Part 1
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Part 10 It had been two weeks since Buck was caught on Craven’s land. His wounds had healed up nicely and aside from a slight tenderness and a fever he had no scars from the flogging. Not any visible scars anyway. But he had been reluctant to go into town and after Cody’s incident the week before he had blankly refused. Cody had been on an errand for Rachel, and had decided to ease his thirst with a sarsaparilla at the saloon before he headed back. Inside a couple of men had challenged his friendship with Buck, whom they called a thief and less worthy words. Cody, being insulted on Buck’s behalf, had replied and soon it escalated from a fight with words to a fistfight. The two men, being more experienced and heavier, had beaten him up pretty good, and he still walked around with a black eye. Buck felt guilty that one of his friends had got into trouble because of him, but Cody shrugged it off. But Buck knew that he’d remember it even when Cody’s black eye would have disappeared and he loathed the idea that it would happen again. So he remained at the station, at least for the time being. This wasn’t unnoticed by his friends, and although they didn’t tell him, they were worried about him. Even Cody had realised that it wasn’t the right time to joke about his black eye or the reason why it had happened. That was unusual for Cody, being used to turn everything into a story, preferable with him as the hero. Ike had tried to talk to Buck a few times about the whole thing, but Buck had firmly refused to discuss it, so Ike had revealed his worries to Teaspoon. Teaspoon had only one advice and that was to wait, hoping that time would heel. Unsatisfied, the riders had continued as usual, with the excepting that they were covering Buck’s run until Doc would let him ride again. Jimmy still believed that James had said the truth and as the boy recovered from the wound he made several visits out to the homestead. In secret that is, not wanting to upset the others. Only Lou knew what he was up to, and although she didn’t completely approved of his actions, she didn’t condemn it either. She was uncertain to if the story been a lie or not, and felt torn between her two friends. She had discussed the matter with Kid, and although he too was sceptical he had agreed with Jimmy that so far they weren’t anything that had proved the boy was lying. And by that reasoning Kid admitted that he was inclined to believe the boy. If Buck had had time to search the woods more carefully and if he by then he hadn’t found any tracks, then it would be something different, Kid had concluded their discussion. There was an awful lot of if in his reasoning, but Lou had agreed. But they kept their suspicions to themselves, only too aware that both Ike and Noah believed Buck and were convinced the boy was lying. The issue, although never discussed in the open, had slowly and invisibly separated the riders, with Cody apparently unaffected by the events. Both Rachel and Teaspoon noticed the separation with worry, hoping that the matter would be resolved without any trouble. Teaspoon was still worried about Craven’s message that the army had been called in, but so far there hadn’t been any sign of an army unit, much to Teaspoon’s relief. He had a feeling that with time, the alleged attack would be forgotten by the townspeople and everything would go back to normal. If only Craven kept calm. If there weren’t any more incidents. A lot of ifs… It was quiet around the table as Rachel served the dinner. It wasn’t unusual these days, but today it was more quiet than normal, since Cody was out on run. Rachel never thought she’d admit it, but she really missed Cody and his unrestricted chatter at the table. The tension in the others became more obvious when he was gone, she observed as the door opened and Teaspoon entered. "You’re late," Rachel said smiling. "Sorry, Rachel, but something came up." Teaspoon replied shortly and sat down. Great, Rachel thought miserably, another one. She could see that Teaspoon wasn’t in the mood to discuss what had happened, which made her fear that it had something to do with the Craven business. She hoped none of the boys noticed, but in this wish she was unsuccessful. "What’s wrong?" Jimmy could see the signs clearly on Teaspoon. Teaspoon sighed and looked at the boys around the table, who by now had turned their concentration from the food on the table to him. "A message from Ft.Kearney came through today," he started as he accepted a plate with stew from Rachel. "Another special run?" Noah asked lightly, hoping that this was the case, but rather sure it wasn’t. "No. This message was to inform me that they had received a message about a Kiowa attack on a homestead, and that they’re sending an army unit to investigate the matter. They should be arriving the day after tomorrow and the commanding officer at Kearney asked that I should assist them." Silence followed on Teaspoon’s words as eyes turned to Buck. Buck gazed down on the table picketing at his food, before he looked up. "What are you going to do?" Buck asked calmly, looking at the marshal. "I’ll try and help them get a straight answer to all this," Teaspoon replied. "And what if that’s not what they want?" Buck’s voice rose slightly. "Maybe they’re just looking for an excuse." "Now, son, I understand what you’re saying, but the message said that they were only coming here to investigate – not to take any actions." "For the army that might be the same thing." "Or maybe not. Let us not jump to conclusions before they arrive. Besides, I have no intention in helping them start a war." "And if they believe the boy’s lie?" "If it is a lie." The reply came silently from across the table and Buck sent Jimmy an angry glance. "Hold it!" Teaspoon said sharply, seeing where the conversation was headed. "The army is only here to investigate and until they say they have any other intentions, I’m gonna believe them. I suggest the rest of you do the same. Now I want to eat my dinner in peace." "I’ve nothing to object to that," Noah added lightly and reached for the bread. Buck and Jimmy glared at each other across the table, but both of them knew that any further discussion on the subject would be futile, so they sat in silence. But it was obvious to everybody in the room that the two wasn’t at the best of terms – not in a long way. As soon as dinner was over Jimmy walked out of the bunkhouse and headed for the stables. He could hear somebody following, but he didn’t bother to turn around to see who it was. Instead he went straight over to his horse grabbing the saddle on his way. "What are you going to do?" Lou’s voice sounded in the barn. "None of your business." "Why are you so upset? You knew how Buck would react to that comment. Honestly, I think it was pretty unnecessary to upset him like that." "Well, I didn’t realise that I needed to tiptoe around him." "That’s not what I mean. It’s just that – well, you know what he’s been through ---" "Haven’t we all? Why do we have to take special consideration to him just because he did something stupid?" "That’s not fair." "Fair? What’s fair? I have to sneak out to Craven’s to see a boy who’d been attacked by Indians and apparently I have to keep quiet – all so that I don’t upset Buck. Why?" Lou became silent. She knew what Jimmy was aiming at but Buck was their friend and even if Jimmy was worried about the boy, she didn’t give much for Craven. "It ain’t you that were beaten," she mumbled. "I wouldn’t have been such a fool to have headed out there either," Jimmy snapped back, tired at everybody questioning him. He tightened the girth on the saddle and mounted. Before Lou could answer he rode out of the station. "Yeah you would," Lou muttered as she heard footsteps behind her. "What’s the matter with Jimmy?" Kid asked as he watched after the disappearing rider. "I told him not to upset Buck, and he just got all angry." "Well, you can’t blame him. Buck just lashes out on anybody who tries to blame the Kiowa these days, no matter if they’re right or not. Can’t understand what’s gotten into him." Kid shook his head, unable to understand that anybody could defend wrong actions – it was not logical. Either a man was right or he was wrong and no matter the emotional bonds, a man should be able to see through them. He knew he would never again let emotions cloud his mind. Emotions weren’t rational. Lou sighed sadly. The situation threatened to tear their small group apart and she didn’t know what to do about it. It was Craven’s fault, she pondered. All of it. Craven had been over to Thompkins to get his support in the town’s council, and he might even have convinced Thompkins. There had been a somewhat agitated discussion, which Teaspoon had attended without the riders’ knowledge. He’d done his best to calm the men down, but a few of them had questioned his behaviour when he took Buck back to the station rather than into town. They were convinced that the matter should have been brought to a judge, as they explained, to see whether or not this man Craven was trouble or not. That’s how they had put it and even if Teaspoon knew that they weren’t exactly out to get to Buck, but rather more worried of the stir Craven had caused, he was convinced that Buck would never get a fair trial in these circumstances due to his heritage. So he claimed again that there were no evidence and that it would be bad to bring out the assault again. He managed to convince them, which proved to him that the town was more than willing to put the whole incident behind them and just go on with their lives. All Teaspoon wished for what that he would see the same progress in Buck. But right now he didn’t see anything that could tell him that the boy had managed to live it down. Knowing Buck he feared that revenge was burning strong within the young Indian and that this time the urge to revenge himself might not stop at spiders and rattlesnakes. He just hoped that he could prevent any trouble before anyone got hurt or worst, killed. James looked miserably out the window. The doctor had told them that there was no danger to him and that the wound had healed nicely. He wouldn’t even get a scar. The attention he had enjoyed for a week when school begun was now gone and the other boys in town had started to get tired on his endless bragging about his bravery. Not that he needed them, James pondered miserably. One day he’d show them, just they wait. What was worse was that his father seemed to have forgotten about the incident and was slowly coming back to his normal brutal ways. James longed for his father to be proud of him as he'd been after the incident. Not even the visits now and then by Jimmy Hickok cheered him up. He didn't really know why Hickok came by and he was no fun anyway. James had asked if he would teach him how to shoot, but when Hickok had refused he'd been deeply disappointed. And besides, none of the boys in school seemed to be too impressed with the fact that he knew "Wild Bill" Hickok. They said that he was just one of the express riders, so it wasn't much to be agitated about. He knew that he should be doing his chores right now, but he didn't feel like it. No matter if he did'em or not, his father would most likely yell at him anyway. He hated everything in this town. He wanted to move back, but he knew his father would never do that. If he'd been older he would have left, but he was too scared to do that. His only joy was the few moments when he could sneak out and practise with the gun his father had allowed him to use. His father had told him only to use it when he was present but James couldn't help taking it without his father's knowledge. There was something special about holding a weapon - it took away the fear. An angry call sounded throw the house and James jumped up. His father must have noticed that he'd left some chores undone. Suddenly feeling sick he rushed into the large room where his father was standing with a grim look on his face. Without a word he removed his belt and trembling James realised what was coming. Knowing the procedure by now, he bit his lip and turned his back to his father, anticipating the first stroke. Fighting the tears the small boy silently endured the beating. Buck looked at Teaspoon, deeply disappointed. Without a word he turned away. Teaspoon could feel the disappointment and his heart weakened. He turned as he saw Jimmy emerge from the bunkhouse, ready to take the run. He cursed silently as he made his decision. He went over to Buck. "You're sure you're up to it?" "Yes." Buck looked suspiciously at Teaspoon. "If I let you take this run can you promise me that'll you stay as far away as possible from Craven's land?" "I don't see ---," Buck started, but silenced when he saw Teaspoon's face. "Yes." "Then go - and be sure to stay out of trouble." "But what about Jimmy?" "I'll talk to him - now get out of here before I change my mind." Buck smile briefly at him before he mounted and headed out from the station. Jimmy looked after him as he walked up to Teaspoon. "What was that all about?" he asked. "Sorry to disturb you, Jimmy. Buck's doing that run." "That run will take him directly pass Craven's land." Jimmy look questionably at Teaspoon. The question that was in his mind was clear. "I know. But he'll have to pass that land sooner or later. I just hope that this ain't the wrong time." "You want me to ride after - just to see?" Teaspoon frowned and looked after the disappearing rider. "No", he said finally, "He's on his own. Besides Buck got enough sense to stay clear of Craven." Jimmy looked doubtingly at him, but then he shrugged. If Teaspoon believed Buck, then he'd wouldn't be the one to plant doubts in his mind. But Teaspoon hadn't been around Buck that much since the whole thing had stirred up some trouble in town. Jimmy knew that if it had happened to him, he surely would have wanted revenge. And he wasn't so sure Buck wasn't thinking the same. And sending him that close to Craven - if Buck happened to run into Craven who'd knew what might happen? Jimmy looked after Teaspoon as the older man walked away. Maybe he should follow him anyway? But then he thought again and decided that it was unnecessary. Buck knew better than getting himself into trouble again. Buck felt relieved when he finally was able to leave the station. Not that he didn't like it, it was just that he'd been confined to the station for so long. And although the others meant well, their concern for him had been hard to bear. And not being able to do anything than brood on the events had darkened his mind. He really needed this run. And if all that it took was for him to keep away from Craven's place, then he would. There was just something else he needed to do first. "Marshal! Hunter!" "What now?" Teaspoon muttered a he heard the voice outside the door. He'd recognised it as coming from one of the men siding with Craven and who'd been out there, guarding the place. It had been calm ever since Buck had left on his errand and with was with a unpleasant feeling that Teaspoon remembered that he was on his way to Laramie and should have passed Craven. He hoped this was nothing to do with Buck. "What?" he asked staring the man in the face. "If Craven got any new complaints---" "He won't be makin' any complains from now, marshal. He's been shot - murdered. And before the very eyes of his boy!" Teaspoon froze. As if the man couldn't be more trouble, he'd gotten himself killed! "Did the boy say who did it?" "Nope, he ain't speakin'. Doc says he's in some kind of shock." Damn, Teaspoon thought to himself, as he noticed more people arriving, among them Emery. In the corner of his eye he saw more of Craven's associates ride into town. "I'll head out there as soon as possible- Doc's there right now?" "Yes, he's doin' what he can for the family. The wife is all broken up, and with the boy and all ---" "Where's that Indian rider of yours, marshal?" Emery's voice sounded over the mumbling crowd. He'd quickly learned the news when arriving and his face was red with anger and frustration "Buck's on a run," Teaspoon replied calmly. "He can't be responsible." "I'd like to see some proof of that - after all he threatened to kill Craven. And I wasn't the only one that heard him." A consenting mumbling told Teaspoon that several others must have heard the same. "When did he do this?" he asked, slightly worried over the turn of the conversation as he noticed Lou stepping up behind him. "When we caught him on Craven's land." Another man supported Emery. "We surely would like to know where he was when Craven was killed." "Now hold on. I ain't gonna do nothing until I've talked to Mrs. Craven and the boy." "We still think that the half-breed should be arrested until the boy is able to tell us who did it." "Ever heard of innocent until proven guilty, Emery?" Teaspoon sneered. "Don't care about that, marshal. We're talking 'bout our safety here. I'd say that if you can't do your job properly, then maybe we should find us another marshal." "Feel free to put that suggestion to the town council, Emery. But until you do, I'm still the law around here and you better do as I say. Now I ain't gonna arrest anybody until I got some more proof." "We'll get you that proof, won't we?" Emery replied and Teaspoon wondered where the man got this force. He was acting as a man possessed. "We'll prove that that low-life half-breed did it. And when we've done it, we'll see to it that he pays for it." Emery turned around. "Let's get out of here." Teaspoon watched several men glare at him as they turned to follow Emery. Too many to his liking. He suddenly felt worried about Buck and turned to Lou. "What was that all 'bout?" she asked nervously. She hadn't liked the look on the crowd. "Craven's been killed. Emery is out to get Buck for it." "He can't mean that. Besides, Buck couldn't have done it - he's on that special run for the army." "I know. Lou, can you do me a favour. I wanna be on the safe side in this. Head out to Laramie and get a signed statement from the officer in charge on when Buck arrived and left. I know that it shouldn't be necessary but I want everything to be undoubted in this. Craven had to many followers in this town." "Shouldn't I wait until Buck's back? He could tell us what time he arrived." "I know. But I want this to be as clean as possible. I don't want Emery to come with some accusations that we've been meddling with evidence or something like that." "OK. You want me to head out at once?" "Yes, the sooner we get this cleared up the better. When's Buck due back?" "Late tomorrow." "Tell Rachel to tell him to stay at the station when he's back." Lou nodded. "What are you gonna do?" "I better head over to Craven to see what all this is 'bout. Apparently the boy saw the whole thing." "Can't he say who did it then?" "He ain't speakin'. Some sort of shock." Lou's eyes widened. "Will he speak again?" Lou thought of Ike and what he'd gone through. "I hope so. Doc's out there right now." Jimmy finished the last on the pile of the chopped wood before he simply brushed of his hands on the pants. With all of his chores done, he decided to head over to Craven's to see how James was doing. The boy had seemed a bit moody the last time he was there and he was concerned that Craven was coming down on the boy again. When he arrived at the homestead there was a lot of activities around the house. Several men, armed with rifles, stood outside the house in what looked as serious discussion. Craven was nowhere to be seen, but Jimmy recognised Doc's wagon standing by the stable. One of the men outside, nodded slightly towards him, recognising him from his visits. Jimmy quickly dismounted and walked up to him. "What's happened? Why's Doc here?" "Somebody put a bullet in Craven." "He's badly hurt?" "He's dead. The boy saw it, but he ain't talkin'. Hasn't said a word since we found 'em. He just sat there staring at his Pa's body. When we took him away he just started screaming. Scary." Jimmy felt his heart go cold. Even if he had not much to say about Craven, his heart went out to the boy. No matter how Craven treated him, he'd been the boy's father. "Can I see him, the boy?" "You'd better ask Doc. He's inside." Jimmy nodded and quickly walked up to the door. A gentle tapon the door gave opened it and Doc nodded a greeting at him. "Jimmy, what are you doin' here?" "I just heard. Thought that I might be of some help." "I can't see---" "I've been out here to see the boy now and then - the men outside said he ain't talking. Maybe he'll talk to me?" Doc looked at him. Then he sighed and opened the door. "It's worth a try. Just try not and upset the boy too much. He's been through a lot, as you well can understand." "I wont,'" Jimmy promised. With a small nod towards the two women he followed Doc to the boy's room. He was a bit surprised at the fact that the boy was alone in his room. He would have thought that the boy would need the support of his family, especially his mother, at a time like this. Doc answered his unsaid question. "The boy wanted to be alone. We'll see if he lets you in." Doc knocked gently on the door. "James? There's a friend here to see you. Think you're up to it? It's Jimmy Hickok." They heard a muffled sound from inside and soon they heard a key being turned and two reddened eyes peak out. Then the boy left the door and returned inside, leaving the door ajar. Jimmy hesitated for a moment, but then he opened the door and followed the boy into the room. "I'm sorry," Jimmy begun placing himself on a chair close to the bed where the boy had placed himself. "I heard about your Pa." Then he silenced. The boy didn't seem to notice what he had to say. So Jimmy just sat there. After what seemed as an eternity, James turned and faced him with tears streaming down his cheeks. "Sometimes I wished he was dead," he hiccuped softly, "but I didn't really want him to die. It's my fault." "No it ain't," Jimmy assured him. "Where you there when it happened?" The boy nodded. "I was so scared," he mumbled. "I was so scared I was gonna die." "Who did it, James? Did you get a good look at who it was?" Again the boy nodded, but then he turned away. "Won't you tell me who did it?" James shook his head. "He won't be able to hurt you, I promise." Before he could get an answer there was a voice by the door. "Jimmy?" Teaspoon's voice cut through the door. "I'll come back, all right?" Jimmy looked at the boy. "I want you to stay," James looked pleadingly at Jimmy. "I've gotta talk to the marshal, but then I'll be back." Jimmy rose and lefdt the room. Teaspoon greeted him with a short nod, not looking too pleased with Jimmy's presence. As soon as they'd left the house Teaspoon turned and looked at him. "What are you doin' here?" he asked harshly. Hesitantly Jimmy looked down at his feet before answering. "I've been out here a few times to see to the boy. I had no idea that Craven been shot." Teaspoon nodded. He wasn't content over Jimmy's actions but there was no use in blaming the boy now. There were more urgent matters ahead. "I s'pose you did what you thought were best. But we got more important things to take care of. Might even be a good thing you're here." "What's happened?" "Ambrose Emery opened his big mouth when the whole thing was reported. He's blaming Buck for the killing. When he left he claimed that he would be able toprove it too. I hate to think of what he could do, especially if he manage to rally up a few men. "Emery rallying up men? Don't think you'll have to worry 'bout that Teaspoon. The man's a fool." "Never underestimate people, Jimmy. That might be good to remember." "But Buck couldn't have done it - besides he's on that special run." "I know that and you know that - unfortunately these people don't know that. You better help me find something that can tell us something about who really did this." "I tried to talk to the boy, but he ain't saying anything." "But he's talking to you?" "Yeah. Well sort of anyway." "But he can't tell you who did it?" Jimmy shook his head. "I think the poor kid is blaming himself. Said he'd wished for his pa to die." "Well, that might be a reason. Can't help feeling that there's more to it though." At that moment several men showed up at the house, Ambrose Emery at their lead. "Found anything marshal?" Emery sneered. "Not yet, Emery, and when I do I see no reason why I should tell you. What are you doing here anyway?" "We're here to see to that you do your job and ain't trying to protect anyone, especially that half-breed." Teaspoon sighed and left the comment without a reply. Apparently there was no way he could convince Emery that Buck had nothing to do with it, so he decided it was better to just leave it at that. "Can you show me where you found him?" he asked the man who'd reported it and ignored Emery. "I'll show you." The man started to walk towards the woods with Teaspoon and Jimmy following him. From his window James could hear what was being said as he watched the events before him. He had a hard time believing that his father actually was dead and that he now was the head of the family. But he didn't feel like the head of the family. When Jimmy had showed up, he'd been relieved. Maybe he could talk to him about everything. Now he was deeply disappointed. Jimmy had no interest in him. He'd gone with the marshal to help their friend from Emery's accusations. And Jimmy appeared to have forgotten his promise to return. Anger welled up within the boy. If Jimmy Hickok didn't help him, then he wouldn't help Jimmy either. Not if he valued a half-breed over him, James. As the boy watched them leave he could feel the old feeling of disappointment and frustration inside him. "I'll show you Hickok," he mumbled to himself, "I'll show you who'd you should have cared about." Teaspoon carefully watched the ground but he found nothing that told him who the killer might have been. He rose and looked at Jimmy. "Anything?" he asked. Jimmy shook his head. "Not a thing. Whoever did this was careful about leaving any tracks." "Looks like it was planned then," Teaspoon sighed. That would not make it any easier. "Who do you think did it?" "I don't know. Craven have manage to stir up a lot of feelings since he arrived but I can't was thinking." Nobody except Buck. If anybody had a reason to hate Craven it was Buck. It was a good thing he was on a run, Jimmy pondered. That would make it easier for them to prove he couldn't have done it. "Well there's nothing more to see here. We might as well head back." Teaspoon rose after a quick examination of the ground. Teaspoon looked at Jimmy. "You better come with me." "You don't think I should try and talk to the boy again?" "Let them get some time in private. This must be a hard blow to them." Jimmy refrained from speaking his mind. He suspected that the family wasn't the best support for the boy at a time like this but he didn't feel like arguing with Teaspoon either. So he simply nodded and followed Teaspoon back to the house. "Tell Mrs. Craven that I'm sorry for her loss and that I'll do my best in catching the killer," Teaspoon told Doc as they mounted their horses. "You're planning on coming back here?" Doc asked. "Yes, when they're ready I need to speak to all of them, especially the boy." "I understand," Doc nodded. "I'll let you know when I think they're ready." "Thanks, Doc," Teaspoon replied and made his way through the small crowd around Emery. They stared hostile at Teaspoon and Jimmy as they passed and Jimmy felt a bit uneasy as he realised they looked more like a posse than concerned citizens did. As soon as they were of the ground of the homestead Jimmy turned to Teaspoon to let him know. But Teaspoon had seen it too. "I know, Jimmy," he said. "I didn't like the look of'em either." "They looked more like a posse than anything else," Jimmy muttered. "Think they're going to do anything?" "Ain't sure. When is Buck due back?" "Tomorrow - if nothing have happen. Do you think there'll be trouble?" "He'll have to pass here. If Emery and that gang still out here when he pass - who knows?" "What are you planning to do?" "I don't know. I'm thinking 'bout sending Cody out tomorrow morning to meet Buck, tell him make a detour." "Buck wont like it." "I don't care. Until this has been sorted out, he'd have to stay low. Until Lou's back we can't prove he wasn't here." Lou dismounted outside the captain's office, exhausted from the hard ride. She wasted no time on resting, but headed straight into the office. The officer looked at her with some surprise. "What's this? You're the second rider from Sweetwater in a short time. Anything wrong?" "Not really. I just have a request from the marshal, sir. If you could write a statement to when the other rider arrived and left, he'd appreciate it." "That's no problem." Then he frowned. "We got a rapport about Indian trouble out there - this has nothing to do with that has it? It's the half-blood rider you're talking about, right?" Lou looked straight at the man. "No, Sir," she said with a steady voice. The man looked suspiciously at her before he reached for pen and paper. "I trust Teaspoon knows what he's doing," he said as he folded the paper and handed it over to her. "You're sending any troops to Sweetwater?" "Yes, five men, but their orders are to work with the marshal. And since we've not heard anything else, we're treating it as an isolated event. Nothing to start a fight over." "Thank you," Lou said, relieved at the news. Buck would be pleased to hear that, unless he hadn't found out himself when he'd been there. She threw a quick glance at the paper before she was to place it in her pocket. Suddenly she froze in her movement and stared at the words. Slowly she unfolded it and read what the captain had written again. "Sir, there must be something wrong here." Lou handed the paper back. "No, there's nothing wrong. That's when he came and left, as requested." Unable to say something, Lou nodded and walked briskly out from the office. She quickly mounted Lightning with one thought in her mind. Teaspoon would not be pleased when she brought him the news. |
To be continued...
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