind a hill he could see six riders approach and he scrambled to his feet with his gun ready. He stood still awaiting their approach. He knew that he would be discovered and soon he saw the men change course towards him. When they came closer he saw that they were wearing army uniforms and he relaxed some. At least it wasn't the same gang that had robbed them of their horses. But he didn't replace his gun, merely hid it behind his back so that it wouldn't look as if he was looking for trouble. The officer rode up to him and held in his horse.

"What are you doing out here?" he asked with a suspicious look when he saw the features of the young man before him.

"I'm a rider for the Pony Express," Buck explained. "I'm on my way back to the station."

"Then why did you stop here?"

Buck didn't like the man's look nor did he like being questioned, but he was too tired to argue. All he wanted was the men to be on their way so that he could rest and then return home. He hoped they wouldn't insist on following him to the station. If they saw Wun-oan-to-mee there could be trouble.

"I needed a rest."

"You're Indian?"

"Half Indian. My father was white," Buck replied in a tired voice. He felt dizzy and his chest started to hurt again.

"What tribe?" The question was lashed at him as if his previous answer just had been ignored.

"I'm working for the Pony Express," Buck replied tired as he felt sick and just wanted to lie down again. The blow from the rifle butt by one of the soldiers caught him by surprise although it wasn't hard enough to bring him out of balance.

"The lieutenant asked you a question Injun!"

Staring angrily at the man Buck slowly rubbed the sore shoulder. Feeling these men were trouble he once again repeated his sentence.

"I'm a rider for the Pony Express---"

The soldier raised his rifle to hit him again when the lieutenant held up his hand.

"Stop that, Troter. We'll bring the man back with us to Sweetwater and get

the marshal to verify that he is what he says he is."

"You don't have to do that," Buck argued, "the people of the way station can verify that for you."

"I prefer if the marshal does it," was the short reply.

Seeing that he was outnumbered and that there was no way of talking the lieutenant out of his plan of going back, Buck submitted. If he was lucky, Teaspoon might be at his office, and then he might get the answers to the question whirling in his head - had a rider been captured by the Kiowa or not? Weary he mounted the horse and as the soldiers formed themselves around him they begun the ride back to town.

When they finally arrived Buck was sagging in the saddle. The blood loss and the pain were taking its toll on him. Besides the few men hanging outside the saloon the street was empty. The party caught a few glares from some of the men outside the saloon. A light shone at the marshal's office and Buck felt hope rise. Maybe Teaspoon was at the office.

Behind his back he could hear somebody yell back to the saloon.

"Hey, Henderson, the army caught someone!"

Great, Buck thought, now half the saloon would gather at the marshal's office wondering what was going on. A small crowd emerged from the saloon, mumbling as they saw the small party reach the office. The lieutenant dismounted and walked up to the office.

"Marshal!"

The door opened and Barnett's sleepy appearance showed in the opening.

"The marshal's in Blue Creek. What's all this about?" he asked as he tried to grasp what was going on.

"Then who are you?" the lieutenant asked.

"I'm the deputy here, Barnett," Barnett replied as he gazed with surprise at the party when he recognized Buck.

"We found this Indian prowling around not far from here," the lieutenant said, seeing Barnett's look. "He claims that he's a rider for the Pony Express. Can you verify that?"

"Why? Yes, he rides for 'em. What's going on?"

Before the lieutenant could answer a shout from the stables made them turn around.

"That's my horse! He stole my horse!"

"I didn't mean to steal the horse," Buck tried to explain for the lieutenant for the umpteenth time.

"But you did take it without the owner's permission, didn't you?" The lieutenant looked sternly at the boy who was sitting on a chair. The deputy Barnett nervously watched the interrogation, uncertain of what to do.

"Then that's all to be said." The lieutenant turned to Barnett. "I suggest you lock him in until this can be settled by a court," he continued.

"Well, I don't know," Barnett mumbled. "The marshal---"

"He ain't here and I can't see how you can not arrest this man," the lieutenant interrupted, clearly disappointed with Buck's failure to explain why he needed the horse and why he had sneaked out of town in the middle of the night. Barnett was still pondering what to do when Doc Barnes entered the office.

"What's going on here?" he asked seeing Buck surrounded by an armed guard.

"That's my patient, what have you done to him?"

"Your patient?" The lieutenant seemed to have some difficulty grasping the situation.

"Yes, he's a rider for the Pony Express and he should be in bed. He was hurt when the station was attacked and robbed," Doc explained.

"Then why did he steal a horse and sneaked out of town?" the lieutenant harshly replied, when an unexpected spectator took part in the argument.

Old Henderson made his way through the crowd gathered outside.

"Damn it, lieutenant! I asked for your help in getting the Indians responsible for the raid on my farm, not for you to act as marshal arresting Express riders! Why aren't you out there looking for them damned Indians?"

The lieutenant looked aghast at the man.

"I believe that I'm doing my duty and what I was ordered to do---"

"Well, I ain't. If you don't do something about those raids, I'll personally see to it that your commanding officer---" Henderson didn't need to continue. The lieutenant immediately saw the threat.

"We'll be doing just that, Mr. Henderson." The lieutenant turned to Barnett. "You better lock him up - I'm sure the marshal would appreciate that."

"He should be in bed," Doc objected.

"There's a bunk in the cell - that'll have to do."

Supported by the man that believed he'd been stolen of a good horse, Barnett finally succumbed to the pressure despite Doc's objection. Helping Buck to his feet he led him to one of the cells. Buck was too tired to argue and inside he sank down on the small bunk. Before Barnett could lock the door, Doc allowed himself into the cell to as he told Barnett; "to check on the boy". What he saw relieved him some. The wound was still intact and despite from the tiredness and headache, Buck even seemed a little bit better. But he still needed the rest. Doc sighed.

"At least you won't go off wandering in night," he said jokingly before he left.

"I'll be right back with some blankets, so don't go to sleep just yet," he told Barnett before he left the office. Barnett nodded and sat down to wait his return. It wasn't many minutes until the Doc returned and Barnes opened the door to the cell again.

"Buck?"

Buck turned over to look at the doctor.

"I brought you some blankets. Now you keep warm, or your fever will get worse."

Buck nodded and gratefully accepted the blanket. The nights could be chilly and the cell was a bit cold.

"Doc," he started before the man left. "Can you get a word out to the station?"

"Not tonight. But I'll send somebody out first thing in the morning."

"Thanks."

"You better get some sleep." Doc concluded as he walked away.

CHAPTER 22

Kid was up just as the first rays of sun touched the ground. He hadn't slept too well, worried over both Jimmy and Lou. By now he was sure that Jimmy was in some kind of trouble and that the Kiowa were most certainly the cause of it. For the moment he didn't think much of them, whatever anybody would say. He got dressed and walked out to the stable where Katy greeted him.

"Hi there girl," he mumbled and stroked her over the head as he let his thoughts wander. If I only knew what to do, he contemplated. If he just didn't have to wait for Teaspoon to get back. Not that he could see what Teaspoon could do either. The only one that probably knew what to do was Buck. And he wasn't in any condition to do anything, even if Kid could allow himself to trust him. These thoughts and others whirled in his mind until he sound of an approaching horse made him head out from the stable. From the bunkhouse the others had woke up and also waited for the arrival.

"Morning, boys! You're up early." A tired Teaspoon held in his horse and stiffly dismounted. Kid was by his side as Ike took his horse.

"Jimmy's gone."

"What are you talking 'bout Kid?" Teaspoon looked surprised at the rider.

"Jimmy never came back from his run," Noah explained. "We tracked him into the Kiowa land."

"Where?" Teaspoon asked in a strained voice.

"The same place we stopped looking after the thieves." This time it was Kid that replied. "He must have been taken captive by the Kiowa."

"Damn that boy! You're sure he went there?"

"Positive. We saw the tracks."

"We were watched by a warrior, so we decided to leave," Noah explained.

"Thank God some of you got some sense," Teaspoon muttered.

"What are we going to do, Teaspoon? We can't leave Jimmy at their mercy!" Kid said.

"I know that, Kid. But keep in mind that if he was taken captive he's been there for the night.

Anything can have happened."

"The more reason that we act now - they say that Henderson have called for the army. We could ask them for help."

Ike frowned at Kid as he ended his sentence. Kid saw it, but chose to ignore it.

"I think we should wait about getting the army involved," Teaspoon said slowly.

"But Teaspoon---"

"We'll wait --- what Ike?" Teaspoon turned to Ike as he quickly repeated his hands' movements.

"I think you're right - I'll head into town and talk to Buck. He's only one that might have some idea of how to get Jimmy out of this mess."

<<I'm coming with you.>> Ike signed.

"All right. We'll leave right away."

"What about the rest of us?" Cody asked.

"You might head over to Canton's and see if we can borrow some horses - we can't keep up the runs with the few animals we've got."

"And Jimmy?"

"If he's still alive, then a few hours won't do much harm," Teaspoon stated which earned him an angry glance from Kid. When the others had left he lingered on for a minute.

"You know that every minute counts if he's alive, don't you?" he asked suspiciously.

"We have no way of knowing that---"

"You know what Indians does to prisoners."

"Take it easy, Kid, we'll do all we can."

"Well, you better get back from town quickly." Kid turned and followed the others.

<<What's wrong with him?>> Ike wondered and looked at Teaspoon.

"He's just worried, Ike."

<<Well, I'm glad he's not coming with us to see Buck. There already enough anger between them as it is.>>

Teaspoon sighed, both at the situation and his own tiredness. He'd been riding most of the night after a hectic day in Blue Creek, but it looked like he would have to wait yet another couple of hours before he could get some sleep.

"Morning, Doc, we're here to see Buck." Teaspoon greeted the doctor as he opened the door.

"Then you're in the wrong place, marshal."

"Wrong place?"

"He's in jail."

"In jail?" Teaspoon looked at the doctor as if he hadn't believed his ears. "What he's doing in jail?"

"I'll tell you what I know on our way over there. Just let me get my jacket and I'll be right with you."

It was a rather upset Teaspoon that walked into the office startling Barnett.

"Where's Buck, Barnett?"

Barnett pointed to the cell and handed Teaspoon the key without a word.

"Since you're here now, can I leave?" he asked as Teaspoon unlocked the celldoor.

For a second Teaspoon thought of saying no, but then he nodded.

"You may head on home, Barnett."

Barnett quickly reached for his hat and with a small nod to Ike and Doc he was gone.

Teaspoon bent down over the sleeping figure on the small bunk in the cell.

"Buck, you're awake, son?"

Buck groaned and slowly turned around looking into the concerned eyes of Teaspoon.

"Teaspoon," he sighed relieved when Teaspoon's face turned stern.

"And you, my boy, have had more luck than you deserve. You could have been killed for stealing that horse. What on Earth made you do it?"

"I overheard some men in town. What's happened at the station? I heard ---" Buck hesitated and Teaspoon saw the concern and worry in his eyes.

"We'll talk about that later," Teaspoon responded. "Lets get you out of here first." He turned to Doc.

"You think we can take him with us to the station? Is he well enough?"

"I don't think that's a problem, just I'd like to check on him first."

"You do that, Doc. You might stay here Ike, while I'll see the stable manager about that horse theft."

Teaspoon took his hat and left without a word. It took him some time and more than a few dollars to convince the horse owner that an indictment was unnecessary. Satisfied with the outcome Teaspoon walked back just in time to see Ike help Buck out from the office and into the wagon. Doc must have approved of Buck staying at the station, Teaspoon thought. Thank God something seemed to be going their way.

On the way back to the station Buck insisted that the others told him what had happened and Teaspoon reluctantly admitted that they suspected that Jimmy had entered into Kiowa sacred land and probably had been captured.

Buck look worriedly at Teaspoon.

"What do you intend to do?" he asked slowly.

"I'm not sure. What do you think can have happened to him?"

"The Kiowa are not at war, so --maybe-- they're holding him prisoner."

"For how long?"

"Until they have asked the spirits - when the spirits decided the punishment ---" Buck silenced, well aware that both Ike and Teaspoon knew what he meant.

"Do you think there's any chance of getting him out of there?"

"I don't know," Buck admitted, looking away. He was not ready to let the others see his worry, not yet.

"Could we arrange a trade that would satisfied the spirits?" Teaspoon continued, not ready to give up on Jimmy and therefore urging Buck to give him an answer.

"Maybe. What where you thinking of trading?"

"Horses, food, medicines I suppose."

"That might work. What if they ask for rifles?"

"I'll deal with that if it comes to it. Now, how do we contact them?"

"I can---" Buck begun when Teaspoon interrupted him.

"You're not going anywhere. Isn't there a way to leave a message that we are interested in talking to their chief?"

"But ---"

"No buts, Buck. Can we contact them or not?"

Buck swallowed and nodded slowly.

"Yes."

Teaspoon looked at him with a frown.

"How?"

"I can do that."

Teaspoon realized that Buck was reluctant to tell how and suspected that Buck had a way of communicating with his brother if no one else. Well, if Buck wanted to keep that a secret it was all right by him as long they could get some word to the Kiowa that they were willing to negotiate for Jimmy.

"We'll see to when we get back," Teaspoon suggested, " and I'll tell you what that message should say. Now you get some rest," he continued and when Buck was about to protest, he added, "and that's an order."

Kid was the first one to meet them when they arrived.

"Well?" he asked searching Teaspoon's face.

"We're gonna send the Kiowa a message that we're willing to negotiate for Jimmy's life," Teaspoon answered as he stepped off the wagon.

"That's all?" Kid asked bewildered and disappointed.

"For now."

"But that will take another day! God knows what Jimmy have to endure in the meantime!" Kid exclaimed just as Ike helped Buck off the wagon. Buck gritted his teeth at the comment, but said nothing. Kid looked at him for a moment as if he was going to ask him something, but then he thought better of it and turned to Teaspoon.

"Teaspoon," he said quietly so Buck wouldn't hear, "there's an army unit in town - Cody saw them yesterday. Shouldn't we---"

"No." The stern voice of Buck almost made Kid jump. However careful Kid had been, Buck had picked up his words and turned back.

"It's Jimmy we're talking about, Buck! He's a part of us - you can't just ignore that! We owe it to him to do everything we can to save him - from everything." The last part was added with a clear indication of what Kid thought of how Indians treated their prisoners.

"Bringing in the army would only mean a certain death for Jimmy." Buck spoke slowly watching Kid's reaction to his worth.

"If he ain't dead already," Kid replied with some anger showing. "Besides, what have we to negotiate with? We ain't even got enough horses left to cover our runs." He turned from Buck and faced

Teaspoon again. "Surely you don't intend to give them guns?"

"Why wouldn't they be allowed to have guns?" Buck asked. "They got a right to defend themselves."

"It's against the law to give guns to the Indians," Kid replied without turning around.

"Well, that's a fine excuse," Buck sneered.

"Hold it boys." Teaspoon said in a voice as brittle as cracking ice. "I won't have you arguing over this.

We'll see what we can do when we get to that - let's start with that message. Buck, tell them we'll meet them at the old road by White Mesa tomorrow morning. Cody and Noah, get ready for an early start - you're coming with me in the morning."

Buck and Kid stared at Teaspoon. Buck managed to speak first.

"Teaspoon, I should join you tomorrow," he said earnestly, "they'll listen to me---"

Teaspoon shook his head.

"Sorry son, but no. You need all the rest you can get." There was another reason for Teaspoon's rejection, but the old man was not inclined to reveal it to the boy before him.

"But--"

"That's a definite no. And that goes for you too," Teaspoon added when he saw Kid's look." You're staying here, and that's the end to it."

"Teaspoon," Kid said quietly, "I want to be there. If there's any way that I can help Jimmy, I want to do it."

"There's no way you can help by following with me, son," Teaspoon replied somewhat gently.

"I just need to know what you're gonna do."

"When I know I'll let you know," Teaspoon replied lightly and started walking towards his shed.

"Now I need some sleep. Ike, you're up when Lou get back, so you better get ready."

But Kid wasn't to be dismissed that easily and he followed Teaspoon. Buck seeing it, slowly followed them with his eyes, uncertain if he should follow or not. Finally he just stood there doing nothing.

"Teaspoon," Kid mumbled. "Are you gonna use the girl?"

Teaspoon stopped in his tracks and looked at Kid with tired eyes.

"I'm not into human trade, Kid. If we're going to get Jimmy out it will be by an honest deal."

"I'm sorry, Teaspoon, but I thought -- well, if they refuse, that might be our only option, unless we call in the army---"

"Take it easy, Kid. Trust me will you," he added tiredly. "Now I need to get some sleep. When Buck's done with that message, tell him to get Ike to deliver the way he thinks is best."

Before Kid could reply, Teaspoon quickly entered his shed and had closed the door. Realizing that there was no idea of disturbing Teaspoon Kid turned to get back. On his way to the bunkhouse he passed Buck who stared at him.

"What did you ask Teaspoon?" he asked.

"Nothing of importance." Kid replied and continued, as Ike tried to drag Buck away from what he thought would be trouble.

"Nothing?"

"Yeah, nothing."

"I don't believe you."

"Then don't. Just get that message ready."

"You asked about Wun-oan-tee-me, didn't you?" Buck stated more than asked.

"Well, that would be a fair deal, wouldn't it? They got Jimmy and we got her. Or would you have Jimmy killed first?" Kid had not intended to say what he'd just had said, and he regretted it at once.

But there was no way of taking it back now. He was tired from worrying about Jimmy and every hour without knowing seemed like an eternity. He saw the look in Buck's eyes change from anger to deep disappointment and without a word Buck turned and walked away.

<<Nice going.>> Ike signed and looked sternly at him before following his friend. A bit stunned Kid remained where he was before he walked over to the stable where he sat down next to Katy.

"Now I really messed it up," he murmured as Katy's soft muzzle touched his cheek.

Buck walked briskly away from the yard. He needed to be alone for a while. He couldn't believe what Kid just had said and the fact that anyone could betray him in that way was still unthinkable. Especially when the betrayal came from someone he called a friend. He wondered how it had gone so wrong but couldn't exactly say when. Steps behind him made him turn around as Ike approached him.

<<You're OK?>>

Buck nodded.

"Yeah, I think so."

<<You better get that message ready - I found an old hide.>> Ike held out the hide and Buck accepted it with some hesitation. It had been a long time since he'd used Indian writing or drawing and he hoped he remember it correctly.

"I'll do it while seeing to Wun-oan-tee-me," he mumbled and started to walk to the house, hoping that he girl would get the thoughts of Kid's betrayal out of his mind.

Rachel looked up as the door opened and Buck stepped in. She had been too busy in the kitchen to hear the wagon and she greeted him with a smile.

"Buck! Nice to see you on your feet. How are you feeling?"

"I'm OK. How's Wun-oan-tee-me?"

"She's much better although I don't dare giving her any real food yet. I've made some simpler soups but that's all. I've no doubts she'll be better soon though. You're sure you're all right? You look a bit pale."

"Just tired," Buck admitted. "Can I stay with Wun-oan-tee-me tonight?"

"Why yes, but I don't think it's necessary. She's been sleeping peacefully ---" Rachel stopped when she saw the look on Buck's face. "Stay if you like," she ended and continued the wash-up. She better left Buck alone for a while.

Wun-oan-tee-me was sleeping when Buck walked in, so he sat down next to her and concentrated on forming the message for his brother. He sat concentrated and he hoped that he could trust Teaspoon to know what he was doing and most of all, he hoped that Jimmy would return safely, something that he was not sure would happen. But he hoped.

As the night came the riders slowly returned to their bunks. Lou had returned and Ike had headed out, promising to leave the message on his way. Buck stayed with Wun-oan-tee-me. Lou had immediately noticed that Kid was concerned about something and he had reluctantly told her what had happened. Lou had been too tired even to be upset, so without a comment she had turned in, much to Kid's disappointment. He really needed her support right now. Unable to do anything he too went to bed and soon silence settled over the station.

CHAPTER 23

Jimmy was in a bad way. He'd been left tied to the stand all night and beside the strain on his muscles the night had been bitterly cold. Bitterly he repented his rash behavior that had made him go back to track the thieves. His hat had been removed and the sharp sunshine of the day made him dizzy. Time passed slowly but he was not concerned with time. All he wanted was water and to get away from the heat. The idea of water was fast becoming a mania. Very soon it was a torture. He could not look at the sky; it had become an open door of a furnace. He felt that his body was being dried up like a shriveled leaf. As in a fog he saw people passing him, not taking any notice of his plight. Hopelessness took him in its grip. He knew that he was done for and all he cared for was to drink. His tongue was like a piece of dried leather in his mouth. The teepees around him begun to sway, to recede, then rush at him. A white haze begun to close in on him. Presently it turned orange.

He didn't care. He didn't care about anything. He could only think of one thing -- water.

Finally the sun was setting and Jimmy felt some relief, when he noticed a shadow standing close to him. Looking up he saw a young girl, not much older than him, looking at him. He tried to ask her for water, but he could only croak. She looked at him for less than a minute and then she turned and walked away. Jimmy let his head sunk down towards his chest, longing for the sun to set completely as it stung his eyes. He was so down that he didn't even notice the girl's return. Not until a soft voice said something next to him and he looked up seeing her standing there, offering him water. Jimmy drank greedily from the cup as he felt the cool refreshing water trickle down his throat. It was the most wonderful sensation he'd ever known and he only wanted it to go on forever. His great fear was that it would stop; and surely enough, it did stop. A sharp command and the girl immediately stopped and walked briskly away. Jimmy turned his head, feeling somewhat better, and looked in to the dark smoldering eyes of the brave that had caught him the day before. Feeling the anger rise within in him, Jimmy held his eyes and stared back. The brave walked up to him and with his left hand he slapped Jimmy across the face. Jimmy felt an urge to fight back, but with his hands tied to the stand there was nothing he could do. He gritted his teeth and swore that if he ever got out of there, he'd show his opponent. The Indian brave saw it and for a moment Jimmy thought that he would be killed right there and then. 

"What are you doing?" The sharp voice cut through the evening calmness.

"He spoke to Singing Bird." Yellow Fox nodded arrogantly towards Jimmy.

"Maybe Singing Bird spoke to him," Black Hawk suggested calmly. "There's is no honor in beating a defeated enemy. He will have to prove himself later."

Yellow Fox frowned, but refrained from answer. He cast a glance at the exhausted Jimmy before he shrugged and turned to Black Hawk.

"Red Bear not back yet?"

"No."

"He better be back soon, or I'll kill the white without the council's saying." Yellow Fox walked briskly away. Black Hawk sighed. The young man had much to learn about patience he thought.

Yellow Fox had proven himself worthy of his title, but sometimes Black Hawk feared that the young man's ambition, impatience and hatred for anything different wouldn't lead them into trouble. He had always been eager to prove himself and he'd been always a poor loser, especially if Running Buck had beaten him in any game, Black Hawk remembered. Yellow Fox had always been convinced that the Kiowa was superior to any white man and for him to be beaten by somebody of two spirits was not easy. Black Hawk sighed again. He knew that trouble was coming. He had had disturbing dreams about the future, telling him about death and disaster. He had told this to the Man of dreams but even he, with all his powers, had failed to tell him to whom this would happen. Black Hawk just hoped that it wasn't the Kiowa.

It was dark when the sound of horses told them that the hunting party had returned. Women rushed out from the tents to greet them and when they saw the meat the men brought back they let out calls of joy and started to take care of the meat despite the late hour. If it wasn’t taken care of it would go bad, so there was nothing else to do. Satisfied with having returned, the men prepared to rest. Red Bear was about to do the same when he saw Black Hawk looking at him with a troubled face. He changed his mind and walked up to his friend.

"It was a good hunt I see." Black Hawk smiled faintly at his chief.

"Yes. There’s something troubling you." Red Bear said bluntly, Black Hawk nodded and turned to the edge of the center of the village where the silhouette of a man tied to a stand could be seen in the lights from the fires. Red Bear turned with a frown on his face.

"What?"

"He was caught by Yellow Fox on our sacred land. Yellow Fox wanted to kill him, but I persuaded him to wait for the council’s meeting."

"Why was he there? A blue coat?"

Black Hawk shook his head.

"He does not look like army to me, but you never know. He was on sacred land. For that he should pay."

Red Bear looked at the older man.

"I thought you just said that you asked Yellow Fox not to kill him."

"I’m troubled by bad dreams, my chief. I want the council to decide the white man’s fate. Besides we’re not at war."

"I’m not so sure. The blue coats think we are."

"No, and you know this. We have decided to avoid war unless absolutely necessary or until the spirits tell us so. That’s why we can’t kill him." Again Black Hawk nodded towards the silhouette.

Red Bear sighed and looked down.

"I don’t like this," he confessed.

"I don’t like it either, my chief."

Jimmy heard the noise and the calls as the hunting party returned and at first he thought that it meant the end for him. It took him some time to realize that they weren’t interested in him, not yet anyway. With that realization he sank down again, trying to keep himself from thinking about water, something that once again had become a priority. He was so deep in his miserable thoughts that he didn’t hear the two men approach him. He didn’t know they were there until a hand forced him to look up. He stared back at the man with all the defiance he could muster. He found himself staring into a man, apparently of some importance, that was about ten years older than himself. A warrior, no doubt, but also a leader. Well, he didn’t care. He was determined not to show any weakness to these Indians, he was gonna be killed anyway, but they would not have the pleasure of seeing him scared.

"What do you want here?"

Jimmy was startled. He had not expect the man to speak English. He simply stared at the man.

"I asked what you are doing here?"

"I was following horse thieves." Jimmy replied shortly.

"You desecrated our sacred land."

"So did the thieves."

"You work for the blue coats – army?"

"No, I ride for the Pony Express – some thieves stole our horses." Jimmy was tired of talking. His mouth was dry and his voice was croaking. Red Bear noticed and nodded for Black Hawk to bring some water. Red Bear looked at the young man and frowned. Ever since his daughter had gotten sick, it seemed that the Pony Express people were everywhere. He didn’t like it. Black Hawk was right. This defiantly felt as the calm before the storm. Black Hawk returned with Singing Bird who helped Jimmy to drink some more water. After a while Red Bear sent her away. Jimmy, now feeling better, stared up at him.

"Why don’t you kill me right now and get it over with?" he snarled.

"You’re that eager to die?"

"Well you’re gonna kill me anyway, so what’s the wait for?"

Red Bear shook his head at the young man and turned away. This boy could not tell him anything new. He would have to call a council tomorrow to decide his fate. And he was probably right – the council’s decision was very likely to be death. Black Hawk looked at him and followed as he walked away.

"How long has he’d been tied to the stand?"

"Most of the night and the whole day."

"Let him down. Keep him tied and under guard. I’ll call the council in the morning – until then he might get some sleep."

Black Hawk frowned.

"Why? Yellow Fox will not approve of it."

"He’s had enough. He will have the right to speak in front of the council. Let him rest. I’ll deal with Yellow Fox."

"I heard what he said. He’s a friend of Running Buck?"

"Maybe."

"If this has anything to do with ---"

"It has nothing to do with my decision, Black Hawk."

"Your brother---"

"My brother left. And even if I wish that he’d returned, he does not affect my decisions. I thought you know that, Black Hawk."

"Then it’s the woman."

Red Bear stopped.

"I don’t like what I’m hearing."

"You’ve been acting strange lately. I am concerned for you, my chief."

Red Bear shook his head.

"No, you’re worried. So am I, Black Hawk, so am I."

Jimmy was surprised when he a few minutes later was cut down and dragged into a teepee. His hands was tied behind his back, but at least he could lie down. From the opening he could see the warrior on guard but he already knew that getting away was out the question. So he closed his eyes in hope of some rest before dawn. For all he knew it might be the last dawn he’d experienced.

Teaspoon gonna have a fit about it, he thought before he fell into an exhausted sleep.

Rachel slowly walked out of bed. A quick look out the window told her that the lights still were out in the bunkhouse. She wasn’t surprised, it was well over midnight. However, considering the circumstances, she wouldn’t have been surprised if one of the riders were up. They were all worried about Jimmy. Checking that Buck was sound asleep she quietly slipped out of the house and swiftly moved towards the stable. She knew that she was taking a risk of being seen by the riders, but she had to go. If for nothing else just to get answers about Jimmy. And there was only one man that could give them to her. Clodhopper looked at her as she entered the stable as if he was getting use to their nightly rides. Leading him out of the stable she tried to walk silently out from the station. She kept a close look on Teaspoon’s shed, since she had a feeling that the older man could hear anything.

But there was not a movement. To be on the safe side she didn't mount up until she was absolutely sure that she wouldn't wake up anyone. Then she headed out as fast as she could.

Disheveled and slightly out of breath from the hard ride she reached the small lake and the cave. Dismounting Clodhopper she started to walk up to the cave, a feeling of relief rushing over her as she saw the tall figure standing there. She more or less stumbled into his arms as he met her.

"Thank God you were here", she mumbled into his chest.

"Something has happened."

"Yes." Rachel took a step back. "One of our riders---"

"I know."

Rachel went pale as a she felt a sinking feeling in her stomach.

"Is he --- he isn’t--?"

"No, he isn’t dead."

"But---" Rachel hesitated as she didn’t know how to continue. Red Bear saw it and continued for her.

"My men found him on our sacred land. He violated that sanctity. For that he must pay."

Rachel closed her eyes for a second.

"You can’t do that – he didn’t mean any harm!"

"But he caused harm none the less."

"What will happen to him?" Rachel asked as she tried to keep her voice from trembling.

"That’s to be decided by the tribal council."

"What about our plea for a negotiating? You’re not even going to listen to us?"

"What negotiation?" Red Bear frowned.

Rachel took a deep breath to calm herself. She needed for this to come out right.

"When we realized that he was missing and probably captured by Kiowa, Teaspoon, our station manager had Buck write you a message, hoping for a negotiation about his life."

"I have not received such a message."

"Buck said he knew how to get it through to you."

"He knows – but I’ve been on a hunt."

"Then you will consider it?"

"I’ll let the council know about it. That’s all I can do."

"What will this council do? Can they let him go?"

Red Bear looked her straight in the eye.

"He must be punished for the violation. The council can only decide on how."

"Then he will be killed," Rachel whispered.

Red Bear saw the desperation and fear in her eyes and he felt his heart go out to her. But there was nothing he could do and he hoped she would understand that.

"Can’t you do anything? You can’t let him die," Rachel pleaded as she search his face for any sign of sympathy. When she didn’t find any her fear turned to anger.
"You don’t care do you? You don’t care what happens to that boy, do you? All he was trying to do was to find our horses – you would have done the same in his place. He had no intention of violating anything!"

"But he did," Red Bear replied sternly. "He should have known better than to enter. He saw the signs."

"He doesn’t deserve to die for it!"

"How can you decide that? You don’t know what that means to us. If we break your laws we are being punished for it, so why shouldn’t we be allowed to punish those that break our laws?" Red Bear tried to keep his voice down, but he was tired and her anger pushed him. He shouldn’t have come, he pondered.

Rachel crossed her arms before her and looked at him. She didn’t want this, but it was too late now.

"So tell me," she said sternly, "why it’s necessary to kill a boy for something he felt was right in doing."

Red Bear watched her standing before him, slings of her hair kept falling down into her face as she angrily pushed them away. Her eyes shining from anger and fear and determination. She was ready to fight whatever way she could for that boy and Red Bear knew it. But she had never looked as beautiful to him as she did right now either. This was why he had fallen in love with her in the first place, her spirit. But now he had to disappoint her and how much he loathed to do he had no other choice. He motioned for her to sit.

"I rather stand."

"Please, sit." Red Bear sat down looking up at her. He was too tired for this, but this was important to him, to make her understand. Rachel looked hesitantly at him and then she sat down, at a distant.

Red Bear sighed silently. How was he going to make her understand?

Rachel looked at the man opposite her. She knew that he was going to try and explain Jimmy’s fate to her, but she couldn’t see how he could do that. However you looked at it, it was wrong. She had to convince him about that, she had to convince him to let Jimmy go. She was convinced that he could do that, after all he was a chief of some sort. His reluctance to act had disappointed her at first, but now, when seated opposite him, watching him, she become insecure. What if he was telling the truth – what if he couldn’t do anything? She wanted him to tell her that he would set everything right, that Jimmy would be returned to them by morning and that she wouldn’t worry. He looked too sincere and he had told him before that he didn’t lie. But if he couldn’t do anything for Jimmy, then who could? She couldn’t believe she would have to accept Jimmy’s fate without a fight. She couldn’t do that. But as she looked at Red Bear it became harder and harder for her to be angry with him.

She loved him, no matter how much she tried to ignore that feeling, she knew she did. She didn’t want to love him because she knew it would not bring her nothing but heartbreak in the end. And besides, she didn't even know if he loved her. But because she loved him, she would listen to him, she knew that. But she didn’t know if she would understand.

"We believe that the future is told by the past," Red Bear begun, searching for the right words in a language he knew but was unfamiliar with. He suddenly realized the enormity of what he was trying to do, it would be hard to explain even in Kiowa. It was something that was to be felt rather than told. But he would try. "That’s why our ancestor’s are so important for us. You see, they’re not really dead. They live in the land beyond the sun and they give us guidance as spirits. Life is like a hoop, it never ends. What we do today, we don’t do it for tomorrow, not even for next year. We might not even do it for our children, but we do it for their children. That’s why we can’t bend the rules – not for anybody. We will fight for our believes every day, so that our children’s children and their children can live in harmony with their past and present and therefore their future. I don’t know how else to explain this for you."

Rachel sat in silence, slightly bewildered of what he had told her. She did understand, at least some of it, but she had a difficulty grasping it. She had lived day by day for so long that to meet someone trying to live not only in his present but in his future and his people’s future left her speechless. But she was still angry.

"What does that mean?" she asked in a tense voice. "That your people go before your family?"

"It’s the same thing."

"So you would sacrifice your brother, your daughter, your lo—" she broke of, hesitant of using the word, but then continued, "or your wife for the benefit of your people?"

"I did not say that." Red Bear rose. "You don’t understand."

Rachel rose and walked up to him.

"No, I don’t understand. I don’t have the same perspective as you do. I live a day at a time, and I live for my family. And I’ll fight for that family. Now, Jimmy’s part of my family and if you don’t understand that, then we have nothing more to say to each other." She turned to walk away when she felt his hand around her arm. Angry she turned around only to be face to face with Red Bear.

"I love you, Rachel."

She felt as if he had hit her and she knew she had tears in her eyes.

"Don’t you do this to me! I don’t need this. I was angry with you."

"I didn’t want to hurt you." Red Bear drew her closer to him and hugged her. "I wish that there was something else I could tell you, but---"

"I know," she interrupted as she fought the tears that threatened to run down her cheeks. "But I wouldn’t love you if you had changed – God knows I want you to do something for Jimmy, but I love you because you who you are – and you can’t change – I ---"

She could feel tears streaming down her cheeks and she knew she was babbling – but he had told her he loved her and she was at a loss of what to do. Somewhere in the back of her mind, some part of her that still was sane, a voice kept telling her that no good would come out of this, that she was heading for sorrow, but she didn’t care. Red Bear silenced her with a tender kiss.

"No more talk," he said softly as their lips met again. "I’ll advise the council to meet with this Teaspoon tomorrow," he continued as he kissed her cheek, salty from her tears. Rachel bowed her head until it rested on his chest, taking in his smell as she slowly calmed down. Red Bear’s arms still held her tight and for a second she forget everything for the sole fact that he loved her. The stood there for a few minutes, relishing in the closeness, neither of them wanting to break the magic and return to the harsh reality. Finally Red Bear placed a hand beneath her chin and lifted up her face.

"I need to return," he said reluctantly.

Rachel nodded and let go off him. Without a word she turned and started to walk back to Clodhopper. She had only walked a few steps when she rushed back into his arms, kissing him passionately. Then she stepped back.

"Please," she said, then she hesitated. "Treat him fairly," she added as she stumbled over the words.

She saw Red Bear nod and unable to stay she walked briskly over to Clodhopper and mounted. When she was in the saddle she looked back, but Red Bear had disappeared. With nothing else to do she headed back to the station and hopefully a few hours of rest.

It’s was a moody bunch of riders that met Teaspoon before dawn the next day at the bunkhouse for an early breakfast. Despite their worry they had managed to get some sleep and even Rachel was up, fixing breakfast, although she looked very tired. Lou suspected that she had been crying as well, since her eyes were red, but she didn’t say anything. Kid and Buck stayed away from each other and Lou exchanged eyes with Ike, who nodded in understanding. They both realized that it couldn’t continue like this, but none of them knew what to do to get their friends back on speaking terms.

"What happens now, Teaspoon?" Kid was the first to break the silence at the breakfast table.

Teaspoon used his napkin to wipe off his mouth before he answered.

"We expect new horses today. Someone needs to meet them, then we need to get these here Express working again. We got a run this afternoon." A mutter of disapproval met this announcement.

"Now, don’t argue with me – despite what you think, you were hired to do a job. Now just because something has happen doesn’t mean you can ignore that. Now one of you have to do that run."

Teaspoon sipped some more of the coffee.

"Now for this morning’s activities," he continued, "we’ll head out direct after breakfast to the meeting place. I want to be there before the Kiowa. I’ll take Cody and Noah with me."

"That’s fine with me," Noah nodded as Cody reached over the table for another piece of bread.

"Does that mean we don’t have to take that run this afternoon then?" he asked lightly.

"Yes." Teaspoon looked at the four remaining riders. "That means one of you have to do it. Buck, you’re out until you healed up. That leaves Kid, Lou or Ike. You can decide among yourselves who’s gonna take it."

"We’ll do that," Lou replied without saying anything more. "So what are you planning to do, Teaspoon."

"Our first priority is to determine if Jimmy really is a captive and if he’s still alive. If he is, we’ll see what we can do. I don’t want to say anything yet. We don’t even know if the Kiowa will show up, so don’t get your hopes up to high."

"We don’t even know if they got the message," Kid said with rendered him a dark glare from Buck.

"If they found it they’ll meet you," he said quietly, knowing that there might be a slight chance that the message hadn’t been noticed or fetched. But with his daughter at the station, Buck didn’t think he would miss it.

"Let’s hope for the best," Teaspoon concluded and dropped the napkin on the table. "You’re ready boys?"

Noah and Cody rose from the table after Cody grabbed another piece of bread and put it in his pocket.

"Hey, Teaspoon, you think we’ll be back in time for lunch?" he asked as they walked out the door.

When the door had closed a tensed silence settled in the room.

"Cody, I want you to take your rifle with you," Teaspoon said quietly as they walked towards the stable.

"Any special reason?" Cody asked a bit surprised.

"I’ll tell you when we get there."

CHAPTER 24

Red Bear watched the stoic faces as he held up the message he had collected before returning to the camp, telling the tribal council of its meaning. Yellow Fox glared at him with a disapproving face, but Red Bear chose to ignore him as he carefully chose his words in speaking in favour for a meeting. Yellow Fox had earlier told the council how he had found the white man on their sacred grounds. When Red Bear was finished, he sat down, waiting for the council’s decision. But before that, Yellow Fox stood up and asked for the word.

"That message doesn’t mean anything," he stated vehemently. "It was written by Running Buck. Red Bear’s words are coloured by the love he holds for his white brother."

Red Bear tightened his lips but refrained from saying anything. Getting into an argument with Yellow Fox before the council would not help anything, even if he resented the words just spoken. He had always been loyal to the tribe, and that loyalty had cost him a brother.

"Red Bear?" A’do-eete (Big Tree), one of the elders looked upon him, acknowledging Red Bear the right to answer. Red Bear rose.

"I spoke out of concern for my people," he stated calmly. "True my brother wrote the message, but I have not considered that when speaking to you."

"He’s living among the white. We know nothing about his loyalties." Yellow Fox insisted.

"He proven himself Kiowa. He would not do anything to harm his people."

"Enough. Who wrote this message if of no importance." Man-Of-Dreams stood. "It has no importance for our decision."

Disappointment stood clearly written in Yellow Fox’s face as he was forced to yield on this point. Man-of-Dreams nodded his content when all was seated.

"I’m troubled," he begun, "by bad dreams. The spirits are restless. This is not a good sign. We must think carefully before we reached a decision. Now, who wishes to speak first?"

It took more than an hour for the council to reach a decision. Many on the council opposed the idea of talking with the white men, but even more were hesitant to make a decision that might hurl the tribe into a war and might be upsetting to the spirits. Finally Red Bear was allowed to meet with the white men. He was to bring Yellow Fox and Black Hawk with him.

Content with the decision, Red Bear decided for them to head out as soon as possible. He was ready to leave when Yellow Fox approached him. The younger man nodded towards him.

"You left your daughter with your brother, and you say this has no importance?" he asked menacingly.

"It’s not about that," Red Bear replied evenly, wondering where the conversation was heading.

"I don’t believe you."

"Is that a challenge?" Red Bear turned and looked Yellow Fox straight in the eyes.

"No. I would not challenge a chief." Yellow Fox smiled ironically. "But if your brother is a party in that negotiation, I will let the council know about it. Then we’ll see who they believe." With that Yellow Fox agile mounted his horse. "Shall we go?"

Before Red Bear could reply Yellow Fox turned his horse and rode out of the camp. Red Bear mounted with a troubled face. Black Hawk joined him as they followed Yellow Fox.

"What did he say?" Black Hawk wanted to know.

"He has a lot of anger inside him," Red Bear replied, avoiding the question. "I hope it will not bring us trouble."

"Is this the place, Teaspoon?" Noah looked suspiciously down the valley beneath them. It was a place well chosen, a open valley not to deep. It was impossible for anybody to approach without being noticed. The only cover was a set of bushes on the hillside they were standing on. There were some equal sets of bushes on the other side, but all of them were too far away to present any danger.

"Yes. Now Cody, do you think you can keep hidden over there?" Teaspoon pointed at the bushes on their hillside. "I don’t want you to be seen from down there, so you better make it good."

"I can do that. What do you want me to do?"

"I’m gonna trust that you’re as good as you claim to be with that rifle, Cody. Now, me and Noah are gonna be down by that dead tree. You think you can hit a target a bit further off? You won’t get any second chances."

"No problem. What exactly is it you want me to do, Teaspoon?"

"Be our life insurance."

Back at the station Rachel did her best to ease the tension between the remaining riders, but every attempt was futile. First, none of the riders wanted to take the run, and Kid didn’t take it lightly when Buck left with reference to that he wasn’t supposed to ride anyway, so he had no part in the decision on who would go. So Buck had left the bunkhouse directly after breakfast to sit with Wun-oan-te-mee, leaving three riders in silence as they fought with the decision. Finally Rachel gave up and decided to leave the matter to the riders to solve for themselves. She was too tired to try and put oil on the waves. She walked briskly back to the house where she found Buck staring out the window, while Wun-oan-te-mee played with the kitten. She looked a lot better, but she was still weak from the poison and the fact that she hadn’t been able to eat anything besides broth. As Rachel entered, the girl looked up and smiled at her.

"How is she?" Rachel asked as she sat down to give Winnie a hug. Buck turned and looked at her.

"She says she’s better." Then he hesitated. "Rachel, I think I should take her back."

"But she hasn’t eaten anything yet! Doc said that he didn’t know if the poison’s still in her body until she can keep food down. If she eats and gets sick---"

"She can’t stay here."

"Why not?"

Buck shook his head.

"I can’t explain it, Rachel, but I’ve decided to take her back. She should be with her father."

"I don’t disagree with you Buck, but it’s too early. I promised you that I’d take care of her, and can you honestly tell me that she’d be all right in the Kiowa camp?"

"She will be better off there than here."

"Did you at all listen to what Doc said?"

"Rachel---"

"No, Buck, you listen to me. You heard what Doc said she could eat to start with. Now, can you guarantee me that food is available in the camp?"

"No," Buck muttered.

"Then she stays." Rachel smiled at the girl who tugged at her arm for her to see her playing with the kitten, oblivious to the discussion. She looked so fragile, Rachel thought.

She was so thin and pale. But she was always smiling, at least now when she had learned that the riders didn’t mean her any harm. Rachel couldn’t help worrying over her. Now and then she reminded her about her father – a certain face or expression or a motion. It was no doubt about her heritage, Rachel pondered. She looked up from the child to see Buck’s concerned looks.

"What is this about?" she asked. "Buck, if this has anything to do with yours and Kid’s differences---"

"He suggested to keep her as a hostage for Jimmy." Rachel could hear the anger behind the word even though Buck did hid best to hide it.

"You heard that?"

"No. But I know he did."

Rachel rose and walked up to him.

"You’re assuming he did. That’s not the same thing as knowing," she corrected. "And he hasn’t done anything for you to accuse him like that."

Buck turned away.

"Buck, you were both upset yesterday, and maybe you both said a few things that you didn’t mean---"

"Still, it might just be a matter of time until he suggest it. If Teaspoon should fail---"

"I don’t want to hear about that," Rachel interrupted. "And even if Teaspoon would fail – God forbid – then nobody would suggest using Winnie as some sort of brick in a game."

She turned as she noticed that the girl had stopped playing and was looking at them with a scared hint on her eyes. "It’s OK, honey," Rachel said softly and kneeled beside her.

"We’re not mad at each other." The girl smiled faintly at her, surprising her as she didn’t thought that the girl had understood her. She’s so like her father. The thought passed through Rachel’s mind before she had time to react. She reached out and stroke the black hair from the girl’s pale face. Winnie let her do it and then she turned and looked at Buck.

Rachel followed her gaze and gazing up at the angry young man she saw it. What first had made her recognise Red Bear. There was a definite likeness between the brothers despite the fact that they only had one parent in common. She looked back at Winnie, as Buck told her something in Kiowa and Rachel couldn’t help but smiling at the family.

"What is it?" Buck asked as he helped the tired girl back into bed.

Rachel shook her head.

"Nothing. You’re just so li---" She was about to say your brother, but stopped herself in time. She was not ready to admit to anybody that she had met Red Bear, not just now.

"What?" Buck frowned.

"You just reminded me of somebody, that’s all," Rachel replied lightly. "We should let Winnie rest." She opened the door and let herself out. Buck followed her after a last glance at the resting girl. Outside she turned to Buck.

"How are you feeling by the way?"

"I’m fine."

"You’re sure? Shouldn’t you let Doc take a second look at that wound?"

"I’m fine," Buck repeated impatiently. He would never admit it, but he had woken up during the night having a hard time breathing. And there was a tenderness in his chest that didn’t appear to disappear. But he feared that if he told the others they would send him back to Doc’s and he really needed to be around the station. So he kept silent, keeping the pain and tenderness to himself.

Rachel looked suspiciously at him as they walked out on the porch. He looked a bit pale and she suspected that he had some tenderness from the way he walked and stood. But if he said he was OK, then there was nothing she could do.

"If you say so," she replied and looked over at the bunkhouse. None of the others were to be seen, so she assumed they still were disputing who should take the run. She cast an eye in Buck’s direction and saw that he too was watching the bunkhouse with a thoughtful look on his face.

"Why don’t you join them?" she suggested.

Buck shook his head.

"I can’t take that run anyway, it’s no point in me being there."

"And you not being there - it has nothing to do with how it is between Kid and you?"

"There’s nothing wrong between Kid and me," Buck replied shortly.

"No, of course not," Rachel said a bit sardonic. "Buck, everybody can see there’s something wrong between you. Why don’t you try and talk to him, and set this, whatever it is, straight?"

"There’s nothing to talk about."

"What is it, Buck ? This is not like you." Rachel said tenderly, gently touching his shoulder.

Before Buck could answer, a dust cloud showed up at the end of the road to Sweetwater. Buck squinted against the sun to see better. It was at least five men and with the memory of the last unexpected visit they had, he turned to Rachel.

"Stay here, I’ll tell the others."

Buck quickly walked over to the bunkhouse and knocked on the door.

"We got visitors," he called to those inside as he kept an eye on the oncoming riders. A second later Kid, Ike and Lou stood beside him, waiting to see what was coming.

"I don’t think they’re coming," Noah said as he stood up for the forth time to see better. He looked up the hill, wondering if Cody felt the same way he did. Not a sign could be seen that there was somebody up there. Cody had done a good job hiding, he pondered, before turning to Teaspoon again.

The older man peered at the horizon with a frown on his forehead.

"We’ll wait a little while. Maybe they didn’t find the message until this morning."

Noah sat down.

"I don’t know what you hope to accomplish with this Teaspoon," he said. "You really think we can get Jimmy out of there?"

"I don’t know. Maybe. When I worked as a ranger we sometimes managed to get captives out by offering a price." Teaspoon silenced, not mentioning that those captives had been abducted and had not broken any Indian rules. Sacred land had always been a touchy subject between whites and Indians, but now, with the diminish of Indian natural hunting grounds and the reservations, it was more than touchy. He just hoped that Jimmy still was alive. As long as there’s life there’s hope, he thought miserably when the sound of a hoof hitting a stone reached his ear.

"What---", Noah begun, when Teaspoon shushed at him.

"I believe we have visitors," he said and slowly rose to show his presence. Noah stood up behind him as three Indians came into view at the hilltop. Teaspoon felt a surge of relief – if they had bothered coming here, then Jimmy was most likely still alive. He looked carefully at them as they approached. Two of them were warriors, there was no doubt in his mind to that. The older of them might even hold some position as chief in the tribe judging by his posture. The younger was not older than his boys and had a stern determination in his face. He was a troublemaker – that was Teaspoon’s first impression. The last rider was a man in his own age, dignified but not to old to fight if necessary. An important group. That was good. Teaspoon took it as a good sign and whispered over his shoulder.

"Now take it easy and do as I do."

"Whatever you say, Teaspoon," Noah murmured back feeling for his gun. No matter how you put it, those guys looked as if they could fight and Noah sure wouldn’t trust them more than necessary.

Red Bear watched the two men who waited for them to reach them. He was relieved when he realised that his brother was nowhere to be seen. The older of the white men watched them calmly without any sign of being nervous. He’s been around Indians before, he thought. The stationmaster. Teaspoon, Rachel had called him. The young man behind the stationmaster surprised him. A black man and a proud one at that. He had not met many black men. Out of habit he scanned the surroundings for any danger or surprises, knowing that Yellow Fox did the same scrutiny. A life spent fighting made you cautious. For a few seconds his eyes lingered at the small gathering of bushes on the hillside behind the two white men, but he soon considered it safe. If anybody was hiding there, he was out of shooting range.

Teaspoon greeted the men and offered for them to be seated. Yellow Fox stood until Teaspoon and Noah had seated themselves, confirming Teaspoon’s opinion about him. Teaspoon cleared his throat.

"I thank you for coming," he begun, hoping that their English was better than his almost non-existing knowledge of Indian languages. "I’m Teaspoon Hunter, working for the Pony Express. This here’s Noah Dixon, one of my riders."

None of the Indians said anything. Teaspoon smiled faintly at them and continued.

"I believe that one of my riders might have mistakenly entered Kiowa land. We would like to know what has happened to him."

This time Red Bear spoke.

"It is true we found a man on our sacred grounds. He is our captive. You have asked us to come and we came. I’m Red Bear and this is Black Hawk, and one of our war chiefs, Yellow Fox. We will listen to your words."

Teaspoon took a deep breath. This was it.

"We would like the young man returned to us. We are prepared to give reasonable –hmmm- gifts to the Kiowa for his life."

Yellow Fox turned to his companions and said something in Kiowa, but Red Bear silenced him. But Yellow Fox would not have that. He turned to Teaspoon.

"You will bring gifts," he sneered. "We don’t care for white men’s gifts. You should chose your words carefully old man. We can kill you right now if we would like."

Teaspoon looked at the young man as he raised an eyebrow.

"I came in peace," he said slowly.

"So?"

"But in case anything should happen to us, I’ve made sure that we would be revenged." Teaspoon said softly, not wanting to make the situation any worse.

"Who would revenge you? When they find you we will be far away."

Teaspoon slowly raised his hand as if he was to push up his hat. Two seconds later a shot hit a cactus inches from Yellow Fox. The young man looked surprised at the plant before he turned to Teaspoon, when Red Bear interrupted.

"Enough." He turned to Yellow Fox and continued in Kiowa. Then he threw an eye up the hill.

"One of your riders?" he asked Teaspoon. Teaspoon nodded. A faint smile passed over Red Bear’s lips.

"He is good," he stated without telling if he referred to the hiding or the shot.

"You spoke about gifts. What had you in mind?" he continued, when Teaspoon remembered where he had heard his name before. Red Bear was Buck’s half brother.

Maybe he had made a mistake in not including Buck, he thought. Now he wished he had spoken to the boy before leaving.

"Now, we are prepared to give what we can – food, medicine, blankets, whatever you might need. And we will not ask for anything except the boy. No harm will come over the Kiowa."

"Guns?" Yellow Fox asked harshly. "Like that one." He pointed towards Cody’s hiding.

Teaspoon sighed silently.

"Our laws does not allow me to give guns---"

"Then we stop talking now," Yellow Fox suggested and prepared to leave, when Black Hawk suggested that he sat down again. Black Hawk turned to Teaspoon. Being unfamiliar with English, understanding better than speaking, he begun speaking in Kiowa. Red Bear translated his words for Teaspoon and Noah.

"The boy might have upset our spirits. If so, they demand retribution for the disturbance. However, if the boy can prove that he had no intention of disturbing them and that he is worthy, then the spirits might be pleased with that. This must be done. No gifts can replace that." Black Hawk paused and Teaspoon felt his hope disappear. He could feel the confusion in Noah, but he made a simple hand signal for Noah to stay calm.

"If he fails to prove it, he will die. If he succeeds, he will live. But he will not be allowed to leave the tribe. Unless we can agree on an exchange." Black Hawk silenced and looked at Teaspoon.

"There’s no other way?" Teaspoon asked.

"No." Red Bear replied. "Black Hawk is right."

Teaspoon sat silent for a few minutes. No one else spoke and Noah begun feeling nervous.

"What does he have to do?" Teaspoon finally asked.

"Only the spirits can decide that."

"And if he make it he can leave – if we can make an agreement?"

"Yes."

"This test or trial – are there any rules concerning it?"

"Rules?" Red Bear looked confused at the man. What was he aiming at?

"Who can oversee it and so on?"

Red Bear shook his head.

"I don’t understand."

"If I wanted to be there, would that be accepted?"

"You want to be there? During the trial?"

"Yes."

Red Bear looked at his companions. He had never heard about anything like that before. Black Hawk looked at him with a thoughtful look and spoke in Kiowa. While they were talking Noah leaned forward and whispered.

"What are you doing, Teaspoon?"

"Wait a minute, Noah."

Red Bear turned to Teaspoon again.

"Why do you wanna do this?" he asked.

"The boy is like a son to me. He should not have to go through anything like this alone."

Black Hawk nodded softly at Teaspoon’s reply. He could understand that. He was inclined to grant the man’s request. Apparently so was Red Bear.

"If you want to do that, you must come with us now," Red Bear stated. "But we can’t let you know where the camp is, so you’ll have to go blindfolded and unarmed."

"And after the boy’s trial I can walk out as a free man, whatever the outcome?"

"You have my word on that."

Teaspoon nodded.

"And if the boy passes the trial I want him with me."

"Then you bring guns and horses," Yellow Fox stated.

"I can’t do that. Our horses have been stolen. But I’m prepared to offer you other necessities that can help you survive."

It took some time negotiating but they finally came to an agreement. Jimmy would be allowed to leave. Teaspoon knew it would be heavy on their finances, but he didn’t care. Now all he had to do was help Jimmy through whatever trial they came up with for him. All of them rose and Teaspoon turned to a visibly upset Noah.

"What are you thinking of Teaspoon? Isn’t it enough that Jimmy’s already there? I don’t like this – what if they decide to kill you as well?"

"I got the chief’s word on that it won’t happen. Now, a chief’s word is better than any legal document as we know ’em. Now, I’m going with them – somebody have to look after Jimmy."

He removed his gun belt and handed it to Noah.

"Here’s what I want you to do. You heard what we agreed upon. See that you get those supplies from Thompkins. If he refuse to give credit, there’s some extra money hidden in my room. You can use that. Now you’ll wait here until we’ve left and then you and Cody head back. Whatever you do, don’t follow. And I mean that. If they think they’re followed I might be killed right there for not honouring the agreement. Understood?"

Noah nodded surly.

"What shall we do with the supplies?"

"Bring ’em to this meeting place tomorrow night. If all have been going well, I hope to show up with Jimmy."

"By tomorrow?"

"If I’m right, then his trial begins today. Tomorrow it will all be over – one way or another."

Teaspoon gently tapped Noah’s shoulder before turning and walking over to where the Indians were waiting. Still dazed by the situation, Noah stood still watching him mount up.

Red Bear reached for the reins as Black Hawk blindfolded him. Then they moved off.

Noah looked up the hill, knowing that Cody must be more confused than he was right now. But there was no movement from the bushes. It wasn’t until the Indians and Teaspoon were further away, that Cody rose from his hiding. Noah pointed towards the town to let him know they were supposed to head home. From Cody’s reaction he seemed to think it was a bad idea, but he started to walk over to his horse anyway. Noah sighed and mounted. The others would not like what they had to tell them when they got back.

Yellow Fox turned in his saddle for the umpteenth time. Bringing up the rear as they headed to the camp, nobody had question him constantly looking over his shoulder. But this time what he saw brought a fleeing smile to his lips. The blond man that rose from the bushes was easy to recognise. And Yellow Fox intended to remember him. He had been insulted and one day the blond man would have to pay for it.

The four standing on the bunkhouse porch watched cautiously the group of riders approach the station, hands held close to their guns, expecting the worse. Rachel stood by the door, watching nervously. Teaspoon had thought that the thieves wouldn’t return, but what if he was wrong?

It was Kid who first discovered who they were.

"It’s the army," he stated with obvious relief. Lou and Ike relaxed and started to walk down to meet them. Only Buck remained at the porch. He too had recognised them – it was the same company that had "arrested" him earlier. But that didn’t bother him. Any army unit would look hostile to him as long as Wun-oan-te-mee was at the station, especially now, when he wasn’t sure if he could count on Kid anymore. Suspicious he watched them ride into the station with only one worried thought in his mind. Why was the army here?

CHAPTER 25

The army unit slowly stopped in the middle of the yard. The first man was an officer, a captain. Buck didn't recognise him, he had not been present when he had ran into them. Then the lieutenant following had been in charge. The Captain looked about 30 something and had a pleasant face although life experiences already had drawn lines in his face. The officer looked out over the yard, his eyes stopping for a brief moment at Rachel who still was standing by the house. He smiled to himself as he took in her beauty and full figure.

"Good morning, Captain," Kid greeted the officer in front. "How can we help you?"

"Mornin'. I'm Captain Beckett and I was sent here to investigate a number of horse raids in this area. I was looking for the marshal. I was told he would be here."

"I'm afraid he's not here right now. We expect him to be back later today."

"Where is he?" Captain Beckett looked at Kid. "I had hoped he would be available."

The riders looked at each other, uncertain of what to say. Ike looked over his shoulder to see Buck standing on the porch watching them, uncertainty and doubts lingering in his face. Ike turned to watch Kid, wondering what he was gonna tell the captain. Rachel stepped down from the house and begun to walk towards them.

"Has this something to do with that missing Express rider?" Captain Beckett asked when he didn't receive a reply.

"Yes," Lou replied quickly. "The marshal and two of our riders are out looking for one of our riders. So we don't really know where they are."

"So there's no truth to the rumours in town that he's a captive of the Kiowa?"

Rachel heard the last question as she reached the group. She flashed a brilliant smile at the captain.

"So nice to see you out here, captain. May I offer you something to drink?Coffee, perhaps?"

Captain Beckett turned to watch her and was taken by her the moment he saw her close up. He smiled back as he saluted her.

"I'm sorry for barging in like this on you, Ma'am, but I have an urgent matter to discuss with the marshal."

"Then I'm sorry. As our riders explained he's out looking for one of our riders. We honestly have no idea about his whereabouts."

Captain Beckett dismounted.

"Do you know when he'll be back?"

"I'm afraid not. Captain, if you're on a mission, I would not dream of being in your way. I understand if you must leave---"

"I'll think I'll wait for the marshal to return, if you don't mind. And if that offer of coffee still stands?"

"But, of course." Rachel tried not show her disappointment as Beckett ordered his men to take a break before he offered her his arm. Smiling she accepted and turned to the bemused riders.

"Don't you have chores to do?" she asked frowning slightly at their smiling faces. Lou nudged Ike and Kid in the sides and they headed over to the barn. As the captain started to walk back to the house, Rachel stopped him.

"I'm afraid the coffee will have to be in the bunkhouse. My kitchen is being fixed." Before the captain could reply, she turned to Buck who still lingered by the bunkhouse.

"Buck, why don't you continue working in the kitchen?" she said, hoping that he's get her meaning. Buck looked at her then his eyes cleared.

"Sure, right away," he replied and walked briskly over to the house. If Wun-oan-tee-me woke up and saw the army, she might be scared, and he wanted to be by her side. He was grateful that Rachel had understood it. In the barn the others smiled on how easily Rachel had deviated the captain from his original mission - finding Teaspoon. They had seen Rachel charm men before, but this had been more obvious than anything else they'd seen.

"She got him eating out of her hand in two seconds," Lou tried to held back her laugh. She couldn't believe how easy it was to fool men sometimes.

<You think he's really fallen for Rachel?> Ike wanted to know.

"Always the romantic," Lou smiled as she grabbed a hay fork. "From the way he looked at her, I'd say he's more interested in her body than her heart."

"Lou!" Kid frowned at her. "That's no way to talk."

"So what's that I hear in the bunkhouse at nights? Fairy tales?"

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, come on. Don't you think I know what you're talking about when you think I'm asleep."

Ike raised an eyebrow at Kid's obvious discomfort.

"Well, you should not pretend to be sleeping when you ain't," Kid responded. "Besides it's just Cody and Jimmy goofing around anyway."

"Whatever," Lou said and shrugged as she watched the soldiers resting in the shadows of the bunkhouse.

"I wish I knew how she do that," she murmured. Kid walked up to her.

"Why would you want to know that?" he asked suspiciously..

"Might come in handy one day," she replied lightly before turning around.

"Don't you have anything to do?"

Ike turned up behind them looking out over the soldiers.

<I'm serious,> he signed. <What if he's interested in Rachel?>

"So what?" Lou wanted to know. "Might even do Rachel a bit good to be courted - she's not been herself lately and he's quite handsome. And Rachel can take care of herself."

<But then he'd be around more often.> Ike frowned at her.

"I can't see how that's a problem," Lou begun when Ike brought his hand up to his face and touching his cheek he then moved it down, away from his face. Lou had learned that it was the sign for Kiowa, but she also realised that Ike used it to mean Buck and Winnie. She frowned at him.

"I forgot," she mumbled and looked over to the house.

"I'd say that Buck have to accept it," Kid argued. "It might be good to have the army here if those men that attacked Rachel and stole our horses decide to come back. And with Jimmy gone Teaspoon's first priority will be him. We need the army to help us get the horse thieves before more people are injured."

"They're not here because the thieves that robbed us - they're here to deal with 'em Indian raids," Lou objected.

"There haven't been any since Jimmy disappeared," Kid said thoughtful.

"What if it was the Kiowa that made those raids?"

Ike frowned at him.

<If it were the Kiowa, Buck's brother wouldn't leave his daughter here.>

Kid was about to reply when Rachel suddenly stood in the door.

"Is this how you do your chores?" she asked suspiciously. The riders quickly tried to look busy. Rachel turned to leave, when Lou couldn't hide her curiosity any more.

"What's the army doin' here, Rachel?"

"Captain Beckett said that he has been ordered to seek up Teaspoon to get his opinion about these raids, that's all I know. They've decided to wait here a little while."

"Here?"

"Yes, I know. We just have to try and keep Winnie out of their sight."

"What are you gonna do now?"

"Me? I've got laundry. Why?"

"Well---" Lou smiled foolishly. "I just thought you wanted to keep the captain company, or so---". When she saw the frown in Rachel's face, she quickly continued.

"To keep him away from the house, I mean."

"I haven't got time for that," Rachel replied shortly and turned. Just before she left the barn, she turned her head.

"And I want to see that stable done before supper."

Kid smiled at Lou's disappointed face.

"Trying to play matchmaker, he?" he asked teasingly.

"Well, you'd have to agree that he seems nice. And Rachel have been acting a bit strange later. She could use something else to think about."

"And you think that would be an army officer?"

"I'm not saying that she would get married or anything," Lou objected.

"Maybe just a dinner or something."

"Yeah, I forgot, you're not much for marriages, right?" Kid mumbled as he continued to clean the boxes.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Lou asked angry, when Ike stepped in between them.

<Will you stop that?> he signed irritated.

"Sorry," Kid mumbled, "guess I'm just anxious for Teaspoon to return."

"We all are, I guess," Lou admitted and looked at Kid. She threw an eye around and when she was certain that none of the soldiers could see them, she leaned forward and placed a kiss on Kid's mouth.

"You're forgiven," she whispered.

Buck watched from the house how the soldiers rested near the bunkhouse. The captain was sitting on the porch, sipping his coffee as his eyes discretely followed Rachel as she was hanging up laundry. Wun-oan-te-mee was still sleeping and he was grateful for that. He was tired and he felt as if he needed to cough although he knew it was not so. He wondered what the army knew exactly - he was worried that they would pin the raids on the Kiowa. He was convinced that the town already was filled with gossip about a lost Express Rider whom was probably a prisoner of the Kiowa. He wished that Teaspoon would return with Jimmy. That would take a lot of pressure of him, then he wouldn't have to worry about the army looking for the Kiowa camp. Not that he thought they could find it - even Buck wasn't sure he could. Times had changed and the Kiowa had adjusted to the new threats as they always had done - learning to protect their women and children better and fight more fiercely.

After an hour's wait captain Beckett decided that he had waited long enough. Not that he wanted to leave, he had found Rachel's company a nice surprise, but he had a job to do. Besides he was a bit consternated about the riders' reaction to his question about the missing rider. There was something wrong at the station and he wanted to find out what it was. He hoped that it didn't have anything to do with the housekeeper, but he wouldn't mind paying the station some more visits. But for now, he'd better return to Sweetwater. He left the porch and walked up to the house, where Rachel was sprouting pees for supper. Rachel saw him coming and walked to meet him. Beckett looked at the house wondering where the young half-blood was. He hadn't seen him since they had arrived. He shrugged. He had heard about the incident from his lieutenant and he supposed that the boy wasn't too fond of their presence. But then he was Kiowa and he couldn't ignore that connection.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Dunne, but we must leave. Could you please tell the marshal that I have been looking for him? He can find me in town."

"I'll be sure to tell him," Rachel smiled.

"Well, I better get back. It was a pleasure meeting you."

"Thank you, it was nice meeting you."

Captain Beckett nodded slowly, if he was disappointed at her calm reply he didn't show it. He had only walked a few steps when he turned.

"Tell me, the rider who's half-blood, he's Kiowa?

"Why, yes," Rachel replied lightly trying not to show her concern at his question.

"Just wondered, that's all. I hope to see you again, Mrs. Dunne."

Rachel watched him walk away with some uneasiness. She hoped that he was convinced that there was nothing wrong at the station. She didn't want the army looking for the Kiowa, which they would if they thought they held an Express rider captive. Not only would that spoil Teaspoon's efforts of getting Jimmy out of there safe and sound, but any fight between Kiowa and the army would mean losses on both sides. And that was unbearable to her right now, especially one loss.

"Lieutenant." Captain Beckett turned to his second-in-command. "There's something not right here."

"I agree, Sir. That half-breed rider---"

"No, there's more to it than just one person. I want two of our men to stay and keep the station under surveillance. I want to know about anything unusual that goes on there."

"Yes, Sir, I'll see to it." The lieutenant turned his horse and rode back to the troop. Soon two men left and headed over to a hill from where they could see the station.

Buck sighed with relief as the army headed out. He had enough to be worried about without the army sticking its nose into it. His first concern was Wun-oan-te-mee and as Rachel had said, she was not really out of danger. The poison could still be in her body and she needed a strict diet. Then he was worried about Jimmy. He knew better than any of the others what could happen to Jimmy and it was not a pleasant thought. He was thoughtful about his own sake as well. For the last weeks he'd been thinking about the future. Ever since he had returned from his run and Cody had told him about the small pox epidemic at the Kiowa camp. For once he had been satisfied that his brother and a part of the tribe had chosen the more unsecured life as renegades. At least it had appeared to be the dangerous way when the treaty was signed. He had understood his brother's action then, although one part of him had wanted Red Bear to accept the treaty. He had honestly believed that the treaty and the reservation could bring the two cultures together and he wouldn't have minded working for that. Now he knew better. None of them seemed interested in learning the others' ways and beliefs, which made him wonder where he belonged. The riders were his family and would always be his family, but there was also his brother. He was family too. And last time he had been forced to take sides, he had managed to choose none. He had been determined to leave the Express then, but then Ike had been captured and he felt forced to choose the Kiowa. If his brother hadn't released him from his promise, he would have been with the Kiowa now. But Red Bear had seen what he himself yet had to discover - that he belonged with his white family. Now he wondered if this still was true. So much had happened since that day. They were older now and he suspected that he wasn't the only one thinking of his future.

And then there was this war that apparently was coming. It certainly had brought out some tension among the riders. Not that he cared, he'd never been much for politics and frankly he had a hard time understanding what they were arguing about. It wasn't about land or religion. It wasn't even about honour. Listening to the townspeople and the riders he had found the disagreement to be about freedom. The only problem seemed to be that there was two definitions of the word. He couldn't understand that. Raised Kiowa, he sometimes found it hard to follow his friends reasoning and argument. He still found himself in situations, that if he had been among the Kiowa he would know how to act, but here in the white world, he had to think before he acted. It was frustrating and kept him from feeling as if he belonged.

But still he didn't belong with the Kiowa - or so he thought. A memory of another time suddenly came before him. He must have been five or something and Red Bear had taken him with him to check some traps. He remembered asking a lot of questions and when Red Bear hadn't answered he'd given the answers. After a few minutes Red Bear had quieted him and told him he asked too much. Then he had continued:

"I don't know of anyone asking so much - must be the white part in you. You think too much, pa-con-ta (Translated from Kiowa it means 'my younger brother', author's note)," he had said affectionately. "You must remember to live by your heart and not by your head."

Buck smiled faintly at the memory. He was thinking too much. He had better see to it that Wun-oan-te-mee got better before he dealt with anything else. He had to trust Teaspoon to help Jimmy.

The hours passed slowly for the riders. The new horses arrived and Ike headed out for the run after losing the draw. Rachel finally finished hanging up the last sheet on the line and with a content smile she picked up the basket to return to the house when Lou called out.

"Riders coming!"

She dropped the basket and rushed out on the yard, where the rest of the riders already was gathered, waiting.

"It's only two," Buck said as he squinted towards the horizon. "It's Noah and Cody."

As the riders came closer the others could verify his words. It was only Noah and Cody and there was no sign of Teaspoon or Jimmy. Kid rushed up and grabbed Cody's reins as the two reached the station.

"Where's Teaspoon? What happened?" Kid asked urgently.

"Let me just catch my breath, he," Cody replied irritated. He and Noah had discussed the situation on their way home and the fact that they couldn't find any solution had got on Cody's nerves and he was not in a good mood.

Reluctantly Kid held his tongue as Noah and Cody dismounted and tie their horses to the fence. Then they turned to the others, uncertain of how to begin. Noah scratched his neck and looked up.

"Well, we met with the Kiowa all right," he begun. No one commented, but waited anxiously for him to continue.

"They refused to let Jimmy go, at least until he passed some sort of test.

Teaspoon managed to convince them that if he passes, then he's free to go, provided we get them some supplies."

"Test?" Kid asked suspicious.

"Don't look at me, I don't know," Noah said. "I think Teaspoon had some idea though."

Kid glared at Buck for a second, but stayed quiet. Buck saw it, but refrained from saying or doing anything.

"So where is Teaspoon?" Lou wanted to know.

"With the Kiowa," came the tired reply.

"What?" Kid stared at Noah as if he didn't believe what he just heard. Buck held his breath, wondering what Teaspoon had in mind.

"He said that Jimmy would have to go through that test, but he would try to give him any help he could. He was allowed to go with them, so he did."

"And you let him? Didn't you think it was enough with Jimmy captive?" Kid said upset.

"It was Teaspoon's decision," Noah objected. "What would you have me do? Put a gun to his head and ordered him out of there?"

"I guess not," Kid murmured. "So what do we do now?"

"Teaspoon told us to meet him again tomorrow. By then he hopes everything will be over, one way or another."

"Why don't we get the army involved right now - we can follow Teaspoon's tracks back to the camp and get both of them out tonight. The Captain was here today and he seems to know his business."

Buck frowned.

"You'll not find the camp," he said silently. "They will have covered the tracks."

"But you could, couldn't you?" Kid turned and looked at Buck.

"Maybe," Buck replied coldly, "but I'm not going to."

"And why not?"

"Because that will kill both Jimmy and Teaspoon."

"At least they would have a quick death then," Kid sneered, "instead of being tortured. Besides we don't know if they'd be killed, now do we?"

"Hold it," Noah interrupted. "We don't know anything, so I suggest we trust Teaspoon. If he's not at the meeting place tomorrow, then I'll vote for bringing in the army."

"That goes for me too," Cody added.

"All right, if they aren't there tomorrow, then we tell the captain," Kid agreed.

Buck looked at his friends and seeing that they would not changed their minds he left without saying anything. Rachel looked after him and turned to the riders.

"You're sure about this?" she asked silently.

"What else can we do, Rachel?" Cody asked. "We can't just let them disappear."

Rachel knew that they were right. All she could do was hope that Teaspoon and Jimmy would show up tomorrow. Teaspoon was relieved when sounds around him told him that they had reached the Kiowa camp. Someone helped him off the horse and after that the blindfold was removed. Blinking in the light, he looked around. He found himself being stared upon by unmoved faces which showed no emotions. Not far away some children stared at him with unconcealed curiosity before some women shooed them away. Teaspoon turned to Red Bear.

"May I see him?" he asked, not wanting to wait. Red Bear nodded, and after exchanging a few words with Black Hawk, he motioned to Teaspoon to follow

him. They walked to a tent an the guard moved away as they approached. Red Bear held up the flap before the opening.

"You'll have to stay here until we tell you," he said shortly.

Teaspoon nodded and quickly crawled in. There was not much light inside and it took him some time before he saw the figure of a man on a buffalo robe.

He didn't move when he approached him and Teaspoon realised that his hands were tied behind his back.

"Jimmy," he said softly as he reached the boy. To his joy, Jimmy blinked and then looked back at him.

"Teaspoon," he whispered unbelievingly, "what are you doing here?"